Barba del Puerco 1810

Our second game of Napoleon of the month, oh the novelty! Again Neil raided the stockpile of Sharpe books for a scenario, or combination of two to create a game based on the armies we used previously, with a couple of additions.

The British were to raise a holy relic over the Church of the village, and had two Brigades of the finest foot troops, along with some Cavalry and allied Spanish infantry to carry out the task. At dawn the French had a Brigade of infantry in the Villages in positions of defence (which as it turned out were very valuable, but they were all too ready to leave to counterattack), a small artillery and foot detachment guarded the bridge out of the village, over which reserves would arrive.

The British came on in a fine array of lines, though irrefutably unsuited to the density of the terrain, the British simply don’t know how to carry out a column of attack. The French of course do. Our weight of fire moreover was largely to be wasted on the walls of the Church.

However the Spanish diversion to seize the Bridge and block any reserves went in with unexpected effectiveness and the light cavalry sought to exploit the weak rear of the village.

Valiantly for the French, their piquet at the Bridge was managing to hold off the Spanish who couldn't make their larger numbers count. Time elapsed and whilst the battle for the bridge continued and the British became aware of the thunder of heavy cavalry and massed hobnailed boots of French reserves.

Neil ponders the situation as the British close on all fronts

The British were urged on, but the French countered, sallying out of the village to save themselves. Meanwhile the Spanish found themselves facing a Westphalian Battalion trying to cross the bridge, whilst outflanked by French troops pressing to relieve their friends.

The British light cavalry withdrew in the face of heavier foes, but more to avoid being charged in the rear. Meanwhile the Foot troops attempted to reorganise to avoid being outflanked.

Time was running out for us, the British centre broke at the same time as the French defenders on the village, but the French reserves were now bearing down on the flanks, ensuring no safe passage.

The Bridge was still contested by the valiant Spanish, against a Westphalian attack that was experiencing the Spaniards own problem of gaining any advantage over the narrow frontage.

As it was, the clock beat us, but it was at be a stalemate, and more realistically a failure, if not an outright defeat, for the British commander.

We played fast and loose with the Napoleon rules once again, changing things on the fly to suit our needs and to keep things moving. The game was sidetracked a lot by chat and other gamers questions, but nevertheless we reached enough of a conclusion to be able to finish satisfied.