The Charge of the Black Brigade - The Battle of Röffel

Note: Please listen to the music in the video below while you read this post.

The following is an excerpt from the book "The Black Bastards - a History of the Schwarz Regiment":

... the lines were arrayed on the heights surrounding Röfell, and von Wattsenburg had placed all of his elite cavalry on his right opposing the Lollander horse. The Großebärwaldern saluted the enemy with an artillery barrage and began to advance the elite cavalry wing.

The Bastards led the way, using the cover of the hill outside the tiny town as cover from a small artillery battery on their left. As they advanced, the Lollanders presented themselves along the crest in defiance. With the Lifeguard protecting their left flank, the Bastards sounded the charge and were joined by the von Thalberg and von Winkel regiments in what most would say was an ill-conceived uphill gallop. But the Großebärwald horsemen were undeterred and pressed the attack. The battle raged on for hours as both sides rested and charged again and again, but soon the Lollander cavalry were all routed, leaving their entire left flank open thanks to help from the Lifeguard. Alas the whole affair was too much for the plucky von Winkels, and they were forced to retire.

The Lollanders weren't about to take this setback lying down, and were advancing their infantry reserves to bolster their defence as the battle raged. The Bastards and their brothesr were tired, but they managed to clear the artillery near the town before pulling back to rest before the inevitable second phase of the battle began.

Musketeers were advancing in line, guns bristling with bayonets and ready to fight the tired horsemen. They struggled to keep their formation intact as they tried to evade the infantry's musket fire, but managed to keep their lines formed as they prepared for one more desperate charge. The sun was getting close to the horizon, and time was running out. But one more Lollander rout would surely put and end to their defiance.

The Bastards were ready. Von Wattsenburg had brought up the infantry to hold the cavalry's left and prevent the Lollanders from pouring fire into the beleaguered attackers. Musket fire lit up the last dregs of daylight as the Black Bastards' bugles sounded one more time. They charged uphill yet again and put sabres to bayonets. Alas, the Lollanders could not hold and broke. They had lost the day and the entire army began to retire as the worn Black Brigade pursued.

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