wounded. Here the Prussians lie more thickly than at Lochow, for
the more numerous artillery of the defenders ploughed with terrible
effect through the dense columns of the assailants as they advanced
to the attack. But between Diletz and Gitschin the ground is
covered with broken arms, knapsacks, shakos, and fallen men, who
are mostly either Saxons or Austrians, for here the needle-gun was
more used than artillery.
The Prussians took 7000 prisoners in the two combats, and many
officers: and the Austrian loss in killed and wounded is estimated
at 3000, so that yesterday evening has withdrawn 10,000 soldiers
from under the Austrian colours.”
POICTIERS, 1356.--“Ten years after the victory of Crecy, a similar
event took place in one of the south-west districts of France, at
Poictiers, the capital of Poiteau. Edward “the Black Prince,” now
in the prime of his early manhood, regarding his country as at war
with France, sallied forth from the Gascon province in the summer
of 1356, on a ravaging expedition, to do his enemy all the damage
in his power. He left Bourdeaux with about 12,000 men; ascended
the Garonne as far as Agen, and then, turning to the left, entered
central France, and overran the fertile provinces of Limousin,
Querci, Auvergne, and Berri. It was harvest-time, and everywhere
the harvest was seized, the towns plundered, and all captives able
to pay a ransom were carried to Bourdeaux. One account states that
the English army sent off no fewer than 5000 cartloads of plunder
to Bourdeaux. This employment doubtless had its attractions for
the army; but its commander seems to have forgotten that he was
invading and exasperating a powerful kingdom, whose people and
sovereign might be expected to take vengeance for such an inroad as
this.
Philip of Valois was now dead, and John, his son, a high-spirited
but indiscreet prince, had succeeded him. Hearing of young Edward’s
performances in Limousin and Berri, “he instantly declared with
an oath,” says Froissart, “that he would forthwith set out after
him, and would fight him whenever he could find him. He therefore
issued forth a general summons to all his nobles and vassals of
every kind, that they should set forth to meet him on the borders
of Touraine and Blois, for he was determined to fight the English.”
He soon marched from Paris, having with him a considerable body of
troops, and went to Chartres to be nearer the enemy, and to gain
quicker intelligence of his proceedings. Here he rested some days,
and “great crowds of knights and men at arms daily joined him, from
Auvergne, Berri, Burgundy, Lorraine, Hainault, Picardy, and other
provinces.” But as yet neither of these two Princes seems to have
been well informed of the other’s movements.
“The Prince,” says Froissart, “having with him 2000 men-at-arms
and 6000 archers, rode on at his ease, having all things at his
command. They found Auvergne, which they were now overrunning,
very rich and teeming with abundance; and when they entered any
town, they rested there for some days to refresh themselves,
consuming what they pleased, and destroying the rest, whether of
corn, wine, or other provisions.” “They kept advancing, and found
plenty everywhere, for the provinces of Berri, Poiteau, Touraine
and Maine,” says Froissart, “were very rich, and full of provisions
for an army.”
At Bourges they were stopped by the strength of the place; having
no means of besieging a fortified town, they passed on, and came
to another town, the name of which Froissart does not give, but
which, he says, had great plenty of wines and provisions. This they
carried by storm, and here they remained three days.
And now tidings were brought to the Prince that the King of France
was at Chartres with a large army, and that all the passes and
towns on the north of the Loire were manned and well defended. He
therefore held a council of war, in which it was resolved to return
at once to Bourdeaux, doing the enemy what damage was possible on
the road. But the castle of Romorontin delayed their retreat, the
Prince making it a point of honour not to be foiled by so small
a place, and wasting therefore three days before it. This delay
enabled the French army to reach him. The King of France, having
now a large force, had set forward from Chartres, had crossed the
Loire at Blois, and was rapidly marching on the city of Poictiers.
Both of the chiefs seem to have been in the dark as to the exact
position of the other--John, imagining the English to be far before
him, and Edward similarly deeming the French to be in his rear. At
last, at Chauvigny, on the Vienne, the two armies came in sight
of each other, or rather, learned each other’s proximity by an
encounter of outposts. A party of French knights falling in with
two of Edward’s captains and a party of sixty men, pursued them
until they came to the main body of the English, and here, not
retreating, the greater part of the assailants were either slain or
captured. From the prisoners, the Prince learned that the King of
France was close by with his army, and that he could not retreat
without fighting him. He called in immediately all foragers; and
ordered every man to keep under his standard. Four experienced
Captains, with 200 horse, were sent out to reconnoitre the French
positions. They were not long before they fell in with it, and
captured some stragglers. They soon perceived the whole plain to
be covered with troops. Their approach alarmed the French, who,
instead of entering Poictiers, turned towards the English army,
and as it was late encamped for the night in the open fields. The
English detachment returned to the Prince, and told him that the
French “were in immense numbers.” The Prince replied, “God help us!
we must begin to consider how we can best receive them.”
The next day was Sunday. The French king ordered a solemn mass in
his pavilion, and he and his four sons communicated. There then
assembled around him the great Lords, the Duke of Orleans, the Duke
of Bourbon, the Earl of Ponthieu, the Constable of France, the
Marshal of France, and a great body of Lords and famous knights.
They were long debating; at last it was resolved “that each Lord
should display his banner, advance into the plain, and push forward
in the name of God and St. Denis.” It is already tolerably clear,
that this great army had _no General_.
“Then might be seen all the nobility of France, richly dressed out
in shining armour, with banners and pennons gallantly displayed;
for all the flower of the French nobility was there.” By the
advice of the Constable and marshals, the army was divided into
three battalions, each consisting of 16,000 men-at-arms. Nearly
50,000 spears then, a large proportion doubtless mounted, were
arrayed against 2000 English lances, and 4,000 archers, with a
few irregulars. Michelet says: “There were the King’s four sons,
26 Dukes or Counts, and 140 knights-bannerets--a magnificent
spectacle; but the army was none the better for all that.”
The King sent forward three knights to reconnoitre the English
army. They returned, and Sir Eustace Ribeaumont said, “Sir, we
have examined the English closely; they amount, according to
our estimate, to about 2000 men-at-arms, 4000 archers, and 1500
footmen. They are posted very strongly; and have fortified their
position as well as they can. They are on a hill, which is only
approachable by one road or lane; so narrow that only four men can
ride abreast.”
The French were now on the point of moving forward to the attack,
when the Cardinal de Perigord came up at a full gallop, and making
a low reverence, entreated the King to listen to him a moment. “You
have here,” he said, “all the flower of your kingdom against a
mere handful of English; you may have them on other terms than by
a battle. Let me go to the Prince, and remonstrate with him on the
dangerous situation he is in.” The King said, “It is very agreeable
to us; but make haste back again.”
The Cardinal set off at full speed; and was admitted to the Prince,
whom he found on foot in the midst of his army. He said, “Fair son,
if you have well considered the great army of the King of France,
you will allow me to make up matters between you, if I possibly
can.” The Prince said, “Sir, save my own honour, and that of my
army, and I will agree to any reasonable terms.” The Cardinal
then returned to the French camp, and saw the King; and all that
day he rode from one army to the other, trying to bring about an
agreement. Many proposals were made, the Prince offered to give up
all the towns and castles which he had taken; to release all his
prisoners without ransom; and to engage not to take up arms against
the King of France for the next seven years. But John refused the
offer; demanding that Edward, with an hundred of his knights,
should surrender themselves prisoners. “The Prince and his army,”
says Froissart, “disdained to accept any such conditions.” Another
account says, that Edward exclaimed, “England shall never have to
pay a ransom for me!”
Thus Sunday was spent; and the battle was necessarily deferred till
the morrow. The English, however, had well employed their time in
still further strengthening their positions. But they were short of
provisions; and could the French have stooped to defer the attack,
and to be content with cutting off all supplies, Edward and his
whole force must have submitted themselves before the termination
of another week. But such a course would have been humbling to
the pride of France. A certain triumph seemed in the power of the
French commanders, and they could brook no delay.
Edward, therefore, made up his mind for a struggle for life or
liberty on the Monday morning. He remained on the defensive; except
that he detached a body of 300 men-at-arms, and as many archers,
with orders to make a circuit, and get into the flank and rear of
the Duke of Normandy’s battalion; the position of which he could
survey from his hill.
“And now,” says Froissart, “the whole army of the Prince, including
every one, did not amount to more than 8000; while the French
had upwards of 60,000 combatants, among whom were more than 3000
knights. The Prince, seeing all hope of an accommodation at an end,
addressed his captains and men, saying:--
“Now, my gallant follows! what though we be but a small body when
compared with our enemies; let us not be cast down on that account;
for victory is not always with the greater numbers, but God gives
it to whom he pleases. If the day shall be ours, great will be the
honour of it: if not, I have a father, and you all have friends,
who will be sure to avenge our deaths. Stand fast, therefore, and
fight like men; and if it please God, you shall see me play the
part of a true knight.”
And now came on the French, and soon it was seen that here, as
in many other battles of the time, the English bow was a most
formidable weapon. The battalion of the French marshals entered the
lane by which the English position must be approached; and now the
archers began to ply their weapons “in such sort that the horses,
smarting under the pain of their wounds, would not advance, but
turned about, threw their masters, and created a general confusion.
And if a few of the French struggled through and came in sight of
the Prince’s battalion, a small party or two of English knights,
who waited for them, instantly attacked them and slew them, or made
them prisoners.
Thus, in a short time, this battalion of the marshals was defeated.
The front line was driven back in confusion on the division
immediately behind it. This, unable to advance, began to give
ground, impelled by the crowd of fugitives pressing back upon
it. But in retreating, this battalion fell back upon the Duke of
Normandy’s and soon confusion and terror spread through the whole
army. The detachment which the Prince had placed over-night on
the flank and rear of the Duke of Normandy’s battalion, now came
forth from their ambuscade, and fell vehemently upon the already
disordered ranks of the French; “and, in truth,” says Froissart,
“the English archers shot so thickly and so well, that the French
did not know which way to turn themselves to avoid the arrows.” And
now, this battalion, which was broad enough in the front, grew thin
and scanty in the rear, for the news of the repulse of the marshals
had spread, and the men began to escape in crowds. Meanwhile the
English on the hill, perceiving that the first battalion was
beaten, and that the Duke of Normandy’s was in great disorder, gave
the word, and the knights and men-at-arms were in a moment in their
saddles.
“The day is ours,” said Sir John Chandos, and, giving a shout,
the 2000 horse pushed down the hill, charging with vehemence the
disordered battalion.
“Let us make for the King himself,” said Sir John to the Prince,
“for I know that he will not fly, and we shall have him--if it
please God.”
And now the battle grew hot; the French were so numerous, and in
such disorder, that it was an arduous task that still remained.
Edward charged the division of the Duke of Athens, broke it, and
drove it before him;--then the battalion of Germans, under the
Count of Salzburg, which was soon overthrown and put to flight.
Meanwhile “the English archers, advancing with the cavalry, shot so
well that none dared to stay within their reach.”
And now three of the King’s sons, the Duke of Normandy, the Earl
of Poictiers, and the Earl of Touraine, with 800 lances which had
never put spear in rest, took flight and rode off the field.
The King himself stood firm. “If one-fourth of his soldiers,” says
Froissart, “had behaved as well as he did, the day would have been
his own.” Again he says, “King John himself did wonders, he fought
with a battle-axe, with which he defended himself bravely.” The
English knew the value of such a prize, and they directed their
chief efforts to his capture. The Earl of Tancarville was made
prisoner close to him, as were the Earl of Ponthieu, and the Earl
of Eu. A little further on, the Lord Charles d’Artois and many
other knights were captured by the flank attack. “The English and
Gascons poured so fast upon the King’s division that they broke all
its ranks,” and now the last show of order was lost, and the whole
field was one confused mass. Every one was pressing forwards, eager
to seize the King; at last a young French knight, who had been
banished and had entered the English service, entreated the king to
surrender or he would lose his life. “To whom am I to surrender?”
said John, “where is my cousin the Prince of Wales? Who are you?”
“I am Denis de Morbeque, knight of Artois,” said the Frenchman,
“surrender yourself to me and I will lead you to the Prince.”
“Well,” said the King, giving him his glove, “I surrender myself to
you.”
Sir John Chandos, who had remained by the Prince’s side all the
day, had now advised him to raise his banner on an elevated point,
and to pitch his tent, for there was no longer any French army in
sight. Accordingly, the banner was raised, a small pavilion was
pitched, wine was brought, the Prince took off his helmet, and the
trumpets began to sound. But now the Prince addressed the Earl of
Warwick and Lord Cobham, saying. “I pray you to mount your horses,
and ride over the field, that I may know, if possible, what has
become of the King.” These two lords immediately rode forth, and
they soon perceived a great crowd of knights and men-at-arms, all
striving with a great noise. More than ten knights were loudly
claiming the honour of having taken the King. “The two lords then
pushed through the crowd by main force, and ordered all to stand
aside. They commanded, in the Prince’s name, all to keep their
distance, on pain of death. They then, dismounting, approached the
King with profound reverence, and conducted him peaceably to the
Prince of Wales.” Edward received the King with a low obeisance,
and comforted him as well as he was able, ordering wines and
refreshments to be brought, which he presented to the King with
his own hand. “In the evening a supper was spread in the Prince’s
pavilion; and the King, his son Philip, with Bourbon, Artois, the
Earl of Tancarville, Estampes, Granville, and others, were seated
at an elevated table, while the Prince served the King with his own
hands. The French princes, struck with Edward’s courtesy, declared
that he would be one of the most gallant knights in Christendom, if
it please God to grant him life.”
Meanwhile, the English horse continued its pursuit of the
fugitives, up to the very gates of Poictiers. “There was such
an horrible spectacle of men slaughtered and trampled down, as
it is wonderful to think of. The frightened French, in crowds,
surrendered the moment they caught sight of an Englishman.”
The report now given in to the Prince, showed that the King and
one of his sons, and 17 Earls, besides a great number of Barons
and knights, were prisoners; and that from five to six thousand
lay dead on the field.[1] But the victors were troubled what to
do with the crowds of captives of all ranks, who were _twice as
numerous as themselves_. They concluded, at last, to ransom them on
the spot, and even to take the pledges of those who had no money.
As for the booty, it was immense; “there being quantities of gold
and silver plate, rich jewels, and trunks full of gold and silver
ornaments. As to fine armour, that was in such abundance as to be
little regarded.”
The prince and his little army, now undisturbed, continued their
march, and in a few days passed the Garonne, and arrived safely
at Bourdeaux. “Great was the dismay at Paris, when the fugitives
brought word that there was no longer a King nor Barons in France,
but all were killed or taken.”
England, very naturally, rejoiced through all her coasts. The
Prince, after a short stay, embarked for England with his
illustrious prisoner, to whom, for greater ease and comfort,
he assigned a separate vessel. He entered London with knightly
courtesy, riding a small black horse, while the King of France,
royally mounted on a white charger, rode by his side. The palace of
the Savoy was made the residence of the captive monarch, and there
king Edward and his Queen frequently visited him. John, however,
was long detained in England, the enormous sum of 3,000,000 of
gold crowns being demanded from France for his ransom. He finally
consented to those hard terms; but on returning to his own kingdom,
he found so much difficulty in persuading his people to raise this
great ransom, that he finally resolved to return to his prison
in Westminster. As true as he was brave, he nobly answered his
council, who tried to persuade him to be guilty of a breach of
his engagement, that “if honour were banished from every other
abode, it ought at least to find a home in the breast of Kings.” He
returned to his home in the Savoy; where, a few months after, he
died. Edward III ordered his obsequies to be performed with royal
magnificence, and sent his corpse, with a splendid retinue to
France, where it found a place in the burial-place of the Kings, in
the abbey-church of St. Denis.”
POLOTSK, BATTLE OF.--Fought, July 30th, 1812, between the French
Marshal, Oudinot, and the Russians under Wittgenstein. The Russians
were defeated with great loss.
PONDICHERRY.--_India._--Settled by the French in 1674; taken by
the Dutch in 1693; besieged by the British in 1748, and taken by
our forces in January, 1761, but restored in 1763. Again taken in
October, 1778, and restored in 1783. Again captured by the British,
August 23rd, 1793, and finally in 1803.
PORTOBELLO.--_South America._--Taken from the Spaniards by Admiral
Vernon, November 22nd, 1739. Again taken by the British, who
destroyed the fortifications, in 1742.
PRAGA, BATTLES OF.--Fought, October 10th, 1794, between the Poles
and Russians; 30,000 Poles were butchered in this battle by the
merciless Suwarrow. A second battle, fought March 31st, 1831,
between the same countries, resulted with defeat of the Russians
who lost 4000 killed and wounded, and 6000 prisoners and 12 pieces
of cannon.
PRESCOTT, BATTLE OF.--_Upper Canada._--Fought, November 27th, 1838,
between the Canadian Rebels and the British, under Major Young,
and on the following day by Lieut.-Colonel Dundas, who, after a
desperate resistance, succeeded in dispersing the insurgents,
several of whom were killed and many taken prisoners; the troops
also suffered considerably. After the attack the remainder of the
rebels surrendered. In these engagements the rebels were aided by
the Americans, who invaded the Canadian territory in great numbers.
PRESTON, BATTLE OF.--Fought, November 12th, 1715, between the
Scotch insurgents, under Forster, and the British, under General
Willis. The first attack was successful, on the side of the
Jacobites, but the Royal forces being augmented by the arrival of
General Carpenter, Preston was invested on every side, and the
Scots at length laid down their arms, and their nobles and leaders
were secured. Some were shot as deserters, and others sent off to
London, pinioned and bound together, to frighten their party.
PRESTON-PANS, BATTLE OF.--Fought, September 21st, 1745, between
Prince Charles the Pretender and the Royal forces.
“In the meantime Sir John Cope, who had pursued the rebels
through the Highlands, but had declined meeting them in their
descent, being now reinforced by two regiments of dragoons,
resolved to march towards Edinburgh and give the enemy battle.
The young Adventurer, whose forces were rather superior, though
undisciplined, attacked him near Preston-Pans, about twelve miles
from the capital, and in a few minutes put him and his troops to
flight. This victory, by which the King lost 500 men, gave the
rebels great influence; and had the Pretender taken advantage of
the general consternation, and marched directly for England, the
consequence might have been fatal to freedom. But he was amused
by the promise of succours which never came; and thus induced to
remain at Edinburgh, to enjoy the triumphs of an important victory,
and to be treated as a monarch.”
PULTOWA, BATTLE OF.--Fought, July 8th, 1709, between Charles XII
of Sweden and Peter the Great of Russia. In this celebrated battle
the Czar entirely defeated the Hero of Sweden, and forced him to
flee to Turkey. This battle was lost on account of Charles having
been wounded just before, being obliged to issue his orders from
a litter, his soldiers thus having no opportunity of seeing their
loved commander.
PULTUSK, BATTLES OF.--One between the Saxons and Swedes, in which
the former were defeated, 1703; and the other between the French,
under Napoleon, and the Russian and Prussian armies. Both sides
claimed the victory, but it inclined in favour of the French.
PYRAMIDS, BATTLE OF THE.--Fought between the French and Turks,
1798. “The sight of the Pyramids, and the anxious nature of the
moment, inspired the French General with even more than usual
ardour; the sun glittered on those immense masses, which seemed to
arise in height every step the soldiers advanced, and the army,
sharing his enthusiasm, gazed, as they marched, on the everlasting
monuments. “Remember,” said he, “that from the summit of those
Pyramids forty centuries contemplate your actions.”
With his usual sagacity, the General had taken extraordinary
precautions to ensure success against the formidable cavalry of
the Desert. The divisions were all drawn up as before, in hollow
squares six deep, the artillery at the angles, the general and
baggage in the centre. When they were in mass, the two sides
advanced in column, those in front and rear moved forward in their
ranks, but the moment they were charged, the whole were to halt,
and face outward on every side. When they were themselves to
charge, the three front ranks were to break off and form the column
of attack, those in the rear remaining behind, still in square, but
three deep only, to constitute the reserve. Napoleon had no fears
for the result, if the infantry were steady; his only apprehension
was, that his soldiers, accustomed to charge, would yield to their
impetuosity too soon, and would not be brought to the immovable
firmness which this species of warfare required.