The Battle of Peña Cerrada (1838) – 1st Carlist War
The Battle of Peña Cerrada, fought on the 13th of April, 1838, was a significant encounter in the context of the First Carlist War, a conflict that engulfed Spain during the early 19th century. This battle was pivotal for the Cristinos, also known as the Liberal forces, who fought against the Carlists, the supporters of the rival claimant to the Spanish throne, Don Carlos. The confrontation, which took place in the mountainous region of northern Spain near the town of Vitoria, played a decisive role in the shaping of the war’s outcome.
Background of the First Carlist War
The First Carlist War (1833–1839) was a brutal civil war that erupted in Spain following the death of King Ferdinand VII. The king had no male heirs, and upon his death, the throne was inherited by his daughter, Isabella II, under the Regency of her mother, Maria Cristina. However, this succession was contested by the supporters of Don Carlos, the late king’s brother, who was a conservative figure opposed to the liberal reforms ushered in by Isabella’s supporters.
The Carlists, as the followers of Don Carlos became known, were primarily conservative, rural, and monarchist in their beliefs. They were entrenched in the northern regions of Spain, including the Basque Country, Navarre, and Catalonia. On the other side were the Liberals or Cristinos, who backed the reign of Isabella II and sought to modernize Spain through liberal reforms, constitutionalism, and the establishment of a parliamentary democracy.
The war was characterized by a series of brutal engagements between the two sides, involving both conventional battles and guerrilla warfare. The Carlists were skilled in operating in the mountainous terrain of northern Spain, and their forces were often better equipped to handle such conditions. The Cristinos, although numerically superior, struggled to achieve decisive victories.
The Battle of Peña Cerrada: Strategic Importance
The Battle of Peña Cerrada occurred in the midst of a campaign that had seen both sides vying for control of the region surrounding the city of Vitoria, which was one of the key strongholds of the Liberal forces. The Carlists, led by General Ramón Cabrera, sought to advance into the heartland of the Cristino territory, but they were met with fierce resistance from the Liberal army under the command of General Baldomero Espartero, one of the most prominent leaders of the Cristinos.
The terrain around Peña Cerrada, located in the Basque Mountains, was challenging and rugged. The Carlists, accustomed to fighting in such conditions, had hoped to use their superior knowledge of the area to outmaneuver the Liberal forces. However, the battle ultimately swung in favor of the Cristinos, thanks to their better coordination, superior numbers, and the strategic positioning of their troops.
The Forces and the Combatants
The battle involved the forces of Spain, the Carlists, and the Cristinos. The Carlists, who were fighting in defense of Don Carlos’s claim to the throne, were mostly composed of local Basque and Navarrese militia, bolstered by a few professional soldiers. They were heavily reliant on guerrilla tactics and the advantage of fighting on familiar terrain.
The Cristinos, on the other hand, were a more organized and larger force, composed primarily of Spanish regulars and militia from the liberal strongholds in the south and east of Spain. Although they were less familiar with the terrain, they benefited from superior artillery and cavalry units, as well as better logistical support from the central government.
In the battle, the Carlists attempted to exploit the terrain to launch surprise attacks, but the Cristinos were able to establish defensive positions on the high ground, forcing the Carlists into a disadvantageous position. Despite fierce resistance from the Carlist forces, the Cristinos succeeded in pushing them back, forcing them to retreat.
The Outcome and Aftermath
The Battle of Peña Cerrada ended in a resounding victory for the Cristinos. The Carlists, suffering heavy casualties, were forced to retreat, marking a significant setback for their campaign. General Espartero’s forces inflicted considerable losses on the Carlist army, both in terms of soldiers and morale.
This victory had far-reaching consequences for the Carlist cause. Although the Carlists would continue to fight for several more years, the Battle of Peña Cerrada weakened their position and dashed their hopes of a decisive victory in the northern regions. The Cristinos, bolstered by their success at Peña Cerrada, were able to secure greater control of key strategic areas and pave the way for further victories in the conflict.
By the time the war came to an end in 1839, with the signing of the Treaty of Vergara, the Carlists had been decisively defeated. The failure to win the Battle of Peña Cerrada was one of the key reasons behind the Carlists’ eventual downfall, as it marked a turning point in the struggle for dominance in Spain. Don Carlos, who had fought valiantly to secure his claim to the throne, was forced to go into exile, and the liberal cause prevailed, consolidating the power of Isabella II and establishing the foundation for modern Spain.
Conclusion
The Battle of Peña Cerrada was one of the many significant battles of the First Carlist War, but it stands out due to its decisive nature and the impact it had on the course of the conflict. The victory of the Cristinos, led by General Baldomero Espartero, weakened the Carlist forces and paved the way for further Liberal successes. Although the Carlists would not be completely defeated until the end of the war in 1839, the Battle of Peña Cerrada marked a critical turning point in the war, shaping the eventual outcome and solidifying the importance of strategic leadership and the use of terrain in warfare.
The battle remains a key historical event, not only as a military engagement but also as a symbol of the larger ideological struggle between conservatism and liberalism in 19th-century Spain. The consequences of the war, including the eventual victory of the Cristinos, helped shape the trajectory of Spanish politics for decades to come, influencing the country’s path towards modernization and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.