Disclaimer: I realise now that someone else just started a Mexico AAR, so you're all probably going to hate this- but fortunately it seems the style of that is very different to the one I intend to use. He has much more fictional narrative, less just describing the game. Also my notes appear to be absurdly detailed. Anyway, this is my first Victoria AAR. Be gentle. Here we go...
Part one: Mexico is a nation!
As the new year 1836 begins, Mexico finds herself facing a serious rebellion in the region of Texas. Taxes must be raised, men recruited to our armies- the nation must be mobilised.
Our best information indicates the rebel armies to be substantially smaller than our own. Therefore our existing forces should be sufficient for the task. Our army from the Yucatan is moved up to the front by sea, the rest marches the long roads from central Mexico.
The Texan rebels begin with an offensive- attacking in all directions in the hope of overwhelming the loyal Mexican army. This will not succeed. General Santa Ana cooly organises a defence. We will repulse the enemy on the frontiers.
Initially, the plan does not go well- the Yucatan division near Corpus Christi is routed and elsewhere my forces are hard pressed. Reinforcements have a long road to travel before they can relieve these troops.
They do arrive, however, and these massed forces push the Texans back into their own province. Now it is our turn to make an offensive.
The first Texan triumph was also to be their last. With little forces remaining, they fell back again and again, until being decisively defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Texans then pleaded with Mexico for their independence- but were refused. A new Fourth of July will now be remembered above the American date. It was on this day in 1836 that the rebels submitted to Mexico and the people were able to cry out to the world: "We are a nation!"
This victory was not bought easily, however. Many brave Mexicans had given their lives for their country, and the government had been forced to borrow nearly £2,000 to pay for the war. The armed forces were immediately demobilised so that the economy could recover- among them the former RTNS Liberty, now renamed San Jacinto after the decisive victory of the war.
Thanks to a great national effort, barely two months went past after the end of the war before our debts were paid. To reward the nation's citizens, a new education programme was drawn up by the government. Every child would learn to read and write.
These great achievements were recognised around the world. In all the highest circles in Europe, Mexico was spoken of as one of the Great Powers. For a time, her standing was higher than that of even the United States of North America.
The fragile peace in Mexico was shattered by new rebellions in California and New Mexico. Forces were rushed from Texas by land, and again from the Yucatan by sea. Santa Ana personally put down the rebels in New Mexico, whilst the newly promoted General Cos was sent to California. The government reluctantly ordered a partial mobilisation to provide him with the necessary forces.
General Cos landed north of Los Angeles in late May of 1837 and began drawing up his forces to fight the rebels. He knew he only had to hold them off long enough to allow Santa Ana to reach California with the main Mexican Army. However Cos' men are largely made up of recent conscripts. He prepares for a difficult battle
The rebels crash into the Mexican positions with unexpected force. The line of conscripts buckles, and then breaks. Throughout July, the rebels have the loyalist army on the run. Cos is only barely able to pull his army into order to withdraw it to the safety of San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Santa Ana arrives with his four divisions in Los Angeles. He pictures the situation in his mind. Cos' division lies on one side of the rebel force, whilst his own force is on the other. Santa Ana comes up with a daring plan to catch the rebels between Cos' rested forces and his own cavalry. His own forces, however, are unexpectedly delayed in Los Angeles and reach the battle late. Nevertheless, when they reach Monterrey they find that Cos' forces were able to dispatch most of the rebels single-handedly.
Barely was the rebellion in California over and the army demobilised, than another uprising began in New Mexico. Santa Anna's cavalry was dispatched again to deal with the rebels, along with infantry from Texas and California.
The rebels are strongly engaged in New Mexico, and those which survive flee into Arizona to escape the vengeance of the Mexican people. This proves a grave error, however, as infantry from Texas and California arrive East and West of their positions, whilst Santa Ana's cavalry moves to complete the encirclement. The rebels are completely cut off and destroyed. The ringleaders are summarily executed.
A minor uprising in Texas was put down with ease early in 1838, but more seriously Yucatan rebels rose up in the Spring and Summer. General Cos, fresh off the transports from California, was forced to once again partially mobilise his force, fielding two local divisions and one shipped from Texas to put down the rebels. They were crushed for little loss.
So, Mexico's status as a nation and a Great Power are confirmed- but across all her borders lie jealous enemies, desperate to steal the natural riches of Mexico....
Next: the Texan legacy (I promise that one will be more interesting)
Part one: Mexico is a nation!
As the new year 1836 begins, Mexico finds herself facing a serious rebellion in the region of Texas. Taxes must be raised, men recruited to our armies- the nation must be mobilised.
Our best information indicates the rebel armies to be substantially smaller than our own. Therefore our existing forces should be sufficient for the task. Our army from the Yucatan is moved up to the front by sea, the rest marches the long roads from central Mexico.
The Texan rebels begin with an offensive- attacking in all directions in the hope of overwhelming the loyal Mexican army. This will not succeed. General Santa Ana cooly organises a defence. We will repulse the enemy on the frontiers.
Initially, the plan does not go well- the Yucatan division near Corpus Christi is routed and elsewhere my forces are hard pressed. Reinforcements have a long road to travel before they can relieve these troops.
They do arrive, however, and these massed forces push the Texans back into their own province. Now it is our turn to make an offensive.
The first Texan triumph was also to be their last. With little forces remaining, they fell back again and again, until being decisively defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Texans then pleaded with Mexico for their independence- but were refused. A new Fourth of July will now be remembered above the American date. It was on this day in 1836 that the rebels submitted to Mexico and the people were able to cry out to the world: "We are a nation!"
This victory was not bought easily, however. Many brave Mexicans had given their lives for their country, and the government had been forced to borrow nearly £2,000 to pay for the war. The armed forces were immediately demobilised so that the economy could recover- among them the former RTNS Liberty, now renamed San Jacinto after the decisive victory of the war.
Thanks to a great national effort, barely two months went past after the end of the war before our debts were paid. To reward the nation's citizens, a new education programme was drawn up by the government. Every child would learn to read and write.
These great achievements were recognised around the world. In all the highest circles in Europe, Mexico was spoken of as one of the Great Powers. For a time, her standing was higher than that of even the United States of North America.
The fragile peace in Mexico was shattered by new rebellions in California and New Mexico. Forces were rushed from Texas by land, and again from the Yucatan by sea. Santa Ana personally put down the rebels in New Mexico, whilst the newly promoted General Cos was sent to California. The government reluctantly ordered a partial mobilisation to provide him with the necessary forces.
General Cos landed north of Los Angeles in late May of 1837 and began drawing up his forces to fight the rebels. He knew he only had to hold them off long enough to allow Santa Ana to reach California with the main Mexican Army. However Cos' men are largely made up of recent conscripts. He prepares for a difficult battle
The rebels crash into the Mexican positions with unexpected force. The line of conscripts buckles, and then breaks. Throughout July, the rebels have the loyalist army on the run. Cos is only barely able to pull his army into order to withdraw it to the safety of San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Santa Ana arrives with his four divisions in Los Angeles. He pictures the situation in his mind. Cos' division lies on one side of the rebel force, whilst his own force is on the other. Santa Ana comes up with a daring plan to catch the rebels between Cos' rested forces and his own cavalry. His own forces, however, are unexpectedly delayed in Los Angeles and reach the battle late. Nevertheless, when they reach Monterrey they find that Cos' forces were able to dispatch most of the rebels single-handedly.
Barely was the rebellion in California over and the army demobilised, than another uprising began in New Mexico. Santa Anna's cavalry was dispatched again to deal with the rebels, along with infantry from Texas and California.
The rebels are strongly engaged in New Mexico, and those which survive flee into Arizona to escape the vengeance of the Mexican people. This proves a grave error, however, as infantry from Texas and California arrive East and West of their positions, whilst Santa Ana's cavalry moves to complete the encirclement. The rebels are completely cut off and destroyed. The ringleaders are summarily executed.
A minor uprising in Texas was put down with ease early in 1838, but more seriously Yucatan rebels rose up in the Spring and Summer. General Cos, fresh off the transports from California, was forced to once again partially mobilise his force, fielding two local divisions and one shipped from Texas to put down the rebels. They were crushed for little loss.
So, Mexico's status as a nation and a Great Power are confirmed- but across all her borders lie jealous enemies, desperate to steal the natural riches of Mexico....
Next: the Texan legacy (I promise that one will be more interesting)
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