While mortars were invaluable as weapons of terror, they had a limited amount of powder and shells. Doctrine called to use them sparingly, but Marc had no intention of leaving anything for the Spanish to use against a potential counter-attack. I’m not the one that has to pay to replenish the stocks…

As the infantry broke into a run, the heavy cavalry broke from the treeline and immediately split up into two groups. Doctrine called for them to circle around Marc’s position, and attack his flanks. If they timed it right, the infantry and cavalry would strike at the same time, forcing Marc to defend himself from three sides. It’s a good thing the hill is littered with traps… 

There came the sounds of musket fire from the town. Marc assumed that a smaller team composed primarily of cavalry circled around with plans to attack from the rear. Fortunately Marc had planned for this and his men were ready and were putting up a heavy resistance.

Since horses would not risk jumping over the wooden barriers, they would have to engage on foot. Sėez will see that they are torn to shreds if they try.

“The fuse was too long,” Marc said. 

The Adjutant broke rank and relayed the message to a volunteer from the town on horseback. When he ran off to relay the message, another man crossed his path to replace the messenger.

By the time smoke and dust cleared from the mortar, the men who fired from the trenches were already in position higher up the hill. Their orders were simple: strike, run, and find cover within the next trench. That tactic won’t work for long… 

In accordance with his orders, a second mortar was launched almost exactly two minutes after the first exploded. Both teams were provided with hourglasses. They would alternate firing their mortars until Marc altered the order.

Several distinctive cracks reached him after three Spaniards fell where they once stood. Before the enemy could respond, the mortar came down; making a sound of dull drumming combined with whistling from its lit fuse.

Marc watched as it flew overhead, and buried itself into the hillside. Three seconds later, the steel casing packed with black powder blew, sending dirt, rock and shrapnel everywhere. Had it been a direct hit, the mortar would have decimated the ranks, as it stood, an additional three fell, two of which managed to stand up.

“The fuse was too long,” Marc said.

From his vantage point Marc caught movement from within the woods. The large outline of horses indicated the calvary were moving into position. That meant el Comandante’s soldiers were diverted until the cavalry could sweep in to wreak havoc. We’re nothing more than a speck of dirt in the eyes of a cavalryman….

When the soldiers were about a third of the way up the hill, Marc nodded to his Adjudant. After they counted down from three, the two of them raised their swords in the air.

Seconds after the signal was made, there came a muffled blast. As the heavy mortar flew up high in the sky, eight Frenchmen popped out from out of their trenches and fired off muskets.

After looking el Comandante in the eyes, Marc figured Barón was not known as a creative strategist. Such a mind would not have announced their presence the night prior. I’d light decoy fires using a handful of men…

The first to exit the treeline were the soldiers, with muskets in hand, and bayonets affixed. They marched out neatly in line, remained in step until the soft  ground from the morning rain bogged them down. 

Marc admired the determination of both the soldiers and those who kept them in line. Even when one stumbled, the others would pull them up so they never missed a step. Their drummer boy was something else… That terrain has no effect on him.

“Plenty of time to win before their siesta,” Marc countered. 

“Well, that’s their plan,” Cornay replied.

It was just the two of them, so his Adjutant could speak freely. The fact he hinted that the enemy would not meet their deadline showed the faith he had in their course of action. 

“I aim to teach them a lesson,” Marc quipped. 

“One they’ll never forget.”

“Quite right. Have our Lieutenant arrange sentries for the night from those remaining at the garrison. As soon as they see activity, they raise the alarm and withdraw to the garrison.” Marc then mulled over his plan and added, “The Lieutenant shall let anyone from the town in who requests a safe place to shelter the battle.”

Marc had no desire to throw the Lieutenant into the thick of things. He’ll have other opportunities to test his resolve… after this battle is won.

“And miss out on all the fun, mon Capitaine?” Cornay replied.

Against infantry and holding onto the high ground they stood a chance to man to man. However, cavalry negated the advantage. 

The horses neighing in the night was like hearing wolves howling during a full moon. Setting camp close to the town served as a warning. Flee while you still can, or you’ll be dead by noon.

“When do you expect they’ll make their advance, Adjudant?” Marc asked.

“I’d say an hour after first light.” Cornay replied. “They’ll want their men well rested, and they are in no rush to attack.”

“Plenty of time to win before their siesta,” Marc countered.

“Well, that’s their plan,” Cornay replied.

“That doesn’t look promising,” Marc said.

They stood at the crest of the hill overlooking the fields outside of town. In the distance along the treeline between fields, there were lights from dozens of campfires. Every so often the light was interrupted from soldiers passing ahead of the flames.

“I’d say anywhere from ninety and one-forty men,” Cornay said. 

“At worst there are five of them to one of us,” Marc said. “It’s not too late to back out now.”

“And miss out on all the fun, mon Capitaine?” Cornay replied.

Just beyond there was the town, with four heavy mortar emplacements and their best marksmen.  While the plan was sound, they lacked the numbers.

“We had to assume the Spanish would outnumber us. What we didn’t know was the ratio.”

Warning, oxygen levels at 10.6% and rising. All personnel are to make their way to an emergency shelter.

Marc paused, memories from that battle further solidified in his mind. The imagery was so strong that he tasted brimstone in the air. The memory was powerful enough to reawaken his emotions, but like the good soldier he was, Marc suppressed them.

“We found out that night…” Marc said.

Meanwhile, they dug into the hillside, concealing their work with deadfall and loose hay. The hill meant high ground which gave them an advantage. The obstacles and traps they laid down would hopefully dissuade attempts to flank them.

Marc and a small group of men would stand their ground near the crest of the hill. He made sure they had what was necessary to give the Spanish a warm welcome.