15 September 1813 – Southern Spain – End of Cordoba Campaign

Battles fought during campaign phase

The Spanish won the first two battles at Montoro and Espinal, but suffered heavy casualties which caused them to retreat.

The French won the third battle at Muriano, which secured the border area and allowed them to advance towards the campaign objective of  Cordoba.

They also won the fourth battle at El Carpio, which forced the 1^st Spanish army to retreat and abandon the campaign.   The French now held the northern part of Cordoba region.

The fifth battle was fought at Montilla in the south.   The Spanish won, and pursued 15^th French army back to Baena.   This was a serious set back for Marshal Suchet as it exposed his southern flank.   He must decide on a prompt attack on Cordoba to end the campaign before General Giron could march north.

The sixth battle was for possession of Cordoba, which was the military base for the Spanish Army of the South.   It  was also the campaign objective.   If the French lost they would have to retreat back into Jean region.   This was the hardest fought battle of the campaign, and the outcome was in doubt right to nightfall.   For a time it looked like the Spanish would win, but their luck deserted them as night fell.  

The French took Cordoba and won the campaign.

The campaign started on 9 January and ended on 28 April 2026

A new order of battle was introduced for this campaign, giving the Spanish four corps in each army against three in the French armies.  This proved too great an advantage for the Spanish, and the order of battle was adjusted after three battles.

The French and Spanish would have three armies of three corps.   However each French army would have to detach three infantry and one cavalry brigades to guard their lines of supply.   This would leave the Spanish with 12 infantry brigades in each army and the French 9 infantry brigades.   Both sides would have three corps artillery and two cavalry brigades.   The cavalry and artillery would all be trained.   The French would have slightly better trained infantry, particularly grenadier and light brigades.

Seville Region

This map shows the location of the 35 battles fought in the Seville Region since the Sixth campaign bagan in June 2020.   The French won 20 and the Spanish 15.

15 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 7

 

French occupy Cordoba and win campaign
13 French Army occupy Muriano
14 French Army occupy Cordoba
15 French Army occupy Espinal

Spanish abandon Cordoba and lose campaign
1 Spanish Army withdraw from campaign
2 Spanish Army withdraw from campaign
3 Spanish Army retreat to Montilla

14 September 1813 – Battle of Cordoba

Tactical map of battle area

14th French Army commanded by Marchar Saint Cyr attack Cordoba
2nd Spanish army commanded by General Elio defend Cordoba

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply

Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Both armies start the battle at full strength

Table at start of battle

Cordoba is the regional capitol and the main depot of 2nd Spanish army group.
The side which occupies it at the end of 6 days will win the campaign.
It is the large town at the top centre of the table

There are three game objectives
The bridge on the left, the hill in the centre, the hill on the right
The side which occupies at least two objectives at the end of 12 moves is the winner

The Spanish army are deployed on and around the three game objectives

The French army are deployed south of the river Guadalquivir
The river is unfordable and can only be crossed using one of the five bridges

End of move 2

French cross the river and advance towards the three objectives
CinC has taken command of half of 42 corps on the right bank of the river
40 corps has crossed the river and is deploying to attack
41 corps are crossing the river, protected by their cavalry and artillery
42 corps the remaining two infantry divisions advance on the left bank of the river

Spanish adjust to the advancing French army
CinC has taken command of half of 7 corps on the right bank of the river
5 corps have advanced to pin the 40 corps as they cross the river
6 corps have advanced to pin the 41 corps as they cross
7 corps have advanced to secure the bridge on the left

End of move 4

French win infantry melee, lose cavalry melee
CinC advance east of the river
40 corps lose cavalry melee, dragoons rout
41 corps advance towards hill in the centre
42 corps win infantry melee west of the river

Spanish win cavalry melee, lose infantry melee
CinC withdraws out of artillery range
5 corps win cavalry melee
6 corps wait for French to advance
7 corps lose infantry melee west of river

End of move 6

French attack all three objectives
CinC gunners lose 10% casualties, pass morale test
40 corps attack hill on the right
41 corps attack hill in the centre
42 corps secure left side of bridge

Spanish defend all three objectives
CinC artillery hit French gunners
5 co
6 corps counter attack on hill in the centre
7 corps rally routed infantry and prepare to counter attack

End of move 8

French attack all three objectives
CinC artillery and infantry rout
40 corps infantry advance onto hill on the righ
41 corps redeploy to attack hill in the centre
42 corps win melee and secure left end of bridge

Spanish defend all three objectives
CinC redeploy to defend right end of bridge
5 corps rally cavalry
6 corps lose melee on hill
7 corps lose melee and rout

End of move 10

French fight to take hills centre and right
CinC rallies gunners and infantry
40 corps win melee on hill on the right
41 corps win melee in centre
42 corps retreat and abandon attack on bridge

Spanish fight to hold all three objectives
CinC redeploy artillery to fire on left bank of river
5 corps lose melee on hill on the right, deploy to counter attack
6 corps lose melee between two hills, still hold hill in the centre
7 corps lose melee on left bank and rout

End of move 12

French capture two objectives
CinC abandon attack on bridge
40 corps capture hill on the right
41 corps capture hill in the centre
42 corps abandon attack on bridge

Spanish hold one objective
CinC holds bridge on the left
5 corps retreat and abandon hill on the right
6 corps retreat and abandon hill in the centre
7 corps retreat and abandon left bank

Summary
Despite heavy casualties the Spanish fight hard to hold all three objectives
At the start of move 12 they are still fighting for the two hills
During the last move of the game they lose the two hills
This is largely due to a run of very low dice throws

At nightfall the French hold two of the three game objectives
They win the battle and the campaign

French have lost 8 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3600 men)
Spanish have lost 16 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (6600 men)

French have 3 brigades in rout
Spanish have 11 brigades in rout

14 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 6

 

French attack Cordoba
13 French Army regroup at Muriano
14 French Army attack Cordoba
15 French Army retreat to Baena

Spanish defend Cordoba
1 Spanish Army withdraw from camaign
2 Spanish Army defend Cordoba
3 Spanish Army occupy Espinar

13 September 1813 – Battle of Montilla

Tactical map of battle area

15th French Army commanded by Marshal Augereau attack Montilla
3rd Spanish army commanded by General Del Parque defend Montilla

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply

Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
12th corps has been disbanded to bring other three corps up to full strength

Table at start of battle

Both armies are on the table at the start of the game

There are three game objectives
Woods on the left, hill/pass in the centre, walled villa on the right
The side who occupy at least two of the objectives at the end of 12 moves win

The Spanish are a the top of the photo
10 corps occupy woods on the left
11 corps occupy hill in the centre
CinC has taken command of half of 9 corps between hill and villa
9 corps occupy villa on the right

The French are at the bottom of the photo
On the left 45 Westphalian corps have orders to attack woods
In the centre 44 baden corps have orders to attack hill
CinC has taken command of artillery from 43 and 44 corps
On the right 43 French corps have orders to attack villa

End of move 2

French advance and halt just outside artillery range
CinC move reserve artillery into range and open fire, no casualties
43 corps cavalry force Spanish dragoons to withdraw
44 corps advance either side of the woods
45 corps advance to left of farm with hedge

Spanish artillery advance and unlimber
CinC no target for artillery yet
9 corps cavalry withdraw out of charge range of French dragoons
11 corps artillery open fire, no casualties
10 corps no target for artillery yet

End of move 4

French all advance
CinC advance artillery to support 44 corps
43 corps advance to right of villa
44 corps advance towards left of hill
45 corps advance towards woods

Spanish adjust to French advance
CinC hold area between 9 and 11 corps
9 corps cavalry hold far right
10 corps artillery retreat into pass
11 corps artillery retreat to rear of woods

End of move 6

French all advance
CinC move reserve artillery to support 43 corps
43 corps casualties from artillery, pass morale
44 corps attack left half of hill
45 corps enter southern half of woods

Spanish withdraw to rear of all three objectives
CinC redeploy artillery to fire on 43 corps
9 corps hold villa on the right
10 corps retreat to rear of hill in the centre
11 corps occupy rear of woods on the left

End of move 8

French attack all three objectives
CinC move artillery forward in support of 43 corps
43 corps cavalry lose 10% but win melee
44 corps attack left half of hill
45 corps occupy southern half of woods

Spanish take up position behind objectives
CinC redeploy between hill and villa
9 corps cavalry lose melee and rout
10 corps occupy northern half of woods
11 corps redeploy at rear of hills in the centre

End of move 10

French attacking all three objectives
CinC artillery firing on villa on the right
43 corps skirmishing on villa on the right
44 corps capture left half of hill in the centre
45 corps skirmishing and artillery fire on woods on the left

Spanish defending all three objectives
CinC infantry sent back to 9 corps
9 corps holding villa on the right despite 10% casualties
10 corps lost left half on hill, still holds right half
11 corps holding woods on the left despite 10% casualties

End of move 12

French have taken one game objective
CinC artillery hit villa garrison
43 corps attack and capture villa
44 corps hold half of hill in the centre
45 corps hold three of four woods on the left

Spanish hold part of two of the game objectives
CinC artillery fire on French gunners, no casualties
9 corps garrison rout from villa on the right
10 corps hold half of hill in the centre
11 corps hold one of four sections of woods on the left

Summary
At nightfall the Spanish still hold part of two of the game objectives
The French have managed to take one of the three objectives
The Spanish win the battle

French have lost 2 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties 900 men)
Spanish have lost 10 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (4100 men)

Four Spanish brigades are in rout, one French brigade is in rout

13 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 5

 

French attack Montilla
13 French Army occupy Muriano
14 French Army regroup at El Carpio
15 French Army attack Montilla

Spanish defend Montilla
1 Spanish Army withdraw from campaign
2 Spanish Army regroup at Cordoba
3 Spanish Army defend Montilla

12 September 1813 – Battle of Muriano

 

Tactical map of battle area

13th French Army commanded by Marshal Soult attack Muriano
1st Spanish army commanded by General Giron defend Muriano

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply

Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
4th corps has been broken up to replace battle casualties

Table at start of battle

There are three battle objectives
Farm on the left
Woods in the centre
Hill on the right
The army which occupies at least two of them at the end of 12 moves wins the battle

The Spanish are deployed at the top of the table in front of the town of Muriano
They occupy the three battle objectives
2nd corps on the left in and around the farm
1st corps in the centre in and around the woods on the T junction
CinC has taken command of half of 1st corps, between the woods and the hill
3rd corps on the hill on the right

The French are deployed at the bottom of the table
37th Young Guard corps on the right
CinC has taken command of the guard cavalry brigade
38th French corps in the centre
39th Vistula corps on the left

End of move 2

French advance towards the three objectives
CinC advance to pin Spanish cavalry
37 corps advance towards hill, gunners receive 10% casualties
38 corps advance towards woods in the centre, gunners receive 10% casualties
39 corps advance towards farm on the left

Spanish artillery open fire
CinC moves cavalry to his left to oppose French cavalry
1 corps artillery hit French gunners as they unlimber
2 corps wait for enemy to come within artillery range
3 corps artillery hit French gunners as they unlimber

                           End of move 4

French attack hill and woods
CinC hold centre between hill and woods
37 corps advance to attack hill
38 corps advance to attack woods
39 corps artillery rout, infantry advance

Spanish reserve advance between woods and hill
CinC cavalry advance, infantry form square
1 corps withdraw between farm and woods
2 corps cavalry charge artillery, but have to rout to avoid enemy cavalry
3 corps withdraw to rear of hill

End of move 6

French attack farm and woods
CinC lose cavalry melee and rout with 10% casualties
37 corps infantry form square
38 corps infantry enter woods
39 corps cavalry charge and rout gunners

Spanish attack in centre between woods and hill
CinC attack in centre, rout enemy cavalry
1 corps withdraw to rear of woods
2 corps gunners rout and take supporting infantry with them
3 corps withdraw to rear of hill

End of move 8

French attack farm and woods
CinC rally cavalry and return to centre
37 corps unable to attack due to enemy cavalry
38 corps fighting continues in woods
39 corps cavalry rout infantry, gunners rally

Spanish hold all three objectives
CinC cavalry pin 37th French corps
1 corps lose southern half of woods, hold northern half
2 corps hold woods, three brigades rout
3 corps hold hill, artillery fire but no casualties

End of move 10

French capture farm
CinC redeploy cavalry between 37th and 38th corps
37 corps continue to fire on infantry, no hits
38 corps taken southern half of woods
39 corps captured farm

Spanish still hold bill on the left, dispute woods in centre
CinC hold centre between 1st and 3rd corps
1 corps hold northern half of woods
2 corps 5 brigades in rout, one left in square
3 corps continue to fire on infantry, no casualties

End of move 12

French hold farm and woods
CinC support 37th corps on right
37 corps artillery rout infantry brigade on hil l
38 corps capture woods in the centre
39 corps capture farm on the left

Spanish hold hill
CinC support 3rd corps on hill
1 corps abandon woods withdraw to town
2 corps abandon farm withdraw to hill
3 corps hold hill on the right

Summary

At nightfall the Spanish lose the northern section of the woods
In doing so they lose the battle

The French hold two objectives, the farm and the woods
The Spanish hold one objective, the hill

French have lost 5 infantry, 4 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (2500 men)
Spanish have lost 13 infantry, 2 cavalry and 3 artillery casualties (5700 men)

There are 8 Spanish brigades in rout and 3 French

The French win the battle