The siege of Tortosa (16 December 1810 – 2 January 1811) pitted an Imperial French army under General Louis Gabriel Suchet against the Spanish defenders of Tortosa led by General Lilli, Conde de Alacha. Background The French conquest of Aragon started with the siege of Tortosa. Siege The siege progressed swiftly and Alacha surrendered on 2 January 1811. Tortosa is a city that lies on the Ebro River about southwest of Tarragona. The action took place during the Peninsular War, part of the Napoleonic Wars. Colonel Rouelle was employed at the siege of Tortosa, where he defeated two sorties by the besieged on the December 24 and December 28, 1810. These two feats were mentioned in dispatches. Aftermath The French conquest of Aragon proceeded with the Battle of El Pla. Notes References Sieges of the Peninsular War Sieges of the Napoleonic Wars Battles in Catalonia Sieges involving Spain Sieges involving France Sieges involving Poland Sieges involving Italy 1810 in Spain 1811 in Spain Conflicts in 1810 Conflicts in 1811 December 1810 events January 1811 events Battles inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe