A Battle South of the Border

Last weekend, I enjoyed gaming on two consecutive days.  Quite an unusual occurrence for me although my gaming frequency has picked up dramatically in 2017.  One of my 2017 goals was to increase the number of games played.  Oh wait.  I never actually published my 2017 goals.  You will have to believe me on this point.

Mexican casualty markers from Eureka

In anticipation of a Mexican-American War game, a half-dozen Mexican casualty markers rolled off the painting desk.  These six markers were presented to Terry for his 25mm Mexican-American War collection.  While his collection is comprised of "true" 25mm Scruby figures, these 18mm markers will fit in nicely, nonetheless.  Each of the six markers is painted in the uniform of one of the Mexican regiments in the collection.  I left the markers unflocked so they can be matched to the existing collection.  Six more American casualty markers linger in the painting queue.  With positive feedback on the the Mexican markers, I will forge on with the Americans.

For Saturday's game, Terry set up the Mexican Army in a good defensible position on high ground dominating the surrounding landscape.  Even in a strong defensive situation, I find the Mexicans are really no match for the American Army.  Using an amended version of Regimental Fire and Fury specifically for the Mexican-American War, all advantage lies with the Americans.  In many games played, I have yet to see the Mexicans beat the Americans in a stand up fight.  This game may provide the exception.

With no foresight into the game being presented, I joined the game with no preconceptions of troop dispositions, deployments or strategies.  After a brief battle overview from Terry, the Americans attacked.

Mexicans hold the high ground as the Americans prepare to attack

Mexican cavalry deployed forward of the line,
 charge into the oncoming Americans.
One American battalion is sent reeling to the rear.

With depth, Americans advance against the Mexican left.

Americans attack the left in overwhelming numbers

While the American right consolidates,
the center attacks the heights

Mexican right takes a pounding as the brittle,
 Mexican battalions withdraw to the rear.

Counterattack in the center!

Americans repulsed on the right!

Mexican cavalry find a gap and charge in!

Mex. cavalry charge home driving the Americans back

Situation when game called.

The game was forced to a premature conclusion due to time constraints but the Mexican position was still viable.  The American right and center were feeling significant pressure and their left had been halted.  Likely the Americans would regroup and charge in again.  With a much weakened Mexican right, could they hold out a second time?  Guns were being redeployed from the Mexican left to the right to lend support for the crumbling right flank.  This might have been the battle where the Mexicans actually pull off a victory.  Could it be? 

While these Mexican-American War games are often lopsided, it is always a pleasure to see Terry's Old School collection on the gaming table.  Especially pleasurable since two of the Mexican battalions present on the field were painted by me in the Old School style.  To see those earlier works visit posts, 10th Line Regiment and  San Blas Militia.

25mm Scruby Mexicans II

A second small batch of Scruby 25mm Mexicans from the Mexican-American War range departs the painting desk.  These infantry are fielded as the San Blas militia. Like their comrades, the 10th Line before, these are painted in a semi-glossy, Old School style in attempt to approximate the style in an existing collection. 

That does it for my foray into Scruby 25mm figures (for now, anyway!).  A fun little diversion that yielded two more Mexican battalions in little time and for less than $25.  Perhaps some day, the quantity of Mexicans will be able to overcome the American quality on the field of battle?

While these Scrubys have a certain Old School charm about them, I wonder if new gaming projects are still being launched with these figures in mind?  The sculpting is no longer state of the art and they will not fit in with the current crop of 25mm or 28mm figures on the market today.  Actually, with a measurement of about 22mm from bottom of foot to eye, these might fit in satisfactorily with larger, so called 20mm or 1/72nd scale figures.

Alt-Battle of Cerro Gordo, 1847 BatRep

The second battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican-American War was fought at Terry's at the end of June.  Given the American victory in our earlier clash (Cerro Gordo BatRep), Terry provided an alternative scenario.  This time, the Mexicans under Santa Anna caught wind of the American outflanking maneuver and repositioned his forces to thwart the plan.

While Terry commanded the Americans, John and I commanded the Mexicans.  Mexican forces were split with John taking the right and center.  I took command of Velasquez and the cavalry on the left.  Since the Mexican right consisted of a force solely of militia, the Mexican plan was to hold the right in support of the center as the Mexicans quickly brought the battle to the American left before they could be reinforced.  At start, the Mexican guns on the heights were sorely exposed and were much closer to the enemy than their own lines.  The guns needed support and quickly! 

The game was fought using the Mexican-American War variant of Regimental Fire and Fury using Terry's 25mm Scruby collection.  On to the action...

Mexican Deployment

U.S. Deployment with Mexican guns exposed on the hill

Mexican infantry prepare for action

Mexicans advance into the valley to support the guns
and take the fight to the Americans

Mexican left and center advance while the right, whose
ranks are filled with militia, hold

Mexicans continue the advance on the American right.

Contact!  Mexican cavalry charge the guns.
The guns limber and move away suffering no damage. 

Mexican advance continues cautiously

With the Mexican guns still unsupported,

the Americans charge the guns

Mexican gunners are overwhelmed.
Guns suffer damage and withdraw.

Hussars cover the left

while Vasquez leads an assault against the
Americans holding the ridge.

The Mexican assault is checked

and then disaster strikes!
Vasquez's command fails its Maneuver roll and routs!
There goes any hope of success on the Mexican left.

The repulse on the left triggers Vegas to advance in the center

while on the Mexican left cavalry clash.

U.S. dragoons drive off Mexican cuirassier and then
destroy a second Mexican cavalry unit.

With Velaquez in retreat, Mexican cavalry go in against
the Americans.  Even supported, the Mexican cavalry
make no progress and recall.

In the center, Vegas prepares for an assault against the hilltop

as the hussars force the American rifles into square.

Mexican charge goes in and then back from whence they came.

With the Mexican left and center in tatters, Santa Anna withdraws the remnants of his army from the field.  What can the Mexicans do to win a battle against the Americans?
That question remains unanswered! 

Another enjoyable outing with RFF using the Mexican-American variant.  I wonder which battle Terry will offer next?