On 25th December 1808, the Spanish Army of the Centre, numbering over 20,000 men and commanded by the Duke of Infantado, began the operation that was hoped to result in the liberation of Madrid, currently the Capital city of King Joseph Bonaparte. The cause of this Spanish initiative was that Napoleon had concentrated all of his efforts and available forces in the pursuit of the British Army retreating to Corunna.

The garrison of Madrid had been severely reduced by Napoleon's operations, leaving Joseph with barely enough to defend his throne. The situation was exacerbated when Marshal Lefebvre decided to go off on an unauthorised 'glory hunt' with his IV Corps to Avila.

Spanish hopes for victory must have been high for a repeat of Baylen, Joseph having only some 9000 men available, Infantado having 20000.

Apathy within the Spanish high command, following an unconvincing victory over a French Dragoon brigade at Tarancon, meant that this noble blow for freedom ground to a halt, whilst they congratulated themselves.

Joseph, as usual, had been driven into a state of panic which for a change worked in his favour. The delay of the Spanish enabled him to hurry reinforcements to his capital and on the 8th January 1809, Marshal Victor and two divisions of I Corps, totalling 17,591 men and 36 guns were dispatched to intercept the Army of the Centre.

On the 13th January, Victor came upon the Infantado's vanguard commanded by General Venegas. Venegas commanded just over 11,000 men comprising, 9,241 infantry 1,794 cavalry and 195 gunners and train with 6 cannons between them.

Venegas for reasons best known to himself, deployed his small army in two halves, either side of the River Bedijar and to the fore of the town of Ucles. He at least managed to deploy each of his wings on high ground, but only retained one battalion as a reserve. This thoughtfully deployed on high ground to the south of Ucles, about three quarters of a mile from his front line and on the wrong side of a tributary to the Bedijar. For cavalry, he deployed on the nice flat bit in front of Ucles. His infantry was severely over extended, deployed effectively as a single line of battalions. If covering the great frontage was a prerequisite to victory, then Venegas was winner every time. It is the author's opinion that Venegas had any military capability he should ha withdrawn on sighting the French. However, Spanish pride being what it was, battle was imminent.

Prince of Ucles?

Victor, upon seeing these dispositions, must have be contemplating thoughts of a new Imperial title. Prince Ucles, perhaps?

Victor immediately ordered Ruffin to march a division to the East to roll up the Spanish right flank. Villatte's first brigade manoeuvred west and commenced an attack on the Spanish left flank. Villatte's second brigade and large bodies of Imperial Horse advanced against the Spanish centre.

Villatte's first brigade promptly overran the Spanish left wing, who were deployed for an attack from the north. The attack was pressed home to the walls of Ucles . Venegas in panic began pulling back troops from his right flank in an attempt to stem the flow. Victor now increased his attack on the North of Ucles. This was to much for the Spanish. Half of their army had been forced back into Ucles in disorder, they had no reserves and they were now heavily outnumbered.

Venegas now ordered a retreat down the valley road to the East. Unfortunately for him and his men, it was at this opportune time that Ruffin and his 5,000 men decided to put in an appearance. As was customary with the French Army at this time, the maxim of 'if you have beaten him, crush him' applied. Consequently the Spanish were cut down in their hundreds.

Total losses for Victor are reported at around 200. The Spanish lost 6,000 prisoners, all of their cannon and 20 standards. Over 1000 men were killed or wounded. Half of the Army of the Centre was destroyed in it's first engagement.

As a direct result of this disaster, Infantando and his main column fled to Murcia, hotly pursued by the Imperial Cavalry, who captured the remaining cannon and several thousand prisoners.

Recreating Ucles

From a gaming point of view, what is there to offer? Ucles illustrates that the biggest handicap of the Spanish Army during the opening years, was not that the generals were cowards, (if Venegas had been a coward he could have saved his command!), nor that the Spanish Army were a cowardly rabble. On numerous occasions the Spanish Infantry fought doggedly and bravely. The biggest problem was that the army fought using outdated 18th century tactics. They believed that they should form line of battle and the enemy should oblige by advancing in a like formation, and try conclusions by firefights. Unfortunately, for Venegas and others of his ilk, the French were to far ahead of them in the art of war.

For gamers, Ucles offers an excellent solo scenario as the Spanish are easy to control, (they didn't do anything!). It is also a sufficiently small battle for the 'training' of novice gamers, with whatever rule systems you use.

There are plenty of possible deployment alternatives for the Spanish, study the map and work them out for yourselves. Could Venegas have concentrated his forces better to force the French into an expensive frontal attack, or if the original French attack was used, could he not have attempted to defeat some or all of the component parts of I Corps. Try it and see, Ucles can present plenty of challenges to experienced gainers, particularly if they command the Spanish Army of the Centre.

Order of Battle

Spanish Army

Commander in Chief (in the field) Venegas

Vanguard Division Albuquerque (2,848)

Murcia Regiment 652
Cantabria Regiment 15
Provincial de Jaen 342
Provincial de Chinchilla 354
Volontarios Catalones 499
Barbastro Light Infantry 221
Campomayor Light Infantry 465

1st Division Coupigny (2,804)

1/2/Africa Regiment 771
1/2/Burgos Regiment 519
1/3rd of Seville 106
Provincial de Cuenca 626
Navas de Tolosa 542
Tiradores de Cadiz 240

2nd Division Orgaz (2,265)

1/2/3/Ordines Militares 848
1/4th of Seville 224
Provincial de Toro 265
Baylen Regiment 472
Voluntares de Carmona 456

Reserve La Pena (1,324)

Walloon Guard 425
1/2/Provisional Grenadiers of Andalusia 522
Irlanda Regiment 377

Cavalry (1,794)

Reina Heavy Cavalry 276
Principe Heavy Cavalry 141
Borbon Heavy Cavalry 119
Espana Heavy Cavalry 342
Santiago Heavy Cavalry 74
Pavia Light Cavalry 428
Lusitania Hussars 158
Tejas Light Cavalry 131
Dragones de Castilla 125

6 light guns, 195 gunners and train.

French Army I Corps

Commander in Chief Marshal Victor

Ruffin's Division (5,429)

1/2/3/9th Legere
1/2/3/24th Ligne
1/2/3/96th Ligne
2nd Hussars (4 Sqdns)
5th Chasseurs a Cheval (3 Sqdns)

Villatte's Division (6,376)

1/2/3/27th Legere
1/2/3/63rd Ligne
1/2/3/94th Ligne
1/2/3/95th Ligne

Latour Mauborg's Cavalry Division (4,400)

2nd Dragoons (3 Sqdns)
4th Dragoons (3 Sqdns)
9th Dragoons (3 Sqdns)
14th Dragoons (3 Sqdns)
26th Dragoons (3 Sqdns)

I Corps Artillery (36 guns)

2 Horse Batteries, 4 Foot Companies