Battle of Arlabán (1812)

Battle of Arlabán 1812
Part of the Peninsular War
Date9 April 1812
LocationArlabán, Guipúzcoa, Spain
Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
France French Empire Spain Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
France Marie-François de Caffarelli Spain Francisco Espoz y Mina
Strength
2,000–3,000 regulars[1]
150 cavalry[1]		 3,000–3,500 militia[1]
Casualties and losses
600–700 dead or wounded[1][2]
300 captured[2]
800 prisoners released[1][3]		 30 dead or wounded[1]

The Battle of Arlabán of 1812, also known as the Second Surprise of Arlabán, took place in the mountain pass of Arlabán, Guipúzcoa, Basque Country, near the border with France, on 9 April, 1812, during the Peninsular War.[1][4] A Spanish force of 3,000–3,500 men led by Francisco Espoz y Mina intercepted a great French convoy (2,000–3,000 regulars and 150 cavalry) of General of Division Caffarelli.[4] The attack was a success, and after one hour, the French were completely defeated.[2] The Spanish casualties were estimated at 30 killed and wounded, and the French lost between 600–700 men, and 300 captured.[1][2] The Spanish also rescued 800 Spanish, British and Portuguese prisoners (5 officers), and captured the valuable convoy (weapons and baggage, two colours, letters from Joseph Bonaparte to Napoleon, and a great amount of jewelry, valued between 700,000 and 800,000 francs).[1][3] Joseph Bonaparte's personal secretary, Jean Deslandes, was killed in this action.[1][2]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Biografía Espoz y Mina (Spanish)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Auñamendi Entziklopedia (Spanish)
  3. 1 2 Oloriz pp. 183–184
  4. 1 2 Oloriz p. 182

References

External links

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