Summary of Northern Spain Campaign – 1 September 1813

                                                     Regional map of Northern Spain

There are three regions in Southern Spain
But unlike Germany, the French do not have a secure rear area
All of Spain is in revolt against the French, who only control the area they occupy

Fourth French army are in Burgos
Their main depot is in Bayonne

The Anglo/Portuguese army is in Valladolid
Their main depot is in Oporto

French Strategy in Spain
King Joseph is the commander in chief of all French troops in Spain.
However he commands no respect from either his army commanders
Both Soult and Suchet are determined to remain independent commanders
Suchet wants to invade southern Spain and become King of Andalusia
Soult wants to defeat Wellington and become King of Portugal
All three agree that Soult will drive Wellington out of Spain
Suchet will invade Andalusia and take Seville
He will then detach two of his four corps to support Soult
Soult will invade Portugal and drive Wellington out of the Peninsula

Anglo-Spanish Strategy in Spain
Wellington is the commander in chief of all allied troops in the Peninsula
However all Spanish generals deeply resent this appointment
Giron is determined to take Madrid and become the hero of Spain
Wellington is well aware that he cannot rely on his Spanish generals
To defeat the French he must first take Madrid
To do so the Spanish army must hold southern Spain to pin Suchet
Most importantly the Spanish must avoid a comprehensive defeat
This would allow both French armies to concentrate against Wellington

Diary of Northern Spain Campaign

1 February 1813 Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Spain declared war on France
20 February 1813 Anglo/Portuguese army operational in Oporto Region
27 February 1813 Fourth French army operational in Burgos Region
22 March 1813 Start of Valladolid campaign phase
29 March 1813 British win Valladolid campaign phase
10 May 1813 Start of Llanes campaign phase
19 May 1813 British win Llanes campaign phase
25 June 1813 Start of Talavera campaign phase
2 July 1813 French win Talavera campaign phase
19 July 1813 Start of Santander campaign phase
25 July 1813 British win Santander campaign phase
26 August 1813 Start of Burgos campaign phase
1 September 1813 French win Burgos campaign phase

Reference
The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign. The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign
02 - Five campaign areas
40 - Introduction to the campaign in Northern Spain
41 – French Army order of battle
42 – Anglo/Portuguese Army order of battle
43 - Daily diary for the campaign in Northern Spain
44 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Northern Spain
45 - Summary of campaign in Northern Spain

Summary of Northern Spain Campaign – 25 July 1813

Regional map of Northern Spain

There are three regions in Southern Spain
But unlike Germany, the French do not have a secure rear area

All of Spain is in revolt against the French, who only control the area they occupy

Fourth French army are in Burgos
Their main depot is in Santander

The Anglo/Portuguese army is in Salamanca
Their main depot is in Oporto

French Strategy in Spain

King Joseph is the commander in chief of all French troops in Spain.
However he commands no respect from either his army commanders
Both Soult and Suchet are determined to remain independent commanders
Suchet wants to invade southern Spain and become King of Andalusia
Soult wants to defeat Wellington and become King of Portugal
All three agree that Soult will drive Wellington out of Spain

Suchet will invade Andalusia and take Seville
He will then detach two of his four corps to support Soult

Soult will invade Portugal and drive Wellington out of the Peninsula

Anglo-Spanish Strategy in Spain

Wellington is the commander in chief of all allied troops in the Peninsula
However all Spanish generals deeply resent this appointment
Giron is determined to take Madrid and become the hero of Spain

Wellington is well aware that he cannot rely on his Spanish generals
To defeat the French he must first take Madrid
To do so the Spanish army must hold southern Spain to pin Suchet
Most importantly the Spanish must avoid a comprehensive defeat
This would allow both French armies to concentrate against Wellington

Diary of Northern Spain Campaign

1 February 1813 Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Spain declared war on France
20 February 1813 Anglo/Portuguese army operational in Oporto Region
27 February 1813 Fourth French army operational in Burgos Region
22 March 1813 Start of Valladolid campaign phase
29 March 1813 British win Valladolid campaign phase
10 May 1813 Start of Llanes campaign phase
19 May 1813 British win Llanes campaign phase
25 June 1813 Start of Talavera campaign phase
2 July 1813 French win Talavera campaign phase
19 July 1813 Start of Santander campaign phase
25 July 1813 British win Santander campaign phase

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign. The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign
02 - Five campaign areas
40 - Introduction to the campaign in Northern Spain
41 – French Army order of battle
42 – Anglo/Portuguese Army order of battle
43 - Daily diary for the campaign in Northern Spain
44 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Northern Spain
45 - Summary of campaign in Northern Spain

Summary of Northern Spain Campaign – 2 July 1813

Regional map of Northern Spain

There are three regions in Southern Spain

But unlike Germany, the French do not have a secure rear area

All of Spain is in revolt against the French, who only control the area they occupy

Fourth French army are in Burgos

Their main depot is in Santander

The Anglo/Portuguese army is in Salamanca

Their main depot is in Oporto

 

French Strategy in Spain

King Joseph is the commander in chief of all French troops in Spain.

However he commands no respect from either his army commanders

Both Soult and Suchet are determined to remain independent commanders

Suchet wants to invade southern Spain and become King of Andalusia

Soult wants to defeat Wellington and become King of Portugal

 

All three agree that Soult will drive Wellington out of Spain

Suchet will invade Andalusia and take Seville

He will then detach two of his four corps to support Soult

Soult will invade Portugal and drive Wellington out of the Peninsula

 

Anglo-Spanish Strategy in Spain

Wellington is the commander in chief of all allied troops in the Peninsula

However all Spanish generals deeply resent this appointment

Giron is determined to take Madrid and become the hero of Spain

 

Wellington is well aware that he cannot rely on his Spanish generals

To defeat the French he must first take Madrid

To do so the Spanish army must hold southern Spain to pin Suchet

Most importantly the Spanish must avoid a comprehensive defeat

This would allow both French armies to concentrate against Wellington

 

Diary of Northern Spain Campaign

1 February 1813      Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Spain declared war on France

20 February 1813    Anglo/Portuguese army operational in Oporto Region

27 February 1813    Fourth French army operational in Burgos Region

22 March 1813        Start of Valladolid campaign phase

29 March 1813        British win Valladolid campaign phase

10 May 1813           Start of Llanes campaign phase

19 May 1813           British win Llanes campaign phase

25 June 1813          Start of Talavera campaign phase

2 July 1813             French win Talavera campaign phase

         

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

 

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

40 - Introduction to the campaign in Northern Spain

41 – French Army order of battle

42 – Anglo/Portuguese Army order of battle

43 - Daily diary for the campaign in Northern Spain

44 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Northern Spain

45 - Summary of campaign in Northern Spain

 

Summary of Northern Spain Campaign – 19 May 1813

Regional map of Northern Spain

There are three regions in Southern Spain

But unlike Germany, the French do not have a secure rear area

All of Spain is in revolt against the French, who only control the area they occupy

Fourth French army are in Burgos

Their main depot is in Santander

The Anglo/Portuguese army is in Salamanca

Their main depot is in Oporto

 

French Strategy in Spain

King Joseph is the commander in chief of all French troops in Spain.

However he commands no respect from either his army commanders

Both Soult and Suchet are determined to remain independent commanders

Suchet wants to invade southern Spain and become King of Andalusia

Soult wants to defeat Wellington and become King of Portugal

 

All three agree that Soult will drive Wellington out of Spain

Suchet will invade Andalusia and take Seville

He will then detach two of his four corps to support Soult

Soult will invade Portugal and drive Wellington out of the Peninsula

 

Anglo-Spanish Strategy in Spain

Wellington is the commander in chief of all allied troops in the Peninsula

However all Spanish generals deeply resent this appointment

Giron is determined to take Madrid and become the hero of Spain

 

Wellington is well aware that he cannot rely on his Spanish generals

To defeat the French he must first take Madrid

To do so the Spanish army must hold southern Spain to pin Suchet

Most importantly the Spanish must avoid a comprehensive defeat

This would allow both French armies to concentrate against Wellington

 

Diary of Northern Spain Campaign

1 February 1813      Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Spain declared war on France

20 February 1813    Anglo/Portuguese army operational in Oporto Region

27 February 1813    Fourth French army operational in Burgos Region

22 March 1813        Start of Valladolid campaign phase

29 March 1813        British win Valladolid campaign phase

19 May 1813           British win Llanes campaign phase

         

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

 

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

40 - Introduction to the campaign in Northern Spain

41 – French Army order of battle

42 – Anglo/Portuguese Army order of battle

43 - Daily diary for the campaign in Northern Spain

44 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Northern Spain

45 - Summary of campaign in Northern Spain

 

Summary of Northern Spain Campaign – 29 March 1813

Regional map of Northern Spain

There are three regions in Southern Spain

But unlike Germany, the French do not have a secure rear area

All of Spain is in revolt against the French, who only control the area they occupy

Fourth French army are in Burgos

Their main depot is in Santander

The Anglo/Portuguese army is in Salamanca

Their main depot is in Oporto

 

French Strategy in Spain

King Joseph is the commander in chief of all French troops in Spain.

However he commands no respect from either his army commanders

Both Soult and Suchet are determined to remain independent commanders

Suchet wants to invade southern Spain and become King of Andalusia

Soult wants to defeat Wellington and become King of Portugal

 

All three agree that Soult will drive Wellington out of Spain

Suchet will invade Andalusia and take Seville

He will then detach two of his four corps to support Soult

Soult will invade Portugal and drive Wellington out of the Peninsula

 

Anglo-Spanish Strategy in Spain

Wellington is the commander in chief of all allied troops in the Peninsula

However all Spanish generals deeply resent this appointment

Giron is determined to take Madrid and become the hero of Spain

 

Wellington is well aware that he cannot rely on his Spanish generals

To defeat the French he must first take Madrid

To do so the Spanish army must hold southern Spain to pin Suchet

Most importantly the Spanish must avoid a comprehensive defeat

This would allow both French armies to concentrate against Wellington

 

Diary of Northern Spain Campaign

1 February 1813      Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Spain declared war on France

20 February 1813    Anglo/Portuguese army operational in Oporto Region

27 February 1813    Fourth French army operational in Burgos Region

22 March 1813        Start of Valladolid campaign phase

29 March 1813        British win Valladolid campaign phase

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

 

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

40 - Introduction to the campaign in Northern Spain

41 – French Army order of battle

42 – Anglo/Portuguese Army order of battle

43 - Daily diary for the campaign in Northern Spain

44 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Northern Spain

45 - Summary of campaign in Northern Spain

31 October 1813 – Summary of Campaign in North Spain

                             

Battles fought in North Spain

Campaign History

By the end of January 1813 most of the experienced French troops had been withdrawn from Spain to form the new Grand Army in Germany.   Marshal Soult was ordered to organize all remaining troops in Northern Spain into the new Fourth French Army.   He was to concentrate them at Burgos and to hold the northern border with Portugal

On 2 February 1813 Wellington took the border city of Cuidad Rodrigo and marched his Army east to drive the French out of Spain.   He reached Zamora on 27 February 1813, where he received reports that the Soult was still at Burgos but preparing to march on Valladolid.

Wellington halted at Zamora on 28 February 1813, to allow his army to rest and reorganise after their long march from Portugal.  He was aware that the French were at Burgos, and that he would have to fight to take Valladolid.

1 March 1813 – Valladolid Campaign.    Wellington opened the campaign by defeating the French and occupying Valladolid.   The French counter attacked and won the battles of Arriba and Medina.   Wellington halted the French advance at Palencia and went on to defeat them again at Palencia.   Soult was forced to retreat east.

9 March 1813 – Burgos Campaign.   The campaign opened with a determined French attack during which they won the battles of Agular, Sarracin and Burgos.  Wellington rallied and counter attacked to win at Agular, Castrojarez and Burgos.   However Soult won the third battle of Burgos and with it the campaign.   Wellington was forced to retreat towards Portugal.

25 March 1813 – Zamora Campaign.   The French won the first battle at Morales.  However Wellington won at Zamora, Benavente and again at Morales.   Soult regrouped and won a series of four battles at Zamora and Benavente resulting in the French also winning the campaign.  Once more Wellington had to retreat.

5 April 1813 – Armistice.   Wellington was forced to accept the seven day cease fire in order to rally and reorganise his shattered army.   He ordered them to retreat to Oporto and concentrate there.   Soult halted his army at Zamora

12 April 1813 – Oporto Campaign.   Wellington was determined to prevent a retreat into Portugal and opened the campaign with an aggressive advance.   He was defeated at the first battle at Chaves, but won the three battles for Murca.    This town became the centre of the campaign, and the French attacked again and again.   By 19 April both armies were battered, had lost considerable battle casualties and were low on supplies.  But when Wellington defeated the third attempt to take Murca Soult ordered his army to withdraw.  

28 April 1813 – Tordesillas Campaign.   Soult was determined to hold Wellington on the Spanish/Portuguese border.  But Wellington was equally determined to establish himself in Spain.   This campaign developed into a series of victories for Wellington.   He won six of the seven battles fought, and the seventh was a draw.   He took Tordesillias, pursued the retreating French and took Valladolid after two days of fighting.   Both armies were battered during the 14 day campaign.  On 11 May 1813  Soult ordered his army to retreat to Burgos to rally and regroup.  Wellington called a halt at Valladolid.

10 August 1813 – Leon Campaign.  Wellington needed to take Leon in order to secure a port on the north coast to shorten his lines of communications.   The campaign opened badly for the British, with their defeat at Sanabria.   The French went on the attack but were defeated at Mayorga.   Wellington defeated the French at Sanabria and Benevente.   But he lost the last two battles at Leon and again at Sanabria.   Wellington was forced to retreat to the river Duero.  Both armies suffered heavy casualties, but the French clearly won the campaign.

31 October 1813 – Santiago Campaign.   Soult is determined to defeat Wellington and force him to retreat into Portugal.   The campaign started badly, with the French defeat at the first battle of Corunna.   They were more successful at Lugo, where they forced Wellington to retreat to Santiago.  This was followed by a French victory at the second battle of Corunna, and they went on to occupy the town.   Guerrilla attacks on his lines of supply forced Soult to send one corps back to secure his supplies.  This allowed Wellington to counter attack and take back Corunna.   In the south the French attacked and captured Santiago.   However Wellington abandoned his lines of communications and attacked again in the south.  He defeated Soult at the battle of Ribadeo.   This forced Soult to order a general retreat, leaving Wellington the winner of the campaign

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

01 - introduction to the 1813 campaign

02 - the five campaign areas

40 - introduction to the campaign in North Spain

41 - French order of battle

42 - British order of battle

43 - daily diary for the campaign in North Spain

44 - battle reports of all battles fought in North  Spain

24 August 1813 – Summary of Campaign in North Spain

Battles fought in North Spain

Campaign History

By the end of January 1813 most of the experienced French troops had been withdrawn from Spain to form the new Grand Army in Germany.   Marshal Soult was ordered to organize all remaining troops in Northern Spain into the new Fourth French Army.   He was to concentrate them at Burgos and to hold the northern border with Portugal

On 2 February 1813 Wellington took the border city of Cuidad Rodrigo and marched his Army east to drive the French out of Spain.   He reached Zamora on 27 February 1813, where he received reports that the Soult was still at Burgos but preparing to march on Valladolid.

Wellington halted at Zamora on 28 February 1813, to allow his army to rest and reorganise after their long march from Portugal.  He was aware that the French were at Burgos, and that he would have to fight to take Valladolid.

1 March 1813 – Valladolid Campaign.    Wellington opened the campaign by defeating the French and occupying Valladolid.   The French counter attacked and won the battles of Arriba and Medina.   Wellington halted the French advance at Palencia and went on to defeat them again at Palencia.   Soult was forced to retreat east.

9 March 1813 – Burgos Campaign.   The campaign opened with a determined French attack during which they won the battles of Agular, Sarracin and Burgos.  Wellington rallied and counter attacked to win at Agular, Castrojarez and Burgos.   However Soult won the third battle of Burgos and with it the campaign.   Wellington was forced to retreat towards Portugal.

25 March 1813 – Zamora Campaign.   The French won the first battle at Morales.  However Wellington won at Zamora, Benavente and again at Morales.   Soult regrouped and won a series of four battles at Zamora and Benavente resulting in the French also winning the campaign.  Once more Wellington had to retreat.

5 April 1813 – Armistice.   Wellington was forced to accept the seven day cease fire in order to rally and reorganise his shattered army.   He ordered them to retreat to Oporto and concentrate there.   Soult halted his army at Zamora

12 April 1813 – Oporto Campaign.   Wellington was determined to prevent a retreat into Portugal and opened the campaign with an aggressive advance.   He was defeated at the first battle at Chaves, but won the three battles for Murca.    This town became the centre of the campaign, and the French attacked again and again.   By 19 April both armies were battered, had lost considerable battle casualties and were low on supplies.  But when Wellington defeated the third attempt to take Murca Soult ordered his army to withdraw.  

28 April 1813 – Tordesillas Campaign.   Soult was determined to hold Wellington on the Spanish/Portuguese border.  But Wellington was equally determined to establish himself in Spain.   This campaign developed into a series of victories for Wellington.   He won six of the seven battles fought, and the seventh was a draw.   He took Tordesillias, pursued the retreating French and took Valladolid after two days of fighting.   Both armies were battered during the 14 day campaign.  On 11 May 1813  Soult ordered his army to retreat to Burgos to rally and regroup.  Wellington called a halt at Valladolid.

10 August 1813 – Leon Campaign.  Wellington needed to take Leon in order to secure a port on the north coast to shorten his lines of communications.   The campaign opened badly for the British, with their defeat at Sanabria.   The French went on the attack but were defeated at Mayorga.   Wellington defeated the French at Sanabria and Benevente.   But he lost the last two battles at Leon and again at Sanabria.   Wellington was forced to retreat to the river Duero.  Both armies suffered heavy casualties, but the French clearly won the campaign.

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

01 - introduction to the 1813 campaign

02 - the five campaign areas

40 - introduction to the campaign in North Spain

41 - French order of battle

42 - British order of battle

43 - daily diary for the campaign in North Spain

44 - battle reports of all battles fought in North  Spain