Battle of Arras (1654) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Arras
Part of the Franco-Spanish War
Date 25 August 1654 Location Arras (present-day France) Result French victory
Belligerents
France	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Vicomte de Turenne Duc de La Ferté Marquis d'Hocquincourt	Archduke Leopold Wilhelm Prince de Condé
Strength
20,000-25,000 5,000 garrison 15,000-20,000 relief force	25,000 63 guns
Casualties and losses
300-1,000 killed and wounded	2,000 killed or wounded 5,000 captured 63 guns 9,000 horses 2,000 wagons 6,000 tents

The Battle of Arras was an important fight during the Franco-Spanish War. It happened on August 25, 1654, near the city of Arras in what is now France. The French army, led by the skilled general Turenne, won a big victory. They defeated the Spanish army, which was commanded by Don Ferdinand de Salis and the famous Prince of Condé.

The Siege of Arras

Before the battle, the city of Arras was held by a French army. The Spanish army, led by the Prince of Condé, had surrounded the city. They were trying to force the French soldiers inside to give up. This is called a siege.

Turenne's Clever Plan

A French army, known as a relief force, came to help the soldiers trapped in Arras. This army was led by General Turenne, along with d'Hocquincourt and de la Ferté. Turenne took a big risk before the battle. He went very close to the Spanish lines to see their defenses for himself. Some of his officers thought this was too dangerous. However, Turenne used what he learned to plan his attack.

The Battle Begins

Turenne decided to attack at night, just before dawn on August 25. D'Hocquincourt attacked one part of the Spanish army. Turenne himself attacked the main Spanish forces. Another general, de la Ferté, also attacked, but his part of the plan didn't go as well.

Condé's Counter-Attack

In the morning, the Prince of Condé fought back. He attacked the French soldiers who were busy taking things from the Spanish camp. General de la Ferté got scared and left some important high ground. But Turenne quickly rode to that spot. He placed cannons there, which forced Condé to retreat.

A Major French Victory

The French army completely defeated the Spanish forces. The Spanish lost at least 7,000 men. The Prince of Condé managed to gather the rest of his army. He then made a very skillful retreat to the city of Cambrai. The young Louis XIV, who was the King of France, visited the battlefield. He saw how many more Spanish soldiers had died compared to French soldiers. This was King Louis XIV's first big victory against a foreign army.

Cyrano de Bergerac's Connection

You might know about Cyrano de Bergerac from the famous play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. While Cyrano was a real person and a soldier, he was not at the Battle of Arras in 1654. He did take part in a siege of Arras, but that was in 1640, many years earlier.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Arrás (1654) para niños