"Fuentes de Onoro: French Left Question" Topic

Haven't been able to find info in English regarding why the infantry on the French left was not in close pursuit of the retiring 7th and Light divisions.

Lot's of guesswork and theories but no real investigation of the causes.

Top two on my list are:

They were simply worn out before the start of the action.

Or

Massina did not want the arms getting entangled, having already so many horse on the job and then calling for the Guard cavalry.

Not really happy with either suggestion although they are "could be"'s.

So what have the French sources told you?

Thanks!

bob

Of course Oman had the answer! As the other books I was checking all cited Oman I incorrectly presumed they would have included the reasons stated their for lack of infantry follow up agaisnt the 7th, rather than speculating,

The infantry used in the turning movement was to be used to assault to the (French) left of Fuentes after the village had been cleared. This should have brought then against the 2nd or 3rd Allied division, while the cavalry kept the extreme flank (the 7th) occupied.

As Fuentes was never cleared, it appeared as if that infantry had simple done nothing…which to a point is true, but they were meant to until their attack was launched.

Oman says this much is clear from Massina's report o the battle, which I am unable to confirm. However this idea makes much greater sense than the infantry just hung back by Poco Velho.

Bob