Battles & Campaigns · 1809
Battle of Graz
Graz, Styria, Austria
What happened
The French were blockading the Austrian garrison on Graz's castle hill. Gyulai's troops arrived and brought them supplies. Two French battalions that entered the city were surrounded in a cemetery but held out for about 16 hours, until Marmont's corps arrived and drove the Austrians out.
Why it matters
The French 84th Line Regiment won the motto 'One against ten' for its stand. But the castle hill stayed in Austrian hands.
What came next
Marmont and Broussier marched to fight at Wagram in July. After the war, the fortress on Graz's Schlossberg was demolished under the peace treaty.
Did you know?
The people of Graz paid a ransom to save the clock tower and bell tower when the fortress was blown up.
Timeline
- 24 Jun 1809Gyulai's advance guard meets Broussier.
- 25–26 Jun 1809French battalions hold out in the city.
- 5–6 Jul 1809Battle of Wagram.
- 1809Schlossberg fortress demolished under the Peace of Schönbrunn.