O'er the Bridge and Far Away...

[Harry Faversham]

As Cornet Faversham led the survivors of the 10th's glorious charge back over the Portina brook, the heavy French fire drives back one of Picton's Battalions. But not before several French units buckle as the 42nd hits home...

The French Artillery redeploys onto higher ground and thunders into action!

In the furious exchange of musketry both sides have units decimated and forced back.

Marshal Ney himself is wounded and carried from the field by his soldiers. As stricken units on both sides fall back from the fighting...

The assault led by the 42nd clears all but a Battalion of Old Guard Grenadiers from the French right flank.Sadly, though for Sir Thomas, the collapse of the British right flank allows the Middle Guard Fusilier Grenadiers to cross the bridge and begin to roll up the British line!

Sir Thomas turns front to flank and grimly fights on. Young Faversham gallops back into the fray to rally a wavering Battalion of Redcoats...

The crisis of the battle is reached. Picton turns front to flank and fights on grimly, but his enemy are the men of the Imperial Guard the Grenadiers of which loom from the battle smoke into the rear of the redcoats. We must see who can pound the hardest!!!

Cornet Faversham dashing across the bridge again, puts new heart into the British and they see off the Old Guard's Grenadiers with a devastating volley!

Before the triumphant British can react a stunning volley from the Middle Guard Fusilier Grenadiers knocks young Faversham for six!

A second French volley sends Sir Thomas Picton tumbling into the brook!

As excited shouts of...

"Vive L'Empereur!"

Echo around the bridge, an old Grumbler sits down on his knapsack and takes a long draft of wine from his canteen...

"Bah, wot's all the shouting for, victory's a trollop we've taken many times before!!!???"