Battle of Uclés (1809)

The January 13rd 1809, at the time of the battles of Uclés , the general French Victor overcomes the Spanish general Venegas.

Context of the battle

After the Spanish army of the Center underwent the defeat of Tudela, the duke del Infantado rejoined with Cuenca some of the elements survivors of this army. It intended to clean left bank of the Tage of any enemy force, rivets which would traverse 1 400 riding unfavourable, confined in various points, and gave the order to the division of before guard of the general Venegas, to fall on Tarancón, and this, of coordination with the sergeant Senra, who was to attack Aranjuez at the same time, thus giving itself the possibility of trying with all its army a knack on Madrid. This operation which was concluded on December 25th, 1808, did not prove with the height of the hopes that it carried, but on the contrary made include/understand with the French the need for giving a lesson to the Spaniards in order to prevent a daring attempt at their share. For this purpose the marshal Victor, walked to the meeting of the Spaniards to the head of 14 000 infantrymen and 3 000 riders. With the sight of superiority of the enemy, Venegas consulted the duke of Infantado (but the General-in-chief did not answer), and joined together the Council of State major which decided to beat a retreat of Taracón towards Uclés in order to make its junction with the brigade of Senra and to give an opinion there, which was made on January 12th, gathering until 8 000 riding infantrymen and 1 200, but only four guns to be opposed to the twenty parts of the enemy, ordered by an expert on the matter, the general Senarmont.

Course of the battle

The combat started in the morning of January 13rd, by the attack of the village of Tribaldos, not advanced of the Spanish device. After having somewhat contained the adversary, the sergeant Ramírez de Arellano, withdrew itself some in good order and with arrogance towards the line of battle. The principal attack was directed against the Spanish left wing, which was the weakest part, and in this place it could be supported exposed by enemy cavalry. Division Vilatte attacked the bodies of infantry which were there and which were easily put in rout and although the Senra sergeant ran to their assistance, it was unable to contain the French.

The bodies of infantry of the center were also dispersed, kind Venagas to give up Uclès, with a big risk to be made prisoner, and to take the way of Rozalen, encumbered the fugitive ones in the most complete disorder. There was not at this moment not an other organized troop only the battalion of riflemen (240 men) which closed the walk of the column with at its head the commander Don Francisco Copóns there Navia. This battalion covered the retirement of the other bodies, and from one position to another did it quietly.

The situation of the bodies of infantry of the right-hand side, under the command of the sergeant Gift Pedro Agustín Girón, was still worse, because at the time to try to beat a retreat, they were encircled by Rufinn division, and although they are reflected in formation of compact column to open a passage, well little succeeded and major the part was made captive.

In the Spanish cavalry, the dragons of Castille, Lusitania and Tejas succeeded in escaping. It was not the same for the regiments of the Queen, of the Prince and Bourbon, who attacked the French riders brilliantly, succeeding in even disorganizing them. But they were stopped by the precise shooting of the enemy artillery which sifted them projectiles and almost all were killed or done captive. The rare survivors of these troops found themselves in Carrascosa, with one mile and half from there, where they met the duke del Infantado who went in largest calm towards the place of the combat.

The army of the Center was withdrawn towards Cuenca, on the way of Valence, lost its artillery (15 guns) with Tórtola, entered the kingdom of Murcie and starting from Chinchilla changed once more direction, the January 21st, it was in the Sierra Morena, with Santa Cruz de Mudela.

The Spanish losses of this disastrous day were of 2 000 killed and wounded, the prisoners, according to the official French sources (regarded as notably exaggerated by the Spanish part) included/understood 4 generals, 17 colonels, 16 lieutenants colonels, 200 officers and 5 460 soldiers. The French made in Uclés all kinds of excess, treating the unhappy inhabitants with a true brutality.

Sources

External bond

Batalla de Uclés

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