Campaign Move 42

2000 1^st September 1813

Wellington has joined 2^nd allied corps at Castillo the previous day.

Graham reported that 1^st Spanish corps had lost heavy battle casualties, and would not be ready to take the field for at least 24 hours.   2^nd British division had only suffered light casualties, and were fully operational.   Both divisions were fully resupplied.

The allied corps commanders had been lax in their daily reports to Wellington, and he was unaware of the current operational readiness of 1^st and 3^rd corps.   The previous evening he had written to both commanders to confirm their exact strength and supply position.

Throughout 31^st August 1813 there had been the sound of heavy fighting at Pancorbo.   During the night unofficial reports had arrived of a complete disaster.   One even suggested that all of 1^st corps had surrendered to the French.

He had expected 3^rd corps to attack Burgos at first light, but as the day progressed there were no sounds of battle, nor any reports to an allied attack.

Just after lunch Wellington one of General Hills ADC arrived with confirmation that 1^st allied corps had indeed lost the battle at Pancorbo.   1^st British division had broken and run, but been forced to surrender when cut off by the much stronger French cavalry.    2^nd Spanish division had been surrounded at Pancorbo and forced to surrender.

With the loss of one third of his army it was clear to Wellington that he had lost the campaign and must immediately retreat if he was to save the rest.

Messengers were sent to 2^nd and 3^rd corps to abandon their heavy baggage and ammunition and immediately retreat to Valladolid.

The Burgos campaign was over.

Campaign Move 41

1600 1^st September 1813

General Cole commanded the best of the three allied corps.

3^rd corps had two British divisions, including the famous Light Division.  

Cole had expected to have to fight to take Aranda, however as he approached 8th French corps had abandoned the city and retreated north towards Burgos.  He had marched north in pursuit for 24 hours and then halted to establish a new supply depot and rest his divisions.

Cole was aware that the French had concentrated at Burgos, but he was unaware that one of the four enemy divisions had marched north to take part in the battle of Pancorbo.

He was also unaware of the outcome of that battle.

Furthermore he had very little contact with 2^nd corps at Castillo.

By taking Aranda he had achieved the objective set him by Wellington and was awaiting new orders.

On the night of 31^st August 1813 General Cole had the opportunity to attack Burgos.   If supported by 2^nd corps he had a good chance of taking the city and forcing the French to retreat north towards Bayonne.  

Instead of attacking he ordered his corps to rest and resupply.

Before nightfall he received confirmation from Wellington that he had made the right decision.

Campaign Move 40

1200 1^st September 1813

Marshal Soult was present at the battle of Pancorbo.

Though pleased with the result, he is well aware how vulnerable are the three divisions holding Burgos.   He had taken the fourth division to support 6^th corps at Pancorbo and this had turned a victory into the surrender of one third of Wellington’s army.   However the remaining two thirds now had the opportunity to engage the French at Burgos with the same sort of odds.

Immediately after the battle Soult received a detailed report from Leval.   6^th corps had suffered casualties at the first battle of Pancorbo, and then even more losses due to attrition when the Spanish occupation of that city left them without any means of resupply.

Leval was determined that 6^th corps must be allowed to rest, establish a new supply depot at Pancorbo and resupply before they be asked to engage in further operations.   Soult accepted that this was sound advice, and allowed 16^th division to rest and regroup at Pancorbo throughout 1^st September.

However something must be done with the large number of English and Spanish prisoners.   3^rd division was ordered to march north at first light and escort them to Bayonne.   This would result in further attrition casualties, but could not be avoided.

Soult would march south at first light with 14^th division and hope to arrive at Burgos before Wellington took that city.   The Westphalians has only suffered light battle casualties, and still had one day’s supplies.   So they were in good order and capable of marching to Burgos and fighting on arrival if necessary. 

But would they arrive in time?

Campaign Move 39

2000 31^st August 1813

1^st Allied corps surrender at Pancorbo

General Cole has ordered 1^st Spanish division to hold Pancorbo.

His 2^nd British division are recovering nearby

They have suffered heavy casualties and are not operational

Marshal Soult has ordered three divisions to attack the Spanish at Pancorbo

Two of the three have suffered casualties, but they have been reorganised

Cole orders the Spanish division to abandon Pancorbo and withdraw west

He orders his British division to advance to cover the Spanish withdrawal

The two northern French divisions advance to pin both the British and Spanish

Cole is unaware of the approach of the Westphalian division from Burgos

The allied cavalry attempt to delay the French advance, but lose the melee and rout

Three of the British infantry brigades have heavy casualties, break and join the rout

The Spanish division come under attack as they attempt to move west of Pancorbo

It is clear to Cole that any further resistance will result in the destruction of his corps

The loss of his cavalry mean that his British division are at the mercy of the French cavalry

He orders his corps to surrender.

Campaign Move 38

1600 31^st August 1813

Where are the French?

Cole has taken Aranda, but without opposition or contact with the French.  Clearly they have marched north towards Burgos, but he had no idea exactly where or even how strong.

To the north west Graham is resting his corps at Castrillo.   Both of his divisions have suffered heavy battle casualties, and will not be fully battle ready for at least another two days.   They have also lost contact with the French.

Graham can hear the south of battle from the north, and is aware that a battle is being fought at Pancorbo.  But he has no information about the composition of the French forces there.

Wellington has arrived at Castrillo and demanded reports from both Graham and Cole.   He is also aware of the fighting at Pancorbo.   He senses that he must attack Burgos before the French can recover from the allied run of victories.  However he dare not order an attack until he has determined the readiness of both of his corps, and some idea of the strength of the enemy forces facing them.