"Napoleonic Americas" Topic

My first armies I ever collected were major European powers like France, Prussia, Russia, and Austria. As rulesets changed and flavors of the day evolved, I dove into a 10mm Peninsular build, which I completed: a lovely corps of French and A division of Spanish and British each. After several fun battles and a campaign or two, I too want to evolve with this collection.

My British 'army' is perfectly suitable uniform-wise for 1812, or at least close enough so that is a great option for American campaigns. Even though I know nothing about the war. Bladensburg (former Marine here), White House, and New Orleans. Yup, that's it. I know… I should shred my citizenship <sigh>. But! I feel confident I can research enough to play the campaigns eventually.

However, my beautiful Spaniards! Half the regiments are in 1808 bicornes and the other half blue British issue circa 1810-11. I also have some Garrochistas and some fancy dragoons in bicornes as well. And artillery.

What can I do with them south of my American border? I know less about these revolutions and wars in South America during this period than I do of 1812. Can you recommend a period where I could have a starter army to kick it off? Any easy-reading, good resources on these Napoleonic-era wars in South America?

Thank you kindly for opining and for any comments on 1812 as well.

Spanish troops are very flexible. You mentioned the greatest use with the Latin American Wars of Independence.
Also the Spanish owned Florida at this time and did fight the Americans at Pensacola. They also repelled several sorties from the Georgia troops near Jacksonville. Also the Spanish in the early 1800s fought a war with the Muskogee Free State composed of Creek towns with British support. They even had a navy of two ships and were recognized by Great Britain.

Another conflict was the revolt in Haiti. The French deployed several regiments there. A large number of Polish troops were lost there.

For the War of 1812 see "War of 1812 – Useful Downloadable Material" Topic at TMP link where I tried to include items which reflected the different perspectives of the conflict.

For South America there is much written in the Spanish language and comparatively much less in English. Will see if I can pull together another list of useful material.

Thank you Time Portal and Prince of Essling!

I read about Montevideo and Buenes Aires with Spanish vs. British. The numbers involved seem about right 6k vs 6k, so I already have that pretty much. Never thought about using my French troops in Haiti either. With some of the revolutionary campaigns, wouldn't seem a stretch to press some American Indians I have into service as allies of either side as well.

Also, I have alot of painted campaign-dress French fusiliers unbased and un-used. Any conversion potential with their blue coat, shako, and white/brown pants in 10mm?

There were lots of battles, typically 2,000 – 5,000 troops per side, in the South American Wars of Liberation – seems to me your Spanish troops would work well for them

And for 10mm, troops in blue coats and shakoes would work very well in most of the as well!

A Good book is Conquer or Die. A number of battles described and can be used for scenarios.

Thank you Grattan for the book recommendation. Hi Frederick, I am thinking the battle sizes are proportional to my collection indeed. Any unit flag resources online? Order of battles?

South American Wars of Liberation may well be what your after. Small battles, similar uniforms to the main Napoleonic powers, added colour and interest, larger than life characters.

The 1807 British invasion of Buenos Aires is very interesting campagin to wargame – recommend 'The British Invasion of the River Plate 1806 – 1807' by Ben Hughes, Pen and Sword press, good read.

This website has some good AARs and other resources and link
balagan.info/liberators

There is an Osprey on The South American Wars of Liberation, one on uniforms and one Essential Histories, an overview. Plenty of uniform plates online for free if you have a look but here are some books you can still find with good uniform sections:

Fletcher, J. (2005). Liberators! Volume 1: The War in the South. Grenadier Productions.

Fletcher, J. (2006). Liberators! Supplement 1: The War in the South. Grenadier Productions.

Hooker, T. (1991). The Armies of Bolivar and San Martin [Men-at-Arms 232]. Osprey.

cheers

Thanks John!