Siege of Tortosa (1810–1811) explained

Conflict:Siege of Tortosa (1810)
Partof:Peninsular War
Date:19 December 1810  - 2 January 1811
Place:Tortosa, Catalonia, Spain
Coordinates:40.8114°N 0.5194°W
Result:French victory
Combatant1: First French Empire
Combatant2: Kingdom of Spain
Commander1: Louis Gabriel Suchet
Commander2: Conde de Alacha
Strength1:12,000
Strength2:11,000
Casualties1:1,000
Casualties2:11,000

The siege of Tortosa (16 December 1810  - 2 January 1811) pitted an Imperial French army under General Louis Gabriel Suchet against the Spanish defenders of Tortosa led by General Lilli, Conde de Alacha.

Background

The French conquest of Aragon started with the siege of Tortosa.

Siege

The siege progressed swiftly and Alacha surrendered on 2 January 1811. Tortosa is a city that lies on the Ebro River about 80km (50miles) southwest of Tarragona. The action took place during the Peninsular War, part of the Napoleonic Wars.

Colonel Rouelle was employed at the siege of Tortosa, where he defeated two sorties by the besieged on the December 24 and December 28, 1810. These two feats were mentioned in dispatches.

Aftermath

The French conquest of Aragon proceeded with the Battle of El Pla.

References