Siege of Calvi

Siege of Calvi
Part of the Invasion of Corsica during the French Revolutionary Wars
Loss of his Eye Before Calvi, National Maritime Museum
Date 17 June − 10 August 1794 Location Calvi, Corsica Result Anglo-Corsican victory
Belligerents
Great Britain Corsica	France
Commanders and leaders
Samuel Hood Horatio Nelson  (WIA) Charles Stuart John Moore Pasquale Paoli	Raphaël Casabianca
Strength
2,300 Mediterranean Fleet	5,000 2 frigates 2 brigs 1 gunboat
Casualties and losses
88 killed or wounded 1,000 sick	700 killed or wounded 2 frigates captured 2 brigs captured 1 gunboat captured

The siege of Calvi was a combined British and Corsican military operation during the Invasion of Corsica in the early stages of the French Revolutionary Wars. The Corsican people had risen up against the French garrison of the island in 1793, and sought support from the British Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet under Lord Hood. Hood's fleet was delayed by the Siege of Toulon, but in February 1794 supplied a small expeditionary force which successfully defeated the French garrison of San Fiorenzo and then a larger force which besieged the town of Bastia. The British force, now led by General Charles Stuart, then turned their attention to the fortress of Calvi, the only remaining French-held fortress in Corsica.

Calvi was a heavily fortified position, defended by two large modern artillery forts. Stuart therefore prepared for a long siege, seizing the mountainous heights over the approaches to the town and opening a steady fire, which was vigorously returned. Both sides took casualties; among the British wounded was Captain Horatio Nelson, who was blinded in one eye. After several weeks the French positions were sufficiently damaged and Stuart launched a major assault, driving the French out of the forts in turn and into the town. Stuart and the French commander Raphaël de Casabianca then engaged in extended negotiations which led to first a truce and then, on 10 August, a capitulation. The terms of the surrender were generous, and the French troops repatriated to France. With the conclusion of the siege the island of Corsica now became a British colony, and remained a British base of operations for two years.