Battles & Campaigns · 1809
Battle of Medellín
Medellín, Extremadura, Spain
What happened
Marshal Claude Victor's French army fought a Spanish army under Gregorio García de la Cuesta. Victor marched south to destroy Cuesta's army. He let the wings of his line fall back, tempting the Spanish forward with the Guadiana River behind them. French dragoons then broke the Spanish cavalry and fell on the infantry, and the Spanish army collapsed.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first major French effort to occupy southern Spain. French occupation of most of the south lasted until 1812.
What came next
The French largely completed the occupation after Ocaña in November.
Did you know?
Victor's plan worked exactly as he hoped: Cuesta attacked the wings and left his army exposed.
Timeline
- 13 January 1809Battle of Uclés.
- 28 March 1809Battle of Medellín.
- 19 November 1809Battle of Ocaña.
- 1 March 1841Victor dies in Paris.