North Spain - Introduction

Northern Spain Strategic Map

Background

Most of the experienced French troops had been withdrawn from Spain to form the new Grand Army in Germany.   Marshal Soult was ordered to organize all remaining troops in Northern Spain into the new Fourth French Army.   He was to concentrate them at Burgos and to hold the northern border with Portugal

On 2 February 1813 Wellington took the border city of Cuidad Rodrigo and marched his Army east to drive the French out of Spain.   He reached Zamora on 27 February 1813, where he received reports that the Soult was still at Burgos but preparing to march on Valladolid.

Fourth French Army

Soult commanded four corps.   Two French corps, one Polish and one Westphalian.
Each corps consisted of four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery.   

Anglo-Portuguese Army

Wellington commanded four corps

Each corps consisted of four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery.  Three of the brigades were English, the fourth was Portuguese.