'Genl. Sir Thomas Picton, Storming the Moorish Castle of Badajos. March 31st 1812'

Aquatint by T Sutherland after W Heath, published by J Jenkins, 1 Apr 1815. This print is from the series, 'Napoleonic Wars', 1799-1815: The Martial Achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815.

The Siege of Badajoz was one of the bloodiest in the Napoleonic Wars of 1803-1815. The allies had encircled the Spanish town on 17 March 1812 and started an intense bombardment of it on 31st of that month. However, contrary to the title of this print, it was not until 6th April that they stormed the castle. The Third Division, under Lieutenant-General Thomas Picton's command, scaled the walls. Picton was seriously wounded in the dramatic assault but refused to leave his post. The next day, in appreciation of their achievement, Picton gave every survivor under his command at the siege a guinea each. in 1813, Picton was knighted by the Prince Regent for services to the Army and was elected Member of Parliament for Pembroke Boroughs.