20 July1813 – Battle of El Hoyo

Tactical map of battle area

7th French corps have detached one of their infantry brigades to garrison Abenojar

Remainder of the corps have orders to take El Hoyo

Spanish garrison of El Hoyo must hold in the town if possible

Spanish – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

El Hoyo is garrisoned by 4 militia brigade

1^st Spanish corps deployed in front of the town

7^th French corps will arrive top centre at the start of move 1

0800-0900

French start to arrive on road top centre

Spanish dragoons have advanced on the right

0900-1000

French continue to arrive, move towards village

French dragoons move on to hill opposite Spanish cavalry

1000-1100

French start to deploy out of Spanish artillery range

Spanish infantry brigade enter village

1100-1200

French continue to deploy

Spanish infantry continue to garrison village

1200-1300

Two French brigades move towards village

Second Spanish brigade moves to support village

Spanish cavalry advance to threaten French artillery

1300-1400

Two French infantry brigades prepare to attack village

French artillery fire on village but fail to inflict any casualties

Second Spanish infantry brigade enters village

1400-1500

French infantry attack village

One brigade is routed with 30% casualties

The second brigade is disordered with 10% casualties

The Spanish garrison is routed with 40% casualties

The reserve Spanish brigade has not lost any casualties, but is shaken

A third Spanish brigade moves up to support the village.

Artillery continue to exchange fire, but no casualties

1500-1600

French artillery fire on village and hit Spanish reserve brigade

Reserve join rout of first brigade, and reserve outside village join also

French infantry enter village and pursue routers

Conclusion

The French have taken the village, but lost one of their three brigades in doing so.

The Spanish have lost three of their five brigades and lost the village

However they still hold El Hoyo and their cavalry and artillery are still full strength

They also have two infantry brigades, one in the town itself.

The French will require the rest of the day to regroup

They must then decide whether they are strong enough to attack again

The result of this battle is a draw.

The French have lost 1200 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Spanish have lost 1600 casualties and three brigades in rout