Battle of Orthez - Move 3

Table at start of move 3

Wellington’s army are now approaching French artillery range

Davout has not yet committed his reserve

British Far Left

Cavalry lose melee with French lancers and rout

Infantry have formed column of attack and artillery unlimbered

French artillery have caused casualties on highland brigade, who are shaken

British Left

Wellington has joined Alten to decide where to commit him

Meanwhile Alten had advanced 8”

British Centre

Picton has advanced 4” and is moving down the hill towards St Boes

British Right

Artillery fire on French cavalry, but are out of range and cause no casualties

British infantry form column of attack

Artillery manhandle guns 2”

Portuguese infantry form column of attack from square

French Left

Artillery fire on British cavalry and cause casualties

British cavalry pass morale test for casualties

Three French infantry brigades form square

French Reserve

Clausel advances 16” to support d’Erlon

French Right

Artillery fire at close range on highland brigade and cause casualties

Highlanders fail morale test for casualties and are shaken

Lancers charge downhill at British hussars

British hussars pass morale test to counter charge

Lancers skirmish melee

British hussars lose melee, receive casualties and rout

Lancers test morale for pursuit, pass and halt disordered

Game Notes

There are two types of cavalry melee.

Skirmish melee is usually less decisive

Attack melee normally results in heavier casualties

Attacker decides which type of melee, depending on his orders

Rule 14 covers cavalry v cavalry combat

There are four types of morale. Formed, Disordered, Shaken and Rout

Failure to pass morale test can result in shaken or rout

Rule 18 covers morale tests

The rules used can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/