Английская Википедия:Battle of Marvão
Шаблон:Use dmy dates Шаблон:Infobox military conflict
The Battle of Marvão was a military action that took place during the Fantastic War and the Anglo-Spanish War and was part of the attempted Spanish and French invasion of Portugal in late 1762.[1] A sizeable Spanish force attacked the castle town of Marvão but was repelled and defeated by an Anglo-Portuguese force under the command of Captain Thomas Browne.[2][3]
Events
Background
Two Spanish offensives aimed to overrun Portugal had failed during the summer of 1762.[4] Around the same time Spain received the support of France with 10,000 troops and equipment while Britain had sent reinforcements to aid the Portuguese; in total around 8,000 men led by John Burgoyne and General George Townshend.[5] The third invasion of Portuguese territory was stimulated by the peace negotiations between France and Great Britain.[6] Spain's position and bargaining power during the peace talks would be reinforced with a surprise attack in late autumn (campaigns were held off until Spring generally at this time).[7] However, the commander in Portugal, Count Lippe, had already reinforced essential garrisons with British troops and officers and first-line Portuguese troops.[8]
The Spanish split their army into several corps, each attacking a specific target.[1] Marvão was one the Spanish hoped to seize and hold.[7]
Battle
The Castle of Marvão, which sat on a granite crag of the Serra de São Mamede near the Tagus on the frontier, was a critical dominant feature which was vital to take to make the Spanish crossing of the Tagus easier.[8] The castle itself was defended by 500 men under Captain Thomas Browne who was in charge of a company of Colonel Bigoe Armstrong's 83rd Regiment of foot with a small detachment of Portuguese troops, militia and some cannon.[1]
As the Spanish corps strength of 4000 to 5000 men approached the area, the terrorized population pressed for surrender, but the firmness of Captain Brown prevailed, who was at first expecting a long siege.[9] He was surprised when the Spanish attacked giving the nature of the fortifications high defensive position.[2]
The Spanish attempted to move up via the straightforward approach of the southeast side of Marvão; Brown then sent reinforcements from the central citadel to that side.[6] The British and Portuguese opened fire with muskets and cannons against the Spanish assailants who tried to throw themselves up against the walls.[10] To compound problems many of the Spanish scaling ladders were too short to mount the walls, and they were easily repelled with heavy losses; the Spanish lost many men to accidents as well as cannon and musket fire.[6][1] The Spanish commander, realizing the surprise was lost and the castle being well defended, called off the attack; he was not prepared for a siege and retreated the next day.[8]
Aftermath
The other Spanish advance was halted at Ouguela (another small fort), but the Portuguese garrison was equally prepared there.[9] The Spanish were driven before the place with considerable losses and obliged to abandon the attempt.[6][10]
On 19 November, both garrisons retaliated, joined forces, and raided and held the Spanish town of La Codosera.[3] The resistance that the Spaniards met with in these small places had a visible effect upon their movements and convinced them that any attempt upon the Alentejo would require a decisive victory.[9] The lateness of the season in some measure contributed to this, and disease was taking a huge toll, as well as the lack of supplies.[3]
On 15 November, the Spanish force retreated; on 22 November, Spain asked for a truce.[7]
See also
References
- Citations
- Bibliography
- ↑ 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ 2,0 2,1 Baule p 85
- ↑ 3,0 3,1 3,2 Шаблон:Cite book
- ↑ Nester p.218
- ↑ Jaques p 37
- ↑ 6,0 6,1 6,2 6,3 Ошибка цитирования Неверный тег
<ref>; для сносокSalesне указан текст - ↑ 7,0 7,1 7,2 Speelman, Patrick & Danley, Mark (2012), The Seven Years' War: Global Views pp. 447-48
- ↑ 8,0 8,1 8,2 Ошибка цитирования Неверный тег
<ref>; для сносокDavisне указан текст - ↑ 9,0 9,1 9,2 Ошибка цитирования Неверный тег
<ref>; для сносокHallidayне указан текст - ↑ 10,0 10,1 Шаблон:Cite book
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