"La Batalla de la Albuera - From the Spanish Side" Topic

"Report from don José Lardizabal…

At 7 in the morning of the 16th, the enemy appeared at the exit of the forest that is in front of the Albuera, and where the Camino Real that leads to Badajoz crosses. To his right three cavalry squadrons and like three thousand infantry with 4 pieces which attack our left. Due to this movement, we prepared to receive them, taking the right of the line my vanguard division, which was followed by the third commanded by Lt. Gen. Exmo. Mister Dn. Francisco Ballesteros and having also presented on our right flank several shooters and a column that was directed to pass the small stream that divided the two armies, by order of V.E. They formed in battle on the crest of the height, and under the orders of the Field Marshal Don Jose de Zayas, the 2nd and 4th battalions of the Spanish Royal Guards with the Irish regiment, which in mass remained at the rear of its center, and my division ran much further to the right. Finally, as the presentation of several columns in different directions did not yet express the enemy's intention with the necessary clarity, I formed a column of for battalions and with the front to the right to avoid being flanked and to go more promptly and correctly everywhere . At this moment it was when the most intense fire of the enemy artillery and the certain direction of three columns with their corresponding reserves, 800 Polish lancers and the 4th of dragons that covered their left did not leave us the slightest doubt of the true attack. The division quickly deployed the battle at their forehead, supporting the right on two Spanish pieces located to the left of the Guards battalions whose movement also followed the 3rd. Here the liveliest artillery and rifle fire was established on both lines and half a shot from a rifle; sides and center everything was attacked at some time with the greatest bizarre, but rejected with force, they yielded for a moment. Reinforced again they returned to the charge with greater boldness, and after being contained in it, despite the deluge of bullets that had been executed in their sight by the Allied troops one of the most difficult operations of the war. As the first line have support two heavy attakcs and sustain more than an hour and a half of the deadliest fire, to provide ourselves with cartridges and to give some rest to the troops the English came to replace us, and the passage of the two lines was made with the same silence and order that in a doctrinal exercise; They held the fire for half an hour with the constancy and courage that are characteristic of them and, once again passing through their clearings, we occupied the first line again, at the moment when the enemies, with all their forces gathered and in desperation, gave the 3rd charge, making the last effort to break the line in the middle. In view of their decision, I preferred to meet them and placed myself among the brave regiments of Murcia, the Canary Islands and León, directed with the greatest intrepidity by their most worthy chiefs, and with the third division on my left, we struck each other with the firm resolution of destroying some or others, with the lucky death of General Werler who was leading the enemy column, the lost of the banner of the Poles by the Murcia regiment and the great casualties they had in the act of the shock, we finally intimidated them in terms that they fled precipitously; I followed the range with the same three regiments and at a very short distance a English battalion that came from my left, then I held back because the entire enemy cavalry was at my both flanks and they could easily wrap myself. The Campo Mayor battalion and the light companies of the division under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Don Lorenzo Calvo, were by order of V.E. continue guarding part of the English artillery, and skirmish all day with the constancy and bizarre that they have so proven…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Fascinating photos. The lack of woodland is noticeable and the rolling nature of the countryside is clearly shown. Thank you cousin!

A votre service mon cher cousin!. (smile)

Hope family are doing well!!

Amicalement
Armand

Armand

For anyone interested in the Spanish side, there is a little booklet (47 pages) that contains descriptions and reports concerning the battle from the Spanish side.

THE SPANISH REPORT ON THE BATTLE OF ALBUREA by Mark S. Thompson

They are mostly short and written by Antonio Burriel, Adjutant General, Field Marshal Jose de Lardizabal, Lieutenant General Franciscp Ballesteros, Field Marshal Jose de Zayas, Brigadier Carlos de Espana, Brigadier Casimiro Loy, Brigadier Count de Penne Villemur and Colonel Jose Miranda.

They don't contain great detail but make for interesting reading all the same.

Many thanks my good friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand