Battle of Puerto de Baños facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Puerto de Baños
Part of Peninsular War
Baños de Montemayor
Date 12 August 1809 Location Baños de Montemayor, Spain 40°19′6″N 5°51′26″W / 40.31833°N 5.85722°W / 40.31833; -5.85722 Result French victory
Belligerents
French Empire	Portugal Spain
Commanders and leaders
Michel Ney Maurice Mathieu	Robert Wilson
Strength
12,500	3,500
Casualties and losses
185	400

The Battle of Puerto de Baños happened on August 12, 1809. It was a fight during the Peninsular War in Spain. This war was part of the bigger Napoleonic Wars across Europe.

In this battle, a group of Portuguese and Spanish soldiers tried to defend a mountain pass. Their leader was Robert Wilson. They were fighting against a much larger French army led by Michel Ney, a famous French general. The battle lasted for nine hours. In the end, Wilson's troops were defeated and had to scatter into the mountains. The battle took place near Baños de Montemayor, which is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Plasencia, Spain.

Why This Battle Happened

In the summer of 1809, the British army, led by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, moved into western Spain. They joined forces with the Spanish army, commanded by Gregorio García de la Cuesta. Their goal was to fight against the French army of King Joseph Bonaparte.

Wilson's group of 3,500 Portuguese and Spanish soldiers was protecting the left side of this attack. The combined British and Spanish armies won a major battle at Talavera in late July. However, another large French army, led by Marshal Nicolas Soult, was a threat from the north. Because of this, Wellesley and Cuesta had to pull their armies back to the west.

The Battle at Puerto de Baños

As the main armies moved back, Wilson's force found itself alone near Escalona. French armies were gathering around them. Wilson's Portuguese and Spanish soldiers were clever. They managed to avoid some French groups by moving through the mountains.

When they reached Puerto de Baños, they found Marshal Ney's French army marching north. Ney's troops were trying to cross the mountain pass. Wilson decided to fight them there. His troops put up a strong defense. Even though they were outnumbered, they fought well.

Finally, Wilson's troops were defeated. But they were able to escape into Portugal. They did not face any more major attacks as they retreated.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla del Puerto de Baños para niños