We were back at the battle after a week off this last Wednesday. It was now 1140 hrs and General Hill was threatening to capture Rolica Hill and the 4lb battery stationed there when disaster struck. The 1/50th charged in upon the rear of the French but were themselves counter-charged by 2/70th. The former closed with the French but lost the melee and routed!, just to add insult to injury. This had the unexpected effect of taking two nearby battalions with them and saving what was left of Brennier's Brigade from being terribly mauled if not captured. Loisin's Division continued to move up in support of Delaborde, as well, hoping to re-open communications with the embattled commander.

 

 Nearer to the town, the Fane's Brigade remained stuck at the edge of the hill, while the Portuguesse attempted to push up the eastern side. The brave Portuguese cavalry even attempted to catch a the 1/70th in the open, but the latter formed square just in time and annihilated the former! The sight of their supporting cavalry being driven back was too much for what was essentially militia and they retired out of range to reconsider the whole allied relationship.

By 1200 hrs, Loisin had driven the British back across the stream bed and fully linked up with Delaborde.

Delaborde's situation had also stabilized as Thomiere's Brigade, now relieved of defending his depth by Loisin, moved up to secure his right flank. 

Has the momentum of the battle changed, or are the British just pausing before renewing their attack to cut the French off? I guess we'll see in the next few turns.

We resumed our game this past Tuesday night. Fraser's Division kept pressing Delaborde from the front while Hill's Division continued to manoeuvre around his left flank. The French commander seems unimpressed, even though his last cavalry can be seen retreating from the battlefield on the left. The good news for him is that under my scenario, he has a chance to roll for reinforcements. Unfortunately, they aren't going to arrive this turn.

From the British viewpoint, it is now just a mere matter of marching to get around the French flank, and either surround them or force them from Rolica village.

 

On the next turn, the turning movement continued, essentially unopposed (made easier by some handy, but ugly, battalion stands).

The British were now facing some still opposition from Rolica Hill, though, and casualties from skirmishers and artillery fire began to mount. Still, they heavily out-number Brennier's Brigade are now even pushing into the lightly-held village. Where is the rest of the French Army?

It's now Turn 6 and the Delaborde has had to withdraw elements of his ad hoc division from in front of the town and Rolica Hill under the tremendous pressure of Hill's turning movement. It is only a matter of time before he will either have to retreat, or be surrounded in the town and forced to capitulate. But what is that in the distance coming up the road from Lisbon?

Why, it's General Loison, fresh from his anti-insurgent operation in northern Portugal finally making an appearance with his brigade of dragoons leading his advance.

Will he arrive in time to turn the tide of the battle or merely serve to extricate Delaborde from his perilous position?