Pasha, was invested by the Russians, 40,000 strong, under General Aurep,
about the middle of February, 1854. The Russians delivered assault after
assault upon the place, without effect, and finally withdrew their
forces in May; having suffered a loss from disease, privation, and
battle of 20,000 men. The Turks lost 12,000.
Calais (Hundred Years’ War).
Siege was laid to this fortress in August 1346 by the English under
Edward III. The citizens made a gallant defence, holding out for nearly
a year, but at last were forced to surrender August 4, 1347. In the
course of the siege, six burgesses offered themselves to the king as
ransom for their fellow citizens; but their lives were spared on the
intercession of Queen Philippa.
Calais.
The last English stronghold in France was captured by the French under
the Duc de Guise, January 8, 1558, after a siege of seven days only.
Mary is said to have exclaimed, on hearing the news, that at her death
the word “Calais” would be found engraven on her heart.
Calatafimi (Unification of Italy).
Fought May 15, 1860, between Garibaldi’s “Thousand Volunteers,” with a
few thousand Sicilian “Picciotti” and 4,000 Neapolitans under General
Landi. The Neapolitans were driven back with heavy loss, and retreated
in disorder to Palermo. Garibaldi lost, of his thousand, 18 killed and
128 wounded.
Calcutta.
Siege was laid to the city June 16, 1756, by Sarabjah Daulah, Nawab of
Bengal, with a large force. The garrison, consisting of 514 regulars and
militia, and 1,000 matchlock men, under Captain Minchin, was quite
inadequate to man the defences, and it was decided to abandon the city,
remove all non-combatants to the ships, and only defend the fort. The
Governor, Mr. Drake, was among those who left the place, and he was
accompanied by Captain Minchin, who deserted his post, as did many of
the militiamen, with the result that only 190 remained for the defence
of the fort. An assault was repulsed, with a loss to the defenders of 95
killed and wounded, but on the 20th the little garrison surrendered. The
survivors were thrust into a small room, known as the Black Hole, and
used as a soldiers’ prison, and out of 146 only 23 survived the horrors
of the night.
Caldiero (Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns).
Fought November 11, 1796, between the French under Napoleon and the
Austrians under Alvinzi. Napoleon attacked the Austrian position, and,
for the first time in the campaign, suffered a reverse, being unable to
carry the enemy’s lines, and eventually, after severe fighting, retiring
with a loss of 3,000. Within the week, however, this defeat was avenged
by the victory of Arcola.
Caldiero (Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns).
On November 30, 1800, Masséna, with 50,000 French, encountered the
Austrians, 80,000 strong, under the Archduke Charles, strongly posted in
the village and on the heights of Caldiero. Masséna attacked and carried
the heights, but the village held out until nightfall. During the night
the Archduke removed his baggage and artillery, leaving a corps of 5,000
men, under General Hillinger, to protect his retreat, which force was on
the following day captured _en bloc_. The Austrians lost 3,000 killed
and wounded, and, including Hillinger’s corps, 8,000 prisoners; the
French about 4,000 killed and wounded. Thus, though the battle was
indecisive, Masséna gained a considerable strategic victory.
Calicut (Second Mysore War).
Fought December 10, 1790, between 9,000 Mysore troops under Hussein Ali,
and a British force of one European and two native regiments under
Colonel Hartley. Hussein Ali occupied a strong position in front of
Calicut, which was attacked and carried by Hartley with a loss of 52
only. The enemy lost 1,000 killed and wounded, and 2,400 prisoners,
including their commander.
Callao (South American War of Independence).
On the night of November 5, 1820, Lord Cochrane, who with three Chilian
frigates was blockading the Spaniards in Callao, rowed into the harbour
with 240 seamen and marines, and cut out the Spanish frigate _Esmeralda_
from under the 300 guns of the shore batteries. He lost in the
enterprise 41 killed and wounded, while the whole of the crew of the
_Esmeralda_, including the Spanish Admiral, was captured or killed.
Callao.
The town was bombarded by the Spanish fleet of 11 warships, May 2, 1866.
The Peruvian batteries replied vigorously, and, after severe fighting,
drove off the Spanish ships with a loss of 300. The Peruvians lost 1,000
killed and wounded.
Calpulalpam (Mexican Liberal Rising).
Fought December 20, 1860, between the Mexican Government troops under
Miramon, and the Liberals under Juarez. The Liberals won a signal
victory, which opened the way to Mexico, and brought about the downfall
of Miramon’s administration.
Calven, The (Swabian War).
Fought March 22, 1499, between 6,300 men of the Grisons under Benedict
Fontana, and 15,000 Imperialists under Maximilian I. The Swiss carried
the Austrian entrenchments, and drove them out with heavy loss.
Cambuskenneth.
_See_ Stirling.
Camden (American War of Independence).
Fought August 16, 1780, between the British under Cornwallis, and the
Americans under Gates and de Kalb. Cornwallis had concentrated about
2,000 men at Camden, and though the Americans numbered 5,000, they were
of very inferior quality. After a small affair of outposts, the British
attacked the American levies, who were unable to face the steady attack
of the regulars, and fled with heavy loss. Among the killed was de Kalb.
The British lost 312 killed and wounded.
Camelodunum (Second Invasion of Britain).
Fought 43, between the Romans under the Emperor Claudius, and the
Britons under Caractacus. The Britons were routed, and Camelodunum,
Caractacus’ capital, taken.
Camerinum (Third Samnite War).
Fought B.C. 298, between two Roman legions under Lucius Scipio, and the
Samnites under Gellius Equatius, aided by a force of Gauls. Scipio, who
had been stationed near Camerinum to watch the pass through which the
Gauls were expected to cross the Apennines, was unable to prevent the
junction of the two armies, and was totally defeated, one of his legions
being cut to pieces.
Campaldino (Guelfs and Ghibellines).
Fought June 11, 1289, between the Guelfs of Florence and the Ghibellines
who had been expelled from the city. The latter were utterly routed, and
this defeat put an end to their power in Florence. The battle is notable
for the presence of Dante in the ranks of the victors.
Campen (Seven Years’ War).
Fought October 18, 1759, between the Prussians under the Prince of
Brunswick, and the French under General de Castries, when the Prussians
were defeated with a loss of 1,600 men.
Campo Santo (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought February 8, 1743, between the Spaniards under Mortemar, and the
Imperialists under Count Traum. Mortemar was endeavouring to effect a
junction with the army of the Prince de Conti, and though the action was
undecided, its results were in favour of the Imperialists, who prevented
the two armies from joining hands.
Campus Castorum (Revolt of Vitellius).
Fought in 69 between the revolted legionaries, 70,000 strong, under
Valens and Cæcina, and the army of the Emperor Otho under Suetonius
Paulinus. The Imperial troops gained some advantage, but Suetonius did
not consider himself strong enough to follow it up, and was relieved of
his command by Otho.
Camperdown (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought between the British fleet, 16 line-of-battle ships, under Admiral
Duncan, and the Dutch, in equal force, under Admiral de Winter, October
11, 1797. The Dutch fleet was on its way to co-operate with the French
in a landing in Ireland, and was intercepted by Duncan, who at once gave
battle. The British fleet, in two lines, broke through the Dutch line,
and, in the general action which followed, captured eight ships,
including the flagship, the _Vrijheid_. The British lost 1,040 killed
and wounded, the Dutch 1,160 and 6,000 prisoners.
Candia (Candian War).
Siege was laid to this place by the Turks under Jussuf, the Capitan
Pasha, in 1648, and was defended by a small garrison of Venetians, under
Luigi Moncenigo. So vigorous was the defence that the Turks lost 20,000
men in the first six months of the siege. The siege lasted over twenty
years, the place being from time to time revictualled and reinforced by
the Venetians and the French, but it was finally surrendered by
Morosini, September 27, 1669.
Canea (Candian War).
This place was besieged June 24, 1644, by 50,000 Turks under Jussuf, the
Capitan Pasha, and defended by a small force of Venetians and Candians,
who held out until August 22, repulsing numerous assaults, which cost
the Turks 20,000 men.
Cannæ (Second Punic War).
Fought August 2, B.C. 216, between 90,000 Romans under Varro, and about
50,000 Carthaginians under Hannibal. Hannibal, though outnumbered in
infantry, was much superior in cavalry. The Romans were drawn up with
the sea in their rear, and were attacked and broken by the Carthaginian
horse. The infantry followed up the attack, and, flight being
impossible, the Romans were slaughtered where they stood, 80,000
falling, including the Consul Æmilius, 25 superior officers, and 80
senators. The Carthaginians lost 6,000.
Cape Bona (Invasion of the Vandals).
Fought 468, between the Roman fleet of 1,100 galleys and transports
under Basiliscus, and the fleet of the Vandals under Genseric. The
Romans were lying at anchor, having landed their troops, and Genseric,
taking advantage of a favourable wind, sent in a fleet of fireships,
following them up by a determined attack. More than half the Roman ships
were destroyed, Basiliscus escaping with difficulty.
Cape Finisterre (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought May 3, 1747, between a British fleet of 16 sail under Admiral
Anson, and a French fleet of 38 sail under Admiral de la Jonquière. The
French were completely defeated, losing 10 ships and nearly 3,000
prisoners.
Cape Finisterre (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought October 14, 1747, when a British fleet of 14 ships under Admiral
Hawke attacked a French fleet of 9 battleships under Admiral de
Letendeur. The French were signally defeated, losing four ships. The
British lost 598 killed and wounded.
Cape Finisterre (Napoleonic Wars).
Fought July 22, 1805, between a British fleet of 15 sail of the line
under Sir Robert Calder, and the combined French and Spanish fleets
returning from the West Indies, under Admiral Villeneuve. The French
fleet, consisting of 20 battleships, was attacked by Calder, who
captured 2 ships. Fogs and light airs prevented him from following up
his advantage next day, for which he was tried by court-martial and most
unjustly censured. The British loss was 183 killed and wounded, the
French losing 149 killed and 327 wounded.
Cape Henry (American War of Independence).
Fought March 16, 1781, between a British fleet of eight ships of the
line and three frigates under Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, and a French
squadron stronger by one frigate. The French were forced to retire, the
British losing 30 killed and 64 wounded.
Cape Passaro (War of the Quadruple Alliance).
Fought July 31, 1718, between a British fleet of 21 ships under Sir
George Byng, and a Spanish fleet of 29 ships under Don Antonio
Castañeta. Admiral Byng attacked the Spaniards in the Straits of
Messina, and, after a very severe action, in which both sides lost
heavily, captured or destroyed no less than 15 of the Spanish ships.
Castañeta died of wounds received in the action. This battle is also
known as the Battle of Messina.
Cape St. Vincent (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought February 14, 1797, between a British fleet of 15 ships of the
line and 5 frigates under Sir John Jervis, and a Spanish fleet of 26
sail of the line and 12 frigates. In spite of their superior numbers,
the Spaniards were totally defeated, losing 4 ships and over 3,000
prisoners, in addition to heavy losses in killed and wounded. The
British lost 74 killed and 227 wounded. For this signal victory, Jervis
was created Lord St. Vincent.
Caprysema (First Messenian War).
Fought B.C. 743, between the Spartans and Corinthians, and the
Messenians with their allies from other Peloponnesian states under
Cristomenes. The Spartans were routed, and, but for the eloquence of
Tyrtacus, would have abandoned the struggle.
Capua (Second Punic War).
This place was besieged in the autumn of B.C. 212, by 60,000 Romans
under Q. Fulvius and Appius Claudius. The Romans formed a double wall of
circumvallation round the city, and, early in the winter, their defences
were attacked by the garrison from within and Hannibal from without, but
with no success. Hannibal then attempted to draw the besiegers from
their position by marching upon Rome, but only a small portion of the
besieging force followed him. It being thus found impossible to relieve
the city, it shortly afterwards surrendered.
Carabobo (South American War of Independence).
Fought June 24, 1821, between the Colombian patriots, 8,000 strong,
under Bolivar, and the Spanish Royalists, about 4,000 in number, under
La Torre. The Royalists were utterly routed, barely 400 reaching Porto
Cabello. This battle determined the independence of Colombia.
Caracha (South American War of Independence).
Fought 1813, between the Colombian Patriots under Bolivar and the
Spanish Royalists, Bolivar gaining a complete victory.
Caraguatay (Paraguayan War).
Fought August 1869, between the Paraguayans under Lopez, and the
Brazilians under the Comte d’Eu. After a stubborn engagement the
Brazilians were victorious.
Carbisdale (Civil War).
Fought April 27, 1650, between the Royalists of Orkney, 1,000 strong,
with 500 Swedish mercenaries, and a small Parliamentary force under
Colonel Strachan. Montrose, who commanded the Royalists, saw his troops
broken by the Parliamentary horse, only the Swedes offering any serious
resistance. The Royalists lost 396 killed and wounded and over 400
prisoners, while Strachan only had lost 2 wounded. This was Montrose’s
last fight, and he was soon afterwards captured.
Carénage Bay (American War of Independence).
Fought 1778, between the French under the Comte d’Estaing, and the
English under Admiral Barrington and General Meadows. After a severe
encounter, the French were defeated, and the British took possession of
the island of St. Lucia.
Carigat.
_See_ Arikera.
Carlisle (Rebellion of the Forty-five).
This city was besieged by the Jacobites under the Young Pretender,
November 9, 1745, and was defended by the Cumberland and Westmoreland
Militia, with small force of regulars, under Colonel Durand. The
besiegers opened fire on the 13th, and on the evening of the 14th, under
pressure of the inhabitants, Durand surrendered.
Carnoul (Persian Invasion of India).
Fought 1739, between the Persians under Nadir Shah, and the Moguls under
the Emperor Mohammed Shah and his Grand Vizier, Nizam-ul-Mulk. The
Persian veterans completely defeated the raw Mogul levies, and Nadir
Shah shortly afterwards occupied and sacked Delhi, carrying off, it is
said, jewels and coin to the value of thirty millions sterling.
Carpi (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought July 1701, between the Imperialists under Prince Eugene, and the
French army in Lombardy, under Marshal Catinat. The French were signally
defeated, and, in consequence, Catinat was recalled from the command.
Carrhæ (Parthian War).
Fought B.C. 53, between the Romans, 52,000 strong, under Publius
Crassus, and the Parthians under Sillaces. The Parthians, who were
entirely cavalry, adopted their usual tactics of retiring and drawing
their foes in pursuit. As the heavily armed legionaries became strung
out across the plain, they turned upon them and cut them down in detail.
Of the division, 6,000 strong, which actually came into action, 500 were
made prisoners, and the rest, including Crassus, slain.
Carrical (Seven Years’ War).
An action was fought off this place August 2, 1758, between a British
squadron under Admiral Pococke, and the French under Comte d’Aché. After
a severe engagement, the French fleet drew off, but the English pursuit,
owing to damaged rigging, was ineffectual, and d’Aché reached
Pondicherry without the loss of a ship.
Carthage (Third Punic War).
In B.C. 152 siege was laid to this city by a Roman consular army under
Manius Manilius, aided by a fleet under L. Censorinus. The Carthaginian
army under Hasdrubal was encamped outside the walls, and greatly
hindered the operations of the Romans, who would have made little
progress but for the efforts of Scipio Æmilianus, then a military
tribune. In B.C. 148, Scipio was made consul, and appointed to the
command, and he succeeded in completely blockading the city, which,
after an obstinate resistance lasting six years, was captured B.C. 146
and razed to the ground.
Carthage (Invasion of the Vandals).
Fought September 14, 533, between the Vandals under Gelimer, about
160,000 strong, and the Romans under Belisarius, far inferior in
numbers. Gelimer divided his army into three, of which he led one
portion to attack the main body of the Romans. The action was
precipitated, however, by the hasty attack by Ammatas of the vanguard,
wherein he was routed with heavy loss. Gelimer then fell upon the
pursuing Romans, but Belisarius coming up, the Vandals were put to
flight, and the Romans gained a complete victory. On the following day
Carthage opened her gates to the victors.
Carthagena (War of the Austrian Succession).
This port was blockaded March 9, 1741, by a British fleet under Admiral
Vernon. An unsuccessful attack was made upon the forts, and eventually
Vernon, having lost 3,000 men during the operations, withdrew April 9.
Casal (Wars of Louis XIV).
Fought April 1640, between the French, 10,000 strong, under Harcourt,
and the Spaniards, numbering 20,000, who were besieging Casal. Harcourt
pierced the Spanish lines and totally defeated them, with a loss of
3,000 killed and wounded, 800 prisoners, and 18 guns.
Casilinum (Second Frank Invasion of Italy).
Fought 554, between 18,000 Imperial troops under Narses, and the Franks
and Alemanni, 30,000 strong, under Buccelin. The Romans won a signal
victory, and are said by the chroniclers to have exterminated the
invading army with a loss to themselves of 80 only. Buccelin fell in the
battle.
Cassano (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought August 16, 1705, between the French under the Duc de Vendôme,
with 35 battalions and 45 squadrons, and the Imperialists under Prince
Eugene. The Prince, with greatly inferior numbers, attacked the French
in a strong position, which he succeeded in carrying as the night fell.
The Imperialists lost about 4,000; the French about 5,000.
Castalla (Peninsular War).
Fought April 13, 1813, between 17,000 allied troops under Sir John
Murray, and 15,000 French under Suchet. The French were defeated. The
allies lost 600 killed and wounded; the French, according to Suchet,
800, according to Murray, 3,000, but the former figure is probably
nearer to the truth.
Castelfidardo (Unification of Italy).
Fought September 18, 1860, between the Papal troops under General La
Moricière, about 8,000 strong, and the Sardinians, 40,000 strong, under
General Cialdini. The Papal army was totally routed, and, after the
action, La Moricière was only able to assemble about 300 infantry, with
which remnant he made his way to Ancona.
Castelnaudary.
Fought September 1, 1632, between the troops of Louis XIII and the rebel
nobles under the Duc de Montmorenci, son of the Constable. The rebels
were utterly routed, and Montmorenci taken prisoner.
Castiglione (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought September 8, 1706, between the Imperialists under the Prince of
Hesse, and the French under General de Medavi. The Prince was besieging
Castiglione, when he was attacked by the French, and totally defeated,
with a loss of 8,000 killed, wounded, and missing.
Castiglione (Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns).
Fought August 3, 1796, between the French under Napoleon, and the
Imperialists under Wurmser. Napoleon, with 25,000 men, advanced upon
Lonato, while Augereau moved upon Castiglione. Lonato was carried by
assault, and the Austrian army cut in two. One part under General
Bazalitch effected a retreat to the Mincio, but the other section was
cut up by a French division under Guyeaux and Junot’s dragoons, near
Salo, losing 3,000 prisoners and 20 guns.
In the portion of the action fought near Castiglione, the Austrians were
defeated with a loss of 2,000 men, after a desperate encounter, and
driven back upon Mantua. On the 4th, Napoleon at Lonato, with only
12,000 men, was summoned to surrender by a portion of Bazalitch’s force,
4,000 strong. Napoleon, however, succeeded in making the messenger think
that he was in the middle of the main French army, and consequently the
whole Austrian detachment laid down their arms.
Castillejos (Moroccan War).
Fought January 1, 1860, when the advance guard of the Spanish army,
under General Prim, defeated a strong force of Moors, after severe
fighting. The victory opened the road to Tetuan.
Castillon (Hundred Years’ War).
This was the last battle of the Hundred Years’ War, and was fought July
17, 1453. The English under Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, marched to the
relief of Castillon, and attacked the lines of the besiegers, but were
taken in flank by a sortie from the French entrenchments and totally
defeated, Talbot being slain. On October 19 following, Bordeaux opened
her gates to the French.
Catana (Second Carthaginian Invasion of Sicily).
Fought B.C. 387 between 200 Syracusan galleys under Leptines, and a
vastly superior Carthaginian fleet. The Syracusans were utterly routed,
partly owing to their inferior numbers, but also in part to the bad
generalship of Leptines, who dispersed his ships too widely, allowing
them to be overwhelmed in detail. The victors at once entered upon the
siege of Syracuse.
Caudine Forks (Second Samnite War).
Fought B.C. 322, when four Roman legions, under T. Veturius Calvinus and
Spurius Postumus were entrapped by the Sabines under Pontius, in the
narrow pass of Caudium. The Romans fought till nightfall, suffering
heavy loss, and next day, finding every exit from the pass barred, the
survivors surrendered.
Cawnpur (Indian Mutiny).
The Residency of Cawnpur was invested by the mutineers June 6, 1857, and
defended by a small garrison until June 24, when the survivors, about
450 in number, surrendered under promise from the Nana Sahib of a safe
conduct to Allahabad. They were, however, fired upon as they took to the
boats, and only a few escaped. The survivors of this massacre were
afterwards murdered in cold blood by order of the Nana Sahib.
Cawnpur (Indian Mutiny).
Fought December 6, 1857, between the British under Sir Colin Campbell,
and 25,000 rebels, including the Gwalior contingent. The mutineers were
routed at all points, and fled, pursued by the cavalry for 14 miles,
suffering heavy loss. Out of 36 guns, 32 were captured. The British lost
99 only.
Cecryphalea (Third Messenian War).
A naval action, fought B.C. 458 between the Peloponnesians and the
Athenians, in which the latter were victorious.
Cedar Creek (American Civil War).
Fought October 17, 1864, between 10,000 Confederates under General
Early, and about 40,000 Federals under General Sheridan. Under cover of
a fog, Early turned Sheridan’s right, capturing 18 guns, but Sheridan,
rallying his broken right wing, totally routed the Confederates, who had
been engaged in plundering the captured camp. The Federal losses were
the heavier, but Sheridan captured 22 guns, besides retaking the 18 he
had lost at the beginning of the action.
Cedar Mountain (American Civil War).
Fought August 9, 1862, between 15,000 Confederates under Jackson, and
about 20,000 Federals under General Pope. The strong Confederate
position was assailed at 5 p.m., and successive attacks were repulsed
until late in the evening, when the fighting ceased. The Federals lost
about 2,800 killed, wounded, and missing; the Confederates, 800 or 900.
Cepeda.