This is a revised version of a set of rules I wrote three years ago. The original version was published in The Volunteer. The main change was to the turn sequence, which has more phases, but which I think simplifies things. The US soldiers now move only 6" rather than having the choice of moving 12" or shooting.
Historical Background
In 1898 the US battleship Maine exploded while docked in Cuba. Blame immediately fell on Spain, which was trying to put down a revolt on the island. A short time later, the Spanish American War had begun. After the war was over the US had become a world power and acquired her first colonies: Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines. The most famous land battle in this short conflict occurred at San Juan Hill. Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders were among those that gained fame by storming the Spanish trenches on the hills surrounding the city of Santiago. The African American cavalry troopers known as the "Buffalo Soldiers" also fought bravely in this battle.
After Action Reports
This game was played with two different groups of middle school students.
Battle 1
The Spanish commander on Kettle Hill asked for permission to abandon the position before the battle began. His fellow commanders refused the request. This may account for the lackluster performance put on by the Spanish defenders on the hill. The Rough Riders and Buffalo Soldiers overran the position without difficulty and continued their assault towards the heights of San Juan Hill. Elsewhere, the US Army was taking a terrible beating as they struggled up the slopes of San Juan Hill.
The Buffalo soldiers and Rough Riders stormed the Spanish trenches on the left side of San Juan Hill in a flash. As the Americans raced towards the summit a desperate Spanish officer signaled the artillerymen to fire a barrage on the Spanish trenches. The timing was perfect. The shells caught the Buffalo soldiers while they were celebrating their victory, and regrouping for an assault on the block house. More troopers were lost in that instant than had been lost in the fights for the trenches on Kettle and San Juan Hills combined. On the other side of the block house the US army managed to penetrate the Spanish defenses with a savage thrust. Unfortunately this attacking force was quickly cut off and surrounded. They clung tenaciously to a small section of the Spanish trenches, rallying around Color Sergeant Bailey. In a dramatic and heroic conflict that became known as "Bailey's Last Stand" the Americans fought to the bitter end. Sgt. Bailey himself protected the US flag until he ran out of ammunition. He continued to fight, using the flag staff as a weapon, until he was finally overwhelmed by superior numbers. Sgt. Bailey was recommended for the Medal of Honor. His actions were not in vain, as his men effectively tied up a large portion of the Spanish reserves, preventing them from helping in the defense of the block house. When the Rough Riders and Buffalo soldiers successfully stormed the block house effective Spanish resistance was ended. It was a victory for the Americans.
Battle 2
The Spanish fought fiercely as the Americans advanced. A continuous barrage of accurate artillery fire rained on the attackers. The Rough Riders suffered badly as they fought through the defenses on Kettle Hill. Suddenly the Spanish on the hill seemed to panic and retreat. The Americans rushed to capture the abandoned trenches. Without warning the fleeing Spanish turned and counterattack. This unexpected maneuver caught the Rough Riders completely by surprise, and unprepared. The Spanish hit the disorganized Americans with a fury. Colonel Teddy Roosevelt was among the casualties. The Americans solemnly paused to consider how American History would be changed without the dynamic leadership of President Teddy Roosevelt.
The Rough Riders vowed revenge and quickly swept the hill clear of the enemy, with some timely help from the Buffalo Soldiers. Unfortunately for them their battle was only half over. they still had to climb the slope of San Juan Hill where the remaining Spaniards were waiting.
On the American left the US Army had been making slow but steady progress up San Juan Hill. Spanish rifles and artillery shells inflicted many casualties, but could not stop the American advance. The arrival of the Gatling Guns provided the necessary firepower to get the Americans to the barbed wire.
With a "hurrah" the Americans fired a deadly volley into the Spanish trenches before charging with the bayonet. The army overwhelmed the Spanish defenders and began rolling up the flank. Several attempts were made to capture the block house but they were repulsed.
On the right flank the weary survivors of the Kettle Hill battle also attempted to close with the enemy. Only a few Buffalo Soldiers, led by Jack Pershing, made it to the Spanish lines. The Spanish counterattacked, cutting off Pershing's men. Pershing and his Buffalo Soldiers fought like demons, but were eventually defeated. The victorious Spanish rushed reinforcements towards the besieged block house. A desperate struggle for control of the house ensued. The Americans were close to the breaking point when they finally put an end to the Spanish resistance and captured the position. Surveying the carnage the Americans conceded that the Rough Riders and Buffalo Soldiers had been shattered, Roosevelt and Pershing were dead, and that the Army was in no shape to continue the drive on Santiago. This was a Pyrrhic victory for the Americans.
The Game
The Soldiers
couldn't find any figures in 1/72 scale so I used 54 mm figures from BMC. These are ugly figures. I chose figures from their San Juan Hill set (which includes a house, fortifications and Gatling guns) and also used some from their Alamo set. Some Spanish soldiers were painted as US soldiers to fill out their ranks. Spanish officers were marked by painting their cuffs and shoulder straps red. US officers were painted with a yellow stripe on their trouser, and yellow shoulder straps or stripes. Here are some paper soldiers you can print and use. The Spanish file includes a section of sandbags that can be pasted together to mark the front of the Spanish trenchline, and a section of barbed wire.
The Orders of Battle
The Spanish have 46 figures (including 1 officer). The US Army has 78 figures (including 2 flag bearers), there are 23 Buffalo Soldiers (including 2 flag bearers, an officer, and Jack Pershing), and 27 Rough Riders (including Teddy Roosevelt and a flag bearer). There are 4 machine guns (two operators for each) deployed with the Rough Riders. Two Gatling guns (2 operators for each) arrive on turn 3. Set Up
The Spanish must be in the trench lines on San Juan Hill or Kettle Hill. Six Figures can fit in the blockhouse. The Americans start at the opposite end of the board, within 6" of the edge.
The Map
This game represents the final push to take the hills. It's difficult to model San Juan Hill since the whole board is really a slope upward. An easy way to represent this is to use felt or a model to show the summits of each hill. The rest of the board should be clear. Since the terrain is a slope figures do not block line of sight, so you can fire over the heads of the figures in front.
Objective
The Americans must clear the Spanish off Kettle and San Juan Hills.
Useful Resources
"Assault on San Juan Hill" by Richard E. Killblane, http://www.thehistorynet.com/
"Solo Spanish-American War" by Scott Hansen, Lone Warrior #124
The Spanish American War Centennial Website, http://www.spanamwar.com/
Teddy's Wild Ride San Juan Hill
- Historical Background and Set Up
Fast Play Rules for Students
Paper Soldiers and San Juan Hill (very slow: 178K)
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© Copyright 2004 by Matt Fritz.
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