Nine days after smashing the Southern arm of the Spanish pincer movement [see Ocana] Soult's corps came upon the Northern arm. The Spanish were split in their crossing of the bridge over the river Tormes at Alba. The French cavalry attacked vigorously and the Spaniards were overwhelmed suffering 3,000 casualties to the French loss of 480. Ney's Vl Corps came up late in the day but were not engaged.

A small fortified town with a bridge over the river Tormes Western Spain about 13 miles south east of Salamanca. (Spain)

After this battle only one Spanish army, a corps of 10,000 men at Almaraz, was left intact. This battle along with Ocaña helped to convince Wellington that he should withdraw the British army from Spain and winter in Portugal.

French Peninsular Army [Soult's Corps]

Number engaged :

3,000

Casualties :

480 (16.00%)

Spanish Army

Number engaged :

22,800

Casualties :

3,000 (13.16%)