Battle of Cacabelos

Battle of Cacabelos
Part of the Peninsular War

The French General Colbert was hit by a shot fired by Thomas Plunkett.
Date3 January 1809
Location
León, Spain
42°36′N 6°43′W / 42.600°N 6.717°W / 42.600; -6.717
Territorial
changes
British retreat from Cacabelos after briefly halting pursuing French forces
Belligerents
France French Empire United Kingdom United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
France Colbert-Chabanais   United Kingdom Edward Paget
Casualties and losses
200 men killed or wounded
  • 200 men killed or wounded
  • Roughly 50 men captured
Peninsular war: Napoleon's invasion
Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
200km
125miles
Corunna
14
Battle of Corunna January 1809
Cacabelos
13
12
Battle of Mansilla December 1808
11
Battle of Benavente December 1808
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 Cacabelos was a minor battle of the Peninsular War that took place on 3 January 1809, 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 Nicolas 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.[1]

  1. ^ Esdaile 2003, p. 154.