Without waiting for Brennier to complete his flank march Junot launched his attack upon Vimeiro. He formed the brigades of Charlot and Thomieres into battalion columns and, accompanied by seven guns and a thick line of skirmishers, he marched directly upon Vimeiro Hill. The French cavalry, the remaining artillery and Kellermann's grenadier division remained in reserve.

Charlot and Thomieres fought their way through the pine wood and gradually drove the British light infantry up the slopes of the hill. The French columns continued up the hill "with more confidence, and seemed to feel their way less than I always found them to do afterwards." Wellesley was later to recall.

A French gun captured during Junot's first attack is turned upon Kellermann's Grenadiers.

At the top of the hill Fane's and Anstruther's battalions were waiting in line. Two or three steady volleys followed by a fierce charge sent the two French brigades reeling back down the hill, with the loss of all seven pieces of artillery.

Junot, though "blindly courageous", according to his chief of staff General Thiebault, "had no comprehensive view, no foresight ... In any kind of struggle against an enemy, the only thing he understood was the shock. Of tactics, which alone can lead to secure a victory, he had no notion." His response to the repulse of his first attack was therefore to call up Kellermann's Reserve brigade and the remaining artillery and to charge straight at Vimeiro a second time "to get the thing over".

The two "converged" Grenadier Regiments, which were formed from the Grenadier companies of all the regiments in Portugal, achieved little more than their predecessors

The 2nd Regiment, led by Kellermann himself skirted the hill and fought its way into the village but after a prolonged struggle it too was repulsed. As the French fell back Wellesley ordered his cavalry to charge the retreating columns. The French cavalry counter-attacked and soon the Light Dragoons were driven off but not before they had inflicted considerable damage upon the disorganised infantry and the dragoons that were covering the retreat.

A photograph of the eastern edge of the Valongo ridge from the Maceira valley showing just how steep the ground is. Hill's brigade weas stationed here. Also note the windmill which can just be seen on top (right) of the ridge. This marked the position of Wellington's headquarters during the battle.

Solignac, meanwhile, was hurrying north-eastwards to try and link up with Brennier. Probably with no idea where idea where Brennier had gone Solignac followed the line of the Mariano ridge until he struck the track that ran from the hamlet of Toledo to Ventosa, this being the first point he had found where the deep ravine that ran along the base of the heights could be crossed.

The French Grenadiers attack upon Vimeiro, village.

Urged on by the sound of the battle around Vimeiro Solignac's three battalions climbed the ridge to within 100 feet of the crest when four battalions from Ferguson's and Nightingale's appeared above them. Out-numbered and out-flanked the French columns were driven back down the slope with two of Ferguson's battalions pursuing them eastwards and therefore away from Vimeiro.

It was at this moment that Brennier's brigade arrived on the battlefield. Brennier had marched along the Torres Vedras - Lourinha road until he reached the point where it formed a junction with the Vimeiro branch road. Brennier then turned south-westwards down the branch road aiming for Vimeiro. Just after passing Ventosa, Brennier came across the two battalions from Ferguson's and Nightingale's brigades which had not been involved in the pursuit of Solignac.

Brennier attacked immediately and, taken by surprise, the British regiments retreated in some disarray to the higher ground behind them. Here they rallied and, supported by Nightingale's other battalion they charged Brennier's brigade.

In the ensuing struggle Brennier was wounded and taken prisoner and his brigade driven off. The Battle of Vimeiro was over.

More Vimeiro

Vimeiro: Introduction
Vimeiro: The Defenders (and British OOB)
Vimeiro: The Attackers (and French OOB)
Vimeiro: The Battle
Vimeiro: Observations

Related

Busaco 27th September, 1810