Battle of Benavente

Battle of Benavente
Part of the Peninsular War

British hussars at the battle of Benavente, 29 December 1808, by William Barnes Wollen.
Date29 December 1808
Location
Zamora, Spain
42°00′11″N 5°40′27″W / 42.0031°N 5.6742°W / 42.0031; -5.6742
Result British victory[1]
Belligerents
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland United Kingdom First French Empire France
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Henry, Lord Paget First French Empire Charles Lefebvre-Desnouettes  (POW)[1]
Strength
600[2] 550[2]
Casualties and losses
50 killed and wounded[2] 55 killed and wounded, 3 officers and 70 other ranks captured.[2]
Peninsular war: Napoleon's invasion
Map
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Maps: terms of use
200km
125miles
Corunna
14
Battle of Corunna January 1809
13
Battle of Cacabelos January 1809
12
Battle of Mansilla December 1808
Benavente
11
10
Battle of Sahagún December 1808
9
Battle of Molins de Rei December 1808
Zaragoza
8
Second siege of Zaragoza December 1808
7
Battle of Cardedeu December 1808
Somosierra
6
Battle of Somosierra November 1808
Tudela
5
Battle of Tudela November 1808
4
Battle of Espinosa November 1808
3
Battle of Burgos November 1808
Roses
2
Siege of Roses November 1808
Zornoza
1
Battle of Zornoza October 1808
  current battle

The Battle of Benavente (29 December 1808) was a cavalry clash in which the British cavalry of Lord Paget defeated the elite Chasseurs à cheval of the French Imperial Guard during the Corunna Campaign of the Peninsular War. The French chasseurs were broken and forced into the River Esla; their commanding officer, General Lefebvre-Desnouettes, was captured. The action was the first major incident in the British army's harrowing retreat to the coast and ultimate evacuation by sea.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Esdaile 2003, p. 150.
  2. ^ a b c d Smith 1998, p. 273.