Capture and Siege of Toulon 1793

Unit/ Formation: His Majesty's Marine Forces

Location: France

Period/ Conflict:

Year: 1793

Date/s: 27 August 1793

27th of August Lord Hood landed 1,500 troops, with 200 marines and seamen, near Fort la Malgue, of which they immediately took possession, and captain Elphinstone of the Robust was appointed governor.

On a message being conveyed from the fort to the french rear- admiral Julien, that such ships as did not proceed into the harbour would be treated as enemies, the crews abandoned their ships, and about 5,000 men and officers escaped into the interior.

In the morning the ships moved into the harbour, and in the afternoon the British and Spanish fleets (the latter, composed of seventeen sail of the line, having recently arrived) anchored together in the outer harbour of Toulon.

A reinforcement of 1,000 men from the Spanish fleet having been sent into Fort la Malgue, rear-admiral Gravina took the command of the troops, and rear-admiral Goodall was appointed governor of Toulon and its dependencies.

The Siege of Toulon was a significant military engagement during the French Revolutionary Wars that began on September 7, 1793. French royalists had captured Toulon, a key naval base, and handed it over to British forces led by Sir Samuel Hood.

The young military leader Napoleon Bonaparte played a crucial role in the siege, first taking command of the artillery and later influencing the strategy that led to the replacement of the initial French commander. Following Napoleon's tactics, French revolutionary forces attacked strategic forts, successfully capturing Fort l'Equilette on December 17.

This victory allowed them to bombard the British fleet, prompting Hood to evacuate his troops and civilians the next day. The French retook the city on December 19, leading to harsh reprisals against the local populace. The siege was a critical turning point, marking a significant defeat for the British and solidifying Napoleon's rising prominence in the military, as he was promoted to brigadier general shortly after.

The outcome of the siege not only had military implications but also served as a psychological boost for the revolutionary forces.

References/Further Reading

1. Brittanica - The Seige of Toulon