Battle of Castellón

Suchet faced the Valencian army near Castellón in a decisive battle to secure the eastern flank of Spain. Though slightly inferior in numbers, the French engaged a methodical attack and broke the Spanish center. French cavalry pursued fugitives and completed the victory.

After the fall of Madrid and successes in the center of the country, French forces sought to extend control toward the Mediterranean coast. Suchet received orders to secure Valencia. La Romana's Spanish army attempted to stop him in a poorly chosen defensive position.

Suchet concentrated artillery at the center, then engaged a three-line infantry attack. Spanish flanks were outflanked, and French cavalry exploited disorganization to capture enemy guns. The discipline of French troops contrasted with Spanish panic.

The Spanish defeat at Castellón opened the way to the capture of Xàtiva and the future offensive toward Valencia. The eastern region was durably weakened, and the French threat to Murcia materialized.