Siege of Puebla (1863)

Siege of Puebla
Part of the French intervention in Mexico
General Bazaine ordering the Zouaves to charge Fort San Javier.
Date 16 March – 17 May 1863 Location Puebla, Mexico Result French and Mexican Imperial victory
Belligerents
Mexican Republic	French Empire Mexican Empire
Commanders and leaders
Jesús González Ortega Ignacio Comonfort Felipe Berriozábal	Élie Frédéric Forey Abel Douay François Achille Bazaine Leonardo Márquez
Units involved
Central Army Eastern Army	2nd Marine Infantry Regiment First Zouave Regiment 5th Regiment of Foot Artillery
Strength
22,000 Mexican Republicans	24,300 French 2,300 auxiliaries 2,000 Mexican Imperialists
Casualties and losses
min. 2000 200 POWs	150 dead, 500 wounded (as of 31 March) +500 dead and wounded (as of 6 April)

The Siege of Puebla occurred between 16 March and 17 May 1863 during the French Intervention in Mexico, between forces of the Second French Empire and forces of the Second Federal Republic of Mexico. The French were advancing toward Mexico City, and were blocked by Mexican troops at Puebla. The French encircled the city, and attempted to take it by storm, but failed. The French defeated several Mexican relief attempts, and after several weeks the city fell, a French victory.

French forces had advanced toward Mexico City in 1862, but were defeated at Puebla on 5 May 1862. General Charles de Lorencez was dismissed and replaced by General Forey, who arrived at Veracruz in September 1862. During the winter, the French prepared for a new campaign in spring 1863, while in Puebla, Mexican forces under the command of General Ortega built new fortifications, including Fuerte ("fort") San Javier.

The siege began on 16 March with an encircling movement led by Generals Bazaine and Douay. By 18 March, encirclement was effective and by 22 March, a relief attempt by Mexican troops from Cholula had failed.

On 29 March, French troops made the first assault on Fort San Javier. Against serious resistance from the Mexicans, it took 20 hours for the French to emerge victorious in a particularly confused melee. On 31 March, the French seized the convent of Guadalupita. From that moment resistance became even more ferocious. The Mexicans raised barricades in every street and forced the French to fight house to house. Simultaneously, the French repulsed another Mexican offensive which aimed to break the siege.

On 25 April, after failing to capture the convent of Santa Ines, the French decided to hold their position and wait for siege artillery to arrive. Troops of the French Foreign Legion escorted the siege artillery. During this operation, the famous Battle of Camarón took place.

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