Battle of Mansilla

Battle of Mansilla
Part of Peninsular War

Concepción Gate, Mansilla de las Mulas
Date30 December 1808
Location42°30′N 5°25′W / 42.500°N 5.417°W / 42.500; -5.417
Result French victory[1]
Belligerents
France First French Empire Spain Bourbon Spain
Commanders and leaders
France Nicolas Soult
France Jean Franceschi
Spain Marquis La Romana
Spain General Martinengo
Strength
2,200 3,000, 2 guns
Casualties and losses
light over 1,500, 2 guns
Peninsular war: Napoleon's invasion
Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
200km
125miles
Corunna
14
Battle of Corunna January 1809
13
Battle of Cacabelos January 1809
Mansilla
12
11
Battle of Benavente December 1808
10
Battle of Sahagún December 1808
9
Battle of Molins de Rei December 1808
Zaragoza
8
Second siege of Zaragoza December 1808
7
Battle of Cardedeu December 1808
Somosierra
6
Battle of Somosierra November 1808
Tudela
5
Battle of Tudela November 1808
4
Battle of Espinosa November 1808
3
Battle of Burgos November 1808
Roses
2
Siege of Roses November 1808
Zornoza
1
Battle of Zornoza October 1808
  current battle

In the Battle of Mansilla or Battle of Mansilla de las Mulas on 30 December 1808 an Imperial French corps led by Nicolas Soult caught up with a Spanish corps commanded by Pedro Caro, 3rd Marquis of la Romana. Soult's cavalry under Jean Baptiste Marie Franceschi-Delonne overran la Romana's rear guard led by General Martinengo. Mansilla de las Mulas is a town located 17 kilometres (11 mi) southeast of León, Spain. The combat occurred during the Peninsular War, part of the Napoleonic Wars.

La Romana's Spanish corps cooperated with Sir John Moore's British army in its advance into northern Spain and in its subsequent retreat to the northwest. At Mansilla de las Mulas on the Esla River, the Spanish commander posted Martinengo's division to hold off Soult's pursuing French corps. The rear guard commander unwisely drew up his soldiers with the bridge at their backs. Franceschi's cavalry charged and cut the Spanish formation to pieces. Half of the rear guard were trapped against the river and forced to surrender, others were cut down by Imperial French sabers. La Romana abandoned León the following day. The next major action in the area was the Battle of Corunna on 16 January 1809.

  1. ^ Esdaile 2003, p. 154.