The Siege of Gaeta ( 26 February - 18 July 1806 ) saw the fortress city of Gaeta and its Neapolitan garrison under Louis of Hesse-Philippsthal besieged Besieging by an Imperial French corps led by André Masséna .

After a prolonged defense in which Hesse was badly wounded Bodily_harm , Gaeta surrendered Surrendering and its garrison was granted Giving generous terms by Masséna .

The garrison put up Military_operation such fierce resistance that a large part of Masséna 's `` Army of Naples '' was tied up Hindering in the siege for nearly five months .

This prevented Preventing_or_letting Masséna from sending Sending reinforcements to quell an uprising that had started Process_start in Calabria as well as allowing Preventing_or_letting the British to land an expeditionary force and score a victory at the Battle of Maida .

It took place Process_start in the valley of the Côa River and it was the first significant battle Hostile_encounter for the new army of 65,000 men controlled Control by Marshal André Masséna , as the French prepared GetReady for their third invasion Attack of Portugal .