15 August 1813 – Battle of Benevente

Tactical map of battle area

Suchet has ordered his army to hold the approach to the city of Leon.  

To do so he has deployed them between Astorga and Benevente

This has resulted in two battles, one at each town

                             

He has deployed 13^th Polish and 16^th Italian corps to hold Benevente

To the west 7^th and 8^th corps hold Astorga

Wellington has ordered a general advance towards Leon

On his left 1^st and 4^th corps attack Astorga

On his right 2^nd and 3^rd corps attack Benevente

British – 26800 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 27200 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 57 guns

Table at start of wargame

                      

Benevente is the town in the centre of the table.

It is held by 54 infantry brigade, who come under direct command of Marshal Suchet

13^th and 16^th corps are deployed behind the town, but with orders to hold it

2^nd and 3^rd British corps are deployed in front of the town with orders to advance

0800-1200

Both sides start the battle in close contact

Wellington orders 2^nd corps to attack the town, and 3^rd corps the woods

                                

2^nd corps artillery open fire on 54 brigade in the right section of the town

The garrison suffer 10% casualties and are shaken

Wellington orders 2^nd corps to attach

One brigade charges 54 brigade, who break and rout

The highland brigade enters the unoccupied left section of the town

Cavalry advance to the left of the town towards the French artillery

3^rd corps send two brigades into the woods

16^th corps send two brigades to contest it

British cavalry advance to support the attack

They are charged and routed by the French light cavalry

British artillery unlimber within short range of the French gunners

They open fire and kill 10% of the French gunners, who limber and retreat

1200-1600

2^nd corps have taken all of Benevente

13^th Polish corps have broken and are in retreat

3^rd corps have failed to take the woods

Italian infantry continue to skirmish for possession of the woods

British cavalry have broken and run away, making an infantry advance difficult

Italian gunners have also routed, and are joined by 7 infantry brigade

Soult orders both corps to break contact and retreat

Conclusion

With the loss of Benevente, Soult orders a general retreat

Four of his nine brigades are in rout and one more is shaken

The French have lost 4000 casualties and four brigades in rout

The British have lost 500 casualties and one brigade in rout