12 May 1813 – Battle of Cabezon

Tactical map of battle area

First battle of the campaign is a surprise attack on the border town of Cabezon

The town has a garrison of one militia brigade

 

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

Spanish – 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

4^th Spanish army start the game on the table

They have created a reserve of two brigades behind the town

11^th French army will enter from the right at the start of move 1

End of move 2

Spanish reserve enters the town, making a garrison of three brigades

The remainder of 4^th Spanish army advance either side of the town

 

11^th French army enter from the right

They have created a reserve of two brigades in the centre

 move 4

Spanish have deployed and unlimbered their artillery either side of the town

French continue to advance

End of move 6

Both armies artillery open fire, no casualties on either side

22^nd Vistula corps advance

End of move 8

5^th Spanish artillery hit French cavalry, who pass their morale test

21^st French artillery hit garrison at close range, they pass their morale test

 

French reserve advance towards the town

They will not attack until the garrison has been weakened by artillery fire

 

Vistula artillery hit Spanish infantry, who pass their morale test

Cavalry melee is a draw with each side suffering 20% casualties

End of move 10

21^st artillery have inflicted 20% casualties, but garrison still hold

Remainder of corps move south to attack the town if possible

 

French reserve move south to support 22^nd corps attack

 

22^nd Vistula corps press home their attack

Cavalry melee has resulted in 30% casualties and both brigades rout

Leading infantry brigade suffer 20% casualties and are shaken

6^th Spanish corps also suffer casualties, but hold their ground

End of move 12

21^st artillery continue to fire on garrison, who hold despite 30% casualties

Infantry are still deploying when darkness falls

 

French reserve infantry melee with 6^th Spanish corps

The Vistula infantry move to support, but do not arrive before nightfall

Most of 6^th Spanish corps has broken and run, but the artillery remains

 

Summary

The Spanish, and in particular the reinforced garrison, fought much harder than expected.    At nightfall they still held the town, and only three brigades were in rout

Both sides suffered heavy casualties, but the Spanish won

 

The French have lost 7 infantry and 5 cavalry casualties (3300 men)

The Spanish have lost 7 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (3100 men)