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Jan 31 07 1:56 PM

Guard Cavalry at Fuentes De Oñoro

Hi Andy

Yes, sorry. I just re-read your post and saw “Fuentes”. Oman, Vol IV, Appendix XII, Fuentes De Oñoro May 3 – 5 1811

Army of the North, Marshal Bessières, Lepic’s Brigade of Guard Cavalry

Lancers
Chasseurs
Mamelukes
Grenadiers à cheval

They must make for a nice brigade on the table top, what do you think?

I had some notes from a contribution I made to thread started by Digby Smith on Napoleon Series – thought it might be of interest to you guys.

Not only is there a guard cavalry element with Masséna, as you correctly point out Andy, at Fuentes de Oñoro, they are also present with Marmont’s army put together to relieve the blockade and siege of Ciudad Rodrigo in autumn of that year. See Oman Vol IV p 563 and 564 for the combat of Carpio on the Azava just prior to El Bodon.

Oman says that the French cavalry advanced with eight squadrons and left six in reserve beside Carpio. The 14th and 16th gave back towards the woods and their infantry supports, upon which Wathier halted four of his squadrons and brought forward the remaining four “this advance guard consisted of the Lancers of Berg and the 26th chasseurs" (although in Appendix XII he lists the 24th chasseurs)

He cites Tomkinson, Diary p 115 noting it was the first time that British Cavalry had encountered lancers; Tomkinson was not impressed. They were fired upon by the light companies of the 11th, 61st and 53rd line infantry and then broken by a charge of the light dragoons and chased back over the Azava – so must have been pushed back beyond their supports – at least those that had crossed the river - see footnote 1 p 564

Ant

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