Action at Dominica Plantation

As alluded to in a previous post, the Spanish-American War collection took to the field this week.  Twice, in fact!

For today's contest, Mark, Chris, and Tony take command of the three American regiments while David B. (DB) and David C. (DC) maneuver the hidden Spanish contingents.  Neither army knows the composition of the forces they face this day.

Outnumbered and hesitant to draw fire from US warships offshore, the Spanish opt to forego contesting the American landings at Siborney, Juraga, and Daiquiri.  They withdraw inland.  The American objective is to first on drive on Sevilla and then on to Santiago in an attempt to force the Spanish Navy to evacuate Santiago Harbor.

After coming ashore at Siborney, General Wheeler and his cavalry Division organize a push northward into the interior.  Reports suggest that the Spanish have fallen back to the north and are presently situated around the plantation of Dominica.  Wheeler expects the Spanish to fight a delaying action to slow American progress toward its objective.  A fighting withdrawal would likely allow time for Spanish reinforcements at the Sevilla garrison to come up in support.  The route to Dominica passes through the coastal jungle before opening up to the cultivated area at the plantation.  Known for digging in, expectations are high that entrenchments may be encountered.  In addition to dealing with the enemy in defensive positions, Wheeler warns his officers to be vigilant of attacks from the dense jungle on the approach.

Battlefield

By mid-morning on the 24th, the dismounted cavalry began making their way north.  What would they find?  As the Americans make their way north through the jungle Cuban Rebels report that portions of a Spanish brigade lays ahead.  Some are seen entrenching on the high ground.

The stage is set.

The action begins as Wheeler's dismounted cavalry push through the jungle on a broad frontage.  Young (Tony) and the 1st US Cav are on the left, Wheeler (Mark) leads the 10th US Cav in the center, and Woods (Chris) brings the 1st US Volunteer Cav up on the right.

Using hidden movement (no markers on table) and unspotted markers (small colored dice on a base), the Spanish begin their game of hide and seek.  Pareja (DB) commands the Spanish right while Alcanz (DC) guides the Spanish Left.

Shots ring out.

First contact!

Coming under fire from the jungle, the leftmost unit of the 10th is pinned.  With the Spanish Mausers firing smokeless powder, the enemy is unseen until they open fire.  Not wasting a moment, Young brings his men up on the 10th's left.  The Spanish melt back into the jungle.  At this point, the Yankees begin to advance a little more cautiously on a broad front as they push, in unison, toward the creek ahead.  

Young drives off enemy skirmishers.

The Americans advance.

Young advances on the left...

while Woods advances on the right.

As Woods' men approach the creek, they take heavy fire from the jungle just passed!  Casualties are heavy and two troops are pinned at the creek.  While Wheeler and Young's commands continue pressing forward toward the creek, Woods' command must deal with the enemy within. With all available men focusing on the immediate threat, the enemy is dispersed after bringing up the machine gun to offer the final say in the matter.  Woods' advance resumes although G and H troops have been severely mauled. 

Out of nowhere, hit from the rear!

Mopping up action.

Back to the task at hand.

Yankee advance from Spanish perspective.

As the Americans reach the creek, Spanish entrenchments come into view on the high ground to their front on the Dominica Plantation.  Besides the two skirmishes in the bush, the enemy has yet to be seen. Is there no opposition beyond a light skirmish screen?

No!

As the Yankees splash across the creek, fire erupts from the trench in front of the building on the hill.  One unit of the 10th is pinned in the open ground on the trail.  Spanish commander Pareja can be seen behind the trench encouraging his men on.  Wheeler must act quickly to save his lead unit and remove the threat.  Before Wheeler can act, artillery shots ring out as shells fall on Woods. The situation is heating up!

Surprise!

Elements of the 10th pinned on the trail.

Quick action needed to reduce the threat.

Spanish mountain gun opens up on Woods.

Returning to the immediate threat to his front, Wheeler leads a charge up the hill and into the awaiting defenders.  In a shocking result, Wheeler and elements of the 10th clear the trench of enemy without so much of a scratch.  The Spanish defenders, overwhelmed by the Yankees' audacity, fail to put up any meaningful defense and break for the rear.  As the defenders bolt toward the rear, Spanish pioneers pop up from the building and pour a crippling fire into Wheeler and his boys.  The 10th, with Wheeler at the head, give no pause.  Charging on, Wheeler watches as the pioneers melt away as more troopers come up in support.  General Pareja is killed in the fight.  Young's command lends a hand and reinforces the 10th by coming up on its left.  On this front, the Spanish are in full retreat!  More Spanish appear in the trench to the rear and pin the 10th as its works to outflank the strongpoint.    

Spanish defenders break for the rear.

Wheeler clears the trench.

Elements of the 10th are pinned in the open
 as fire erupts from another trench.

With Wheeler and the 10th driving all before them, Wheeler sends two troops of the 10th to deal with the gun harassing Woods.  When the troopers of the 10th move up to screen two troops of the Volunteers, they are met with fire by Spanish infantry in the jungle.  Spanish jump out from cover and charge toward the Americans.  The Yankees counter charge.  The clash is brief and the Spaniards scatter.  

With the gun unsupported and the Spanish center gone, what is left of the Spanish blocking force retreats.  This action is over.  The Americans control the plantation.  

Troopers of the 10th offer help to the 1st Volunteers.

The 10th comes under fire...

but dispatches the enemy quickly.

An impressive looking American victory by sweeping away the Spanish defenders.  The victory, by casualty count, looks telling but there was a turn limit on the battle.  The battle was constrained by an eight-turn limit.  The Spanish army fell apart on Turn 8, the very last turn.  

Congratulations to Mark, Chris, and Tony as they ripped apart the Spanish defenders with great skill.  The two Daves put up a good defense with their early surprise attacks in the jungle as they disrupted American progress.

DB suffered in the center by a most unfortunate result in his clash with Wheeler and the 10th.  His Spanish defenders managed to not score a single hit on the Americans while suffering three hits themselves.  Their response?  Rout!  His pioneers suffered just as greatly.

For DC, had his Spanish infantry chosen not to attack on the American Right, he may have held on to scratch out a minor victory.  Alas, that was not to be.

Great game and fun to see the players wrestle with hidden movement, unspotted units, and dummy markers.

Thank you for another very enjoyable game.

Cowboys in Cuba

Mountain gun vigilant from the heights above

The first test of my Spanish-American rules is in the books.  Planning to host the Tuesday remote game and needing a working draft (well, QRS), I sketched the rules' concept out while away in Las Vegas last week.  Built upon earlier work, I figured the general game engine could work in a new setting.  After all, a game engine predicated upon unit combat effectiveness and cohesion ought to have broad applications.  No?

Anyway, without rules' critique and the stresses that remote gaming can generate (I save those for another time), let me try to recount the battle from my almost fresh memory.

Battlefield

The American forces are marching from Siborney toward Santiago.  In their path is a Spanish force situated in the hills along Las Guasimas Creek.  The US objective is to brush these Spanish aside and exit the table on the road to Santiago.  They have ten turns to accomplish this task.  For Tuesday's action, we had a full house with two Spanish players opposed by four American players.  The Spanish commander was able to place his force on table hidden along with an equivalent number of dummy markers.  Both units and dummies could move freely until spotted.

Hidden Spanish on the Spanish left.

Hidden Spanish on the Spanish right.

Typical of game hosting of late, the action kept me hopping.  Grabbing a screenshot or photo was catch-as-catch-can.

On to battle!

Americans arrive!

The American cavalry arrive with Wood and the 1st US volunteer Cavalry marching up the trail while Wheeler and Young take the main Siborney-Santiago Road.  The American plan hinges on pinning the Spanish in the center and outflanking both flanks.  To do this, Wood splits his command (1st Volunteer Cavalry, "Rough Riders") with four troops heading up the trail while four troops head off into the dense jungle to the left.  The 10th US Cavalry ("Buffalo Soldiers") hugs the right flank while the 1st US Cavalry marches down the road.

American plan of attack.

As the Americans advance, the 1st US Cav comes under artillery fire as it crosses the Las Guasimas Creek.  The troopers are pinned at the bridge.  The 10th Cav envelops the ranch as its occupants retire.  No contact with enemy infantry yet. 

Coming under fire

Wood's advance against the Spanish right.

The Spanish defenders laying in wait, spring up seemingly all around!  Mauser bullets split the air as the 1st US Cav comes under fire as it crosses the creek.  The troopers on the road are pinned.  Luckily, help is on the way as the 10th works its way around the ranch and threatens the enemy's flank.  Is there no concern for the potential enemy in the rifle pits on the heights above?

Contact!

10th Cav to the rescue!

On the Spanish right, Wood continues working his way rapidly around the enemy flank.  Spaniards in the trenches, thrown up across the trail, are easily outflanked and quickly engaged in a firefight in the jungle.   

Contact on the Spanish right! 

Seeing four of its six troops pinned, the remaining two troops of the 1st US Cav storm up the hill into the dense jungle.  Their bravery is met with a hail of bullets.  The troopers tumble back down the hill in disorder.

1st US Cav gets bogged down.

With the 1st US Cav pinned, the 10th Cav redoubles the effort to relief pressure on its comrades.  Attacking in strength, the Buffalo Soldiers force the defenders back.  The Spanish suffer heavy casualties in this sharp action.

10th Cav attacks!

The 10th Cav presses on.

The American attack on the Spanish left. 

Flushed with success, the 10th Cav presses on.  The troopers scale the heights and contact another Spanish defender. Two troops take casualties as they work their way up the slopes.  Spanish artillery fire from the mountain gun continues to harass the 1st US Cav at the creek.  For them, progress is slow.

10th Cav scales the heights.

On the Spanish right, Wood completes his encirclement of the enemy trench position.  The Spanish defenders are in a serious jam as they are pinned to the front and threatened on both flanks. 

In a pickle!

The hot action on the Spanish right continues with more Spanish infantry appearing near the crossroads.  These Spaniards halt the Rough Riders as they attempt to reach the objective.  Spanish artillery fire rains down on the enemy as the troopers clear the trench line and threaten the enemy rear.  The clock is ticking.

Heavy fighting...EVERYWHERE!

Hot action at the crossroads

Back on the Spanish left, the 10th Cav attacks.  Two troops up on the ridge attack along the ridgeline and into the waiting Spanish.  The Mausers rip through the 10th as it closes.  In ferocious close combat, the troopers are scattered.  Suffering heavily as well, the Spanish defenders fall back.

10th Cav Troopers meet their Maker on the heights.

With the Spanish defense collapsing back toward Santiago, the race is on to secure the crossroads.  In the heavy and prolonged firefight at the crossroads, Wood falls.  Quickly replaced, his next-in-line falls.  Officer casualties are high.

Race to the crossroads!

Stalemated at the crossroads and time expired, the heated action at Las Guasimas ends in a draw. 

The Americans believe if Wood had not fallen at this crucial time, victory could have been theirs.

Hard fought on both sides and an entertaining battle.  The game produced a narrative not unlike the historical event.  Well, except for the loss of Wood! 

Game finished in about three hours.

My retrospective on rules, game, and game play another time, after I recover.

Battle of Las Guasimas

Battle of Las Guasimas

Having taken up a short residence at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas this past week, no gaming or painting activities were seen on the hobby front.  I did manage to put together a Spanish-American War scenario and Rules of Engagement for an upcoming game while away.  Amazing how much work can actually get accomplished on the plane and sitting poolside.

Anyway, a QRS is finished for Tuesday's remote group game and a scenario laid out.  Still time to make a few adjustments to the QRS if needed before Game Day.

Las Guasimas Battle Briefing

The action at Las Guasimas was the first substantial land encounter between the US and Spain at the start of the war. After landing at Siborney, “Fighting Joe” Wheeler (an ex-Confederate cavalry commander), the senior American officer on the ground received reports from local Cuban rebels of the Spanish dispositions around Siborney. On the 23rd, Cuban forces had contacted the Spanish around Las Guasimas but were driven back. The Cubans reported that the enemy was digging in field guns on the heights.

Wheeler, ordered not to bring on an engagement with the enemy until the Siborney landings were completed and the Cubans were in position to assist, decided to launch a reconnaissance in force on the 24th regardless. With the Cubans in a flanking position, the attack was planned to push down the road toward Santiago de Cuba and drive the Spanish from the field.

To accomplish this task, Wheeler’s 2nd Brigade of the Cavalry Division would strike out toward Las Guasimas. Young’s brigade would attack up the Siborney-Santiago Road toward Las Guasimas Creek and pin the Spanish in place against the foothills. Wood’s 1st US Volunteer Cavalry would march up the trail along the saddle and flank the enemy from the west. The Cubans, on Young’s right, would turn the enemy’s left. With both flanks in jeopardy, this maneuver was expected to dislodge the Spanish from the foothills and force a retreat back to Santiago.

The Spanish commander at Sevilla, General Rubin, was tasked with conducting a fighting withdrawal back to Santiago. Rubin’s main objective was to buy enough time to allow the evacuation of a hospital train traveling on the road back to Santiago. He could not risk having the hospital train fall into American hands. To this end, trenches had been dug across the trail near the junction with the Siborney-Santiago Road and rifle pits had been dug on the high ground escarpment overlooking the main road. Spanish forces may deploy anywhere behind the yellow line on game map.

On the morning of the 24th, Wheeler set elements of his division into motion. With reports of activity on the foothills, Wheeler was unsure if the activity was from the Cubans who were expected from that direction or the enemy. Young positioned a gun on a hillock to the southwest and directed the firing of the piece at the hill in the distance to confirm. When these ranging shots were answered by 75mm Krupp Mountain guns, the action was on. Unfortunately for Wheeler, there were no Cubans on his right.

Order of Battle

Game Table

Victory Conditions
It takes 10 turns for the hospital train to exit the table on the road to Santiago. Spanish units begin unspotted.

American player has Initiative on Turn 1.

• Major Spanish Victory: Hold the field for 10 Turns and control the crossroads while not losing more units than the Americans.
• Minor Spanish Victory: Hold the field for 10 turns while not losing more units than the Americans.
• Draw: Spanish hold the field for 10 turns.
• Minor American Victory: Occupy western Siborney-Santiago Road exit at the end of Turn 10 while not losing more units than the Spanish.
• Major American Victory: Occupy western Siborney-Santiago Road exit at the end of Turn 10 while inflicting 2:1 losses or better on the Spanish.

There are a few details left out of briefing to be shared with the commanders prior to game time.

Back to the week in Las Vegas...

The trip to Las Vegas was the first air travel undertaken in more than two years for me.  To enjoy sunny skies, the heat of 85-90F temperatures, good food and a concert, Nancy and I jetted off to stake out a short, four-day stay in Sin City.  Unbeknownst to us at the time, this week also coincided with the annual NFL Draft.  Who knew that the football draft was such a HUGE event?  We did not, for sure.  A few blocks of Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip) were even closed down for the festivities.

The Venetian

Pedestrians walking Las Vegas Boulevard

With a resort named the "Venetian" one might expect a Venice themed complex.  One would not be wrong.  Walking around this faux Venice for four days reminded us how much we enjoyed the real Venice.  Having visited Venice on two of our three Italy trips (2009 and 2016), it may be time to start thinking of a return visit.

 

On The Table Today is...

the action at Las Guasimas in Cuba 1898.  Yes, we see Teddy Roosevelt in action with his Rough Riders.

Having fought Mollwitz twice, it was time to clear the table and consider a new topic for a game or two.  Mollwitz replays may not be finished just yet but time to move it along.

Not having seen the Spanish-American War collection out for a game in more years than I can honestly recall (I suppose I could look it up!), I figured an outing was long overdue.  That, and the action could fit onto a 6'x'6 table space which seems to be about the one-stop, coverage limit for two stationary webcams with one placed behind each army's baseline.  Any wider than six feet and the cameras occasionally require a pan left or right to take in the entire battlefield or the two cameras need to be positioned at table corners. 

My interpretation of Las Guasimas battlefield

I have yet to select the rules of engagement but likely with proceed with some of my own doing.  That way, I have a better chance of remembering the rules in the heat of a multiplayer, remote battle.  Rules will be worked on this week before presenting the game at the weekly Tuesday game.  Osprey's The Men Who Would Be Kings ruleset is under consideration too, but I may want a bit more flavor and less buckets of dice.  More scenario details to follow before the Tuesday game.

Hopefully, the group will enjoy a change of pace from the regular fare.  The Spanish-American War may not be a period readily gamed by English gamers.  We will see.

While not much painting has been happening on the Home Front, I did manage to push out a unit of 15mm Samurai bowmen.  Figures are Museum Miniatures. 

Several units are making their way through the painting queue but not much to show yet.  Soon, I think.