or an indecisive biff on the plains of Salamanca
Last weekend saw our first friendly competitive game of Sharp Practice - albeit still very much with our learner's plates on! Michael, a friend from work, came around for the afternoon to get a feel for the rules and mechanics and for his first foray into historical wargaming (he is otherwise steeped in Warhammer 40K experience).
Given this, we kept it reasonably simple: French vs British in the Peninsular War (c.1810); and randomly selected the Mission scenario from the core rules. We used the Dawns & Departures rules for determining terrain, giving us a fight on the Spanish plains, with a small walled Inn at a road intersection towards the centre of the table, a good scattering of fields, and a walled farmhouse and small outbuilding on the left.
The Sánchez farm and the Hostal de Viajeros
on the outskirts of Villar de Ciervo (from the east)
on the outskirts of Villar de Ciervo (from the east)
Captain Fortier's diary helps set the scene:
Late afternoon, 10 July 1810, outside Serranillo, North-west of Ciudad Rodrigo
With the surrender of the town and citadel of Ciudad Rodrigo last night, I advised the Marshal’s headquarters that, over the next few days, I would join one of our foraging parties to get a better sense of the country between there and Almeida and of the British forces operating out of Fort Concepcion, just beyond the Dos Cases River. This morning I heard that some units from Junot’s Corps were operating in and around Barquilla, and as I knew some of Junot’s officers, I felt this could be a perfect opportunity.
After
attending to my morning rituals [Fortier’s moustaches notoriously required
significant daily attention which he described as his “rituals”], I mounted my
trusty Hecate and headed out on the road to San Felices el Grande,
with my servant Rodriguez following by mule. My intention was to strike north
first – I had heard told the morcón [sausage] at Castillejo was well worth a visit, and a rare instance of a Spanish rumor that turned out to be true – then
cross the River Águeda to the west of Serranillo and from there to
Barquilla.
At
Serranillo I came across a detachment of the 22e Ligne who had been
ordered further north to secure some supplies near Villar de Ciervo, in expectation
that some of our troops would use that northern route to Almeida. Hearing of my
interest in catching sight of any British troops in the vicinity, they invited me
to join them on the morrow. I felt it was less likely the British would stray that far north, and in any case, the detachment's commander was a rather priggish fellow, and a tea-drinker
to boot (d_____d suspicious if you ask me), so I begged off, saying I thought
Barquilla would be better hunting, and I also hoped to find there Capt. Gouache,
who owed me 10 Gold Napoleons!
The French detachment that Fortier mentions above were approaching Villar de Ciervo from the west, with their primary deployment on the road entry and a secondary fixed deployment point just short of some trees and covered by a ridge to its front. They had three sets of supplies to secure: one close to their entry point in the west; one at the centre of the table near the Inn, and one near the farm closer to the British entry point. The British primary deployment was on the road entrance in the east, and a secondary fixed deployment point to the left of the road in a hedged orchard. [Only in preparing to write up this AAR have I recognised that we placed the secondary deployment points incorrectly.]
The battlefield, showing deployment points and French objectives
Michael had chosen the French, with a Regular force of two units of line infantry, each of two groups, and a unit of Voltigeur skirmishers, also of two groups. The skirmishers were under the command of Lt. Bastien (II); one of the line units was under Lt. Michelle (II); and the final line unit and overall command was with Capt. Jean Luc Picard (III), supported by Sgt. Remy (I). He had a starting Force Morale of 11, and 6 points of support, with which he took a secondary fixed deployment point, a physic, and two musicians.
I had a British Regular force: a three-group unit of Regular line under Major Denis Bloodnok (III); a two-group unit of Light Company in line under Lt. Frogmore (II); and a small detachment of KGL Light Infantry skirmishers under Lt. Von Klappers (I). Apparently Bloodnok had heard that the Inn had a wishing well full of coins, which was why he had strayed from the main British force further south! I had a starting Force Morale of 9 and 4 points of support, so took a fixed deployment point, a physic and a musician.
The scenario has a delayed start for the British, which the French took good advantage of, getting fully deployed, securing the first objective, and advancing well towards the second before the first British forces entered.
French Voltigeurs cover the advancing columns
The French poised to capture their second objective
The British start to arrive and deploy
The first shots of the day
The British then had a run of lucky cards, allowing them to advance their main striking force while the French forces stalled.
The British Regulars advance in column up the road
The British advanced up the road and then deployed in line without any response from the French. Bloodnok's luck continued, allowing his unit to present and deliver a directed crashing volley at short range with their first fire. The French unit took three casualties, and a massive amount of shock, with its first group breaking and fleeing to the rear.
The aftermath of the British crashing volley
Michael was able to bring Bastien's Voltigeurs forward to relieve pressure on the remnants of his Line unit, and together these started to pour some effective fire into the British line.
Voltigeurs Up!
At the same time, I was struggling to get my other units up to support Bloodnok's Line, which was starting to see casualties and shock starting to build up, including a light wound to the Major causing him to drop a status level.
Trading fire while the British Light troops skulk at the rear
British casualties and shock mounting
It wasn't long before the remaining group of Michelle's unit also broke and headed for the rear.
French Voltigeurs cover Lt. Michelle's broken column
By this stage, the French had secured the second set of stores and Picard's unit of Line - still in column - opened fire on Bloodnok's troops.
The second objective secured, Picard's Line unit opens fire
The aftermath of fisticuffs
Although Lt. Frogmore's British Lights had finally started to advance, we were out of time and decided to call it a draw. Although it had come at some cost, Michael's French had secured two of their three objectives and had largely shattered my main British unit. We were both sitting on a Force Morale of 6.
Bastien with his Voltigeurs picked up the "Man of the match" award for their steadiness and reliability, with Bloodnok's Regulars getting an honorable mention for their first crashing volley. Frogmore's Light Company won a dishonorable mention for their reluctance to move!
Final Dispositions
After a number of solo games it was great experience to play a game against a real opponent - it adds a real fog of war and certainly adds tension to the turn of the cards - and we are definitely starting to get a better sense of the rules and mechanics. I know we made a number of mistakes, but that is also part of our learning process. I'm sure there are mistakes we've not yet uncovered but which will come out in future games.
It has also been a good experience to put together this, my first After Action Report. However, I will leave the last words to the good Captain:
11 July 1810, Cismeiro, North-east of Ciudad Rodrigo
[Following a dramatic account of Fortier's time with Captain Gouache at Barquilla and the latter's formation of a square to fight off repeated charges by British cavalry under Major-General Robert Crauford...]
...We have also heard that Picard's little detachment also had a run-in with the British further north, though, in keeping with that gentleman's rather buttoned-up demeanor, I dare say not with the same dash and drama as Gouache. I understand he had managed to secure most of the supplies in the area when he was challenged by a British force of similar size. By all accounts they fair bloodied each other's noses - and again by all accounts fair-sized noses to bloody! - but perhaps there was more fight in the man than I earlier gave him credit...
Extracts from The Peninsular War diary of Captain Jules Fortier as edited by a spiritual descendant of the Captain.
