The Spanish Ulcer - 1808
Medina de Rioseco
July 14, 1808
Background
General Cuesta had his broken army of Castile reinforced by some levies but this small force was unable to carry out his expansive schemes. Then, he was joined by a reluctant General Blake and the Galicians and their combined forces advanced towards Valladolid to do open battle with the French. Marshal Bessières, stretched thin by the ongoing siege of Saragossa, quickly gathered a small French army that included two Imperial Guard units and advanced on Cuesta's mediocre defensive positions south of Medellin
Location
Map
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Sequence
The France starts with the initiative. The France is the First Side. The France gets 6 free rolls, and the Spain gets 3 free rolls.
FranceWinner
Information Chart
Spain
Information Chart
Historical Order of Battle
Scenario Rules
- Free SetupOptionalIf desired, both sides may use a "free setup", instead of using the historical dispositions. The Spanish set up first, anywhere in map squares 2 through 5 and A through D. The French set up second, anywhere in map squares 1D, 1E or 2E and no closer than six inches from the closest Spanish combat unit
Arrivals
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No arrivals recorded.
Victory Locations
| Location | Starts under | France | Spain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medina | — | 9 | 14 | Each of the four buildings |
Historic Results
Cuesta drew up his army incompetently, with a large gap between his own forces and those of Blake. Bessières exploited the Spanish dispositions. Mouton's division pinned Cuesta's forces while Merle maneuvered to the French left to outflank Blake and stretch his position. Lasalle charged into the gap between the Spanish forces as Merle charged the other end of Blake's line, leading to a complete Spanish route of the Castilians. Regrouping to attack, Bessières was amazed when Cuesta charged, a hopeless effort that led to the route of the rest of the Spanish army. Spanish losses were a little over 3,000 and the French suffered about 500 casualties. The exhausted French made only a limited pursuit.
Pictures
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