Battles & Campaigns · 1809
Battle of Almonacid
Almonacid de Toledo, Spain
What happened
Sébastiani attacked before the French reserve arrived. Polish and German-Dutch troops took a key position on the Spanish left, and the Spanish fell back toward the castle hill. A Spanish division changed front just in time to prevent a complete disaster.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a French victory, and the Polish lancers' charges were decisive. The Spanish army scattered, weakening the defence of Madrid.
What came next
The Spanish retreated to the Sierra Morena. The campaign continued with the battles of Tamames and Ocaña.
Did you know?
In 1816 Spain created a military medal to remember this battle.
Timeline
- 8 August 1809Battle of Arzobispo.
- 11 August 1809Battle of Almonacid.
- 18 October 1809Battle of Tamames.