Continuing my posts covering South American Wars of Liberation scenarios for 'Dominion of Napoleon Bonaparte', here's the next two, featuring a couple of victories for General Manuel Belgrano.
Tucuman (September 23rd 1812)
In early 1812, the Patriot Army of the North was in poor condition after the disastrous defeat at Huaqui the previous year. Manuel Belgrano, newly appointed as commander, was ordered by the revolutionary government in Buenos Aires to retreat south to Córdoba and avoid battle. Meanwhile, Royalist forces under General Pío de Tristán advanced from Upper Peru with around 3,000 men, aiming to crush the revolution by capturing key cities in the northwest.
As Belgrano withdrew, he received strong encouragement from the people of Tucumán, who offered supplies, recruits, and local militia support if he made a stand. Belgrano defied his orders, choosing to defend Tucumán rather than retreat further. By mid-September, he had gathered roughly 1,800 soldiers, bolstered by hundreds of poorly armed local volunteers. The decision was risky - his army was outnumbered and less experience - but Belgrano believed holding Tucumán was vital for the revolution’s survival.
The fighting began on 24 September, when Tristán’s army approached the city. Belgrano deployed his troops across open fields north of Tucumán, using artillery and cavalry to disrupt the Royalist advance
Royalists: 5 x Column Infantry, 1 x Light Cavalry
Patriots: 3 x Column Infantry, 1 x Elite Light Cavalry, 1 x Light Cavalry, 1 x unreliable Artillery
Royalists (Attackers)
Patriots (Defenders)
The Patriot cavalry, led by Eustaquio Díaz Vélez, played a key role in attacking the Royalist left flank, but the Royalist infantry pressed forward and put the Patriot left under similar pressure.
A sudden windstorm filled the air with dust, creating confusion on both sides, with Begrano quitting the field at one point believing the battle to be lost. However Belgrano’s forces, seizing the moment, pressed their attack on the Royalist left and the Royalists retired.
The victory at Tucumán stopped the Royalist advance and revitalised the Patriot cause. Belgrano’s decision to stand and fight became legendary, boosting morale across the United Provinces. The Royalists fell back toward Upper Peru, setting the stage for further Patriot campaigns in the north.
Design Notes
The Royalist attackers are pretty conventional. I didn't give them artillery, and this makes their cavalry less effective than that of the Patriots. It also means that the Patriots can disrupt their advance without any comeback. The Patriot force is stacked in favour of a cavalry attack.
The Royalists, under Tristán, withdrew to Salta, fortifying their positions and awaiting reinforcements from Upper Peru. Tristán hoped the mountainous terrain and defensive works would help offset the recent defeat. His army numbered around 3,000 men, but morale was low, and desertions were a problem.
Belgrano, with roughly the same number of troops, advanced cautiously, knowing that a second victory could break Spanish power in the north. He manoeuvred his army into position to encircle Salta, cutting off Royalist supply routes. By mid-February, Tristán’s forces were effectively trapped, forcing a confrontation.
By afternoon, surrounded and with casualties mounting, Tristán sought terms. Belgrano, displaying magnanimity, agreed to honourable surrender conditions, allowing Royalist officers to keep their personal arms and guaranteeing humane treatment for prisoners.
The victory at Salta secured north-west Argentina for the revolutionaries and pushed the front line deep into Upper Peru. Belgrano’s humane treatment of captured soldiers was widely praised, earning him respect even among some Royalists. Strategically, it opened the way for the next campaign into Upper Peru—though later defeats would undo some of these gains.
Salta (February 20th 1813)
Following the Battle of Tucumán in September 1812, Belgrano pursued the retreating Royalists north toward the city of Salta, a key stronghold in the region. The victory at Tucumán had boosted Patriot morale, swelling Belgrano’s ranks with new recruits and supplies from supportive local populations.
The Royalists, under Tristán, withdrew to Salta, fortifying their positions and awaiting reinforcements from Upper Peru. Tristán hoped the mountainous terrain and defensive works would help offset the recent defeat. His army numbered around 3,000 men, but morale was low, and desertions were a problem.
Belgrano, with roughly the same number of troops, advanced cautiously, knowing that a second victory could break Spanish power in the north. He manoeuvred his army into position to encircle Salta, cutting off Royalist supply routes. By mid-February, Tristán’s forces were effectively trapped, forcing a confrontation.
Patriots: 3 x Column Infantry, 1 x Light Cavalry, 1 x Disciplined Light Cavalry, 1 x unreliable Artillery
Royalists: 2 x Column Infantry, 1 x unreliable Fortified Column Infantry (In Salta), 1 x fortified Light Infantry, 1 x unreliable Artillery
Patriots (Attackers)
Royalists (Defenders)
Begrano used the same plan he'd tried at Tucuman, attacking the Royalist left with his cavalry. The shattered left gave way disordering the Royalist infantry, which Belgrano then attacked frontally. The Royalist line collapsed. On the right a group of Royalist Skirmishers held firm on San Bernardino Hill, but were soon defeated, and Tristán was unable to rally his troops for a planned last stand in Salta itself.
By afternoon, surrounded and with casualties mounting, Tristán sought terms. Belgrano, displaying magnanimity, agreed to honourable surrender conditions, allowing Royalist officers to keep their personal arms and guaranteeing humane treatment for prisoners.
The victory at Salta secured north-west Argentina for the revolutionaries and pushed the front line deep into Upper Peru. Belgrano’s humane treatment of captured soldiers was widely praised, earning him respect even among some Royalists. Strategically, it opened the way for the next campaign into Upper Peru—though later defeats would undo some of these gains.
Design Notes
Not much to explain here. Once again I have weighted the Patriot cavalry to allow it to dominate their plan. The Royalist reserve has the Light Infantry on the hill, and the possible option of a last stand in the city of Salta as well. But that can't be relied on.
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