Despite being surprised, the outnumbered British soldiers fought stoutly, inflicting greater losses on the French than they suffered themselves.

By the afternoon, the French gained the upper hand and were pressing forward, but the late arrival of a brigade from the British 7th Division stabilized the situation.

Joseph's Spanish kingdom was irretrievably lost while the enemies of Emperor Napoleon were encouraged to continue the War of the Sixth Coalition.

Therefore, it was a fairly simple matter to draw on the large number of cannons stored in the Bayonne arsenal to rearm the French batteries.

[7] Bertrand Clausel assumed leadership of the 17,218-man Left lieutenancy which consisted of the divisions of Nicolas François Conroux, Edmé-Martin Vandermaesen and Eloi Charlemagne Taupin.

Confusingly, the lieutenancies did not fight in the positions originally assigned to them and d'Erlon's so-called Center actually fought on the right in July 1813.

Because heavy rains washed out a bridge, the offensive started one day behind schedule to allow Reille's men to catch up.

The French had a large force at Urdax only 4 miles (6 km) distant but routine reconnaissance patrols were not sent out.

[16] To distract the Allies' attention from his main assaults, Soult ordered the local French National Guard to conduct a feint attack at Aldudes.

[17] Hearing the musketry from this clash, Hill rode from his headquarters at Elizondo to Aldudes to investigate, removing him from the area of Maya Pass.

[15] In Stewart's absence, command of the division devolved upon Brigadier General Pringle, who had arrived in Spain two days before and was unfamiliar with the terrain.

[18] The main road across the Maya Pass ascends from the French side to reach the Spanish village of Urdax.

Farther east the Gorospil path rises from the French village of Espelette before passing near the Aretesque knoll.

Bursting from cover, the skirmishers rushed forward to surround the Aretesque knoll, followed by the 16th Light Infantry Regiment in column.

Though surprised, the British defenders threw back several waves of attackers, but while the struggle was going on, Darmagnac's division was filing past the knoll to reach the eastern crest of the ridge.

After 45 minutes of fighting, the British light infantry companies and the picket were wiped out; there were 260 dead and wounded plus six officers and 140 men captured unwounded.

The battalions of Pringle's brigade marched up the steep path toward the eastern end of the ridge, coming into action piecemeal.

[21] A member of the 34th recalled, "the pass up was narrow, steep and tiresome, the loads heavy, and the men blown.

Pringle ordered the 50th Foot from Cameron's brigade to move east along the ridge in an attempt to dislodge Darmagnac's battalions.

In the face of this threat, Cameron sent the right wing of the 71st Foot (Highlanders) to stop the Darmagnac's division, which was formed into a thick swarm of skirmishers by this time.

The 71st poured in a very effective initial volley but the French responded by trying to envelop the Highlanders on both flanks, forcing them back.

Aside from the looting, the rows of British tents disordered the French formation, causing a pause in the action.

Marching along the western extension of the Chemin des Anglais, these 1,500 soldiers struck Maransin's division from an unexpected direction.

[27] The 82nd Foot and the survivors of Cameron's brigade rallied and returned to the attack, pushing Maransin's surprised soldiers uphill.

The battle petered out about 8:00 pm with the French in possession of Maya Pass, but with the British in position nearby.

[31] Later Wellington admitted that splitting his forces in order to besiege both San Sebastián and Pamplona simultaneously was, "one of the greatest faults he ever committed in war".