As scenario potential for possible wargames, the beginning actions of the Mexican-American War, described above, provide several interesting and feasible possibilities. There is an old saying that states, "The best place to start is at the beginning." This adage could not be more true with regard to a new wargaming period such as the Mexican-American War. Assuming that those potential gamers interested in this period lack the immediately available figures to fight larger actions of the war, such as Buena Vista, a reasonable starting point must be decided upon. An interesting scenario that readily presents itself for gaming with a limited number of figures is the defeat and capture of Thornton's squadron of dragoons. Using singly based U.S. Dragoon figures in both a mounted and dismounted position, Thornton's squadron may be represented with as few as twelve figures on a 1:5 figure to actual combatant ratio. To lay in wait for the unsuspecting officer, paint up approximately twenty-four mounted guerrillas and about the same number of dismounted partisans. Although several sources give the Mexicans responsible for Thornton's defeat numbers exceeding 2,000 men, it is quite likely that American nationalism would have prevented the circulation of the tale had a more reasonable figure for the ambushing force been given. Although Torrejon commanded regular cavalry troops at Palo Alto, the painting of Mexican guerrilla fighters serves two purposes. First, it is quite possible that interested gamers already have a ready supply of Spanish guerrillas for the Napoleonic War in the Peninsula. This ready supply will save time and effort in entering the gaming milieu of the Mexican American conflict. Secondly, Mexican guerrillas provided American troops a constant source of aggravation throughout the war, frequently ambushing isolated troops, preying on stragglers, attacking unescorted supply trains and generally committing every manner of mischief. Should a gamer have available the above listed troops, he is able to begin gaming the war in very little time, presenting realistic and challenging scenarios. As the gamer's painted armies grow, so too can the size of the encounters placed on the table. Palo Alto and Resca de la Palma both present the gamer with small field battles that are easily represented on the table top. An American force representing eight guns and approximately 2000 troops is quite attain able using a common figure ratio of 1:20. Likewise, the Mexican force is also relatively small and would not be a major painting endeavor to complete the necessary troops. For convenience and speed of play, the Mexican army, being very Napoleonic in appearance, may even be represented by French Napoleonic troops until the appropriate figures are painted. Interesting Scenarios Both battles also provide interesting scenarios for the wargamer. Palo Alto places two well equipped armies in a face to face field encounter. The difference between the two, however, is in the makeup of the forces. The Mexicans heavily outnumber the Americans in cavalry and have small caliber, ineffective artillery. The Americans have to balance the difference, an effective infantry force with two heavy artillery pieces and two highly mobile horse artillery batteries. The challenge lies in determining which of the two is the most effective combination under your leadership. Resca de la Palma presents slightly differing challenges. Both forces are basically the same as at Palo Alto, but the field placement of each is substantially different. The Mexicans are now in defensive positions awaiting the arrival of the American force. The more numerous Mexican cavalry presents no bonus to an entrenched defensive action and therefore is wasted manpower. The Mexican commander at Resca de la Palma quickly understood the effectiveness of the American artillery and must be given credit for placing his troops in a position that negated the deadliness of the "Flying Batteries" and required the American to come within range of the smaller caliber Mexican guns. The American challenge lies in the fact that the artillery may no longer be depended on to carry the day. The assault on a strong defensive position must rely on the less numerous American infantry without substantial artillery support. In terms of leadership abilities, an accurate representation would put Arista at a slightly higher ability level than Taylor. Taylor showed overall common sense in several of the decisions that he made. Returning to Point Isabel to fortify it and to protect his supply lines proved to be wise and proper choices. However, no apparent effort was made to out-flank the Mexican position on either day and direct assault with little maneuvering was the means to Taylor's end. It is easy to understand de la Vega's statement that he had never fought an army that would charge right into the mouths of artillery! Taylor's order to May's squadron to assault a defensive artillery position on a narrow front surely would have astounded most generals of the day. The second order made to assault the guns given to the Eighth U.S. Infantry only compounds the conclusion that Taylor may have been well liked by his troops, but he lacked a certain subtleness in battlefield command. Arista, commander of the Army of the North, presents himself in a far better light. From the moment he arrived to take command of the troops at Matamoras, Arista showed the purposefulness and aggressiveness required to complete a mission. Arista did not present an unending deluge of written rhetoric to the American commander, but simply made his point once. When Taylor bluntly refused to discuss the matter, Arista proceeded to accomplish the task at hand. Various scouting missions were launched in an effort to ascertain the American position and strength and an eye to tactics is evident in that Arista did not simply assault the American position, but attempted to turn the enemy's flank and cut the American supply lines to Point Isabel. At Palo Alto, Arista made his initial dispositions according to what he believed the American weaknesses to be. At the day's end, having learned something about the American army first hand, Arista used that knowledge to good advantage and picked a location at Resca de la Palma that would work to his benefit and to the disadvantage of the American troops. The Battle of Thornton's Field, Palo Alto and Resca de la Palma all mark the beginning of a military conflict that substantially changed the face of the United States of America. Together they began the evolution of the American military establishment from one of a second rate military power in the eyes of the world, to a force full of courage, determination and inventiveness. Although Taylor's small Army of Occupation was unable to "preserve the peace" in the newly annexed Texas territory, it did set the emotional stage for the remainder of the conflict with Mexico which would last for two years. The initial major victories of the American army in Mexico immediately refuted all those who claimed that the American army was incapable of victory against the Republic of Mexico. For this reason, more than for the military advantage gained, these opening battles of the war with Mexico are important. Battles of Palo Alto and Resca de la Palma Introduction and Initial Maneuverings Battle of Palo Alto Battle of Resca de la Palma A Wargamer's Perspective Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. IX No. 1 Back to Courier List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1989 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com