On the Table Today is...

a Napoleonic battle.

With last week's Biblical battle in the books, I clear the decks and prepare for the next game.  Notes and photos from the latest playtest of Rein-Bow Warriors still require a review and report but moss does grow on this rolling stone that is my gaming table.  Table turn-over seems to be picking up pace.

On deck for hosting this week's MNG remote game, boxes of Napoleonics were pulled from storage and a battle set up for the session.  Last seen in December in the pair of Maida Battles, (see Rock of Maida and Maida Six, the Hard Way), the 28mm Napoleonics collection hits the gaming table again.  For a collection that has not seen much action over recent years, seeing two battles within three months strikes me as a regular rotation. Maybe I can keep this up?

I digress.

The battle for Tuesday's outing is a recreation of the Combat at Foz d'Arouce in Portugal, March 1811.  I am missing the battle anniversary be two weeks.  Close.  I ought to keep better tabs on such events.

Battle Briefing

In Massena's retreat from Spain, the French Army of Portugal made a night march on the 14-15 March 1811 to place a flooding river between itself and the pursuing Anglo-Portuguese Army under Wellington. Having safely crossed to the north bank of the flooding Ceira River, Massena allowed his troops to rest on the heights overlooking the small village of Foz de Arouce.

Ney, commanding the French rear guard, had been ordered to destroy the bridge at Foz de Arouce after having passed his troops over to the north bank of the river. With little regard for Massena, Ney disobeyed orders and kept three brigades on the south bank of the Ceira.

Held up by fog and the burning town of Miranda de Corvo, the 3rd and Light Divisions did not reach French positions near Foz de Arouce until four in the afternoon. Thinking it too late in the day for the British to launch a successful attack, Ney remained on the south bank of the Ceira. Hoping to surprise the French, Wellington launched his attack at 5:00pm.

Scenario Details
Ney's rearguard is situated on the ground south of Foz d’Arouce with Mermet drawn up in front of the village while Marchand has taken up positions in and around Poisao. Wellington has deployed Picton opposite Mermet while the Light Division advances upon the French right.

The combat begins at 5:00pm with a game length of eight turns with a variable length extension.

Only the Anglo-Portuguese Army receives reinforcements (both guns and Portuguese 9th and 21st Infantry Regiments) at Turn 3 in this scenario and no French having crossed over to the north bank of the Ceira River may re-cross. The Ceira River, swollen by recent rains may only be crossed at the bridge. Woods are light. Rocky outcropping on French right is rough.

Battlefield and deployments

Order of Battle

Order of Battle

Victory Conditions
At the conclusion of the final turn, Victory Points are awarded as follows:

• 2 VPs each for control of Poisao, Foz de Arouce, the Cathedral, north bank of the bridge, and south bank of the bridge.
• 2 VPs each for each enemy infantry or artillery BMU destroyed, routing, or forced to retreat into the Ciera River.
• 2 VPs for each officer killed.
• 1 VP for each officer wounded.
• 1 VP for each French BMU remaining on the battlefield at game end.
• 5 VPs if no French BMUs are on the south bank of the Ceira River at game end (Anglo-Portuguese only).
• 5 VPs for each Anglo-Portuguese BMU in good order on the north bank of the Ceira River at game end.

The player scoring 7 or more points than his opponent wins the day. Otherwise, the battle is a draw.

Examining the situation and OB, several strategies emerge for attempting to secure victory.  Which strategy will the players choose?

Will Ney be able to withstand Wellington's attacks in the fleeting Portuguese light of day?