"Gettysburg - Accurate Distances Required" Topic

I've a detailed period map of Gettysburg that's not in the original size. Its supposed to be scaled at 1 inch = 1000 ft.in its original format.

Any suggestions as to checking how far out it is?

My thought was checking against an accurate distance between two or more fixed points – buildings etc

A good while back someone posted range finder readings that had been taken on site but I've long since forgotten who posted that and on which thread.

Any ideas or suggestions welcome.

Try the USGS on-line maps.

Which period map are you using? You might check out

link

or these field map

auction

The map is the one drawn by US Army Engineers under the supervision of General Warren a few years after the battle.

Its very detailed and most importantly has no Units of either side marked on it.

The detail is so good as in its first print it was made at 1 inch = 200 ft and later reduced to the 1 inch = 1000 ft format.

I think the original in the 1 – 1000 scale was 81 x 70 cm but I have no idea if that included the boarder round it – I imagine it did – but that then leaves some entertaining math to get my totally un-numeric head round!

Have you thought about using goole earth, that has a tool for doing point to point distances.

Here are some Gettysburg maps that still have scales so you can cross reference.

link

Thanks Mark. Actually, this is the map I have! ;o)

Well, less the troop blocks anyway.

I've had the full Library of Congress download I saved printed off at my local shop and that measures about the same over all size as the Catalogued item. So I assume the scale is good on that one.

The on line map is fractionally larger between two points but so is the blow up test I did for myself prior to getting the original printed.

That said, the differences all round are so small, for gaming purposes, I'm not going to sweat it, now I have had chance to cross check.

Thanks for the replies everyone.