Cavalry combat

Still eager for glory, the Heavy Dragoons quickly rallied and immediately charged the French Heavy Cavalry while they were still disorganised by the canister fire. They smashed into the heavier French cavalry at full speed, immediately routing them, then calmly reformed their ranks.

However once the two French dragoon squadrons had reformed and once their heavier comrades were out of the way they charged at the Heavy Dragoons. Their left hand squadron as expected took canister fire causing their charge to falter. The real shock was experienced by the right hand squadron as huge cannonballs unexpectedly ripped through their ranks. It was a stroke of luck that there was a clear line of fire from the village to the Dragoons and Jens and his seamen fired their siege guns as soon as they had a clear target. The dragoons involved routed almost immediately.

On the right two squadrons of Chevau-léger charged forward attempting to catch the Freishutz as they withdrew but the Freihussaren and the second squadron of Light Dragoons counter charged. The Light Dragoons succeeded in driving back the squadron facing them, but the Freihussaren were pushed back and broken. Assailed by two Frenchmen, Friedrich parried one thrust and then stabbed his sabre into his enemy’s chest, but turning, saw the other Frenchman’s sabre was swinging towards him when a shot rang out and the Frenchman fell in mid swing. Looking around Friedrich was convinced he saw Ilse calmly reloading a rifle. He spurred his horse onward to distance himself from the French and to try and rally his men.