Battle of Cacabelos

Battle context

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.