Blockade of Almeida
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.
| Blockade of Almeida 1811 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Peninsular War | |||||
Fortress of Almeida in Portugal | |||||
| |||||
| Belligerents | |||||
| France |
United Kingdom Portugal | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
| Antoine Brenier |
William Erskine Alexander Campbell Luís do Rego Barreto | ||||
| Strength | |||||
| 1,400 | 13,000 | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
| 360 | 50 | ||||
Third French invasion
125miles
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.