Battle of Sobral
Sobral, near the Lines of Torres Vedras, Portugal
What happened
The French VIII Corps under Jean-Andoche Junot tested British and Portuguese troops under Brent Spencer and Lowry Cole. After the Battle of Bussaco, Wellington's army had fallen back behind the Lines of Torres Vedras, defences protecting Lisbon. Masséna's French army tested them near Sobral. On 13 October the French pushed back a British skirmish line, and on 14 October Junot's troops took an outpost, but a British counterattack quickly drove them out.
Why it matters
The lines held. Masséna judged them too strong to break and decided to wait for reinforcements.
What came next
Short of food and fodder, Masséna began to retreat north on the night of 14–15 November 1810. In early March 1811 he withdrew again, and the campaign went on at Sabugal.
Did you know?
The Lines of Torres Vedras were built in 'absolute secrecy'.
Timeline
- 27 September 1810Battle of Bussaco.
- 13 October 1810The French push back a British skirmish line.
- 14 October 1810A French attack on an outpost is driven back.
- 14–15 November 1810Masséna begins to retreat north.