Over an evening and a day the French had tried five separate attacks and each one had tailed with heavy losses. Now was the time for Wellesley to take the initiative and attack. He may have been sorely tempted, but what could he attack with?

The Spanish troops had held their defences and were relatively fresh, on the other hand they had not been attacked. Could he risk them out on the open plain with numerous French cavalry on the prowl? He decided that the nsk was too great.

To add to the problems the army was facing, fire had broken out on the Medellin, caused probably by burning cartridge papers. Dead and wounded men and horses were caught in the burning scrub, the smell of roasting flesh wafted over the battlefield. Their cries of pain and calls for help were piercing to hear.

'Never was there such a Murderous Battle,' said Wellesley.[17] What of his own army? It had taken the brunt of the fighting and its losses had been grievous. Total British casualties would be over 5000 men; a quarter of his army was lost to him. At that moment he would not know the exact numbers but a quick look at the thinned ranks and piles of red clad bodies would leave him in no doubt as to the sorry state of his men.

No, reluctantly he would hold his ground and bind his wounds. The French would be allowed to retreat back over the Alberche towards Madrid, which is exactly what they did during the night.

Part 8: Aftermath of Battle

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