28 October 1813 – Battle of Santiago

Tactical map of battle area

                       

Wellington has concentrated 1^st and 3^rd corps in anticipation of a French attack on Corunna.  

He has left 2^nd corps to hold the major city and depot of Santiago. 

The French reserve corps has been ordered to support 8^th corps

However as there is no CinC present, both commanders will act independently

Soult has ordered 8^th corps, supported by the reserve cavalry and artillery, to attack Santiago.  

He has had to detach one infantry brigade to serve as garrison of Lugo

French – 11600 infantry, 1900 cavalry, 60 guns

British – 15600 infantry, 900 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of battle

Santiago is off table left

The walled town centre right is Lugo

8^th French corps is deployed either side of Lugo

32 infantry brigade has been detached to act as garrison of Lugo

Reserve corps is deployed between Lugo and the river Minio

2^nd British corps is deployed centre left to hold the pass leading to Santiago

Move 1 : 0800-0900

8^th lancers advance to protect the deployment of 8^th French corps

French reserve advance between the farm and the river      

Move 2 : 0900-1000

8^th French corps continue to deploy in front of Lugo

French reserve continue to advance

2^nd British corps await French attack

Move 3 : 1000-1100

8^th French corps complete their deployment

French reserve cavalry protect the advance of their artillery

2^nd British corps Portuguese brigade (bottom hill) form square

Move 4 : 1100-1200

8^th French corps artillery advance

Infantry form column of attack

Reserve artillery advance

British artillery fire on French gunners, no casualties

Move 5 : 1200-1300

8^th French corps artillery unlimber

French reserve artillery unlimber

                                      

British dragoons charge reserve artillery

Gunners fire, but no casualties

Cavalry charge home and rout gunners with 20% casualties

French cuirassiers test morale for rout, fail and are shaken

Move 6 : 1300-1400

8^th French artillery fire and hit British square

Infantry and cavalry advance

French reserve artillery continue to rout

Cuirassiers rally and are disordered

British square pass morale for artillery casualties and are disordered

British dragoons return to corps commander to rally

Move 7 : 1400-1500

8^th Corps infantry and cavalry advance

Cavalry are now within charge range of British artillery

                                      

French reserve cavalry are unable to advance

If they pass through their abandoned guns they will be disordered

They would then be at the mercy of the waiting enemy infantry

British gunners abandon guns and seek shelter in nearby infantry squar

Move 8 : 1500-1600

8th French corps infantry continue to advance

British 2^nd corps retreat, still facing the enemy

Move 9 : 1600-1700

2^nd British corps continue to retreat, facing the enemy

8^th French corps infantry and cavalry advance

French reserve corps cavalry are now able to advance

Move 10 : 1700-1800

British dragoons charge French infantry

There are three brigades all within supporting distance of each other

The cavalry are unable to charge home, break and rout

The nearby infantry brigade join the rout

The right hand French infantry brigade charge the British square

The British lose the melee and rout with 20% casualties

The gunners do not suffer any casualties, but also rout

The two British brigades on either side of the pass retreat in square

Conclusion

General Cole orders 2^nd British corps to retreat to Santiago

However without any cavalry he will find it difficult to delay the French

The French now have two cavalry brigades to pursue

They also have three infantry brigades and their corps artillery

The French have lost 1000 casualties

The British have lost 2600 casualties