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Transcriber’s Note:
This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects.
Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. Bold text is
delimited with the ‘=’ character.
The text was printed in two columns, which have not been preserved here.
The printer, when setting a reference from one topic to another,
sometimes gave the reference on a separate line, but often on a single
line. To preserve the regular structure of the entries, the former has
been adopted.
In the Preface, the editor informs us that Mr. Harbottle died before he
could do the final editorial work (correcting the proofs and preparing
the Index.) In light of that apology, we have taken pains to correct the
many minor errors which are reasonably attributable to the printer.
Please see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details.
DICTIONARY OF BATTLES
SONNENSCHEIN’S DICTIONARIES OF QUOTATIONS
1. ENGLISH (_Third Edition_) P. H. Dalbiac.
2. CLASSICAL (_Second Edition_) T. B. Harbottle.
3. FRENCH AND ITALIAN (_Second Edition_) { T. B. Harbottle.
{ P. H. Dalbiac.
4. GERMAN Lilian Dalbiac.
5. SPANISH T. B. Harbottle.
6. WHAT GREAT MEN HAVE SAID ABOUT GREAT MEN W. Wale.
7. CONTEMPORARY [ENGLISH] QUOTATIONS H. Swan.
8. FAMOUS SAYINGS AND THEIR AUTHORS E. Latham.
9. DICTIONARY OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS T. B. Harbottle.
10. DICTIONARY OF BATTLES T. B. Harbottle.
DICTIONARY OF
BATTLES
From the Earliest Date to the Present Time
By
THOMAS BENFIELD HARBOTTLE
AUTHOR OF "DICTIONARY OF QUOTATIONS" (CLASSICAL); "DICTIONARY OF
HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS"; CO-AUTHOR OF "DICTIONARY OF QUOTATIONS" (FRENCH
AND ITALIAN)
[Illustration]
LONDON
SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO. LTD.
HIGH STREET, BLOOMSBURY, W.C.
1904
PREFACE
The sad death of Mr. Harbottle, just as this work was going to press,
has thrown upon me the onus of correcting the proofs and preparing the
Index. The necessity for hurrying the work through the press has
precluded comparison of the references in every instance with the
original sources from which the Author had taken them; if therefore some
few printer’s errors or varieties of spelling may still remain, they
may, I hope, be attributed to the imperfections of one, who had to step
suddenly into the breach caused by the loss of a valued friend and
collaborator, whose patience in research, depth of knowledge and
accuracy in compilation, he could never hope to equal.
_October, 1904._ P. H. DALBIAC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DICTIONARY OF BATTLES
A
Abensberg (Campaign of Wagram.)
Fought April 20, 1809, between the French and Bavarians under Napoleon,
about 90,000 strong, and the Austrians, 80,000 in number, under the
Archduke Charles. On the French left, Lanne’s corps drove back the
Austrians, after a feeble resistance. In the centre the Bavarians were
hard pressed, but eventually Napoleon succeeded in turning the Austrian
flank, left exposed by the defeat of their right, and Charles was forced
to retreat. The Austrians lost 7,000, the French and Bavarians about
3,000 killed and wounded.
Aberdeen (Civil War).
Fought September 13, 1644, between the Covenanters, 3,000 strong, under
Lord Burleigh, and the Royalists, about 1,500 strong, under Montrose.
The Covenanters were put to flight, and no quarter being given, they
lost heavily before reaching Aberdeen. The Royalist losses were
insignificant.
Aboukir (French Invasion of Egypt).
Fought July 5, 1799, Napoleon attacking the position held by Mustapha
Pasha, who had recently landed in Egypt at the head of 18,000 Turks. The
French were completely successful, two-thirds of the Turkish troops
being killed or driven into the sea, while 6,000, with the Pasha,
surrendered.
Aboukir (British Invasion of Egypt).
Fought March 8, 1801, when 5,000 British under Sir Ralph Abercromby
disembarked on the beach at Aboukir, in the face of a force of 2,000
French under General Friant. The landing was effected under a heavy
musketry and artillery fire, which cost the assailants 1,100 killed and
wounded, and the French were driven from their positions with a loss of
500 men.
Aboukir.
_See_ Nile.
Abu Hamed (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought August 7, 1897, when the Dervish entrenchments outside Abu Hamed
were stormed by a Soudanese Brigade, with 2 guns Royal Artillery, under
Major-General Hunter. The Mahdist garrison was driven through the town,
losing heavily, and their commander, Mohammed Zain, captured. The
Egyptian loss was 80 killed and wounded, including 4 British officers.
Abu Klea (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought January 17, 1885, between a British force, 1,500 strong, under
Sir Herbert Stewart, and 12,000 Mahdists, of whom about 5,000 actually
attacked. The British square was broken at one corner, owing to the
jamming of a Gardner gun, and the Mahdists forcing their way inside, a
desperate hand-to-hand conflict followed. Eventually the assailants were
driven off, and the square reformed. The British loss was 18 officers,
among them Colonel Fred. Burnaby, and 150 men. In the immediate vicinity
of the square, 1,100 Arab dead were counted.
Abu Kru (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought January 19, 1885, between 1,200 British troops under Sir Herbert
Stewart, and a large force of Mahdists. The Mahdists attacked a short
distance from the Nile, and the British square moved towards the river,
repelling all assaults successfully till they reached the Nile. The
British losses were 121, including Sir Herbert Stewart, mortally
wounded. This action is also known as the battle of Gubat.
Acapulco (Mexican Liberal Rising).
Fought August 9, 1855, between the Mexican Government troops under Santa
Anna, and the Liberals under Juarez. Santa Anna was totally routed and
fled from the country.
Accra (First Ashanti War).
Fought 1824, between 10,000 Ashantis and a force of 1,000 British under
Sir Charles McCarthy. The British were surrounded and routed by the
natives, McCarthy being killed.
Accra (First Ashanti War).
Fought 1825, between 15,000 Ashantis and 400 British troops, with 4,600
native auxiliaries. The Ashantis were completely defeated, and the king
compelled to abandon his designs on Cape Coast Castle.
Acragas (Second Carthaginian Invasion of Sicily).
This fortress was besieged B.C. 406 by the Carthaginians under Hannibal,
the garrison being commanded by Dexippus the Spartan. Early in the siege
a pestilence in the Carthaginian camp carried off Hannibal, who was
succeeded by his cousin, Himilco. A relieving army of 35,000 Syracusans,
under Daphnæus fought a pitched battle with the Carthaginians under the
walls of the city, and succeeded in seizing and holding one of their
camps, but shortly afterwards dissensions broke out in the garrison, and
many of the foreign mercenaries deserting, the citizens, after a siege
of eight months, left the place _en masse_. The Carthaginians at once
occupied the fortress.
Acre (Third Crusade).
Siege was laid to this city by the Christians in August, 1189, and it
was obstinately defended by the Saracens for two years, during which the
Crusaders are said to have lost 120,000 men. In June, 1191, the
besiegers were reinforced by an English army under Richard Cœur de
Lion, and in the following month the garrison surrendered.
Acre.
The city remained in the hands of the Christians till 1291, when it was
captured by the Moslems under Malek al Aschraf, Sultan of Egypt. The
last stronghold in the Holy Land thus passed out of the keeping of the
Christians.
Acre (French Invasion of Egypt).
The city was besieged March 17, 1799, by the French under Napoleon, and
defended by the Turks under Djezzar, and a small force of British seamen
under Sir Sidney Smith. An assault on the 28th was repulsed with loss,
and then a threatened attack by a Syrian army forced Napoleon to
withdraw a large portion of his troops. On the resumption of the siege,
no less than seven more assaults were delivered, while the French had to
meet eleven sallies of the besieged, but they were unable to effect a
lodgment, and on May 21 Napoleon reluctantly raised the siege. The fall
of Acre would have placed the whole of Syria, and possibly of the
Turkish Empire, in the hands of the French.
Acre (Mehemet Ali’s Second Rebellion).
Mehemet Ali having refused to accept the conditions imposed upon him by
the Quadrilateral Alliance, Acre was bombarded, November 3, 1840, by a
combined British and Turkish fleet under Sir R. Stopford, and the town
laid in ruins.
Acs (Hungarian Rising).
Fought July 2, 1849, between 25,000 Hungarians, under Görgey, and the
Russo-Austrian army, greatly superior in numbers, under Prince
Windischgrätz. The allies attacked the entrenched camp of the
Hungarians, outside Komorn, while the Hungarians made an attempt to turn
the allied left. Both attacks were repulsed, and the battle was
undecided.
Actium (Mark Antony’s Second Rebellion).
Fought September 2, B.C. 31, between the fleet of Antony, 460 galleys,
and that of Octavius, about 250 sail, but much lighter and less well
manned than those of Antony. The battle was fiercely contested, with
varying fortune; but at a critical moment Cleopatra ordered the Egyptian
admiral to make sail, and with 60 galleys withdrew from the fight. She
was followed by Antony, and his fleet, discouraged by his flight,
surrendered after ten hours’ fighting. The Octavians captured 300
galleys, and 5,000 Antonians fell in the action. A few days later
Antony’s land army of 120,000 men laid down their arms.
Acultzingo (Franco-Mexican War).
Fought April 28, 1862, between the French, 7,500 strong, under General
Lorencez, and the main Mexican army, about 10,000 in number, under
General Zaragoça. The Mexicans held a strong position in the Cumbres
Pass, from which they were driven by the French, and forced to retire
upon La Puebla.
Admagetobriga (Gallic Tribal Wars).
Fought B.C. 61 between the Sequani under Ariovistus, and the Hædui under
Eporedorix. The Hædui were defeated, with the loss of the flower of
their chivalry, and were compelled to give hostages and pay tribute to
Ariovistus.
Adnatuca (Gallic Wars).
Fought B.C. 53, when a Roman force of 9,000 men under Titurius Sabinus
was attacked in its camps by the Eburones under Ambiorix. The assault
failed, but an offer by Ambiorix of a safe passage to the nearest Roman
station was accepted. On the march the Romans were treacherously
attacked by the Eburones and cut to pieces, Sabinius being among the
slain.
Adowa (Italian Invasion of Abyssinia).
Fought March 1, 1896, when the Italian force under General Baratieri
attacked the Shoan army, strongly posted in a difficult country, and was
routed with enormous loss.
Adrianople (Bulgarian Rising).
Fought April 15, 1205, between the Imperial troops under the Latin
Emperor, Baldwin I, and the revolted Bulgarians under their chief,
Calo-John. The Bulgarian cavalry fled, and lured the Latin horse in
pursuit. Then turning upon them, they routed them with the loss of their
leader, the Comte de Blois, and in the end the Imperialists were
completely defeated and the Emperor captured.
Adwalton Moor (Civil War).
Fought January 30, 1643, when the Parliamentarians, numbering 4,000,
with a levy of armed peasants, were defeated by 10,000 Royalists under
Newcastle. Fairfax, who commanded the Parliament force, succeeded in
reaching Hull. The battle is also known as that of Atherton Moor.
Ægina (Third Messenian War).
Fought B.C. 458, between the Athenian fleet, and that of Ægina, aided by
the Peloponnesian States. The Athenians were victorious, capturing 70
ships, and landing they invested Ægina, which fell into their hands
after a siege of a little less than two years.
Ægospotami (Peloponnesian War).
Fought B.C. 405, between 180 Athenian triremes, under Conon, and 180
Peloponnesian ships under Lysander. The Athenian fleet was lying at
Ægospotami, opposite Lampsacus, where Lysander was stationed. For four
days in succession the Athenian admiral crossed the straits, and
endeavoured, but in vain, to bring on a general action. On the fifth day
Lysander waited till the Athenians had returned to their anchorage, and
then, making a sudden dash across the straits, caught them unprepared,
and seized all but twenty ships, putting to death all the Athenians who
were captured. This disaster destroyed the naval power of Athens, and
was soon followed by the end of the Peloponnesian War.
Ægusa (First Punic War).
Fought March 10, B.C. 241, between the Roman fleet of 200 quinqueremes
under C. Lutatius Catulus, and a Carthaginian fleet under Hanno
despatched to relieve the town. The action was fought in heavy weather,
and the Roman sailors, being far better trained than their opponents,
Catulus gained a signal victory, capturing 70 and sinking 50 of the
enemy’s ships. The victory ended the First Punic War.
Agedincum (Gallic War).
Fought B.C. 52, between the Romans under Labienus, and the Celts under
Camalogenus. Labienus was endeavouring to effect a junction with Caesar,
which the Celts were opposing, and Labienus, crossing the Marne in face
of their army, inflicted upon them a severe defeat, in which Camalogenus
fell.
Aghrim (Wars of the Revolution).
Fought July 12, 1691, between William III’s troops, under Ginkel, and
the French and Irish under St. Ruth. The English struggled in vain to
carry St. Ruth’s entrenchments, which were protected by a bog, but his
flank was at last turned by the cavalry, which found a passage through
the morass, and St. Ruth was killed. The Irish then broke and fled, and
are said to have lost between 6,000 and 7,000 in the pursuit.
Agincourt (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought October 25, 1415, between the French, numbering 50,000, under the
Constable d’Albret, and about 15,000 English, mostly archers, under
Henry V. The archers protected their front with a palisade of stakes,
which broke the charge of the French men-at-arms, and the French army
was routed with a loss of 10,000 slain, including the Constable and the
Dukes of Alençon, Brabant and Bar, and 15,000 prisoners, including the
Duke of Orleans and Marshal Boucicaut. The English lost only 1,600,
among whom were the Duke of York and the Earl of Oxford.
Agnadello (War of the League of Cambrai).
Fought May 14, 1509, between 30,000 French under Louis XII and Marshal
Trioulzio, and 35,000 Venetians under General Alviani. The Venetians
were defeated with a loss of 6,000 men and 20 guns, Alviani being taken,
and in consequence of his victory, Louis XII occupied all the territory
assigned to him by the League, up to the Mincio.
Agordat (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought December 21, 1893, between 2,200 Italians, and native troops,
under General Arimondi, and 11,500 Mahdists under Ahmed Ali, who had
invaded Italian territory. The Mahdists were routed with a loss of about
3,000 men. The Italians lost 13, and 225 natives killed and wounded.
Agra (Farokshin’s Rebellion).
Fought 1713, between the Great Mogul, Jehandar Shah, with 70,000 troops,
under Zulfikar Khan, and the rebel Moguls under Jehandar’s nephew,
Farokshin. After a stubborn fight, the rebels overpowered the Imperial
troops, and Jehandar Shah was captured and put to death by Farokshin,
who ascended the throne.
Agra (Second Mahratta War).
The fortress was besieged October 4, 1803, by the British under General
Lake, and was defended by a garrison of Sindhia’s troops, 6,000 strong,
who held the citadel, while seven additional battalions were encamped in
the town. The latter force was attacked on the 10th and routed, losing
26 guns, while the survivors, 2,600 in number, surrendered on the
following day. On the 17th the batteries opened fire on the citadel, and
on the 18th the garrison surrendered.
Agra (Indian Mutiny).
On August 2, 1857, the British garrison holding Agra sallied out to
attack a body of 10,000 rebels encamped within four miles of the city.
The Kotah contingent, which formed a portion of the British force,
deserted to the mutineers, and the British troops, hard pressed and
short of ammunition, were driven back into Agra, and forced to take
refuge in the fort. In October of the same year Colonel Greathed’s
column of four battalions and two cavalry regiments encountered close to
Agra a force of 7,000 mutineers. The rebels at first held their own, but
were eventually put to flight, and pursued with great slaughter for ten
miles.
Ahmedabad (First Mahratta War).
This strong fortress, garrisoned by 8,000 Arabs and Scinde Infantry, and
2,000 Mahrattas, was taken by assault, after a short bombardment, by a
British force under General Goddard, February 15, 1780. The British lost
106 killed and wounded, including 12 officers.
Ahmed Khel (Second Afghan War).
Fought 1880, when a British force under General Stewart on the march to
Ghuzni was attacked by about 15,000 Ghilzais. A rush of 3,000 Ghazis was
successfully repulsed, and the enemy defeated and driven off, leaving
1,000 dead on the field. The British lost 17 only.
Ahmednugger (Mogul Invasion of the Deccan).
This place was besieged in 1599 by the Moguls under Mirza Khan, one of
Akbar’s generals, and defended by a garrison of Deccanis under Chand
Bibi, ex-Queen of Bijapur. A practicable breach having been effected,
the garrison was disposed to surrender, but Chand Bibi, heading the
defenders, superintended the repair of the breach, and succeeding in
holding out until a peace was signed by which the Great Mogul agreed to
leave Ahmednugger unmolested.
Aiguillon (Hundred Years’ War).
This fortress was besieged by the French under John, Duke of Normandy,
in May, 1347, and was defended by a small English garrison under Sir
Walter Manny, who held out bravely till the end of August, repelling
numerous assaults. The defeat of Cressy then forced the Duke of Normandy
to lead his army northward, and he was compelled to raise the siege.
Aix, Ile d’ (Seven Years’ War).
Fought March 4, 1758, when a British squadron of seven sail, under Sir
Edward Hawke, attacked a French squadron of five ships of the line and
six frigates, convoying forty transports, and drove them ashore on the
Ile d’Aix. This delayed the French expedition to North America, and
facilitated the capture of Cape Breton.
Aix-la-Chapelle (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought March 3, 1795, between the French under Miranda and the Austrians
under the Prince of Saxe-Coburg. The French were totally defeated, and
fled in disorder, with a loss of 3,500 killed and wounded and 1,500
prisoners.
Aiznadin (Moslem Invasion of Syria).
Fought July 13, 633, between 45,000 Moslems under Khaled and 70,000
Imperial troops under Werdan. The Imperialists were routed with great
slaughter, leaving Khaled to prosecute the siege of Damascus. The
Moslems only admit a loss of 470.
Aladja Dagh (Russo-Turkish War).
Fought 1877, between the Russians under General Loris Melikoff, and the
Turks under Mukhtar Pasha. The Russians were victorious, and Mukhtar was
compelled to take refuge under the walls of Erzeroum.
Alamo, Storming of the (Texan Rising).
On February 22, 1836, General Santa Anna, with the advance guard of the
Mexican army, appeared before the walls of the Alamo, a fortified
mission station held by 145 Texans under Colonel Travis, who replied to
a summons to surrender by a cannon shot. On March 1 the garrison was
reinforced by 30 men, Santa Anna’s force at this date being 4,000. On
the 6th 2,500 Mexicans assaulted the fort, and at the third attempt
effected an entrance. The building was defended room by room, the church
within the enclosure being the last building captured, when all the
survivors were put to the sword. The victory cost the Mexicans 400
killed and many wounded. “Remember the Alamo” became the watchword of
the Texans.
Aland (Russo-Swedish Wars).
Fought July, 1714, between the Russian fleet of 30 ships of the line and
180 galleys under Admiral Apraxine, and the Swedish, about one-third of
that strength, under Admiral Erinschild. The Swedes sought to prevent
the landing of a Russian force on the island of Aland, and fought an
unequal combat for three hours, when they were overpowered and forced to
retire. The Czar, Peter the Great, who was serving under Apraxine as
Rear-Admiral, captured Erinschild’s flagship.
Alarcos (Moorish Empire in Spain).
Fought July 19, 1195, between the Moors under Yakub el Maasur, and the
Spaniards under Alfonso VIII of Castile. The Spaniards were utterly
routed, and very few escaped to Calatrava. The Moors claimed to have
taken 30,000 prisoners.
Albuera (Peninsular War).
Fought May 16, 1811, between the allied British, Portuguese and Spanish
forces, numbering 46,000, of whom 7,000 only were British infantry, the
whole army being under the command of Marshal Beresford, and 33,000
French under Marshal Soult. The French attacked Beresford’s position,
and the Spaniards offering but a poor resistance, defeat was only
averted by the extraordinary valour of the British troops, especially of
the Fusilier Brigade, which came into action when the day seemed lost,
and drove the French from the field. Of the 7,000 British, but 1,800
were left standing. The French lost over 8,000, including five generals.
Alcantara (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought 1706, when a force of British and Portuguese under Lord Galway
attacked and drove out of Alcantara the garrison, consisting of a
portion of Marshal Berwick’s army. Ten French battalions laid down their
arms, and 60 guns were captured.
Aleppo (Moslem Invasion of Syria).
This place was besieged by the Moslems under Abu Obeidah and Khaled in
638, and the city almost immediately surrendered, but the garrison
retired to the citadel, where under Youkinna it maintained a stubborn
defence for five months, and caused heavy loss to the besiegers. At last
the citadel was taken by surprise, and Youkinna became a convert to
Mohammedanism. This was the last serious resistance offered in Syria to
the invading Moslems.
Aleppo (Tartar Invasion of Syria).
Fought November 11, 1400, between the Tartars under Tamerlane, and the
Turks under the Syrian Emirs. Instead of standing a siege, the Emirs
sallied out to meet Tamerlane in the open field, and suffered a
disastrous defeat. They were driven back into Aleppo with the loss of
many thousands, and a few days later the Tartars sacked the city and
captured the citadel.
Aleppo (Ottoman Wars).
Fought 1516, between the Turks under Selim I, and the Egyptians under
the Mameluke Sultan, Tooman Beg. After a sanguinary engagement, the
Egyptians were utterly routed, and Selim added the whole of Syria to the
Ottoman dominions.
Alesia (Gallic War).
Siege was laid to the town by the Romans under Cæsar, B.C. 52, and it
was defended by the Gauls, numbering 80,000 infantry and 15,000 cavalry
under Vercingetorix, the Romans being about 50,000 strong. An attempt
was made by the Belgi, with an army of 260,000 warriors, to relieve the
town, but they were met and routed by Labienus with terrific slaughter.
This disaster so discouraged the garrison that the town immediately
surrendered, Vercingetorix being sent a prisoner to Rome, where five
years later he was beheaded as a rebellious subject of Rome.
Alessandria (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought June 18, 1799, between the French, 14,000 strong under Moreau,
and the Imperialists under Bellegarde. The French gained a signal
victory, the loss of the Imperialists being 1,500 men and 5 guns.
Alexandria (Moslem Invasion of Egypt).
This city, the capital of Egypt, was besieged by the Moslems, under
Amrou, in 638, and after a defence of fourteen months, in the course of
which the besiegers lost 23,000 men, surrendered, leaving the victors
undisputed masters of Egypt.
Alexandria (British Invasion of Egypt).
Fought March 21, 1801, between the French under General Menou, and the
British expeditionary force under Sir Ralph Abercromby. The French
cavalry charged the British right, but were repulsed, and after hard
fighting the French were defeated and driven under the walls of
Alexandria. Among those who fell was Sir Ralph Abercromby, mortally
wounded.
Alexandria (Arabi’s Rebellion).
Arabi Pasha having refused to cease work upon the forts of Alexandria,
the Admiral, Sir Beauchamp Seymour, who had under his command a fleet of
8 battleships and 5 gunboats, decided to shell them. He opened fire on
the morning of July 11, 1882, and the bombardment continued till the
evening of the 12th, when the forts were totally destroyed, and the
garrison abandoned the city. The gunboat _Condor_, under Lord Charles
Beresford, particularly distinguished herself, running close in under
the forts, and doing considerable damage.
Alford (Civil War).
Fought July 2, 1645, between the Royalists under Montrose, and the
Covenanters under General Baillie. Baillie crossed the Don to attack
Montrose, whom he imagined to be in retreat, but who was really waiting
for him in a well-chosen position. The attack was repulsed, the
Covenanters being routed with heavy loss.
Algeciras Bay (Napoleonic Wars).
Fought July 8, 1801, between a British squadron of 7 ships of the line,
1 frigate and 1 brig, under Sir James Saumarez, and a French squadron of
3 line-of-battle ships and 1 frigate, under Admiral Linois. The French
were aided by the Spanish gunboats and the shore batteries, and Saumarez
lost the _Hannibal_, which ran ashore, and was captured by the French.
The British lost 121 killed and 240 wounded. The French lost 306 killed.
On July 12, the French squadron, which had been reinforced meanwhile by
5 Spanish ships of the line, was again attacked by Sir James Saumarez,
who succeeded in capturing the _St. Antoine_ and blowing up the
_Hermenegilda_. The British lost only 17 killed and 100 wounded; the
allies, 2,000, chiefly in the _Hermenegilda_.
Algheri.
Fought 1353, between the Aragonese under Pedro IV (the Great) and the
Genoese. Pedro won a complete victory, driving the Genoese out of
Sardinia, the whole of which island became an appanage of the crown of
Aragon.
Algiers.
This town was attacked July 8, 1775, by a Spanish force of 51 ships of
war and 26,000 men under Don Pedro de Castijon and Count O’Reilly. After
a severe conflict, the Spaniards failed to dislodge their opponents, and
retired, with a loss of over 3,000 killed and wounded. The Algerines
lost about 5,000.
Algiers, Bombardment of.
In 1816 Lord Exmouth, in command of 19 British war ships, and
accompanied by 6 Dutch ships under Van Capellan, bombarded the forts of
Algiers, mounting 500 guns. The bombardment lasted for about eight
hours, and resulted in the destruction of the forts and a large part of
the city. The Dey then gave way, and agreed to the total abolition of
Christian slavery in his dominions. The loss of the allies amounted to
885 killed and wounded; that of the Algerines to over 6,000.
Alhama (War of Granada).
This fortress, one of the ring of strong places protecting the Moorish
capital, Granada, was surprised by a small party of Spaniards, under
Juan de Ortiga, in the early morning of February 28, 1482. They scaled
the ramparts unperceived, and opened the gates to the Spanish army. The
garrison continued to defend the streets most obstinately, and it was
only after hard fighting that the Spaniards mastered the town. An
attempt was made to recapture the place by Abul Hasan, King of Granada,
who set down before it, with 50,000 Moors. March 5, 1482. The garrison,
under the Marquis of Cadiz, made a gallant defence, and on the 29th,
Abul Hasan, alarmed by the approach of a strong relieving army under
Ferdinand, raised the siege.
Alhandega (Moorish Empire in Spain).
Fought 939, between the Moors under Abd al Rahman, and the Christians
under Ramiro II of Leon. The Moors, 100,000 strong, were besieging
Zamora, when they were attacked by Ramiro, who, aided by a sortie of the
garrison, utterly routed them. In the battle 20,000 Moors fell, and
40,000 are said to have been drowned in the moat surrounding the city.
Alicante (War of the Spanish Succession).
On June 29, 1706, Alicante was taken by a British squadron of 5 ships
under Sir George Byng. The fleet attacked the city walls, while the
suburbs were occupied by a landing party of marines under Sir John
Jennings. The place was captured with a loss to the British of only 30
killed and 80 wounded.
Aligurh (First Mahratta War).
This fortress, the arsenal of Sindhia of Gwalior, was captured August
29, 1803, by the 76th Highlanders under Colonel Monson, forming part of
General Lake’s army. The place was strongly fortified and surrounded by
a ditch 100 feet wide, containing 10 feet of water. The Highlanders
carried the fortress by storm, blowing in the main gate, and fighting
their way from room to room till the place was captured. Two hundred and
eighty-one guns were taken. The British loss amounted to 223 killed and
wounded.
Aliwal (First Sikh War).
Fought January 28, 1846, between the British, 10,000 strong, under Sir
Harry Smith, and 20,000 Sikhs under Runjur Singh. The troops of the
Khalsa withstood three charges of the British cavalry with splendid
bravery, but at last broke and fled, losing many drowned in the Sutlej,
besides those left on the field. The British captured 67 guns.
Aljubarotta.
Fought August, 1385, between the Castilians, under John I, in support of
the claim of Beatrix of Castile to the throne of Portugal, and the
Portuguese under the Regent John. The Portuguese inflicted a crushing
defeat upon the Spaniards, and John I was compelled to withdraw his
troops, and renounce his sister’s claim.
Alkmaar (Netherlands War of Independence).
Siege was laid to this place August 21, 1573, by 16,000 Spaniards under
Don Frederico de Toledo. It was defended by a garrison of 800 soldiers
and 1,300 armed burghers. On September 18, an assault was delivered,
which was repulsed, with a loss to the besiegers of 1,000 men, while
only 37 of the garrison fell. The opening of the dykes at last rendered
the position of the Spaniards most precarious, and on October 8 the
siege was raised.
Alkmaar (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought October 2, 1799, between 30,000 British and Russians under the
Duke of York, and the French, in about equal strength, under Brune. The
action began by the Russians driving in the French advanced posts.
Meanwhile the Duke of York had outflanked them, and as soon as he was in
position a simultaneous attack on the French left and centre forced
Brune to abandon the key of his position, Alkmaar, which was at once
occupied by the allies.
Allia, The (First Invasion of the Gauls).
Fought July 16, 389 B.C., between the Romans, 40,000 strong, under
Quintus Sulpicius, and the Gauls, about equal in numbers, under Brennus.
The Romans took post on the Allia to check the advance of the Gauls on
Rome. Here they were attacked by Brennus, who routed the right wing,
where the younger soldiers were posted, and then broke the Roman centre
and left, putting them to flight with enormous loss.
Alma (Crimean War).
Fought September 20, 1854, between the Russians, 40,000 strong, under
Prince Mentschikoff, and the allied British and French armies, 26,000
strong, under Lord Raglan and Marshal St. Arnaud. The bulk of the
fighting fell upon the British Second and Light Divisions and the
Guards, who carried the heights held by the Russians at the point of the
bayonet, and utterly routed them. The Russians lost 1,200 killed, and
left 4,700 prisoners, many of them wounded, in the hands of the allies.
The British loss amounted to 3,000 killed and wounded; that of the
French to 1,000.
Almanza (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought April 25, 1707, between the French under Marshal Berwick, and the
British and Portuguese under Lord Galway and the Marques das Minas.
Galway, though inferior in cavalry, attacked at first with success, but
the Portuguese on the right broke and fled, and the British centre,
attacked in front and flank simultaneously, was routed and forced to
surrender. As a consequence of this defeat, the whole of Spain was lost
to Charles with the exception of Catalonia.
Almenara (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought July 10, 1710, when the British contingent of the Archduke
Charles’ army, under General Stanhope, attacked and defeated the
Spaniards under Philip V, after severe fighting. So complete was the
rout that Philip’s army was only saved by the fall of night from
complete destruction.
Almorah (Gurkha War).
Fought April 25, 1815, when 2,000 British regulars under Colonel Nicolls
and a force of irregular troops under Colonel Gardiner assaulted and
captured the heights of the town of Almorah. The result of this victory
was the surrender of the province of Kumaon and all its fortresses.
Alne (Scottish Wars).
Fought November 13, 1093, between the Scots under Malcolm Canmore and
the English. The Scots were totally defeated, and Malcolm and his eldest
son Edward slain in the battle.
Alresford (Civil War).
Fought March 29, 1644, between the Royalists under the Earl of Brentford
and Sir Ralph Hopton, and the Parliamentarians under Sir William Waller.
The Parliament forces were victorious, but their losses were so severe
that Waller was unable to follow up his advantage, and the Royalists
made an orderly retreat.
Alsen (Schleswig-Holstein War).
This island, in which the Danish garrison of Düppel had taken refuge,
was captured by the Prussians, who crossed from the mainland in boats on
the night of June 29, 1864, and under a heavy fire carried the Danish
entrenchments, and compelled them to surrender. This was the last
engagement of the war.
Altendorf (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought August 24, 1632, between Gustavus Adolphus, with 40,000 Swedes
and Germans, and the Imperialists, of about equal numbers, under
Wallenstein. Wallenstein was very strongly posted on the hill and in the
ruined castle of the Altenwald, and after a day spent in fruitless
assaults, the King was forced to retire, having lost about 2,300 in
killed and wounded. The defenders admitted a loss of 70 officers and
2,000 men killed, besides wounded and prisoners.
Alto Pascio (Guelfs and Ghibellines).
Fought 1325, between the Ghibellines under Castruccio Castracane of
Lucca, and the Florentine Guelfs. The Florentines were defeated with
heavy loss, among the trophies taken by Castracane being the _carroccio_
of Florence.
Amakusa (Revolt of the Christians).
In 1638, the castle of Amakusa, held by 30,000 rebels under Masada
Shiro, was captured after very hard fighting by the troops of the
Shôgun, under Matsudaira Nobutsuna. The defenders set fire to the
castle, and perished to the last man, either in the flames or by the
sword.
Amalinde (Kaffir Wars).
Fought 1818 between the Gaikas and the forces of Ndlambi, in which the
former were utterly routed.
Amatola Mountain (Kaffir Wars).
Fought 1846, between the Kaffirs under Sandilli, and the British and
Cape troops under Colonels Campbell and Somerset. Sandilli was totally
defeated, but, rallying his forces, he made a successful attack on the
British baggage train, the loss of which forced them to retire.
Ambate (Conquest of Peru).
Fought 1532, between the two Peruvian chiefs Atahualpa and Huascar, in
which the latter suffered a complete defeat.
Ambracian Gulf.
Fought B.C. 435, when a Corinthian fleet of 75 ships attempted the
relief of Epidamnus, which was besieged by the Corcyreans, and was
defeated with heavy loss by 80 Corcyrean triremes.
Ambur.
Fought 1749, between the army of Anwar-ud-din, Nawab of Arcot, 20,000
strong, and the combined forces of Muzuffer Jung and Chunda Sahib, aided
by a French contingent under M. d’Auteil. Anwar-ud-din was defeated and
slain, and Muzuffer Jung assumed the title of Subahdar of the Deccan,
Chunda Sahib that of Nawab of Arcot.
Ambur.
This strong fortress was held by a garrison of 500 Sepoys, under Captain
Calvert, and a detachment of Mysore troops under Mukhlis Khan. This man
had assumed the status of an independent chief, but being suspected of
intriguing with Hyder Ali, was arrested by Calvert. Hyder laid siege to
the place November 10, 1767; but Calvert, now secure from treachery
within, held out with his small garrison till December 6, when the
approach of a relieving force obliged Hyder to raise the siege.
Amida (Persian Wars).
This fortress, defended by a Roman garrison, was besieged, and after a
vigorous defence taken by storm by the Persians under Sapor II in 359.
The garrison and inhabitants were put to the sword. The siege, which
lasted 73 days, cost the Persians 30,000 men, and so weakened Sapor that
he was compelled to relinquish his designs upon the Eastern Empire.
The fortress was again besieged by the Persians under Kobad in 503,
being defended as before by a Roman garrison. After a defence of three
months, which cost the besiegers 50,000 men, a weakly defended tower was
surprised at night, and on the following day the Persians, headed by
their King, scaled the walls, and massacred 80,000 of the garrison and
inhabitants.
Amiens (Franco-German War).
Fought November 27, 1870, between the French under General Faure, and
the Germans under Manteuffel. The French were compelled to abandon the
city, but the Germans failed to secure a decisive victory. The French
lost 1,383 killed and wounded, and 1,000 missing; the Germans, 76
officers and 1,216 men.
Amoaful (Second Ashanti War).
Fought January 31, 1874, when the British expeditionary force under Sir
Garnet Wolseley defeated the Ashantis after a desperate resistance,
which cost the assailants 16 officers and 174 men killed and wounded.
The 42nd Regiment, which led the attack, lost 9 officers and 105 men.
Amorium (Moslem Invasion of Asia Minor).
Fought 838, between the Moslems under the Caliph Motassem, and the
Greeks under Theophilus. Thirty thousand Persian horsemen, serving under
the Emperor, succeeded in breaking the Moslem line, but the Greeks
themselves were overthrown by the Moslems, and the day ended in a
complete rout of the Imperial army. Motassem then laid siege to Amorium,
and after a defence of 55 days, which cost the besiegers 70,000 men, the
gates were opened by treachery, and 30,000 Christians were massacred.
Amphipolis (Peloponnesian War).
Fought March 422 B.C. between 1,500 Athenians, with a contingent of
allies under Cleon, and the Spartans, 2,000 hoplites, besides light
armed troops, under Brasidas. Cleon advanced to attack Amphipolis, but
finding the garrison preparing for a sortie, wheeled about and commenced
to retreat, He was at once assailed by Brasidas, and his left fled
without striking a blow. The Athenian right and centre offered some
resistance, but in the end were routed with heavy loss. Both Brasidas
and Cleon fell, the latter while fleeing from the field.
Amstetten (Campaign of the Danube).
Fought November 5, 1805, when the Russians retiring on Vienna fought a
rear-guard action against Murat’s cavalry and a portion of Lannes’
corps, in which they were defeated with a loss of 1,000 killed, wounded,
and prisoners.
Añaquito (Conquest of Peru).
Fought January 8, 1546, between the troops of the Viceroy, Blasco Nuñez,
and those of Gonzalo Pizarro. Pizarro gained a signal victory, the
Viceroy being among the slain, and in consequence the Government of Peru
fell into Pizarro’s hands.
Ancona (Unification of Italy).
This place was attacked, September, 1860, by the Piedmontese fleet of 13
warships under Admiral Persano, and the army of General Cialdini. It was
defended by a small Papal garrison under La Moricière, and after a
resistance of over a week, at the end of which time Persano forced the
boom guarding the harbour, La Moricière capitulated.
Ancrum Moor (Scottish Wars).
Fought February 17, 1545, between the English under Sir Ralph Evans, and
the Scots under the Earl of Angus. The Borderers who had joined the
English deserted during the action, with the result that the Scots were
completely victorious.
Ancyræ.
Fought B.C. 242, between the Syrians under Seleucus Callinicus, and the
rebels under his brother Hierax, aided by a large contingent of Gauls.
After a desperate struggle, in which Hierax nearly lost his life at the
hands of his barbarian auxiliaries, Seleucus was utterly routed.
Angora (Tartar Invasion of Asia Minor).
Fought June 30, 1402, between the Tartars under Tamerlane, and the Turks
under Bajazet I. The numbers engaged are variously estimated at from one
to two millions, Tamerlane, it is said, having at least 800,000 men in
the field. The Turks were totally defeated, Bajazet and one of his sons
being captured, while another son was killed.
Angostura (Americo-Mexican War).
Fought February 21, 1847, between the Mexicans under Santa Anna and the
Americans under General Scott, when the Mexicans were totally defeated.
Angostura (Paraguayan War).
Fought December 22 to 27, 1868, between the Paraguayans under Lopez, and
the allied armies of the Argentine Republic, Brazil, and Uruguay. Lopez
held his position for six days against the greatly superior forces of
the allies, but was then compelled to retire, leaving in the hands of
the enemy 1,000 prisoners and 6 guns.
Antietam (American Civil War).
Fought September 17, 1862, between the main Confederate army under
General Lee, and the Federals under General M’Clellan. On the morning of
the 17th Lee had only 35,000 men on the ground against M’Clellan’s
95,000. The Federals strongly attacked Lee’s left, and after a stubborn
fight drove it back, but reinforcements arriving, Lee resumed the
offensive, and recovered his lost positions. On the following day
neither side was disposed to resume the struggle, and the battle was
therefore indecisive. The Federals lost 12,460 men; the Confederates
about 9,000.
Antioch.
Fought B.C. 244, between the Syrians under Seleucus Callinicus and the
Egyptians under Ptolemy Energetes. Seleucus was routed and compelled to
take refuge within the walls of Antioch.
Antioch (Aurelian’s Expedition to Palmyra).
Fought B.C. 272, between the Palmyrenians under Zenobia, and the Romans
under the Emperor Aurelian. Zenobia’s heavy cavalry defeated and drove
from the field the Roman horse, but her infantry was unable to withstand
the charge of the legionaries, and she was totally defeated.
Antioch (First Crusade).
The city was besieged, October 21, 1097, by the Crusaders under Godefroi
de Bouillon, and defended by a Saracen garrison under Baghasian. The
siege was unskilfully conducted, and provisions and munitions ran short
in the Christian camp, with the result that the place held out till June
3, 1098, when it was taken by stratagem. An indiscriminate massacre
followed, in which 10,000 of the defenders perished. On the 28th of the
same month the Crusading army was attacked outside Antioch a force of
Saracens under Kirboga. Kirboga concentrated his attack against one wing
of the Christians, and outflanked it, but was then assailed by the main
body, and driven off with heavy loss.
Antium (War of Chiozza).
Fought May 30, 1378, when Vittorio Pisani, with 14 Venetian galleys,
defeated the Genoese fleet under Fieschi. The Genoese lost 6 ships, and
Fieschi was taken prisoner.
Antwerp (Netherlands War of Independence).
This city was sacked by the Spaniards, November 4, 1576. It was defended
by 6,000 troops, mostly Walloons, who offered little resistance to the
5,600 Spaniards under Sancho d’Avila, who formed the attacking force.
Having effected an entrance, the Spaniards proceeded to massacre the
inhabitants, of whom 8,000 are said to have perished. This event is
known as the Spanish Fury.
Antwerp (Liberation of Belgium).
When Holland refused to recognize the London Protocol creating Belgium
into an independent State, the French laid siege to Antwerp, November,
1832. The city, which was defended by Chassé, held out till December 23,
when, the citadel being demolished by the French fire, it was forced to
capitulate.
Aong (Indian Mutiny).
Fought July 15, 1857, between the British relieving force under Havelock
and the mutineers who were opposing their advance on Cawnpore. The
rebels were defeated and driven from their entrenchments.
Aquae Sextiae (Cimbric War).
Fought B.C. 102, when the Teutones under the king Teutobod, were totally
routed by the Romans under Marius.
Aquidaban (Paraguayan War).
The last stand of the Paraguayans against the allied armies of the
Argentine Republic, Brazil, and Uruguay, May 1, 1870. Lopez, with a
small force of Paraguayans and 5,000 Indians, met the attack of the
allies under General Camera on the banks of the Aquidaban, and after a
sanguinary engagement, in which he and the Vice-President Sanchez fell,
his army was cut to pieces, and the war ended. During the war the
population of Paraguay was reduced from 1,500,000 to 221,000, of whom
only 29,000 were males over fifteen years of age.
Aquileia (Eugenius’ Usurpation).
Fought September 6 and 7, 394, between Theodosius, Emperor of the East,
and Eugenius, the usurping Emperor of the West, whose army was commanded
by Arbogastes. The first day’s fighting went against Theodosius, who was
only saved by darkness from a severe reverse, but during the night a
force sent by Arbogastes to secure the passes in Theodosius’ rear,
deserted to his standard, and thus reinforced and aided by a dust storm
which blew in the faces of his antagonists and disordered their ranks,
he on the following day gained a signal victory.
Aras (First Mahratta War).
Fought May 18, 1775, between Raghunath Rao, the claimant to the
Peshwaship, with 20,000 Mahrattas, and 2,500 British troops under
Colonel Keating, and the army of the Mahratta chieftains, 25,000 strong
under Hari Pant Phunhay. Raghunath’s undisciplined levies fled, and
threw the British line into confusion; but they rallied, and after hard
fighting repulsed the Mahrattas with heavy loss. The British lost 222,
including 11 officers.
Arausio (Fourth Gallic Invasion).
Fought B.C. 105, when the Gauls under Boiorix totally routed two
consular armies under Cæpio and Cn. Mallius Maximus. It is said that
80,000 Romans fell.
Arbela (Alexander’s Asiatic Campaign).
Fought October 31, 331 B.C., between 47,000 Macedonians under Alexander
the Great, and the Persian army, three or four times as numerous, under
Darius Codomannus. Alexander, who led the Macedonian right wing, forced
a passage between the Persian left and centre, and attacked the centre
on the flank. After a stubborn resistance, and though meanwhile the
Macedonian left had been hard pressed, the Persians gave way, and Darius
taking to flight, the whole army fled in confusion, and was routed with
enormous loss, especially at the passage of the Lycas, which barred
their retreat. This victory made Alexander master of Asia.
Arcis-sur-Aube (Allied Invasion of France).
Fought March 21, 1814, between 23,000 French under Napoleon, and 60,000
allies under Schwartzenberg. The French made a gallant stand against
superior numbers, and in the end effected an orderly retreat, with a
loss of about 2,000. The allies’ losses were considerably heavier.
Arcola (Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns).
Fought November 15, 16, and 17, 1796, between the main Austrian army
under Alvinzi, and the French under Napoleon. Napoleon’s object was to
drive back Alvinzi before he could effect a junction with Davidowich,
who was descending from the Tyrol. The village of Arcola was occupied on
the 15th, after severe fighting, in which Napoleon was in great personal
danger on the bridge, but it was evacuated during the night. On the 16th
Napoleon again attacked the village, but the Austrians held their
ground. On the 17th he turned the position, and Davidowich still
remaining inactive, Alvinzi was driven back, with losses variously
estimated at from 8,000 to 18,000. The French also lost heavily.
Arcot.