The Napoleonic siege of 1807

In 1807 Kłodzko was one of the last centres of Prussian resistance in Silesia. Fighting lasted three months and spread across the surrounding area, exhausting the garrison. The decisive Napoleonic assault came on the night of 23-24 June. After this attack, the command decided to negotiate the fortress’s surrender.

The capitulation was signed on 25 June, but its implementation was deferred. The fortress was due to be handed over on 26 July, leaving time for events elsewhere to change the situation. Before that date arrived, an armistice was declared and peace concluded at Tilsit. The fortress remained under Prussian control, and the planned handover never took place. French troops captured the fortified camp outside the fortress but did not enter the fortress itself. Capturing the outer positions, signing a document and taking possession of the fortress were therefore three distinct events in this story.