the British Army (1793-1815) Flashcards
where did the BA fight until 1802?
in the Caribbean
why did the BA target French Caribbean territories?
they were hubs of piracy against British merchant ships
they had plantations
when did the BA capture Cape Colony?
1795
when did the BA defeat the French in Egypt?
1801 at the Battle of Alexandria
who was the East India Company at war with in India?
the Kingdom of Mysore supported by France
who captured Seringapatam in 1793?
Lord Cornwallis
when did W arrive in India?
1797
when and where did W defeat Doondia?
Conagul in September 1800
what were W’s major victories in India?
at Assaye and Argaum
Battle of Assaye
British victory despite being outnumbered
7000 vs 40,000
Battle of Argaum
British victory despite being outnumbered
11000 vs 30000
what battle proved that British lines were superior to French columns?
Battle of Maida 1806
how many BA troops sent to Flushing to create a distraction in 1809?
44,000
when was Cape Colony recaptured?
1806
which country was still trading with Britain despite the Continental System being in place?
Portugal
who does Napoleon send to invade Portugal?
Junot
when did Charles and Ferdinand abdicate in Spain?
April 1808
who became the new Spanish King?
Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother
why was Junot cut off from the Spain in 1808?
in June 1808, Spanish got angry by the abdication and began to resist the French in Spain
why was Junot pushed back to Lisbon?
the Portugese see the Spanish rebellion and also rebel against Junot to push him back to Lisbon
why did the British govt decide to attack the French in Portugal?
they saw the rebellions as the perfect time to push the French out of the Peninsula
where was W stationed before the Peninsular War?
Cork
when did W leave Cork?
12 July 1808
where do the BA troops land in Portugal?
Mondego Bay
why did the Duke of York replace W?
he believed that he was too inexperienced
who did the DofY replace W with?
Dalrymple and Burrard
when was the Battle of Rolica?
17 August 1808
when was the Battle of Vimeiro?
21 August 1808
what tactic did W use at Vimeiro?
reverse slope tactic
surprised the French which forced them to retreat back to Lisbon
what was the Convention of Cintra?
an Anglo-French armistice which allowed 24000 French to return to France
what happened to Bullard and Dalrymple after the Convention of Cintra?
they were never given command again
how many men did Moore command when he invaded Spain?
35,000
when did Moore march into Spain?
October 1808
how many troops did Napoleon send to Spain to retake it?
200,000
why did Moore retreat to Corunna?
he was notified that Napoleon was marching his troops north
when did Moore reach Corunna?
11 January 1809
when was the Battle of Corunna?
16 January 1809
result of the Battle of Corunna?
French victory
Moore dead
how many BA troops returned to England after Corunna?
26,000
why can Corunna be seen as a positive?
prevented French troops from attacking Portugal and South Spain
who did Napoleon put in charge to chase Moore to Corunna?
Soult
when was W put in charge of the BA in Portugal?
April 1809
who was put in charge of the Portugese Army?
Beresford
how many men did Soult hold Porto with?
20,000
when was the Battle of Porto?
12 May 1809
how did W get his troops into Porto?
he ferried 600 across the River Duoro in wine barrels provided by Portugese
how many men did Soult lose at Porto?
4,000
why were there no more French reinforcements in Spain in 1809?
Austria declared war on France so all French troops were occupied
when did W march into Spain?
July 1809
who led the Spanish troops in Spain?
General Cuesta