The British have caught the defenders unaware by a surprise infantry charge towards the edge of the village. If you look at the picture below there is a mixture of three different batallions with men of the 13th Line running to fill the gap in the wall.
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As the 13th Line arrive at the wall (closest to you) they open fire into the oncoming British troops. The officer, with the raised sword, is hurrying his men into position. In the middle can be seen the yellow plumes of the 17th Line voltigeurs. The 30th Line, at the far end of the wall, are reloading their muskets having just fired a volley. |
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A close up of the unmanned end of the wall showing the mixture of 13th and 17th Line. In the background, behind the steps, more infantrymen of the 13th are still hurrying into position. The 17th Line voltigeur is calmly reloading his musket whilst the grenadier (small red pompom on hat) in the background seems to have all the time in the world. ... who would think that soldiers ¾" tall could be so ferocious! |