SAN JACINTO: APRIL 21, 1836

By Chris Johnson The following scenario is based on THE key event in Texan history (much more important than the more famous battle at the Alamo). It has long been an interest of mine, although finding suitable figures has been more difficult than anticipated. Having recently purchased PoW, and being somewhat inept at learning new rules, I decided to try a really small battle as my introduction to the system. Mexican Army (1300 Men) Santa Anna Poor Cos Poor Averag Castillon e Bn. SB 6 Infantry Guerrero Bn SB 6 Infantry Matamoros Bn Toluca SB 6 Infantry Bn Aldama SB 6 Infantry Bn Cos SB 3 Infantry Rgt Tampico La 4 Cavalry Medium Artilleria SB 4 Artillery Notes: Enduring mythology notwithstanding, the Mexican army was not a cowardly rabble. It was composed for the most part of veterans of Mexico's endemic civil wars over the preceding 15 years. Its leaders were generally uninspired (and uninspiring), but usually knew their business. Similarly, Santa Anna was not an incompetent boob, at least not entirely; his pursuit of Houston's army was often adroit. But on the day of battle, his baser instincts betrayed him: leaving his army to enjoy its siesta, secure in the delusion that the Texians would never attack, he retired to his tent with a supply of opium and a young woman, with whom he no doubt discussed his strategic options. When awoken by the Texian attack, he donned a sleeping gown and fled by horse while his army was annihilated. The lancer regiment (actually parts of two regiments) and the artillery detachment (one 12-pounder smoothbore) have been given a lower base strength to reflect their limited numbers. "Battalion Cos" included two companies each from the Guadalajara and 1st Mexico City Battalions, all raw recruits, whom he led into camp that morning. These lucky souls have therefore been given a base strength of 3. All units begin the battle "asleep" and will take no action until alerted to their impending doom; their commander had unfortunately forgotten to post guards, picketts or scouts. Across the front of their position is a barricade made of packs, branches, sacks of grain, etc, with a gap in the center for the 12-pdr.

Texian Army (900 Men) Houston 1st 2nd Texas Texas Regulars Good SB 6 Infantry

SB 6 Infantry SB 6 Infantry MW Cavalry Cavalry 4 Cincinatti Medium SB 4 Artillery Artillery The difference between the "regulars", as they were known, and the rest of the Texians, was possession of bayonets. The others carried knives of varying ferocity, hatchets, axes, and short swords, in addition to every firearm known to man. In light of the massacres at the Alamo and Goliad, the men positively howled for vengeance, and must be considered fanatical in all respects. The actual battle lasted only 18 minutes; the slaughtering of the Mexican soldiery continued until nightfall. The Cincinnati Artillery comprised two 6-pounders, known as the Twin Sisters, a gift from the citizens of Cincinnati, Ohio. The battery flag, featuring a naked Miss Liberty with a sword, was reputedly the only flag flown by the Texians at the battle ... somehow fitting! Figures The Mexican army is not difficult to recreate, as its uniforms were quite Napoleonic: the infantry wore shakos, tailed coats, crossed belts, etc., all in the French style, except that the men wore trousers instead of long gaiters. The cavalry wore uniforms strongly reminiscent of Napoleon's light lancers. The uniform worn by the recruits has not been recorded, but I have dressed mine in sombreros and white cotton "peasant" clothing. The Texian army is actually trickier. A quick and dirty method would be to use various Confederates, which is what I have done for the regulars, so as to ensure the bayonets are obvious; using only Confederates only, however, does not "look right", inasmuch as they tend to have very similar equipment. For the rest, in other words, the motlier the better. I initially planned on using rebels and some militia from the AWI and War of 1812 periods. I then ran across the "Wild West" range from Peter Pig-outlaws, townsmen, and posse members provide a properly ragged look, especially when further adulterated with AWI riflemen, mountain men, some ragged rebs, etc. Map

The battle map is 2' by 2' (scale: 1" = 200 yds). The woods shown are light. To the north of the battlefield was the Buffalo Bayou; to the East a sunken marsh and the San Jacinto River. To the south is more marsh and a slough. The Texians camped beyond the road to the north, while their opponents rested behind their breastworks (x-x-x), beneath the trees. The Texians had to advance across a natural depression (runoff ditch), and then up and over a small ridge.