The Mexican Adventure
Gaming the French Intervention in Mexico (1862-67)

Introduction

This page is aimed at gaming this war using the 'Principles of War', but I hope that it is of interest to those of you that use other rules as well.

MaximilianWar is a mailing list devoted entirely to wargaming the French Intervention in Mexico:

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Wargaming Notes

Two of the army list booklets for 'Principles of War' have lists for the Mexican Adventure. The lists in the Continental book seem to reflect the later war forces, those in the Colonial book the earlier forces with a French flying column and poorly equipped Republicans.

I have derived some troop classifications for 'Principles of War' from these lists and other sources.
'Principles of War' Classifications.

Figures

As far as I am aware, three manufacturers produce figures for the Mexican Adventure. These are in three different scales.

• Foundry (28mm). I've never seen these figures 'in the flesh' but have seen them in photos and they look OK. I'm not sure what they cover, but assume that all you are likely to want is available. It appears that they may have scrapped this range and may be in the process of re-doing it. At present it looks like the Battle of Camerone is well covered, but nothing else.

• Freikorps (15mm). This company used to have a reputation for brittle figures, but apparently they use softer lead now, so this is not a problem. Again, I've not seen these figures, but the range in their catalogue seems comprehensive, and it links in with the Campaign booklet (see below) as well.

• Irregular (6mm). These are the figures I use. The range is not as comprehensive as that of Foundry or Freikorps, but with the addition of figures from other ranges most units can be depicted. The Maximilian range is in campaign dress, which means the troops are depicted with various uniform violations such as ponchos and sombreros. This gives them a nice 'irregular' feel.

Scenarios

Most of these scenarios are for 'Principles of War', although scenarios for other rules are more than welcome.

• The Battle of Xlapanticl - A fictional scenario for 'Principles of War'. A French column with Mexican allies must seize a strategic ridgeline from a poorly equipped, but numerous, Republican force.

• Relief Column - A French flying column is sent to the relief of a small town.

• The Action at Hacienda Deroada - Republicans attack a supply column escorted by the Austrian Legion. Pictures of this action can be seen here.

• Rearguard Action Before Queretaro - A report of a Piquet scenario, by Eric Burgess.

Links

Although this conflict is fairly well-known, there does not appear to be much useful information on the web about it. What pages there are tends to concentrate on Maximilian, Carlota or Juarez, rather than any specific details of campaigns or other incidents. It goes without saying that if an incident is covered, it is the action at Camerone! The following links are of interest:

• The Maximillian Adventure - Pictures of a game

• The Battle of Camerone - this is a big file and in French, but is an absolutely magnificent page.

• The Battle of Puebla - This account is part of an online American Civil War game. It does not appear to be a totally historical account, but is still interesting.

• The Mexican Adventure - A site maintained by Tim Peterson, with loads of wargaming related bits and pieces.

Other Sources

• 'The Mexican Adventure 1861-67' by Rene Chartrand and Richard Hook (Osprey Men-At-Arms 272)
• 'The Mexican Adventure - The Maximilian War 1861-1867' by David Allsop and Anthony G. Canavan (Ulster Imports 1990, Freikorps Campaign Bookley No 2)
• 'Viva The Bull! Kill The Bull!' by Richard Clarke (Wargames Illustrated 136-139, January to April 1999)
• 'Maximilian and Juarez' by Jasper Ridley (Constable 1993)
• 'With Maximilian in Mexico' by Max, Baron von Alvensleben (Longmans, Green and Co, 1867)

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