Brihuega, battle of

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Brihuega, battle of, 1710. Under pressure from a revitalized Franco-Spanish army of 12,000 troops under the command of the duc de Vendôme, an English force of 4,000 men commanded by Lord Stanhope was forced to retreat from Madrid into Catalonia. Caught at Brihuega on 9 December, Stanhope's troops stood firm until their powder ran out, after which they organized a bayonet charge against the superior enemy surrounding them. Reduced to less than 500 men, Stanhope had no choice but to surrender. The victory cost the French and Spanish about 1,500 casualties.

John Pimlott

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