Featured battle : Mantua, second siege of

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 24 August 1796 - 02 February 1797

The Austrian Garrison suffered enormous privations and many died of sickness rather than by the actions of the enemy. The relief column of the 15th September 1796, lead by Würmser, had failed to relieve but had been forced into the fortress. On the 16th January 1797 a relief column under Provera supported by a strong sally from the fortress again failed to relieve Mantua and the surrender came on the 2nd February. Würmser, his staff and 700 men were allowed to march out free with six guns. The remainder of the Garrison about 20,000 men marched out with honours of war paroled not to fight again until exchanged. The French took 325 Austrian guns and recaptured 179 of their own guns.

Waterloo Archive Volume IV: British Sources

Gareth Glover [Ed]
Another superb collection of original material not only from front line troops but also from reserve and support services. See review of Volume VI for an overview of the series.
Frontline Books, Pen & Sword Books Ltd., 2012