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Title
Orthez
Description
After the French defeat at Nive, Soult fell back to a position north of the River Gave de Pau. Wellington advanced along both sides of the river, while Soult deployed along a ridge, running roughly parallel to it. The French …
Publisher
Date
1814-02-27
Scenario#
EPIC11
Scenario Description
After the French defeat at Nive, Soult fell back to a position north of the River Gave de Pau. Wellington advanced along both sides of the river, while Soult deployed along a ridge, running roughly parallel to it. The French position was a good one, but too long. Soult had to place all of his veteran troops in the front lines. He was now committed to a static defense with little besides raw conscripts in reserve. Wellington’s army was organized into three groups commanded by Beresford, Picton and Hill, with the famed Light Division in reserve. He intended for Beresford to strongly attack the French right while Picton held the rest of the French line in a diversionary attack. Hill’s divisions were to cross the Gave de Pau and fall on the French left to complete the victory. The battle opened with Beresford’s divisions going in against the church and village of St. Boes. He succeeded in capturing the church, but the advance was checked by Taupin’s troops defending the village. Reille, the French right-wing commander then launched a spirited counterattack that forced Beresford to pull back. Wellington now displayed his command ability by quickly changing his plan. He converted Picton’s feint into the main attack. Picton’s division, aided by the Light Division, split the French center. At the same time Clinton’s division was pressing the attack on Orthez, and Hill’s two divisions had crossed the stream by means of a ford and were threatening Soult’s left and rear. On the French right, St. Boes fell to renewed assault, and Soult conceded defeat.
Location
Orthez, France
Battle Name
Battle Narrative
The Battle of Orthez saw the Anglo-Spanish-Portuguese Army under Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, Marquess of Wellington attack an Imperial French army led by Marshal Nicolas Soult in southern France. The outnumbered French repelled several Allied assaults on their right flank, but their center and left flank were overcome and Soult was compelled to retreat. At first the withdrawal was conducted in good order, but it eventually ended in a scramble for safety and many French soldiers became prisoners. The engagement occurred near the end of the Peninsular War.
Narrative Source
Wikipedia: Battle of Orthez
Combatants
French
Portuguese/British
Additional Information
Peninsular War

Geolocation