The Battle of Toulouse - Loosely

The Battle of Toulouse. Wellington commences operations on April 10 (Easter Sunday), 1814. Soult holds until April 11, and then evacuates the city. Wellington enters Toulouse on the morning of April 12, by afternoon he hears of Napoleon's abdication. These are mostly staged shots while working out the scenario using simplified Black Powder rules - removing stuff like Shaken and Disorder which tend to make me think too hard. Basic movement and ranges are reduced, and Blunder and Break Tests are simplified to three results each. The El Perez (or El Perry) scenario in the main rule book could be followed, with the French making the retreat off table instead of the British. However, it could just as well be an attrition scenario.

View of the French cav leading the attack with the St. Sypiere Redoubt to their rear right, and the Languedoc Canal and the outskirts of Toulouse to their left rear.

View of the Allied advance from the north. Their left flank composed of Spanish and Portuguese troops - actually Russians, Prussians, Austrians and several other types as stand-ins.

A view from the east of the battlefield proper.

The French cavalry at this battle actually only consisted of the 2nd Hussars (these are 9th), and Chasseurs a Cheval. But in the spirit of the rules, all available cavalry are thrown into battle - including Dutch Lancers, Dragoons, Cuirassiers and Carabiniers! At least the latter three are in small units.

The British have two good cavalry units - the 1st King's German Legion Hussars and Life Guards; both present at the battle.

The Russians...er, Spanish also provide several cavalry units, including heavy and light cavalry. Oh, and those may look like Prussian Landwehr and Russians, but I assure you they are Spaniards. They were notorious in coming up with uniforms which are poorly documented.

The Spanish holding the Allied left - oh, and check out the spiffy uniforms, which almost look like Bavarians. The militia/guerrillas next to them prove they are all Spanish; Or possibly Portuguese.

The British right - 95th and 60th Rifles out front screeing - as well as Royal Horse Artillery. The 3rd "Buffs" in line, with the Coldstream Guards leading the 79th Highlanders and 28th Foot in column. The 42nd Highlanders in the center in line, with a small unit of Royal Welch Fusiliers behind them; and the 71st Light Infantry in column on their left. All of these units, except for the Coldstream Guards, were present at this battle.

Back to the French. Here is their left flank forward the canal.

Neuchatel Battalion and French Voltigeurs remain inside the city's fortifications, while the 9th Legere cross the bridge towards the battlefield. In the foreground and distance are other French infantry - including the 4th Swiss furthest away. Of course both the 4th Swiss and Neuchatel Battalion no longer existed in 1814. The 4th Swiss virtually wiped out during the Russian Campaign, and the Neuchatel Battalion during the 1813 campaigns.

The 9th Legere, who were present at the battle, cross over the canal. A lone vivandiere, unfazed by battle, plying her wares in the shadow of the church.

View towards the north with the approaching Allies in the distance.