Campaign Move 12

2000 22^ndAugust 1813

The 7^th French corps have concentrated at Castillo to defend the approach to Burgos.

General Villante has opted to hold the town with his 6^th division, and keep his 14^th division in reserve and out of sight.

Two days earlier 2^nd British division had arrived in front of Castillo and deployed on the Mayorga road.   After an ineffective cavalry recce they then moved south, leaving the road open and undefended.   At this stage 1^st Spanish division was still a full days march west at Mayorga.

General Graham, commander of 2^nd Allied corps, had ordered 1^st Spanish division to join him west of Castrillo.   But before they arrived he ordered 2^nd British division to attack into the empty area south of Castrillo.

Villante had anticipated such a move, and had ordered his 14^th division to move south into I07 to counter it.

Under orders to attack two French divisions without any support,  Packenham halted his 2^nd division and requested further orders from Graham.   Fortunately the two French divisions were on Hold orders and did not move to attack the isolated British division.

As night falls 2^nd British division are in a very exposed position, but fortunately 1^st Spanish division have at last arrived to support them.

It will be interesting to see whether Graham can turn this unusual deployment to his eventual advantage.