Siege of Breda (1813) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siege of Breda |
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| Part of the War of the Sixth Coalition | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 First French Empire |
Sixth Coalition: Russian Empire United Netherlands Kingdom of Prussia |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 François Roguet Lefebvre-Desnouettes |
General-Major van der Plaat General-Major Stahl Major Von Colomb |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 12,000 infantry 26 cannons |
Regiment of Phaff - 400 Breda militia - 500 1,200 infantry 4 cannons 2 squadrons hussars 170 hussarsFrom 20 December 9 cannons |
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The Siege of Breda was a short but important battle that happened in the city of Breda, in what is now the Netherlands. It took place from December 19 to 22, 1813. This fight was part of the larger Liberation Wars, where French soldiers fought against a group of allied forces.
Breda was a key city because it connected important French military bases. When French troops left Breda, Russian soldiers quickly moved in. The French then launched a counterattack to get the city back. After three days of fighting, the French had to retreat. Breda then became a vital spot for the Allies to gather troops and supplies.
Contents
Why Breda Was Important
The Fight for Freedom in 1813
After a big battle called the Battle of Leipzig in October 1813, the Allied armies pushed further into Holland. A group of about 5,000 Russian soldiers, led by General Count Alexander von Benckendorff, crossed the border in November. This caused French troops to panic and gather in strong forts.
Russian cavalry units, known as Cossacks, rode deep into the Netherlands. They reached major cities like Amsterdam and The Hague.
How the French Left Breda
A small group of Cossacks, led by Major-General Stahl, moved towards Breda. They spread a rumor that 3,000 Cossacks and many Prussian soldiers were coming. This made the French soldiers guarding Breda leave the city.
On December 10, Stahl's troops entered Breda without a fight. Two days later, the city leaders announced their loyalty to the Prince of Orange. They also formed a group of 500 local volunteers to help defend the city.
General Benckendorff arrived in Breda with his main force. He saw that Breda's defenses were weak. His troops were mostly cavalry and would not be able to stop a French attack alone. He asked for more infantry (foot soldiers) and artillery (cannons) right away.
However, other Allied troops were busy fighting elsewhere. The Dutch government in The Hague quickly sent help. They sent two ships with guns and ammunition. They also sent a coastal artillery company and a battalion of soldiers to defend Breda.
The French Attack Breda
French Plan to Retake the City
Breda was important because it linked the French bases at Gorinchem and Antwerp. So, the French gathered a force to take it back. About 12,000 soldiers and 26 cannons, led by Generals Rouget and Lefebvre-Desnouettes, started marching from Antwerp on December 19.
They easily pushed back the Cossack outposts near Zundert. The next day, they reached Breda. The buildings around Breda had not been cleared away. This allowed the French to set up their positions close to the city walls without being seen.
The Battle Begins
The French demanded that Breda surrender, but the defenders refused. The French then began firing their cannons at the city. At the same time, a Prussian scouting group, led by Major Friedrich August Peter von Colomb, entered Breda from another side.
The French had not yet completely surrounded the city. They immediately attacked the Antwerp Gate. About 250 Russian light infantry soldiers defended this gate. The Dutch battalion arrived and was sent straight to the Antwerp Gate.
The first French attack was stopped. But it was clear that there were not enough soldiers to hold off the French once they fully surrounded the city. The French even managed to set up a position on the glacis (a sloping open area outside the walls). This meant they could fire down on the defenders and launch new attacks.
The Three-Day Siege
Bringing in More Cannons
The ships carrying cannons and ammunition were nearby. But their crews were afraid to approach Breda because of French patrols. A group of 200 Cossacks was sent to chase away the French cavalry and guide the ships in.
That evening, the ships arrived. They brought nine large cannons and a lot of gunpowder and cannonballs. Russian, Cossack, Prussian, and Dutch soldiers, along with local civilians, worked all night. They built places for the cannons and made the defenses stronger. This was hard work because the French kept firing, and the people involved were not all experienced. There were also language problems, making it difficult to communicate.
Holding the City Walls
Despite the challenges, their hard work paid off. When the French started firing again on December 21, the defenders fired back. This counter-bombardment destroyed several French cannons.
The French attacked the Antwerp Gate and Water Gate. They also managed to send a group of soldiers further around the city to attack the Bosch Gate. This gate was not protected by cannons. About 150 Dutch infantry and the Breda Volunteers were sent to stop this surprise attack.
The fighting continued all day until nightfall. During the night, the defenders destroyed the bridge in front of the Antwerp Gate. Four Russian cannons also cleared out the French position on the glacis. The French continued their bombardment the next day. But they realized they were losing the battle. They retreated towards Antwerp, taking supplies from the countryside as they went. Prussian and Russian cavalry followed them closely.
After the Battle
When the Prussian soldiers from Bülow's Corps arrived in Breda, the people of the city were very relieved. They knew there would be no more French attacks. Breda then became a key point for Allied troops and supplies moving towards the siege of Antwerp. The city's defenses were rebuilt, making Breda an important stronghold once again.
