As the French withdrawal continued Soult attempted to halt the British near the town of Orthez. With 36,000 men and 48 guns he took up a defensive position on the Gave de Pau. Although initial attacks by the British Fourth Division supported by the Seventh Division were unsuccessful Wellington was able to change his axis of attack and launch the Third and Sixth Divisions against a more vunerable part of Soult's line. The French fought their retreat well but as evening approached more and more men fled rather than retreated. The poor ground did not permit the full deployment of Wellinton's cavalry otherwise the French losses would have been far greater. Soult fell back on St.-Sever.

Town of Orthez 35 miles due East of Bayonne, France (France)

British Peninsular Army

Number engaged :

34,993

Casualties :

3,985 (11.39%)

French Peninsular Army [Soult]

Number engaged :

44,402

Casualties :

2,174 (4.90%)