Battles & Campaigns · 1811
Battle of Redinha
Redinha, Portugal
What happened
Masséna's French army was retreating from Portugal, with Ney guarding the rear. Ney's small force held a plateau south of Redinha while Wellington advanced carefully. In the afternoon the Allies attacked, and Ney pulled back across the river and then, at evening, withdrew in good order.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The result was inconclusive. Ney delayed Wellington by about a day, giving Masséna time to get his army across the Mondego River.
What came next
Wellington and Ney clashed again at Condeixa the next day, at Casal Novo, and at Foz de Arouce.
Did you know?
An eyewitness, Baron de Marbot, thought the battle had no real purpose, while the historian John Fortescue defended Wellington's caution.
Timeline
- 12 March 1811Battle of Redinha.
- 13 March 1811Clash at Condeixa.
- 14 March 1811Battle of Casal Novo.
- 15 March 1811Battle of Foz de Arouce.