| | | | | | | | | | | Road to Talevera***On 2nd of July 1809, Sir Arthur Wellesley marched his British army across the border from Portugal into Spain, intending to act with the Spanish armies of General Cuesta and General Venegas, before carrying out an attack on the French in Madrid, led by Joseph Bonaparte, the king imposed on Spain by the Emperor Napoleon. Coincidentally, the French also had aggressive plans, with Marshal Soult’s corps re-invading Portugal, re-equipped and with its morale restored, after its disastrous retreat from Oporto, following Wellesley’s successful crossing of the River Douro.
On 11th July 1809, Wellesley and Cuesta had a difficult four-hour conference to work out a plan of campaign. Cuesta, elderly and ill, was deeply suspicious of Wellesley, whom he suspected of trying to replace him as the commander in chief of the Spanish contingent of the army. Unsurprisingly, agreement between Wellesley and Cuesta was difficult. Wellesley was concerned about his left flank and wanted Cuesta to detach a substantial force to occupy the passes over the mountains on his left, not wishing to use British troops. A sentiment that would only lead to further mistrust between the Anglo-Spanish force.
Once King Joseph was made aware that the British were advancing up the River Tagus towards Madrid with Cuesta’s Spanish army, he directed Soult to move south against the left flank of the British and Spanish armies, a manoeuvre that Wellesley had always dreaded. In the meantime, King Joseph advanced down the River Tagus from Madrid with his reserve to combine his forces with Victor for battle with Wellesley and Cuesta.
Wellesley intended to attack Victor on 23rd July 1809, before he could be reinforced by Joseph’s reserve force from Madrid, but Cuesta failed to co-operate. The attack was deferred for a day, by which time Victor had retired and the opportunity of fighting him before he could be reinforced by Sebastiani and Joseph had been lost.
After his abject failure to fight when circumstances were favourable, Cuesta pursued Victor’s army towards Toledo. Wellesley refused to accompany him, insisting that the Spanish authorities provide the baggage animals he needed to move supplies for his troops. All trust between the Spanish and the English had disappeared. Upon finding out that the concentrated French army amounted to over 40,000 men, Cuesta, frustrated and caught off-balance, began to fall back.
Cuesta’s army, disorganised by its headlong retreat, reached the River Alberche, the tributary that flows into the River Tagus from the north-east 3 miles to the east of Talavera, during the afternoon of 26th July 1809, where Wellesley, after bringing forward Sherbrooke’s infantry division to cover the Spanish troops, attempted to persuade Cuesta to cross the Alberche to the west bank.
Mackenzie’s Division, the British rearguard, crossed the River Alberche and marched to a group of buildings called the Casa de Salinas, some 3 miles short of the line along the Portina Stream. Not expecting the French to have crossed the River Alberche, Mackenzie’s Division halted at the Casa de Salinas, without taking suitable precautions for defence. Unbeknownst to the British officers, the French army, vanguarded by General Pierre Belon Lappise’s division, had already crossed the river during the night and were about to fall upon the unexpecting soldiers of the 3rd Division.
The first day of the Battle of Talavera was about to begin.
The 45th Nottinghamshire at Talavera
***
The 45th Regiment of Foot gained high praise for its steady conduct, brutal gritty combat and a seemingly unwavering confidence in their own abilities. For narrowly rescuing Lord Wellesley at La Casa de Salinas, the regiment was honored by the commander in chief of the British army of the Peninsula’s personal gratitude and a (alleged) mention of the unit to King George III. “I had the opportunities of noticing the gallantry and the discipline of the 5th battalion, 60th and the 45th on the 27th” --- The Duke of Wellesley
The fighting retreat conducted by the 45th along with the 60th, in combination with the steady casualties inflicted upon their pursuers most likely managed to save the entire 3rd Division, a feat that would see Mackenzie habitually deploying the 45th Regiment of Foot in the vanguard of his Brigade.
The stand made by the 45th Regiment of Foot together with the rest of Mackenzie’s Brigade on the second day of the battle steadied the entire center of the British line, more than likely once again saving the Anglo-Spanish fortunes at Talavera. For their gallant performances, the 1st Battalion of the 45th Regiment of Foot was awarded the relatively tongue-and cheek nickname ‘The Old Stubborns’ for the Regiment’s perceived inability to break and run in the face of terrifying odds.
 Stage 1 - Defense of ‘Old Nosey’ at La Casa de Salinas (Siege, 10 minutes)
Spoiler Siege with LineBattle Rules except FiC is permitted inside the compound BattleEarly in the morning on July 27th, French troops under General LaPisse managed to surprise and ambush the woefully unprepared Donkin’s Brigade of the British 3rd Division. While Donkin’s Brigade routes in confusion, the 60th Rifles and the 45th Foot prepare to make a stand at ‘La Casa de Salinas’ to cover the rest of the retreating division. The French forces hastily assemble an assault detachment to take over the collection of houses held by the British ad-hoc rearguard. Not only must the French quickly sweep aside the defenders to continue their pursuit of the shattered division, but French scouts have also reported that the British Commander-in-chief, Sir Arthur Wellesley, is trapped within the walls of the compound...
(25-30) - 45thN Line Company (Line)
(15-20) - 45thN Light Company (Lights)
(25-30) - 45thN Grenadier Company (Guards)
(15) - 13e Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (Line)
Total: (80 - 95) | (25-30) - 33rd Regiment of Foot (Line Infantry)
(15-20) - 16th Sacred Banned(Line Infantry)
(15-20) - 16th Regiment of Foot (Line Infantry)
(20-25) - 45e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (Line Infantry)
(10-15) - 31e (Lights)
Total: (90 - 105) |
Spoiler Both teams form up in their spawns, wait for admins to allow to begin the pursuit. Conquest with LineBattle Rules except UK holds flag as long as possible before retreating to the next, French have to take every flag in the correct order (French respawns move out of spawn only if their initial formation has less than 5 men left and they have joined a friendly line - Until flag 2 is taken, then can move out in groups of 10) - UK wins the round if the French fail to take all flags by the end of the time ConquestJuly 27th, mere minutes after the battle at Casa de Salinas. While Sir Arthur Wellesley has managed to escape the compound by the skin of his teeth thanks to the admirable defense of the 45th and the 60th, the French have pushed the British rearguard out of their position in the farmstead. The French commander takes a moment to array his troops for a pursuit of the retreating British, granting the 45th and the 60th a few minutes to put some distance between themselves and the French. They must attempt a fighting retreat of over 3 Miles in relatively open ground. Meanwhile, the French General LaPisse has managed to bring forth a few cavalry squadrons which will do their best to tie the retreating defenders down for his infantry to deliver the ‘coup de grace’ , a fate that the British must avoid at any cost...(25-30) - 45thN Line Company (Line)
(15-20) - 45thN Light Company (Rifles)
(25-30) - 45thN Grenadier Company (Guards)
Total: (65 - 75) | (10-15) - TBA (Cavalry)
(15-20) - TBA (Lights)
Rest of the attendance (Lines)
Total: (75 - 105) |
Spoiler Admin Controlled Battle assault on British positions, UK forms up Infantry in Spawn and volley fires attacking the overwhelming French Infantry from spawn whilst being pounded by French Howitzers BattleMorning of July 28th. Marshall Victor commanding the French right has been greatly frustrated by the many missed opportunities during the previous day. A number of French attacks throughout the night have been repulsed, but the French forces prepare to strike at the left of the British Line, anchored on the Cerro de Medellin. General Francois Ruffin’s division rushes forth after a brief artillery barrage on their target, but the rugged terrain and the elevated position occupied by the British 2nd Division might prove a tough nut to crack...
(25-30) - 45thN Line Company (Line)
(15-20) - 45thN Light Company (Lights)
(25-30) - 45thN Grenadier Company (Guards)
(15) - 13e Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (Line)
Total: (75 - 85) | (25-30) - 33rd Regiment of Foot (Line Infantry)
(15-20) - 16th Sacred Banned(Line Infantry)
(15-20) - 16th Regiment of Foot (Line Infantry)
(20-25) - 45e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (Line Infantry)
(10-15) - 31e (Lights)
(5) - 8e (Howitzer - 1 Gun)
Total: (90- 105) |
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The First Day at Talavera***Lapisse’s Division, having crossed the River Alberche, approached the British troops unobserved and fired a volley into Donkin’s Brigade, tearing through the 87th and the 88th Regiments and inflicting over a hundred casualties within a second. The regiments ran back in wild confusion, although the third regiment of the brigade, the 60th rifles, stood firm. Wellesley was informed of the attack and rode forward to take over the situation. As Mackenzie’s Brigade was nearby la Casa de Salinas, it fell upon the 45th to reinforce the 60th in forming a rearguard that would allow the brigades to retreat and avoid total destruction. The Duke of Wellington narrowly escaped capture and injury at la Casa de Salinas and was only saved by the ferocious nature of the defense put up by the 60th rifles and the 45th. The rest of Mackenzie’s brigade, namely the 24th and the 31st Regiments retreated with the remainders of Donkin’s Brigade.
After allowing the rest of the two brigades to retreat back towards the main British line anchored behind the Portina creek, the 45th and 60th Regiments conducted an absolutely breathtaking fighting retreat through more than 3 miles of rough yet wide open ground, all the while being pursued by Lapisse’s Division. The bloodied and exhausted regiments making up the rearguard kept on with their fighting retreat, time and time again narrowly avoiding being overwhelmed by Lapisse’s men until the british cavalry charged at the French, thus forcing them to form square and break off the pursuit.
The first day of the battle ended inconclusively, and leading to the perfect set up for a second day of fighting as the French forces were now close enough to the British lines to array their army for a decisive battle. Notably, the already outnumbered British forces suffered as many as 450 men killed, wounded or captured throughout the early day. The 27th of July had seen the British 3rd Division narrowly avoid a total catastrophe, while for the men in Lapisse’s division the day had been full of missed opportunities.
The Second Day at Talavera***
The French began their main attack upon the British line at 5am on 28th July 1809. A single gun fired from the Cerro de Cascajal to signal the beginning of the French attack, followed by a barrage from all the guns on the Cerro at the British troops holding the Cerro de Medellin. General Ruffin’s infantry climbed the side of the Cerro de Medellin in a ‘close column of divisions’, giving them a frontage of around 150 men and a depth of 9 men. The British infantry were called to their feet and lined the edge of the summit. Stewart’s men waited until the French infantry were within close range, before firing a volley which halted the French advance.
Unsurprisingly, both commanders used the small respite to redeploy their troops. It soon became clear that the French would not give up this easily, and that Marshal Victor would soon launch an attack upon the entire width of the lines.
The initial French advance was met by a whirlwind of shots from the British lines, causing the French troops to waver and then run back to their lines. The KGL Brigade of Langwerth and the Guard Brigade were overcome by the zeal of battle and began a furious though ill-timed counter attack upon their retreating foes.
The moment was critical for Wellesley’s army. The French appeared to have broken its centre. Mackenzie’s Brigade hurried forward from the Second Line to meet the oncoming French, while the 48th Regiment came down from Cerro de Medellin to assist the retreating German battalions.
It was in this moment of crucial importance that the 45th Regiment of Foot once again showed its true colors. Reinforced by the 48th Regiment of Foot, Mackenzie’s Brigade deployed to meet the French. Soon the 45th, followed by the German battalions, reformed themselves and joined the regiments of Mackenzie’s Brigade in engaging the French, who began to waver. General Lapisse was killed while urging his men on, his death striking a severe blow to the morale of his division, which fell back, leaving Sebastiani’s flank exposed. Cotton’s Brigade (14th and 16th Light Dragoons) launched a charge into the left flank of Sebastiani’s division and the whole of the French centre began to fall back.
Finally, a report came from Milhaud that the Spanish were advancing on the French left.This report turned out to be untrue, but it was now 6pm and it seemed clear that the attacks had all failed. In spite of Victor’s strenuous objections, Joseph ordered a general withdrawal to the positions held at the beginning of the day. During the night, Victor received information that Wellesley was seeking to march around his right flank. The information was incorrect, but it caused Victor to put his corps into precipitate retreat and thus the battle of Talavera came to a bloody end.
 Stage 4 - Battle by the Portina (Battle, 10 minutes)
Spoiler Normal Battle, balance will be arranged depending on numbers on the day BattleJuly 28th. Though the French attacks on the Cerro de Medellin have still not yielded any tangible results, a hasty and poorly coordinated counter attack in the center of the field by the British has resulted in Cameron’s Brigade, together with the Guards Brigade to be routed back, their position being taken over by Mackenzie’s Brigade including the 45th Foot. The French Division under General Sebastiani advances to exploit the confusion, eventually bumping into Mackenzie’s forces on their way to reinforce their redoubt across the Portina creek. The fate of the Battle of Talavera is about to be decided in a confusing and bloody encounter between both parties in the center of the field…
(15-20) - 45thN Line Company (Line)
(15-20) - 45thN Light Company (Lights)
(15-20) - 45thN Grenadier Company (Guards)
(10-15) - 45thN Hussar Squadron (Cavalry)
(5) - 45thN Artillery Company (Artillery)
(25-30) - 33rd Regiment of Foot (Line Infantry)
Total: (80- 90) | (15) - 13e Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (Line)
(15-20) - 16th Sacred Banned(Line Infantry)
(15-20) - 16th Regiment of Foot (Line Infantry)
(20-25) - 45e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (Line Infantry)
(10-15) - 31e (Lights)
(10-15) - 16th Cavalry (Cavalry)
(5) - 8e (Howitzer - 1 Gun)
Total: (85 - 95) |
Spoiler Admin Controlled siege, UK forms up with cavalry in their spawn, France forms a large square formation around the flag and have 3 lives - Admin informs teams when to begin, 10 minutes BattleJuly 28th, afternoon. As Victor obstinately keeps attempting to stubbornly assault the British left, Wellington hears news of his center under Mackenzie having driven back the French advance. Instinctively, Wellington sends word to the Light Cavalry Brigade under Brigadier General Anson to attack General Ruffin’s tattered division which had once again begun moving around the Cerro de Medellin. Seeing the attack, Ruffin has no choice but to halt his men and form square in anticipation of the charge...
All 45thN Units go cavalry
Total: (65 - 75)
|
All France go Line Infantry
Total: (100 - 115)
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