26 October 1813 – Battle of Corunna

Tactical map of battle area

7^th French corps holds Corunna

They are isolated and unsupported

16^th corps has been sent to secure lines of communication

1^st British corps has been ordered to take the town

French – 15600 infantry, 900 cavalry, 30 guns

British – 15600 infantry, 1000 cavalry,30 guns

 

Table at start of battle

Soult commands 7^th French corps in and around Corunna

Wellington is leading 1^st British corps to attack Corunna

He will arrive on table centre bottom at the start of move 1

Move 1 : 0800-0900

Soult has taken command of cavalry, artillery and one infantry brigade.

They are moving forward to the right of Corunna

Abbe retains command of the rest of 7^th French corps in Corunna

He has sent a second brigade into the town

Wellington has also taken command of cavalry, artillery and one infantry brigade

They are advancing to the left of the road

Stewart retains command of the rest of 1^st British corps

They are advancing to the right of the road

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Soult continues to move forward outside Corunna

The second infantry brigade continues to occupy the left section of the town

Both Wellington and Stewart continue to advance

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Soult swings his force to flank any attempt to attack Corunna

The reinforced garrison of the town is now in position

The British continue to advance

Move 4 : 1100-1200

Soult is now in position and unlimbers his artillery

Abbe sends his reserve infantry brigade forward on the left of the town

Wellington continues to advance towards Corunna

Stewart halts and forms his infantry into attack column behind the farm

Move 5 : 1200-1300

Soult awaits Brtiish advance

Wellington continues to advance towards Corunna

Stewart orders his infantry to advance, covered by the walled farm

Move 6 : 1300-1400

Soult waits for British to come within artillery range

Wellington forms square with Portuguese brigade to protect artillery

Orders Stewart to support his attack on the left of the road

Stewart orders highland brigade to occupy walled farm

Remainder of infantry to advance to the left of the farm

Move 7 : 1400-1500

Soult opens fire on British gunners, no casualties

Wellington unlimbers British artillery within short range of Corunna

Move hussar brigade to the left to make space for Stewart

Stewart moves two brigades to left of farm

Highland brigade enters farm

Move 8 : 1500-1600

Soult realigns his artillery to fire on walled farm

Corunna garrison receives 10% casualties but passes morale test

Wellington fires on Corunna, inflicts 10% casualties on garrison

Portuguese brigade form column and advance

Stewart continues to advance his infantry in support of Wellington

Highland brigade completes garrison of farm

Move 9 : 1600-1700

French gunners manhandle guns towards walled farm

Garrison receive more casualties, fail morale and retreat shaken

Reserve infantry brigade moves into Corunna to replace garrison

Wellington fires on Corunna and inflicts another 10% casualties on garrison

Portuguese brigade advance towards Corunna

Stewart also moves forward to support Wellington’s attack on Corunna

Move 10 : 1700-1800

French gunners continue to fire, no casualties

Shaken brigade in Corunna rally but continue to retreat

Replacement brigade move forward

Wellington fires on garrison, no casualties

Two brigades advance to storm Corunna

Cavalry and third brigade move towards Suchet

Highlanders prepare to exit farm

Move 11 : 1800-1900

French gunners fire on cavalry, hit and 10% casualties

Replacement brigade charge leading British brigade

Lose melee and are shaken with 10% casualtie

British gunners screen by infantry, limber and move right

Infantry storm Corunna, win melee but lose 10% casualties and disordered

Cavalry receive 10% casualties, pass morale test and are disordered

Move 12 : 1900-2000

French dragoons charge British hussars

Win melee, but lose 10% casualties and disordered

Gunners are screened by cavalry advance

Replacement brigade in Corunna lose melee and rout

British gunners unlimber

Hussars counter charge French dragoons

Lose melee, lose 10% casualties and shaken

Infantry in Corunna charge and rout shaken brigade

Move 13 : 2000-2100

French dragoons win melee and rout hussars

Two brigades rout from Corunna

British infantry hold half of Corunna

Engage garrison of other half

Hussars lose melee and rout with 30% casualties

Conclusion

The battle continued for an extra hour, to reach a conclusion

At nightfall the French still held half of Corunna

They had also routed the British hussar brigade

However they had lost half of Corunna

They had also lost two infantry brigades in rout

At nightfall Soult ordered a general retreat and abandoned Corunna

The French have lost 2200 casualties and two infantry brigades in rout

The British have lost 800 casualties and a cavalry brigade in rout