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A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam
1983
Rules assistance for A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 420–4200 min
- 12+
- Complexity 3.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam is a board game released in 1983 for 2–6 players, 420–4200 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Richard H. Berg and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Simulation.
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About the game
"EVERY STALK OF CORN IN THE NORTHERN AND GREATER PART OF THE FIELD WAS CUT AS CLOSELY AS COULD HAVE BEEN DONE WITH A KNIFE, AND THE SLAIN LAY IN ROWS PRECISELY AS THEY HAD STOOD IN THEIR RANKS A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE." General Hooker commenting on the cannister fire of six Union batteries The summer of 1862 was a time of peril for the Union. The Army of the Potomac and its generals had failed the test of battle again and again. In September, Robert E. Lee invaded the North. One more victory might have turned the war in favor of the Confederacy. In desperation, Lincoln placed George B. Mc-Clellan in command. The pursuing Union army caught up to the Confederates at Antietam Creek. With the Confederates outnumbered 2 to 1, and on Union soil, McClellan had the chance to end the war in a single day. It was the bloodiest day in the history of America. In A GLEAM OF BAYONETS, the map illustrates the orchards, corn and wheat fields, as well as the ‘Bloody Lane’, which were bitterly fought over. Colorful counters represent the actual units — the infantry regiments, artillery batteries, supply wagons and historical commanders. Additional counters represent the strength and status of the units. Simple probability charts determine each exciting confrontation’s outcome. Detailed, regimental-level recreation of the Battle of Antietam/Sharpsburg. Each hex covers 120 yards, while each strength point is the equivilent of 50 men or 1 artillery gun. Each game turn represents 20 minutes of time. This is Volume 7 of the original SPI / TSR Great Battles of the American Civil War series. COMPONENTS (2) 22"x34" maps (2) rules booklets (2) six sided dice (2) plastic counter trays 1600 counters (from the back of the box and user's description)
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- Tactical Studies Rules (TSR)
Questions and answers
A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam is 420–4200 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam has a complexity rating of 3.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam belongs to these categories: Wargame, Post-Napoleonic, and American Civil War. Its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Simulation. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam are: Richard H. Berg. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists A Gleam of Bayonets: The Battle of Antietam as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.