Trouble down in Ol Mexico, Sharp Practice AAR

Chris put on a game this week, a first outing for his US horse soldiers and  Fillybusters alongside the Mexicans and Apaches he has had for much longer.

Designed for 4 players Simon couldn't make it so Chris took two commands. 

I had the Fillybusters and Steve the US cavalry. 

Chris took both the Apache and the Mexicans.

A gang of Fillybusters have been making a nuisance of themselves over the border, being pressed by the Mexicans they decide to march back of the Rio Grande and hand them selves in. The Fillybusters have a formation of 24 men with muzzle loading rifles supported by 6 skirmishers.

A unit of US cavalry (4  Troops of 8 and a small group of scouts) has been dispatched to arrest the Fillybusters and escort them north while the Mexican authorities have decided to punish the renegades before they can leave Mexican territory and pushed three troops of 8 lancers forward, thrown into the mix a band of Apache in 5 skirmish units of 5 or 6 warriors are intent on mayhem against anyone, American or Mexican, that comes in range.

Stage set for mayhem on the border.

I get my skirmishers forward and Chris sets his repeating rifle armed Apaches facing me on the edge of the river.

The Mexicans ride along the river bank with pennants fluttering led by their flamboyant leader in black.

Having been told to try and avoid an international incident Steve immediatly opens fire on the Mexicans on the basis he can always claim it was the Apache as long as he wins.

For some reason Zorro seems to be in charge of some of the Mexicans who dismount and return fire.

Whilst the regular cavalry skirmish with the US troopers, the Presidial lancers canter forwards to take on the hated Fillybusters.

Steves tiny unit of Scouts decide to charge the Apache by themselves, whilst they aquit themselves quite well considering there are only 4 of them, the are cut down by Apche mixed musket and bow fire.

The Mexican Presidio Lancers charge the skirmishers and wipe them out but take 3 casualties in the process.

The skirmishers however have bought some time for the Fillybuster formation which lines them up in its sites and blasts them away with a volley.

A lone trooper canters his exhausted mount back to report the disaster.

Meanwhile Steve has organised his cavalry and charged the Apache disorganised and badly mauled after their encounter with the scouts. The two units of damaged Apache are destroyed by the US Cavalry.

The Fillybusters wheel to take on the repeater armed Apache after taking some ineffectual fire from them.

A volley sees the 4th unit of Apache cut down with only the one remaining and the joint Apache/Mexican force morale is now pretty low.

Mexican regulars are pushing forward to try and flank the Fillybusters, can they get to them before the force morale is completely gone. It could be tough for the Fillybusters if caught in flank but the Mexicans are still in march column themselves.

Off screen the US Cavalry have broken through the last of the Apache facing them and are now in the rear of the last of the Warriors.

In true Hollywood style the Cavalry charge into the rear of the Apache at the last moment, in the dying moments of the game, and wipe out the last unit, whilst the Mexicans still have 2 units of cavalry remaining the joint force morale has gone. You could say that having lost one unit completely and facing formed infantry to the front and cavalry in their flank and rear the Mexicans do the sensible thing and let the Fillybusters cross over the river. 

Not quite the game I think Chris had planned but immense fun. First time for some of these figures on table and they do look the business I have to say.

A lot of fun for everyone, although perhaps less so for the Apache.

Many thanks for the game Chris.