Corunna 1809: Sir John Moore's Fighting Retreat

Philip Haythornthwaite

Osprey Publishing, Feb 25, 2001 - History - 96 pages

The retreat to Corunna is one of the epic campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815). Late in 1808 Sir John Moore found himself virtually alone with his small British army deep inside Spain. The armies of his Spanish allies had been overwhelmed and he faced a victorious French force under the Emperor Napoleon. He had little option but to order a retreat to the port of Corunna. This became the most arduous of trials with armies traversing mountainous terrain over appalling roads in the depths of winter. Somehow Moore held his outnumbered, exhausted men together as they struggled to reach safety. Finally at Corunna Moore's army turned to face its tormentors.

Contents

• ORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN: 7
• OPPOSING ARMIES: 14
• THE CAMPAIGN: 22
• THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA: 44
• Sahagun to Benavente Astorga to Cacabellos Cacabellos to Corunna: 66
• THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY: 93

About the author

Philip Haythornthwaite is an expert on the Napoleonic Wars with a worldwide reputation. He has written some 40 books, more than 20 for Osprey including Warrior 22 Imperial Guardsman 1799–1815, but still finds time to indulge himself in his other great passion – cricket.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Corunna 1809: Sir John Moore's Fighting Retreat; Volume 83 of Campaign (Osprey Publishing); Volume 83 of Campaign (Oxford); Volume 83 of Campaign Series; Campaign, 83; Issue 83 of Osprey Campaign Series; Volume 83 of Osprey Military campaign series
• Author: Philip Haythornthwaite
• Illustrated by: Christa Hook
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2001
• ISBN: 1855329689, 9781855329683
• Length: 96 pages
• Subjects: History / Europe / France; History / Military / General