The fictitious battle of Rio Odio, 1847

The Battle of Rio Odio, Mexico, 1847

A 15mm Mexican-American wargame fought on Saturday, January 26, 2008

This battle is a fictitious Age of Eagles scenario from the Mexican-American War. General Taylor’s invasion of Northern Mexico has spurred the enemy to action, and the Mexican army has decided to make a stand on the “Rio Odio” rather than withdraw to Monterrey (as they did historically). The Gourmet Wargaming Club played this game using 15mm miniatures with small modifications to the Age of Eagles Napoleonic rule set.

To download a PDF containing the Order of Battle for both sides, click here.

The battlefield, bisected left to right by the Rio Odio. The large, center village is Villa de Sangre, the smaller one at left is Rata Grande. US forces entered the table along the closest edge.	What would a hot, dusty engagement be without a few gourmet snacks? (It's a rhetorical question, but the answer is "hot, dusty, and crappy.")	A bird's-eye-view of the incoming US forces (top) facing Mexican defenders (behind the Rio Odio). Note the Mexican flag proudly flying from Villa de Sangre (center).	Mexican right flank dispositions behind the river.	The glorious defenders of Villa de Sangre.
Mexican cavalry stand as a mobile reserve in the center.	Mexican reserves behind the village of Rata Grande.	US forces enter with their "flying artillery," all horse-drawn.	The Mexicans open with a brazen forward redeployment to slow the enemy advance.	US infantry prepare to assault Villa de Sangre.
The US center, with a mass of well-trained infantry and artillery.	The US right flank, a tad more colorful than the rest of the army.	Mexican troops labor to shore up the line behind Villa de Sangre, along the Rio Odio.	The bold Mexican counter-attack charges into the US left flank.	US forces develope a full-scale assault on Villa de Sangre. Note the infantry with the spiffy white hats (right).
Mexican cavalry is slowly moving forward to try to counter US cavalry crossing the river (top left). The dice show that these units have been failing their Reserve Movement rolls--not a good sign.	The Mexican left is firming up behind the river.	A lone Mexican cavalry brigade awaits the enemy.	The fight on the Mexican right flank continues apace, and one brave artillery battery (far right) has deployed to take the Yankees in flank.	More Mexican cavalry moves forward without any particular haste (note die showing failed Reserve Movement rolls).
A complete shot of the action at the front. Mexicans on left, US lines at right.	The US left flank has been admirably delayed, but they are starting to mass. Mexican infantry (foreground) has been pushed back.	The Yankees are into the town! Villa de Sangre witnesses brutal house-to-house combat.	The Mexican left awaits the enemy.	Cavalry combats on the Mexican far left.
US forces batter their way into the woods near Villa de Sangre.	US infantry and artillery react to the aggressive Mexican right.	Villa de Sangre is still holding out.	No Mexican food here--it's all-American, as they say.	And what would a battle be without close combat between a spatula and a home-baked cake? (Life is just full of these sorts of ridiculously simple, rhetorical questions.)
A colorful view of cavalry attacks and counter-charges. The Mexican left flank is still fighting hard.	The US army is anything if not a diverse organization, age not being a particular barrier to service. These appear to be engineer officers.	The Mexican right flank is falling back (read: being pushed back) in front of the river and the village of Rata Grande.	The garrison of Villa de Sangre is crumbling under the weight of US attacks. But the national ensign still flies above the walls!	Breakthrough! The Mexican left has given way, and US infantry brigades scamper through the breach to engage the scattered enemy. The battle is over.
Combat photographer with a very modern looking camera for the 18th Century. Ah well, a few anachronisms won't kill us.	These guys look much happier than at the begining of the battle. Must be the full stomachs--we are Gourmet Wargamers, after all.