River Coa

After eliminating the garrison at Ciudad Rodrigo, Marshal André Masséna ordered Marshal Ney’s 6th Corps to advance on the fortress of Almeida. Rather than retreat and cross the river as ordered by Wellington, Crauford courted disaster and chose to hold …

1810-07-24

6

After eliminating the garrison at Ciudad Rodrigo, Marshal André Masséna ordered Marshal Ney’s 6th Corps to advance on the fortress of Almeida. Rather than retreat and cross the river as ordered by Wellington, Crauford courted disaster and chose to hold his bridgehead. Crauford and the French both wanted to control the narrow stone bridge which was the only way to cross the Côa for several miles. In the early hours of July 24th, Ney pushed forward his entire force against Crauford’s outnumbered Anglo-Portuguese Light Division. The first French attacks by Loison’s Division were checked by intense musket and rifle fire. As the fight in the center raged, French light cavalry braved the fire of the guns of Almeida and charged forward, routing the left flank of Crauford’s line. With his line in danger of being rolled up, Crauford ordered an immediate retreat to the bridge. The Portuguese Cacadores and guns were first to cross the bridge while several British battalions held the French at bay. Soon these British units also fell back in good order across the river. Desiring a complete victory, Ney launched three disastrous assaults across the stone bridge, but all attempts failed to dislodge the British. That night Crauford withdrew toward Pinhel, leaving Masséna to lay siege to Almeida.

River Coa Valley, Portugal

The Combat of the Côa was a skirmish that occurred during the Peninsular War period of the Napoleonic Wars. It took place in the valley of the Côa River and it was the first significant battle for the new army of 65,000 men controlled by Marshal André Masséna, as the French prepared for their third invasion of Portugal.

Wikipedia: Combat of the Côa

French

Portuguese/British

Peninsular War