Battle of Valdepeñas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Valdepeñas |
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| Part of the Peninsular War | |||||||
 Valdepeñas Uprising against French Troops |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 French Empire |
 Kingdom of Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Louis Liger-Belair Roize |
Juan Antonio León-Vezares Francisco María Osorio Becerra Juan Rojo Baylón |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 1,100 | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Valdepeñas (Spanish: Contienda de Valdepeñas) was a brave uprising by the people of Valdepeñas, a town in Spain. It happened on June 6, 1808, right at the start of the Spanish War of Independence. This war was when Spain fought against French rule. Valdepeñas was an important town because it was on the main road connecting Madrid, the capital, to Andalusia in the south.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
Spain Fights Back
In May 1808, the people of Madrid rose up against the French army. This event, called the Dos de Mayo Uprising, quickly spread across Spain. People everywhere started to fight back against French control. News of the fighting reached Valdepeñas fast, thanks to wine merchants traveling through the area.
Valdepeñas Organizes Its Defense
Just three days after the Madrid uprising, the local priest, Juan Antonio León-Vezares, also known as "El cura calao," called a meeting. He convinced the town's mayor, Francisco María Osorio Becerra, to create a new, independent government. This new group was called a "Junta."
The Junta was led by the priest, the mayor, and Juan Rojo Baylón. They took control of Valdepeñas and decided they would not help the French army. Instead, they planned to stop French troops from passing through their town. The "City Junta" then prepared the town for defense. Many local people helped, including Manuel Madero Candelas and Miguel de Gregorio, known as "El mercader."
Getting Ready for Battle
By early June, the people of Valdepeñas had gathered weapons. They had some muskets and also made their own weapons. On June 6, 1808, French generals Ligier-Belair and Roize led about 800 soldiers, including 250 dragoons (soldiers on horseback), towards Valdepeñas. They were also joined by 300 soldiers who had escaped a smaller uprising in Santa Cruz de Mudela the day before.
The people of Valdepeñas knew the French were coming. They sent representatives to talk with General Ligier-Belair. These representatives were armed with the weapons made by "El cura calao," "El mercader," and Madero Candelas. They told the French general that his troops would not be allowed to pass through Valdepeñas.
The French commander reportedly said there was "little you can do to avoid it." But the priest, "Calao," bravely replied that "At scarce armament, we will replace it with our will and bodies." Despite this warning, the French general decided to force his way through the town later that day.
The Uprising Begins
When the French troops tried to enter Valdepeñas, the townspeople immediately attacked. Even women, like Juana Galán, joined the fight. Juana Galán later became a national hero for her bravery.
The French general sent his dragoons forward, but the townspeople fought so fiercely that the dragoons were forced to retreat.
Finally, the French soldiers set fire to the houses in Valdepeñas and shot at the people trying to escape. The fires burned for three days. To stop the destruction, a truce was made. The French troops agreed not to pass through the village. In return, the people of Valdepeñas provided them with a day's worth of food supplies.
What Happened Next
The uprising in Valdepeñas, along with other small battles in the Sierra Morena mountains, was very important. These actions stopped French military messages and supplies from reaching Madrid and Andalusia for about a month. This disruption made it harder for the French to control Spain and helped the Spanish resistance.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Valdepeñas para niños
