In February 1797, a contingent of 1,400 French troops landed on the coast of Wales at Fishguard, aiming to aid the Society of United Irishmen, who were seeking independence from British rule. The backdrop to this incursion was the larger context of the French Revolutionary Wars, during which revolutionary fervor was igniting across Europe. The soldiers who invaded Fishguard were responding to calls for assistance from Irish revolutionaries who sought to overthrow British rule in Ireland. The French hoped that their presence would spark further uprisings in both Ireland and Britain. However, the reality of the expedition quickly turned grim. On the British side, local reservists, numbering only about 500, hastily mobilized to confront the invasion. With limited military resources and lack of experience, this group included local militia and some volunteers. The engagement lasted only a few days and ended with the French forces being unable to make inroads. Miscommunication and organizational challenges plagued the French troops, leading to their rapid retreat back to their ships and safety.