Battles & Campaigns · 1808
Battle of Molins de Rei
Molins de Rei, Catalonia, Spain
What happened
Saint-Cyr sent one division to pretend to attack the bridge at Molins de Rei, holding Spanish attention there. Meanwhile his other divisions crossed the Llobregat River at lower fords and struck the Spanish right flank. The Spanish line broke and retreated in disorder.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The French gained control of the Llobregat valley and the land to the west, which let Saint-Cyr's army find food, his top concern.
What came next
The Spanish rebuilt their army to about 30,000 men within a month. The next big battle in Catalonia was at Valls on 25 February 1809.
Did you know?
The French captured a Spanish store holding three million musket cartridges.
Timeline
- 16 December 1808Battle of Cardedeu.
- 21 December 1808Battle of Molins de Rei.
- 25 February 1809Battle of Valls.