Battle of Artaza

The Battle of Artaza (Acción de Artaza) was a battle that occurred on April 20–22, 1835 during the First Carlist War. Jerónimo Valdés, at the time Minister of War, arrived at the area known as Las Amescoas with 22,000 men with the intention of definitively destroying the Carlist forces.[1]

Battle of Artaza
Part of First Carlist War
The Battle of Artaza
Date 20–22 April 1835 Location Artaza (Améscoa Baja), Navarre, Spain Result Carlist victory
Belligerents
Carlists supporting Infante Carlos of Spain	Liberals (Isabelinos or Cristinos) supporting Isabella II of Spain and her regent mother Maria Christina
Commanders and leaders
Tomás de Zumalacárregui	Jerónimo Valdés
Strength
5,000	22,000

Zumalacárregui had 5,000 men, but had the advantage of knowing the terrain and practicing guerrilla tactics.[1]

Fields of Artaza in Améscoa Baja seen from Zudaire.

Valdes’ troops maneuvered up the mountains in the area. The Carlists, meanwhile, were hidden in the foliage, and were able to harass the Liberal troops day and night until the Liberals gave way.[1] The total casualties were 700 men.[1]