BATTLE OF THE LÍNHAS OF ELVAS

Before the reconquest Elvas, to another side of the Guadiana, it was an avanzadilla that was defending Badajoz and Évora and was protecting the traffic towards Lisbon and the north.

Completed this one and even before, Elvas turned into certain way into the key of Portugal, permanent watchtower of the movements proceeding from Castile and especially, point of dissuasion, defense and assault of the seat of Badajoz.

At the beginning of the year 1658 Luis Méndez de Haro, I validate of

 Philip IV, he penetrates in Portuguese territory, with the intention of taking Elvas's seat, as previous and indispensable step way to be opened towards Lisbon, across Estremoz. After encamping in the márgenes of the river Caya, it organized the fence of the city, extraordinarily strengthened, though with a garrison little adapted to repel a real assault. This army was relying on approximately 16.000 men between the different bodies that they were taking part in this type of campaigns.

At the beginning of the year 1658 Luis Méndez de Haro, I validate of Philip IV, he(she) penetrates in Portuguese territory, with the intention of taking Elvas's square(seat), as previous and indispensable step way to be opened towards Lisbon, across Estremoz. After encamping in the márgenes of the river Caya, it(he,she) organized the fence of the city, extraordinarily strengthened, though with a garrison little adapted to repel a real assault. This army was relying on approximately 16.000 men among the different bodies that they were taking part in this type of campaigns.

The Spanish general took a few days to recognize the area and to be preparing the fence, in order to distribute your forces, to prepare your entrenchment and to prevent at the same time as the deposited seat was receiving reinforcements.

Completed the site, from Lisbon she entrusts himself to D. Antonio Luis de Meneses, the control of the army of the Alentejo, him giving itself orders to come in help of Elvas's city and to break his fence. For it, after taking troops of all the nearby harness, plans necessary were made to come closer from Estremoz and in agreement with the deposited ones, to try to break the Spanish lines. The attackers had already initiated the bombardment of the population, who besides this assault, was suffering an area of pest that the population was decimating.

Supervised by the count of Cantanhede, the army formed by approximately 11.000 men they lodged in Assomada's high places, which were dominating the city and enemy líneas. On January 14 the Portuguese initiated the assault, combining it skilfully with Elvas's defenses, in such a way that the battle extended during long time, without the scale was inclining towards none of two decrees. In a certain moment the Portuguese obtain break the Spanish lines, dividing his forces and causing at the same time a durísimo I punish that it forced them to yield your positions of repeated form, one being caused great confusion that ended in a precipitated retreat towards Badajoz, leaving in the field of battle several thousands of dead and numerous injured men.

GREAT BATTLES