The Defenders

Wellesley expected Junot to approach Vimeiro along the Torres Vedras road and to march directly upon the Valongo ridge.

Sir Arthur Wellesley directing the battle from the windmill on top of the Valongo ridge.

Consequently he placed the brigades of Hill, Crawfurd, Nightingale and Ferguson in a line along the crest of the ridge. Vimeiro Hill was defended by Fane's Brigade with its right flank resting upon the Maceira, and next to Fane was Anstruther with his left wing almost touching the base of the Mariano Ridge.

There were also two brigades of artillery twelve guns - on the hill. In front of the hill was a pine wood in which Fane had placed 200 of his Riflemen. There was only one battalion stationed on the Mariano heights, this was the 40th Regiment, with the Portuguese infantry in reserve behind the 40th. The allied cavalry was in the flat land between Vimeiro Hill and the Mariano ridge, near the baggage park.

Order of Battle

British

Wellesley commanded the following troops:

1st Brigade (Major General Hill)

1/5th Foot, 1/9th, 1/38th 2,658 men

2nd Brigade (Major General Ferguson)

36th, 1/40th, 1/71st 2,449

3rd Brigade (Brigadier General Nightingale)

29th, 1/82nd 1,520

4th Brigade (Brigadier General Bowes)

1/6th, 32nd 1,813

5th Brigade (Brigadier General Crawfurd)

1/45th, 91st 1,832

6th Brigade (Brigadier General Fane)

1/50th, 5/60th, 2/95th [four companies] 2,005

7th Brigade (Brigadier General Anstruther)

2/9th, 2/43rd, 2/52nd, 2/97th 2,703

8th Brigade (Brigadier General Acland)

2nd, 20th, 1/95th [two companies] 1,332

Portuguese Brigade (Colonel Trant)

6th Cacadores, 12th, 21st, 24th Line 2,000

Cavalry

20th British Light Dragoons, 6th, 11th and 12th

Portuguese Cavalry

Lisbon Police Guard 498

Artillery

4th Coy, 5th Btn, 3rd Coy, 8th Btn. 9th Coy, 8th Btn. Royal Artillery 226

Total: 19,036 men 18 guns

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