The Siege of Weißenburg in Bayern was a siege of the Swedish occupied city of Weißenburg in Bayern by a combined Imperial-Bavarian army under Johann Franz von Barwitz, Freiherr von Fernemont. The siege ended in an Imperial-Bavarian victory, the dates of the sieges are conflicted, with alternate dates of surrender, including January 23rd, February 1st and 2nd.
Background
On November 4th, 1646, Lieutenant Colonel Adam von Weyher, of the Gründlisch Regiment, and Colonel Kaspar von Polley, of the Poleyian Regiment, captured the Franconian city of Weißenburg in Bayern. Polley remained as governor of the city, but was replaced by Weyher.
When the Swedes besieged Lindau in January, Imperial General Johann Franz von Barwitz, Freiherr von Fernemont was sent to relieve tension on the city.
Siege
On January 3rd, an advanced guard of 300 cavalry established a blockade of Weißenburg in Bayern. On the 8th, a Imperial-Bavarian army of 6,000 under Georg von Holtz, Johann von Werth, Johann von Sporck, Georg Adam von Traudisch, Freiherr von Fernemont, and Adrian von Enkevort established a proper siege of the town. An artillery bombardment was launched immediately, so that from the 9th to the 16th of January, a total of 5,700 shots were fired.
On the 19th, Fernemont attempted to storm the town, but this attack failed, taking heavy casualties. On the 28th, breaches were made in the wall and an attack was launched. 2 sergeant majors, 4 captains, including Lieutenant Colonel Hildebrandt, and a total of 200 men were killed. During another assault 227 men were wounded with another 42 killed.
Through mediation by Georg Wilhelm von Eckertshausen reached an agreement about the Swedish surrender. In the agreement, the garrison received safe passage with full military honors and was escorted as far as Wemding.
Aftermath
Ultimately the siege was successful, but a month later the Elector of Bavaria signed a truce with the Swedes and French. Weißenburg would remain under Bavarian control until the end of the war.
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