ORDER OF BATTLE // June 15, 1809
Battle of María
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 31,300 estimated
First French Empire
11,300
Medium-confidence figure
Kingdom of Spain
20,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of María brought a Spanish force of roughly 20,000 under Joaquín Blake into direct confrontation with a significantly smaller French corps of approximately 11,300 commanded by Louis-Gabriel Suchet. Despite their numerical advantage, Spanish casualties reached 4,500, indicating a severe tactical defeat. The engagement was part of the broader French effort to consolidate control in the Peninsular War, and the heavy Spanish losses undermined Blake's operational capacity to contest French authority in the region.
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