Scots under the Earl of Athol. The Scots were defeated, with a loss of
10,000 men. This defeat led to the surrender of Balliol, and Edward was
proclaimed King of Scotland.
Dunbar (Scottish Wars).
This town was besieged, 1339, by the English, under the Earl of
Salisbury, and was defended by Agnes, Countess of March, known as Black
Agnes of Dunbar, whose husband, the Governor, was absent at the time. So
vigorous was the defence, that Salisbury was compelled to withdraw from
the siege.
Dunbar (Civil War).
Fought September 3, 1650, between 14,000 Parliamentarians under Cromwell
and Monk, and the Scottish Royalists, 27,000 strong, under David Leslie.
Leslie left a strong position on the heights near Dunbar, to meet
Cromwell, and was routed with a loss of 3,000 killed and wounded, and
10,000 prisoners. Cromwell’s losses were small.
Dundalk (Scottish Invasion of Ireland).
Fought October 5, 1318, between the Scots under Edward Bruce, 3,000 in
number, and the English and Irish under John de Bermingham. The Scots
were totally defeated, Bruce, with about 30 of his knights, and over 80
men-at-arms, being killed, and the invasion came to an end.
Dundee.
_See_ Talana Hill.
Dunes (Wars of Louis XIV).
Fought June 14, 1650, between the Spaniards, 14,000 strong, under Don
John of Austria and the Great Condé, and the French in equal force under
Turenne. A force landed from the English fleet commenced the attack on
the Spaniards, which was vigorously supported by Turenne, and the
Spaniards were totally defeated, with a loss of 4,000 killed, wounded
and captured. Ten days later the town of Dunkirk capitulated.
Dunganhill (Great Irish Rebellion).
Fought August 8, 1647, between the Irish rebels, and an English force
under Colonel Michael Jones. The Irish were routed with a loss of 6,000.
Dunkeld (Jacobite Rising).
Fought August 21, 1689, between the Highlanders under Colonel Cannon,
and the Cameronian Regiment under Colonel Cleland. The fight took place
in the town of Dunkeld, where the Cameronians held a house belonging to
the Marquis of Athole. The Highlanders were unable to dislodge them, and
eventually retired, Cannon being killed.
Dunsinnan.
Fought 1054, between the usurper, Macbeth, and the Anglo-Saxons under
Siward, Earl of Northumberland, who was supporting Malcolm Canmore, the
son of the murdered Duncan. Macbeth was defeated, losing 10,000 men, and
fled to the north. The Anglo-Saxons lost 1,500.
Duplin (Baliol’s Rising).
Fought August 12, 1332, between the Scottish barons, under Edward
Baliol, and the forces of David, King of Scotland. Though largely
outnumbered Baliol was victorious.
Düppel (Schleswig-Holstein War).
This fortress, protected by an outer chain of ten redoubts, was invested
by the Prussians, 16,000 strong, under Prince Frederick Charles, and the
first parallel opened, March 30, 1864. The Danish garrison numbered
22,000. On April 17, after a heavy bombardment, the Prussians were
launched at the first six of the chain of redoubts, and, after a brief
resistance, they were captured and the place was immediately afterwards
surrendered. The Prussians lost 70 officers and 1,331 men, the Danes,
including prisoners, 5,500.
Durazzo (Norman Invasion of Italy).
This fortress, which was defended by a garrison of Greeks and
Macedonians under George Palæologus, was besieged by the Normans, under
Robert Guiscard, July 17, 1081. On October 18, the besiegers, now
reduced to 18,000, were attacked by a force of about 75,000 Greeks,
under Alexius Comnenus, and after a terrible struggle, in which the
Normans were almost overpowered, the victory rested with Guiscard. The
Greeks lost about 6,000. On the Norman side, the Italian auxiliaries
suffered heavily, but only 20 Norman knights were killed.
Notwithstanding this disaster, the city still held out, and it was not
till February 8, 1082, that a night surprise rendered the Normans
masters of the place.
Dürrenstein (Campaign of the Danube).
Fought November 11, 1805, during Napoleon’s advance on Vienna, when
Mortier, with one French division, was attacked by 30,000 Russians, and
would have been overwhelmed but for the timely arrival of another
division. The French lost 3,000; the Russians about the same number.
Dwina, The (Swedo-Polish War).
Fought 1701, between 15,000 Swedes under Charles XII, and 12,000 Saxons
under Marshal von Stenau. Charles, who was marching upon Riga, found the
passage of the Dwina barred by von Stenau. Having the wind at his back,
he set fire to a large quantity of straw, and under cover of the smoke,
crossed the river unperceived. He then attacked the Saxons, who, after
an obstinate engagement, were defeated and driven from the field.
Dyle (Norman Invasion of France).
Fought 896, between the Norman invaders, and the Germans under Arnulph,
Emperor of Germany. The Normans were totally routed with enormous loss.
Dyrrachium (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).
Fought B.C. 48, between the Cæsarians, under Julius Cæsar, and the
Pompeians, under Pompey. The latter having formed an entrenched camp
some distance from Dyrrachium, Cæsar interposed his army between the
camp and the town. This interrupted Pompey’s communications, and he, in
consequence, attacked the Cæsarian lines, which he forced, at the cost
of 1,000 men, and obliged Cæsar to retire.
E
Ebersberg (Campaign of Wagram).
Fought May 3, 1809, when Masséna’s corps stormed the bridge and castle
of Ebersberg, which was held by about 30,000 Austrians under the
Archduke Charles. After the bridge was captured, a terrible conflict
followed in the streets of Ebersberg, and finally the Austrians were
driven out, with a loss of about 3,000 killed and wounded, 4,000
prisoners and many guns. The French admit a loss of 1,700 only.
Eckmühl (Campaign of Wagram).
Fought April 22, 1809, between 90,000 French, under Napoleon, and 76,000
Austrians, under the Archduke Charles. The Austrians occupied a position
on the high ground above Eckmühl, from which they were dislodged after
severe fighting, but the approach of night enabled the Archduke to draw
off his troops in tolerable order towards Ratisbon, with a loss of about
5,000 killed and wounded, and 3,000 prisoners. The French loss is stated
at 2,500. By this victory Napoleon cut the main Austrian army in two.
Ecnomus (First Punic War).
Fought B.C. 256, between 330 Roman galleys, with crews of 100,000 men,
under L. Manlius Valso, and M. Attilius Regulus, and 350 Carthaginian
ships under Hanno. After a hard-fought battle, in which the Romans lost
24 vessels, they defeated the Carthaginians, with a loss of 30 ships
sunk and 64 captured, and drove the rest of the fleet to Carthage.
Edessa (Persian Wars).
Fought 259, between the Romans under Valerian, and the Persians under
Sapor I. The Romans were totally defeated, and Valerian taken prisoner.
Edgeworth (Wars of the Roses).
Fought July 26, 1469, between the Yorkists under Pembroke, and the
troops of the revolted Nevilles. The Lancastrians attacked Pembroke,
whose troops were chiefly Welshmen, and, notwithstanding a stubborn
resistance, defeated them with heavy loss, no less than 168 Welsh
knights falling, besides rank and file. Edward IV, who was in the
neighbourhood, though not present at the battle, was captured soon
after.
Edgehill (Civil War).
The first battle of the Civil War, October 23, 1642, between the
Royalists under Charles I, and the Parliamentarians, under Essex, each
army being about 20,000 strong. The victory was claimed by both sides,
but the advantage rested with the King, as the Parliamentarians failed
to face Prince Rupert’s cavalry, and the Royalists were not prevented
from continuing their march on London.
Elandslaagte (Second Boer War).
Fought October 21, 1899, between a strong Boer force under General Koch,
and 3 battalions and 5 squadrons of British troops, with 12 guns, under
General French. The Boers occupied a strong position, on high ground
near the Ladysmith-Dundee railway, from which they were driven by the
infantry and Imperial Light Horse (dismounted) with a loss of 250 killed
and wounded, and 200 prisoners, including Koch. The British lost 35
officers and 219 men.
Elands River (Second Boer War).
On August 4, 1900, a force of 400 Australians, under Colonel Hore, were
surrounded by 2,500 Boers, with 6 guns. The Australians occupied an
exposed kopje, with no water nearer than the river half-a-mile away.
Their maxim became unserviceable, an attempt by General Carrington to
relieve them failed, and so severe was the Boer fire that, in 11 days,
1,800 shells fell within their lines. They held out, however, till
August 15, when they were relieved by Lord Kitchener, having lost 75
killed and wounded, and nearly all their horses.
El Caney (Spanish-American War).
Fought July 1, 1898, when 12,000 Americans, under General Shafter,
captured from the Spaniards, after heavy fighting, the strong position
of El Caney and San Juan Hill, commanding Santiago de Cuba. The
Spaniards made various attempts on the 2nd and 3rd to dislodge them, but
without success. The American losses during the three days amounted to
115 officers and 1,570 men killed and wounded.
Elchingen (Campaign of Austerlitz).
Fought October 14, 1805, when Ney’s corps, after repairing the bridge of
Elchingen under fire, stormed and captured the convent and village,
driving out 20,000 Austrians, and taking 3,000 prisoners and a number of
guns.
Elena (Russo-Turkish War).
Fought 1877, between the Russians under Loris Melikoff, and the Turks
under Muhktar Pasha, in which the former were victorious.
Elinga (Second Punic War).
Fought B.C. 206, between 74,000 Carthaginians, under Hanno, and 48,000
Romans under Scipio Africanus. The battle was fought on the open plain
in front of Hanno’s camp, and resulted in a complete victory for the
Romans. This battle, which is also known as the battle of Silpia, ended
the Carthaginian domination in Spain.
Elk Horn.
_See_ Pea Ridge.
Ellandune.
In this battle, fought 823, the Mercians under Beorwulf, were totally
routed by the West Saxons under Egbert.
Elleporus.
Fought B.C. 389, between the Sicilians, 23,000 strong, under Dionysius
of Syracuse, and the Italiots, 17,000 strong, under Heloris. Dionysius
attacked the Italiot vanguard, under Heloris himself, on the march, and
the Italiot army, coming into action in detachments, was beaten
piecemeal, and finally routed with heavy loss. The survivors, 10,000 in
number, surrendered, and were allowed to go free. Heloris was slain.
El Teb (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought February 4, 1884, when a column of 3,500 Egyptian troops under
Baker Pasha, marching to relieve Sinkat, was overwhelmed, and
practically annihilated by 12,000 Soudanese under Osman Digna. The
Egyptians lost 2,360 killed and wounded.
El Teb.
_See_ Trinkitat.
Embata (Social War).
Fought B.C. 356, when an Athenian fleet of 120 sail, under Chares,
designed to attack the Chians, with 100 galleys, in the straits between
Chios and the mainland. The day proving stormy, however, his colleagues
Iphicrates and Timoleon declined the enterprise as too hazardous, and
Chares attacking alone, with a third of the fleet, was defeated with
heavy loss.
Emesa (Expedition to Palmyra).
Fought 272, between the Romans under Aurelian, and the Palmyrenians
under Zenobia. Zenobia was completely defeated, and forced to retire
within the walls of Palmyra, to which Aurelian at once laid siege.
Empingham (Wells’ Rebellion).
Fought March 12, 1470, when Edward IV totally routed the northern
rebels, under Sir Robert Wells. The battle is called “Loose-coat Field,”
from the precipitate flight of the rebels, who threw off their upper
garments to flee the faster.
Engen (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought May 3, 1800, between the French, 75,000 strong, under Moreau, and
110,000 Austrians under De Kray. Moreau had crossed the Rhine on the
1st, and was advancing through the Black Forest, and the battle was in
reality two distinct actions. Moreau’s right, 25,000 strong, under
Lecourbe, overtook the Austrian rear-guard, and drove them into and
through Stokach, capturing 4,000 prisoners, and a large depot of
munitions and stores. Moreau in the centre was attacked at Engen by
40,000 Austrians, under De Kray, whom he repulsed with a loss of 2,000
killed and wounded, and 5,000 prisoners. The French lost 2,000 killed
and wounded.
Englefield (Danish Invasion).
Fought 871, the first of the series of battles between the West Saxons
and the Danish invaders. The former, under their king, Æthelred,
defeated the Danes.
Enslin.
_See_ Graspan.
Eutaw Springs (American War of Independence).
Fought September 8, 1781, between the British garrison of Charleston,
under Colonel Stewart, and the Americans, under General Greene. The
British were attacked and at first driven back, but rallying carried the
American positions, but with a loss of 700 men, which so weakened their
small force that they were unable to profit by the victory.
Entholm (Dano-Swedish Wars).
Fought June 11, 1676, between the Danish fleet, under van Tromp, and
Swedes. The Swedes were defeated with very heavy loss in ships and men.
Entzheim.
_See_ Sinzheim.
Ephesus (Ionian War).
Fought 499 B.C., between the Athenians and Ionians, under Aristagorus,
and the Persians, under Artaphernes. The Greeks who were retreating to
the coast after burning Sardis, were overtaken by the pursuing Persians,
under the walls of Ephesus, and signally defeated. The Athenians
thereupon withdrew their fleet, and took no further part in the war.
Ephesus (Gallic Invasion of Asia).
Fought B.C. 262, between the Syrians, under Antigonus, and the Gallic
invaders. Antigonus was disastrously defeated.
Erbach (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought May 15, 1800, between 15,000 French under Sainte-Suzanne, and
36,000 Austrians under de Kray. The Austrians, who had 12,000 cavalry,
attacked vigorously, but the French, though driven back at certain
points, were not routed, and held to their main positions for 12 hours,
until the approach of St. Cyr’s corps forced the Austrians to retire.
Both sides lost heavily in the action.
Erisa (South American War of Independence).
Fought December, 1814, between the Spanish royalists, under Bover, 8,000
strong, and the American patriots, under Ribas. Ribas was totally
defeated, and taken prisoner, and in revenge for the death of Bover, who
fell in the battle, he was beheaded, and his head publicly exposed in
Caraccas.
Espinosa (Peninsular War).
Fought November 10, 1808, between 18,000 French under Victor, and 30,000
Spaniards under Blake. The Spaniards were routed, and Blake’s army
scattered. The French lost about 1,100 men.
Essling.
_See_ Aspern.
Etampes.
Fought 604, between the Burgundians, under Queen Brunehilde, and the
Neustrians under Clothaire II. The latter were totally defeated with
heavy loss.
Ethandun (Danish Invasion).
Fought 878, between the West Saxons, under Alfred, and the Danes, under
Guthrum. The Danes were totally defeated, and Alfred’s victory was
followed by the Peace of Wedmore, which lasted for fifteen years.
Eurymedon, The (Third Persian Invasion).
Fought B.C. 470, between the Persian fleet and army, and the Athenians
and Delians, under Cimon. The Greeks were victorious both by land and
sea, defeating the Persian fleet with a loss of 200 ships, and routing
the land army with great slaughter. This victory secured the adhesion of
the south of Asia Minor to the Athenian Confederacy.
Evesham (Barons’ War).
Fought August 4, 1265, between the royalists under Prince Edward, and
the Barons under Simon de Montfort. The Barons were taken by surprise,
having at first mistaken Edward’s army for reinforcements under young de
Montfort, and were totally defeated, Simon de Montfort falling. This
defeat ended the Barons’ War.
Eylau (Campaign of Friedland).
Fought February 8, 1807, between 90,000 French under Napoleon, and
80,000 Russians under Bennigsen. Napoleon attacked at daybreak, all
along the line, but could at first make no impression on the Russian
infantry. Later in the day Davoust all but succeeded in turning the
Russian left, but the opportune arrival of a Prussian corps under
l’Estocq enabled the Russians to repulse him, and after a sanguinary
engagement, which lasted till ten p.m., both armies retained their
original positions. On the following day the Russians retired
unmolested. The French lost about 30,000; the Russians about 20,000
killed and wounded.
F
Faenza (First Gothic War).
Fought 541, between 20,000 Roman legionaries, and the Goths under
Totila, King of Italy. The Romans made no attempt to resist the
onslaught of the Goths, but throwing down their arms fled ignominiously,
giving the Goths an easy victory.
Fair Oaks (American Civil War).
Fought May 31, and June 1, 1862, between the Federals under General
M’Clellan and the Confederates under General Johnston. M’Clellan was
advancing upon Richmond, and his left wing was attacked in the afternoon
of the 31st, and notwithstanding the arrival of Sumner’s corp in
support, was driven back for two miles. On the 1st the Federals
recovered the ground they had lost, but made no further progress, and at
the end of the day the Confederates, who were largely outnumbered, were
permitted to retire unmolested. The Federals lost over 7,000 killed and
wounded, the Confederates about 4,500, including General Johnston. This
is also called the Battle of Seven Pines.
Falkirk (Scottish Wars).
Fought July 23, 1298, between the English under Edward I, and the Scots
under Sir William Wallace. The Scots, who were greatly inferior in
numbers, were strongly posted behind a morass, which at first greatly
hampered the English attack. In the end, however, the English archers
overcame the Scottish defence, and a final charge, led by the king in
person, utterly routed them. Wallace escaped from the field, but was a
fugitive for the rest of his life.
Falkirk (Rebellion of the Forty-five).
Fought August 17, 1746, between the rebel Highlanders, 8,000 strong,
under the Young Pretender, and a force of 8,000 British troops, with
1,000 Campbells under General Hawley. The charge of the Highlanders
broke the British line, and they were driven headlong from the field,
with a loss of 600 killed and wounded, 700 prisoners, 7 guns, and all
tents and baggage. The rebels lost 120 only.
Famagosta (Cyprus War).
This place was besieged by the Turks under Mustapha Pasha, in October,
1570, and was defended by 7,000 men, half Venetians, half Cypriotes,
under Marcantonio Bragadino. The garrison held out until August 1, 1571,
when it capitulated, marching out with the honours of war. After the
surrender, however, Mustapha murdered in cold blood, Bragadino and four
of his lieutenants. The Turks lost 50,000 men in the course of the
siege.
Farquhar’s Farm (Second Boer War).
Fought October 29, 1899, between the main Boer army, under Joubert, and
the garrison of Ladysmith, under Sir George White. The Boer position
covered about eight miles, and White attacked in three columns, one of
which, detached to the left to hold a position at Nicholson’s Nek, was
overwhelmed and surrendered. The Boers meanwhile developed a strong
attack against the British right, and White, having no guns capable of
coping with the heavy Boer ordnance, ordered a retreat. This was
effected in good order, and was greatly aided by the opportune arrival
of two heavy naval guns, under Captain Hedworth Lambton. The British
lost 317 killed and wounded, and 1,068 missing. The Boer losses are
unknown, but were certainly small.
Farrington Bridge (Arundel’s Rebellion).
Fought July 27, 1549, between a small force of Cornish rebels, and an
equal number of Royal troops under Lord Russell. The rebels were
defeated and driven from the field, but there was no pursuit. Each side
lost about 300.
Faventia (Civil War of Marius and Sulla).
Fought B.C. 82, between the consular army of Norbanus, and the Sullans
under Metellus. Norbanus attacked with his army wearied by a long march,
and his force was totally broken up, only 1,000 remaining with the
eagles after the battle.
Fehrbellin (Swedish Invasion of Brandenburg).
Fought June 28, 1675, between the Swedes, under Charles XI, and the
Brandenburgers, 15,000 strong, under the Elector, Frederick William. The
Swedes were totally defeated, and forced to evacuate Brandenburg.
Ferkeh (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought June 7, 1896, between 9,500 Egyptian troops, with a British horse
battery, under Sir Herbert Kitchener, and 4,000 Mahdists under the Emir
Hamada. Kitchener, by a night march, surprised the Mahdists in their
camp, and after two hours’ fighting, drove them out with a loss of 1,500
killed and 500 prisoners. Of 62 Emirs present in the camp, 44 fell and
four were captured. The Egyptians lost 20 killed and 81 wounded.
Ferozeshah (First Sikh War).
Fought December 21, 1845, between 50,000 Sikhs, with 108 guns, under Lal
Singh, and 16,700 British and native troops, under Sir Hugh Gough. An
attempt was made to carry the Sikh entrenched camp by a night attack,
but this was unsuccessful. When the attack was renewed at dawn,
dissensions among the Sikh leaders enfeebled the resistance, and the
Sikhs were defeated with a loss of about 7,000. The British losses were
694 killed, 1,721 wounded.
Ferrara (Hundred Days).
Fought April 12, 1815, when Murat, with 50,000 Italians, endeavoured to
force the passage of the Po in the face of an Austrian army, under
General Bianchi. He was repulsed with heavy loss, and forced to retreat
southward.
Ferrybridge (Wars of the Roses).
Fought 1461, shortly before the battle of Towton, when a force of
Lancastrian cavalry, under Lord Clifford, defeated the Yorkists, under
Lord Fitzwalter, who was endeavouring to secure the passage of the Aire
at Ferrybridge. Lord Fitzwalter was killed.
Fethanleag.
Fought 584, between the West Saxons, under Ceawlin, and the Britons
under Cutha. The Britons were defeated.
Fish Creek (Riel’s Second Rebellion).
Fought April 24, 1885, when General Middleton, with 400 Canadians,
attempted to drive the rebels, 280 strong, from a strong position near
Fish Creek. After losing 50 men, Middleton withdrew. The rebels lost 29
killed and wounded.
Fisher’s Hill (American Civil War).
Fought September 21, 1864, between 40,000 Federals, under General
Sheridan, and 12,000 Confederates, under General Early. The Confederates
were defeated and driven from their position with a heavy loss in
prisoners and 11 guns.
Fleurus (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought August 29, 1622, between the Spaniards, under Spinola, and the
Palatinate troops, under Count von Mansfeldt and Christian of Brunswick.
The Germans were endeavouring to retreat into Holland after their defeat
at Hoechst and were intercepted by the Spaniards, through whom they
tried to fight their way. In this effort the infantry was almost
entirely cut to pieces, but about 7,000 cavalry reached Breda with the
two generals.
Fleurus.
Fought July 1, 1690, between the French, under Marshal Luxembourg, and
the Germans and Dutch under the Prince of Waldeck. The French gained a
signal victory, the allies being driven from the field in disorder with
a loss of 14,000 killed and wounded, and 49 guns.
Fleurus (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought June 16, 1794, between the Austrians, 80,000 strong, under the
Duke of Coburg, and an equal force of French, under Jourdan. The
Austrians attacked, and after a severe engagement, were repulsed and
compelled to fall back in the direction of Brussels to cover that city.
Flodden (Scottish Wars).
Fought September 9, 1513, when the English, under the Earl of Surrey,
attacked the Scots, under James IV, in a strong position on the hill of
Flodden. The position was turned by the English left wing, under
Stanley, and the Scots totally defeated with heavy losses. James and all
his principal nobles fell.
Florence (German Invasion of Italy).