Wellington's Two-Front War: the Peninsular Campaigns, 1808-1814 Joshua L
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Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2005 Wellington's Two-Front War: The Peninsular Campaigns, 1808-1814 Joshua L. Moon Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES WELLINGTON’S TWO-FRONT WAR: THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGNS, 1808 - 1814 By JOSHUA L. MOON A Dissertation submitted to the Department of History In partial fulfillment of the Requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded Spring Semester, 2005 The members of the Committee approve the Dissertation of Joshua L. Moon defended on 7 April 2005. __________________________________ Donald D. Horward Professor Directing Dissertation ____________________________________ Patrick O’Sullivan Outside Committee Member _____________________________ Jonathan Grant Committee Member ______________________________ Edward Wynot Committee Member ______________________________ Joe M. Richardson Committee Member The Office of Graduate Studies has verified and approved the above named Committee members ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS No one can write a dissertation alone and I would like to thank a great many people who have made this possible. Foremost, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Donald D. Horward. Not only has he tirelessly directed my studies, but also throughout this process he has inculcated a love for Napoleonic History in me that will last a lifetime. A consummate scholar and teacher, his presence dominates the field. I am immensely proud to have his name on this work and I owe an immeasurable amount of gratitude to him and the Institute of Napoleon and French Revolution at Florida State University. I would also like to extend my special thanks to the Head of the Department of History at West Point, Colonel Robert A. Doughty, Ph.D. He “took a chance” in bringing me back to the Department of History and has enthusiastically supported my goal of completing this dissertation. Special gratitude also goes to the Head of the Military Division, Colonel Matthew M. Moten, Ph.D. for his support and granting me the time necessary to complete this work. I would also like to thank Dr. Ben Weider, Dr. George Knight, and Dr. Skip Vichness. Their generosity made it possible for me to travel to the United Kingdom to conduct the archival research necessary to write this dissertation. I am also grateful to all the professors who have helped me over the past four years. Of these, I am particularly thankful to the members of my committee, Dr. Jonathan Grant, Dr. Edward Wynot, Dr. Joe M. Richardson, and Dr. Patrick O’Sullivan. All have provided excellent classroom instruction, and serve as great examples of the experience and professionalism found at Florida State. At Florida State’s Department of History Graduate Studies, I’d like to thank Debbie Perry and Chris Pignatiello; both have provided timely and much needed advice and assistance. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the countless number of librarians who have assisted me throughout this process and have allowed me to “toil away” in their workspaces. At Florida State’s Strozier Library, I would like to thank the head of Special Collections, Dr. Lucy Patrick and her staff, Patricia Brinkley, Debra Rouse, and Julia Uhland. At West Point’s Cadet Library, I would like to thank the head of Special Collections, Suzanne Christoff and her staff, Alan Aimone, Heather Bischoff, Susan Lintelmann, Alicia Mauldin-Ware and Deborah McKeon-Pogue. An extra measure of gratitude also goes to Deborah DiSalvo at West Point’s Inter-Library Loan Department. She aggressively found the books I required, but never held it against me when I did not return them on time. I would also like to thank Dan Pritchard and Jean Ailinger. Both were a constant source of cheer and motivation and always kept me focused on the task at hand. I also received invaluable assistance from many people in Britain. Foremost, I would like to thank Colonel John Hughes-Wilson and Colonel Sean Lambe. They have been great friends to my family for many years; however, it was their help and hospitality during the summer of 2002, which I will never forget. Both of these outstanding officers iii embody the finest traditions of the British Army’s untiring service and fidelity to their Queen and country. I need to thank Dr. Christopher Woolgar and Karen Robson of the Hartley Library at the University of Southampton and most importantly, Mr. David Rimmer and his staff at the County Gwent Record Office, in Cwmbrân, Wales. The ladies of the Gwent Record Office always ensured I had “tea on time” and showed me firsthand the kindness and generosity of the Welsh people. The professional courtesy and personal consideration afforded me at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies (RUSI), inviting me to speak, will be one of the high points of my life. My most profound thanks also go to Terry McNamee, the editor of the RUSI Journal, for publishing my paper in that most prestigious publication. Of my peers at Florida State, I’d like to single out Jason Musteen, Kenny Johnson, Jolynda Chenicek, Jackson Sigler, and Alexander Mikaberidze. I always cherished their feedback and laughter in our classes and seminars. As a group, we form the “rear-guard” of Dr. Horward’s last class-- a distinction we will never forget. I would also like to thank Frances Woodard of Huntsville, Alabama. Her love for “the Iron Duke” shines forth in the help and guidance she has graciously provided me throughout this process. Ever the teacher, this was not the first time her wisdom and keen eye has helped an aspiring scholar, her husband, Dr. Charles Woodard. I am particularly grateful to my parents, Colonel John and Sandra Moon. You taught me at a young age that hustle and hard work were enduring qualities and that “writing is 10% inspiration, and 90% perspiration.” You read every page of this dissertation, at least five times, and have helped me immeasurably along the way. I could not have written this dissertation without your guidance and friendly encouragement. I have thoroughly cherished this process with you. Thanks for your help and most important for the example you have always set for King, Kelly, and me. Last of all, I’d like to thank my beautiful wife, Christine, our two sons, Jackson Lee and Preston Alexander, and our beautiful twin girls, Vivienne Marie and Olivia Grace. They have “loaned me” to this project for the past four years and were always there when I needed them most. My family’s love, support, and understanding have carried me through this process. My final thanks are reserved for Sir Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington. I can only say what I think he would feel appropriate: “Three Cheers for His Majesty!” “Bayonet Charge!”--- BEAT NAVY! iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures.................................................................................................................... vi Abstract............................................................................................................................. vii Introduction..........................................................................................................................1 Chapter One: Roots of the Struggle: The campaign of 1808............................................10 Chapter Two: A Second Chance: Wellesley’s return to Iberia in 1809............................26 Chapter Three: The Trials Begin: The campaign of 1809 ................................................37 Chapter Four: Waning support: The defense of Portugal, 1809-10...................................54 Chapter Five: The High Water Mark: Masséna’s invasion of Portugal, 1810...................73 Chapter Six: Transition to the offense: The pursuit of 1811-1812 ...................................86 Chapter Seven: Exploitation: The Burgos campaign, 1812 –1813.................................119 Chapter Eight: Opportunity Arrested: The campaign of 1813........................................147 Chapter Nine: Endgame: The invasion of France, 1813-1814........................................185 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................214 Appendices.......................................................................................................................220 A. Administration of the British Army, 1808-1814.............................................220 B. Principal Cabinet Ministers, 1808 – 1814.......................................................221 C. Commanders of the French Armies in Spain, 1810-1813...............................222 D. Bay of Biscay, San Sebastián to Bayonne ......................................................223 E. Wellington’s Area of Operations in Southwestern France.............................224 Bibliography ........................................................................................................225 Biographical Sketch.........................................................................................................235 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Sir Arthur Wellesley, The Duke of Wellington ..................................................9 Figure 2: Provincial Map of the Iberian Peninsula ...........................................................25 Figure 3: Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh...............................................................36 Figure 4: Area of Operations ............................................................................................53