Nap Campaign: Map Moves 22nd April 1808

I will now cover the strategic situation as it unfolded on the 22nd April 1808. You will find previous map moves under the Napoleonic Campaign Map Moves label on the right.

An overview of the situation at the end of the day. 

 Continued -

NORTH WEST

General Hill commanding the allied army in Holland is hesitant in pursuing the retreating French Army of the West lead by Grouchy. To his rear Uxbridge is bringing reinforcements of Guards infantry and cavalry which should reach him in a little over a day. He also receives word that Colville's 4th Division is in the process of embarking in Britain to join him. He is attracted by the prospect of those significant reinforcements before doing anything rash. 

The Dutch and Hanoverians though are pushing him hard to liberate their countries. He agrees to advance one more day before making a decision and with the French continuing to retreat leaves them positioned as in this map.

NORTH EAST

Napoleon (blue 1) knows that to have any chance of victory he must destroy in detail the allied forces. The problem he is faced with is which one? To concentrate his forces in the north he potentially leaves the path clear for an invasion of France.

Events in the south forces his hand. He cannot wait any longer and begins his move to join Grouchy in the north west to destroy the Anglo/Dutch army before turning his attention on the Prussians. Troops are detached to hold river crossings (blue 3 and 5) hopefully buying him time.

Blucher (green 1) is elated at recovering Prussian territory and is determined to deal with Napoleon once and for all. He does not concern himself with consolidating his army and orders all units to attack the French wherever they find them. 

A brigade of Nassauers (light green 2) arrive to join in the fun.

SOUTH

Significant developments have taken place in the south. Dealing with the aftermath of the Battle of Sandowa first. 

Gerard, the commanding General of the 4th Corps, has been left reeling by the shock defeat. There was though a glimmer of hope in salvaging some pride for his Corps. To the east a peninsular contained a substantial castle situated on high ground. Wellington would have to deal with him to prevent a French force operating in his rear. This was his opportunity to delay Wellington's advance and potentially inflict severe casualties on his army. The castle was not going to be an easy target to take. After Sandowa this would at least demonstrate to the allies that the French are not such an easy pushover.

Taking what was left of his infantry, he began the march towards the castle (blue 4). He placed the Corps cavalry, the 7th Cavalry Division (now at brigade strength) under the command of Exelmans restoring some strength to the 2nd Cavalry Corps. Exelmans will screen any allied advance north deeper into France.

Wellington was not going to take any chances. Taking his entire force with the exception of 2 cavalry brigades (red 11), he pursued Gerard (red 10).

To the south, Soult with the remnants of the Army of the South (blue 6) rallied his troops to face the oncoming Spanish army (grey 2). He chose a position anchoring his flanks on the sea and a dense wood. He knew that the Spanish could be fragile, and although heavily outnumbered, if he could unsettle them enough his battalion columns may be able to turn the tide.

This then is the scene of the next game, the Battle of Steffanie. I have no idea of the motivation for these names but they were dreamt up more than 50 years ago!