Battle of Vimeiro, Portugal, 21st August 1808
This represents the classic line against column duel. "The English generally occupied well chosen defensive positions having a certain command, and they showed only part of their forces. In great haste, without studying the position, without taking time to discover whether there were means to make a flank attack, we marched straight on, taking the bull by the horns. The men became excited, calling out to one another, and increased the speed of their march; the column became a little confused. The English remained quite silent with ordered arms, and from their steadiness appeared to be a long red wall... Very soon we got nearer, crying "Vive l'Empereur! En Avant! A la baionnette!"
Shakos were raised on the muzzles of muskets, the march became a run, the ranks fell in to confusion, the agitation became a tumult; shots were fired as we advanced. The English line remained silent, still and unmoved, with ordered arms, even when we were no more than 300 yards distant, and it appeared to ignore the storm that was about to break. The contrast was striking; in our inner most thoughts, we felt that the enemy was taking a long time in firing and that this fire, held for so long would be very unpleasant when it came. Our ardour cooled. The moral power of steadiness which nothing can shake...overcame our minds. At this moment of painful expectation, the English wall shouldered arms; an indescribable feeling would fix many of our men to the spot; they began uncertain fire. The enemy's steady, concentrated volleys swept our ranks; decimated, we turned round seeking to recover our equilibrium; then three formidable cheers broke the silence of our opponents; at the third they were on us, pushing our disorganised flight"General Thomas Bugeaud, Imperial Army of France |
