Bussaco

After twelve days of grueling marching, in many instances literally building the road in front of the column, Massena's Army of Portugal came to grips with Wellington. The advance had been as though through a desert. There were no inhabitants and even fewer provisions, a product of British 'scorched earth' policy. Nevertheless, the French encountered and drove in Wellington's pickets on 25 September. The Allies had deployed 52,000 men with 60 guns along the towering, nine-mile ridge. Massena spent the 26th reconnoitering the British position. The slope of the ridge precluded the use of cavalry and made Massena's artillery very near useless, therefore, the task of removing Wellington would fall on the infantry. With most of Sir Arthur's men deployed out-of-sight on the reverse slope, Massena underestimated the numbers of Allies on the field. He also mistook the position that they occupied and ordered Reynier to attack the British center (thinking it to be Wellington's right). Reynier would then 'roll up' the British in the direction of the convent. Ney would then support Reynier by pinning the English center and left. No one liked the plan of battle. With the artillery negated and no cavalry, even the Spanish would be difficult to push off the ridge. Even with that conclusion drawn, a better plan was not offered by any of Massena's generals. Orders were then issued to all of Massena's Corps. Reynier would begin the attack at dawn on the twenty-seventh. At first light, Reynier's troops were ready. Drawn up in two columns, proceeded by a cloud of skirmishers and followed by Foy's Division in reserve, the French set out. Stumbling through the fog and tripping over the heather, the French scrambled up the side of the ridge. The British light infantry was soon retiring, and Reynier reached the crest of the ridge. As the leading regiments started to deploy into line, they were hit on two sides with short range volleys and artillery fire. Merle's Division soon recoiled and poured down the ridge to San Antonio. Reynier, seeing Merle's withdrawal, sent Foy forward to assist Heudelot. Foy arrived and deployed on Heudelot's right. The British reserves were also on the move. Unengaged on Wellington's right, Leith's Fifth Division pulled from its place in line and hurried to the hard-pressed center. The arrival of Leith was too much for the French, who were soon headed back down the hill. By 10 o'clock, Ney had started through the woods toward Sula. Advancing steadily, Loison's men pushed aside the dense swarm of skirmishers and proceeded up the ridge toward Cole's guns. Hidden from the oncoming French by a sunken road, 1,000 British from the 43d and 52d Foot stood up and delivered a devastating volley from less than ten paces. The front of Loison's Division ceased to exist. His division ran for the rear leaving over 1,000 casualties. The 43d and 52d suffered only five wounded or killed. To Loison's left, Marchand's Division assaulted the Bussaco Convent. A fierce fight erupted in the woods southeast of the convent. Pushing Spencer's riflemen back, Marchand's troops emerged from the woods only to be met with a close-range volley from Pack's Brigade. One of Marchand's Brigades attempted to advance up the road to the convent and soon repented due to the combined fire of three British batteries. Ney soon called off all offensive movements and retired. The British had suffered 1,400 casualties while the French had lost 4,500 men, over 250 of whom were officers. "As long as they will attack good troops, like the English, in good positions, without making sure they can be carried, my men will be led to death to no purpose." -- Napoleon after Talavera After his repulse, Massena belatedly attempted to outflank Wellington's position. This was soon accomplished and the English were in full retreat for Lisbon. Pressing the Allies fast and hard, Massena gained news of "the Lines" from a prisoner. On 11 October, Montbrun's troopers were the first to see the Lines of Torres Vedras. Dumbfounded, the French Engineers searched for a flaw - none were to be found. The situation was hopeless. Massena managed to stay in front of "the Lines" until spring. He was then forced to retire due to want of supplies. The Iron Duke was quick to follow and help Massena leave Portugal.