Battle of Mendaza (1834)

The Battle of Mendaza was an early battle of the First Carlist War, occurring on December 12, 1834 at Mendaza, Navarre.

The Carlists had enjoyed a victory in the Battle of Venta de Echavarri in October and also the fruits of a raid on Navarre, in which Tomás de Zumalacárregui would station himself at La Berrueza with a number of supplies, clothes, money, and new troops. The morale of the Carlists was very high, and they decided to fight the Liberal troops in a formal battle (rather than with guerrilla tactics). This would happen on December 14, 1834, at the Battle of Mendaza.

Tomás de Zumalacárregui concentrated his forces at the bottom of the valley of La Berrueza between Mendaza and Asarta.

Luis Fernández de Córdova’s forces were stationed outside of this valley, at Los Arcos.

Zumalacárregui attempted to follow a plan of battle similar to that enacted by Hannibal at Cannae: he would allow enemy forces to drive themselves into a large arc — whereupon the Carlist infantry, positioned on the flanks in the forests of Holm oaks on the mountain of Dos Hermanas, would encircle the main body of Liberal infantry and destroy it.

However, the Liberal leader of the vanguard, Marcelino Oráa, himself a Navarrese and familiar with the terrain, recognized the potential trap and instead marched towards Mendaza rather than through the valley itself. The Carlists, surprised by this maneuver and inexperienced on the field of battle, were thrown back and retreated, taking refuge in the mountains.

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

HISTORY

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.