1807     18 Oct               French troops cross Franco-Spanish Border (28,000 men under Junot).

27 Oct               Treaty of Fontainebleau – Napoleon agrees with Spain to invade Portugal.

19 Nov              French troops begin crossing into Portugal.

27- 29 Nov         Prince Regent Joao VI sails from Lisbon (to Brazil).

            30 Nov              Lisbon occupied by the French without a struggle.

            Dec                   Gen Junot disbands the Portuguese Army.

 

1808     Early months      Additional 75,000 French troops cross Pyrenees.

            16 Feb              Seizure of Pamplona.

            29 Feb              Seizure of Barcelona.

            18 Mar              Seizure of Figueras.

19 Mar              Abdication of Spanish King, Charles IV.

23 Mar              Madrid occupied by the French without struggle.

10 Apr               Ferdinand departs to Bayonne to meet up with Napoleon.

2 May                Madrid “Dos de Mayo” uprising..

25 May              Province of Asturias declares war on France.

May-Jun            Insurrections against the French throughout Spain and Portugal

6 Jun                 Insurrection starts in Portugal.

6 Jun                 Supreme Junta in Seville declares war on France - Spanish War of Independence officially commences.

6 Jun                 Combat at Bruch Pass (F > S).

7 Jun                 Combat at Alcolea (F > S).

8-14 Jun            Combat at Tudela, Mallen & Alagon (F > S).

12 Jun               Combat at Cabezon (F > S).

14 Jun               Second Combat at Bruch Pass (F > S).

14 Jun               Spanish garrison and fleet at Cadiz capture French squadron.

15 Jun               First Siege of Zaragoza starts (F > S).

18 Jun               Fortress of Faro falls to the Portuguese.

19 Jun               Portuguese Supreme Junta organised by the Bishop of Oporto.

20 Jun               French assault on Gerona  - fails (F >S).

24 Jun               Combat at Epila (F > S).

26 Jun               French capture and sack the Portuguese towns of Vila Visoza & Beja.

26-28 Jun          French assault on Valencia - fails (F > S).

27 Jun               Portuguese take the fort of Santa Caterina at Figueira da Foz.

30 Jun               Combat on the Llobregat (F > S).

5 Jul                  Spain and Britain officially declare peace having been at war sine 1804.

6 Jul                  French take and sack Leiria, but later fall back on Lisbon.

9 Jul                  Joseph Bonaparte, future “King of Spain”, crosses Pyrenees.

11Jul                 Investment of Rosas (F > S).

12 Jul                Wellesley and his troops set sail from Cork.

14 Jul                Battle of Medina de Rio Seco (F > S).

16 Jul                Combat at Mengibar (F > S).

16 Jul                Portuguese levies surround and blockade the fortress at Almeida.

20 Jul                King Joseph enters Madrid.

20 Jul                Dupont capitulates at Bailén (F > S) – greatest Spanish victory of the War.

24 Jul                Preparations begin for Siege of Gerona (F > S).

29 Jul                Loison engages Portuguese at Evora (F >P & S).

Early Aug           Napoleon orders 130,000 men to be withdrawn from Germany to deploy to Peninsula  - Ney, Lannes, Soult, St. Cyr and Victor under orders to join them.

Aug – Oct          French and Spanish defensive preparations along the line of Rio Ebro.

1 Aug                King Joseph evacuates Madrid – retires North of Rio Ebro.

1-8 Aug             Wellesley’s British Army lands at Mondego Bay, Portugal.

12 Aug              Wellesley meets Portuguese leaders – Portuguese contingent joins British Army.

            14 Aug              First Siege of Zaragoza ends (F > S) – Spanish hold out.

            16 Aug              Siege of Gerona defeated. (F > S).

17 Aug              Combat at Roliça (F > B & P).

          21 Aug              Battle of Vimeiro (F > B & P).

            21 Aug              Sir Harry Burrard arrives and assumes command of British Army in Portugal.

            22 Aug              Sir Hew Darlymple arrives and takes over command from Burrard.

            24 Aug              Sir John Moore arrives in Portugal.

            25 Aug              Jourdan arrives in Miranda and assumes command of French armies.

          31 Aug              Convention of Sintra ratified – French agree to leave Portugal.

            15 Sep              Last French troops leave Portugal.

            Mid Sep             Burrard, Dalrymple and Wellesley recalled to London.

25 Sep              Orders despatched to Portugal for Moore to assume command to cooperate with the Spanish in the expulsion of the French from Spain. (Received on 6 Oct).

18 Oct               Bulk of Moore’s army en-route to Salamanca.

25-26 Oct          Combat at Logroño and Lerin (F > S).

27 Oct               Moore leaves Lisbon.

31 Oct               Battle of Zornoza (F > S).

3 Nov                Napoleon arrives “in theatre” at Bayonne.

5 Nov                Combat at Valmaceda (F > S).

8 Nov                Combat at Guenes (F > S).

10 Nov              Battle of Espinosa (F > S).

10 Nov              Battle of Burgos ó de Gamonal (F > S).

23 Nov              Battle of Tudela (F > S) – Castaños routed and relieved of command.

23 Nov              Moore’s advance guard arrives at Salamanca.

30 Nov              Combat at the Pass of Somosierra (F > S).

2 Dec                Napoleon arrives at the gates of Madrid.

3 Dec                Madrid capitulates.

5 Dec                Siege of Rosas ends (F > S) Spanish supported by Royal Navy and Marines.

            10 Dec              Moore’s British Army advances from Salamanca.

          16 Dec              Battle of Cardadeu (F > S).

            20 Dec              Second Siege of Zaragoza commences.

            21 Dec              Combat at Sahagun (F > B).

21 Dec              Battle of Molins de Rey (F > S).  

            24 Dec              Moore retreats from Sahagun to Corunna.

            29 Dec            Combat at Benavente (F > B) fighting withdrawal, largely attributed as a British

                                    victory.

30 Dec             Combat at Mansilla (F > S)

31 Dec              Moore refuses to fight and evacuates Astorga.

 

1809     1 Jan                 Napoleon decides to return to France – resting at Valladolid from 6-17 Jan.

3 Jan                 Combat at Cacabellos (F > B) fighting withdrawal, largely attributed as a British victory.

5 Jan                 Rearguard action at Constantino (F > B)

6 Jan                 Moore offers battle at Lugo, Soult declines.

8 Jan                 Night of, Moore continues retreat.

11 Jan               Moore and bulk of army reach La Coruña.

13 Jan               Battle of Ucles (F > S).

16 Jan               Battle of La Coruña (F > B) largely considered a British success as the majority

                        of the British Army was evacuated.

17 Jan               Napoleon leaves Spain.

22 Jan               King Joseph re-established in Madrid.

End Jan             Soult plans second French invasion of Portugal.

Early Feb           Maj-Gen Beresford appointed commander of Portuguese Army.

18 Feb              Combat at Igualada (F > S).

20 Feb              Second Siege of Zaragoza ends (F > S).

25 Feb              Battle of Valls (F > S).

9 Mar                Soult’s vanguard enters Portugal.

            22 Apr               Wellesley arrives back in Lisbon – commanding both British & Portuguese.

18 Apr               Rearguard at D’Amarante commences (F > P).

3 May                Rearguard at D’Amarante completed (F > P).

            11 May              Combat at Grijon (F > B & P).

12 May              Wellesley takes Oporto (F > B & P ).

            18 May              Pursuit of Soult abandoned – Portugal liberated for second time.

22 May              Wellesley approaches Gen Cuesta regarding combined operations against the

                        French in Spain.

22 May             Combat near Santiago (F > S).

23 May              Battle of Alcañiz (F > S).

24 May              Second Siege of Gerona commences.

8 Jun                 Combat at River Oitaben (F > S).

15 Jun               Battle of Maria (F > S).  Spanish conducted themselves well at the battle but

                        were routed the next day at Belchite.

Mid Jun             Victor withdraws from Estremadura - arrives at Talavera on 26 Jun.

End Jun             Soult abandons Galicia.

            3 July                The British Army enters Spain.

            28 Jul                Battle of Talavera (F > B & P & S ).

            8 Aug                Combat at Arzobispo (F > S).

11 Aug              Battle of Almonacid (F > S).

            26 Aug              Wellesley elevated to peerage – Viscount Wellington of Talavera.

1 Sep                Combat at Salt (F > S).

            18 Oct               Battle of Tamames (F > S).

            20 Oct               Work commences of the Lines of Torres Vedras.

19 Nov              Battle of Ocaña (F > S).

            20 Nov              Wellington issues orders for the withdrawal to Portugal.

            28 Nov              Battle of Alba de Tormes (F > S).

            11 Dec              Second Siege of Gerona completed (F > S) Victory at considerable cost.

            25 Dec              Wellington’s Peninsular army in Portugal.

 

1810     Early Jan           Joseph and Soult (now his COS) turn their attention to Andalusia.

            16 Jan               Siege of Hostalrich commences.

29 Jan               Central Junta resigns in light of Spanish failures.

5 Feb                Siege of Cadiz commences (lifted on 24 Aug 1812).

20 Feb              Battle of Vich (F > S).

21 Mar              Siege of Astorga commences.

11 Apr               Siege of Lerida commences.

15 Apr               Combat at Zalamena (F > S).

17 Apr               Imperial Decree announces Masséna’s Army of Portugal.

22 Apr               Siege of Astorga completed (F > S).

23 Apr               Combat at Margalef (F > S).

26Apr                First Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo commences.

12 May              Siege of Hostalrich concluded (F > S).

13 May              Siege of Lerida concluded (F > S).

15 May              Siege of Mequinenza commences.

26 May              Combat at Aracena (F > S).

5 Jun                 Siege of Mequinenza completed (F > S).

10 Jul                Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo completed (F > S).

10 Jul                Combat at Barquilla (F > B & P).

24 Jul                Combat on the Coa (at Almeida) (F > B & P).

11 Aug              Combat at Villagarcia (F > S).

15 Aug              Siege of Almeida commences.

27 Aug              Siege of Almeida completed (F > B & P).

            14 Sep              Combat at La Bispal (F > S).

27 Sep              Battle of Bussaco (F > B & P).

            29 Sep              Wellington’s Army retreats to Lines of Torres Vedras.

            13 Oct               Attempted siege of Fuengirola fails (F > B).

3 Nov                Rout of Gen Blake at Baza (F > S).

16 Dec              Siege of Tortosa commences.

 

1811     2 Jan                 Siege of Tortosa concluded (F > S).

11 Jan               Siege of Olivenza commences.

15 Jan               Combat at Pla (F > S).

23 Jan               Siege of Olivenza concluded (F > S)

25 Jan               Combat at Villanueva (de los Castillejos) (F > S).

26 Jan               Siege of Badajoz commences.

19 Feb              Battle of Gevora (F > S & P). 

3 Mar                Massena retreats from Santarem.

          5 Mar                Battle of Barrosa – Chiclana (F > B & P & S).

            11-15 Mar         Series of rearguard actions fought by the French as the “Army of Portugal”

                                    retreats:

11 Mar- Combat at Pombal (F > B & P)

                        12 Mar- Combat at Redinha (F > B & P)

13 Mar- Combat at Condeixa (F > B & P)

14 Mar- Combat at Casal Novo (F > B & P)

15 Mar- Combat at Foz d’Arouce (F > B & P)

            11 Mar              Siege of Badajoz concluded (F > S).

            15 Mar              Siege of Campo Mayor commences.

15-16 Mar         Siege of Albuquerque (F > S).

19 Mar              Spanish surprised during their attack on Monjuch (F > S).

21 Mar              Siege of Campo Mayor concluded (F > S).

            25 – 26 Mar       Combat at Campo Mayor (F > B & P) – inconclusive.

            3 Apr                Combat at Sabugal (F > B & P).

7 Apr                Siege of Almeida commences.

9 Apr                Spanish capture Fort and town of Figueras.

            9 Apr                British Siege of Olivenza commences.

            10 Apr               Siege of Figueras commences.

11 Apr               Masséna reaches Salamanca.

12 Apr               Blockade of Almeida commences.

15 Apr               British Siege of Olivenza concluded (F > B & P).

            23 Apr               King Joseph covertly departs Madrid, arrives Paris 15 May.

3-5 May            Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro (F > B & P) –, Masséna retreats on morning of 6

                        May.

3 May                Combat at Figueras (F > S).

4 May                Siege of Tarragona commences.

6 May                First British Siege of Badajoz commences.

10 May              Blockade of Almeida concludes when the French escape.

11 May              Siege of Almeida concluded (F > B & P).

11 May              Marmont assumes command of the Army of Portugal from Masséna.

12 May              First British Siege of Badajoz ends – raised due to French advances.

            16 May              Battle of Albuera (F > B & P & S) victory with heavy allied losses.

            19 May              Second British siege of Badajoz commences.

25 May              Combat of Usagre (F > B &P).

10 Jun               Second British siege of Badajoz ends – Wellington abandons siege.

16 Jun               Marmont and Soult join forces and relieve Badajoz on 20 Jun.

            16 Jun               King Joseph departs Paris, arrives Madrid 16 Jul.

            23-25 Jun          Wellington offers battle on the Caia- Soult and Marmont declines.

            23 Jun               Combat at Benavides (F > S).

28 Jun               Siege of Tarragona completed (F > S).

            2 Jul                  Combat on the River Orbigo (F > S).

25 Jul                Storming of Montserrat Mountain (F > S).

10 Aug              Wellington begins blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo.

            19 Aug              Siege of Figueras concluded (F > S).

23 Sep              French arrive at Ciudad Rodrigo, British pull back.

            23 Sep              Siege of Saguntum (Sagonte) commences.

25 Sep              Combat at El Bodon (F > B & P) probing action by the French.

            25 Sep              Combat at Carpio (F > B & P).

27 Sep              Combat at Aldea da Ponte (F  > B & P)

            28 Sep              Wellington offers battle in front of Sabugal – Marmont refuses to advance.

            25 Oct               Battle of Saguntum (F > S).

            26 Oct               Siege of Saguntum concluded (F > S).

            28 Oct               Action at Arroyo dos Molinos- Hill surprises Girard.

            29 Oct – 2 Nov   Spanish irregular raids into southern France (Valley of Cerdagne).

5 Nov                Combat at Bornos (F > S).

20 Dec              Siege of Tarifa commences.

28 Dec              Siege of Valencia commences.

29 Dec              Combat at Membrillo (F > B & P).

 

1812     4 Jan                 Victor calls off the Siege of Tarifa (F> B & S).

8 Jan                 Wellington commences Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.

9 Jan                 Siege of Valencia concluded (F > S).

18 Jan               Combat at Villaseca (F > S).

19 Jan               Wellington takes Ciudad Rodrigo (F > B & P).

20 Jan               Siege of Peñiscola commences.

24 Jan               Combat at Altafulla (F > S).

2 Feb                Siege of Peñiscola concluded (F > S).

5 Mar                Combat at Roda (F > S).

16 Mar              Third British siege of Badajoz commences.

6 Apr                Wellington takes Badajoz (F > B & P).

11 Apr               Combat at Villagarcia (F > B).

18 May              Hill’s assaults on the Forts at the Bridge of Almaraz (F > B & P).

1 Jun                 Combat at Bornos (F > S).

11 Jun               Combat at Maguilla (F > B&P).

15 Jun               Siege of Astorga commences.

18 Jun               Siege of the 3 Salamanca Forts commences.

21 Jun               Storm of Lequeitio by R Adm Home Popham.

27 Jun               Salamanca Forts surrender (F > B & P).

7-8 Jul               Siege and capture of Castro Urdiales (F > B).

18 Jul                Combat at Castrejon (F > B & P).

18 Jul                Combat at Castrillo (F > B & P).

21 Jul                Battle of Castalla (F > S).

22 Jul                Battle of Salamanca (F > B & P & S).

          22 Jul – 2 Aug    R Adm Popham blockades and occupies Santander.

23 Jul                Combat at Garcia Hernandez (F > B).

31 Jul                Gen Maitland lands at Palamos with an expeditionary force from Sicily.

            2 Aug                Port of Santander taken by the Allies (F > B & P & S).

            11 Aug              Combat at Majalahonda (F > B & P).

11 Aug              King Joseph departs Madrid.

12 Aug              Soult commences the evacuation of Andalusia.

12-13 Aug         Madrid falls to the Allies – Wellington enters.

13 Aug              Spanish take Bilbao.

14 Aug              Gen Santocildes abandons Valladolid; French retake the city.

18 Aug              Siege of Astorga concluded (F > S).

24 Aug              Soult calls-off Siege of Cadiz (since 5 Feb 1810) (F > B & S).

18 Sep              Wellington commences the Siege of Burgos.

20 Oct               Wellington raises the siege of Burgos and retreats (F > B & P).

23 Oct               Gen Ballasteros attempts a coup d’état.

23 Oct               Combat at Venta Del Pozo (F > B & P).

23 Oct               Combat at Villadrigo (F > B).

25 Oct               Combat at Villa Muriel (F > B & P & S).   

30 Oct               Combat at Puente Larga (F > B & P) inconclusive.

10 – 11Nov        Combat at Alba de Tormes (F > B & P).

15 Nov              Wellington offers Battle at Salamanca.

17 Nov              Combat at San Muñoz (or Huebra) (F > B & P) inconclusive.

19 Nov              The Allied Army retreat from Ciudad Rodrigo.

23 Dec              Wellington arrives in Cadiz to discuss his plans for reorganisation.

 

1813     10 Feb              Combat at Poza (F > S).

20 Feb              Raid on Bejar (F > B).

23 Mar              Joseph transfers his headquarters to Valladolid from Madrid.

31 Mar              Combat at Lerin (F > S).

11 Apr               Combat at Yecla (F > S).

11 –12 Apr        Siege of Villena (F > S.).

12 Apr               Combat at Biar (F > B) Rearguard Action.

13 Apr               Battle of Castalla (F > B & S).

29 Apr               Siege of Castro-Urdiales commences.

12 May              Siege of Castro-Urdiales concluded (F > B & S).

22 May              Wellington’s final offensive in Spain commences.

27 May              French evacuate Madrid.

2 Jun                 Combat at Morales (F > B & P).

3 Jun                 French evacuate Valladolid.

3 Jun                 Siege of Tarragona by Gen Murray commences.

12 Jun               Joseph abandons Burgos and retreats.

13 Jun               Combat at Carcagente (F > S).

15 Jun               Siege of Tarragona lifted by Gen Murray (F > B & S).

 

18 Jun               Combat at Osma (F > B & P).

18 Jun               Combat at San Millan (F> B & P).

            21 Jun               Battle of Vitoria (F > B & P & S).

24 Jun               Combat at Villafranca (F > B & P) inconclusive.

25 Jun               Blockade around Pamplona commences.

26 Jun               Combat at Tolosa (F > B & P & S).

7 Jul                  Combat at Maya (F > B & P) inconclusive.

8 Jul                  Combat at La Salud (F > S).

10 Jul                Spanish irregulars under Mina capture Zaragoza.

11 Jul                First Siege of San Sebastian commences.

            25 Jul                First Siege of San Sebastian ends in failure (F > B & S)

25 Jul – 1 Aug    Battle of the Pyrenees.

25 Jul - Combat at Roncesvalles (F > B) inconclusive.

                        25 Jul - French force the Maya Pass (F > B).

                        26 Jul - Combat at Linzoain (F > B & P).

                        28 Jul - First Battle of Sorauren (F > B & P & S).

                        30 Jul - Second Battle of Sorauren (F > B & P & S).

                        30 Jul - Combat at Beunza (F > B & P).

                        31 Jul - Combat at Venta de Urroz (F > B & P).

                        1 Aug - Combat at Sumbilla (F > B & P).

                        1 Aug - Combat at Yanzi (F > B & P).

                        2 Aug - Combat at Echalar (F > B & P).

            30 Jul                Blockade of Tarragona by Gen Bentinck commences.

            1 Aug                Soult and the French Army retreat into France.

6 Aug                Second Siege of San Sebastian commences.

15 Aug              Blockade of Tarragona lifted by Gen Bentinck (F > B & S).

19 Aug              Combat at Amposta (F > S).

            31 Aug              San Sebastian falls to the Allies F > B & P).

          31 Aug              Battle of San Marcial (F > B & P & S).

            1 – 8 Sep          Citadel of San Sebastian captured (F > B & P).

            13 Sep              Combat at Ordal (F > B & S).

            14 Sep              Combat at Villafranca (F > B & P & S) inconclusive.

            7 – 8 Oct           Wellington crosses the Bidassoa & Battle of Vera (F > B & P & S).

            31 Oct               Pamplona falls to the Allies (F > B & P & S).

            10 Nov              Battle of the Nivelle (F > B & P & S).

            21 Nov              Wellington sends his Spanish allies back to Spain.

            9-13 Dec           Battles on the Nive (F > B & P).

9 Dec - Combat at Villefranque (F > B & P).

                        9 Dec - Combat at Anglet (F > B & P) inconclusive.

10 Dec - Combat at Arcangues (F > B & P) inconclusive.

                        10 Dec - First Combat at Barrouillet (F > B & P) inconclusive.

                        11 Dec - Second Combat at Barrouillet (F > B & P) inconclusive.

                        13 Dec - Battle of St. Pierre (F > B & P).

 

1814     16 Jan               Combat at Molins de Rey (F > B & S) inconclusive.

            2 Feb                The Cortes rejects Napoleon’s Treaty of Valençay.

            12 Feb              Wellington’s new offensive commences.

            15 Feb              Combat at Garris (F > B & P & S).

            16 Feb              Combat at Arriverayte (F > B & P).

            23 Feb              Blockade of Bayonne commences.

27 Feb              St. Étienne stormed and captured (F > B & P).

27 Feb              Battle of Orthez (F > B & P).

2 Mar                Combat at Aire (F > B & P).

12 Mar              Insurrection at Bordeaux – French welcomes the allies and return of their King.

19 Mar              Combat at Vic-Bigorre (F > B & P) inconclusive.

20 Mar              Combat at Tarbes (F > B & P) inconclusive.

24 Mar              Ferdinand VII re-enters Spain.

6 Apr                Combat at Étauliers (F > B & P).

8 Apr                Combat at Croix D’Orade (F > B).

            10 Apr               Battle of Toulouse (F > B & P & S).

            14 Apr               French Sortie at St. Étienne (F > B & P & S)

            16 Apr               Sortie from Barcelona (F > S).

11-16 Apr          French forces capitulate and end of the Peninsular War.

26 Apr               Bayonne capitulates.