29 October 1813 – Santiago Campaign – Day 11

8^th French corps occupy Santiago

Ourense is now the main British depot.

9^th militia ransack Astorga

Sanabria is now the main French depot

5^th militia attack and destroy 10 brigade who are in rout having lost Astorga

The French infantry surrender and are all killed.      

1^st and 3^rd British corps attack 7^th and 16^th French corps at Ribadeo

Both French corps are reduced to two days supplies, and would prefer not to fight

However Soult decides to risk everything on this battle

Both armies start the battle with casualties and brittle morale

Wellington takes command of both corps artillery

Holding his infantry and cavalry in reserve he pounds the french right wing

All three French brigades have battle casualties

27 Infantry brigade receives artillery casualties and is shaken

28 Infantry brigade to receive casualties breaks and routs

27 infantry brigade fail their morale and join the rout

7 dragoon brigade also fail their morale and rout

With his right wing in retreat, Soult orders the rest of his army to retreat

The French suffer 900 casualties

The British receive no casualties          

29 October 1813 – Battle of Ribadeo

Tactical map of battle area

Soult has ordered 7^th and 16^th corps to hold Ribadeo

Both corps are running short of supplies

Wellington orders 1^st and 3^rd corps to attack Ribadeo

French – 29200 infantry, 1900 cavalry, 60 guns

British – 29600 infantry, 1800 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of battle

The British are on the left

The French are on the right

The walled city on the left is Santiago

Ribadeo is off table centre right

Move 1 : 0800-0900

Wellington orders the artillery to move to the centre

Where he will take command of them

1^st British corps moves forward, cavalry in reserve

3^rd British corps moves forward, cavalry on the left

                                                                          

7^th French corps move their artillery forward

Their lancer brigade moves to the right flank

16^th Italian corps wait to see what the British will do

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Wellington moves the combined artillery forward in the centre

1^st British corps move forward, cavalry on the far side of the woods

3^rd British corps move forward, cavalry move towards the centre

7^th French corps artillery unlimber

16^th Italian corps move forward

Move 3 : 1000-1100

7^th French corps artillery fire on infantry behind combined artillery

16^th Italian corps advance to flank any attack between the woods

Wellington unlimbers his combined battery

1^st British corps move infantry behind woods

3^rd British corps advance into woods

Move cavalry from right flank towards the centre

Move 4 : 1100-1200

16^th Italian corps advance between woods and farm

Cavalry move towards centre to threaten Wellingtons battery

Wellington fires on infantry in support of artillery, no casualties

1^st British corps advance between woods and farm

3^rd British corps move dragoons to threaten Italian corps

Move 5 : 1200-1300

Wellington artillery hit infantry in support of artillery

1^st British corps continue to advance

2^nd British corps deploy in woods

French artillery fire on gunners, no casualties

7^th French corps infantry lose morale and rout

16^th Italian corps deploy between woods and farm

Cavalry move to block British dragoons moving through woods

Move 6 : 1300-1400

Wellington’s grand battery hit and rout a second infantry brigade

Nearby cavalry lose morale test and join rout

With half of 7^th corps in rout Soult orders the rest of his army to retreat

Conclusion

With his right wing in rout Soult ordered the rest of his army to retreat

The French have lost 900 casualties and three brigades in rout

The British have suffered no casualties