14 March 1813 – Battle of Castrojarez

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

French have orders to attack

British have orders to hold

French – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
British – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Spanish – 8000 infantry

Table at start of wargame

All start on the table

10 British brigade will not take part, because they have 30% casualties

Spanish guerrilla will rout when they have to test morale

0800-1200

French detach one brigade to attack farm

They rout Spanish garrison after a short firefight

Remainder of Corps deploy close to river

British cavalry and artillery advance and deploy

Infantry remain out of artillery range

1400-1700

French deploy south of the main bridge and prepare to cross river

British artillery advance supported by infantry to oppose crossing

1700-1800

French lancers charge British dragoons, the melee is a draw

French infantry cross main bridge and skirmish artillery

Gunners receive 10% casualties and withdraw shaken

Supporting infantry skirmish French, but no casualties

Remainder of French infantry has crossed the river.

1800-2000

Inconclusive infantry firefight just north of the bridge

Artillery support, but fail to cause any casualties

Eventually French gunners hit British infantry, who lose 10% casualties

French infantgry advance and win firefight

British infantry rout with 40% casualties

British artillery limber and retreat north of town

Conclusion

At nightfall the British have lost one infantry brigade

Their routed cavalry rally, but are still shaken

Picton orders a retreat to avoid further casualties

Outcome

The French win by default

They have failed to take the town

But the British reteat under cover of darkness

The British have lost 1600 infantry and 100 cavalry

The French have lost 400 infantry

Battle Summary

The Spanish guerrilla played little part in the battle

However the French did have to detach one brigade to clear 10 militia from the farm

The French deployed to cross the river north of the bridge

They then sent their cavalry over the river south of the bridge

Leaving the artillery to hold the bridge the infantry followed the cavalry

The British artillery proved ineffective

Their cavalry were beaten by the French lancers

A French brigade crossed the bridge and drove the gunners back

A British brigade engaged them, and there was an inconclusive skirmish fight

The French then advanced and routed the British after a short firefight

The British held the town at nightfall

However Picton ordered them to retreat to avoid furher casualties

The British lost 1700 casualties and one brigade in rout

The French lost 400 casualties