Battles & Campaigns · 1808
Battle of Sahagún
Sahagún, León, Spain
What happened
About 400 British hussars under Lord Paget charged a larger French cavalry force under César Debelle. Sir John Moore's British army had advanced into Spain. Before dawn, in bitter cold, Paget's hussars rode around the town to trap the French. The French tried to stop the charge with carbine fire, but the British broke through and captured many.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first clash between British and French forces in this phase of the war in Spain. It marked the furthest point of Moore's advance.
What came next
With large French armies approaching, Moore retreated to the coast. The army left Spain in January 1809 after the Battle of Corunna.
Did you know?
The charging hussars shouted 'Emsdorf and Victory!' in memory of a battle won in 1760.
Timeline
- 21 December 1808Battle of Sahagún.
- 29 December 1808Battle of Benavente.
- January 1809Battle of Corunna; the British leave Spain.