Battles & Campaigns · 1813
Battle of Roncesvalles (1813)
Roncesvalles Pass, Navarre, Spain
What happened
Marshal Soult launched an offensive through the Pyrenees to relieve the French garrison at Pamplona. At the Roncesvalles pass, Byng's brigade held back a French division for about three hours. Cole brought up more troops, but when fog came down in the evening he ordered a retreat toward Pamplona.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a French victory on the same day as the fighting at Maya. Wellington later admitted that dividing his army to besiege both Pamplona and San Sebastián was one of his greatest mistakes.
What came next
The Allies regrouped and made a stand near Sorauren two days later. Soult gave up his offensive on 30 July.
Did you know?
A soldier who fought here later named Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto after the battle.
Timeline
- 25 July 1813Battles of Roncesvalles and Maya.
- 27 July 1813The Allies make a stand near Sorauren.
- 30 July 1813Soult abandons the offensive.