Ventura Caro Spanish General Country: Spain

1. Early Life and Military Beginnings
2. Rising Ranks and Success in the Anglo-Spanish War
3. Service in the Napoleonic Wars
4. Defense and Resignation during the Napoleonic Wars
5. Later Years and Legacy

Early Life and Military Beginnings

Ventura Caro was born in Valencia in 1742, the third son of Jose Caro y Rosa, the Marquis of Romana. In 1775, he embarked on an expedition against Algerian pirates led by Irish-Spanish General Alejandro O'Reilly, where he distinguished himself as a brave soldier. During the campaign, his older brother, Pedro, was killed by the Algerians, leading Caro to accuse O'Reilly of incompetent leadership.

Rising Ranks and Success in the Anglo-Spanish War

Through the patronage of Count Floridablanca, Caro rapidly advanced in his military career and soon became a colonel of dragoons stationed in Alicante. During the American Revolutionary War, France and Spain supported the American colonies, leading to a conflict with Great Britain, which held the island of Menorca since 1713. In 1781, a joint Franco-Spanish force invaded the island, and Caro, thanks to Floridablanca's influence, was among those who participated in the siege of Fort San Felipe. His military prowess and resourceful nature were noted in military reports. Caro accepted the surrender of the British garrison and served briefly as the island's military governor before being transferred with his dragoons to the Gibraltar front, where he was promoted to brigadier general in late 1782.

Service in the Napoleonic Wars

In 1789, Caro became a lieutenant general and was later appointed Captain-General of Galicia. In 1785, he worked on a boundary commission between France and Spain, which concluded with the Treaty of Borders in 1786.

In 1793, the French National Convention declared war on Spain, and Caro was assigned command of Spanish forces in Navarre. Initially, the Spanish army enjoyed success under his leadership, pushing across the French border, capturing the town of Hendaye, and repelling the French at Croix-de-Bouquet. However, illness prevented Caro from maintaining his momentum, and his forces halted their advance at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

Defense and Resignation during the Napoleonic Wars

Despite his recovery, Caro was left with insufficient forces to mount a significant counter-offensive against the French, who under General Muller recaptured lost territory. Although Caro managed victories at Biariatu, Sate, and Chateau-Pignon, the Spanish suffered a significant defeat at Urupi in October 1793. Muller launched a major offensive, crushing the Spanish at Bastan Valley, resulting in the loss of 500 men. Caro's proposed defense plan for the Pyrenees was rejected in Madrid, and he resigned from his command, citing health reasons.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1800, Caro replaced General Luis de las Casas as Captain-General of Valencia and Murcia. In 1802, he was promoted to Captain-General. During the Peninsular War in 1808, he organized a militia force in Valencia that successfully repelled invading French troops under Marshal Moncey. Caro died the following year, in 1809, at the age of 69. A street in Valencia bears his name, and his nephew, Pedro Romana, became another renowned Spanish general.