or: The Phantom Crown.

An unconventional war by European terms, with a social background approaching anarchy, it is difficult to reproduce the conflict on the tabletop in the same way as one would do Napoleonics. What appeals to me about the period is the huge mix of troop types, the shifting political loyalties, and the combination of some of the best officers and troops in the world with some of the worst.

What I needed was a set of rules that allowed irregulars to operate alongside regulars, and some kind of game format that recreated the uncertainties of warfare in this environment. Interestingly enough as I was starting this project an article appeared in Wargames Illustrated by David Bickley on random events in ACW wargames. A good system with a sensible set of events, but a bit tame for south of the Rio Grande. Nevertheless easily amended, so that was that sorted.

Regarding rules. A few years ago I was sent a copy of Principles of War to review. My main area of interest is European warfare of the mid nineteenth century and I was very impressed with the realism of the game that these rules produced, to the extent that I threw away my own home-grown set and have used them ever since. Having said that I had never used the rules with any irregular troops as I am not a great fan of colonial games, except at grand skirmish level. I was very pleased to discover that the rules again worked excellently, certainly a few amendments helped the process along its way, but we have now completed a very enjoyable campaign using the rules which has provided us with an interesting insight on the conflict combined with a lot of fun. Not a bad result.

What follows is a breakdown of the units that participated in the conflict. I have attempted to give as much information as possible to allow gamers to create their own armies, the designations are for Principles of War but should be easily transferable to other rule sets if you want to (why you would I can't think for a minute). I believe that the period is best gamed at company level, with the "Brigade" in POW becoming a battalion or cavalry regiment. After Puebla forces tended to be cobbled together on a "needs must" basis, with battalions, let alone regiments, rarely serving as a whole, and using the company as a base this allows these makeshift columns to be recreated on the tabletop. More importantly it looks good and feels right.

Generally seen as the best army in the world at this time, the French went to Mexico expecting an easy victory. Whilst Puebla came as a shock to them, and the rest of the world, the clash on the Cumbres de Alcuzingo did much to restore the belief that one pantalon rouge was worth at least ten Mexicans. As the campaign progressed their belief in their own ability did not diminish, although real doubts that a military victory could be secured, and attractive promises from the Juaristas, led to significant levels of desertion. This was especially true amongst the Foreign Legion, it was said that there was not one unit of Juaristas that did not contain a former Legionnaire.

INFANTRY

Serving in paper strength companies of 121 men for Line, 152 for Chasseurs a Pied and 140 for Foreign Legion, these were actually nearer sixty to eighty men in the field. With all French units the single shot, muzzle-loading Model 1857 rifle, or upgraded 1822 or 1853 models, were standard. The experiences of the troops with African service led them to operate in looser formations.

Line Infantry	Base strength 6, steadfast, MLR
A battalion was made up of seven companies, I grenadier, I voltigeur, 5 fusilier. Impromptu commands were the norm. Two battalions per regiment served in Mexico from the following: 7th, 51st, 62nd, 81st, 95th and 99th Regiments.

Chasseurs a Pied	Base 7, steadfast, MLR, LI, MM
A battalion had six companies with no distinctions. Again these units were generally broken up as the task demanded. The 1st, 7th, 18th and 20th Battalions served in Mexico.

Zouaves	Base 8, steadfast, MLR, Ll
A battalion had eight companies with no distinctions. During the conflict a mounted company was formed to operate alongside the Contra Guerrillas of the Imperial Army. Mounted on mules this force should be treated as mounted infantry and not have any real offensive capacity when mounted. The 2nd and 3rd Regiments both sent two battalions to Mexico.

Tirailleurs Algerian	Base 7, steadfast, MLR, LI
One six company march battalion was formed from the regiments in North Africa with no company distinctions.

Infanterie Legere d'Afrique	Base 5, steadfast, MLR, Ll
Two eight company battalions served in Mexico, but never as a whole unit. A penal unit, these forces were generally used for engineering works but shortage of manpower led to them playing a more traditional infantry role. These troops had excellent elan, and if the situation is right may be given a + I on morale when charging.

French Foreign Legion	Base 7, steadfast, MLR, Lo
A total of six battalions de marche served in Mexico. Initially with seven companies per battalion; this later dropped to six. The sixth company of the 2nd Battalion was, in fact, a mounted one which fought independently of its parent body. Unlike the mounted Zouaves this force seems to have had horses and was issued with sabres. As such they should be able to act in a traditional cavalry role.

CAVALRY

Serving with paper strength squadrons of 200 men, the reality was generally between 80 and 120 sabres. No full six squadron regiments served as a body. With only single shot, muzzle loading pistols the sabre was the main weapon; as such they have no dismounted capability. As with the infantry companies the cavalry squadrons tended to serve separately.

Chasseurs d'Afrique	Base 8, MW
Three squadrons of the 1st Regiment and two of both the 2nd and 3rd served in Mexico where they earned the nickname "The Blue Butchers".

Hussars	Base 6, MW
Two squadrons of the 5th Hussars served.

Chasseurs a Cheval	Base 6, MW
Four squadrons of the 12th Chasseurs were in Mexico.

ARTILLERY

With six gun batteries as standard, the French committed three Line foot batteries, one Guard horse battery, a Mountain battery and a siege battery to Mexico. Guns were chiefly muzzle-loading rifled pieces, firing cylindrical shells. As a norm guns were deployed as required, rarely serving as full batteries, more often as two gun "sections". The siege guns were kept in a central reserve and assigned as needed. The mountain battery included some howitzers, I would suggest one section of two 4pdr mountain howitzers.

2 gun section

Base 6, BRO, Medium Battery

NAVAL TROOPS

Operating chiefly around the coastal areas, the French Navy provided both infantry and artillery troops. Two six company naval battalions de marche were present along with one battalion of Marines from the naval landing parties of French warships. One six gun battery of rifled 4pdr guns was available.

Naval Infantry	Base 5, steadfast, MLR
Two march battalions were made up of nine companies of the 2nd Marine Regiment and three companies of the 1st. These were not marines in the British sense, but were infantry troops assigned to the navy due to that service's responsibility for the defence of French colonies.

Fusiliers Marine	Base 5. steadfast, MLR
A makeshift battalion made up of ships' landing parties (these are the British type of marine).

Marine Artillery	Base 6, BRO, Medium Battery
The 2nd Battery of Marine Artillery served in Mexico.

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