Blockade of Almeida

Blockade of Almeida
Part of Peninsular War
Castle Fortress of Almeida in Portugal
Date 14 April to 10 May 1811 Location Almeida, Portugal 40°43′N 6°54′W / 40.717°N 6.900°W / 40.717; -6.900 Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
France	United Kingdom Portugal
Commanders and leaders
Antoine Brenier	William Erskine Alexander Campbell Luís do Rego
Strength
1,400	13,000
Casualties and losses
360	50

Peninsular War:
Third French invasion

220km
137miles

V

e

d

r

a

s

T

o

r

r

e

s

8

Fuentes de Oñoro

7

Sabugal

6

5

Lisbon

4

Bussaco

3

Almeida

2

Ciudad Rodrigo

1

Astorga

   

The color black indicates the current battle.

In the Blockade of Almeida (14 April – 10 May 1811) a French garrison under Antoine François Brenier de Montmorand was surrounded by approximately 13,000 Anglo-Allied soldiers led by Generals Sir Alexander Campbell, 1st Baronet and Sir William Erskine, 2nd Baronet.

After a French relief attempt failed, Brenier and his troops broke out at night after blowing up portions of the fortress. To the fury of the British army commander Arthur Wellesley, Viscount Wellington, most of the French escaped due to their commander's single-minded determination, British fumbling, and remarkably good luck. The action took place during the Peninsular War portion of the Napoleonic Wars. Almeida, Portugal is located near the Spanish border about 300 kilometres (186 mi) northeast of Lisbon. The town was originally captured from a Portuguese garrison during the 1810 Siege of Almeida.