Historical Background
Following the defeat at Chaves on March 11, Silveira retreated east to
regroup his shattered forces, However, on hearing that Soult continued his march
to Braga, he retook Chaves with two regular regiments and the Ordenanza, a
total of 6,000 men. The French garrison at Chaves, under the command of
Messager comprised only one company and a number of convalescents and
stragglers. These retired to the citadel and after a siege of five days, the
governor surrendered. Leaving a Portuguese garrison to hold Chaves, Silveira
marched down the Tamega River to Amarante, paralleling Soult’s advance on
Oporto. His seizure of Chaves rallied more Ordenanza to join his force at
Amarante swelling his strength to 9,000 men. With the increase in troop
strength he was able to protect the bridges and fords along the Tamega River.
After the capture of Oporto, Soult’s first task was to restore
communication with Victor who had been assigned the task of supporting the
march on Lisbon. To do this, Loison with two brigades supported by cavalry was given
the task of contacting Victor, but reaching Penafiel he encountered the
Portuguese in force. Loison’s advance guard of cavalry could go no further and
awaited the arrival of Foy’s infantry. The initial assaults were repulsed
leaving Loison no option but to call for reinforcements from Soult. Taking
advantage of the situation, Silveira crossed the Tamega to attack the two
French brigades (April 12). This attack was beaten back leaving Loison holding his
position across the Tamega. [1]
Soult reinforced Loison with an infantry brigade (Delaborde) and Lorges’
dragoons, which left Soult with a force of 10,000 in and around Oporto. On the
18th of April, Loison advanced against Silveira who offered him
battle. Considering Silveira had 2,000 regulars and 7 to 8,000 militia and
Ordenanza, his action could be considered rash. [2] The Portuguese were beaten
and pursued back to Amarante, but encountering stiff resistance at the bridge
holding the French to the right bank of the Tamega. Days passed and all
attempts for find an alternative crossing point failed as bridges and fords
were defended.
In desperation a night assault (May 2) succeeded in destroying the fortified
position across the bridge leaving the French access to the town and taking the
Portuguese held heights beyond forcing Silveira to retreat south toward Lamego.
[3] Although the battle for Amarante ended in a defeat for the Portuguese, it
did tie down nearly half of Soult’s forces. By the time Amarante was taken, the
British were on the march to Coimbra and Oporto.
Location
This scenario should be played as a series of seperate engagements
starting with the initial contact by the French advance guard and end with the night
assault across the Tamega River. Use an internet search for Amarante selecting
the Wikipedia option. Click on the coordinates link and select any of the
terrain options given and zoom in to a scale of 1 km. Lacking maps of the actual terrain fought over
do read the physical geography given for both Penafiel and Amarante; this
should give you a resonable idea of the terrain fought.
7 April: The defence of the Amarante and Canavezes road (use Penafiel Wiki for description
terrain).
12 April: The counterattack across the Tamega by Silveira (as above, but source
Amarante).
18 April: Battle on the heights of Villamea.
2 May: The assault on Amarante.
Forces
7 April: The defence of the Amarante and Canavezes road.
French: Loison, cavalry brigade, later supported by Foy’s brigade.
Portuguese: Most likely a third of Silveira’s force.
12 April: The counterattack across the Tamega by Silveira.
French: Loison, two infantry brigades.
Portuguese: Substantially more that the initial engagement.
18 April: Battle on the heights of Villamea.
French: Loison is reinforced with infantry (Delaborde) and Lorges’ dragoons
(9,000 troops).
Portuguese: 2,000 regulars and 7-8,000 Ordenza.
2 May: The night assault on Amarante.
French: An assault company of grenadiers.
Portuguese: Silveira’s rear guard, the remainder are encamped on the heights.
Footnotes
[1] C. Oman, The History of the Peninsular War, vol. II, p.267
[2] ibid, p.268
[3] ibid, p.272
Sources
Defence of Amarante, 6 April – 2 May 1809,
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