30 March 1813 – Battle of Benavente

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

French attack Benavente

British – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

French arrive at the start of move 1

0800-1200

British reach the town first, and send two brigades to garrison

Leading French brigade has entered the town

A second is approaching on the right

Both corps have deployed facing each other

Both artillery are concentrating their fire on the town

No casualties on either side yet

1200-1800 

The prolonged infantry skirmish inside the town proves ineffective

Artillery also fires on the reserves in the town, but to no effect.

Both sides send reinforcements in

1900-2100 

Stewart orders his infantry in the town to attack the French

The British win the first round, the French retire with 20% casualties

The French reserve brigade counter attack and win the second round

1^st British brigade rout with 30% casualties, the reserve brigade join them.

Conclusion

With half of his infantry in rout Stewart orders the rest of his corps to retreat

The British have lost 1200 infantry and two brigades in rout

The French have lost 1200 infantry

Outcome

The French win

Battle Summary

The French outnumber the British with four infantry brigades to three

However the British arrive at Benavente first and occupy the town

Both sides deploy south of the town and advance their artillery to open fire

The guns concentrate on the town, but cause no casualties

The French send two brigades into the town

The British send a second brigade in

Despite a prolonged skirmish battle neither side can gain the advantage

At 7pm Stewart orders his infantry to advance and charge the French

The British win the first round of melee and the French retire shaken

The reserve French brigade counter charge

They rout the disordered 1^st British brigade

The reserve 2^nd British brigade are broken and join the rout

With half of his infantry in rout Stewart orders the rest of his corps to retreat

The French have won the battle with a loss of 1200 infantry casualties

The British have also lost 1200 casualties, but also have two brigades in rout