"?45th "Sherwood Foresters" at Talavera?" Topic

I need to resume working on the 45th, using 40 Victrix Peninsular War plastics. I chose this unit to do in a desperate defense against long odds, some being wounded, heading rear; a drummer with a leg broken by a musket ball; a soldier using a drum with the top cut away to hand up cartridges to others, etc.

The day BEFORE the battle, this brigade was surprised on outpost duty by the 16eme leger of the French Ist Corps – 3 Battalions, probably equal numbers. The 45th put up a stout defense, covering the retreat of the rest of the brigade.

Wikipedia shows the lost about 25 people that day, but over 100 during the actual battle next day. Does anyone know how desperate that action might have been?

GdeP

The Brigade was caught by surprise and Wellesley himself almost had to cut his way out ('Swords out gentlemen!'). It was a desperate battle as you have surmised and the British came away with a very bloody nose. Any good account of the Talavera campaign will give you the details.

You can download Oman's volume for free here:

link

There were a couple of companies of the 5th/60th on the left flank of the 45th with another two companies in the rear (support)and to the right of Brigadier-General Anson's light cavalry consisting of the 23rd Light Dragoons and 1st Hussars KGL.

Casualties for the 45th were:

Lt-Colonel Guard (commanding) and four men wounded

Two men Killed and seven captured.

Total: 14

Major Gwyn took over command from the wounded Lt-Colonel Guard.

General de Division Lapisse had managed to ensconce 12 battalions in the woods between the Albreche stream/river and Casa de Selinas without being seen by Major-General Mackenzie's Picquet. Lapisse also managed to bring up a couple of Horse Artillery Batteries too.

The 2nd/24th, 2nd/31st, 2nd/87 and the 1st/88th were all part of the advanced guard with all but the 1st/88th, being untried units.

The 2nd/87th lost 198 men and the 2nd/31st 119.