Nicolas Jean-de-Dieu Soult

The Battle of Gamonal opposed Soult's French vanguard to an inferior Spanish force commanded by Belveder. The Spanish, inexperienced and poorly positioned on open ground, were swept by French infantry supported by a powerful cavalry charge. The road to Burgos was opened.

Cornered against the sea after a long retreat, the British army defended the port city of La Coruña while awaiting evacuation by sea. Soult attacked on 16 January, hoping to prevent their escape. The British held firm and resisted French assaults, succeeding in embarking the majority of their troops during the night. Moore was killed in the fighting.

On 19 November 1809 at Ocaña in Spain, Marshal Soult crushed General Areizaga's Spanish army. Spaniards lost about 4,000 killed, 14,000 prisoners, and 50 guns. It was one of Spain's heaviest defeats during the War of Independence and consolidated French control of Andalusia and La Mancha.

Wellesley led a bold surprise attack on Porto, crossing the Douro with a light force before Soult could react. Caught off guard, the French marshal attempted to rally his troops, but the bridge was cut and Anglo-Portuguese forces advanced rapidly into the city. Retreat became inevitable.