Both
armies have orders to advance to engage the enemy.
The
result is an encounter battle between 1st British and 6th
French corps at Chaves.
The
French outnumbered the British in infantry, and due to the terrain the battle
would be decided by town fighting. The
leading brigades entered the town and commenced to skirmish. The French quickly won the fire-fight, and
the British brigade routed with 800 casualties.
The
reserve British brigade were poor quality conscripts, and they did not have any
supports. Seeing the leading brigade
break and run they quickly took fright and joined the rout.
A
bad start to the campaign for Wellington.
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