The Spanish Defeat at Almeida – Militia Resistance and Fortress Defense (1762)

As part of the 1762 Spanish invasion of Portugal, an army of 8,000 Spanish troops was dispatched toward Almeida, a key fortress town in the province of Beira. The Spanish strategy aimed to secure Almeida as a staging ground for further operations deeper into central Portugal, particularly targeting Lisbon.

The Spanish Advance and Militia Resistance

Expecting little resistance, the Spanish force advanced toward Almeida, assuming that Portugal’s poorly equipped army would be unable to mount a serious defense. However, as they approached the region, they encountered unexpected and fierce resistance from local militias:

• Portuguese irregular forces and Ordenanças (territorial militias) harassed the Spanish columns, engaging in hit-and-run tactics that inflicted heavy casualties.
• The Spanish force suffered 200 casualties during these skirmishes, as Portuguese militias exploited their superior knowledge of the terrain.
• The militia tactics slowed the Spanish advance, preventing a swift siege of Almeida.

The Failed Assault on Almeida Fortress

Despite these setbacks, the Spanish forces pressed forward, launching a full-scale assault on the fortress of Almeida. However, the attack ended in disaster:

• The fortress garrison, reinforced by British officers, mounted an effective artillery and musket defense, repelling the Spanish assault.
• The Spanish suffered 600 casualties in the failed attack, according to contemporary British sources.
• Demoralized and weakened, the invading force was forced to retreat, abandoning its objective.

Aftermath and Strategic Consequences

The failure to capture Almeida was a serious blow to the Spanish campaign in Portugal. It demonstrated that even key strongholds, despite Portugal’s weakened military, could hold out against a larger invading force.

This defeat, combined with previous failures, such as the Battle of the Douro, further eroded Spanish morale and exposed logistical weaknesses in the Bourbon war effort.

By the end of 1762, the Spanish invasion of Portugal had collapsed, forcing the Bourbon forces to withdraw, marking a significant failure in their attempt to bring Portugal under Bourbon control.