A Spanish offensive along the Bidasoa River captured outlying French positions but failed to take the main Sans Culottes Camp, stalling Spanish momentum in the War of the Pyrenees.
Key Facts
- Date
- 5 February 1794
- Spanish force strength
- 20,000 troops
- Duration of main assault
- Eight hours
- Key river contested
- Bidasoa River
- Moncey's promotion
- General of brigade for distinguished actions
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Spanish general Ventura Caro, commanding 20,000 troops in the Army of the West Pyrenees, ordered his left wing near Irun and his center in the Baztan Valley to assault French camps behind the Bidasoa River, aiming to seize key positions held by the French Army of the Western Pyrenees during the War of the Pyrenees.
The Spanish force under José de Urrutia y de las Casas attacked French positions near Saint-Jean-de-Luz on 5 February 1794. French artillery chief Augustin de Lespinasse abandoned outlying fortifications to concentrate strength in the main Sans Culottes Camp. Despite capturing two key positions, the Spanish assault stalled after an eight-hour fight when Frégeville arrived and Spanish momentum collapsed.
The Spanish failed to overrun the main French position, leaving the military situation along the Bidasoa largely unchanged. Bon-Adrien Jeannot de Moncey, who distinguished himself in the battle, was promoted to general of brigade and would later rise to become a Marshal of France under Napoleon Bonaparte.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Ventura Caro, José de Urrutia y de las Casas.
Side B
1 belligerent
Jean-Henri-Guy-Nicolas de Frégeville, Augustin de Lespinasse, Bon-Adrien Jeannot de Moncey.