We had a great response this year in terms of Campaign write ups, with plenty of viewpoints from both sides! Enough that I felt we needed a:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) Marechal Reille
2) General Howard
3) General Packenham
4) General P. Soult
5 General Boyer
6) General Alten
7) General Villate
8) General Daricau
9) General Cassagne
10) General Byng
11) General Leith
12) An Account of the Battle of Calahorra... and Beyond
13) A Pictorial Account of the Late Great Battle of Vittoria
To Napoleon I, Emperor
Snappy Nappy 10/18 - After Action Report
General Howard - 1st Division
The First Division began the day with simple orders from Duke Wellington: Secure the port of Santander with all haste. The port would offer a vital supply line back to Portugal and allow the Royal Navy to deliver reinforcements needed to sustain the British offensive. Under the command of Wing Commander Graham, Howard and the First Division marched from Aguilar de Campo to Santander by way of Reynosa. The First Divison met no resistance as they arrived at the port, and were able to secure the coast with no French in sight. As the division made ready to move along the coast however, its departure was slowed by an errant French Lancer regiment. After all but routing the French cavalry from the field, Howard continued west, moving along the coast. Knowing the port was vital to the British supply lines, Graham took command of the 1st Division’s Light Dragoons and stayed behind to hold the supply line open until the Royal Navy arrived about 1pm. Howard’s infantry arrived at Bilboa to find a small garrison of French troops holding the town. Shortly after their arrival, French reinforcements attempted to relieve the garrison but they were not sufficient to stop the British assault. The Coldstream and 1/3 Guards proved their mettle, driving the French from the field, destroying all but one regiment, which fled west. By this time, Graham had arrived with Portuguese reinforcements, as well as two heavy artillery batteries. The 1st Divison’s Light Dragoons also rejoined the core force at this time, having chased the remnants of the French lancers in circles all afternoon. The Dragoons also brought valuable information, finding that the 1st division had slipped behind French defensive lines at Vittoria. Seeing the battle in full fray there, and understanding that the 1st Division would be too late to effectively participate in any battle for the town, Graham elected to seize the initiative and march his heavy batteries on to San Sebastián. Unfortunately, the French garrison at Bilboa had done enough to send warning to San Sebastián. When Graham and Howard arrived, they found well entrenched French defensive positions. Graham ordered his troops forward for what he knew needed to be a quick assault if there was any hope to take the field before the end of the day’s fighting. Heavy French cavalry threatened the Allied right flank, forcing Howard to lead his men into a desperate fray. Ultimately the British 1/3 Guard held once again and the French Cavalry were routed from the field. Unfortunately in this fighting, General Howard was wounded and had to retreat from the field. His men, however, only fought on harder as what remained of the Bilboa garrison tried to flank them from the south. Luck proved to be on their side as after repulsing this meager French force, they were rewarded by a baggage train of looted Spanish artifacts walking right into their lap! The rest of the Portuguese brigades and 1st Division made one last assault on the French positions, routing much of the French artillery and infantry. Unfortunately the French simply outnumbered the Allied forces and were able to grasp a stalemate as the day drew to a close. Hearing that Wellington and the British supply lines were under threat at Burgos, Graham realized he would need to retreat under cover of darkness and ensure he preserved the gains made on the day, regardless of what had become of Duke Wellington…
I started at Pancorbo alone. I was to scout and delay any English. Soon I saw coming towards me English General Ponsonby and his Guard Cavalry Division. And it soon was followed by Ltg Picton and his Inf Divison.I started to pull back and delay as best I can. I sent a message off to Victoria to warn of the two Divisions. While pulling back another English Division came into view, which was determined to be LTG Dalhuosie. I proceeded to Vittoria, delaying best I could.
AAR General Boyer
I was Général de Cavalry division Boyer (Steven Currie), 2nd Cavalry Division, starting the Campaign in Tolosa. At the start, I had a brief conversation with King Joseph about moving out and controlling areas but no specific orders.
On turn 1, I did no movement. I looked over my maps for the campaign at hand and tried to decide on the best move. I decided to try to get to Vitoria and scout roads for the location of allied forces.
On turn 2, I moved the 3rd Hussar Regiment down the road and first encountered the transit system. I discovered there was no delay to move to Vitoria from Tolosa and so I proceeded, intending to scout roads and find the enemy. I encountered Marshal Reille (Mark McLaughlin) who asked me what I was doing. I explained that I was scouting roads looking for the enemy. The Marshall said “Stay here.” I replied that “I was looking for the enemy” to which the Marshal replied, “I am a Marshal, you are staying here”.
Quickly I retrieved the rest of my troops from Tolosa and, receiving advice from Reille, began to take up a forward position across the road indicated as the one the British would come down.
After some time Général de division Conroux (Chris Brown) appeared on the road I was defending, telling us that the British were right behind him. A little while later Soult (Karl Newbauer) appeared with 1st Cavalry Division. Both 1st and 2nd Cavalry Divisions were on the field. Soult took up a position left of the city, meanwhile I moved as quickly as I could to occupy our right-rear. Our right flank was protected by a river. By the time I was redeployed, British forces were now on three roads. Vitoria was becoming crowded.
I was receiving correspondence (2) but Marshal Reille told me to ignore them all. Things were getting bad as the Allied forces were grinding Conroux’s Infantry slowly and driving them back towards the right of Vitoria. British appeared, trying to force a bridge off our right flank. My Artillery finally got into action, shelling some British and they fell back a short distance.
Vitoria was also the location of the “Baggage Train”. The large baggage train holding the loot acquired from the Spanish was slowly moving throughout the battle. It was moving toward Tolosa. It eventually made it out of Vitoria and proceeded towards its destination.
In conversations among our generals, it was pointed out that the river was fordable by Cavalry. It was agreed that I needed to force the allies by crossing the river. 6th and 11th Dragoons were ordered to cross the river and threaten the British flank. The enemy infantry immediately went into square. Even better, my Horse Artillery advanced within range and began to shell the squares.
We briefly saw Général de division Cassagne (Russ Lockwood) to our rear. He met with the Marshal and left. The Baggage had escaped off the table by this time.
Soon, the British advanced on 1st Cavalry Division and other allied forces attempted to force entry into Vitoria. Eventually Soult (Karl) made a massive cavalry charge on the advancing British. We thought it would go well, but to our shock, the British repulsed the assault!!! Cannon fire and musketry erupted around Vitoria. British attacks were stalled. We were holding but at great cost. My Division was inching toward the Bridge on our right, attempting to close that route.
In the end I had some casualties but my Division was intact. All regiments were still in the fight. That is how I ended this campaign.
In conclusion: The fight was hard. The British troops were of high quality. They knew how to fight. We managed to hold Vitoria and to cover the Baggage train while it rumbled down the road. The Players were great. Everyone helped to navigate the rules and to make sure everything was done right. I think I would play a Cavalry Division again. It had different options than what I usually play. Thanks to everyone who organized and played this Campaign! It was fun!
To: The Right Honorable Field Marshal, The Marquess of Wellington, G.C.B.
Headquarters, Army of Spain
From: Major-General, Count Alten
Commanding Light Division
La Guardia, Spain – 18th October, 1813
Subject: After Action Report – Battle of Vittoria
My Lord,
In compliance with your orders, the Light Division was directed to leave Torquemada with all possible haste and to proceed by way of Burgos, thence turning eastward through Santo Domingo towards La Guardia, with the object of outflanking the enemy at Vittoria or, should fortune favor, cutting off Marshal Soult’s force before it could effect a junction with the troops already assembling near Vittoria.
The march was conducted with great rapidity, and no enemy opposition was encountered upon the main road. Upon reaching Logroño, the bridge over the Ebro was seized without resistance, to the evident satisfaction of the local inhabitants. A detachment of Portuguese was left to secure this crossing; however, I regret to report that these men subsequently abandoned their post to indulge in a wine cellar within the town, a matter for which their officers have been suitably reprimanded. Delays occasioned by the local guides impeded our progress somewhat, yet the division continued its advance toward Vittoria from the southeast. At that time, Lieutenant-General Leith’s 5th Division was already engaged upon the western bank of the river at Vittoria, whilst the Guards were observed moving upon the principal bridge.
Before Vittoria came into view, a large French column appeared on the southwest road in evident retreat, hotly pursued by Major-General Ponsonby’s cavalry brigade, who immediately fell upon their rear with admirable vigor. The enemy made several disorderly attempts to form a rearguard but were dispersed under heavy cloud of smoke by the spirited charges of the Guard and Dragoon regiments, who distinguished themselves in the action. With scarcely a casualty, our calvary pressed forward upon Vittoria while the 7th Division followed our light division in support. A brief conference with the Earl of Dalhousie determined that his division was no longer required in this quarter, and he accordingly proceeded eastward upon the road to Pampeluna in hopes of intercepting the enemy’s line of retreat.
We continued to march to the sound of cannon fire but still had not encountered a frog. The Riflemen of the 95th, under Major Sharpe, displayed their usual zeal in pressing the advance. French cavalry, deployed as a screen before the town, presented a considerable hazard to our light troops as we advanced, but to our surprise, soon withdrew behind the river. This enabled the 95th to push down the highway and trap the retreating French, permitting Ponsonby’s squadrons to wheel right and engage the enemy beyond the river, thus clearing the approach to Vittoria. Simultaneously, Leith’s men forced a passage at the bridge, taking numerous prisoners who complained of confused orders and the miserable condition of Bonaparte’s army.
At approximately 3:34 in the afternoon, after a forced march, the Light Division came into full contact with the enemy. Under covering fire from Major Sympher’s King’s German Legion battery, the 1/95th, 2/95th, and 1/52nd regiments assaulted the town walls with great gallantry. Though momentarily repulsed, they re-formed and renewed the attack with resolution, the men held firm. Particular distinction is due to the 1/43rd Light Infantry, who charged a French battery and for a brief time held the guns. The enemy’s canister fire proved too severe, and they were compelled to withdraw, suffering the heaviest casualties sustained by the division that day.
As dusk approached and ammunition grew scarce, the division maintained its position in good order, continuing to skirmish along the town’s edge. With the enemy hemmed in and Ponsonby’s cavalry repelling a counter-attack upon our right, I am confident that, had daylight permitted, we should have advanced upon Bayonne itself. I must, however, express my disappointment at the conduct of the Portuguese detachment left at Logroño, whose failure to maintain their post rendered our flank exposed and the French to sprint to Burgos. Appropriate disciplinary measures have been taken.
God Save the King!
From the memoirs of General Vilatte
ME:
French general Villate's division of the Armee du Sud received orders upon arriving late to headquarters. They were to follow General Leval's division up the main road south of the Ebro from Tudela. Villate did not like these orders, as he felt a move north would be more appropriate to the strategic situation. Villate felt that there were too many chokepoints along the route proposed by Joseph, and the force would never be able to rejoin the Army, slowed, and defeated in detail. Villate then observed in his initial movement Level's division halted by British Commanders Byng's division at Calahorra, and Bing having an open path across the Ebro to Pamplona. Villate immediately turned his division North and marched parallel to Bing, reaching Pamplona first, setting up a defense on interior lines outside the city, attempting to also keep open the road to Vittoria where he believed the large part of French forces would be. Before night fell in Pamplona, the fight was joined-both the French and British had been reinforced in relatively even numbers, the British having a disadvantage in artillery while the French, operating on interior lines, held Pamplona and the defense line east of the river.
Prompt to AI: Write this up as if you were General Vilatte, in the first person, and make Villate an excellent commander, a frustrated egomaniac, and someone who speaks his mind regardless of others.
Here’s a dramatized first-person account, written as if you were General Villate himself—brilliant, perceptive, but also uncensored, egotistical, and frustrated with the incompetence of others.
AI
Memoirs of General Villate, Armee du Sud
I arrived at headquarters later than I would have liked, only to be greeted with orders that reeked of mediocrity. Joseph’s staff, in their infinite wisdom, directed me to trail behind Leval’s division along the main road south of the Ebro from Tudela. A child could see the folly in this. That road was a death trap—narrow defiles, bridges that could be held by a handful of men, and every chance for the enemy to cut us off and destroy us piecemeal.
But of course, no one listens to Villate until disaster is already upon them. I have long since grown accustomed to being the only man in the room who sees the board as it truly is.
As we began our march, I observed Leval’s division halted, checked by Byng’s British at Calahorra. Worse still, Byng had a clear path across the Ebro to Pamplona. Did no one else grasp the danger? Did no one else see that if Pamplona fell, the road to Vitoria—and the heart of our communications—would be severed?
I did not hesitate. I turned my division north at once, parallel to Byng’s advance. My men, though weary, followed with the discipline I demand of them. We reached Pamplona first, and there I established my defense—interior lines, the city at my back, the river before me. It was the only rational course, though I am sure Joseph’s staff will call it insubordination. Let them. History will remember who saved the army, not who shuffled papers at headquarters.
Byng arrived soon after, his redcoats reinforced, but so too were we. The numbers were near equal, though his artillery was laughably inadequate compared to mine. He pressed, as the English always do, with stubborn courage but little imagination. We held firm east of the river, my guns tearing gaps in his lines, my infantry maneuvering with precision.
It was not merely a battle for Pamplona—it was a battle for the very cohesion of the French forces in Spain. And it was I, Villate, who saw it, who acted, who seized the initiative while others dithered.
Do not mistake me: I am weary of carrying the burden of foresight alone. I am weary of generals who cannot see beyond the next hill, of kings who fancy themselves commanders. But if destiny has chosen me to be the mind that preserves France’s honor in this theater, then so be it. I will bear the weight.
And when the histories are written, let them say: It was Villate who saved Pamplona. It was Villate who kept the road to Vitoria open. It was Villate who saw what others could not.
Here’s a more polished, memoir style version—something Villate might have written years later, reflecting on his own brilliance with a mixture of pride and bitterness:
Memoirs of General Villate
It was in the autumn of our Spanish campaign that I was summoned, belatedly, to headquarters. The orders awaiting me were as uninspired as they were dangerous: I was to follow General Leval’s division along the road south of the Ebro from Tudela. To march blindly into that corridor of defiles and bridges was to invite ruin. The enemy would have needed only a fraction of their strength to halt us, while the rest of their army struck at our flanks.
I knew it at once. Others did not. Such is the curse of command when one’s vision exceeds that of one’s peers.
As we moved, I saw what I had predicted unfold: Leval’s division checked at Calahorra, Byng’s British pressing hard, and—most damning of all—Byng with a clear path across the Ebro to Pamplona. To allow him to seize that city would have been to sever our communications with Vitoria and imperil the cohesion of the entire French presence in the north.
I did not wait for permission. I turned my division north, parallel to Byng’s advance. My men, though fatigued, marched with the urgency I demanded of them. We reached Pamplona first. There, I established my defense: the city at my back, the river before me, my artillery massed to dominate the approaches. It was the only rational course, though I knew well that Joseph’s staff would call it arrogance, or worse, insubordination.
Byng arrived soon after, reinforced, but so too were we. The numbers were near equal, though his artillery was paltry compared to mine. He attacked with the stubborn courage of his nation, but courage alone cannot overcome sound dispositions. We held the line east of the river, our guns tearing gaps in his ranks, our infantry maneuvering with precision.
That day at Pamplona was not merely a contest of arms—it was the fulcrum upon which the fate of the campaign balanced. Had I obeyed my orders, the road to Vitoria would have been lost, and with it the cohesion of the Army of the North. Instead, by my judgment and my will, the army was preserved.
I confess to weariness. It is no small burden to see so clearly when others are blind, to act decisively while others hesitate. Yet if destiny has chosen me to bear that weight, I accept it. Let the courtiers whisper of arrogance; let the timid call me reckless. History will remember otherwise.
It will remember that at Pamplona, when others faltered, it was Villate who saw, who acted, who saved the army.
From the Journal of Major-General W. Ponsonby
Ponsonby and his Cavalry departed from the Northeastern edge of Burgos without incident. They made good use of the major roads placing the heavy Cavalry in march column to the rear protected by an initial screen of light Cavalry in column. He planned for speed and unconstrained aggression. The Division came within sight of Pancorba and immediately made visual contact with a contingent of French Cavalry. A small division sized element stretched along the primary road traveling southwest toward Burgos. Their lead elements were nearing the last village before the route swung them down to Burgos. Ponsonby deliberated over a hasty charge with his light Cavalry, but before he could the French turned and rapidly withdrew on the primary road back Pancorba proper and then from there made their way quickly to the Northeast
Knowing he had two infantry divisions close behind Ponsonby did not let up on his drive Northeast after the French and toward Vittoria. Seeing the surprise in the French Cavalry he moved rapidly toward Pancorba and forgoing his original orders on wards toward Vittoria. Ponsonby was determined to exploit an unprepared enemy and gain a foothold north of the Ebro River for the infantry divisions to utilize. The French Cavalry were soon out of sight as they continued toward Miranda.
Ponsonby regained enemy contact upon arriving at Miranda and was forced back by a sizeable infantry division. Soon after he was able to rendezvous with Picton and the 3rd Division, and without hesitation both divisions plunged into Miranda confident that they could force the enemy back to Vittoria and make a rapid push for the city. As expected, the French withdrew and began a defense in depth of Vittoria
Ponsonby led the British into view of the city and as the French positions came into view, he realized that Lief and Alten were already within sight of the city as well. Now three divisions who had not been ordered to take Vittoria were staring down the Cities French defenders with a possible two more divisions behind. Ponsonby wondered if this was problematic but there was a fight to be had.
The heavy Cavalry led the formation as they moved into the French defenders. The 1st Regiment LifeGuards on the right Flank and then 5th Dragoon Regiment on the left each supported by a contingent of light Cavalry. The heavy Cavalry made a short charge into the advancing French Cavalry who were deployed in mirror match to their British counter parts, while the horse artillery made havoc on the infantry between the two units. The Elite British heavy Cavalry crushed the French Cavalry without much to do and then turned inward on the infantry and artillery.
Ponsonby’s Cavalry was able to shave off a few infantry regiments who seemed too shocked to form square before destroying the supporting artillery battery. The French began to regain their composure and formed square as Ponsonby and his men road through the ranks. Finding a lack of easy targets and satisfied that the infantry had no choice but to beat a slow withdrawal back to Vittoria itself Ponsonby ordered his men to bypass the slowly withdrawing squares for Picton and Dalhousie’s guns to pick apart.
Ponsonby saw Alten now had a clear path for his men to move up toward Vittoria but could see the French Cavalry he had chased off earlier in the day massing to Northeast of Vittoria looking poised to come down on the light division as they moved to the city. He reformed his Cavalry with the heavy Cavalry on the right flank and moved up in a column of regiments to face the French Cavalry. He repelled their charge and counter charged destroying or running off much of the French Cavalry division freeing up Alten to Advance on Vittoria.
It was around this time that news came that the French had defeated a blocking force to the south and cut supply lines in Burgos. Rumors began to circulate that Wellington had been captured. Frustrated, but without other options, the forces around Vittoria made a desperate push to seize the city. During this time Ponsonby became over extended and a light Cavalry formation that had escaped his earlier thrashing was able to overrun a horse artillery battery that was firing on Vittoria. Despite this being the only casualty of the day and the relative good spirits of the men, the writing was on the wall with the loss of Burgos they would have to collapse their positions and either return to Santander or Burgos to ensure the security of supply and an evacuation route.
** I have foregone a report for Picton as he played a relatively small role due to the success of Ponsonby’s heavy Cavalry. His division marched hard without relent and little to no resistance along the main road from Burgos directly to Vittoria. They mopped up two infantry regiments that had been left by the Cavalry and made it to the edge of Vittoria itself without sustaining a single casualty. Then of course calamity befell Wellington in Burgos and things began to falter. **
The Defense of Pamplona
October 19th, 1813
Headquarters, Armee du Sud, Pamplona
Your Majesty, my King!
Herein I report to you how magnificently the Armee du Sud fought for you and the Empire's glory in the recent battle against Wellesley and the combined British and Portuguese armies.
Per your instructions, Pamplona was vital to the success of the campaign and must be held at all costs. In the following you can see how Pamplona should have been fortified.
Instead, when my forces arrived, we found its defenses in the decrepit state seen below. Clearly nothing but flesh and courage would hold the place. However, be assured My Majesty, that my men and I had the ample quantities required.
[Note: the so-called 'Fortifications of Pamplona' is a bit of a private joke with the GM... :].
Campaign Plan
My initial plan was based upon the best maps I could extract from the local monasteries and town archives. It required much "persuasion" to obtain what I could, as I am sure Your Majesty understands these matters. As you can see marked on the map below, Pamplona's defense is best attended by commanding the crossings of the Ebro River at Longrano, Calahorra and Tudela. I felt I could count on Villate and the other troops stationed towards Zaragoza to cover the upper crossings around Tudela. That left Longrono and Calahorra my responsibility. I also felt it important to link up with our forces to the west and north to assure no paths were left unguarded for enemy to slip through. If enemy succeeded in crossing the Ebro, it would be necessary to swiftly move and strike the crossing forces in flank before they could establish themselves on our side of the river. As such, I planned to hold a central reserve ready to move as needed to aid either my main force or delay the enemy as might be called for by the developing situation.
On receiving your orders to march, I sent reconnaissance parties on all roads and trails to inform me of their state and direction as well as the general nature of the countryside.
Reconnaissance Reports
My scouts soon reported, and as I had feared, the countryside and routes of march corresponded poorly to the maps in hand. In particular, you can see from the corrected map below where essential nexus were located.
Daricau was heard muttering, "The map is not the territory. The map is not...".
Initial Operations
I directed my main forces to the southwest, anticipating the Pamplona SW road would most likely be a direct route to the Longrono bridge.
Reports soon returned indicating that my southwest road out of Pamplona led to Vittoria, and that it seemed the road to Longrono had been washed out and no longer existed. I reasoned that if there was no direct route from Pamplona to Longrono, then the reverse was likely true, and I need not fear a direct enemy push from there.
As I had not yet received the scouting reports to my south, I decided to head to the northwest, expecting to link with our forces at Vittoria (T6) and possibly San Sebastian (T9). I felt it also urgent that I personally survey the northern routes to ascertain the likely threats of those enemy approaches.
I found the Pamplona (T13) region directly connected to Tolosa (T10), at which locale we briefly encountered General Cassagne (Russ L.). He informed us he was covering San Sebastian (T9) and was headed for Vittoria (T6), so it seemed our northern flank was well secured.
With Toloso (T10) and Vittoria (T6) well covered, I returned to Pamplona (T13), with the southern Pamplona approaches being my greatest concern.
By now all my scouts had returned and the Pamplona roads led as shown below:
Daricau Covers (one...) Southern Pamplona Approach
The campaign having been commenced for some time now, and yet not yet having encountered enemy to my north or west, clearly the south seemed by far the most vulnerable. Unfortunately the southern route was somewhat treacherous of passage and I suffered delays in getting through Tafalla (X12) while heading for where my reconnaissance had indicated was the Tudela (T11) crossing of the Ebro River. An area I fear I had not kept careful watch upon.
Sure enough, on emerging from the Tafalla (X12) defile I found the leading elements of Packenham (Brian C.) had taken Tudela (T11) and were nigh upon crossing the Ebro. I immediately deployed my troops to thwart Packenham's further movements.
So we stayed for some hours, engaging in a few meaningless artillery duels.
At this point, General Gazan, as commander of the Armee du Sud felt I did not need my full force in keeping Packenham in check [I, ahem, was playing both Daricau and Gazan]. Gazan ordered that I create a reserve back at Tafalla (X12). There it covered my rear to Pamplona, and could quickly respond to threats to any of Pamplona (T13), Calahora (T7) or reinforce me at Tudela (T11). General Gazan took these forces under his direct command. This proved wise as several times, Packenham, seeing my reserve forces head north, tried forcing an Ebro crossing, leading me to bring them immediately back and discouraging his further movements. Several times this happened and it was at this point, again under truce, I pointed out the futility of his moves and that his wasting of his time at the Ebro crossing simply played into French hands.
Which in fact was soon to be shown that it did.
Decision at Calahora (T7)
So, late in the afternoon, once again Gazan returned my reserve to Tafalla (X12). On returning, Gazan thought it wise to send his Dragoons to check on the Calahora (T7) Ebro crossing. The Dragoons arrived to discover they were in perfect position to seriously threaten British Lieutenant-General Cole's left rear. Cole was deployed north of the Ebro with French trying to force a crossing to get at Cole [sorry - I forget who the French commander was].
The Dragoons threatened Cole's flank and rear, which should force him to turn a goodly portion of his forces, thereby aiding the fellow French commander. To strengthen the threat, Gazan brought in the rest of Daricau's reserve from Tafalla (X12). [Note: Failed to take photos, sigh.]
Cole remained oblivious to the threat, thinking no doubt a stream between him and Gazan was impassable and so would protect his left flank. [As an experienced player, I at that point suspected the British player did not realize the stream was crossable, so I pointed this out to him. But, he still made no adjustments.] The rest was history as Gazan's Dragoons charged across the stream and routed Cole's left flank. This allowed the other French forces to quickly cross and finish Cole's destruction.
Meanwhile matters had developed at Tudela (T11) and Daricau desperately needed his reserve returned.
The Tide Turns at Tudela (T11)
Late in the day, Daricau learned that besides the bridge at Tudela (T11), a ford existed across the Ebro slightly upstream. Not having initially realized this, Daricau had neglected it, though Packenham's activity thereabouts should have alerted Daricau. A serious blunder on Daricau's part. Even though not seemingly marked on the field of battle, it was pointed out that the ford was indeed marked on the map.
Sacrebleu! Who knew?
The map WAS the territory!
Packenham Masterfully Forces a Crossing of the Ebro
Still, a blunder on Daricau's part not to cover the ford even after being made aware of its existence. Easy victory all day had lulled him into inattention.
Late in the afternoon, Packenham's scouts informed him that Daricau's reserve was obviously gone - tied up elsewhere. [Brian could see me running back and forth like a crazy man between the Tudela and my other table (Calaphora...).] Packenham formulated a plan using both the bridge and ford to outflank Daricau's rather diminutive covering force. Even seeing the obvious British preparations, Daricau was slow in responding, far too late in rushing forces to cover the ford. With half of Packenham's forces across at the ford and the other half able to cross the bridge, Daricau saw a delaying action followed by retreat to Pamplona as his best move. At this point he recalled his reserve from Gazan, the two forces precisely timing their simultaneous arrival at Tafalla (X12). At least the Daricau's troops still knew how to march.
Retreat to Pamplona
Mon Deu! Daricau's return to Pamplona shows him a battlefield in massive disarray. Clearly he should have kept a better eye on Pamplona. Yet another failure on his part.
Daricau returns to discover Villate (Rob P.) has brilliantly intuited that the battle must lie at and that he must protect Pamplona. Without Villate's prescience, Daricau would have been, to use the Brit phrase, humbugged. And from behind, no less.
At Pamplona in front of Daricau, Villate holds the bridges before Pamplona, the British Major-General Byng (Mitch A.) is to Daricau's left, and almost worst of all, Dalhousie's (Doug O.) very strong and fresh force is entering from Vittoria (T6) (apparently via X13). Not to mention that Packenham's men are in hot pursuit directly behind Daricau. Clearly Daricau must join up with Villate and hold off the coming concentric attack on Pamplona.
[A note on special DZ rules here: As those who have participated in our SnapCon events know, Deployment Zones (DZs) are strips at table edges, 4" wide by 6-to-12 inches long. They act as"teleportation zones" delineating areas where troops transport from one table to another. When one force, such as Brian's Packenham is "chasing" another (i.e., Daricau), the chasing force has to wait for the leading force to clear the table's DZ before the chasing force can also enter the table via that same DZ. Think of it as in effect, the lead force has left behind a "rear guard" that holds up the chasing force. Note that the chased force must exit the DZ as soon as possible so it cannot indefinitely hold back its pursuers.]
[Unfortunately, again, I forgot to take pictures during the following mix-up.]
Daricau's basic concept was to delay the British just long enough for night to fall and end the battle with his force intact and Pamplona still in French hands.
On Daricau's first entering the battlefield, Byng was the only British force on the board. Byng, seeing he was outnumbered two-to-one, timidly withdrew to a defensive perimeter at the table edge. However, very shortly, Dalhousie showed up to Byng's left, and Byng received word of Packenham's imminent arrival. [Damn that table talk!!] Even though he had to cross the Arga River to do so, Byng went over to attack mode, vigorously striking frontally at Villate and also at Daricau's left flank [the Arga is the one river in the photos].
Daricau's forces move out of the Deployment Zone at Pamplona
The vigor of Byng's attack unbalanced Daricau's intended containment against the arriving Packenham. As such, Packenham and Byng were soon threatening to put Daricau in a trap of Byng's hammer against Packenham's anvil. Meanwhile, Dalhousie's well-handled force was preparing to crush Villate's right flank. Only adroit handling of the Initiative Die Roll [we lucked out twice in a row on getting the Initiative we needed...] and the fall of night saved what most certainly would have been the destruction of Daricau and Villate and the certain fall of Pamplona.
Not Daricau's most sterling hour.
All credit to the respective British commanders for a masterfully fought battle!
Your humble servant,
Augustin Darricau, General de Divison
(Aka James Sulzen)
Spanish Reign or Rain? SnapCon 11
by Russ Lockwood
C'mon folks, sing along with me...
It's Snappy Nappy time,
It's Snappy Nappy time,
Oh what a great design,
It's Snappy Nappy time!
Let's give a rousing cheer,
'Cause Snappy Nappy's here.
It's time to start the game,
We're glad you came!
For those who don't recognize the tune, try this YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1USHuud5i8
Seriously? Oh Yeah!
Time for another SnapCon and another rousing Snappy Nappy Napoleonic Campaign in a Day multi-player, multi-table. This one brought us to 1813 Spain, courtesy of GM Mike Seibert and Assistant GMs Peter Anderson and Mark T. James S. overcame printer problems to create custom nametags. All of the above created the terrain on the 14 tables (13 single tables and one double table).
Assistant GM's Peter and Mark (in the fancy duds!)
The French are on the run back to France with a massive wagon train of loot. The British, Portuguese, and Spanish are hard on their heels, trying to trap the French before they can escape over the border.
James C was French C-in-C Joseph Bonaparte while Steve T was Allied C-in-C Arthur Wellesley (future Duke of Wellington). With 21 players across 14 tables, the game featured plenty of maneuvering and combat.
I should mention that for this game, like the 1809 Italy game from years ago, Mike dropped the scale from brigade per unit to regiment per unit.
Special French rules for this Campaign in a Day game: the wagon train of French loot moves 3d6 inches every 15 minutes and blocks road march of any other unit. Clausel's Division (five infantry units and one artillery unit) starts in reserve at Bayonne. Joseph may split it apart and order these units to become garrisons in any town if he so desires. French messages have a 5% chance of failing to get thru due to the all-pervasive Spanish guerrillas and a chance of being captured.
Other than that, it's usual Snappy Nappy rules.
Partisans
Did I mention the Spanish partisans? They were abstracted out, appeared on certain tables, and posed quite the dilemma for the French. You had to garrison every town with an actual unit (regiment). As a division commander, do you give up units for garrison duty to keep the supply lines open, or, keep units on the front line to combat the British? If you fail to garrison the towns and villages behind the lines, you risk a supply roll -- and failure impacts all your division's units and other units ahead of you, too.
And because all players are playing in the same campaign, failed supply rolls on one table impacts other tables. Decisions, decisions.
Historical Situation
By June 1813, the British have retaken Madrid and driven the French back beyond Burgos. Napoleon ordered Joseph to make a stand and defeat Wellesley. The neutral Austrians were watching such battlefield developments closely and were considering which side to join.
Worse, Napoleon took 25,000 troops out of Spain to defend Germany. This left Joseph with about 68,000 men. Joseph has pulled back to what he hoped was a smaller perimeter to defend in the northern part of Spain -- a line on the River Ebro. If Joseph can't turn back Wellesley, defeat will embolden all of Napoleon's enemies to join the anti-French Coalition and doom the Empire.
On the Allied side, Wellesley's campaign of 1813 saw his combined British, Portuguese, and Spanish army of 79,000 strike northward towards Burgos without allowing Joseph's French armies to concentrate. Wellesley’s troops marched hard to cut the French off from the road to the Pyrenees Mountains, Bayonne, and France.
As for the Spanish, the people rose up against the invader, having been encouraged from the British success in the prior year.
Tasks At Hand
Joseph needs to repel the British Army approaching the French frontier, and if possible, recapture Burgos -- the main city on the British supply line that extends all the way back into Portugal. He also needs to avoid a major defeat, as that likely would persuade Austria to join the coalition forces in Germany.
For the French, the force is divided into three armies: Army du Portugal (Reille), Army du Midi (Drouet aka D'Erlon), and Army du Sud (Gazan). These commanders will provide additional rally capabilities for their respective army only. In addition, they would be the senior commander on the table for initiative rolling.
Wellesley needs to capture the major cities on the main road to the border and toss the French out of Spain. Capturing Bayonne, the main French supply source, would be even better.
The British Army is split into three wings, with Wellington in command of one of them. The allies are composed of veteran British regulars and Portuguese troops.
The main road includes Vitoria, Tolosa, and San Sebastian tables. Additionally, the important cities of Pamplona and Bilbao will be included.
Who, Me?
I wasn't picky about which side to be on, so it turned out I would be French. When asked which command I would like, I picked the one under Général de division Cassagne.
Why?
It had the lowest rated troops of all French divisions. Usually, each command gets a mix of troops from Elite to Conscript, and sometimes a Militia added in. However, all my troops were Seasoned. That means it was a fragile division and had to be handled very carefully. Much would depend on where Joseph Bonaparte sent me. What can I say, I like a challenge.
I started at San Sebastian.
A Quick Campaign-in-a-Day Overview
Snappy Nappy Campaign-in-a-Day features multiple players battling across multiple tables in one big game. In this case, GM Mike split northern Spain into 14 4x6-foot battlefield tables. The first two turns are synchronized across all battlefield 14 tables, but starting on Turn 3, each table runs its own Turn sequence.
In a regular SN C-ina-D game, moving off of one battlefield table immediately puts you on another, although that is almost never the adjacent table. Credit James S with creating Transit Zones marking table entry and exit points and a system of coordinating entering troops with the table's Turn Sequence.
OK, now for Mike's wrinkle.
Last year, Mike GMed and created a Transit Table system where exiting off one battlefield table sent you to a middle table with lots of Transit "tables" containing 3x5-inch cards that matched that specific exiting numbered Transit Zone. The card directed you to either another battlefield table (no waiting), or, to a "Transit Table" -- an 8.5x11-inch sheet of paper representing a named geographic area in between the 4x6-foot battlefield tables. If you landed on one, you had to stay 5 real-time minutes. There was a log sheet to fill out and an official GM clock to mark the 5 minutes.
And another Mike wrinkle:
In the regular SN C-ina-D game, when a player's troops were the only ones on the battlefield table, the owning player would run through the Turn Sequence rather quickly, and move rather quickly. "Warp speed" was the slang used, although I termed it a strategic surprise, or being "humbugged" so to speak.
Mike wanted none of that. In his game, a player had to wait 5 minutes between moves to eliminate the warp speed.
So, with those wrinkles in mind, on to the campaign. The time was about 11:00 am in real time.
Oh, one last point: When I give a Turn number, that number only applies to my force. Since all tables follow the Turn sequence independently of other tables, all I can give is my own impression of time.
My 25mm Troops
Division: Général de division Cassagne (Dashing Commander: +1)
16th Légère Regiment (Light Troops) Seasoned
17th Légère Regiment (Light Troops) Seasoned
8th Line Regiment Seasoned
9th Line Regiment Seasoned
51st Line Regiment Seasoned
52nd Line Regiment Seasoned
53rd Line Regiment Seasoned
54th Line Regiment Seasoned
Nassau Chasseur à Cheval Regiment (Cavalry) Seasoned
Foot Battery 6lbr Artillery Seasoned
Foot Battery 12lbr Artillery Seasoned
These all started inside San Sebastian city limits. It was a tight fit, but that's where they started.
Let The Operations Begin
I was about to send a pair of regiments (units) to garrison the two towns (Irini and Ernami) on the table when all of a sudden, two units of reinforcements arrived from Bayonne to do the garrisoning for me. Thanks, King Joseph Bonaparte.
The King ordered me to Tolosa, the next table over, so I shook out into road column. The main road was fast enough and I soon had my light cavalry leading the infantry and artillery.
About this time, I was awarded a great honor -- I also became Corps Commander D'Erlon (Drouet – Charismatic commander +2). This also posed a dilemma and an opportunity. The dilemma was how to be two players in one, but the opportunity was to be able to split my entire force so I could cover two roads exiting the San Sebastian table.
Obeying orders, I sent Cassagne down the main southwest road with most of the force towards Tolosa while D'Erlon took three infantry units west.
Cassagne's Countermarch
By Turn 4, I headed off the San Sebastian table and onto the Tolosa table, with the next turn finding me at the outskirts of the city. No enemy troops were on the table, although I did meet Daricau's troops, who turned around and headed back to Pamplona.
As per Joseph's orders, I marched towards Vittoria on the main road. On Turn 7, I passed through Tolosa. Turn 8 (12:08 pm by my notes) I was most of the way across the battlefield table. On Turn 10, I was off the Tolosa battlefield table and deep into a Transit table.
On Turn 13, my advance elements arrived on the (doublesized) Vittoria table. Turn 14 saw my troops move off road to make sure the wagon train of loot could pass.
On Turn 15, Corp Commander Reille, who is the tactical overall commander on the Vittoria battlefield table, gave me a verbal order to head back to Tolosa.
What?
This contradicts King Joseph's order and initial reports say a large British and Spanish force was slowly surrounding the city. Reille is also not in my superior -- D'Erlon is. Yes, as a player, I am also D'Erlon, but that commander and his small force are far away, not on the Vittoria battlefield table. Still, the umpire noted in pre-game briefing that corp commanders were the "C-in-Cs" of the table they were on.
I, of course, protested. I was ordered to Vittoria. Reille noted he was a marshal and ordered me back to Tolosa. Apparently, he was better informed about the overall situation in Spain than I was and mentioned a threat to Tolosa -- which would cut off all our forces.
Well, my marshal was nowhere to be seen and Reille the marshal gave me a direct order to protect the route back to France. Tolosa was part of that route, so I turned around and sent my units back off the table.
All during my march, I was sending messages back to King Joseph apprising him of my progress. I can't say I knew what his specific plan was, but I can definitely say no plan survives contact with the enemy.
D'Erlon's Drive
Back to D’Erlon, who had taken the west road from the San Sebastian table.
On Turn 6, D'Erlon and his three infantry regiments were in Durango (Transit Table). On Turn 9, he was all by his lonesome when his troops arrived on the Bilbao battlefield table. A French force under Surrat started in Bilbao, but where he and his troops were, I didn't know. All I knew was that the Bilbao table was empty except for me.
This is not a good thing for us French. That meant an entire northern route was open, as Surrat was the most western of the forces. I suspected he headed south towards Vittoria, or maybe angled southwest, but I was pretty sure he wasn't heading west.
With the importance of Bilbao in mind, as well as its location as a supply line, I left a garrison of one regiment (the 9th Legere). But what to do with the other two? Hold here? Go west? Go southwest? Go south?
On Turn 11, I received a reply from King Joseph to my previous message. The King ordered me to: "Advance to Burgos by any road I choose."
Ah. Decision made. D'Erlon and two regiments headed southwest and exited the Bilbao table.
On Turn 12, the first British troops arrived: 1st Division. One of these formations included the Coldstream Guards -- as good a unit as any Imperial Guard unit. The British tallied six regiments plus an artillery -- outnumbering me 2:1. You don't even want to know about the qualitative difference.
You do? OK. The base firing to hit number for all my Seasoned troops is 7+ on a d10. The Coldstream Guards is a 4+. The Brits also had an Elite regiment that hit on 5+, three Veteran regiments that hit on 6+, and one Seasoned unit that hit on 7+.
Did I mention the Veteran artillery? Egads! At least he didn't have cavalry.
On Turns 13 and 14, I watched the British advance on Bilbao. On Turn 14, D'Erlon arrived back on the Bilbao battlefield table with his two regiments -- a puny force in the face of a full division. The only good thing was this arrival was on the flank of the British, forcing them to send half his troops to face them. It was time for the Battle of Bilbao.
The Battle of Bilbao
I realized D’Erlon was outnumbered, outgunned, and out-experienced. The only thing I could do is try and outmaneuver the British.
I split my two southern regiments apart. One slowly backed into the village of Gdenes. The other slowly shifted to get atop a hill. I thought about running off table, but I realized that I was the only blocking force between the Brits and San Sebastian, which would cut off the French fighting at Vittoria, not to mention Cassagne at Tolosa. The French needed more bodies. D’Erlon recalled Cassagne to San Sebastian.
D'Erlon headed to a point between Bilbao and Gdenes to keep everyone in command.
The British under General Howard sent the Coldstream Guards and a Veteran regiment against Bilbao, but stopped short of engaging us French. Clever general! While I was busy loopholing the place, Howard brought up his artillery. I was about to be pounded.
The Battle of Bilbao
Back at Gdenes, the firefight was short and sweet. By Turn 19, both my southern units had routed. Gdenes was captured and so was the hill.
That left my 9th Legere in Bilbao. I sent my commander to take personal command. A massive lopsided firefight developed with two better British infantry units and an artillery unit pounding away at my one infantry regiment defending in a town.
Slowly, the bombardment nibbled away at the 9th Legere. D'Erlon was everywhere rallying his troops, so much so that he escaped injury with only a hole in his coat. Still, the end was inevitable.
On Turn 19, D'Erlon and the 9th were kicked out of Bilbao. They ran away in utter panic, holding on to minimal cohesion only by the force of D'Erlon. Even as they fled, D'Erlon rallied them. Before they exited the table, they turned to fight again on open ground.
Then the British 2nd division, primarily Portuguese under General Graham, arrived and marched hard for D'Erlon.
D'Erlon was clever. His back was to the Transit Zone. He could retrograde move into it. It was Turn 21. The British were surprised at the bold defense. If the 9th Legere couldn’t hold with the defensive benefits of the town, how could it hold in the open field.
Here’s where I pointed out to General Graham that if I could get a double turn and the British road march formation was close enough to hit and melee, I’d automatically wrack the lead unit and force a morale check on the artillery unit behind as it fled through the artillery. It’s a nuanced result of the melee rules and the British/Portuguese player should know about it. This is a friendly game.
Anyway, Graham paused to bring the artillery up. D'Erlon slipped away back to the Durango Transit Table and ultimately the San Sebastian battlefield table.
D'Erlon at San Sebastian - General Howard falls!
Cassagne's Last Line
As per orders, Cassagne left Tolosa and arrived back in San Sebastian to secure the road to Bayonne. By this time, D'Erlon's frantic efforts at a fighting withdrawal gave Cassagne time to set up a last line.
General Darmagnac arrived as well, and between the two division commanders, they set up a double line brimming with artillery and infantry. Cavalry was off on the left flank. It was Turn 23 (2:49pm real time).
At exactly this time, two conflicting orders arrived for Cassagne. One from King Joseph ordering him to Burgos and the other from Reille ordering him back to Vittoria.
Are you kidding me? Burgos? Did Joseph not read any of D'Erlon's messages about a British attack across the northern roads? Hmmm. Maybe the messages were captured by Spanish guerrillas?
How to choose which order?
Marshal Reille was far away and no longer in direct contact. D'Erlon was the direct commander and finally arrived on the San Sebastian battlefield table. D'Erlon countermanded Reille's order.
That left King Joseph's order. Well, the King never said how many troops to send, so D'Erlon took his now rallied 9th Legere and headed cross country towards Tolosa. He exited the San Sebastian battlefield table.
The Portuguese and British entered the table.
The Battle of San Sebastian
The Portuguese arrived on Turn 24 and made a beeline for Cassagne's waiting line of troops defending San Sebastian. The artillery duel was remarkably short. One Portuguese shot and half my artillery blew up right then and there and the gunners routed all the way back to Paris. Now the Portuguese sat and fired at my infantry with impunity. I sent a regiment towards the Portuguese artillery. It was pounded backwards and retreated through the gap I left. It pays to plan ahead.
The following British swung out to their right flank, which was the French left flank, and aimed at Darmagnac, who swung his cavalry wide to take cover behind a hill while maintaining his infantry and artillery line.
Together, the 12pder artillery of Cassagne and Darmagnac responded in the center. Darmagnac went after the Coldstream Guards, but the regiment stood firm despite the pounding.
D'Erlon rode to the sound of the guns with his one infantry unit, joined by Cassagne's Hussars unit. Darmagnac brought the Cuirassiers up and over the hill and charged a British infantry unit. It successfully formed a Hasty Square and sent the cavalry packing.
Meanwhile, the lone British cavalry unit with General Howard attached, faced the 9th Legere. In a twist of fate, and turn sequence for the magnificent (or dreaded) double turn, the Hussars charged the British cavalry in the rear and routed them. Howard tried to rally them, but a saber slashed him from his saddle and he was taken from the field wounded.
The British artillery fired at the 9th Legere, forcing it backwards while D'Erlon rallied it. Here again, D'Erlon escaped injury with yet another hole in his coat. He joked he had matching holes left and right.
About this time, the wagon train of loot appeared on the San Sebastian table.
Now? In the middle of a battle? I thought they had already passed by and were in France. My misconception!
The British artillery fired at the flank of the Hussars, routing them. British infantry closed on the 9th Legere and despite D'Erlon's heroic efforts, routed the 9th and D'Erlon back to Tolosa. The cattle and wagon train were plundered by the British.
End of Game
Here is where my tale of battle ends after 35 Turns.
The Battle of Bilbao was a fighting withdrawal.
The Battle of San Sebastian was a back and forth battle on the flank and a pounding firefight in the center. As I noted, Cassagne's division was fragile and I kept it intact as much as possible. But there was no place left to run.
Bayonne was secure. The road from Bayonne to Tolosa not so much.
That said, I had little idea what went on at other tables.
Debrief
A Campaign in a Day game is always, on purpose, a little confusing to an individual commander. I look forward to GM Mike's recap.
Best of what I could piece together amid loud victory celebrations… To my surprise, us French still held Vittoria (2 VP), although a huge battle was around it. We also held Pamplona (2 VP) and San Sebastian (1 VP). I believe we also grabbed Burgos (2 VP). I believe one French division was exhausted (-1 VP). That gave the French 6 VPs.
The British had taken Santander (1 VP).
The wagon train of loot was not worth any VPs to the British, only 1 VP to the French. Likewise, Bayonne was worth a whopping 10 VPs to the Brits, but no VPs to the French.
So it was a 6-1 French victory.
But wait! There's more!
In taking Burgos, we French apparently captured British C-in-C Wellesley -- the future Duke of Wellington, although with such a French victory in Spain and 2024’s SN C-ina-D French victory in 1813 Germany, maybe there wouldn't be such a promotion for Arthur or even a Waterloo. Burgos also served as the main British supply, so maybe the force falls back on the port of Santander -- another Corunna-style British evacuation as per 1809? Maybe the Austrians stay out of the Coalition, reducing the number of Coalition troops and possibly creating a negotiated peace?
Could I Do Better?
Of course, all players do as best they can at the time with the information and orders they have. I found it amazing that Cassagne marched a long way only to be ordered back to his starting point. The move turned out to be correct in terms of protecting Bayonne, even if the troops might have been better used elsewhere instead of marching back and forth. And in no way would they counter-counter march back to Vittoria or Burgos.
Those of you with knowledge of 1815 Waterloo know that D’Erlon was the corp that Napoleon ordered to march from Quatre Bras to Ligny, where, just as it arrived, D’Erlon’s immediate superior, Ney, ordered it back to Quatre Bras. Thus, it never got into either battle to the detriment of French fortunes.
So you can see how tabletop commanders could order the same counter-march as a historical commanders. What we have here is a failure to communicate, or maybe communicate too much. And it was a tad ironic that it was a division from tabletop D’Erlon’s Corp that did the tabletop counter-march.
Anyway, Cassagne was a fragile division. As we saw at Bilbao, Seasoned troops against Veteran troops is a challenge. Sprinkle in some Guard and Elite and you need to be lucky to hold. Fortunately, Darmagnac also had troops there. It would be a near run thing for the French to hold.
The one decision I debated about is whether to form a line at San Sebastian and give the Portuguese and British room to deploy, albeit requiring a number of turns to shake out of marching mode and into fighting mode, or, to form a line of battle close to the Transit Zone and crowd them before they can fully form up and spread out.
Darmagnac's cavalry would force British infantry into square, limiting mobility and buying more time. Yet getting to grips earlier with superior troops would likely cause considerable damage to French forces. It might have allowed the wagon train of loot to slip by, although VP wise, the +1 VP for loot would likely offset the -1 VP for a wracked division.
Guess I'll never know...maybe next time?
Another Great Campaign-in-a-Day
Once again, I enjoyed pushing troops across multiple tables and engaging in a fighting withdrawal (Bilbao) as well as a set-piece battle (San Sebastian). Judging from the cheers and groans, all enjoyed the fog of war of battling on multiple tables without knowing everything about every unit. That units could slip across tables to surprise the enemy in a strategic flank offers a glimpse into trying to coordinate forces across vast distances.
A big thank you to The Portal (60 Hilliard St., Manchester, CT 06042 -- 860-432-0711) for allowing us to use the backroom for our annual SnapCon. If you are anywhere near Hartford, CT, stop by. Besides a ton of new boxed games, fantasy and sci-fi miniatures, and gaming supplies, there's a large selection of used games for sale at various prices and new games at a 50% discount. I picked up one of the latter -- you'll undoubtedly hear about it in a future AAR.
A big thank you for GM Mike for putting the entire campaign together, Peter and Mark T for Asst GMing, James S for a quick overview of the rules, Mark T for supplying a mid-afternoon pizza lunch, and all the players who pushed troops and rolled dice to create a magnificent gaming experience.
Best Dressed Award: Mark T for his Jane Austen-worthy uniform. Runner up: GM Mike for adding a bicorne to his Russian uniform hoodie. Halloween came early!
More Info
The Portal: The website for the store:
https://www.theportalct.com/
Blunders on the Danube Blog: All the Snappy Nappy Campaigns in a Day OOBs, maps, and recaps and eventually this one, too.
https://blundersonthedanube.blogspot.com/
Campaigns In a Day and Downloadable Quick Reference Sheets:
https://blundersonthedanube.blogspot.com/p/campaigns-in-day.html
Snappy Nappy (To purchase):
Paper version: https://www.onmilitarymatters.com/product/1-190320
PDF version: https://www.onmilitarymatters.com/product/2-190320
Paper version in UK: https://www.caliverbooks.com/bookview.php?id=15996
Report of the 2nd Division, Headquarters at Aranda de Douro:
Major General Byng - Commanding
Situation: The army is about to make a push across the Ebro River and push the hated French out of
Spain. Everything seems in our favor. Napoleon has gambled his bid to take Russia and along with
that failed attempt has lost an army. He must get men somewhere and the largest source of trained men
is in Spain. The French must retreat out of Spain so they can replenish the veterans Napoleon has lost.
It is inconceivable that Joseph Bonaparte would go back to his brother and say, “I still have a
foothold in Spain - unfortunately I've lost the veterans in the attempt to hold onto that foothold.”
Napoleon would probably strangle his brother right there.
Lead Up: As we sit in Aranda de Douro there is speculation amongst the men and those officers in
my headquarters as to how the campaign will play out. The general feeling is that as the army is on
two parallel paths, each will head to their initial objectives. The right going to Vitoria and the left to
Santander with a pivot along the coast to outflank and cut off Vitoria. All the follow on units will
converge and move to the sound of the guns. Some may take secondary routes moving between those
two initial locations - but again, with the objective of cutting supply off from those locations.
Finally, no one is encouraged with the prospect of going east - (South of the Ebro). That's for two
reasons: first is that there's nothing south of the Ebro worth holding onto. Even the Spaniards don't
want to be there. Secondly, the main emphasis and the actual fight is expected to be north of the Ebro.
Fortunately, the 8th Division, which is also bivouacked at Aranda de Douro is part of our joint thrust
so we should have sufficient men to take whatever location we are to attack. Meanwhile, the time to
start marching is approaching and still no orders!
Orders: Finally, the day before we broke camp a courier comes with the orders. With anticipation I
read what the route of march would be. Puzzled, I read the message once again. We were to go to Soria
- alone - and then head north to get to the Ebro and finally to Pamplona. What? Why not go straight
north? Perhaps someone had written the orders wrong? But with no time left, as the orders
came in quite late, there was no time left to debate the matter. So we marched.
The Operation: We moved alone to Soria as the 8th Division was did not join us on the march to the
east.. The march was long, hard and grueling. But we made it there intact and in good spirits. We did not
dawdle in Soria but cleared the village on on way to Calahorra (Board 7) and immediately we saw
French soldiers coming. While there were no cavalry we could see, they had a lot of artillery. But
with our orders to get to Pamplona, I thought we could make it over the bridge and perhaps beat the
French to that objective - especially if they tried to engage my Division. Moments later it was obvious
that there was not one French Division, but two. Our men kept asking the same question - where was
the 8th division? Outnumbered and having a 4:1 artillery disadvantage, I sent messages to Wellington
hoping for some reinforcement. The General did what he could do but being so far off the beaten path
his reply was that he had sent forces to aid me but under no condition lose Calahorra as our supply line
went through it. There was no reference to my original orders, however. Did the general expect me to
get to Pamplona?
These were major questions and they remained unanswered - and all of these took time. Both French
Divisions were bearing down on me and I was trying to cross a bridge over the Ebro river - in order to
get to the objective: Pamplona. Having decided to cross the bridge it was obvious I had to defend my
rear and I did this with two infantry regiments and the only artillery I had. The French front Division
attacked. The French rear Division broke off, went over a secondary bridge and had the inside track to
Pamplona. And it was at this point that General Cole’s Division arrived on the scene.
We quickly assessed the situation and given our Divisions’ dispositions, General Cole would hold
Calahorra and our supply line and I would continue toward Pamplona.
Red Arrow: Disengaging British to move to Pamplona.
Black Arrow: Rearguard action to Hold Bridge. Yes
The only complication - and it was a big one - was that I had three units still engaged with a full
French Division led by General Leval (Bob Rossi). While it was an uneven battle in numbers, it was
exacerbated by the luck in battle that Bob had versus the anti-luck I had. My units shot well, as did the
French, but mine could not make a save [5 and 6 morale troops] while the French seemed to have
heaven shine down on them repeatedly. I was, thankfully, able to save one infantry unit, which crossed
the bridge and rejoined the column moving to Pamplona. The artillery, was unable to do the same. After
a couple of turns in which it did admirable work as a rear guard, it took one hit and disintegrated. [Rolls
of 2,2,2,3,2]. The last infantry unit out-distanced the French who consolidated around the bridge.
[Aside - with General Cole holding Calahorra I transferred the remaining infantry unit to him - later I
found it too, had been rendered hors de combat.] With my rear secure I moved on to the second phase
of the operation.
With my rear secure I moved on to the second phase of the operation. It took a few moves to exit the
map but the 2nd Division eventually moved to Estella. Now my chance of getting to Pamplona before
the French all but disappeared. I did, however, get to Pamplona. As some of my force entered the
staging area I saw that Pamplona had a small garrison and my French counterpart (General Villatte -
Rob Painter) probably encountering the same kind of delay as I did, was entering via a different
staging area (on the Pamplona board). Unfortunately, he was on interior lines, far closer to Pamplona
than I was and had a greater force then I had (with 2 artillery batteries!). I wrote back to Wellington,
once again asking for reinforcements. I was told some would be sent but it would take a very long
while to get there so . . . don't expect any soon. I considered going back to Estella and awaiting those
reinforcements but decided against it - even though there was a chance I would be cut to pieces by long
range artillery.
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When I got to the river with the cavalry, however, disaster struck. The French got reinforcements that
went into the staging area and those reinforcements had a among other things two units of cavalry.
But there was no reason to retreat my cavalry as they were causing some consternation among the
French who were trying to backtrack and cross the bridges back to Pamplona. And still I waited
reinforcements which finally came... a day late and a dollar short.
But they did arrive and so I had some choices, because as the French reinforcements came onto the
table, additional British reinforcements were to enter the staging area right in back of the French.
(Sorry - no picture was taken and as the intensity of action occurred I do not remember which General
actually arrived [ed nte - it was Packham, aka Brian ].) So, to set the stage, General Villatte had the
central portion of the river. I had my infantry on the other side of the river to his left, but my cavalry
unit was in his rear. My own reinforcements in the form of General Dalhousie's Division had entered
and was to his right center with his British Division. Because of this, General Villatte was trying to
retrograde his Division back across the river toward Pamplona - the prize! To support General Villatte
was the French Division (with cavalry) of General Daricau (James Sulzen). Finally, another British
Division was in the staging area about to come on - where James had just been. Hectic!!
I had four possible options:
1. Charge the French at the river and in conjunction with General Dalhousie, destroy the French
division on our way to Pamplona.
2. Let General Dalhousie handle the French at the river, cross the river and get James in a vice
between our new entering Division and my forces.
3. Hold my cavalry back and use it to threaten both French forces.
4. Charge General Villatte’s infantry trying to cross the bridge (in column) with my cavalry- destroy it
and bag half of his Division.
As it would play out every choice I made was wrong! I charged the cavalry into General Villatte’s
infantry coming off the bridge in column. He tried to form square and failed! But my dice continued to
fail me and the net of the charge was my cavalry lost two morale levels, and the infantry was
unscathed. I was hoping to ride through them but as events would happen my cavalry would be
destroyed by General Daricau’s heavy cavalry in the next turn.
Just prior to my infantry attack but after my was destroyed by James' Cavalry.
(At the road center of pic).
I also charged the half retreating units of General Villatte’s division. I say half retreating as some
were falling back but two units of artillery were not. I threw my men at the artillery and lost a number
of men. I tried against the other artillery piece just across the river and, in charging over the bridge, lost
a battalion. This was all with the expectation that General Dalhousie and the 7th Division would follow
up my lead and charge forward against the rest. I thought it was self evident that the two of us could
destroy that division but clearly that was not in his mind. He destroyed a two stand battalion with his
division and the rest of General Villatte’s Division escaped to enjoy a meal in Pamplona. I used a
further two battalions to cross the river and attack General Daricau’s infantry. I was making gains as
being in a vice between two advancing/attacking divisions is not a pleasant thing. You can't form
square as that's not a good plan and you must present a rear to one of those enemy divisions - so not
good! And then the campaign ended. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in taking Pamplona.
Aftermath: This was perhaps the most frustrating campaign I have been a part of. I thought everybody
tried their best but it just didn't happen. Whether it was the overall plan, the
communications throughout the campaign, or the dice of the individual commanders (me especially) -
it just didn't seem to go our way. I personally thought that on the tables I campaigned on, it seemed I
was off-step/out-played at every turn. In total I lost 1 infantry and 1 artillery unit against General Leval,
1 infantry unit against General Villatte and 1 cavalry unit against General Daricau. But I still retained
control of about 5 battalions.
I would like to congratulate the French and especially the 3 French players I had the pleasure to play
against - Bob Rossi, Rob Painter, and James Sulzen. They played honorably, fairly and well and thus
their efforts proved successful . One can not ask more of opponents in order to have an enjoyable
gaming day. Finally, I would like to thank the outstanding work done by thereferees with all that goes
into setting up the campaign, the tables, the Order of Battle and the million other things I have not
mentioned. Great work - as always.
Sincerely,
Mitch Abrams
Report of the Actions of His Majesty's 5th Division During the Recent Campaign in Northern Spain, Spring 1813
General Sir James Leith
To the fine gentleman of Parliament, I present to you the report of the 5th Division of His Majesty’s Army in Spain.
Our Division started in Melgar and after a prolonged morning tea, we made with off with great haste. Our orders were to march with the intent to take Vittoria. With alacrity we made off, and arrived at Aguilar de Campos, seeing the dust clouds of General Kenneth Alexander Howard’s Division marching North to Santander.
Moving North initially, the 5th made an Eastern movement towards Espinosa de Monteroi. Finding nothing of note to report there, our men had a pleasant stroll through the country with a lack of French presence. The 5th next moved on to Ordana with Vittoria in its sights.
The 5ths arrival upon Table Vittoria revealed a sight for glory seeking eyes. An large area full of French ready to be thrashed! This would be no easy fight, however. As the first British arrived, it appeared to be a tall order to send these Frogs back across the mountains. Opposing us was Général de Division Conroux and Général de Division Lamartiniere. They were spread around the city and the countryside in a defensive ring with local towns as garrison points.
In addition, Général de Cavalry P Soult had recently arrived in the area, seemingly in a fleeing in retreat. Perhaps this was a good sign for the day.
Soon after the 5ths arrival, Major-General Baron Alten arrived across the battlefield from ourselves, but Général de Division Conroux also arrived in the middle of the field, thus separating us. Cheerio, getting a mite crowded with lots of chaps on the field!
Starting the battle off, Leith’s Division began a methodical advance upon the local French Garrison in front of us, despite being pounded by vicious cannon barrage. No need to lose some of Britain’s finest in a skirmish. The defenders in the town of Durana were quickly swept aside, but as we advanced the French sent more troops across the river in support of their fleeing comrades. An opportune Cavalry charge into the rear of a French regiment was met with a stiff rebuttal in the form of a hasty square. Nevertheless, the British made quick work of those French on our side of the river.
While this occurred, Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton joined the fray, engaging Général de Division Conroux. After some vicious fighting, the British dragoons broke the French flanks causing a fighting withdrawal to occur. Leith's forces engaged a few Frogs facing us across the river with unsuccessful infantry assaults and more successful cannon fire.
Against the French facing Leith down on the way to Vittoria, the infantry assaults were much more successful. The preparation for the assault on the city was underway. However French Cavalry on the flanks caused our forces to halt and form up to face them. In addition, a heavy cannon in the city was stopping us from assembling in the staging ground. The remaining British forces were pushing their way forward on our right flank through tenacious retreating French squares, which held out even when surrounded. I regret to say that they even threw some of our Portuguese allies into retreat.
By this stage of the battle it was becoming apparent that the British Forces would soon overwhelm the French Garrison in Vittoria. Already Major-General Baron Alten was assaulting French positions in the city. The French left flank was in full retreat due to a magnificent British Cavalry action. It is with Regret that I must inform you that the remains of my Portuguese detachments then fled the field in the face of musketry, cannon and French elite Cavalry charges onto my flank. Although these Cavalry had the potential to threaten my rear, they could not stop our impending assault upon city.
Unfortunately, news then reached us of the loss of Burgos and of Lord Wellington's capture. This unhappy news caused the cessation of all combat for the day.
Respectfully submitted,
Major General Sir James Leith
(aka Sean Seibert)
First Contact - An Account of the Battle of Calahorra and beyond
as published in Le Moniteur Universel, by War Correspondent Mark T.
The British gain the initiative, and while some of Maj. Gen. Byng's rear guard infantry get off the first charge, Lt. Gen Hill proceeds over the bridge to where the infantry there are heading north (12:11pm).
Half the British attack is repelled, the other half seem to get stuck into their melee, and Byng's artillery try to move north if possible (12:21pm).
Gen. Leval's forces continue their push against Maj. Gen. Byng's remaining British at Calahorra, and not only does the French Gen Villate turn north to cross the most easterly bridge, a British division under the command of General Cole suddenly shows up on the scene just west of Lt. Gen. Hill's northerly marching column (12:45pm).
General. Leval and his troops prepare, and eventually takeover Gamonal from the British forces that were seeking to help Wellington and the troops that are garrisoning Burgos (4:08pm).
The assault on Burgos is initiated, the British soldiers can not withstand nor hold out, and the Duke of Wellington is captured (4:20pm).
General Leval humbly receives Wellington (4:21pm).
Being a Pictorial Account of the Late Great Battle of Vittoria
Sketches recorded by our War Corespondent, Mark T.
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