Dying For A Drink

 Peninsula Sharp Practice action this time - a French attack on the British HQ across the river - which just happens to be El Murrio's taverna.

A French formation appears on the road leading to El Murrio's Bridge

and they are quickly joined by two groups of Voltigeurs at the river bank

No sign of any British troops so far

The Voltigeur officer decides to try a "Coup de Main" assault and rush the bridge

This does elicit a response - musket fire from the church tower drops the leading men

This fire was very effective 

Hearing the gun fire, the British CO urges his men out of the tavern and into a firing line at the bridge

They crash out a volley against those Voltigeurs too

This is enough to destroy both groups of Voltigeurs - just the officer escapes

"Whats all this noise outside my lovely tavern ?"

Next a strong French line arrives and lets loose a volley at the deployed British line

More British troops pile out of the taverna to join the fire fight

French troops now turn away from the bridge being contested to head for the bridge further down stream

The British troops to the right of the tavern are getting the full force of the French volley fire opposite

The British in the church tower keep up their fire against the column heading away from them

This time a Crashing Volley from the French - this causes double the usual amount of shock

These losses are unsustainable !

Even as the French column marches off, they are picked off by the British light infantry in the church tower

The British Sergeant has moved his men out of the killing zone into the protection of the walled orchard

but the main British force stands its ground holding the bridge

but the French get yet another Crashing Volley off

and worse still, the British CO is hit, he's injured but still alive !

Finally, a group of Rifles arrive to help the cause. They are pointed towards the other bridge which is now under threat

The French column is getting ever closer to it

and now they are on the approach road

The men from the church tower join the Rifles and head for the other bridge

But too late ! The French are getting across !

Meantime, the French CO and his men continue to trade shots across the river

They are getting the better of the fire fight - British bodies litter the river bank

One group has been pushed back because of its casualties and shock

Up stream, the French are across and passing the goat field

The Rifles and light troops open fire on them and get a couple of hits

and a good deal of shock after a round of Sharp Practice

This is the moment that the French CO decides to charge his men over the tavern bridge

They smash into the British line

and their attack is devastating

and the already wounded British commander is slain ! Morale crashes too.

British ranks are broken and thrown back

The French charge again and this is enough to finish off the British defenders

The British are broken and their remnants flee the field

The British HQ is empty

"Let's take it men !"

A last hurrah for the British Rifles and Light infantry before they retire - an effective volley has wiped out the enemy lead group but is of no consolation really 

The men in the orchard also fire one last shot before escaping

"Right men, who's dying for a drink ?"

The British HQ has fallen.