| Battle Of Aceiceira |
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Miguel's army, under the command of General Guedes , had been retreating eastward before the advance of Dom Pedro's forces, and had camped in a strong position on the Heights of Aceiceira, a system of hills and valleys about four miles from Thomar . Miguel himself was at Santarem and was not involved in the ensuing battle. Pedro's general, the Duke Of Terceira , advanced from Thomar on the morning of the 16th and attacked their position in three columns commanded by Colonels Queiroz , Nepomuceno and Vasconcellos . The Miguelite forces attempted to repel them with artillery bombardment and cavalry charges but the loyalist forces persisted in their attacks and eventually a charge by their own cavalry carried the heights. Many of the enemy were killed or wounded, their guns captured, and some 1400 men taken prisoner. The remainder fled towards Gollegao , which was occupied by Terceira the following day. Dom Pedro (already ill with the sickness that would kill him shortly after his final victory) arrived there on the 18th from Cartaxo . Miguel rallied his forces at Evora , but his officers were unwilling to risk a final battle after nearly two years of warfare, and he was presently induced to seek terms of capitulation. SOURCES
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