068.Cardadeu1_16Dec08 - WDS Wellington's Peninsular War

Cardadeu 16 December 1808 - After the fall of Rosas, the Spanish general Vives mistakenly believed that St Cyr would besiege Girona rather than march to the relief of Barcelona. Even when the French objective became clear, Vives failed to concentrate his forces, leaving Caldagues with 12,000 to maintain the blockade of Barcelona. Other nearby Spanish forces under Lazan and Milans also failed to reach the battlefield, enabling the French to achieve numerical superiority. Realizing the need to attack promptly before Spanish reinforcements could arrive, St Cyr ordered Pino to launch a direct frontal assault up the road without preliminary reconnaissance. However, Pino decided to split his forces and attack at two points, resulting in the attacks stalling until St Cyr brought up Souham's division, which smashed through the Spanish line.