Medillin

29 March, 1809

Spanish Battle Tour Guides

France's Marshal Victor found himself attacked at Medillin by a larger force of Spaniards under the command of General Gregorio de la Cuesta.

Victor's 18,000 troops initially fell back to better defensive lines and drew the Spanish on to them.

Cuesta seemed in a very strong position until the cavalry on his left wing melted before a determined French hussar charge. The panicking lancers were joined in flight by most of the rest of the Spanish horse and Cuesta's infantry found itself in desperate trouble.

A charge by Victor's dragoons shattered Spanish morale and almost immediately Cuesta's entire army disintegrated.

An estimated 10,000 men were killed, wounded or captured during the military disaster. The French suffered no more than 700 casualties.