The Spanish took the fortress on the 10th April 1811 [see Figueras 1] and garrisonned it with 5 weak regular battalions. The remainder of the garrison were made up from volunteers and Miqueletes [Catalan irregular mountain troops]. In May Napoleon had ordered an immediate re-capture of the fortress but the Spanish put up such a determined defence the immediate became over three months. The Spanish dead numbered 1,500 the French lost nearly three times that number. A French victory but a long expensive one.

A fortress in the province of Catalonia, Spain, about 75 miles northeast of Barcelona. (Spain)

French Forces

Number engaged :

15,000

Casualties :

4,000 (26.67%)

Spanish Garrison

Number engaged :

7,000

Casualties :

7,000 (100.00%)