Benito de San Juan was a Spanish military officer and a notable commander of the Spanish forces during the Peninsular War. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The Peninsular War or Spanish War of Independence pitted an alliance of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal against France He was the commanding officer of all the Spanish forces during the famous battle of Somosierra. In the Battle of Somosierra (La batalla de Somosierra ( November 30, 1808) a heavily outnumbered Spanish force failed to prevent Napoleon from capturing
Benito de San Juan started his military career as a Lieutenant Colonel of Hussars of Estremadura during the War of the Oranges. Estremadura ((ɨʃtɾɨmɐˈðuɾɐ is a historical Province of Portugal. The War of the Oranges (Guerra das Laranjas French: Guerre des Oranges; Spanish: Guerra de las Naranjas) was a brief conflict in 1801 Noted by Manuel Godoy, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel and in 1802 he became the commander of Godoy's personal guard. Don Manuel Francisco Domingo de Godoy (di Bassano y Alvarez de Faria de los Ríos y Sánchez-Zarzosa, also Manuel de Godoy y Alvarez de Faria de los Ríos Sánchez Zarzosa Year 1802 ( MDCCCII) was a Common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar or a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Soon afterwards he was again promoted, this time to the rank of Brigadier. This article refers to the military rank For the Doctor Who character known as the Brigadier see Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. In 1805 promoted to the rank of mariscal (in fact a general's grade), he became the general inspector of Spanish infantry and line cavalry. Year 1805 ( MDCCCV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or
During the Peninsular War he assumed the command over the major part of the Spanish forces defending Madrid. The Peninsular War or Spanish War of Independence pitted an alliance of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal against France Madrid (pronounced in English in Spanish and colloquially in Spain) is the Capital and largest city of Spain. Knowing the weakness of his forces, much inferior to the French army which was considered the best fighting force of its times, he prepared a plan of indirect defence of the Spanish capital by defending the Somosierra pass on the road leading towards it. Somosierra is a mountain pass in the Sierra de Guadarrama north of Madrid in Spain However, in the effect of the battle of Somosierra he lost most of his artillery and his force was dispersed, while de San Juan himself was wounded several times during the charge of the Polish cavalry. In the Battle of Somosierra (La batalla de Somosierra ( November 30, 1808) a heavily outnumbered Spanish force failed to prevent Napoleon from capturing The Polish cavalry (kawaleria can trace its origins back to the days of Medieval mounted Knights.
He managed to withdraw with the remnants of his routed forces to Talavera, where he attempted to rally his army. However, the demoralisation of the Spanish army, composed in a large part of untrained conscripts and peasant volunteers, led to a mutiny. On January 7, 1809 the mutineers captured their General and executed him. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year
References
- (Polish) "Benito San Juan - nieszczęsny generał (Benito San Juan, the Unfortunate General)" (May 2006). Rzeczpospolita 123 (2006-05-27). Rzeczpospolita ( is one of Poland 's large nationwide daily Newspapers with a circulation of 160000 although a few years ago it reached even 260000
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