The Allied victories at San Millán and Osma weakened French forces ahead of the decisive Battle of Vitoria, contributing to the collapse of French control in Spain.
Key Facts
- Date
- 18 June 1813
- Distance between engagements
- 7.4 km (4.6 mi)
- Days before Battle of Vitoria
- 3 days
- French division mauled
- Maucune's division rendered unfit for combat
- Part of
- Peninsular War / Napoleonic Wars
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
In summer 1813, Wellington launched a major offensive from Portugal into Spain, outmaneuvering French forces and compelling them to abandon key cities. King Joseph and Marshal Jourdan believed the Ebro River line was secure, but Wellington executed a northern flanking march that brought Allied divisions into unexpected contact with French troops.
On 18 June 1813, two engagements occurred in northeast Spain. At San Millán de San Zadornil, Charles Alten's Light Division attacked and severely damaged Antoine Maucune's French division. At Osma, 7.4 kilometres to the northeast, Jacques Sarrut's French division fought an inconclusive skirmish with Kenneth Howard's Allied division before withdrawing southeast.
Maucune's division was judged no longer fit for frontline combat and was reassigned to escort a supply convoy, causing it to miss the Battle of Vitoria three days later. The French suffered a significant reduction in effective strength at a critical moment, contributing to their catastrophic defeat at Vitoria on 21 June 1813.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Arthur Wellesley, Marquess of Wellington, Charles Alten, Kenneth Howard.
Side B
1 belligerent
King Joseph Bonaparte, Antoine Louis Popon de Maucune, Jacques Thomas Sarrut.