On the Table Today Is...

Corsican Rangers lurking in the scrub

Maida.  The Battle of Maida, 04 July 1806, is on the table today.  Matt (wargameinthedungeon) and I plan to refight the battle later today as I return to 28mm Napoleonics after a long absence.  With Matt embarking upon a new 28mm Napoleonics project, what better motivation than to get in some action while his armies grow?  

My lads are long overdue in making a trip out onto the table.  Looking back into the archives, the last time the armies saw action was 3-1/2 years ago at the Action at Foz d'Arouce.  Too long to be confined to barracks.  In an attempt to make amends, Maida will be fought twice this week and perhaps even more over the holidays.

Initial Dispositions

What about the historical battle, itself?

Battle of Maida, 4 July 1806

Stuart expected that a British landing on the Calabrian coast would encourage and support a Calabrian insurrection against the French.  The British intervention would aid in lifting the siege against the Gaeta Fortress.  The French were encamped along the banks of the Lamato River on the hills overlooking Maida.  They awaited the British landing.  Stuart planned to attack the French camp before it could be reinforced but Reynier had arrived with reinforcements before Stuart could strike.  Stuart’s army disembarked on the beach at Santa Euphemia Bay on 1st July.  His landing was unopposed.  With British naval support, Reynier chose to draw the British inland and not fight them on the beaches where naval artillery could provide assistance.  Oswald’s Division came ashore first and advanced to Santa Euphemia.  Oswald’s Corsican Rangers became engaged with French skirmishers and fell back.

Stuart's Expeditionary Army drawn up for battle

On 4th July 1806, Stuart marched his army south along the beach and then turned inland following the Lamato River.  The mouth of the Lamato River was reached at about 0900.  The British army wheeled and formed an oblique battle line opposite the deploying French army as it advanced down the hill from its camp. The battle lines are drawn.

Reynier's French arrayed en chequer 

The battle began with a brief skirmishing exchange between French skirmishers from the 1st Legere facing the Corsican Rangers and flank coys from Kempt’s combined light battalion in the scrub along the Lamato River on the French left.  After the skirmishing action was stabilized, Compere launched an attack by the 1st Legere against Kempt.  Three devastating volleys and a charge was all that was required to put the 1st Legere to flight.  Compere was wounded.  Next the 42nd Ligne attacked Acland.  British volleys stalled this attack as well.  Taking heavy fire and seeing the 1st Legere break, the 42nd Ligne did likewise.  Peyri then attacked but the Poles were treated similarly and fled the field.  Only Peyri’s Swiss and Digonet’s command were left on the field.  Acland and Cole advanced upon Digonet.  With the 20th Foot in a flanking position and Reynier’s left gone, Digonet fought a withdrawal from the battlefield.

The battle was won in fifteen minutes.

Will Stuart be as lucky today?