Fought 1016, between the English, under Edmund Ironside, and the Danes,
under Knut, shortly after Edmund’s election as King by the Witanegemot.
This was the first of the series of engagements between the two rivals,
which ended with the Peace of Olney.
Pered (Hungarian Rising).
Fought June 21, 1849, between the Hungarians, 16,000 strong, under
Görgey, and the Austrians and Russians, under Prince Windischgrätz. The
allies attacked the Hungarian position, and after severe fighting, drove
them out, with a loss of about 3,000.
Perembacum (First Mysore War).
Fought September 10, 1780, when a Mysore force, 11,000 strong, under
Tippu Sahib, surrounded and cut to pieces a detachment of Sir Hector
Monro’s army, 3,700 in number, under Colonel Baillie. Only a few,
including Baillie himself, escaped the massacre.
Perisabor (Persian Wars).
This fortress, defended by an Assyrian and Persian garrison, was
captured, May, 363, by the Romans, under Julian. The fortress was
dismantled and the town destroyed.
Perpignan.
This fortress was besieged by the French, 11,000 strong, under the
Seigneur du Lude, at the end of 1474, and was defended by a Spanish
garrison. The Spanish army could not succeed in relieving the place, and
after holding out with great gallantry until March 14, 1475, the
garrison, reduced to 400 men, surrendered, and were allowed to march out
with the honours of war. The capture of Perpignan gave France possession
of Rousillon.
Perryville (American Civil War).
Fought October 8, 1862, between 45,000 Federals, under General Buell,
and a somewhat smaller Confederate army, under General Bragg. The
Confederates attacked, and drove back the Federals, but no decisive
result was arrived at, and during the night Bragg withdrew, having
inflicted a loss of 4,000 on the enemy, and captured an artillery train.
The Confederates lost about 2,500 killed and wounded.
Persepolis (Wars of Alexander’s Successors).
Fought B.C. 316, between the Macedonians, 31,000 strong, with 65
elephants, under Antigonus, and 42,000 Asiatics, with 114 elephants,
under Eumenes. At the first onslaught, Antigonus’ infantry was
overwhelmed, but his cavalry retrieved the day, and seizing the enemy’s
camp, threw Eumenes’ phalanx into confusion. Upon this the Macedonian
infantry rallied, and gained a complete victory, Eumenes being captured.
Peshawar (Second Mohammedan Invasion of India).
Fought 1001, between 10,000 Afghans, under Sultan Mahmud of Ghuzni, and
42,000 Punjabis, with 300 elephants, under the Rajah Jaipal of Lahore.
The Rajah was totally defeated, and captured with 15 of his principal
chiefs.
Petersburg (American Civil War).
Fought June 15 to 18, 1864, forming an episode in the Federal attack on
Richmond. General Beauregard, with 8,000 men, was charged with the
defence of Petersburg, and at the same time had to contain General
Butler at Bermuda Hundred. His entrenchments before Petersburg were
attacked on the 15th by General Smith, and a portion of the first line
carried. On the 16th Beauregard withdrew the force masking Bermuda
Hundred, and concentrated his troops in front of Petersburg, but after
holding out till the afternoon, a panic seized the defenders, and they
were driven from the first line. Beauregard, however, rallied them, and
retook the entrenchments. During the night he withdrew to a second and
stronger line of defences, and on the 17th and 18th repulsed, with
terrible slaughter, all the efforts of the Federals to carry it.
Petersburg (American Civil War).
On June 30, 1864, a mine was exploded under the Confederate defences in
front of Petersburg, and an attempt was made by the Federals to carry
the entrenchments during the confusion that ensued. The Confederates,
however, stood their ground, repulsing all attacks with heavy loss, and
of the Federals who succeeded in entering the breast-works, 5,000 were
killed or captured. Both the generals commanding, Lee and Grant, were
present during the action.
Peterwaradin (Ottoman Wars).
Fought August 5, 1716, when Prince Eugene, with 80,000 Imperialists,
mostly veterans from the Flanders campaign, signally defeated 150,000
Turks under Darnad Ali Pasha. The Turks lost 30,000 killed, 50 standards
and 250 guns. The Imperialists lost about 3,000.
Petra (Persian Wars).
This strong fortress, garrisoned by 1,500 Persians, was besieged by the
Romans, 8,000 strong, under Dagisteus, in 549. After a series of
unsuccessful assaults the Romans succeeded in bringing down a large
portion of the outer wall by mining. By this time the garrison was
reduced to 400, but Dagisteus, delaying to storm the fortress, the
Persians succeeded in throwing in reinforcements, which brought the
garrison up to 3,000. Meanwhile all the breaches had been repaired, and
the Romans had to undertake a second siege. At last a breach was
effected, and after very severe fighting the besiegers effected a
lodgement. Of the defenders 700 fell in the second siege, and 1,070 in
the storm, while of 700 prisoners, only 18 were unwounded. Five hundred
retreated to the citadel, and held out to the last, perishing in the
flames when it was fired by the Romans.
Pharsalus (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).
Fought August 9, B.C. 48, between the Pompeians, 60,000 strong, under
Pompey, and Cæsareans, 25,000 strong, under Cæsar. The Pompeian cavalry
drove back that of Cæsar, but following in pursuit, were thrown into
confusion by the legionaries, whereupon they turned and fled from the
field; the infantry followed and the battle became a rout, in which
15,000 Pompeians, and only 200 Cæsareans fell. After the battle, 20,000
Pompeians surrendered.
Pharsalus (Greco-Turkish War).
Fought May 6, 1897, when Edhem Pasha, with three Turkish divisions,
drove the Greeks from their entrenchments in front of Pharsalus, at a
cost of about 230 killed and wounded. The Greek loss was not very heavy.
Philiphaugh (Civil War).
Fought September 13, 1645, when 4,000 Lowland horse, under David Leslie,
surprised and cut to pieces Montrose’s force of Highlanders, encamped
near Selkirk. Montrose escaped with a few followers.
Philippi (Rebellion of Brutus).
Fought B.C. 42, between the Republicans, under Brutus and Cassius,
100,000 strong, and the army of the Triumvirs, about equal in numbers,
under Octavius and Mark Antony. Brutus on the right repulsed the legions
of Octavius, and penetrated into his camp. Cassius, however, was
overthrown by Antony, and would have been overwhelmed but for the
arrival of aid from the successful right wing. The action was renewed on
the second day, when the Triumvirs were completely victorious, and the
Republican army dispersed. Brutus committed suicide on the field of
battle.
Philippopolis (First Gothic Invasion of the Empire).
This city was besieged, 251, by the Goths, under Cniva, and after a
gallant defence, and the defeat of an attempt by Decius to relieve it,
was stormed and sacked. It is said that 100,000 of the garrison and
inhabitants perished in the siege and subsequent massacre.
Philippopolis (Russo-Turkish War).
Fought February 17, 1878, between the Russians, under General Gourko,
and the Turks, under Fuad and Shakir Pashas. The Turks made a stubborn
defence of the approaches to Philippopolis, but were overpowered by
superior numbers, and forced to retreat with a loss of 5,000 killed and
wounded, 2,000 prisoners, and 114 guns. The Russians lost 1,300.
Philipsburg (War of the Polish Succession).
This fortress, held by the Imperialists, was besieged 1734, by the
French, under the Duke of Berwick. The Duke was killed by a cannon ball
while visiting the trenches, but the place fell soon afterwards,
notwithstanding the efforts of Prince Eugene to relieve it.
Pieter’s Hill (Second Boer War).
The scene of the severest fighting in the course of Sir Redvers Buller’s
final and successful attempt to relieve Ladysmith. The operations
commenced by the capture of Hlangwane, on February 19, 1900, which gave
the British command of the Tugela, which was crossed on the 21st. On the
22nd a steady advance was made up to the line of Pieter’s Hill, which
was attacked by the Irish Brigade, under General Hart, on the 23rd. At a
cost of nearly half their numbers, they succeeded in establishing
themselves under cover, close to the Boer trenches, but could not
dislodge the defenders. It was not till the 27th, when Buller had turned
the Boer left, that a general assault was successful, and the Boers
evacuated the position. The British losses during the operations were
1,896 killed and wounded.
Pingyang (Chino-Japanese War).
Fought September 15, 1894, between the Japanese, 14,000 strong, under
General Nodzu, and 12,000 Chinese, entrenched in a strong position.
After severe fighting the Chinese were driven from their entrenchments
with heavy loss. The Japanese lost 650 killed and wounded.
Pinkie Cleugh (Scottish Wars).
Fought September, 1547, between the Scots, under the Earl of Huntly, and
the English, under the Protector Somerset. The Scots crossed the Esk,
and attacked the English lines, at first with success, but they were
thrown into confusion by a charge of cavalry, and in the end fled from
the field with heavy loss.
Pirot (Servo-Bulgarian War).
Fought November 26 and 27, 1885, between 40,000 Servians, under King
Milan, and 45,000 Bulgarians, under Prince Alexander. After some
desultory fighting, the Bulgarians seized the town of Pirot in the
course of the afternoon. At dawn on the 27th, the Servians, by a
surprise attack, recovered Pirot, which was later retaken by the
Bulgarians, though the Servians continued to hold a position to the
south of the town till nightfall. Early next morning an armistice was
concluded. The Bulgarians lost 2,500, the Servians 2,000 killed and
wounded.
Pittsburg Landing.
_See_ Shiloh.
Placentia (Invasion of the Alemanni).
Fought 271, between the Romans, under Aurelian, and the invading
Alemanni. The barbarians attacked the Romans in the dusk of evening,
after a long and fatiguing march, and threw them into disorder, but they
were rallied by the Emperor, and after severe fighting, succeeded in
beating off their assailants.
Plains of Abraham (Seven Years’ War).
Fought September 13, 1759, when Wolfe, who was lying on shipboard in the
St. Lawrence above Quebec, with 4,000 troops, effected a landing
secretly in the night of the 12th to the 13th, and took up unperceived a
strong position on the Plains of Abraham. Next morning he was attacked
by Montcalm, with about equal numbers, but notwithstanding the most
desperate efforts, the French were unable to carry the position, and
were driven back into Quebec with a loss of about 1,500. Both Wolfe and
Montcalm fell mortally wounded. The British loss amounted to 664 killed
and wounded. The French immediately afterwards evacuated Quebec.
Plassy (Seven Years’ War).
Fought 1757, between the British, 3,000 strong, with 8 guns, under
Clive, and the army of Surabjah Daulah, Nawab of Bengal, aided by a
small force of Frenchmen. Clive was encamped in a grove of mango-trees,
where he was attacked by the Nawab. He beat off the attack, and then
stormed the Nawab’s lines, totally routing his army, which fled in
panic, with a loss of about 500. The British lost 72 only.
Platæa (Third Persian Invasion).
Fought B.C. 479, between the Greeks, about 100,000 strong, under
Pausanias the Spartan, and 300,000 Persians, with 50,000 Greek
auxiliaries, under Mardonius. The Persians fought bravely, but were
overborne by the superior discipline and heavier armour of the Greeks,
and Mardonius falling, a panic ensued, and they fled to their entrenched
camp. This was stormed by the Athenians, and no quarter was given, with
the result, it is said, that with the exception of a body of 40,000
which left the field early in the battle, only 3,000 Persians escaped.
Platæa (Peloponnesian War).
In 429 B.C., this city, held by a garrison of 400 Platæans and 80
Athenians, was besieged by the Spartans, under Archidamus. All the
useless mouths were sent out of the place, only 110 women being retained
to bake bread. The garrison repulsed numerous assaults, and the siege
soon resolved itself into a blockade, but provisions becoming scarce, an
attempt was made to break through the enemy’s lines, which half the
garrison succeeded in doing, with the loss of one man. The remainder
held out till 427, when being on the verge of starvation, they
surrendered. The survivors were tried for having deserted Bœotia for
Athens, at the outbreak of the war, and 200 Platæans, and 25 Athenians
were put to death.
Plescow (Russo-Swedish Wars).
This fortress was besieged by the Swedes, under Gustavus Adolphus,
August 20, 1615, and defended by a Russian garrison. It is notable as
marking a departure from the established practice of surrounding a
besieged city with walls of circumvallation. For these Gustavus
substituted a series of entrenched camps, communications between which
were maintained by strong patrolling forces. Little progress was made,
owing to a delay in the arrival of the Swedish breaching guns, and
through the mediation of England, negotiations were opened with Russia,
and the siege raised, October 14, 1615.
Plevna (Russo-Turkish War).
Four battles were fought in the course of the siege of Plevna, the first
three being attacks on the Russian defences, and the fourth, Osman
Pasha’s final attempt to cut his way through the besieger’s lines.
On July 20, 1877, the advance guard of Krüdener’s corps, 6,500 strong,
under Schilder-Schuldener, attacked the defences to the north and east
of Plevna. The Russians advanced with impetuosity, and carried some of
the advanced trenches, driving the defenders back to the outskirts of
the town, but their heavy loss, and a failure of ammunition compelled a
retreat, and the Turks rallying, drove them from the positions they had
captured, and pursued them for some distance. The Russians lost
two-thirds of their officers, and nearly 2,000 men.
The second battle took place, July 30, when General Krüdener, with
30,000 Russians in two divisions, assailed the Turkish redoubts to the
north and east of the town. Schakofsky had command of the latter attack,
Krüdener himself leading the assault on the Gravitza redoubt on the
north. Krüdener was absolutely unsuccessful. Schakofsky by 5.30 p.m. was
in possession of two of the eastern redoubts, but before nightfall these
were retaken by the Turks, and the Russians retired, defeated all along
the line. Their losses amounted to 169 officers and 7,136 men, of whom
2,400 were left dead on the field. On the 11th and 12th of September,
the investing army, 95,000 strong, under the Grand Duke Michael,
attacked Plevna on three sides, Osman Pasha having now 30,000 men under
his command. On the 11th an attack on the Omar Tabrija redoubt was
repulsed with a loss to the Russians of 6,000 men. The attack on the
Gravitza redoubts resulted in the capture of the “Bloody Battery,” which
the Russians held till the end of the siege. On the south-west,
Skobeleff captured two of the six inner redoubts which protected that
angle of the fortress. On the 12th, the attack on the second Gravitza
redoubt was repulsed, and the two redoubts captured by Skobeleff were
retaken, after a terrible struggle. The losses in the two days’ fighting
amounted to 20,600 including 2,000 prisoners, on the Russian side, on
that of the Turks to 5,000. Of these, 8,000 Russians, and 4,000 Turks
fell in Skobeleff’s attack.
On December 10, Osman Pasha, at the head of 25,000 Turks, accompanied by
9,000 convalescents and wounded in carts, attempted to cut his way
through the Russian army, now 100,000 strong, under the King of
Roumania, with Todleben as Chief of the Staff. The attempt was made on
the east of Plevna, and was directed against the Imperial Grenadiers,
under General Ganetzki. Having successfully crossed the Vid, Osman
charged down upon the Russians, on a line two miles in length, and
carried the first line of entrenchments. Todleben, however, hurried up
reinforcements, and the Turks were in turn attacked, and driven back in
confusion across the river, Osman being severely wounded. Here they made
their last stand, but were overpowered, and driven into Plevna, which
before evening capitulated, after a defence lasting 143 days. In this
engagement, the Turks lost 5,000, and the Russians 2,000 killed and
wounded.
Podhaic.
Fought 1667, between 10,000 Poles, under John Sobieski, and 80,000
Cossacks and Tartars who were besieging Kaminiec. The Cossacks were
totally routed and forced to evacuate Poland.
Podol (Seven Weeks’ War).
Fought June 26, 1866, between the advance-guard of Prince Frederick
Charles’ army, and the Austrians, under General Clam-Gallas. The
Austrians were defeated and driven out of Podol, after severe fighting,
in which they lost heavily. The Prussians took 500 prisoners.
Poitiers (Gothic Invasion of France).
Fought 507, between the Franks, under Clovis, and the Visigoths, under
Alaric II. Clovis and Alaric met in single combat, and Alaric was slain,
following which the Goths were utterly routed. By this decisive victory,
the province of Aquitaine was added to the Frankish dominions.
Poitiers (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought September 19, 1356, between 8,000 English, under Edward the Black
Prince, and 80,000 French, under King John of France. The English
occupied a strong position behind lanes and vineyards, in which their
archers were posted. The French cavalry, charging up the lanes, were
thrown into confusion by the bowmen, and were then taken in flank by the
English knights and men-at-arms, who completely routed them, with a loss
of 8,000 killed, and numerous prisoners, including the King. The English
losses were very small.
Pola (War of Chiozza).
Fought 1380, when Doria, with 22 Genoese galleys, offered battle to the
Venetian fleet, under Pisani, which was lying at Pola. Pisani sallied
out with 20 galleys, and captured the Genoese flag-ship, Doria being
killed. The Genoese, however, rallied, drove Pisani back, and defeated
him with a loss of 2,000 killed, and 15 galleys and 1,900 men captured.
Pollentia (First Gothic Invasion of Italy).
Fought March 29, 403, between the Goths, under Alaric, and the Romans,
under Stilicho. Stilicho attacked the Gothic camp while they were
celebrating the festival of Easter, and owing to the surprise, the
charge of the Roman cavalry threw them into confusion. They were,
however, soon rallied by Alaric, and the Romans driven off with heavy
loss, but Stilicho advancing at the head of the legionaries, forced his
way into the camp, and drove out the Goths with enormous slaughter.
Alaric’s wife was among the captives.
Pollicore (First Mysore War).
Fought August 27, 1781, between 11,000 British, under Sir Eyre Coote and
the Mysoris, 80,000 strong, under Haidar Ali. Coote seized the village
of Pollicore, turning Haidar’s flank and forcing him to retreat, after
an action lasting eight hours. The British lost 421 killed and wounded,
the Mysoris about 2,000.
Polonka (Russo-Polish Wars).
Fought 1667, between the Russian invaders, and the Poles, under
Czarnieçki. The Russians were totally routed, a defeat which was largely
instrumental in bringing about the signature of peace in the same year.
Polotsk (Moscow Campaign).
Fought August 18, 1812, between 33,000 French and Bavarians, under
General Saint Cyr, and 30,000 Russians, under Count Wittgenstein. The
Russians were taken by surprise, and after an action which lasted two
hours only, were driven back with a loss of 3,000 killed, 1,500
prisoners and 14 guns. The French lost a little over 1,000 killed and
wounded.
Polotsk (Moscow Campaign).
Fought October 18, 1812, when General Saint-Cyr, with 30,000 French and
Bavarians, was attacked and defeated by the Russians, in slightly
superior force, under Count Wittgenstein, and forced to evacuate
Polotsk.
Ponani (First Mysore War).
Fought November 19, 1780, when a force of British and native troops,
about 2,500 strong, under Colonel Macleod, entrenched near Ponani, were
attacked before daybreak by a strong force of Mysoris, under Tippu
Sahib. The Mysoris were repulsed at the point of the bayonet, with a
loss of 1,100. The British loss was 87 only.
Pondicherry.
This place was invested by the British, under Admiral Boscawen, with a
fleet of 30 sail, and a land force of 6,000 men, August 30, 1748, and
was defended by a French garrison of 4,800, under Dupleix. The siege was
grossly mismanaged, and in October Boscawen was forced to withdraw,
having lost by sickness or in action nearly a third of his land force.
The French lost 250 only during the siege.
Pondicherry (Seven Years’ War).
In August, 1760, Colonel Coote, with about 8,000 British and native
troops, invested this place, which was held by a French garrison, 3,000
strong, under Lally-Tollendal. Coote was almost immediately superseded
by Colonel Monson, but the latter having been wounded, Coote resumed the
command. Fire was not opened from the breaching batteries till December
8th, and on the 31st a terrific hurricane wrecked all the land
batteries, and drove ashore six ships of the blockading squadron. On
January 10, 1761, however, fire was reopened, and the town surrendered
on the 15th.
Pondicherry.
Having been surrendered to the French by the Peace of Paris, Pondicherry
was again besieged by a British force, under Sir Hector Monro, in
conjunction with a squadron of ships, under Sir Edward Vernon, August 8,
1778. It was gallantly defended by the French, under M. Bellecombe,
until the middle of October, when after a month’s bombardment the place
surrendered.
Pondicherry.
A naval action was fought off Pondicherry, August 10, 1778, during the
third siege, when a French squadron of 5 ships, under M. Tronjolly,
issued from the roads, and offered battle to the 5 ships of Sir Edward
Vernon. The French were worsted, and driven back to their anchorage.
Pondicherry.
A second naval action off this place was fought June 20, 1783, between a
British squadron of 18 ships of the line, and 12 frigates, under Sir
Edward Hughes, and a French squadron, under de Suffren. The battle was
undecided, the British ships suffering considerably in masts and
rigging, and being unable to chase when de Suffren sheered off. The
British loss was 520 killed and wounded.
Pontevert (Gallic War).
Fought 57 B.C., between 50,000 Romans, under Cæsar, and the Suevi,
300,000 strong, under Galba. The Suevi attacked the Roman entrenched
camp, but were repulsed with very heavy loss and their army dispersed.
Pont Valain (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought 1370, between the French, under du Guesclin, and the English,
under Sir Thomas Granson. The French surprised the English camp, but the
English rallied, and a severe conflict followed, in which the French
attack was at first repulsed. A flank movement of the French, however,
threw the English into disorder, and they were defeated with a loss of
nearly 10,000 in killed, wounded and prisoners, among the latter being
Sir Thomas Granson.
Poonah (Second Mahratta War).
Fought October 25, 1802, between the forces of Jeswunt Rao, and the
united armies of the Peshwa and Sindhia of Gwalior. After an evenly
contested action, Jeswunt Rao got the upper hand, and gained a complete
victory, Sindhia fleeing from the field, leaving behind him all his guns
and baggage.
Port Arthur (Chino-Japanese War).
This place, held by a Chinese garrison of 9,000 men, was attacked and
stormed by the Japanese, after a short bombardment. The Chinese made but
a feeble resistance, the assailants losing only 270 killed and wounded.
Port Arthur (Russo-Japanese War).