Recently at Huiricon 2001 in September, we re-fought the 1846 Battle of Monterrey, MX using Santa Anna Rules -- Tactical. The game featured two separate tables to reflect the fractured nature of this conflict. Both sides had forces deployed over a wide area and on both tables. The objectives for the Americans were several earthen forts, an abandoned Bishop's rectory known as El Obispado and the city center plaza of Monterrey itself. The American forces opened the fighting by advancing from their encampments near Monterrey while simultaneously advancing on Independence Hill and the earthen tort at its peak, Ft. Libertad. American forces near independence hill were a brigade ofTesas Mounted Volunteers, the 3rd US Red-Legged infantry (Artillery fighting as infantry and the god US Dragoons. Also on the table was a battery of excellent US 6 pounders. The Mexican players were able to counter with mostly militia and untrained "activos" however the Jalisco Lancers, Presidential Cavalry and a regiment of mounted militia were also present. The US player had dismounted one regiment of Texians and sent them toward the hill fort while the other remained mounted. The Mexican cavalry broke the mounted Texians and forced the others to re-mount in order to defend themselves against the threat. This had an adverse effect upon the advance up Independence Hill, which now slowed to a crawl in the rough terrain. The Mexicans also reinforced the Obispado with a regiment of Zappadores and the 4th Line infantry. By turn 15, the fighting in Monterrey was a bit closer, but with similar results. Initial slowness in deployment left two full regiments in camp for 14 tuns before they began to move towards their objectives. They never deployed. US casualties on the Monterrey table were extremly high. In fact, the 1st US Infantry was completely removed from play after suffering casualties from a Mexican 12 pound battery and a lancer charge in the same turn. Also removed from play was a full battery of 6 pounders after a charge by the Light Mounted Regiment of Mexico. Despite these casualties the US players had captured Fts. Teneria and Diablo, two earthen forts on the outskirts on town. By turn 19, they had moved within striking distance of Monterrey plaza, but still faced stiff resistance at the hands of the Light Infantry stationed nearby. Two Mexican units had also barricaded themselves within the adobe and brick structures on the eastern edge of twon and would not have been easily removed. The Mexicans won a hard-fought victory accumulating 25 victory points against the US 18. They still held Monterrey and the Obispado at games end. For the first time ever, there were also Mexican Lancers still on the table at games end. Past experience had them all but evaporating by turn 5 of this scenario. It was a near-run thing, but a clear Mexican victory. Back to Rebel Yell No. 21 Table of Contents Back to Rebel Yell List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 2001 by HMGS South 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