Battle of Cacabelos

Overview

The Battle of Cacabelos was fought on 3 January 1809 during the Peninsular War at the bridge just outside the village of Cacabelos, Province of León, Spain, as British forces under Sir John Moore making their retreat to A Coruña. In the ensuing engagement with French Marshal Jean-de-Dieu Soult's advance guard, British units were overwhelmed and forced to mount a hurried withdrawal across the bridge. Ultimately, however, the French forces failed to press their advance further due to heavy losses including the death of French Brigadier General Colbert-Chabanais. The resulting delay allowed Moore's forces to continue their retreat while keeping their forces largely intact.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Cacabelos occurred during the British retreat to A Coruña under Sir John Moore, fought at the bridge outside the village of Cacabelos in the Province of León. British rearguard units were overwhelmed by Soult's advance guard and forced into a hurried withdrawal across the bridge, yet the engagement produced a decisive check on French pursuit. Heavy French casualties, including the death of Brigadier General Colbert-Chabanais, caused Soult's forces to halt their advance. That delay allowed Moore's army to continue its retreat with its forces largely intact, preserving the main British force for the eventual evacuation at A Coruña and sustaining British operational presence in the Peninsular campaign.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)