The Combat Hostile_encounter of the Côa ( July 24 , 1810 ) was a skirmish Hostile_encounter that occurred Presence during the Peninsular War Hostile_encounter period of the Napoleonic Wars Hostile_encounter .

It took place Process_start in the valley of the Côa River and it was the first significant battle Hostile_encounter for the new army of 65,000 men controlled Control by Marshal André Masséna , as the French prepared GetReady for their third invasion Attack of Portugal .

The French objective Aiming was to force the Light Division back across the Côa in order to besiege Besieging Almeida .

They succeeded after hard Confronting_problem fighting Hostile_encounter , but then launched Process_start a costly assault Attack across the Côa , suffering Bodily_harm heavy casualties Death .