Scotland.” It was fought June 25th, 1314, between King Robert
Bruce of Scotland and Edward II, of England. The army of Bruce
consisted of 30,000 Scots, that of Edward consisted of 100,000
English, of whom 52,000 were archers. The English crossed a rivulet
to the attack, and Bruce having dug deep pits, which he afterwards
covered, the English cavalry fell into them and were thrown into
confusion. The rout was complete--the king narrowly escaped being
taken, and 50,000 English were killed or taken prisoners.
BANTRY BAY.--A French fleet, with succors to the adherents of
James II, was in this bay attacked by Admiral Herbert, May, 1689.
Here a French squadron anchored for a few days, in December, 1796.
The mutiny of Bantry Bay is famous in naval history--17 of the
mutineers were condemned to death, and 11 executed afterwards at
Portsmouth, January, 1802.
BAREILLY.--India.--This place is famous in the great Indian
Mutiny.--The following is a description of the attack on the
British troops, by a body of Ghazees, or Fanatics, May 5th, 1859,
from Dr. Russell’s correspondence.
“As soon as the Sikhs got into the houses, they were exposed to a
heavy fire from a large body of matchlockmen concealed around them.
They either retired of their own accord, or were ordered to do
so; at all events, they fell back with rapidity and disorder upon
the advancing Highlanders. And now occurred a most extraordinary
scene. Among the matchlockmen, who, to the number of seven or eight
hundred, were lying behind the walls of the houses, was a body of
Ghazees, or Mussulman fanatics, who, like the Roman Decii, devote
their lives with solemn oaths to their country or their faith.
Uttering loud cries, ‘Bismillah, Allah, deen, deen!’ one hundred
and thirty of these fanatics, sword in hand, with small circular
bucklers on the left arm, and green cummerbungs, rushed out
after the Sikhs, and dashed at the left of the right wing of the
Highlanders. With bodies bent and heads low, waving their tulwars
with a circular motion in the air, they came on with astonishing
rapidity. At first they were mistaken for Sikhs, whose passage
had already somewhat disordered our ranks. Fortunately Sir Colin
Campbell was close up with the 42nd; his keen, quick eye detected
the case at once. “Steady, men, steady; close up the ranks. Bayonet
them as they come on.” It was just in time; for these madmen,
furious with bang, were already among us, and a body of them
sweeping around the left of the right wing, got into the rear of
the regiment. The struggle was short, but sanguinary. Three of them
dashed so suddenly at Colonel Cameron, that they pulled him off
his horse ere he could defend himself. His sword fell out of its
sheath, and he would have been hacked to pieces in another moment,
but for the gallant promptitude of Colour Sergeant Gardiner, who,
stepping out of the ranks, drove his bayonet through two of them
in the twinkling of an eye. The third was shot by one of the 42nd.
Brigadier Walpole had a similar escape; he was seized by two or
three of the Ghazees, who sought to pull him off his horse, while
others cut at him with their tulwars. He received two cuts on the
hand, but he was delivered from the enemy by the quick bayonets
of the 42nd. In a few minutes the dead bodies of one hundred and
thirty-three of these Ghazees, and some eighteen or twenty wounded
men of ours, were all the tokens left of the struggle.”
BARNET, BATTLE OF.--This battle was fought between the houses of
York and Lancaster, when Edward IV gained a decisive and memorable
victory over the Earl of Warwick, on Easter day, April 14th, 1471.
The Earl of Warwick, who has been styled in history “The King
Maker,” his brother, the Marquess of Montacute, and 10,000 of his
army were slain. At the moment Warwick fell, he was leading a
chosen body of troops into the thickest of the slaughter, and his
body was found covered with wounds after the battle.
BARRACKS.--This word is not found in our early dictionaries. In the
_Dictionaire de l’Académie_, it is thus defined, “_Baraque--Hutte
que font les soldats en campagne pour se mettre à couvert._”
BARROSA OR BAROSSA, BATTLE OF.--Fought between the British army,
commanded by Major General Graham, afterwards Lord Lynedoch,
and the French, under Marshal Victor. After a long conflict,
the British achieved one of the most glorious triumphs of the
Peninsular war. Although they fought to great disadvantage, they
compelled the enemy to retreat, leaving nearly 3000 dead, 6 pieces
of cannon and an eagle, the first that the British had taken. The
loss of the British was 1169 men in killed and wounded.
BASQUE ROADS.--This was the place of a heroic achievement by the
British. Four French ships of the line were, while riding at
anchor, attacked by Lord Gambier and Lord Cochrane, and all, with
a number of merchant ships, destroyed, April 12th, 1809.
BATAVIA.--Capital of Java.--Fortified by the Dutch in 1618--12,000
Chinese massacred here in one day, 1740.--Taken by the English
January, 1782.--Again by the British under General Sir S. Auchmuty,
August 8th, 1811.
BATTERIES.--Introduced, after the use of cannon, by the English
along the coasts. Perhaps the most celebrated batteries on record
are those of the French at the siege of Gibraltar, September, 1782.
BATTERING-RAM.--This was the instrument by which the ancient Romans
levelled the walls of cities. It consisted of a long beam with a
head of iron, like that of a ram, hence the name, and sometimes it
was so ponderous that 150 or 200 men at once worked it.
BATTLE-AXE.--A weapon of the Celtae.--The battle-axe guards, or
beaufetiers, who are vulgarly called beef-eaters, and whose arms
are a sword and lance, were first raised by Henry VII, in 1482.
BATTLEFIELD, BATTLE OF.--Near Shrewsbury, England.--This engagement
was fought between Henry IV and Percy, surnamed Hotspur. The
victory was gained by Henry, whose usurpation of the throne had
laid the foundation of the factions of the houses of York and
Lancaster, and the civil wars that ensued. It was fought July 21st,
1403.
BAUTZEN, BATTLE OF.--Between the allied army, under the Sovereigns
of Russia and Prussia, and the French, commanded by Napoleon;
the allies were defeated, and this battle, followed by that of
Wurtzchen, compelled them to pass the Oder, and led to armistice,
which, however, did not produce peace. Fought May 20th, 1813.
BAYLEN, BATTLE OF.--The French, consisting of 14,000 men, commanded
by Generals Dupont and Wedel, were defeated by the Spaniards under
Pena, Compigny and other Generals, whose forces amounted to 25,000.
The French had nearly 3000 killed and wounded, and the division of
Dupont, which consisted of about 8000 men, was made prisoners of
war. Fought July 19th, 1808.
BAYONNE.--In the neighbourhood of this town there was much
desperate fighting between the French and English armies, December
10th, 11th, and 13th, 1813. Bayonne was invested by the British,
January 14th, 1814, during which the French made a sally and
attacked the English with success, but were at length driven back.
The loss of the British was considerable, and Lieut.-General Sir
John Hope was wounded and taken prisoner. It was here that the
bayonet was first made, in or about A.D. 1670. According to the
Abbé Langlet, it was first used by the French in battle, 1693,
“with great success against an enemy unprepared for the encounter
with so formidable a novelty.” Adopted by the British, September
26th, 1693.
BEACHY HEAD, ENGAGEMENT OF.--Memorable for the defeat of the
British and Dutch combined fleet, by the French. The British,
whose ships were commanded by the Earl of Torrington, suffered
very severely in the unequal contest, June 30th, 1690. The Dutch
lost two Admirals and 500 men, the English two ships and 400 men.
Several of the Dutch ships were sunk to prevent them from falling
into the hands of the enemy. The Admirals on both sides were
blamed; on the English side for not fighting, on the French, for
not pursuing the victory.
BEAGUE, BATTLE OF.--_In Anjou, France._--Fought April 3rd, 1421,
between the English and French.--The former commanded by the Duke
of Clarence, the latter by the Dauphin of France, who was aided by
a body of 7000 Scots, under the Earl of Buchan. The English were
defeated with the loss of 1500 men killed, and the Duke himself was
killed by a Scotch Knight.
BELGRADE, BATTLE OF.--Fought in 1456, between the German and
Turkish armies, in which the latter was defeated with the loss of
40,000 men. Belgrade was taken by Solyman, 1522, and retaken by the
Imperialists in 1688, from whom it again reverted to the Turks in
1690. Again taken by Prince Eugene, in 1717, and kept till 1739,
when it was ceded to the Turks, after its fine fortifications had
been demolished. It was again taken in 1789, and restored at the
peace of Reichenbach, 1790. The Servian insurgents had possession
of it in 1806. The most memorable siege which it sustained was
undertaken in May, 1717, by Prince Eugene. On August 5th of that
year, the Turkish army, 200,000 strong, approached to relieve
it, and a sanguinary battle was fought, in which the Turks lost
20,000; after the battle Belgrade surrendered. This city is called
“_The Key of Eastern Christendom_,” and “_The Bulwark of Christian
Europe_.”
BELLAIR, BATTLE OF.--In America.--This town was attacked by the
British forces, under command of Sir Peter Parker; but after an
obstinate engagement, in which the result was a long time doubtful,
they were repulsed with considerable loss, and their gallant
commander was killed. August 30th, 1814.
BENDER.--Is memorable as the asylum of Charles XII of Sweden, after
his defeat at Pultowa, by the Czar Peter the Great, July 8th, 1709.
The celebrated peace of Bender was concluded 1711. It was taken by
storm by the Russians in 1770, and again in 1789.--Restored by the
peace of Jassey, but retained at the peace of 1812.
BERESINA, BATTLE OF.--Fought November 28th, 1812, and resulted in
the total defeat of the French main army, by the Russians, on the
banks of the Beresina, followed by their disastrous passage of it
when escaping out of Russia. The French lost upwards of 20,000 men
in this battle, and in their retreat, which was attended by the
greatest difficulty, calamity and suffering, the career of their
glory was closed in that campaign.
BERGEN, BATTLES OF.--Between the French and allies; the latter
defeated April 14th, 1759. The allies again defeated by the French,
with great loss, September, 1799. In another battle, fought October
2nd, same year, the allies lost 4000 men, and on the 6th, they were
again defeated before Alkmaer, losing 5000 men. On the 20th, the
Duke of York entered into a convention, by which he exchanged his
army for 6,000 French and Dutch prisoners in England.
BERGEN-OP-ZOOM.--This place, the works of which were deemed
impregnable, was taken by the French, September 10th, 1747, and
again in 1794. Here a gallant attempt was made by the British under
General Sir T. Graham (afterwards Lord Lynedoch) to carry the
fortress by storm, but it was defeated. After forcing an entrance,
their retreat was cut off, and a dreadful slaughter ensued; nearly
all were cut to pieces or made prisoners. March 8th, 1814.
BERLIN DEGREE.--A memorable interdict against the commerce of
England. It declared the British Isles in a state of blockade, and
all Englishmen found in countries occupied by French troops were to
be taken prisoners of war. It was issued by Napoleon from the court
of the Prussian King, shortly after the battle of Jena, November
21st, 1806.
BERWICK.--Many bloody contests, were fought here between the
English and Scots. It surrendered to Cromwell in 1648, and
afterwards to General Monk.
BEYROOT.--This place is celebrated for the total defeat of the
Egyptian army, by the allied English, Austrian and Turkish forces.
The Egyptians lost 7000 in killed, wounded and prisoners, and 20
cannons. Fought October 10th, 1840.
BHURTPORE.--_India._--Besieged by the British, January 3rd, 1805,
and attacked five times up to March 21st, without success. The
fortress was taken by General Lake, after a desperate engagement
with Holkar, April 2nd, 1805. The defeat of Holkar led to a treaty
by which the Rajah of Bhurtpore agreed to pay twenty lacs of
rupees, and ceded the territories that had been granted to him by
a former treaty, delivering up his son as a hostage, April 10th,
1805. This city was taken by storm, by Lord Combermere, January
18th, 1826.
BIDASSOA, PASSAGE OF THE.--The allied army, under Lord Wellington,
effected the passage of this river, October 7th, 1813; and the
illustrious British chieftain, having thus completed his glorious
career in Spain and Portugal, pursued the enemy into France.
BILBOA, BATTLE OF.--This place, which had been invested by the
Carlists under Villareal, and was in considerable danger, was
delivered by the defeat of the besiegers by Espartero, assisted by
British naval co-operation. Espartero entered Bilboa in triumph
next day, Christmas day, December 25th, 1836.
BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA.--Surajah Doulah declared war against the
English, from motives of personal resentment; and, levying a
numerous army, laid siege to Calcutta--one of the principal British
forts in India--but which was not in a state of strength to defend
itself against the attack even of barbarians. The fort was taken,
having been deserted by the commander; and the garrison, to the
number of 146 persons, were made prisoners.
They expected the usual treatment of prisoners of war, and were
therefore the less vigorous in their defence; but they soon found
what mercy was to be expected from a savage conqueror. They were
all crowded together into a narrow prison, called the Black Hole,
of about 18 feet square, and received air only by two small windows
to the west, which by no means afforded a sufficient circulation.
It is terrible to reflect on the situation of these unfortunate
men, shut up in this narrow place, in the burning climate of
the East, and suffocating each other. Their first efforts, upon
perceiving the effects of their horrid confinement, were to break
open the door of the prison; but, as it opened inwards, they
soon found that impossible. They next endeavoured to excite the
compassion or the avarice of the guard by offering him a large sum
of money for his assistance in removing them into separate prisons;
but with this he was not able to comply, as the viceroy was asleep,
and no person dared to disturb him. They were now, therefore, left
to die without hopes of relief; and the whole prison was filled
with groans, shrieks, contest, and despair. This turbulence,
however, soon after sunk into a calm still more hideous! Their
efforts of strength and courage were over, and an expiring languor
succeeded. In the morning, June 20th, 1750, when the keepers came
to visit the prison, all was horror, silence, and desolation. Of
146 who had entered alive, 23 only survived, and of these the
greatest part died of putrid fevers upon being set free.
BLENHEIM, BATTLE OF.--Fought between the English and confederates,
commanded by the Duke of Marlborough, and the French and Bavarians,
under Marshal Tallard and the Elector of Bavaria, whom the Duke
totally defeated, with the loss of 27,000 men, in killed, and
13,000 prisoners--Tallard being among the number of the latter; the
Electorate of Bavaria became a prize of the conquerors. The nation
testified its gratitude to the Duke of Marlborough by the gifts
of the honour of Woodstock and hundred of Wotton, and erected for
him one of the finest seats in the kingdom, known as the domain
and house of Blenheim. This great battle was fought on the 2nd of
August, 1704.
BOIS-LE-DUC, BATTLE OF.--Between the British and the French
Republican army, in which the former were defeated, September
14th, 1794. Captured by the French, October 6th, following, and
surrendered to the Prussian army under Bulow, 1814.
BOLOGNA.--Taken by the French in 1796; by the Austrians in 1799;
again by the French, after Marengo, in 1800; and restored to the
Pope, in 1815.
BOMBS.--Invented at Venlo in 1495; came into general use in 1634.
The Shrapnel shell is a bomb filled with balls and a lighted fuse
to make it explode before it reaches the enemy. A thirteen inch
bomb-shell weighs 198 lbs.
BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL.--_First Attempt._--“At half-past
six o’clock, on the morning of 17th October, a gun from the
English batteries boomed ominously upon the ears of the Russians
in Sebastopol. It was the signal for the commencement of the
bombardment. It had been announced, on the previous evening, that
the morrow was to initiate the combat; and already groups of
expectant gazers thronged every spot which promised to afford a
view of the warlike spectacle. For a moment after the signal-gun
had despatched its messenger of death, a breathless expectation
held the spectators in suspense; and then, from the whole line
of attack, from the Quarantine on the far left to the Inkerman
battery on the extreme right, a sheet of fire belched forth, and a
volley of shot and shell was hurled upon the town. By this time the
Russian gunners were at their post, and bravely responded to the
challenge. As far as the eye could reach, a dense volume of smoke
hung suspended in the air; and when it lifted, another and yet
another streak of flame poured from the black earthworks, and lit
up the white churches and houses of the town. The earth literally
shook with the concussion of the mighty conflict. Distinct amid
the roar, a sharp whizzing sound, swelling as it approached into
a crashing rush, like a railway train at inexpressible speed, was
heard, and a heavy blow upon the solid earthworks told where had
fallen the ball of the renowned Lancaster gun. In a couple of
hours it was evident that the Round Tower, the most formidable of
the Russian works, was seriously damaged. But little impression,
however, appeared to have been made on the mass of the enemy’s
works. Their fire was splendid, and it was abundantly apparent
that the victory was not to be easily achieved. About ten o’clock,
a shell fell into one of the French magazines, which exploded,
killing and injuring more than fifty men. This was a serious
blow; and from that time the guns of our allies were evidently
feebly served, and inadequate to bear their part effectually.
For two hours more the terrific cannonade continued, spreading
destruction in the ranks alike of the Russians and the Allies; and
then, at mid-day, the fleets approached the scene of action, and
prepared to take their share in the dangers and glories of the
day. The French was the first to take up their position. It had
been arranged between the Admirals, with the hearty concurrence
of the land forces, that the French should engage the forts on
the south of the harbour, while the English should attack Fort
Constantine, and the batteries on the north. A semicircular line,
enclosing the mouth of the harbour, would represent the position
occupied by the allied fleets. The _Vautour_, a French frigate, had
the honour of opening the fire, and very shortly afterwards the
_Charlemagne_, _Montebello_, _Jean Bart_, and others, joined in the
fray. The sight from the land side now was of the most stupendous
character, and the roar deafening and incessant. Enormous volleys
from hundreds of guns of the largest size rolled with never-ceasing
impetuosity; and the air was loaded with a dense smoke that hid
from the anxious gazers the effects of the fire. Occasionally a
breeze lifted the murky canopy, and then the eye could catch the
prospect beyond the frowning earthworks of shattered buildings,
and not unfrequently a bright flame where the explosion of a shell
had fired a roof, soon to be extinguished by the active enemy.
Then, in the far distance, rose the grim outlines of the massive
forts, pointing seawards their deadly array of guns; and further
yet, a line of noble vessels rapidly forming into order of attack,
finished the picture. But such glimpses were but momentary. Again
the crimson volleys thundered forth, a light smoke poured from
the sides of the French steamers, and the reply of the forts sent
forth a vaporous veil, which, mingling with the smoke from the
earthworks, once more enveloped in obscurity alike the attack and
the defence.
It was arranged that the English sailing-vessels should be taken
into position by the smaller steamers lashed to their sides.
In this manner they drew up before the forts: the _Queen_,
_Britannia_, _Trafalgar_, _Vengeance_, _Rodney_, and _Bellerophon_,
with the _Vesuvius_, _Furious_, _Retribution_, _Highflyer_,
_Spitfire_, _Spiteful_, and _Cyclops_ alongside, arrived at their
appointed positions about an hour after the French had commenced
firing. The ships in advance were the magnificent steamer the
_Agamemnon_, bearing the flag of Sir Edmund Lyons, the brave second
in command; the _Sanspareil_, _Sampson_, _Tribune_, _Terrible_,
_Sphynx_, and _Lynx_, and the _Arrow_ gun-boat, accompanied by the
sailing vessels, _Albion_, _London_, and _Arethusa_, towed by the
_Firebrand_, _Niger_, and _Triton_.
Preceding this imposing force, a little steam-tug, the _Circassia_,
commanded by Mr. Ball, led the way, carefully sounding as it went,
and marking out the position for the larger ships. Sir Edmund
Lyons had already settled the share he was determined to take
in the day’s adventure, and had selected the enormous fort of
Constantine as the object of his special attention. The _Terrible_
and _Sampson_, dashing through the storm of fire from the casemates
of Constantine, anchored opposite two very mischievous little
batteries, one of which the sailors named the Wasp, from its
power of annoyance in comparison with its size, and the other the
Telegraph, from its proximity to the signal station. In a few
moments a vigorous shelling was opened upon these two batteries,
which briskly replied. The _Agamemnon_ now opened fire, and never
was a cannonade more briskly sustained, or exhibited greater
precision of fire. Sir Edmund had anchored his vessel at the
very edge of the shoal, which extended about 900 yards from the
fort. At this distance the Russian fire was most severe. For four
hours the gallant crew bore the galling shower of missiles which
cut through the rigging, pierced the hull, and sent many a brave
fellow to his last account. The _Albion_ and _London_ boldly came
within range, but so deadly was the fire, that they soon withdrew,
terribly crippled. The _Sanspareil_ admirably seconded the efforts
of the _Agamemnon_, and maintained a telling fire upon the fort.
At length that too withdrew, and the dauntless Sir Edmund was left
to bear the brunt of the concentrated fire of the Russian guns.
His ship was riddled with shot, the sails and rigging hanging
in shreds, yet, with a bull-dog pertinacity, he clung to his
opponent. Despatching his lieutenant in an open boat, he summoned
the _Bellerophon_ to his aid. His message was characteristically
pithy: “Tell them to come in; these forts will sink me, and I’m
d----d if I leave this.” The _Bellerophon_ quickly responded; and
throwing a volley into the big fort, passed on to where the Wasp
and Telegraph forts were showering their missiles on the gallant
_Agamemnon_. The Wasp was soon silenced by the vigorous shelling
of the _Bellerophon_; and Sir Edmund, freed from the annoyance
it had caused, with unabated courage hurled his fire at his huge
antagonist. The _Bellerophon_, however, suffered fearfully. A shell
from the Russian batteries exploded in the fore part of the ship,
and set fire to the lower deck. For a few moments it seemed as
if unavoidable destruction was the fate of the gallant crew. The
firing was suspended, and all hands rushed forward to endeavour to
extinguish the flames. In this endeavour they were successful; but
then a new mischance awaited them. The anchor had dragged on the
bottom, and they were fast drifting towards the shoals beneath the
forts, where they would have lain a helpless target for the Russian
guns. In this emergency, the _Spitfire_, seeing the critical
position of the larger vessel, dashed in, took her in tow, and
safely brought her, though much damaged, out of the action.