2 June: Noon

It was not until the afternoon that Pereira and his Cacedores entered the town. On the eastern outskirts there were a few burned down buildings bodies and evidence of fight. Less damage was observed within the town. nearly all the inhabitants were gone, having left before the battle. A few very elderly citizens remained, and all glared at him as he went by with his men.  Once his men were dropped off by the battalion mess wagons, he went to the makeshift hospital to look in on the wounded. Only a few were to be found, as several building around the town were being used as surgery stations.

When he returned to his platoon, he was stuck by how ragged they appeared. His own uniform was torn and filthy as the woods had been  overgrown with thickets.  Major Silva, the battalion commander, as waiting for him. It was now that he learned of the death of Captain Almeida. A few minutes of conversation later and Periera was now the Company commander.

Per instruction he moved his men to the hill just east of town where they would reassemble and reorganize.  His company had gone int actin with 185 men, they now had 127. Many of the leaders had been killed. Lt Furnal, the only other company officer, commander 1st platoon, Sgt Gomes would command second platoon. After an hour's rest on the hill they were moved to the brigade assembly area. bow them he watched the endless procession of  I Corps trudging through the town.

***

Three miles to the south Lt  Morden  peered through his field gasses back down the road. There had been a sharp clash with enemy Dragoons twenty moments before  and his squadron had prevented them from probing forward. Th dragoons seemed content with pot shotting at them, no real pressing of the attack. Morden was happy for this as he was convinced that any aggressive push by the enemy now would overwhelm and destroy the brigade as they struggled south.

A pair of uhlans trotted by, both on the same horse. They were his last patrol. "We are the last one's sir! No one following us at the moment. Their infantry is still east of the river." Corporal Meeks, his courier, looked on expectantly for a message to deliver back down the line. He scribbled a quick not to regiment.


Half-hearted enemy cavalry probe turned.  Bulk of enemy force still remains east of the river. Enemy appears to be reorganizing in town....Morden