In June 1833, the Liberal forces had been
bottled up and besieged in Porto for a year, while the Absolutists remained in control of the rest of Portugal. So it was decided to send a force commanded by the
Duke of Terceira over the sea to the
Algarve. This force was escorted by a naval squadron commanded by
Charles Napier. The Duke of Terceira landed near
Faro and marched north through the
Alentejo The Absolutists hastily gathered some forces to stop his advance towards the capital. Both armies clashed at
Cova da Piedade, near
Cacilhas. The Liberal army was able to push back the Absolutists, which entrenched themselves in the
Castle of Almada. The next day, the castle was taken by the Liberals and the leader of the Absolutists, General Teles Jordão, was killed. The way to Lisbon now lay open for the Liberal army and they occupied the city without any further opposition. ==Sources==