Claude-Victor Perrin

After the surprise at Valmaseda, Victor pursued Blake and caught him at Espinosa. On 10 November the Spanish resisted the first attacks, but the next day Victor concentrated his forces, broke the Spanish center, and dispersed the army. It was a complete victory that temporarily eliminated the threat in the north.

On 28 March 1809 at Medellín in Extremadura, Marshal Victor crushed General Cuesta's Spanish army in one of the bloodiest routs of the Peninsular War. Spaniards lost about 8,000 killed and wounded, 2,000 prisoners, and 9 guns; thousands drowned trying to cross the Guadiana in flight.

French forces of Joseph Bonaparte and Marshal Victor attacked entrenched Anglo-Spanish positions around Talavera. The battle was bloody and fierce, with repeated assaults against heights held by Wellington's troops. After two days of fighting, the French failed to break British lines. However, the allies could not exploit their victory due to fatigue, losses, and the arrival of a new French army in their rear.

Victor attacked Spanish forces entrenched near the monastery of Uclès. The well-coordinated assault broke the enemy line, and French cavalry exploited the breakthrough to encircle fugitives. Rout was complete, and Venegas narrowly escaped capture.