Battles & Campaigns · 1811
Battle of Casal Novo
Casal Novo, Portugal
What happened
During Masséna's retreat from Portugal, Erskine's Light Division advanced through fog and attacked Casal Novo without scouting first. The French held the village and then drove back the attack from strong ground nearby.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a French victory in a rearguard action. Ney's men delayed the Allied pursuit long enough for French supply convoys to catch up with the retreating army.
What came next
Ney's rearguard crossed the Ceira River, leaving a small force at Foz de Arouce, where fighting followed the next day.
Did you know?
The page counts Casal Novo as the first in a series of serious mistakes by Erskine.
Timeline
- 12 March 1811Battle of Redinha.
- 14 March 1811Battle of Casal Novo.
- 15 March 1811Battle of Foz de Arouce.
- 3 April 1811Battle of Sabugal.