The Phases of the Battle of Bailén

One of the main elements that had an influence in the victory of the Spanish troops over the french army, was the incredible support they received from Bailen’s people. María Bellido would become the local legendary hero, who symbolized the people providing water to the Spanish troops on a day when the heat was particularly intense.

First Phase

Around three am, the french frontline arrives at the Bridge of the Rumblar. Right on the town’s exit, between the Camino Real and the Cerro Valentín, Reding supervises the movements of his troops. The French, under General Chabert’s command and unwilling to wait for the thick of their troops arriving with Dupont, throw one first offense against the spanish, who fend them off with their artillery and rifle corps. Upon Dupont’s arrival, fearful of getting stuck between enemy forces considering Castaños’ approach from the rearguard while they waited for the reinforcements from Vedel, decides to attack again.

Second Phase

Barely two hours had passed since the first attack when the second occurred, this time against the artillery and the center of the spanish troops. Dupont tries and fails to break the defensive line spread by Reding, preventing any holes from opening up in their lines.

Third Phase

Around nine o’clock am the third attack takes places, specifically targeting the left flank and the center of the spanish troops. The exhaustion and thirst along with the uncertainty of Castaños’ arrival from the rearguard starts to take a toll on the French, which forces Dupont to throw one more desperate attack without any results to show for it.

Last Phase

Desperate, Dupont attempts one last attack, failing yet again on his mission. Reding’s artillery and rifle corps answer to a French army suffering from heat exhaustion and thirst, who the legend of often tell that to the shout of “Die here and resurrect in Paris” threw themselves inside the Noria de la Huerta de San Lázaro, the only place in the immediate vicinity that had water (Event not historically documented). Dupont finally decides to surrender, demanding Reding that Dufol and Vedel’s forces currently on their way to provide their aid also comply with the agreement. However, such order was disregarded by Vedel upon arrival, until an enraged Dupont ordered him to stop his offensive.

First Phase

Around three am, the french frontline arrives at the Bridge of the Rumblar. Right on the town’s exit, between the Camino Real and the Cerro Valentín, Reding supervises the movements of his troops. The French, under General Chabert’s command and unwilling to wait for the thick of their troops arriving with Dupont, throw one first offense against the spanish, who fend them off with their artillery and rifle corps. Upon Dupont’s arrival, fearful of getting stuck between enemy forces considering Castaños’ approach from the rearguard while they waited for the reinforcements from Vedel, decides to attack again.

Second Phase

Barely two hours had passed since the first attack when the second occurred, this time against the artillery and the center of the spanish troops. Dupont tries and fails to break the defensive line spread by Reding, preventing any holes from opening up in their lines.

Third Phase

Around nine o’clock am the third attack takes places, specifically targeting the left flank and the center of the spanish troops. The exhaustion and thirst along with the uncertainty of Castaños’ arrival from the rearguard starts to take a toll on the French, which forces Dupont to throw one more desperate attack without any results to show for it.

Last Phase

Desperate, Dupont attempts one last attack, failing yet again on his mission. Reding’s artillery and rifle corps answers to a French army suffering from heat exhaustion and thirst, who the legend of often tell that to the shout of “Die here and resurrect in Paris” threw themselves inside the Noria de la Huerta de San Lázaro, the only place in the immediate vicinity that had water (Event not historically documented). Dupont finally decides to surrender, demanding Reding that Dufol and Vedel’s forces currently on their way to provide their aid also comply with the agreement. However, such order was disregarded by Vedel upon arrival, until an enraged Dupont ordered him to stop his offensive.