United States or Zambia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
On the 17th he drove the French vanguard from Roliça; and when, four days later, Junot hurried up with all his force, the British inflicted on that presumptuous leader a signal defeat at Vimiero.
But Valencia once more repelled the invaders. After a bloody sally of the inhabitants Suchet withdrew from before the walls. It was on the Portuguese side, however, that the events of most importance occurred. It was there that the disgraces of Vimiero and Talaveyra must be avenged; and there accordingly Napoleon had directed his chief force to be set in motion.
In truth it seems now to be admitted, by competent judges, that after Burrard had interfered so as to prevent Wellesley from instantly following up the success of Vimiero, and so enabled Junot to re-occupy Lisbon and secure the pass of the Torres Vedras, it would have been imprudent to decline the terms proffered by a repelled, but still powerful enemy who, if driven to extremities, could hardly fail to prolong the war, until Napoleon should be able to send him additional forces from Spain.
Perhaps, also, there had been some of those twelve thousand prisoners who had been sent after Trafalgar's fight was over in 1805. It was now, as we have said, the year 1808. The Peninsular war had begun, and the prisoners we are describing were some of those brave Frenchmen who had fought against us in one of the first engagements, the short but incisive battle of Vimiero.
The French contested their ground gallantly, but were driven from it at the point of the bayonet, and compelled to retreat. The British General, having hardly any cavalry, was unable to pursue them so closely as he otherwise would have done: and Laborde succeeded in joining his shattered division to the rest of the French forces in Portugal. On the 21st of August he attacked Sir Arthur at Vimiero.
Meanwhile Sir Arthur Wellesley, afterwards Duke of Wellington, at the head of the British auxiliary force, had landed at Mondego bay, and began the Peninsular war by defeating the French at Roliza and Vimiero. In November, 1808, Napoleon, who had been preceded by Ney with 100,000 men, entered Spain and assumed the command. For a time his armies were completely successful.
I cannot, however, agree with the learned author that that Convention was justifiable on military grounds, after so decisive a victory as Vimiero. "At bottom the great question is who shall have Constantinople?" NAPOLEON, May 31st, 1808. The Spanish Rising made an immense rent in Napoleon's plans.
I cannot, however, agree with the learned author that that Convention was justifiable on military grounds, after so decisive a victory as Vimiero. "At bottom the great question is who shall have Constantinople?" NAPOLEON, May 31st, 1808. The Spanish Rising made an immense rent in Napoleon's plans.
Insurrection of the Spaniards and Portuguese Their Alliance with England Battle of Riosecco Joseph enters Madrid First Siege of Zaragossa Dupont's March into Andalusia The Battle of Baylen Dupont Surrenders Joseph quits Madrid Situation of Junot Arrival of Sir Arthur Wellesley Battle of Roriça Battle of Vimiero Convention of Cintra.
"To your health, my friends," said a fine-looking Frenchman, who had been longest in prison, and though well-dressed in civilian clothes, bore unmistakable traces of his depressing life. "We drink to your health. We have all heard of your bravery: how you did all that men could do at Vimiero, but were overwhelmed by numbers. Never mind.
Word Of The Day