CAPTURE OF LOS BANDITOS
This picture shows the hills north of Nostra Villa where the Bandit chieftains Don Julio and Fernando are holed up. Both British and French troops have converged on the hideout with the objective of capturing the most important of guerrilla leaders. The villagers are trying to enjoy a quiet afternoon despite this.
Indeed, a shepherd whose flock idles in the midst of the impending battle seems quite unconcerned.
Fernando leads the guerrillas to the River's edge, while Don Julio fumes behind. Don Julio advocates a defence in depth while Fernando wants to be firing as quickly as possible. The guerrillas are spread fairly thin across the front but have put fully half of their numbers against the British riflemen.
Lieutenant McFitzwilliamson, on orders from Major McGonagall of the 42nd Highlanders, advances the guns of the Royal Horse Artillery well forward of the British brigade.
And suddenly a guerrilla ambush is revealed. Esmeralda opens fire upon the Highlander colour guard, also moving well in advance of the Battalion. Two colour sergeants are slain.
Esmeralda's plucky band though is in a dangerous situation as more Scotsmen roll forward over the hills. The rightmost infantry company begins forming into line from column but French forces are nearing.
With a speed that catches the British unprepared, Lieutenant Banville's Hussars charge at the gallop and crash into the Highlanders while they were trying to form line. No attempt is made to capture the colours but the cavalry win the skirmish. They send the remnants of the infantry fleeing.
Lt McFitzwilliamson quickly gets his guns unlimbered and orders them to begin loading while the limbers clear out of the way. French infantry are advancing in the distance and there is also a French gun moving into position. Sheep panic.
Sergeant Corgi's company reaches the riverbank and begin to exchange fire with Don Julio's guerrillas.
In the center, Esmeralda's band is scrambling up the hillside as quickly as they can.
Meanwhile on the French left, Captain Montfort with a demi-company of voltigeurs has begun to arrest and interrogate civilians. Thus far he has learned that there is treasure hidden in the guerrilla caves. It is also becoming apparent that this is the wealthiest village in all of Espagne.
As Don Julio's Juligans are sent reeling back. Sgt Corgi leaps into the water to demonstrate to his soldiers that it isn't so bad. The troops are impressed with his courage but not his honesty. They do not yet follow him in. When the battle would finally end, Sgt Corgi will be no closer, proving himself unable to motivate his Company across the ford.
The British seem to have stabilized their center now. Capt Hawkesworthe can be seen on the left to be leading a second company in pursuit of Esmeralda. On the French right, Lieutenant Marat is moving without enthusiasm toward the ford.
As Hawkesworthe's pursuit closes on the guerrillas, they turn to fight. Esmeralda, with her deadly knife skills, looks for an opportunity and finds it. At first, the bandits enjoy some success in the narrow passage and both sides take casualties. Esmeralda leaps from her perch on the rocks to fall upon Hawkesworthe. The British Captain is felled by a knife between the ribs. It would turn out to be a less than fatal wounding but the riflemen, enraged by what they think is the death of their captain, throw greater fury into the melee.
The Riflemen are soon in close pursuit of the last of Esmeralda's band over the rope bridge.
Captain Montfort, unmolested, proceeds to round up more villagers and collect a small train of livestock.
Another charge from the Hussars and more Highlanders are sent running. Not once yet have they had the opportunity to defend themselves with a volley. Worse for the Scots. Major McGonagall has been captured by Lieutenant Banville after an exciting duel. McFitzwilliamson is about to open fire.
The Horse artillery fires and many horses and men go down. The French Line Infantry company though gets the first fusillade against the Black Watch and it is deadly. The shock that is inflicted prevents the Highlanders from returning an effective volley. One more volley of musketry would sent the last of the Highlanders running. Major Laclos is off trying to recover his windblown hat.
At game's end, Esmeralda has managed an escape while Fernando can be seen hurrying to counter Hawkesworthe's advance across the bridge. In the corner, Lieutenant Marat has finally persuaded his men to cross the river but they are not in any position to start rounding up Guerrilla leaders yet.
Neither Captain Hawkesworthe for the British nor Major Laclos for the French has achieved their objective of capturing a guerrilla leader. Major McGonagall has failed to keep the French out of the village. Don Julio and Fernando failed, between them, to kill a single enemy. After interrogating his prisoners, Captain Montfort will announce that it is Esmeralda who is, in fact, the most glorious of the all the guerrilla leaders. All the players have failed to accomplish their objectives.
Not a wholly successful game but amusement was found. Lessons have been learned.