A tough one for both sides. I played the French in this scenario. After moving one of my light cavalry units to guard my left flank I waited the allied force to reach my lines. When the Portuguese units moved closer I sallied forth with a light infantry and line infantry to take them on. Supported by my light cavalry I destroyed two Portuguese units; light infantry and Cavalry to the cost on one of my own units (a rally card helped prolong the life of my light infantry unit - though it was finally destroyed by Portuguese infantry supported by British foot artillery). Having given the the Portuguese a bloody nose I withdrew my surviving cavalry and infantry to the hill-line. On my right the British infantry units supported by horse artillery had advanced to threaten my flank. I used my artillery to thin the red ranks then after reorganising my lines to strengthen my right I launched an infantry unit in a bayonet charge to destroy one British inf unit. The remaining British unit battered badly withdrew with Fergusson with close support from the British Horse artillery. While all this drama on the flanks was going on the British units in the centre led by Wellesley who was attached to the heavy cavalry unit had been advancing and now, having weakened my centre to support the actions on my flanks, I paid the price. I sent forward a light infantry unit to stall the British attack but it was forced into square by the British heavy dragoons and was annihilated by Wellesley's combined force. I was now taking casualties and after I tried to move a light cavalry unit across to support a planned assault on my right flank, the British heavy dragoons intercepted and wiped it out but took casualties in the process. The score was now four to the British and three to my gallant French. By now the Portuguese and British artillery on my left were advancing and my left and centre were crumbling. But all hope was not lost. I had a grand manoeuvre card and spotted an opportunity on my right flank to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. I shifted my remaining units to engage the weak British infantry and the horse artillery while keeping my last intact light cavalry unit to take on Wellesley's remaining heavy cavalry that was now down to one base. The attack went in and despite some damage done by the British horse artillery I destroyed the remaining British infantry unit on my right and finished off the weakened British heavy cavalry with my intrepid chasseurs. Wellesley survived his leader casualty check to bitterly witness defeat. Vive le Emperour! Quack Quack.
