09 May 1813 – Battle of Valladolid

Tactical map of battle area

After two days of preparation Wellington orders his four corps to attack Valladolid

Soult has managed to rally, reorganise and resupply his four corps

But only two are in position in front of the city

53 and 55 infantry brigades garrison the city.

7th corps is within supporting distance

16th corps is 4 hours march to the south, and will not arrive until noon.

British – 48000 infantry, 4000 cavalry, 87 guns

French – 56000 infantry, 3900 cavalry, 81 guns

Table at start of wargame

1st, 2nd and 3rd British corps arrive start of move 1

4th British corps arrive start of move 5

16th Italian corps arrive start of move 5

0800-1200

Soult has ordered 8^th and 13^th corps to hold their position

7^th corps has been ordered to halt behind the marsh

He is moving to join 16^th corps, who are about to arrive bottom right

Wellington has ordered 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd corps to advance

As they do so the highland brigade of 2^nd corps suffer 400 casualties

The gunners of 3^rd corps also suffer casualties

Wellington has joined 4^th corps, who are about to arrive centre left

1200-1600

Both 4^th British (bottom left) and 16^th Italian (bottom right) have arrived on the table and are moving to join the battle.

There have been a number of cavalry melee with two British and one French brigades in rout.   The loss of cavalry support for the British attack is proving a problem.

1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd British corps are all engaged with the French.

1^st British corps has had to halt due to lack of cavalry support.  However their artillery are causing casualties to the French gunners.

2^nd British corps have taken the hill in the centre, but 13^th Polish corps are counter attacking.

3^rd British corps artillery have failed to cause any casualties.  However their dragoons have routed the French hussars.  The infantry have closed with the French and are engaged in a fire fight.

Both sides have suffered considerable casualties, but the battle could go either way.   It looks like both 4^th British and 16^th Italian corps will arrive too late to influence the outcome of the battle.

1600-2000

1^st British corps (top left) unable to advance due to lack of cavalry

7^th French corps (top right) lose artillery and content to hold their position

2^nd British corps (centre left) are in rout.

13^th Polish corps (centre right) lancers charge and rout three infantry brigades

In doing so they halt the British attack and hold the hill in the centre

4^th British corps (centre left) are ordered to retake the hill in the centre

3^rd British corps (bottom left) cavalry charge and rout two French brigades

8^th French corps (bottom right) are in rout

16^th Italian corps (bottom right) deploy behind 8^th corps to cover the rout

Conclusion

Wellington has won the battle.   Despite losing all of 2^nd corps, he has broken 7^th and 8^th French corps.

Soult has lost two corps in the battle.   13^th Polish corps counter attack and hold the centre.   14^th Italian corps are in position to hold his left flank

Despite his victory Wellington is unable to take Valladolid.   Two French brigades hold the city.   In addition 13^th Polish and 14^th Italian corps are still capable of fighting. 

As darkness falls the French retreat to Valladolid.   The British take up position to the west of the city.

The French have lost 4100 casualties and 18 guns plus 7 brigades in rout

The British have lost 3800 casualties and 6 guns plus 4 brigades in rout