Bernardim Freire de Andrade

Bernardim Freire de Andrade (Lisbon, 18 February 1759 – Braga, 17 March 1809), was a Portuguese Army general officer who was assigned to command the forces of the Porto Junta in 1808 during the Peninsular War.

Bernardim Freire de Andrade
Born18 February 1759 (1759-02-18)
Lisbon, Portugal
Died17 March 1809 (1809-03-18) (aged 50)
Braga, Portugal
Allegiance Portugal
Years of service1781–1809
RankLieutenant General
Battles/warsWar of the Pyrenees
War of the Oranges
Peninsular War

In March 1809, Freire commanded an army composed mostly of unruly militia which was opposed to Marshal Nicolas Soult's army of professional French soldiers. Freire understood that his poorly trained men stood little chance against the French but he was afraid to order a retreat because he feared for his life. When he tried to leave the army, he was arrested and put in the Braga jail. Soon afterward, a group of militiamen broke into the jail and murdered him.

The commander of the British invasion force, Sir Arthur Wellesley complained that it was difficult to cooperate with Freire.

Promotions and Units
RankUnitDate
Lieutenant General2 October 1808
Commandant ChiefArmy of Operations in Estremadura22 July 1808
Field Marshal25 February 1807
Governor of WeaponsPorto Party25 February 1807
Brigadier25 January 1795
Colonel13th Infantry Regiment of Peniche17 December 1794
Lieutenant Colonel13th Infantry Regiment of Peniche24 September 1791
Major13th Infantry Regiment of Peniche27 April 1790
Captain5th Company, 13th Infantry Regiment of Peniche27 February 1787
Lieutenant5th Company, 13th Infantry Regiment of Peniche9 October 1782
Ensign5th Company, 13th Infantry Regiment of Peniche25 April 1782
Cadet13th Infantry Regiment of Peniche


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