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)