Santiago Campaign – Day 3

Campaign Map on 21 October 1813

2^nd British corps are forced to retreat by the arrival of 16^th Italian corps

In doing so they abandon the supply depot at Corunna

Wellington in informed of the French offensive in the north

He orders 1^st corps to move north and join 2^nd corps

Soult orders 7^th and 16^th corps to occupy Corunna

He also orders 8^th and reserve corps to advance on Lugo

  

Campaign Notes

Soult has achieved his first objective, the capture of Corunna.

But in doing so he has worn out 7^th and 16^th corps

He has also advanced beyond his depots.

Both 7^th and 16^th corps are now reduced to one days supplies

They must halt to resupply, or lose casualties to attrition

The two days supplies captured at Corunna will help but will not solve the problem

Soult orders a new depot to be established at Ribadeo

Wellington is now aware of the French offensive in the north

Despite winning the battle of Corunna, 2^nd corps has had to retreat

This was caused by the approach of 16^th Italian corps

Wellington now orders 1^st corps to move north to join 2^nd corps

He will then counter attack to retake Corunna.

However Soult has already ordered 8^th and reserve corps to take Lugo.

If Wellington continues with his planned attack on Corunna he will run the risk of losing Santiago and having his army split in two.

Meanwhile a third Spanish militia brigade has been forced to move into the mountains and become a guerrilla band.   There are now seven such bands, and three are concentrated in the north.   As the French advance they leave a series of brigades behind as garrison and depot.   Not only is each garrison open to attack by the guerrilla bands, but also the necessary movement of supplies to the front.

After three days of campaign everything is looking very good for the French.  But there are many problems about to rise to the surface.