Battles & Campaigns · 1808
Battle of Benavente
Benavente, Zamora, Spain
What happened
British hussars under Lord Paget fought French Imperial Guard cavalry under Charles Lefebvre-Desnouettes. Moore's British army was retreating to the coast. French cavalry forded the swollen River Esla and pushed back the British outposts. Paget led a charge into their flank, and the French broke and fled back across the river.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first big incident of the hard British retreat to the coast. It lifted the hussars' spirits after Sahagún.
What came next
The retreat continued to Corunna, from where the army sailed home. Napoleon watched part of the fight from a hill.
Did you know?
The captured French general dined that evening with Sir John Moore, who gave him his own sword.
Timeline
- 21 December 1808Battle of Sahagún.
- 29 December 1808Battle of Benavente.
- January 1809Battle of Corunna.