12 May 1813 – North Spain – Day 2

Wellington orders his army to advance to the border

But to avoid combat unless the French cross into Llanes district

 

Soult orders 3^rd French army to attack Cabezon

He considers the Spanish held centre to be the allied weak point

The Spanish army are advancing as part of the main allied advance

 

The battle of Cabezon proves the effectiveness of 4^th Spanish army

They contain the best Spanish troops and are under Wellington’s direct command

Despite the best efforts of 11^th French army, they still hold the town at nightfall,

Not a good start for the French army of Northern Spain.