Second River Crossing (3)

The critical moment had arrived; three French companies had managed to land and were confronted by an equal number of Pommaine militia backed up by the Imperial artillery.

The militia advanced to throw the invaders back into the river, but their fire was ineffective, however part of the battery had swung their guns to face upriver and enfiladed the nearest Frenchmen with devastating rounds of canister causing them to recoil to the river edge.

The rest of the French fired causing the militia to recoil and then they pressed their advantage and charged the militia facing them. The most southerly militia company ran immediately, whereas their partners put up a stronger resistance against the light company until Colonel Fafffen was hit, at which point they fell back. Unfortunately the 3rd company did not press home the attack on the other French company in the face of their fire.

The effect of the loss of Colonel Faffen was to take the heart out of the defence; even the guns missed an opportunity to enfilade the French again. The French then proceeded to clear away the remaining militia before charging over the rear of the redoubt to take the guns from behind. The gunners then fled in the face of French bayonets, their only saving grace was that they had forced the remaining French artillery barge to retire back to the other bank.