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sábado, 17 de dezembro de 2016

Marshal General Jean-de-Dieu Soult, 1st Duke of Dalmatia - Porto, 1809



In the First Battle of Porto (28 March 1809) the French under Marshal Soult defeated the Portuguese, under General Parreiras,during the Peninsular War. Soult followed up his success by storming the city. 



It is estimated that 8,000 soldiers perished in the attack and that a great number of civilians were killed.


 Soult did not have very long to enjoy his success. Almost at once, the ordenanças cut his communications with Spain and a 1,800-man garrison was gobbled up by Francisco Silveira's Portuguese force in the Siege of Chaves. The French marshal started planning a retreat. The next action was the Battle of Grijó. The city was retaken on 12 May by the British and Portuguese under Wellesley in the Second Battle of Porto.


 The Second Battle of Porto, also known as the Battle of the Douro, was a battle in which General Arthur Wellesley's Anglo-Portuguese Army defeated Marshal Nicolas Soult's French troops on 12 May 1809 and took back the city of Porto. 


After taking command of the British troops in Portugal on 22 April, Wellesley (later named 1st Duke of Wellington) immediately advanced on Porto and made a surprise crossing of the Douro River, approaching Porto where its defences were weak.


Soult's late attempts to muster a defence were in vain. The French quickly abandoned the city in a disorderly retreat.

22 comentários:

  1. Fantastic historical post, like always love your work :)

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  2. Très bon travail pour un fameux maréchal!

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  3. I really do enjoy these posts of yours! And lovely fig!

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    1. Thanks Gordon, I appreciate your feedback and kind support! Glad you enjoyed it!! :D Cheers!

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  4. I think I have that figure. Front Rank? Enjoyed the short bio and brushwork!

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    1. Yes, Jonathan, Front Rank it is! :D Glad you liked it, thanks for your visit!! :D

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  5. Muito, muito bom!! E belíssimo, além do mais.

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    1. Muito Obrigado Ana! :DVou ver se tiro umas fotos melhorzinhas, estas ficaram um pouco tremidas...! Beijo e boa semana!

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  6. Great work on the painting and history write-up RM!

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    1. Thanks Rod for stopping by and for the always nice comments!:D Cheers!!

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  7. how did he get that title of Dalmatia? Dalmatia is so very far away from Portugal :)

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    1. LOL Word is he was a Cruella de Vil fan... ;) Cheers Dez!!!

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