Second Battle of Arquijas facts for kids

The Second Battle of Arquijas was an important fight during the First Carlist War in Spain. It happened on February 5, 1835. This battle was a second attempt by the Liberal army to attack the Carlist positions. The fight took place at a mountain pass called Arquijas in Navarre.

What Was the First Carlist War?

The First Carlist War (1833-1840) was a big conflict in Spain. It was fought between two main groups. One group was the Carlists. They supported Infante Carlos, Count of Molina. He was the brother of the previous king, Ferdinand VII. The Carlists believed Carlos should be the next king.

The other group was the Liberals. They were also called Isabelinos or Cristinos. They supported Isabella II of Spain. Isabella was the young daughter of King Ferdinand VII. Her mother, Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies, ruled for her. The Liberals wanted a more modern government.

Why Did They Fight?

The war was about who should rule Spain. It was also about different ideas for the country's future. The Carlists wanted to keep old traditions. The Liberals wanted new, more open ways of governing.

Who Fought at Arquijas?

The two sides had different leaders and different numbers of soldiers.

The Liberal Army

The Liberal forces were led by Francisco Espoz y Mina. He sent about 5,000 foot soldiers and cavalry (soldiers on horseback) to the battle area. More Liberal troops, around 9,000, were nearby in Estella. These soldiers were under the command of Manuel Lorenzo, Marcelino de Oraá Lecumberri, and three other generals. Their main goal was to cross the Ega River at Arquijas.

The Carlist Army

The Carlist army was led by their skilled commander, Tomás de Zumalacárregui. He had about 8,500 men under his command. His main generals included Ituralde, Guibelalde, Villareal, and Miguel Gómez Damas. They were ready to defend their positions.

What Happened During the Battle?

On February 5, 1835, the Liberal forces moved into position. They stood on one side of the Ega River, facing the Carlists on the other side.

The Liberal army then launched attacks at several different points. They tried to break through the Carlist defenses. However, the Carlists fought back strongly. The Liberal attacks were stopped, and they suffered many casualties. This means a lot of their soldiers were injured or killed.

After being pushed back, the Liberal forces had to retreat. They went back to their nearby towns, which were protected by defenses. The Carlists won this battle.