were gradually giving ground to the foe, when their ears caught,
above the din of battle, the rapid tread and loud shouts of
advancing troops, and perceived through the mist the forms of
massive columns, moving at a rapid pace, whether friends or foes
they scarcely knew. In a few moments, a joyous “Hurrah!” rang from
the broken lines, and a mighty cheer was echoed through the fog:
then they knew the French were there to help them. A new life
seemed to animate them; no longer they retreated, but summoning
up the last flashes of their failing fire, charged the foe anew.
The Russians, staggered by the fresh assault, surprised by the
sudden appearance of the warriors of Africa, hesitated and gave
way. Then, uniting their ranks, the English and the French, with
mingled shouts, loud “Hurrahs!” and “Vive l’Empereur!” dashed into
the paralyzed columns, and drove the bayonets home through many a
Russian breast. The Zouaves leaped through the tangled brushwood,
and, with wondrous activity, scattered the confused and retreating
battalions. Then came the tremendous fire from the ships in the
harbour, and the guns from the heights, which almost swept them
from the field, and forced them for a brief space to pause in their
career. It was but for an instant. Renewing their charge, English
and French once more dashed at the flying foe, and at the bayonet’s
point, with fearful slaughter, drove them, a disorderly mob, down
the hill-side.
The moment had now come when Lord Raglan could effectively exhibit
his generalship: for hours he had sat in his saddle, in a most
exposed situation, unable to control the fluctuating fortunes of
the day. Under his direction, General Strangways had opened a
heavy fire of artillery upon the Russian guns upon the opposite
hills, with the hope of silencing their fatal volleys. This was
all he had been enabled to perform for the succour of the troops
engaged. Many fell around him, but the brave old General refused
to move from his exposed situation, anxious for the time to arrive
when he might be enabled so to manœuvre his forces as to drive
back the enemy. General Strangways was within a short distance of
the Commander-in-Chief, when a shot, which had actually passed
between the legs of Lord Raglan’s horse, shattered his leg,
and he fell to the ground. He was borne carefully to the rear,
where, in a few moments, the gallant old man, who had survived
the dangers of Leipzig, and a fearful wound at Waterloo, breathed
his last; meeting his fate with a calm heroism that affected to
tears many a brave man fresh from the honours of that sanguinary
field. The Russians had left on the field two 18-pounder guns,
and Lord Raglan now ordered them to be brought up to the front.
Colonel Dickson had already anticipated the order, and the guns
had been dragged by main strength to the fitting position on a
ridge front of the Second Division. Assisted by Captain D’Aguilar,
a well-aimed fire was poured into the Russian batteries; the guns
were overthrown, the gunners killed, and the fire for an instant
quelled; but the fertility of the enemy’s resources did not fail
them even now: fresh gunners supplied the places of those struck
down by the English fire, and the deadly duel was resumed. Then
came the retreating infantry--a headlong mass, and the fiery
Zouaves and reanimated British in hot pursuit. Three times were the
artillerymen swept away from their guns; as many times their places
were supplied. Then, under cover of fierce volleys from the town
and ships, they succeeded in carrying off their guns. The French
batteries now advanced to the crown of the ridge, and opened fire
on the retreating masses, flying pell-mell towards the heights.
Hundreds fell beneath the deadly volleys--the thunders of the
death-dealing artillery drowned alike the shrieks and groans of the
wounded and the triumphant shouts of the victors, and the battle of
Inkermann was won!
About 8000 English and 6000 French had thus utterly defeated more
than 50,000 of the enemy, with the disadvantage of being taken by
surprise. The English were enfeebled by sickness, imperfectly fed,
and inadequately provided with necessary equipments and ammunition.
The Russians were mostly fresh troops, prepared for the attack,
and supported by the tremendous batteries of the town and ships.
It is to the French unquestionably that we were indebted for the
victory: no human courage could much longer have withstood such
disproportionate odds. The gallant Bosquet, by his promptitude and
the dashing valour of his African soldiers, saved not only the
fortunes of the day, but the very existence of the English army.
Our loss was 462 killed, including 43 officers, 1952 wounded, and
198 missing; giving a total of 2612 casualties. Three generals
were killed--Cathcart, Goldie, and Strangways; and three--Brown,
Torrens, and Bentinck--were wounded. If we reckon that only about
8000 were engaged, these numbers show that nearly every third man
was killed, wounded, or fell into the hands of the enemy. The
Russians admit a loss of 2969 killed, of whom 42 were officers; and
5791 wounded, including 206 officers; giving a total loss of 8760.
There can be no rational doubt that their real loss was nearly
double, and the number of Russians killed or wounded was at the
least equal to the entire English and French forces engaged in the
battle. Our brigade of Guards alone lost twelve officers killed on
the field, besides many wounded. Truly the daring courage of the
English gentleman has not deteriorated in these latter days! The
chivalric valour which placed the officers in the very front of
danger was nobly seconded by the unquenchable spirit of the men
whom they led; they were mostly fasting, when they hurried to the
scene of conflict, and for ten long hours were engaged in one of
the deadliest struggles the military historian has ever recorded.
Some were sick, all were gaunt and emaciated. It was Agincourt
once more. The starved legions met and overthrew five times their
number. Such was the bloody battle of Inkermann!”
IPSUS, BATTLE OF.--Fought B.C. 301. Between Seleucus and Antigonus,
King of Asia. On the side of Antigonus was his son, whilst Ptolemy,
Lysimachus and Cassander were ranged on the side of Seleucus. The
army of Seleucus consisted of 70,000 foot, and 10,000 cavalry,
with 75 elephants. The other army amounted to 64,000 infantry, and
10,500 horse, with 600 elephants and 120 chariots. Antigonus and
his son were signally defeated.
IRUN, BATTLE OF.--Between the British auxiliary legion, under
General Evans, and the Carlist forces. It was fought, May 17th,
1837. On the 16th, the legion marched from St. Sebastian to attack
Irun, which, after a desperate resistance, they carried by assault.
Great exertions were made by the British officers to save the lives
of the prisoners from the fury of the soldiers of the legion, their
minds having been exasperated by the frequent massacre of such of
their comrades as had from time to time fallen into the hands of
the enemy. The town was pillaged.
ISLE-AUX-NOIX.--_In the Richelieu River, Lower Canada._--Commands
the entrance to Lake Champlain. Fortified by the French, in 1759.
Captured by the English, in 1760. Taken by the Americans, in 1775
(from which place they issued their proclamation to the Canadians).
It rendered important service in the war of 1812-1814.
ISLE OF FRANCE.--Taken, with six French frigates, and many
Indiamen, by the British from the French, December 2nd, 1810. The
British retain possession of it, and it is now a freed colony.
ISMAEL, SIEGE OF.--_In Bessarabia._--After a long siege by the
Russians, who lost 20,000 men before the place, the town was
taken by storm, December 22nd, 1790, when the Russian General,
Suwarrow, the bloodiest and most merciless warrior of modern times,
put the brave Turkish garrison, consisting of 30,000 men, to the
sword--every man was butchered. Not satisfied with this vengeance,
the General ordered the town to be pillaged by his ferocious
soldiery, and 6000 women were murdered in cold blood.
ISSUS, BATTLE OF.--Alexander the Great completely defeated Darius
in this battle, fought B.C. 333. The Persian army, according to
Justin, amounted to 400,000 foot and 100,000 horse, of which 61,000
foot and 10,000 cavalry were left dead on the field, and 40,000
were taken prisoners. The Macedonians lost only 300 foot and 150
horse, according to Diodorus Siculus.
J.
JAFFA.--Celebrated in Scripture as Joppa. Taken by Napoleon, in
February, 1799. The French driven out by the British, in June,
the same year. Here, according to the account of Sir Robert
Wilson, Napoleon massacred 3800 Arab prisoners of war; but this is
reasonably doubted.
JANVILLIERS, BATTLE OF.--Between the French and Prussians, which,
after a severe engagement, Blucher, who commanded the latter army,
was driven back to Chalons with considerable loss. Fought, February
14th, 1814.
JARNAC, BATTLE OF.--The Duke of Anjou, afterwards Henry III of
France, defeated the Huguenots, under Louis, Prince of Condé,
who was killed in cold blood by Montesquieu. The victor was but
seventeen years of age, and on account of his successes and his
triumph at Moncontour, the Poles chose him for their king; he had
his arm in a sling, and a moment before the battle, his leg was
broken by a kick from a horse. Fought, March 13th, 1569.
JAVA.--This island capitulated to the British, August 8th, 1811.
The sultan dethroned by the English and the hereditary Prince
raised to the throne, June, 1813. Restored to Holland, in 1814.
JEMMAPPES, BATTLE OF.--This was one of the most obstinate and
hard-fought battles in modern times; 40,000 French troops forced
28,000 Austrians, who were entrenched in woods and mountains,
defended by forty redoubts and an immense number of cannon. The
revolutionary general Dumouriez, was the victor in this battle,
which lasted four days. According to the most authentic accounts,
the loss on the Austrian side was 10,000 men killed, and that of
the French 12,000. Fought, November 5th, 1792.
JENNA, BATTLE OF.--One of the most bloody battles fought in the
Napoleon wars, between the French and Prussian armies; the former
commanded by Napoleon--the latter by the Prussian King. The latter
was signally defeated with the loss of 30,000 slain, and 30,000
taken prisoners, and 200 field pieces taken. After this Napoleon
advanced to Berlin, October 14th, 1806.
JERUSALEM.--Taken by the Israelites B.C. 1048, and by
Nebuchadnezzar B.C. 587. Razed to the ground by Titus A.D. 70,
after one of the most awful as well as remarkable sieges recorded
in history and predicted by our Blessed Lord. More than 1,100,000
Jews perished on this occasion. Rebuilt by Adrian A.D. 130.
Taken by the Persians in 614; by the Saracens in 636; and by the
Crusaders in 1099, when 70,000 infidels were put to the sword. A
new kingdom was then founded, and lasted eighty-eight years. Again
taken from the Christians by Saladin, in 1187, and by the Turks in
1217. Lastly taken by Bonaparte, in February, 1799.
JUGURTHA, THE WAR WITH.--A memorable war, of which the Roman
historian, Sallust, has written an account, commenced B.C. 111, and
continued five years. Metellus was first sent against him, then
Sylla and Marius--the latter of whom took him prisoner, and at last
he died in prison, at Rome.
K.
KAFFIR WAR.--There was an invasion of the Kaffirs, or Caffres, in
the vicinity of Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope, in October, 1831.
The invaders fell upon the settlers, murdered them, burnt their
houses, destroyed their crops, and carried off their cattle; this
irruption was eventually suppressed by the colonial authorities.
Other, but slighter annoyances to the colonists took place
occasionally, up to December, 1850, when Sir Harry Smith, the then
Governor, proclaimed martial law, and ordered the colonists to
rise _en masse_ for the defence of the frontier; the Kaffirs had
previously defeated the British troops, and had committed many
murderous forays on the villages. Then followed several disastrous
operations in the Water Kloof, and Colonel Fordyce and several
officers and men of the 74th Regiment were killed, November 6th,
1847. Captain Oldham, and others, had just before this fallen into
an ambuscade and been killed. The wreck of the _Birkenhead_ with
re-enforcements from England, took place February 26th, 1852.
General Cathcart, at last, on the 20th December, 1852, attacked
them with 2000 British troops at Berea, where they numbered 6000
cavalry. In this action Captain Tanner and 38 men were killed,
and two other officers and 15 men wounded. The Kaffirs suffered
severely, and at last were obliged to sue for peace.
KALITSCH, BATTLE OF.--Fought, February 13th, 1813, between the
Saxons, under the French General Regnier, and the Russians under
Winzingerode. An obstinate engagement in which the French were
defeated, with the loss of 2000 killed and some thousands taken
prisoners.
KALUNGA, FORT.--_In the East Indies._--Unsuccessfully attacked by
the East India Company’s forces, and General Gillespie killed,
October 31st, 1814. Again unsuccessfully attacked, November 25th,
following, and evacuated by the Nepaulese on the 30th November,
1814.
KARS, THE BATTLE OF THE HEIGHTS OF.--“On the 29th September,
1855, about 3.30 A.M., the Russians were seen advancing up the
Shorak valley in dense masses, but in what order could not then,
on account of the darkness, be ascertained. Our troops were in
a moment under arms, and at their posts. General Kmety, with
one battalion of infantry and seven companies of chasseurs,
was stationed in Sheshanegee Tabia; Major Teesdale, with one
battalion of infantry, in Yuksek Tabia; and Hussein Pacha, with
the Arabistan Corps, in Tahmasb Tabia, where he was soon joined by
Kerim Pacha, the second in command of the army. Bashi-bazouks were
also dispersed throughout the different works, and the Laz held a
small work called Yarem Ai Tabia, in front of Yuksek Tabia. General
Kmety was the first to open fire with round-shot on the advancing
battalions of the enemy; he was immediately answered by two guns
placed in position on a height forming the north-west boundary of
the Shorak valley. In a few minutes the whole visible force of the
Russians charged up the hill with loud cries; they were received
with a terrific fire of grape and musketry, which mowed down whole
ranks at every volley. General Kmety’s position was attacked by
eight battalions of the enemy; they advanced very gallantly to
within five paces of the work, when so heavy a fire was opened on
the head of the column that the whole corps wavered, halted, then
turned, and fled down the hill in the greatest confusion, leaving
850 dead. They did not renew the attack there.
Tahmasb Tabia bore the brunt of the battle; about 16 battalions,
with many guns, were brought up against it, but its garrison
was undaunted, and for a long time the Russians could not even
get possession of the breast-work forming the left wing of that
battery; but, at length, an overwhelming force obliged the Turks to
retire within the redoubt. A scene of carnage now ensued perfectly
terrible to behold. As the Russians came over the brow of the hill
within the breastwork, to take the battery in rear, Tchim and Tek
Tabias and Fort Lake opened on them with 24-pound shot, which tore
through their ranks, but they did not seem to heed this. They
charged Tahmasb Tabia, which was one sheet of fire, over and over
again, and so resolute were their assaults that many of the Russian
officers were killed in the battery, but they could not succeed in
carrying it.
General Kmety, after having repulsed the Russians, went forward
with four companies of chasseurs to Yuksek Tabia, which was
sorely pressed. Major Teesdale pointed out a battalion of Russian
chasseurs which lay hidden behind Yarem Ai Tabia (this work having
been abandoned by the Laz at the commencement of the battle), and
begged that they might be dislodged. The General at once determined
to carry the battery; so, forming up his men, he charged and drove
the Russians down the hill; leaving a company to defend the work,
he returned to Yuksek Tabia, from whence perceiving a battalion
of the enemy trying to turn the right wing of Tahmasb Tabia, he
reinforced his corps with three companies from Major Teesdale,
and charged the Russians; here, too, he was successful. In the
meantime reinforcements were sent up from below; these formed
behind the tents of the reserve, and watched their opportunity in
attacking the Russian columns, when driven back from an assault
on the batteries. For seven hours this went on; reserve after
reserve of the enemy was brought forward, but only to meet death.
Nothing could shake the firmness of our troops, till at length the
Russians, wearied and dispirited, at eleven A.M., turned and fled
down the hills in a confused mass, not one single company keeping
its ranks. The army was followed in its flight by the townspeople
and Bashi-bazouks, who brought down hundreds as they fled. While
the infantry were engaged in this conflict, the Cossacks tried to
penetrate into the tents of the reserve, but they were soon driven
back by the townspeople and infantry reserves with heavy loss.
One battalion of Russian infantry attempted to march round the
position, and take a small battery situated in a commanding
position on the road leading to a village called Tchakmak. It
commenced its march in splendid order, but ere it went 600 yards
it was broken and in great disorder, and so terrified, that
fifty or sixty of our chasseurs drove the broken mass down the
Tchakmak valley like a flock of sheep. The cause of the terror
was the terrible fire opened upon it by Yuksek Tabia, the guns of
Sheshanegee Tabia and Fort Lake.
A column of eight battalions, with 16 guns and three regiments of
cavalry, attacked the English lines at half-past five A.M. This
line of fortification was at the time very weakly garrisoned; the
breastwork was carried in a few minutes, the batteries Teesdale,
Thompson, and Zohrah, successively fell into the enemy’s hands,
and the men who formed their garrisons retired into Williams Pacha
Tabia. The Russians then brought up their artillery into position
in front of Zohrab Tabia, and began firing upon Fort Lake and
shelling the town, but Fort Lake (under the able superintendence of
the gallant officer whose name it bears), Arab Tabia, and Karadagh,
opened so heavy a fire on them with 24 pounders, that they were
compelled to withdraw their artillery altogether. The Russian
infantry then charged Williams Pacha Tabia, but were repulsed by
a flanking fire from Fort Lake and a severe fire of musketry from
the defenders of the battery attacked. They retired into Zohrab
Tabia, re-formed, and again assaulted; a body of their chasseurs
was at the same time sent forward to within 500 yards of Fort Lake,
to take a small open work called Churchill Tabia, which was doing
the enemy without the lines much harm. This was occupied by two
companies of our chasseurs: they turned to receive the attack of
the enemy; and, after retiring a short distance halted, and kept
the Russians at bay. While this was going on, Captain Thompson, who
had charge of the batteries of Karadagh and Arab Tabia, sent over
the 5th regiment of infantry from Arab Tabia to retake the English
Tabias of Teesdale and Thompson, and from below two battalions of
the 2nd regiment came up to recapture Zohrab Tabia. The forces
commenced the attack together from each end of the line, and drove
the Russians out of the forts and breastworks at the point of the
bayonet. Once out of the lines, they did not attempt to retake
them. Unfortunately the enemy had time, while in possession of the
batteries, to take away five guns, and to spike three, but they
abandoned three of the captured guns at a short distance from the
redoubts, so that we only lost two. As the enemy retreated our long
guns again played on their columns, and they retired as speedily as
possible.
Some cavalry attempted to engage the battery above the village of
Tchakmak, but again the terrible guns of Fort Lake drove them off.
By 10.30 A.M. the English Tabias were silent.
Such was the dreadful battle of “The Heights of Kars.” This is but
a very lame account of the glorious fight. I have not the time to
enter into greater details, but it will give an idea of what our
men did and had to endure. The forces of the enemy exceeded 30,000,
while ours, engaged, were below 8000. Not one of our men had
tasted anything since the previous afternoon; hungry and thirsty,
they remained undaunted, and repulsed column after column of the
Russians; at last their heroism was rewarded with perhaps the most
brilliant victory that has been gained during this war.
The field of battle was a sight too horrible ever to be forgotten
by me; the dead lay in vast heaps in every direction around the
forts--the ditches were full of mutilated bodies--the tents were
torn to rags--arms, clothes, broken ammunition-boxes lay strewed
about. Upwards of 6000 Russians fell, and more than 4000 muskets
have been collected, and 150 prisoners taken. The total loss to
the enemy in killed and wounded must have been very near, if not
more than, 15,000. Several Generals were killed or wounded; amongst
the former, reports say, General Breumer, the second in command;
and General Baklanoff, who commanded the attack on Canly Tabia on
the 7th of last August. Thousands of carts have been sent to Gumri
(Alexandropoli) with wounded.
Our list of casualties is but small, about 1000 in killed and
wounded. Dr. Sandwith, the Inspector of Hospitals, had made his
arrangements, and, thanks to his abilities, the hospitals are in
good order.
For this great victory, Turkey has to thank General Williams;
during the past four months his exertions to get things into order
have been astonishing; night and day he has laboured. He has had
many and great obstacles to overcome, but nothing could break his
energy. On the memorable 29th he directed the movements of the
troops; the reinforcements always reached their appointed position
in time. The great results of the day prove how well his operations
were conceived.
The loss inflicted on the enemy fully shows how well the positions
of the redoubts were chosen by Colonel Lake. All the batteries
flanked each other, and the Russians were unable to bring up guns
to command any of our positions. The troops kiss the batteries, and
say that the Miralai Bey (Colonel) was “Chok akill” (very wise)
when he made them work.
Captain Thompson aided greatly in recapturing the English lines. He
directed, by order, the guns of Arab Tabia and Karadagh, and sent
the troops over to attack the Russians.
Major Teesdale was in the hottest fire, and acted with great
coolness and bravery. He is the admiration of the Turks. He showed
them how English officers behave in battle.
All the Turkish officers did their duty nobly. Kerim Pacha was
slightly wounded, and had two horses killed under him; Hussein
Pacha was hit; two Colonels, and many other officers, were killed.”
Another account thus graphically describes the fall of Kars:--