The Phases of the Battle of Bailén

One of the main factors that influenced the victory of the Spanish troops over the French army was the substantial support they received from the people of Bailén. María Bellido became the local heroine, a symbol of the town supplying the Spanish troops with pitchers of water on a day when the summer heat was especially intense.

First Phase

Around three o'clock in the morning, the French avant-garde arrived at the Rumblar Bridge. On the road out of town, between the Camino Real and the Cerro Valentín, Reding was supervising his troops' movements. Without awaiting the arrival of the bulk of their manpower with Dupont, the French, under the command of General Chabert, launched a first charge against the Spaniards, who repelled them with their artillery and rifles. When Dupont arrived, fearing being caught in the crossfire with Castaños approaching from behind as they await Vedel's reinforcements, he decided to attack again.

Second Phase

Barely two hours had passed when the second attack occurred, this time against the artillery and centre of the Spanish troops. Dupont unsuccessfully attempts to break the defensive line deployed by Reding, preventing him from opening a gap in his lines.

Third Phase

Around nine o'clock in the morning, the third of the attacks took place, this time on the Spanish left flank and centre. Together with uncertainty over the impending arrival of Castaños from the rear, fatigue and thirst begun to take their toll on the French, forcing Dupont to make a new attack in desperation which yielded no significant results.

Last Phase

Dupont desperately attempts one last attack, failing again in his mission. Reding's artillery and rifle power were too much for the French, who were exhausted by the heat and thirst. At the cry of “Die here and rise in Paris”, they fell over themselves to get to the Noria de la Huerta de San Lázaro, the only place nearby with water. Dupont finally decided to surrender, and Reding demanded that Dufor and Vedel's troops - who had come to Bailén to support him - also abide by the agreement. This request was ignored by Vedel on his arrival until an angry Dupont ordered him to stop his offensive.

First Phase

Around three o’clock in the morning, the French avant-garde arrived at the Rumblar Bridge. On the road out of town, between the Camino Real and the Cerro Valentín, Reding was supervising his troops’ movements.
Without awaiting the arrival of the bulk of their manpower with Dupont, the French, under the command of General Chabert, launched a first charge against the Spaniards, who repelled them with their artillery and rifles. When Dupont arrived, fearing being caught in the crossfire with Castaños approaching from behind as they await Vedel’s reinforcements, he decided to attack again.

Second Phase

Third Phase

Around nine o’clock in the morning, the third of the attacks took place, this time on the Spanish left flank and centre. Together with uncertainty over the impending arrival of Castaños from the rear, fatigue and thirst begun to take their toll on the French, forcing Dupont to make a new attack in desperation which yielded no significant results.

Last Phase

Dupont desperately attempts one last attack, failing again in his mission. Reding’s artillery and rifle power were too much for the French, who were exhausted by the heat and thirst.
At the cry of “Die here and rise in Paris”, they fell over themselves to get to the Noria de la Huerta de San Lázaro, the only place nearby with water. Dupont finally decided to surrender, and Reding demanded that Dufor and Vedel’s troops – who had come to Bailén to support him – also abide by the agreement. This request was ignored by Vedel on his arrival until an angry Dupont ordered him to stop his offensive.