A skirmish in the Peninsular War where Craufurd defied Wellington's orders, narrowly escaping destruction before the French besieged Almeida.
Key Facts
- Date
- July 24, 1810
- British-Portuguese force
- 4,200 infantry, 1,100 cavalry, 6 guns
- French force present
- 20,000 troops under Marshal Ney
- French troops engaged
- approx. 5,000 (quarter of force)
- French army total
- 65,000 men under Marshal Masséna
- Strategic context
- Precursor to French third invasion of Portugal
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Marshal Masséna's French army of 65,000 men advanced toward Portugal for a third invasion. Their immediate objective was to drive the British-Portuguese Light Division back across the Côa River in order to isolate and besiege the fortress town of Almeida, a key defensive position guarding the Portuguese frontier.
On July 24, 1810, Brigadier-General Craufurd's Light Division of roughly 5,300 troops was confronted by 20,000 French soldiers under Marshal Ney near the Côa River. Despite Wellington's orders to withdraw across the river, Craufurd engaged the enemy. Ney committed about a quarter of his force, pressing the Light Division hard and eventually forcing it back across the Côa after fierce fighting.
Ney successfully pushed the Light Division across the Côa but then ordered a costly assault over the river that failed with heavy French casualties. Craufurd's force narrowly avoided destruction and continued its retreat. The engagement cleared the way for the French to proceed with the siege of Almeida, advancing Masséna's third invasion of Portugal.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Brigadier-General Robert Craufurd, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
Side B
1 belligerent
Marshal Michel Ney, Marshal André Masséna.