Battle of Maguilla

Battle of Maguilla
Part of the Peninsular War
British heavy dragoons wore a red coat and black bicorne hat at Maguilla, similar to the trooper at far left. The helmet was not adopted until 1813
Date 11 June 1812 Location Maguilla, Spain 38°22′03″N 05°50′15″W / 38.36750°N 5.83750°W / 38.36750; -5.83750 Result French victory
Belligerents
French Empire	United Kingdom Portugal Spain
Commanders and leaders
François Antoine Lallemand	John Slade
Strength
700	700
Casualties and losses
51 killed, wounded or captured	48 killed or wounded 118 captured

Peninsular War
Castile 1811–13

200km
125miles

20

19

Burgos

18

17

16

Salamanca

15

Astorga

14

Maguilla

13

12

11

Ciudad Rodrigo

10

9

8

7

Arlabán

6

5

4

Campo Maior

3

2

Badajoz

1

  

  current battle

In the Battle of Maguilla (11 June 1812) a British cavalry brigade led by Major General John Slade attacked a similar-sized French cavalry brigade commanded by General of Brigade Charles Lallemand. The British dragoons scored an initial success, routing the French dragoons and capturing a number of them. The British troopers recklessly galloped after their foes, losing all order. At length, the French reserve squadron charged into the British, followed by the French main body which rallied. With the tables turned, the French dragoons chased the British until the horses of both sides were too exhausted for the battle to continue. The action took place during the Peninsular War, near Maguilla, Spain, a distance of 17 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Llerena.

The clash occurred during an indecisive campaign in Extremadura between an Allied corps under Rowland Hill and a French corps led by Jean-Baptiste Drouet, Comte d'Erlon. In early June 1812, Hill began to advance against d'Erlon's weaker force. At Maguilla, Slade encountered Lallemand's brigade and was beaten. Nevertheless, Hill's advance continued until d'Erlon was reinforced. Hill then withdrew to a strong position that d'Erlon did not dare to attack. Finally, Hill advanced again but did not force a battle. On 22 July 1812 the decisive Allied victory at the Battle of Salamanca occurred farther north. This event finally forced the French to evacuate Andalusia and Extremadura.