Page 167 - Chronicle Vol 17

The British rearguards were very active and engaged in relentless skirmishes throughout the retreat to the port. Which resulted in French losses consistently on the long retreat to Corunna. Our own Regiment The legendary 95th Rifles was charged with the responsibility of protecting the bulk of Moore’s forces. The rear guard on the Corunna route, including the 2nd/43rd, 1st/52nd and 1st/95th Rifles, fought a series of brilliant delaying actions. It is no wonder Moore wished for the 95th to be with his force in Elvina, which he commanded on the ground side by side with his men. In Moore’s mind Elvina was the real vital ground to hold. This location would prove to be a hotbed for most of the fighting as on the 16th of January, upon witnessing the Royal Navy starting to arrive at the port, Soult decided to launch his attack. Initially the British were pushed back north from the village following fierce fighting between both sides. this was a short-lived victory for Soult as miraculously the British counterattack followed up almost immediately and Moore was once again able to re-establish his posi- tion. I can only imagine This must have affected the morale of the French to see the fighting spirit still burning in the enemy, even after being chased across the mountains through abysmal weather the fighting spirit remained strong and kept the French at bay.
We can see through this map the British Forces to the south of the port, denoted by the red boxes representing British Forces. The blue being the French. Amongst the skirmishes at Elvina was a hard-fought sword charge led by Sir John Moore himself. Up close and brutal they took the fight to the French with the 42nd Highlanders who are better known as the Black Watch. Outnumbered and out- gunned by enemy artillery Moore held fast, when the British did lose ground, it was taken back shortly with brutal fighting. Had Soult taken the village com- pletely, held off the counter attacks and had the British fleeing for their lives into the safety of the Royal Navy, then I would consider Elvina a win for the French. However, this is simply not the case. We can see how Offensive action played a huge part on the British side of the fighting, the national army museum (2023) gives some examples of this stating “At one point, as ammunition ran low, he urged his men: ‘You’ve got your bayonets. Remember Egypt!’ “he” is referring to General Sir John Moore himself. Moore’s attitude and resilience plays a crucial part in my question. Not because a few brave words of inspiration are enough to call it a British success, but because it shows not only how The British kept fight- ing, but why they did. Elvina in my view was a British Success. The French failed to hold the village.
Control is another key Principle in terms of a withdraw. This was tested on the British side as tragically Sir John Moore met his end. should it have happened ear- lier it may have changed the battle completely. While leading the same bayonet charge that inspired his men to drive the French from the village of Elvina, Moore was struck with a cannonball. Indeed, Sir John Moore was a high value target on the battlefield. Leading from the front can be a risky business, but much like Wellington himself Moore believed his place was with his men in the heat of the fighting. It is unclear whether it was a lucky shot that hit the General. Either way I believe it was too little too late. I have no doubt this serves as some substantial
166