Battle of Vimeiro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Vimeiro |
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| Part of the Peninsular War | |||||||
 Portuguese and British troops fighting the French at Vimeiro |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 French Empire |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Jean-Andoche Junot |
 Arthur Wellesley |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 13,000–14,000 23–24 guns |
17,000–20,500 18–19 guns |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 370–450 killed 1,630–1,710 wounded 13 guns lost |
135 killed 593 wounded 51 missing |
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The Battle of Vimeiro took place on August 21, 1808, near the village of Vimeiro in Portugal. This important battle was part of the Peninsular War. In this fight, the British army, led by General Arthur Wellesley, defeated the French army. The French forces were under the command of Major-General Jean-Andoche Junot. This victory was a big step in ending the first French invasion of Portugal.
Just four days after another battle called Battle of Roliça, General Wellesley's army was attacked. The French tried to go around the British army's left side. But Wellesley quickly moved his troops to block them. Meanwhile, the French sent two groups of soldiers straight into the British lines. However, the British soldiers, standing in a line, fired many shots and forced them back. Soon, the French attack from the side was also stopped. General Junot and his army had to retreat. They lost about 2,000 men and 13 cannons. The British and Portuguese lost around 700 soldiers. The British did not chase the French because new commanders arrived.
Contents
Preparing for Battle
After the Battle of Roliça, General Wellesley set up his army near Vimeiro. This spot was good because it protected a nearby beach where more British soldiers could land. By August 20, most of his extra troops had arrived. Wellesley then planned to move south and attack Lisbon.
British Forces Gather
Wellesley's army had about 20,000 soldiers. Most of these were British infantry (foot soldiers). He also had 17 cannons and 240 light cavalry (soldiers on horseback). About 2,000 Portuguese troops also joined his side.
French Forces Prepare
General Junot's French army had about 14,000 soldiers. They were organized into two main groups of infantry and one group of cavalry. They also had a special group of 2,100 elite soldiers called grenadiers. These grenadiers were chosen from other French battalions. The French brought 23 cannons with them to the battle.
Setting Up Positions
Wellesley placed some of his brigades (groups of soldiers) in front of Vimeiro village. He kept other brigades on a ridge (a long, narrow hill) to the west. Junot planned to send three brigades to capture Vimeiro. Another large French brigade, with 4,300 men, was supposed to go around the side to attack a ridge northeast of the village.
Wellesley saw this French plan. He quickly moved some of his brigades to the northeastern ridge. When Junot realized the British were already there, he changed his plan. He decided to attack Vimeiro right away, instead of waiting for his flanking attack to be ready.
The Battle Begins
The battle started with the French making several attacks that were not well coordinated.
First French Attacks
First, a French brigade of 2,100 men marched towards the British. They were in a very deep column, about 40 men wide and 48 rows deep. The British, however, were spread out in a line only two rows deep. This allowed them to fire many more shots at once.
British riflemen, who were very good at shooting, pushed back the French skirmishers (soldiers who fight in small groups). Without their skirmishers in front, the French column walked right into the British 50th Regiment. When the French were close, the British opened fire. The French soldiers could not spread out to fight properly and quickly ran away. They left their three cannons behind, which the British captured.
Soon after, another French brigade attacked. They also marched in a narrow column and were surprised by British soldiers hidden behind a hill. The British fired many shots, and these French soldiers also quickly retreated.
French Grenadiers Attack
Seeing his attacks failing, General Junot sent in his special grenadier reserve. The first two groups of grenadiers attacked the same area as before, but they were also pushed back.
A final group of grenadiers managed to break into Vimeiro village. But British soldiers quickly counterattacked and forced them back too. British cavalry (horse soldiers) then charged the retreating grenadiers, causing them to scatter. However, the British cavalry got too excited and charged too far. They ran into the main French cavalry and were defeated, losing many men.
Attacks on the Northeast Ridge
While this was happening, another French brigade attacked the northeast ridge. They tried a different tactic, spreading out into three groups. But they still marched into the British lines before they could fully prepare. The British fired many shots, and these French soldiers also fled.
Finally, another French brigade arrived, marching in four groups. At first, they had some success, pushing back two British groups who were not ready for them. But these British groups quickly regrouped. Together, the three British groups fired many shots and forced the French to retreat. General Brenier, a French commander, was wounded and captured during this attack.
General Wellesley wanted to chase the retreating French army. However, the new British commanders who had just arrived decided not to pursue them.
After the Battle
The British victory at Vimeiro was very important. It led to an agreement called the Convention of Sintra.
The Convention of Sintra
After the French defeat, the new British commanders, Sir Harry Burrard and Sir Hew Dalrymple, offered the French very generous terms. Under the Convention of Sintra, the defeated French army was allowed to return to France. They could even take their stolen goods, cannons, and equipment with them.
This agreement caused a huge uproar in Britain. Many people were very angry that the French were allowed to leave with their loot. An official investigation was held. While all three commanders were cleared, the public and military blamed Dalrymple and Burrard. They were given office jobs and never commanded troops in battle again. General Wellesley, who strongly disagreed with the agreement, was sent back to command British forces in Spain and Portugal.
See also
