MedellínMarch 28, 1809

On 11 March 1809 Marshal Victor started his march on Merida. His orders were to cross the Tagus, occupy Merida, destroy the Spanish General Cuesta and the Guerrilleros he was organizing, and support Soult's operations in Portugal. Thankfully most of Victor's objectives went hand-in-glove with each other. Victor's first objective was to cross the Tagus. Standing in the way of this was Victor's third objective, namely Cuesta's 35,000-man Army of Estramadura. On 14 March, Generals Lasalle and Leval reported the existence of a ford across the Tagus several miles beyond Cuesta's flank. Early on the 15th, Victor crossed the Tagus with his 22,000 man I Corps. Cuesta was compelled to withdraw. On March 20th, Lasalle caught up with Cuesta's rear guard under General Henestrosa. The Spanish Royal Carabineers were severely damaged in the engagement. The next day, Henestrosa managed to surprise and badly maul Lasalle's 10th Chasseurs a Cheval. The Spanish proceeded to murder the captured and wounded Frenchmen that fell into their hands. Cuesta linked up with the Duque de Albuquerque on the 27th near Medellin. Meanwhile, Victor crossed the Guadiana to threaten Seville. Most of Leval's Division was relegated to guarding this important bridgehead. With Victor so close, Cuesta deployed for battle. Seeing Victor's battalions somewhat "strung out" by their crossing of the Guadiana, Cuesta lost no time in ordering the attack. The Spanish army launched into motion along a four-and-a-half-mile front. The Spanish line started to incline slightly in an effort to drive Victor into the river. As they advanced the Spanish continually called out that the French would receive no quarter. Victor, concerned about the dispersion of his Corps, ordered his advance cavalry to withdraw, counter attacking if the Spanish were too bold. Victor's discomfort was increasing as the Spanish advanced up the hill on which the French right rested. The French gunners abandoned their pieces as their supporting infantry formed square in the face of the Spanish cavalry. With the Divisions of Del Parque and Henestrosa advancing behind the Spanish Cavalry, Latour-Maubourg moved his cavalry forward to support his infantry. Cuesta then launched his cavalry into the flank of Latour-Maubourg's troopers. The Spanish advanced marvelously, then surprisingly they broke and ran before making contact. Cuesta was carried away in the rout as he tried to stem the tide of his fleeing horsemen. Del Parque and Henestrosa were now exposed as Latour-Maubourg1s dragoons rapidly advanced. On the French left, Lasalle was being steadily pushed back by superior numbers. Victor then committed half of Villatte's Division to Lasalle's support. Confidant of infantry support, Lasalle valiantly charged the oncoming Spanish. The Spanish troops quickly routed. Pressed on both flanks by cavalry and with Ruffin and Villatte advancing on the center, the now leaderless Spanish army broke ranks and ran. It took several hours for Cuesta to rally enough men to form a rear guard. In the meantime, Lasalle and LatourMaubourg's troopers had sabred over 8,000 of Cuesta's fugitives. The French took fewer than 2,000 prisoners. For the loss of some 1,000 men, Victor had destroyed some 10,000 Spanish, captured 9 standards, 20 guns, and the commander of the Spanish Second Division, General Trias. In less than two weeks, Victor had fulfilled most of his objectives. Though he still felt himself too weak to invade Portugal in support of Soult, Victor had assured that there would be no Spanish hindering Soult's left flank