14 March 1813 – Battle of Agualar

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

One British corps has orders to attack Agualar

British – 1200 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 1600 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

Both corps start on the table.

The two Spanish guerrilla brigades can only fight if attacked

0800-1200

Wellington deploys his cavalry and artillery in the centre

The infantry move to the left of the woods to attack the town

The French cavalry and artillery mirror the British deployment

Two infantry brigades are in garrison in Agualar

Two more move to meet the British attack.

1400-1500

The French artillery redeploy to fire on the British infantry

They are charged by the British hussars.

The French light cavalry fail their morale to counter charge

The gunners are routed with 30% casualties

The French cavalry are shaken by the rout, break and run

1500-1700  

The two rifle brigades engage the French infantry outside the city.

They win the initial skirmish exchange and leave both enemy brigades disordered

The three British brigades then move into close range and initiate a fire fight

The town garrison also suffer casualties from artillery fire

  

French infantry rout

The three British brigades win the firefight

Both French brigades suffer 40% casualties and rout

Two British brigades suffer 10% casualties and are disordered

The nearby town garrison fail their morale because of the rout and are shaken

Conclusion

The French hold the city until nightfall

They then retreat under cover of darkness

The French have lost 3600 infantry and 300 gunners

The British have lost 800 infantry

Outcome

The result is a convincing victory for the British

They will occupy Agualar on 15 March

The French will retreat towards Escalada

Battle Summary

Although outnumbered Wellington ordered the attack on Agualar

There were two guerrilla brigades close to the town

But they would only fight if they were attacked.

Wellington divided his corps for the attack

The cavalry and artillery would deploy right of the woods

Their task was to bombard the garrison

His three infantry brigades would advance to the left of the woods

They would attack the two French brigades holding the hill to the left of the town

As the infantry neared the hill the French artillery redeployed to engage them

The British cavalry immediately advanced and charged them

The French cavalry failed their morale test to counter charge

The gunners lose 30% casualties and rout

The nearby cavalry are shaken by the rout, fail their morale and also run away

The British infantry open their attack with a skirmish fight

With two rifle brigades they quickly gain the advantage

Both French brigades are disordered and have each lost 10% casualties

The three British brigades advance and initiate a fire fight, which they win

Both French brigades are routed with 3200 casualties between them

The French hold the town until nightfall, when they retreat under cover of darkness

The French have lost 3900 casualties and have four brigades in rout

The British have lost 800 casualties