Dutch fleet, under Admiral Opdam. The English were completely
victorious, the Dutch losing 18 ships and 7,000 men. The English lost
one ship only, and 700 men.
Spanish Galleons.
_See_ Vigo Bay.
Sphacteria.
_See_ Pylos.
Spicheren (Franco-German War).
Fought August 6, 1870, between the Germans, under Von Alvensleben, and a
superior French force, under General Frossard. After an obstinate
encounter, the French were driven from all their positions with heavy
loss, and compelled to retreat on Metz. The Germans lost 223 officers
and 4,648 men. The battle is remarkable for the storming of the Rote
Berg by 1 company of the 39th Regiment and 4 companies of the 74th
Regiment, under General von François, who was killed. These 5 companies
maintained their position throughout the afternoon, in face of a vastly
superior force. This action is also known as the Battle of Forbach.
Spion Kop (Second Boer War).
General Buller’s second attempt to break through the Boer lines on the
Tugela, and relieve Ladysmith, is known by this name. The operations
commenced on the 19th, 24,000 men being employed. On that day Sir
Charles Warren’s division commenced to turn the Boer right, and
gradually drove them from ridge to ridge till the evening of the 22nd,
when by a night surprise, Spion Kop, the centre of the position, was
seized. It was, however, found impossible to get artillery up the steep
slopes, and the brigade holding the hill lost about a third of their
strength in the course of the 23rd, including the Brigadier, General
Woodgate. At nightfall, Colonel Thorneycroft, who had been appointed to
the command, abandoned the hill, and on the following day General Buller
decided to recross the Tugela. The British losses during the operations
amounted to 87 officers and 1,647 men.
Spira (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought November 15, 1703, between the French, under Marshal Tallard, and
the Imperialists, under the Prince of Hesse, each side being about
20,000 strong. After a severe engagement, the Imperialists were
overpowered by the French cavalry, and totally defeated with a loss of
6,000 killed, wounded and missing. Among the prisoners was the Prince of
Hesse.
Splitter (Swedish Invasion of Brandenburg).
Fought January, 1679, between 16,000 Swedes, under Field-Marshal Horn,
and 10,000 Brandenburgers, under the Elector Frederick William. The
Swedes were utterly routed, Horn being taken prisoner, and not more than
1,500 succeeded in making their way to Riga.
Spottsylvania (American Civil War).
A continuation of the Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 10 to 12,
1864, between the Confederates, under General Lee, and the Federals,
under General Grant. Lee’s position covering Richmond was attacked on
the 10th by Grant, and the day ended with both armies in their original
positions, while the losses, especially on the side of the assailants,
were very heavy. On the 12th Grant renewed the attack, and General
Hancock, on the right surprised the first line of the Confederate
defences, and compelled General Johnson and his division to surrender.
With this exception, entailing the loss of about a mile of ground Lee
held his own throughout the day, and Grant had suffered too severely to
renew the attack. The losses from the 5th, the date of the first Battle
of the Wilderness, to the 12th inclusive, were: Federals, about 50,000
killed and wounded, Confederates, about 12,000.
Spurs.
_See_ Courtrai.
Spurs.
_See_ Guinegate.
Stadtlohn (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought August 9, 1623, between the army of the Protestant Princes of
Germany, about 22,000 strong, under Duke Christian of Brunswick and the
Imperialists, under Tilly. The Protestants were utterly routed and
dispersed, Christian fleeing to Holland.
Staffarda (War of the Revolution).
Fought 1690, between the French, under Marshal Catinat, and the
Imperialists, under Victor Amadeus of Savoy. The Imperialists met with a
crushing defeat.
Stamford Bridge.
Fought September 25, 1066, between the English, under Harold, and the
Norse invaders, under Harold Hardrada and Tostig. The Norsemen were
surprised by Harold in their camp, and totally defeated, both Hardrada
and Tostig being killed, and the survivors driven to their ships.
Stamford Bridge (Wars of the Roses).
An encounter between the retainers of Sir Thomas Neville, and those of
Lord Egremont, which developed into a pitched battle, in August, 1453.
It is considered to be the beginning of the Wars of the Roses.
Standard, The (Scottish Wars).
Fought at Luton Moor, near Northallerton, in 1138, between the Scots,
under David, and the English, under Thurstan, Archbishop of York, and
Raoul, Bishop of Durham. The Scots were routed, and fled in disorder.
The battle derives its name from the fact that the banner of St.
Cuthbert of Durham, which was held to ensure victory, that of St. Peter
of York, and those of other saints, were carried in a waggon in the
midst of the English army.
Stavrichani (Ottoman Wars).
Fought August 28, 1739, between 30,000 Russians, under General Münnich,
and the Turkish army, under Veli Pasha. The Russians stormed the Turkish
entrenched camp, driving the Turks headlong into the Danube, where
thousands perished, and capturing all their guns and baggage. Münnich
followed up this success by the capture of Choczin.
Steinkirk (War of the Revolution).
Fought August 8, 1692, between the English, under William III, and the
French, under Marshal Luxembourg. The English attacked the French camp
at daybreak, and broke and dispersed a brigade. Luxembourg, however,
rallied his troops, and after a severe engagement, repulsed the English
attack, though William was able to withdraw his forces in good order.
Stillwater (American War of Independence).
Fought October 7, 1777, between the British, 6,000 strong, under General
Burgoyne, and the Americans, under General Gates. The Americans occupied
a strongly entrenched position, which was attacked by Burgoyne. After a
severe encounter, the attack was repulsed at all points, and the British
driven back upon their camp at Saratoga, with heavy loss, including
General Fraser, mortally wounded. The Americans followed up their
success by an assault upon the British camp, in which they succeeded in
effecting a lodgement, and on the following day, Burgoyne withdrew, and
took up a fresh position on the heights near the Hudson. On October 15,
Burgoyne, surrounded by the Americans, and finding that no aid could
reach him, surrendered with 5,790 men, his total losses during the
campaign having amounted to 4,689.
Stirling (Scottish Wars).
Fought September 11, 1297, between the Scots, under Sir William Wallace,
and the English, 50,000 strong, under the Earl of Surrey. Wallace fell
upon the English army as it was crossing a narrow bridge over the Forth,
and practically annihilated it. This battle is also called the Battle of
Cambuskenneth.
Stockack (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought 1799, between the French, under Jourdan, and the Austrians,
60,000 strong, under the Archduke Charles. The French were defeated and
driven back upon the Rhine.
Stoke (Lambert Simnel’s Rebellion).
Fought June 16, 1487, between the royal troops, under Henry VII, and the
rebels, under John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, who was aided by 2,000
German mercenaries, under Martin Schwarz. The King, whose force was
superior in numbers, completely defeated the rebels, Simnel and all the
rebel leaders being taken prisoners.
Stolhoffen (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought May 22, 1707, when Marshal Villars, with 45 French battalions,
stormed and captured the lines of Stolhoffen, which were held by the
Imperialists, under the Marquis of Baireuth. The French took 50 guns.
Stone Creek.
_See_ Murfreesboro.
Stormberg (Second Boer War).
Fought December 10, 1899, when General Gatacre, with about 3,000 men,
made a night march to attack the Boer position at Stormberg. He was
misled by his guides, and came unexpectedly under a heavy Boer fire. The
position was too strong to carry, and Gatacre was forced to retire, with
a loss of 89 killed and wounded, and 633 prisoners.
Stralsund (Thirty Years’ War).
This place was besieged, July 5, 1628, by the Imperialists, under
Wallenstein, who had sworn to take it in three days. It was defended
mainly by the inhabitants, aided by a small garrison of Swedes and
Scots. An assault on the 8th was repulsed, and though on the 9th some of
the outworks were gained, the town still held out, and finally, after a
siege of 11 weeks, Wallenstein was compelled to withdraw his troops,
having suffered a loss of over 12,000 men.
Stralsund (Dano-Swedish Wars).
The town was again besieged, October 19, 1715, by an army of Prussians
and Danes, 36,000 strong, under Frederick William III of Prussia and
Frederick IV of Denmark, and was defended by a Swedish garrison, under
Charles XII. At the end of three months, the besiegers succeeded in
seizing the island of Rugen, which commanded the town, and an attempt by
Charles to retake it ended disastrously, the king escaping with
difficulty, and severely wounded, while the whole of his force was
killed or captured. On October 10, the allies captured the hornwork, and
on the 20th, the place being no longer defensible, Charles left the town
and embarked for Sweden on the only ship remaining in the harbour. The
garrison immediately afterwards surrendered.
Stratton (Civil War).
Fought May 16, 1643, between the Parliamentary troops, under General
Chudleigh, and the Cornish Royalists, under Sir Ralph Hopton. The
Royalists attacked the Parliamentarian position on Stratton Hill, and
after severe fighting defeated them, capturing 1,700 prisoners,
including Chudleigh, 13 guns and all their baggage and munitions of war.
Suero, The (Civil War of Sertorius).
Fought B.C. 75, between the rebels, under Sertorius, and the Roman army,
under Pompey. The Roman right, under Pompey, was broken and defeated,
but Afranius turned defeat into victory, capturing the Sertorian camp,
and routing and dispersing the rebel army.
Suddusain (Second Sikh War).
Fought July 1, 1848, when a force of Bhawalpuris and British 18,000
strong, under Lieutenant Edwardes, encountered 12,000 Sikhs, under
Malraj. The Sikhs attacked, but were beaten off, largely owing to the
superiority of the British artillery, and defeated with heavy loss.
Sudley Springs (American Civil War).
Fought August 29, 1862, between the Federals, under General Pope, and
the Confederates, under Jackson. Jackson, by a forced march, had
succeeded in taking up a strong position in Pope’s rear, and defied all
attempts to dislodge him, repulsing the Federal attacks with a loss of
over 8,000 men.
Sugar-loaf Rock (Seven Years’ War).
Fought September 20, 1753, between the British, about 3,000 strong,
under Major Laurence, and the French army which was besieging
Trichinopoly, under M. Astruc. Laurence attacked before daybreak, and
the native auxiliaries with the French army were seized with a panic and
fled, leaving the Europeans unsupported. In the end the French were
defeated, with a loss of 100 killed and 200 prisoners, including Astruc.
The British lost 40 killed and wounded.
Surinam (Napoleonic Wars).
This place, held by a Dutch garrison, was captured, May 5, 1804, by a
British squadron, under Commander Hood, together with 2,000 troops,
under Sir Charles Green.
Sursuti, The (Mohammed Ghori’s Invasion).
Fought 1191, between the Afghans, under Mohammed Ghori, and the Hindus,
under the King of Delhi, with 200,000 horse and 300 elephants. The
Afghans, who were greatly outnumbered, were surrounded, and utterly
routed, Mohammed Ghori escaping with difficulty from the field.
Sursuti, The (Mohammed Ghori’s Invasion).
Fought 1192, when Mohammed Ghori, on the field where he had suffered
defeat in the previous year, encountered the Rajputs and Delhi men,
under the Rajah of Ajmir. The Afghans, numbering 120,000, completely
routed the Rajputs, and captured the Rajah.
Sveaborg (Finland War).
This place was besieged by the Russians, under General Suchtelen, in
February, 1808, and was defended by a garrison of 7,000 Swedes and
Finns, under Admiral Cronstedt. The siege was conducted under
considerable difficulties, the transport of breaching guns being almost
impossible. However, lack of supplies compelled the Admiral to sign an
armistice, on April 3, by which he agreed to surrender if not relieved
by at least five ships of war on May 3. This being still unbroken at
that date, he handed over the town to the Russians, with 200 guns, and 2
frigates and 19 transports, which were ice-bound in the harbour.
Sveaborg (Crimean War).
The town, which had become an important Russian arsenal, was bombarded
by a British fleet, under Admiral Dundas, August 9 to 11, 1854. By the
latter date, the arsenal and storehouses had been destroyed, and Dundas
withdrew, making no further attempt to destroy the fortifications.
Sybota.
Fought 433 B.C., between a Corinthian fleet of 150 sail, and a Corcyrean
fleet of 110 sail, aided by 10 Athenian triremes. The Corcyrean right
wing was defeated, and would have been destroyed, but for the assistance
of the Athenians, and the arrival of a reinforcement of 20 Athenian
ships caused the Corinthians to retire. The Corcyreans offered battle on
the following day, but the Corinthians declined. Both sides claimed the
victory, but the advantage lay with the Corinthians, who captured
several ships.
Syracuse (Athenian Expedition to Sicily).
Siege was laid to this city by the Athenians, under Alcibiades, Lamachus
and Nicias, who with a fleet of 134 galleys, took possession of the
harbour and effected a landing in the autumn of 415 B.C. Alcibiades was
soon recalled, and Lamachus killed in a skirmish, while Nicias proved
weak and incompetent. The siege works were not pressed and in the
following year, Gylippus of Sparta succeeded in getting through the
Athenian lines, and bringing a considerable force to the aid of the
Syracusans, capturing at the same time the advanced positions of the
besiegers. Early in 413, Demosthenes arrived from Athens, with a fleet
of 73 triremes, and made a desperate attempt to recover the lost ground.
He was, however, totally defeated, and in a series of sea-fights which
followed, the Athenian fleet was completely destroyed. This disaster
forced the Athenians to raise the siege, and was, in addition, a
death-blow to the naval supremacy of Athens.
Syracuse (Second Carthaginian Invasion).
Syracuse was again besieged, B.C. 387, by about 80,000 Carthaginians,
under Himilco, aided by a powerful fleet, and defended by Dionysius,
with about an equal number of troops. A fleet of 30 Lacedæmonian
triremes arrived to the succour of the Syracusans, and meanwhile a
pestilence had carried off thousands in the besiegers’ camp. At this
juncture Dionysius decided on a joint sea and land attack upon the
Carthaginians, which was completely successful. Leptinus, with 80
galleys, surprised the Carthaginian fleet while the crews were ashore,
and completely destroyed it, while Dionysius stormed Himilco’s defences,
and utterly routed the besiegers, Himilco and his principal officers
escaping from Sicily, and leaving the army to its fate.
Syracuse (Second Punic War).
In 213 B.C. Syracuse, then in the hands of the pro-Carthaginian faction,
was besieged by the Romans, 25,000 strong, under M. Marcellus, and a
fleet under Appius Claudius. The city was defended by a garrison under
Hippocrates. The siege is specially notable for the presence in the city
of Archimedes, whose military engines played an important part in the
defence, especially against the fleet. During the winter, the revolt of
other Sicilian towns drew off a portion of the besiegers, and during the
spring and early summer of 212, only a partial blockade could be
maintained. Then however, taking advantage of a festival in the city,
Marcellus stormed and captured the upper portion of the town. An attempt
to force the Roman lines by a Carthaginian relieving force, under
Himilco, was repulsed, and shortly afterwards the rest of the city was
captured by assault.
Szigeth (Ottoman Wars).
This small place, held by a Hungarian garrison, under Count Zrinyi, was
besieged by the Turks, under Solyman the Magnificent, in 1566. The siege
was prosecuted with vigour but was fatal to the great Sultan, who died
on the night of September 4. On the following day, however, the Turks
stormed and sacked the town, and Count Zrinyi and his little garrison
perished in the flames.
T
Tabraca (Revolt of Gildo).
Fought 398, between 5,000 picked Roman legionaries, under Mascazel, and
the revolted Africans, 70,000 strong, under Gildo. At the first
onslaught of the legionaries, all the Roman soldiers serving under Gildo
deserted, and the Africans taking to flight, Mascazel gained an almost
bloodless victory. Gildo was captured and committed suicide in prison.
Taçna (Peruvio-Chilian War).
Fought May 26, 1880, between the Chilians, under General Baquedano, and
the Peruvians, the Chilians gaining a signal victory. The Peruvian
losses were very heavy, including 197 officers. Following up their
victory, the Chilians captured the fortress of Ariça.
Tacubaya (Mexican Liberal Rising).
Fought April 11, 1859, between the Mexican Government troops, under
Marquez, and the Liberals, under Degollado. The Liberals were completely
routed, with the loss of all their artillery and munitions of war.
Tagina (Second Gothic War).
Fought July, 552, between the Goths, under Totila, King of Italy, and
30,000 Imperial troops, under Narses. The Romans withstood the charge of
the Goths, broke their cavalry, and then drove their infantry from the
field, with a loss of about 6,000. Totila was overtaken and slain in the
pursuit.
Tagliacozzo (Guelfs and Ghibellines).
Fought 1268, between the Guelf party, under Charles of Anjou, the
usurper of the throne of Naples, and the Ghibellines, under Conradin,
the rightful heir, and Frederick, Duke of Austria. The Ghibellines were
utterly routed, and their leaders, including Conradin and the Duke,
captured and beheaded.
Taiken Gate (Hogen Insurrection).
Fought 1157, between the Japanese rebels, under Shitoku, and the
Imperial troops, under Bifukumonia and Tadamichi. The rebels were
utterly routed. This battle is remarkable for the fratricidal nature of
the conflict, many of the greatest families of Japan having
representatives in both armies.
Taillebourg.
Fought 1242, between the French, under Louis IX, and the English, under
Henry III, with whom were allied the rebellious vassals of the French
crown, the Comtes de Marche and de Foix. The allies were defeated, and
Henry withdrew his forces from France.
Takashima (Chinese Invasion of Japan).
After the wreck of the Chinese fleet, in 1281, the survivors, under
Chang Pak, took refuge on the island of Takashima. Here they were
attacked by the troops of Kiushiu, under Shoni Kagesuke. They were
almost without exception killed or captured, only three out of the vast
host returning to China.
Taku Forts (Second China War).
Fought June 25, 1859, when an attempt was made by the British to carry
the forts at the mouth of the Peiho River. Eleven light-draught gunboats
crossed the bar, and tried to silence the batteries, but without
success, and at 5 p.m. an attempt was made to carry the defences by a
land attack. A force of 600 marines and blue-jackets, under Captain
Vansittart, was landed, but after severe fighting was driven back to the
boats, with a loss of 68 killed, and nearly 300 wounded. Six of the
gunboats were sunk or disabled, and their crews also suffered heavily.
On August 21, 1860, a second and successful assault was made on the
forts by a force of 11,000 British and 7,000 French troops, under Sir
Hope Grant. After a brief bombardment, the small north fort, garrisoned
by 500 Chinese, was stormed by 2,500 British, and 400 French, 400 of the
garrison falling, while the British lost 21 killed and 184 wounded. In
the course of the day the remaining forts surrendered without further
fighting.
Talana Hill (Second Boer War).
Fought October 20, 1899, between 4,000 Boers, under General Lucas Meyer,
and a British force of equal strength, under General Symons. The Boers
occupied a strong position on the heights of Dundee, from which they
were dislodged by the British infantry, with a loss of about 300. The
British lost 19 officers, 142 men killed and wounded, and 331 prisoners,
the latter a detachment of cavalry and mounted infantry, who were
surrounded by a superior force of Boers, and surrendered. General Symons
was mortally wounded. The action is also called the battle of Dundee.
Talavera (Peninsular War).
Fought July 28, 1809, between 19,000 British and 34,000 Spaniards, under
Sir Arthur Wellesley, and 50,000 French, under Marshals Jourdan and
Victor, with Joseph Buonaparte in nominal command. The British repulsed
all the attacks on their position, at a cost of 6,200 killed and
wounded. The Spanish losses were returned at 1,200, but the figures are
doubtful, as they took practically no part in the fighting. The French
lost 7,389 killed, wounded and missing, and 17 guns.
Talkhan (Tartar Invasion of Khorassan).
This fortress was captured, 1221, by the Tartars, under Genghiz Khan,
after an obstinate defence of seven months, in which thousands perished
on both sides.
Talneer (Third Mahratta War).
By the treaty of January 6, 1818, this fortress was surrendered by
Holkar to the British, but on Sir Thomas Hislop, with a British force,
arriving to take possession, on February 17, the commandant refused to
hand it over. Though warned of the consequences, he fired upon the
British, whereupon Hislop opened fire, and in the afternoon of the same
day the place surrendered. By some misunderstanding, however, the Arab
garrison of 300, were drawn up at one of the gates, and on the approach
of two British officers and some Sepoys, cut them down. No quarter was
then given, the garrison being killed to a man, and the commandant
hanged.
Tamai (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought March 13, 1884, when 4,000 British, under General Graham,
attacked and defeated the Mahdists, under Osman Digna, destroying their
camp. The British fought in two squares, one of which was momentarily
broken by the Mahdists, who captured the naval guns. The second square,
however, moved up in support, and the Mahdists were repulsed and the
guns recovered. The British lost 10 officers and 204 men killed and
wounded; the Dervishes over 2,000 killed.
Tanagra.
Fought 457 B.C., between the Spartans, and their Peloponnesian allies,
and about 14,000 Athenians and others, including a body of Thessalian
cavalry. The battle was stubbornly contested, both sides losing heavily,
but the desertion during the action of the Thessalians turned the scale,
and the Spartans were victorious, though at a cost which deterred them
from their intended attack upon Athens.
Tanjore (Seven Years’ War).
This place was besieged, August, 1758, by the French, under
Lally-Tollendal, and was defended by a garrison, under Monacji. After
five days’ bombardment, the walls were still insufficiently breached,
and owing to lack of ammunition, Lally determined to retire. Hearing
this, Monacji made a sortie, and nearly succeeded in surprising the
French camp. He was with difficulty beaten off, and the French withdrew,
with the loss of all their siege guns and heavy baggage.
Tanjore.
The fortress was besieged, August 20, 1773, by a British force, under
General Joseph Smith, and defended by a garrison of 20,000 men, under
the Rajah, Laljaji, and his Vizier Monacji. On September 16, a breach
having been effected, the besiegers delivered an assault at midday, when
their garrison were taking their usual noonday rest, and meeting with
little opposition, made themselves masters of the place.
Tansara Saka (Satsuma Rebellion).