Battle Report: 5th December 1997

Maximilian French ~vs~ Mexican Juarista

(Robert Avery ~vs~ Richard Avery) .

Maximilian French
Brigade	Unit	Fig.'s	Org.	Class	Weapons	Pts/Fig	Points
CinC	Brig. Pierre Margot	1	.	..	.		100
2inC	Col. M. Chevalier	1					50
Infantry	1ere Bttn	36	6x6	RegC	mlr		384
	2ieme Bttn	36	6x6	RegC	mlr		384
	Turcos	36	6x6	LightsB	mlr		492
	Foreign Legion	36	6x6	RegB	mlr		456
Cavalry	Lancers	12	2x6	RegB	s, l		200
	Cuirassiers	12	2x6	RegB	s, armour		200
	Guides	12	2x6	RegA	s, p		224
Artillery	Battery A	1	1x1	RegB	light mlsb FA		77
Convoy	Stagecoach	1	1x1	RegC			18
	Gold Wagons	3	3x1	RegC			54
	Ammo Wagons	1	1x1	RegC			50
	Pack Animals	3	3x1	RegC			27
							2716

.

Juarista Mexicans
Brigade	Unit	Fig.'s	Org.	Class	Weapons	Pts/Fig	Points
CinC	El Matadore	1					100
2inC	Gen Ig. Comomfort	1					50
Guerillos	Red Flag	32	1x32	IrregC	mlr		239
Force	Blue Flag	32	1x32	IrregC	mlr		239
	Yellow Flag	32	1x32	IrregC	mlr		239
	Red Flag Horse	10	1x10	IrregC	mlc		115
	Green Flag Horse	10	1x10	IrregC	mlc		115
	Yellow Flag Horse	10	1x10	IrregC	mlc		115
Republican	Los Supremos Podres	30	6x5	RegC	mlr		300
Troops	1st Bttn Saltillo	30	6x5	MilC	mlr		300
	2nd Bttn Saltillo	30	6x5	MilC	mlr		300
	3rd Bttn Saltillo	30	6x5	MilD	mlr		180
	4th Bttn Saltillo	30	6x5	MilD	mlr		180
	1st Holy Lancers	12	2x6	RegC	s, l		176
	1st Divine Line	12	2x6	RegC	s, mlc		176
.							2824

.

.	French	Mexican
Foot	2880	4920
Horse	720	600
Guns	2	6

.

Report

This was a scenario game: with the French trying to get a vital convoy through hostile territory, and the Mexicans trying to stop them.

Both sides rushed their cavalry forward to clash near a ruined church. The French CinC ws confident that he could sweep the Mexican ragamuffins off the board, and was thus somewhat surprised when his elite Guides routed off the table!

However, he had also force-marched the Legion Etrangere down the road who, forming line, quickly saw off the victorious Mexican lancers.

This, however, left the Legion Etrangere dangerously exposed: a situation the Mexican commander exploited as he charged them with 5 (yes, five!) different units. Although they withstood two charges in square, the third was too much and, doubtlessly dishonouring their fallen comrades at Camerone, they fled!

A firefight then developed with the 3ieme Bttn of the French routing, but two Mexican battalions going as well.

Unfortunately, the battle had to end there, with nightfall, and both sides retreated. 

Casualties

The French CinC was killed in a spectacular fashion, with his 2inC being lightly wounded.

The French also lost 240 cavalry (the Guides); 340 line infantry; and a few Legionaires.

The Mexicans lost 400 guerillos infantry (mostly to artillery); the 1st Saltillo Battalion was wiped out; and the third took 440 casualties: making a total of 1440 infantry. They also lost the Lancers and 20 line cavalry.

Results

Under the victory conditions set: a win to the Mexicans, with 45 points to the French 20. 

Analysis

We’ll play it again!