Talavera (1809)
Nov 2019 Mega Game
Well 5 of the Cobs met up at our usual haunt in Mansfield for the November mega game, and what a fabulous game it was. Phil was in the chair and he opted for Talavera, and a brilliant job he made of it. It was also our first 4day game, again this worked out well giving additional playing time and a result so it's the way forward.
Set up saw the allies having to commit there army before the French which created challenges from the start. The french had decided upon a massive central assault on wellington himself which the allies had semi predicted so they had themselves had gone for attacks on each flank which broke with the actual battle and required the Spanish to assault (this was no mean ask ... As my casualties show).
The end result was a french victory, at a high price, as Wellington was forced to retreat his battered forces but not with his Spanish allies thus separating the two forces.
The French have sent through a victory dispatch, which is at the bottom of the page, but so far all is quite from Wellington (Rumor is abound that he has been removed from command !!).
Set up saw the allies having to commit there army before the French which created challenges from the start. The french had decided upon a massive central assault on wellington himself which the allies had semi predicted so they had themselves had gone for attacks on each flank which broke with the actual battle and required the Spanish to assault (this was no mean ask ... As my casualties show).
The end result was a french victory, at a high price, as Wellington was forced to retreat his battered forces but not with his Spanish allies thus separating the two forces.
The French have sent through a victory dispatch, which is at the bottom of the page, but so far all is quite from Wellington (Rumor is abound that he has been removed from command !!).
TALAVERA – VICTORY DISPATCH
Sire I am pleased to report I have engaged and defeated Wellesley and General Cuesta’s forces at Talavera on this day July 28th 1809.
Battle commenced at 2pm with a general bombardment from our Artillery, this lasted for approximately 1 hour. Our plan then suggested by Marshal Victor and which I was happy to adopt was to pin the Allied wings and drive in their centre with 3 Divisions (2 from his own Corps and 1 from General Sebastiani’s) supported by all 3 brigades of Latour Mauborg’s Dragoons. This is where the English were deployed but the ground was deemed to be more favourable for an attack.
Marshal Victor therefore pinned the Allied left around the area of the Cerro de Medellin and Cerro de Casjacar with his remaining Division and some light cavalry. General Sebastiani pinned the Spanish to the north of Talavera with his remaining Division. I kept my personal Guard in reserve posted behind General Sebastiani’s Corps to exploit any success.
The Spanish proved to be quite aggressive, they attacked on both flanks and on my left around the suburbs of Talavera they enjoyed some initial success against Leval’s Germans although by nightfall matters had somewhat stabilised here. Their attack on my extreme right flank was more easily contained and again by nightfall there was no reason for concern. The English remained in possession of the Cerro de Medellin but no effort had been made to storm this position by Victor having been repulsed in his efforts to take the hill during the previous night and again this morning.
The advance of the 3 divisions in the centre supported by the heavy cavalry proved decisive and although the 2 English Divisions posted here were still resisting at 9pm, they had been badly mauled. A battery of 12pdr Spanish guns posted behind a small earthwork on the paja de vagera had proved particularly troublesome throughout the day, at around 7pm I therefore committed the 3 Battalions of Royal Guard to take the position, this they succeeded in doing with the bayonet capturing all 8 cannon. We were now also in position to be able to sever the link between Wellesley & Cuesta.
I believe enemy losses to be in excess of 11,000 of which close to 6,000 are English, we certainly took over 40 cannon (almost half of which are English) abandoned on the field. Wellesley has been forced to retire on Badajoz, I still hope that Marshal Soult will be able to cut off his retreat to Portugal and that he might yet be caught and destroyed. General Cuesta has retired over the Tagus, although it is thought 1 Infantry and 1 cavalry division has retreated with Wellesley. I do not believe the Spanish to have any fight left in them but the English on the other hand may yet prove to be a tough adversary. Their light cavalry performed admirably, inflicting equal losses on our Heavy Dragoons wherever combat ensued and the firepower of the English infantry was most effective.
Our own loss is a little under 10,000 with General Sebastiani’s Corps suffering the most with approximately 2/3rds of the total, the Division he deployed in the centre suffered heavy losses.
We remain in possession of the field, Wellesley withdrew during the night utilising his Brigade of Guards, the Light Brigade (which reached the battle around 8pm) and the remains of his horse as a rear guard. I will follow later this day although much of the Army deserves a day of rest after such a hard fought action.
your loyal servant and Brother
Joseph
Sire I am pleased to report I have engaged and defeated Wellesley and General Cuesta’s forces at Talavera on this day July 28th 1809.
Battle commenced at 2pm with a general bombardment from our Artillery, this lasted for approximately 1 hour. Our plan then suggested by Marshal Victor and which I was happy to adopt was to pin the Allied wings and drive in their centre with 3 Divisions (2 from his own Corps and 1 from General Sebastiani’s) supported by all 3 brigades of Latour Mauborg’s Dragoons. This is where the English were deployed but the ground was deemed to be more favourable for an attack.
Marshal Victor therefore pinned the Allied left around the area of the Cerro de Medellin and Cerro de Casjacar with his remaining Division and some light cavalry. General Sebastiani pinned the Spanish to the north of Talavera with his remaining Division. I kept my personal Guard in reserve posted behind General Sebastiani’s Corps to exploit any success.
The Spanish proved to be quite aggressive, they attacked on both flanks and on my left around the suburbs of Talavera they enjoyed some initial success against Leval’s Germans although by nightfall matters had somewhat stabilised here. Their attack on my extreme right flank was more easily contained and again by nightfall there was no reason for concern. The English remained in possession of the Cerro de Medellin but no effort had been made to storm this position by Victor having been repulsed in his efforts to take the hill during the previous night and again this morning.
The advance of the 3 divisions in the centre supported by the heavy cavalry proved decisive and although the 2 English Divisions posted here were still resisting at 9pm, they had been badly mauled. A battery of 12pdr Spanish guns posted behind a small earthwork on the paja de vagera had proved particularly troublesome throughout the day, at around 7pm I therefore committed the 3 Battalions of Royal Guard to take the position, this they succeeded in doing with the bayonet capturing all 8 cannon. We were now also in position to be able to sever the link between Wellesley & Cuesta.
I believe enemy losses to be in excess of 11,000 of which close to 6,000 are English, we certainly took over 40 cannon (almost half of which are English) abandoned on the field. Wellesley has been forced to retire on Badajoz, I still hope that Marshal Soult will be able to cut off his retreat to Portugal and that he might yet be caught and destroyed. General Cuesta has retired over the Tagus, although it is thought 1 Infantry and 1 cavalry division has retreated with Wellesley. I do not believe the Spanish to have any fight left in them but the English on the other hand may yet prove to be a tough adversary. Their light cavalry performed admirably, inflicting equal losses on our Heavy Dragoons wherever combat ensued and the firepower of the English infantry was most effective.
Our own loss is a little under 10,000 with General Sebastiani’s Corps suffering the most with approximately 2/3rds of the total, the Division he deployed in the centre suffered heavy losses.
We remain in possession of the field, Wellesley withdrew during the night utilising his Brigade of Guards, the Light Brigade (which reached the battle around 8pm) and the remains of his horse as a rear guard. I will follow later this day although much of the Army deserves a day of rest after such a hard fought action.
your loyal servant and Brother
Joseph
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