The diary of Sir John Moore

16 January 1809

Battle of Corunna

VOL. II T

The whole thing as to the intended fight at Carrion has about the same importance as the battle of Corunna, which is so unimportant in itself as a part of Moore's campaign, that I should be quite glad to leave all description of it alone were it not that one very important fact about it is habitually forgotten. Of that hereafter. Having now, as fully as I can, brought out the nature and importance of the great campaign with which we are dealing, I turn back to take up from the beginning of it the points that require to be cleared up, not because Moore does not state them clearly enough, but because others have confused them.

MOORE AT SALAMANCA

It is important to note that these approvals of his decision, that his first duty was to save the British army from useless destruction, did not reach Moore till some time after he had arrived at Benevente, when the movement of retreat had begun. He never read Canning's brilliant eulogy on his advance to Sahagun. Unquestionably, the fact that his intended retreat into Portugal had been emphatically approved, and that he had never heard of the appreciation of that stroke which involved the retreat on Corunna, gave a tone to his last hasty letter which has caused those who do not adequately examine the circumstances to mis- understand him.

VOL. II 2 A

Exactly applicable to Moore's method is Napoleon's saying,^ *'that a battle should never be risked unless the chances are seventy per cent, in favour of success; that, in fact, a battle ought always to be the last resource, as, from the nature of things, its result is always doubtful." Moore had a far more effective resource, and therefore was right in only twice during his retreat ofi'ering battle — once at Lugo, and once when he was obliged and delighted to fight at Corunna. I go thus into the principles of the retreat here, because my concern being with Moore, and not with the details of the movement, I propose to deal with it very shortly, chiefly in Moore's own words. It has been admirably described by Napier, and only at one point shall I have a word of suggestion to ofi*er on his narrative. Other- wise I have no intention of putting myself in competi-

VOL. II 2 B

them justice; to show how, by his appeals to his old regiment, the 51st, in the case of others to the memories of Egypt, and at all times and places to the patriotism and the noble side of the men, he day after day wrought them up to a passionate devotion, and roused them to splendid actions such as reward those who can so appeal to the British soldier. Nor can I do justice in detail to the ruse, the judg- ment, the tactical skill, and the military knowledge to which Colborne (p. 88, ante), who saw it all, has borne such ample testimony. There is, I think, only one point during the march that needs a little comment. When Moore decided to move on Corunna, Crauford's brigade was committed to the march to Vigo. William Napier being, naturally enough, very much disappointed at not taking part in the battle of Corunna, at which both his brothers were present, says that Moore missed Crauford's brigade there. Now certainly if Moore's object had been to defeat Soult in a great action, he could not have had too many troops present. But, unfortunately, Moore had no means whatever of forcing Soult to a general action. Soult had at Lugo, where Moore was without Crauford's light brigade, refused to attack, and, therefore, Moore's one purpose was to embark unmolested and as rapidly as possible. For that purpose, so long as he was able to have with him at Corunna sufficient troops to maintain his posi- tion — and he amply proved that he had judged rightly in that respect — it is clear that the movement by two roads and to two ports greatly facilitated his attempt. He had, by a skilfully managed ruse, gained four days on Soult. He would have lost much time had his column been lengthened on the one road. It was certainly advisable to have a flanking column on the