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Burgos [Failed siege]


Battle Name : Burgos [Failed siege]

Date(s) : 18 September 1812 - 21 October 1812

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

Outcome : A victory for French Garrison over Anglo-Portugese Forces

Type of battle : Land, Seige

Summary

Wellington pushed Clausel's army back passed Madrid, where Wellington left his three best divisions, to Burgos. The French fell back even further but left a strong garrison under General Dubreton to hold the fortress. The siege, conducted at the very end of over extended lines of communication, was under resourced and consequently costly in terms of men lost. With his position becoming more perilous every day, Clausel was reforming, Soult and d'Erlon were approaching Madrid from the south and south east, Wellington had to abandon the siege and work to unite his two forces. On the night of the 21st the wheels of the guns and wagons were muffled with straw and the British withdrew from Burgos.

Location

The fortress of Burgos, in the city of that name, about 125 miles north of Madrid. (Spain)

Casualty figures

Anglo-Portugese Forces

Number engaged :
32,000

Casualties :
2,100 (6.56%)

French Garrison

Number engaged :
2,000

Casualties :
627 (31.35%)