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BATTLE // April 9, 1812

Battle of Arlabán

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Overview

The Battle of Arlabán of 1812, also known as the Second Surprise of Arlabán, took place in the mountain pass of Arlabán, Guipúzcoa, Basque Country, near the border with France, on 9 April 1812, during the Peninsular War. A Spanish force of 3,000–3,500 men led by Francisco Espoz y Mina intercepted a great French convoy of General of Division Caffarelli.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The battle at the heights of Arlabán, fought across three fronts along the border of Álava and Guipúzcoa, represented a temporary Liberal success followed by a Carlist reversal. Liberal forces under Luis Fernández de Córdova, supported by the British Legion, French Legion, and units under Baldomero Espartero, seized both Arlabán and Legutiano before Carlist counterattacks on 18 January drove them back with significant casualties. The outcome underscored the difficulty of holding mountain terrain against determined Carlist resistance and demonstrated the limits of coordinated multi-column operations in the northern theater of the First Carlist War.

Tactics

Liberal forces were divided along three fronts to assault the heights of Arlabán, dislodging Carlist defenders between 16 and 17 January and also seizing Legutiano. The Carlists subsequently on 18 January, pushing the Liberals back and inflicting heavy casualties.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • French Empire2,000–3,000
    medium
  • Spain3,000–3,500
    medium

Spain fielded a 1.3 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Французская империя300–800
    medium
Order of battle →Casualties in detail →

Commanders (2)

French Empire

Spain

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6 sibling battles · 3 factions

Last verified June 2026
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