27 July 1809, evening and night
Night attack on the Medellín
On 27 July Wellesley sends Mackenzie’s 3rd Division and Anson’s cavalry forward to cover Cuesta’s retreat into the position. The French cross the Alberche in mid-afternoon, and when Anson’s cavalry pulls back by mistake they surprise Donkin’s brigade and inflict over 400 casualties. In the evening French dragoons ride up close to the Spanish line, which fires a volley at them out of range, and four Spanish battalions throw down their arms and flee, nearly 2,000 men by Wellesley’s account.
Marshal Claude Victor, portrait by Antoine-Jean GrosWikimedia Commons, Antoine-Jean Gros, Public domain (Claude-Victor Perrin.jpg)
That night Victor sends Ruffin’s division to seize the Medellín by surprise. Two of its three regiments lose their way in the dark, but the 9th Light routs Löw’s brigade of the King’s German Legion and reaches the summit. General Hill sends Richard Stewart’s brigade up the hill and drives the French off. The British lose some 800 men on 27 July.
Sources
- Charles Oman, A History of the Peninsular War, vol. II (1903).
- Andrew Field, Talavera: Wellington’s First Victory in Spain (2006).
Prev: Porto and the advance up the TagusNext: Ruffin’s second attack