Manuel Lapeña facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manuel Lapeña
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| Born | 11 April 1762 Valtierra, Navarre |
| Died | 14 October 1820 (aged 58) Madrid |
| Allegiance |  Spain |
| Battles/wars | |
Manuel de Lapeña y Ruiz del Sotillo (1762–1820) was a Spanish military leader. He is mostly known for his role in the Peninsular War against Napoleon's armies. Some historians have criticized his actions during important battles.
A famous portrait of Lapeña was painted in 1799 by the artist Goya. It was ordered by the Duchess of Osuna for her palace in Madrid.
Contents
Manuel Lapeña's Military Journey
Manuel Lapeña began his military career in 1777. He started as a captain in an infantry regiment. His first commander was the future Duke of Osuna.
Early Military Experiences
Lapeña spent nearly two years at the Great Siege of Gibraltar. This was a long military blockade. After that, he took part in the Invasion of Minorca (1781). He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1792.
When the War of the Pyrenees began, Lapeña joined the Army of Rosellón. He served as an aide to the Duke of Osuna. He saw action in several battles, including Mas Deu and Truillas.
In 1793, he became a brigadier. He was given command of seven volunteer battalions. These groups were formed for the war. He was promoted to field marshal in 1795, just before the war ended.
In 1797, Lapeña spent a year in Galicia. He was second-in-command of the army there. This army was getting ready for a possible war with Portugal. In 1801, he led an infantry brigade in the War of the Oranges. He fought in a battle at Arronches.
In October 1802, Lapeña became a lieutenant general. Other important Spanish commanders of the time also received this promotion. These included the Duke of the Infantado and Francisco Castaños.
In 1806, Lapeña took command of the 2nd Battalion of the Guardias Españolas. In 1807, he became the temporary captain general of Andalusia. He was also governor of Cádiz. He held these positions until May 1808.
Lapeña and the Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a major conflict in Spain. It involved Spain, Portugal, and Britain fighting against France. Lapeña played a role in several key battles.
Battle of Bailén (July 1808)
Lapeña commanded the 4th Division (Reserve) of General Castaños's army. This army had over 33,000 soldiers. Lapeña's cavalry unit was very strong. It had 440 well-equipped horses.
His division also had a special "flying brigade" of 3,000 men. Their job was to bother the French army's side. They also tried to cut off French communications. After their victory at Bailén, Lapeña's division went with Castaños to Madrid. They arrived there on August 23.
Battle of Tudela (November 1808)
Castaños's Army of the Centre was attacked by French forces at Tudela. The French tried to find a weak spot in the Spanish army's lines. Castaños ordered Lapeña to move his division to fill this gap.
However, Lapeña's division, with 8,000–9,000 foot soldiers and 1,500 horsemen, did not move. They stayed in place for four hours. They faced only a few French cavalry brigades. Lapeña had about 20,000 men in his area. The French had only 9,000. Instead of helping the main Spanish army, Lapeña only had small fights with nearby French troops. He lost 200 men. When the rest of the Spanish army was defeated, Lapeña finally retreated. This ended the battle.
Leading the Army of the Centre
After the Battle of Tudela, Castaños was given a new role. Lapeña then took overall command of the Spanish Army of the Centre. This army had regrouped at Guadalajara. Lapeña tried to stop Napoleon's attack on Madrid. But his attempt was stopped by Marshal Ney's army. Lapeña had to retreat to Cuenca. There, he was replaced as commander by the Duke of Infantado on December 9.
Commanding the Army of La Mancha
In January 1809, Lapeña was given command of the 4,000-strong Reserve. This was part of Cartaojal's Army of La Mancha. After this army was defeated at Ciudad Real, Lapeña helped cover their retreat.
In April, he went to Sevilla. The government sent him on a secret mission to Catalonia. He stayed there for a year. His task was to report on why Spanish troops had fled at the Battle of Belchite.
Role in Cádiz
In December 1810, Lapeña became the Captain General of Andalusia. However, he was a supporter of the Cádiz Cortes. The new government removed him from this position. They ordered him and his troops to Cádiz. Lapeña became the highest-ranking Spanish officer in Cádiz. He took command of the Spanish forces on the Isla de León.
Battle of Barrosa (March 1811)
In January 1811, the French forces around Cádiz became weaker. This led British and Spanish allies to plan an attack. They wanted to end the siege. Sir Thomas Graham, the British commander, agreed to let Lapeña lead the combined force. This was on the condition that Spain provided more troops.
The allied expedition sailed from Cádiz in late February 1811. They regrouped and marched towards the French forces. Lapeña changed the plan, and the army ended up marching back towards Cádiz. The French commander, Marshal Victor, marched to meet them with 10,000 men. On March 5, Lapeña's leading division met a French division. They pushed them off the road.
Meanwhile, Graham's rear division was attacked by two French divisions. Graham split his force to fight each French group. In the battle that followed, Graham's forces defeated the French attacks. Lapeña, however, kept his larger force safe on the isthmus to Cádiz. He refused to help his British allies. Lapeña also refused to chase the retreating French troops. This allowed them to continue the siege on Cádiz. The siege was not lifted until August 24, 1812.
Lapeña's actions in this battle led to a military trial. He was found not guilty but was removed from command. The Marquis de Coupigny took over.
Images for kids
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Portrait of Lapeña (1799) by Goya
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Lapeña para niños
