17 May 1813 – Battle of Aguilar

Tactical map of battle area

Only 12^th French army is currently operational

To halt the allied advance they are ordered to attack Aguilar

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

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

Table at start of battle

2^nd British army is deployed in and around Aguilar (on the right)

12^th French army will arrive at the start of move 1 (on  the right)

 

General Hill commands the centre, and has three infantry brigades behind the  town

3^rd corps (top) has three infantry, one cavalry and one artillery brigade

4^th corps (bottom) has three infantry, one cavalry and one artillery brigade

End of move 2

Hill is waiting to see what the French do before he sends troops into the town

2rd corps (top) has moved down from the hill

3^rd corps is deploying between the town and the hill

 

General Gerard has arrived on the right

He has taken command of four infantry brigades in the centre

23^rd French corps ( top) has two infantry, one cavalry and one artillery brigade

24^th Italian corps (bottom) has two infantry, one cavalry and one artillery brigade

End of move 4

British win cavalry melee

Hill sends two infantry brigades to garrison Aguilar

3^rd corps (top) deploys

4^th corps continue to advance over pass

4^th hussars win melee with 10% casualties

 

French lose cavalry melee

Gerard deploys reserve infantry into column of attack

23^rd corps (top) deploy at edge of hill

24^th corps (bottom) unlimber artillery and form square

24^th hussars charge British cavalry, lose melee and retire shaken with 10% casualties

End of move 6

British win second cavalry melee

Hill has now garrisoned the town with two infantry brigades

3^rd corps (top) win cavalry melee

4^th corps (bottom) cavalry rout having received casualties from artillery fire

 

French advance to attack

Gerard leads his four infantry brigades to attack the town

23^rd corps (top) advance from hill, cavalry charged and routed with 20% casualties

24^th corps (bottom) artillery rout enemy cavalry, corps advance towards pass

End of move 8

British retreat

Garrison of Aguilar routed

3^rd corps (top) receive 10% casualties but pass morale and continue to fight

4^th corps (bottom) artillery withdraw, but infantry continue to hold pass

 

French take Aguilar

Gerard occupies town with two brigades, and two more in reserve

23^rd corps (top) artillery hit infantry, but too weak to attack

24^th corps (bottom) occupy east  half of pass, but too weak to attack further

Summary

The French have lost 3 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (1300 men)

The British have lost 7 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2900 men)