Victory Results:
 55 %
Record a victory for BOTTOM ARMY  45 %
Total plays 91 - Last reported by MajorPoldark on 2024-03-10 21:54:23

Medellín - 28 March 1809

Historical Background
General Cuesta’s army was retreating in the face of Victor’s advance after being forced out of its defensive positions on the Tagus River. On the 27th of March, Cuesta’s army was reinforced by the Duke of Albuquerque, and Cuesta decided it was time to fight. Cuesta’s plan was to strike both French wings and hope to catch the French army with their backs to the Guadiana River. Victor was outnumbered, but had veteran troops who knew how to win, so he willingly deployed for battle. Victor’s plan was to keep withdrawing his flanks closer and closer to the center until a powerful counter-attack could shatter the Spanish line.
Cuesta formed his infantry into one long, thin unbroken line since his greatest fear was that French cavalry could destroy his infantry if there were gaps in the line. At first, Cuesta’s plan seemed to be working. Lasalle’s position on the French left was at risk, but his men held on to their tenuous positions. Spanish infantry formations were also pushing forward against the French batteries on Latour-Maubourg’s hill position. Latour-Maubourg flung his cavalry into a counter attack, but the cavalry was forced into a disorganized retreat. As the Spanish infantry threatened to capture the French guns, Latour-Maubourg ordered his reformed cavalry to attack again – this time against the Spanish cavalry covering the end of the infantry line. Events now unfolded quickly. The French cavalry charge succeeded and the Spanish cavalry fled the field, exposing the thin Spanish line to a devastating flank attack. Cuesta’s left flank dissolved in panic. Lasalle and Villatte, seeing the opportunity, ordered a counter-attack that caught the right flank of the Spanish army between infantry to their front and cavalry to their flanks and rear. The result was a massacre. Entire battalions were destroyed as they tried to stand and fight, and the French cavalry showed no quarter in their pursuit of fugitives. Over 7,500 Spaniards became casualties. In the aftermath, Cuesta’s shattered army retreated to Monasterio.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

 

Set-Up Order

Hill 14
River 5
RiverBend 5
RiverBridge 1
Town 1

 

Battle Notes

Spanish Army
• Commander: Gregorio de la Cuesta
• 6 Command Cards
• Optional 2 Tactician Cards
• Move First

 

Line Infantry Light Infantry Grenadier Infantry Light Cavalry Heavy Cavalry Foot Artillery Leader
6 1 2 2 1 3 3

French Army
• Commander: Victor
• 5 Command Cards
• Optional 3 Tactician Cards

Line Infantry Light Infantry Light Cavalry Heavy Cavalry Foot Artillery Horse Artillery Leader
6 3 2 1 1 2 4

 

Victory
6 Banners

Special Rules
• The Spanish player’s hand size is reduced by one Command card for each banner lost. The cards lost are selected at random by the French player when each banner is lost. The Spanish player’s hand size, once it reaches three cards, will not be reduced further.

• The Spanish player may only form square with a maximum of two units during the battle.

• Spanish Guerrilla Action Rule is in effect. The Spanish player starts with one Guerrilla counter.

• The Guadiana and Hortiga Rivers are impassable except at the bridge.

Log in to comment

miketodd replied the topic:
4 months 1 week ago
M's first go as the Spanish ends poorly. Successful retreat and reformation smashed by repeated charges of French heavy cavalry. French take it 6-3.
Riclev replied the topic:
7 months 3 weeks ago
A couple of games last night with varying results. In the first, the French advanced on the left to try to make some room in front of the river. After a fierce skirmish both sides lost three banners so I was faced with the reality of only three command cards. It's tough! Nevertheless, a general advance on the other flank followed by a cavalry charge eliminated the French heavy cavalry and horse artillery for a 6-4 victory. I didn't have to use the one guerrilla counter I had.

So to the return, as the French player I moved the left flank units towards the centre. A Spanish cavalry charge destroyed the horse artillery, but at a cost of both light cavalry units. La Grande Manoeuvre enabled me to bridge the gap between the right flank and the closed in left flank for an impressive-looking battle line. An infantry advance on the Spanish right and centre looked ominous, but he failed to make use of the three guerrilla counters he had collected and they were driven off without loss. The coup de grace came on the Spanish left. Another Spanish cavalry charge removed the heavy cavalry units on both sides, including General Latour-Maubourg (ouch!), but the issue was never really in doubt and the French won 6-3.

This is an interesting scenario, with challenges for both sides. For the French, how to save the left flank, how to bring up the reserves over the river, how to win an artillery duel when you are outgunned and how to neutralise the guerrilla markers. For the Spanish, how to use your cavalry and artillery superiority effectively, how to maximise the guerrilla tokens and how to play with just three cards.

Regarding the debate below about the number of squares the Spanish may form, it didn't really apply in either of our games. However, I would say the wording suggests two units in total throughout the battle, although presumably either of these units may go in and out of square at will. On the other hand, with only three cards, the base rules say you must retain at least one card when forming squares, so perhaps the designer's intention is to mean no more than two at any one time. It's poorly worded, so I guess it's up to the players.
Pevans replied the topic:
3 years 3 weeks ago
After two quickly played unbalanced scenarios, it was time for Tom and me to get our teeth into something meatier. For variety, I took the Spanish first.
A quick Forced March got the Spanish infantry on their right wing into range of the opposing French force with its back to the river, inflicting some damage. Exchanges of musketry saw the Spanish line and Grenadiers retreat, but a French line fall to the Spanish lights. 1:0
The French cavalry forced the Spanish light infantry into square only for Spanish light cavalry to engage them as the Genadiers moved back to the action. More French cavalry moved towards the fight, but the Spanish Grenadiers' shooting eliminated the French cavalry. 2:0
The Spanish pushed their attack with a Bayonet Charge, eliminating the French artillery and pinning their light infantry (the last French unit on their left) against the river. 3:0
Already damaged, the French light infantry, led by Lasalle, advanced as their only hope of escape. The Spanish finished them off, but Lasalle did escape, through the Spanish infantry, leaving the French with nothing on the left side of the battlefield. 4:0
So, advantage Spain, but could they finish it off?
The Spanish were not keen to move off the hills in their centre and left, nor were the French to forsake the hills in their centre and right, though they did move forward on the open ground in the centre. The Spanish light cavalry essayed an attack, putting one French line infantry into square, but were quickly sent fleeing.
The French infantry in the centre sensed an opportunity and moved left, with light cavalry support, to engage their Spanish counterparts. The Spanish Grenadiers were sent packing and a line infantry eliminated, but the French cavalry also fell. 5:1
French infantry continued to move left and some accurate shooting finished off a Spanish light infantry unit. At the same time, the Spanish heavy cavalry emerged from the town of Mengabril to attack the artillery securing the French right flank. This did not end well for the cavalry as the French heavy cavalry countered. 5:3
The Spanish left began to come off the hills to engage the French in exchanges of musketfire. The first casualty was Spanish. 5:4
A combined arms attack from the French Heavies and artillery forced the flanking Spanish infantry unit into square and then shot it to pieces. 5:5
Finally, the Spanish Grenadiers rallied and returned to the fray on the Spanish right, combining with the artillery to gun down two French infantry units. 6:5 and phew!
The return match will have to wait for our next date.
Mark-McG replied the topic:
3 years 4 months ago
Map image attached. VASSAL has correct setup.
Tarheel replied the topic:
3 years 4 months ago
I think this map is missing a SP LC which is back row in SP scenarios booklet.
Mark-McG replied the topic:
5 years 9 months ago
• The Spanish player may only form square with a maximum of two units during the battle.

I'm taking this to mean at a time, rather than a total for the game!
What isn't clear to me is whether Hasty Square should count against this limit. Literally, it is included and has been played this way.
sharpe1812 replied the topic:
6 years 9 months ago
A personal favorite. Good scenario as it poses unique problems for both sides. With the right 2 starting cards the Spanish player can make this a desperate contest. French player can extricate his left flank more easily then perceived. 3 or 4 units have 2 movement allowance.
Mark-McG replied the topic:
11 years 1 month ago
Ladder #4 match
12 matches played
French 3 wins
Allies 9 wins
Bayernkini replied the topic:
11 years 11 months ago
Well, we will see, if the scenario goes to an "outbalanced" also,
because the players know now, what the key to win here is,
the weak french left flank :P
Mark-McG replied the topic:
11 years 11 months ago
Similar experience, Spanish won both games, and Game 2 won 6:2 by crushing French Left. Spanish won even with only Guerrilla Action being sabred. I don't think the Spanish need Guerrillas in this one. :ohmy:
Bayernkini replied the topic:
11 years 11 months ago
Just finished my both Ladder-Tournament games against Greg.

1. Greg (Allies) - Bayernkini (French)
5:6
26:24 lost blocks

2. Greg (French) - Bayernkini (Allies)
2:6
22:10 lost blocks

In first game, i think, Greg played a tactical mistake and let me
escape on my left flank, so i could save my HA, LDR and CAV.
If he forced to attack there, i should loose there at least my HA and LDR also.
After this, i could decrease his cards because of kills.
So i could win at last close :)

Second game i played exact this tactic with spanish, and could swept away the
french left flank.
So i won obvious 6:2

Nevertheless, 2 nice games :)
logfiles added