19th August 1808, afternoon: Dawns and Departures

Red Force

Captain Quip's victory over the French on the morning of 19th August has allowed him to catch the end of the main French brigade column, and gain 25 victory points.

(Captain von Wießmehr commanding the green force has also defeated the French facing him, on the evening of the 18th, winning his 25 points.)

Quilp was also informed of the loot he had captured...

"You have captured the French baggage, including a beauteous Italian Marchesa who claims to be General Delaborde’s mistress.  She asks that you call her “Kitten...” 

There is also a wagon load of church silver that the Bishop of Oporto will want for himself.  This was clearly the same wagon seen yesterday heading from San Paulo. 

The French are in full retreat, but their fat and cowardly Officer once again survived the rout and exploding cart.

The Staff Officer Sir Augustus Farthingdale briefly appeared, but has gone again after urging you to press the French tomorrow.  He left no explanation for the mistake about the roads, but you are probably right to blame his son, currently serving as your exploring Officer, and still drunk...  It was after all this same Lieutenant who guided you onto this road.

You have really started to dislike them both.  

Your men are in excellent morale and you have retained the initiative.

You have captured area 17.  The area to the south (22) is woodland probably a day’s march from here.   

Your exploring Officer asks for instructions.  Wellard and Jaggers are really not getting on, and Sergeant Jaggers has taken to talking to his mother, who seems to be inside his hat.  It`s Maida all over again...

19th August 1808

Red Force

Captain Quilp,

You press the French Southward, contacting them again in area 22, gaining 50 more victory points (now 75%) as they flee into the trees that fill the valley here.

As you reach the woods on the afternoon of the 19th August (Area 22) Sgt. Jaggers reports to you from the rear of your column.  "Green jackets catching up with us Sir... Chose men, with red cuffs MOTHER ..I mean sir...  60th Regiment, mostly is German Foreigners."

How helpful.  Minutes later a small file of riflemen moving at quick-time reaches you and a young Lieutenant of the 60th rifles looks at you with some puzzlement.  "Lieutenant Wilhelm Schmidt  Sir, 60th Rifles.  Excusing Herr Kapitain but I vos expecting der Hauptmann von Wießmehr sir...?"  It transpires that these are reinforcements for the Green force.  You may now take them under your command.   It means that the mercurial Captain von Wießmehr will probably receive your promised 4th Foot Lieutenant on the other road.  It`s a good swap since these look like picked riflemen and you may now field another skirmish group, as well as an Officer.

This is just as well since you lost nine men in the last fight.  Three have returned to duty, three are wounded and have been left behind and the remainder killed.  Father O'Radical read a fiery sermon over them, apparently they were protestants and are going to hell.  Nice for morale.  You can still organise four line groups and two skirmish, using these riflemen.

Maciera

Your Exploring Officer declares the woods free of French, but he has seen them defending a small easily crossed stream before the village of Maciera in area 27.  You will reach them in time to attack at dawn on the 20th.  Your exploring officer tells you he has been eating the local forest mushrooms.  The man`s eyes are revolving around his skull.  He sways... Fortunately Wellard has been pressing the French and he can confirm all of this.

You have used Five sacks of supplies and have three remaining.  Sgt Jaggers has taken to riding the spare donkey, at the rear of the column talking to his MOTHER in his hat, telling her that “Mr Wellard ain’t no proper H’officer, no he ain`t.”  Or perhaps he thinks the donkey is his mum? 

*Historical note.  The eminent historian Dr Winston Snodgrass, who chronicled the history of the 4th Foot, records that Sergeant Postelthwaite Jaggers kept a picture of Lady Manners, the Colonel's wife in his shako.  The picture had been stolen from the Colonel's baggage soon after the battle of Maida in 1806.  The pocket book of Ensign Wellard records Jaggers as an arch enemy.  The national Gallery holds Joshua Reynolds portrait of a young Sir Courtleigh Manners and his wife on their estate (circa 1790) with a small urchin (now believed to have been Jaggers) among the estate folk in the background. 

Green Force

Captain von Wießmehr,

You press the French Southward, contacting them again in area 24, gaining 50 more victory points. (now 75%) During the early afternoon of the 19th the French flee through the village of Ventosa (area 29)

As you reach area 29, Sgt. Ferigno, (he is such an angry boy) reports to you from the rear of your column.  "Ein roter-Mantel offizier nähert sich vom hinteren Kapitän?  So sorry, a Redcoat Officer, from behind us on the road, Ja?"

How helpful.  Minutes later an Englishman on a tired grey mare reaches you, a young Lieutenant of the 4th Foot, who looks at you with some puzzlement.  "Lieutenant Darcy Sir, 4th Foot.  Excuse me but I was expecting Captain Quilp sir...?" 

It transpires that he is the reinforcement for the Red force.  You may now take him under your command.   It means that Captain Quilp will probably receive any reinforcements meant for you.  In the meantime you get Darcy!  Actually however, and against all the odds, he looks competent.  The Wactmeister approves of him, which probably means he is a good Officer! 

Ventosa

Your Exploring Officer declares the area ahead free of French, but he has seen them preparing to defend the village of Ventosa in area 29.  You will reach there in time to attack at dawn on the 20th.  

Your exploring officer tells you he has seen the Devil, and that he is with the French.  The devil is apparently an Italian Officer in the French army... You hope he doesn't mean that Capone character...

You have used five sacks of supplies and have three remaining.  By the morning of the 20th you will have only two.  

Sgt Feuct has been inspecting the rifles of your men and declares himself satisfied.  He recommends that you promote the following to Chosen men.  Privates Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Ludgren, Van Damme, Seagal and Norris, all good Germans... apart from that Norris fellow.  This would create an elite skirmish group.  The Wactmeister is using the spare donkey to carry his captain's baggage. 

The Scenario is "All Out Attack," and the green force has the option to carry out a hasty attack within the terms of the scenario.

Scenario: All out attack

This game is a Battle.  The attacker is seeking to defeat his opponent in a decisive manner with an option for a hasty attack.  

                                                                                                           

DEPLOYMENT POINTS

The defender, Blue, chooses which edge he and then places his main Deployment  Point anywhere within the shaded area.

The  Red attacker  then chooses where he places  his  Primary Deployment Point, anywhere within 6” of his table edge.  The Blue player and then the Red player then place any secondary Deployment  Points they have available.                                                                                                           

Should  the attacking player wish,  he may declare this to be a Hasty Attack.  In a Hasty Attack both sides are in some disorder, possibly deploying from column of march straight into action, or having been surprised.               

Roll a D6 for each Group attempting to deploy onto the table.  On a roll of  4 to 6 they are delayed and may not deploy.  They may attempt to deploy again when the opportunity next arrives.         

OBJECTIVE

The objective will generally be set by the campaign situation.  However, if Red captures Blue’s Primary Deployment Point, the game will end immediately.

TERRAIN REQUIREMENTS

Any road running through the table will run from left to right.