The Battle of Ville Saint Etienne.

This was a battle well worth some story telling but Christmas, as quiet as it was, has left me contented and lazy (not to mention over fed and tired) so I'll just set the scene and let the captions of the pictures explain the action. 

This action is a fictional one set in the Low Countries in late December 1793.  The allied army has been scattered in penny packets along the frontier and has settled in for a sparse but quiet Christmas. Across a small frozen river, an ambitious French commander has decided to try and strike a blow against the aristo's and their lackeys. On the morning of the Feast of St. Stefan, he has planned a surprise assault across the bridge by his demi-brigade with his skirmishers  distracting the enemy as well as supporting the assault and a flanking move by four squadrons of Hussars.

The allies had placed a battery on a hill within long range shot of the bridge and supported it with the Black Watch.  A mixed Brigade of cavalry is camped behind them. Companies of Jaegers are on picquet duties  near two known fords. In the small town is an understrength battalion of Emigres and a full battalion of Hessians. 

An overview of the battlefield as the game began.

Several turns later, when the illustrator reappeared, we find that the French infantry have taken the first half of the village after a stiff fight, and the French cavalry have finally arrived.

Beyond the village, the cavalry fight has begun with charge and countercharge.

 In the town, the French pushed on and captured the Stone House but counter attacks by the Highlanders and the Hessians recaptured the two white houses behind them. All in all, it was beginning to look like an Allied victory, but their losses had been very heavy and only the French had fresh troops to commit.

In the blink of an eye things changed, beyond the town,"les canaris" shattered the Scots Greys and remaining York Hussars.

The fighting along the riverbank was fierce but the volleys from the French Whitecoats, supported by artillery firing cannister, and sharpshooters, mowed down the unsupported Black Watch. The allied force had been cut to pieces and their commander had no choice but to retreat while the route was still open.

Next post, behind the scenes.