Nap Campaign: The Siege of Cragsmere Castle (Holland)

Although I have described it as a siege, it would probably be more accurate to claim it as an assault.

The rules used were a concoction of my own. I used the basic mechanism of General de Brigade but felt that firing and in particular melees needed to be handled differently to make it more interesting. I therefore imported and then reworked the firing and melee mechanism from Sharp Practice by Too Fat Lardies. On the whole it worked pretty well so combat between just a few figures could still be exciting. On to the battle:

Grouchy had been made aware of a small Dutch/Belgian force holding out in an old castle called Cragsmere on the Prussian/Hanoverian border. It was essential that the castle be taken before the main push into Holland. He asked D'Erlon who would be best to deal with this little problem. Without hesitation he delegated the task to his excellent divisional commander, Lt Gen Quiot. To ensure rapid success he was to take his entire 1st Division supported by a cavalry brigade. 

At dawn on the 8th March his force arrived before Cragsmere Castle. Although it was a medieval fortification, it still provided a significant obstacle. With no siege equipment it would have to be scaling the walls with any units gaining access to quickly make for the main gateway. His scouts had noticed a small door in one of the gatehouses opening out onto a track heading north from the castle. This provided another means of access. 

Quiot decided that the attack would be split into two. The main gatehouse would be the focus for Charlet's brigade, and the track to the north east facing wall would be Bourgeois' brigade. They would be supported by artillery providing covering fire and cavalry to guard against any attempt at a break out. At 1100 hours the operation to capture Cragsmere Castle commenced.

The situation on the night before:

'12' is Quiot's command and '7' is the force occupying Cragsmere Castle.

THE SIEGE OF CRAGSMERE CASTLE

French v Dutch/Belgian

Total French = 263

CinC Lt Gen Quiot

Total Dutch/Belgian = 70

CinC Maj Gen D'Aubreme

Figure Scale = 15mm

8th March 1808

Start 1100 hours (max 24 moves)

ORDER OF BATTLE

TERRAIN (9B)

Each square = 3'9"

5'3" x 3'9" table

Terrain Description:

9B22 - Rough terrain, high peaked hill, rapid rivers in rocky cutting, timber bridge

9B21 - Cragsmere Castle, broken terrain around hill, becoming smooth and grassy towards river, deep river, stone bridge.

Skirmishers have advanced to the base of the hill taking cover among the rocks. They provide covering fire along with the artillery as Charlet's brigade prepare to advance towards Cragsmere Castle. Scaling ladders are piled at the rear of the artillery battery ready to be collected by the units who have been given the dubious honour of being first over the walls.

The battalion columns of Bourgeois' brigade make their way to the castle's 'tradesman's entrance'! 

The castle garrison (in this case Portuguese masquerading as Dutch/Belgians) fire down on the skirmishers which occasionally find their mark.

The first of Charlet's brigade. 

The red counters you will see next to units represent 'shock'. When the total shock points equals or exceeds the number of figures in a unit then it must test for morale. Shock points also has an accumulating negative effect on firing and melee. Shock points can be rallied. 

Skirmishers fan out ahead of Bourgeois main force who deploy ready for the assault. A horse artillery battery has deployed to provide support.

Skirmishers have worked their way to the summit and continue to fire onto the parapets as the rest of the brigade prepares for the main assault.

With one battalion deployed into line to provide additional covering fire, the rest of Bourgeois brigade haul scaling ladders towards their target.

The Dutch/Belgian garrison readies itself to repel any attempt on the castle walls.

As can be seen from the stack of red counters, the Belgian artillery is suffering from the attention of French firepower.

The artillery crew on the north tower are suffering particularly badly but hold out so far as the French infantry approach.

The French take casualties from infantry lining the walls as they prepare to position the ladders.

The view from the gatehouse as the French storming party approaches.

The two battalions of the 105th line lead the charge across the ramparts. The commanding officer of the 2/105th demonstrates incredible horsemanship having ridden his stallion up the ladder! Fighting is fierce around the wall walkway with the Belgian infantry desperately attempting to expel the French. The target for the 105th is the north tower where they are to neutralise the cannon and open the door for the 28th to gain access.

On the opposite side, Charlet's brigade is having a much tougher time. They suffer heavy casualties from the determined Dutch as they attempt to scale the gatehouse.

The 105th fight their way to the top of the north tower. Others fight their way along the walkway towards the south tower.

An overview of the current situation.

Charlet's brigade now turn their attention towards the north west wall as their repeated attempts to gain the gatehouse fail.

Having neutralised the artillery crew the 105th face a determined counter-attack by the Belgians as casualties mount in the confines of the north tower.

The 1/105th continue to fight along the walkway towards the south tower with the Dutch infantry defending that section fighting every inch of the way.

They finally make their way through into the South tower. The battalion splits with two companies assaulting the artillery while the other 4 descend into the courtyard where they meet further resistance. The Dutch commander, D'Aubreme, deploys his reserve companies of Belgians towards the north tower realising that this is now the biggest threat. The gatehouse and west walls are holding out well against Charlet's brigade who are finding it impossible to successfully scale the walls. The Dutch/Belgians have suffered heavy casualties though and are looking increasingly threadbare along the walkways and the gatehouse towers. 

The north tower doorway was at last thrown open and the 2/28th Line lead the charge into the castle courtyard where they were met by counter-charging Belgians. D'Aubreme himself joined the fray. Elsewhere in the courtyard the mix of Dutch and Belgian companies were being forced back by the 105th. Worse was to come for the garrison as the French finally gained the gatehouse walkway. Such was the need to plug gaps elsewhere, the Dutch had abandoned the south west wall. The 2/54th Line of Charlet's brigade took advantage and scaled the undefended walls.

The courtyard began to resemble a desperate last stand as the Dutch/Belgian line continued to shrink. With morale starting to collapse D'Aubreme called a halt to the fighting to prevent any further loss of life. He surrendered with honour to Quiot who congratulated him on a bold and steadfast defence. 

The Dutch/Belgian garrison were given a guard of honour as the survivors were lead into captivity.

Quiot had achieved his objective but unsurprisingly, his losses were heavy. 

Casualties:

The situation by nightfall:

Result = A decisive French victory.

With the danger posed by the Prussians on his flank now neutralised and Cragsmere Castle in French hands, Grouchy was now ready to advance into the Dutch/Belgian heartlands.

NEXT: Map Moves