28 July 1809, dawn
Ruffin’s second attack
At dawn on 28 July 30 French guns on the Cascajal, the hill across the Portiña from the Medellín, open fire, and Wellesley pulls his infantry back behind the crest. Ruffin’s division attacks the Medellín again, its three regiments side by side, each about 160 files across and nine ranks deep.
The positions of the two armies on 28 July 1809, map drawn by George Hartmann, 1809Wikimedia Commons, George Hartmann, Public domain (Position of the 2 armies during the greatest part of the 28th July and at the attack on the center of the British & Spanish line at about 2 o'clock p.m. LOC 2010589558.jpg)
As the columns near the top, the British rise from cover in lines two deep that overlap them, and the 29th and 48th Foot fire and charge with the bayonet. Hit from front and flank, with only their front ranks able to fire, the French columns break and run. A cannonade follows until noon, when a truce of two hours begins.
Sources
- Charles Oman, A History of the Peninsular War, vol. II (1903).
- Andrew Field, Talavera: Wellington’s First Victory in Spain (2006).
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