24 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 4

10 militia attack Tomelloso, no casualties

11 militia capture convoy between Balazote and Alcalaz, rout escort with 10% casualties

12 militia attack pozo, lose 10% casualties and rout

 

13^th French army occupy Consuegra

2^nd Spanish army retreat to Malagon

 

14^th French army attack Cuidad Real

1^st Spanish army defend Cuidad Real

15^th French army redeploy to attack Almagro

3^rd Spanish army regroup at Almagro

To approach Cuidad Real the French have to move through a narrow pass.   The Spanish deploy their artillery to cover the exit, forcing the French to move through the hills on either side of the pass.

By the time the French cross the hills either side of the pass it is too late to attack the city.   The Spanish retreat to the city as soon as the French start to deploy to attack.

Because they hold the city at nightfall, the Spanish claim a victory

Almost no fighting during this battle.   No French casualties and the Spanish only lose 200 cavalry.

23 April 1813 – Battle of Consuegra

Tactical map of battle area

Consuegra is a fortified town north of the river Giadiana

It is held by 2^nd Spanish army, plus a garrison of one militia brigade

However it only has one cavalry brigade

 

13^th French army is at full strength, and has not yet detached any garrisons

It has less infantry than the Spanish, but more cavalry.

 

13^th French Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

2^nd Spanish Army – 9 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The Spanish are deployed on the left of the table

Consuegra is the walled town in the centre

The Spanish commander has taken command of the centre

This includes the town garrison, one infantry brigade and the cavalry brigade

 

The French will enter the table from the right at the start of move 1

End of move 2

4^th Spanish corps have reinforced the hill and deployed their artillery

 

The French commander has taken command of two infantry brigades and both artillery brigades

 

The whole army moves forward towards the Spanish

End of move 4

25^th French corps climb northern hill

 

French reserve swing south to support 26^th corps

Spanish artillery engage but no casualties

 

26^th French corps cavalry move onto southern hill

Infantry lag behind due to having to cross so many hills

End of move 6

25^th French corps descend from northern hill

Receive infantry casualties from Spanish artillery

 

French reserve artillery unlimber and open fire, no casualties

Infantry continue to advance towards town

 

26^th French corps start to climb southern hill

Cavalry face north to support reserve artillery from Spanish cavalry.

End of move 8

25^th French cavalry charge Spanish gunners

They receive 10% casualties, fail their morale and rout

In doing so they disrupt the infantry moving down from the hill

 

French reserve artillery fire on town at close range, no casualties

Infantry move into position to attack, but only when garrison weakened

 

4^th Spanish dragoons charge and rout Polish lancers

Remainder of 4^th Spanish corps retreat and redeploy

End of move 10

An extensive infantry melee between 3^rd Spanish and 25^th French corps ends with one French and two Spanish brigades in rout.

The French reserve artillery continue to pound the town at close range

But the garrison continue to hold, despite light casualties

 

4^th Spanish corps withdraw with only light casualties

26^th Polish corps are unable to pursue do to the loss of their cavalry

 

Summary

At nightfall the Spanish still hold the town and claim a victory

However they have only been able to do so by withdrawing their army behind the town.   This allows the French artillery to deploy within short range of the town walls.  

The Spanish retreat under cover of darkness

The French have lost 4 infantry casualties (1600 men)

The Prussians have lost 2 infantry casualties (1000 men)

23 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 3

Spanish guerrilla continue to attack French rear area

7 guerrilla defeated at La Roda, lose 30% and rout

12 guerrilla draw at Pozo, both sides lose 10%

 

13^th French army attack 2^nd Spanish army at Consuegra

 

14^th French army and 1^st Spanish army rally, regroup and resupply

 

15^th French army occupy Valdepenas

3^rd Spanish army retreat to Almagro

 

Both sides redistribute supplies.

The French are well supplied, having captured supplies at Daimiel and Valdepnas

The Spanish are low, but are nearer to their main supply base at Cuidad Real.

 

2^nd Spanish army hold the walled town of Consuegra until nightfall

They do so by withdrawing their army behind the town and nearby hills.   They retreat and abandon the town under cover of darkness.

The French have lost 1900 casualties, the Spanish 1200

 

22 April 1813 – Battle of Valdepenas

Tactical map of battle area

15^th French Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 8 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Valdepenas is in the middle of difficult mountainous terrain

3^rd Spanish army is deployed on the left, in and behind the town

General Longa has taken command of the garrison, plus two infantry brigades and one of the two artillery brigades

15^th French army will arrive on the right at the start of move one

End of move 2

15^th French army arrive and advance in three columns

29^th corps (top) advance between the woods and the top hill

Army reserve (middle) consists of both artillery brigades and four infantry brigades

30^th corps (bottom) have two hills to cross before they contact the enemy

End of move 4

Spanish cavalry (top) charge 29^th cuirassiers, first round of melee is a draw

French reserve (middle) push artillery into close range of Spanish centre

30^th corps (bottom) continue to advance over the rolling hills

6^th Spanish artillery (bottom) open fire on French gunners, but no casualties

End of move 6

Spanish cavalry (top) break contact and rout

French cavalry charge nearby artillery

They receive 10% casualties, pass morale and charge home

Gunners rout into supporting square, but infantry hold

 

French reserve artillery (centre) open fire on Spanish gunners but no casualties.  

Infantry advance to attack town

One brigade receive 10% casualties from Spanish artillery

 

30^th corps (bottom) continue to advance

Cavalry are within charge range of Spanish gunners

End of move 8

The French cavalry have routed both Spanish artillery brigades

The Spanish flanks are now crumbling

But they still hold the town

 

General Halbert is unwilling to risk unnecessary casualties

He orders his reserve artillery to redeploy in front of the town

When they have shaken the garrison his infantry will attack

 

General Longa orders his army to retreat before the French attack

Summary

The loss of the Spanish artillery makes it clear they cannot hope to hold the town.  They retreat before the French can redeploy to attack.

 

The French have lost 1 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (600 men)

The Spanish have lost 1 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (700 men)

22 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 2

Spanish guerrillas attack French rear area

Draw at La Roda attack continues

Guerrilla lose 20% at Pozo and rout

Neither garrison can resupply

 

2^nd Spanish army holds Consuegra on the northern border

13^th French army prepares to attack Consuegra

 

1^st Spanish army retreat towards Cuidad Real

14^th French army occupies Daimiel

 

15^th French army attacks Valdepenas

3^rd Spanish army defends Valdepenas

 

3^rd Spanish army takes full advantage of the hilly terrain

They deploy behind cover of the town and the hills

The superior French cavalry rout both Spanish artillery brigades

The remainder of the Spanish retreat before the French can attack

The French have lost 600 casualties, the Spanish 700

21 April 1813 – Battle of Daimiel

Tactical map of battle area

 The campaign opens with 14^th French army crossing the border and advancing down the main road to Cuidad Real.

Daimiel is held by 1^st Spanish army.  They are deployed in and around the town.

1^st French Army – 6 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 6 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

1^st and 2^nd Spanish corps are deployed either side of the town

Daimiel is held by two brigades under the command of General Giron

 

14^th French army will arrive on the right at the start of move 1

End of move 2

The French advance from the right

A small reserve of two brigades in the centre is commanded by General Gerrard

27^th French corps is on his right, 28^th Italian corps on his left

 

1^st Spanish corps are moving forward, the rest of the Spanish army wait for the French to approach.

End of move 4

French infantry and cavalry halt outside of Spanish artillery range

French gunners unlimber within range of Spanish and open fire

1^st Spanish cavalry receive 10% casualties but hold their ground

 

2^nd Spanish corps advance to engage 28^th Italian corps

End of move 6

In the north French cavalry charge and rout Spanish dragoons

They lose control and pursue the Spanish cavalry

In doing so they also rout a shaken Spanish infantry brigade

 

Spanish commander sends second brigade into town

 

French commander commits reserve to support 28^th Italian corps attack

 

Extensive melee on the southern flank

Spanish and French cavalry fight an inconclusive melee

Both sides lose 10% casualties, both sides continue the melee

Two French and two Spanish infantry brigades clash south of woods

Spanish win one melee and rout Italian brigade

Italians win second melee and rout Spanish brigades

 

Summary

With three brigades in rout General Giron loses his nerve and orders a retreat

The Spanish have lose the battle on the northern flank

However they still hold the town

The battle on the southern flank is still undecided

But the arrival of the French reserve will almost certainly decide the outcome

Giron orders a general retreat to avoid further casualties

 

The French have lost 1 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (500 men)

The Spanish have lost 2 infantry and 5 cavalry casualties (1300 men)