061 Aldeia da Ponte - WDS Bonaparte's Peninsular War

Aldeia da Ponte 27 Sept 1811 - After the action at El Bodon, Wellington decided to retreat from Fuente Guinaldo back to Alfayates to avoid a full scale battle unless in a more favourable defensive position. Meanwhile, the French started falling back to Ciudad Rodrigo until Thiebault realized that the enemy were in retreat. While Montbrun and Souham advanced via Casillas de Flores and Furcalhos toward Alfayates, Wathier and Thiebault encountered pickets of 4th Division and Slade's Dragoons at Aldeia da Ponte and decided to capture the village, a strategic crossroads in front of the British line. Wellington then launched a counter-attack, but at dusk the French were reinforced by Montbrun and Souham and were able to secure Aldeia.