French Army: the left French wings was composed of 2 cavalry brigades français (la Salle and Sibourg) with 14 squadrons and 3 infantry brigades (Alsace, Sourche and Touraine) with 15 battalions. The centre had 20 cavalry squadrons in 3 brigades (de Narbonne, Bercourt, and de Le Gall) and 10 infantry battalions in 2 brigades (Vaubecourt and Erlach). The right wing was under the Duc of Noailles and had most of the artillery, 25 cavalry squadrons in 3 brigades (Noailles, Cambout and de Courcelle or Royal Carabinier) and the infantry brigade Sault of 5 battalions. In Total we have 59 cavalry squadrons and 30 infantry battalions.
Spanish Army: On the right Spanish flanks, facing
the ford of Torroella we have 6 dragoon squadrons, 11 cavalry squadrons
from the order of Milan and the duck guards and 14 infantry battalions
fielded by 11 Spanish Tercios (Tercio of: Casco de Granada, Nuevo de
Toledo, Nuevo de Valladolid*, Azules Viejo, Aragón, Morados Viejos,
Cuenca, Nuevo de Murcia, Nuevo de Segovia, Viejo de Extremadura
? and Nuevo de Burgos*) and one italian tercio (Tercio vecchio
de Nápole). The centre had some 6 Spanish battalions (Tercio of:
Costa de Granada, Sevilla Nuevo, Amarillo Nuevo, Amarillos
Viejos, Valencias y Conde de Garcies ?),
1 Italian battalion (Piñatelo), 2-3 german battalions (regiment
of Von Beck and Matatoechy) and 400 ligh infantry (the Catalan's
Miqueletes) and 11 cavalry squadrons from the Trozos of Ossasuna
and Walloon. At last the ford of Verges, on the left spanish
flanks was protected by 5 Spanish battalions (Tercio of Verdes Viejos,
Diputación de Cataluña, Ciudad de Barcelona**,
y Collorados Viejo), 8 cavalry squadrons from the Trozo of
Roussillon, 5 German squadrons and 7 squadrons of the Horse
arquebusier of Extremadura. In total we have 42 cavalry squadrons
and some 29-30 infantry battalions excluding the ligh infantry.
* The Tercio Nuevo de Valladolid (Maestro
de Campo D. Antonio Diez Pimienta) and the Tercio Nuevo de Burgos (Maestro de campo Don
José Vélez de Guevara)
fielded 2 battalions each.
**The city of Barcelona provided 2 Tercios and fielded probably
2 battalions
A: After a reconnaissance of the Spanish position and heavy skirmish, the French decided to leave some troops in front of Vergues, where the Spanish expect the attack and to move part of the army to the less defended ford of Torroella.
B: The 27 of may at 4.00 AM, the Royal Carabinier, the grenadiers (grouped in a single battalion), dragons and the cavalry from the brigades of La Salle and Sibourg, supported by the infantry brigades of Alsace and Sourche, passed the ford of Torroella and attacked the Spanish of the opposite side. Quickly the cut to piece the defenders and established a beachhead.
C: The Spanish infantry, composed mostly of new recruits give way and fled to the villages of Gualta and Llabia. Meantime the Duck of Escalona reorganised most of his cavalry to counter attack the French beachhead.
D: Unfortunately for the Spanish, 20 French squadrons and 5 infantry battalions were already present to receive their counter attack, repulsing the Spanish cavalry
E: The Marshal of Noailles saw an opportunity to pass the ford of Ullà with the French centre and attacked the Spanish infantry defending the ford. After a short fighting the Spanish infantry retire as quick as possible.
F: Meantime the French launch an assault to pass definitively the canal of del Moli defended gallantly by 2 Spanish bataillons from the Tercios of Amarillos Viejos and Colorado Viejos and 7 cavalry squadrons.
G: The Spanish army lost consistence but most of the infantry escape from the victorious French passing by the villages, forest and hills present in the region. The Spanish cavalry launched several charges to slow down the French with some success.