Siege of Cuneo (1691)

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Siege of Cuneo
Part of the War of the Grand Alliance
Date June 11, 1691 - June 28, 1691 Location Cuneo, present-day Italy Result Piedmonte victory
Combatants
France	Duchy of Savoy
Commanders
Nicolas Catinat	Victor Amadeus II of Savoy
Casualties
4,300 troops, 50 officers

War of the Grand Alliance
Walcourt – Fleurus – Beachy Head – Staffarda – Cuneo – Leuze – Barfleur-La Hogue – 1st Namur – Steenkirk – Landen – Marsaglia – Charleroi – Torroella – 2nd Namur – Barcelona

The Siege of Cuneo was a battle of the War of the Grand Alliance, fought in Cuneo (present day Piedmont, Italy) between France and the House of Savoy.

[edit] Background

After the French invasion of Piedmont followed to Victor Amadeus II of Savoy's refusal to cease the fortress of Turin, the French army, led by Nicolas Catinat, after the conquest of the strongholds of Pinerolo and Avigliana, laid siege to the Cuneo fortress. It was the fifth siege in the city's history. The Piedmontese troops were inferior in number, and had suffered a crushing defeat in the battle of Staffarda the previous year.

[edit] Siege

Catinat order marshal Fouquieres to camp at the feet of Cuneo and to besiege it. The first violent attack to the citadel turned into an appalling defeat for the French, who to retreat to their camp. Catinat attributed the setback to Fouquieres' incompetence and replaced him with marshal Bullonde.

But also the latter was unable to obtain nothing more. Moreover, he rushed away when news of the arrival of Victor Amadeus' cavalry reached the French camp. When his troops moved to Racconigi, they left behind 4,300 dead and numerous guns and ammunition. The siege had lasted for 17 days.