Battle of Fuentes de Orono - Part Five

Move 8

On the left the French push the British supports back from Poco Vehlo. In the centre the Portuguese infantry receive artillery casualties and rout. On the right the French infantry approach the river.

At Poco Vehle the French have been ordered to attack. They two brigades cross the stream and push the defenders back shaken. The third brigade attacks the village, but is routed by the rifles.

Wellington is in serious trouble at Fuentes de Orono. His Portuguese brigade is in rout and four infantry brigades are closing on the village.

Move 9

The French attack on the left has stalled, two brigades are in rout and a third shaken. On the opposite flank things are going much better. In the centre the dragoons have broken the square, who are now in rout with the Portuguese, plus the gunners who were sheltered by the square. Two more French brigades are crossing to the left of Fuentes de Orono to join the centre.

The French attack on Poco Vehlo has failed. They have routed one enemy brigade, but the rifles still hold the village. The French have lost two brigades and the third is shaken. The dragoons continue to pin the garrison, and the artillery to fire, but there are no fresh infantry to take the village.

Wellington is about to order a withdrawal from Fuentes de Orono. The French dragoons have broken the square and sent it in rout after the Portuguese. There are four French infantry brigades approaching the village.

Summary

This was a very close fought battle, which could have gone either way.

The French took advantage of the weakly held centre to push cavalry across the stream. They then forced two lots of gunners to abandon their guns, which in turn allowed the French infantry to cross.

The rifles held Poco Vehlo right to the end. The French infantry were disordered as they forded the stream, and were broken by accurate rifle fire from the village.

It was a French victory, but only just. Wellington still had sufficient infantry to cover his retreat.

Battle of Fuentes de Orono - Part Four

Move 6

The French continue to cross the river in the centre. The cavalry have forced the gunners of two batteries to abandon their guns, and continue to threaten to prevent them from returning.

Close up of the action around Poco Vehlo. The French cavalry prevent the gunners returning to their guns. Two French brigades have closed on the river and are skirmishing with the defending British brigade. French artillery have inflicted casualties on the rifle brigade, but they continue to hold the village.

Close up of the action around Fuentes de Orono. Wellington has moved the square sheltering the gunners nearer to the village to protect the flank of the Portuguese brigade. With the threat from the British artillery removed the French are approaching the river.

Move 7

On the left the French are exchanging fire with Poco Vehlo. The cavalry in the centre continue to dominate the allied artillery, the brigade on the right is moving to allow the supporting infantry to approach the square. On the right the French are also closing on Fuentes de Orono.

Close up of Poco Vehlo. The French artillery have failed to cause sufficient casualties on the rifles to force them to abandon the village. Their infantry are not ready to assault the village and continue to exchange skirmish fire.

Close up of Fuentes de Orono. The British continue to hold their position. The French are deployed and ready to engage the defenders. Out of sight on the left the British artillery have routed a French brigade which was attempting to engage the village.

Battle of Fuentes de Orono - Part Three

Move 4

The French have crossed the river in the centre, and their leading dragoon brigade have forced the British hussars to retreat. The British artillery to their right have inflicted casualties on the leading infantry brigade, but they have made their morale.

Close up of the action around Poco Vehlo. The British hussars have retreated after a melee with the French dragoons. The British gunner have abandoned their guns and taken refuge in the village. The second French dragoon brigade, supported by two infantry brigades, are about to cross the river.

Move 5

On both flanks Wellington has brought up his infantry in line to fire on the French as they cross the river. The French dragoons have crossed in the centre, and are facing both left and right to cover the supporting infantry as they cross the river.

At Poco Vehlo the French cavalry deploy to cover the infantry as they cross the river. The leading brigade has suffered two casualties from British artillery, and is Shaken.

Battle of Fuentes de Orono - Part Two

Move 1

The British are on the top of the photograph and all figures are on the table. The French are advancing from the bottom of the table. They have not yet been identified by the British so they are shown as a skirmish screen. When they move within spotting distance (24”) of a French general he will dice to spot them each time they move.

Move 2

All of the French commands have now been spotted and the figures placed on the table. There are three commands. On each flank are three infantry brigades supported by artillery. In the centre a mixed command of elite infantry and mounted dragoons



The French left hand column is within artillery range of Poco Vehlo and has unlimbered their artillery. They are currently on Move orders, which means that they can move towards the enemy but not attack them. Marshal Massena is approaching from the right to change their orders to Engage.

Move 3

The centre French column has reached the river Dos Casas and the enemy artillery has limbered to redeploy and fire on them as they cross. The left hand dragoon brigade has made its morale for an opportunity charge and forced the enemy gunners to seek safety in the village. The supporting British hussars failed their morale and were unable to counter charge.


The Brtish gunners have abandoned their guns and taken refuge in Poco Vehlo, which is held by the rifle brigade. The supporting Portuguese brigade has formed square to contain the enemy dragoons. The British hussars have failed to charge the enemy dragoons as they crossed the river because they failed their morale.

Battle of Fuentes de Orono - Part One

Historical Map

Historical Orbat

Wellington - 34,000 infantry - 1,864 cavalry - 48 guns

Massena - 42,000 infantry - 4,662 cavalry - 38 guns

Wargame Orbat

Wellington 56 infantry - 8 cavalry - 3 guns

Massena 64 infantry - 16 cavalry - 2 guns

Table at start

Wellington’s army is deployed on the table at the start of the game. They are on the far side of the table. The building on the right is Fuentes de Orono, the one on the left is Poco Velho.

Massena’s army enters the table on blinds anywhere along the nearest edge. When they are spotted the figures will be placed on the table.

Special Rules

The British have three generals

The French have three generals, but they may have one more if they combine cavalry or artillery to form a reserve

The river is fordable to infantry or cavalry, but they are disordered during the move they cross. Artillery can only cross by a bridge.

Wellington and Massena may give orders to any commander or brigade, but they must be in base contact to do so. Such brigades must not have already carried out orders during the current move, and may not do so until the next move.

Crauford’s command at Poco Vehlo, overlooked by Wellington with the cavalry brigade

Spencer’s command at Fuentes de Orono