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Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
British forces in Portugal captured the Picurina redoubt near Badajoz on March 24 after a fierce assault, with heavy French casualties. The city of Badajoz fell on April 6 following a 21-day siege. Subsequent reports note Soult's retreat, Ballesteros' brief entry into Seville, and a failed French incursion into Beira Baixa.
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LATEST FROM PORTUGAL.
By the arrivals from Lisbon, we have been favored with papers to April 16--from which the following articles are extracted.
LisBon. March 29.
Letters from Badajoz have just been received. Our operations there go on most prosperously. On the evening of the 24th, we took, by assault after a most desperate engagement a strong redoubt called Picurina, in front of Badajoz; it was occupied by 250 picked men, with 5 guns and a howitzer; 180 were bayoneted, and the remainder surrendered.
Two hundred French dragoons have been made prisoners by a Portuguese regiment.
We are now nearly convinced, that Marmont does not intend to risk another battle. He seems to aim at nothing but attempting to retake Ciudad Rodrigo, which we hope is in a condition to resist him.
Sir Thomas Graham is in advance at Zafra.
In the storming of the fort of Picurina, the British lost capt. Muncaster killed: and among the wounded Mr. Powls, Maj. Macleod, Maj. Shaw and Capt. Holloway.
April 10.
We have this day the pleasure to announce the fall of Badajoz on the 8th inst. after a siege of twenty-one days. The investment of the city was commenced on the 16th of March and the batteries were opened on the 24th of the same month. History affords few examples of such rapid conquests as those of Badajoz and Ciudad Rodrigo.
LisBon, April 11.
By letters from Elvas of the 8th inst the assault of Badajoz is represented as most dreadful. The breaches were assaulted, and the walls scaled at the same moment, the castle being made the principal point of attack. The French troops appointed to defend the breaches being attacked at all points, were compelled to give way. A terrible slaughter then commenced in the streets of the city, owing to the confusion of the battle, increased by the darkness of the night.
April 16.
Letters from Elvas, of the 13th say, that Soult retired from Estremadura as soon as he heard of the fall of Badajoz. It appears certain that Ballesteros entered Seville: but was compelled by Soult to retire from it again.
The French had attempted an incursion in Beira Baixa, but had not progressed far.
This attempt on the frontiers of Portugal was supposed to have been to divide the attention of Lord Wellington.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Badajoz
Event Date
March 24 April 16
Key Persons
Outcome
capture of picurina redoubt: 180 french bayoneted, remainder of 250 surrendered; 200 french dragoons captured; fall of badajoz on april 6 after 21-day siege; british losses include capt. muncaster killed and several officers wounded; soult retreats from estremadura; ballesteros briefly enters seville but withdraws; failed french incursion in beira baixa.
Event Details
British and allied forces assaulted and captured the Picurina redoubt near Badajoz on March 24 after desperate fighting. A Portuguese regiment captured 200 French dragoons. Marmont avoids battle, focusing on retaking Ciudad Rodrigo. Sir Thomas Graham advances to Zafra. Badajoz fell on April 6 following siege from March 16, with breaches and castle assaulted amid heavy street fighting and slaughter. Soult retreats upon hearing of the fall; Ballesteros enters but leaves Seville; French incursion in Beira Baixa halted, likely to distract Lord Wellington.