Copyright © by Gipsy
Ordal and Villafranca, action of 12 and 13 September 1813. While Wellington was fighting in the Pyrenees, Lord William Bentinck was operating against Marshal Suchet's 30 000 Frenchmen in eastern Spain. After his check at Tarragonna Bentinck fell back to strong position behind the river Llobregat. Finding that Suchet would not attack, the Allied force advanced to Villafranca, sending 1200 men under Colonel Adam ahead to secure the pass at Ordal. Suchet promptly attacked this detachment in moonlight, and despite a staunch defense by the 27th Foot, the French took the position and overwhelmed or scattered the survivors. Suchet followed up his success by marching on Villafranca. Bentinck retired behind the town but soon found his force being enveloped by French cavalry on the 13th. Fortunately, one French division marching to turn the landward flank was held up by guerrillas, and when the French grew overbold against the retiring Allied center they suffered a sharp reverse when Bentinck turned at bay in a suitable gorge. However, Bentinck's main preoccupation was to get away without sustaining further damage, so at 3:00 P.M. he broke off the action, having lost go men on the 13th, and retreated to Tarragonna. He would soon re-embark for Sicily..
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