This is the Napoleonic army of my son Antoine. It has two DBA bodies and is intended to be reinforced by a Spanish body. This remains to be constituted.
The figures of this army:
- The General Staff
- The English Infantry
- The Scottish infantry
- Artillery
(Historical data below from monatlas.fr)
1808
On November 13th, Moore's army (30,000h) which crossed the Portuguese border reached Salamanca. Informed of the French threat on Madrid, she headed for Valladolid to clear the capital. But, learning the capitulation, Moore decides to join Astorga to reinforce Baird troops (12 000h) from La Coruña.
When he reached Astorga, Moore had only the body of Soult in front of him, which ascended the valley of the Carrion. He thinks he has to step back by launching an offensive on Sahagun.
From 22 December 1808 to 18 January 1809: The race to the sea
Napoleon, at Madrid, was delighted with the offensive of the English, for he saw in it a magnificent opportunity of putting an end to them.
For that Soult must contain the English while Napoleon, passing by Benavente will arise on the backs of Moore. Lefebvre, Lasalle, and Milhaud will rapidly descend the valley of the Tagus to cut off a possible retreat from the English towards Portugal. Moore should not be able to escape the crash.
On 22 December, despite terrible climatic conditions, Napoleon's army set out.
On the 24th of December, Ney is at Tordesillas and Soult passes Carriande.
But Moore is cautious, he falls back on Astorga.
On December 28, when the French reached Valderas, Moore had already rode west.
1809
On January 7, pressed by the French Moore made front in Lugo (50km from La Coruna). Soult impressed will lose three days to wait for the bulk of his strength. This inactivity will allow Moore to reach La Coruña.On the 11th of January the English army was assembled at La Coruña, on the embarkation platforms, but the fleet was not at the rendezvous. Soult therefore has the opportunity to repair his error. This will not be the case because he will still wait five days before launching an assault that would have allowed to capture the English army.
On the 16th of January the English ships arrived in the harbor, and embarkation began. Soult then decides to attack but it is too late. The resistance of some English battalions will suffice to enable the English to embark. Moore succeeded, at the cost of an epic retreat, to save his army.
In the spring the English armies are back in Portugal in spite of Soult playing the wren in Porto.
Sir Arthur Wellesley organized an Anglo-Portuguese army of 50,000 men.
In early May, Wellesley went on the attack.
On 12 May he sent Soult out of Porto and forced him to retreat to Spain. Not to be isolated Ney is forced to evacuate Galicia.
Having no longer any danger in the north, Wellesley, reinforced by the Spanish army of La Cuesta, ascended the Tagus to oblige Victor to retreat towards Madrid.
On July 28, Victor made a front and attacked the Anglo-Portuguese at Talavera without waiting for Soult's corps. The Anglo-Spaniards will stand up against the French assaults, however around 5pm their center folds. But King Joseph refused to make a final effort and ordered the retreat. The English will proclaim their triumph.
Wellesley, rewarded, will henceforth bear the title of Duke of Wellington.
At the news of the French victory at Wagram, Wellington, fears the return of Napoleon in Spain and decides to retreat to Portugal.
The Spanish armies, which never cease to grow, do not hesitate to take the offensive but without success: The army of Extremadura is defeated by Kellermann near Salamanca.
The army of Andalusia is defeated by Soult in Ocaña on 19 November.
Having no longer any danger in the north, Wellesley, reinforced by the Spanish army of La Cuesta, ascended the Tagus to oblige Victor to retreat towards Madrid.
On July 28, Victor made a front and attacked the Anglo-Portuguese at Talavera without waiting for Soult's corps. The Anglo-Spaniards will stand up against the French assaults, however around 5pm their center folds. But King Joseph refused to make a final effort and ordered the retreat. The English will proclaim their triumph.
Wellesley, rewarded, will henceforth bear the title of Duke of Wellington.
At the news of the French victory at Wagram, Wellington, fears the return of Napoleon in Spain and decides to retreat to Portugal.
The Spanish armies, which never cease to grow, do not hesitate to take the offensive but without success: The army of Extremadura is defeated by Kellermann near Salamanca.
The army of Andalusia is defeated by Soult in Ocaña on 19 November.
1810
In February Soult progresses in Andalusia (Seville is occupied the 1st, Malaga the 5). But still too slow he can not seize Cadiz whose siege will immobilize three army corps.In September Massena arrives in Spain with the mission to finish with the English while walking on Lisbon.
On the 27th September Massena encountered Wellington at Bussaco near Coimbra. Threatened to be turned the English fold back behind the fortified lines of Torres-Vedras.
Early October Massena arrived in front of these fortified lines. To defend them Wellington has 69,000 men whereas Massena can attack only with 35,000h. The siege will last for months without the French being able to start the English lines.
