Campaign Move 12

1600-2100 10 August 1813

  Battle of Torrente at nightfall

16^th Italian corps have fought a hard battle, but must withdraw during the night

They have suffered 7 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties

3^rd Spanish corps have suffered too many casualties to pursue the Italians

They have taken 7 infantry and 1 artillery casualties

4^th Spanish corps have not suffered any casualties

They are ready to pursue the Italians at first light.

This was a convincing Spanish victory

  Battle of Miravat at nightfall

8^th French corps have taken most of the battle to reach the Spanish position

But once there they quickly broke the enemy infantry

They have taken 2 infantry and 1 artillery casualties to do so

Their gunners have routed and abandoned their guns

2^nd Spanish corps had put on a brave face, but failed to deliver the goods

They have suffered 8 infantry casualties and two brigades are in rout

Although shaken their gunners remain with the guns

There is sufficient infantry and cavalry to cover the retreat

This was a convincing French victory

Battle of Tortosa at nightfall

17^th French corps have not had sufficient time to close with the enemy

They have achieved a victory of sorts by driving the Spanish back to the bridge

They have not received any casualties during the battle.

1^st Spanish corps have managed to hold the bridge

By a timely retreat they have avoided a major battle and probable defeat

They have suffered 2 infantry and one cavalry casualty

At nightfall all of their brigades are formed

This was an partial French victory

Campaign Move 11

1200-1600 10 August 1813

  Battle of Torrente at 1600

Severoli has withdrawn his corps to a new position between the farm and the hill.   He must hold this position until nightfall

4^th Spanish corps have occupied Torrente and deployed to the north to attack the Italian right wing.

 

3^rd Spanish corps are moving to attack the farm

  Battle of Miravat at 1600

Elio has deployed his corps across the Miravat road. 

His infantry hold the northern hill

His cavalry hold the southern hill

Harispe will hold the centre and attack on his right

Two infantry brigades have been sent along the northern hill

Infantry and artillery advance in the centre

Lancers hold the left flank

Battle of Tortosa at 1600

1^st Spanish corps had already crossed the river Ebro when they sighted 17^th French corps marching towards Tortosa on the Cambrils road.   Both corps had their cavalry deployed to recce Tortosa.   The French chasseurs charged and routed the Spanish dragoons.

Del Parque deployed his corps between the woods and the hill, and his infantry to form square.

Halbert ordered the garrison of Tortosa to join the main corps, deployed his infantry in column of attack and advanced towards the Spanish.  

Del Parque immediately ordered his corps to withdraw towards the bridge.

Campaign Move 10

0800-1200 10 August 1813

Battle of Torrente at 1200

The battle started with general Severoli (top right) in full retreat to reach the Lerida road before 4^th Spanish corps (top left) could cut him off.

This frantic retreat caught both Spanish commanders by surprise.   3^rd Spanish corps were deployed in a defensive position to prevent the Italians from reaching the town of Flix (off table bottom centre).   4^th Spanish corps (top left) expected to have to fight for Torrente (top centre).

Severoli ordered his corps to concentrate between the farm (top right) and the hill to the north of the Lerida road.   The slow response of the Spanish commanders allowed him to do so without any urgent pursuit.

 

4^th Spanish corps occupied the abandoned Torrente and started to deploy to the north of the town to attack the right of the new Italian position.

3^rd Spanish corps advanced to attack the farm from the south.

Battle of Tortosa – Move 8

1900-2000 10 August 1813

  Table at the start of move 8

Left – Spanish in position to hold the bridge

Right – French advancing but still out of musket range

  1st Spanish corps

General del Parque (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Hold bridge

Artillery fire on 22^nd French (total 3 – no casualties)

4^th infantry retreat 8” onto bridge

1^st infantry move 2” to left in square to protect cavalry

Artillery manhandle 2” back towards bridge

3^rd infantry test morale for shaken (total 3 – pass become disordered)

  17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage enemy

Artillery fire on Spanish gunners (total 5 – no casualties)

22^nd 23^rd and 24^th infantry advance 6”

Halbert moves to centre of corps

Artillery manhandle 2” forward

24^th infantry skirmish with 1^st Spanish (total 6 – one casualty)

1^st Spanish test morale for first casualty (total 3 – pass remain formed)

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

5 Command Points

Moves to join Halbert

Change corps orders to Hold

Game Notes

Del Parque has managed to withdraw his corps to the bridge

He has suffered light casualties, but all of his brigades have held their morale

Halbert has pushed the Spanish back to the bridge

Night has robbed him of the opportunity to press home his attack

He has inflicted light casualties on the enemy, and received none himself

He is well placed to attack again at first light

Suchet has ordered Halbert to halt and hold his position

He is not prepared to risk casualties so late in the day

He is confident of victory if the Spanish do not retreat over night.

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Table at end of game

Left      –   Spanish infantry in position in front of bridge

                 Spanish cavalry in reserve protected by square

                 Shaken infantry on bridge have rallied

Right    –   French infantry brigade skirmish with Spanish square

                 French cavalry unable to advance due to enemy square

                 Remainder of French corps have halted out of musket range

Game Result

17^th French corps have not had sufficient time to close with the enemy

They have achieved a victory of sorts by driving the Spanish back to the bridge

They have not received any casualties during the battle.

1^st Spanish corps have managed to hold the bridge

By a timely retreat they have avoided a major battle and probable defeat

They have suffered 2 infantry and one cavalry casualty

At nightfall all of their brigades are formed

This was an indecisive French victory

Battle of Tortosa – Move 7

1800-1900 10 August 1813

Table at the start of move 7

Left – Spanish artillery withdraw to bridge covered by an infantry square

Right – French corps advance towards the bridge

1st Spanish corps

General del Parque (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Retreat to bridge

3^rd infantry change from square to column of march and withdraw 4”

Artillery retire 4” and unlimber

4^th infantry change from column of attack to line

1^st infantry retire 2” in square

2^nd infantry change formation from square to line

Del Parque moves to centre of corps

Del Parque changes orders to “Hold bridge”

17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage enemy

Cavalry form line and advance 4” to edge of hill

Artillery fire on 3^rd Spanish (total 10 – one casualty)

3^rd Spanish test morale for first casualty (total 1 – fail and become shaken)

22^nd and 24^th infantry advance 6”

Artillery manhandle forward 2”

Halbert moves to centre of corps

23^rd infantry advance 6”

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

3 Command Points

Moves to join Halbert

Game Notes

The Spanish are now in position at the bridge

By moving first 3^rd infantry have managed to withdraw out of French canister range

1^st infantry has remained in square to protect the left flank and their cavalry

The remainder have formed line to provide better fire power

Halbert is now within artillery range

His infantry are advancing but still out of musket range

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Tortosa – Move 6

1700-1800 10 August 1813

  Table at the start of move 6

Left – Spanish corps withdraw towards the bridge

Right – French corps advance towards the bridge

  17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

8 Command Points

Orders – Advance to bridge

Cavalry advance 8” on ridge

Halbert moves to centre of corps

22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th infantry all advance 6”

Artillery advance 4” and unlimber

Halbert moves back to command range of cavalry

1st Spanish corps

General del Parque (Average)

11 Command Points

Orders – Retreat to bridge

1^st infantry retire 2” in square

2^nd infantry form square to left of bridge

Del Parque moves to centre of corps

3^rd infantry retire 2” in square

Artillery retire 8”

4^th infantry about turn at bridge

Del Parque moves to centre of corps

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

4 Command Points

Move to join Halbert

Change corps orders to “Engage enemy”

Game Notes

Del Parque has left one brigade in square to cover the withdrawal of the artillery

The remainder of his corps are now in position at the bridge.

Halbert has followed the Spanish towards the bridge.

Suchet has changed Halbert’s orders from Move to Engage.

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Tortosa – Move 5

1600-1700 10 August 1813

Table at the start of move 5

Left – Spanish corps starts to withdraw towards the bridge

Right – French corps have formed column and are starting to follow the enemy

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

4 Command Points

Moves to join Halbert

Changes corps orders to “Advance to bridge”

17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Advance to bridge

22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th brigade all advance 6”

Artillery advance 8”

Halbert moves to command range (8”of cavalry)

Cavalry turn right and move towards hill

1st Spanish corps

General del Parque (Average)

10 Command Points

Orders – Retreat to bridge

Artillery limber and retreat 4”

1^st and 3^rd brigades retreat 2” in square

4^th brigade retreats 6” to bridge

2^nd brigade forms column of attack and retreats 3”

Cavalry move 12” towards left flank

Del Parque moves to join shaken cavalry

Cavalry test morale for shaken (total 8 – pass and become disordered)

Game Notes

Del Parque has broken contact and is withdrawing his corps to take up a new position at the bridge. 

Halbert has ordered his cavalry to move to the hill and advance to threaten the enemy left flank. 

By moving on the hill they can avoid enemy artillery fire.

The sequence of morale is formed-disordered-shaken-rout.  

A morale test is required to move from rout to shaken and shaken to disordered

At the end of each move sequence disordered automatically become formed.

Rule 18 deals with morale

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Tortosa – Move 4

1500-1600 10 August 1813

Table at the start of move 4

Left – Spanish cavalry rout towards bridge, infantry form square

Right – French cavalry out of angle of enemy artillery.

  17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage enemy

22^nd and 24^th brigades form column of attack and advance 3”

23^rd brigade move out of town and join general advance

Artillery limber and advance 4”

Halbert moves to centre of corps

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

2 Command Points

Moves to join Halbert

1st Spanish corps

General del Parque (Average)

8 Command Points

Orders – Hold

Artillery fire on 22^nd French (total 7 – no casualties)

Del Parque changes corps orders to “Retreat to bridge”

Gunners manhandle artillery 2” towards bridge

Dragoons retreat to shelter behind infantry square

Del Parque moves to centre of corps

4^th brigade about turn and retreats 3” towards bridge

Dragoons test morale for being in rout (total 3 – pass become shaken)

Game Notes

Without cavalry del Parque orders his corps to retreat to the bridge

He hopes to avoid a major battle, but still hold the bridge, until nightfall

He is fortunate to be able to rally his dragoons behind the shelter of an infantry square

With the removal of the enemy cavalry Halbert orders his infantry to advance

They abandon their square formation and change into column of attack

Only the French cavalry are in contact with the enemy, so they are unable to prevent del Parque from breaking contact and retreating to the bridge.

If the Spanish can hold the bridge until nightfall, they will be able to withdraw safely over the river under cover of darkness. 

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Tortosa – Move 3

1400-1500 10 August 1813

  Table at the start of move 3

Left – Spanish deploy between hill and woods

Right – French deploy just above Tortosa

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

3 Command Points

Move to join Halbert

Change corps orders to “Engage enemy”

  17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

10 Command Points

Orders – Engage enemy

Cavalry charge Spanish dragoons

Spanish test to counter charge (total 4 – pass and charge)

Artillery advance 4” and unlimber

22^nd and 24^th brigades advance 3” and form square

Halbert moves to command range of Tortosa

23^rd brigade move to edge of Tortosa

  French cavalry roll 2D6

French chasseurs charge Spanish dragoons (total 12 – French win)

Spanish dragoons lose one casualty and rout

French chasseurs halt disordered

3^rd Spanish brigade test morale for rout within 4” (total 2 – fail become shaken)

1^st Spanish brigade test morale for rout within 4” (total 4 – pass)

1st Spanish corps

General del Parque (Average)

8 Command Points

Orders – Move to Tortosa

Artillery fire on 22^nd French (total 2 – no casualties)

1^st and 2^nd brigades form square

4^th brigade advance 4” and form column of attack

Del Parque changes corps orders to “Hold”

Del Parque joins shaken 3^rd brigade

3^rd brigade test morale for shaken (total 4 – pass become disordered)

 

Game Notes

Suchet orders Halbert to advance and engage the Spanish

Halbert orders his cavalry to charge the enemy dragoons.

Cavalry melee are very unpredictable

He orders his infantry to form square to protect the gunners

His cavalry are very successful and rout the dragoons

On Engage orders they cause one casualty

Had they been on attack orders they would have caused two casualties

Spanish infantry within 4” of the rout have to test their morale

Spanish gunners unable to fire on chasseurs who are out of the angle of fire

Rule 2 covers role of CinC

Rule 7 covers artillery fire

Rule 14 covers cavalry combat

Rule 17 covers reaction to rout

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Tortosa – Move 2

1300-1400 10 August 1813

  Table at the start of move 2

Left – Spanish start to deploy just right of the river

Right – French deploy just above Tortosa

  1st Spanish corps

General del Parque (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Move to Tortosa

Artillery advance 8”

3^rd and 4^th brigade advance 8”

Del Parque moves to centre of corps

Artillery advance 4” and unlimber

3^rd brigade advance 8” and form square

1^st brigade advance 6”

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

4 Command Points

No orders issued

17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Move to Tortosa

Artillery advance 8”

Cavalry advance 6”

22nd brigade advance 6”

24^th brigade advance 4” and form column of attack

Halbert moves to centre of corps

23^rd brigade prepare to vacate Tortosa

Game Notes

1^st Spanish corps have cleared the bridge and started to deploy to cover the crossing

Halbert is well aware that he must attack the Spanish without delay if he is to stand any chance of driving them back over the river Ebro before nightfall.

He has moved his cavalry forward to allow space for his infantry and artillery to deploy.   This has put the cavalry within range of the Spanish gunners, and he must hope that he will move first next move so that he can charge the enemy cavalry before the gunners get a chance to fire on his chasseurs.

Marshal Suchet is content to allow Halbert to command his corps and deploy for battle.

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Tortosa – Move 1

1200-1300 10 August 1813

  Table at the start of move 1

Left – 1st Spanish corps cross the river Ebro

           Spanish cavalry deployed in the centre to protect the corps column

Right – 17^th French corps approach Tortosa

              The town is held by 21^st infantry brigade

  1st Spanish corps

General del Parque (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Move to Tortosa

Del Parque moves to centre of corps

1^st brigade moves 8” to the far left and forms column of attack (double move)

2^nd brigade moves 8” to centre left

Artillery moves 16” (double move) to centre

3^rd brigade advance 16” (double move)

4^th brigade advance 16” (double move)

17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

8 Command Points

Orders – Move to Tortosa

Cavalry advance 8” and form line

22^nd brigade advance 8” and form column of attack

Artillery advance 8”
Halbert moves to centre of corps

24^th brigade advance 16” (double move)

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

4 Command Points

Move 16” to observe Spanish deployment

Game Notes

Del Parque orders his corps to deploy between the hill and the woods

Moving first he has the advantage of being more than 16” from the nearest enemy

He can therefore take advantage of multiple moves

He also has a good dice roll for CP, which allows him to take full advantage

Halbert deploys his cavalry to counter the enemy cavalry

He then orders his corps to deploy to the right of Tortosa

Most of his brigades are too close to the enemy to take multiple moves

Marshal Suchet is moving with 17^th corps

He moves forward to observe the Spanish deployment

Rule 5 covers multiple movement

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Tortosa – Set Up

  strategic map at 1200 10 August 1813

Campaign Background

17^th French corps had left one23rd brigade to hold Tortosa whilst they marched north to raise the siege of Miravat, which was held by their 21^st brigade.   Before they reached Miravat they were ordered by Marshal Suchet to return to Tortosa as he believed it was about to be attacked.

1^st Spanish corps had held the river Ebro bridge for some days, and observed the movements at Tortosa.   Their main objective was to hold Amposta until the arrival of 5^th British corps.   Having received notification of the approach of the British they advanced over the river at midday with the intention of laying siege to Tortosa.

  Tactical Map at 1200 10 August 1813 

Battle Area

The battle will take place in the nine squares outlined in white.  

On the left general Del Parque is crossing the river Ebro in square L3, covered by his cavalry in L4

On the right general Halbert is marching south in square K5 and is now approaching Tortosa.  

The town is held by his 23^rd infantry brigade.

  Wargames Table at start of battle

Tortosa is on the right

17^th French corps is approaching the town from the top right

1^st Spanish corps is crossing the river Ebro on the left

 Tortosa is held by 23^rd French infantry brigade

  1^st Spanish Corps

Corps is crossing the river in column of march.

The artillery is moving in the centre of the corps column

The corps cavalry are deployed to observe the French and protect the column

17^th   French corps

Corps approach Tortosa in column of march.

Their cavalry lead the corps, also in column of march

Special Rules

We are play testing new rules for command and control.

The wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleoniccampaignrules.blogspot.com/

The latest entry is a draft of the new rules

Battle of Miravat – Move 9

2000-2100 10 August 1813

  Table at the start of move 9

Left      –   Spanish brigade on hill have orders to retreat, but must break contact first

Right    –   French infantry press home their attack

  2^nd Spanish corps

General Elio (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Retire to Miravat

Artillery fire on enemy artillery (total 5 – no casualties)

Elio moves to join 6^th brigade

6^th brigade retires (1”) facing enemy

Elio leaves 6^th brigade and moves to centre of corps

Gunners manhandle guns (2”) away from enemy infantry

8^th brigade (square) retires 2” to support artillery

7^th brigade skirmish with 31^st French (total 5 – no casualties)

  8^th French corps

General Harispe (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Engage enemy

Harispe changes corps orders to “Attack enemy infantry”

Harispe moves to right flank to command infantry attack

29^th brigade advance (1”) uphill and skirmish 6^th Spanish

30^th and 31^st brigade advance to attack 7^th Spanish

Harispe returns to centre to join shaken gunners

29^th French skirmish 6^th Spanish (total 6 – one casualty)

6^th Spanish test morale for fourth casualty (total minus 1 – fail and rout)

30^th and 31^st French attack 7^th Spanish (total 10 – French win)

7^th Spanish rout and lose three casualties

30^th and 31^st French halt disordered

Spanish gunners test morale for rout within 4” (total 2 – fail and become shaken)

French gunners test morale for shaken (total 0 – fail and rout)

Game Notes

This final move has allowed the French infantry to close with, and rout, the Spanish infantry

Rule 11 deals with infantry skirmish combat

Rule 13 deals with infantry hand to hand combat

Rule 17 deals with reaction to rout

Rule 18 deals with morale

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Table at end of game

Left      –   Spanish infantry in rout

                 Spanish gunners shaken, but protected by square

                 Spanish cavalry available to cover night retreat

Right    –   French infantry press home their attack and rout enemy

                 French gunners have broken and routed leaving their guns behind

                 French cavalry await orders

Game Result

8^th French corps have taken most of the battle to reach the Spanish position

But once there they quickly broke the enemy infantry

They have taken 2 infantry and 1 artillery casualties to do so

Their gunners have routed and abandoned their guns

2^nd Spanish corps had put on a brave face, but failed to deliver the goods

They have suffered 8 infantry casualties and two brigades are in rout

Although shaken their gunners remain with the guns

There is sufficient infantry and cavalry to cover the retreat

This was a convincing French victory