and Samnites under Pontius, outside the walls of Rome. The battle was
obstinately contested, but, after a fight lasting throughout the night,
the insurgents were routed, and 4,000 prisoners taken. This victory of
the aristocratic party ended the civil war.
Colombey (Franco-German War).
Fought August 11, 1870, between the retiring French army, and the
advance guard of the First German Army Corps under von Steinmetz. The
French maintained most of their positions, but two of their divisions
were overthrown, and Bazaine’s retreat on Verdun was seriously delayed.
The French lost about 7,000; the Germans 222 officers and 5,000 men.
Colombo (Wars of the French Revolution).
This town was captured from the Dutch in 1796, by a squadron of four
British warships, and a small force of troops under Admiral Peter
Rainier and Colonel Stuart.
Concha Rayada (South American War of Independence).
Fought February 1818, between the Spanish Royalists, 5,000 strong, under
General Osorio, and the Chilians and Colombians under San Martin. The
Spaniards gained a complete victory.
Concon (Chilian Civil War).
Fought August 21, 1891, between 10,000 Congressists under General del
Canto, and 11,000 Balmacedists under General Barbosa. Aided by the fire
of three warships, the Congressists, who had landed unopposed on the
20th, stormed the entrenchments of the Balmacedists, and drove them out
with a loss of 1,648 killed and wounded, and 1,500 prisoners. The
victors lost 869.
Condorcanqui.
_See_ Ayacucho.
Constantine (Conquest of Algeria).
This fortified city in Eastern Algeria, which, under Hadji Ahmad, had
held out for six years against French rule, was invested by the French,
7,000 strong, under Marshal Clausel, in the autumn of 1836. Having no
breaching pieces, Clausel essayed an assault, but was repulsed with a
loss of 2,000 men, and abandoned the siege. In the following year
General Damrémont sat down before Constantine October 6, with 10,000
men, and on the 12th, a breach having been effected, an assault was on
the point of taking place, when Damrémont was killed. His successor,
General Valée, however, took the place by storm on the following day.
Constantinople (Moslem Invasion of Europe).
This city was besieged in 668, by the Saracens under Sophian, the
lieutenant of the Caliph Moawiyeh. The Moslem fleet passed the
Hellespont unopposed, but their attack upon the city was met with a most
determined resistance. After keeping the field from April to September,
Sophian retired into winter quarters, but renewed active operations
during the following and five succeeding summers, without success,
until, in 675, he finally abandoned the siege, having lost in its
progress over 30,000 men.
In 716, the Saracens again laid siege to the city, with 120,000 men
under Moslemeh, brother of the Caliph Solyman. A fleet of 1,800 sail
co-operated with the land forces, but was destroyed by the Greek fire
ships, and thus obtaining the command of the sea, the citizens were
relieved from all fear of famine, and repulsed all Moslemeh’s assaults.
After a siege of 13 months, the Saracens withdrew, after a defeat at the
hands of a Bulgarian relieving army, in which they lost 22,000 men.
Constantinople (Fourth Crusade).
The city was besieged July 7, 1203, by the French and Venetian Crusaders
under Count Thibaut de Champagne. After a feeble defence, it was
surrendered July 18, by the Usurper, Alexius, and occupied by the
Crusaders, who restored Isaac Angelus to the throne, and withdrew.
In January 1204 the Crusaders again laid siege to Constantinople, and at
the end of three months, in the course of which Isaac Angelus died, and
Mourzoufle assumed the purple, they stormed and pillaged the city.
Baldwin was then proclaimed first Latin Emperor of the East.
On July 25, 1261, Constantinople was taken by surprise by the troops of
the Greek Emperor, Michael Palæologus, under his lieutenant, Alexius
Strategopulus. The Latin Emperor, Baldwin II, made no attempt at
resistance, but escaped to the Venetian galleys, and the restoration of
the Greek Empire was accomplished without opposition.
Constantinople.
A naval action fought February 13, 1352, between 64 Genoese galleys
under Doria, and 75 Greek and Venetian galleys under Pisani. The Genoese
were victorious, taking or sinking 26 galleys, and forcing Pisani to
retire into the fortified harbour. The Genoese lost 13 galleys.
Constantinople (Ottoman Invasion of Europe).
On June 10, 1422, Amurath II, with 200,000 Turks, laid siege to the
city, which was defended by the Greek garrison under the Emperor Manuel.
After a siege of two months, in which the Turks lost heavily in their
numerous assaults, and in the defenders’ sallies, Amurath was called
away to Boursa by a domestic revolt, and raised the siege.
On April 6, 1453, the Turks again laid siege to Constantinople with
258,000 men under Mohammed II. The garrison, consisting of 5,000 Greeks
and 2,000 foreigners, though short of ammunition, made a gallant
defence, but were overpowered by numbers in a general assault on May 25,
and the city was captured. Constantine Palæologus, the last Emperor of
the East, was killed by an unknown hand, in the tumult which followed
the storming of the ramparts.
Copenhagen (Napoleonic Wars).
Fought April 2, 1801, between the British fleet of 20 sail of the line,
besides frigates, under Admirals Hyde Parker and Nelson, and the Danish
fleet of 10 line-of-battle ships, aided by the shore batteries. Nelson
attacked with 12 ships, Parker remaining in reserve, but three of
Nelson’s vessels running aground, he met the Danish line with 9 only.
The Danes offered a strenuous resistance, and Parker hoisted the signal
to retire, but Nelson put the telescope to his blind eye, and refused to
see the signal. The action continued until the Danish fire was silenced.
The British lost 1,200 men, and had six vessels seriously damaged. The
Danes had one ship destroyed, and the rest of their fleet completely
disabled. The result of this victory was the dissolution of the league
of the Northern Powers.
Copenhagen (Napoleonic Wars).
The city was captured September 5, 1807, by 20,000 British troops under
Lord Cathcart, after a four days’ bombardment of the forts and citadel
by 27 ships of the line. The Danish fleet of 18 sail of the line, which
was surrendered, would otherwise, under a secret clause of the Treaty of
Tilsit, have been placed at the disposal of Napoleon.
Copratus, The (Wars of Alexander’s Successors).
Fought B.C. 316, between the Macedonians under Antigonus, and the
Asiatics under Eumenes. Each army was about 30,000 strong, and Eumenes
fell upon the Macedonians as they were crossing the Copratus, and
signally defeated them, though Antigonus was able to retreat in good
order.
Cordova (Moorish Empire in Spain).
Fought August 1010, between the Berbers under Sulaiman, aided by the
Spaniards under Sancho, Count of Castile, and the Moors of Cordova under
Almudy. Almudy marched out of Cordova to meet the Berbers, but was
utterly routed, with a loss of 20,000, including most of his principal
Emirs.
Corinth (Peloponnesian War).
Fought B.C. 429, between 47 Peloponnesian ships under Cnemus, and 20
Athenian triremes under Phormio. Phormio, who was blockading the Gulf of
Corinth, allowed Cnemus to pass into the open sea, and when disordered
by the heavy weather prevailing, he attacked and completely defeated the
Peloponnesians, capturing 12 ships.
Corinth (Corinthian War).
Fought B.C. 394 between 14,000 Spartans, and 26,000 Athenians,
Corinthians, Thebans and Argives. The allies were defeated, losing twice
as many men as their opponents, but the Spartans, in spite of their
victory, were obliged to retire, leaving the Isthmus in their
possession.
Corinth (American Civil War).
Fought October 3 and 4, 1862, between the Confederates under Van Dorn,
and the Federals under Rosecrans. Rosecrans was strongly entrenched at
Corinth, where he was attacked on the 3rd, and driven into his inner
lines. The attack was renewed on the 4th, but an attempt to storm the
entrenchments was repulsed, and the Federals, taking the offensive
against the disordered Southerners, drove them from the field with a
loss of 6,423 killed and wounded, and 2,248 prisoners. The Federals lost
2,359 killed, wounded, and missing.
Coroneia (Bœotian Wars).
Fought B.C. 447, when an Athenian army under Tolmides, which had entered
Bœotia to reduce certain of the Bœotian towns which had thrown off
their allegiance to Athens, was encountered and totally defeated by a
largely superior force of Bœotians. Almost all the surviving
Athenians were captured, and, to secure their release, Athens resigned
her claims over Bœotia.
Coroneia (Corinthian War).
Fought August B.C. 394, between the Athenians, Argives, Thebans, and
Corinthians, and the Spartans under Agesilaus. The Spartan right
defeated the Argives, but their left fled before the Thebans, who then
attacked the Spartan right, but, after a desperate struggle, were
defeated. The Spartans, however, had suffered so severely that Agesilaus
was compelled to evacuate Bœotia.
Corrichie (Huntly’s Rebellion).
Fought 1562, between the troops of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the
Scottish rebels under the Earl of Huntly. The rebels, whose forces had
been greatly reduced by desertions, were totally defeated, and Huntly
slain.
Corte Nuova (Guelfs and Ghibellines).
Fought 1237, between the Imperialists under Frederick II, and the
Lombard Guelfs under the leadership of the Milanese. Frederick won a
signal victory, capturing the _carroccio_ of Milan.
Corumba (Paraguayan War).
Fought 1877, between the Paraguayans and a Brazilian army corps which
was endeavouring to enter Paraguay from the north-east. The Brazilians
retired in disorder, being pursued for many miles, and suffering heavy
loss. The battle is remarkable for the presence in the Paraguayan army
of a corps of Amazons led by Eliza Lynch.
Coruña (Peninsular War).
Fought January 16, 1809, between 14,000 British under Sir John Moore,
and 20,000 French under Soult, who was endeavouring to prevent the
British from embarking. The French attacks were uniformly repulsed, and
the troops safely embarked, with a loss of about 800, including Sir John
Moore. The French lost about 2,000.
Compedion (Wars of Alexander’s Successors).
Fought B.C. 281 between the Macedonians under Lysimachus, and the
Syrians under Seleucus. The two generals met in single combat, in front
of their armies, and Seleucus, though 81 years of age, defeated and slew
his ancient comrade in arms. The two armies then engaged, and the
Syrians gained a complete victory.
Coulmiers (Franco-German War).
Fought November 9, 1870, between 20,000 Germans under Von der Tann, and
a largely superior French force under General d’Aurelle de Paladines.
After maintaining their position for the greater part of the day, the
Germans were driven back, having lost 576 killed and wounded, 800
prisoners, an ammunition column and 2 guns. The French losses were about
1,500.
Courtrai (Flemish War).
Fought 1302, between the French under Robert d’Artois, and the Flemings
under Guy de Namur. The French were utterly routed, and so great was the
carnage among the French nobility and knighthood, that after the battle
4,000, some say 7,000, gilt spurs, were hung up as trophies in Courtrai
cathedral. From this circumstance this battle is commonly known as the
Battle of the Spurs.
Coutras (Eighth Civil War).
Fought 1587 between the Huguenots under Henry of Navarre (Henri IV) and
the Catholics under the Duc de Joyeuse. The Catholic army was
annihilated, Joyeuse being amongst the slain.
Covelong (Seven Years’ War).
This fortress, held by a French garrison of 350, was captured by Clive
in 1752, after a few days’ siege. Clive had only 200 European recruits
and 500 Sepoys, and had great difficulty in getting his men to face the
French fire. Having, however, managed to erect a battery which commanded
the place, the Governor surrendered. On the following day Clive ambushed
and defeated, with a loss of 100 men, a relieving force approaching from
Chingleput.
Coverypank (Seven Years’ War).
Fought February 1752, between the British, 380 Europeans, and 1,300
Sepoys, under Clive, and the troops of Rajah Sahib, with 400 Frenchmen,
in all about 5,000. Clive’s advance guard marched into an ambush, and
with difficulty held its ground against the fire of 9 guns. Meanwhile
Clive passed round the enemy’s position, and attacked them vigorously in
the rear, whereupon they fled in panic. Most of the Frenchmen and the
guns were captured.
Craonne (Allied Invasion of France).
Fought March 7, 1814, between 55,000 French under Napoleon, and about
90,000 of the allies under Blucher. Blucher occupied a very strong
position on the heights about Craonne, which was attacked and carried by
Victor’s and Ney’s corps at the point of the bayonet. The French lost
9,000, the allies 7,000 killed and wounded.
Cravant (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought July 31, 1423. A force of Armagnacs under Buchan, Constable of
France, with some Scottish mercenaries under Sir John Stewart, was
advancing upon Craonne, the capture of which town would secure Charles
VII’s communications with Champagne. They were attacked by the
Burgundians and English under the Earl of Salisbury, and defeated with
heavy loss. Both Buchan and Stewart were captured.
Crayford (Jutish Invasion).
Fought 456 between the Jutes under Hengest, and the Britons under
Vortigern. The Britons were defeated, and driven out of Kent.
Crefeld (Seven Years’ War).
Fought June 23, 1758, between 32,000 Hanoverians, Hessians and
Brunswickers under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and about 50,000
French under the Comte de Clermont. The French were totally defeated,
with heavy loss.
Cremona (Second Gallic Invasion).
Fought B.C. 198, when the Romans defeated with heavy slaughter an
invading army of Gauls under Hamilcar, a Carthaginian. Hamilcar was
slain.
Cremona (Revolt of Vitellius).
Fought December 69, between the Vitellians, and the Flavians under
Antonius Primus, 40,000 strong. The Vitellians, who were without a
leader, having deposed their general, Cæcina, were attacked in their
camp, and after a hard fight, which lasted throughout the night, were
totally routed. The victors sacked and burnt Cremona.
Cremona (War of the Spanish Succession).
This city, held by a French garrison, was surprised by the Imperialists
under Prince Eugene, February 1, 1702. The town was entered without the
alarm being given, and many important officers, including Marshal
Villeroy, were made prisoners. A portion of the garrison, however, still
held out in the citadel, and made Eugene’s tenure of the town
precarious, and finally, on the approach of a relieving force under the
Prince de Vaudemont, he was forced to withdraw his troops. The garrison
lost 1,000 killed.
Cressy (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought August 26, 1346, when a very inferior force of English under
Edward III defeated the French under Philip VI. The battle is notable as
being the first in which the English army was mainly composed of
infantry, and as proving the powerlessness of mounted men against the
English archers. The French losses were 11 princes, 1,200 knights, and
30,000 of lesser ranks, a total exceeding the whole English force.
Crimisus (Third Carthaginian Invasion of Sicily).
Fought June B.C. 340, between 10,000 Sicilians under Timoleon, and
70,000 Carthaginians, including the “Sacred Band” of 2,500 Carthaginian
citizens of good birth, under Hamilcar and Hasdrubal. Timoleon attacked
the Carthaginians while they were crossing the Crimisus, and routed and
dispersed the Sacred Band before the main army had crossed. A heavy
storm of rain in the faces of the Carthaginians came to the aid of the
Sicilians, and after a severe struggle, they gained a signal victory,
and the Carthaginians fled, leaving 10,000 dead in the field, and 15,000
prisoners. Many more were drowned in their endeavour to recross the
river.
Cronion (Second Carthaginian Invasion of Sicily).
Fought B.C. 379 between the Syracusans under Dionysius, and the
Carthaginians. The Syracusans were defeated, with enormous loss, and
Dionysius forced to accept unfavourable terms of peace.
Cropredy Bridge (Civil War).
Fought June 29, 1644, between the Royalists under Charles I, and a
detachment of the Parliamentary army under Sir William Waller. Waller
crossed the Cherwell near Banbury with the object of taking the
Royalists in the rear, but was repulsed with considerable loss.
Crosskeys (American Civil War).
A rearguard action, fought June 8, 1862, between 8,000 Confederates
under Ewell, and about 15,000 Federals under Tremont. Ewell was given
the task of holding Tremont in check, while General Jackson marched to
meet the Federals under Shields, who were endeavouring to effect a
junction with Tremont. The Confederates held their ground, beating back
their opponents with a loss of 664 killed and wounded. After the action,
Ewell crossed the river, burning the bridge behind him, and Jackson was
enabled to fall upon Shields with his whole force.
Crotona.
Fought 983, between the Germans under Otho II, and the Greeks, aided by
40,000 Saracens under the Caliph of Egypt. After an obstinate
engagement, Otho was totally defeated, losing many of his bravest
knights.
Crotoye (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought 1347, during the siege of Calais by Edward III. The French fleet
attempted to relieve the town, but was defeated and driven off with
heavy loss by the English fleet.
Cuaspad.
Fought December 6, 1862, between the Ecuadorians under Flores, 6,000
strong, and 4,000 Colombians under Mosquera. The Ecuadorians were
utterly routed, losing 1,500 killed and wounded, 2,000 prisoners, and
all their guns.
Cuddalore.
Fought June 13, 1783, when a portion of the British force under General
Stewart attacked the French entrenchments in front of Cuddalore, and
after hard fighting, drove the French into the town with a loss of 700
men and 13 guns. The British lost 1,013 killed and wounded.
Cuddalore.
A naval action was fought off Cuddalore June 30, 1783, between a British
squadron of 17 sail under Sir Edward Hughes, and 12 French ships under
Suffren. The French, as usual, declined to come to close quarters, and
after a long range action, in which Hughes lost 532 men, fighting was
suspended at nightfall, leaving Suffren in possession of the roads, and
able to prevent the complete investment of Cuddalore.
Culloden (Rebellion of the Forty-five).
Fought April 16, 1746, between the Royal troops under the Duke of
Cumberland, and the Highlanders under the Young Pretender. The rebels
were completely routed by the English regulars, and in addition to heavy
loss in the field, suffered terribly in the pursuit, being ruthlessly
cut down by the cavalry. Cumberland’s cruelty on this occasion earned
for him the title of “Butcher.” The Royalists lost 309 killed and
wounded. This battle is sometimes called the Battle of Drummossie Moor.
Cunaxa (Expedition of Cyrus the Younger).
Fought B.C. 401 between the Persians, about 400,000 strong, under
Artaxerxes, and the army of his brother Cyrus, consisting of 100,000
Orientals, with 14,000 Greek mercenaries, under Clearchus. The Greeks on
the right wing drove back the Persian left, and Cyrus in the centre
broke the king’s body-guard, which fled in disorder. While pursuing his
brother, however, he was struck down, and his Orientals at once took to
flight. The Greeks refused to surrender, and were allowed to retain
their arms and march, to the coast. This expedition of Cyrus forms the
subject of Xenophon’s “Anabasis.”
Curicta (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).
Fought B.C. 49, when the Cæsarian fleet under Dolabella was totally
destroyed by the Pompeian fleet under Marcus Octavius. This victory cut
off the Cæsarian army under Caius Antonius, which was quartered on the
island of Curicta, and Antonius was forced to surrender.
Curupayti (Paraguayan War).
Fought September 22, 1866, between the troops of Brazil, Argentine and
Uruguay, under General Flores, and the Paraguayans under Lopez. The
allies were totally defeated, and Flores abandoned the army, returning
to Montevideo.
Custozza (Seven Weeks’ War).
Fought June 24, 1866, between 60,000 Austrians under the Archduke
Albert, and 140,000 Italians under General La Marmora. La Marmora
crossed the Mincio, and advanced against the Archduke, who was covering
Verona. The Italians having to pass through a hilly country, the columns
were much broken up, and as they debouched into the plain of Custozza,
they were beaten in detail, and driven back by the Austrians, who gained
a signal victory. The Austrians lost 4,650 killed and wounded; the
Italians, 720 killed, 3,112 wounded, and 4,315 prisoners. La Marmora was
compelled to recross the Mincio.
Cuzco (Conquest of Peru).
This city was besieged 1536, by 200,000 Peruvians, and was defended by
250 Spaniards under Juan and Gonzalo Pizarro. After a siege of five
months, Almagro, to whom certain of the conquered territories had been
assigned by the king of Spain, arrived with his troops, and attacked and
totally routed the Peruvians. He then laid siege to the place on his own
account, and shortly afterwards compelled Gonzalo Pizarro to capitulate.
Juan died in the course of the siege.
Cyme.
Fought B.C. 474, between the fleet of Hiero, tyrant of Syracuse, and the
Etruscan fleet, which was investing the Greek colony of Cyme. The
Etruscans were routed, and from this defeat dates the rapid decline of
the Etruscan power.
Cynoscephalæ.
Fought July 364 B.C., between the Thebans and Thessalians under
Pelopidas, and the forces of Alexander, Despot of Pheræ. Both armies
made a forced march to seize the heights of Cynoscephalæ, and reached
the spot almost simultaneously. The Theban cavalry drove back
Alexander’s horse, but lost time in the pursuit, and his infantry made
good their position on the heights. However, after very hard fighting,
they were dislodged, and Alexander completely routed, though Pelopidas
fell in the battle.
Cynoscephalæ (Second Macedonian War).
Fought B.C. 197, between the Romans, 26,000 strong, under Flamininus,
and the Macedonians, in about equal force under Philip. The Roman
vanguard, coming unexpectedly upon the enemy, was repulsed, but
Flamininus bringing up the legionaries, the battle became more equal. On
the right Philip, with half his phalanx, drove back the Romans, but his
left wing was utterly routed, and the victorious Roman right then turned
and attacked the Macedonian right in flank and rear, and won a complete
victory. The Macedonians lost 13,000 killed and wounded. The Roman
losses were small.
Cynossema (Peloponnesian War).
Fought 411 B.C., between 86 Peloponnesian ships under Mindarus, and 76
Athenian triremes under Thrasybulus and Thrasyllus. The Athenian centre
was broken, but, in the moment of victory, Thrasybulus fell upon the
Peloponnesians with the right wing, and totally routed them, while
Thrasyllus on the left also drove off his adversaries, after hard
fighting.
Cyssus (War with Antiochus the Great).
Fought B.C. 191 between the Roman fleet of 105 triremes under Caius
Livius, and the fleet of Antiochus, numbering 70 sail, under
Polyxenides. Polyxenides sailed out of Cyssus to encounter the Romans,
but was defeated with a loss of 23 ships, and forced to seek refuge at
Ephesus.
Cyzicus (Peloponnesian War).
Fought 410 B.C., when Alcibiades, with 86 Athenian ships, surprised the
Peloponnesian Admiral Mindarus, who was besieging Cyzicus, and, after a
hard fight, totally defeated him. Mindarus was slain, 60 triremes were
taken or destroyed, and the Peloponnesian fleet was practically
annihilated.
Cyzicus (First Mithridatic War).