paints brigs for the British fleet.
As we enter the 160th Anniversary of the second year of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48, a renewed interest in this most amazing of the United States' wars is stirring.
Like the Spanish-American War, the Mexican War is greatly misunderstood, anything but "one-sided," and woefully unappreciated by gamers generally. Now, the chance to see this conflict in a clearer light is at hand.
GFI/MiniFigs is playing a double role in all this activity. The expanded and updated 15mm Mexican-American (MAW) line from MiniFigs has been re-released, and is now available from the website (link).
The listings include U.S. infantry in field and full dress (some of which can pass for State Volunteer units), and a variety of Texian and other Volunteer Infantry and Cavalry. But it was the American "flying" artillery that were the stars of the war, and they are in hand.
Besides these units (complete with trace horses, limbers, caissons, crews, and outriders), there is even a "specialty" pack of Major Ringgold's own Battery with mounted and dismounted gun crews. A wide variety of other available U.S. ordnance rounds out the list.
The Mexican Army's Permanente (Regular Line Infantry Battalions) are also represented, as are their Active Militia and National Guard types. Their Cavalry is particularly well represented with all their "Elite" Regiments (Hussars, Cuirassiers, Jalisco Lancers, Mounted Rifles, Caballero, etc), and their Permanente (Regular Line Regiments) and the 48 or so Companies of Presidial Cavalry. Mexican Artillery is provided with their Ox drawn Limbers, and an array of their own guns.
Even their only horse artillery battery is on hand!
Infantry Battalions for both sides have the appropriate mix of officers, musicians, and standard bearers (2 for the U.S. and 1 for the Mexican), along with 20 to 21 other ranks, enough to build almost any unit at wargame strength.
Cavalry are 8 to a bag, and guns are provided as part of sets, as well as in packs of 3 each, with 12 Gunners in multiple poses.
Besides the basic U.S. and Mexican infantry, cavalry, and artillery uniforms and poses, many valuable gaming accessories are provided that will be of use to the new rules to come, but also for color and eye-appeal on the tabletop. A wide range of supply wagons, ox carts and livestock provide the crucial "tail" of each army, and there are even Priests to reinforce the souls of the Mexican soldados!
Special additions already being designed and in the pipe include: Soldaderas ("Soldier Women") to support their men (and even to fight alongside!); newly commissioned personality figures of Generals Taylor, Scott, and Santa Anna; specially designed resin landing craft for Scott's brilliant landing at Vera Cruz; dismounted U.S. Dragoons; the U.S. Rocket Battery; U.S. 12-pdr Mountain Howitzers (deployed and broken down on mules), and more!
At least three new sets of rules are in the works for release throughout 2008, including one set being developed by GFI's own Tom Dye. Bob Burke, author of the Franco-Prussian War rules They Died For Glory, is preparing a special Mexican War variant, and The (Virtual) Armchair General is now hammering out Gone To See The Elephant.
So drop by GFI/MiniFigs and see all the fine lines, but definitely give the new Mexican-American War lines your time - you won't be disappointed!