Battle of María facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of María
Part of the Peninsular War
Date 15 June 1809 Location María de Huerva, Spain 41°33′08″N 0°59′31″W / 41.5522°N 0.9919°W / 41.5522; -0.9919 Result French victory
Belligerents
First French Empire	Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
Louis Gabriel Suchet	Joaquín Blake
Units involved
III Corps	Army of Aragon
Strength
11,300 12 guns	20,000 23 guns
Casualties and losses
800	4,500 20 guns

The Battle of María was a major fight during the Peninsular War on June 15, 1809. It took place near María de Huerva, a town in Spain. In this battle, a Spanish army led by General Joaquín Blake y Joyes faced off against a French army led by General Louis Gabriel Suchet. The Peninsular War was part of the larger Napoleonic Wars, where France fought against many European countries.

What Led to the Battle of María?

The Peninsular War was a long conflict in Spain and Portugal. It started when Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor, tried to take control of the Iberian Peninsula. In early 1809, there were many battles across Spain. The French army was trying to gain more control over the region.

General Blake's Spanish army was trying to stop the French advance. They had recently fought in other areas. The French, under General Suchet, were pushing forward. This led to the two armies meeting near María de Huerva.

How the Battle of María Unfolded

The Battle of María began with fighting that didn't have a clear winner for a while. Both sides fought hard, but neither could get a big advantage. The Spanish army had more soldiers, about 20,000, and 23 cannons. The French had fewer troops, around 11,300, and 12 cannons.

Later in the day, the French cavalry (soldiers on horseback) made a very strong attack. This charge was a turning point in the battle. It broke through the Spanish lines, especially on their right side. This powerful attack caused a lot of confusion and damage to the Spanish army.

Even though part of the Spanish army was badly hit, most of General Blake's soldiers managed to retreat. They got away in fairly good order, meaning they didn't completely fall apart. However, they had to leave behind most of their cannons. The battle ended with a victory for the French.

María de Huerva is located about 17 kilometers (11 miles) southwest of Zaragoza, a major city in Spain.

What Happened After the Battle?

After their victory at María, the French continued their advance in Spain. The Spanish army, despite their losses, regrouped. The Peninsular War continued with more battles. One of the next important fights was the Battle of Belchite. This battle also involved General Blake's army. The war would go on for several more years, with many more conflicts across Spain and Portugal.