Battle of Molins de Rei
The Battle of Molins de Rei or Battle of Molins de Rey or Battle of Molins del Rey (21 December 1808) saw an Imperial French corps led by Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr attack a Spanish army temporarily led by Theodor von Reding and the Conde de Caldagues because its commander Juan Miguel de Vives y Feliu was absent. Saint-Cyr outmaneuvered his opponents, distracting them with a false attack in front while sending the bulk of his force across Llobregat River in a turning movement around the Spanish right flank. The Spanish defensive lines crumbled and the French captured 1,200 soldiers, all the Spanish artillery and Caldagues himself. The Peninsular War engagement was fought near Molins de Rei, located 15 kilometres (9 mi) west of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| Battle of Molins de Rei | |||||||
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| Part of Peninsular War | |||||||
Picture of the Battle of Molins de Rei shows the Pont del Diable in the background. The bridge is actually 12 km. north of Molins de Rei in Martorell. | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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First French Empire Kingdom of Italy Kingdom of Naples Swiss Confederation | Kingdom of Spain | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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L. Gouvion Saint-Cyr Joseph Souham Joseph Chabran Domenico Pino Louis Chabot |
Juan de Vives Theodor von Reding Conde Caldagues | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| VII Corps | Army of Catalonia | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 14,000 | 15,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 400 |
2,200 25 guns | ||||||
The Dos de Mayo Uprising caught the Imperial French occupation forces in Spain off guard. By the end of August 1808, the Franco-Italian garrison of Barcelona found itself isolated and in danger of capture. Emperor Napoleon soon assembled a substantial army, entrusted it to Saint-Cyr, and directed his general to relieve Barcelona. After a risky campaign, Saint-Cyr defeated a Spanish force at Cardadeu and reached Barcelona. Finding his opponents holding a strong position behind the Llobregat, Saint-Cyr marched out of Barcelona and resolved to drive them away.