In the predawn darkness of April 21, 1836, General Sam Houston led a determined band of Texian revolutionaries across the marshy plains of San Jacinto. Their target: the encamped forces of Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna, self-styled "Napoleon of the West." The battle that followed lasted just eighteen minutes, but its consequences would reshape the map of North America forever.
With cries of "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" echoing across the battlefield, the Texians overwhelmed the surprised Mexican forces, capturing Santa Anna himself and effectively ending Mexico's control over the contested territory. The Texas Revolution—a complex struggle of political ideals, cultural tensions, and military strategy—had reached its decisive moment.
This pivotal conflict represents far more than a regional dispute over territory. The Texas Revolution stands as one of North America's most consequential military and political upheavals of the 19th century, setting the stage for the Mexican-American War and ultimately the expansion of the United States to the Pacific Ocean. It's a story of ideological conviction, desperate courage, tactical brilliance, and devastating miscalculation. From the heroic last stand at the Alamo Mission to the swift, decisive victory at San Jacinto, the Revolution's battles have captured the imagination of historians and enthusiasts for nearly two centuries.
Yet for all its historical significance, truly understanding the Texas Revolution requires more than simply reading about troop movements and political declarations. The conflict's nuances—the tactical advantages of each side, the terrain challenges, the critical command decisions made under pressure—benefit immensely from visual and physical representation. This is where the intersection of meticulous historical research and tabletop wargaming creates a uniquely immersive experience.
We'll explore the Texas Revolution through both historical analysis and the lens of WoFun Games' remarkably detailed miniature collections. These innovative plexiglass figurines represent a revolutionary approach to historical wargaming, offering enthusiasts an opportunity to recreate the conflict's pivotal moments with historically accurate representations of the opposing forces. Whether you're a seasoned historian, a dedicated wargamer, or simply someone fascinated by this chapter of North American history, the combination of historical context and tangible representation provides a multidimensional understanding impossible to achieve through text alone.
Historical Background: The Road to Revolution
The seeds of the Texas Revolution were planted in the complex political landscape that emerged following Mexico's hard-won independence from Spain. To understand the conflict that would eventually pit Texian settlers against Mexican forces, we must examine the rapidly evolving political and social circumstances that transformed northeastern Mexico into a flashpoint of revolution.
Mexican Independence and Political Turmoil (1821-1835)
When Mexico achieved independence from Spain in 1821 after a decade-long struggle, it inherited a vast territory stretching from present-day Oregon to Central America. The new nation faced enormous challenges: a devastated economy, regional factionalism, and the monumental task of forging national unity among diverse populations spread across an immense and often inhospitable landscape. The initial government took the form of a constitutional monarchy under Emperor Agustín de Iturbide, but his rule proved short-lived. By 1824, Mexico had established itself as a federal republic with a constitution modeled partly on that of the United States.
This 1824 Constitution created a delicate balance between centralist and federalist visions of government. It established nineteen states with significant autonomy, including Coahuila y Texas as a single state in the northeast.
However, Mexico's political stability remained fragile. Between 1825 and 1835, the young nation experienced repeated power struggles between centralists (who favored a strong central government) and federalists (who advocated for state rights). This political instability would ultimately create the conditions for rebellion in Texas, as settlers who had been attracted by the promises of the 1824 Constitution found themselves under an increasingly authoritarian central government.
American Settlement in Texas Under Mexican Rule
The sparsely populated Texas region represented both an opportunity and a vulnerability for Mexico. Seeking to secure its northern frontier against Native American raids and potential American expansion, the Mexican government implemented an ambitious colonization strategy. In 1821, Moses Austin secured permission to establish an American colony in Texas, a project carried forward by his son Stephen F. Austin after Moses' death. The Mexican government offered generous land grants to empresarios like Austin, who would bring settlers to develop the territory.
The terms were attractive: settlers received significantly more land than available in the United States (4,605 acres for ranching and 177 acres for farming), paid minimal fees, and enjoyed a seven-year exemption from taxation. In return, immigrants were required to become Mexican citizens, convert to Catholicism (though this was loosely enforced), learn Spanish, and abide by Mexican law.
Rising Tensions Between Texians and the Mexican Government
The rapid influx of American settlers alarmed many Mexican officials, who recognized the potential threat to Mexican sovereignty. In 1830, the Mexican Congress passed the Law of April 6, which prohibited further American immigration to Texas, established new customs duties, and banned the importation of additional slaves. While existing American settlers were permitted to remain, the law reflected growing Mexican concerns about American influence and cultural separation in Texas.
Economic issues further strained relations. Mexico's unstable currency and fluctuating tariff policies disrupted trade, while the central government's apparent indifference to Indian raids left frontier settlements vulnerable. When Texian representatives petitioned for separate statehood within the Mexican federation in 1833—seeking greater political autonomy to address these issues—their delegate, Stephen F. Austin, was imprisoned in Mexico City for eighteen months on suspicion of inciting insurrection.
Santa Anna's Centralist Coup and the Spark of Rebellion
The defining catalyst for revolution came with General Antonio López de Santa Anna's rise to power. Initially elected president in 1833 as a federalist, Santa Anna quickly revealed autocratic tendencies. By 1835, he had dissolved the Congress, suspended the 1824 Constitution, and instituted a centralist government that abolished state legislatures and subordinated states to military governors answerable directly to him.
At this crucial juncture, Texas remained divided. Some advocated for the restoration of the 1824 Constitution and continued membership in a federalist Mexico. Others, particularly recent American immigrants, pushed for complete independence. This ideological division would persist through the early phases of the conflict, complicating military organization and political decision-making.
By December 1835, Texian and Tejano volunteers had forced Mexican garrisons out of most settlements, capturing the important town of San Antonio after the siege of Bexar. Santa Anna, determined to crush the rebellion, began assembling an army to march north. The stage was set for the military conflict that would determine Texas's fate and reshape North America's geopolitical landscape.
The Key Factions of the Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution pitted two dramatically different military forces against each other, each with distinct organizational structures, fighting styles, and equipment. Understanding these differences is crucial not only for historical appreciation but also for accurately representing the conflict through WoFun's meticulously detailed miniatures. The asymmetrical nature of this confrontation—a professional army versus a largely volunteer force—created the unique tactical situations that defined the revolution's key engagements.
Texian Forces
The revolutionary forces that opposed Mexican authority represented one of history's most diverse volunteer armies. Far from a homogeneous group, the Texian forces comprised several distinct elements:
Anglo-American Settlers formed the largest contingent. Many had arrived in Texas during the empresario colonization period (1824-1830) and had established farms and businesses. Initially hesitant to break completely with Mexico, many supported restoring the 1824 Constitution rather than full independence. These settlers brought varied military experience—some had served in the War of 1812 or frontier militias, while others had no formal training.
Recent American Volunteers arrived after hostilities began, drawn by land bounties, adventure, or ideological solidarity. Unlike earlier settlers who had taken Mexican citizenship, these volunteers maintained strong American identities and generally favored complete independence. Notable groups included the New Orleans Greys, who arrived with matching uniforms and modern weapons, and the Alabama Red Rovers, distinguished by their red jeans.
Tejanos (Texans of Mexican descent) played a crucial but often overlooked role in the revolution. Comprising about 20% of the revolutionary forces, Tejanos like Juan Seguín, José Antonio Navarro, and Lorenzo de Zavala opposed Santa Anna's centralization but maintained deep cultural connections to Mexico. Tejano cavalry units provided essential reconnaissance and skirmishing capabilities, while their cultural and linguistic knowledge proved invaluable for intelligence gathering.
The revolutionary army never exceeded 2,000 men in the field at any time, and maintaining consistent force levels proved challenging due to the volunteer nature of service. Many settlers would join for a specific engagement before returning to protect their homes and families, creating constant fluctuations in available manpower. This presented significant command and control challenges throughout the conflict.
Fighting Style and Capabilities
The Texian revolutionary forces employed fighting styles that reflected their frontier background and individual skills rather than formal military doctrine:
Marksmanship constituted the Texians' most significant tactical advantage. Many settlers were experienced hunters and brought their personal long rifles to battle. These weapons offered superior range and accuracy compared to the Mexican army's standard-issue Brown Bess muskets, though they loaded more slowly. In wargames using WoFun miniatures, Texian rifle units should receive bonuses for accuracy at medium to long range.
Skirmishing and Irregular Warfare suited the Texians' background and limited numbers. Rather than maintaining rigid formations, Texian units excelled at using terrain for cover, employing hit-and-run tactics, and fighting from defensive positions. The Texas Rangers, a mounted force initially formed for protection against Native American raids, specialized in reconnaissance and mobile warfare. In miniature battles, Texian forces should be more maneuverable than their Mexican counterparts but more vulnerable in open-field engagements.
Defensive Operations became a Texian specialty, as demonstrated at the Alamo and Goliad. Creating fortified positions using existing structures or hastily constructed earthworks, the revolutionaries could effectively multiply their combat power. However, their limited training in offensive maneuvers made coordinated attacks challenging until the battle of San Jacinto.
Artillery Expertise emerged as an unexpected Texian strength. Though possessing few cannon, the revolutionaries demonstrated remarkable proficiency with their "Come and Take It" six-pounder at Gonzales and the legendary "Twin Sisters" eighteen-pounders at San Jacinto. This artillery expertise helped compensate for their numerical disadvantage.
Limited Cavalry Capabilities remained a weakness throughout the conflict. Despite the frontier horseback tradition, the Texians never developed effective heavy cavalry to counter Mexican lancers. Texian mounted units functioned primarily as mobile infantry, using horses for transportation rather than shock action. In wargaming terms, this translated to greater mobility but limited effectiveness in traditional cavalry roles.
Mexican Army
In stark contrast to their opponents, the Mexican Army that Santa Anna led into Texas represented a professional military force organized on European models:
Professional Military Structure
In stark contrast to their opponents, the Mexican Army that Santa Anna led into Texas represented a professional military force organized on European models:
Permanent Regiments formed the army's backbone. Infantry regiments like the Matamoros Battalion, the Aldama Battalion, and the famous Zapadores (Engineers) maintained permanent establishments with defined command structures. Similarly, permanent cavalry regiments including the Tampico Regiment and Dolores Regiment brought formidable capabilities to the campaign. These distinct units with their historical designations are faithfully reproduced in the WoFun miniatures collection.
Professional Officer Corps provided experienced leadership at all levels. Most Mexican officers had received formal military education and had combat experience from the War of Independence or subsequent internal conflicts. This professional command structure gave the Mexican Army significant advantages in planning, logistics, and battlefield coordination.
European Doctrine shaped Mexican military operations. Trained according to Napoleonic principles, the Mexican Army emphasized linear tactics, combined arms operations, and disciplined volley fire. Formal battle drills allowed for complex maneuvers that volunteer forces struggled to counter in open-field engagements.
Presidial Companies supplemented the regular forces. These frontier garrison troops, established during the Spanish colonial period, provided valuable experience in border warfare and desert operations. Their distinctive uniforms and equipment are accurately represented in WoFun's specialist miniature sets.
Conscript Soldiers (leva) made up a significant portion of the infantry. Often forcibly recruited from prisons or rural areas, these soldiers received minimal training before being incorporated into existing units. Despite their initial limitations, strict discipline and combat experience typically transformed them into effective soldiers over time.
Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery Components
The Mexican Army brought balanced combined-arms capabilities to the Texas campaign:
Infantry Formations constituted the army's main striking force. Organized into battalions of approximately 400 men, Mexican infantry operated in traditional linear formations, emphasizing disciplined volley fire rather than individual marksmanship. Elite grenadier and light companies within each battalion provided specialized capabilities for assault or skirmishing roles. WoFun miniatures accurately depict the distinctive differences between these specialized companies and line infantry.
Cavalry Regiments provided mobility and shock action. Mexican cavalry, particularly the lancers, excelled at exploiting breakthroughs and pursuing broken enemy formations. Divided into heavy (dragoon) and light cavalry regiments, these mounted forces proved especially effective against Texian units caught in the open. The colorful uniforms and equipment of these cavalry units are faithfully reproduced in the WoFun collection, including the distinctive lances that made them so formidable.
Artillery Batteries delivered crucial fire support. Mexican artillery, organized along French models, employed standardized four-pounder and eight-pounder field guns along with mobile howitzers. These well-drilled artillery units provided both defensive firepower and assault preparation capabilities. The WoFun Texas Revolution collection includes detailed artillery pieces with appropriate crews, allowing wargamers to incorporate this vital arm into their battle scenarios.
Presidial Cavalry contributed specialized frontier warfare skills. These experienced border troops, familiar with the Texas terrain and climate, provided valuable reconnaissance and screening capabilities throughout the campaign.
Decisive Battles and Campaigns
The Texas Revolution, though relatively brief in duration, featured several decisive military engagements that determined the fate of Texas and shaped North American geopolitics for generations. These battles offer compelling scenarios for historical wargaming, each presenting unique tactical challenges and dramatic narratives that WoFun miniatures and rules are ideally suited to recreate.
The Siege of the Alamo (February 23 - March 6, 1836)
No event symbolizes the Texas Revolution more powerfully than the desperate stand at the Alamo Mission. What began as a strategic withdrawal became a defining moment of sacrifice that galvanized the Texian cause and provided a rallying cry for the remainder of the conflict.
Recreating the Alamo with WoFun: The WoFun Texas War collection includes special rules designed specifically for recreating the Alamo siege. As detailed in the rulebook section titled "THE ALAMO BATTLE," this scenario approaches the conflict as "an extended company-level skirmish" rather than a conventional battle.
For tabletop recreation, the rules suggest:
· Positioning Texian forces along the compound walls with artillery pieces at key defensive positions
· Deploying Mexican forces initially 8 base-widths from the walls
· Using the specialized Mexican artillery rules to attempt breaching the walls (a roll of 6 creates a base-width hole in the wall)
· Implementing the unique "Zapadores" rule, allowing Mexican engineers with axes to break open gates on rolls of 5 or 6
· Employing modified firing rules where defenders fire with 2d6 per base from walls and Mexican forces attack with specialized assault procedures
The Goliad Massacre (March 27, 1836)
Less renowned than the Alamo but equally significant to the revolution's course, the events at Goliad demonstrated the consequences of Santa Anna's "no quarter" policy and further galvanized Texian determination.
Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836)
The culmination of the Texas Revolution came in this decisive eighteen-minute battle that secured Texas independence through a combination of surprise, terrain advantage, and Mexican tactical errors.
Tactical Situation: Houston seized the opportunity presented by Santa Anna's tactical errors. Despite pressure from his officers to attack immediately, Houston waited until mid-afternoon on April 21, when many Mexican troops were resting during siesta. The Texian assault began at 3:30 PM, with advance elements commanded by Sidney Sherman attacking across open ground while the main force approached through tall grass that provided concealment.
Achieving nearly complete surprise, the Texian forces overran Mexican positions with shocking speed. The battle's organized phase lasted only eighteen minutes, followed by individual combat as Mexican troops attempted to surrender or escape.
Recreating San Jacinto with miniatures: The WoFun rules are particularly well-suited for recreating this decisive battle:
· Deploy forces according to the historical situation, with Mexican units positioned with their backs to marshy terrain
· Utilize the "held fire" rule for Texian forces to represent the element of surprise (allowing them to "throw 2d6 per base" when finally opening fire)
· Implement the Army Commander rule for Sam Houston (allowing him to "roll an extra movement dice to a cavalry or infantry charge he is leading")
· Apply morale test rules to represent the rapid collapse of Mexican resistance ("If you lose by three or more your unit is broken and leaves the field")
· Use the "flank and rear attacks" rule to simulate the devastating envelopment of Mexican positions
Historical Outcome: The battle resulted in approximately 630 Mexican soldiers killed, 208 wounded, and 730 captured, including General Santa Anna himself (captured the following day while attempting to escape). Texian losses amounted to only 9 killed and 30 wounded, including General Houston. Santa Anna, fearing execution, signed the Treaties of Velasco, ordering all Mexican forces to withdraw south of the Rio Grande and recognizing Texas independence.
Immediate Aftermath: The Treaties of Velasco (public and private versions) signed by Santa Anna on May 14, 1836, recognized Texas independence and established the Rio Grande as the southern boundary. However, the Mexican government promptly repudiated these agreements upon Santa Anna's return, claiming they were signed under duress and that Santa Anna lacked authority to recognize Texas independence.
Constitutional Government: The Republic of Texas established a constitutional government modeled on the United States, with Sam Houston elected as the first president in September 1836.
International Recognition: The United States recognized the Republic of Texas in March 1837, followed by France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Great Britain over the next few years. Mexico, however, continued to consider Texas a rebellious province rather than an independent nation.
Path to Annexation: From its inception, many Texian leaders viewed the republic as a temporary arrangement before eventual annexation by the United States. After nearly a decade of independence, Texas finally achieved annexation in December 1845, becoming the 28th U.S. state.
This annexation directly precipitated the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), as Mexico had repeatedly warned that incorporation of Texas into the United States would be considered an act of war. The subsequent American victory dramatically reshaped North America's political landscape, with Mexico ceding not only Texas but also California and the Southwest to the United States.
Gaming the Texas Revolution
WoFun's Texas Revolution ruleset, designed and illustrated by Peter Dennis, offers an elegant system balancing historical accuracy with accessible gameplay. These rules capture the conflict's asymmetrical nature while remaining intuitive enough for newcomers.
Ruleset Essentials
The four-phase turn sequence (Shooting, Moving, Fighting, Victory) provides a straightforward structure, with both forces acting in each phase. Movement uses base widths (BW) as the standard measurement unit, allowing compatibility across different scales. Combat employs simple D6 mechanics where 5-6 scores hits, with saving throws reflecting historical tactical advantages.
Force Distinctions
The rules brilliantly capture the contrasting military capabilities of both sides:
Mexican Forces: Benefit from professional organization with superior drill maneuvers, formation changes, and devastating lance-armed cavalry. Mexican infantry can perform complex maneuvers and form effective lines, while their cavalry excels at charges against infantry caught in the open.
Texian Forces: Feature superior skirmishing abilities, exceptional marksmanship, and tactical flexibility. Texian troops can shoot and move in the same turn, reflecting their frontier adaptability. Their units are more vulnerable to cavalry but deadly in defensive positions.
Scenario Possibilities
The ruleset accommodates various engagement types:
· Open Field Battles: Recreate San Jacinto or explore hypothetical encounters with balanced forces
· The Alamo: Special siege rules provide mechanics for wall breaching, scaling, and desperate close-quarter fighting
· Skirmish Operations: Rules for smaller engagements simulate Ranger operations and reconnaissance missions
The ruleset's careful balance ensures the Texian player has fighting chances despite numerical disadvantages, while the Mexican player must leverage organizational strengths—creating tense, historically plausible engagements that highlight the strategic decisions facing both sides during this pivotal conflict.
The Texas Revolution Collection
WoFun Games offers a comprehensive range of Texas Revolution miniatures in both 18mm and 28mm scales, allowing wargamers to recreate this pivotal conflict with historically accurate forces. Each collection provides remarkable detail and immediate playability without the traditional time investment of assembly and painting.
18mm Scale Options
Starter Pack (297 figurines): Perfect for beginners and experienced gamers alike, this set contains essential forces for balanced gameplay.
Full Pack (540 characters): For comprehensive campaign recreation.
28mm Scale Options
The 28mm collection offers identical unit compositions with larger, more visually impressive figurines. The Starter Pack provides 297 figurines on 8 plexiglass sprues, while the Full Pack includes 540 characters on 15 sprues, delivering enhanced visual impact for showcase battles.