Battles & Campaigns · 1812
Battle of Almaraz
Almaraz, Tagus River, Spain
What happened
The French guarded a pontoon bridge over the Tagus River at Almaraz with forts. Hill's men took difficult mountain routes, and when the French spotted them, they attacked Fort Napoleon with infantry alone. The fort fell in about 40 minutes, and Hill's men destroyed the French works and burned the bridge.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It kept the Tagus between two French armies, Marmont's and Soult's, just before the Battle of Salamanca. That made the Allied position stronger.
What came next
A rumour that Soult's army was coming led Hill to withdraw to Trujillo. In 1813 Wellington had the crossing rebuilt as a suspension bridge.
Did you know?
Four soldiers of the 92nd Highlanders swam to Fort Ragusa and brought back boats used to repair the bridge.
Timeline
- 28 October 1811Battle of Arroyo dos Molinos.
- 19 May 1812Hill's troops storm Fort Napoleon.
- 22 July 1812Battle of Salamanca.
- 1841–1845The present bridge at Almaraz is built.