Battle of Rolica (1st Position)

Richard Borg was special guest at Leprecon this year (quite a coup I'd say!).
He demo'ed his up-and-coming Command & Colours Napoleonic game for us on Sunday.
The first scenario we played was the 1st Battle of Rolica - I'd never even heard of it, so here's a link

This scenario represents the first defensive position taken up by the French north of Rolica.



French artillery eye up opposition. Although on the ridgeline upon which almost the entire French force is deployed and supported by infantry, they are heavily outnumbered by the English artillery.



Wellesley orders column across river. The plan would seem to be to manoeuvre around the French on the left flank and then take the main position in a frontal attack once it's been turned. The Portuguese rifle battalion have been identified as a danger by the French artillery and they are pounded by them as long range at any opportunity.



French hussars English advance guard into square. Fearing tha the left flank will turn his entire position, Delaborde orders his hussars to stymie any attempted river crossing here.



French hussars threaten Portuguese infantry. Delaborde takes personal command of the hussars on the other flank; with nearby infantry support he can make this an effective attack.



English heavy cavalry charge up hill but are repulsed by well-timed volley.
Twice the heavy dragoons charged this light infantry unit, but both times they were hit with a well-timed volley which turned them back.



French light battalion fire into Portuguese in square. The hussars, having forced the infantry into square circle their formation and their supporting light battalion fires with deadly effect into the packed ranks.



Fierce calvary fight on French left flank. The French come off worse from this long and frenzied engagement.



French hussars destroy English horse artillery. Having threated the infantry and then withdrawn to the rear of the battlefield when targeted by the horse artillery, the hussars sweep in as soon as they cross the river and set up in range of the right flank of the French line.



French lights form square against victorious Portuguese cavalry. This Portuguese unit causes havoc along the French left flank, but is then caught in a crossfire and driven back to their own lines.



French centre still strong, and is steeling itself as the English artillery has advanced into effective range.



Colonel Trant is shot as he retreats with broken cavalry. The light infantry under Delaborde claim another scalp.



French look on as Ferguson leads heavy dragoons in once more. They are decimated by the light and line battalions who open fire on them having repulsed the English infantry who were also assaulting their position.



The French are victorious, having defeated both flanks of the English. However prudence dictates that they use their victory to fall back to a second position.