2.30pm.
Screen 8. Northern sector.
The battle has begun........ A discharge of smoke from an English battery on the far left of their line brings down two soldiers of Ruffins southernmmost regiments. Further sporadic firing of guns rolls along the English line on the Medellin hill to the Pajar de vegera. Ruffin's tirailleurs already exchange fire with the Spanish before them. General Merlin has split his cavalry command in two; sending half to support Ruffin and the remaining to advance with Villatte's formation.
Screen 9. Centre Sector.
French formations move forward slowly while artillery batteries begin to locate themselves in forward positions. Marshal Victor moves to a point behind the Casjacal Hill.
Southern sector. No Change,
2,45pm.
Screen 10. Northern Sector.
Gen.Brig. Barrois' attacks a Spanish line formation with 2 battalions in column. The Spaniards hold. ( I was expecting more from this; which goes to show that these Spanish formations are not a pushover ). The French also lost 27 men in defensive fire......Groooan ! Added to this was a lucky shot by the far left English battery which knocked out a French gun while unlimbering - not gentlemanly behaviour on behalf of the A.I. General Villatte deploys his men in line - ready to advance by drum beat. Spanish formations are deploying more extensively and some of their cavalry have made an appearance while the English cavalry have vanished from sight.
Screen 11. Centre Sector.
Fortunately ; French gun batteries are starting to come into play and riposting well. ( Note : In the boardgame by Clash of Arms - you could make the English lie down with prone markers - as General wellesley gave the order historically - being the scoundrel he is...... I do not see Blucher or Kutusov ordering their men to lie prone.....not sporting ....is it. The whole object is to fire metal projectiles at each other...not at empty space. Hmmm !....If everybody decided to lie prone on a battlefield........what sort of a battle would that be ???
The 7/1st French battalion makes good loss of some English skirmishers who had previously routed a French tirailleurs company.
Screen 12. Southern Sector .
Milhaud's cavalry move forward.........a lead detached, scouting squadron comes across abatis before Talavera.