When did the Battle of Somosierra take place?
The Battle of Somosierra took place on the 30th of November 1808, during the Peninsular War. It occurred at a mountain pass 60 miles north of Madrid.
Questions about Battle of Somosierra
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who led the Polish cavalry charge at the Battle of Somosierra?
Jan Kozietulski commanded the 3rd Squadron and initiated the charge, but lost his horse after the first battery was taken. Lieutenant Andrzej Niegolewski then led the push to the final battery, surviving nine bayonet wounds and two carbine shots to the head. The attribution of command was disputed for years after the battle.
How many Polish cavalry charged at Somosierra?
The initial charge was made by 125 men from the Polish Chevaux-Legers escort squadron. Additional squadrons, totaling around 450 men in all, entered the battle later after Napoleon committed them to secure the pass.
What happened to Madrid after the Battle of Somosierra?
French patrols reached the outskirts of Madrid on the 1st of December 1808. On the 4th of December a French artillery barrage ended the city's defence; the remaining 2,500 Spanish regulars surrendered and 20,000 civilians dispersed, allowing the French to enter Madrid for the second time that year.
What happened to Spanish general Benito de San Juan after the battle?
Benito de San Juan was killed by his own men after the defeat at Somosierra. He had commanded roughly 9,000 men and 16 guns at the pass after dispersing the rest of his force to guard other approaches to Madrid.
How is the Battle of Somosierra commemorated in Poland?
The Battle of Somosierra is commemorated on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, with the inscription "SOMOSIERRA 30 XI 1808." The battle became a symbol of Polish military service under Napoleon.