114 Barrosa (5 March 1811)
56 %
44 %
Barrosa - 5 March 1811
Historical Background
In early 1811, the French were engaged in a no-win siege against the Allies in the port of Cádiz. The French under Marshal Victor were not strong enough to reduce the port without a French sea blockade. After Soult drew off 8,000 of Victor’s men for his invasion of Extremadura, the Allies saw an opportunity to raise the French siege using their sea power to land 14,000 British, Spanish and Portuguese troops on the coast south of Cádiz. If Victor remained in his siege lines, he would be trapped between Cádiz and the relief force. If he chose to fight the relief force, it would give the Cádiz garrison the opportunity to sortie and destroy the siege lines.
Victor soon learned of the Allied approach. He hoped to ambush the Allied column as they advanced, but the Allies advanced in strength and Graham’s British division occupied Barrosa Ridge. Spanish General la Peña gave him a second opportunity, ordering the Spanish and British north now that communication had been established with Cádiz. A rearguard of several Spanish battalions remained on Barrosa Ridge.
Victor jumped at the opportunity and ordered Ruffin’s division to attack the ridge with Leval’s division advancing on his right. At the first sight of the French, the Spanish battalions bolted. Graham received news that the French were attacking and chose to disobey orders. While la Peña entrenched, Graham sent Dilkes’ Guards brigade to retake the ridge and Wheatley’s brigade to attack Leval. Dilkes’ brigade came into contact with Ruffin’s French battalions of infantry and grenadiers still advancing in column. The two forces engaged in a murderous firefight with British line firepower gaining the ascendancy. The gallant Ruffin was killed and his division retreated off the ridge. Meanwhile Wheatley’s brigade advanced against Leval’s division. Another firefight between a British line and French columns resulted in French defeat.
The Allies gave away the victory. Graham urged a new round of attacks to unhinge the French siege line – exactly what Victor feared would happen. General la Peña instead ordered a withdrawal back into Cádiz. Marshal Victor could not believe his good fortune and immediately re-established his siege lines. Other than confirming the valor of the soldiers on both sides, the battle had been a colossal waste of life.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
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Set-Up Order
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Battle Notes
British Army
• Commander: Graham
• 6 Command Cards
• Optional 4 Tactician Cards
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| 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
French Army
• Commander: Victor
• 5 Command Cards
• Optional 3 Tactician Cards
• Move First 
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| 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Victory
7 Banners
Special Rules
• The 11 Barrosa Ridge hill hexes serve as a Group Victory Banner objective for the side that occupies an absolute majority of these hexes at the start of its turn. Absolute majority means to occupy more of the hill hexes than your opponent. If your side occupies 1 hex and your opponent does not occupy any hill hexes, your side occupies the absolute majority. The Victory Banner is lost when a side no longer has absolute majority. The Victory banner may be gained or lost more than once by each side. At the start of the battle the Spanish player occupies 3 hexes of the hill group and starts the battle with one Victory Banner
(Temporary Majority Victory Banner Turn Start)
• The Spanish Guerrilla Action rule is not in effect.
• The River is not fordable.
Tags: Expansion 1, Banners: 7, Army: British, Army: French, Army: Portuguese, Army: Spanish, Special Rule: Temporary Majority VB (Turn Start)
Turn 1: General Eugène-Casimir Villatte marches against the Spanish right flank. The objective is to seize the high ground near Barrosa. The Spanish, under General Lardizabal counters the move and eliminates Villatte’s regiment although the French general manages to escape.
Turn 2: General Villatte regroups and sends in his Voltigeurs to scatter the Spanish forces near the village of Barrosa. He also sends two line regiments to push back the Spanish on the heights above the town. The Spanish under Lardizabal consolidate and fire several accurate volleys against the French light troops who are forced to withdraw. French 2, Allies 1.
Turn 3: Both sides reinforce their forces for another struggle over the Barossa heights.
Turn 6: The French lean on the Leadership of Generals Villatte and François Ruffin and surge forward on the beleaguered Barrosa highlands. The Spanish line infantry are unable to resist the melee and two regiments of Spaniards evaporate. French 4, Allies 1.
Turns 7-9: Both sides are again building up to seize the Barrosa Ridge. Skirmishing on the far left of the Allied line.
Turns 10-11: Fierce hand-to-hand fighting on the ridge. French 5, Allies 3.
Turn 12: The deciding turn! General Villatte urges on his exhausted troops forward for one more assault, this time against Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham’s redcoats who recently arrived to support the Spanish. The French effort is just enough to eliminate a British regiment and, to top it off, General Graham falls in combat. With the Group Victory Banner and the death of General Graham, the victory goes to the French 7 to 3.
Therefore the Allies should take his advantage on this section, with a fast support of the british behind, before the French can bring up more units from there backside to this section.
But at last, dice decides and the dice can be cruel
