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Sharp Practice 2
#5
Winter 1809

Colonel Stewart looked around at his command. 5 ragtag battalions, tasked with stopping the French from catching the retreating British Army.
Commands had gone out, turn and face.
" This is it boys, let's show these crapauds how we fight in Scotland."
His regiment, the Black Watch cheered and waited.
Stewart glanced to his left, noting the half battalion of Portuguese Cascadores his themselves in the folds of the ground. To their left was a small wood, which Stewart knew hid some Rifle men from the 60th .
Just behind that the record of the South Essex, then some 95th rifles. The Left flank was protected by some more Cascadores. Then he noticed just to their right and about 100yds nearer the French was a battalion of Portuguese line infantry.
" Keen buggers ain't they? McPherson,  compliments to their commanding officer, but would they leave some frogs for the rest of us and take up a position further back".
Looking back towards his front , he could now see the first French battalions advancing,  the drums beating a steady rhythm. All along the allied line weapons were brought up into the shoulder.
A crash erupted on the left as the Portuguese opened fire on a battalion that had appeared right in front of them. The French fired too, both units disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
Someone swore in his own unit, and then he saw why. 3 battalions were facing his. Unfair odds, but he was unlikely to even the fight by sending half his battalion away.
More firing now all across the line.
The Rifles and the Cascadores taking the French with the more accurate rifles. Casualties were now being moved out of both opposing lines, sergeants pulling men to close the gaps,  making it appear as if the battalions were shrinking towards the middle.
An aide pointed to the rear left, where horsemen appeared out of the go
hills. The Cascadores on that flank scurried towards them, letting loose carefully aimed shots, effectively neutralizing the threat.
In the centre the South Essex about faced and moved into the village in support. 
The Portuguese regiment were now in trouble , shuffling backwards, their commanding officer killed in the opening exchange.
On the right the Black Watch,  Rifles and Cascadores kept up a withering fire, one French battalion first withdrawing then routing through the remaining forces.
More troops were coming through the hills, hitting the killing zone of the Cascadores, before managing to face the threat. The Hussars that had come on previously turned and ran out of rifle range.
The French to the British front had been stopped, men refusing to move forward into the deadly British fire.
Now a new battalion moved forward to face the Scots, Napoleons young Guard. A worthy opponent indeed.
Orders rang out and the British line edged backwards into the village.
Cutting them off from the bridge and safety were now another 2 battalions of infantry and some Dragoons.
The fight now looked like it might turn in favour of the French.
Now was the time for brave men , and the South Essex didn't disappoint,  finally getting into the fight and pouring lead into the Dragoons and Germans. Ably supported by Rifles and Cascadores they held the village. The Pi
Portuguese managed to retreat out of range of the French, as some Cascadores covered them, the French not inclined to follow.
The day was now Stewart's. The French had lost all enthusiasm for the fight and melted back into the hills.
The rearguard could now retire in good order and remain the remaining allied forces.
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Messages In This Thread
Sharp Practice 2 - by Stuart - 19-02-2016, 02:11 PM
RE: Sharp Practice 2 - by Agincourt - 19-02-2016, 02:44 PM
RE: Sharp Practice 2 - by Stuart - 19-02-2016, 02:50 PM
RE: Sharp Practice 2 - by Agincourt - 19-02-2016, 02:54 PM
Napoleonic skirmish - by Noisysteve - 24-03-2019, 01:36 PM
RE: Sharp Practice 2 - by Noisysteve - 15-05-2019, 06:39 PM
RE: Sharp Practice 2 - by Noisysteve - 12-06-2019, 06:51 PM
RE: Sharp Practice 2 - by jaqenhgar - 12-06-2019, 09:42 PM
RE: Sharp Practice 2 - by Noisysteve - 10-07-2019, 11:22 PM
RE: Sharp Practice 2 - by Phil S - 12-07-2019, 09:27 PM
RE: Sharp Practice 2 - by Noisysteve - 31-08-2019, 08:21 PM

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