Scenario 6: Attack on the Hydraulic Works Camp, February 25th

Following the successful defense of Mexicali and the conquest of Los Aldagones, José Cardoza led a force of 50 insurrectos south in an attack on a hydraulic works camp on the Colorado River. The work camp, run by the Colorado River Land Company, used Mexican and Chinese labor to redevelop and harness the flow of the Colorado River into the Gulf of Mexico, to irrigate the farms north of the border and prevent flooding there. 

Set up: In the middle of the desert, place a workers camp with cloth tents in rows, and as many civilian workers as possible, in the center of the table. Place a well-guarded supply cache in the camp. A river, canal, or delta should run through the table at one side of the camp. You may use trench terrain pieces to represent new canal construction. Place markers # 1-4 in the four corners of the table. These will represent the cardinal directions as well as entree markers. Ensure there are a few trucks or wagons in the camp, capable of transporting supplies.

Conditions:

Clear day - normal visibility

PLM Forces:

José Cardoza and 50 Liberals

Neutral:

As many civilian workers as possible

Government forces:

20 Rurales/Company guards.

Government Reinforcements:

Platoons of Rurales and Federals

Gameplay:

Before the game, set up the town and the supply cache. Place half of the defenders at the supply cache. The other half should mount random patrols around the camp and surroundings in teams of 2. The full rebel force may enter at the North marker on turn 1. The attackers have 5 turns to capture the camp. After capturing the camp, the rebels have until turn 8 to gather the camp’s workers in a central spot, and deliver an inspiring speech to convince them to join the revolution. Once the workers have been gathered, rebels may roll 1 D6 per round. The resulting number represents the number of workers who join the Liberal Army. These may be armed/replaced with revolutionary soldiers. 

At turn 8, Government forces become the attacker. Roll a 1 D6 per round. Resulting number represents the number of platoons available, which may enter at any marker of the player’s choosing. After round 10, the Government forces receive no more reinforcements.

Rebel Objectives: 

-Capture Camp

-Convince at least 10 workers to join the revolution

-Hold the camp, or escape to the south with more fighters than arrived with, and with at least 2 supply markers.

Government Objectives:

-Defend the camp and supplies

-Keep the workers working

-If camp is lost, retake the camp and recapture any lost workers.

Victory Conditions: 

Rebels: A rebel victory requires the rebels to either defend the camp, or to escape the camp with more fighters than it arrived with, as well as 2 supply markers. A partial victory sees at least 40 rebels escape with at least 1 supply marker.

Government:

Lose fewer than 10 workers to the rebels, lose no supplies, and cause at least 20 casualties against the rebels.

A partial victory allows 40 or fewer rebels to escape the engagement. 

Aftermath:  

The raid was a success for the Magónistas. Cardoza’s group made off with food and other supplies, weapons and ammo, and many new recruits from the workers defecting from the employment of the Colorado River Land Company. The rebels continued south toward the Gulf of California (Bartra and Barrerra 149).