22 July 1812, evening
Clauzel’s counterattack
General Clauzel takes command. He sends Sarrut’s division to shore up the broken left, and counterattacks Cole’s 4th Division with his own and Bonet’s divisions and Boyer’s dragoons. The attack sweeps aside Cole’s survivors and strikes Clinton’s 6th Division in Wellington’s second line.
The Battle of Salamanca, 22 July 1812, print after William Heath, 1815Wikimedia Commons, William Heath, Public domain (Battle of Salamanca, 22nd July 1812 (cropped).jpg)
Marshal Beresford sends Spry’s Portuguese brigade of the 5th Division against the French flank, and Wellington brings over the 1st and 7th Divisions. After hard fighting the divisions of Clauzel and Bonet are beaten, and the French army begins to retreat south-east through the woods.
Sources
- Rory Muir, Salamanca, 1812 (2001).
- Ian Fletcher, Salamanca 1812: Wellington Crushes Marmont (1997).
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