Siege of Hulst (1645) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Hulst
Part of Eighty Years' War
The siege and capture of Hulst in 1645 by Hendrick de Meijer.
Date 7 October – 4 November 1645 Location Hulst (present-day Netherlands) Result Dutch victory
Belligerents
United Provinces	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Frederick Henry	Jacques de Haynin du Cornet
Strength
12,500 infantry 2,500 cavalry 20 pieces of artillery	2,500 infantry 250 cavalry
Casualties and losses
1,600 dead or wounded	2,500 dead, wounded or captured

The Siege of Hulst in 1645 was a very important battle. It was the last big siege (when an army surrounds a town to capture it) of the Eighty Years' War. This war was a long fight (1568–1648) where the Dutch fought for their independence from Spain.

The town of Hulst was a strong fortress. It was captured by Dutch troops led by Frederick Henry. The Dutch won in just 28 days. The Spanish army only found out about the attack two days before it began.

The Spanish had about 2,500 foot soldiers and 250 horse soldiers. The Dutch attacked with a much larger force. They had 12,500 foot soldiers, 2,500 horse soldiers, and 20 cannons.

How the Battle Unfolded

Map of the siege of Hulst

The battle for Hulst happened in two main parts.

First Attack on the East Side

Frederick Henry sent 4,500 foot soldiers and 5 cannons to attack the east side of Hulst. When the Dutch reached the east side, they met a smaller Spanish force of 1,500 men. The Dutch began by firing their cannons. These first shots killed about 100 Spanish soldiers.

The Dutch soldiers quickly moved closer to the Spanish. Over 10 days, the Spanish lost 1,000 men. The Dutch lost 400 men during this time. After this, the Dutch controlled the eastern part of the city.

Second Attack on the City Center

When Frederick Henry heard about the success in eastern Hulst, he sent 1,000 more horse soldiers. He then led an attack on the center of the city. The Spanish commander ordered his horse soldiers to charge directly at Frederick Henry. However, the Dutch had set a trap. The Spanish horse soldiers were surprised and almost completely defeated.

After 18 days of constant cannon fire, the Spanish commander finally gave up.

What Happened Next

The Dutch successfully captured Hulst. They did so with fewer losses than the Spanish. The Dutch lost about 1,500 foot soldiers and 100 horse soldiers. The Spanish lost about 2,000 foot soldiers and 225 horse soldiers. Many Spanish soldiers were also captured.

See also

In Spanish: Asedio de Hulst (1645) para niños