Battle of Mayals

Carnicer set up his forces at the peak of the hills immediately adjacent to the town: Cabrera leading the vanguard, Miralles the left flank supported by cavalry, and Quílez on the right. Carratalá organized his troops to match this formation.^[1]

The Liberal troops opened fire, led by the urban militias of Porrera, Falcet, and Flix as well as the snipers from Tortosa. The Carlists responded and firing broke out throughout the field. Carratalá then reinforced his frontline, while Carnicer was unable to do so and so his line folded towards the center. Breton followed with a cavalry charge on the Carlist right flank, which the cavalry supporting Quílez was unable to repeal. Subsequently, the Carlist cavalry dispersed and their right flank broke. Carnicer himself attempted to fight off the Liberal cavalry with his rifle butt to no avail as the collapse of his forces' right flank had already sealed his defeat.^[1]

While the deaths in the battle were significant, the most important loss for the Carlists was further spread of the insurrection in Catalonia. The historian Antonio Pirala—who obtained access to confidential Carlist correspondence—believes that "over 20,000 men would have declared themselves for Carlos if Carnicer had triumphed in Mayals".^[1] His forces at the after the battle numbered approximately 100, and with those he marched towards the Maestrazgo.^[4]