Trant's Raid was the Portuguese recapture of the city of
Coimbra from the French on 6 October 1810 during the
Peninsular War. The assault was undertaken by a Portuguese militia led by Colonel
Nicholas Trant
Nicholas Trant (1769-1839) was a British Army officer of Irish descent who led Portuguese irregular troops in several actions during the Peninsular War. His best known exploits were the recapture of Coimbra from the French in October 1810 and the s ...
, an Irish officer in the British Army.
Battle
Marshal
Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated o ...
André Masséna's army had captured Coimbra and established a base there. On 7 October Trant and 4,000 Portuguese militia recaptured the city. French losses were 8 killed and 400 able-bodied soldiers captured. About 3,500 sick and wounded, plus several hundred medical and service personnel also surrendered. Trant's losses were only 3 men killed and another 26 men wounded.
Aftermath
As the new governor of the city, he remained in possession of the city all winter while the French carried out their futile blockade of the
Lines of Torres Vedras
Notes
References
*
*
External links
*
Battles of the Peninsular War
{{Portugal-hist-stub