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 Piedmont 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
Bantry Bay – Walcourt – Fleurus – Beachy Head – Staffarda – Cuneo – Leuze – Barfleur-La Hogue – 1st Namur – Steenkirk – Lagos – 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 by Victor Amadeus II of Savoy's refusal to surrender the fortress of Turin, the French army attacked. Led by Nicolas Catinat, the French conquered the strongholds of Pinerolo and Avigliana, then 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 ordered Marshal Fouquieres to camp outside Cuneo and to besiege it. The first attack on the citadel turned into a huge defeat for the French, who retreated to their camp. Catinat attributed the setback to Fouquieres' incompetence and replaced him with Marshal Bullonde.

Bullonde was unable to succeed either. 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.