An incident on the road to Sebastopol

This imaginary scenario sees the British army in October 1854 running up against a hasty defence by a Russian rearguard.  The Russians have established themselves on a line of low hills straddling the road to Sebastopol, in order to delay the Allies and allow the Russian field army to withdraw.

Here are the Russian positions, with six battalions of infantry and a couple of artillery batteries either side of the road.:

The Russians have pushed forward some rifle armed skirmishers up to the river behind some stone walls.

The British are advancing on a broad front with three brigades, supported by artillery and light cavalry in the vanguard

The action begins with the British moving the Rifle Brigade up to the river line and an advance by some of the Scots and Guards. As they advance the Russian batteries on the hills open up, cutting down some of the Black Watch.

At the same time the Russians push forward three massive columns of infantry, in an attempt to hold the river line, all the while the British take casualties from the guns;

The British artillery fires into the Russian columns.

The Rifles take even more casualties, but from the shelter of the river bank pour fire into the central column:

Whilst the brisk action with the Rifles goes on, the Guards and Highlanders continue to advance upon the river, as a third Russian column edges around the small plantation:

The Rifles are taking a heavy toll on the Russians, but are themselves in trouble and in danger of being overwhelmed.

However, the Black Watch and the Guards arrive in time to save the Rifles, pouring fire into the dense columns.  The British in line with Minie Rifles outgun the musket armed Russians in their tight packed formations:

The combination of artillery fire and the Russian skirmishers cause heavy casualties amongst the grenadier Guards

But the arrival of the Black Watch halts the Russian column skirting around the plantation, saving the Rifles.

Now, the Russians are subjected to a punishing rain of fire.  The three columns are torn to pieces, as are the Russian skirmishers, who have been pushed back:

The British move across the river, driving the Russian columns before them:

As the Black Watch emerge from the river, they are charged by Russian dragoons.  With the Highlanders in line, they pour down devastating fire which cuts down the horsemen.

A second Russian dragoon regiment thunders towards the Rifles who, supported by the Grenadier guards and an artillery battery, also cut the cavalry to pieces.

Two fresh Russian columns counter attack against the two Guards battalions, that are now standing behind the stone wall.  The Minie Rifles once again devastate the close packed Russian infantry, halting the columns in their tracks.  

With six Russian battalions destroyed, along with two cavalry regiments, the Russian commander feels that he has delayed the British as long as he can and he withdraws his forces from the field.

The battle ends.  All the figures are from the collection of the late Alan Cook, consisting of Miniature Figurines S Range figures and some conversions.