Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

[Lt. Campers]

Napoleon's invasion of Portugal begins with the fall of Vigo

As regulars to Back to the Peninisular Wars are aware. the French led by Marshall
Soult, entered Corunna just as the last of the british troops embarked on their
royal navy transports for England.

Fortunately Portugal's been secure throughout the crisis thanks to the
steadfastness of the Portuguese army backed up by the garrison of 10,000
british troops left behind by Moore, in Lisbon.
With General Sir Arthur Wellesley still absent in England but exonerated from
all blame in the Convention of Cintra enquiry, hes yet to be recalled to
the spanish peninisular.
In the meantime the french, under Marshall Soult asserts his control over the
spanish province of Galicia, following the surrender of Corunna by the
Spanish garrison on the 19th Jan. Soult moved onto the spanish naval
base of Ferrol, drawing up his army before the spanish naval fortress
on the 25th Jan. Fortunately for Soult the governor of Ferrol, Admiral
Melgarejo was unwilling to fight and surrendered to the french the
following day.

Spanish troops, based in Ferrol show their anger over the recent
surrender as the French Marshall rides by

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Upon entering the spanish naval port, Soult receives orders from
Napoleon to commence his plans for the invasion of Portugal by
marching on Oporto, nearly 190 miles away.
In order for Soult to do this, another french army commanded by Marshall
Ney would march into northern spain to complete the occupation of
Galicia; while a third french army under Marshall Victor would invade
Portugal from Badajoz. Napoleon's objective being Lisbon, which he
hoped the two armies of Soult and Victor would be able to take within
a month.

Spanish journal Lavoz de Galicia reports on the final evacuation of
3500 british troops from the small Galician port of Vigo as Soult
consolidates his forces in Galicia

Lavoz de Galicia report

The French invasion of Portugal - 1809

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Marshall Soult's troops march south to Portugal, siezing the spanish
port of Vigo

Therefore Soult sends his cavalry forward to cover his advance,
comprised of Franceschias light horse and Lahoussayeas dragoons they
enter the city port of vigo on 31st January without a fight.
The fall of Vigo has caused much consternation in the spanish press as
witnessed by this report in La Voz de Galicia:

Lavoz de Galicia report

Fortunatlely a few tourists to Vigo were able to smuggle out these pictures of the
French army taking Vigo.

French cavalry officer reading Soult's proclamation to the citizens of Vigo

..

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

French imperial troops marching through the streets of Vigo

..

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Heres the Mayor of Vigo addressing the people of Vigo - at
gunpoint - from the balcony of the city Hotel, to offer no resistance to
the french  

..

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Many townspeople astonished by the actions of the french, raise their
arms in protest

..

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Soult's troops clash with many protestors as the french try to restore
order in the Plaza of the town square

..

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

..

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

..

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

The french managed to foil an attempt to rescue the Mayor from the
back of the Hotel

..

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

The Spanish journal Da Galacia Xornal - carries the following headline:
XORNAL.COM I . The January 31, 1809, Napoleonic troops entered Vigo demanding
the surrender of the square, though the Patriots did not want to bend,
eventually they signed an honourable surrender.

Lavoz de Galicia report

Spanish newspaper Faro de Vigo with news of the surrender on 31st January

Faro de Vigo report

Spanish newspaper Faro de Vigo  - with details of the capitulation to
the French

Faro de Vigo report

Outrages commited by French troops following the surrender are reported
in the local press

Faro de Vigo report

[Lt. Campers]

Soult encounters stiff opposition on the Portuguese border

After establishing a garrison at Vigo, Soult continues his advance on Portugal
where soon encounters the border marked by the formidable River
Minho, where his progress is blocked by the Portuguese fortress of Valenza,
covering the coastal road ferry crossing at Tuy ( incorrectly marked Fuy
on my image map )
Desperate to save time, in order to keep to Napoleon's timetable for the
invasion of Portugal. Soult heads downstream towards the coast and the
village of Campo Saucos where his men had gathered enough fishing
boats to carry 300 troops ( at a time ) across the Minho.
Here Soult's plans come unstuck as, thanks to the winter rains the Minho
was in full flood therefore his first attempt to ferry his troops across on
the 16th February, ends in failure.
Therefore he abandons the coastal option and heads inland, hoping to
cross the Minho at the bridge of Orense, fifty miles upstream which just
happens to put him on a collision course with the Marquis of La Romana
and his 9,000 men of the Spanish division; who were busy formenting a
general uprising in Galicia, encouraging the guerrillas to attack Soult's
flank and rear as it moved east.
Being ambushed from all corners the French army had to leave their
heavy baggage at Tuy in order to maintain progress and by the 20th
February reached the bridge of Orense, near Barbantes.

Clickable map of the Iberian Peninsular during the Napoleonic Wars,
where you can zoom in on the Portuguese border

Map of the Spanish Peninsular, 1809

French officer leading a french infantry column towards Orense

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Spanish troops, aided by militia and partisans ambush the french

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Spanish newspaper carries eyewitness accounts of the French engaged
in looting in Galacia

The residents of Vigo, as in many other towns in Galicia, were forced to
provide supplies to the French army, which led to clashes between
the people and many french troops.

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Faro de Vigo report

The Galician daily journal La Voz de Galicia, reports on life in Vigo following the french
occupation and Soult's preperations to continue his march on Portugal

La Voz de Galicia report

Soult's army forms up to march on Portugal as local dignatories meet
secretly to organise their resistance to the french

Faro de Vigo report

Soult's troops reach the village of La Guardia, as the local population
make plans to resist the french

Faro de Vigo report

Spanish journal Faro de Vigo - reports that fewer french troops are
guarding the Plaza de Vigo, as Soult moves onto Portugal

Faro de Vigo report

French and Spanish preperations in Vigo

Meanwhile back in Vigo, the French are busy garrisoning the town as
they prepare for the arrival of Napoleon's descendant. Naturally
with the war moving south, spanish merchants and traders return
to the markets of Vigo to stage a Napoleonic fair.

You can read all about it at:

Reconquista de Vigo news

[Lt. Campers]

French take Orense

As you know Marshall Soult has been leading his french troops upstream
along the River Minho in order to secure a bridge over the Minho.
Today spanish reporters have released news of the french taking
Orense and securing the all important bridge over the Minho.
Apparently Orense was left undefended by the spanish as the Marquis
de la Romana as he concentrated his forces at Monteray and
the Portuguese border town of Chaves.
Where the Portuguse army led by General Silveira, hope to meet the french.

French cavalry approaching Orense to secure the river crossing over
the Minho

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Spanish journal Faro de Vigo headline - French troops conquer Orense

Faro de Vigo report

Saturday 21st February - the French rest at Orense, while the former
mayor of Vigo gathers arms amd ammunition to continue the
harrasment of the french - more reports from Faro de Vigo:

Faro de Vigo report

[Lt. Campers]

French cavalry take Allariz as Soult tries diplomacy to end
the resistance

French cavalry under the command of General Franceschi advance to
Allariz as part of Soult's plans to secure the Portuguese border. Meanwhile
spanish reporters interview spanish and portuguese peasents who were
involved in the fight, to frustrate french attempts to cross the borderline
at the mouth of the Minho, a couple of days ago.

War of the boats on the banks of the Minho:

Faro de Vigo report

[Lt. Campers]

Lieutenant Sharpe and the second invasion of Portugal

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

As usual, please click and minimise the following when reading this post:
 
Theme tune

With expats eagerly awaiting further news on the second invasion of Portugal.
I might as well take advantage of the lull in fighting, to make you aware
of a really good book in the Sharpe trillogy that nicely follows events,
currently taking place along the Portuguese border.

Its called Sharpes Havoc and heres a summary of the action:

Its 1809 and following the evacuation of British troops at Corunna. The
British army have only a tenuous hold on this part of Portugal and the
French are advancing. Sharpe and his squad of riflemen ( along with Sergeant
Patrick Harper ) are in Oporto on banks of the River Douro in northern
Portugal, trying to rescue the daughter of a British wine merchant's widow;
a headstrong girl by the name of Katherine Savage.
In the midst of all this the French attack Oporto and the city falls, leaving Sharpe
stranded behind enemy lines with only his riflemen and an odd band of Portuguese
irregulars led by a Lieutenant Vicente.
Together they continue their search for Kate Savage who they finally
track down to a nearby country estate.

Sharpes Havoc book

[Lt. Campers]

British naval operations against the French 1809

While Soult consolidates his position at Ourense before marching on Portugal.
He receives numerous reports of raids and other attacks on his supply and
communications line in Galicia. Having already been forced to leave garrisons
at Vigo and Tuy as the insurgency grows behind him. He also finds the partisans
have been assisted in guns and supplies by the British royal navy, cruising
off the Portuguese coast.
On 24 February Admiral Berkeley in Lisbon, received reports from observers in
Viana, Caminha, and Oporto detailing the uprising and requesting British
help. Berkeley ordered Captain James Crawford's Venus (36 guns) to
depart Lisbon on 1st March.  The captains of the warships already on the
coast had already received Berkeley's instructions to cooperate and
act in concert with the insurgents whenever possible.

British warship bombarding french boats in Marin harbour

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

During the first two weeks of March the crews of several British ships landed muskets,
powder and other stores for Spanish forces in Marín, Pontevedra, Santiago and
Villagarcia.  On the 9th a detachment of French entered Marín but was driven off
by the fire of the Lively and the Plover. A body of Spaniards pursued the enemy and
captured two officers, whom they gave up to Captain George McKinley of the Lively.
McKinley left the brig at Marín and sailed for Villagarcia on 11 March.

Latest newspaper report on the Spanish insurrection in Galicia

The spanish journal Faro de Vigo reports that Soult's garrisons at Vigo
and Tuy are finding themselves increasingly isolated as the Galician
uprising or alzamiento becomes more widespread and violent. With Marshall
Ney's 6th Corps also getting caught up by the spanish insurrection in
Galicia. Progress is slow for both armies.

Faro de Vigo report

Soult's troops have been taking advantage of some of the women of
Vigo, much to the anger of local residents

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

More news from Faro de Vigo concerning clashes with the french
on 7th March

Spainiard's hide all their food and supplies from the french occupiers as cavalry patrols
searching for forage come under attack from partisans. Also reports say, Soult's cavalry
clashed with the Marquis de la Romana's rearguard at Trepa near Osona.

Faro de Vigo report

French dragoons clash with the Marquis de la Romana's rearguard

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

[Lt. Campers]

Spanish insurgents attack a french patrol in Vigo over the weekend

Soult's garrison at the spanish port of Vigo, comes under increasing attacks
from spanish partisan's who have been inciting the citizen's of Vigo to
resist and rise up against the french garrison.
Saturday saw clashes between spanish partisans and french dragoons
when the insurgents ambushed a cavalry patrol making its way through
the maritime station area of Vigo.

French dragoon draws his sabre against a spanish partisan attacking
a patrol in Vigo on saturday 7th March

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

The French commander of the garrison immediatelely called out the guard
as troops marched through the narrow streets of step Principe, Columbus
Montero Rios; to crush the insurgents. The battle was short as
the partisan's, seeing the game was up, disappeared down the many
narrow lanes and side streets. Any that were unfortunate to be caught by
the french being shot out of hand, by the infuriated french.
Yesterday's action also included events leading upto the final surrender of
the French garrison. Which jumps ahead of where we are 200 years ago.

Spanish newspaper report on the weekend attack in Vigo

Faro de Vigo report

French battalion marching past C&A in Vigo

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Spanish newspaper report on the weekend attack in Vigo

Faro de Vigo report

French move forward after firing a volley against the spanish

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

[Lt. Campers]

Napoleon arrives in Vigo as the French invade Portugal

Napoleon arrives in Vigo to chair a conference on the conflict

Following last weekend's revolt against the French, thats caused so much
alarm before being crushed by Soult's garrison.
Today saw the arrival of Prince Charles Napoleon and his entourage for a
two day conference on the conflict, thats already gripped northern Spain
and is spreading to Portugal; as Soult's troops defeat General Silveira's
portuguese troops defending the border town of Chaves yesterday.

Faro De Vigo on Napoleon's visit to Vigo

Faro de Vigo report

The President of Portugal will be leading out his troops against the
French

Jornal de Noticias article - President of Portugal invited to defy the
French

Faro de Vigo report

Meanwhile portuguese troops are gathering at the town of Amarante
where numerous camps have been established in preperation for
the arrival of the french; from where they are later joined by General
Francisco Silveira, falling back after his defeat at Chaves.
The Generals troops are a mix bag of militia, regulars and Ordenanza
who although powerless to stop Soult's army reaching Oporto, are
determined to threaten his rear by breaking off all communications with
Spain.
This Silveira accomplishes by destroying every bridge along the Tamega
river leaving only the Amarante bridge left standing. Over the coming months
this will be the centre of conflict, as the french try to hold onto their position
in Portugal.

Soult's objective - Armarante bridge the vital river crossing on the
River Tamega

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

[Lt. Campers]

Press reports on the Napoleonic conference in Vigo

The conference dwells on the scale of the Galician revolt against the
french invaders while a Portuguese Lientenant Colonel asserts his
country not only held out against the invader, threatening his line of
communications. But that de Silveira also sent a 1000 troops into
Galicia to liberate Vigo, following the recapture of the border town
of Tuy from the french.

Friday's newspaper report:

Faro de Vigo report

Saturday's newspaper report:

Faro de Vigo report

Lieutenant Colonel Nuno Barrento - talking about Portuguese aid to the
Spanish resistance

Atlentico news report

[Lt. Campers]

Portuguese preperations to stop the French at Amarante

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

As expats are aware from my 12th March update - Portuguese plans to
put a halt to the french invasion are well advanced with the bishop of
Oporto making ready his defences for the city while at Amarante, Brigadier
General Silveira has been busy concentrating his troops while the Ordenanza
have been enthusiastically blowing up bridges across the river Tamega.

Portuguese regulars waiting to face the french

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Aside from the regulars serving under General Silveira, the other forces
opposing the french are principally composed of the Ordenanza, a
levy of every able bodied man in times of crisis. Being patriotic and enthusiastic,
they are also chaotic and undisciplined, prone to murdering their officers
if they consider them too timid or cowardly by their actions. Unfortunately
many of them are also ill equiped, so that out of a force of 23,000 men ( that
tried to oppose Soult at the battle of Braga on 17th March ) only 5000
had guns while the rest were armed with pikes, pitchforks and other
improvised weapons.

Yet another town falls to the French as Soult introduces the local town council
to his officers and men

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Spanish insurgents blockade of Vigo

Meanwhile problems are building up for Soult in Spain, as his garrison back in Vigo is subjected
to a long blockade by the spanish insurgents.
Today's report from Faro de Vigo:

Faro de Vigo report

[Lt. Campers]

Soult's troops approach Oporto

Following Soult's victory over the Ordenanza at Braga on the 20th, french
troops are currently approaching the final river crossing before reaching
their main objective, the port of Oporto in nothern Portugal.

Portuguese troops on their way to meet the french, marching through
Oporto

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

The ford at Barca de Trofa where the Portuguese Ordenanza held up
Soult's troops, forcing him to look upstream for another crossing

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Portuguese forces supplemented by further detachments of Ordenanza
have been busy setting up strong positions, covering the two main roads
over the River Ave and onto Oporto at the Ponte de Ave and Barca de Trofa,
close to the sea.
Therefore in order to familiarise ourselves with the terrain, its best to roll out
the 1809 campaign map to check the current strategic situation as it unfolds,
in more detail.
Although the map refers to later military movements - we can at least get
a picture of whats taking place on the ground.

Campaign map of Northern Portugal, 1809

The French under Soult have invaded Portugal by taking the town of
Chaves before marching onto Pontenova and more or less following the
red line to Braga and down to the River Ave, as mentioned before the
Portuguese have more or less covered the two river crossings.
If Soult were to engage these troops, he can only expect heavy casulties
trying to force the river crossing along the coastal roads.
Therefore he despatches several cavalry patrols to reconnoitre the
upper reaches of the Ave, in order to turn the Portuguese line. Soon he
finds a couple of likely looking bridges at Guimarean and Lagoncinha, therefore
he makes his dispositions accordingly.

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Meanwhile the arrival of the french in the Douro valley, has given rise
to much curiosity amoungst the people and in particular the schools of
the town of Arcos de Valdevez, where they have noted a french detachment
commanded by a Captain Louis Moreau, patrolling the area.

School report on French troop movements around Arcos de Valdevez

French troop movements in school report

Portuguese account of the struggle at Barca de Trofa, that forced Soult to
look for another crossing point

Portuguese account of the struggle

[Lt. Campers]

The people of Vigo suffer starvation as the blockade continues

Spanish news report on the insurgents blockade of Vigo hurting both
the french garrison and the townspeople of Vigo.

Faro de Vigo reports on spanish hardship during the blockade

[Lt. Campers]

Oporto falls to the French - as Vigo surrenders to the Spanish

Last weekend saw Soult's french troops finally storm the city of Oporto after
an heroic defence by the Portuguese but despite the efforts of the Bishop
of Oporto's garrison and the many redoubts and other defence works,
thrown up as the french approached, they proved no match.

News of last weekends confrontation

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

The Portuguese defenders ( numbering 30,000 men of which only 5,000
are regulars ) were outclassed by Soult's veterans who stormed the city
with ease, causing panic, havoc and mayhem in their wake.

French infantry taking up their positions ready for battle

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

French artillery opens fire

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Portuguese bugler sounds reveille - note the old flag of Portugal

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Portuguese officer emerges from the redoubt

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Portuguese cannon returning fire

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Smoke obscures the battlefield as the Portuguese await the french

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Portuguese infantry open fire on the french

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

The french push the Portuguese back into Oporto, here a Portuguese
platoon open fire on french troops that have taken the city wall

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Such was the alarm that many of its citizens attempted to escape across
the river Douro by the bridge of boats which was woefully inadequate
to cope with the sudden rush of refugees and was thus the scene of
the greatest tragedy of the invasion, as thousands of people drowned
when the cables finally broke under the strain.

Government officials and many high dignatories in Oporto, attend a
commemoration parade and service for the victims of the Doura
bridge trajedy. RTP TV report

http://tv1.rtp.pt/noticias/?t=Cavaco-assinala-200-anos-das-invasoes-francesas-no-Porto.rtp&headline=20&visual=9&tm=8&article=211015

What's left of the Portuguese army defending Oporto has fallen back to
the southern side of the river Douro and then south to Coimbra while
Brigadier General Silveira is busy trying to cut off Soult's lines of
communication with spain at Amarante.
The Portuguese intend to isolate Soult's army in Oporto, as Marshall
Victor has ( so far ) failed to fall in with Napoleon's plans of invading the
country from Badajoz and Ney is facing mounting resistance in Galicia.

The battle for Oporto, 1809

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Porto


The fall of Vigo

British frigates have been harrassing the French fort at Vigo

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

In fact the fall of Oporto coincides with a reversal of French fortunes
in Spain where the French garrison of Vigo ( vital in maintaining Soult?s
links with Marshall Ney in Galicia ) falls to the spanish insurgents.
As expats are aware the spanish have been blockading the French garrison
in Vigo where their efforts have been helped by the presence of british
warships, Lively and Venus who provided arms to the insurgents
and more recently have been intimidating the French garrison by
bombarding the old fort occupied by the governor and his garrison.
Over the weekend matters came to a head as the spanish insugents called
upon the French governor to surrender. The French after being attacked
and harassed for over a month by raids and ambushes, feared giving
into the insurgents lest they be tortured and put to death.

Typical confrontation between the french and the people of Vigo

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Therefore the governor insists on the spanish producing an officer of
equal rank to negociate their surrender. Here the british naval captains
come forward to act as mediators. The spanish officer conducting the
siege Captain Pablo Morillo promotes himself to Coronel to commence
talks aboard one of the British naval ships.
On the 27th March the French governer Challot finally agrees to surrender
the garrison but not before the angry mob of partisans and spanish miltia
take matters into their own hands and attempt to storm the Gamboa gate
of the french garrison at 8:30 pm.
Rather than submit to being taken prisoner by the spanish, the british
agree for the men of Challots garrison to be evacuated from spain by
the royal navy.


Spanish partisans with battering ram ready to smash the gate down

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Another partisan uses an axe to break the gate down

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

French troops confront their antagonists at the gate

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Shortly before 10pm Captain Pablo Morillo arrives on the scene and tries
to contain the assualt because the french have already agreed to
surrender. Following which the partisans take heed and the battle ceases.

On the morning of the 28th March the French march out of the fort and the
46 officers and 1213 french soldiers are taken aboard the british ships
ready for evacuation.

The french governor and his men being escorted from Vigo by Spanish
troops down to the quayside, ready for their embarkation

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Governor Challot and his men board the british schooner that will take
them into captivity in England

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

The Spanish jeer at the departing french troops, who are allowed to
retain their colours amid scenes reminiscent of the departure of french
troops from Lisbon only last year

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

[Lt. Campers]

The Eagle has landed - French POW camp in England


Norman Cross - Napoleonic POW Camp, near Peterborough

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

The recent surrender of Soult's garrison at Vigo which was greeted with
jubilation by many of its hard pressed citizens. Brings us nicely along to
issue of where so many french prisoners of war will be held captive for
the duration of the Napoleonic Wars.
As you know we last saw governor Challot and his men being taken
prisoner aboard a British schooner bound for England. Where the british
have prepared a purpose built camp fit for incarcerating Napoleon's
officers and men.
Up until the Napoleonic Wars, the british had 'made do' with accomodating
french prisoners of war in the notorious floating prison hulks and castles
such as the french POW camp at Portchester Castle near Portsmouth. But the
sheer scale and magnitude of the napoleonic conflict both by land & sea,
saw a far larger number of prisoners from France & her allies being taken
captive and brought to England.
Equally a large number of british officers and men were being captured by
the french and held in captivity in France, prompting the government to
enter into a bilateral agreement with the French to provide funds for each
others prisoners of wars ( ie clothing )
Therefore in 1796 the british government purchased a forty acre field at
Norman Cross, near Peterborough to build the first ever purpose built
Prisoner of War camp, opened in March 1797 through to the peace of
Amiens in 1814.

The Norman Cross memorial

Norman Cross memorial

The history of the Norman Cross POW camp

History of Norman Cross POW camp

Wiki on the Norman Cross camp

Peterborough Today - Napoleon's forces ensnared

Napoleon's forces ensnared

BBC report on the event

In memory of Napoleonic prisoner of war camp

Channel 4's Time Team archaeologists investigate the Norman Cross POW
camp, near Peterborough - Times Online, July 2009

Time Team archaeologists investigate POW camp

Time Team unearth world's first Prisoner of War camp in Britain
- Daily Mail, July 2009

Worlds first POW camp in Britain holds Napoleon's troops

In time for the 200th anniversary re-enactments taking place across
Europe. More than 4000 people gathered for the unveiling of the
French Eagle, in honour of thousends of french napoleonic
and allied troops that perished in the Norman Cross camp.

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Speech by a descendant of the Duke of Wellington

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

This accomodated over 2000 POWs in accomodation blocks guarded by
british troops, not disimiliar to the POW camps of the second world war.
In fact the French POW camp at Norman Cross produced a number of
firsts in POW history, as the scene for the 1st POW tunnelling escapes,
the first to produce counterfiet money, identity cards and printing presses
in December 1804, not to mention the Great Escape of 1812 that saw
score of fleeing french prisoners scattered about the english countryside
with some found trying to board ships, as far away as hampshire.

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Aerial view of the outlines of Norman Cross POW camp today

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

[Lt. Campers]

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

To set the scene, just click and minimise the following musical link
Theme Music

Portugal defends the bridge at Amarante against the French

With the fall of Oporto, Soult had completed the first stage of Napoleon's invasion
plan to occupy Portugal, for upon reaching the river Douro. Marshall Victor was able
to move on Talavera, held by spain along the main road to Lisbon. To accomplish
this Victor is given 1st Corp together with elements of the Napoleon's 4th Corps to
invade the spanish province of Estremadura, occupying the border fortress of
Badajoz and Medrida with a force of 17,500 men.
Facing Marshall Victor was a spanish army of 22,000 men led by General Cuesta, which
although numerically stronger than the French, was comprised mostly of raw recruits
and those troops which had seen defeat at Gamonal and Somosierra Pass.
During the final stages of the Estremadura campaign, Victor took on the spanish at
the battle of Medellin on 28th March, where Cuesta's brave troops proved no match
against Victor's veterans.
Following this the French captured Badajoz where Victor was to await news of Soult's
march south from Oporto, which never came.

French troops with cannon marching through Spain, 1809

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Just like Spain, french troops often find themselves at odds with the
locals - as can be seen in this RTP TV report

http://tv1.rtp.pt/noticias/index.php?headline=20&visual=9&tm=4&t=Invasoes-francesas-recordadas-na-Trofa.rtp&article=209622


With Soult firmly in control of Oporto, the Portuguese have been valiantly defending
Amarante and the all important bridge across the Tamega against the french.
Here Marshall Soult has been positioning his artillery in preparation for an assault on
General Silviera?s troops defending the town.

Lieutenant Sharpe and the chosen men

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

In the midst of all this we find a certain Lieutenant Sharpe, together with the infamous
chosen men of the 95th Rifles, trapped behind enemy lines following the fall of Oporto.
Where following a deadly encounter with French dragoons, Daniel Hagmen is left
seriously wounded, so they seek refuge in the summer house of a british wine
merchant. Where Sharpe becomes embroiled in the nefarious activities of a certain
Lieut Colonel Christopher, with plans to place Soult on the vacant throne of Portugal.
In return for the seizure of all british estates and wine merchant assets, in order for
him to monopolize the Portuguese wine trade.

Sharpes men clash with French cavalry

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Further south, british troops under Sir John Craddock, gather at Coimbra to counter any
move by the French on the capitol, Lisbon.

RTP - television program on the preperations for the battle

http://lagosmilitar.blogspot.com/2009/04/anp-defesa-da-ponte-de-amarante.html

The fighting around Amarante comes to a head this weekend, as Soult's French infantry
battalions endeavour to drive Silviera's portuguese troops from the town and secure the
vital river crossing over the Tamega.

Portuguese cannon commanding the road to Amarante

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uUpl4NxrN-4/SeT3UFBg_TI/AAAAAAAAAFs/1TXsvMWHpaM/s1600/recria%C3%A7%C3%A3o18abril.jpg

The complete Battle of Amarante, event program for the 18th & 19 April

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://amarantesegundainvasao.blogspot.com/&ei=4u7mSYSsEMKP-Ab5vO3VBQ&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dem%2BAmarante,%2Ba%2BSess%25C3%25A3o%2BSolene%2Bde%2BAbertura%2Bdo%2BBicenten%25C3%25A1rio%2Bda%2BII%2BInvas%25C3%25A3o%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

The French and Portuguese forces arrayed at Amarante are impressive and as I check the
Order of battle, their are a number VIP's on both sides giving encouragement to their
men as fighting erupts along the banks of the river Tamega.

For Portugal:
Representing the President of the Republic - General Ramalho Eanes.
The Chief of the Portuguese General staff - General Jose Luis Pinto Ramalho

For France:
The French Consul General to Oporto - Messr Philippe Barbry
Descendants of General Henri Delaborde, who commanded one of Soult's divisions
during the invasion of Portugal. Apparently the French general had rather a big
family, whose descendants are scattered around many corners of the globe.
Watch out for the Delaborde tee-shirts with the Delaborde Iberian tour dates on
the back.

Latest news on the Battle of Amarante published 17th April

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.reporterdomarao.com/MARAO/MARAO_online/57BAC5C6-89A3-47C7-994B-2CA401DEF207.html&ei=nQ7pSfHkGIGZjAees82eCg&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=8&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbicenten%25C3%25A1rio%2Bda%2BDefesa%2Bda%2BPonte%2Bde%2BAmarante%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Portuguese infantrymen with campfollower

Back to the Peninsular Wars, events in Portugal and beyond

Concluding part of the Sharpe theme music, please click & minimise.
Conclusion of the Sharpe theme music