“The Pause That Refreshes”
The Battle of Talavera, 28 July, 1809
Converted Historex figures, 54mm
Silver Medal Winner, MMSI Chicago Show, 2008
From a contemporary wood carving
The Battle of Talavera, 28 July, 1809
The French artillery fire died down and this pause in the battle saw a temporary, undeclared truce break out. Men from both sides went down to collect water from the Portiña brook; it was developing into an intensely hot day. In no time men who had so recently been killing each other were communicating as best they could and were soon joined by their officers.
Sergeant Nicol recalls, “Both armies went for water as if a truce was between us, looking at each other, drinking, and wiping the sweat from their brows, laughing and nodding heads to each other; all thoughts of fighting for the time forgotten.”
—Andrew W. Field, Talavera: Wellington’s First Victory in Spain