Haitiansoldier | 03 Mar 2017 9:27 p.m. PST |
What are the best books written on the Battle of Palo Alto? I'll be visiting the battlefield next month and I have been looking for a good book on the battle specifically or Taylor's May 1846 campaign on the Rio Grande, but not much has come up. Sadly, there are not too many books written on individual Mexican War battles although A Gallant Little Army and A Perfect Gibraltar, both of which I own, are the exception. Is there anything comparable to those written on Palo Alto? |
Spooner6 | 03 Mar 2017 9:52 p.m. PST |
"On the Prairie of Palo Alto" by Charles M Haecker and Jeffry G Mauck. This is a good book. I really like that battle, basic line abreast with 3 commands. Great for Con Games. Chris |
Buckeye AKA Darryl | 04 Mar 2017 4:35 a.m. PST |
I agree with Chris. That title gives a lot of detailed information on the battle based on archaeological surveys. |
15th Hussar | 04 Mar 2017 5:15 a.m. PST |
Dun ain't knot two cheep though. |
The Virtual Armchair General | 04 Mar 2017 9:23 a.m. PST |
"On the Prairie of Palo Alto" is not just "good," it's indispensable to anyone seriously interested not only in that pivotal opening battle of the Mexican War, but in the nature of its combat. And, Brother Preziosi's crepe hanging aside, you may find very affordable copies via this link Crucial resource for any serious library on both subjects, the battle and the war. TVAG |
15th Hussar | 04 Mar 2017 9:45 a.m. PST |
Thank you, Patrick…very much appreciated! Purchase just made and since it was via PayPal…Free (as that is my "Play Money"). |
sloophmsstarling | 04 Mar 2017 11:16 a.m. PST |
Thank you very much as well, Patrick! I just ordered a copy also, and I'm looking forward with keen anticipation to receiving it. I am in the final stages of planning a play test of Palo Alto using Piquet-Hallowed Ground rules and my collection of 15mm Mexican-American War miniatures. As soon as I have a window of time in the next week or so, the figures will be on the table and going at it hammer and tongs. I'll post an After Action Report on the test game, and then follow up with a fine-tuned scenario for a real competitive game. Thanks again, Jan |
mumbasa | 04 Mar 2017 8:32 p.m. PST |
I use Field of Battle2 for my Mexican-American War games. I am one of Brent Oman's playtesters so I better like them ;) John |
Haitiansoldier | 06 Mar 2017 9:22 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be getting On The Prairie of Palo Alto along with the Battlefield Detectives episode on Palo Alto. |
sloophmsstarling | 09 Mar 2017 11:36 a.m. PST |
"On the Prairie of Palo Alto" arrived in yesterday's mail! I have only had a few minutes to scan through it, but it is definitely an indispensable reference on the battle as well as weapons, tactics, uniforms, and equipment of the Mexican-American War. Very detailed and thorough with maps, drawings, pictures, diagrams, and photos. Highly recommended to wargamers and students of the battle and the war! More to follow. |
Haitiansoldier | 09 Mar 2017 11:59 a.m. PST |
sloophmsstarling: Glad you enjoy the book. I also ordered a copy on Amazon yesterday, and it will be delivered tomorrow. I can hardly wait. |
sloophmsstarling | 09 Mar 2017 1:30 p.m. PST |
Haitiansoldier, Enjoy your trip to the battlefield! The diagrams, maps, photos, and descriptions from the chapters on the archeological project will be especially valuable in preparing for your visit, and please let us know of anything interesting that you discover there. |
Haitiansoldier | 10 Mar 2017 4:58 p.m. PST |
Thank you sloophmsstarling, I have been wanting to go there for years. I visited The Alamo and San Jacinto already, so this time I can focus only on Palo Alto. I got my copy of the book today. I love it! |
15th Hussar | 10 Mar 2017 7:05 p.m. PST |
On the Prairie arrived at Casablanca de Preziosi today and it's quite unlike any other book I've read before, but am looking forward to the chance to read it this Summer. |
sloophmsstarling | 11 Mar 2017 10:49 a.m. PST |
I've read the first two chapters and I am really enjoying the book!! I have already picked up a few ideas for my play test scenario that I am beginning today. One thing I didn't know before was how readily the US Army deployed into and out of square formation when faced with nearby enemy cavalry. I had known that the 5th Regiment had deployed into square early on when Torrejon's troopers moved against the US right flank, but I hadn't realized how other units had also deployed into square at other points in the battle. In Piquet-Hallowed Ground, the US Army has two Deployment cards in its sequence deck, providing the type of flexibility to go into and out of square formation during a turn. Chapter 3 "Weapons, Accoutrements, and the Soldier" looks fascinating with many insights on tactics and morale given the weapons of the era. I hear the sound of bugles over at my gaming table, must dash!! |