retreating into Catalonia, after the defeat of Stanhope at Brihnega,
were attacked by 20,000 French, under Philip of Anjou and Marshal
Vendôme. Staremberg’s left wing was cut to pieces, but his right and
centre more than held their own, driving back the French with
considerable loss, and capturing some guns. Staremberg was, however, too
weak to take advantage of this partial success, and continued his
retreat after the action.
Villeta (Paraguayan War).
Fought December 11, 1868, between the Paraguayans, under Lopez, and the
armies of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Overwhelmed by vastly superior
numbers, Lopez was forced to withdraw his forces to the entrenched camp
at Angostura.
Villiers (Franco-German War).
A determined sortie from Paris, under General Ducrot, on November 30,
1870, directed against the Wurtembergers. The operations lasted till
December 3. The French, who had at first gained some successes, were
finally repulsed, with a loss of 424 officers and 9,053 men. The Germans
lost 156 officers and 3,373 men.
Vindalium.
Fought B.C. 121, between the Romans, under Q. Fabius Maximus, and the
Arverni. The Arverni were completely defeated, and compelled to sue for
peace.
Vinegar Hill (Irish Rebellion).
Fought June 20, 1798, when the British regulars, under General Lake,
attacked the camp of the Irish rebels, 16,000 strong, under Father
Murphy. Little resistance was made, and the rebels were driven out of
their camp with a loss of 4,000 killed and wounded, and 13 guns.
Vimiera (Peninsular War).
Fought August 21, 1808, between 18,000 British and Portuguese, under Sir
Arthur Wellesley, and 14,000 French, under Junot. The French were
signally defeated, losing 2,000 men and 13 guns, but the victory was not
followed up by Sir Harry Burrard, who was in supreme command, and the
French were allowed to evacuate Portugal unmolested, under the
Convention of Cintra. The British lost 720 killed and wounded.
Viney.
Fought 717, between the Austrasians, under Charles Martel and the
Neustrians, under Chilperic II. The Neustrians were defeated.
Vionville.
_See_ Mars La Tour.
Vittoria (Peninsular War).
Fought June 21, 1813, between 80,000 British, Portuguese and Spanish
troops, under Wellington, and about 70,000 French, under Joseph
Buonaparte. After severe fighting the French were defeated at all points
and made a somewhat disorderly retreat, losing 6,000 killed, wounded,
and prisoners, 143 guns, and almost all their baggage and treasure. The
allies lost 5,000. This battle finally closed the era of French
domination in Spain, and opened to Wellington the road to the Pyrenees.
Vögelinseck (Appenzel Rebellion).
Fought May 15, 1402, between 5,000 troops, of the Swiss Imperial towns,
and 900 rebels of Appenzel and Schwyz. After a brief engagement, the
rebels were driven from the field, with a loss of 250 men.
Volconda.
Fought April, 1751, between Mohammed Ali’s army, 5,600 strong, under
Abdul Wahab Khan, aided by 1,600 British, under Captain Gingen, and
Chunda Sahib’s troops, 17,000 strong, together with a battalion of
Frenchmen. Captain Gingen, though greatly outnumbered, insisted on
attacking, but was repulsed, his Europeans not showing their usual
steadiness, and forced to retreat with considerable loss.
Volturno (Unification of Italy).
Fought October 1, 1860, between 20,000 Italians, under Garibaldi, and
40,000 Neapolitans, under Afan de Riva. Garibaldi’s position in front of
Capua was attacked by the Neapolitans, who, after hard fighting, were
repulsed all along the line, with heavy loss. The Garibaldian casualties
were 2,023 killed and wounded. The Neapolitans lost 2,070 prisoners, but
their losses in killed and wounded are unknown. In consequence of this
victory, Garibaldi almost immediately captured Capua.
Vouillé.
Fought 507, between the Franks, under Clovis, and the Visigoths, under
Alaric II. Alaric was endeavouring to effect a junction with Theodoric,
King of the Ostrogoths, when he was attacked by Clovis, and totally
defeated. Alaric fell in the battle.
W
Wagram (Campaign of Wagram).
Fought July 6, 1809, between 150,000 French, under Napoleon, and 140,000
Austrians, under the Archduke Charles. Napoleon crossed the lesser arm
of the Danube from the Island of Lobau, on the night of the 4th and 5th
July, and driving the Austrian advanced posts before him, prepared to
attack their main position. An attack upon them on the evening of the
5th was repulsed. On the 6th the Austrians attacked the French right,
under Davoust, but were unsuccessful; later, however, the French centre
and left were compelled to give ground, but Napoleon bringing up the
artillery of the Guard and Macdonald’s corps, checked the Austrian
advance, while Davoust carried the heights on the Austrian left,
outflanking them, and rendering their position untenable. By three
o’clock they were in full retreat, having lost about 24,000 killed and
wounded, 9,000 prisoners, including 12 generals, and 20 guns. The French
lost 18,000 killed and wounded.
Waizan (Hungarian Rising).
Fought April 10, 1849, between the 3rd Hungarian corps, under Damjanics,
about 7,000 strong, and two Austrian brigades, under Götz and
Jablonowski. Damjanics attacked the Austrians and drove them out of
Waizan with heavy loss, among those who fell being General Götz.
Wakamatsu (Japanese Revolution).
The last stand of the Shogun’s followers was made at the Castle of
Wakamatsu, which was stormed by the Imperialists, September 22, 1868,
The resistance to the new régime was thus completely broken.
Wakefield (Wars of the Roses).
Fought December 30, 1460, between the Lancastrians, under Somerset, and
the Yorkists, under Richard, Duke of York. The Lancastrians advanced
from Pontefract and offered battle to Richard, who, though weakened by
the absence of foraging parties, accepted the challenge. Somerset
prepared an ambush, into which the Duke fell as he marched out of
Wakefield, and the Yorkists were defeated with heavy loss. The Duke and
many other nobles were killed, and Salisbury captured and beheaded.
Waltersdorf (Campaign of Friedland).
Fought February 5, 1807, between the French, under Ney, and the Prussian
corps of Lestocq. The Prussians were defeated with a loss of about 3,000
killed, wounded and missing.
Wandewash (Seven Years’ War).
Fought January 22, 1760, between the British, with 1,900 European and
3,350 native troops, under Colonel Coote, and the French, 2,250
Europeans and 1,300 natives, under Lally-Tollendal. The French army was
accompanied by 3,000 Mahratta horse, who took no part in the action.
After severe fighting Lally was defeated, with a loss of 600 Europeans,
besides natives, the British losing 190 only.
Wandewash (First Mysore War).
This fort, defended by a small native garrison, under Lieutenant Flint,
who had only one other European with him, was besieged, December, 1780,
by the Mysoris, under Hyder Ali. Flint held out with the utmost
gallantry till January 22, 1781, when the approach of Sir Eyre Coote
forced Hyder Ali to raise the siege. The garrison had then only one
day’s ammunition left.
Warburg (Seven Years’ War).
Fought July 31, 1759, between the French, 35,000 strong, under the
Chevalier de May, and a largely superior force of Prussians and British,
under Prince Ferdinand. The French were in danger of their flanks being
turned, and after a brief engagement, retired, having lost 1,500 killed
and wounded and 1,500 prisoners.
Warsaw (Second Polish Rising).
This city, which was held by a garrison of 30,000 Poles, under General
Dembinski, was attacked by the Russians, 60,000 strong, under General
Paskiewitsch. The first onslaught on the Polish entrenchments was made
on the 6th September, 1831, and the Poles were driven from their first
line. On the 7th a further assault was made, notable for the defence of
the Wola redoubt, where, when it was finally captured by the Russians,
only eleven men remained alive out of a garrison of 3,000. On the 8th
the last defences were overcome, and the city capitulated. The Poles had
9,000 killed in the defence. The Russians admitted a loss of 63 officers
and 3,000 men killed, and 445 officers and 7,000 men wounded.
Wartemberg (Campaign of Leipsic).
Fought October 3, 1813, when Blucher, with 60,000 Prussians, defeated
16,000 French, under Bertrand, posted in a very strong position,
protected by a dyke and a swamp. Aided by the ground, the French
withstood the Prussian attack for over four hours, but finally Blucher
turned their right flank and drove them from their position. The
Prussians lost about 5,000. The French admit a loss of 500 only.
Wartzburg (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought 1796, between the French, under Jourdan, and the Austrians, under
the Archduke Charles. The Archduke interposed between the armies of
Jourdan and Moreau, who were endeavouring to effect a junction, and
inflicted a severe defeat upon Jourdan, forcing him to retire to the
Rhine.
Waterloo (Hundred Days).
Fought June 18, 1815, between 24,000 British, and 43,500 Dutch, Belgians
and Nassauers, in all 67,655 men, with 156 guns, under the Duke of
Wellington, and the French, 71,947 strong, with 246 guns, under
Napoleon. Wellington posted his troops along the line of heights
covering the road to Brussels, with advanced posts at the farms of
Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte. Napoleon attacked this position with the
utmost resolution, but the British squares held their ground against the
French cavalry and artillery throughout the day, and though the French
captured La Haye Sainte, and obtained a footing in Hougoumont, the
arrival of Blucher, with the Prussian army, on the French right, enabled
Wellington at last to assume the offensive, and drive the enemy headlong
from the field, utterly routed. The British lost about 15,000, the
Prussians 7,000 in the battle. The losses of the Dutch and Belgians were
very small, as they left the field early in the day. The French loss was
never officially stated, but it was doubtless enormous, and the army
practically ceased to exist as an organized force.
Watigaon (First Burmah War).
Fought November 15, 1825, when Brigadier-General M’Donell, with four
native regiments, advanced in three columns, against a large force of
Burmans, under Maha Nemyo. The columns failed to keep touch, and were
repulsed in detail, with a loss of 200 men, including the Brigadier.
Watrelots (Netherlands War of Independence).
Fought January, 1567, between 1,200 Flemish Protestants, under Teriel,
and 600 Spaniards, under the Seigneur de Rassinghem. The Protestants
were defeated and 600 took refuge in an old graveyard, where they held
out till the last man had fallen.
Wattignies (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought October, 1793, when the French, under Jourdan, attacked the
Austrians, under the Duke of Coburg, and drove him from his position,
forcing him to raise the siege of Manbeuge.
Wavre (Hundred Days).
Fought June 18, 1815, between the French, under Grouchy, and the
Prussians, 27,000 strong, under Thielmann, who had been entrusted by
Blucher with the task of containing Grouchy, while the main Prussian
army marched on Waterloo. Grouchy, who was anxiously expected at
Waterloo, mistook his instructions, and wasted the day in attacking
Thielmann, whom he defeated, but uselessly.
Wednesfield (Danish Invasion).
Fought in 911, between the Danes and the West Saxons, under Edward the
Elder. The Danes were defeated.
Wei-hai-Wei (Chino-Japanese War).
On February 4, 1895, the boom protecting Wei-hai-Wei harbour was cut,
and the Chinese fleet attacked by 10 Japanese torpedo-boats, who
succeeded in sinking one battleship, at the cost of two torpedo-boats.
On the following night the attack was renewed by four boats, and three
Chinese ships were sunk. On the 9th another battleship was sunk by the
Japanese land batteries, whereupon Admiral Ting, the Chinese commander,
surrendered, and he and his principal officers committed suicide.
Weissenburg (Franco-German War).
The opening engagement of the campaign, fought August 4, 1870, between
the advance-guard of the Third German Army, under the Crown Prince of
Prussia, and a portion of Marshal Macmahon’s army, under General Abel
Donay, who fell in the battle. The Germans carried the French position,
and captured the town of Weissenburg, at a cost of 91 officers and 1,460
men. The French lost 2,300 killed, wounded and prisoners.
Wepener (Second Boer War).
This place was invested by a strong force of Boers, under De Wet, April
9, 1900, and was defended by 1,700 men of the Colonial Division, under
Colonel Dalgety. Notwithstanding the Boer’s great preponderance in
artillery, and a succession of bold assaults on the trenches, the
garrison held out gallantly till April 25, when they were relieved by
General Rundle, having lost 300 killed and wounded in the course of the
operations.
Werben (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought July 22, 1631, between the Swedes, 16,000 strong, under Gustavus
Adolphus, and 26,000 Imperialists, under Count Tilly. Tilly attacked
Gustavus’ entrenchments in front of Werben, but his troops could not
face the fire of the Swedish batteries, and being thrown into disorder,
were then charged by the cavalry, under Baudissen, and repulsed. The
attack was renewed a few days later with a similar result, and Tilly
then drew off his forces, having suffered a loss of 6,000 men.
Wertingen (Campaign of Austerlitz).
Fought October, 1805, between the cavalry of Murat’s corps, and nine
Austrian battalions, strongly posted in and round Wertingen. The
Austrians were defeated, losing 2,000 prisoners and several guns, and
had the French infantry been nearer at hand, it is probable that the
whole force would have been captured.
White Oak Swamp.
_See_ Seven Days’ Battles.
Wiazma (Moscow Campaign).
Fought November 3, 1812, when the corps of Eugène Beauharnais and
Davoust were attacked during the retreat from Moscow, by the Russians,
under Kutusoff, and suffered a loss of 4,000 men.
Wilderness, The (American Civil War).
Fought May 5 to 8, 1864, between the Army of the Potomac, 150,000
strong, under General Grant, and 53,000 Confederates, under General Lee.
Lee’s object was to intercept Grant’s advance on Richmond, and early on
the morning of the 5th he attacked the approaching Federal columns, and
after a hard-fought day, succeeded in arresting the progress of Grant’s
right wing. On the 6th, Lee almost succeeded in breaking Grant’s centre,
but at the critical moment, Longstreet, who was to lead the attack, was
fired upon and dangerously wounded by his own troops. The Federal right
wing, however, was driven back in confusion, and Lee on his side lost no
ground. The two following days minor skirmishes took place, leading up
to the great battle of Spottsylvania. The Confederates lost about 8,000
in the two days’ fighting. The Federal losses were far heavier,
amounting to 15,000 in the second day alone.
Williamsburg (American Civil War).
Fought May 5, 1862, between the Confederates, under General Magruder,
and the Federals, under General M’Clellan. Magruder occupied a very
strong position and held the Federals at bay throughout the day, but
being greatly outnumbered, withdrew during the night. The Federals lost
2,228 killed, wounded and missing, the Confederate loss being much
smaller.
Wilson’s Creek (American Civil War).
Fought August 6, 1861, between 6,000 Federals, under General Lyon, and
16,000 Confederates, under General M’Culloch. General Lyon divided his
force into two columns, for the attack on M’Culloch’s position, and that
led by himself surprised the Southerners, and gained a partial success.
They rallied, however, and beat him off, Lyon falling, the other column
being also repulsed. The Federals lost 1,236, and the Confederates 1,095
killed, wounded and missing.
Wimpfen (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought April 26, 1622, between 14,000 Palatinate troops, under the
Margrave of Baden, and the Imperialists, under Count Tilly and Gonsalvo
de Cordova. Tilly attacked the Margrave’s camp, which was not
entrenched, and though a brilliant cavalry charge captured his guns, it
was not supported by the Palatine infantry, and the Imperialists
rallying, drove off the cavalry in disorder, recovered the guns, and
then routed the infantry, with a loss of 2,000 killed and wounded, and
all their artillery, baggage and camp equipment.
Winchester (American Civil War).
Fought June 14, 1863, when 7,000 Federals, under General Milroy, were
defeated by three Confederate divisions, under General Ewell, and forced
to retreat with heavy loss, including 3,700 prisoners and 30 guns.
Winkovo (Moscow Campaign).
Fought October 18, 1812, when Murat, with 30,000 men, forming the
advance-guard of the retiring French army, was attacked by the Russians,
under Count Orloff Dennizoff, and driven from his position, with a loss
of 2,000 killed, 1,500 prisoners, and all his baggage and artillery.
Wisby (Dano-Swedish Wars).
A three days’ battle, fought 1613, between the fleet of Gustavus
Adolphus of Sweden, and that of Christian IV, of Denmark. The action was
very obstinately contested, and finally the fleets separated without any
decisive result.
Wisloch (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought April 16, 1622, between the troops of the Count Palatine, under
the Count von Mansfeldt, and the Imperialists, under Count Tilly. Tilly
attacked and drove in the Palatinate rearguard, but failing to check the
pursuit, was confronted by the main body, and defeated with a loss of
3,000 killed and wounded, and all his guns. This victory enabled
Mansfeldt to effect a junction with the army of the Margrave of Baden.
Worcester (Civil War).
Fought September 3, 1651, between 12,000 Royalists, under Charles II,
and about 30,000 Parliamentarians, under Cromwell. Charles attacked
Cromwell’s wing, and was repulsed and driven into Worcester, where he
was met by the other wing of the Parliamentary army, under Fleetwood.
The Royalists were utterly routed and dispersed, losing 3,000 killed,
among whom was the Duke of Hamilton, and a large number of prisoners,
including Lords Derby, Lauderdale and Kenmure, and five generals.
Charles himself escaped with difficulty. This was the last pitched
battle of the Civil War.
Worth (Franco-German War).
Fought August 6, 1870, between the Third German Army, under the Crown
Prince of Prussia, and the French, under Marshal Macmahon. After a
closely contested engagement, the French were driven from all their
positions, and made a hasty retreat beyond the Vosges. The Cuirassier
division of General Bonnemain was completely cut to pieces in charging
the German infantry, near Elsasshausen. The German losses amounted to
489 officers, and 10,153 men, while the French lost 10,000 killed and
wounded, 6,000 prisoners, 28 guns and 5 mitrailleuses.
Wrotham Heath (Wyatt’s Insurrection).
Fought January, 1554, when the Kentish insurgents, under Sir Henry
Isley, were totally defeated by the Royal troops, under Lord
Abergavenny.
Wargaom (First Mahratta War).
Fought January 12, 1779, when a British force, 2,600 strong, under
Colonel Cockburn, retreating from Poonah, was attacked by the Mahratta
army, under Mahadaji Sindhia, and Hari Pant. The British succeeded in
beating off the attack, and making good their position in the village of
Wargaom, but at a loss of 352, including 15 officers, and ultimately a
convention was signed by Sindhia, under which the British retired
unmolested.
Wynandael (Napoleonic Wars).
Fought September 28, 1808, between the British, under General Webb, and
the French under the Comte de la Motte. The French, with 40 battalions
and 40 squadrons, attempted to intercept a convoy of supplies for the
army besieging Lille, and were totally defeated, by a far inferior
force, with a loss of 7,000 men.
$1h2 nobreak
X
Xeres (Moslem Empire in Spain).
Fought July 19 to 26, 711, between 90,000 Spaniards, under Roderic, and
12,000 Moslems, with a numerous force of African auxiliaries, under
Tarik. On the fourth day the Moslems suffered a severe repulse, leaving
16,000 dead on the field, but the defection of Count Julian, with a
large part of the King’s forces, revived their courage, and finally the
Christians were routed and dispersed. Roderic fled from the field, but
was drowned in crossing the Guadalquivir. This victory marks the fall of
the Gothic monarchy, and the beginning of the Moorish domination in
Spain.
Y
Yalu (Chino-Japanese War).
Fought September 17, 1894, between the Chinese fleet of 2 battleships
and 8 cruisers, under Admiral Ting, and the Japanese fleet of 10
cruisers, and 2 gunboats, under Admiral Ito. The two fleets met at the
mouth of the Yalu, the Chinese steaming out in line abreast. Ito
attacked in line ahead, using his superior speed to circle round the
enemy’s ships. Two of the Chinese vessels hauled out of the line and
fled without coming into action, while two more were set on fire, and
made for the shore. The remaining 6 ships fought well, and a little
before sundown Ito retired, leaving the crippled Chinese fleet to make
its way to Port Arthur. The Japanese lost 294 killed and wounded, of
whom 107 fell on the flagship, the _Matsushima_, while the _Chiyada_,
which was the next ship in the line, had not a man touched. The Chinese
losses are unknown.
Yalu.
_See_ Kiu-lien-cheng.
Yamazaki.
Fought 1582, between the adherents of the Ota family, then predominant
in Japan, and the followers of the rebel Mitsuhide. Mitsuhide sustained
a crushing defeat.
Yashima (Taira War).
Fought 1184, between the adherents of the Taira family, and the rebels,
under Yoshitsune. The Taira forces were defeated.
Yawata (War of the Northern and Southern Empires).
Fought January, 1353, between the armies of the Northern and Southern
Emperors of Japan. The army of the latter, led by Moroushi, gained a
signal victory.
Yenikale, Gulf of (Ottoman Wars).
Fought July, 1790, between the Turkish fleet, and the Russians, under
Admiral Onschakoff. The battle was fiercely contested, but eventually
both fleets drew off without any decisive result.
Yermuk (Moslem Invasion of Syria).
Fought November, 636, between 140,000 Imperial troops, under Manuel, the
General of Heraclius, and 50,000 Moslems, under Khaled. The Moslem
attack was thrice repulsed, but they returned to the charge, and after a
long and sanguinary engagement, drove their opponents from the field
with enormous loss. The Moslems lost 4,030 killed.
Yorktown (American War of Independence).
The entrenched position of Lord Cornwallis, with 6,000 British troops at
this place, was invested by Washington, with 7,000 French and 12,000
Americans, in September, 1781. The British held out until October 19,
when, surrounded and outnumbered, Cornwallis surrendered, having lost
during the operations, 12 officers and 469 rank and file, killed and
wounded.
Yorktown (American Civil War).
This small village gives its name to the entrenched position occupied by
General Magruder with 11,000 Confederates, which was invested by 105,000
Federal troops, with 103 siege guns, April 5, 1862. On the 16th, an
unsuccessful attack was made upon Magruder’s lines, and both sides
having been reinforced, M’Clellan set about the erection of batteries.
On May 4, the Federals were about to open fire, when it was found that
the Confederates had abandoned the position and retired.
Youghiogany (Seven Years’ War).
A skirmish of no importance in itself, but notable as being “the shot
fired in America which gave the signal that set Europe in a blaze”
(_Voltaire_, _Louis XV_), and was in a sense the cause of the Seven
Years’ War. On May 27, 1754, Washington, with 40 Virginians, surprised a
small French detachment, under Coulon de Jumonville, despatched probably
as a reconnaissance by Contrecœur from Fort Duquesne. The detachment,
with one exception, was killed or captured.
Z
Zab, The (Bahram’s Revolt).