An Affair at San Sebastien - The Opening Action

Our game takes place near the small town of San Sebastien, that lies in a lush valley about 100 miles west of Valencia. It is an area of mixed loyalty and Don Carlos' banner has been raised and the Carlist have been recruiting. Those that have answered the call have been told to gather at the Abbey.

A shipment of arms has been secretly shipped to San Sebastien and is being stored by Señor Garcia, a local merchant and Carlist sympathiser. A small Carlist force consisting three trained battalions of Carlist infantry, two units of Valencian militia, two units of lancers and a mountain gun. Has been despatched to pick up the muskets from Señor Garcia and get them to the Abbey.

Four battalions of the French Foreign Legion, supported by two battalions of militia, a unit of lancers and a mountain gun have been sent to seek out any Carlist forces and disperse them.

The terrain, below, features a broad broken ridge (with a spur on which the Abbey stands), only passable by the road and two mountain tracks. At the far end of the table is the mouth of a mountain pass. San Sebastien stands near the centre of the table.

The quiet village of San Sebastien with the French Foreign Legion firming in the distance.

The Legion cavalry enters the town. Their entry spurs Señor Garcia to end the muskets off with his servant Pedro - the last thing Señor Garcia needs is for several crates of muskets found in his cellar.

The Carlist force approaches the gaps in the ridge.

The whole field from the Carlist end of the table

The Legion infantry move to the right of the town...

...and flank the Carlist, who scramble to reposition around the Abbey

The Legion closed and opened fire on the Carlist infantry. One of the Valencian Volunteer units was hard hit and decided that this soldiering lark was not for them and scattered. The Legion cavalry charged one of the Carlist units, but was repulsed. At this point the Legion commander decided that he was not strong enough to storm the Abbey and backed out of range. He decided to take a position and called for support.

The Carlists also settled down for the night and called out for reinforcements.

And so the initial skirmish ended with both sides awaiting support in the morning. That action will take place on Sunday and will be reported accordingly.