Sir John Hope taken prisoner at the sortie of Bayonne, 1814

Line engraving by unknown artist. Published by T Kelly, 1815.

On 14 April 1814 General Thouvenot's garrison at Bayonne in south west France attacked the Allied force under Lieutenant General John Hope that was besieging the city. The news of Napoleon's abdication two days earlier had not reached the garrison so the battle was a pointless waste of lives (over 800 Allied and 900 French). Thouvenot continued to hold out until 27 April when written orders from Marshal Soult finally compelled him to hand the fortress over to the Allies. Hope was wounded and captured during the fight.