MOORE, Sir JoHN (1761-1809). A British general. The eldest son of Dr. John Moore (Tv.). he was born at Glasgow. He entered the army when only fifteen, and served with dis tinction in Nova Seotia, Corsica, the West Indies, Ireland, and Holland. He was in Egypt with the army under Abereromby, and obtained the Order of the Bath for his serviees during the operations around Abukir Bay. In 1802 Moore served in Sicily and Sweden. In 1808 he was sent with a corps of 10,000 men to strengthen the English army in the Peninsula. In October he moved his army from Lisbon. with the in tention of advancing by Valladolid to unite with the Spanish general Itomana. and threaten the communications between Madrid and France. But the apathy of the Spaniards and the successes of the French in various parts of the Peninsula soon 1)Ineed him in a critical posit ion. Ile had determined to make a bold advance front Salamanca to attack Sonit when the news readied Iriut that Madrid had fallen, and that Napoleon was marching to ernsh him at the head of 70.000 men. Moore's forces
annuinted to only 25.000 num. and he was conse quently forced to retreat. In December he began the march front Astorga to Coruna, a route of nearly 250 miles, through a desolate and moun tainous country, made almost impassalde by snow and rain, and harassed by the enemy. The soldiers suffered intolerable hardships, and ar rived at Contila in a very distressed state: but it was impossible to embark without lighting. On .January 16, 1809, the French under Soult attacked in four strong columns, and a desperate battle ensued. In an early stage of the action Moore was struck by a cannon ball on the left shoulder, and died in the moment of vietory. The French were repulsed with the loss of 2000 men. Consult: Carrick Moore, Life of Sir John Moore (London, 1835) ; Napier, History of the Peninsular War (5 vols., New York, 1856).