130 Oporto: The British catch Soult off-guard - WDS Bonaparte's Peninsular War

Oporto, 12 May 1809 - Having destroyed the bridge across to Villa Nova and collected all the boats on the northern bank, Soult felt that the Douro river would be a major obstacle, preventing the British from launching a direct attack on Oporto, so he was in no hurry to order a retreat. However, Wellesley managed to get hold of four barges and launched a daring attack across the river, first seizing an abandoned seminary and then gradually reinforcing this bridgehead.