28 March 1813 – North Spain - Day 6

Encouraged by his victory at Palencia, Wellington is determined to keep up the pressure on the French.   He orders 5^th and 6^th corps to occupy Arevalo.   1^st and 4^th corps are ordered to attack Valladolid.

The French supply system is now in tatters.    Four corps are in retreat, and the other two under attack.   They have had to abandon their depots at Arevalo and Palencia.

Three of the six French corps will be out of supply by nightfall.   A further two will have one days supplies left.   One corps is already out of supply and has lost 400 infantry to attrition.

The French retreat will bring them within range of their rear depots, and this will greatly ease the supply problem.   But to resupply, and to reorganise, they must avoid any further contact with the enemy for at least 24 hours.

It is essential that the French win the battle at Valladolid.  If they do so it will slow Wellington’s advance and allow the shattered corps to regroup and resupply.

The battle of Valladolid was hard fought, and not decided until nightfall.   Both sides lost heavy casualties and at nightfall the French still held the city.   However 8^th corps was in rout and 16^th corps forced to retreat into the city.   At nightfall Soult ordered them to retreat and abandon Valladolid.