Spanish light infantry - early Peninsular

[fsn]

Gentlemen.

We know that in the early part of the Peninsular War (1808-1810) the Spanish had regiments of light infantry, but I can't remember ever reading about them actually doing light infantry stuff.

I don't think I've read about Spanish skirmish screens for example. Is this something that is just assumed and not specifically mentioned?   

Can anyone point me to some battle in which Spanish light infantry played a significant part in a light infantry role?

Thank you. 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Err...
No

[fsn]

Thank you for playing.

I may not be alone then. 

[kipt]

At the battle of Tamames, Oman states that on the left "...when the skirmishing lines were in contact"...  The Spanish division on the left was La Carrera's.  He had for light regiments the 1st of Catalonia, 2nd of Catalonia, Gerona and Barbastro.

On the right flank it was  Losada's division which had the 1st and 2nd of Aragon.  Here Oman says about the french attack "...and at last the regiments recoiled and descended the hill in disorder.  Losada's battalions pursued them to the foot of the slope, and the Spanish light troops in the village sallied out upon their flank..."

So yes, in my mind the Spanish light troops did act as light troops in other armies.

[fsn]

Excellent, thank you.

Regrettably that means I have to read Oman again.

[DecemDave]

Also Oman (but here taken from a reference to vol ii p425 in Yuhan Kim's work on Suchet) in the battle of Maria (June 1809):

"Spanish skirmishers engaged the French all along the line ..... inflicted heavy losses on the skirmishers of the 2e Vistule and almost broke their skirmish line".

And on Sagunto:
"the French cavalry milled about mopping up ... though they took losses from the fire of Skirmishers..."

So the Spanish clearly had skirmishers who could perform.  Maybe over-reliance on British and French sources  hides the reality? But I believe that its rare that Skirmishers in any army were a decisive factor in any given battle so short accounts just dont bother mentioning them.