Liberators: 1817-18 Chilean Project

You have to start somewhere and I've decided to start my venture into the South American Wars by focusing on the 1817-18 Chilean Campaign.  

The Grand Plan 

I want to be able to recreate all the battles of the 1817-18 Chilean Campaign using the Quick Play Rules from the Liberators Supplement (Fletcher, 2006) using this Basing system.  

Phased Approach 

Although in the past I've gone for rather a "big bang" approach to new periods, i.e. get everything before I do anything, I thought for this project I would do it in phases.   The phases correspond to the battles and I'll only get the the stands and figures I need to do each phase in turn.  This reduces the initial outlay, gets me playing faster, and allows me to stop at any time with something useful.  

This campaign lends itself rather well to this approach as:

• It starts out small (Chacabuco) and ends up large (Maipo)
• The same units that appear at the start (Chacabuco) are still in battle at the end (Maipo), but new units appeared throughout the campaign. 

The table below shows the phases and the stands and figures I need to do each phase.  This data is based on the orders of battle listed in the sources at the bottom of the page.   

Maximum Unit Size 

My principle was to get all the figures I need for a unit for the entire campaign the first time the unit appears in a battle.  This is basically so I get consistency in painting.   

For example,  the Cazadores de los Andes had 500 men at Chacabuco, none at Talcahuano, 839 at Cancha Rayada, and 639 at Maipo (Fletcher, 2005).  Rather than get five stands for 500 men in Phase 1, then another three stands to take the unit to 839 men in Phase 3, I have opted to get enough figures for the largest (eight stands) in Phase 1.  That means, for example, that most of my infantry battalions will have 8 stands and 24 figures.  

Wargaming Figures to Use 

I had a look at the Wargaming Figures available and decided to use those from Grenadier Productions as much as possible.  That applies even if that means waiting until the appropriate figure is released - I've marked these as "Wait GP" in the lists below.   If Grenadier Productions are't going to make the figures then I've used the nearest alternative.  

One of the main problems is guns.  I need French 4lb, 6lb, and 8lb guns and 5.5" howitzers for this project and  I'm looking for a range the does all of these.  Some of the 4lb guns would be mountain guns and I can wait for Grenadier Productions to produce them. But that does mean the range I select must be compatible with the, as yet unreleased,  Grenadier Productions guns.  Most of the ranges I looked at (Essex, Chariot, Minifigs, Gladiator, AB, Irregular, Naismith) have significant gaps.  The possibilities seem to be: 

Fantassin / War Modelling 

NG-01 Gun (4 Pounds) 
NG-02 Gun (6 Pounds) 
NG-03 Gun (8 Pounds) 
NG-04 Gun (12 Pounds) 
NG-05 Howitzer 

I've rejected this range because reviews say the Fantassin guns are "chunky", making them incompatible with the forth coming mountain guns from Grenadier Productions.   And Roland doesn't like Fantassin because they are hard to clean up.  

So the next choice is QRF / Frei Korps 

NAG01 French 4pdr gun x 2 
NAG04 French 6pdr gun x 2 
NAG02 French 8pdr Gun x 2 
NAG03 French 12pdr gun x 2 
-- no French howitzer but the British Howitzer has twin tail carriage … -- 
NAG07 British 5.5" Howitzer x 2 

Painting Guide 

The references section lists the full range I have used. Unfortunately the sources disagree on uniform details so this section outlines the priority order.: 

• Lagleyze/Puliafito: Drawings from a collaboration between Prof. Julio Luqui Lagleyze and the artist Cesar Puliafito that appear in Fletcher (2005, p. 28 - 36). John Fletcher has said to give these drawings priority over his own offerings.
• Fletcher (2006): This is the supplement to Liberators and reflects Fletcher’s continued research and better abilities with the illustration tools. 
• Fletcher (2005): The original Liberators. 
• ROA: Uniforms of Maipo: Has illustrations of uniforms from Maipo. He mistakenly assumes the Argentine 7th Infantry were white, so I rank this below Fletcher’s work. 
• Hooker (1991): The Osprey book. Nice pictures but the Chilean campaign was not Hooker’s priority so there is only one plate of four pictures. I can’t comment on his quality, but on quantity I’ve put Hooker last.

Flags are based on my best guess Flags for 1817-18 Chilean Project. 

The Spanish adopted the Gribeauval system in 1792 but in the Americas some Valliere's probably stayed in service. Most paintings show varnished wood carriage for all cannon.

Current Status

Roland has started completing figures for my Argentine Army of the Andes.

Phase 1: Battle of Chacabuco (12 Feb 1817)

Phase 1a: Patriot 

The Patriot army at Chacabuco is Argentine in origin.  All the major Argentine units appear and will be used throughout the rest of the campaign.   

Origin	Name	Flag	Stands	Figures				Figures	Comments
				Men	Horses	Guns	Total
Argentine	General San Martin	-	1	3	3		6	Wait GP: Generals
	Division Commander	-	3	6	6		12	Wait GP: Generals
Argentine	Artillery (4lb)	-	6	12		6	18	Wait GP: Patriot Artillery
Argentine	Cazadores a Caballo de la Escolta del General	-	6	12	12		24	Wait GP: Generic Cav	2 Squadrons
Argentine	Granaderos a Caballo	-	12	24	24		48	4 x PS003 Argentina Granadero a Caballo Cavalry (shako/command) 4 x PS002 Argentina Granadero a Caballo Cavalry (shako/saber)	4 Squadrons of 3 stands.  All with Sabre.
Argentine	7th Infantry Regiment		8	24			24	PSU-004 Argentina Infantry 1813-1823 UNIT PACK	Formed from freed black slaves
Argentine	8th Infantry Regiment (8th Battalion of Free Negroes)		8	24			24	PSU-004 Argentina Infantry 1813-1823 UNIT PACK	Formed from freed black slaves
Argentine	11th Infantry Regiment		8	24			24	PSU-004 Argentina Infantry 1813-1823 UNIT PACK
Argentine	Cazadores de los Andes (Cazadore Infantry Regiment #1)		8	24			24	3 x Fantassin UN-31 British Rifles Marching  1 x Fantassin UN-30 Command Light Infantrymen	Officers should not wear pelisse.  Need a standard bearer.
Argentine	Grenadier Battalion		1	3			3		Just need an extra command stand with officer, drummer, grenadier
Argentine	Cazadore Battalion		1	3			3		Just need an extra command stand with officer, drummer, cazadore

I am using a slightly different Orbat to Fletcher (2005) based on thoughts on the Cazadores a Caballo: 

Phase 1b: Royalists 

This is the first army to face, and be defeated by, San Martin. The infantry wore the old style double breasted blue jacket.  Historically many of the units ceased to exist.  Although they only appear once in the campaign I've opted to build both this army, with the blue jackets, and the subsequent white uniformed guys for several reasons: 

1. They look different.  Obvious but had to be said. 
2. So I have a total force roughly equal to the total Patriot force. 
3. Which means I can do a campaign game.  

Phase 2: Assault on Talcahuano (6 Dec 1817)

Phase 2a: Patriot 

By phase 2 I'll already have all the Argentines I need for Talcahuano, so it is just a matter of adding the Chilean units to the Patriots.  

Origin	Name	Flag	Stands	Figures				Figures	Comments
				Men	Horses	Guns	Total
Chilean	General Bernardo O'Higgins	-	1	3	3		6	Wait GP: Generals
Chilean	Artillery (6lb)	-	6	18		6	24	Wait GP: Patriot Artillery
Chilean	Caballeria Cazadores de la Escolta Directorial	-	6	12	12		24	Have to add epaulettes to ...  2 x PS003 Argentina Granadero a Caballo Cavalry (shako/command) 2 x PS002 Argentina Granadero a Caballo Cavalry (shako/saber)	2 Squadrons
Chilean	1st Infantry Battalion		8	24			24	PSU-003 Chile Infantry 1817-1823 UNIT PACK
Chilean	2nd Infantry Battalion		8	24			24	PSU-003 Chile Infantry 1817-1823 UNIT PACK	Use this unit for the Chilean National Guard Battalion. They had the same uniform and flag, and the two units didn't appear in the same battle, so I only need one.   The 2nd Battalion appears in more scenarios.
Chilean	3rd Infantry Battalion		8	24			24	PSU-003 Chile Infantry 1817-1823 UNIT PACK
Chilean	Engineers	-	1	3			3	1808 Spanish Fusiliers from Battle Honours	Wore a bicorn

I am using a slightly different Orbat to Fletcher (2005) based on thoughts on the Cazadores a Caballo: 

Phase 2b: Royalists 

The Royalists in the Talcahuano scenario comprise guns plus the Los Angeles Regiment.  And a lot of both.  The Los Angeles Regiment is meant to deploy as 9x100 + 4 x 200 contingents.  I've opted to use an amalgamation of units for Lost Angeles rather than building one huge unit.  I was going to use the Arequipa Regiment but John Fletcher, when hinting about new research, suggested I use the Conception Regiment instead. 

Phase 3: Battle of Cancha Rayada (19 Mar 1818)

Phase 3a: Patriot 

Cancha Rayada demands a little more Chilean infantry.  

Origin	Name	Flag	Stands	Figures				Figures	Comments
				Men	Horses	Guns	Total
Chilean	Coquimbo Cazadore Battalion		8	24			24	1 x PS-010 Chile Infantry 1817-23 Command 3 x PS-009 Chile Infantry 1817-23 Cazadore

I am using a slightly different Orbat to Fletcher (2005) based on thoughts on the Cazadores a Caballo: 

Phase 3b: Royalists 

All the remaining Royalist units appear at this battle.  This is a completely new army from that destroyed at Chacabuco.  Viceroy Pezuela sent the majority from Peru in late 1817.  This force landed just a few days after the Assault on Talcahuano.  Some of the Talcahuano garrison and cavalry from Southern Chile joined the new comers.  The new infantry uniform was white. 

Phase 4: Battle of Maipo (5 Apr 1818)

Phase 4a: Patriot 

By Phase 4 we've just got to round out the Patriot army with some more artillery.  

Origin	Name	Flag	Stands	Figures				Figures	Comments
				Men	Horses	Guns	Total
Chilean	Artillery (4lb)	-	8	16		8	24	Wait GP: Patriot Artillery
Chilean	Infantes de la Patria Battalion		8	24			24	PSU-003 Chile Infantry 1817-1823 UNIT PACK
Argentine	Artillery (8lb)	-	2	6		2	8	Wait GP: Patriot Artillery

I am using a slightly different Orbat to Fletcher (2005) based on thoughts on the Cazadores a Caballo: 

Phase 4b: Royalists 

No new units. 

Units that appear in the Orbats that I don't need 

In the attempt to reduce the number of figures I need to buy and paint I've left some units out of the plan.   

Patriots 

Royalists 

Patriot Artillery 

It isn't clear from the various orders of battle which patriot artillery is Argentine and which Chilean.  This the what I can figure out. 

Chacabuco

Fletcher (2005, 2006) says 7 x 4lbrs.  He doesn't specify but these have to be mountain guns the Argentine army brought over the Andes. 

Talcahuano

Fletcher (2005) lists 6 x 6lbrs.   The nationality isn't given but I assume Chilean given the bulk of the force is Chilean and the Chileans fielded a lot of 6lbrs at Cancha Rayada but the Argentines didn't field any at other battles.  

Cancha Rayada

Fletcher (2005) lists 33 Patriot guns; the Right Division has 10 x 4lbrs, the Left has 11 x 4lbrs, and the reserve has 12 x 6lbrs.  Alternate Orders of Battle for Cancha Rayada and Maipo says the Left division artillery is Argentine and that in the reserve is Chilean.  The Order of battle in Alternate Orders of Battle for Cancha Rayada and Maipo doesn't show artillery in the Right Division, but the text mentions a third, Chilean battery, which must be with this division.   Combining this information we get the Right Division has 10 x 4lbrs (Chilean), the Left has 11 x 4lbrs (Argentine), and the reserve has 12 x 6lbrs (Chilean).

Maipo 

Fletcher (2005) lists 16 x 4lbrs (split evenly between Right and Left) and 4 x 8lbrs (in the Reserve).  Alternate Order of Battle: Battle of Maipu, Apri 5, 1818 says the artillery in the Left and Right Divisions was Chilean and that in the Reserve Argentine.  Combining this information we get 16 x 4lbrs (Chilean) and 4 x 8lbrs (Argentine).

Summary 

Note on Cazadores a Caballo

The various sources are inconsistent about the Argentine and Chilean Cazadores a Caballo.  In a discussion on the Liberators 1810-1830 Yahoo Discussion Forum, John Fletcher expressed the opinion that all references to Argentine Cazadores a Caballo and Escolta del General were in fact the Cazadores a Caballo de la Escolta del General.  Similarly references to Chilean Cazadores a Caballo, Chilean Horse Cazadores or Chilean Escort Cazadores, are the Caballeria Cazadores de la Escolta Directorial.  He recommended getting two squadrons of each unit for the Chilean campaign.  

In the case of the Battle of Cancha Rayada the Argentine unit is mistakenly subsumed into the Chilean Horse Cazadores, and needs to be separated out. 

Based on the above observations the orders of battle in should modified in the following way: 

Regarding the quality rating of these units, John Fletcher had this to say: 

I reduced the quality of all the Patriot Cazadores a Caballo to regular in 1818 based on my opinion of their performance in the campaign. In my opinion they were adequate but not spectacular. This might be due to the Cazadores a Caballo operating in this "converged" unit that caused so much OB trouble, whereby the superiority of one squadron may have been nullified by the inexperience of another or it might be my personal bias looking for a balanced wargame. In any event, it's how I see things. The cavalry lost in a skirmish with the Royalists earlier in the afternoon at Cancha Rayada; they did not halt the Royalists at Cancha Rayada (indeed, the Granaderos left the field in disorder) and the Cazadore charge at Maipo was effective in driving the Royalist cavalry from the flank but became bogged down in the mass melee against the Burgos battalion. A decent but not spectacular record; hence the regular rating. Liberators 1810-1830 Yahoo Discussion Forum.  

Sources 

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.

Grenadier Productions specifically: 

Alternate Order of Battle: Battle of Maipu, Apri 5, 1818.  Fletcher cites “Las Fuerzas Armadas de Chile” as the source for the data in these orders of battle.

Alternate Orders of Battle for Cancha Rayada and Maipo.  Fletcher cites Soria (2004) as the source for the data in these orders of battle.  

Argentine Flags of the War of Independence, 1810-1824 

Uniform: Argentine Cazadores a Caballo de la Escolta del General. 

Hooker, T. (1991).  The Armies of Bolivar and San Martin [MAA 232].  Osprey. 

Liberators 1810-1830 Yahoo Discussion Forum

Regimientos de América specifically

ROA: Uniforms of Maipo specifically

ROA: Argentine Infantry
ROA: Argentine 8th Infantry Battalion
ROA: Chilean Infantry
ROA: Argentine Cavalry
ROA: Chilean Cavalry
ROA: Royalist Cavalry
ROA: Argentine Artillery
ROA: Chilean Artillery    
ROA: Royalist Infantry Plate 1
ROA: Royalist Infantry Plate 2

 

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