Pensacola

About this board game

Pensacola is a two-player American Revolution siege game with an approximate play time of 360 minutes, published in 2010. It recreates the Siege of Pensacola, where a numerically larger but fragile Spanish army, supported by a small French corps, confronts a smaller British force protected by strong fortifications and mobile Indian allies.

As the Spanish player, you must decide where to build siege gun redoubts while protecting your troops from British raids. Your objective is to complete the works in time for an effective bombardment, then prepare for the coup de main against the British forts. Spanish forces are powerful in number, but their many responsibilities can leave the army dangerously spread out.

The game begins with Don Bernardo de Galvez’s 5,000-man army landing on the mainland. During setup, the Spanish units and leaders sailing from Havana must run the gauntlet of the Red Cliffs Fort guns. Some may be eliminated or delayed, so Spain’s starting forces can differ from one game to the next. On turn 7, Spanish and French reinforcements arrive and may also face this danger.

• Spain: Choose between attacking Red Cliffs Fort, protecting incoming reinforcements, and starting siege construction as quickly as possible.
• Britain: Use Regulars, Tories, and Indian allies for aggressive raids that delay construction, erode Spanish morale, and threaten supply lines.
• The siege: Balance fort defenses, siege turns, morale, and the timing of the final assault.

In Pensacola, the British are outnumbered but can make every raid count. Allowing too much time for bombardment or permitting a high-morale Spanish coup de main may leave the three forts unable to withstand the final assault.