Batalla de Ocaña (Battle of Ocaña)

The political force that was found in the proclamation of the Junta Central wasnt addressed to the military area. This will result on a defeated Spanish army at Burgos, Tudela or Espinosa de los Monteros along the year 1808. Napoleon will go to France leaving his brother in charge of the military occupation in Spain.

The altogether advancement to recover Madrid will involved the troops lead by the Duque of Alburquerque XIV (Madrid, 1775-London, United kingdom, 1811) from Extremadura, but without the English support. Meanwhile, Juan Carlos de Areizaga (Hondarribia, Gipuzkoa, 1756-Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, 1820) starts going up from La Carolina and, Manuel Freire (Carmona, Seville, 1767-Madrid, 1835) loses a great part of his man at La Cuesta del Madero. Due to the occurring events, Areizaga makes a mistake when stopping on his advancement, giving a break to the French troops who will resettle near the Villa de Ocaña (Toledo).

The Battle, financed with money coming from America, was held on November 16, 1809 and evidences the lack of synchrony between the different Spanish leaders. The Spanish troops are defeated and Andalusia opens up to the French. The king Joseph I, fearful about Napoleon´s return, who wanted to lead the army, start on January 8 the occupation of Andújar in Jaén, Córdoba and Granada.

The Junta Central abandoned Seville the night of January 23 heading León Island in Cadiz. A week after, will resign in favor of the Regency Council. A few days later begins the Cadiz besiege, the only Peninsular territory in the hands of Ferdinand VII´s loyals creating great protests in America that neither want to fall under the hands of Napoleon.