Battle of Tamamés

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Battle of Tamamés
Part of the Peninsular War
Date October 18, 1809 Location Tamamés, near Salamanca, Spain Result Spanish victory
Combatants
France	Spain
Commanders
Michel Ney	Duque del Parque
Strength
10,000 infantry 1,200 cavalry 14 guns	10,000 infantry 1,000 cavalry
Casualties
1,300 dead or wounded	672 dead or wounded

Peninsular War: Second French Invasion, 1808–1809
Pancorbo – Valmaseda – Burgos – Espinosa – Tudela – Somosierra – Saragossa – Castellón – Uclés – Corunna – Valls – Villafranca – Ciudad-Real – Medellín – Porto – Gerona – Lugo – Alcañiz – San Payo – María – Talavera – Almonacid – Tamamés – Hostalrich – Torres Vedras – Ocana

The Battle of Tamamés was a sharp reversal suffered by part of Marshal Ney's French army under General Marchand in the Peninsular War. The French, advancing out of Salamanca, were met and defeated in battle by a Spanish army on October 18, 1809.

The battle opened badly for the Spaniards under General del Parque, who resorted to severe measures to restore discipline. The Spanish cavalry was routed early on, but scathing fire from del Parque's own infantry quickly brought their retreat to grief and directed them back into the fight. Spanish artillery positions similarly fell to the French but were retaken at bayonet point by del Parque's gallant infantry.

Immediate French losses amounted to about 1,200 killed or wounded on the battlefield. A vigorous pursuit by the Spanish cavalry increased these losses twofold; the Spaniards captured the French colours and a 12-pounder. Participants of the battle were later issued a badge reading Venció en Tamamés, "[We] conquered at Tamamés."

[edit] External links

• Batalla de Tamamés