and was almost on the verge of starvation, when the approach of Stilicho
at the head of a large Roman army, encouraged the defenders to further
resistance. The besiegers, in fact, now became the besieged, for
Stilicho surrounded their camp, and starved the Germans into surrender.
Flushing (Walcheren Expedition).
This town was besieged by the British under Lord Chatham and surrendered
after a feeble defence, August 16, 1809.
Foksani (Ottoman Wars).
Fought July 21, 1789, between the Turks, under Yusuf Pasha, and the
Russians and Austrians under Suwaroff and the Prince of Saxe-Coburg. The
allies stormed the Turkish entrenched camp and drove out the Turks with
a loss of 2,000 men.
Fontenoy (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought May 11, 1745, between 50,000 British, Dutch and Austrian troops,
under the Duke of Cumberland, and the French, under Marshal Saxe. The
Duke endeavoured to relieve Tournay, which the French were besieging,
and the British troops captured the heights on which the French were
posted. The Prince of Waldeck, however, who commanded the Dutch, failed
to support the Duke, and the French being reinforced, the trenches were
retaken, and the British beaten back. Tournay fell shortly afterwards.
Formigny (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought April 15, 1450, when the newly landed English reinforcements
under Kyrielle were totally defeated, and almost annihilated, by the
French under the Comte de Clermont. This defeat practically put an end
to the English domination in the north of France.
Fornham St. Genevieve (Rebellion of the Princes).
Fought 1173, between the supporters of the rebel princes under Robert de
Beaumont, and the forces of Henry II under the Justiciary, Richard de
Lucy. The rebels were defeated.
Fornovo (Italian Wars).
Fought July 6, 1495, between 34,000 Venetians and Mantuans under
Francisco de Gonzaga of Mantua, and 8,000 French and Swiss under Charles
VIII. The French were attacked as they were retiring, but succeeded in
repulsing the Italians at a cost of only 100 of all ranks, while the
assailants lost 3,500 killed and wounded.
Fort Frontenac (Seven Years’ War).
This place, held by about 110 French troops, under Noyan, was captured
by Colonel Bradstreet with 3,000 Colonials, August 27, 1758. The capture
was of extreme importance, as it robbed the French of the control of
Lake Ontario, and severed their communications with their posts on the
Ohio.
Fort St. David (Seven Years’ War).
This fortress was besieged, May 14, 1758, by a French force under Lally
Tollendal, and defended by a garrison of 800 British and 1,600 native
troops. The defence was not energetically conducted, and, on the arrival
in the roads of a French fleet under Comte d’Aché, the garrison
surrendered, June 2.
Fort St. David (Seven Years’ War).
A naval action was fought off this place, April 29, 1758, between 7
British ships under Admiral Pococke, and a squadron of 9 French vessels
under Comte d’Aché. After a short and indecisive engagement, the French
sheered off, but the British were too severely damaged in the rigging to
give chase. The French lost one ship, driven ashore.
Fort William Henry (Seven Years’ War).
This fort, held by 2,200 British and Colonial troops under Colonel
Monro, was besieged, August 4, 1757, by Montcalm, with 6,000 French and
Canadians and 1,600 Indians. Montcalm’s batteries opened on the 6th, and
on the 9th, having lost 300 killed and wounded, and nearly all his guns
being disabled, Monro surrendered. He was to be permitted to retire
unmolested to Fort Edward, but the French were unable to control their
Indian allies, who attacked the unarmed column as it retired. Before
order was restored, some 50 had been killed, and 400 carried off
prisoners by the Indians.
Forum Terebronii (First Gothic Invasion of the Empire).
Fought 251, between the Romans under Decius, and the Goths under Cniva.
The Gothic army was drawn up in three lines, and the legionaries
overthrew the two first, but, in attacking the third, they became
entangled in a morass, and were utterly routed. Decius and his son were
slain.
Frankenhausen (Peasants’ War).
Fought May 15, 1525, between the troops of Saxony, Hesse and Brunswick,
and the revolted peasants under Thomas Münzer. The peasants were utterly
routed, and Münzer captured and hanged out of hand. This entirely put an
end to the rising.
Frankfort-on-Oder (Thirty Years’ War).
This place was taken by storm by Gustavus Adolphus, at the head of
15,000 Swedes, April 2, 1631. Schaumberg and Montecucculi, who were in
the town, escaped with a portion of the cavalry, but 1,800 of the
Imperialist garrison were killed, and 800 captured, with 30 standards
and 18 heavy guns.
Franklin (American Civil War).
Fought June 30, 1864, between 30,000 Federals under General Schofield,
and 40,000 Confederates under General Hood. Schofield occupied a strong
position covering Nashville, where he was attacked by Hood, who
penetrated his lines. The Federals, however, rallied, and recaptured the
lost positions, and after nightfall, Schofield was enabled to cross the
Harpeth in good order, and effect a junction with General Thomas. The
Confederates lost about 4,500; the Federals, 1,500 killed and wounded
and 1,000 prisoners.
Frastenz (Suabian War).
Fought April 20, 1499, when the Swiss, under Heinrich Wolleb, attacked
the Austrians who occupied a strongly entrenched position, and drove
them out with a loss of 3,000 killed. Wolleb, who led the charge, was
the first to fall on the Swiss side.
Fraubrunnen (Invasion of the “Guglers”).
Fought January, 1376, between the Bernese, and the “Guglers,” French and
English mercenaries, under Baron Ingelram von Coucy, who claimed the
Canton of Aargau in right of his mother. The “Guglers” were totally
routed, and compelled to retire from Switzerland.
Frauenstadt (Russo-Swedish Wars).
Fought February 12, 1706, between 10,000 Swedes under Marshal
Reinschild, and 20,000 Russians and Saxons under General Schulemburg.
The battle did not last a quarter of an hour, for the allies fled
without making any resistance. No less than 7,000 _loaded_ muskets were
picked up on the battlefield.
Fredericksburg (American Civil War).
Fought December 13, 1862 between 150,000 Federals under General
Burnside, and 80,000 Confederates under General Lee. The Confederates,
who occupied a range of heights fringing the Massaponax River, were
attacked by the Federals, whom they repulsed after hard fighting, with a
loss of 13,771 killed and wounded. The Confederates lost 1,800 only, but
Lee, owing to his inferior numbers, did not feel strong enough to push
his victory home, and allowed Burnside to evacuate Fredericksburg
unmolested.
Fredericshall (Dano-Swedish Wars).
This fortress, the strongest in Norway, was besieged by the Swedes,
under Charles XII, early in December, 1718. On the 11th, as he was
inspecting the advanced batteries, the king was struck by a round shot,
and fell dead. The Swedes at once raised the siege.
Freteval.
Fought 1194, between the English under Richard Cœur de Lion, and the
French under Philip Augustus. Richard gained a complete victory.
Fribourg (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought August 3, 5 and 9, 1644, between 20,000 French under the Great
Condé and Turenne, and 15,000 Bavarians under the Comte de Mercy. On the
3rd, Turenne, after a long flank march, attacked the Bavarians on the
flank, while Condé assailed their front, at 5 p.m. When night fell, the
Bavarians were giving way, and during the night de Mercy retired to a
fresh position. Here he was attacked on the 5th, but held his ground
throughout the day. The French losing twice as many men as their
opponents. Three days later de Mercy found it necessary to retreat, and
on the 9th he was attacked while retiring by a force of cavalry. This he
repulsed, but Condé, coming up, rescued his cavalry, and drove the
Bavarians headlong before him, capturing all their artillery and
baggage.
Friedland (Campaign of Friedland).
Fought June 14, 1807, between 80,000 French under Napoleon, and 70,000
Russians under Bennigsen. The battle began at 3 a.m., at which time only
Lannes’ corps was on the field. Bennigsen at first contented himself
with an artillery duel, and did not attack in force till 7 a.m., when
26,000 French were in position. These held their ground till the arrival
of Napoleon, who with his fresh troops launched an attack against the
Russian columns massed in a bend of the river Alle, drove large numbers
of them into the river, and occupied Friedland after hard fighting. It
was 10 p.m. before the Russians were finally driven from the field,
having lost 15,000 killed and wounded and 10,000 prisoners. The French
lost between 9,000 and 10,000. This victory was followed by the
signature of the Peace of Tilsit.
Fuentes d’Oñoro (Peninsular War).
Fought May 5, 1811, in the course of Masséna’s attempt to relieve
Almeida. Wellington, with 34,000 men, occupied a position behind Fuentes
d’Oñoro, which was attacked by Masséna with 34,000 troops and 36 guns.
He failed to capture the position, and finally retired, in good order.
The British lost 1,200 killed and wounded, and 300 prisoners. The French
losses are variously estimated, but were certainly heavier.
Fulford (Norse Invasion).
Fought 1066, between the Norsemen under Harold Hardrada, King of Norway,
the English under Earls Edwin and Morcar. The English were defeated.
Furruckabad (Second Mahratta War).
Fought November 14, 1804, between a small British force under Lord Lake,
and an army of 60,000 Mahrattas under Jeswunt Rao Holkar. Holkar was
signally defeated with heavy loss. The British casualties were only 2
killed and 20 wounded.
Fushimi (Japanese Revolution).
Fought 1868, between the troops of Aizu and Kuwana, under the Shôgun,
Yoshinobu, and the forces of Satsuma and Choshu, who gained a complete
victory.
Futteypur (Indian Mutiny).
Fought July 12, 1857, between a strong force of rebels, and the British
troops under Havelock, who was marching to the relief of Lucknow. The
rebels were completely defeated, losing 11 guns, while not a single
European in the British force was killed.
G
Gadebesk (Dano-Swedish Wars).
Fought December 20, 1712, between the Swedes, 12,000 strong, under
General Steinbock, and 24,000 Danes and Saxons. The allies occupied a
position protected by marshy ground, where they were attacked by the
Swedes, and, after three hours’ hard fighting, driven from their
entrenchments with heavy loss.
Gaines’ Mill.
_See_ Seven Days’ Battles.
Gangud (Russo-Swedish Wars).
Fought 1714, between the Russian fleet under Peter the Great, and the
Swedish, under Admiral Ehrenskiöld. The Swedes were utterly routed and
Ehrenskiöld and the whole of his squadron captured.
Garigliano (Italian Wars).
Fought November 8, 1503, between the Spaniards, 12,000 strong, under
Gonsalvo de Cordova, and the French, in greatly superior force, under
Francisco de Gonzaga of Mantua. Gonzaga, wishing to pass the Garigliano,
had thrown a bridge over it, and proceeded to cross in face of the
Spanish army. After very severe fighting, the French drove back the
Spaniards, and made good the passage of the river.
Garigliano (Italian Wars).
Fought December 29, 1503, between the Spaniards, about 15,000 strong,
under Gonsalvo de Cordova, and the French, slightly superior in number,
under the Marquis of Saluzzo. Gonsalvo crossed the Garigliano at two
points, and fell upon the French, who were retiring on Gasta. After hard
fighting, in which the Chevalier Bayard bore a notable part, the French
were utterly routed, leaving 4,000 dead on the field, and all their
artillery and baggage. The Spanish loss is unknown.
Garigliano (Italian Rising).
Fought October, 1850, between the Italian patriots under Cialdini, and
the Neapolitans under Francis II of Naples. The patriots were
victorious.
Gate Pah (Maori War).
Fought April 27, 1864, when 1,700 British soldiers and blue-jackets,
under General Cameron, attacked the Maori stockade known as the Gate
Pah. After a short bombardment, 600 men forced their way into the
stockade, but were repulsed. On the following day it was found that the
stockade had been evacuated. The British lost 14 officers, and 98 men
killed and wounded. Only 30 dead and wounded Maories were found in and
near the Pah.
Gaulauli (Indian Mutiny).
Fought May 22, 1858, between a British column under Sir Hugh Rose, and
20,000 rebels under Tantia Topi, the Ranee of Jhansi, and other rebel
leaders. The overwhelming numbers of the rebels at first gave them the
advantage, but a bayonet charge broke them, and they fled in disorder
with heavy loss. This victory was followed by the recovery of Calpi.
Gaza (Alexander’s Asiatic Campaigns).
This city, defended by a Persian garrison, under Batis, was besieged by
Alexander the Great October, 332 B.C. Utilizing the engines he had
employed against Tyre, he succeeded, after some weeks, in breaching the
walls, and, after three unsuccessful assaults, carried the city by
storm, the garrison being put to the sword.
Gaza (Wars of Alexander’s Successors).
Fought B.C. 312, between the Syrians and Egyptians under Seleucus and
Ptolemy Soter, 25,000 strong, and an equal force of Macedonians under
Demetrius Poliorcetes. The Macedonians were routed, losing 5,000 killed,
8,000 wounded, and all their treasure and baggage.
Gebora (Peninsular War).
Fought February 19, 1811, between 8,000 French, under Marshal Soult, and
12,000 Spaniards, under Mendizabal. The Spaniards were routed with a
loss of 2,000 killed and wounded, 5,000 prisoners and all their guns.
Gelt, The.
Fought February, 1570, between the rebel Borderers under Leonard Dacre,
and the royal troops under Lord Hunsdon. The rebels were completely
routed.
Gemblours (Netherlands War of Independence).
Fought January 31, 1578, between the Netherlands patriots, 20,000
strong, under General Goignies, and the Spaniards, in about equal force,
under Don John of Austria. The patriots, who were retiring from Namur,
were followed by Don John, who sent forward a picked force of 1,600 men,
under Gonzaga and Mondragon in pursuit. They attacked the rearguard,
under Philip Egmont, and dispersed it, and then, falling suddenly upon
the main body, utterly routed it, with a loss, it is said, of 10,000
killed and prisoners. The Spaniards lost ten or eleven at most.
Genoa.
In 1746, the Genoese, incensed by the license of the soldiery, rose
against the Austrian garrison, under General Botta, and after five days’
street fighting, lasting from December 6 to 10, drove them out of the
city, with a loss of 5,000 men.
Genoa (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought March 13, 1795, between a British fleet of 14 sail of the line
under Admiral Hotham, and a French fleet of 15 sail. The action lasted
throughout the day, and on the following morning the French retired,
leaving two line-of-battle ships in the hands of the British. The
British lost 74 killed and 284 wounded.
Genoa (Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns).
In April, 1800, Genoa, held by the French, under Masséna, was besieged
by the Austrians under General Melas, and later in the siege under
General Ott. The city had for some time been blockaded on the seaward
side by the British fleet, under Lord Keith. Provisions were
consequently scarce, and notwithstanding some successful sorties,
Masséna was forced to capitulate, June 5, the garrison marching out
without laying down their arms.
Geok Tepe (Russian Conquest of Central Asia).
This place, the stronghold of the Tekke Turcomans, defended by a
garrison of 15,000, was besieged, September 9, 1878, by the Russians,
under General Lomakine. After a short bombardment, an attempt was made
to storm the fortress, which was repulsed with a loss of 500. The
breaching guns were with difficulty saved, and the Russians retired on
the following day. About 4,000 Turcomans were killed by shell fire.
In 1881, a second attempt was made by Skobeloff, with 10,000 Russians,
the garrison being now nearly 30,000 strong. After a regular siege,
lasting from the 8th to the 17th of January, the place was stormed,
6,500 Turcomans falling in the assault, and 8,000 in the subsequent
pursuit.
Gerberoi.
Fought 1080, between the troops of William the Conqueror, and those of
his son Robert, who claimed the Dukedom of Normandy, and was receiving
aid from Philip I of France. Robert was defeated and made prisoner, and,
obtaining his father’s forgiveness, resigned his claim to the Dukedom.
Gergovia (Gallic War).
Fought B.C. 52, between the Romans under Julius Cæsar, and the Gauls
under Vercingetorix. Cæsar was besieging the town, but was compelled to
retreat. Before retiring, however, he delivered an assault which was
repulsed by the Gauls, the Romans leaving over 700 legionaries, and 46
centurions dead on the field.
Germaghah.
Genghis Khan’s first battle, fought 1193, when with 6,000 men he
defeated the army of his father-in-law, Ung Khan, under Sankun, 10,000
strong, surprising them in a narrow pass, and inflicting heavy loss upon
them.
Germantown (American War of Independence).
Fought October 4, 1777, between the Americans under Washington, and the
British under Sir William Howe. The Americans attacked the British
entrenchments, and were repulsed with heavy loss.
Gerona (Peninsular War).
This fortress, held by 3,000 Spanish regulars, under Mariano Alvarez,
was besieged, June 4, 1809, by General Verdier, with 18,000 French.
Though ill-provided with food, medicines, and money, and receiving but
little assistance from outside, Alvarez held out gallantly till December
10, when he capitulated, and the garrison marched out with the honours
of war.
Gettysburg (American Civil War).
Fought July 1, 2 and 3, 1863, between the army of the Potomac under
General Meade, and the army of Virginia under General Lee. On the 1st,
Meade’s position in front of Gettysburg was attacked by A. P. Hills’
corps, and the Federals driven in confusion into the town. On the 2nd,
Meade took up a fresh position behind Gettysburg, where he repulsed all
the Confederate attacks, though at a heavy cost. On the 3rd, Meade
succeeded in driving back the Confederate left, but Lee’s main attack
succeeded in driving the Federals from the ridge. They rallied and
retook it, but had lost too heavily to assume the offensive. Lee again
offered battle on the 4th, but the Federals declined it, and Lee retired
unmolested, having lost about 20,000 men in the three days. The Federal
losses were about the same.
Gherain.
Fought August 2, 1763, between the army of Mir Cossim, the deposed Nawab
of Bengal, and the British under Major Adams. A severe engagement,
lasting four hours, ended in a signal victory for the British.
Ghoaine (First Afghan War).
Fought August 30, 1842, between General Nott’s force, on its march from
Kandahar to Ghuzni, and the Afghans, under Shems-ud-din, Governor of
Ghuzni. The Afghans were totally defeated, losing all their guns, tents
and baggage.
Ghuzni (First Afghan War).
This fortress, garrisoned by 3,000 Afghans, under Haidar Khan, was
captured, January 21, 1839, by the British. The besiegers having no
breaching guns, it was found necessary to blow in the main gate, and the
place was then stormed, at a cost of 18 officers and 162 rank and file,
killed and wounded. The garrison lost 500 killed.
Gibbel Rutts (Irish Rebellion).
Fought May 26, 1798, when the regulars, under Sir James Duff, attacked
the camp of the rebels on the Curragh, and dispersed them at the point
of the bayonet, with a loss of 350 killed.
Gibraltar (War of the Spanish Succession).
This fortress was captured, July 24, 1704, by a combined British and
Dutch fleet, under Sir George Rooke, from the Spaniards under the
Marquis de Salinas. The resistance of the garrison lasted 2 days only,
during which the allies lost 12 officers and 276 men killed and wounded.
Gibraltar.
From 1779 to 1783, Gibraltar sustained a siege at the hands of a
combined French and Spanish force, who, though provided with powerful
floating batteries, were unable to make any impression on the defences.
In the course of the siege, the garrison, under General Elliot, were
several times reinforced and revictualled by British fleets, which ran
the gauntlet of the blockade.
Gihon, The.
Fought 1362, between the Getes under their Khan, and the Tartars under
Tamerlane. The Tartars were defeated, and the Getes marched upon
Samarcand, but sickness robbed them of nearly all their horses, and they
were forced to retire.
Gingi (Mogul Invasion of the Deccan).
This place was besieged by the Moguls in 1689, and was defended by Rajah
Ram. The siege was carried on in desultory fashion, first by Zulfikar
Khan, then by Kambaksh, son of Aurungzebe, and then again by Zulfikar
Khan. After three years had been wasted, Aurungzebe took command in
person, and after conniving at the escape of Rajah Ram, carried the
place by storm.
Gislikon (War of the Sonderbund).
Fought November 23, 1847, when the Federals, under General Dufour,
attacked the troops of the Sonderbund, under Colonel Salis-Soglio,
strongly posted at Gislikon, near Lake Zug, and drove them from their
position. The losses were very small. On the following day the Federals
entered Lucerne, and the Civil War, which had lasted 20 days only, came
to an end.
Gitschin (Seven Weeks’ War).
Fought June 29 and 30, 1866, between the Prussians, 16,000 strong, under
Prince Frederick Charles, and the Austrians and Saxons, 30,000 strong,
under Count Clam Gallas. The Austrians were defeated, and driven from
all their positions with a loss of 3,000 killed and wounded, and 7,000
prisoners.
Gladsmuir.
_See_ Prestonpans.
Glen Fruin.
Fought 1604, between the royal troops under the Duke of Argyll, and the
Macgregors and other clans, when the Highlanders gained a complete
victory.
Glenlivet (Huntly’s Rebellion).
Fought October 4, 1594, between the troops of James VI, 10,000 strong,
under the Earl of Argyll, and the rebel Earls of Errol and Huntly.
Though inferior in numbers, the rebels gained a complete victory,
driving off the royal troops with a loss of 500 men.
Glen Malone.
Fought 1580, between the English settlers under Lord Grey de Wilton, and
the Irish septs. The English suffered a serious defeat, among the slain
being Sir Peter Carew.
Glenmarreston.
Fought 638, when the Scots under Donald Bree, King of Dalriada, utterly
routed the invading Angles.
Glorious First of June.
_See_ Ushant.
Goits (Italian Rising).
Fought May 30, 1848, between the Piedmontese under Charles Albert of
Savoy, and the Austrians under General Radetsky. The Austrians were
completely defeated, and Radetsky compelled to take refuge behind the
line of the Adige.
Golden Rock (Seven Years’ War).
Fought August 7, 1753, between 1,500 British under Major Lawrence,
together with 5,000 Tanjore troops under Monakji, and a detachment of
French and Mysoris, forming part of the army besieging Trichinopoly. The
Golden Rock was taken by assault, and the enemy driven off in confusion,
but the victory would have been more decisive had the Tanjore horse
pursued with more vigour.
Goodwins, The (Dutch Wars).
Fought July 1, 1666, between a British fleet of 60 sail, under the Duke
of Albemarle, and a Dutch fleet of 71 sail-of-the-line, and 30 smaller
vessels, under van Tromp and de Ruyter. The action lasted two days, and
was desperately contested, but the Dutch being reinforced in the morning
of the 3rd, Albemarle bore away. On the 4th, having been joined by
Prince Rupert’s squadron, he renewed the attack, but without success.
The English lost 10 ships, while most of the others were disabled. The
killed and wounded amounted to 1,700, while 2,000 were taken prisoners.
Goraria (Indian Mutiny).