The Maximilian Adventure FRENCH FORCES The French forces sent to Mexico by the Emperor Napoleon III were tasked with defeating what was seen as the ineffective government of Mexico and establishing a client state under the Crown of an Austrian Monarch. They were to find the Mexicans to be both an implacable enemy and an unreliable ally. The first list represents the initial expeditionary force which fought inland to Puebla in May 1862 where it paused before its attack to apply fresh gaiter whitening in order to appear at its best when the men entered the city. THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, 1862 II Leader Status II Four Groups of 8 Zouaves, Rifled One Group of 6 Zouave Skirmishers, Rifled One Group of 6 Zouave Skirmishers, Rifled Point Value: 81 The second force represents a combined French and Conservative Force in 1863 as it takes Puebla and advances on Mexico City. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, 1863 II Leader Status I Three Groups of 8 Zouaves, Rifled I Two Groups of 8 Conservative Line, One Group of 6 Conservative Light Infantry, Point Value: 66 both northwards and southwards in an attempt to pacify the country. PAX MEXICANA, 1864 ON II Three Groups of French Line Infantry, Rifled I Two Groups of Imperial Mexican Line Infantry, Rifled I One Group of 6 Chasseur a Pied Skirmishers, Rifled Point Value: 71 Force Specific Notes The French may select any units from the Conservative or Imperial Mexican Rosters as part of their force. One, Two, Three. What are we Fighting for? By 1866 war weariness was a major factor with the French forces in Mexico who had fought for five years, driven the enemy back to the Rio Grande and the jungles of the South but who could never claim to have vanquished their foe. Like a hydra, the Mexican Republicans, misguided as they were, kept coming back for more. To reflect this, French Force Morale in 1866 and 1867 should be reduced by 1 as soon as the game begins. Next we have another mixed force, this time French and Imperial Mexican in 1864, attacking
France French Line Infantry Type Regulars Always Yes Yes 3 3 2 Zouaves Type Regulars Always Yes Yes 3 2 2 Aggressive Zouave Skirmishers Type Light Infantry Points Value 12 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 6 Always Yes No 2 Sharp Practice Chasseur a Pied Skirmishers Type Light Infantry Points Value 13 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 6 Always Yes No 1 Sharp Practice Tirailleur Algeriens Type Regulars Always Yes First Only 3 1 3 Aggressive Tirailleur Algeriens Skirmishers Type Light Infantry Points Value 13 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 6 Always Yes No 1 3 Aggressive Infantrie Leger d Afrique Type Conscripts & Volunteers Points Value 7 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 8 Always Yes Yes 3 3 Surly Foreign Legion Type Regulars Points Value 10 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 8 Always Yes Yes 2 2 2 Aggressive, Sharp Practice
Foreign Legion Skirmishers Type Skirmishers Points Value 12 Weapon Rifled Size 6 Always Yes No 2 Sharp Practice French Naval Infantry Type Regulars Always Yes Yes 3 2 3 Sharp Practice Chasseur d Afrique Type Impact Cavalry Points Value 9 Weapon Sabre Size 8 Always No No 2 1 In Hand Hussars Type Impact Cavalry Points Value 7 Weapon Sabre Size 8 Always No No 3 2 Chasseur a Cheval Type Impact Cavalry Points Value 7 Weapon Sabre Size 8 Always No No 3 2 French Artillery Type Artillery Points Value 8 Weapon Medium Gun Size 5 Always Yes Yes 2 2 2
IMPERIAL MEXICAN FORCES The accession of Maximilian to the Mexican Imperial Throne saw a significant drive to create a well disciplined Mexican Army which, together with the French, would wipe out opposition to the liberal Empire and ensure a lasting peace backed up by the inherent stability of a monarchy. IMPERIAL FORCE, 1864 TO 1867 II Three Groups of Imperial Mexican Line Infantry, Rifled I Two Groups of 6 Cacadores Skirmishers, Rifled Point Value: 55 The next list is a force of Contra Guerillas despatched to ensure a compliant population abandoned all support for the Republicans. CONTRA GUERRILLAS I Two Groups of 8 Contra Guerrillas, Rifled One Groups of 6 Contra Guerrilla Skirmishers, Rifled Musket One Groups of 6 Contra Guerrilla Skirmishers, Rifled Musket Point Value: 46 IMPERIAL VOLUNTEERS, 1866 1867 II Three Groups of 8 Austrian Legion Infantry, Rifled Two Groups of 8 of Imperial Mexican Line Infantry, Rifled One Groups of 6 Austrian Legion Skirmishers, Rifled Point Value: 69 Force Specific Notes The Imperial Mexicans may select any units from the French Rosters as part of their force, with the caveat below applying. Perfidous Gaul By 1867 the French were seeking to extricate themselves from a war which they were no longer viewed as glorious nor advantageous. In 1866, any French Units selected as support will reduce Force Morale by 1 for each two Groups selected (single Groups will not have this effect, odd numbers will be rounded down). In 1867, any French Units selected will have the same effect, but a D6 will also be rolled for each Group. On a roll of 1 that Group will fail to arrive and will play no part in the action. Finally we have a late war column with an Austrian contingent supported by Mexican troops. As the French, both an home and in Mexico, became weary of a seemingly endless war without victory, the Mexican Imperial forces were obliged to look to their own defence. European volunteers from Austria and Belgium were to form a professional nucleus to which local forces were attached. This force is as follows:
Conservative & Imperial Forces Conservative Line, 1862 63 Type Regulars Points Value 5 Weapon Musket Size 8 Always Yes First Only 3 3 Stubborn Conservative Light Infantry, 1862 63 Type Skirmishers Points Value 8 Weapon Musket Size 6 Always Yes No 2 Sharp Practice Conservative Cavalry Type Scouting Cavalry Points Value 5 Weapon Lance Size 8 Never No No 1 Conservative & Imperial Artillery Type Artillery Points Value 6 Weapon Gun Size 5 No Shock Yes First Only Imperial Line Infantry Type Conscripts & Volunteers Points Value 6 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 8 Always Yes No 3 3 Cazadores Skirmishers Type Skirmishers Points Value 11 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 6 Never Yes No 2 Sharp Practice, Stubborn Contra Guerrillas Type Conscripts & Volunteers Points Value 7 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 8 No Shock Yes Yes 3 2 Aggressive, Tactical Contra Guerrilla Skirmishers Type Skirmishers Points Value 10 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 6 Never Yes 2
Austrian Legion Infantry Type Regulars Points Value 10 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 8 Always Yes Yes 2 2 2 Aggressive, Sharp Practice Austrian Legion Skirmishers Type Light Infantry Points Value 12 Weapon Musket Size 6 Always Yes No 2 Aggressive, Sharp Practice Belgian Infantry Type Conscripts & volunteers Always Yes Yes 2 3 3 Stubborn Egyptian Battalion Type Regulars Points Value 9 Weapon Rifled Size 8 Always Yes First Only 1 Aggressive Egyptian Battalion Skirmishers Type Skirmishers Points Value 12 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 6 Always Yes No 1 Aggressive, Tactical European Volunteer Cavalry Type Impact Cavalry Points Value 8 Weapon Sabre Size 8 Always No No 2 Aggressive, In Hand Mexican Imperial Line Cavalry Type Scouting Cavalry Points Value 4 Weapon Lance Size 8 No Shock No No Surly Resguardo Irregular Cavalry Type Irregular Cavalry Points Value 3 Weapon Lance Size 8 Never No No 1
REPUBLICAN MEXICAN FORCES Having had over thirty governments since its independence from Spain and having defaulted on its international debts, the Mexican Republic could boast neither political stability nor fiscal certainty. However, unlike he French intervention force and Maximilian, it could at least claim to be Mexican. There can be no doubt that during the period 1862 to 1867 the Mexican republicans fought a war which for many years appeared to be a lost cause, initially against foreign powers, but latterly against a domestic Imperial government which appeared to offer liberal and stable rule. THE REPUBLIC ASCENDENT, 1866 1867 II Three Groups of 8 Regular Line Infantry, Rifled I Two Groups of 8 State Militia, Rifled One Groups of 6 Republican Skirmishers, Rifled Musket Point Value: 69 The following core forces reflect how their force evolved during the conflict. The first force is the Army which halted the French at Puebla and, rightly, gave birth to one of the nation s most celebrated events. CINCO DE MAYO, 1862 I Three Groups of Regular Line Infantry, Rifled I Two Groups of 8 State Militia, Point Value: 42 The next list is a force assembled after the fall of Mexico City and the destruction of the main Mexican Army. A DESPERATE DEFENCE, 1864 I Two Groups of 8 State Militia, Rifled Two Groups of 8 National Guard, One Groups of 6 Republican Skirmishers, Rifled Musket Point Value: 45 Finally we have a late war force which has benefitted from surplus US equipment left on the banks of the Rio Grande. This force is confident and aggressive and certain of victory. It can fight all the way to the final events of the war at Queretaro.
Mexican Republicans Regular Line, 1862 63 Type Regulars Always Yes First Only 3 3 Stubborn State Militia, 1862 63 Type Conscripts & Volunteers Points Value 3 Weapon Musket Size 8 No Shock Yes No Stubborn, Surly National Guard, 1862 63 Type Militia Points Value 2 Weapon Musket Size 10 No Shock No No Poor Shots Republican Artillery Type Artillery Points Value 5/6/8 Weapon Gun Size 5 No Shock Yes First Only Regular Line, 1864 65 Type Regulars Always Yes First Only 3 2 Stubborn State Militia, 1864 65 Type Regulars Always Yes No 3 2 Stubborn National Guard, 1864 65 Type Conscripts & Volunteers Points Value 3 Weapon Musket Size 8 No Shock No No Stubborn Republican Skirmishers Type Skirmishers Points Value 11 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 6 Never Yes No 2 Sharp Practice
Mexican Republican Cavalry to 1865 Type Scouting Cavalry Points Value 5 Weapon Lance Size 8 No Shock No No Republican Irregular Cavalry, 1862 67 Type Irregular Cavalry Points Value 3 Weapon Lance Size 8 Never No No 1 Elite Infantry, 1866 67 Type Regulars Always Yes Yes 2 2 Aggressive Regular Line, 1866 67 Type Regulars Always Yes Yes 3 2 Aggressive State Militia, 1866 67 Type Regulars Always Yes First Only Aggressive National Guard, 1866 67 Type Conscripts & Volunteers Points Value 7 Weapon Rifled Musket Size 8 Never Yes No Stubborn Republican Cavalry, 1866 67 Type Scouting Cavalry Points Value 11 Weapon Breech Loading Carbine Size 8 No Shock Yes No Sharp Practice