AAR Talavera Afternoon Attack, 28th July, 1809

We played the last of Jonathan Jones’ three scenarios from his book O’er the Hills Early Peninsular War that cover the main attack at Talavera on July 28, 1809. Previously the British had narrowly held on to the right flank against Victor’s dawn attack, turning the tide when the French twice failed to form square and were swept away by the British cavalry on both flanks. The attempt to take the Pajar-Vergara Redoubt was more of a slog for Laval’s German Division, as the combined British/Spanish forces easily held the enemy at bay as the German/Dutch forces bravely but fruitlessly broke themselves in frontal attacks on the battery.

Determined to carry the day, Victor once more masses his army for a final push on the British centre. The flanks were to be pinned by attacks by Ruffin and Villatte’s weary troops on the French right, and Laval’s Germans on the French left (and we know how that turned out!)

The attack is preceded by three rounds of cannon fire, mostly directed at the enemy batteries. Then to the sounds of drums, the French advance.

Our game was played once again with my 1/72 scale toy soldiers, using the Over the Hills ruleset and played on a 6’X8’ table set up in Alan’s coach house (thanks, Alan!) We had four players for this game as there were a lot of troops to move around - Phong and Alan once more playing the French and I with the British, with our new gaming friend Ross as my wingman. Our plan was to dedicate the weekend to the game but one long 12 hour session brought us to a conclusion.

The scenario map. The French artillery is out front with Lapisse and Rey’s Divisions massed behind. In support is Latour-Maubourg’s Dragoons. The British line stretches from the south flank of the Cerro de Medellin along the road which borders the olive groves north of the town of Talavera. Sherbrooke’s Division holds the front line, with Campbell’s Guards anchoring the right while Mackenzie’s Division is in reserve. Stapleton-Cotton’s Light Dragoons (14th and 16th) sit further back.

 The battlefield

The battlefield has the edge of the Cerro de Medellin on the top right side while extensive orchards fill the British position on the left. Between the two opposing forces runs the Portina stream, mostly dry at this time of year and representing no great obstacle.

In the foreground Victor’s forces prepare to march forward as their five batteries of cannon (three on the right, two on the left) pound the British lines.

British left (Elliott's Battery)

The British left is anchored by Elliott’s battery of 6 pdrs. while Low’s and Langwerth’s KGL regiments hold the line on the Medellin.

Wellesley on the Cerro de Medellin

Wellesley surveys his lines from the flank of the Medellin, with Donkin’s brigade in reserve forward of him.

The British line, right flank

The British right is solidly held by Campbells’ Guard brigade, with the 1/2nd Coldstream Guards supported by the 1/3rd Scots Guards. Next in line, holding the centre is Cameron’s brigade and Sillery’s Battery while Lieut. Col. Guard’s brigade is in reserve in the olive orchards along with Cotton’s two regiments of Light Dragoons, the 14th and 16th.

Entire British position

View from the west of the entire British position. It is a strong position, with the left having the high ground and the right the benefit of defending the edge of the orchard.

French artillery line

Two 8 pdr. batteries occupy high ground opposite the Medellin while a horse 6 pdr. battery is to their immediate right. In the far upper right are two more 8 pdr. batteries while a sixth battery (horse) is with Latour-Maubourg’s 2nd Dragoon Division.

French Dragoons move to right

As the French infantry march forward their dragoons begin to shift to the right. Wellesley is not surprised, thinking they would move towards the open ground of the Medellin and sends out orders to Cotton to move to the British left in response.

Skirmishing over the Portina

Meanwhile a skirmish battle erupts over the Portina as both sides throw their skirmishers out front. Wellesley orders Mackenzie to push his light troops forward as well, hoping to use the rifles’ advantage to score a few hits before the main event begins.

From Elliott's battery on the Medellin

Elliott continues to shell the French artillery positions, but to no avail. The British batteries have taken a pounding from the initial French barrage and are already a little fragile.

French advance behind skirmish screen

With their skirmishers out front the French advance to contact, now bringing their guns forward as well.

Overview of French attack

Rey’s 1st Division, 4th Corps marches forward, with Toussaint’s brigade in the foreground (28th and 32nd regiments) while Leger-Belair’s 58th and 75th approach the centre. Above them is Lapisse’s 2nd Division, 1 Corps. with Solignac positioned next to Leger-Belair and Laplanne on the French right (top). At the very top Latour-Maubourg’s Dragoons have arrived in front of the British left.

Victor’s plan of attack is to use his horse to force the British left and then Laplanne to follow up, turning the flank on the Medellin while Toussaint pins the Guard regiments on the enemy right.

British Light Dragoons move to left

Cotton receives Wellesley’s order and begins to move his horse to the Medellin.

Toussaint clears out Campbell's skirmishers on French left

The 3/28th forms column and attacks the British skirmishers who evade back to the Portina. But the speed of the French assault catches them off guard and they are caught and forced to stand on the banks of the Portina, where they are savaged by the French column and sent reeling back behind their lines.

French cavalry cross the Portina on the right

Meanwhile the first Dragoon regiment crosses the Portina at the foot of the Medellin.

Coldstream Guards crush Toussaint's first attack

Toussaint launches a two battalion attack in column on the Coldstream Guards who hit them with volley fire and then breaks them with a follow up charge. Toussaint suddenly realizes what he is up against!

Dragoons charge Elliott's Battery

The Dragoons launch their first head on charge against Elliott’s battery on the British left. They hope to sweep it away quickly and make way for a French flank attack. But it is not to be - a devastating round of canister breaks the charge and sends the first wave reeling back.

British line goes into square

With more French horse in proximity Low and Langwerth’s KGL have gone into squares. 

Second wave of Dragoons attempt to storm the battery

A second wave of Dragoons meets the same fate. Elliott’s battery holds firm.

1/3rd Scots Guards go into the attack

Things are gong no better on the French left. Ordered into the attack the1/3rd Scots Guards move through the Coldstream Guards and send more of Toussaint’s battalions routing back over the Portina. In a short half hour Toussaint’s brigade is on the verge of total collapse! With Wellesley unable to reign them in, the Scots continue in pursuit, marching into the face of a French battery, now swivelled to their direction.

Victor, seeing his left in trouble, orders Latour-Maubourg to send a brigade of horse over in support, and Cavrois’ 4th and 9th Dragoons are sent in that direction to stem the tide.

Into the Valley of Death rode the 300!

Back on the French right, for a third time Latour-Mauboug’s Dragoons storm the British battery, braving canister once again at short range!

Elliott's battery finally overrun!

And finally succeed, but not after a last desperate attempt by the gun crews to drive off the enemy horse.

But Cotton's Light Dragoons are ready, and break the enemy horse

However, Cottons Light Dragoons are in position, waiting to stem any breakthrough and break this third wave of French horse, already badly battered by Elliott’s cannon fire.

French press forward

Meanwhile, with their guns now arrived at the front line, the French press forward on all fronts.

British centre pressed as well

With many of the British regiments forced into square by the proximity of French horse, the British start to take casualties from French skirmish and cannon fire directed at their squares.

 Victor marshals his troops

Victor senses that the time is right for the final push…

Overview

The British line still holds, hardly tested yet, but with French cannon now on the front lines and Cavrois’ dragoons moving to threaten the British right, things could change in the blink of an eye.

 Sillery's battery obliterates a close assault by the Liger-Belair’s 58th's voltigeurs

In an attempt to take the British guns, the ad hoc battalion of 58th Regiments’ voltigeurs are destroyed by canister.

British LDG clash with Dragoons

A seesaw battle erupts on the British left as both sides’ horse clash and fall back just to charge again, with neither side gaining the advantage. But the French fail to gain the crucial breakthrough they so desperately need on this wing.

British right forced into squares

The Guards are finally reigned in and brought back into line in time to deal with the arrival of Carvois’ cavalry on their right flank. The British go into squares, supporting the 3/Scots who stand in line between. Cannon have also suddenly emerged unlimbered at short range.

 Sillery's battery tries to neutralize French cannon

With Liger-Belair’s brigade formed in column and ready to charge and the French cannon prepared to shell at short range, Cameron throws his light infantry up front as Sillery swivels his battery to fire, but to little effect. Fortunately the French guns respond feebly as well.

Laplanne forms up for the attack

Laplanne successfully routs Low’s 7th KGL, but is unable to follow up. Donkin, in reserve, sends the Connaught Rangers into the gap. Laplanne forms up his 16th Legere for a final attack (right) while the opposing cavalry continue to battle it out on the British left.

Final overview

In this final overview both lines face each other for Victor’s last big push. We forgot to capture the action, but the long and short of it is both Laplanne’s 1st and 2nd 16th Legere and Liger-Belair’s 1st and 2nd 58th launched `column attacks against the Connaught Rangers and Langwerth’s 2nd KGL. Both were bloodily repulsed with all four battalions either broken or routed.

Routing French

At this point the French threw in the towel. With only two more rounds of fighting left and three of the four French  brigades teetering on the edge of being broken, it was clear that the british line wpuld hold. The British losses were surprisingly light, with only the loss of Elliott’s battery. The rest of Wellesley’s army was in very good shape with Guard’s brigade not even tested in battle.