Battle of Marvão

Two Spanish offensives aimed to overrun Portugal had failed during the summer of 1762.^[7] Around the same time Spain received the support of France with 10,000 troops and equipment while Britain had sent reinforcements to aid the Portuguese; in total around 8,000 men led by John Burgoyne and General George Townshend.^[8] The third invasion of Portuguese territory was stimulated by the peace negotiations between France and Great Britain.^[2] Spain's position and bargaining power during the peace talks would be reinforced with a surprise attack in late autumn (campaigns were held off until Spring generally at this time).^[9] However, the commander in Portugal, Count Lippe, had already reinforced essential garrisons with British troops and officers and first-line Portuguese troops.^[3]

The Spanish split their army into several corps, each attacking a specific target.^[5] Marvão was one the Spanish hoped to seize and hold.^[9]

The Castle of Marvão, which sat on a granite crag of the Serra de São Mamede near the Tagus on the frontier, was a critical dominant feature which was vital to take to make the Spanish crossing of the Tagus easier.^[3] The castle itself was defended by 500 men under Captain Thomas Browne who was in charge of a company of Colonel Bigoe Armstrong's 83rd Regiment of foot with a small detachment of Portuguese troops, militia and some cannon.^[5]

As the Spanish corps strength of 4000 to 5000 men approached the area, the terrorized population pressed for surrender, but the firmness of Captain Brown prevailed, who was at first expecting a long siege.^[1] He was surprised when the Spanish attacked giving the nature of the fortifications high defensive position.^[4]

The Spanish attempted to move up via the straightforward approach of the southeast side of Marvão; Brown then sent reinforcements from the central citadel to that side.^[2] The British and Portuguese opened fire with muskets and cannons against the Spanish assailants who tried to throw themselves up against the walls.^[10] To compound problems many of the Spanish scaling ladders were too short to mount the walls, and they were easily repelled with heavy losses; the Spanish lost many men to accidents as well as cannon and musket fire.^[2][5] The Spanish commander, realizing the surprise was lost and the castle being well defended, called off the attack; he was not prepared for a siege and retreated the next day.^[3]

The other Spanish advance was halted at Ouguela (another small fort), but the Portuguese garrison was equally prepared there.^[1] The Spanish were driven before the place with considerable losses and obliged to abandon the attempt.^[2][10]

On 19 November, both garrisons retaliated, joined forces, and raided and held the Spanish town of La Codosera.^[6] The resistance that the Spaniards met with in these small places had a visible effect upon their movements and convinced them that any attempt upon the Alentejo would require a decisive victory.^[1] The lateness of the season in some measure contributed to this, and disease was taking a huge toll, as well as the lack of supplies.^[6]

On 15 November, the Spanish force retreated; on 22 November, Spain asked for a truce.^[9]

• Great Britain in the Seven Years' War

Citations

Bibliography

• Baule, Steven M (2014). Protecting the Empire's Frontier: Officers of the 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot during Its North American Service, 1767–1776. Ohio University Press. ISBN 9780821444641.
• Jaques, Tony (2006). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8500 Battles from Antiquity Through the Twenty-first Century. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0313335365.
• Kirby, Mike. "The Portuguese Army - Seven Years War". Seven Years War Association Journal. XII (3).
• Nester, William R (2000). The First Global War: Britain, France, and the Fate of North America, 1756-1775. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780275967710.
• Sales, Ernesto Augusto Pereira (1937). O conde de Lippe em Portugal Volume 2 of Publicações da Comissão de História Militar Author. Vila Nova de Famalicão.