20 March 1813 – Battle of Burgos

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

Three British and two French corps have orders to attack

British – 35600 infantry, 2900 cavalry, 90 guns

French – 32000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

3 British brigades are absent, 2 on garrison and 1 due to 30% casualties

Table at start of wargame

British HQ, 2 and 4 corps all arrive on table at the start of move 1

0800-0900

3 French ordered to hold pass

13 French ordered to hold city and extend to pass

2 and 4 British arrive on table

Wellington joins 2 British and orders them to attack over the bridge

British dragoons move onto bridge

French dragoons deploy to charge British

Leading infantry brigade forms square to protect 3 French deployment

0900-1000  

2 British cavalry charge over bridge into French dragoons

The French lose the melee and are shaken with 10% casualties

The remainder of 2 British advance to ford the river

3 and 13 French continue to deploy

Wellington orders 1 and 4 British to attack over the river

1000-1100 

2 British cavalry continue the melee and rout the French dragoons

The remainder of 2 British start to ford the river

1 and 4 British approach the river behind their cavalry screen

3 french hold despite the cavalry rout

13 French continue to deploy

1100-1200  

British cavalry have crossed river to protect infantry crossing

British artillery deploy to cover crossing

But they are out of range of the French defensive positions

Lack of French artillery makes it difficult to cover all crossings

1200-1300

2 British prepare to attack hill

1300-1400 

1 British receive first casualties as they cross the river

2 British move their artillery over the brigade to support the attack

4 British cross by bridge, covered by hussar brigade

French artillery open fire

1400-1500 

1 British receive more casualties on same infantry brigade

Infantry cross river and artillery hit infantry square in centre

2 British artillery move into position

13 Polish lancers charge, and rout, British hussars

1500-1600 

2 British infantry win skirmish with hill, French shaken

13 Polish lancers charge and rout rifle brigade

1600-1700

 2 British infantry storm hill

All three French brigades break and run

French Rout

British infantry storm hill

Win melee and rout French brigade

Nearest two brigades fail morale and join rout

Conclusion

With the loss of half of 3^rd corps the French accept defeat

They withdraw to the city

The French have lost 2000 infantry, 300 cavalry and have 4 brigades in rout

The British have lost 2400 infantry, 100 cavalry and have 2 brigades in rout

Outcome

The British win the battle

 The French still hold the city

 They must decide whether to retreat or accept a siege

 The French have lost 2300 casualties and 4 brigades in rout

 The British have lost 2500 casualties and 2 brigades in rout

Battle Summary

The British outnumber the French, particularly in cavalry and artillery

However the French hold a strong defensive position behind the river Alanzon

They also hold the fortified city of Burgos

The British artillery superiority force the French to remain out of range

This allows the British cavalry and artillery to cross the river unopposed

They then come under fire from the French artillery, but suffer light casualties

4^th British corps send their hussar brigade over the river to cover he crossing

They are charged, and routed, by a Polish lancer brigade

The lancers then charge, and again rout, a rifle brigade who are too slow to form square.

However 2^nd British corps have crossed the river in good condition

They advance and storm the hill to the west of the city

Three French brigades are routed

The remainder of the French withdraw to the city

The French have lost 2300 casualties and 4 brigades in rout

 The British have lost 2500 casualties and 2 brigades in rout