Escalera de la Perdición - a Sharp Practice Campaign. Game One

In a remote corner of rural Spain on a low hill stands the small settlement known as Pueblo de Gente Grosera.

In the early spring of 1811  British and French forces clash in the fields around the village; advanced scouts for much larger forces, each seeking a route around the flanks of the other to steal a march on their foe.

Pueblo de Gente Grosera stands on a low hill. The British have advanced across the sparsely cultivated lands to the east of the village. From the west the French force has come across the plain. Whichever side can seize control of the village and then force their enemy back will open a route for their army to follow.

Scrivs and I have been talking about playing a Sharp Practice campaign since before he came back from America two or more years ago. He's currently packing to return stateside, so what better time to try and squeeze the campaign in?

We each had 80 point forces - starting with the basic Peninsular forces from the rulebook and adding more points. The first game was to be a simple encounter scenario.

Sadly the low mood lighting in Casa Scrivs seemed to disagree with my camera, so what follows are some pretty shoddy pictures.

The fields of this particular part of Spain were lush and verdant.

The British (me) soon deployed.

And the French began their advance

The British flanks both pushed up to try and clear the inevitable Voltigeurs

The Hanoverians crested the hill and poured shot into still more skirmishing Frenchies.

On the right the Bitish had got themselves caught up an a protracted firefight. They were winning, but a long way from where they needed to be.

The French centre shook themselves out into line.

Still the clouds of skirmishers swirled about.

On the hill the Hanover troops were taking a fair bit of fire.

And eventually they fled in disaray

The main French column had established themselves in the woods.

While dratted Voltigeurs continued to snipe at the main English group

The French centre claimed the hill recently vacated by the Hanoverians

Another firefight that saw the redcoats outgunned.

With casualties mounting Captain Bland signalled the retreat!

That was a tough game. Scrivs had invested wisely in skirmishers and more officers. I'd gone for extra carts, which I'd not needed.

So the British retreat and the French as a result get to choose the next scenario!