strong, under Brigadier Stuart, and a body of 5,000 rebels. The
mutineers occupied a strong position, and the British were unable to
dislodge them on the 23rd. On the following day the attack was renewed,
and the rebels were driven out and dispersed, with a loss of over 1,500.
Gorni-Dubnik (Russo-Turkish War).
Fought October 24, 1877, between the 2nd Division of the Russian Guard,
under General Gourko, and the Turks, who were holding the redoubt of
Gorni-Dubnik, under Achmet Hefzi Pasha. After very heavy fighting, the
Russians succeeded in dislodging their opponents, with a loss of 1,500
killed and wounded, and 53 officers and 2,250 men captured, including
the Pasha. The Russians lost 3,300 killed and wounded, including 116
officers of the Guards.
Gorodeczno (Campaign of Moscow).
Fought August 12, 1812, between 36,000 French and Austrians, under
General Reynier and the Prince of Schwartzemberg, and the Russians, in
equal force, under General Tormazoff. The Russians were defeated and
driven from their positions, with a loss of 4,000 men. The French and
Austrians lost about 2,000.
Goa.
In 1511, Goa, held by a Portuguese garrison, under Albuquerque, was
invested by Kumal Khan, General of the Rajah of Bijapore, at the head of
60,000 men. After a siege of 20 days Albuquerque found his communication
with his fleet threatened, and withdrew the garrison. In the same year,
however, having collected a force of 1,500 men with 23 ships at
Cananore, he attacked Goa, and at once forced an entrance. After severe
fighting in the streets, the Deccanis fled in confusion to the mainland,
with a loss of 6,000. The Portuguese lost 50 only.
Goa.
This fort, which was held by a Portuguese garrison of 700, under the
Viceroy, Luis de Ataida, was attacked by Ali Adil Shah, Rajah of
Bijapore, with 135,000 men and 350 guns, in 1570. Aided by the
civilians, and 1,300 monks, the garrison made so strenuous a defence,
that the Rajah was beaten off, after losing 12,000 men.
Grampians, The (Roman Invasion of Scotland).
Fought 84, probably on the Moor of Ardoch, between the Romans under
Agricola, and the Caledonians, 30,000 strong, under Galgacus. The
Caledonians attacked with great bravery, but were beaten by the
superiority of the Roman discipline, and retired with a loss of 10,000
men. The Romans also lost heavily.
Granada (Moorish Empire in Spain).
Fought 1319, when a Spanish army, under the Regents Pedro and John of
Castile, appeared under the walls of Granada. A sortie of 5,000 picked
Moors, under Said Othman took place, and the Christians were utterly
routed, both the Regents being slain.
Granada (War of Granada).
On April 26, 1491, Ferdinand the Catholic, with an army of 50,000
Spaniards, sat down before Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors in
Spain. The siege was carried on in somewhat desultory fashion, and in
the early days one serious sortie was made by the inhabitants and
garrison, who were, however, defeated, with a loss of 2,000 killed. The
city held out until November 25, when Abdallah, the last king of
Granada, capitulated.
Grandella (Italian Wars).
Fought 1266, between the troops of the Two Sicilies, under Manfred, son
of the Emperor Frederick II, and the French, under Charles of Anjou.
Manfred was defeated, and fell in the battle, Charles seizing the crown
of the double kingdom.
Grandson (Burgundian Wars).
Fought March 2, 1476, between the Swiss, 18,000 strong, and the
Burgundians, numbering 36,000, under Charles the Bold. Charles
endeavoured to entice the Swiss into the plain, and to that end ordered
a retreat. He was followed by the Swiss, and his rearguard being
attacked, was seized with panic, and fled, and in the end Charles was
completely defeated and his camp captured.
Granicus, The (Alexander’s Asiatic Campaigns).
Fought May, 334 B.C., between 35,000 Macedonians, under Alexander the
Great, and 40,000 Persians and Greek mercenaries, under Memnon of
Rhodes, and various Persian satraps. Alexander crossed the Granicus in
the face of the Persian army, leading the way himself at the head of the
heavy cavalry, and having dispersed the Persian light horse, he brought
up the phalanx, which fell upon and routed the Greek mercenaries. The
Persians lost heavily, while the Macedonians’ loss was very slight.
Grant’s Hill (Seven Years’ War).
Fought September 14, 1758, when Major Grant, with 800 Highlanders, and
Provincials, attacked a body of Indians in the French service near Fort
Duquesne. He was repulsed, and in turn attacked by the garrison of the
Fort, 3,000 strong, under M. de Ligneris. Grant was totally defeated,
losing 273 in killed, wounded and prisoners, and was himself captured.
Graspan (Second Boer War).
Fought November 25, 1899, between Lord Methuen’s division, with a naval
brigade, 400 strong, and a Boer commando of about 2,500 men. The Boers
occupied a strong position, the key of which, a high kopje, was attacked
in front and flank, and carried, with a loss of 9 officers and 185 men.
The marines, who numbered 200, lost 3 officers and 86 men of this total.
The Boers lost about 100. This is also called the battle of Enslin.
Gravelines.
Fought July 13, 1538, between 8,500 French and Germans, under Marshal de
Thermes, and about 10,000 Spanish, Germans and Flemings, under Count
Egmont. De Thermes’ right rested on the sea, and a cavalry charge,
headed by Egmont, broke his line, after severe hand-to-hand fighting,
and the French fled in confusion, leaving 1,500 dead on the field, while
as many more were driven into the sea, and drowned. Large numbers were
cut down in the pursuit, and de Thermes was captured.
Gravelotte (Franco-German War).
Fought August 18, 1870, between the French, under Bazaine, and the
combined German army under the supreme command of William of Prussia.
The battle was most hotly contested, but while the French held their
ground in the neighbourhood of Gravelotte, the Germans turned their
right flank at St. Privat, and they were eventually obliged to abandon
all their positions, and retire into Metz, where they were subsequently
blockaded. The German losses amounted to 899 officers and 19,260 men
killed and wounded. The French losses were somewhat less. This battle is
also known as the battle of St. Privat.
Great Meadows (Seven Years’ War).
Fought July 3, 1752, between 350 Virginians, under Washington, and 700
French, under Coulon de Villiers. The Virginians occupied a square log
enclosure, known as Fort Necessity, where they resisted the French
attack for nine hours, till lack of ammunition forced Washington to
surrender. The Virginians lost 60 killed and wounded; the French
considerably less.
Grenada (American War of Independence).
Fought July 3, 1779, between a British fleet of 24 sail, under Admiral
Byron, and a French fleet of 20 sail-of-the-line, and 10 frigates, under
the Comte d’Estaing. Admiral Byron attacked the French with a view of
recapturing Grenada, but was unsuccessful, though he inflicted upon them
a loss of 1,200 killed and 1,500 wounded. The British lost 183 killed
and 346 wounded.
Grangam (Russo-Swedish Wars).
Fought 1721, between the Swedes, and the Russian fleet under Admiral
Golitshin. The Swedes were completely defeated, losing four
line-of-battle ships captured.
Grochow (Second Polish Rising).
Fought February 25, 1831, between the Poles, 90,000 strong under Prince
Michael Radziwill, and 120,000 Russians, under General Dubitsch. After a
sanguinary engagement, the Russians were defeated, with a loss of 10,000
killed and wounded. The Poles lost about 5,000.
Gross-Beeren (Campaign of Leipsic).
Fought August 23, 1813, between the French army of the north, under
Oudinot, and the allies, 80,000 strong, under the Crown Prince of
Sweden, who was covering the road to Berlin. Regnier, whose corps formed
the centre of Oudinot’s army, captured Gross-Beeren, which was retaken
by the Prussians under von Bulow, and again recovered by Fournier’s and
Guilleminot’s divisions, but Oudinot was not sufficiently strong to
press his advantage, and retired with a loss of 1,500 men, and 8 guns.
Gross-Jägersdorf (Seven Years’ War).
Fought August 30, 1757, between 28,000 Prussians, under Marshal
Lehwaldt, and a largely superior force of Russians, under General
Apraxine. The Prussians were defeated, but Apraxine failed to follow up
his victory, and recrossed the frontier.
Grozka (Ottoman Wars).
Fought 1739, between the Austrians, under Count Neipperg, and the Turks,
under the Grand Vizier. The Austrians were defeated, with heavy loss.
Grunnervaldt.
Fought 1404, between the Poles, under Vladislas IV, and the Teutonic
Knights, under their Grand Master. The Poles gained a complete victory,
and it is said that 50,000 knights perished, though it is more than
doubtful whether their whole army amounted to so many.
Guadeloupe (Wars of the French Revolution).
This island was taken by a British force under Sir John Jervis, July 3,
1794, with a loss of 3 officers and 33 men killed and wounded. It was
recaptured by the French, on December 10, of the same year.
Guad-el-Ras (Moroccan War).
Fought March 23, 1860, when 25,000 Spaniards, under Marshal O’Donnell,
routed a large force of Moors, entrenched in a very strong position
behind the Guad-el-Ras. This victory ended the war.
Guastalla (War of the Polish Succession).
Fought September 19, 1734, between the Imperialists, under the Prince of
Würtemberg, and the French, under Marshal de Coligny. The Imperialists
were defeated with a loss of about 4,000, including the Prince of
Würtemberg. The French losses were about the same.
Gubat.
_See_ Abu Klea.
Guildford Court House (American War of Independence).
Fought March 16, 1781, between the British, under Lord Cornwallis, and a
largely superior force of Americans, under General Greene. The Americans
occupied a strongly entrenched position in and round Guildford, and the
battle consisted of a series of independent actions, in which the
British were uniformly successful, driving out the Americans with heavy
casualties, and the loss of all their guns and ammunition. The British
lost 548 killed and wounded, but the victory served little purpose, as
Lord Cornwallis was too weak to pursue his advantage.
Guinegate.
Fought August 16, 1513, when a body of French cavalry, who aimed at
relieving Terouënne, which was besieged by the English, under Henry
VIII, and the Imperialists, under Maximilian I, were put to flight by
the allies without striking a blow. The French fled so precipitately
that the action was dubbed the Battle of the Spurs.
Gujerat (Second Sikh War).
Fought February 22, 1849, between the British, 25,000 strong, under Lord
Gough, and 50,000 Sikhs, under Shir Singh. The British artillery,
numbering 84 pieces, broke the Sikh lines, and after resisting for over
two hours, they fled, and were practically annihilated in the pursuit.
Fifty-three guns were taken. The British lost only 92 killed and 682
wounded.
Gunzburg (Campaign of the Danube).
Fought October 9, 1805, when Ney’s corps carried the three bridges over
the Danube, at or near this town, driving off the Austrians with a loss
of 300 killed and wounded, and 1,000 prisoners.
Gwalior (First Mahratta War).
This strong fortress was captured from the Mahrattas, August 3, 1780, by
a British force of about 2,000 men, mostly sepoys, under Captain Popham.
The wall was scaled by two companies of sepoys, under Captain Bruce,
supported by 20 Europeans, and followed by two battalions. The garrison
was completely surprised, and an entrance effected without opposition,
whereupon the place was surrendered to the assailants, who had not lost
a man.
Gwalior (Indian Mutiny).
Fought June 17, 18 and 19, 1858, between a British column under Sir Hugh
Rose, and a large body of rebels, led by the Ranee of Jhansi in person.
On the 17th the mutineers were driven out of the cantonments with heavy
loss, while on the following days the important positions in the town
were captured in succession, until by the evening of the 19th, the
British were in undisputed possession of Gwalior. The Ranee was known to
be amongst the slain, though her body was never found.
H
Haarlem (Netherlands War of Independence).
This city was invested by the Spaniards, 30,000 strong, under Don
Francisco de Toledo, December 11, 1572. It was held by a garrison of
4,000, under Ripperda, including a corps of Amazons, led by a widow
named Kenau Hasselaer. The batteries opened on the 18th, and on the 21st
an assault was repulsed, the assailants losing 400, the garrison three
or four only. A second assault, on January 31, 1573, was also repulsed,
while a brilliant sortie, on March 25, captured a large and welcome
convoy of provisions. On May 28, however, the patriot flotilla of 150
vessels under Martin Brand, on the lake, was defeated by 100 Spanish
ships, under Count Bossu. From this point the reduction of the city by
famine was inevitable, and the place was surrendered, July 12, 1573. The
garrison, reduced to 1,800, was massacred, with the exception of 600
Germans, and altogether 2,300 persons perished after the capitulation.
The Spaniards lost 12,000 men in the course of the siege.
Hadranum.
Fought B.C. 344, between Timoleon, the deliverer of Sicily, with 2,000
followers, and Hiketas, Tyrant of Leontini, with 10,000 men. The two had
been summoned to the assistance of the rival factions in Hadranum, and
Hiketas, who arrived first, was resting his men under the walls, when he
was surprised by Timoleon, and totally routed. This was Timoleon’s first
exploit, and Hadranum became his headquarters.
Hadrianople (War of the Two Empires).
Fought July 3, 323, between Constantine, Emperor of the West, with
120,000 troops, and Licinius, Emperor of the East, with 165,000.
Licinius, by the skilful manœuvring of Constantine, was enticed from
his entrenched camp into the open plain, and his raw levies being
powerless against the Western veterans, he was totally defeated. It is
said that 34,000 perished in the battle.
Hadrianople (Second Gothic Invasion of the East).
Fought August 9, 378, between the Romans, under the Emperor Valens, and
the Goths, under Fritigern. The Roman cavalry fled from the field, and
the legionaries were surrounded and ridden down by the overwhelming
masses of the Gothic horse. Two thirds of the legionaries, and 39 great
officers and tribunes perished. Valens was carried off the field
wounded, but the hut in which he was lying was fired, and he perished in
the flames.
Hahozaki (Tartar Invasion of Japan).
Fought 1274, between the troops of the province of Kiushiu and the
Tartars forming the expedition, despatched by Kublai Khan, under Lin Fok
Heng. After severe fighting, in which the Japanese suffered heavily, Lin
was severely wounded, and withdrew to his ships. A heavy gale destroyed
a large number of the Tartar and Korean vessels, and finally the remnant
of the invading force made good its escape.
Haliartus.
Fought B.C. 395, when Lysander, at the head of a Spartan force, without
waiting as had been arranged to effect a junction with Pausanius,
attacked the town of Haliartus. The Haliartians, seeing from the
battlements that a body of Thebans was approaching, made a sortie, and
the Spartans, attacked simultaneously in front and rear, were routed,
and Lysander slain.
Halidon Hill (Scottish Wars).
Fought 1383, in the course of an attempt by Archibald Douglas, the
Regent, to relieve Berwick, which was besieged by Edward III. The Scots
were powerless against the English archers, and were defeated with a
loss of 30,000, including the Regent, and four Earls. This defeat
resulted in the submission of Scotland, and Edward placed Balliol upon
the throne.
Halieis.
Fought B.C. 459, between the Athenians, and the combined forces of
Corinth and Epidamnus. The Athenians were victorious.
Hallue (Franco-German War).
Fought December 23 and 24, 1870, between 40,000 French, under General
Faidherbe, and 22,500 Germans, under Manteuffel. The French lost heavily
in the village lying in front of their position, but the Germans were
unable to carry the entrenchments on the heights. After their attack had
been repulsed, the French assumed the offensive, but with no decisive
result. The Germans lost 927 killed and wounded; the French over 1,000,
besides 1,300 prisoners.
Hampton Roads (American Civil War).
Fought March 8 and 9, 1862, between the Confederate armoured frigate,
_Merrimac_, and 5 gunboats, under Captain Buchanan, and 5 Federal
warships, under Captain Marston. On the 8th, the _Merrimac_ destroyed
two Federal vessels, and drove one ashore, but on the 9th, the Federals
were reinforced by the arrival of the turret-ship _Monitor_, and after
an indecisive action, the _Merrimac_ drew off. In the two days, the
Confederates lost only 10 killed and wounded, but the Federal losses
were far heavier, the _Cumberland_ alone losing 150 out of a crew of
400.
Hanau (Campaign of Leipsic).
Fought October 30 and 31, 1813, between 80,000 French, the survivors of
Leipsic, under Napoleon, and 45,000 Austrians and Bavarians, under
General Wrede, who had occupied a position at Hanau, barring Napoleon’s
retreat to France. On the 30th, Napoleon attacked Wrede’s left, which
was astride of the road, and driving it back continued his retreat with
the main body, leaving three divisions, under Marmont, to secure his
rearguard. On the 31st, the rearguard, under Mortier, attacked Hanau,
and Wrede being dangerously wounded, his successor, Fresnel, drew off,
leaving the road clear. The French lost 6,000, the allies 10,000 men in
the two days.
Hardenberg (Netherlands War of Independence).
Fought June 15, 1580, between the Dutch Patriots, under Count Philip
Hohenlo, and the Royalists, under Martin Schenck. Fatigued by a long
march, the Patriots were no match for Schenck’s fresh troops, and after
an hour’s fighting, were broken and almost annihilated.
Harlaw.
Fought July 24, 1411, between the rebel Highlanders, under Donald, Lord
of the Isles, and the Lowland Scots, under the Earl of Mar, together
with the town militia of Aberdeen, led by their Provost. After a most
sanguinary battle, the Lowlanders were utterly routed. Among the slain
were the Provost, many knights, 500 men-at-arms, and the majority of the
burghers forming the militia. The Highlanders lost 500 only.
Harper’s Ferry (American Civil War).
Fought September 16, 1862, when the Confederates, three divisions, under
General “Stonewall” Jackson surrounded the Federal garrison of Harper’s
Ferry, 11,000 strong, with 73 guns, and forced them to surrender.
Hashin (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought March 20, 1885, when 8,000 British troops, under General Graham,
defeated a detachment of Osman Digna’s army, inflicting upon them a loss
of about 1,000 killed. The British lost 48 killed and wounded.
Haslach (Campaign of the Danube).
Fought October 11, 1805, when General Dupont, with 6,000 French,
marching upon Ulm, was suddenly confronted with an army of Austrians,
60,000 strong, strongly posted on the Michelberg. Dupont at once seized
and entrenched the village of Hanau, which he held until dark against
25,000 Austrians, under the Archduke Ferdinand. After nightfall he
withdrew, carrying off 4,000 prisoners.
Hastenbech (Seven Years’ War).
Fought July 26, 1757, between 50,000 Hanoverians and others, under the
Duke of Cumberland, and 80,000 French, under Marshal d’Estrées. The
Duke, who had taken post on the Weser, to protect Hanover, was
overpowered by d’Estrées, and driven back to Slade, on the Elbe, with a
loss of several hundred men. This defeat was followed by the signature
of the Convention of Closter-Seven.
Hastings (Norman Conquest).
Fought October 14, 1066, a fortnight after the landing of William the
Conqueror. The English, under Harold, fought entirely on the defensive,
at first with success, but were at last lured from their position by a
feigned flight of the Normans, and were then totally routed. Harold was
among the fallen. This battle is also known as the Battle of Senlac.
Hatvan (Hungarian Rising).
Fought April 2, 1849, when the Austrians, 15,000 strong under Marshal
Schlick, attacked the 7th Hungarian corps, of about equal strength, and
after a severe engagement, were totally defeated.
Havana (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought October 12, 1748, between a British squadron of seven ships,
under Admiral Knowles, and a Spanish squadron of equal strength. The
action was fought with little determination, and though the British
captured one ship, the result was far from decisive. The Spaniards lost
298, the British 179 killed and wounded.
Havana (Seven Years’ War).
In June, 1762, the Earl of Clanwilliam, with 11,000 British troops,
supported by a squadron, under Admiral Pococke, laid siege to Havana.
Moro Castle, the key of the defences, was taken by storm, and after a
siege of two months and eight days the city was captured.
Heathfield.
Fought 633, between the Mercians, under Penda, and the Northumbrians,
under Edwin. The latter were defeated and Edwin slain.
Heavenfield.
Fought 634, between the Anglo-Saxons, under the Bretwalda, Oswald of
Northumbria, and the Britons, under Cadwallon. The Britons were totally
routed.
Hedgeley Moor (Wars of the Roses).
Fought April 25, 1464, between the Lancastrians, under Margaret of Anjou
and Sir Ralph Percy, and the Yorkists, under Lord Montague. The
Lancastrians were totally defeated, Percy falling in the battle.
Heiliger-Zee (Netherlands War of Independence).
Fought May 23, 1568, between the “Beggars,” under Louis of Nassau, and
5,000 veteran Spaniards, under Aremberg. Louis occupied a very strong
position on a wooded height, near the monastery of the Holy Lion, his
front being protected by a morass crossed by a narrow causeway. The
Spanish infantry traversed this to the attack, but were repulsed, and
Count Aremberg, leading a charge of horse, in the hope of restoring the
day, fell mortally wounded. Upon this the Spaniards broke and fled,
having suffered a loss of 1,600 men.
Heilsberg (Campaign of Friedland).
Fought June 10, 1807, between 30,000 French, under Marshal Soult, and
80,000 Russians, under General Bennigsen. The Russians occupied the
heights on both sides of the Alle, and the plains below, being in
greater force on the left bank. The French attacked and drove the
Russians into the entrenchments, but could make no further progress, and
night put an end to an obstinate but inconclusive conflict, in which the
Russians lost about 10,000, the French, 8,000 killed and wounded.
Hekitai-Kan (Invasion of Korea).
Fought 1595, between the Japanese, under Kobayagawa Takakage, and the
Chinese, under Li Chin. The Chinese were utterly routed, Li’s army being
almost annihilated, and he himself escaping with difficulty from the
field.
Heligoland (Napoleonic Wars).
This island was captured, August 31, 1807, from the Danes, by a small
British squadron, under Admiral Thomas Russell.
Heliopolis (French Invasion of Egypt).
Fought March 20, 1800, between 10,000 French, under Kléber, and about
70,000 Turks, under Ibrahim Bey. The Turks were utterly routed, with a
loss of several thousand men, while the French only lost about 300
killed and wounded.
Hellespont (War of the Two Empires).
Fought 323, between the fleet of Constantine the Great, consisting of
200 small galleys, under Crispus, and that of Licinius, numbering 350
sail, under Amandus. After two days’ hard fighting, Crispus forced the
passage of the Hellespont, and totally routed the Eastern fleet, with a
loss of 130 ships and 5,000 men.
Helorus.
Fought B.C. 492, between Hippocrates, Tyrant of Gela, and the
Syracusans. The Syracusans were totally routed, and were so weakened by
this defeat, that Syracuse fell an easy prey to Gelon, Hippocrates’
successor, in the following year.
Helsingborg (Dano-Swedish Wars).
Fought 1710, between 20,000 Swedes, of whom 12,000 were raw recruits,
under General Steinbock, and the Danish invading army. The Swedes won a
signal victory, and the invaders were compelled to take refuge under the
walls of Helsingborg, and a few days later to embark for Denmark.
Besides killed, they left 4,000 wounded prisoners in the hands of the
Swedes.