27 April 1813 – Battle of Malagon Day Two

 

Tactical map of battle area

The retreat of 2^nd Spanish army on the previous day prevented 13^th French army from attacking them.

Both armies are on their last day supplies, both will have run out by nightfall.   Despite this the French are committed to a second day’s battle.  If they win they can resupply from Malagon, but if they lose they must retreat and suffer attrition casualties.

13^th French Army – 7 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 10 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Spanish are deployed on the left

CinC has taken command of two infantry brigades in the town

 

French are deployed on the right

CinC has taken command of both corps artillery, one infantry and one cavalry brigade.

End of move 2

Spanish unlimber artillery and wait for French to approach

 

25^th and 26^th French corps form column of attack

Artillery move forward to engage Spanish right wing

End of move 4

26^th Polish corps move into the woods to outflank 3^rd Spanish corps

French reserve artillery open fire and hit 4^th Spanish corps infantry

25^th French corps wait for reserve artillery to soften up Spanish

End of move 6

26^th Polish corps occupy woods to pin 3^rd Spanish corps

French reserve artillery continue to fire on Spanish infantry

25^th French corps advance towards 4^th Spanish corps

End of move 8

26^th Polish corps start to occupy the woods

3^rd Spanish corps counter attack and rout the leading Polish brigade

 

Reserve artillery rout nearest Spanish infantry brigade

Nearest supporting brigade retreat out of range of the French artillery

 

25^th French corps advance to engage 4^th Spanish corps

End of move 10

26^th Polish corps occupy half of the woods

Spanish do not attack, but are deployed to stop them advancing

Spanish artillery and cavalry redeploy to support town

 

Spanish reserve occupy town

French reserve artillery move forward to short range of town

 

25^th French infantry charge and rout Spanish south of town

Three Spanish brigades retreat, two of them in rout

French infantry brigade receive artillery casualties, but pass morale test

End of move 12

3^rd Spanish corps attack the woods held by the Poles

At nightfall battle is still undecided, with two Polish and one Spanish brigades in rout

 

In the centre the French reserve artillery move within close range of the town

But they fail to inflict any casualties, and their infantry attack

At nightfall the Spanish hold the northern half and the French the southern half

 

4^th Spanish corps lose two brigades in rout, and 25^th French corps one

At nightfall the battle continues, but is also undecided

 

Summary

Although battered the Spanish still hold half of the town at nightfall and claim a victory

The French have lost 6 infantry casualties (2400 men) and have three brigades in rout

The Spanish  have lost 6 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2500 men) and have three brigades in rout