10 June 1813 – Battle of Manchita

 

Tactical map of battle area

15^th French army have orders to take the walled town of Manchita

43^rd French corps will arrive at the start  of move 1

44^th Westphalian corps will arrive at the start of move 5

45^th Italian corps will arrive at the start of move 5

 

3^rd Spanish army have orders to hold Manchita

7^th Spanish corps are in and around the walled town of Manchita

8^th Spanish corps will arrive at the start of move 1

9^th Spanish corps will arrive at the start of move 5

 

French army are full strength, but have two infantry brigades detached

Spanish army are full strength, but only 7^th corps have cavalry brigade

 

15^th French Army – 10 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 12 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

7^th Spanish corps are deplolyed in and around the town

Two infantry brigades are in the town

The remainder of the corps is to the left of the town

End of move 2

Spanish artillery open fire, no casualties

Spanish CinC takes command of cavalry brigade

8^th Spanish corps arrive on road top centre

 

French CinC takes command of cavalry brigade

He moves to the left of the hill to threaten Spanish flank

43^rd French corps arrive on road bottom centre

End of move 4

43^rd French corps advance

Artillery fire on Spanish cavalry, no casualties

Dragoons charge Spanish militia cavalry

 

8^th Spanish corps move to right of town

7^th Spanish corps artillery fire on infantry, no casualties

Militia cavalry counter charge, melee is a draw 10% casualties on each side

End of move 6

On the left 45^th Italian corps arrive bottom left

Spanish cavalry win second round of melee.

French dragoons retreat shaken

Spanish cavalry then charged by newly arrived 45 corps cavalry

Spanish cavalry lose melee and retreat shaken

 

In the centre 9^th Spanish corps arrive on road

Town garrison come under artillery fire, but no casualties

French infantry approach town

 

On the right 8^th Spanish corps advance right of town

44^th Westphalian corps arrive and advance over hill

End of move 8

On the left 45^th Italian corps advance, cavalry charge artillery

Spanish gunners seek shelter in square and abandon their guns

7^th Spanish corps withdraw towards rear of town

 

In the centre French CinC rallies dragoons on hill

43^rd French artillery advance to short range of town

Infantry advance to assault town

Spanish CinC abandons routed cavalry and takes command of town

9^th Spanish corps advance to left of town

 

On the right 8^th corps start to deploy, artillery fire on cavalry

44^th Italian corps reach front of hill

Cavalry receive 10% casualties but pass morale test

End of move 10

On the left 45^th Italian corps deploy to attack, artillery fire on square

7^th corps continue to withdraw slowly

9^th Spanish corps arrive behind 7^th corps

 

In the centre French attach town with three brigades

Spanish garrison rout, but all three French brigades receive 10% casualties

Spanish reserve pass their morale test .

 

On the right 8^th Spanish corps continue to deploy

44^th Italian corps continue to advance, artillery deploy, cavalry pin Spanish infantry

End of move 12

On the left the Spanish hold their ground as 9^th corps start to deploy

French CinC moves to support 45^th Italian corps with his weak cavalry brigade

 

In the centre 43^rd French corps press home their attack on the town

The reserve Spanish brigade is routed and the French take the town

The remainder of 43^rd corps swing left to support the Italian attack

 

On the right 8^th Spanish corps break before 44^th Westphalian corps even arrive

Their artillery hit the nearest Spanish square, who are shaken

Their well placed cavalry charge and rout the square and the nearby artillery

This forces two nearby infantry brigades to test morale, both fail, both join rout

 

Summary

A clear victory for the French

Not only have they taken the town, but also routed 8^th Spanish corps

 

The French have lost 3 infantry and 4 cavalry casualties (1600 men)

The Spanish have lost 9 infantry, 1 artillery and 1 cavalry casualties (3800 men)