Battle of Cacabelos | |||||||
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Part of the Peninsular War | |||||||
![]() The French General Colbert was hit by a shot fired by Thomas Plunkett. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Casualties and losses | |||||||
200 men killed or wounded |
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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]