the Imperial troops, under Prince Taruhito, and after very severe
fighting, driven out with enormous loss. The Imperialists also suffered
severely.
Tarapaca (Peruvio-Chilian War).
Fought November 17, 1879, and resulted in the defeat of the Peruvians
with heavy loss.
Tarento (Italian Wars).
This fortress, held by a Neapolitan garrison, under the Conde di
Potenza, was besieged by about 5,000 Spaniards, under Consalvo de
Cordova, in August, 1501. Gonsalvo endeavoured to reduce the place by
blockade, but found his forces melting away by desertion, and was forced
to have recourse to more active measures. The north front of Tarento
being bounded by a lake, was unfortified, and Gonsalvo, with incredible
labour, transported overland some of the smaller vessels of the Spanish
fleet lying in the Bay of Tarento, and launched them on the lake. The
town was then at his mercy, and surrendered, being entered by the
Spaniards, March 1, 1502.
Tarragona (Peninsular War).
This city was besieged by the French, 40,000 strong, under General
Suchet, in May, 1811, and defended by a garrison but little inferior in
numbers. The outer defences were stormed one by one, and by June 21, the
besiegers had effected a lodgement in the lower town. On the 28th, the
upper town was taken by storm, and the survivors of the garrison, 8,000
in number, laid down their arms. The French lost about 6,000 during the
siege.
Tashkessen (Russo-Turkish War).
Fought December 28, 1877, between 2,000 Turks, under Valentine Baker
Pasha, and a Russian division, under General Kourloff. In order to cover
Shakir Pasha’s retirement from the Shandurnik heights, Baker’s greatly
inferior force withstood throughout the day, the determined onslaughts
of the Russians, when Baker finally withdrew, having effected his
object. He had lost 800 men, and had inflicted a loss on his assailants
of 32 officers and over 1,000 men.
Tauris (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).
Fought B.C. 47, between the Pompeian fleet, under Marcus Octavius, and
the Cæsareans, under Publius Vatinius. The Cæsarean fleet consisted of
merchant vessels, temporarily equipped with beaks, but Vatinius, though
his ships were inferior both in number and quality, boldly attacked the
Pompeians, and after severe fighting, completely defeated them,
compelling Octavius to abandon the Adriatic.
Taus (Hussite Wars).
Fought August 14, 1431, between the Hussites, under John Ziska, and the
Imperialists, under the Emperor Sigismund. The Hussites gained a signal
victory.
Tayeizan (Japanese Revolution).
Fought 1868, when the adherents of the Shogun made their last stand in
Tokyo at the Tayeizan temple in the Park of Uyeno. They were defeated
after a sharp conflict, leaving the Imperialists in undisputed
possession of the Shogun’s capital.
Tchernaya (Crimean War).
Fought August 16, 1855, between three Russian divisions, under General
Gortschakoff, and three French and one Sardinian division, under General
Marmora. The Russians attacked the allies’ position on the Tchernaya,
and after severe fighting, were repulsed with a loss of 5,000 killed and
wounded. The allies lost 1,200.
Tchesme (Ottoman Wars).
Fought July 7, 1770, between the Russian fleet of 50 sail, under Count
Alexis Orloff, and the Turkish fleet of nearly 100 sail of the line,
under Hassan Bey. With the exception of one ship, which was captured,
the whole of the Turkish fleet was destroyed.
Tearless Battle.
Fought B.C. 368, when a force of Arcadians endeavoured to cut off a
Spartan army, under Archidamus, in a narrow defile in Laconia. They were
repulsed with heavy loss, and not a single Spartan was killed, whence
the engagement came to be called the Tearless Battle.
Tegea.
Fought B.C. 473, when the Spartans defeated the combined forces of the
Arcadian League and the Argives, under the walls of Tegea. Though
victorious, the Spartans were too much reduced in numbers to venture
upon the attack of Tegea, which had been the object of the expedition.
Tegyra (Bœotian War).
Fought B.C. 373, when Pelopidas, with the Sacred Band of 300 Thebans,
routed a large force of Spartans in a narrow pass near Orchomenus,
slaying 600, including their two generals.
Telamon (Conquest of Cisalpine Gaul).
Fought B.C. 225, when the Gauls, marching upon Rome, found themselves
caught between two Roman consular armies, and though fighting
desperately, were cut to pieces.
Tel-el-Kebir (Arabi’s Rebellion).
Fought September 13, 1882, when the British, 17,000 strong, under Lord
Wolseley, after a night march across the desert, attacked and stormed
Arabi’s entrenchments, which were defended by 22,000 Egyptians. The
British lost 339 killed and wounded, the Egyptian loss was very heavy.
Tel-el-Mahuta (Arabi’s Rebellion).
Fought August 24, 1882, when the Egyptians attempted to oppose the march
of the British advance guard, under General Graham, to Kassassin. They
made, however, but a feeble resistance, and were driven off with heavy
loss.
Te-li-ssu (Russo-Japanese War).
Fought June 14 and 15, 1904, between 35,000 Russians, under Baron de
Stakelberg, and about 40,000 Japanese, under General Oku. The Japanese
attacked the Russian position, but the Russians held their ground
throughout the 14th, at a cost of about 350 killed and wounded. On the
15th, however, their flank was turned, and after hard fighting in which
they suffered heavily, two batteries of artillery being absolutely cut
to pieces, they retreated in some disorder, leaving over 1,500 dead on
the field. The Japanese, who lost 1,163 in the two days, captured 300
prisoners and 14 guns. The total Russian losses were about 10,000.
Tellicherry (First Mysore War).
This place, held by a small British garrison, and very imperfectly
fortified, was besieged June, 1780, by a Mysore force, under Sirdar Ali
Khan. Aid was sent to the garrison from Bombay, and a most gallant
defence was made till January 18, 1782, when reinforcements arrived,
under Major Abington, who, aided by the garrison, stormed the Mysori
entrenchments, capturing all their guns, 60 in number, and 1,200
prisoners, among whom was Sirdar Ali.
Temesvar (Hungarian Rising).
Fought August 9, 1849, between the Austrians, under Haynau, and the
Hungarians, under Dembinski. The latter was totally routed, and his army
dispersed, this being the last stand made by the Hungarians in the war.
On the 13th, Görgey and his army surrendered to the Russians at
Villágos.
Tenchebrai.
Fought September 28, 1106, between the English, under Henry I, and the
Normans, under Robert of Normandy, Henry’s brother. Robert was totally
defeated and made prisoner, and Henry annexed Normandy to the crown of
England.
Tergoes (Netherlands War of Independence).
This fortress was besieged, August 16, 1572, by the Dutch Patriots,
7,000 strong, under Jerome de ’t Zeraerts, and was defended by a small
Spanish garrison. On October 20, a force of 3,000 Spanish veterans,
under Colonel Mondragon, succeeded in crossing the “Drowned Land,” with
a loss of only 9 men drowned, and relieved the town, ’t Zeraert’s troops
refusing to face this unexpected attack.
Testry.
Fought 687, between the Neustrians, under Thierry III, and the
Austrasians, under Pepin d’Héristal, the Maire du Palais. The Neustrians
were routed, and Thierry captured.
Tettenhall (Danish Invasion).
Fought 910, between the Danish invaders, and the West Saxons, under
Edward the Elder. The Danes were defeated.
Tetuan (Morocco War).
Fought February 4, 1860, when 30,000 Spaniards, under Marshal O’Donnell,
stormed the Moorish entrenchments outside Tetuan, held by about 40,000
Moors. Three days later Tetuan was entered by the Spaniards.
Teuttingen (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought November, 1643, between the French, under the Maréchal de
Rantzau, and the Imperialists, under the Count de Merci. The
Imperialists surprised the French camp, and totally routed them,
Rantzau, being captured with most of his superior officers, and all his
artillery and baggage.
Tewkesbury (Wars of the Roses).
Fought May 4, 1471, when the Yorkists, under Edward IV, defeated the
Lancastrians, under Prince Edward, Somerset and others, with heavy loss.
Prince Edward and other leading Lancastrians were killed, and Margaret
of Anjou promptly surrendered.
Texel (Dutch Wars).
Fought June 2, 1653, between a British fleet, under Monk, and a Dutch
fleet, under Van Tromp. The action was undecided, but on the following
day, Monk having been reinforced by 18 ships, under Admiral Blake,
renewed the attack, and signally defeated Van Tromp, with a loss of 11
ships and 1,300 prisoners taken, and 6 ships sunk. The British lost 20
ships and 363 killed and wounded.
Thala (Numidian Revolt).
In the year 22, this fortress, defended by no more than 500 Roman
veterans, was attacked by a large force of nomads, under Tacfarinas. The
Romans sallied out, and inflicted so severe a defeat upon Tacfarinas
that his army was dispersed.
Thapsus (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).
Fought April 6, B.C. 46, between the Cæsareans, consisting of 10
legions, under Julius Cæsar, and the Pompeians, 14 legions, in addition
to cavalry, light troops, and 100 elephants, under Metellus Scipio and
Juba.
Thebes.
This city was captured by the Macedonians, under Alexander the Great, in
September, 335 B.C. The Thebans were blockading the Macedonian garrison,
which held the citadel, and the Cadmea; Perdiccas, one of Alexander’s
captains, without orders, broke through the earthworks outside the city.
Before the Thebans could shut the gates, Perdiccas effected an entrance
into the city, and being joined by the garrison of the Cadmea, soon
overcame the resistance of the Thebans. Six thousand of the inhabitants
were massacred, and the city was razed to the ground.
Thermopylæ (Third Persian Invasion).
Fought 480 B.C., when 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians, under Leonidas,
defended the pass of Thermopylæ, leading southwards out of Thessaly,
against the Persian host, under Xerxes. They kept the Persians at bay
until a considerable force having passed the mountains by another part,
they were attacked in the rear. They then retired to a hillock, and
fought till the last man fell.
Thermopylæ (War with Antiochus).
Fought B.C. 191, between 40,000 Romans, under Glabrio, and the army of
Antiochus the Great, King of Asia. Antiochus was entrenched at
Thermopylæ, where he was attacked by the Romans, and a post held by
2,000 Ætolians being surprised, his flank was turned, and he was
disastrously defeated. Antiochus escaped from the field with barely 500
men.
Thetford (Danish Invasion).
Fought 870, between the Danish invaders, and the East Anglians, under
Edward. The latter were defeated and Edward killed.
Thorn (Russo-Swedish War).
Siege was laid to this place by the Swedes, under Charles XII, September
22, 1702. It was defended by a garrison of 5,000 Poles, under General
Robel, who made a gallant defence, but after a month’s siege, he was
compelled by famine to surrender.
Thurii.
Fought B.C. 282, when a Roman consular army, under Caius Fabricius,
routed the Lucanians and Bruttians, who were besieging Thurii. The siege
was raised, and the Tarentine coalition temporarily broken up.
Tiberias.
Fought July, 1187, between the Saracens, under Saladin, and the
Christians of Jerusalem, under Guy de Lusignan. Saladin gained a signal
victory, capturing the King, the Grand Master of the Templars, and the
Marquis de Montferrat. Following up his success, Saladin recovered in
succession, Acre, Jaffa, and other important places, and in the month of
October of the same year, recaptured Jerusalem.
Ticinus (Second Punic War).
Fought B.C. 218, between 26,000 Carthaginians, under Hannibal, and
25,000 Romans, under P. Cornelius Scipio (the Elder). The Romans were
defeated with heavy loss, Scipio being severely wounded.
Ticonderoga (Seven Years’ War).
Fought July 8, 1758, between Montcalm, with 3,600 French and Canadians,
and the British, 15,000 strong, including 6,000 regulars, under General
James Abercromby. Montcalm was strongly intrenched on a ridge in front
of Fort Ticonderoga, his position being furthered strengthened by an
abatis. Abercromby made no attempt to turn the position, but without
waiting for his guns, ordered the regulars to take the lines by storm.
Notwithstanding the gallantry of the troops, who advanced six times to
the assault, the position proved impregnable, and Abercromby was forced
to withdraw, with a loss of 1,944 killed and wounded, the French losing
377 only. The 42nd Regiment (Black Watch) showed conspicuous bravery,
losing half the rank and file, and 25 officers killed and wounded.
On July 22, 1759, a British force of 11,000 men under General Amherst,
arrived before Ticonderoga, which was held by about 3,500 French and
Canadians, under Bourlemaque. On the 23rd, Bourlemaque withdrew to the
Isle-aux-Noix, on Lake Champlain, leaving only 400 men, under Hébécourt,
with instructions to hold Amherst before the place as long as possible.
On the 26th, however, Hébécourt set fire to the magazine and retired.
Ticonderoga (American War of Independence).
This place was invested, June 22, 1777, by the British, under General
Burgoyne, and was defended by 5,000 Americans, under General St. Clair.
After a brief siege, the Americans evacuated the Fort, July 5.
Tiflis (Tartar Invasion of the Caucasus).
Fought 1386, between the Tartars, under Tamerlane, and the troops of the
Caucasian tribes, under the Queen of Georgia. The Queen issued from
Tiflis to offer battle to the Tartars, but her forces could not stand
against them, and were cut to pieces.
Tigranocerta (Third Mithridatic War).
Fought B.C. 69, when the Romans, 10,000 strong, under Lucullus, who was
besieging the city, were attacked by 200,000 Pontic and Armenian troops,
under Tigranes. Tigranes had failed to occupy some high ground which
commanded the position of his cavalry. This Lucullus seized, and
attacking the Pontic cavalry in rear, broke it. He then attacked and
routed the infantry, with a loss according to the Roman account of
100,000. The Romans lost 5 men only.
Tigris (Persian Wars).
Fought 363, when the Romans under Julian, crossed the Tigris in the face
of a large Persian army, strongly entrenched on the opposite bank. At
the first assault, though an attempt at a surprise failed, the Romans
stormed the Persian lines, and after 12 hours’ fighting, drove them from
the field. The Romans only admitted a loss of 75 men, while they claimed
that the Persians lost 6,000 killed.
Tippermuir (Civil War).
Fought September 1, 1644, between the Covenanters, 6,700 strong, under
Lord Elcho, and about 3,000 Scottish Royalists, under Montrose. The
Covenanters were totally defeated, with a loss variously estimated at
from 1,300 to 2,000 killed, and 800 prisoners, while the Royalist loss
was trifling. Following up his victory Montrose occupied Perth.
Toba (Japanese Revolution).
Fought 1868, between the troops of Aiza and Kuwana, under the Shogun
Yoshinobu, and the army of Satsuma and Choshu. The Shogun was totally
defeated, and abandoned his invasion of Satsuma, returning with his
troops to Yedo by sea, surrendering shortly afterwards to the Imperial
forces.
Tofrek (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought March 22, 1885, when General McNeill, with 3 battalions of
Indian, and 1½ of British troops, was surprised in his zariba, by about
5,000 Mahdists. One of the native regiments broke and fled, but the
Berkshires and Marines, made a gallant defence, though the zariba was
forced, as did the other native regiments. After twenty minutes’
fighting the attack was beaten off, the Mahdists leaving 1,500 dead on
the field. The British lost 294 combatants and 176 camp-followers,
killed, wounded and missing.
Tolbiac.
Fought 496, between the Franks, under Clovis, and the Alemanni. The
Franks, after a desperate conflict, began to give way, but were rallied
by Clovis, who leading a charge in person, utterly routed the Alemanni.
This victory gave the Franks undisputed possession of the territory west
of the Rhine.
Tolentino (Hundred Days).
Fought May 2, 1815, between 50,000 Italians, under Murat, and 60,000
Austrians, under General Bianchi. The Italians were routed and
dispersed, and Murat compelled to flee from Italy.
Tolenus (Social War).
Fought B.C. 90, between the Romans, under Lupus, and the revolted
Marsians. Lupus was attacked while crossing the Tolenus, and totally
routed with a loss of 8,000 men.
Tondeman’s Woods (Seven Years’ War).
Fought February 14, 1754, when a convoy to revictual Trichinopoly,
escorted by 180 British and 800 native troops, was attacked by 12,000
Mysore and Mahratta horse, under Hyder Ali and Morari Rao, supported by
a small French force. The Sepoys at once laid down their arms, but the
Europeans made a gallant defence, until the arrival of the French force,
when, hopelessly outnumbered, they also surrendered. The convoy and the
whole detachment were captured.
Torgau (Seven Years’ War).
Fought November 3, 1760, between the Prussians, under Frederick the
Great, and the Austrians, under Count Daun. The Austrians, besides being
numerically superior, occupied a strong position at Torgau. Frederick
divided his forces, and while one portion, under Ziethen, attacked in
front, he himself led the rest of his army round the position, and fell
upon the Austrian rear. Both attacks were repulsed, but during the
night, Ziethen, finding the heights badly guarded, gained them, and
seized the batteries, turning a defeat into a signal victory. The
Austrians lost 20,000, the Prussians, 13,000, and the victory gave
Frederick possession of the whole of Saxony.
Toro (War of the Castilian Succession).
Fought March 1, 1476, between the Portuguese, and the Spanish supporters
of Joanna for the throne of Castile, 8,500 strong, under Alfonso of
Portugal, and the adherents of Isabella, about equal in numbers, under
Ferdinand the Catholic. Ferdinand, after a long march, attacked the
Portuguese at 4 p.m., and at the end of two hours’ fighting, signally
defeated them with heavy loss.
Toulon (War of the Spanish Succession).
An attack was made upon the fortress by a combined Dutch and British
fleet, under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, July 17, 1707. The allies failed to
gain a footing in the town, but 8 French ships lying in the harbour and
130 houses were destroyed by fire.
Toulon (War of the Austrian Succession).
Fought February 11, 1744, between a British fleet of 27 sail of the
line, and 8 frigates, under Admiral Matthews, and a combined French and
Spanish fleet of 28 line-of-battle ships. The British fleet suffered a
serious reverse, in consequence of which the Admiral and four captains
were tried by court-martial and cashiered. The British lost 274 killed
and wounded, the allies about 1,000.
Toulon (Wars of the French Revolution).
On August 29, 1793, Toulon, which had opened its gates to the British,
and was held by a small garrison, under Lord Mulgrave, was besieged by
the French, under Dugommier. By December 18, most of the landward
defences had been carried, and the place having become untenable, Lord
Mulgrave carried off his troops by sea. This siege is chiefly memorable
as being the first important appearance of Napoleon, who commanded the
artillery.
Toulouse (Peninsular War).
Fought April 10, 1814, between 38,000 French, under Soult, and 24,000
British and Spaniards, under Wellington. The French entrenchments in
front of Toulouse were attacked by the British, who after severe
fighting captured some of the outworks. The victory, however, was
incomplete, and was in effect of no value, as Napoleon had on this date
already surrendered to the allies in Paris. The French lost about 3,000
killed and wounded, the allies, 4,659, of whom 2,000 were Spaniards.
Tournay (Netherlands War of Independence).
This place was besieged, October 1, 1581, by the Royal troops, under
Alexander of Parma, and in the absence of the Governor, Prince Espinay,
was gallantly defended by the Princess, who held out until November 30,
when, by an honourable capitulation, she was allowed to march out at the
head of the garrison, with all the honours of war.
Tournay (War of the Spanish Succession).
The town was besieged by the British, under the Duke of Marlborough,
July 8, 1709, and was defended by a French garrison under M. de
Surville. After 56 days of open trenches, the garrison surrendered,
having suffered a loss of 3,000 men.
Tours (Moslem Invasion of France).
Fought 732, between the Franks, under Charles Martel, and the Saracens,
under Abderrahman Ibu Abdillah. The battle lasted several days—according
to the Arab chroniclers, two, while the Christian accounts say seven—and
ended in the fall of Abderrahman, when the Saracens, discouraged by the
death of their leader, owned defeat, and fled, losing heavily in the
pursuit.
Towton (Wars of the Roses).
Fought March 29, 1461, when Edward IV, immediately after his
proclamation, marched against the Lancastrians, under Henry VI, and
vigorously attacked their entrenched position at Towton. Aided by a
heavy snowstorm, blowing in the faces of the defenders, Edward defeated
them all along the line, with heavy loss, among the killed being
Northumberland, Dacre and de Mauley. Henry and Margaret escaped from the
field, and fled northward.
Trafalgar (Napoleonic Wars).
Fought October 21, 1805, between the British fleet of 27 sail of the
line and 4 frigates, under Nelson, with Collingwood second in command,
and the combined French and Spanish fleets, numbering 33 sail of the
line and 7 frigates, under Admiral Villeneuve. Nelson attacked in two
lines, and destroying the enemy’s formation, completely defeated them,
20 ships striking their colours. Nelson fell in the moment of victory,
while the Spanish Admiral was killed, and Villeneuve captured. Most of
the prizes were lost in a heavy gale which sprang up after the battle,
but the destruction of Villeneuve’s fleet put an end to Napoleon’s
scheme for an invasion of England. The British lost 1,587 killed and
wounded, the losses of the allies being far heavier.
Trautenau (Seven Weeks’ War).
Fought June 27, 1866, between the First Prussian Army Corps, under
General von Bonin, and the 10th Austrian corps, under General Gablenz.
The Prussians at first drove back the Austrians, but General Gablenz
advancing in force, fell upon the Prussians, wearied with a long march,
and compelled them to retreat, with a loss of 1,277 killed and wounded.
Owing to the superiority of the needle-gun, the Austrians, though
victorious, suffered a loss of 5,732.
Travancore (Second Mysore War).
Fought December 28, 1789, when Tippu Sahib, with about 15,000 Mysoris,
made a night attack upon the British lines. Having thrown down a portion
of the rampart, a small advance party were hastening to open the gate,
when they were assailed by a detachment of the garrison, and hurled back
into the trench. This repulse threw the advancing troops into confusion,
and they were routed with a loss of over 2,000.
Trebbia (Second Punic War).
Fought December B.C. 218, between 26,000 Carthaginians, 6,000 being
cavalry, under Hannibal, and 40,000 Romans under the Consul Sempronius.
Sempronius’ colleague, Scipio, had been wounded a few days before in a
skirmish, and Sempronius, contrary to his advice, being in sole command,
crossed the Trebbia to attack the Carthaginians. The Romans fought with
determination, and the issue was for some time in doubt, but finally a
charge of the Carthaginian horse, under Mago, against their left flank,
threw the legionaries into confusion, and they were routed with enormous
loss.
Trebbia (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought June 19 to 21, 1799, between the French, under Macdonald, and the
Russians, under Suwaroff. After a severe conflict the French were
totally defeated and driven beyond the Apennines, being obliged shortly
afterwards to evacuate Italy.
Trebizond (Ottoman Wars).