Battle of Villersexel
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Villersexel in the Franco-Prussian War
opposed on January 9, 1871 elements of the French
Armée de l'Est under General Bourbaki
to August von Werder's Prussia
ns. It resulted in a French victory left barren by the concurrent defeat at the Battle of the Lisaine
.
, Paris
, and Metz
, the remaining French armies faced major supply difficulties which restricted their movements. The Armée de l'Est was tasked in these conditions with reaching and succoring Belfort
, where Colonel Denfert-Rochereau
still held out, lifting the siege, and driving the Germans from the position.
, where a French detachment had taken position the evening before. Prussian troops, filing through an unguarded pass, rapidly overwhelmed the positions surrounding the bridge over the Ognon. By 13:00h the château fell to the Prussians. However, the French lines at Esprels
, Autrey-le-Vay
, and, to the east, Villers-la-Ville
, successfully checked the Prussian attack.
A French counterattack organized by Bourbaki pressed steadily forth in the afternoon and recaptured the château in confused street fighting. Fighting continued into the night until the retreat of the Prussians at 3:00am. Bourbaki continued his march January 13, while Werder fell back some 20 kilometers north along the Lisaine giving the French a minor victory.
for more information.
The current chateau is reported to have been designed by architect Gustave Eiffel
.
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
opposed on January 9, 1871 elements of the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Armée de l'Est under General Bourbaki
Charles Denis Bourbaki
Charles Denis Sauter Bourbaki was a French general.He was born at Pau, the son of Greek colonel Constantin Denis Bourbaki, who died in the War of Independence in 1827...
to August von Werder's Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
ns. It resulted in a French victory left barren by the concurrent defeat at the Battle of the Lisaine
Battle of the Lisaine
The Battle of the Lisaine was fought from 15 January to 17 January 1871 between Prussian and French forces. The French were led by Charles Denis Bourbaki, and were attempting to relieve the Siege of Belfort. Early in the morning the French forces under Bourbaki with only a few thousand men against...
.
Background
In the turmoil and confusion following major reverses and capitulations at SedanBattle of Sedan
The Battle of Sedan was fought during the Franco-Prussian War on 1 September 1870. It resulted in the capture of Emperor Napoleon III and large numbers of his troops and for all intents and purposes decided the war in favour of Prussia and its allies, though fighting continued under a new French...
, Paris
Siege of Paris
The Siege of Paris, lasting from September 19, 1870 – January 28, 1871, and the consequent capture of the city by Prussian forces led to French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the establishment of the German Empire as well as the Paris Commune....
, and Metz
Siege of Metz
The Siege of Metz lasting from 19 August – 27 October 1870 was fought during the Franco-Prussian War and ended in a decisive Prussian victory.-History:...
, the remaining French armies faced major supply difficulties which restricted their movements. The Armée de l'Est was tasked in these conditions with reaching and succoring Belfort
Belfort
Belfort is a commune in the Territoire de Belfort department in Franche-Comté in northeastern France and is the prefecture of the department. It is located on the Savoureuse, on the strategically important natural route between the Rhine and the Rhône – the Belfort Gap or Burgundian Gate .-...
, where Colonel Denfert-Rochereau
Pierre Philippe Denfert-Rochereau
Pierre Philippe Marie Aristide Denfert-Rochereau, , was a French serviceman and politician...
still held out, lifting the siege, and driving the Germans from the position.
Battle
Werder's Prussians caught up to Bourbaki in the evening of January 9 at VillersexelVillersexel
Villersexel is a commune in the Haute-Saône department in the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France.-City:The city, or commune of Villersexel is located within the Haute-Saône department, located within the Franche-Comté region of France. As noted, the current population is less than 2,000...
, where a French detachment had taken position the evening before. Prussian troops, filing through an unguarded pass, rapidly overwhelmed the positions surrounding the bridge over the Ognon. By 13:00h the château fell to the Prussians. However, the French lines at Esprels
Esprels
Esprels is a commune in the Haute-Saône department in the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France.-References:*...
, Autrey-le-Vay
Autrey-le-Vay
Autrey-le-Vay is a commune in the Haute-Saône department in the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France.-References:*...
, and, to the east, Villers-la-Ville
Villers-la-Ville
Villers-la-Ville is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. On January 1, 2006 Villers-la-Ville had a total population of 9,572...
, successfully checked the Prussian attack.
A French counterattack organized by Bourbaki pressed steadily forth in the afternoon and recaptured the château in confused street fighting. Fighting continued into the night until the retreat of the Prussians at 3:00am. Bourbaki continued his march January 13, while Werder fell back some 20 kilometers north along the Lisaine giving the French a minor victory.
Results of the Battle
The Chateau des Villersexel, then known as Château des Grammont, was destroyed during the battle. The Château was later rebuilt. The village, also burned, was particularly affected in its lower part to Ognon. Though the French sustained more loses they managed to drive the Prussian armies from their barricades. Giving them multiple future advantagesSee also
A chateau has existed at this location for several hundred years. Currently the third incarnation of the Château de Villersexel is located at this site. Refer to the wiki page VillersexelVillersexel
Villersexel is a commune in the Haute-Saône department in the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France.-City:The city, or commune of Villersexel is located within the Haute-Saône department, located within the Franche-Comté region of France. As noted, the current population is less than 2,000...
for more information.
The current chateau is reported to have been designed by architect Gustave Eiffel
Gustave Eiffel
Alexandre Gustave Eiffel was a French structural engineer from the École Centrale Paris, an architect, an entrepreneur and a specialist of metallic structures...
.