Battle of Venta del Pozo facts for kids
The Battle of Venta del Pozo, also known as the Battle of Villodrigo by the French and Spanish, was a cavalry fight during the Peninsular War. It happened on October 23, 1812, in Villodrigo, Spain. British and German soldiers, led by Major-General Stapleton Cotton, fought against French cavalry, led by Major-Generals Jean-Baptiste Curto and Pierre François Xavier Boyer. The French army won this battle.
Quick facts for kids Battle of Venta del Pozo |
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| Part of the Peninsular War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 French Empire |
 United Kingdom |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Pierre Boyer |
Stapleton Cotton |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 3,200 | 2,800 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 141–300 killed, wounded or captured | 165–250 killed or wounded 65–85 captured |
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Contents
Why the Battle Happened
The Duke of Wellington was a famous British general. His army, made of British and Portuguese soldiers, had tried to capture the city of Burgos. They failed and had to retreat on October 21, 1812.
About 35,000 of Wellington's soldiers were moving southwest. A larger French army, with 53,000 soldiers led by Major-General Joseph Souham, chased after them. The Battle of Venta del Pozo was a "rear-guard action." This means it was fought by a small group of soldiers who stayed behind to protect the main army as it retreated.
Who Fought?
The British and German forces were led by Major-General Stapleton Cotton.
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His group included:
- Colonel Colin Halkett's brigade from the King's German Legion (KGL). These were two light infantry battalions.
- Major-General George Anson's light cavalry (horseback soldiers). These were the 11th, 12th, and 16th Light Dragoons.
- Major-General Eberhardt von Bock's heavy cavalry. These were the 1st and 2nd King's German Legion Dragoons.
- Norman Ramsay's RHA troop with six cannons.
In total, Cotton had about 2,800 soldiers.
The French cavalry was led by Major-Generals Jean-Baptiste Curto and Pierre François Xavier Boyer.
Their forces included:
- Curto's light cavalry, with the 3rd Hussars and parts of other Chasseur units.
- Boyer's dragoons, including the 6th, 11th, 15th, and 25th Dragoons.
- Other units like the 15th Chasseurs, Duchy of Berg Light Horse Lancers, and elite Gendarmes.
The French had about 3,200 soldiers.
The Battle Begins
On October 23, General Cotton set up his cavalry near a stone bridge. This bridge crossed a dry streambed on the main highway. He planned a surprise attack on the French.
Cotton's plan was for Anson's cavalry to cross the bridge first. He hoped the French would follow them closely. Once the French were across, Ramsay's cannons would fire at them. Then, Bock's dragoons would charge.
Fighting and Retreat
While Cotton's plan was unfolding, French hussars led by Curto found another way to cross the dry streambed. They attacked Spanish soldiers on the nearby hills. The Spanish soldiers rushed down the hills, with the French hussars right behind them.
This group of soldiers crashed into the 16th Light Dragoon unit. At the same time, French dragoons who had crossed the bridge also attacked the 16th Light Dragoon. The 16th Light Dragoon unit became very confused. They moved the wrong way, blocking Ramsay's cannons and Bock's planned charge.
More French cavalry arrived, including Lancers, Chasseurs, and Gendarmes. They found the streambed hard to cross. So, they quickly rode over the bridge and formed a line in front of Bock's heavy cavalry.
At 5:00 PM, Bock's dragoons attacked the French in two lines. The fighting was very fierce. Both armies watched from the surrounding hills.
Bock's men were forced to retreat in confusion. Anson's cavalry also fell back. More French dragoons attacked from both sides, causing the British cavalry to break apart completely.
The British cavalry finally regrouped behind Colonel Halkett's two KGL infantry battalions. The French cavalry, including the Gendarmes, Chasseurs, and Berg Lancers, also stopped to regroup.
Boyer's Dragoons charged Bock's dragoons a second time, breaking them again. General Wellington himself arrived and ordered Halkett's infantry to fire at the French dragoons. The French tried to charge the infantry three times but failed.
When French infantry arrived, the British and German forces had to retreat. However, they did so in an organized way. General Cotton was praised for his "coolness, judgment, and gallantry" during the battle.
Aftermath
The British and German forces lost about 165 soldiers killed or wounded, and 65 were captured. The French lost between 141 and 300 soldiers killed, wounded, or captured. One French officer, Colonel Jean-Alexis Béteille, was badly wounded but survived. He later became a general.
Battle Honours
The German 1st and 2nd KGL Light battalions were given the "Venta del Pozo" battle honour. This honor was displayed until 1918 when they served in the Hanoverian and Prussian armies.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Villodrigo para niños
