| Mad Guru | 12 Apr 2023 9:10 p.m. PST |
On the morning of April 30, 1863, 49 officers and men of the 3rd Co., 1st Batt. Foreign Regt. (AKA: the French Foreign Legion) led by Captain Jean Danjou occupied a decrepit hacienda compound in the abandoned village of Camarón ("Camerone" in English) and fought a 10-hour battle against 2,000 Mexican regulars and guerillas under the command of Colonel Francisco Milan. The compound sat along the Royal Road (AKA the "Convoy Road") leading from Gulf Coast port of Vera Cruz inland to Puebla and Mexico City. When they first encountered the enemy, Danjou and the 3rd Co. were en route to escort a convoy carrying 3,000,000 Francs in gold (approx. $57 USD Million in 2023 USD). Ten hours later when the fighting stopped, all but one of the Legionnaires had been captured or killed. But though the 3rd Co. no longer existed, it had accomplished its mission: the gold convoy had heard the sound of the ferocious battle up the road, turned around and headed back to safety. After the battle ended and Colonel Milan learned how enemy soldiers his men had actually faced, he declared: "These are not men, they're demons!"
The Wooden Hand of Captain Danjou
Join us at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona to commemorate the 160th Anniversary of the battle by honoring the men of Company Danjou fighting for the glory of the Legion, and their Mexican opponents fighting to defeat the French Intervention (1862-67).
As Captain Danjou or one of his lieutenants, can you lead your handful of men to hold out long enough to keep the Mexicans from hitting the convoy…?
As Colonel Milan or one of his deputy commanders, can you coordinate your array of disparate units to overcome the ferocious enemy behind the walls of the Hacienda de la Trinidad fast enough to still be able to ambush the unescorted convoy and score a major victory for your cause…?
This will be a 6-Hour Epic Struggle: 3-hr PART 1 from 10am to 1pm--lunch break--3-hr PART 2 from 2pm to 5pm, played with finely painted figures over award-winning terrain, using Osprey's popular "The Men Who Would Be Kings" colonial rules, with mods for the scenario and to speed up convention play.
Room for up to 3 French & up to 5 Mexican players (combined maximum 8 players).
LINK to Sand Wars 2023 convention web-page: link
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| Lascaris | 13 Apr 2023 10:04 a.m. PST |
Sounds very fun! Wish I lived nearby. :) |
| Mad Guru | 13 Apr 2023 5:06 p.m. PST |
As do I, Lascaris, as do I! The Legion and Juaristas will miss you…
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| ARMY Strong | 14 Apr 2023 7:06 a.m. PST |
The outpost looks great, assume its custom built. |
Joe1870  | 14 Apr 2023 5:11 p.m. PST |
I'm looking to see if I can fly out to play this game and do a bit of site seeing. I've been following your posts for a few years and it all looks great. Well done sir!! |
| Mad Guru | 15 Apr 2023 2:34 a.m. PST |
@ARMY Strong: Many thanks and yes, you assume correctly, sir! Yes, built the man, the myth, the legend, Chris The Model Maker aka: CTMM. @Joe1870: Wow. What a huge compliment. Thank you. Whether or not you manage to follow through on the idea, just reading it here has put a big smile on my face and made my day. Thanks again! |
| Joe1870 | 16 Apr 2023 2:43 p.m. PST |
I got arrangements made. See you there. |
| redmist1122 | 16 Apr 2023 4:59 p.m. PST |
Hey Ethan,
Just signed up for your game! John and I played in your game last year – Elephant Paw. Looking forward to another great experience. See you next month. Greg |
| Mad Guru | 17 Apr 2023 11:37 a.m. PST |
Hey, Greg, Awesome, thanks! John told me you were planning to come. You did a great job with your command at the Bloody Elephant's Paw and earned one of the most shocking victories I've ever seen in a game, fair and square! I look forward to seeing you next month! |
| SgtGuinness | 17 Apr 2023 7:05 p.m. PST |
@MG, I'm sure this is going to be another amazing Mad Guru production, especially since you are teaming up with Last Stand Dan and Capt. Shanks!!!
Your tables and minis are always Top Shelf. |
| Mad Guru | 20 Apr 2023 11:32 p.m. PST |
Thanks very much, Sarge! Yes, it's great having the chance to team up with both of them together for the first time. The prep we started doing is going pretty smooth. Wish you could be there with us in person on the day, but you will definitely be there in spirit! |
| SylvainIndiana | 22 Apr 2023 6:18 p.m. PST |
Ethan. I cannot make it this year. It will be a great game
The Hacienda looks awesome
Vive la légion !!!! |
| Mad Guru | 23 Apr 2023 9:22 a.m. PST |
Say it ain't so, Sylvain?!?! Very sorry to hear that, my friend, and yet you display the proper spirit nonetheless! Hope to see you again down the hobby line, be it at the next Mesa con or someplace else. Keep in touch, my friend! |
| Marc33594 | 24 Apr 2023 6:15 a.m. PST |
I have seen Camerone done at more than one convention (and even several different games at the same convention). I have played in at least one of them. This is by far the most impressive looking version by far. In fact this is one of the nicest looking miniature games period. Hopefully, some day, will get to see this in person. Best would be at one of South's conventions where drinks will be on SgtGuinness and me. |
| Mad Guru | 25 Apr 2023 2:21 a.m. PST |
@Marc33594: Thanks for the high praise! Re: what you're hoping for… never say never! |
| Mad Guru | 16 May 2023 8:05 p.m. PST |
DESERT WARS at the Mesa Arizona Convention Center is this coming weekend with our 160th Anniversary CAMERONE game "NOT MEN BUT DEMONS!" using TMWWBK set to begin at 10am on Saturday May 20th. We've managed a few play-tests and unable to contain my enthusiasm here are some pics from the end-game phase of the latest one. Hope you enjoy them and hope to see you at the convention…
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