Napoleonic Wars Flashcards
Rolica and Vimeiro 17 August 1808
Wellesley took down 5000 French troops at Rolica. Wellesley then marched south, and landed in Vimeiro. He was reinforced by 4000 troops landing at Madeira. Junot attacked Wellesley with 14000 men. Wellesley won using high ground
British Victory: 2000 French casualties, 720 British casualties
Convention of Cintra 30 August 1808
24,000 French soldiers that were stranded in Portugal were transported home by British ships. This was an outrage to the British public, and Dalrymple and Burrard were seen as jokes. Wellesley was exempt from this, as he was ‘highly successful and honourable’.
Battle of Corunna December 1808 - January 1809
John Moore took control of the British forces in Portugal. Moore was pushed back by Napoleon into Corunna. The British army supplies came on the 15th (4 days late) and Moore was forced to fight outside Corunna.
Moore died. French victory, both British and French lost 900 men in the battle. 7000 British died during retreat.
Oporto 12 May 1809
Wellesley ferried men across the river Douro using wine barges to attack Soult. They took the seminary building, and pushed the French back. Soult retreated back into Spain.
Decisive British Victory, Soult retreated, 4000+ French casualties, 200 British Casualties.
Talavera July 27-28 1809
This was when Cuesta and the Spanish were very bad, despite them being 34000 strong. The armies engaged at Talavera on the 27 July. 2000 Spanish ran away as they were frightened by the noise of their own guns. British troops extended north of Talavera. Victor launched a night attack, which was driven back by General Rowland Hill. Victor launched a massive assault on 28 July, but Wellesley defended successfully for the day. This forced the French to retreat.
British Victory, French Retreat. 7300 French casualties, and 5400 British casualties.
What day did Wellesley become the duke of Wellington?
August 26 1809.
Cuidad Rodrigo July 10 1810
French forces besieged Cuidad Rodrigo in May. The town held out until 10 July, but ultimately they could not deal with Messina.
Almeida August 28 1810
A French shot blew up Almeida’s gunpowder magazine, which forced the Portuguese garrison to surrender on 28th August, just before autumn.
Bucaco September 27 1810
Wellington took up a position with 51000 men on Bucaco ridge, aiming to block the main road passing below it. The French attempted to attack but failed.
British victory, French retreat. 4600 French casualties, 1252 British casualties.
Fuentes de Onoro
May 3-5 1811
Massena attacked on 3 May, but the allies repelled this attack. 5 May, Massena attacked again, but allied troops held the village. Massena was forced to retreat.
British Victory, French retreat, 2844 French casualties, 1800 British casualties.
Albuera 16 May 1811
May 16 1811 - Albuera
Beresford met Soult met at Albuera on 16 May. Soult outmanoeuvred Beresford, but at a critical moment 3700 allied troops held back Soult’s 7800 infantry. A British advance after an hour of close range fighting, finally broke through French resistance, and Soult was forced to withdraw.
Bloody British victory, French retreat. 7900 French casualties, 5936 British casualties.
Cuidad Rodrigo 19-20 January 1812
On the night of January 19, Wellington’s men stormed the town, capturing it in two hours. They went on a rampage.
Easy British victory, 2000 French soldiers taken prisoner, 500 French casualties, 500 British casualties.
Badajoz 6 April 1812
Wellington, with 60000 men, reached the fortress in mid-March. 6 April, the walls of the town were breached in 3 places, and Wellington ordered that they charge in. Badajoz had to be taken quickly due to external matters elsewhere. For 2 days, the British army rampaged which caused serious issues, but Wellington finally got them under control.
British victory, 1500 French casualties, 4800 British casualties.
Salamanca 22 July 1812
Wellington marched towards Salamanca with 48500 men in mid June. On July 22, Wellington struck at Marmont’s overextended army. The attack was led by British cavalry.
British Victory, French retreat. 14000 French casualties, 5214 Allied casualties
Vitoria 21 June 1813
Wellington’s 80000 strong army advanced 300 miles in less than 30 days. French forces retreated out of sheer confusion. On 21 June, Wellington attacked Joseph Bonaparte’s 66000 strong army at Vitoria. The assault went well. JoBo was forced to abandon 3000 convoy wagons, carriages and carts, and all but two of his 153 guns.
British Victory, French retreat. 8000 French casualties, 5158 allied casualties.
