Table of Contents

26 March 1810, Santa Olalla: Introduction

General de Brigade Pepin, posted in the sierra to monitor the road to Seville, and on receiving scouting reports that the Spanish were approaching, decided to remain in place at Santa Olalla. Now he and his brigade, supported by Gazan's divisional artillery, have been contacted by Ballasteros' division supplemented by Anglona's cavalry.

Contact Decision

The presence of Spanish cavalry makes it impossible for Pepin to retreat easily. No further test is required as the French adopt a defensive posture around Santa Olalla and the Spanish consider how to attack them.

Map

Pepin's brigade is in control of the village and ruined castle of Santa Olalla, with the Spanish approaching from the north.

The village is a built up area and the castle is a strongpoint located on high ground. The hill, the woods to the north, and the olive grove to the east of the village all count as rough ground.

Forces

French

Commanded by General de Brigade Joseph Pepin.

General de Brigade Pepin, Commissariat, 2 ADC
Brigade Regt Strength Grade
First 21e Legere 3 standard battalions Line
Second 100e Ligne 3 standard battalions Line
4e Coy Artillerie 1 standard battery Line

Spanish

Commanded by Mariscal de Campo Francisco Ballasteros.

Mariscal de Campo Ballasteros, Campaigner, 5 ADC
Brigade Unit Uniform Strength Grade
Primera Navarra 2 standard battalions Recruit
Princesa 2 standard battalions Recruit
Provincial de Oviedo 2 standard battalions Recruit
Segunda Villaviciosa 2 standard battalions Recruit
Candas y Luanco 2 standard battalions Recruit
Castropol White jacket, red facings 2 standard battalions Recruit
Tercera Pravia Blue jacket, red facings 2 standard battalions Recruit
Cangas de Tineo Brown jacket,green facings 2 standard battalions Recruit
Cuarta Grado 2 standard battalions Recruit
Infiesto NK 2 standard battalions Recruit
Caballeria Borbon Blue jacket, red facings 1 small campaign cavalry Recruit
Dragones de Lusitania Yellow jacket, black facings 1 small campaign cavalry Recruit
Granaderos de Llerena 1 small campaign cavalry Recruit
Carabinieros Reales Blue jacket, red facings 1 small campaign cavalry Recruit

Orders

French

Pepin's orders: The 100e Ligne and the artillery are to hold the castle and village. The 21e Legere to be held in reserve awaiting my orders. Once we have repulsed the enemy we will withdraw towards Ronquillo.

Spanish

Ballasteros' orders.

Deployment: Anglona's cavalry will deploy to the west of the road, with 1 Brigada to their right to the front, and 3 Brigada to their right. 4 Brigada will deploy behind in support. 2 Brigada will be held behind in reserve (off map).

Orders: 1 Brigada will assault Santa Olalla with 3 Brigada in support to it's right pinning the French in the gap between the village and the castle. 4 Brigada will move up behind in support to either exploit an opening in the French line or to work around the French right flank as opportunity presents. Anglona's cavalry will move up on our left flank looking for an opportunity to either break the French line, or more likely to move around to the left of the village and take the French in flank and rear.

Result

Ballasteros' division assaults Santa Olalla and forces the French to retreat, but after taking heavy casualties in the battle he allows his opponents to retire in good order. A detailed review is in the report of the action.

French Casualties
Unit Casualties Dead Seriously Wounded Walking Wounded
100e Ligne 25 156 156 312
21e Legere 4 25 25 50
Total casualties 724

The 100e Ligne also lost all their voltigeurs.

Spanish Casualties
Unit Casualties Dead Seriously Wounded Walking Wounded
Navarra 2 12 12 26
Princesa 13 81 81 163
Provincial de Oviedo 11 68 68 139
Pravia 5 31 31 63
Borbon 3 13 13 26
Total casualties 827