When did the Battle of Corunna take place?
The Battle of Corunna took place on the 16th of January 1809. British forces began their silent withdrawal from lines at around 9:00 pm that evening.
Questions about Battle of Corunna
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded the British army during the Battle of Corunna?
Sir John Moore commanded the British force numbering 30,000 men in Portugal before the battle. He died after being struck by a cannonball while rallying the 42nd Regiment near Elviña.
How many French soldiers participated in the Battle of Corunna under Marshal Soult?
Marshal Soult deployed 11 heavy guns and led infantry divisions including Delaborde, Merle, and Mermet against the British. Napoleon had previously led 278,670 men drawn up on the Ebro river to respond to the campaign.
What happened to Sir John Moore during the fighting at Elviña?
A cannonball struck Moore in the left shoulder carrying it away with part of the collar-bone. He remained conscious and composed throughout several hours of dying before succumbing to his wounds.
Why did the British retreat to Corunna instead of engaging Napoleon directly?
Napoleon decided to leave Spain entirely to attend to other pressing matters regarding Austrian threats. The British forces found themselves dangerously dispersed across the region while facing an avalanche of fire and steel from French invaders.