122 Medellin, 29th March 1809 - WDS Bonaparte's Peninsular War

Medellin, 29th March 1809 - Having evacuated Medellin a few days earlier to join forces with Albuquerque, Cuesta promptly marched back towards the town and was delighted to find Victor's French army prepared to give batttle. The French deployment was rather unusual, with Villatte's infantry division in the centre and two projecting wings of cavalry, each with a couple of infantry battalions in support. Ruffin's infantry division, supported by a single cavalry regiment and the reserve artillery was held in reserve at Medellin. Meanwhile the Spanish, who intended to attack, were deployed in a long, thin, and vulnerable line between the river Guadiana and the Hortiga with virtually no reserves to plug any gaps that might develop.