Battle of Baltanas - Move 7

1400 to 1500

22 July 1813

Situation at the end of Move 7

The French brigade holding the upper half of Baltanas are shaken, and their artillery is routing through the town. Despite this they manage to hold on

Hill attack on the town (top) has been brought to an abrupt half by the French dragoons charging and routing his guard’s brigade.

Pictons attack on the town is going well.

On the right he has forced the cavalry to withdraw out of artillery range, and his gunners have shaken the square

On the left two of his brigades are skirmishing with the garrison. They have inflicted a third casualty but the defenders hold on.

Hills attack on the town is in tatters.

Soult took control of the French dragoon brigade and ordered an Opportunity Charge on the flank of the guard’s brigade who had just routed the French infantry line.

The guards failed their morale and immediately routed. Fortunately the dragoons were unable to pursue, or the highlanders would have been routed as well before they could form square.

Rule Note
Marshal Soult was allowed to take command of the French dragoon brigade providing he did not issue any other orders that move. He deployed them into line and moved them within charge move of the flank of the British guard’s brigade.

At the start of Hills move, the dragoons were able to declare an Opportunity Charge. They passed the test and charged. The guard’s brigade rolled required a roll of 4 on 1D6 to form square. They rolled a 1. Even with a plus 1 for class A and supports, they still failed to make the necessary total of 4

Caught in the flank they automatically rout with a loss of 3 figures.

The highlanders were just out of supporting range, and do not have to test morale.

The French dragoons have to test to see if they pursue. If they have a total of 5 or 6 with 1D6 they will do so. They rolled a 3 and did not have to pursue.

Battle of Baltanas - Move 6

1300 to 1400

22 July 1813

Situation at the end of Move 6

Both British corps are now on Engage orders and move closer to Baltanas to skirmish the garrison.

French reinforcements might just be in time to support the garrison.

On the right Pictons attack is going well.

His artillery have caused casualties to the enemy cavalry, and his infantry are skirmishing with the town

On the left Hill is also doing well. His infantry have routed the enemy line and caused the gunners to seek shelter in the town.

However due to poor dice he has not been able to bring up the remainder of his corps.

Rule Note

Each move the corps commander rolls to decide how many command dice he has. To move his infantry into skirmish range, and then to skirmish, he needs two points for each brigade. He may require another to keep within command range to order them to fire. This often means that the rest of the brigade can not move whilst the skirmish fight is going on.

Battle of Baltanas - Move 5

1200 to 1300

22 July 1813

Situation at the end of Move 3

Both British corps are now on Engage orders and move closer to Baltanas to skirmish the garrison.

French reinforcements might just be in time to support the garrison.

On the left Hill moves two infantry brigades into volley fire range, but only one can fire. They win the firefight, though with casualties, and force the French line to withdraw Shaken

On the right Picton moves his heavy cavalry forward to protect the two infantry brigades who are about to engage the garrison.

Rule Note

On Engage orders infantry can either skirmish or volley fire. The decision will depend on whether they are better at either than their enemy. They also have to move much closer to the enemy to volley fire.

The British have had a poor dice throw, so although they outnumber the French they can only fire with one brigade.

Battle of Baltanas - Move 4

1100 to 1200

22 July 1813

Situation at the end of Move 4

8 French corps has started to arrive on the right

French reinforcements arrive just in time to strengthen the right flank.


Hill, who now has Engage Orders, moves his corps forward to close with the French.

Rule Note

The French reinforcements arrive in column of march. This allows them to move faster, but they have to deploy into column of attack or line to fight.

Battle of Baltanas - Move 3

1000 to 1100

22 July 1813

Situation at the end of Move 3

British move closer to Baltanas

With poor quality cavalry the British post a brigade in square to support the artillery. The remainder of 3 corps prepare to advance on the town.

Hill directs his advance to his left to avoid the French artillery. The 12 pounders are playing havoc with the approaching infantry.

Rule Note

The British artillery have 6 pounder guns, the French 12 pounder. So the British have to move closer to the enemy to get in range. This leaves both them, and their infantry support, vunerable in the early stages of a battle.

Battle of Baltanas - Move 2

0900 to 1000

22 July 1813

Situation at the end of Move 2

British move closer to Baltanas

Marshal Soult has arrived to take command

Villate spreads his corps out either side of the village

British artillery unlimber to support their cavalry against the enemy threat


Hill has turned his corps to their right and they are ready to advance against Baltanas.

Rule Note

British cavalry are always C class troops, French always B class. So care has to be taken to avoid a cavalry melee unless absolutely necessary, or French casualties has redressed the balance.

Battle of Baltanas - Move 1

0800 to 0900

22 July 1813

Situation at the end of Move 1

Picton is deploying his corps in front of Baltanas

Hill is moving in column of march beyond the trees

Villate is deploying part of his corps to his right to meet Hill

Pictons corps fan out as they approach Baltanas

With no enemy cavalry on this flank, Hill moves his corps in column of march for maximum speed.

Rule Note

Troops in column of march can not fight or defend themselves, so it is a dangerous formation to use if there is enemy cavalry nearby