Rolica Game 3.2 The 4th foot storm the Convent at Po

Nun of that... Sir Arthur has a quick chat..

"Ah Qwiulp,

twake youwre chaps down to Po immediwatley and seize that Cwonvent, thweres a good fwellow,

Cwarry on."

Your scouts have looked over the convent, in a valley heading south from Pó.   Map attached.  They also report that the famous Captain von Wiessmehr and a Company of Rifles marched on a quicker route than you, and have already been in action.  They have captured the farm at the entrance to the Convent valley in a heated battle with Voltiguers.  They took the farm at "sword" point and now occupy the olive groves to the south of the farm itself.  

The noble Captain is is usual mercurial self, calmly drinking a glass of Oporto wine from the farm's own vines, which he offers to share.  He has charmed the farmer's daughter into keeping his glass filled.  He requests that your men assault the convent whilst he uses his rifles to support with thier longer range weapons.  He warns you that the dastardly Lt Capone has been seen retreating to the Convent.  

Wachtmeister Feuct, the Captain's Jeeves like Butler, and Sergeant, quietly tells you that the Captain believes that the 4th Foot are better equipped for this, as that he has lost too many men to advance here, and blames himself.  The Convent is, he tells you, held by French Grenadiers of the 27th du Ligne,  with few skirmishers left to them after the Rifles attacked the farm.  He estimates that there are no more than half a company, and that the place is vulnerable from its eastern side, where trees grow right up to the buildings.

Behind you on the road, perhaps an hour back, you can see the approach of Colonel Trant, with his Portuguese brigade of three battalions and half a squadron of Cavalry. This is Sir Arthur ' s flanking move to pass around the French Left.  But the Convent will block their way.  Captain von Wiesmehr shares your contempt of these Portuguese.  Why is Wellesley relying on them for a flank attack?  The Captain tells you that this is "why Wellesley is a General and we ain't."

Do you attack Captain, or do you wait for Colonel Trant?

...and if you attack, what's your plan Captain?

Orders for the 4th Foot

Wait for the Portugee Johnnies - stuff and nonsense sir! We attack at once. We will form, as before, into 2 skirmish groups and 3 line. 

I shall request that Captain Weissmehr would oblige us by supporting our attack by skirmishing to the north of the convent. I understand that his men have had a hard time and as a consequence he need not press home his attack but his skirmishers should prove an admirable diversion.

Under cover of the rifles' diversion I shall lead the light company of the 4th through the woods to the west of the convent with the skirmishers in the lead. On reaching the west side of the convent, that fellow Wellhard will lead the skirmishers against that side of the convent. He is to press home his attack if the opportunity arises otherwise take up good skirmishing positions to the west of the convent.

Meanwhile, I will lead the formed troops at the double and stepping out whenever possible to circle around and make a dash for the convent, which we will storm with the bayonet.

Hopefully, the Frogs will think they are outnumbered and I have purposefully left them an avenue of escape through the orchards to the east.

Forwards and God Save the King (even if he is a mad German!)

The Game

 Von Weissmehr and his Rifles approach directly along the road and begin long range sniping to get the french attention.  The Girardoni air rifle of the Captain is accurate to 200 yards with a fully pumped charge, and Quitte von Weissmehr is notorious for his wrist strength!  The weapon fires 12 balls in very quick succession, with a distinctive popping noise, but with reduced range as the pressure drops.
With two groups of men using Baker Rifles, and one eccentric Austrian Air rifle the French at the gate are quickly reduced.

 Dick Wellhard leads the 4th Foot Light Company skirmishers through light tree cover against the western wall of the Convent.

Quilp appears, having scrounged up a white horse, and leads three groups in formation against the south west corner.
The French rely on Sous Lieuteant Bâtard, Casse Toi Bâtard to his friends. (of which he doesn`t have any incidentally)  Voltiguer fire is pretty good, causing a casualty and spreading some shock.

But Quilp uses his Sergeant to reduce the shock, picking up two flags Quilp orders a volley then a charge.

Some Fisticuffs.  Even the duelling pistols of Sous Lieuteant Bâtard, are not enough.  He shouts "Casse Toi Bâtard" at Quilp and runs away.  I think that he just wanted his name in Mr Oman's book. 

 

 The Rifles attack the gate whilst Wellhard reduces the French Line group with his two skirmish groups.
The French break and flee south eastward from the Convent.

The Convent of St Flagella of the Martyred Virgins is taken, but has been almost totally looted.  Wellhard reports to Captain Quilp that he has rescued the 86 year old nun, kidnapped two games ago by Capitan Claude Douche and his men.


The arrival of Colonel Trant and his Portuguese Brigade 30 minutes later amuse both Captains Quilp and Wiessmehr.  The Portuguese are worse than useless as troops and they break formation to loot anything remaining in the monastary.  So much for Sir Artur's flanking movement.  Trant is furious.  He tells the pair of Captains "I need proper Officers to turn these dregs into fighting cocks!" He is eying up Wiessmehr and Wellhard as he says this.

From Sir Charles Oman's "A Biased History of the Peninsular War"
... leading to the capture of the Convent.  One of the Frenchy Officers a so called Monsiewer Casse Toi Batard was among the last to run away like a scared girly.
Colonel Trant, mastering his dissapointment at the behaviour of his Foreign Johnny Portugee troops noted that he would need Officers of better quality to train his men.  He determined to speak with Sir Arthur as soon as practicable.  Even at this stage the name of Quitte von Wiessmehr (1), the German exile was being mentioned in connection with this role..."    
 
(1) Quitte von Wiessmehr, a veteran of Austerlitz, and former Jager Officer, served in the Rifles during the 1808 portion of the Peninsular War, prior to his transfer to the Portuguse Cacadores in 1809.  He is credited with bringing up the quality of the Portuguese, and famously siezed the convent at Busaco, and stormed the second, less well known breach at Badajoz against fearful odds.  On the arrival of his old friend the Duke of Brunswick in the Peninsular Quitte was given a command in the Oeels Jager, fighting almost continuously until his death beside the Duke at Quatre Bras in 1815.