@mcribbHistory has been talking about playing a wargame and I haven’t had a chance to push little men around recently, so we’re going to experiment with a game via Twitter. It’ll be a skirmish game and like a choose your own adventure - though there will be dice. #LLLwargame

If you’d like to follow this game and offer advice, heckles or sarcastic commentary, please use the hashtag #LLLwargame. I’m sure @mcribbHistory will appreciate it.

Jan 1809 - Almeida Fortress - Spanish/Portuguese border. Col Mayne of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion has garrisoned the fortress. Despite his small numbers, he intends to occupy the French as best he can with raids and diversions. #LLLwargame

The Loyal Lusitanian Legion (LLL) was a Portuguese volunteer unit of the British Army, organized with émigrés in England. The men were Portuguese with Portuguese and British officers. The legion was made up of light infantry, some militia and a small battery. #LLLwargame i

There were a few Portuguese cavalry, about a single squadron, attached (who will not be in this game) But the legion was mainly a light infantry raiding force. Unfortunately I don’t have the right LLL figures, so my other Portuguese figures will have to sub in. #LLLwargame

Firstly we have Captain @mcribbHistory a callow youth whose commission was recently purchased. He affects a blue coat in the field. His mission - to scout the bridge at Marvalo farm. To that end he is accompanied by dyspeptic Irishman LT @tomjmegan RE #LLLwargame

Lt @tomjmegan RE (left)will be inspecting the bridge to determine if it is suitable for artillery. I wonder who the second officer (with telescope) is? #LLLwargame

The patrol is made up of 8 riflemen under Lt Nogales and 12 militiamen under Lt Adnet. The riflemen are well trained professionals, while the militia (armed with muskets) are new recruits, enthusiastic but unseasoned. #LLLwargame

After bivouacking overnight, the patrol sets out on a crisp and dry January morning. The bridge and farm are somewhere up ahead. The riflemen lead the column with the militia behind. So our options are ... #LLLwargame

A. Move to the left, disregarding the ridge and passing through the gate into the cultivated field beyond.
B. Pass straight the cut in the middle - the fastest route.
C. Mount the heights on the right, using the rifles to scout. Safer, but slower. #LLLwargame

#LLLwargame You take position on the ridge and survey the scene. To your front, just out of musket shot, but within rifle range you see two pigs running towards you.

One of your men locks his rifle.

“Pork for lunch Sir?”

Yes or No?

Also any thoughts on what you can see?