Battle of Tamames facts for kids

The Battle of Tamames was an important fight during the Peninsular War. It happened on October 18, 1809, near Salamanca, Spain. In this battle, a Spanish army fought against a part of the French army led by General Jean Gabriel Marchand. The Spanish army won this battle.

Quick facts for kids Battle of Tamames
Part of the Peninsular War
Date 18 October 1809 Location Tamames, near Salamanca, Spain 40°40′N 6°06′W / 40.66°N 6.10°W / 40.66; -6.10 Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
French Empire	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Jean Marchand	Duke del Parque
Strength
11,000	21,000
Casualties and losses
1,300-1,400 killed or wounded	700-713 killed or wounded 1 gun lost

What Led to the Battle?

The Peninsular War was a big conflict in Europe. It involved France, Spain, and Portugal. The war was fought on the Iberian Peninsula. The Spanish campaign in late 1809 was a key part of this war. It began after the Battle of Talavera.

How the Battle Unfolded

The Spanish army, led by General del Parque, took a strong defensive position. They lined up on a low ridge above the village of Tamames. Even with this good spot, the battle started tough for the Spanish. General del Parque had to take strict actions to keep his soldiers in line.

At first, the Spanish cavalry (soldiers on horseback) were pushed back. But the Spanish infantry (foot soldiers) fired at them. This made the cavalry turn around and rejoin the fight. The French also managed to capture some Spanish artillery (cannons). However, brave Spanish infantry quickly charged with bayonets and took them back.

The French army attacked in large groups. But they never had enough strength to push the Spanish off their ridge. The French had good cavalry, which was rare in the Peninsular War. Yet, the difficult ground made it hard for them to use their cavalry effectively.

Who Fought and What Happened?

The French army was led by General Jean Marchand. It had about 9,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, and 30 cannons. The Spanish army, led by General del Parque, was larger. It had about 20,000 infantry, 1,400 cavalry, and 30 artillery pieces.

The French lost about 1,200 soldiers killed or wounded during the battle. The Spanish cavalry chased them, causing even more losses. The Spanish also captured a French flag and a large 12-pounder cannon.

The Spanish army suffered fewer losses. About 713 of their soldiers were killed or wounded. After the battle, soldiers who fought there received a special badge. It read Venció en Tamames, which means "We conquered at Tamames."

What Happened Next?

General del Parque wanted to join forces with the British general, the Duke of Wellington. They hoped to take control of more areas in Spain. However, Wellington refused to help. He had found the Spanish army difficult to work with in earlier battles.

Later, General Marchand's French army got their revenge. They defeated the Spanish at the Battle of Alba de Tormes in November. The Peninsular War continued with other important battles. One of these was the second Madrid offensive, which included the Battle of Ocaña.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Tamames para niños