taken refuge after the fall of Constantinople, was besieged by the
Turks, under Mohammed II, in 1461. After a brief resistance the city
surrendered, and the last vestige of the Empire of the East was swept
away.
Treveri (Gallic War).
Fought B.C. 55, between the Romans, 50,000 strong, under Julius Cæsar,
and 300,000 Asipetes, a German tribe, who had made a raid into Gaul. The
Germans were routed with enormous loss; indeed, the action was less a
battle than a massacre, and very few succeeded in recrossing the Rhine.
Tricameron (Invasion of the Vandals).
Fought November, 533, between the Romans, under Belisarius, and the
Vandals, under Gelimer and Zano. The Romans were drawn up behind a
stream, and were attacked by the Vandals, though only the wing under
Zano displayed any vigour in the assault. In the end the Vandals were
defeated with a loss of 800, the Romans losing 50 only. This defeat put
an end to the Vandal domination in Africa.
Trichinopoly.
This place was captured, after a three months’ siege, by the Mahrattas,
March 26, 1741. It had been provisioned for a long siege by Chunda
Sahib, but the Mahrattas retired to a distance of 250 miles, whereupon
the avarice of Chunda Sahib impelled him to sell the grain which he had
in store. The Mahrattas, who had been counting upon this, retraced their
steps, and the garrison were in a very short time starved into
submission.
Trincomalee (Seven Years’ War).
Fought August 10, 1759, between a British squadron of 12 sail, under
Admiral Pococke, and a French fleet of 14 sail, under the Comte d’Aché.
After an engagement lasting two hours, the French were worsted, but
sailing better than the British, as usual at this period, eluded pursuit
and lost no ships.
Trincomalee (First Mysore War).
Fought September 3, 1767, between the British, under Colonel Smith, and
the Mysore army, under Hyder Ali. Hyder attacked the British camp, but
was beaten off with a loss of 2,000 men while the British lost 170 only.
On September 26 of the same year, a second engagement took place near
Trincomalee, when Colonel Smith, with 12,000 British and native troops,
came unexpectedly upon the united armies of Hyderabad and Mysore, 60,000
strong, under Hyder Ali, while rounding a hill which separated them. The
superior discipline of the British enabled them to take full advantage
of the surprise, and they inflicted an overwhelming defeat upon their
opponents’ disordered masses. Hyder Ali lost over 4,000 men and 64 guns,
the British loss being 150 killed and wounded.
Trincomalee.
A naval action was fought off this place April 12, 1782, between 11
British ships, under Sir Edward Hughes, and 12 French vessels, under
Suffren. After a sanguinary action with no decisive result, the two
fleets, both too seriously damaged to renew the conflict, separated, the
British making for Trincomalee, and the French for their base to repair
damages.
On September 3, 1782, another indecisive fight took place between the
same Admirals off Trincomalee, the British having 12 and the French 15
sail. Both squadrons were compelled after the action to return to their
respective bases to refit.
Trinidad (Wars of the French Revolution).
This island was captured from the French, without resistance, by a naval
and military expedition under Admiral John Harvey and Sir Ralph
Abercrombie, February 17, 1797.
Trinkitat (Soudan Campaigns).
Fought March 29, 1884, when the British, 4,000 strong, under General
Graham, totally defeated 6,000 Mahdists, under Osman Digna, after five
hours’ severe fighting. The British casualties amounted to 189 killed
and wounded; the Mahdists lost about 2,000. This action is also known as
the Battle of El Teb.
Tripoli (Moslem Conquest of Africa).
Fought 647, between the invading Moslems, under Abdallah, and 120,000
Imperial troops and African levies, under the Prefect, Gregory. The
Moslems gained a signal victory, Gregory being among the slain.
Trivadi (Seven Years’ War).
Fought 1760, between 5,000 Mysoris, under Hyder Ali, and a British force
of 230 European and 2,700 native troops, under Major Moore.
Notwithstanding his inferior numbers, Moore attempted to prevent the
junction of Hyder Ali with the French, and was totally defeated.
Trout Brook (Seven Years’ War).
A small skirmish, in which the advance guard of Abercromby’s army,
marching on Ticonderoga, fell in with a French scouting column, 350
strong, under Langy, July 6, 1758. The French lost 150 killed and
wounded and 148 prisoners, and the affair would be without importance
but for the fact that Lord Howe, who was the brain of Abercromby’s
staff, was killed in the fight. His death was followed by the disaster
of Ticonderoga, and as Parkman says (_Montcalm and Wolfe_, chap. xx.):
“The death of one man was the ruin of fifteen thousand.”
Troy.
The siege and destruction of this city by the Hellenes, though all the
details are legendary, may be accepted as a historical fact, and the
date may be put approximately at 1100 B.C.
Truceia.
Fought 593, between the Neustrians, under Queen Fredegond, and the
Austrasians, under Childebert II. The Austrasian army was totally routed
and fled from the field.
Tsushima (Mongol Invasion of Japan).
Fought 1419 between the Chinese and Koreans, and the ships of the Barons
of Kiushiu. The Japanese gained a signal victory, and from that time
were no more troubled by foreign invasion.
Tudela (Peninsular War).
Fought November 23, 1808, between 30,000 French, under Lannes, and
45,000 Spaniards, under Castaños and Palafox. The Spaniards were totally
defeated, with a loss of about 9,000 killed and wounded, 3,000 prisoners
and 30 guns. The French losses were small.
Tunis (First Punic War).
Fought B.C. 255 between 15,000 Romans, under Regulus, and 16,000
Carthaginians, of whom 4,000 were cavalry, with 100 elephants, under
Xanthippus, the Spartan. The Romans were broken by a cavalry charge, and
their rout was completed by the elephants, and all but 2,500 fell on the
field. Regulus was captured, and Tunis at once occupied by the
Carthaginians.
Tunis (Ninth Crusade).
This city was besieged by the French Crusaders, under Louis IX in 1270.
While before the walls of the place, which offered an obstinate
resistance, Louis died of a fever, and the crusaders at once raised the
siege and retired.
Turbigo (Franco-Austrian War).
Fought June 3, 1859, when the advance guard of Marshal Macmahon’s corps,
under the Marshal in person, was attacked by a portion of the Austrian
division of Clam-Gallas, while simultaneously 4,000 Austrians assailed
the bridge over the canal near the Ticino, which the French main body
was crossing. After severe fighting both attacks were repulsed with
considerable loss.
Turcoing (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought 1794 between the French, under Souham, and the British, under the
Duke of York. The British were defeated and driven back upon Tournay.
Turin (Revolt of Maxentius).
Fought 312, between the legions of Gaul, 40,000 strong, under
Constantine, and the troops of Maxentius, considerably superior in
number. The charge of Maxentius’ heavy cavalry failed, and he was driven
back into Turin with enormous loss.
Turin (War of the Spanish Succession).
This place, held by an Imperialist garrison, 10,000 strong, under the
Duke of Savoy, was besieged by a French army of 68 battalions and 80
squadrons, with artillery and engineers, under the Duc de la Feuillade,
May 26, 1706. On June 17 the Duke of Savoy left the city to organise a
relief force, Count Daun taking the command. The garrison held out
stoutly till September 7, when the approach of a large relieving force
under Prince Eugene compelled the French to raise the siege. About 5,000
of the garrison perished either in action or by disease. In the action
which preceded the retirement of the French, the Imperialists lost
1,500, the French 2,000 killed and wounded and 6,000 prisoners.
Turnhout (Netherlands War of Independence).
Fought August 22, 1597, between the Dutch, under Prince Maurice of
Nassau, and the Spaniards under the Archduke Albert. The Spaniards were
totally defeated, and this victory may be said to have set the seal of
the Independence of the Netherlands.
Tyre (Alexander’s Asiatic Campaigns).
This strongly fortified city, built on an island separated from the
mainland by a channel 1,000 yards wide, was besieged by the Macedonians
under Alexander the Great, B.C., 332. Alexander at once commenced the
construction of a mole across the channel but was much hampered by the
Phœnician galleys, which issued from the two fortified harbours, and
destroyed his military engines. He therefore collected in Sidon a fleet
of 250 ships from the captured Phœnician cities, and holding the
Tyrian galleys in check, completed his mole. It was some time, however,
before a breach could be effected, but in August, 332, an assault was
delivered, headed by Alexander in person, and the city was stormed and
taken. Eight thousand Tyrians fell in the storm, and about 30,000 were
sold into slavery.
U
Ucles (Mohammedan Empire in Spain).
Fought 1109, between the Spaniards, under Don Sancho of Castile, and the
Moors, under Ali. The Spaniards were defeated, with a heavy loss of the
Christian chivalry, among the killed being Don Sancho.
Uji (Taira War).
Fought 1180 between the adherents of the Taira clan, under Shigehira,
and the Japanese, who had risen against the domination of the Taira at
the Court of the Emperor Antoku, under Prince Yukiiye and Yorimasa. The
Taira gained a complete victory, Yukiiye being killed, while Yorimasa
committed suicide in the field.
Ulundi (Zulu War).
The last battle of the war, fought August, 1879, between 5,000 British,
under Lord Chelmsford, and about 20,000 Zulus. The Zulus were routed
with a loss of over 1,500, the British losing only 15 killed and 78
wounded.
Upsala (Dano-Swedish Wars).
Fought 1520, between the Danes, under Otho of Krumpen, and the Swedes,
under Christina Gyllenstierna, widow of the Administrator, Sten Sture.
The Danes, in superior force, were strongly entrenched at Upsala. They
were vigorously attacked, but the advantage of position and numbers
enabled them to beat off their assailants with heavy loss, though only
after severe fighting.
Upsala (Dano-Swedish Wars).
Fought 1521, when 3,000 Swedes, under Gustavus Vasa, defeated the troops
of the Bishop of Upsala, who was holding the city in the Danish
interest. After his victory Gustavus occupied the city.
Urosan (Invasion of Korea).
This place, held by a Japanese garrison under Kiyomasa, was besieged
1595 by the Chinese and Koreans, under Tik Ho. The garrison had been
reduced to such straits that they had eaten their horses, when the
approach of a relieving force, under Toyotomo Hideaki and Mori Hidemoto,
forced Tik Ho to withdraw. While retreating, however, he was attacked by
the Japanese and totally routed.
Ushant (Wars of the French Revolution).
This action, generally known as the “Glorious First of June,” was fought
June 1, 1794, between a British fleet of 25 sail of the line, under Lord
Howe, and 26 French ships, under Villaret. After four hours’ fighting
the French were defeated, with a loss of 6 ships captured, and one, the
_Vengeur_, sunk. The sinking of this ship was elaborated by the French
into a fable, to the effect that she refused to surrender, and went down
with all hands and colours flying. She had, however, undoubtedly struck
her colours, and her captain and over 200 of her crew were rescued by
the boats of the British fleet. The French admitted a loss of 3,000 men,
besides prisoners, while the British lost 922 killed and wounded.
Utica (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).
Fought B.C. 49 between the Pompeians, under Varus, and the Cæsarians,
under Curio. Varus sallied from his entrenchments to attack the
Cæsarians, but was signally defeated, his troops fleeing in disorder,
and opening the way for the occupation of Utica by Varus.
Utica (Moslem Conquest of Africa).
Fought 694 between 40,000 Moslems, under Hassan, and a large force of
Greeks and Goths in the Imperial service. The Imperialists were defeated
and driven out of Africa, and Hassan followed up his victory by the
destruction of Carthage, which thenceforth ceased to exist, except as an
obscure village.
Utsonomiya (Japanese Revolution).
Fought 1868, between the forces of the Shogun, under Otori Keisuke, and
the Imperial troops, under Saigo Takamori. The Imperialists were
completely victorious.
V
Vaalkranz (Second Boer War).
General Buller’s third attempt to pierce the Boer lines on the Tugela.
On February 5, 1900, he seized Vaalkranz, under cover of a feint attack
at Brakfontein towards the Boer right. The hill was held by a brigade
during the 6th and 7th, but finding further progress impossible, Buller
again recrossed the Tugela. The British losses amounted to 374 killed
and wounded.
Valenciennes (Netherlands War of Independence).
Siege was laid to this place in December, 1566, by a force of Spaniards
and Germans, mercenaries, under Noircarmes. The operations were somewhat
indolently conducted, insomuch that he and his six lieutenants were
derided as the “Seven Sleepers,” but towards the end of February
Noircarmes began to press on his siege works, and on March 23 his
batteries opened fire, the city surrendering on the following day.
Valenciennes.
Defended by a Spanish garrison under Francisco de Manesses, Valenciennes
was besieged June, 1566, by the French, under Turenne and La Ferté. The
French encamped in two divisions on the opposite side of the Scheldt,
and when the city was on the point of surrendering, La Ferté’s division
was attacked by 20,000 Spaniards, under Condé, and totally routed with a
loss of 400 officers and 4,000 men, before Turenne could come to his
assistance. In consequence of this defeat, Turenne was forced to abandon
the siege and retire.
Val-ès-Dunes.
Fought 1047, between the Normans, under William of Normandy, with aid
from Henri I of France, and the rebel Norman Barons. The rebels were
totally defeated.
Valetta (Wars of the French Revolution).
The capital of Malta, held by a French garrison, 60,000 strong, under
General Vaubois, was besieged September, 1798, by a force of British and
Maltese, under Sir Alexander Ball. Vaubois held out for two years, but
on September 5, 1800, was compelled by famine to surrender. The Maltese
lost during the siege 20,000 men.
Valmy (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought September 20, 1792, between the French, 70,000 strong, under
Dumouriez, and the Prussians, under the Duke of Brunswick. The battle
consisted in the main of an artillery duel, in which the French had the
upper hand, and after nightfall the Prussians retired, recrossing the
frontier two days later.
Valparaiso.
This city, entirely open and undefended, was bombarded March 31, 1866,
by the Spanish fleet under Mendez Nuñez. By this disgraceful action
Valparaiso was reduced to ashes.
Valutinagora (Moscow Campaign).
Fought August 19, 1812, between Ney’s corps, about 30,000 strong, and a
strong rear-guard of Barclay de Tolly’s army, about 40,000 strong, under
Barclay de Tolly in person. The Russians were strongly posted in marshy
ground, protected by a small stream. The French, attacking resolutely,
carried the Russian position in the face of enormous natural
difficulties. Each side lost about 7,000 men.
Varaville.
Fought 1058, between the Normans, under William of Normandy, and the
French and Angevins, under Henri I of France. The Normans gained a
complete victory, and the French king shortly afterwards made peace.
Varese (Italian Rising of 1858).
Fought May 25, 1859, between 3,000 Garibaldians, under Garibaldi, and
5,000 Austrians, under General Urban. The Austrians were repulsed after
hard fighting, and suffered considerable loss. This action is also known
as the Battle of Malnate.
Varmas (South-American War of Independence).
Fought 1813 between the Colombian Patriots, under Bolivar, and the
Spanish Royalists. The latter were defeated.
Varna (Ottoman Wars).
Fought November 10, 1444, between the Turks, under Amurath II, and the
Hungarians, under King Ladislaus. The Hungarians attacked the Turkish
camp, but were beaten off with heavy loss, the King being killed. On the
following day Amurath stormed the Hungarian entrenchments, practically
the whole of the defenders being put to the sword.
Varna (Ottoman Wars).
This fortress, held by a Turkish garrison of 20,000 men, was besieged
July, 1828, by the Russians, under Prince Mentschikoff, and though a
feeble attempt to relieve it was made by Omar Vrione Pasha, the place
was taken by storm on October 11.
Varus. Defeat of (Germanic Wars).
The site of this famous battle is supposed to be between the rivers Ems
and Lippe, not far from the modern Detmoldt. In A.D. 9 the Roman army,
under Quintilius Varus, was attacked while on the march and encumbered
by a heavy baggage-train, by the Germans, under Arminius or Hermann. The
country was thickly wooded and marshy, and the Romans could make but
little defence, with the result that they were almost annihilated. Varus
committed suicide on the field to avoid falling into the hands of the
victors.
Vasaq (Ottoman Wars).
Fought 1442, between 80,000 Turks, under Shiabeddin Pasha, and 15,000
Hungarians, under John Huniades. The Turks were utterly routed, with a
loss of 20,000 killed and wounded, and 5,000 prisoners, including the
Pasha.
Vauchamps.
_See_ Champ-Aubert.
Veii.
This city was besieged B.C. 400 by the Romans, the siege being carried
on in a desultory fashion for seven years. At the end of this period the
citizens of Capua and Valerii made an attack upon the Roman camp, and
inflicted a signal defeat upon the besiegers. M. Furius Camillus was
then appointed dictator, and a determined attempt was made to end the
siege, with the result that Veii fell B.C. 393. Rome’s greatest rival in
Italy was thus destroyed.
Veleneze (Hungarian Rising).
Fought September 29, 1848, between the Hungarians, under General Móga,
and the Croats, under the Ban, Jellachich. The battle was indecisive,
and was followed by a three days’ armistice.
Velestinos (Greco-Turkish War).
Fought May 5, 1897, between a Turkish division under Hakki Pasha, and
the Greeks, 9,000, under Colonel Smolenski. The Greeks occupied a strong
position at Velestinos, where they were attacked by the Turks, but held
their own throughout the day. After nightfall, however his line of
retreat being threatened, Colonel Smolenski withdrew to Volo, where he
embarked his troops on the 7th.
Velletri (Italian Rising of 1848).
Fought May 19, 1849, between 10,000 Garibaldians, under Roselli, and the
Neapolitans, 10,000 strong, under Ferdinand, King of Naples. The advance
guard, under Garibaldi, attacked the town of Velletri, which made a poor
defence, and was evacuated during the night. The losses of the
Garibaldians were small.
Vercellæ (Cimbric War).
Fought July 30, 101 B.C., between 50,000 Romans, under Marius, and the
Cimbri, under Boiorix. The Cimbri were almost annihilated, and their
king slain.
Verneuil (Hundred Years’ War).
Fought August 18, 1424, between 3,000 English, under the Duke of
Bedford, and 18,000 French and Scots, under the Constable Buchan and the
Earl of Douglas. The men-at-arms on both sides fought dismounted, but
the French could make no impression upon the English archers, who were
protected by a barricade of stakes, and in the end were utterly routed,
leaving over 4,000 dead on the field, among them Buchan and Douglas. The
Duc d’Alencon was taken prisoner.
Verona (Revolt of Maxentius).
This place was besieged 312 by Constantine, with the legions of Gaul,
and was defended by a body of rebels, under Pompeianus. After a sortie
had been repulsed, Pompeianus escaped through Constantine’s lines, and
raised a force for the relief of the city. He was, however, met and
defeated by Constantine, many thousands of the Italians, including their
leader, falling, and Verona at once surrendered.
Veseris (Latin War).
Fought near Mount Vesuvius, B.C. 339, between the Romans, under Manlius
Torquatus and Decius Mus, and the Latin army. The Roman left was
repulsed, but Decius Mus, sacrificing himself for the army, sprang into
the midst of the enemy and was slain, and his soldiers following him,
renewed the conflict. Manlius now brought up his veteran reserve, and
the Romans breaking the Latin line, slew or captured nearly
three-fourths of their opponents. The Roman loss, however, was so heavy,
that they were unable to pursue.
Viborg.
Fought 1157, between the adherents of Sweyn III of Denmark, and those of
his successor Waldemar. Sweyn was totally defeated and fled, but falling
into a morass in his flight was overtaken and slain.
Vicksburg (American Civil War).
This city, held by a Confederate garrison, was invested June 24, 1862,
by a fleet of 13 Federal gunboats, under Admiral Farragut, aided by a
land force of 4,000 men, under General Williams. After a bombardment
which made no impression on the defences, Farragut reimbarked the
troops, and withdrew, July 24. In the course of the siege Captain Brown
with the _Arkansas_, a small river steamer, coated with iron, and
carrying eight guns, attacked the Federal flotilla, which mounted 200
guns, and ran the gauntlet successfully, losing 14 men killed and
wounded. The Federals lost 82.
On January 9, 1863, the city was again invested by two Federal corps,
under General M’Clernand, aided by a flotilla of gunboats, under Admiral
Porter. It was defended by a garrison of 3,000 Confederates, under
General Churchill. On the 11th an attack by the combined forces
overpowered the garrison of the fort, but the town defences still held
out, and the siege was not pressed. On May 18, the siege was renewed by
three army corps of General Grant’s army, the garrison being now
commanded by General Pemberton. On the 22nd an unsuccessful assault cost
the Federals 2,500, and a regular siege commenced, with the result that
on July 4, Pemberton surrendered with 25,000 men and 90 guns.
Vienna (Ottoman Wars).
This city, held by a garrison of 16,000 men, under Count de Salm, was
besieged by Solyman the Magnificent, at the head of 120,000 Turks, in
September, 1529. From the 27th of that month till October 14, the
garrison withstood a series of assaults, culminating in an attempt to
storm the breach, which were repulsed with heavy loss. Solyman thereupon
raised the siege and withdrew.
Vienna (Ottoman Wars).
Fought September 12, 1683, between 300,000 Turks, under Kara Mustapha
Pasha, and 70,000 Christians, under John Sobieski. The Turks were
besieging Vienna, and Sobieski marched to its relief, with 30,000,
bringing up the available forces to 70,000, of which he was given the
command. With this army he attacked the Turkish lines, and after a
sanguinary engagement, lasting throughout the day, routed the Turks with
enormous loss. Six Pashas were killed, and Mustapha only escaped capture
by a precipitate flight.
Vigo Bay (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought October 12, 1702, when the combined fleet of 30 British and 20
Dutch ships, under Sir George Rooke, forced the boom at the entrance to
Vigo Harbour and destroyed the French and Spanish fleet anchored
therein. Of the men-of-war, 11 were burnt and 10 captured, while 11
Spanish galleons, with treasure, were taken. This action is generally
called the affair of the Spanish Galleons.
Villach (Ottoman Wars).
Fought 1492, between the Turks, under Ali Pasha, and a Christian army,
under Rudolph de Khevenhuller. During the battle 15,000 Christian
prisoners in the Turkish camp broke out, and fell upon the rear of the
Turks, who were in consequence totally defeated. The Christians lost
7,000 killed, the Turks 10,000 killed and 7,000 prisoners, including
Ali.
Villa Viciosa (War of the Spanish Succession).