Battle of Mendaza facts for kids

The Battle of Mendaza was an important fight during the First Carlist War. It happened on December 12, 1834, in a town called Mendaza in Navarre, Spain. This battle was an early event in the war.

What Was the First Carlist War About?

The First Carlist War was a civil war in Spain. It was fought between two main groups:

• The Carlists: They supported Infante Carlos, Count of Molina. He was the brother of the previous king, Ferdinand VII. The Carlists believed Carlos should be the next king.
• The Liberals (also called Isabelinos or Cristinos): They supported Isabella II of Spain. She was the young daughter of King Ferdinand VII. Her mother, Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies, was ruling for her. The Liberals wanted Isabella to be queen.

Before the Battle

Before the Battle of Mendaza, the Carlists had been doing well. They won a battle in October called the Battle of Venta de Echavarri. Their leader, Tomás de Zumalacárregui, also led a successful raid in Navarre. This raid brought them many supplies, clothes, money, and new soldiers.

Because of these successes, the Carlist soldiers felt very confident. They decided to fight the Liberal troops in a big, formal battle. Usually, they preferred smaller, surprise attacks (guerrilla tactics). This big battle would take place on December 12, 1834, at Mendaza.

The Battle Plan

Tomás de Zumalacárregui gathered his Carlist forces in a valley. This valley was located between Mendaza and Asarta. The Liberal forces, led by Luis Fernández de Córdova, were stationed outside this valley, near Los Arcos.

Zumalacárregui had a clever plan. He wanted to trick the Liberal army. His idea was similar to a famous battle plan used by Hannibal at the Battle of Cannae. He planned to let the enemy march into a large arc. Then, his Carlist soldiers, hidden in the forests on the sides of the valley, would surround the Liberal army. They hoped to trap and defeat them.

How the Battle Ended

However, the Liberal leader of the first group of soldiers was Marcelino Oráa. He was from Navarre and knew the area very well. Oráa realized that marching through the valley could be a trap.

Instead of going into the valley, Oráa decided to march his troops directly towards Mendaza. This move surprised the Carlists. They were not ready for this change in plans. The Carlist soldiers were also not very experienced in large, open battles. They were quickly pushed back and had to retreat. They found safety in the nearby mountains. This meant the Liberals won the Battle of Mendaza.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Mendaza para niños