Roliça, the Peninsular Campaign begins.

Being the True History of Dick Wellhard, lately a Soldier in Lord Wellington's Army during the conflict in the Peninsular.

Richard Wellhard was born in the slums of Gilesgate in the County of Durham.  His parentage is obscure and he was first recorded as stealing apples from the orchard of Hieronymous Quilp the village parson.  Young Richard constantly found himself in trouble and eventually was compelled to join the army, being recruited into the 4th Foot by the Parson's son, an Officer in the regiment.

Quilp and Wellhard at Rolica

Captain Quilp was notorious as the most short sighted man ever to serve in the British Army.  Sir Arthur Wellesley presented Quilp with a telescope after the battle of Copenhagen inscribed "Take a look through one of these next time Quilp!"  The Captain came to rely on Wellhard, who was the tallest and most keen sighted individual in the Light Company.  He named Wellhard "long sighted Dick," for his prowess in spotting the enemy, and the rest of the company soon shortened this to "Long Dick."

On Landing in the Peninsular Wellhard was promoted to Sergeant as a tribute to his shoutiness.  The story of how this humble Sergeant of the 4th Foot came to save the life of Sir Brian Wellesley, brother of the more famous Duke of Wellington, thus earning his promotion as an Officer is the subject of this biography.  It must be emphasised that it has not been embellished in any way, and that unlikely as it may seem... this is what actually happened to Long Dick in the Peninsular...    

Roliça

Orders for Captain Quitte von Weissmehr, The Rifles, Peniche, Portugal 1808

Captain,

Your Company (3x8, 2 x 6) will depart at 6 am to patrol to the South East of Peniche.   The French are believed to have piquets in the town of Columbeira to the South East, and they will also be sending patrols into this valley.  I expect to fight a battle with the French near Roliça to the Eastward of you. 

Make sure your men remain under command, we want no repeat of Brilos today.

Your men will clear the town of Ohlo Marinho of any enemy.   Once you have effected this mission you are to seize and hold the convent at Po.  Deny the enemy the use of the convent during the battle.  I expect your company to be in position by 9am.

The area will also be patrolled by a flank company of the 4th Foot under Captain Quilp.  He will approach from Almoreia and Quinta Gruga and has been ordered to join you at the Convent.  General Hill will eventually arrive and hold this area with his Brigade.

Yours etc... General Arthur Wesley. Commanding.  

The Company is 5 groups of 3 of 8, 2 of 6, with two Officers and a Sergeant.  In addition you may have 8 points to choose from as additional support.  You may also give me names for your other Big Men, but I have to assign character on table.   

The Rifles enter the table on the Peniche road, or directly on the track south east towards Ohlo Marinho.

Can I have an order of march, or more properly a route?  The first game will be either Ohlo Marinho or the bridge at Po, depending on the route taken, and the direction you approach from is also important. 

(the Portuguese for Quince is marmelo, so it seems obvious that the locals have given the noble Captain Quitte the name "Marmelo" perhaps due to his love of jam, or his calm and mellow attitude.  The Captain is ably supported by Sergeant "Wachtmeister" Feuct, his former butler at Schloss Weissmehr.  The Schloss is currently occupied by Boneaparte, and the Captain is only serving in the British Army until he can go home.) 

Orders for Major Courtleigh Manners, 4th Foot, Almoreia, Portugal 1808

Major,

Your Light Company (5x8) under the Command of Captain Quilp will depart at 6 am to patrol to the South of Almoreia.  The French are believed to have piquets in the town of Columbeira to the south, and they will also be sending patrols into the valley. 

Make sure Quilp has his spectacles this time, we want no repeat of his performance at Copenhagen 

Your men are to make contact with a spy in the farm of Quinta Gruga.  The Spy will be wearing black, and give the codeword "Wellesley."  The spy will give you a plan of the French defences erected at Lisbon.  It is important that you get to the spy before the French do.  Send the documents back to Almoreia under the escort of a reliable Officer.

Once the Light Company have effected this mission they are to seize and hold the convent at Po.  Deny the enemy the use of the convent during the battle.  I expect the light company to be in position by 9am.

The area will also be patrolled by a company of the rifles under Captain Quitte von Weissmehr.  He will clear the town of Ohlo Marinho, and join you at the Convent.  General Hill will eventually arrive and hold this area with his Brigade.

Yours etc... General Arthur Wesley. Commanding.  

Dick Wellhard as an Officer

The Company is 5 groups of 8, 2 Officers and a Sergeant.  You may swap out up to two of these groups for groups of 6 skirmishers.  In addition you will have 8 points to choose from as additional support.  You may also give me names for your other Big Men, but I have to assign character on table.   The Sergeant of the Light Company is "Long Dick," more properly Dick Wellhard, of Gilesgate Co Durham. 

Can I have an order of march, or more properly a route?  The first game will be Quinta Gruga, and the direction you approach from is important. 

A note on terrain.

Below the 25 metre line the going is poor and the ground soft, above it is generally fair.  On close contour lines the ground is rough.  There are some fair roads, but a broken line denotes where this becomes a track. 

There are few trees or bushes here, except along the rivers and streams. 

You can expect at least two civilian characters in any town or village.  These will be randomly generated.

There will be three games for Roliça: