Peninsular War Roliça game 2 The Farm at Quinta Gruga

The Light Company of the 4^th Foot set out at 6am, marching South from Almorea, taking the tracks that would lead them into Quinta Gruga from the North.

British Orders
 

I shall deploy 2 skirmish groups under Lt Bucket. The 'line' groups will be led by Captain Quilp, assisted by Sgt. Jaggers. I've attached a picture of the line of march.

Even the infamously poor eyesight of Captain Quilp could not fail to notice that the French had drawn up their Division to the immediate South East, and that he was marching perilously close to the French lines.

French Orders

Captaine Claude Douche of The Imperial Intelligence Service is at the Farm hunting a British spy.  He has only a single group of "foragers."  Douche is attached to the 27th du Ligne.

The farm is also occupied by a group of dismounted Dragoons, under the redoubtable Sergeant GrandJambe, named for his middle leg, and at any sign of trouble Dragoon Captain Alex Craiment will be sent to the farm from the French lines, visible a mile away.

The French will offer only token resistance, since General Delaborde will be withdrawing soon.

The Battle
The skirmishers of Lt Bucket were the first to reach the farm, and approaching in a scattered formation were attacked by dismounted dragoons, their brass helmets shining in the early morning sun. (poetic prose!)  Bucket closed in and honours were about even, the muskets of the Light Infantry vs the carbines of Sergeant GrandJambe's Dragoons. 


A party of French foragers under an Officer could be seen in the farmyard, and these were soon captured by Quilp who continued his march on the road, directly into the farm.

The French Officer Capitane Claude Douche immediately told the British Officer “Wellesley,” indentifying himself as the spy.  He handed Quilp a large envelope, instructing him to ensure that it remains sealed, and is given into the hands of the “Breeteesh Generallisimo Weelelellssy.”

Douche has actually just tortured and killed the real spy (some dice rolling to determine this, Douche rolled well!) and has set fire to the farm to cover his tracks.  He now knows that the code word is "Wellesley."

In the skirmish with the Dragoons Lt Sheridan Bucket (lovely boy) was wounded, shot through the gorget.  Sgt Dick Wellhard took command and drove off the Dragoons.  (and at 2:1 so he should!)  



The French Big Man #1 Capitane de Dragoons Alex Craimant now appeared, leading a group of 8 horsemen against a line hastilly formed by Sgt Jaggers. 
 

With a shout of “By heck Mother. here they come” Jaggers fired a volley, a devastating volley, killing half of the group of Dragoons, and causing the same in shock. 

A cry of “Thank you Mother,” could be heard from a perspiring Jaggers.


The “?” token was drawn.  The Peer arrived to look over the scene.  Watching Wellhard drive off the remaining French cavalry, and their dismounted group, at the same time Sir Arthur was so impressed that he declared “I`m gwoing to do you a dwamned bad twurn, Wellhawd.  Youwre now an Officwer in the 4^th Fwoot.  Cwarry on Mwister Wellhawd.”

A cry rose from the ranks of “Bloody hell Mother, that’s not fair!”

 Young Sheridan Bucket wounded.  Wellhard takes over.

The Peer does Wellhard a "Dwamned bwad twurn." and makes him an Officer.

















It appears that Captain Quilp has a new Ensign, but that Sergeant Jaggers has become Dick Wellhard’s worst enemy because of it...   
Reading the accounts of the time it would appear that Wellhard's promotion became the subject of some exaggeration, claims that he had saved the Peer's life etc...

From the letters of  Lt Sheridan Bucket, 4^th Foot.
“I have been wounded Mummy, shot through the gorget.  My Sergeant, a rough northern type called Wellhard did marvellously, driving off the French cavalry that were apparently chasing Sir Arthur Wellesley.  Whilst I lay on my pallet, leaking, Sir Arthur gave Dick Wellhard a battlefield promotion to Ensign, a thing unheard of in the 4^th foot.
We also apprehended a spy, but he was one of ours.  Captain Quilp let the fellow go, passing on to Sir Arthur a large envelope said to hold the plans to the defences of Lisbon.  The chap seemed to be an Italian, but was dressed as a French Staff Officer. He made off back to the French lines.  When Sir Arthur opened the envelope he realised that it actually contained lithographs of large ladies posed in a highly erotic manner.  Sir Arthur said that he would take these for later study. 
Was this a spy, or actually Sir Arthur’s pornographer, or were we fooled by this Capitan Claude Douche fellow?
I was sent to the rear, and observed the Expeditionary Force advancing on Roliça, just as the main French body withdrew up into the hills.  I wish my brave fellows of the light Company luck on their mission to sieze the Convent and hold the right flank.”