Battle of Villarrobledo (1836)

The Battle of Villarrobledo was a battle of the First Carlist War, occurring on September 20, 1836, south of Villarrobledo at a campground called Vega de San Cristóbal, which lies near a hermitage of the same name. However, there were also casualties reported in Villarrobledo proper.

The forces engaged in the battle consisted of;

ISABELINOS

3rd Division: Gen. Alaix - I and II bat. Principe - I and II bat. Cordova - I and II bat. Almansa - 4 Guides coys. Cavalry: D. Diego de Leon - Princess Hussars (150 troopers) - 1st and 5th Light Cavalry (200 troopers) TOTAL: 4000 inf and 350 cav

CARLISTAS Gen. Goméz 5 battalions 5 squadrons

Aragón Division: Cabrera

Aragonese Brigade: D. José Marín, "el Serrador" - 3 Battalions Valencian Brigade: D. Joaquín Quilez - 2 Battalions Cavalry: - 580 troopers (6 squadrons)

The battle was a major defeat for the Carlist general Miguel Gómez Damas, and his forces suffered large casualties, as well as the loss of large amounts of munitions.

For his victory, Isidro de Alaix Fábregas was given the title of Viscount of Villarrobledo (Vizconde de Villarrobledo) and was awarded the Cross of Saint Ferdinand (Cruz Laureada de San Fernando).

• Outline of the First Carlist War (1833 to 1839)
  

  HISTORIC BATTLES

  First Carlist War (1833 to 1839)

  The First Carlist War was a civil war in Spain from 1833 to 1839, fought between factions over the succession to the throne and the nature of the Spanish monarchy. It was fought between supporters of the regent, Maria Christina, acting for Isabella II of Spain, and those of the late king's brother, Carlos de Borbón (or Carlos V). The Carlists supported return to an absolute monarchy. View Historic Battle »

  Basque reasons for Carlist uprising: Since the 18th century, a new emergent class had an interest in weakening the powerful Basque nobles and their influence in commerce, including that extending throughout the world with the help of the Jesuit order.

  The contenders: Another important reason for the massive mobilisation of the western Basque provinces and Navarre for the Carlist cause was the tremendous influence of the Basque clergy in the society, one that still addressed to them in their own language, Basque, unlike school and administration, institutions where Spanish had been imposed by then.

  The combatants: Both sides raised special troops during the war. The Liberal side formed the volunteer Basque units known as the Chapelgorris, while Tomás de Zumalacárregui created the special units known as aduaneros.

  War in the Northern Front: The Basque regional governments of Biscay, Álava, and Gipuzkoa followed suit by pledging obedience to Zumalacárregui.

  War in the Southern Front: In the south, the Carlist general Miguel Gómez Damas attempted to establish a strong position there for the Carlists, and he left Ronda on November 18, 1836, entering Algeciras on November 22.

  The end of war: The war effort had taken a heavy toll on Basque economy and regional public finances with a population shaken by a myriad of war related plights.

  Consequences: The financial and trading bourgeoisie burgeoned, but after Carlist war the Treasury's coffers were depleted and the army pending discharge.

• Battles of the First Carlist War (Chronology)
  

  HISTORIC BATTLES

  Battles of the First Carlist War (Chronology)

  Battle of Alsasua (April 22, 1834) - Carlist victory

  Battle of Alegría de Álava (October 27, 1834) - Carlist victory

  Battle of Venta de Echávarri (October 28, 1834) - Carlist victory

  Battle of Mendaza (December 12, 1834) - Liberal victory

  First Battle of Arquijas (December 15, 1834) - Liberal victory

  Second Battle of Arquijas (February 5, 1835) - Carlist victory

  Battle of Artaza (April 22, 1835) - Carlist victory

  Lord Eliot Convention April 27–28, 1835 - British-sponsored agreement between Carlists and Liberals regarding treatment of prisoners

  Battle of Mendigorría (July 16, 1835) - Liberal victory

  Battle of Arlabán (January 16–18, 1836) - Carlist victory

  Battle of Terapegui (April 26, 1836) - Liberal victory

  Battle of Villarrobledo (September 20, 1836) - Liberal victory

  Battle of Majaceite (November 23, 1836) - Liberal victory

  Battle of Luchana (December 24, 1836) - Liberal victory

  Battle of Oriamendi (March 16, 1837) - Carlist victory

  Battle of Huesca (March 24, 1837) - Liberal victory

  Battle of Villar de los Navarros (August 24, 1837) - Carlist victory

  Battle of Aranzueque (September 1837) - Liberal victory, end of Carlist campaign known as the Expedición Real

  Battle of Maella (October 1, 1838) - Carlist victory

  Battle of Peñacerrada (June 20–22, 1838) - Liberal victory

  Battle of Ramales (May 13, 1839) - Liberal victory

RESOURCES
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles "First Carlist War" and "Battle of Villarrobledo", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.