A British naval squadron commanded by Admiral Edward Codrington harassed the French besiegers with cannon fire and transported large numbers of reinforcements into the city by sea.

Emperor Napoleon offered Suchet a marshal's baton if he could capture Tarragona, so the French general pursued his goal vigorously.

He methodically overran the city's outer works as he drove his siege parallels forward.

At the end, Suchet's men stormed into the upper city amid scenes of horrific slaughter, including the murder of civilians.

During the butchery attending the final assault, the French attackers massacred numerous civilians including 450 women and children.