The siege of Breda took place from 19 to 22 December 1813[citation needed] and was a small yet important engagement between French and allied troops in the Liberation Wars.

After a scramble for the town and a three-day siege, the French withdrew back to Antwerp, and Breda became a distribution point for Allied troops and supplies.

[1][2] The Cossack regiments of Benckendorffs' command advanced deep into the Netherlands, and reached as far as Amsterdam, Den Helder and the Hague.

By having civilian volunteers spread the rumour that 3,000 cossacks were on their way, and more Prussian infantry following them, the French garrison abandoned the town, and Stahl could march into Breda unopposed on 10 December.

Realising the defensive works of Breda were in a sorry state, and his force -consisting mostly of cossacks and cavalry- would not be able to withstand a French counterattack, he requested that infantry and artillery reinforcements would be sent immediately.

Although the French had not yet encircled the town, they immediately began a first attack on the Antwerp Gate, which was defended by 250 Russian light infantrymen of the 2nd Egersky Regiment.

Russians, Cossacks, Prussians and Dutch troops, aided by civilians, worked frantically all night to build artillery emplacements and strengthen the defences, which was hampered by the French continued bombardments, as well as by the inexperience of those involved, and the language problems (Von Colomb mentioned in his memoires that it was reminiscent of "the building of the Tower of Babel)".

During the night, the bridge before the Antwerp Gate was demolished by the defenders, and the French advanced post on the glacis swept away by four Russian artillery pieces.