Battle of Montevideo (1807)

Battle of Montevideo
Part of the British invasions of the Río de la Plata
Date 3 February 1807 Location Montevideo, Uruguay Result British capture of Montevideo
Belligerents
Spain	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Gov. Pascual Ruiz Huidobro	Sir Samuel Auchmuty
Strength
c.5000 soldiers	6000 soldiers
Casualties and losses
1500 (c. 500 killed) plus 2000 prisoners.	600 (c. 150 killed and died of wounds).

The Battle of Montevideo was a battle between the British and Spanish Empires during the Napoleonic Wars, in which British forces captured the city of Montevideo. It formed part of the British invasions of the River Plate. Locally, it is remembered as the Siege of Montevideo (Spanish: Sitio de Montevideo).

In the early morning of 3 February 1807, 3,000 British troops under Brigadier General Sir Samuel Auchmuty attacked the city of Montevideo. The city's capture was preceded, on 20 January, by an action outside the town, the Battle of El Cristo del Cardal (or Battle of Cardal ), in which the 60th Rifles and the 95th Foot (later the Rifle Brigade), especially distinguished itself by an outflanking movement which turned the tide of the battle in favour of the British. About 800 local combatants, mostly non-professional soldiers, became casualties, of whom about 200 were killed. Total British casualties were about 70 killed and wounded.

Montevideo was put under siege from that date and its capture began at about 2:00 A.M., 3 February, having been preceded by several days of bombardment of the weakest part of the defensive wall at a point very close to the site of the modern Anglican cathedral. Once the breach was large enough, the assault began under heavy fire from two contiguous bastions held by the defenders, and was hampered by hides the defenders added to the wall to partially fill the breach. Casualties amongst the British soldiers were heavy as the troops sought an entry point, while being caught in a constant cross-fire.

Finally, the breach was located first by Captain Renny, 40th Regiment of Foot (later the South Lancashire Regiment), who was killed in the act of attempting to get through the breach. Lieutenant Harry Smith of the 95th Regiment of Foot was the second to locate the breach. This was Lieutenant Smith's first campaign and he would later become famous as Lieutenant General Sir Harry Smith.

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