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Wednesday, January 3, 2018

26 July1813 – Battle of El Hoyo

Tactical map of battle area
7th French corps have detached one of their infantry brigades to garrison Abenojar
Remainder of the corps have orders to take El Hoyo
Spanish garrison of El Hoyo must hold in the town if possible

Spanish – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
French – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
Table at start of wargame
El Hoyo is garrisoned by 4 militia brigade
1st Spanish corps deployed in front of the town
7th French corps will arrive top centre at the start of move 1
0800-0900
French start to arrive on road top centre

Spanish dragoons have advanced on the right
0900-1000
French continue to arrive, move towards village
French dragoons move on to hill opposite Spanish cavalry

1000-1100
French start to deploy out of Spanish artillery range
Spanish infantry brigade enter village
1100-1200
French continue to deploy 
Spanish infantry continue to garrison village
1200-1300

Two French brigades move towards village
Second Spanish brigade moves to support village
Spanish cavalry advance to threaten French artillery
1300-1400
Two French infantry brigades prepare to attack village
French artillery fire on village but fail to inflict any casualties
Second Spanish infantry brigade enters village
1400-1500
French infantry attack village
One brigade is routed with 30% casualties
The second brigade is disordered with 10% casualties
The Spanish garrison is routed with 40% casualties
The reserve Spanish brigade has not lost any casualties, but is shaken
A third Spanish brigade moves up to support the village.
Artillery continue to exchange fire, but no casualties
1500-1600
French artillery fire on village and hit Spanish reserve brigade
Reserve join rout of first brigade, and reserve outside village join also
French infantry enter village and pursue routers

Conclusion
The French have taken the village, but lost one of their three brigades in doing so.
The Spanish have lost three of their five brigades and lost the village
However they still hold El Hoyo and their cavalry and artillery are still full strength
They also have two infantry brigades, one in the town itself.
The French will require the rest of the day to regroup 
They must then decide whether they are strong enough to attack again

The result of this battle is a draw.
The French have lost 1200 casualties and one brigade in rout
The Spanish have lost 1600 casualties and three brigades in rout

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