This week's #WellingtonWednesday is the Battle of Arroyo dos Molinos. Fought #OnThisDay 28 Oct 1811.

Commanded by Gen. Rowland Hill, who'd asked Wellington's to engage the enemy Division of Gen. Girard, it was a decisive victory, destroying the French for few casualties.

#OTD

General Girard had been tasked to keep lines of communication open between Soult & Marmont as well as to "inflict the greatest annoyances on the northern district of Estremadura".

He had under his command around 6,000 troops including Cavalry.

Hill had some 9,000 men, which Wellington had intended to be his Reserves. Though during the march Hill had absorbed a Spanish force into his number, which included Spanish Cavalry.


They marched from the 22nd to the 27th to surprise Girard, stopping 4 miles short.

Hill had received good intelligence from Spainish locals as to the French positions.

He formed his forces into 3 columns. A main effort down the road, a flanking force including the Portuguese to go wide & the Cavalry as his reserve

( the battlefield)

The main part of Girard’s division was forming up outside the town, with the baggage & rear-guard still in the town, when the main British column attacked.

The 71st & 92nd Highland Regiments charged down the main street, taking many French prisoners.

Girard quickly marched his 6 battalions out of the town & formed them into two squares to receive the British attack.

The 71st Highlanders lined the outer perimeter of the town and opened fire on the French as they tried to take up their positions.

( 71st HLI)