TSS, with over 1000 counters, is classified as a "monster" wargame; as one of the largest board games ever produced, it often takes longer to play than the actual 3-day battle of July 1–3, 1863.

[1] The game's title comes from the third line of the Battle Hymn of the Republic: "He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword."

This also affects morale, since each unit is rated for how many strength points it can lose before its Brigade Combat Effectiveness is destroyed.

Cavalry are ineffective on the battlefield (they were used largely for reconnaissance and dismounted defence by that era) and are expensive in victory points if lost.

This covered the First Battle of Kernstown, in which Stonewall Jackson defeated a Union force superior in numbers and firepower but inferior in morale if ordered to move, let alone fight.

I say new but a lot of the rules are pretty standard, what Richard Berg has done is take them, polish them up, re-tune and finally synchronise all these good ideas into one new system."

Vasey concluded, "In play one really gets the feel of the period, attacks really are bloody and must be pushed to the limit ... A real slogger, but an accurate simulation."

"[13] In his 1977 book The Comprehensive Guide to Board Wargaming, Nicholas Palmer called the game "strongly tactical in emphasis, with particularly detailed rules for firing different types of weapons" which "plays smoothly".

"[14] In Issue 54 of Moves, Steve List warned of the "many, many detailed rules" and called the game "dauntingly complex."

A solid weekend of diligent activity might suffice to reach a conclusion in a single day scenario, but the whole battle cannot be played out in one sitting.

He noted "The historical situation provides many opportunities for both players to exercise their initiative in bold strokes of tactical brilliance."