The Battle of Sabugal was an engagement of the Peninsular War which took place on 3 April 1811 between Anglo-Portuguese forces under Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) and French troops under the command of Marshal André Masséna.

The victory was lauded by the British; Sir Harry Smith, then a junior officer of the 95th Rifles and a participant in the battle, remarked "Oh, you Kings and usurpers should view these scenes and moderate ambition" while Wellesley later referred to the Light Division's action in the battle as "one of the most glorious that British troops were ever engaged in".

[2] By October 1810, Marshal Massena's French army had been halted by the Lines of Torres Vedras, and the Peninsular War had reached a stalemate.

While making good progress initially, the concentrated French force was driven back by British artillery.

Together with further French reinforcements, Reynier forced the British back to the cover of the stone walls at the foot of the hill.

This sight persuaded Reynier to pull back; however, the British were successful in seizing both his and General Pierre Soult's baggage carts, even if bad weather did prevent them from mounting a full pursuit.

Erskine, who was very nearsighted and mentally unbalanced, then became cautious and issued explicit instructions to Colonel George Drummond not to support his fellow brigade commander.

At this point, Erskine rode off to join the cavalry, leaving the Light Division leaderless for the rest of the battle.

These would in turn precipitate relief efforts by the French resulting in actions at Albuera and Fuentes de Oñoro respectively.