History of the war in the Peninsula and in the south of France from the year 1807 to the year 1814, vol. 3Napier, William Francis Patrick
History
History of the war in the Peninsula and in the south of France from the year 1807 to the year 1814, vol. 3
Napier, William Francis Patrick
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
In the night of the 6th, information reached the king, that six
thousand Spanish horsemen, supported by two thousand foot, had come
down upon Consuegra from the side of Herencia, and that a second
column likewise composed of cavalry and infantry, had passed the
Puerto de Piche, and fallen upon the outposts at Madrilejos. All the
prisoners taken in the skirmishes agreed that the Spanish army was
above fifty thousand strong, and the duke of Belluno immediately
concentrated the first corps at Yebenes, but kept his cavalry at
Mora, by which he covered the roads leading from Consuegra and
Madrilejos upon Toledo. On the 8th, there were no Spaniards in front
of the first corps, yet officers sent towards Ocaña, were chased back
by cavalry; and Soult judged what was indeed the truth, that Areizaga
continuing his reckless march, had pushed by Tembleque towards
Aranjuez, leaving the first corps on his left flank. The division of
the fourth corps was immediately moved from Toledo by the right bank
of the Tagus to Aranjuez, from whence Sebastiani carried it to Ocaña,
thus concentrating about eight thousand infantry, and fifteen hundred
cavalry at that point on the 9th; and the same day Victor retired
with the first corps to Ajofrin.
On the 10th, Gazan’s division of the fifth corps was ordered to march
from Talavera to Toledo; and the first corps which had reached the
latter town, was directed to move up the right bank of the Tagus
to Aranjuez to support Sebastiani, who holding fast at Ocaña, sent
six squadrons to feel for the enemy towards Guardia. The Spaniards
continuing their movement, met those squadrons and pursued them
towards Ocaña.
COMBAT OF DOS BARRIOS.
Areizaga, ignorant of what was passing around him, and seeing only
Sebastiani’s cavalry on the table-land between the town of Dos
Barrios and Ocaña, concluded that they were unsupported, and directed
the Spanish horse to charge them without delay. The French thus
pressed, drew back behind their infantry which was close at hand
and unexpectedly opened a brisk fire on the Spanish squadrons which
were thrown into confusion, and being charged in that state by the
whole mass of the enemy’s cavalry, were beaten, with the loss of two
hundred prisoners and two pieces of cannon. Areizaga’s main body
was, however, coming up, and Sebastiani fell back upon Ocaña. The
next morning he took up a position on some heights lining the left
bank of the Tagus and covering Aranjuez, the Spaniards entered Dos
Barrios, and their impetuous movement ceased. They had come down from
the Morena like a stream of lava; and burst into La Mancha with a
rapidity that scarcely gave time for rumour to precede them. But this
swiftness of execution, generally so valuable in war, was here but
an outbreak of folly. Without any knowledge of the French numbers or
position, without any plan of action, Areizaga rushed like a maniac
into the midst of his foes, and then suddenly stood still, trembling
and bewildered.
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