Battles & Campaigns · 1809
Battle of Alba de Tormes
Alba de Tormes, Salamanca, Spain
What happened
The Spanish army was camped on both banks of the Tormes River in a poor position. Kellermann attacked with his cavalry before his infantry arrived, and his horsemen broke the Spanish units on the near bank. Del Parque withdrew in the dark, and his army was badly scattered.
Why it matters
Why it matters: With the defeat at Ocaña, it left the Spanish armies badly weakened and Andalusia open to French invasion.
What came next
Del Parque's army spent a hard winter in the mountains, where hunger and illness hit his troops badly.
Did you know?
Kellermann attacked without waiting for his infantry because he feared the Spanish would form a strong line behind the river.
Timeline
- 18 October 1809Battle of Tamames.
- 19 November 1809Battle of Ocaña.
- 28 November 1809Battle of Alba de Tormes.