26 October 1813 – Santiago Campaign – Day 8

16^th Italian corps has been sent to escort a convoy from Oviedo to Corunna

This has left 7^th corps isolated and unsupported at Corunna

Wellington orders 1^st corps to attack Corunna

2^nd corps is still recovering from battle casualties

The French reserve corps are returning to Lugo

But will arrive too late to threaten Santiago

The third battle of Corunna was a hard fought one

Wellington concentrated on attacking the city

To do so he would pin those French troops outside

He had a long approach march, and it was late afternoon before the attack began

He was able to bring his artillery up close to the walls, and they did a lot of damage

Only when he used his cavalry to hold the French counter attack did he suffer heavy casualties

The French dragoons routed his hussars with 400 casualties

At nightfall Soult ordered 7^th corps to abandon the city and retreat to the east