Battle of Casal Novo

Battle of Casal Novo
Part of Peninsular War

Map with positions and movements
Date14 March 1811
Location
Casal Novo, southeast of Coimbra, Portugal
40°12′N 8°25′W / 40.200°N 8.417°W / 40.200; -8.417
Result See aftermath
Belligerents
 France  United Kingdom
 Portugal
Commanders and leaders

First French Empire Michel Ney

First French Empire Jean Gabriel Marchand
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Sir William Erskine
Strength
4,600 7,000
Casualties and losses
55 casualties 155 casualties
Map
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200km
125miles
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Fuentes de Oñoro
8
Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro May 1811
Sabugal
7
Battle of Sabugal April 1811
6
Battle of Redinha March 1811
Lisbon
5
Torres Vedras protects Lisbon
Bussaco
4
Battle of Bussaco September 1810
Almeida
3
Siege of Almeida July 1810 3.1 Blockade of Almeida April 1811
Ciudad Rodrigo
2
Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo April 1810
Astorga
1
Siege of Astorga March April 1810
Third French invasion:
1
Siege of Astorga March April 1810
2
Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo April 1810
3
Siege of Almeida July 1810
3.1 Blockade of Almeida April 1811
4
Battle of Bussaco September 1810
5
Torres Vedras protects Lisbon
6
Battle of Redinha March 1811
7
Battle of Sabugal April 1811
8
Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro May 1811

The Battle of Casal Novo was a rear-guard action fought on March 14, 1811, during Massena's retreat from Portugal. During this retreat a French division, under command of Michel Ney, conducted a series of sharp rear-guard actions. At Casal Novo, the recklessness of Sir William Erskine resulted in costly losses in the Light Division.