Battles & Campaigns · 1811
Battle of Campo Maior
Campo Maior, Portugal
What happened
The French were escorting siege guns from Campo Maior toward Badajoz. Long's cavalry routed the French horsemen, but some chased too far. A false report that a British regiment had been captured made Beresford stop the action, and the French infantry got the convoy safely to Badajoz.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The Allies won back Campo Maior, but the action became a long and bitter argument over whether Beresford had stopped too soon.
What came next
The next big battle in the south was Albuera in May 1811.
Did you know?
Wellington scolded the 13th Light Dragoons as 'a rabble', but later said he would not have done so had he known the full facts.
Timeline
- 19 February 1811Battle of the Gebora.
- 11 March 1811Badajoz falls to the French.
- 25 March 1811Battle of Campo Maior.
- 16 May 1811Battle of Albuera.