Second Battle of Porto: Wellesley drives Soult from Porto

Background. Following the First Battle of Porto in March 1809, Marshal Soult occupied the city. However, his plans to advance south to Lisbon were disrupted by Wellesley's return to Portugal in April. By early May, Soult recognized his lines of communication were deficient and his position vulnerable to Wellesley's rapid advance, setting the conditions for the subsequent engagements.

Command and Forces. Wellesley arrived in Lisbon on 22 April 1809 to command British troops reinforced by Portuguese regiments trained by General Beresford. Soult, who had invaded Portugal in 1809 and taken Porto, found himself isolated by General Francisco da Silveira's strategy. The Anglo-Portuguese army, led by Wellesley, faced Soult's French army, which had previously defeated Portuguese forces outside Porto.

Outcome and Significance. The victory at Grijó and the subsequent expulsion of Soult from Porto marked a turning point. Wellesley's surprise crossing of the Douro River, where defenses were weak, allowed him to retake the city. This success earned Wellesley the nickname "Douro Douro" among Portuguese troops, reflecting the impact of the river crossing on the campaign's momentum.