![How To Paint Moonstone’s Nanny | Goblin King Games [7 Days Early Access]](https://images.beastsofwar.com/2024/12/3CU-Gobin-King-Games-Moonstone-Shades-Nanny-coverimage-225-127.jpg)
Napoleon of the West
Recommendations: 891
About the Project
Building the forces and terrain needed to recreate the Alamo campaign using Warhammer historicals legends of the old west.
Related Genre: Historical
This Project is Completed
Why the Alamo
The Alamo is one of those famous battles that I knew nothing about. A few years ago I picked up the Alamo supplement for Warhammer historicals old west game. It added rules for mass battles, sieges and s campaign for recreating the war between Texas and Mexico. Recently I've grown interested in the wars after Waterloo but before the American civil war that don't get much love. Having a war between Mexicans dressed like Napoleonic french Vs frontier men and militia gives me a different feel to 19th century gaming 
So going back to America 1836 we have large areas that once belonged to Spain. After Mexico gained independence it was also running California and Texas. The new constitution seems to have been ignored by general Santa Anna who like Napoleon took over a country after a revolution. Many Mexicans in Texas wanted a return to the constitution but with so many Americans settling in the country any rebellion against the regime was going to turn into a war of independence. Which they would win and would remain an independent country before joining the union in 1845. A nice what if here had that not happened
Santa Anna led his army into Texas to defeat the revolt against him and there was very little real opposition but his mistreatment of his enemies and splitting his forces would lead to disaster. The Alamo like Rorkes Drift was a tiny battle at the start of the war but had big implications later on. After a 13 day siege the Alamo fell and General Urrea defeated all Texans forces along the coast. Things were bleak for Texas despite electing delegates to s new independent government they and their small army was on the run. 
Santa Anna chased Houston's army until he over stretched his army and the Texans desperate for revenge defeated the Mexicans at San Jacinta. Using the scenarios in the book I'm going to recreate this short war 
A bit of research of the forces involved. one of the barriers to gaming this war was the lack of miniatures and I looked at converting Napoleonic french. But then I found Boothill miniatures who are a small company who specialises in just this conflict. So first bags of Mexicans has arrived.
Work on first Mexican regiment
The Mexican army was no surprise modelled on the Spanish system they had inherited. Funny thing is most of the uniforms were made in the UK as well as the brown Bess muskets that were left overs from the Napoleonic wars some unfit for British service but ok to sell abroad. I did think about converting Napoleonic french minis but you don't get french troops in sandals.
Cazadors light infantry
Mexican light infantry armed with British Baker rifles although they apparently had bad powder issues led by El Sharpo 
Artillery crew
The minis come without artillery pieces so I'm using some from my napoleonic range. I like to base crews up separately so I can use guns as scenic pieces 
Today's work
Third company of Mexican infantry. I have another 20 men to paint. 
Busy day but still not finished. A bit of highlighting and basing tomorrow 
Grenadiers
I decided to get a unit in summer uniforms for my grenadiers that way I could paint them white so they stand out from the line infantry 
Zapadores
Zapadores or sappers and engineers. This unit has scaling ladders and some sappers with axes just like the napoleonic forces. There is little information on the uniform but it appears to be blue trousers with black collars and lapels with red cuffs and pompon. This is the unit that needs keeping safe from fire before they scale the walls of the alamo 
Santa Anna reviews the troops
This weekend I've completed another infantry unit and santa Anna with his officers. 
Last two infantry units
I've painted up another 40 infantry which completes my force for attacking the alamo. I have ten more cazadors to paint but then I can move on to the texans. I had an email from boothill miniatures after my last purchase and they enquired as to what I was up to with my collection. I've been picking up Mexican infantry each month for nearly a year so they were starting to wonder why I needed so many. Nice when a company take notice and appreciate your business 
I need to add some banners for my companiesBanners
The legends alamo rules have one banner for every three companies. So I got some downloads from boothill miniatures which give you all the flags from the war. 
Alamo attack force
All my Mexican infantry lined up for the assault on the Alamo North Wall. I have two infantry regiments made up of three companies each. One grenadier company one cazador regiment one sapper regiment and two artillery units. The alamo itself needs some work as I start on the texans. Trouble is boot hill miniatures has been sold to brigade games so I don't know how available they will be in the UK which might scupper my collection. 
New Orleans Greys
My first Texan unit are actually a volunteer unit from New Orleans. A unit with a regimented look in their grey uniforms. A much easier paint scheme compared to the Mexicans 
Texian volunteers
With boothill minis no longer available to me I've been picking up figures from Artisan through northstar. Texian volunteers are not uniformed so make an interesting collection. Western style minis but with napoleonic weapons rather than six shooters Bag of metal narcotics
The wife asked what I want for Christmas and I went for some Alamo defenders by Old Glory. They are old minis but full of character and good value for money. I think it was just over £30 for 30 minis. The website gives you no images so I was worried what I'd get. This pack has only a couple of repeat minis so lots of unique figures. Trouble was we were flying away for the season and the mag attracted the attention of the airport security. They took it from the luggage and spent a few minutes examing the bag. "what the hell is this" luckily they let me keep them. Next year I'll ask for plastic minis. Alamo defenders part one
I'm painting them in batches of 6. I forgot to pack any varnish so they will all be chipped by the time I return home. I will have to wait to base them. 
