Battle of Granville

A rumour ran through the Vendéen ranks that if they reached a port the British would come to their aid. Their first choice was the port at Saint-Malo but they finally fixed on Granville, apparently less well-defended. On 14 November the Vendéens arrived before the city, but they had no siege equipment and there were no British forces in sight. Even so, the Vendéens launched an assault and took the suburbs, but their advance was hampered when a fire broke out and burned down the suburbs. The Vendéens thus passed by the grêve and began to climb the rocks at the foot of the ramparts, when cries of "Treason!" began to spread through their ranks, probably shouted by Republican spies. Quickly panic overtook the Vendéens and, as many fled, the assault failed. Having heard no news of the British forces (despite their actually being very nearby, at Jersey), La Rochejaquelein decided to raise the siege.

This victory was decisive for the Republicans, who thus avoided the Vendéens and Chouans linking up with the British. Discouraged, the Vendéens made an about-turn in an attempt to cross the river Loire again, and managed to fight several more battles in the campaign.

48.8381°N 1.5869°W / 48.8381; -1.5869