The following information can be useful in painting castings for use in the era. Many of these notes are based on the Ernesto Cardenal letters , a filibuster under Walker. Some data is from similar sources.

The Nicaraguan peasant levies would have not worn uniforms but daily clothing with a factional armband . Factional veterans would have worn a combination of civilian pants and uniform coatees with identifying factional armbands.

The American Filibusters are noted as wearing BLACK coats and pants. Form an illustration the headgear is of the style worn by the Americans during the Mexican-American War.

The Walker Filibuster flag (and also of his Presidency) is the same as the Leonese factional Flag but with a five-pointed RED (Lone) star in the centered in the center stripe. The Leonese factional flag had three equal sized horizontal stripes. A white center stripe between an upper and lower Light Blue stripe.

This possible Granada factional flag had three equal sized horizontal stripes with a white upper stripe with a Yellow center stripe and a Red lower stripe. A green volcano is centered in the center stripe. This was the flag adopted during the civil war Also volcanoes are reported in letters watching over the city of Granada. It also could represent another faction?

Another possible Granada flag was adopted in 1854 after the Granada faction had gained control of Nicaragua and was adopted again after the usurper Walker had been defeated. This Granada factional flag had three equal sized horizontal stripes with a Yellow upper stripe with a white center stripe and a Tan lower stripe.

Players can use a variety of skirmish (1 to 1 ratio) including Wild West style rules or they may prefer the popular ‘The Sword and the Flames’ (which use a 1 to 5 ratio). The battles are very small in scale.

Mexican Scenarios

LA PAZ
Americans attempt to gain control of the port city and establish a supply base.

Objective = Victory is determined by who controls the local church, barracks (Army HQ) and town hall.

Americans = 170 men with Three small 3pdr field guns are also unloaded.

Mexicans = A garrison of 30 soldiers with up to 60 poorly armed (machetes) levy peasants.

GUILLA
A Walker foraging party must obtain supplies by raiding a local Indian town.

Objective = Between 6 and 10 mud huts with two or three being designated storage buildings. The Americans must find the storage huts secure the supplies stored in them, then exit the board-edge upon which they entered.

Americans = 20-30 men with a wagon and a half dozen pack mules.

Mexican & Indians = 20-30 Indians armed with traditional weapons (bows and spears) plus a additional 10-20 Mexican peasants armed with knives and a musket or pistol-armed leader.

SONORA (What If scenario)
Walker’s desertion rate was lower and reinforcements were steady.

Objective & Terrain = The Americans must capture the key buildings in the town including the church, the Administrative Hall, barracks and water source. The Mexicans must prevent it.

American = 50 men divided into elite units + 150 raw recruits. Two 3pdr cannon are attached but only enough powder of no more than ten rounds each.

Mexicans = A 200 man garrison including one elite unit of 30 men. An additional levy of 100 men from the local town are armed with pistols and muskets. Another 50 peasants armed only with machetes are also available. Both levy groups have poor morale.

Nicaragua Scenarios

RIVAS August 1855
Objective = Probing mission by the Americans to determine the size of Granada’s force.

Terrain = Board should consist of a road crossing a river/ stream. Most of the board is heavy growth and impassable.

Leonese = Americans 60 men + one 60 man company of Nicaraguan Leonese troops.

LA VIRGEN on 1 September
Objective = Destruction of the enemy force.

Terrain = A central road traversing the board that crosses a stream at the midpoint. A village (la Virgen) is located near the crossing. . The Granada troops are stationed behind a stream near the village.

Leonese = Americans 60 men under Walker + 170 Nicaraguan factional veteran volunteers from the Civil War. The Leonese attack despite being outnumbered.

Granada = 540 troops in nine 60 man companies.

GRANADA
Objective = Secure the key buildings in the town.

Terrain = The key buildings in the town including the church, the Administrative Hall and barracks.

Leonese = Americans include 55-60 men. Nicaraguans bolstered the highly motivated Leonese faction with over 500 volunteers.

Granada = 100 factional fanatics (elites) + 500-600 town levy.

SANTA ROSA 1856
Objective = The Costa Rica Army wants to destroy the Nicaraguan force.

Terrain = An isolated plantation house with groves.

Nicaragua = 100 Americans + 140 Nicaraguans under Schlessinger.

Costa Rica = 3000 men under Mora + 500 (ex-Granada Nicaraguans) Moracia Bn.

RIVA
Objective = Secure the key buildings in the town.

Terrain = The key buildings in the town including the church, the Administrative Hall and barracks

Nicaragua = At least 200 Americans including the Immortal Guard company + 1000 Nicaraguan volunteers. Only two companies about 120 men could be considered of good loyalty with American officers.

Costa Rica = 3000 men under Mora + 500 (Nicaraguans) Moracia Bn.

What If Campaign

This campaign would be based on better government by Walker and more loyalty given as a result by the Nicaraguans. The Americans operating from interior lines of communications combat a series of invasions by the other South American countries.

William Walker In Mexico and Nicauragua

In Mexico
In Nicauragua
Bibliography
Wargaming The Walker Filibuster Adventures