Francisco Taranco y Llano

Francisco Taranco y Llano (date of birth unknown – January

Following his participation in the War of the Oranges, in which French and Spanish forces invaded Portugal, Taranco was appointed Captain-General of Galicia (around 1802).

With the signing of the Treaty of Fontainebleau (October 1807), under the terms of which France and Spain would divide Portugal into three regions, Taranco was sent to assist the French General Junot by invading the province of Entre-Douro-e-Minho and establishing his headquarters at Porto. However, the order of battle of Junot's Army of Portugal for November 1807, referred to Taranco's infantry division as being made up of some 6,500 men and 12 cannon.

Entering Portugal from Galicia, on 10 December 1807, Taranco crossed the Minho to occupy the territory between the Minho and the Duero and, after leaving a battalion to garrison the fortress or March. His command in Portugal was given to General Domingo Ballesta and his Captaincy-General in Galicia was given to Francisco de Biedma y Zayas.