Wellington in the Peninsula 1808-1814: The Peninsular War in the Words of its Greatest Commander

Wellington in the Peninsula 1808-1814 is a collection of the Duke of Wellington's dispatches, letters, and other writings from the Peninsular War. This comprehensive volume provides a unique insight into the mind of one of history's greatest military commanders.

The Peninsular War was a conflict between France and Britain for control of the Iberian Peninsula. It began in 1808 when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain and Portugal. The British, under the command of Wellington, came to the aid of the Spanish and Portuguese and eventually drove the French out of the peninsula in 1814.

Wellington in the Peninsula, 1808–1814 (Napoleonic Library)

by Jac Weller

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7779 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	599 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Wellington's dispatches, letters, and other writings from the Peninsular War are a valuable source of information about the conflict. They provide a firsthand account of the events of the war, as well as Wellington's own thoughts and opinions on the war.

Wellington in the Peninsula 1808-1814 is an essential resource for anyone interested in the Peninsular War or in the military history of the Napoleonic Wars.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: The Outbreak of the Peninsular War
• Chapter 2: The British Expedition to Portugal
• Chapter 3: The Battle of Talavera
• Chapter 4: The Lines of Torres Vedras
• Chapter 5: The Battle of Salamanca
• Chapter 6: The Battle of Vitoria
• Chapter 7: The Battle of the Pyrenees
• Chapter 8: The Battle of Toulouse
• Chapter 9: The End of the Peninsular War

Chapter 1: The Outbreak of the Peninsular War

The Peninsular War began in 1808 when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain and Portugal. Napoleon's goal was to control the Iberian Peninsula and to use it as a base for operations against Britain.

The Spanish and Portuguese were initially unprepared for Napoleon's invasion. The Spanish army was poorly trained and equipped, and the Portuguese army was even weaker. Napoleon's forces quickly overran much of the peninsula.

However, the British came to the aid of the Spanish and Portuguese. The British army was well-trained and equipped, and it was led by one of the greatest military commanders in history, the Duke of Wellington.

Chapter 2: The British Expedition to Portugal

In 1808, the British government sent an expeditionary force to Portugal under the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley. Wellesley's mission was to drive the French out of Portugal and to support the Spanish resistance to Napoleon's invasion.

Wellesley's expeditionary force landed in Portugal in August 1808. He quickly defeated the French forces in Portugal and drove them out of the country.

Wellesley's victory in Portugal was a major turning point in the Peninsular War. It showed that the French could be defeated, and it gave the Spanish and Portuguese hope that they could eventually drive the French out of the peninsula.

Chapter 3: The Battle of Talavera

In July 1809, Wellesley's army met the French army under the command of Marshal Soult at the Battle of Talavera. The battle was a bloody and hard-fought affair, but in the end, Wellesley's army was victorious.

The victory at Talavera was a major victory for the British and their allies. It showed that the British army could defeat the French in a major battle. It also gave the Spanish and Portuguese hope that they could eventually drive the French out of the peninsula.

Chapter 4: The Lines of Torres Vedras

After the Battle of Talavera, Wellesley's army withdrew to the Lines of Torres Vedras. The Lines of Torres Vedras were a series of fortifications that had been built to defend Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The Lines of Torres Vedras, along with dreadful weather, made Wellington's position almost impregnable.

The French army besieged the Lines of Torres Vedras for several months, but they were unable to break through. In the end, the French were forced to retreat.

The Lines of Torres Vedras were a major victory for the British and their allies. It showed that the French could not defeat the British in Portugal, and it gave the Spanish and Portuguese hope that they could eventually drive the French out of the peninsula.

Chapter 5: The Battle of Salamanca

In July 1812, Wellington's army met the French army under the command of Marshal Marmont at the Battle of Salamanca. The battle was a decisive victory for the British. The French army was routed, and Marmont was forced to retreat.

The victory at Salamanca was a major turning point in the Peninsular War. It showed that the British army could defeat the French in a major battle, and it gave the Spanish and Portuguese hope that they could eventually drive the French out of the peninsula.

Chapter 6: The Battle of Vitoria

In June 1813, Wellington's army met the French army under the command of King Joseph Bonaparte at the Battle of Vitoria. The battle was a decisive victory for the British. The French army was routed, and Joseph Bonaparte was forced to flee.

The victory at Vitoria was a major victory for the British and their allies. It showed that the French could not defeat the British in Spain, and it gave the Spanish and Portuguese hope that they could eventually drive the French out of the peninsula.

Chapter 7: The Battle of the Pyrenees

After the Battle of Vitoria, Wellington's army pursued the French army into the Pyrenees Mountains. The French army made a stand at the Battle of the Pyrenees, but they were defeated by the British. The British army then crossed the Pyrenees Mountains and entered France.

The crossing of the Pyrenees Mountains was a major victory for the British and their allies. It showed that the French could not stop the British from invading France, and it gave the Spanish and Portuguese hope that they could eventually drive the French out of the peninsula.

Chapter 8: The Battle of Toulouse

In April 1814, Wellington's army met the French army under the command of Marshal Soult at the Battle of Toulouse. The battle was a bloody and hard-fought affair, but in the end, Wellington's army was victorious.

The victory at Toulouse was a major victory for the British and their allies. It showed that the French could not defeat the British in France, and it gave the Spanish and Portuguese hope that they could eventually drive the French out of the peninsula.

Chapter 9: The End of the Peninsular War

The Peninsular War ended in 1814 when Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated his throne and was exiled

Wellington in the Peninsula, 1808–1814 (Napoleonic Library)

by Jac Weller

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7779 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	599 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE