I wrote this about five years ago because a couple of my projects, i.e. Albuera in the Peninsular and Sipe Sipe in South America, had stalled because I didn’t like any of the available horse and musket rules. Inspired by Roland’s WW1 experiment I wondered if I could make a horse and musket variant for Crossfire. These rules have now remained raw and unplayed for some time. I stopped work on them because I decided I had bent the rules so far that it is no longer Crossfire. But rather than having it lurk on my hard drive any longer, and because Jamie asked about it, I thought I’d share. What do you think?
Carlist Wars
The Carlist Wars in Spain were the last major European civil wars in which pretenders fought to establish their claim to a throne. In 1833-40, 1846, and 1872-76 the Carlists – followers of Don Carlos and his descendants – rallied to the cry of “God, Country, and King” and fought for the cause of Spanish tradition against the liberalism, and later the republicanism, of the Spanish governments of the day. Although now little known outside Spain or Portugal, in their time these wars were international in flavour. The other European nations looked on with considerable interest, and forces from Portugal, Spain, Britain, and France were involved.
Terrain Cards – Random terrain placement for pick up wargames
In our recent game of Tilly’s Very Bad Day Chris observed that, as the defender, he could exploit the terrain placement rules to his advantage. This is my proposal to address Chris’s concern. These rules allow randomised terrain for pick up battles in any period.
The terrain placement rules described here borrow heavily from Terrain Cards for a ECW Campaign.
2018 Reflections of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian
Continuing my Megalomaniac tendencies, this is my reflection on 2018 and how I did against my world conquering goals. Check out my 2018 Confessions of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian for my overly ambitious aspirations.
2017 Reflections of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian
I have noticed that my The Confessions of a Megalomaniac Wargamer and Amateur Historian of 2015 was literally a confession, describing my overly inflated ambitions and incomplete projects. But the 2016 edition was more a reflection on my progress against those goals. It has been a 23 months since the 2016 edition and it is time to revisit. But I’m going to split the reflection aspect from the confessions bit. So this is my reflection on the 23 months from the beginning of 2016 to the end of 2017.
15/18mm 1st Carlist War Range from Capitan Games
About 15-20 years ago a Spanish Wargaming company called Fantassin Minaturas produced a range of 15/18mm figures for the First Carlist War. The company subsequently became War Modelling and a couple of years ago kind of evaporated. Now the War Modelling figures are available from Capitan Games including the 15mm Carlist Wars range. I wanted one place where I could see a list of the entire range. Particularly as Capitan Games have a 10% discount to celebrate relaunching the range.
Oriamendi Matrix: An Engle Matrix Game set in the First Carlist War
A bloody civil war has waged in Spain for four years. King Ferdinand died and left the crown to his daughter, Isabella, and the power to his wife Cristina. The King’s brother, Don Carlos, has violently contested Isabella’s right to succeed. The main drama to date has unfolded in the north, in the Basque provinces of Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, and Alava, plus the adjoining province of Navarra.
It is now early March 1837. In yet another bid to to crush the rebels, the three government generals in the Basque provinces – Esparetero, De Lacy Evans, Saarsfield – are preparing a simultaneous advance on the Carlist heartland. They believe victory is assured as Don Carlos doesn’t have enough men to face all three threats simultaneously. The three Carlist commanders – Don Carlos, Don Sebastián, Brigadier Iturriza – intend to show the Cristinos they are wrong.
This Engle Matrix Game for the First Carlist War has been germinating for a long time. The draft appeared on 2 July 2006. Nearly 10 years later I thought I’d better finish it. Partly because Roland Davis wanted me to run it for him, in PBEM mode.
Photos from SELWG 2013 – Crossfire and Carlist Participation Games
Last Sunday I helped put on a Crossfire participation game at SELWG 2013. I took a few shots of the Crossfire games and of the Carlist War table just behind us.
Archiduque Gallery of 28mm First Carlist War Figures
Archiduque Painting Service have done some lovely work painting up Perry 28mm Carlist War figures. They kindly sent over some samples:
Oriamendi East – A Shako Battle Report
Chris Harrod and I tried out my Oriamendi East Scenario with Shako II. It was great to get the Carlist War figures onto the table.
Regimental Histories from First Carlist War
I found a couple of great sites giving details of where each Spanish regiment was engaged during the First of the Carlist Wars. In the first instance most details from Aula Militar: Un siglo de presencia militar en nuestra provincia (1833-1936)
Specific Cristino Orders of Battle of the First Carlist War
I found a some details on the Cristino order of battle during the First of the Carlist Wars. In the first instance most details from Duncan (1997, p. 20-21).
El Mercenario Gallery of 28mm First Carlist War Figures
Javier Gómez aka “El Mercenario” is the painter the Perry Brothers use for their 28mm Carlist War range.
Steven’s Carlists of the First Carlist War
These are the Carlist troops I have at the moment. Nominally for the Battle of Oriamendi using Boina.
Steven’s Cristinos for the First Carlist War
These are the Cristino troops, i.e. Spanish government forces, I have for the First Carlist War. Nominally for the Battle of Oriamendi using Boina.
Steven’s British Auxiliary Legion for the First Carlist War
These are the British Auxiliary Legion troops I have for the First Carlist War. Nominally for the Battle of Oriamendi using Boina.