Napoleon in 1812

Chapter 52

9. Burgos – 4

Placing troops along the fortress on the ridge was the best formation against Napoleon, and forming a front along the Arlanzón River south of Fort Burgos was the second best. To be able to choose the best, they had to occupy that fortress.

Wellesley began to gather Portuguese and Spanish soldiers here in Burgos. It was to raise the weight of his own corps before he confronted Napoleon’s army in earnest. He also contacted Britain and demanded sufficient ammunition and artillery supplies.

The battle could be longer than expected. It was also a paving stone for a long-term war. Although he was preparing for an occupation of Fort Burgos, Arthur Wellesley did not forget that the most important thing in the end was the battle against Napoleon.

On October 8, 1812.

Arthur Wellesley formed about 20 infantry battalions by taking Allied soldiers who were well-built and skilled in fighting and shooting. These were the troops that would actively attack the fortress walls. A thorough division of duties was also carried out within the organized unit.

Some battalions stood by in the rear, assembling ladders, while others prepared for the battle with bayonets on their shoulders and sabers on their waist. The rest of the battalions were being distributed ammunition, muskets and rifles. They would support the troops climbing the wall with sequential firepower from underneath the fort.

At the same time, the Allied siege cannons were aiming at the opposite side of the fortress where the infantry battalions would be deployed. Heavy artillery shells had enough power to shake the entire fortress. They would prevent the garrison on the walls from focusing on the infantry battalions.

Booom! Boom! Booom! Boom!!

“From 1st to 5th Battalions, advance!”

“God bless the King!”

“Long live the great Britannia!!”

Starting with the bombardment of siege cannons, the battle of Burgos began.

“Tighten the bayonets’ screws again. Don’t get out of the ranks!”

“Control the shots! Keep the battle lines! Follow the instructions of the officers!”

“First row, move forward! Go ahead!”

As if they would not tolerate the Allied infantry approaching the fortress walls, the defenders were firing shells with an orange fire. Since it was the first shelling, most of them missed, but unfortunately, the soldiers hit were smashed like sorghum straws.

As they persevered through it, the 20 infantry battalions continued their advance. Arthur Wellesley, who was watching the battle through a telescope at a command post on the hill, looked at the French garrison. They were lined up on the walls, holding muskets and aiming at the lower front.

There was no doubt that infantry battalions heading for the fort were targeted. He had decided to push in the soldiers to take the fortress directly, so they had no choice but to bear the damage, but he also had no intention of sitting on the sidelines. Arthur Wellesley had already prepared tactics to assist them.

“Stop!”

An officer wearing a square-shaped military hat embroidered with a red feather shouted through the sound of artillery and stopped the infantry battalions. About 70 to 75 yards from the wall. French musketeers would not fire at this distance. This was because even if they shot, they could not be sure that they could cause decisive damage to the enemy because they were far away.

But the Allied Forces, and especially the red coats, were different.

“Aim!”

They heard the sound of a load in unison.

The French defenders were perplexed. The enemy was aiming and loading far away unlike their expectations, and the firing order was not yet issued on their side. The defensive officers panicked and ordered to fire, but it was too late.

“Shoot!”

Tatatatatata! Tatata!

There was no hesitation on the faces of the red coats pulling the trigger with restrained movements and posture. Screams and groans echoed over the castle. It was almost the first significant blow to the defenders, which could not be done by all means so far.

The bullets flying from beneath the fort were obviously a threatening attack. All the more so because some of them were armed with rifles. The rifle was a weapon that overwhelmed musket in terms of accuracy and effective range, especially the 1800 Baker rifle, 111 which the British military mainly used, that was more advanced and lighter in weight. A skilled soldier could shoot the enemy 200-300 yards away if he handled the rifle well. From the opponent’s point of view, it was truly a fear of death from the unknown.

Arthur Wellesley liked to deploy rifle shooters in the middle of the fast-paced infantry, and when the lined infantry fired all at once, they fired autonomous shots instead of following the others.

Rifle shooters filled the gap in firepower that came after the lined infantry shooting. The French were no match for the British when it came to shooting. The French defenders standing at the top of the fortress fell down bleeding.

The space between the battlements was small, but the riflemen outside could shoot from 200 yards. Therefore, a 70-yard distance was an easy target for them and they met Wellesley’s expectations. However, the defenders had the advantage in posture, height and cover. This was why the siege was difficult.

As bullets flew from beneath the fort, officers of the defensive forces ordered soldiers to wait, covered by the fortress. And they ordered them to shoot with their guns placed in the small gap between the battlements. It was a quick and accurate judgment. This time, coalition soldiers fell to the ground.

It was like a casual war of attrition between infantrymen. Except that there were walls and trenches in the middle.

“Send the ladder troops in.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Without delay, he ordered to pull out the 30-foot ladder they had prepared in advance the day before. Of the 20 infantry battalions, the 7th battalion, also known as the ladder battalion, appeared on the battlefield. The lower support of the ladder was tightly fastened with rubber and leather, and heavy objects such as rocks and scrap metal were tied and placed under the trench.

The hickory wooden ladder obtained from India had excellent elasticity. When the ladder was flipped upward, the elasticity was added to the principle of leverage, and the opposite part of the ladder bounced at a right angle. The soldiers hanging on it would be able to enter the fortress wall at once, 30 feet high. The ladder unit deftly sent their comrades up the ramparts.

However, it was surprising how the defense forces responded to this attack.

Realizing that the length of the ladder was built to fit the height of the wall, the defenders brought haystacks, broken cannons, and teak plates in front of it. The entrance to the wall was temporarily blocked and the height of the wall was raised as a barrier. The soldiers on the end of the ladder were forced to go back down because they could not overcome the obstacles in the way. Those who tried to forcibly enter often fell down or were stabbed by a defensive bayonet.

“Jean-Louis Dubreton… An interesting person has emerged. There seems to be a lot of talented people in France.”

Arthur Wellesley did not respond to Captain Chamberlain’s words.

The fierce battle between the two armies between the fortress walls of Burgos continued. The sharp sound of metal generated by the interlocking bayonets pierced the ears clearly despite the continuous fierce shelling and shooting from all directions.

Even in the age of gunpowder, guns and cannons, siege battles were still a stage to test the strength and courage of humans. The only way for them to get out of there was by being shot or stabbed to death. The battle from which they could not back down until they died was devastating and cruel.

The command found that the left-hand forward watchtower’s defense was sloppy through a telescope and ordered the field troops to launch an intensive attack on it. Dozens of ladders stretched toward this watchtower. Some failed to climb due to the defenders’ interference, but a lot of soldiers succeeded in stepping on the watchtower. It looked as if the flag of the British Kingdom would be raised at any moment after occupying the watchtower.

“Long live the French Empire!!”

Someone with a impressive thick brown mustache pulled out a saber and ran there. Arthur Wellesley later learned that he was Colonel Jean-Louis Dubreton, the commander of Fort Burgos’ defense. At a glance, one could tell that he was a high-ranking officer. Nevertheless, he fought the British hand-to-hand like a regular soldier.

Arthur Wellesley, who was watching the scene through a telescope, jumped from his seat.

“Follow the Colonel!”

“Uraaaaaaahh!!”

Motivated by the officer who was risking his life jumping into battle, the soldiers charged with bayonets without fear.

The French soldiers, who were not afraid of even the pouring bullets below the fort, shouted and rushed in, and slaughtered the British. Their high morale and robust fighting power were unexpected by Arthur Wellesley and other the Allied commanders. The allied battalions on the wall eventually had to back down due to the fierce resistance from the defenders.

“Captain Chamberlain, you are right. Indeed, there are many competent officers in France.”

This time, Captain Chamberlain could not answer and stayed silent.

But the battle of Fort Burgos had only just begun. If the defenders had the advantage of height, the offensive force had the advantage of number. The first battalion to the fifth battalion, which had been targeting the fortress, withdrew. The joy of the defenders was brief, and the sixth to eleventh battalions, which were waiting in the rear, immediately launched the attack. The faces of French soldiers showed a deep fatigue.

Their enthusiasm and movement slowed from as the battle resumed. It was just as planned. Successive attacks leading to fatigue and exhaustion of the enemy was the standard tactic of a siege. The French defenders guarding the fortress had to stop the oncoming attacks without a moment to rest. Arthur Wellesley would continue to organize additional battalions after these 20 battalions.

They would attack the fortress day and night, pushing their physical and mental strength to the limit.

“Until the morning of October 11th, we will continue to repeat the same attack. Without resting. Day and night.”

It was Arthur Wellesley’s sober command, as he kept his eyes on the gruelling battle. Whether it was for political or strategic reasons, he had never turned back on a decision once made.

And he had always found the answer. His expression was full of determination. It would be the same this time.

“…What if we can’t take the fort by the morning of the 11th?”

“Be sure to move supplies down the Arlanzón River in advance.”

It was a clear and lucid order. Captain Chamberlain and his officers turned their heads and examined the determined face of their commander.

‘After all, the most important thing is the battle against Napoleon.’

Napoleon Bonaparte’s unexpected fast march made Arthur Wellesley prepare for the next confrontation.

TL notes

[1] Baker rifle