1 May 1813 – Battle of Medina

Tactical map of battle area

16^thItalian corps is isolated from the main French army by the river Douro

Wellington hopes to defeat them to distract Soult from the main attack on Tordesillas

British – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

The Italian corps (right) is deployed to hold the road to Medina (off table right)

3^rd British corps (left) are deployed outside Canizo

3^rd Spanish militia/guerrilla is independent and is moving to occupy the farm 

0800-1200

The British have deployed between the pass and the farm

Heavy dragoons on far right, sheltered by the farm

Infantry deployed out of artillery range

One brigade sent forward on hill

Spanish militia have occupied the farm

Italians are deploying to meet British attack

Hussars are moving on to hill to counter British dragoons

One infantry brigade was deployed within artillery range and paid the price

They have lost 400 casualties to artillery fire

1200-1600

The French withdraw into the pass, taking them out of artillery range

The British gunners man handle their guns forward into artillery range

But despite their best efforts they fail to inflict any more casualties on the French

Picton orders the dragoon brigade to advance and pin the enemy cavalry on the hill

He then orders all four infantry brigades to advance

1600-2000

British dragoons charge French hussars to cover the infantry attack

The resulting cavalry melee is a draw and both sides withdraw disordered

Meanwhile the leading infantry brigades charge the Italian guns

The leading brigade suffer 400 casualties, but charge home and rout the gunners

All four British brigades engage in a fire fight, with mixed results

Two Italian brigades are routed, one British brigade shaken

Conclusion

Daricau has lost two brigades and his gunners

Although he has lost less casualties than the British he orders a retreat

With half of his infantry, and all of his gunners, in rout he cannot continue the battle

British 1600 casualties and one brigade shaken

Italian 1400 casualties and three brigades in rout