the field, and their wounded could not have amounted to less than
5000. The French carried off in their ambulances, 1626 soldiers
and thirty-three officers, besides 400 prisoners. Among the dead
was General Read, a very distinguished Russian officer, upon whose
person was found a plan of the attack. The French lost 9 officers
killed and 61 wounded, 172 men killed and 1163 wounded, besides 146
missing. The gallant Sardinians, besides the death of General the
Count of Montevecchio, sustained a loss of 250 men. The Turkish
battalions arrived too late to take any part in the affair.
TEWKESBURY, BATTLE OF.--Fought, May 4th, 1471. The very day of the
battle of Barnet, Queen Margaret landed at Plymouth. At the news
of the defeat of Warwick she sank to the ground in despair; but
the arguments of her friends soon awakened her natural courage,
and she advanced to Bath. It was there resolved to try to effect
a junction with the Earl of Pembroke, who had a large force in
Wales; but the people of Gloucester had secured the only bridge
over the Severn, and at Tewkesbury it was found that Edward was at
hand with a more numerous army. The Lancastrian leaders then drew
up their forces without the town; the Yorkists, led by the King’s
brother, the Duke of Gloucester, fell on them furiously, and after
a short but gallant resistance, the Lancastrians were totally
routed. The Queen and Prince were made prisoners; the latter being
led into the royal tent, Edward demanded of him what had brought
him to England. “To recover my father’s kingdom and heritage, from
his father and grandfather to him, and from him to me lineally
descended,” replied the undaunted youth. Edward struck him in the
face with his gauntlet, and Gloucester, Clarence, and some others
despatched him with their swords. Edward then set out for London,
and on the evening of his arrival king Henry died in the Tower, of
grief as was given out, but there can be little doubt that he was
murdered by order of Edward. The guilt of the deed, though without
any proof, was afterwards laid on the Duke of Gloucester.
TEXEL, BATTLES OF THE.--The vicinity of the Texel has been the
scene of some remarkable engagements, among others a battle of
three days was fought here, between the English, under Blake and
Monk, and the Dutch, under Van Tromp and DeRuyter, when the Dutch
were signally defeated and Van Tromp killed, 1653. Again Ruyter
was defeated here, August 11th, 1673. The Dutch fleet gloriously
vanquished by Lord Duncan, October 11th, 1797. Twelve ships of war
and thirteen Indiamen of the Dutch surrendered to Admiral Mitchell,
who took them without firing a shot, August 28th, 1799.
THERMOPYLÆ, BATTLE OF.--Leonidas, at the head of 300 Spartans at
this defile withstood the whole army of the Persians, until of
the 300 heroes who surrounded him, all were slain but one man;
20,000 Persians perished by the hands of the Spartans, August 7th,
480 B.C. This battle was one of the most celebrated events in the
annals of Greece, and effectually, at last, gave a check to the
invading Persian army. The following is from Rollin’s Ancient
History.
[4]“Thermopylæ is a strait or narrow pass of mount Œta, between
Thessaly and Phocis, but 25 feet broad, which therefore might be
defended by a small number of forces, and which was the only way
through which the Persian land army could enter Achaia, and advance
to besiege Athens. This was the place where the Grecian army
thought fit to wait for the enemy: the person who commanded it was
Leonidas, one of the two kings of Sparta.
[5]Xerxes in the meantime was upon his march: he had given orders
for his fleet to follow him along the coast, and to regulate their
motions according to those of the land army. Wherever he came, he
found provisions and refreshments prepared beforehand, pursuant to
the orders he had sent; and every city he arrived at gave him a
magnificent entertainment, which cost immense sums of money. The
vast expense of those treats gave occasion to a witty saying of a
certain citizen of Abdera in Thrace, who, when the king was gone,
said, they ought to thank the gods, that he ate but one meal a-day.
[6]In the same country of Thrace, there was a prince who showed an
extraordinary greatness of soul on this occasion: it was the king
of the Bisaltes. Whilst all the other princes ran into servitude,
and basely submitted to Xerxes, he bravely refused to receive
his yoke, or to obey him. Not being in a condition to resist him
with open force, he retired to the top of the mountain Rhodope,
into an inaccessible place, and forbade all his sons, who were
six in number, to carry arms against Greece. But they, either out
of fear of Xerxes, or out of a curiosity to see so important a
war, followed the Persians, in contradiction to their father’s
injunction. On their return home, their father, to punish so direct
a disobedience, condemned all his sons to have their eyes put out.
Xerxes continued his march through Thrace, Macedonia, and Thessaly,
every thing giving way before him till he came to the Strait of
Thermopylæ.
[7]One cannot see, without the utmost astonishment, with what an
handful of troops the Grecians opposed the innumerable army of
Xerxes. We find a particular account of their number in Pausanias.
All their forces joined together, amounted only to 11,200 men, of
which number 4000 only were employed at Thermopylæ to defend the
pass. But these soldiers, adds the historian, were all determined
to a man either to conquer or die. And what is it that an army of
such resolution is not able to effect?
[8]When Xerxes advanced near the Straits of Thermopylæ, he was
strangely surprised to find that they were prepared to dispute
his passage. He had always flattered himself, that on the first
hearing of his arrival, the Grecians would betake themselves to
flight: nor could he ever be persuaded to believe, what Demaratus
had told him from the beginning of his project, that at the first
pass he came to, he would find his whole army stopped by an handful
of men. He sent out a spy before him to take a view of the enemy.
The spy brought him word, that he found the Lacedæmonians out of
their intrenchments, and that they were diverting themselves with
military exercises, and combing their hair: this was the Spartan
manner of preparing themselves for battle.
Xerxes, still entertaining some hopes of their flight, waited
four days on purpose to give them time to retreat;[9] and in this
interval of time he used his utmost endeavours to gain Leonidas, by
making him magnificent promises, and assuring him, that he would
make him master of all Greece if he would come over to his party.
Leonidas rejected his proposal with scorn and indignation. Xerxes,
having afterwards written to him to deliver up his arms, Leonidas,
in a style and spirit truly laconical, answered him in these
words,[10] “Come and take them.” Nothing remained but to prepare
themselves to engage the Lacedæmonians. Xerxes first commanded his
Median forces to march against them, with orders to take them all
alive, and bring them to him. These Medes were not able to stand
the charge of the Grecians; and being shamefully put to flight,
they showed, says Herodotus,[11] that Xerxes had a great many men,
and but few soldiers. The next that were sent to face the Spartans,
were those Persians called the Immortal Band, which consisted of
10,000 men, and were the best troops in the whole army. But these
had no better success than the former.
Xerxes, out of all hopes of being able to force his way through
troops so determined to conquer or die, was extremely perplexed,
and could not tell what resolution to take, when an inhabitant of
the country came to him, and discovered a secret[12] path to the
top of an eminence, which overlooked and commanded the Spartan
forces. He quickly dispatched a detachment thither; which, marching
all night, arrived there at the break of day, and possessed
themselves of that advantageous post.
The Greeks were soon apprized of this misfortune; and Leonidas,
seeing that it was now impossible to repulse the enemy, obliged
the rest of the allies to retire, but staid himself with his
300 Lacedæmonians, all resolved to die with their leader; who
being told by the oracle, that either Lacedæmon or her king must
necessarily perish, determined, without the least difficulty or
hesitation, to sacrifice himself for his country. The Spartans
lost all hopes either of conquering or escaping, and looked upon
Thermopylæ as their burying-place. The king, exhorting his men to
take some nourishment, and telling them at the same time, that they
should sup together with Pluto, they set up a shout of joy as if
they had been invited to a banquet, and full of ardour advanced
with their king to battle. The shock was exceedingly violent and
bloody. Leonidas himself was one of the first that fell. The
endeavours of the Lacedæmonians to defend his dead body were
incredible. At length, not vanquished, but oppressed by numbers,
they all fell except one man, who escaped to Sparta, where he was
treated as a coward and traitor to his country, and nobody would
keep company or converse with him. But soon afterwards he made a
glorious amend for his fault at the battle of Platæa, where he
distinguished himself in an extraordinary manner. Xerxes, enraged
to the last degree against Leonidas for daring to make head against
him, caused his dead body to be hung up on a gallows, and made his
intended dishonour of his enemy his own immortal shame.”
THRASYMENE, BATTLE OF.--Fought, B.C. 217.--On a circular range of
hills, near the lake, Hannibal disposed his army, and Flaminius,
the Roman General, took his station in the valley beneath. A mist
rising from the lake completely concealed the Carthaginians from
the Romans, while it left the view of the former unimpeded. The
fortune of the day was such as might have been expected--15,000
soldiers fell with Flaminius in the valley, and 6000 more were
obliged to surrender themselves prisoners of war. The following is
from Rollin’s Ancient History:
[13]“Hannibal being thus got, almost unexpectedly, out of this
dangerous place, refreshed his troops, and then marched and pitched
his camp between Arretium and Fesulæ, in the richest and most
fruitful part of Tuscany. His first endeavours were to discover
the genius and character of Flaminius, in order that he might take
advantage of his foible, which, according to Polybius, ought to
be the chief study of a general. He was told that Flaminius was
greatly conceited of his own merit, bold, enterprising, rash, and
fond of glory. To plunge him the deeper into these excesses, to
which he was naturally prone,[14] he inflamed his impetuous spirit,
by laying waste and burning the whole country, in his sight.
Flaminius was not of a temper to continue inactive in his camp,
though Hannibal should have lain still. But when he saw the
territories of his allies laid waste before his eyes, he thought
it would reflect dishonour upon him, should he suffer Hannibal to
ransack Italy without control, and even advance to the very walls
of Rome, without meeting any resistance.
He rejected with scorn the prudent counsels of those who advised
him to wait the arrival of his colleague, and to be satisfied for
the present with putting a stop to the devastation of the enemy.
In the meantime, Hannibal was still advancing towards Rome, having
Cortona on the left hand, and the lake Thrasymene on the right.
When he saw that the consul followed close after him, with the
design to give him battle, by stopping him in his march; having
observed that the ground was convenient for that purpose, he also
began to prepare himself for the battle. The lake Thrasymene
and the mountains of Cortona form a very narrow defile, which
leads into a large valley, lined on both sides, with hills of a
considerable height, and closed at the outlet by a steep hill of
difficult access. On this hill, Hannibal, after having crossed the
valley, came and encamped with the main body of his army; posting
his light-armed infantry in ambuscade upon the hills on the right,
and part of his cavalry behind those on the left, as far almost as
the entrance of the defile, through which Flaminius was obliged to
pass. Accordingly, this general, who followed him very eagerly,
with the resolution to fight him, being come to the defile near
the lake, was forced to halt, because night was coming on; but he
entered it the next morning at day-break.
Hannibal having permitted him to advance, with all his forces,
above half way through the valley, and seeing the Roman vanguard
pretty near him, he sounded the charge, and commanded the troops
to come out of their ambuscade, in order that he might attack the
enemy, at the same time, from all quarters. The reader may guess at
the consternation with which the Romans were seized.
They were not yet drawn up in order of battle, neither had they
got their arms in readiness, when they found themselves attacked
in front, in rear, and in flank. In a moment all the ranks were
put into disorder. Flaminius, alone undaunted in so universal a
surprise, animates his soldiers both with his hand and voice;
and exhorts them to cut themselves a passage with their swords
through the midst of the enemy. But the tumult which reigned
everywhere, the dreadful shouts of the enemy, and a fog that was
risen, prevented his being seen or heard. However, when the Romans
saw themselves surrounded on all sides, either by the enemy or
the lake, and the impossibility of saving their lives by flight,
it roused their courage, and both parties began the fight with
astonishing animosity. Their fury was so great, that not a soldier
in either army perceived an earthquake, which happened in that
country, and buried whole cities in ruins. In this confusion,
Flaminius being slain by one of the Insubrian Gauls, the Romans
began to give ground, and at last quite ran away. Great numbers,
to save themselves, leaped into the lake, whilst others, climbing
over the mountains, fell into the enemy’s hands whom they strove
to avoid. Six thousand only cut their way through the conquerors,
and retreated to a place of safety; but the next day they were
taken prisoners. In this battle 15,000 Romans were killed, and
about 10,000 escaped to Rome, by different roads. Hannibal sent
back the Latins, who were allies of the Romans, into their own
country, without demanding the least ransom. He commanded search to
be made for the body of Flaminius, in order to give it burial, but
it could not be found. He afterwards put his troops into quarters
of refreshment, and solemnized the funerals of 30 of his chief
officers, who were killed in the battle. He lost in all but 1500
men, most of whom were Gauls.
Immediately after, Hannibal dispatched a courier to Carthage, with
the news of his good success in Italy. This caused the greatest joy
for the present, raised the most promising hopes with regard to
the future, and revived the courage of all the citizens. They now
prepared with incredible ardour to send into Italy and Spain all
necessary succours.
Rome, on the contrary, was filled with universal grief and alarm,
as soon as the prætor had pronounced from the rostra the following
words, “we have lost a great battle.” The senate, studious of
nothing but the public welfare, thought that in so great a calamity
and so imminent a danger recourse must be had to extraordinary
remedies. They therefore appointed Quintus Fabius, dictator, a
person as conspicuous for his wisdom as his birth. It was the
custom at Rome that the moment a dictator was nominated, all
authority ceased, that of the tribunes of the people excepted. M.
Minucius was appointed his general of horse.”
TILSIT, PEACE OF.--Between France and Russia, when Napoleon
restored to the Russian Monarch one-half his dominions, and Russia
recognized the confederation of the Rhine and the elevation of his
three brothers, Joseph, Louis, and Jerome to the thrones of Naples,
Holland, and Westphalia. Signed, July 7th, 1807.
TINCHEBRAY, BATTLE, OF.--Fought, 1106, between Henry I of England,
and Robert, Duke of Normandy. The two brothers met at this
place, and Robert was defeated, and all Normandy was taken by
Henry,--Robert himself being thrown into a dungeon, and kept for
more than twenty-five years a prisoner.
TOPLITZ, BATTLES OF.--The first was fought between the Austrians
and Prussians, the latter defeated, in 1762. Another battle August
30th, 1813. Treaty of ditto, September 9th, 1813. Second treaty of
ditto, October 3rd, 1813.
TORGAN, BATTLE OF.--Between Frederick II of Prussia and the
Austrians, in which the former obtained a complete victory. The
Austrian General, Count Daun, was wounded, November 11th, 1760.
TOULON, NAVAL BATTLES OF.--A memorable battle off this port between
the English, French and Spanish fleets, February 10th, 1744. The
English lost the victory through a misunderstanding of their
Admirals. Another battle fought here, when Lord Hood took six ships
of the French fleet, and sunk one of very large force, and several
others, June 4th, 1794. While the two fleets were engaged, a large
fleet of Indiamen got safely into Brest harbour. As on this fleet
depended the means of the French carrying on the war, they claim
the victory, notwithstanding their loss in ships and men.
TOULOUSE, BATTLE OF.--This was the final battle of the Peninsular
war--one of the most bloody that was fought between the French and
English. The French were commanded by Soult, and the English by
Wellington. Wellington forced the French to retreat after twelve
hours of hard fighting, the battle raging from seven in the morning
till seven at night. The English lost between 4000 and 5000 men,
that of the French exceeded 10,000. Fought, April 10th, 1814.
TOURNAMENTS, OR TILTS.--Every one has read of these ancient modes
of duelling. If not, let them read Sir Walter Scott’s “Ivanhoe,”
&c. The Arabs are very expert in their management of horses at
these tilts. The following will describe the whole:--
“The tournament field is oblong, and bordered by rows of
spectators, sitting cross-legged round the open space. The best
riders of the tribe, mounted on the most active horses, are then
introduced into the arena, the men being clothed with as much
splendour as their means will permit them, while the chargers are
covered with large silk housings of different colours, reaching to
the ground, and resembling those of ancient knights, as represented
in Froissart. Some of the Arabs then commence making their horses
dance to the sound of drums and trumpets, whilst men on foot
occasionally rush forward and discharge their muskets close to the
horses’ ears. Others dash forward at full speed along the line
of seated spectators, as close to their feet as they possibly
can, without actually trampling upon them: and every now and then
suddenly throwing their horses on their haunches, spin them round
on their hind legs, and resume in the opposite direction their
wild career. It is a nervous sight to behold; for you momentarily
expect to see some person or child crushed beneath the horses’
hoofs; but no accident ever happens, and men, women, and children,
maintain their seats with the greatest calmness and feeling of
security, saluting any well-executed point of horsemanship with
loud and exulting shouts of approbation, whilst the women accompany
them with the usual but indescribable cries of the quick-repeated
lu-lu-lu-lu; in return for which they are covered with clouds of
sand and dust, which the impetuous coursers throw up behind them.
Three or four others dashing their sharp stirrups into the flanks
of their impatient steeds, rush madly along the length of the
arena, shouting forth their _tekbir_, or war-cries, and whirling
round their heads the long and silver-adorned Arab guns, which they
discharge at the spectators when they have reached the farthest
extremity of the lists. Others engage with swords soldiers on foot,
galloping round their adversaries in incredibly small circles,
twisting their horses suddenly round, and then circling to the
other hand; and I know not which most to admire, the activity and
suppleness of the rider or of his horse. Others, whilst at full
speed, will lean over, and without in the least reducing their
pace, pick up from the ground a piastre or any other equally
small object, thrown down for the purpose. These sports form, on
the whole, one of the gayest and most animating scenes I ever
beheld, increased as it is by the waving of many silken sanjaks
of the brightest colours, by the music, the report of fire-arms,
the war-cries of the performers, and the shouts of the numerous
spectators.”
TOURNAY.--Taken by the Allies in 1709; taken again by the French,
November 11th, 1792. A battle was fought here by the Anglo-Austrian
army, against the French, in which they were defeated, May 8th,
1793. Another battle was fought between the English and French,
when the French were repulsed, losing 200 men and three field
pieces. Fought, May 6th, 1794.
TOURS, BATTLE OF.--One of the glorious victories of Charles Martel,
and that which most established his fame; gained over the Saracens,
near Tours, and from which he acquired the name of Martel or the
Hammer. Some historians declare that but for this victory, all
Europe, us well as Asia and Africa, would otherwise have become
Mahommedan. Fought, October 10th, 732.
TOWTON, BATTLE OF.--This great battle is supposed to be the most
fierce and bloody that ever happened in any domestic war. Fought,
March 29th, 1461, between the houses of York and Lancaster, to
the latter of which it proved fatal; more than 37,000 men of the
Lancastrians fell. Edward IV of York issued orders to give no
quarter, and a merciless massacre ensued.
TRAFALGAR, BATTLE OF.--The most glorious and splendid naval
engagement ever achieved by the British navy. The French had
18 and the Spaniards 15 ships of the line; the British had 27
ships. Several of the enemies’ Admirals were taken prisoners. The
following is Southey’s fine description of the death of England’s
greatest naval hero. He says:--
“Nelson having despatched his business at Portsmouth, endeavoured
to elude the populace by taking a by-way to the beach, but a crowd
collected in his train, pressing forward to obtain a sight of his
face: many were in tears, and many knelt down before him, and
blessed him as he passed. England has had many heroes, but never
one who so entirely possessed the love of his fellow-countrymen
as Nelson. All men knew that his heart was as humane as it was
fearless; that there was not in his nature the slightest alloy
of selfishness or cupidity; but that, with perfect and entire
devotion, he served his country with all his heart, and with all
his soul, and with all his strength; and therefore they loved
him as truly and as fervently as he loved England. They pressed
upon the parapet to gaze after him when his barge pushed off, and
he returned their cheers by waving his hat. The sentinels who
endeavoured to prevent them from trespassing upon this ground, were
wedged among the crowd; and an officer who, not very prudently upon
such an occasion, ordered them to drive the people down with their
bayonets, was compelled speedily to retreat; for the people would
not be debarred from gazing till the last moment upon the hero--the
darling hero of England!
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