Albacete Campaign – Day 3

Campaign Map on 10 September 1813

Suchet orders 15^th corps to occupy Elda and 16^th corps to rest and resupply

He leads 7^th corps south towards Hellin, which he finds occupied

He halts north of Hellin until 15^th and 16^th corps are ready to support him

Giron orders the Spanish Army to concentrate just north of Molina

1^st and 2^nd Corps are ordered to hold Hellin for one day

This will allow 3^rd and 4^th corps to redeploy and reorganise

He also orders new depots at Calasparra and Orihuela

When regrouped he will wait for the French to advance and attack him

Campaign Notes

Suchet is anxious to move south down the valley and strike the Spanish field army before they can retreat and concentrate.  He leads 7^th French corps towards Hellin.   Finding the town occupied by a strong Spanish corps, he is unwilling to attack until his flank corps are ready to support him.

Giron has decided to abandon Hellin and concentrate his whole army just north of his main depot at Molina.  However he must delay the French advance to allow his battered corps to do so.

He orders 2^nd corps to halt south of Hellin, and supports them with three militia brigades.   They have orders to retreat if attacked.   Fortunately the French do not do so.

The swift French advance has extended their lines of supply, and Suchet is concerned that he has lost contact with the Spanish field army.   He is also aware that time is not on his side, and he must strike hard at them before they can concentrate.