Battles & Campaigns · 1812
Battle of Venta del Pozo
Venta del Pozo, near Villodrigo, Palencia, Spain
What happened
Wellington's army was retreating after the failed siege of Burgos. Cotton set an ambush at a stone bridge, but it went wrong when French hussars attacked Spanish guerrillas on the flank and the British cavalry was thrown into confusion. British infantry squares held off three French charges until French infantry forced a withdrawal.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a rearguard action during Wellington's retreat. The Allies withdrew in good order.
What came next
Wellington continued retreating, pursued by the French Army of Portugal.
Did you know?
A French colonel, left for dead after many wounds, was saved by surgeons and later made a general by Napoleon.
Timeline
- 21 October 1812Wellington lifts the siege of Burgos.
- 23 October 1812Battle of Venta del Pozo.
- 29 October 1812French take the Duero bridge at Tordesillas.