Battle of Corunna
The Battle of Corunna was a significant conflict during the Peninsular War, taking place on January 16, 1809, as British forces under Sir John Moore faced off against French troops led by Marshal Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult. After a strategic retreat to Corunna, Moore's forces encountered heavy bombardment and assault from the French, which led to fierce fighting in the village of Elvina and surrounding areas characterized by farmsteads and hedgerows. Despite the challenging conditions, the British were able to repel the French attacks by nightfall, allowing their forces to evacuate. Tragically, Sir John Moore was mortally wounded during the battle, a loss that had significant emotional and strategic implications. The battle played a crucial role in diverting French resources from their main campaign in Lisbon, ultimately providing the British and their allies time to regroup under the leadership of the Duke of Wellington. The events at Corunna are remembered not only for their military significance but also for the personal sacrifices made by the soldiers involved.
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Battle of Corunna
Type of action: Ground battle in the Peninsular War
Date: January 16, 1809
Location: About two miles south of the port of Corunna, Galicia, northwest Spain
Combatants: 14,900 British vs. 15,500 French
Principal commanders:British, Lieutenant General Sir John Moore (1761–1809); French, Marshal Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult (1769–1851)
Result: Successful repulse of French forces allowed the safe evacuation of British forces
While Sir John Moore waited at Salamanca to be joined by reinforcements from Corunna, his forces carried out a successful diversionary attack that provoked Napoleon I to send a very large force against him. Moore decided to retreat toward Corunna. He arrived there on January 11, but his transports were delayed until January 15, allowing Marshal Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult’s forces to catch up.
After 2:00 p.m. on January 16, the French began a heavy cannonading of British forces from high ground, then attacked with infantry. Much of the battle was fought in farmsteads, hedgerows, and orchards, preventing major troop maneuvers. The village of Elvina changed hands several times. By nightfall, French forces had been repulsed and British troops were able to embark. A casualty of the battle was Moore, struck by a cannonball while on horseback.
Significance
The successful retreat of British forces under Moore caused Napoleon to divert large numbers of forces from his major objective, Lisbon. The diversion eventually bought time for British and allied forces to regroup under the duke of Wellington for final victory over Napoleon in the Peninsular War.
Bibliography
Espoito, Vincent J., and John R. Elting. A Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars. Rev. ed. London: Greenhill Books, 1999.
Hall, Basil, Captain. “When I Beheld These Men Spring from the Ground.” In Every Man Will Do His Duty: An Anthology of Firsthand Accounts from the Age of Napoleon, 1793–1815, edited by Dean King and John B. Hattendorf. New York: Holt, 1997.
Smith, Digby, ed. The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill Press, 1998.