Battle of Medina de Rioseco
Medina de Rioseco, Valladolid, Spain
What happened
In 1808 Spain rose against the French occupation. Spanish soldiers and militia tried to cut the French supply line to Madrid, north of Valladolid. Bessières struck first, broke Blake's wing with artillery and cavalry, and then drove back Cuesta's troops, who were attacking uphill with a wide gap between the two Spanish forces.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Blake's army was the main Spanish force able to threaten the French in Old Castile, so its defeat was a serious blow to the uprising.
What came next
It was the French army's only major success of that invasion: a few days later another French corps was defeated and captured at Bailén, and the French fell back to the Ebro.
Did you know?
One Spanish colonial battalion had no Spanish uniforms and fought in captured British red coats.
Timeline
- 14 July 1808Battle of Medina de Rioseco.
- 16–19 July 1808Battle of Bailén.
- Later 1808Napoleon leads a new campaign into Spain himself.