Battle of Asseiceira
Battle of Asseiceira | |||||||
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Part of Liberal Wars | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Loyalists |
Miguelites | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Duke of Terceira | Viscount of Montalegre | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
More than 6,000 infantry about 500 cavalry about 11 cannons |
5,500 infantry 500 cavalry 12 cannons | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
about 400 dead or wounded |
2,900 dead or wounded 1,400 captured |
The Battle of Asseiceira, fought on 16 May, 1834, was the last and decisive engagement of the
Miguel's army, under the command of General
The Miguelite forces attempted to repel them with artillery bombardment and cavalry charges but the loyalist forces persisted in their attacks and eventually a charge by their own cavalry carried the heights. Many of the enemy were killed or wounded, their guns captured, and some 1400 men taken prisoner. The remainder fled towards Golegã, which was occupied by Terceira the following day. Dom Pedro (already ill with the sickness that would kill him shortly after his final victory) arrived there on the 18th from Cartaxo. Miguel rallied his forces at Évora, but his officers were unwilling to risk a final battle after nearly two years of warfare, and he was presently induced to seek terms of capitulation. The war would finally end ten days later with the signing of the Concession of Evoramonte, where Dom Miguel surrendered and abandoned his claim to the Portuguese throne, being also banished from the kingdom.
Sources
- An Account of the War in Portugal, between Dom Pedro and Dom Miguel by Admiral Charles Napier(London, 1836); the battle is described on pp. 199–203.