Peninsular War

The Peninsular War (1808–1814) (known as War of Independence in Spain and as French Invasions in Portugal) was a major conflict during the Napoleonic Wars, fought in the Iberian Peninsula with Spanish, Portuguese, and the British forces fighting against Napoleonic French.

Personalities

British

• Sir Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish soldier and statesmen. Wellesley's successful command of the Allied forces during the Peninsular War earned him promotion from Lieutenant General to Field Marshal and elevation into the peerage as Viscount Wellington and later, Earl of Wellington. He was created Duke of Wellington in 1814.
• Sir John Moore (1761-1809) Lieutenant General who took command of the British forces in the Peninsula following the Convention of Cintra until his death at the battle of La Coruña.
• William Beresford (1768-1854) general in the British army who was promoted in 1809 to Field Marshal of the Portuguese army and given the task of organising it into an efficient and disciplined fighting force. He was knighted after the battle of Bussaco.
• Sir Rowland Hill (1772-1842) was one of the few officers who Wellesley trusted with independent command. After playing a key role in a number battles, he was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1812.
• Robert Craufurd (1764-1812) began the war as a brigade commander under Sir John Moore, and fell in the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo a little after obtaining the rank of Major General.
• Thomas Picton (1758-1815) Major General in charge of the 3rd Division, he was one of the most competent of Wellesley's senior officers. He was knighted and promoted to Lieutenant General in 1813.

Portuguese

• Bernardim Freire A general who led the Portuguese revolt against the French invaders. He assisted Wellington at Vimeiro: He was assassinated by the mob at Braga on March 27^th 1809
• Francisco da Silveira General, commander of a Militia and Army Division in the North of Portugal from 1808 to 1813. Divisional Commander at Vitoria and Pirineus.
• Miguel Pereira Forjaz General and Secretary of State of War. He was the reformer of the Portuguese Army from 1806 onwards and helped to make it an efficient war machine.
• Manuel de Brito Mozinho A most successful Adjutant-General of the Portuguese Army since 1809. He helped Forjaz and Beresford to build an efficient machine of war with around 50.000 men
• Tomás Guilherme Stubbs A Regiment and Brigade Commander during the Peninsular war, he distinguished himself and the 11/23^rd Brigade at Salamanca, Vitoria and Pyrenees
• Carlos Frederico Lecor. Military organizer of the Leal Legião Lusitana, in England, in 1808. Comanded the 7^th Division of Wellington's Army, the only foreigner in charge of British troops.
• Luís do Rego Barreto A colonel and later Brigadier, he fought at the main Peninsular battles, being cited in Wellington's dispatches as the "brave Luís do Rego".
• João Carlos Saldanha. In spite of having only 24 years , the colonel Saldanha, and future Marshall commanded provisionally an Anglo-Portuguese division sieging Bayonne in 1814.

Spanish

• Miguel de Alava a Spanish general, the only individual present both at Trafalgar and Waterloo
• José de Palafox (1776?-1847) Spanish General in the Peninsular War, celebrated for his heroic defense of Zaragoza. Elected Captain General of Aragón.
• Francisco Javier Castaños (1758-1852) Spanish general who led the spanish troops during the victorious Battle of Bailen against Dupont's french forces.
• Tomás de Zumalacárregui (1788-1835) Spanish Carlist General. A professional soldier, he fought against the French in the Peninsular War (1808-14) and supported the absolutist cause during the disturbances of 1820-23.
• José de San Martín, (1778-1850) South American revolutionary leader. He served in the Spanish army during the Peninsular War, at Bailén, Albuera and Torres Vedras. After 1812 he devoted himself to the South American struggle for independence, playing a large part in the liberation of Argentina.
• Agustina de Aragón was a heroine during the Zaragoza siege.
• Daoíz and Velarde were two military officials that led the Madrid revolt on May 2nd 1808. After their execution, they became national heroes.
• Juan Martín Díez Known as "El Empecinado" (1745-1824)

French

• Joseph Bonaparte, (1768-1844), King of Spain. The elder brother of Napoleon, who made him first King of Naples (1806-1808), and then King of Spain following his deposition of the Bourbons (1808-1813)
• Jean-Baptiste Jourdan, (1762-1833), Marshal of France
• Andoche Junot, (1771-1813) French General and diplomat.
• Auguste Marmont, (1774-1852) Marshal of France.
• André Masséna, (1758-1817) Marshal of France.
• Joachim Murat, (1767-1815) King of Naples, Marshal of France. Napoleon's brother-in-law, he was made Grand Duke of Berg (1806-1808). He led the initial French invasion of Spain, and hoped to be made King until this position was given to Napoleon's brother Joseph. Murat was given Joseph's Kingdom of Naples as a consolation prize.
• Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult, (1769-1851) Marshal of France. He held commands in Spain in the Peninsular War. He invaded Portugal in 1809 but was repelled by the combined armies of Wellesley and Silveira. He was Chief of Staff at the Battle of Waterloo. He was war minister 1830-40.