A minor engagement in the War of the Pyrenees where a Spanish misreading of French foraging as an attack led to an inadvertent battle shortly before the Peace of Basel ended the war.
Key Facts
- Date
- 14 June 1795
- Distance from Girona
- 24 kilometres north km
- French commander
- Barthélemy Louis Joseph Schérer
- Spanish commander
- José de Urrutia y de las Casas
- Conflict context
- War of the Pyrenees / War of the First Coalition
- Outcome
- Spanish tactical success; French center forced to withdraw
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After French General Pérignon's victories at Black Mountain and capture of two fortresses, subsequent operations failed and he was replaced by Schérer, whose army was ordered to remain on the defensive. While French troops conducted a foraging expedition near Bàscara, Spanish commander Urrutia mistakenly interpreted their movements as an offensive attack.
On 14 June 1795, Urrutia rapidly concentrated Spanish forces and launched an assault on the French center, compelling it to withdraw. Pierre Augereau's right flank division, however, successfully held its position and prevented the Spanish from pursuing the retreating French troops, limiting the tactical impact of the Spanish success.
Though the Spanish achieved a local tactical victory, the battle had little strategic effect. Shortly after this inadvertent engagement, the Peace of Basel was concluded, ending the War of the Pyrenees and the broader conflict between France and Spain in this theater.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Barthélemy Louis Joseph Schérer, Pierre Augereau.
Side B
1 belligerent
José de Urrutia y de las Casas.