Terra Ferra

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==== The crossing of the Hoy and the battle of Hoose. ====
It was chaos. Louis surveyed a shambles as men and material swirled in a hopeless confusion as the tried to organize themselves and cross the river Hoy. He had arrived to find General Bosquet struggling to gather enough boats and ferry his division across to the Hoysee side. The arrival of the 3rd Division and the Cavalry from the Nordsboccoain border had only added to the poor mans dilemma.

He turned to the hapless general. “Well? Who have you got across there? And what do we know of the Hoysee troops?” he waved towards a group of troops on the far side, who appeared to be huddled on the far bank.

“Most of the 2nd Brigade are across and I am about to send the 3rd Brigade to join them. Sire. Then General Beuret can begin across to move his division to support me. I will then advance to contact the Hoysee forces which must be somewhere towards Hoose.” the general smiled nervously.

“No general that will not do.” the Marquis turned his back on the mess behind him. “We need to organize this just like an opera. We need a director and that, sir, is you! I will be the producer” the general was wide eyes as his master's finger jabbed at him.

“You will move one of the cavalry Regiments across next and order the 2nd to then advance towards Hoose. You will then continue to cross the 3rd Brigade. In the mean time you will liaise with both General Guyot of the cavalry and General Beuret, on how you will move the rest of my troops across, and General do not forget the supply train. I will now cross the river and as you send me troops I will organize them to move forward to and send them forwards as soon as they are assembled to support d'Autermarre's 2nd Brigade.”

Louise felt good this military stuff was n't as bad as he expected it was just like arranging an opening night at the opera! “Oh, where are the engineers?” He looked about seeing no activity on the river bank that would indicate a pontoon bridge being built. He distinctly remembered authorizing the purchase of the equipment, it had been quite expensive.

“I ordered them to wait until we had crossed Sire.” Bosquet explained 2they could have only added to the confusion.” Louis sighed yes just like opening night. “get the commander of the Engineers to see me before I cross. I will instruct him to not interfere with the crossing of the troops but I want that bridge up so we can supply the men!” Louis Turned his back on the general dismissing him with a wave.

It appeared not for him the glory of a first night stage performance but rather the satisfaction of a show well produced. Oh well he could not sing either but could always be relied upon to deliver a go show.

The August sun was hot and they had left the well watered Hoy valley behind now as the troops of the 2nd Brigade advanced towards the distant town of Hoose. Despite the heat General Xaviour d'Autermarre was glad to be free of the river and its chaos. The marquis seemed to have taken control and was sorting things out now. He had assured Xaviour he would send more troops forward as they became ready and had attached the Hussar Regiment to his brigade as a scout. Not that they were doing much scouting marching just in front of his 1st battalion, still better than nothing he supposed.

They were approaching a line of low ridges when the colonel of the hussars rode up to report. “Hoysee troops are on the hills to our front sir!” He gestured as he approached with in shouting distance. They dismounted and one of d'Autermarre's aids produced a map. The road ran through a cluster of three villages as it crossed the ridge line. From the map he could see the right was a mix of woods and low hills while to the left it was open territory with just a low hill of the far left.

“The Hoysee forces are the far village and occupy the ridge on the right. “ The Hussar informed him, “They have not yet occupied the ridge to the left of the road nor the first village in the centre.”

The solution was obvious. “Deploy the 3rd Regiment centered on the road. The 4th on their left we will advance towards the ridge while the Chasseur a pied take the village in the centre. The 3rd will act as reserves.” he looked at the hussar colonel, “Your regiment will take the far left and protect my flank as my men advance. Is that acceptable?” he asked. The colonel nodded. “I will occupy that hill which will prevent any interference in the battle from that flank sir.”. With that he left to move his troops and the rest of the Generals command group dispersed to implement the plan.

The attack by the 4th was slow with Colonel Tristan-Lagros' battalions seeming to get in each others way. Suddenly White Hoysee troops appeard over the ridge which was the 4th objective. D'Autermarre noticed the grey uniforms of Hoysee's elite Jager regiment also present. The hussars had not reported those! Still from d'Autermarre's position he could see the Hussar colonel was not having his own way as a Hoysee cavalry charge drove the hussars of the hill they had promised to take. The 4th deployed a battlaion to protect the flank now bare of cavalry protection weakening the attack on the centre as an Hoysee attack forced the Chassuer a pied from the central village. Where were the reinforcements the Marquis had promised?

Things began to change as the two battalions of the 4th charged up the hill dislodging the Hoysee line. While the 3rd advanced on the village taking it in a spectacular charge. But losses in both attacks had been heavy Xaviour could see streams of wounded and beaten men coming back from the ridge as artillery fire from the Hoysee guns ripped his formations apart. Finally the reinforcements arrived as the Hoysee counter attack in the centre began. Too late with both of his infantry regiments exhausted, the artillery and infantry arriving from the river crossing could only form a hasty rear guard as the brigade with drew.

He had taken the ridge but had too few troops available to turn the Hoysee flank. The Hoysee had been able to deploy their artillery and infantry fire-power better and being on the defensive had been able to operate within their limited command ability. Next time would be different d'Autermarre promised, he would force the Hoysee to maneuver. Lets see how their hidebound command structure would cope then.
Terra Ferra

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