The Siege of El Monasterio

This is a brand new solo game and a totally fictitious scenario set in Spain. 

Ever since I completed the Hinton Hunt Spanish ox cart I've had an idea for a short game buzzing around my head. The basic scenario is that a monastery is in a strategic postion overlooking a supply route. "Why a monastery?" I hear you ask. Well I recently completed a card Spanish church and windmill, and a monastery on a hill seemed a better fit than a church. It is garrisoned by a Portugese line battalion with a Spanish artillery battery (unhappy bed fellows). However the guns are short of ammo and need an urgent supply: cue the ox cart. This is being escorted by a Spanish battalion sent to relieve the Portugese. They are also waiting for a regiment of Spanish hussars to provide some protection to their column.

Meanwhile, the French occupying powers have detailed a battallion of Nassau troops and a Swiss regiment with some French foot guns to lay siege and occupy the monastery. This will ensure a safe route for a larger force. They too have been promised cavalry support in the form of a regiment of French dragoons.

Shako rules apply with some additional conditions i.e. the Spanish battery can only fire three times until the fresh ammunition arrives. To reflect an indecisive gun captain, they can only open fire at long and medium range by turning up a designated playing card (50/50 chance).  At short range they must open fire if any ammo is remaining.

The Spanish relief column will travel at the speed of the ox cart (max 6 inches per turn). It will remain hidden from the enemy until the second bend in the road.

Similarly the French column must travel at the speed of their artillery until it is safely deployed. 

Cavalry support will enter the table either side of the road from turn 2-6 decided by the roll of a dice.

The table before the opposing forces are deployed. The Spanish will approach from the left.

The cards used for the Spanish artillery. I picked this deck up from a military show a few years ago. Helpfully, 4 artillery uniform cards are included.

The "monastery" garrisoned by Portugese 21st Line and a 2 gun Spanish battery. All by Kennington.

The building is a Paper Boys model.

The relief supply column enter from the right

The French Artillery enter from the left

Followed by Hinton Hunt 1st Nassau

Kennington Maria Luisa Hussars make a welcome early entrance

They immediately proceed towards the enemy

Hinton Hunt 2nd Swiss bring up the rear to the left

The Hussars gallop past the monastery while the relief column move steadily up the road.

Right on cue the French 2nd Dragoons arrive (mostly Hinton Hunt - Officer Kennington, trumpeter unknown)

The view from the left. The artillery are beginning to deploy.

Hinton Hunt French artillery prepare to fire

Unlike their Spanish opposition they have no shortage of ammo.

The cavalry quickly clash

Meanwhile the relief column arrives at the lane leading up to the monastery. 

The hussars have lost their melee with the dragoons taking two hits (four will see them off completely). 

The relief column moves further up the lane

With the cavalry threat removed for now, and sporadic firing from the Spanish guns. the Nassau and Swiss ponder when to begin their assault.

The batteries exchange fire and both take casualties

The relief column arrives just as the Spanish loose off the last of their ammo and hit the French guns.  

The dragoons take the initiative and re-engage the now rallied hussars.

The Spanish guns have been taking more hits 

The Nassau and Swiss decide not to wait and start their attack.

Take that! Canister at short range.

    

1st Nassau have been decimated by canister and have fled. The Swiss withdraw having been beaten back by the reinforced garrison. They fail to rally. They have however managed to kill one gun crew. 

Meanwhile the dragoons have dismounted and have attacked the Spanish who fall back

 

Both Spanish guns are now out of action after counter battery fire. The Spanish infantry rally and try to force back the dragoons

The Portugese step in to try and repulse the dragoons

A fierce fire fight ensues

But the Dragoons prove too much and take out the Portugese and then the Spanish. The monastery is theirs.

I can't remember the last time I played a game with so few units but I found it very enjoyable and it was all over in a couple of sessions. The chance element with the artillery cards worked particularly well.  It also gave me a chance to refresh my memory of the rules in advance of my next big battle...but until then one more smallish engagement using troops either new to, or rarely used on the table