Action at La Haie Sainte

This action takes place between 3pm and 5pm on the 18th June 1815. The British are trying to push reinforcements down to La Haie Sainte. The main battle for the farm still rages to the South and the massed French cavalry attack is now surging to the West, drawing support from the farm. The British aim is to get at least one additional group of line infantry into the Kitchen Garden. 

 

The British start with 1 group of Light Infantry (In-line) in the Kitchen Garden and one group of Rifles in the “sandpit”. The Sandpit offers light cover to skirmish troops within it.

 

 

Things started off badly for the French with the main British force and rifles all arriving early while the French were still finishing off breakfast.

Seeing the British column advancing rapidly towards them the French deployed their line infantry and the cannon opened up hoping to slow the British.

 
Meanwhile the Voltigeurs deployed behind the British in the "Garden", sneaky.

The French dragoons headed for the "Garden" and dismounted over the other side taking the British by surprise by shooting them in the rear. The 1815 Alamo was looking bleak for the British.

However, the British rescue column was moving at a fast pace...

and the British artillery were upsetting the French and their plans to get over the hedge into the "Garden".

The French managed to kill the officer and eject the British from the "Garden" but the column had now arrived. This wasn't looking great for the French.

The French Voltigeurs now picked on the unit ejected from the "Garden", causing casualties and shock. This was good as the British force morale was starting to plummet. Would the British be able to take the "Garden" whilst maintaining their morale? Their luck was in as the column formed line and poured fire into the single group that had managed to cross the hedge.

After a couple of turns the French were shot out of the "Garden". All the British had to do now was stop firing and then leap over the hedge. Could they do it? Of course they could.

It was a close run thing with the British force morale down to one and the French line threatening their rear. It could easily have gone to the French.