was hemmed by the Romans under Lucullus, and though the latter, with
inferior forces, did not venture on a pitched battle, he fought a series
of minor engagements, in which he eventually destroyed the Pontic army,
their losses amounting in the end to over 200,000 men.
Czarnovo (Campaign of Friedland).
Fought December 24, 1806, between the French under Napoleon, and the
Russians, about 15,000 strong, under Count Tolstoy. Napoleon, with
Davoust’s corps, crossed the Ukra, and made a night attack upon the
Russians, driving them out of Czarnovo with a loss of 1,600 and several
guns. The French lost 700.
Czaslau (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought 1742, between the Prussians under Frederic the Great, and the
Austrians under Prince Charles of Lorraine. The Prussians were driven
from the field, but the Austrians abandoned the pursuit to plunder, and
the king, rallying his troops, broke the Austrian main body, and
defeated them with a loss of 4,000 men.
D
Daegastan.
Fought 603 between the Northumbrians under Æthelfrith, and the Picts and
Scots under Aidan, King of the Scots. Æthelfrith was victorious, and
extended his dominions as far as Chester.
Dalmanutha (Second Boer War).
Fought August 21 to 28, 1900, when the position of the Boers from
Belfast to Machadodorp covering the Delagoa Bay Railway, and extending
over a line 30 miles long, was attacked on the west by Lord Roberts, and
on the south by Sir Redvers Buller. On the 28th Buller entered
Machadodorp, by which time the Boers, who were under General Botha, had
been driven from all their positions. Kruger at once fled to Delagoa
Bay. The British loss in the four days amounted to about 500.
Damascus (Moslem Invasion of Syria).
This city was besieged by the Moslems under Khaled in 633, and was
defended by a large garrison of Greeks and Romans. The city made an
obstinate defence, and the defenders succeeded in sending a demand for
succour to Werdan, the general of Heraclius. Werdan’s approach drew
Khaled away from the place, and as he was retiring he was attacked by
the garrison, whom he defeated with enormous loss. He then marched
against Werdan, defeated him, and returned to prosecute the siege. After
a gallant defence, the city, 70 days later, was taken by storm.
Damascus (Tartar Invasion of Syria).
On January 25, 1401, Damascus was captured, through treachery, by the
Tartars under Tamerlane.
Damme (Wars of Philip Augustus).
Fought April, 1213, when an English fleet of 500 vessels under the Earl
of Salisbury attacked and dispersed a large fleet of French ships
designed to support Philip Augustus’ invasion of Flanders. The English
captured 300 and burnt 100 vessels, and Philip Augustus was forced to
abandon his design.
Dan-no-ura (Taira War).
Fought 1189, between the army of the Shôgun, Yoritomo, under his
brothers Noriyori and Yoshitsune, and the Taira Clan under Munemori,
when the Taira were routed and dispersed. This defeat broke the power of
the clan, and the Minamoto became the dominant clan in Japan.
Dantzig (Thirty Years’ War).
This fortress was besieged by the Swedes under Gustavus Adolphus in
1627, and was defended by a Polish garrison which successfully resisted
all attempts to storm the place, until the truce of September 16, 1629.
In a night attack on May 27, 1627, the King of Sweden was severely
wounded, while in the autumn of the same year a sally was made from the
port by the Dantzig ships, which defeated the Swedish fleet under
Admiral Stjernsköld, the Admiral being killed, 1 ship captured and 1
destroyed.
Dantzig (Campaign of Friedland).
On March 19, 1807, Marshal Lefebvre, with 18,000 French, laid siege to
the city, which was defended by a garrison of 14,000 Prussians, and
4,000 Russians under Marshal Kalkreuth. For complete investment it was
necessary for Lefebvre to encompass a circuit of about 17 leagues, for
which purpose his numbers were too few, and he made little progress.
Receiving reinforcements, however, he opened his first parallel April 1,
while on the 12th an important outwork was carried. On the 23rd the
batteries opened fire, and on May 15 a determined effort to relieve the
place was made by a force of 8,000 Russians, who were repulsed with a
loss of 2,000, the French losing 400 only. From this point the city was
left to its fate, and an assault was ordered for the 21st. Before this
date, however, Marshal Kalkreuth signified his readiness to parley, and
on May 26 the place was surrendered, the garrison being then reduced to
7,000 effectives.
Dantzig (Campaign of Leipsic).
After the Moscow retreat, General Rapp, with 30,000 French, mostly
survivors of the Moscow campaign, was besieged in Dantzig, January 1813,
by the allies, 30,000 in number, under the Duke of Würtemberg. Rapp made
a strenuous defence, but his works were mastered one by one, and,
finding his garrison dwindling rapidly from starvation and exposure, he
surrendered November 29, 1813, by which date the defenders numbered only
18,000 men.
Dargai (Tirah Campaign).
Fought October 20, 1897, when a British brigade, under General Yeatman
Biggs, stormed the heights, which were held by a large force of Afridis.
The actual storming was accomplished by the Gordon Highlanders, and the
British loss amounted to 37 killed and 175 wounded. Colonel Mathias’
speech to the Gordons, before leading them to the charge was,
“Highlanders, the General says the position must be taken at all costs.
The Gordons will take it.”
Dazaifu (Chinese Invasion of Japan).
In 1281, Hwan Buako, the General of Kublai Khan, at the head of 100,000
Chinese, and 10,000 Koreans, endeavoured to effect a landing at Dazaifu.
The Japanese, however, kept them at bay for 60 days, at the end of which
time the Chinese fleet was wrecked and dispersed by a typhoon. The
survivors, under Chang Pak, took refuge in the island of Takashima,
where they were attacked and cut to pieces by the troops of the Daimiyo
of Choshiu, under Shoni Kagasuke, only 3,000 out of the vast host making
their way back to China.
Deeg (First Mahratta War).
Fought 1780 between the British, 6,000 strong under General Fraser, and
the Mahrattas under Holkar of Indore, with 14 battalions of infantry, a
numerous cavalry, and 160 guns. The Mahrattas were utterly routed,
leaving 87 guns on the field. The British lost 643, including General
Fraser, killed.
Deeg (Second Mahratta War).
The fortress, which was held by a garrison of Holkar’s troops, was
besieged December 11, 1804, by the British under Lord Lake. After six
days’ bombardment, it was stormed on the 23rd, and the citadel captured
on the following day. Over 100 guns were taken.
Delhi (First Mongol Invasion).
Fought 1297, between 200,000 Mongols under Kuttugh Khan, and 300,000
Delhi Mohammedans, with 2,700 elephants, under Ala-ud-Din. The Indian
right wing, with a successful charge, broke the Mongols left, but
carried the pursuit too far. Meanwhile the right of the Mongol army
assailed the Indian left and drove it from the field. Kuttugh Khan,
however, had lost so heavily, that he was unable to follow up his
advantage, and retreated with all speed from India.
Delhi (Second Mongol Invasion).
Fought 1398, between the Mongols under Tamerlane, and the Delhi
Mohammedans under Mahmud Tughlak. Tamerlane, having crossed the Jumna to
reconnoitre with an escort of 700 horsemen, was attacked by Mahmud with
5,000 cavalry. Tamerlane repulsed the attack, and later, having brought
his main body across the river, totally defeated Mahmud, and drove him
into Delhi, which at once surrendered. The city was plundered, and
Tamerlane withdrew laden with spoil.
Delhi (Second Mahratta War).
Fought September 11, 1803, between 4,500 British under General Lake, and
19,000 Mahrattas of Scindiah’s army under Bourquin. The enemy occupied a
strong position with the Jumna in their rear, and Lake, feigning a
retreat, drew them from their lines, and then turning upon them drove
them with the bayonet into the river, inflicting enormous loss upon
them. The British lost 400 only.
Delhi (Second Mahratta War).
The city was invested October 7, 1804, by 20,000 Mahrattas, with 100
guns, under Jeswunt Rao Holkar, and was successfully defended for nine
days by a small British garrison. At the end of this period, Holkar
withdrew. So small was the garrison, that they were on constant duty on
the ramparts, throughout the siege, without relief.
Delhi (Indian Mutiny).
After the outbreak at Meerut, Delhi became the rallying place of the
mutineers, and on June 8, 1857, Sir Harry Barnard commenced the siege of
the city. His force was too small for a complete investment, while the
mutineers numbered 30,000, and could obtain continual reinforcements,
and ample supplies. The garrison made constant sorties, and fighting was
incessant at the outposts. On September 8 the breaching batteries opened
fire, and on the 14th the final assault was made and the city entered.
It was not, however, till the 20th that the Palace was taken, and all
resistance at an end. Among those who fell was John Nicholson.
Delium (Peloponnesian War).
Fought B.C. 424 between the Athenians under Hippocrates. 17,000 strong,
and the Bœotians under Pagondas, 18,000 strong. The armies met on a
plain before Delium, and after an obstinate encounter, in which the
Thebans on the right overpowered the Athenians, while their left attack
was repulsed, the appearance of a large body of cavalry on their flank
alarmed the Athenians, who broke and fled, Hippocrates fell in the
battle.
Delphi (Sacred War).
Fought B.C. 355, between the Phocians, 5,000 strong, under Philomelus,
and the Locrians. Philomelus, who had seized Delphi, attacked the
Locrians on the heights above the sacred city, and routed them with
heavy loss, many being driven over the precipice.
Denain (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought 1712, when the camp of the allies, held by 10 battalions under
the Earl of Albemarle, was attacked by 130 French battalions under
Marshal Villiers. Prince Eugene made an effort to relieve the Earl, but
was unable to cross the Scheldt, and the allies were overwhelmed by
superior numbers, only about 4,000 making good their retreat. Five
generals were killed or captured.
Dennewitz (Campaign of Leipsic).
Fought September 6, 1813, between the French army of the north under
Ney, and the allies under the Crown Prince of Sweden. Ney had detached
Bertrand’s division to mask Dennewitz, while his main body marched past
the position on the road to Berlin, but Bertrand delayed so long before
Dennewitz, that what was intended for a demonstration became a serious
action, in which the full force of both sides was engaged. The French
were defeated with a loss of 10,000 men and 43 guns.
Deorham.
Fought 577, when Ceawlin, King of Wessex, defeated the Welsh, and
extended the borders of Wessex to the Bristol Channel, thus severing the
Welsh nation into two parts.
Dessau (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought April 15, 1626, between the German Protestants under Count von
Mansfeldt, and the Imperialists, about 20,000 strong, under Wallenstein.
Mansfeldt was attacking the fort of Dessau, on the Elbe, when
Wallenstein, approaching under cover of the woods, fell upon his flank,
and totally routed him, killing or capturing nearly three-fourths of his
army.
Dettingen (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought June 27, 1743, between the British, 40,000 strong, under George
II, and 60,000 French under the Duc de Noailles. The British, who were
retiring upon Hanau from Aschaffenburg, found their retreat cut off by
the French, Dettingen being held by 23,000 men under de Grammont, while
the main body was on the opposite bank of the Maine. De Grammont left
his lines to attack the British, whereupon George II put himself at the
head of his troops, and led a charge which broke the French and drove
them headlong into the river. Their losses in crossing were heavy, and
they left 6,000 killed and wounded on the field. This is the last
occasion on which the Sovereign has led British troops in battle.
Deutschbrod (Hussite War).
Fought 1422 between the Taborite section of the Hussites under John
Zisca, and the Germans under the Emperor Sigismund. Zisca was completely
victorious.
Devicotta.
This fortress, held for Pertab Singh by a garrison of the Tanjore army,
was captured in 1749, after a three days’ bombardment, by a British
force of 2,300 men under Major Lawrence. An attack upon the breach,
headed by Clive, was nearly disastrous, as the Sepoys hung back, and of
the Europeans engaged, only Clive and three others escaped, but Lawrence
arriving opportunely with the main column, the place was stormed.
Diamond.
A faction fight, known as the battle of Diamond which took place
September 21, 1795, at a village in Co. Armagh, between the Peep o’ Day
Boys and the Defenders. The former were victorious, killing 48 of their
opponents.
Diamond Hill (Second Boer War).
Fought June 11 and 12, 1900, when General Botha, with the main Boer army
of 15,000 men, strongly entrenched about 15 miles from Pretoria, was
attacked by Lord Roberts with 17,000 men and 70 guns, and driven from
his position. The Boer lines were so extended that three distinct
actions were in progress at the same time. The British lost 25 officers
and 137 men killed and wounded.
Dingaan’s Day.
Fought December 16, 1838, between the Boers of the Transvaal, and the
Zulus under Dingaan. The Zulus were totally routed, with heavy loss. The
Boer losses were small.
Dipæa (Arcadian War).
Fought B.C. 471, between the Spartans and the Arcadian League. The
Arcadians were totally defeated, and Tegea, the head of the League,
shortly afterwards submitted to Sparta.
Diu.
This fortified Portuguese factory was besieged early in September, 1537,
by a fleet of 76 Turkish galleys, and 7,000 soldiers under Solyman,
Pasha of Egypt, acting with whom was an army of 20,000 Gujeratis under
Bahadur Shah, and Khojah Zofar, an Italian renegade. The garrison of
600, under Antonio de Silveira, repulsed assault after assault, but were
nearly at the end of their resources, when the false rumour of an
approaching Portuguese fleet caused Solyman to withdraw.
Diu.
In 1545 Diu was again besieged by the Gujeratis, the garrison being
commanded by Mascarenhas. Khojah Zofar, who led the besiegers, was
killed in the course of the siege, and was succeeded by Rami Khan. The
garrison, at the end of several months, was on the point of
surrendering, owing to famine, when it was relieved by Juan de Castro,
who signally defeated the Gujeratis, and raised the siege.
Djerbeh (Ottoman Wars).
Fought 1560, between the fleet of Solyman I, Sultan of Turkey, under
Piycála Pasha, and the combined squadrons of Malta, Venice, Genoa and
Florence. The Christian fleet was utterly routed, the Turks securing
thereby the preponderance in the Mediterranean.
Dniester (Ottoman Wars).
Fought September 9, 1769, between the Russians under Prince Gallitzin,
and the Turks under Ali Moldovani Pasha. The Turks crossed the river in
the face of the Russian army, and attacked their lines with great
impetuosity. After severe fighting, however, they were beaten off, and
forced to withdraw from Choczim.
Dodowah (First Ashanti War).
Fought 1826, between the Ashanti army, which had invaded the Gold Coast,
and the British under Colonel Purdon. The Ashantis fought bravely, but
were routed with heavy loss.
Dogger Bank (Dutch Wars).
Fought August 15, 1781, between a British fleet of seven battleships and
six frigates, under Admiral Hyde Parker, and a Dutch fleet of equal
strength under Admiral Zoutman. After a severe engagement, the Dutch
bore away, and reached their port in safety, the British fleet being too
crippled to pursue. The British lost 109 killed and 362 wounded; the
Dutch 1 ship, the _Hollandia_, 142 killed and 403 wounded.
Dollar (Danish Invasion).
Fought 875, when the Danish invaders under Thorstem totally defeated the
men of Alban under Constantine. The Danes subsequently occupied
Caithness, Sutherlandshire, Ross and Moray.
Dolni-Dubnik (Russo-Turkish War).
Fought November 1, 1877, when General Gourko, with two divisions of the
Russian guard, dislodged the Turks from the redoubt of Dolni-Dubnik, and
forced them to retire upon Plevna. There was little actual fighting, the
Turks retiring without much resistance, but the action is important,
because the capture of the redoubt made the investment of Plevna
complete.
Dominica.
Fought April 12, 1782, between the British fleet of 36 sail of the line,
under Rodney, with Hood second in command, and the French fleet of 33
sail under de Grasse. Rodney departed from the usual tactics of a ship
to ship action, and broke the enemy’s line, gaining a complete victory,
and capturing or destroying 5 ships, while 2 more were captured within
the next few days. The British lost 261 killed and 837 wounded. The
French losses have been put as high as 15,000, but it is probable that
they lost about 3,000 killed and wounded, while 7,980 were taken in the
captured ships. This action is also known as the battle of the Saints.
Domokos (Greco-Turkish War).
Fought May 17, 1879, between five Turkish divisions of the army under
Edhem Pasha, and the Greeks under the Crown Prince of Greece, about
40,000 strong. The Greeks held their ground till late in the evening,
when the right was outflanked, and forced to give ground, though, when
the action ceased, the Turks had made no other advance. Edhem was
prepared to renew the fight on the following day, but the Crown Prince
found that the retirement of his right had rendered the position
untenable, and retreated during the night. The Greeks lost 600 killed
and wounded; the Turks about 1,800.
Donabew (First Burmah War).
Fought March 7, 1825, when General Cotton, with about 700 troops,
attacked three strong stockades held by 12,000 Burmans under Maha
Bandoola. The smallest of the three was carried, but Cotton’s force was
too small, and it was not till the 25th that Sir Archibald Campbell
arrived, and, shelling the stockade, forced the Burmans to evacuate the
position. Maha Bandoola was killed.
Donauwörth (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought July 2, 1704, between the British and Imperialists under the Duke
of Marlborough, and the French and Bavarians under Marshal Tallard. The
Duke attacked the enemy’s entrenched position at Schellenberg, in front
of Donauwörth, and drove them out, forcing them to abandon the town. The
victors lost 5,374 killed and wounded. The French losses are unknown,
but were probably heavier.
Dormeille.
Fought 602, between the Neustrians under Clothaire II, and Austrasians
and Burgundians under Theodobert and Thierry. Clothaire was defeated
with great slaughter.
Dorylæum (First Crusade).
Fought July 1097, between 70,000 Crusaders under Bohemond and Raymond of
Thoulouse, and 250,000 Saracens under the Sultan Soliman. The Saracens
drove back Bohemond’s division on their camp, which they proceeded to
plunder, and, while so engaged, were attacked by Raymond and totally
routed with a loss of 30,000. The Crusaders lost 4,000.
Douai (War of the Spanish Succession).
This place was besieged by the allies under Prince Eugene, April 25,
1710, and was defended by a French garrison, 8,000 strong, under General
d’Albergotti. The place was obstinately defended, numerous sorties being
made, but, the French army being unable to relieve it, d’Albergotti was
forced to surrender June 26. The besiegers lost 8,000 killed and
wounded.
Douro (Peninsular War).
Fought May 12, 1809, when 12,000 British under Wellesley (the Duke of
Wellington) crossed the Douro and drove the French under Soult out of
Oporto. The French numbered about 24,000, of whom 5,000 were killed,
wounded or captured, mainly during the pursuit. In the action itself,
the French lost 500, the British, 116.
Dover (Dutch Wars).
Fought November 29, 1652, between a Dutch fleet of 95 sail, under Van
Tromp, and an English fleet of 40 ships, under Blake. The Dutch were
victorious, the English fleet being much cut up, and two ships captured.
Downs, The (Dutch Wars).
Fought June 1, 2 and 3, 1666, between the English fleet under the Duke
of Albemarle, and the Dutch under De Ruyter, Van Tromp and De Witt.
After an obstinate fight, Albemarle, on the 3rd, retired, after setting
fire to his disabled vessels, but the Dutch were too seriously crippled
to pursue.
Drepanum (First Punic War).
Fought B.C. 249, during the siege of Lilybæum, between the Roman fleet
of 123 galleys under Publius Claudius, and the Carthaginians under
Adherbal. Claudius was defeated, losing 93 ships, 8,000 killed and
20,000 prisoners, while the victors did not lose a ship.
Dresden (Campaign of Leipsic).
Fought August 27, 1813, between 130,000 French under Napoleon, and
200,000 Russians, Prussians and Austrians, under Count Wittgenstein,
Kleist, and Prince Schwartzemberg, respectively. The Emperors of Russia
and Austria, and the King of Prussia, were present on the field.
Napoleon, who was in possession of Dresden, made his main attack upon
the Austrian left, which was separated from the centre by the ravine of
Planen. This attack, which was entrusted to Murat, was completely
successful, and the Austrians were driven with heavy loss into the
ravine. Meanwhile, the centre and right of the allies had been attacked
with equal success, and finally they were driven from the field with a
loss of 10,000 killed and wounded, 15,000 prisoners, and 40 guns. The
French lost about 10,000.
Dreux (First Civil War).
Fought 1562, between the Huguenots under the Prince de Condé, and the
Catholics under the Constable, Montmorency. The Constable, heading a
charge of the Catholic cavalry, was overthrown and captured by Coligny.
The Catholics then fled, but the Huguenots, carrying the pursuit too
far, were charged and routed by François de Guise, and Condé made
prisoner. The victory thus rested with the Catholics.
Driefontein (Second Boer War).
Fought March 10, 1900, between the Boer Army covering Bloemfontein,
under de Wet, and the British under Lord Roberts. The Boers occupied a
position about seven miles in extent, which was attacked in front by
Kelly-Kenny’s division, and on the left flank by that of Tucker. The
Boers were driven out and the road to Bloemfontein opened, at a cost to
the British of 424 killed and wounded. The Boers left over 100 dead on
the field.
Dristen.
This strong post on the Danube was defended for fifty-five days in 973,
by the Russians under their Duke Swatoslaus, against the Greeks under
the Emperor John Zimisces. At the end of that time the Russians were
forced to surrender, thus ending their invasion of Byzantine territory.
Drogheda (Great Irish Rebellion).
Siege was laid to this town, which was held by an English garrison under
Sir Henry Tichborne, by the Irish rebels, under Owen Roe O’Neil, in
December, 1641. The garrison held out successfully for three months,
when O’Neil was compelled to raise the siege.
Drogheda (Civil War).
On September 3, 1649, siege was laid to the place by the Parliamentary
army under Cromwell, the garrison of 2,500 English regulars being under
Sir Arthur Aston. An assault on the 10th was repulsed, but on the 12th
the town was stormed, and the garrison put to the sword. Four thousand
soldiers and inhabitants, including Aston, are said to have perished.
Drumclog (Covenanters’ Rising).
Fought June 11, 1679, when a party of Covenanters, under Balfour of
Burleigh, defeated the royal troops, under Claverhouse.
Drummossie Moor.
_See_ Culloden.
Dubba (Scinde Campaign).
Fought March 24, 1843, between 5,000 British troops, under Sir Charles
Napier, and 20,000 Beluchis, under the Amir Shir Mohamed. The enemy was
strongly posted behind a double nullah, which was carried by the
infantry with great gallantry, and the Beluchis were totally defeated.
Duffindale (Kat’s Rebellion).
The scene of the defeat of the rebels under Kat, by the royal troops,
under the Earl of Warwick, in 1549.
Dunbar (Scottish Wars).