Americans under General Winder, who was opposing the British advance
upon Washington, and had taken up a position which commanded the only
bridge over the Potomac. Ross attacked with a portion of his force,
under Thornton, and, having carried the bridge, a combined assault upon
the main position resulted in a signal defeat of the American army,
which broke and fled. Ross entered Washington the same evening.
Blanquefort (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought November 1, 1450, when the English made a sally from Bordeaux to
repel a marauding band under Amanien. The English cavalry, advancing too
rapidly, became separated from the main body, and was cut off. Amanien
then fell upon the infantry, who, being unsupported, were overwhelmed
and almost annihilated. So great was the slaughter that the day was long
known in Bordeaux as the “Male Journée.”
Blenheim (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought August 13, 1704, between the British and Imperialists under
Marlborough and Prince Eugene, and the French and Bavarians under
Marshals Tallard and Marsin, and the Elector of Bavaria. The French
numbered 60,000, the allies 52,000. Tallard had massed his best troops
in the village of Blenheim, and Marlborough, seeing the weakness of his
centre, hurled his cavalry against it, and cut the French line in two.
Prince Eugene meanwhile had withstood the attack of Marsin and the
Elector, and, after Marlborough’s charge, he assumed the offensive, and
the French right and centre were totally routed. The French lost 40,000,
including 1,600 prisoners, amongst whom was Marshal Tallard. The allies
lost about 11,000.
Bloore Heath (Wars of the Roses).
Fought September 23, 1459, between the Yorkists under the Earl of
Salisbury, and the Lancastrians under Henry VI. The former, who were
inferior in numbers, were attacked by Henry, who crossed a brook before
the assault. As the Lancastrians were reforming after the crossing, the
Yorkists charged down upon them, and dispersed them with heavy loss.
Blueberg (Napoleonic Wars).
On January 8, 1806, a British force 6,600 strong, under General Baird,
which had just landed at Saldanha Bay, was attacked by the Dutch and
French under General Janssens, issuing from Cape Town. The British
gained a signal victory, in which they lost 212 killed, wounded and
missing, while their opponents’ losses amounted to about 300. Baird at
once occupied Cape Town.
Boadicea, Defeat of (Roman Occupation of Britain).
In the year 61, Suetonius, with 10,000 legionaries, totally routed an
enormous host of Britons under Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni, who had
sacked Camelodunum, and taken Londinium and Verulamium. The Britons lost
80,000 killed, and Boadicea took poison on the battlefield.
Bois-le-Duc (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought November 12, 1794, between the French and Austrians under the
Duke of York, and the French under Moreau. Moreau’s object was to enter
Holland at a period when the dykes would be no obstacle to his advance,
and for the purpose endeavoured to cross the Meuse at Fort Crèvecœur,
near Bois-le-Duc. The allies however, disputed his passage so vigorously
that Moreau was forced to retire, and give up his project.
Bokhara (Tartar Invasion of Kharismia).
This city was besieged by the Tartar army under Genghis Khan in March,
1220, and was held by a Kharismian garrison. On the approach of the
Tartars, however, the Kharismian general, with the whole garrison,
20,000 strong, fled from the place, and the Bokhariots, having no means
of defending themselves, opened the gates to Genghis. The Governor held
out for a short time in the citadel, which was finally fired and
destroyed.
Boomplaats.
Fought August 29, 1848, between the British, 800 strong, with 250
Griquas, under Sir Harry Smith, and a force of 1,000 Transvaal Boers
under Commandant Jan Kock. The British stormed the Boer position and
drove out the defenders, at a cost of 22 killed and 38 wounded. The
Boers stated their losses at 5 killed and 9 wounded.
Borghetto (Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns).
Fought May 30, 1796, in the course of Napoleon’s pursuit of Beaulieu.
The French crossed the Mincio at Borghetto, having previously repaired
the bridge under a heavy fire, and forced the Austrians to evacuate
Peschiera, with a loss of 500 prisoners, besides killed and wounded.
Bornholm (Dano-Swedish Wars).
Fought 1676, between the fleet of Charles XI of Sweden, and a combined
Dutch and Danish squadron. The Swedes were utterly routed, a disaster
which was followed by the loss of Helsingborg, Landscroon, and other
fortresses.
Bornhoven.
Fought 1227, between the Danes under Valdemar II, and the insurgents of
the province of Dithmarsh, who had risen against the Danish dominion.
The royal troops were totally routed, and, as a consequence, the
province was lost to the Danish crown.
Borodino (Moscow Campaign).
Fought September 5, 1812, between 120,000 Russians under Kutusoff, and
the French in equal force under Napoleon. The Russians, who were
intrenched in a very strong position, were attacked soon after daybreak,
and their first line of redoubts was carried and held by the French till
the end of the day, but the victory was far from decisive, as at
nightfall Napoleon retired to his original position, leaving the
Russians in possession of the field. The French lost 10,000 killed,
including 8 generals, and 20,000 wounded, including 30 generals. The
Russians lost about 45,000. This battle is also called the Battle of the
Moskowa.
Boroughbridge (Rebellion of the Marches).
Fought 1322, between the Royalists under Edward II, and the rebels under
Hereford and Lancaster. The rebels, falling back before the king, were
surprised by a force under Sir Andrew Harclay while crossing the bridge
at Boroughbridge, and were utterly routed. Hereford was killed, and
Lancaster, with several hundred barons and knights, surrendered.
Borysthenes, The (Russo-Polish Wars).
Fought 1512, when the Poles under Sigismund I defeated an army of
Muscovites, 80,000 strong, with enormous slaughter.
Bosra (Moslem Invasion of Syria).
This strong fortress was besieged, 632, by 4,000 Moslems under Serjabil.
A sortie of the garrison nearly caused their destruction, but they were
rescued by the arrival of 1,500 horse under Khaled. After a brief
interval, the whole of the garrison marched out of the city to give
battle, but were defeated by Khaled with a loss to his troops of 250 men
only, and the city was shortly afterwards betrayed by Romanus, the
Governor.
Bosworth Field (Wars of the Roses).
Fought August 21, 1485, between Richard III and Henry Duke of Richmond
(Henry VII). Richmond had received a promise from Lord Stanley and his
uncle that they would desert during the battle, and, after holding aloof
for some time, they came over, with their followers, at a critical
moment of the engagement, and Richard was routed and slain. He fought to
the end, and among others who fell with him were the Duke of Norfolk and
Lord Ferrers.
Bothwell Bridge (Covenanters’ Rising).
Fought June 22, 1679, when the Royal troops, under the Duke of Monmouth,
defeated the Covenanters with great slaughter.
Boulogne.
Siege was laid to the town by the English under Henry VIII, September
14, 1544. It was defended with great gallantry, and, in the face of
enormous difficulties, for two months, when it was forced to surrender,
the inhabitants being allowed to march out with their arms and property.
Bourbon (Napoleonic Wars).
On July 8, 1810, this island was captured by a British squadron of five
ships under Commodore Rowley, with a detachment of troops under Colonel
Keatinge. The British lost 22 killed and 79 wounded.
Bouvines (Wars of Philip Augustus).
Fought 1214 between the French under Philip Augustus, and the Germans,
Flemish and English under Otho IV, the numbers engaged on both sides
being considerable. The French gained a signal victory, which broke up
the coalition and rendered the position of Philip Augustus secure on the
throne of France.
Bovianum (Second Samnite War).
Fought B.C. 307 between the Romans under Titus Minucius, and the
Samnites under Statius Gellius. Gellius attempted to relieve Bovianum,
which the Romans were besieging, and was totally defeated, though
Minucius fell in the battle. This defeat broke the Samnite power, and
they sued for peace in the following year, leaving Rome without dispute
the first power in Italy.
Boyaca (South American War of Independence).
Fought August 17, 1819, between the Colombian patriots under Bolivar,
and the Spanish Royalists, 2,500 strong, under Colonel Barreiro. Bolivar
crossed the Cordilleras, under incredible difficulties, and, eluding
Barreiro, took up a position at Boyaca, cutting him off from his base at
Bogota. The Spaniards attacked him, and were routed with heavy loss,
Barreiro and 1,600 men being captured. The patriots lost 66 only.
Boyne, The (War of the Revolution).
Fought July 1, 1690, between the forces of William III, and the Irish
under James II. William and the elder Schomberg attacked the front of
James’s position, while the younger Schomberg crossed the Boyne a few
miles higher up, and attacked him in flank. William forced the passage
of the river, and drove the Irish from their entrenchments at a cost of
500 killed and wounded, including the elder Schomberg. The Irish lost
1,500.
Braddock Down (Civil War).
Fought January 19, 1643, between the Royalists under Sir Ralph Hopton,
and the Parliamentary forces under Ruthven. The latter had crossed the
Tamar and occupied Liskeard, without adequate support, and was defeated
by the Royalists with heavy loss.
Bramham Moor (Northumberland’s Rebellion).
Fought February 20, 1408, when Sir Thomas Rokeby, High Sheriff of
Yorkshire, defeated the Earl of Northumberland, who had again raised the
standard of rebellion in the North. The Earl was slain, and the
rebellion subsided.
Brandywine (American War of Independence).
Fought September 11, 1777, between 18,000 British under General Howe,
and 8,000 Americans under Washington. The British General made a flank
movement with a large portion of his force, whereupon Washington
attacked the British in the front, but, being ill supported by his
lieutenant, Sullivan, he was driven back, and forced to retreat, with a
loss of 900 killed and wounded and 300 prisoners. The British lost 590
killed and wounded.
Brechin (Douglas Rebellion).
Fought 1452, between the revolted Douglasses under the Earl of Craufurd,
and the Royal troops under the Earl of Huntly. The Douglasses were
defeated.
Bregenz (War of the League Above the Lake).
Fought January 1408, between the troops of the League Above the Lake and
the burghers of Constance, aided by the Suabian nobles. The Leaguers
were totally routed, with the result that the League was shortly
afterwards dissolved.
Breitenfeld, First Battle.
_See_ Leipsic.
Breitenfeld, Second Battle (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought November 2, 1642, between the Imperialists under the Archduke
Leopold and Piccolomini, and the Swedes under Torstenson. The latter,
who were in retreat, were caught by the pursuing Austrians at
Breitenfeld, but turning upon them, they offered a desperate resistance,
and finally drove them from the field, totally routed, with a loss of
10,000 men.
Brenneville.
Fought August 20, 1119, between a small body of English cavalry under
Henry I, and a similar French force under Louis VI. Though only about
900 men were engaged, and very few killed, the fight was considered a
decisive victory for the English, and Louis shortly afterwards made
peace, conceding Henry’s terms.
Brentford (Civil War).
Fought November 12, 1642, between the Royalists under Prince Rupert, and
a Parliamentary force under Denzil Holles. Three regiments stationed at
Brentford were driven out of their entrenchments by the Royalists,
losing 1,500 prisoners and 11 guns.
Brescia (Italian Rising).
This city, where the populace had risen and shut up the small Austrian
garrison in the citadel, was carried by assault by General Haynau, with
about 4,000 Austrians, March 31, 1849. Carrying the Porta Torrelunga, he
fought his way from barricade to barricade, till, by the evening of
April 1, the resistance of the citizens was overcome. The Austrians lost
480 killed, including General Nugent, and many wounded. The wholesale
executions ordered by Haynau after the capture earned for him the
sobriquet of the Hyæna.
Breslau (Seven Years’ War).
Fought November 22, 1757, between 90,000 Austrians under Prince Charles
of Lorraine, and 25,000 Prussians under the Prince of Bevern. The
Prussians, who were encamped under the walls of Breslau, were driven
into the city with a loss of 5,000 killed and wounded, 3,600 prisoners,
including the Prince of Bevern, and 80 guns. They evacuated the city at
once, leaving a garrison of 6,000, which surrendered two days later. The
Austrians lost 8,000 killed and wounded.
Brest (War of the Holy League).
Fought August 10, 1512, between the English fleet of 45 sail under Lord
Edward Howard, and the French fleet of 39 sail under Jean de Thenouënel.
The French ships were driven into Brest, or along the coast, with heavy
loss. The English lost 2 ships and 1,600 men.
Bridge of Dee (Civil War).
Fought June 18, 1639, between the Covenanters, 2,300 strong, and the
Royal troops under Lord Aboyne. The bridge itself was barricaded and
held by 100 sharpshooters, under Colonel Johnstone, and Montrose, who
led the Covenanters, finding the defences too strong, succeeded by a
stratagem in drawing off the main body of the defenders, whereupon he
forced a passage. The losses on both sides were very small.
Brienne (Allied Invasion of France).
Fought January 29, 1814, between 18,000 French under Napoleon, and about
30,000 Russians and Prussians under Blucher. The allies were driven from
their positions, and the Château de Brienne taken. After nightfall a
determined attempt to retake the château was made by the Russians under
Sachen, but they failed to dislodge the French. The allies lost about
4,000; the French 3,000 killed and wounded.
Brihuega (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought 1710 between the British under Stanhope, and the French under the
Duc de Vendôme. Stanhope, who was retreating from Madrid to Catalonia,
was surprised and surrounded, and, though he made a gallant stand,
fighting till all his powder was spent, and then leading a bayonet
charge, his force was at last reduced to 500 men, when he surrendered.
Brill (Netherlands War of Independence).
This fortress was captured from the Spaniards by the Beggars of the Sea,
about 400 strong, under De la Marck and Treslong, April 1, 1572. It was
the first success of the Netherlands patriots in their struggle against
Spanish rule, and may be said to have laid the foundation of the Dutch
republic.
Brittany, Action off (Gallic War).
This, the first sea fight in the Atlantic, was fought B.C. 56, between
the Roman fleet under Brutus, and the fleet of the Veneti, consisting of
220 galleys. The Romans were victorious, and the surrender of the Veneti
and the whole of Brittany quickly followed.
Bronkhorst Spruit (First Boer War).
The opening engagement of the war, when, on December 20, 1880, a British
column, 259 strong, under Colonel Anstruther, was ambushed by 150
mounted Boers under Joubert, and defeated with a loss of 155 killed and
wounded. The Boers stated their losses at 2 killed and 5 wounded only.
Brooklyn (American War of Independence).
Fought August 27, 1776, between 30,000 British under Sir William Howe,
and the Americans, about 11,000 strong, under General Putnam. The
Americans were completely defeated, with a loss of about 2,000 killed
and wounded. The British lost 65 killed and 255 wounded.
Brunanburh (Danish Invasion).
Fought 937, when Æthelstan defeated with great slaughter the combined
armies of Anlaf the Dane, Owen of Cumberland, and Constantine III of
Scotland.
Bucharest (Ottoman Wars).
Fought 1771, between the Turks under Mousson Oglou, and the Russians
under General Romanzoff. The Turks were totally defeated.
Buena Vista (Americo-Mexican War).
Fought February 22, 1846, between 18,000 Mexicans under General Santa
Anna, and 4,500 Americans under General Zachary Taylor. The Americans
occupied a series of heights commanding the Angostura pass, and were
there attacked by Santa Anna, who failed to dislodge them, the day
ending with the combatants occupying the same ground as in the morning.
On the 23rd, however, Santa Anna retired. The Americans lost 746 killed
and wounded; the Mexicans admitted a loss of 1,500 killed, but it was
probably heavier.
Buenos Ayres (Napoleonic Wars).
This city was captured June 27, 1806, by a _coup de main_, by a British
force, 1,700 strong, under General Beresford, aided by a small squadron
under Sir Home Popham. Beresford, however, was not strong enough to hold
the place, and before reinforcements could arrive he was defeated by the
South Americans under General Liniers, with a loss of 250 killed and
wounded, and compelled to surrender with his whole force.
Buenos Ayres (Napoleonic Wars).
Fought July 5, 1807 when 9,000 British troops under General Whitelocke
assaulted the city. They penetrated into the streets, but suffered
terrible losses from the defenders’ fire from windows and roofs, and,
General Whitelocke proving a most incapable leader, were forced to
surrender and evacuate the whole of the River Plate region.
Buenos Ayres (Mitre’s Rebellion).
Fought November 6, 1874, between the Argentine Government troops under
Sarmiento, and the rebels under Mitre and Aredondo. The rebels were
defeated, and Mitre forced to surrender.
Bull Run (American Civil War).
Fought July 21, 1861, between 40,000 Federals under General M’Dowell,
and 30,000 Confederates under General Beauregard. The Confederates
occupied a position extending for about nine miles along the southern
bank of the Bull Run, and an attempt to turn and drive in their left was
at first successful, but, being rallied by General Beauregard, they
assumed the offensive, and totally routed the Northerners, with a loss
of 1,492 killed and wounded, 1,600 prisoners, and 28 guns. The
Confederates lost 1,752.
Bull Run, Second Battle (American Civil War).
Fought August 30, 1862, between the Confederates under Stonewall
Jackson, and the Federals under General Pope. The Federals attacked
Jackson’s position, which he maintained till evening, when, the Federal
left giving way, he ordered a general advance, and drove the enemy from
the field with heavy loss. Over 7,000 prisoners were taken.
Bunker’s Hill (American War of Independence).
Fought June 17, 1775, when 2,000 British troops, forming a portion of
General Gage’s army, dislodged the Americans holding Breeds Hill and
Bunker’s Hill, on the outskirts of Boston. The position was stubbornly
contested, the assailants losing 800 men.
Burlington Heights (Second American War).
Fought May 5, 1813, when the British under Colonel Procter were attacked
by 1,300 Americans under General Clay, while engaged with another
American force holding Burlington Heights. The Americans broke the
British line and seized their guns, but Procter, who had only 1,000 men,
with some Indian auxiliaries, rallied his troops and routed Clay, with a
loss of nearly 1,000 killed, wounded and captured.
Burns Hill (Kaffir Wars).
Fought 1847, between the Kaffirs under Sandilli, and a small British
force sent to arrest that chief. The British were greatly outnumbered,
and were defeated and forced to retreat.
Busaco (Peninsular War).
Fought by Wellington, September 29, 1810, to secure his retreat to
Torres Vedras. He occupied the heights of Busaco with 25,000 men and was
attacked by 40,000 French under Masséna. The actual assault was
delivered by the corps of Ney and Reynier, but they could make no
impression, and were repulsed with a loss of about 4,500. The British
lost 1,300 killed and wounded.
Buxar.
Fought October 23, 1764, between 7,000 British troops and sepoys under
Major Monro, and the army of Oude, 40,000 strong, under Surabjah Daulah,
who was accompanied by the Great Mogul, Shah Allum. The British gained a
signal victory, Surabjah Daulah abandoning his camp with a loss of 4,000
men and 130 guns. The British lost 847 killed and wounded.
Buzenval (Franco-German War).
A sortie from Paris under General Trochu on January 19, 1871. The
French, advancing under cover of a fog, established themselves in the
Park of Buzenval, and occupied St. Cloud, where they maintained their
position throughout the day. At other points, however, they were less
successful, and, on the morning of the 20th, the force at St. Cloud,
finding itself unsupported, was obliged to retire, and all the captured
positions were abandoned. The Germans lost 40 officers and 570 men; the
French 189 officers and 3,881 men. This sortie is also known as the
Battle of Mont Valérien.
Byzantium.
Fought 318 B.C., between the Macedonian fleet under Antigonus, and that
of the Asiatic rebels under Clytus. The Asiatics were surprised at
anchor, most of the crews being ashore, and, after a feeble defence, the
whole of their fleet was destroyed or captured, with the exception of
the admiral’s galley, in which Clytus succeeded in escaping.
Byzantium (War of the Two Empires).
In 323 the city was besieged by Constantine the Great after his victory
over Licinius at Hadrianopolis. Licinius, finding the place difficult of
defence, crossed into Asia and collected an army to raise the siege. He
was, however, defeated at Chrysopolis, and Byzantium surrendered in 324.
Constantine was proclaimed Emperor of the united Empire, and Byzantium,
under its modern name of Constantinople, was made the capital.
C
Cabala (Second Carthaginian Invasion of Sicily).
Fought B.C. 379, between the Syracusans under Dionysius, and the
Carthaginians under Mago. The latter were totally defeated and Mago
slain.
Cabria (Third Mithridatic War).
Fought B.C. 72, between three Roman legions under Lucullus, and the
Pontic army under Diophantus and Taxiles. The Pontic cavalry, on which
Mithridates chiefly relied, was overwhelmed by Fabius Hadrianus, and the
king was driven out of Pontus, which was erected into a Roman province.
Cadesia (Moslem Invasion of Persia).
Fought 636, between 30,000 Moslems under Said, the lieutenant of the
Caliph Omar, and 120,000 Persians under Rustam. Throughout the first day
the Persians, superior in numbers, but far inferior in warlike
qualities, sustained the attacks of the Moslems without losing ground,
but on the following day Rustam was slain, and his followers, losing
heart, were driven headlong from the field, with fearful slaughter. The
Moslems lost 7,500 in the battle.
Cadiz.
On April 19, 1587, Sir Francis Drake, with between 30 and 40 English
ships, entered Cadiz Bay, and destroyed over 100 Spanish vessels. This
exploit Drake described as “Singeing the King of Spain’s beard.”
Cadsand (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought November 10, 1357, between 2,500 English under the Earl of Derby,
and 5,000 Flemings in the French service. The Flemings were defeated
with a loss of 1,000 men.
Cairo (Ottoman Wars).
Fought 1517, between the Turks under Selim I, and the Egyptians under
the Mameluke Sultan, Toomaan Bey. The Egyptians were utterly routed and
Cairo taken, 50,000 of the inhabitants being massacred. Toomaan Bey, the
last of the Mamelukes, was hanged before the city gates, and Egypt
annexed to the Ottoman Empire.
Cajwah.
Fought January 8, 1659, between the Moguls of Delhi, under Aurungzebe,
the Great Mogul, and the army raised by his brother Shuja, in support of
Dara, the rightful heir to the throne. After an obstinate conflict,
Shuja was driven from the field with heavy losses in men, leaving behind
him 114 guns.
Calafat (Crimean War).