Beresford was laying siege to Badajoz when he heard that Soult's corps was moving to its relief. Beresford moved his force to Albuera, a position previously selected by Wellington. Beresford had just over 10,000 British troops, nearly the as many Portugese and around 14,000 poorly disciplined Spaniards. The battle was a series of disastrous misfortunes caused by incompetence and disobedience by his subordinates. Only the magnificent fighting qualities of his British infantry, the Portugese and a few of the Spanish, manged to save the day. Soult withdrew with heavy casualties. Wellington remarked that another such victory would ruin us.

About ten miles on the Spanish side of the Portugese Spanish border on the latitude of Lisbon. (Spain)

Allied Peninsular Army [Beresford]

Number engaged :

35,284

Casualties :

5,904 (16.73%)

French Peninsular Army [Soult]

Number engaged :

23,000

Casualties :

7,000 (30.43%)