Given the small size of the forces involved and the spread out nature of the campaign, I envision any attempt to recreate this campaign as a series of independent but loosely connected battles. The battle of San Pasqual, aside from being the first major battle fought for California and being a rather embarassing defeat for the Americans, has almost no significance to the course of the campaign. As alluded to earlier, even if the Dragoons had never made it to California, Stockton still would have had a force large enough to carry out the campaign. If the battle is to be recreated then allowances need to be made forthe inferior quality of the American mounts and the exhausted state of the Dragoons. The weather that morning was wet and rainy, but since the Dragoons were armed with percussion lock, breechloading Hall carbines this could not have played as large a part in the battle as was believed. I think that Kearny's whole plan was to surprise the Mexicans, and that is why he attacked on horseback. In any other situation he would have dismounted and used his superior firepower against the Mexicans. If this is to be simulated, then the Americans have to be given objectives that force them to attack. This can be done by having them exit the opposite side of the board within a certain number of turns. The Mexicans, on the other hand, came very close to being caught unprepared, and undoubtedly would have lostthe battle had they not turned back Captain Johnston. But they did, and were able to mount up and counter-charge thus ruining Kearny's plan. This can be simulated by allowing a random number of Mexicans to show up each turn, forcing the Mexican commander to carefully gauge whether to countercharge or fall back until enough of his men are ready. Any losses sustained by the Dragoons in the Battle of San Pasqual should be reflected in the organization of the force that departs San Diego for Los Angeles. Losses can be made up by additional sailors, but the total force should not exceed 600. The two following battles are relatively straightforward. The Battle of the San Gabriel River is mainly a matter of forcing a crossing through the ford. Aggressive play by the Mexicans can make this a little more difficult for the Americans than was actually the case. The American commander should have the objectives of exiting the board within a certain time limit and of killingas many of the enemy as possible. The Mexicans, conversely, want to slow the Americans down and kill as many of them as possible. Mexican should get at least twice as many points as Americans for each figure killed. The final Battle of La Mesa is basically the Californios last stand. They are low on ammo and possibly demoralized, depending on how the previous battle went. Any losses sustained in the Battle of the San Gabriel River should be directly reflected in the Battle of La Mesa, with the possibility of the Californians receiving reinforcements from Los Angeles. Again, in this battle, the Americans need to continue their inexorable advance to the opposite edge of the game board while the Californios need only to hold on for a certain number of turns before breaking and routing. If, after the requisite number of turns, the Californios are able to retire in good order, it will be assume that they fall back to L.A. and make another stand, with reinforcements, or they begin a guerrilla campaign. The victor of the campaign can be determined by seeing who won the most battles, or by total victory points, or by a fight to the death by the gamers if all else fails. VISITING THE BATTLE SITES Here in California there aren't too many historical battle sites. Thus it is a pleasure to have one in good condition so close to home. The Valley of San Pasqual today is much as it was in 1846. To find the battlefield, one need only follow the signs to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, and keep going a couple of miles past the entrance. Most of the battlefield is privately owned and has been plowed under, but at least the area is still rural and not covered with thousands of tons of concrete. There is a monument that stands basically where the American camp was the night of the 6th. Mule Hill can be visited (if you can find it), but it has long since been combed clean by relic hunters. Past the monument is a recently constructed visitor's center. It is small but extremely nice and full of interesting and informative displays. I highly recommend avisit if you are in the area. The Wild Animal Park, oras we in San Diego call it, the WAP, is also worth a visit! Each year since 1986, on the weekend closest to December 6th, the Battle of San Pasqual is re-enacted. It was my pleasure to participate in the event a couple of times. Dragoons were represented, as were sailors of the relief column. Facing them were members of an Hispanic riding group, armed with lances and machetes. Personally, I was a sailor armed with my cutlass, tower pistol and a borrowed Brown Bess. I have been reenacting mainly Civil war battles for more than twelve years. San Pasqual is unique in that it is the only battle I've done where I actually traded blows with a man on horseback. Usually cavalry are kept away from infantry for safety reasons. Luckily the Californios were all outstanding riders and we were never in any danger. UNIFORM INFORMATION U.S. Dragoons: The basic uniform forofficerand enlisted was a dark blue coat and hat and light blue trousers, with yellow trim. Leather gear was black, except for the enlisted sword belt and carbine sling, which were buff (white). Pouches were black with oval brass "US" plates on the flaps. Buttons and sword pommels were gilt or brass, depending on rank. Carbine swivel and sword scabbard were polished steel. Sword knots were gilt thread for officers and buff leather for enlisted. The hat band, brim and chin strap were black. The enlisted man wore his company letter on his hat while the officer wore a large six pointed star. The overcoat was medium blue with gilt or brass buttons. When not worn it was rolled up in front of the saddle. Officer frock coat epaulettes were gilt with a dark blue center with the regimental number in the crescent and the rank insignia above that. Sashes were red. All horse furniture was black with brass fittings and stirrups. The saddle blanket was brown. The canteen was suspended from the saddle and was either wooden or steel. Saddle holsters were black. The Shabraque was dark blue, with a yellow border. The valise (behind the saddle) was also dark blue trimmed in yellow. U.S. Marine Corps: The U.S. Marines of the period wore a dark blue coatee and either light blue or white trousers. Buttons and shoulder scales were brass. Headgear was a black shako with a brass eagle and brass chinscales, with a red pompom. Crossbelts were white, with black pouches. Bayonet and sword scabbards were black. Shoes were black leather. U.S. Navy: Ratings of the U.S. Navy wore a dark blue pullover blouse with white trim on the collar flap. Trousers were white duck bell-bottoms. Headgear was usually a tarred black straw hat, or plain white straw hat. Leather gear was black, as were shoes. Californians: The Californians, beinga guerrilla force, had no set uniform. Many of the cavalry were vaqueros, and as such better dressed than peasant forces. The Californians on the whole were short of firearms and ammunition. The Californians would be in civilian dress with little effort at conformity. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bauer, K.J., The Mexican War 1846-1848, MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1974. Chapelle, H.I., The History of the American Sailing Navy, W.W. Norton and Co., Inc., 1949. Murphy, J, History of the U.S. Marines, Exeter Books, New York, 1984. Singletary, O.A., The Mexican War, University of Chicago Perss, 1960. Scott, E. San Diego County Soldier/Pioneers 1846-1866, County of San Diego Bicentennial Project, 1976. Steffen, R., The Horse Soldier, 1776-1943, Vol. I, University of Oklahoma Press, 1977. Campaign for California Mexican-American War Introduction and Rebellion Battle of San Pasqual and Los Angeles Wargame Campaign, Uniform Notes, and Bibliography Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. IX No. 3 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. 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