that day when the two nations, now brothers in defeat, were opposed
to each other on the plains of Waterloo. Want of concert between
the generals--and to Pelissier the blame is mainly due--resulted in
a most disheartening repulse, and the loss of thousands of brave
men; the English casualties amounting to no less than 251 killed
(including 21 officers); 70 officers and 1130 men wounded; and 22
missing. The French loss must have been greater.”
MALPLAQUET, BATTLE OF.--The Allies under the Duke of Marlborough
and Prince Eugene, gained this battle, September 11th, 1709, over
the French, commanded by Marshal Villars. The armies of each
consisted of nearly 120,000 choice men. It was attended with
immense slaughter on both sides, the Allies losing 18,000 men,
which terrible loss was but ill-repaid by the capture of Mons,
which followed the victory.
MAMELON AND QUARRIES.--The capture of the Mamelon and the action
of the Quarries, took place in the great siege of Sebastopol. The
former was gallantly stormed and taken by our allies the French and
the action of the Quarries redoubted to the indomitable pluck of
British soldiers. The following is a good account of the action and
capture of the fort:
“A third general bombardment opened on the 6th of June. At
half-past two o’clock in the afternoon, the fire of 157 English and
300 French guns and mortars simultaneously opened upon the town.
The Russian reply was feeble, and inflicted but little damage upon
our batteries. A fierce cannonade was maintained by the Allies
during that and the following day, and towards evening, on the 7th,
a grand combined attack was made by the English on the Quarries,
and by the French on the Mamelon. The former of these works, as
the name implies, were pits from which stone had formerly been
excavated for the buildings in the town, and occupied a position
between the head of our advanced sap and the Great Redan, the most
formidable work of Russian defence, and which in the general plan
of attack had been apportioned to the English. The Mamelon, as
it was specifically called--the general term _mamelon_, a rounded
hill, describing its appearance--was the foremost of two similar
eminences, at a short distance from each other. The one nearest
the town was surmounted by the Malakoff tower and works, and was
the most elevated and commanding position of the enemy’s line of
defence, the Mamelon, or Mamelon Vert, as the French designated it,
had long since lost all claim to the latter name, being excavated
into trenches and rifle-pits, from which a most annoying fire was
maintained upon the French lines. Our Allies had already made a
very gallant though unsuccessful attempt at its capture; and it was
under the cover of its guns that the Russian sortie of the 22nd of
March was made.
It was then absolutely necessary that an endeavour should be made
by the besieging army to carry these formidable works, which
presented such obstacles to their advance; and accordingly the
evening of the 7th of June was fixed for the assault. At about
six o’clock, the French battalions, chosen for the assault,
consisting of the Algerine Zouaves, detachments of the 61st, 7th,
and 50th regiments of the line, and of the Chasseurs-à-Pied, and
Imperial Guard, about 1200 men in all, moved up to the front,
closely followed by the reserve or working party, to follow the
attacking column, and secure possession of the works. This second
column, commanded by General Brunet, comprised a battalion of the
Chasseurs-à-Pied, and the 11th, 24th, 69th, and 16th regiments of
the line. General Bosquet was entrusted with the entire direction
of the assault.
Our attacking force was composed of detachments from the Light and
Second Divisions. About 400 men from the 18th, 7th, 47th, 49th,
were told off to lead the assault, under the immediate command of
Colonel Shirley, of the 90th regiment. The working parties were
selected from remaining regiments of the Light Division; the main
body remaining under arms in reserve.
Immediately the signal rockets took their flight towards the town,
the attacking columns darted forward. The active French troops
swarmed up the sides of the Mamelon, and in a few moments were in
hand-to-hand contest with the Russian defenders. With an unusual
supineness the batteries of the town offered no impediment to the
advance. It might be that the fierce bombardment to which for
twenty-four hours they had been exposed, had temporarily silenced
them. Whatever might be the cause, but little opposition was
sustained by, and scarcely any loss inflicted on the attacking
columns, who reached the parapet on the crown of the hill at a
rapid pace. Here the enemy made a stand, and for a brief space
struggled bravely to maintain their position. It was, however, but
an ineffectual effort. The French fought with the utmost daring;
and the enemy giving way before the impetuous onslaught, retreated
down the hill, the French in eager pursuit. In the valley, however,
the Russians received large reinforcements from the Malakoff Tower
on the opposite eminence, and a fierce fire was opened on the
French from the batteries of the Malakoff. Then the tide of battle
turned; and the hitherto assailants, out-numbered, were driven up
the hill, contesting every foot of ground. Some of the Zouaves,
with characteristic daring, evading the attacking force, pressed
onwards, and, as on the previous occasion, positively entered the
Malakoff, and spiked some of the guns. Our allies, unable to bear
the vigorous charge and overwhelming numbers of the enemy, who
now pressed upon them, were forced to relinquish the hold they
had obtained upon the Mamelon, and retreated over the brow of the
hill, reluctantly relinquishing the advantage they had gained.
The French, after a brilliant attack, were driven back by the
reinforced defenders of the hill, and the Russians were once more
masters of the Mamelon.
General Bosquet, however, was not the man to accept a repulse as a
final defeat. Reforming the column in the trenches at the foot of
the hill, and sending fresh troops to their assistance, he prepared
for a second assault. This time the French, eager to retrieve their
disaster, rushed forward with emulous bravery, and again the hill
side was covered with the advancing columns, pressing onwards to
the attack. Trench after trench was carried and in a few moments
the assailers again occupied the topmost parapet. The Russians
fought desperately; but no courage could withstand the fierce
valour of the French. The enemy were hurled down the hills, and our
allies, mad with excitement, rushed after them, in a rapid bayonet
charge, covering the ground with the killed and wounded, and
driving the flying enemy to the refuge of the Malakoff. Meanwhile
the working party in their rear had speedily thrown up parapets and
breastworks on the Russian side; and although the guns from the
town and the shipping in the harbour played vigorously upon the
hill, they were enabled to hold their important acquisition.
Farther to the right, the French had also attacked and carried,
after considerable resistance, a line of works leading to and
defending Careening Bay, and connected with the works of the
Mamelon, known as the White Works. A number of guns were taken,
and the French were thus in possession of an access to the great
harbour, and enabled to throw up works commanding the shipping.
We have thus far related the varying fortunes of the French
attack. Let us now turn to the English assault on the Quarries.
Simultaneously with the advance of our allies, Colonel Campbell
threw his small force into the Russian works, experiencing but
trifling opposition; and congratulating himself upon having so
easily achieved his object. Advancing beyond the Quarries towards
the Redan, there is no doubt the adventurous English might even
have entered that great work itself, so great was the confusion
among the Russians, caused by the attack on the Mamelon, had
they been in sufficient force to warrant such a feat. The enemy,
however, soon mustered their strength, and Colonel Campbell was
forced, after a stubborn resistance, to yield his position. Three
times did the small British force retreat from the Quarries, and as
many times they retook them with the bayonets. At length they were
enabled to throw up an earthwork, which ensured their possession of
this important position. In one of the Russian attacks, an instance
of individual prowess occurred, which obtained for the performer
of it the rare honour of being named, though a non-commissioned
officer, in Lord Raglan’s despatch. The assailing party had wavered
a little before the sharp fire from the British muskets, when
Lance-Corporal Quin, of the 47th, darted out of the work towards a
Russian officer and four men, who had advanced somewhat in front
of the main body of the enemy. With the butt-end of his musket he
brained one of the soldiers, bayoneted a second and the other two
precipitately fled from the doughty corporal. Then collaring the
officer, and administering a gentle stimulant with the point of his
bayonet to quicken his advance, he dragged him a prisoner into the
work, in less time than we have occupied to tell the tale.
The enemy’s loss must been very great, judging by that which the
victors sustained in the two attacks. The French lost about 60
officers, and 2000 men killed and wounded; and the British, 35
officers, and 365 rank and file.”
MARSHAL, FIELD.--This rank is of modern date in the British army.
It is the highest military rank in the army.
MARSTON MOOR, BATTLE OF.--This battle was the beginning of the
misfortunes of Charles I of England--fought July 3rd, 1644.
“The Scots and Parliamentarian army had joined, and were besieging
York, when Prince Rupert, joined by the Marquis of Newcastle,
determined to raise the siege. Both armies drew up on Marston
Moor, to the number of 50,000, and the victory seemed long
undecided between them. Rupert, who commanded the right wing of
the Royalists, was opposed by Oliver Cromwell, who now first came
into notice, at the head of a body of troops which he had taken
care to levy and discipline. Cromwell was victorious; he pushed his
opponents off the field, followed the vanquished, returned to a
second engagement, and a second victory; the Prince’s whole train
of artillery was taken, and the Royalists never after recovered the
blow.”
MERIDA.--_In Spain._--Taken by the French in January, 1811. Near
here the British army, under Lord Hill, defeated the French, under
General Girard, after a severe engagement October 28th, 1811. The
British took Merida from the French, July 1812, after a severe
encounter,--General Hill himself leading the combined armies of
Britain and Spain.
MILAN.--French expelled from it by Charles V, of Germany, 1525.
Seized again by the French, June 30, 1796. Retaken by the Austrians
in 1799; regained by the French, May 31, 1800. Napoleon crowned
with the Iron crown, at Milan, May 26, 1805. (See _Longbeards_ or
_Longobards_). This city, celebrated for the Milan decrees against
all continental intercourse with England, issued by Napoleon,
December 17th, 1807. Here an insurrection occurred against the
Austrians, March 18th, 1848, which resulted in a battle, and flight
of the viceroy and troops.
MILITIA.--Supposed to have been introduced into England by King
Alfred. The English volunteers and militia, a splendid body of men,
who have more than once materially assisted Government in times of
necessity. The Canadian Volunteers are a body of men almost equal
to the soldiers of the line; and during the late Fenian excitement,
have shown to the whole world that a brave man delights to defend
his hearth and home, and that “_dulce est mori pro patriâ_.”
MINDEN, BATTLE OF.--Fought, August 1st, 1759, between the English,
Hessians and Hanoverians, on the one side, and the French on the
other. The Allies were commanded by Prince Ferdinand, and under him
Lord George Sackville. The Allies gained a complete victory, and
pursued the French to the very ramparts of Minden. Lord Sackville,
who commanded the Allied cavalry, for some disobedience of orders,
on his return to England was tried by court martial and dismissed
the service, but was afterwards restored.
MOCKERN, BATTLES OF.--Between the French, under Eugène Beauharnois,
and the allied Russian and Prussian army, which was signally
defeated with great loss, April, 1813. There was another bloodier
battle fought here, October 14th, 1813, between the same contending
armies; five times Mockern was taken and retaken during this
conflict.
MOHATZ, BATTLES OF.--_In Hungary._--Here, in 1526, Louis, King of
Hungary, was defeated by the Turks, under Solyman II, with the
loss of 22,000 men. Another battle was fought here between the
Christians, commanded by Prince Charles of Lorraine, and the Turks,
who were defeated with the loss of 10,000 men, A.D. 1687.
MOHILON, BATTLE OF.--Between the Russians, under the celebrated
Prince Bagration, and the French, under Marshal Davoust. This was
one of the most bloody engagements in the campaign of 1812. The
Russians were totally defeated, with immense loss in killed and
wounded; fought, July 23rd, 1812.
MOLWITZ, BATTLE OF.--Between the Prussians and Austrians. The
Prussians were commanded by Frederick III, who obtained a great and
important victory. An immense number of killed and wounded on the
side of the Austrians was the result of this sanguinary battle.
Austria being at the time in alliance with Great Britain, the
consequence of the victory seriously affected the interest of that
country. Fought, April 10th (March 30th), 1741.
MONTEBELLO, BATTLE OF.--Fought May 20th, 1859, between the
Austrians and French. “On the 20th May, a severe action was fought
at Montebello, which lasted six hours. The Austrians appear, in the
first instance, to have taken Montebello from the French, and to
have been afterwards expelled by the French. A desperate hand to
hand conflict took place in the village, which had to be carried,
house after house. The Austrians, after the battle, evacuated
Casteggio, and retired along the Creatisma road.”
MONTE VIDEO.--Taken by storm, by the British force, under Sir
Samuel Auchmuty, February 3rd, 1807, with a terrible loss of
nearly two-thirds of his army. It was evacuated, July 7th, same
year, in consequence of the severe repulse of the British at Buenos
Ayres.
MONTEREAU, BATTLE OF.--Fought, February 18th, 1814, between the
Allied army and the French, the latter commanded by Napoleon
himself. In this desperate engagement, the Allies were defeated
with great loss in killed and wounded. This battle was one of the
last ever gained by Napoleon. Four months after he was ruined at
Waterloo.
MOODKEE, BATTLE OF.--_In India._--Between the British and Sikhs.
The advanced guard of the British was attacked by the Sikh forces,
but the latter were repulsed and driven back three miles, losing
great numbers of men and 15 pieces of cannon, December 18th, 1845.
Sir Robert Sale was mortally wounded in this battle, being in his
sixty-fifth year. Lady Sale signalized herself during the two
memorable retreats from Afghanistan.
MORGARTEN, BATTLE OF.--Between the Swiss and Austrians. The Swiss
numbered 1300, the Austrians 20,000. Fought, November 15th, 1315.
“The 15th November, 1315, dawned; the sun darted his first rays
on the shields and armour of the advancing host; and this being
the first army ever known to have attempted the frontiers of the
Cantons, the Swiss viewed its long line with various emotions.
Montfort de Tettnang led the cavalry into the narrow pass of
Morgarten, and soon filled the whole space between the Mountain
(Mount Sattel) and the lake. Fifty men, on the eminence above
Morgarten, raised a sudden shout, and rolled down heaps of rocks
and stones among the crowded ranks. The confederates on the
mountain, perceiving the impression made by this attack, rushed
down in close array, and fell upon the flank of the disordered
column. With massy clubs they dashed in pieces the armour of the
enemy, and dealt their blows and thrusts with long pikes. The
narrowness of the defile admitted of no evolutions, and a slight
frost having injured the road, the horses were impeded in all their
motions; many leaped into the lake; all were startled; and at last
the whole column of soldiers gave way, and suddenly fell back on
the infantry; and these last, as the nature of the country did not
allow them to open their files, were run over by the fugitives, and
many of them trampled to death. A general rout ensued, and Duke
Leopold was, with much difficulty, rescued by a peasant, who led
him to Winterthur, where the historian of the times saw him arrive
in the evening, pale, sullen and dismayed.”
MORTAR.--A short gun of an extraordinary large bore and close
chamber, used for throwing bomb shells. The mortar was first made
in England in 1543.
MOSCOW, BURNING OF.--Entered by the French, September 4th, 1812.
“At length Moscow, with its domes, and towers, and palaces,
appeared in sight; and Napoleon, who had joined the advance guard,
gazed long and thoughtfully on that goal of his wishes. Murat went
forward, and entered the gates with his cavalry; but as he passed
through the streets, he was struck by the solitude which surrounded
him.
Nothing was heard but the heavy tramp of his squadrons as he passed
along, for a deserted and abandoned city was the meagre prize, for
which such unparalleled efforts had been made. As night drew its
curtains over the splendid capital, Napoleon entered the gates,
and immediately appointed Mortier governor. In his directions,
he commanded him to abstain from all pillage. For this, said he,
you shall be answerable with your life. Defend Moscow against
all, whether friend or foe. The bright moon rose over the mighty
city, tipping with silver the domes of more than 200 churches, and
pouring a flood of light over 1000 palaces, and the dwellings of
300,000 inhabitants. The weary army sunk to rest; but there was no
sleep for Mortier’s eyes.
Not the gorgeous and variegated palaces and their rich ornaments,
nor the parks and gardens, and oriental magnificence that
everywhere surrounded him, kept him wakeful, but the ominous
foreboding that some dire calamity was hanging over the silent
capital. When he entered it, scarcely a living soul met his
gaze, as he looked down the long streets; and when he broke open
the buildings, he found parlors, and bedrooms, and chambers all
furnished and in order, but no occupants. The sudden abandonment of
their homes, betokened some secret purpose yet to be fulfilled. The
midnight moon was sailing over the city, when the cry of “Fire!”
reached the ears of Mortier; and the first light over Napoleon’s
falling empire was kindled, and the most wondrous scene of modern
time commenced,--the burning of Moscow. Mortier, as governor of the
city, immediately issued his orders, and was putting forth every
exertion, when, at day-light, Napoleon hastened to him. Affecting
to disbelieve the reports that the inhabitants were firing their
own city, he put more rigid commands on Mortier to keep the
soldiers from their work of destruction.
The marshal simply pointed to some iron covered houses that
had not yet been opened, from every crevice of which smoke was
issuing like steam from the sides of a pent up volcano. Sad and
thoughtful, Napoleon turned toward the Kremlin, the ancient palace
of the Czars, whose huge structure rose high above the surrounding
edifices.
In the morning, Mortier, by great exertions, was enabled to subdue
the fire. But the next night, at midnight, the sentinels on watch,
on the lofty Kremlin, saw below them the flames bursting through
the houses and palaces, and the cry of “Fire!” “Fire!” passed
through the city. The dread scene had now fairly opened. Fiery
balloons were seen dropping from the air, and lighting upon the
houses; dull explosions were heard on every side from the shut up
dwellings, and the next moment a bright light burst forth, and
the flames were raging through the apartments. All was uproar and
confusion. The serene air and moonlight of the night before, had
given way to the driving clouds, and a wild tempest that swept with
the roar of the sea over the city. Flames arose on every side,
blazing and crackling in the storm, while clouds of smoke and
sparks, in an incessant shower, went driving toward the Kremlin.
The clouds themselves seemed turned into fire, rolling in wrath
over devoted Moscow. Mortier, crushed with the responsibility thus
thrown over his shoulders, moved with his young guard amid this
desolation, blowing up the houses, and facing the tempest and the
flames, struggling nobly to arrest the conflagration. He hastened
from place to place amid the blazing ruins, his face blackened
with the smoke, and his hair and eyebrows seared with the fierce
heat. At length, the day dawned, a day of tempest and of flame;
and Mortier, who had strained every nerve for 36 hours, entered a
palace, and dropped down with fatigue.
The manly form and stalwart arm, that had so long carried death
into the ranks of the enemy, at length gave way, and the gloomy
marshal lay and panted in utter exhaustion. The day was one of
tempest; and when night again enveloped the city it was one broad
flame, wavering to and fro in the blast.
The wind had increased to a perfect hurricane, and shifted from
quarter to quarter, as if on purpose to swell the sea of fire, and
extinguish the last hope. The fire was approaching the Kremlin, and
already the roar of the flames and the crash of the falling houses,
and the crackling of burning timbers, were borne to the ears of the
startled Emperor.
He arose and walked to and fro, stopping and convulsively gazing
on the terrific scene. Murat, Eugène, and Berthier rushed into his
presence, and on their knees besought him to flee; but he still
clung to that haughty palace, as if it were his empire. But at
length the shout, “The Kremlin on fire!” was heard above the roar
of the conflagration, and Napoleon reluctantly consented to leave.
He descended into the street with his staff, and looked about for
a way of egress, but the flames blocked every passage. At length
they discovered a postern gate, leading to the Moskwa, and entered
it, but they had only entered still further into the danger. As
Napoleon cast his eyes around the open space, girdled and arched
with fire, smoke, and cinders, he saw one single street yet open,
but all on fire.
Into this he rushed, and amid the crash of falling houses, and
raging of the flames, over burning ruins, through clouds of rolling
smoke, and between walls of fire, he pressed on; and at length,
half suffocated, emerged in safety from the blazing city, and took
up his quarters in the imperial palace of Petrousky, nearly three
miles distant.
Mortier, relieved from his anxiety for the Emperor, redoubled his
efforts to arrest the conflagration. His men cheerfully rushed into
every danger. Breathing nothing but smoke and ashes,--canopied by
flame, and smoke, and cinders,--surrounded by walls of fire that
rocked to and fro, and fell with a crash amid the blazing ruins,
carrying down with them red hot roofs of iron,--he struggled
against an enemy, that no boldness could awe, or courage overcome.