14 May 1813 – Battle of Comillas

Tactical map of battle area

Having lost the first two battles, Soult orders 10^th French Army to attack Comillas

The town is held by 1^st British Army and has a Spanish militia garrison

 

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

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

Spanish – 1 Infantry brigade

Table at start of battle

Comillas, top left, is garrisoned by one Spanish infantry brigade

1^st British army reserve of two infantry and one cavalry brigade is top left

1^st British corps is centre left

2^nd British corps is bottom left

 

19^th French corps is top right

10^th French army reserve three infantry and one cavalry brigade in the centre

20^th Westphalian corps is bottom right

End of move 2

Top: French advance north of hill

Centre: French lancers melee with British hussars, result draw

Centre: British artillery are deployed between farm and woods

Centre: One infantry brigade is sent into the farm to support the gunners

Bottom: Westphalian corps advance through the woods

End of move 4

Top: French artillery hit British dragoons, pass morale test with 10% casualties

Centre: French lancers lose melee and rout with 20% casualties

Centre: French infantry advance towards farm

Bottom: 20^th French infantry advance through woods

Bottom: Artillery exchange fire, no casualties

End of move 6

Top: British dragoons lose melee and retire shaken with 20% casualties

Top: French infantry lose melee and rout with 10% casualties

Centre: French infantry force British artillery to withdraw

Centre: British infantry advance to engage French attack

Bottom: French gunners routed by artillery fire

Bottom: French infantry advance through wood

End of move 8

Confused melee along the whole front continues with no decisive outcome

Top: Melee results in one cavalry and one infantry brigade rout on each side

Centre : Melee results in one infantry and one artillery brigade rout on each side

Bottom: British attack French as they exit woods, each side lose one infantry in rout

End of move 10

British army routs, except for town and farm

Top: British hold town with two infantry brigades

Centre: British hold farm with one infantry brigade

Bottom: 2^nd British corps break and run

Red stars are British routs

Blue stars are French routs

Summary

At nightfall the British still hold the town and the farm

But all the rest of their army has broken and run

At nightfall both garrisons retreat

The French have lost 6 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 gunner casualties (2700 men)

The British have lost 7 infantry 5 cavalry and 1 gunner casualties (3400 men)