Second siege of Girona facts for kids

The second siege of Girona was a battle during the Peninsular War, which was part of the larger Napoleonic Wars. It was the second time the French army tried to capture the city of Girona in Spain, but they didn't succeed.

Quick facts for kids Siege of Girona (1808)
Part of Peninsular War
Image of Girona after 1809
Date 24 July to 16 August 1808 Location Girona, Catalonia, Spain 41°58′N 2°49′E / 41.967°N 2.817°E / 41.967; 2.817 Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
First French Empire	Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
Guillaume Duhesme Honoré Reille	Brigadier, Count of Caldagues
Strength
13,000	O'Donovan: 3,750 Caldagues: 7,000 6,000
Casualties and losses
271, all guns	light

The siege was stopped when a Spanish force, led by the Count of Caldagues, attacked the French from behind. This forced the French to leave behind many supplies and weapons.

Why Girona Was Important

Girona is a city located between the border of France and Spain, and the city of Barcelona. It was very important for the French army to control Girona. This was because it helped them keep their supply lines open from France to Barcelona.

At the time, the French general Guillaume Philibert Duhesme was almost completely cut off in Barcelona. Thousands of Catalan miquelets (local militia fighters) and some Spanish regular soldiers were blocking his way.

A few weeks before this second siege, in June 1808, General Duhesme had tried to attack Girona. The Spanish soldiers defending the city were led by Lieutenant Colonel O'Donovan. When that attack failed, Duhesme decided to start a proper siege.

The Siege Begins

The French army, led by General Guillaume Philibert Duhesme, tried to take Girona. The Spanish soldiers defending the city were officially commanded by Julian Bolivar. However, the real leaders of the defense were Colonel La Valeta and Lieutenant Colonel Richard O'Donovan.

The French started their siege operations, which means they surrounded the city and tried to break through its defenses. But they had to stop and leave.

Breaking the Siege: Spanish Counterattack

The reason the French had to leave was because a Spanish force attacked them from behind. This force was led by Brigadier, the Count of Caldagues. He was the commander of the Army of Gerona.

Caldagues's March to Girona

Caldagues had started his journey from a town called Martorell on July 6. He had with him:

• Three companies of fusiliers (soldiers with muskets).
• A company of grenadiers (soldiers who threw grenades).
• Two thousand migueletes and somatenes (local militia fighters) led by Colonel Juan Baget.
• Three cannons.

By July 13, when Caldagues reached Girona, his group had grown to about 3,300 men and five cannons.

Planning the Attack

Once he arrived, Caldagues met with the commanders inside Girona. These included Lieutenant Colonel Richard O'Donovan and Colonel La Valeta. Together, they planned how to attack the French.

• Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Milans del Bosch was to lead the first group of attackers. He had between 500 and 800 migueletes under his command.
• Another leader, Joan Clarós, was stationed in the mountains outside Girona. He had about 2,500 men, including more somatenes and regular soldiers from the Spanish Royal Guard and the Walloon Guards.

The Surprise Attack

On the morning of August 16, 1,400 Spanish soldiers from inside Girona surprised the French. The Barcelona Volunteers, led by La Valeta, led the charge. The Ultonia Regiment, led by Major Henry O’Donnell, supported them.

The Spanish forces fought bravely. The official report later praised the soldiers who fought. It also criticized another military leader, Domingo Traggia, who had a large force but did not join the fight. The report said his help would have led to a complete defeat of the French.

The Spanish suffered few losses. Only 22 soldiers died and 108 were wounded. Among the wounded was Enrique O'Donnell, from the Ultonia Regiment.

What Happened Next

After the siege was broken, General Duhesme's French soldiers were bothered by the Spanish army and the British navy as they returned to Barcelona. By the time they reached Barcelona, they had lost all their cannons and were very discouraged.

Meanwhile, Emperor Napoleon I put together a new army. This army, led by General Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr, was sent to help Duhesme. The next big battle in the Peninsular War was the siege of Roses, which happened later that year.

See also

• Battle of Gerona (1808)
• Third siege of Gerona (1809)
• Timeline of the Peninsular War