Battle of Granville

The Siege of Granville occurred at Granville, Manche on 14 November 1793. It faced 5,000 Republicans besieged by Vendéen forces during the Virée de Galerne. The battle ended with a Republican victory.

Battle of Granville
Part of the War in the Vendée
The burning of Granville by the Vendéens, painting by Jean-François Hue
Date 14 November 1793 Location Granville, Manche, France Result Republican victory
Belligerents
Republicans	Vendéens Chouans
Commanders and leaders
André Pacifique Peyre François Vachot	Henri de La Rochejaquelein
Strength
5,500 men	25,000 men
Casualties and losses
unknown	600 dead 1,400 wounded

Battle

See also: Virée de Galerne

A rumour ran through the Vendéen ranks that if they reached a port the English would come to their aid. Their first choice was the port at Saint-Malo but they finally fixed on Granville, apparently less well-defended. On 14 November the Vendéens arrived before the city, but they had no siege equipment and the English had not shown up. Even so, the Vendéens launched an assault and took the suburbs, but their advance was hampered when a fire which broke out and burned down the suburbs. The Vendéens thus passed by the grêve and began to climb the rocks at the foot of the ramparts, when cries of "Treason!" began to spread through their ranks, probably shouted by Republican spies. Quickly panic overtook the Vendéens and, as many fled, the assault failed. Having heard no news of the English forces (despite their actually being very nearby, at Jersey), La Rochejaquelein decided to raise the siege.

Results

This victory was decisive for the Republicans, who thus avoided the Vendéens and Chouans joining up with the English forces. Discouraged, the Vendéens made an about-turn in an attempt to cross the River Loire again, and managed to fight several more battles in the campaign.