Battles & Campaigns · 1809
Battle of Uclés
Uclés, Cuenca, Spain
What happened
French troops under Marshal Claude Victor attacked a Spanish army under Francisco Javier Venegas. Venegas's Spanish army had been threatening Madrid. At Uclés the French attacked his outnumbered force and pushed back the left wing. A French division then arrived behind the Spanish position, and most of the Spanish infantry were captured.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It removed the threat to Madrid. King Joseph Bonaparte could enter the capital.
What came next
The Spanish commander-in-chief was replaced. Venegas later became Viceroy of New Spain in Mexico.
Did you know?
Napoleon had predicted his Spanish conquest would cost 12,000 men, but by mid-January 1809 the losses may have been far higher.
Timeline
- 13 January 1809Battle of Uclés.
- 14 September 1810Venegas becomes Viceroy of New Spain.