BATTLE // April 9, 1812

Battle of Arlabán

Name: Battle of Arlabán
Start: 1812-04-09
End: 1812-04-09
Location: Battle of Arlabán

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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 counterattacked on 18 January, pushing the Liberals back and inflicting heavy casualties.