Battles & Campaigns · 1812
Battle of García Hernández
Garcihernández, near Salamanca, Spain
What happened
The day after the Battle of Salamanca, British cavalry chased the retreating French. Foy's infantry formed squares on a hill near Garcihernández, a formation usually very hard for cavalry to break. The dragoons broke one square, then a second, and most of the French troops were scattered or surrendered.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Breaking a steady infantry square with cavalry was rare, which made this small fight famous. The dragoons broke two squares within a few minutes.
What came next
On the same day, far away in Russia, Napoleon's troops fought the Russians at Saltanovka.
Did you know?
The battle appears in Bernard Cornwell's novel Sharpe's Sword.
Timeline
- 22 July 1812Battle of Salamanca.
- 23 July 1812Battle of García Hernández.
- 23 July 1812Battle of Saltanovka in Russia, on the same day.