# Battle of Saguntum and Siege of Valencia orders of battle

The Battle of Saguntum (25 October 1811) saw the Imperial French Army of Aragon under Marshal Louis Gabriel Suchet defend against a Spanish army led by Captain General Joaquín Blake. The Spanish attempt to raise the siege of the Sagunto Castle failed when the French, Italians, and Poles drove their troops off the battlefield in rout. The 20,000 French inflicted 6,000 casualties on their more numerous opponents, including many prisoners, while sustaining only about 1,000 casualties.
Suchet hoped to quickly seize Sagunto Castle, but the 2,600-man Spanish garrison repulsed two of his assaults with several hundred casualties. Blake hoped to force Suchet to retreat by cutting off his supplies. The guerillas inflicted two stinging defeats on the French-Allied forces, but ultimately failed to shake Suchet's resolve. Blake reluctantly ordered his army to relieve the siege, even though he was not confident in the ability of his soldiers to face Suchet's veterans. Blake heavily weighted his left wing while keeping his best troops in the weaker right wing. The Spanish left wing attacked the much weaker French right flank and was completely routed by French infantry and Italian cavalry. The Spanish right wing gave a much better account of itself, forcing Suchet to commit all his reserves before forcing it to withdraw. Eventually, the French cavalry put the whole Spanish army to rout. Their hopes of relief dashed, the garrison of Sagunto Castle quickly surrendered. The action took place during the Peninsular War, part of the Napoleonic Wars. Sagunto lies a short distance from the east coast of Spain, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Valencia, Spain.
The Siege of Valencia (3 November 1811 – 9 January 1812) saw Suchet's army envelop and besiege most of Blake's army in the city of Valencia. The 30,000 French troops compelled 16,000 Spanish soldiers to surrender at the conclusion of the siege, although another 7,000 Spaniards escaped from the trap. Suchet quickly converted Valencia into an important base of operations. Valencia, modern-day capital of the Valencian Community, is located on the east coast of Spain.
Blake army waited passively in a line of fortifications outside Valencia. Reinforced by 13,000 Franco-Italian troops, the bulk of Suchet's army marched around the Spanish left flank and rolled up Blake's lines. Another Imperial French division managed to break through the Spanish right flank. The right and left Imperial pincers closed around Valencia. Two-thirds of Blake's army retreated within the city while the remainder withdrew to the west. After an abortive attempt to break out, Blake surrendered after a two-month siege.

## Orders of Battle
### French-Allied Army

Marshal Louis Gabriel Suchet's Imperial French Army at Saguntum and Valencia :
| Division | Strength at Saguntum | Strength at Valencia | Brigade | Units | Strength at Saguntum |
| 1st Division General of Division Louis François Félix Musnier | 4,829 | 3,727 | General of Brigade Louis Benoît Robert | 114th Line Infantry Regiment, three battalions | 1,637 |
| 1st Division General of Division Louis François Félix Musnier | 4,829 | 3,727 | General of Brigade Louis Benoît Robert | 1st Legion of the Vistula, two battalions | 863 |
| 1st Division General of Division Louis François Félix Musnier | 4,829 | 3,727 | General of Brigade Florentin Ficatier Guarding line of communications (LOC) | 121st Line Infantry Regiment, three battalions | 1,200 |
| 1st Division General of Division Louis François Félix Musnier | 4,829 | 3,727 | General of Brigade Florentin Ficatier Guarding line of communications (LOC) | 2nd Legion of the Vistula, two battalions | 1,129 |
| 2nd Division General of Division Jean Isidore Harispe | 4,762 | 4,828 | General of Brigade Marie Auguste Paris | 7th Line Infantry Regiment, four battalions | 1,639 |
| 2nd Division General of Division Jean Isidore Harispe | 4,762 | 4,828 | General of Brigade Marie Auguste Paris | 116th Line Infantry Regiment, three battalions | 1,147 |
| 2nd Division General of Division Jean Isidore Harispe | 4,762 | 4,828 | General of Brigade Józef Chłopicki | 44th Line Infantry Regiment, two battalions | 1,226 |
| 2nd Division General of Division Jean Isidore Harispe | 4,762 | 4,828 | General of Brigade Józef Chłopicki | 3rd Legion of the Vistula, two battalions | 750 |
| 3rd Division General of Division Pierre-Joseph Habert | 3,459 | 3,150 | General of Brigade Louis François Élie Pelletier, Count Montmarie | 5th Line Infantry Regiment, two battalions | 802 |
| 3rd Division General of Division Pierre-Joseph Habert | 3,459 | 3,150 | General of Brigade Louis François Élie Pelletier, Count Montmarie | 16th Line Infantry Regiment, three battalions | 1,317 |
| 3rd Division General of Division Pierre-Joseph Habert | 3,459 | 3,150 | General of Brigade Nicolas Bronikowski | 117th Line Infantry Regiment, two battalions | 1,340 |
| Italian Division General of Division Giuseppe Federico Palombini Three battalions guarding LOC | 6,219 | 3,591 | General of Brigade Vertigier Saint Paul | 2nd Light Infantry Regiment, three battalions | 2,200 |
| Italian Division General of Division Giuseppe Federico Palombini Three battalions guarding LOC | 6,219 | 3,591 | General of Brigade Vertigier Saint Paul | 4th Line Infantry Regiment, three battalions | 1,660 |
| Italian Division General of Division Giuseppe Federico Palombini Three battalions guarding LOC | 6,219 | 3,591 | General of Brigade Éloi Charles Balathier | 5th Line Infantry Regiment, two battalions | 930 |
| Italian Division General of Division Giuseppe Federico Palombini Three battalions guarding LOC | 6,219 | 3,591 | General of Brigade Éloi Charles Balathier | 6th Line Infantry Regiment, three battalions | 1,429 |
| Neapolitan Division General of Division Claude Antoine Compère | 1,391 | 1,092 | unbrigaded | 1st Light Infantry Regiment, one battalion | 446 |
| Neapolitan Division General of Division Claude Antoine Compère | 1,391 | 1,092 | unbrigaded | 1st Line Infantry Regiment, one battalion | 560 |
| Neapolitan Division General of Division Claude Antoine Compère | 1,391 | 1,092 | unbrigaded | 2nd Line Infantry Regiment, one battalion | 385 |
| Cavalry General of Brigade André Joseph Boussart | 2,405 | 1,839 | unbrigaded Two squadrons (500) of 4th Hussars guarding LOC | 4th Hussar Regiment, four squadrons | 750 |
| Cavalry General of Brigade André Joseph Boussart | 2,405 | 1,839 | unbrigaded Two squadrons (500) of 4th Hussars guarding LOC | 24th Dragoon Regiment, two squadrons | 436 |
| Cavalry General of Brigade André Joseph Boussart | 2,405 | 1,839 | unbrigaded Two squadrons (500) of 4th Hussars guarding LOC | 13th Cuirassier Regiment, four squadrons | 584 |
| Cavalry General of Brigade André Joseph Boussart | 2,405 | 1,839 | unbrigaded Two squadrons (500) of 4th Hussars guarding LOC | Napoleone Dragoon Regiment | 466 |
| Cavalry General of Brigade André Joseph Boussart | 2,405 | 1,839 | unbrigaded Two squadrons (500) of 4th Hussars guarding LOC | 2nd Chasseur Regiment | 169 |
| Artillery & Engineers | 3,068 | 2,368 | General of Division Sylvain Charles Valée | Artillery | 1,805 |
| Artillery & Engineers | 3,068 | 2,368 | General of Division Joseph Rogniat | Engineers | 600 |
| Artillery & Engineers | 3,068 | 2,368 | unknown | Military Equipment, Gendarmes | 663 |
| Grand Total | 26,133 | 20,595 | – | – | 26,133 |
| Division Reille General of Division Honoré Charles Reille | – | 2,834 | General of Brigade Claude Marie Joseph Pannetier | 10th Line Infantry Regiment | – |
| Division Reille General of Division Honoré Charles Reille | – | 2,834 | General of Brigade Claude Marie Joseph Pannetier | 81st Line Infantry Regiment | – |
| Division Reille General of Division Honoré Charles Reille | – | 3,961 | General of Brigade Jean Raymond Charles Bourke | 20th Line Infantry Regiment | – |
| Division Reille General of Division Honoré Charles Reille | – | 3,961 | General of Brigade Jean Raymond Charles Bourke | 60th Line Infantry Regiment | – |
| Division Severoli General of Division Filippo Severoli | – | 4,370 | unbrigaded | 1st Light Infantry Regiment, three battalions | – |
| Division Severoli General of Division Filippo Severoli | – | 4,370 | unbrigaded | 1st Line Infantry Regiment, three battalions | – |
| Division Severoli General of Division Filippo Severoli | – | 4,370 | unbrigaded | 7th Line Infantry Regiment, two battalions | – |
| Cavalry Reille's Corps | – | 543 | unbrigaded | 9th Hussar Regiment | – |
| Cavalry Reille's Corps | – | 262 | unbrigaded | 1st Chasseur Regiment | – |
| Artillery Reille's Corps | – | 1,153 | unbrigaded | Artillery, etc. | – |
| Total Reille's Corps | – | 13,123 | – | – | – |

### Spanish Army

General Joaquín Blake's Spanish Army at Saguntum and Valencia :
| Corps | Division | Strength at Saguntum | Surrendered at Valencia | Units |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José de Lardizábal | 2,972 | 3,550 | Murcia Infantry Regiment, two battalions |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José de Lardizábal | 2,972 | 3,550 | 2nd Badajoz Infantry Regiment, two battalions |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José de Lardizábal | 2,972 | 3,550 | Campo Mayor Light Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José de Lardizábal | 2,972 | 3,550 | Tiradores de Cuenca Battalion |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón | 2,550 | 1,415 | 2nd Spanish Guards Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón | 2,550 | 1,415 | 4th Spanish Guards Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón | 2,550 | 1,415 | Walloon Guards Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón | 2,550 | 1,415 | Toledo Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón | 2,550 | 1,415 | Ciudad Rodrigo Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón | 2,550 | 1,415 | Voluntaros de la Patria Regiment, one battalion |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón | 2,550 | 1,415 | Legion Estrangera Regiment, one battalion |
| Expeditionary Corps | Division General José Pascual de Zayas y Chacón | 2,550 | 1,415 | Independent Cazadores companies |
| Expeditionary Corps | Cavalry General Loy | 294 | – | Horse Grenadier Regiment, two squadrons |
| Expeditionary Corps | Cavalry General Loy | 294 | – | Rey (King's) Regiment, one squadron |
| Expeditionary Corps | Cavalry General Loy | 294 | – | Castilla Hussar Regiment, one squadron |
| Expeditionary Corps | Artillery | 225 | – | Horse Artillery, two batteries |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General José Miranda | 3,964 | 5,750 | Valencia Infantry Regiment, three battalions |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General José Miranda | 3,964 | 5,750 | Avila Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General José Miranda | 3,964 | 5,750 | Volunteers of Castile Regiment, two battalions |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General José Miranda | 3,964 | 5,750 | Cazadores of Valencia Regiment, 2nd Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General José Obispo | 3,400 | – | Carineña Infantry Regiment, two battalions |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General José Obispo | 3,400 | – | Avila Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General José Obispo | 3,400 | – | Daroca Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General José Obispo | 3,400 | – | Volunteers of Aragon Regiment, 1st Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General José Obispo | 3,400 | – | Tiradores of Doyle Regiment, one battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General Pedro Villacampa | 3,352 | – | Princesa Infantry Regiment, two battalions |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General Pedro Villacampa | 3,352 | – | Soria Infantry Regiment, two battalions |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General Pedro Villacampa | 3,352 | – | Molina Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General Pedro Villacampa | 3,352 | – | Volunteers of Aragon Regiment, 2nd Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Division General Pedro Villacampa | 3,352 | – | Cazadores of Valencia Regiment, 1st Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Reserve General Velasco | 3,670 | 3,301 | Volunteers of Castile Regiment, 3rd Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Reserve General Velasco | 3,670 | 3,301 | Avila Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Reserve General Velasco | 3,670 | 3,301 | Don Carlos Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Reserve General Velasco | 3,670 | 3,301 | Cazadores of Valencia Regiment, 3rd Battalion |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Cavalry General San Juan | 1,721 | 895 | Alcantara Cavalry Regiment |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Cavalry General San Juan | 1,721 | 895 | Reina (Queen's) Cavalry Regiment |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Cavalry General San Juan | 1,721 | 895 | Rey (King's) Dragoon Regiment |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Cavalry General San Juan | 1,721 | 895 | Valencia Cazadores Regiment |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Cavalry General San Juan | 1,721 | 895 | Aragon Hussar Regiment |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Cavalry General San Juan | 1,721 | 895 | Españoles Hussar Regiment |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Cavalry General San Juan | 1,721 | 895 | Grenada Hussar Regiment |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Cavalry General San Juan | 1,721 | 895 | Numancia Hussar Regiment |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Cavalry General San Juan | 1,721 | 895 | Cuenca Cavalry Regiment |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Artillery | 361 | – | Horse Artillery, one battery |
| Valencian Corps 2nd Army Lieutenant General Charles O'Donnell | Artillery | 361 | – | Foot Artillery, two batteries |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Brigade General Juan Creagh | 2,218 | – | Corona Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Brigade General Juan Creagh | 2,218 | – | Alcazar Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Brigade General Juan Creagh | 2,218 | – | Tiradores of Cádiz Regiment, one battalion |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Brigade General Eugenio Palafox, Conde de Montijo | 2,410 | – | 1st Badajoz Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Brigade General Eugenio Palafox, Conde de Montijo | 2,410 | – | 1st Cuenca Infantry Regiment, one battalion |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Brigade General Eugenio Palafox, Conde de Montijo | 2,410 | – | Volunteers of Burgos Regiment, one battalion |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Brigade General Eugenio Palafox, Conde de Montijo | 2,410 | – | Sapper Battalion |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Cavalry | 826 | – | Reina (Queen's) Cavalry Regiment, two squadrons |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Cavalry | 826 | – | Pavia Cavalry Regiment, two squadrons |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Cavalry | 826 | – | Granada Cavalry Regiment, two squadrons |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Cavalry | 826 | – | Madrid Cavalry Regiment, one squadron |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Cavalry | 826 | – | Ferdinand VII Hussar Regiment, one squadron |
| Murcian Corps 3rd Army Lieutenant General Nicolás de Mahy y Romo | Artillery | 81 | – | Horse Artillery, one battery |
| Valencia Garrison | Artillery | – | 1,654 | Artillery |
| Valencia Garrison | Sappers | – | 421 | Engineers and sappers |
| Grand Totals | – | 28,044 | 16,986 | – |
| Saguntum Garrison | Brigade Colonel Luis Andriani | 2,663 | – | Savoya Infantry Regiment, 2nd and 3rd Battalions |
| Saguntum Garrison | Brigade Colonel Luis Andriani | 2,663 | – | Don Carlos Infantry Regiment, 1st and 2nd Battalions |
| Saguntum Garrison | Brigade Colonel Luis Andriani | 2,663 | – | Volunteers of Orihuela Regiment, 3rd Battalion |
| Saguntum Garrison | Brigade Colonel Luis Andriani | 2,663 | – | 150 Gunners and Sappers, 17 guns |

## Footnotes

* 1 2 Oman 1996, pp. 1–46.
* 1 2 Oman 1996, pp. 47–75.
* ↑ Oman 1996, pp. 583–585.
* ↑ Oman 1996, pp. 584–586.
* 1 2 Oman 1996, p. 13.