First Battle of Barcelona (1898)

In this alt-history scenario, Teddy Roosevelt decided to stick his finger in the eye of the Spanish monarchy after the charge up San Juan Hill by sending a small force directly to Spain.  Forty Rough Riders under the command of Crazy Bob Shoemaker shipped out to Barcelona via tramp steamer.  A logistical problem in Cuba had forced them to eat their horses before the famous charge, so they were reluctant infantry.

Unbeknownst to the Rough Riders, their tiny invasion of Spain quickly excited the imaginations of Europeans.  Disembarking in Barcelona, the Rough Riders were led to the bodegas and feted.  The populace in Barcelona had long sought regional independence, so they grasped the moment and rose up in rebellion.  Two units of French lancers on weekend leave in Barcelona were caught up in the enthusiasm and, after several bottles of wine, joined the rebellion .  The local detachment of Spanish Regulars heard about these riotous activities and rushed from their homes.  Warned by the citizens, the Rough Riders spilled out of the bars, rifles in hand.  All combatants converged on the central park.

Order of Battle

Spanish side: four units of regular infantry supported by two cavalry units.
Rough Riders:  four units of infantry and two units of French lancers.

All units were deployed randomly.  The Spanish were distributed on the leftward three-quarters of the field and the Rough Riders were distributed on rightward three-quarters.  This left some possible overlap in the center of the park. 

Rules
One Hour Wargames rules were used.  See my other posts for more detail,.  In my games each figure represents one unit of ten soldiers.  Cavalry may charge but not shoot.  Infantry may shoot but not charge. Infantry may not move and shoot in the same move.

A deck of chance events cards was used.

Report

By a strange coincidence, four units were deployed next to each other in the center of the battle field.  See picture one.  Pictures 2-4 are different views of the initial deployment.  One of the Rough Riders was not in a bodega when the fighting started.  He was in church.  Another RR was on the beach.  He began moving toward the church. 

Picture one.

Picture two.

Picture three.

Picture four.

The second French cavalry unit joined the melee in the center of the park (picture four).  All four cavalry units were charging each other while the infantry fired at each other.  Meanwhile the other Spanish infantry have moved into range of the meelee, but that put their backs in range of the church (picture five).

Picture five.

As the meelee unfolded, both French units were broken and one Spanish unit broke.  One Spanish infantry unit was removed from the field along with two Rough Rider units.  The surviving Spanish cavalry took refuge behind some trees and out of range of the church.  They were effectively out of the battle unless the shooters in the church chose to leave the church yard.  The Spanish infantry units had taken cover behind the trees while engaged in the firefight.  This put them out of range of the church.  The Rough Rider units in the center of the park were broken while the three surviving Spanish units were all bloodied. 

At this point, the Spanish had done well despite poor shooting (bad luck with the dice).  They had three infantry units left versus the two Rough Rider units.  However, they must have felt compelled to drive out the Rough Riders so they moved toward the church (picture six).  This was a mistake.  All had taken hits and when they moved they could not shoot, so the Rough Riders mowed them down.  The Spanish had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. 

Picture six. 

Conclusion

This battle lasted 18 minutes (8 rounds).   The Spanish could have won on points but they could not just hide behind cover and wait for seven more rounds; they had to do something.  They chose wrong. Perhaps they could have attempted to enter the church from the back.  They had enough time left to do that, but that plan did not occur to them. 

This was a close one for the Rough Riders.  They will have to bandage their wounds, gather up the broken units, and rest in preparation for the next battle.  

Note:  The infantry figures in this battle all were included in a box of Armies in Plastic Rough Riders.  I painted some uniforms white to make the Spanish army.