Merida Campaign Day 7

15 June 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 7

French retreat to regroup and resupply

 

In the north 13^th French army abandon the siege of Adjucen and retreat to Santa Amalia

1^st guerrilla brigade occupy Bargas

4^th French brigade retreat to Toledo

The French lines of supply is cut

 

In the centre 14^th French army retreat to San Pedro

 

In the south 15^th French army retreat to Manchita

 

The Spanish have won the Merida campaign

 

 

Comments

Having failed to take Merida, Marshal Suchet orders the Army of Spain to retreat

 

They will concentrate at Santa Amalia, San Pedro and Manchita to regroup

In doing so they will have occupied the three town on the Merida-Toledo border

Giron’s Spanish Army continue to hold Merida, and can claim victory

 

In effect the campaign has ended in a draw.

 

The French are unable to continue offensive operations and must break contact with the Spanish

However the Spanish are unable to pursue the French, let alone drive them out of Merida district

 

I am quite pleased with this confused end to the campaign, because it feels right.

It is very similar to the historical French experience in Spain

They could always defeat the Spanish field armies

But they struggled to exercise control over the captured cities and towns

 

I am also pleased with the guerrilla operations and French supply problems

It is this more than anything else which caused Soult to abandon the campaign