Recapture of Bouchain
War of the Spanish Succession · Bouchain, French Flanders
Summary
Last stage of the lightning reconquest of 1712, Bouchain is encircled shortly after the fall of Le Quesnoy. Well fortified and recently taken by the Allies the previous year, the town is nevertheless isolated after Denain. Villars launches a rapid siege, capitalizing on the collapse of enemy morale. The garrison surrenders after two days, exhausted and without hope of relief.
Historical context
Bouchain, taken by Marlborough on 12 September 1711 after a two-month siege, was a major Grand Alliance stronghold on the Sensée. On 1 October 1712, Marshal Villars besieged the town with around 20,000 men; the Dutch Imperial garrison of 2,000 men capitulated after 18 days.
Tactics
The siege of Bouchain (1–19 October 1712) mobilized 20,000 French under the Duke of Villars against a 2,000-man garrison commanded by Major-General Grovenstein. Siege artillery pounded the bastions for 18 days until the fortified town at the confluence of the Scheldt and Sensée surrendered.
Consequences
The recapture of Bouchain on 19 October 1712, after an 18-day siege, sealed the French clean sweep of the 1712 campaign after Denain. Northern France was cleared of Allied strongholds, strengthening Louis XIV's position for the Utrecht peace negotiations.