Scenario - March 27, the Battle of Oporto

Historical Background

Following their defeat at Braga, the majority of the Portuguese retreated south toward Oporto with Baron Eben’s command leaving other Ordenanza to seek safety in the mountainous region. Pursuing the Portuguese, Soult crossed the Avé River and approaching Oporto found the Portuguese behind field works and gun positions shielding the city. While awaiting his extended columns to gather, Soult made an appeal to the defenders not to expose the city to be sacked as raw levies would not be able to stand an assault by regular troops. The Portuguese reply was defiant leaving Soult to make plans for an assault for the following day. During the night, a thunderstorm struck and the subsequent downpour drenched both Portuguese and French alike. The general assault planned at daybreak was postponed to seven in the morning. [1]

Location

The Peninsular War Atlas by Col. Lipscombe offers an excellent map of the battlefield with relative positions of both Portuguese and French forces. Do note that the Portuguese were positioned on a long front spanning six or seven miles covered by entrenchments and batteries. As Soult’s invasion of Portugal became known, the Portuguese had three weeks to prepare fortifications along the heights. Streets near the edge of the city were barricaded so as to offer a second line of defence. The position of these fortifications remained unchanged and can be seen on maps of the Second Battle of Oporto. [2]

Forces

Portuguese:

The defence of the city was under the nominal command of the Bishop of Oporto. At its core were the nucleus of two Oporto regiments (6^th and 18^th), two battalions led by General Vittoria and a battalion of the Valenza regiment (nr. 21) and remnants of the 2^nd bn. Lusitanian Legion that survived the rout at Braga. Four militia regiments (Oporto, Baltar, Feira and Villa de Conde) are added to the list but the majority were levies similar to those that fought at Chaves and Braga; 9,000 citizens of Oporto and further levies from the outlying areas to muster a force of 30,000 men. Brigadier Generals Lima-Barreto, Parreiras and Vittoria commanded the left, centre and right of the battle line; each was to have two to three battalions of regulars as a reserve. As at Braga, a state of anarchy prevailed resembling a Revolutionary Tribunal which undermined the overall effectiveness of command. After giving a benediction to the garrison, command was handed over to the three generals with the good Bishop of Oporto retiring south across the Douro. [3]

French:

Delaborde and Franceschi were positioned on the left, in centre were Mermet and one brigade of dragoons and on the right, Merle and a second brigade of Lahoussaye were to force the western entrenchments. Two regiments of cavalry formed a general reserve. This gave Soult a total 16,000 men including 3,000 cavalry. [4]

Objectives:

The Portuguese must hold their current position until nightfall and prohibit the French from entering the city of Oporto. This will allow more civilians to leave the city and the military the opportunity to retreat.

The French have victory by demoralising two of the three commands. The Ordenanza do not count toward break point but as in BBDBA they do count toward the 50 percent loss of elements for the army.

Footnotes:

[1] History of the Peninsular War, Oman, volume II, p.244

[2] Second Battle of Oporto, Wiki, see map.

[3] History of the Peninsular War, Oman, volume II, p.240

[4] ibid, p.244