Sharp Practice 2

[Noisysteve]

Spring 1810

Luke brushed off every visible speck of dust off his brand new, very expensive uniform. He was a newly promoted Lieutenant in His Majesties South Essex regiment, and he had splashed out.
A cough behind him made him spin round, a large imposing silhouette standing in the entrance to his tent.
" Very smart Laddie. Your to come with me and help me with a wee task"
Luke recognised the voice as belonging to the larger than life Colonel of the Campbell Highlanders, Colonel Macpherson.
" Err eyes yes Sir "he stammered , scrambling after the departed officer.
" And don't forget your hat Laddie", the Colonel called out over his shoulder.
" No Sir" Luke spun round , desperately trying to locate his bicorne.

The mission seemed simple. Cross the Ford into the village of La Casa del Muerdo, locate some English civilians before the advancing French army arrive.
The civilians though were very important. General Pictons sister, her Preacher husband, their daughter, and her husband, a Major in the Portuguese army and a member of Sir Arthur's staff.
Colonel Macpherson's force consisted of his Highlanders, Luke's South Essex, and a small group of 60th Rifles.
The Colonels plan was simple. His Highlanders would act as a blocking force in the village to counteract any French. The Rifles would guard the Scots right flank and protect the crossing at the Ford. The South Essex would split into companies and search the village for the Civilians.
Things started off very well, the Highlanders taking up position in the main street, barricading the road. The South Essex began to search the Eastern part of the village.
As Colonel Macpherson looked on ,he could see dust being kicked up on the Western part of the village. The French had arrived. He could see a column approaching his position, straight down the main street, the column protected by a screen of skirmishers. Over to the right another column could be heard coming down a parallel street.
The Sots waited, and waited, the French closing in on them, then let fly with an almighty volley, then immediately going to platoon firing, a continual disciplined baptism of death.
The Voltigeurs disappeared in the smoke, a small panicked volley their only reply.
The French officer commanding the Column slipped in some dog excrement, his men distancing themselves from the rancid smell.
Luke and his men searching building after building, moving to the South side of the village, aware that a battle had begun, and they had turned up nothing.
The Highlanders stopped firing. When the smoke began to clear, the only Voltigeurs left were dead or dying. But now the column brought their muskets to the shoulder and fired. Men fell, and the order came to commence firing once again, the swirling powder smoke obscuring their vision.
The Colonel then heard the distinctive sound of the Baker rifles, and he turned in his saddle to see another regiment of French had made it to the river and turned right, hoping to hit the flank of the Scots.
2 battles now raged in the village. The,Scots were now being assailed from 2 positions, as more skirmishers had occupied a building overlooking their position.
The Scots were now edging forward, still firing, the toll telling on the French as they edged back.
Luke and his men managed to get into a building which faced the French column, and so they added their firepower to the Scots.
The Rifles and the French also continued to exchange fire, the outnumbered Rifles edging back to the g
Ford.
Then some South Essex excited a building near the French, running for the ford, dragging a vicar and a screaming overweight woman with them.
2 out of 4 though Macpherson, not bad, as continued to inspire his men.
The Scots vollies were too much for the French, and they broke.
Luke's unit, unaware that there was now no enemy in front of their building continued to pour fire into the street.
The French on the right were now beginning to falter.
Eventually Luke managed to regain control of his men and the ceased fire, continuing there search. As they moved back out into the street he was knocked to his knees in the mud by his men. At least his new jacket was still clean he thought, as more men barged into him, knocking him face down into the thick mud. Oh dear he thought, but at least he could get it laundered. Then he felt strong hands grabbing him from both sides under his arms and around the back of his neck, as his Sergeant and another pulled him out of the street ripping his jacket in the process.
Oh bugger ge thought.
The Highlanders were now in the centre of the village, but still taking accurate fire from a barricaded building to their right, full of skirmishers.
Screaming their ancient Clan battle cry, the Scots assaulted the building, many getting cut down before they forced entry into the house. Terrible noises, shouts and screams could be heard before a handful of red coats reappeared, carrying an unconscious French officer.
The Rifles withdrew to the river, covering the crossing of the South Essex with their rescued people.
Colonel Macpherson looked at his timepiece. Time to go. No sign of the young Lieutenant and his men
He couldn't wait any longer , daylight was running out, and Marshal Neys army wasn't too far away, and marching towards the village.
As he turned his horse around, he heard running feet, and Luke rounded a corner.
" Sir, sorry Sir, we came up empty handed " he garbled.
" No time to worry Laddie, time to go. Oh and tidy yourself up Lieutenant, you look like a pig in a sty"