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San Sebastian


Battle Name : San Sebastian

Date(s) : 28 June 1813 - 08 September 1813

Part of : The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars , The Peninsular Campaign ,

Outcome : A victory for British Peninsular Army over French Garrison

Type of battle : Land, Seige

Summary

After Vitorio to deal with the two remaining strongholds the French had in Spain Wellington sent a Spanish force to invest Pamplona and General Graham with 18,000 British and Portugese troops to San Sebastian. Soult had left the defence of the city in the hands of General Ray. A major assault on the 25 July was replused with heavy losses and the siege was reduced to a holding operation from then until after the battle of Sorauren. The next major assault was on the 31st August. This too was going badly until General Graham ordered the very unusual action of firing his artillery over the heads of his own men while they were attacking. The town fell and the surviving defenders withdrew to the castle which was itself surrended on the 8 September.

Location

North east corner of Spain, on the coast where the Pryenees meet the sea Approximately 10 miles on the Spanish side of the French/Spanish border. (Spain)

Casualty figures

French Garrison

Number engaged :
3,600

Casualties :
3,100 (86.11%)

British Peninsular Army

Number engaged :
18,000

Casualties :
5,300 (29.44%)