300 Sepoys, in August, 1751. The garrison, 1,100 strong, offered no
resistance, but marched out on Clive’s approach. In the course of the
autumn Arcot was beleaguered by an army of 10,000 natives, and 150
Frenchmen under Chunda Sahib, the French nominee for the Nawabship of
Arcot. Against this overwhelming force, Clive, whose garrison had been
reduced by sickness to 120 Europeans, and less than 200 Sepoys, held out
for seven weeks, till the approach of a Mahratta army forced Chunda
Sahib to raise the siege. The garrison had 45 Europeans and 30 Sepoys
killed.
Argaum (Second Mahratta War).
Fought November 28, 1803, between the British under Wellesley (the Duke
of Wellington) and the forces of the Rajah of Berar, under Sindhia of
Gwalior. Three of Wellesley’s battalions, which had previously fought
well, on this occasion broke and fled, and the situation was at one time
very serious. Wellesley, however, succeeded in rallying them, and in the
end defeated the Mahrattas, with the loss of all their guns and baggage.
The British lost 346 killed and wounded. This victory ended the Second
Mahratta War.
Argentaria (Invasion of the Alemanni).
Fought May, 378, between the Romans under Gratianus and the Alemanni
under Priarius. The Alemanni were overwhelmed by the Roman legionaries,
though they stood their ground bravely, and only 5,000 escaped from the
field. Priarius was slain.
Argentoratum.
Fought August, 357, between 13,000 Romans under Julian, and a vastly
superior army of Alemanni under Chnodomar. The Romans attacked the
German lines shortly before night-fall, after a long march, and though
the right wing, under Julian, was at first driven in, they were rallied
by their general, and the left and centre pressing on, the Alemanni were
totally routed, with a loss of 6,000, in addition to those who fell in
the flight. The Romans lost 4 tribunes and 243 soldiers only. Chnodomar
was taken prisoner.
Arginusæ (Peloponnesian War).
Fought B.C. 406, between 150 Athenian triremes under Thrasyllus and
other generals, and 120 Peloponnesian ships under Callicratidas. The
Peloponnesians were routed, with a loss of 70 vessels, sunk or taken,
and Callicratidas slain. The Athenians lost 25 ships with their crews,
and the generals were brought to trial for not having taken proper steps
to rescue the men of the disabled ships. They were convicted, and six of
them, including Thrasyllus, executed. This victory temporarily restored
to Athens the command of the sea.
Argos (Roman Invasion of Greece).
Fought B.C. 195, between Nabis of Sparta, with 15,000 men, and 50,000
Romans and Macedonians under Flaminius. Nabis was totally defeated, and
though allowed to retain Sparta, was compelled to restore to the Achæan
league all his foreign possessions.
Arikera (Second Mysore War).
Fought May 13, 1791, between the British under Lord Cornwallis, and the
forces of Tippu Sahib. The latter was encamped between Arikera and
Seringapatam, and was attacked by Cornwallis, who attempted to surprise
him by a night march, but was foiled by heavy rain. A frontal attack on
Tippu’s position was, however, successful, and, aided by a flank
movement under Maxwell, resulted in the total defeat of the Mysore
troops, with a loss of over 2,000. The British loss amounted to 500.
This is also known as the battle of Carigat.
Arius, The.
Fought B.C. 214, between the Syrians under Antiochus the Great, and the
Parthians and Bactrians under Arsaces III, and Euthydemus. Antiochus was
severely wounded, but remained at the head of his troops, and completely
routed the enemy with enormous loss.
Arkenholm (Douglas Rebellion).
Fought May 12, 1455, between the troops of James II of Scotland and the
rebels under the Douglas brothers. The rebels were completely defeated.
Archibald Douglas was killed, Hugh captured, and James, Earl of Douglas,
forced to take refuge in England.
Arklow (Irish Rebellion).
Fought 1798, when General Needham, with about 1,400 Militia and
Volunteers, defended the town from the attack of 27,000 rebels led by
Father John Murphy. The rebels were beaten off with great slaughter, and
their intended advance on Dublin prevented.
Armada, The Invincible.
The fight with the Spanish Armada in the Channel began on Sunday, July
21, 1588, and lasted with intervals until the 30th. The Armada consisted
of 130 ships, many of large size, under the command of the Duke of
Medina Sidonia. The English fleet numbered 197 in all, but only 34 were
Queen’s ships, and of these but 8 were over 600 tons burden. Lord Howard
of Effingham commanded, with Drake and Hawkins as his lieutenants. The
English vessels hung on to the flanks of the Spanish ships as they
sailed up channel, harassing them in every way, and doing considerable
damage, until the Armada anchored in Calais roads. Here many of their
finest vessels were captured or destroyed by fire-ships, and finally on
the 30th, Medina Sidonia decided to attempt to escape northwards. His
fleet was scattered by storms, and many wrecked on the Scotch and Irish
coasts, and in the end only about one-half of the Armada returned to
Spain.
Arnee.
Fought 1751, shortly after the relief of Arcot, between 900 British
troops, under Clive, with 600 Mahratta horse under Basin Rao, and a
French force of 4,800, including 300 Europeans, who were in charge of a
convoy of treasure. Clive took up a position in swampy ground, crossed
by a causeway along which the convoy must pass. The French were thrown
into disorder, and forced to retreat, but night saved them from complete
destruction. The treasure was captured.
Arnee (First Mysore War).
An indecisive action fought June 7, 1782, between the British under Sir
Eyre Coote, and the Mysore troops under Hyder Ali.
Arques (Eighth Civil War).
Fought September 23, 1589, between 5,000 Huguenots under Henri IV, and
30,000 Leaguers under the Duc de Mayenne. Henri had taken up a strong
position, defended by marshy ground, and of such a nature that Mayenne
could only bring against the king 5,000 troops at a time, thus
neutralizing the disparity of numbers. He repulsed attack after attack,
with heavy loss to the assailants, and eventually Mayenne was forced to
withdraw, with the loss of about half his army.
Arrah (Indian Mutiny).
A house in Arrah was, in 1857, defended by Mr. Boyle, with 16 Englishmen
and 60 Sikh police, against the attacks of three revolted native
regiments, led by a Zemindar named Kur Singh. This small garrison held
out from July 25 till August 3, when they were relieved by a small field
force under Major Vincent Eyre.
Arras (Wars of Louis XIV).
This place, held by a French garrison, was besieged August, 1654, by the
Spaniards under the Great Condé. On the 24th a relieving army under
Turenne attacked the Spanish lines, and totally routed them with a loss
of 3,000 men. Condé succeeded in rallying the remainder of his army, and
made a masterly retreat to Cambray.
Arretium (Etruscan War).
Fought B.C. 283, when the consular army of L. Cæcilius Metellus,
marching to the relief of Arretium, which the Etruscans were besieging,
met with a disastrous defeat. Thirteen thousand, including Metellus,
were slain, and the rest made prisoners.
Arroyo Grande (Uruguayan War of Independence).
Fought 1842, between the Argentine troops under Oribe, and the
Uruguayans under Ribera. Ribera was totally defeated, and Oribe
proceeded to lay siege to Montevideo.
Arsouf (Third Crusade).
Fought 1192, between the English Crusaders under Richard Cœur de
Lion, and the Saracens, 300,000 strong under Saladin. The Saracens made
a desperate onslaught on the English, and both their wings gave way, but
the centre under the king stood firm and finally drove back the Moslems
in great disorder, with a loss of 40,000 men.
Ascalon (First Crusade).
Fought August 19, 1099, between the Crusaders under Godefroi de
Bouillon, and the Saracens under Kilidj Arslan. The Crusaders gained a
signal victory, and for a time the Moslem resistance to the Christian
occupation of the Holy Land came to an end.
Asculum (Pyrrhus’ Invasion of Italy).
Fought B.C. 279, between 45,000 Romans under Sulpicius Saverrio and P.
Decius Mus, and the Epirots, with their Italian allies, in about equal
force. The Romans fought to raise the siege of Asculum, but were finally
routed by the Epirot cavalry and elephants, and driven back to their
camp with a loss of 6,000. The Epirots lost 3,000.
Asculum (Social War).
Fought B.C. 89, between 75,000 Romans under Strabo, who was besieging
the town, and 60,000 Italians under Judacilius, who had marched to its
relief. The Romans were victorious, but Judacilius succeeded in throwing
a considerable portion of his army into the beleaguered city.
Ashdown (Danish Invasion).
Fought 871, between the West Saxons under Æthelred and the Danes under
Bag Secg and Halfdene. Largely owing to the brilliant leading of Alfred
(the Great), who commanded one of the wings, the Danes, after a
desperate conflict, which lasted throughout the day, were finally put to
flight, having lost one of their kings and five jarls.
Ashtee (Third Mahratta War).
Fought February 19, 1818, between the army of the Peshwá, Baji Rao,
under Gokla, and the British under General Smith. The Peshwá fled before
the action began, and Gokla, charging at the head of his cavalry, was
killed, whereupon the Mahrattas broke and fled in confusion.
Asirghur (Third Mahratta War).
This fortress, held by Jeswunt Rao, with a strong Mahratta garrison, was
besieged by a British force under Sir John Malcolm and General Doveton,
March 18, 1819. On the 21st the garrison was driven into the upper fort,
and after a continuous bombardment, Jeswunt Rao surrendered April 7. The
British loss during the siege was 313 killed and wounded; that of the
garrison somewhat less.
Askultsik (Ottoman Wars).
Fought 1828, between 30,000 Turks and the Russians, 17,000 strong, under
General Paskiewitch. The Turks were routed, and their camp, with all
artillery and baggage, captured. Paskiewitch then laid siege to the
town, which was defended by a garrison of 50,000 men, and after a siege
of three weeks, carried it by storm, August 28.
Aspendus.
Fought B.C. 191, between the Syrian fleet of Antiochus the Great, under
Hannibal, and a Rhodian squadron under Eudamus. Though Hannibal was in
superior force, he suffered a severe defeat.
Aspern (Campaign of Wagram).
Fought May 21 and 22, 1809, between 36,000 French under Napoleon, and
70,000 Austrians under the Archduke Charles. The battle commenced about
four p.m. on the 21st by an attack on the French position at Aspern, and
at nightfall the Austrians had established a lodgment in the village. On
the 22nd, both armies having been reinforced during the night, the
combat was renewed round Aspern, which was taken and retaken ten times,
while Essling was the scene of an equally desperate conflict. Towards
evening the bridge by which Napoleon had crossed the Danube was swept
away, and Napoleon was compelled to retire. Each side lost about 20,000
men, and both claimed the victory. Among the French who fell were
Marshal Lannes and General St. Hilaire.
Aspromonte (Garibaldi’s Rising).
Fought August 29, 1862, between a small force of “Red Shirts” under
Garibaldi, and the royal troops under General Pallavicini. After a short
engagement, in which Garibaldi was wounded, the “Red Shirts,” largely
outnumbered and surrounded, laid down their arms.
Assandun (Danish Invasion).
The last of the five battles fought in 1016 between the English under
Edmund Ironside and the Danish invaders under Knut. Owing to the
treachery of Ædric, who crossed over with the Hereford men in the course
of the battle, the English were defeated, and shortly afterwards Knut
was proclaimed King of England.
Assaye (First Mahratta War).
Fought September 23, 1803, when General Wellesley (the Duke of
Wellington) with 4,500 British and native troops routed the army of
Sindhia of Gwalior, over 30,000 strong. All the camp equipment and 100
guns were taken. The Duke always considered this the bloodiest action,
for the numbers engaged, that he ever witnessed. The British loss
amounted to 1,566, or more than one-third of Wellesley’s entire force.
Astrakhan.
Siege was laid to this town, 1569, by the Turks under Selim II, who
required it as a base for his projected invasion of Persia. It was held
by a small Russian garrison, which made an obstinate defence, and was
finally relieved by an army despatched to its assistance by Ivan the
Terrible, which attacked the Turkish lines, and utterly routed them.
Atahualpa (Conquest of Peru).
Fought 1531, between 160 Spaniards under Pizarro, and 30,000 Peruvians,
forming the escort of the Inca, Manco-Capac. The battle was nothing but
a butchery, Pizarro, who had invited the Inca to visit him, falling upon
the unsuspecting Peruvians, seizing Manco-Capac, and slaughtering 4,000
men, without the loss of a single Spaniard.
Atbara (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought April 8, 1898, between the British and Egyptian army, 14,000
strong, under Sir Herbert Kitchener, and 18,000 Mahdists under Mahmad.
The Mahdists occupied an entrenched zareeba on the Atbara, where they
were attacked and utterly routed, with a loss in the zareeba of 5,000
killed and 1,000 prisoners, while many more fell in the pursuit. Mahmad
was captured. The Anglo-Egyptian losses were 570 killed and wounded,
including 29 British officers.
Athenry (Conquest of Ireland).
Fought 1316 between the English under William de Burgh and Richard de
Bermingham, and the O’Connors under their chieftain, Feidlim. The
O’Connors were defeated, 11,000 of the sept falling in the battle. This
is the last appearance of the O’Connors as a clan in Irish history.
Atherton Moor.
_See_ Adwalton Moor.
Auerstadt.
_See_ Jena.
Augsburg.
Fought 900, between the Germans and the invading Hungarians. The
Christians fought gallantly, but were overwhelmed by the numbers of the
barbarian cavalry, and in the end suffered a signal defeat.
Auldearn (Civil War).
Fought May 9, 1645, when Montrose and his Highlanders defeated a largely
superior force of Covenanters under Sir John Hurry, who was marching
northward to raid the lands of the Gordons.
Auray.
Fought September 27, 1364, between the partisans of John de Montfort,
and those of Charles of Blois, the rival claimants to the Dukedom of
Brittany. The English party, under Sir John Chandos, were besieging
Auray, when they were attacked by the French, who were led by Bertrand
du Guesclin. Chandos’ position, however, was very strong, and the French
were unable to make any impression upon it. Meanwhile they were thrown
into utter confusion by an attack on their flank, and were ultimately
routed, with heavy loss, Charles of Blois being among the slain.
Bertrand du Guesclin was captured. De Montfort was shortly afterwards
acknowledged by Charles V of France as Duke of Brittany.
Aussig (Hussite War).
Fought 1426, between the Germans under the Emperor Sigismund, and the
Taborites, the extreme section of the Hussites, under John Zisca. The
Germans were signally defeated.
Austerlitz (Campaign of the Danube).
Fought December 2, 1805, between 50,000 Russians and 25,000 Austrians
under Kutusoff, and 75,000 French under Napoleon. An attempt to turn the
French flank failed, and led to the left of the allies being entirely
cut off from their centre. Their left and centre were thus beaten in
detail, and the right, which had at first held its own, was surrounded,
and driven in disorder across a partially frozen lake, where many
perished. The allies lost 20,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners, and a
large number of guns. The French lost about 5,000. The battle is called
the Battle of the Three Emperors, those of Russia, Austria, and France
being all present with their respective armies.
Avaricum (Gallic War).
This place was made the headquarters of the revolted Gauls under
Vercingetorix, B.C. 53, and was besieged by Cæsar, with 50,000 Romans.
The place was strongly defended, but supplies ran short, and
Vercingetorix attempted to withdraw his troops. In this he was
unsuccessful, and the Romans, delivering a vigorous assault, took
possession of the town, and massacred the garrison and inhabitants.
Avus (Second Macedonian War).
Fought B.C. 198, between 20,000 Macedonians under Philip, and two Roman
legions under T. Quinctius Flamininus. A force of 4,000 legionaries
penetrated to the rear of Philip’s camp, and when Flamininus attacked in
front, they fell upon the Macedonian rear, and completely routed them,
with a loss of 2,000.
Axarquia (War of Granada).
Fought March 20, 1483, between a Spanish force of 3,000 knights, and
about 2,000 infantry, under the Marquis of Cadiz, and a strong Moorish
force under Abul Hasan. The Spaniards were marching through the defile
of Axarquia, on their way to attack Malaga, when they were assailed in
front and flank, and totally routed, losing 800 killed and 1,600
prisoners. Among the killed were 400 men of rank.
Ayacucho (South American War of Independence).
Fought December 9, 1824, between the South American patriots, 5,780
strong, under Sucre, and the Spaniards, 9,310 in number, under Laserna.
The latter were routed with a loss of 2,100 killed and wounded, and over
3,500 prisoners, including Laserna, in addition to 15 guns. The Patriots
lost 979. This engagement, which is also known as the Battle of
Candorcanqui, practically decided the question of South American
independence.
Aylesford (Jutish Invasion).
Fought 456, between the Jutes under Hengist and Horsa, and the Britons
under Vortigern. Horsa was slain in the battle, but the Jutes were
victorious.
Azimghur (Indian Mutiny).
Fought April 15, 1858, between a British column, composed of three
regiments of infantry and three of Sikh cavalry, under Sir Edward
Layard, and the Dinapur mutineers, about 5,000 strong, under Kur Singh.
The rebels were routed and dispersed, Kur Singh falling mortally
wounded.
Azores.
In 1591, a fleet of 7 ships under Lord Thomas Howard was driven from
Floris by the Spanish fleet under Don Alfonso Bassano. The action was
chiefly remarkable for the gallant fight made by Sir Richard Grenville
in the _Revenge_, which maintained an unequal struggle for nine hours,
when her gallant commander was mortally wounded, and she surrendered at
daybreak.
B
Badajos (Peninsular War).
On March 17, 1812, this fortress, held by a garrison of French, Hessians
and Spaniards, 5,000 strong, under Phillipon, was invested by
Wellington. The breaches were declared to be practicable on April 5, and
an assault was ordered. After terrible slaughter, the town was taken,
with a loss to the assailants of 3,500, the total British losses during
the siege exceeding 5,000. Fearful excesses were committed after the
assault, and for two days the troops were completely out of hand.
Baduli-ki-Serai (Indian Mutiny).
Fought June 8, 1857, when a British force, under Sir Henry Barnard,
defeated a large body of mutineers, who were opposing their march to
Delhi. All the rebels’ guns were captured.
Bagdad (Tartar Invasion of Mesopotamia).
This city was captured by the Tartars under Tamerlane, July 23, 1401.
Bagradas (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).
Fought B.C. 49, between the Cæsareans under Curio and the Numidians
under Juba and Saburra, who adhered to the fortunes of Pompey. The Roman
cavalry was cut to pieces, before the legionaries could come to its
assistance, and eventually the Romans were surrounded, and cut down to a
man, Curio being amongst the slain. This victory left the Pompeians
masters of Africa.
Bahur (Seven Years’ War).
Fought August, 1752, between the French, numbering 2,500, including
natives, under M. Kirkjean, and 2,000 British troops, with 4,000 of
Mohammed Ali’s levies, under Major Lawrence. The French were totally
defeated, losing heavily in men, guns and stores. This victory
determined the Mahrattas, who were wavering, to throw in their lot with
the British.
Balaclava (Crimean War).
Fought October 25, 1854, between 30,000 Russians under Prince
Mentschikoff, and the British under Lord Raglan. The Russians, having
driven the Turks from their redoubts at Kadikoi, entered the valley of
Balaclava, where they were encountered and driven back by the Heavy
Cavalry Brigade under General Scarlett. Later in the day, acting under a
mistaken order, Lord Cardigan at the head of the Light Brigade, charged
the Russian guns at the head of the valley, and captured their
batteries. Being, however, shelled from all sides, he was compelled to
retire with heavy loss. Of this famous feat of arms, General Pelissier
is reported to have said, “C’est magnifique, mais ce n’est pas la
guerre.” Another feature of this singular battle was the repulse by the
Highland Brigade, in line, of a charge of the Russian cavalry. The
British losses were small, except in the case of the Light Brigade,
whose casualties amounted to 272 out of 673 who took part in the charge.
Balls Bluff (American Civil War).
Fought October 21, 1861, between the Federals under General Stone, and
the Confederates under General Evans. The Federals crossed the Potomac
to attack the Southern position, but were repulsed, and driven back over
the river in confusion losing 1,100 killed and wounded, 700 prisoners
and the only three guns which they had succeeded in taking across. The
Confederates lost 155 only.
Ballymore (Irish Rebellion).
Fought June 3, 1798, when Colonel Walpole, with 500 Royal troops, on the
march to Enniscorthy, was surprised and overpowered by a body of rebels
under Father Murphy. Walpole and the majority of his force were cut to
pieces.
Baltimore (Second American War).
This city was attacked September 11, 1814, by a British fleet of ten
sail, under Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, and a land force of 3,270
under General Ross, who fell during the action. The Americans, 17,000
strong, under General Winder, were defeated, but the British retired on
the evening of the 13th. The British lost 46 killed and 300 wounded, the
Americans, 20 killed, 90 wounded, and 200 prisoners.
Bamian (Tartar Invasion of Kharismia).
This city was invested by the Mongols under Genghiz Khan in 1221, and
after an obstinate defence, lasting several months, was taken by storm.
Genghiz, who had seen a favourite grandson killed during the progress of
the siege, gave orders that neither woman nor child was to be spared,
and the whole city with its inhabitants was wiped out.
Banda (Indian Mutiny).
Fought April 19, 1858, between a force of rather over 1,000 British
troops under General Whitlock, and 7,000 mutineers under the Nawab of
Banda. After an obstinate conflict the rebels were totally routed.
Banda Islands (Wars of the French Revolution).
These islands, forming part of the Dutch East Indian possessions, were
captured March 8, 1796, by a British squadron under Admiral Peter
Rainier.
Bands, The (Danish Invasion).
Fought 961, between the Scots under their king, Indulph, and the Danish
pirates. The Danes were defeated, but Indulph fell in the battle.
Bangalore (Second Mysore War).
This place was besieged by the British under Lord Cornwallis, March 5,
1791, and notwithstanding numerous efforts to relieve it on the part of
Tippu Sahib, it was taken by storm on the night of the 21st, Tippu’s
final attempt being beaten off by the reserve with heavy loss. The
British casualties were few.
Bannockburn (Scottish Wars).
Fought June 24, 1314, between the Scots under Robert Bruce, and the
English invaders under Edward II. Bruce’s position was partly covered by
a marsh, and further strengthened by pitfalls, in which the English
cavalry were entrapped, and defeated with great loss. The king escaped
with difficulty and the invasion was abandoned.
Bapaume (Franco-German War).