National Army Museum

A view of the siege and storming of Ciudad Rodrigo in Spain on Jany. 19. 1812.

engraving, engraving

Accession Number

NAM.1971-02-33-112-1

Description

A view of the siege and storming of Ciudad Rodrigo in Spain on Jany. 19. 1812. Coloured engraving by an unknown artist. Published by J Pitts, London, 21 Feb 1812. The capture of the border fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz was essential before Wellington could advance into Spain. On 8 Jan 1812 he laid siege to Ciudad Rodrigo and by 19 Jan his guns had opened two gaps in the defences of the town. That night, the 3rd Division attacked one breach while the Light Division assaulted the other. The 3rd Division suffered heavily from the explosion of a huge mine, which can be seen in this engraving, but the Light Division forced their way into the town while other troops succeeded in scaling the walls elsewhere. Attacked from all sides, the French surrendered. The capture of Ciudad Rodrigo was followed by several hours of drunkenness and looting by British soldiers. These scenes were repeated in Apr 1812 when Badajoz was stormed.

Events

Badajoz, 3rd Siege of, 1812 (Peninsular War 1808-1814), Ciudad Rodrigo, Siege of, 1812 (Peninsular War 1808-1814)

Units

Light Division

3rd Division

43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry)

53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot

94th Regiment of Foot

95th Regiment of Foot

French Army

People

Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of

Dimensions

Width: 18 in Text: 12.75 in Part 1: 14.75 in Part 1: 19 in

Inscriptions

bottom ‘This place and its Fortifications were taken by Storm after dark by the gallant British and Allied forces commanded by Genl Lord Wellington who in Half an hour were complete masters / of the whole, and made prisoners the Governor, Genl Bahier and about 78 Officers and 1700 Men, besides 153 pieces of Ordnance and a great quantity of stores and Ammunition taken by the Victors’ bottom ‘Published Feby.21 1812 by J Pitts No 14 Great St Andrew Street, Seven Dials.’ key ‘A The British troops storming the breach and scaling the walls. / B Genl. Crawford mortally wounded in the assault. / C – The conflict on the Ramparts. / D – Genl. Mackinnon blown up by the explosion of the enemy’s expence Magazine. / E – The town and citadel. / F – The French opposing troops. / G – The suburbs of St Francisco. / H – The Convent of St Francisco. / I – The Glacis or subs Wall. K. The Ditch / L - The British batteries on the slopes of the hill. / M – The British soldiers fording the ditch.