Siege of Brimstone Hill

Siege of Brimstone Hill
Part of the American Revolutionary War

The Fortress of Brimstone Hill, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Date19 January – 12 February 1782
Location
Result French victory
Saint Kitts and Nevis occupied by the French until the Treaty of Paris 1783.[1]
Belligerents
 France  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Comte de Grasse
Marquis de Bouillé
Thomas Shirley Surrendered
Thomas Fraser Surrendered
Sir Samuel Hood
Robert Prescott
Strength
7,000 men[2] 3,000 men[3]
Casualties and losses
Unknown 107 killed
207 wounded
hundreds sick

The French invasion of Saint Kitts also known as the siege of Brimstone Hill, from 19 January–13 February 1782, was a part of the American Revolutionary War. After landing on Saint Kitts, the French troops of the Marquis de Bouillé stormed and besieged the fortress of Brimstone Hill. After a month of battle, the heavily outnumbered and cut-off British garrison surrendered. The Comte de Grasse, who delivered de Bouillé's troops and supported the siege, was outmanoeuvred and deprived of his anchorage by Admiral Samuel Hood. Even though Hood's force was inferior by one-third, de Grasse was beaten off when he attempted to dislodge Hood.[4] Hood's attempts to relieve the ongoing siege were unsuccessful, and the garrison capitulated after one month. About a year later, the Treaty of Paris restored Saint Kitts and adjacent Nevis to British rule.

  1. ^ Black p.182
  2. ^ Under the Count de Grasse, p. 103
  3. ^ Ibid. p. 105.
  4. ^ Reynolds p.88