23 March 1813 – Battle of Arevalo

Tactical map of battle area

The Valladolid campaign opens with both armies advancing to contact

In the south Wellington orders 5^th and 6^th British corps to occupy Arevalo

This results in an encounter battle with 7^th and 13^th French crops

French – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

British – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Arevalo is the walled town in the centre of the table

It is occupied by 6^th Spanish militia brigade

They are independent and will not leave the town unless forced to do so

They are dispersed throughout the town

The British right wing (left) will enter the table at the start of move 1

The French left wing (right) will enter the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

The Spanish garrison have concentrated in the right hand section of the town

 

5^th and 6^th British corps advance in column of march to reach the town as quickly as possible

 

7th French and 13^th Polish corps also advance in column of march

They will reach the town before the British do

7^th corps have orders to attack the town

13^th corps have orders to support them

End of move 4

French artillery unlimber and open fire at short range from town

Spanish garrison receive 10% casualties, fail morale and rout

 

French wing commander takes command of two brigades from 7^th corps

With them he will attack the town

 

Remainder of 7^th corps halt and deploy to support the attack

 

13^th Corps deploy behind the woods

 

British wing commander takes command of one brigade from each corps

He leads the leading brigade into the west sections of the town

The second brigade moves up in support

 

5^th corps deploy to hold the left flank

6^th corps deploy to hold the right flank

End of move 6

Both commanders have deployed to await the outcome of the town fighting

The British artillery have opened fire but have inflicted no casualties

The French artillery are unlimbered and about to open fire

 

The leading British brigade have reached the western edge of the town

Behind them the routed Spanish brigade is moving through the support brigade

 

The leading French brigade have entered the eastern section of the town 

End of move 8

Having reached the western edge of the eastern section the British have a choice

They can deploy to garrison their half of the town, or advance to melee the French

If they garrison the result is likely to be a draw

They advance and engage the leading French brigade

The French win the melee and the leading British brigade rout

The supporting British brigade pass their morale and advance through the rout

The French take advantage of the delay to swop their two brigades

The French have won the first melee, but now two fresh brigades will continue

 

The remainder of both armies exchange artillery fire, but with no casualties on either side.

End of move 10

British artillery fire on French reserves in town, no casualties

French artillery screened by own infantry from firing on town

7 corps artillery fire on British cavalry, no casualties

13 corps artillery fire on, and hit Portuguese infantry

Infantry receive 10% casualties, but pass morale

 

Reserve brigades in town continue melee round 2 and 3, result is a draw

British have 20% casualties but pass morale test

French have 10% casualties and pass morale test

Table at end of battle

British artillery continue to fire on reserves in town

Infantry receive another 10% casualties but pass morale test

13 corps artillery hit Portuguese infantry again who again pass morale test

 

Melee in town continues

Fourth round is a draw, British have 30% casualties and are shaken

French have 20% casualties and are disordered

French win fifth round.   British rout with 30% casualties

Summary

At the end of five rounds of melee the French finally take the town

The Spanish have lost 1 casualty and the British 5 casualties

The French have lost 5 casualties (including 1 from artillery fire)

Two British brigades and one Spanish were involved

Two French brigades were involved

This was the longest melee for a town we have fought

Having captured the town the French won the battle

 

The French have lost 5 infantry casualties (2000 men)

The British\Spanish have lost 8 infantry casualties (3200 men)