22 October 1813 – Battle of Lugo

Tactical map of battle area

8^th and Reserve French corps attack Lugo

The town is held by a Spanish 5 brigade and supported by 3^rd British corps

                          

French – 32000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

British – 32000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Spanish – 8000 infantry

Table at start of battle

Lugo is the walled town in the centre of the table

It is garrisoned by 4 Spanish militia brigade.

The river is fordable, at half move rate, by infantry and cavalry

All arms cross the bridge at normal move rate

8^th French corps will arrive at the start of move 1

Reserve French corps will arrive at the start of move 5

Move 1 : 0800-0900

8^th French corps arrive on table centre right

                                           

3^rd British corps start to deploy

Main objective is to hold town and bridge

Cavalry, artillery and two brigades move to hold bridge

One infantry brigade ordered to enter bottom half of town

Spanish militia ordered to move to top half of town

Move 2 : 0900-1000

8^th French corps continue to advance towards Lugo

9^th infantry brigade enter lower half of town

Cavalry, artillery and infantry take up position to defend bridge

Move 3 : 1000-1100

8^th French corps continue to advance towards Lugo

Cavalry move onto hill to protect flank

3^rd British corps deploy to hold bridge

9 brigade complete their occupation of lower half of town

Move 4 : 1100-1200

8^th French corps swing south

3^rd British corps adjust to meet threat

Move 5 : 1200-1300

8^th French corps form column of attack

French reserve cavalry and artillery arrive bottom right

                              

British artillery open fire on gunners, no casualties

Move 6 : 1300-1400

8^th French corps screen town and advance

French reserve continue to advance

British cavalry redeploy to meet reserve cavalry

Move 7 : 1400-1500

8^th French corps continue to advance

Leading infantry brigade receive 10% casualties, but pass morale test

Artillery fire and hit square

French reserve continue to advance, artillery unlimber

3^rd British artillery hit leading French infantry brigade

Highland brigade receive 10% casualties, but pass morale test.

Move 8 : 1500-1600

8^th French corps advance

Lancers charge disordered dragoons

French reserve artillery hit dragoons

British artillery retreat

Dragoons pass test for 10% casualties to artillery

But fail to counter charge lancers

However melee is a draw (lancers roll 3 with 2D6)

Both sides suf

Move 9 : 1600-1700

8^th French artillery fire on infantry, no casualties

Shaken lancers retreat and rally

                                  

French reserve cavalry and artillery advance

                                              

3^rd British artillery fire on infantry, no casualties

Dragoons fail morale to rally and rout

Nearby highland brigade test morale for rout, fail and also rout.

Conclusion

Despite the loss of his cavalry and one infantry brigade, Picton holds his position until nightfall

He then orders a general retreat and abandons Lugo

The French have lost 500 casualties

The British have lost 600 casualties and two brigades in rout