Juan Díaz Porlier

Juan Díaz Porlier (1788 – 1815), also known as the "Marquesito" ("the Little Marquis"), was a Spanish military commander active during the Peninsular War.

Early career In February 1802, Porlier joined the crew as a naval cadet of the 80-gun ship of the line Neptuno at La Habana. Reaching Cádiz the following May, he enrolled at the recently founded Academia de Pilotos e Intendentes de la Real Armada at San Fernando. In April 1805, as a midshipman, he sailed on the Argonauta, flagship (and sister ship of the Neptuno) of the Commander-in-Chief of the Spanish Navy, Gravina, as part of the squadron headed for Martinique.

Peninsular War (1807–1814)

In October 1808, as a lieutenant colonel, Porlier commanded the 1st Regiment of Provincial Grenadiers, belonging to General Galluzo's Army of Extremadura.

Following their rout at Gamonal,

The following May, General Mahy, interim chief of the 6th Army Corps, decided to incorporate Porlier's troops, which had now increased in number, as a division of the Army of Asturias. This army, also comprising Blake's and La Romana's divisions, was commanded by La Romana.

The new division, named División Franca o Volante de Cantabria (Free or Flying Division of Cantabria), comprised three Infantry regiments—those of Cantabria, Laredo and Castilla—, as well as the Cantabrian Battalion of Riflemen and the Hussar Regiment of Cantabria.

In February 1811, the Regency acknowledged his rank as Infantry brigadier and appointed him commander-in-chief of the Vanguard of the 7th Army, as well as officially acknowledging his division.

Battle of San Marcial (31 August 1813)

For his actions at the San Marcial, Porlier, commanding the 5th Division of the 4th Army, was promoted to field marshal. Crossing over into France, his troops saw action there until the beginning of December, when they returned to Spain and Porlier's division was garrisoned at Bilbao for the rest of the war.

Post-war career