While Marshal Nicolas Soult invaded northern Portugal in early 1809, two other French forces stood ready to cooperate in the subjugation of Portugal. Pierre Belon Lapisse's division lurked near Ciudad Rodrigo while Victor's I Corps operated in the Tagus valley. A weak force under Robert Thomas Wilson watched Lapisse while Alexander Randoll Mackenzie's Anglo-Portuguese corps kept an eye on Victor. After being outgeneraled by Wilson, Lapisse marched south to join Victor. As Sir Arthur Wellesley's Anglo-Portuguese army disposed of Soult's corps, the detachment under Mayne moved to occupy Alcántara.
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rdf:type
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rdfs:label
| - Battle of Alcantara (1809)
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rdfs:comment
| - While Marshal Nicolas Soult invaded northern Portugal in early 1809, two other French forces stood ready to cooperate in the subjugation of Portugal. Pierre Belon Lapisse's division lurked near Ciudad Rodrigo while Victor's I Corps operated in the Tagus valley. A weak force under Robert Thomas Wilson watched Lapisse while Alexander Randoll Mackenzie's Anglo-Portuguese corps kept an eye on Victor. After being outgeneraled by Wilson, Lapisse marched south to join Victor. As Sir Arthur Wellesley's Anglo-Portuguese army disposed of Soult's corps, the detachment under Mayne moved to occupy Alcántara.
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sameAs
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Strength
| - 1850(xsd:integer)
- 950012(xsd:integer)
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dcterms:subject
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dbkwik:military/pr...iPageUsesTemplate
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Partof
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Date
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Commander
| - Claude Victor
- William Mayne
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Caption
| - The Roman-built bridge at Alcántara
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Casualties
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Result
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combatant
| - Kingdom of Portugal
- French Empire
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Place
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Conflict
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Units
| - I Corps
- Loyal Lusitanian Legion and militia
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abstract
| - While Marshal Nicolas Soult invaded northern Portugal in early 1809, two other French forces stood ready to cooperate in the subjugation of Portugal. Pierre Belon Lapisse's division lurked near Ciudad Rodrigo while Victor's I Corps operated in the Tagus valley. A weak force under Robert Thomas Wilson watched Lapisse while Alexander Randoll Mackenzie's Anglo-Portuguese corps kept an eye on Victor. After being outgeneraled by Wilson, Lapisse marched south to join Victor. As Sir Arthur Wellesley's Anglo-Portuguese army disposed of Soult's corps, the detachment under Mayne moved to occupy Alcántara. Believing Mayne's troops to be a serious threat, Victor marched against him. The Loyal Lusitanian Legion battalion stoutly defended the Alcántara Bridge for three hours. Then, the French artillery silenced their guns and a supporting battalion of militia took to its heels. The bridge was mined, but when Mayne ordered the charges to be detonated, its heavy construction withstood the explosion. Victor's infantry then rushed the incompletely demolished span. The French hung around the area for a few days but finally withdrew. The next action was the Battle of Talavera.
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