April 1st 1810.
From his office in the citidel of Cadiz, General Paulo Armano Jacquino read the daily reports from his field commanders around Spain.
He worried that Catalonia had fallen as there had been no contact from General Ballasteros and the British Navy had reported smoke rising from Barcelona. This would mean that Zaragosa had fallen and as such northern Valencia would soon be under pressure from the French Corps around Catalonia. Valencia was still in Spanish hands but this was only for a matter of time as news of the cowardice at Xativa had recently arrived, the only saving grace was that the Walloon Guard lived to fight another day. Jacquino was annoyed that the possibility of a great victory was ruined by a rain storm and poor morale but as a result he had concocted a stunning plan that with a little luck could possibly work.
The Army of Galacia was surging across the northern coast towards France, nothing was able to impede its path. The British had landed at Gijon and were operating in Old Castille and Jacquino was happy that he had met a Commander (General Hill) that wouldnt hide behind fortifications like Wellington had. The Army of Galacia had also marched into Portugal due to reports of french burning Oporto, but all the patriots found was angry peasants and an abrubt Wellington.
The Army of Extremedura was occupying its province whilst probing to the North and East in an attempt to locate and intercept French supplies and troops, but nothing significant had occurred apart from reports of a French Division moving slowly south.
In Andulucia every success had been made, the French retreating in full force as the Andulucian Jugganought liberated Cordoba and pushed north into New Castille.
What news would the coming weeks of April bring ? Would the British start to act, would Napoleon arrive personally to enslave Spain again ? The only certainty is the Thin White Line shall remain defiant !
