Battle of Vic facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Vich
Part of Peninsular War
Main plaza in Vic
Date 20 February 1810 Location Vic, Catalonia, Spain 41°55′49″N 2°15′17″E / 41.93028°N 2.25472°E / 41.93028; 2.25472 Result French victory
Belligerents
First French Empire	Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
Joseph Souham (WIA)	Henry O'Donnell Francesc Rovira Francisco Milans
Units involved
VII Corps	Army of Catalonia
Strength
5,000	12,000
Casualties and losses
800	3,000

The Battle of Vic (also known as the Battle of Vich) happened on February 20, 1810. It was a fight during the Peninsular War, which was part of the bigger Napoleonic Wars. In this battle, a Spanish army led by Henry O'Donnell attacked a French army. The French soldiers were part of the First French Empire and were led by Joseph Souham.

Even though the Spanish attacked first, the French army won the battle. O'Donnell's soldiers had to retreat. The town of Vic is in Catalonia, Spain, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Barcelona.

What Led to the Battle?

One month before this battle, a Spanish leader named Luis González Torres de Navarra, Marquess of Campoverde had won a fight at Mollet. This victory made the Spanish feel more confident.

O'Donnell's Plan

After the Mollet victory, Henry O'Donnell learned that the French division led by Joseph Souham was alone in Vic. He decided this was a good chance to attack. O'Donnell gathered about 7,000 regular foot soldiers and 500 horse soldiers (cavalry) at a place called Moià.

He also made a plan for local fighters, called miquelets (who were like a Spanish militia), to join the attack on Vic.

The Battle Begins

On February 19, 1810, about 3,500 miquelets, led by Francesc Rovira i Sala and Francisco Milans del Bosch, started fighting with the French soldiers guarding the town. These were like small skirmishes to test the French defenses.

Main Attack on February 20

The next day, February 20, O'Donnell led his main army to attack Vic from a different direction. While some French soldiers inside the town kept Rovira and Milans busy, the main battle happened in the open field nearby.

The fight was very close for a while. It was hard to tell who would win.

French Cavalry Decides the Fight

However, the French had about 1,500 horse soldiers (cavalry). These cavalry troops charged and overwhelmed the right side of O'Donnell's army. This powerful attack turned the tide of the battle.

The French army won, forcing O'Donnell's soldiers to retreat.

Battle Outcomes

The battle was costly for both sides. The French army lost about 600 soldiers, either killed or wounded. Their commander, Joseph Souham, was also badly wounded.

The Spanish army suffered more losses. About 800 of their soldiers were killed or wounded, and another 1,000 were captured by the French.