"¡Revolucion in El Dorado!"

A Flintloque Background Article by Danny O'Hara

Image from 'The Army of Don Jose Doroteo Francisco Villa by Jim Carson* 

Whilst the Mordredian Wars raged in Urop and beyond, The Revolutionary Wars in El Dorado burned like a slow fire. Many different factions all infused with a desire to wrest freedom from the despotic Catalucians - oh, and possibly make some profit on the side.

~

Miguel Arranches de Bacardi y Cola, darling of the Revolution in Guacamole Province, stood on the balcony of the ex-Governor's palace in Chimichanga City. Three days after his "compañeros" had liberated the city from the Royalist Catalucian garrison, he had to make a passionate call-to-arms speech to the people.

He saluted his adoring crowd with a flourish, then gestured them to silence as he started his plea: "My people, you are all sons and daughters of the Revolucion! Three days ago you were all veery 'appy when we come and liberate you from those Reales scum, and we know that you all very much love the Revolucion. We-ell, now I have sometheeng to ask of you, my brave comrades. That pig, General Hijo de Puta, has raised a big armee in Avocado City, and he ees comin' here to crush our beautiful leetle Revolucion..."

"So what I ask of you, is that you join weeth our Revolucionary Armee and fight thees Reales oppressors! Yes, all of you...".

He tailed off as the realisation dawned that all of the crowd had dispersed. Turning a wistful smile to the ragged troops standing behind him - the only force in the area facing the advancing Royalist Army - he shrugged and said: "We-ell, only one theeng to do, eh hombres?".

With a fusilade of shots in the air, and whooping cries, the Revolutionary Army set about looting Chimichanga preparatory to heading for the hills...

~

The Revolutionary Wars in El Dorado

There were a whole series of campaigns going on in El Dorado through the period of the Mordred Wars and beyond. Sometimes these little wars were fought in isolation, at other points they were joined into great anti-Catalucian campaigns. The struggle was really between the Royalists (Reales) and Nationalists (Rebeldes) in virtually all of the provinces in El Dorado. But, contrary to the opinions (if any) held about El Dorado by the citizens of Old Valon (or East Valon, for that matter), it is not an homogenous land with unified culture and aims. The Chihuahau Army of Aston Villa, fighting in cactus-strewn desert, was not the same as the grouchos of the Prattigonian plain, or General O'Bigguns' Army of the Handies in their mountain homeland. But they were all infused with a desire to wrest freedom from the despotic Catalucians - oh, and possibly make some profit on the side.

At least initially, the Royalists were more numerous and better armed than their ragged opponents, but the Rebels had advantages in morale and local-knowledge. As time went on, the Rebels gained more equipment (either from captured Royalist sources, or abroad) and at various times and places included Orc, Bog-Orc, Ferach, Goblin and Halfling units. On the Royalist side, troops were mainly Catalucian or locally-raised El Doradoan militia, but at times included Ferach or Albion allies, and there was of course the ill-fated "Emperor Maximilliahound" with his polyglot army (Dogs, Ferach, Othari, Gnomes, etc) following the Pastry War...

To begin this page, I will give a description of the "Battle of Chuckabooto", fought between the Army of the Handies (O'Bigguns) and the Royalist Army of Jalapeno (Brigadier Macoato). From this, it should be possible to play out Slaughterloo, Ranke & Vyle, or Flintloque scenarios.

~

The Battle of Chuckabooto

The Handies Mountains were a formidable barrier to cross, but in order to free the "Audencia de Jalapeno", General O'Bigguns had to do so. His Rebel army consisted of:

Vanguard:

• General Sothere
• Infantry Battalion Cazadores de los Handies
• Mixed Battalion (Grenadier and Cazadore Companies from 7th and 8th Battalions)
• 11th Infantry Battalion
• 2 Squadrons of the Horse Grenadiers
• Battery of 5 4-pounder guns and crew

Main Force:

• General Bernado O'Bigguns
• General's Escort (Cavalry)
• 7th Infantry Battalion (less Flank Companies)
• 8th Infantry Battalion (less Flank Companies)
• 2 Squadrons of the Horse Grenadiers
• Section of 2 4-pounder guns and crew

Having prepared the way by a campaign of disinformation (reports and "double-agents" were leaked to the Royalists with fake plans of attack), the Rebels advanced through the Lost Partos Pass, brushing aside the weak blocking force, and descended into the Anaconda Valley. This was perhaps the most dangerous part of the advance, as the valley had only one exit (into the Chuckabooto Valley) and the Royalists now knew that they were coming...

Advised by his spy network that the Royalists were rushing troops to the Chuckabooto area, under Brigadier Rafael Macoato (a respected officer). Macoato had arrived in the valley with a small force, and was likely to be reinforced with many more troops over the next few days. O'Bigguns had to act fast to prevent the Royalists from concentrating in his path...he came up with a plan of action.

While the Anaconda Valley led only into the Chuckabooto Valley, there were in fact two possible routes - the direct, but precipitous, Old Road, and the New Road (longer, but safer). These joined at Chuckabooto Farm. The Royalists had an outpost at the head of the Anaconda Valley, and O'Bigguns chased this away - herding the fleeing Royalists down the Old Road. But, under orders, General Sothere led his Division down the New Road. The plan was that O'Bigguns force would draw the Royalists into the rough ground of the Old Road, where their artillery and (possible) superior numbers would be negated. While they were thus occupied, Sothere's Division would fall on their rear and win the day...

Actually, Macoato was weaker in numbers than the Rebels thought, and knew the generally poor quality of his troops. Sensing a trap, and cautious about attacking with his dodgy troops, he held a strong position on Chuckabooto Hill, overlooking the farm and both roads. When O'Bigguns emerged at the head of the valley, having rushed forwards and abandonned his artillery en route, he found an orderly foe facing him across a ravine with artillery, rather than a disorganised mob rushing at his position (as he had expected!). He formed up on his side of the ravine, facing off Macoato's troops. They began a sporadic duel of musketry and artillery, but the Royalist guns gave Macoato a great advantage.

The Royalist Army which faced them comprised:

• Brigadier Macoato
• Infantry Battalion Tel'n'Vera
• Infantry Battalion Valvolina
• Infantry Battalion Chillblaine
• 2 Squadrons, Carabineros de Absinthe
• 1 Company, Hussars de la Runawaya
• Section of 2 4-pounder guns and crew

Waiting for about twenty minutes, O'Bigguns could see no sign of Sothere's advance, and decided on a new plan...the Rebels would attack! He formed his infantry into two, Ferach-style attack columns and launched a headlong charge down the ravine...

At the bottom of the ravine, in the Chuckabooto Creek, the Rebels were halted by a withering fire from the Royalists. They wavered, and looked ready to break. At this moment, O'Bigguns leaped up, flag in hand, shouted "Libertad o Muerte!" (Liberty or Death!) and charged up the hillside towards his enemies...pausing for a moment, the faltering Rebel infantry rallied and followed their (obviously screaming mad) General into oblivion...

But the Royalists, sensing the desperate strength and passion of the Rebels, began to waver themselves. While the Catalucian regulars of Tel'n'Vera and the artillery stood firm, the El Doradoans of Chillblaine decided that discretion was the better part of valour and fled! Watching from the wings, Valvolina were suddenly assaulted by the Cazadores de los Handies, from the New Road (Sothere's Division had been held up by a broken bridge). These El Doradoans also fled.

On the hill-top, Macoato and his Tel'n'Vera Battalion had formed square and were retreating towards the Chuckabooto Farm to make a last stand. The Horse Grenadiers had swept in behind the Rebel infantry assault, and dispersed both the artillery and Royalist cavalry. With the arrival of Sothere's troops, the valliant Royalist infantry of the Tel'n'Vera Battalion bought enough time for Macoato and a cavalry escort to break free (being pursued down the Chuckabooto Valley by Horse Grenadiers) before being cut-down to an elf.

The Battle of Chuckabooto was over, though the campaign to liberate Jalapeno was only beginning...

Gaming The Battle

Rebels:

1. Advance of O'Bigguns' Division
2. 1st and 2nd Horse Grenadiers and Escort Squadron
3. Bn. No. 7
4. Bn. No. 8
5. Advance of Sothere's Division
6. Cazadores de los Handies
7. Mixed Battalion
8. Bn. No. 11
9. 3rd and 4th Horse Grenadier Sqns

Royalists:

• A: Advance outpost (2 inf coys and 25 cavalry)
• B: Tel'n'Vera Bn.
• C: Attempted square
• D: Chillblaine Bn.
• E: Cavalry
• F: Valvolina Bn.
• G: Retreat towards Chuckabooto Farm
• H: Rout of Macoato and Royalist remnants

The Rebel infantry and artillery is trained and dressed in Ferach fashion (with some Ferach officers), and is of good quality (Regulars). The Horse Grenadiers are an Elite unit of Light Cavalry in hussar-type uniforms.

The Royalists include the Albion-trained Tel'n'Vera Battalion (Regular) with the rest being Militia units, except for the Regular artillery. The Royalist uniform is of a Ferach cut but white colour, with the shakos bearing a white cover.

~

The Battle of Maypole

The Rebels under O'Bigguns, after some minor actions and set-backs, managed to secure the whole of Jalapeno and declare independence from Catalucia. But, from neighbouring Pupu (often known in the Old World as "Darkest Pupu", home to the enigmatic Phadd-ing-ton Bear, a great shaman of an earlier period) came an invading Royalist Army under General Wasereuno. This large force defeated the Rebels at Cattcha-Tryharda and forced O'Bigguns to retire on his capital (Swankiago). The Royalists followed, and less than three weeks later was fought probably the bloodiest battle in the El Dorado Revolutionary period - the Battle of Maypole. The two sides consisted of:

Royalists

Commander: General Wasereuno

1st Brigade:

• Col. Odammiz
• Infantry Battalion Indecision
• Infantry Battalion Infantile Don Carlos
• Royal Corps of Sappers (1 company)
• Squadron, Lanceros del Boy
• Squadron, Arewethereyeta Dragoons
• Four 4-pounder guns and crew

2nd Brigade:

• Col. Maula
• Infantry Battalion Arewethereyeta
• Infantry Battalion Burgers
• Squadron, Chillblaine (Dragoons)
• Squadron, Frontera Dragoons
• Four 4-pounder guns and crew

3rd Brigade (Reserve):

• Col. de Stuttera
• Mixed Infantry Battalion (Flank Companies from the 4 Infantry Bns.)
• Four 4-pounder guns and crew

Rebels/Patriots

Commander: Gen. Bernado O'Bigguns

Last Chances Division:

• Col. Last Chances
• 11th Infantry Battalion
• Infantry Battalion Cazadores de Guacamole
• Infantry Battalion Infantiles de la Patria
• Four squadrons Horse Grenadiers
• Eight 4-pounder guns and crew

Avocado Division:

• Col. Avocado
• 2nd Infantry Battalion
• 8th Infantry Battalion Los Handies
• Infantry Battalion Cazadores de los Handies
• Four squadrons, Cazadores a Cabello de los Handies
• Nine 4-pounder guns and crew

Reserve Division:

• Col. de la Quinina
• 1st Infantry Battalion
• 3rd Infantry Battalion Los Handies
• Two squadrons, Cazadores de la Escolta Dictatorial (O'Bigguns escort)
• Four 4-pounder guns and crew

1. Last Chances Division (CG = Cazadores de Guacamole)
2. Avocado Division (CLH = Cazadores de los Handies)
3. Rebel Reserve Division
4. Rebel advance
5. Royalist 1st Brigade infantry
6. Royalist 2nd Brigade infantry
7. Royalist Mixed Battalion
8. Royalist squadrons of Lanceros del Boy and Arewethereyeta Dragoons
9. Royalist squadrons of Chillblaine and Frontera Dragoons
10. The Royalist advance
11. Lo Espejo Farm, scene of the Royalist last stand
12. Royalist rout

The battle took place on a hot autumn day, southwest of Swankiago on the coast-road. The Rebels/Patriots under O'Bigguns had marched to meet Wasereuno at his camp around Lo Espejo farm. They formed up on the east slope, covering the approach to Swankiago, with the "Last Chances" Division on the right, the "Avocado" Division to the left, and the Reserve was placed behind the centre. This gave 6 battalions, 21 guns and 8 cavalry squadrons in the front-line, with 3 battalions in the second-line.

The Royalists deployed on the western plateau, with the 1st Brigade on the right, 2nd Brigade to the centre, and 3rd Brigade to the left. This meant that they were overextended, with no reserve.

Just before mid-day, the Patriot artillery opened fire, then the "Last Chances" and "Avocado" Divisions began to advance in line with flags fluttering and drums beating the charge. The 11th Battalion of "Last Chances" launched themselves at 3rd Brigade's position...they were met by a hail of lead from the Royalists, and took heavy losses, but continued their advance. The Royalist Chillblaine and Frontera dragoons launched an attack on these advancing troops, but were counter-charged by the Horse Grenadiers and driven off. The 11th Battalion then settled in for a running-musketry duel with the Mixed Battalion, and kept these out of the battle.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Rebel attack went in against the Royalist centre and right, where the heavy Royalist volley stopped the Rebel advance dead. The Rebel losses were heavy (the 8th Battalion losing around 50% casualties) and they began to waver.

Seizing his moment, Col. Odammiz ordered a Royalist counter-attack, which began to force the disorganised Rebels back. But then the Rebel artillery blasted the Royalist infantry, forcing them to retire back up onto the plateau, and O'Bigguns then reinforced the Rebel line with the reserves, and led a fresh assault. At this point, the remainder of the Royalist cavalry was ordered to charge the Rebels, but were countercharged by the Cazadores a Cabello de los Handies, and swept away.
At this point, Wasereuno gave up on this battle and ordered a retreat (himself first!), leaving only brave Odammiz and his 1st Brigade as a rear-guard.

Odammiz pulled his troops back to the vineyards around Lo Espejo farm, and fought a bloody last stand before being over-run. Towards the end of the battle, the Swankiago garrison (militia and cadets) came out to join in the mopping-up, being particulerly interested in the Royalist baggage. The Royalist army in Jalapeno had been shattered, and the province had gained independence...under the dictatorship of General Bernado O'Bigguns.

Gaming the Battle

The notes for Chuckabooto cover much of this. The Royalist infantry are Albion-trained veterans, and should be classed as Regular. Their artillery seems to be pretty poor, so class these as Militia. The cavalry were very bad - Militia, moving as Heavy Cavalry but fighting as Light Cavalry.

The Rebels are as per Chuckabooto. Count the Cazadores a Cabello as Regular Light Cavalry.

~

But, I hear you cry! What about the "Greatest Soldier in El Dorado", General Bovrilar? Why hasn't he been mentioned yet?

Well, there is a whole page for the campaigns of Bovrilar and his Patriots, and another for the Dog-Emperor Maximiliiahound.

Lord Cockroach, and more on some of the other rebels, will be added as time permits!

~

Webmaster's Notes

The above Flintloque background was originally published on Danny O'Hara's excellent Flintloque website, Weird Wars, back in the late Nineties. 

It was first published on Orcs in the Webbe on the 8th December 2021 as an entry in that year's Advent Calendar and, of course, part of Orcs in the Webbe's ongoing Flintloque Archive Project.

Danny passed away a few years ago now and I miss both him and his fantastic contributions to the world of Valon. 

Any comments in maroon in the article above have been added by me either to provide additional information or clarity. I may also have made small changes to grammar and layout but have not marked these.

* Note that the image has been used without permission and will be removed if requested by the copyright holder.

~