Napoleon conquers Toulon

During the 1st Coalition War on 19th December 1793, the French Revolutionary Army captured the British-occupied Fort "Mulgrave" near Toulon. The plan of attack had been developed by the young artillery captain Napoleon Bonaparte, after his previous plan, which was first rejected by his generals, was no longer possible. This since the army of Toulon itself occupied the positions proposed by Napoleon.
First, he collected and requisitioned equipment for a few weeks: horses, oxen, cannons from the surrounding area and blacksmiths. He got 5’000 sacks of dirt from Marseilles every day to build his ramparts for his batteries.
He also worked hard to convince his superiors to try his battle plan. He saw that the key to retaking the port was to capture a specific point to the south: a high point known as L'Eguillette "the Needle."" From there, Bonaparte knew he could bombard ships in the harbor as well as the city of Toulon across the way. Bonaparte carefully selected sites to build 11 new gun batteries to attack key British forts, particularly Fort Mulgrave, which had protected L'Eguillette.
On 17th December 1793, 6’000 infantrymen stormed the British Fort Mulgrave. Bonaparte's batteries rained crossfire for cover. In the fighting, Bonaparte himself had his horse shot out from under him and was wounded in the thigh by a bayonet. But within a few hours he had captured two important high points, including L'Eguillette. Bonaparte had barely begun to open fire when British Admiral Lord Hood ordered his ships out of the inner harbor. Some 7’500 residents of Toulon fled on British ships. Bonaparte had commanded only the artillery. He had not been responsible for the operation, but he had been the mastermind behind it. His persistence and tactical clarity had made the difference.
For Napoleon, the success at Toulon was an important factor in his coming rise. Three days later, at the age of only 24, Napoleon was promoted to brigadier general for his efforts.