Dictionary of Battles From the Earliest Date to the Present Time

Part 12

Chapter 123,851 wordsPublic domain

Glenlivet (Huntly’s Rebellion).

Fought October 4, 1594, between the troops of James VI, 10,000 strong, under the Earl of Argyll, and the rebel Earls of Errol and Huntly. Though inferior in numbers, the rebels gained a complete victory, driving off the royal troops with a loss of 500 men.

Glen Malone.

Fought 1580, between the English settlers under Lord Grey de Wilton, and the Irish septs. The English suffered a serious defeat, among the slain being Sir Peter Carew.

Glenmarreston.

Fought 638, when the Scots under Donald Bree, King of Dalriada, utterly routed the invading Angles.

Glorious First of June.

_See_ Ushant.

Goits (Italian Rising).

Fought May 30, 1848, between the Piedmontese under Charles Albert of Savoy, and the Austrians under General Radetsky. The Austrians were completely defeated, and Radetsky compelled to take refuge behind the line of the Adige.

Golden Rock (Seven Years’ War).

Fought August 7, 1753, between 1,500 British under Major Lawrence, together with 5,000 Tanjore troops under Monakji, and a detachment of French and Mysoris, forming part of the army besieging Trichinopoly. The Golden Rock was taken by assault, and the enemy driven off in confusion, but the victory would have been more decisive had the Tanjore horse pursued with more vigour.

Goodwins, The (Dutch Wars).

Fought July 1, 1666, between a British fleet of 60 sail, under the Duke of Albemarle, and a Dutch fleet of 71 sail-of-the-line, and 30 smaller vessels, under van Tromp and de Ruyter. The action lasted two days, and was desperately contested, but the Dutch being reinforced in the morning of the 3rd, Albemarle bore away. On the 4th, having been joined by Prince Rupert’s squadron, he renewed the attack, but without success. The English lost 10 ships, while most of the others were disabled. The killed and wounded amounted to 1,700, while 2,000 were taken prisoners.

Goraria (Indian Mutiny).

Fought November 23 and 24, 1857, between a British column, about 3,000 strong, under Brigadier Stuart, and a body of 5,000 rebels. The mutineers occupied a strong position, and the British were unable to dislodge them on the 23rd. On the following day the attack was renewed, and the rebels were driven out and dispersed, with a loss of over 1,500.

Gorni-Dubnik (Russo-Turkish War).

Fought October 24, 1877, between the 2nd Division of the Russian Guard, under General Gourko, and the Turks, who were holding the redoubt of Gorni-Dubnik, under Achmet Hefzi Pasha. After very heavy fighting, the Russians succeeded in dislodging their opponents, with a loss of 1,500 killed and wounded, and 53 officers and 2,250 men captured, including the Pasha. The Russians lost 3,300 killed and wounded, including 116 officers of the Guards.

Gorodeczno (Campaign of Moscow).

Fought August 12, 1812, between 36,000 French and Austrians, under General Reynier and the Prince of Schwartzemberg, and the Russians, in equal force, under General Tormazoff. The Russians were defeated and driven from their positions, with a loss of 4,000 men. The French and Austrians lost about 2,000.

Goa.

In 1511, Goa, held by a Portuguese garrison, under Albuquerque, was invested by Kumal Khan, General of the Rajah of Bijapore, at the head of 60,000 men. After a siege of 20 days Albuquerque found his communication with his fleet threatened, and withdrew the garrison. In the same year, however, having collected a force of 1,500 men with 23 ships at Cananore, he attacked Goa, and at once forced an entrance. After severe fighting in the streets, the Deccanis fled in confusion to the mainland, with a loss of 6,000. The Portuguese lost 50 only.

Goa.

This fort, which was held by a Portuguese garrison of 700, under the Viceroy, Luis de Ataida, was attacked by Ali Adil Shah, Rajah of Bijapore, with 135,000 men and 350 guns, in 1570. Aided by the civilians, and 1,300 monks, the garrison made so strenuous a defence, that the Rajah was beaten off, after losing 12,000 men.

Grampians, The (Roman Invasion of Scotland).

Fought 84, probably on the Moor of Ardoch, between the Romans under Agricola, and the Caledonians, 30,000 strong, under Galgacus. The Caledonians attacked with great bravery, but were beaten by the superiority of the Roman discipline, and retired with a loss of 10,000 men. The Romans also lost heavily.

Granada (Moorish Empire in Spain).

Fought 1319, when a Spanish army, under the Regents Pedro and John of Castile, appeared under the walls of Granada. A sortie of 5,000 picked Moors, under Said Othman took place, and the Christians were utterly routed, both the Regents being slain.

Granada (War of Granada).

On April 26, 1491, Ferdinand the Catholic, with an army of 50,000 Spaniards, sat down before Granada, the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain. The siege was carried on in somewhat desultory fashion, and in the early days one serious sortie was made by the inhabitants and garrison, who were, however, defeated, with a loss of 2,000 killed. The city held out until November 25, when Abdallah, the last king of Granada, capitulated.

Grandella (Italian Wars).

Fought 1266, between the troops of the Two Sicilies, under Manfred, son of the Emperor Frederick II, and the French, under Charles of Anjou. Manfred was defeated, and fell in the battle, Charles seizing the crown of the double kingdom.

Grandson (Burgundian Wars).

Fought March 2, 1476, between the Swiss, 18,000 strong, and the Burgundians, numbering 36,000, under Charles the Bold. Charles endeavoured to entice the Swiss into the plain, and to that end ordered a retreat. He was followed by the Swiss, and his rearguard being attacked, was seized with panic, and fled, and in the end Charles was completely defeated and his camp captured.

Granicus, The (Alexander’s Asiatic Campaigns).

Fought May, 334 B.C., between 35,000 Macedonians, under Alexander the Great, and 40,000 Persians and Greek mercenaries, under Memnon of Rhodes, and various Persian satraps. Alexander crossed the Granicus in the face of the Persian army, leading the way himself at the head of the heavy cavalry, and having dispersed the Persian light horse, he brought up the phalanx, which fell upon and routed the Greek mercenaries. The Persians lost heavily, while the Macedonians’ loss was very slight.

Grant’s Hill (Seven Years’ War).

Fought September 14, 1758, when Major Grant, with 800 Highlanders, and Provincials, attacked a body of Indians in the French service near Fort Duquesne. He was repulsed, and in turn attacked by the garrison of the Fort, 3,000 strong, under M. de Ligneris. Grant was totally defeated, losing 273 in killed, wounded and prisoners, and was himself captured.

Graspan (Second Boer War).

Fought November 25, 1899, between Lord Methuen’s division, with a naval brigade, 400 strong, and a Boer commando of about 2,500 men. The Boers occupied a strong position, the key of which, a high kopje, was attacked in front and flank, and carried, with a loss of 9 officers and 185 men. The marines, who numbered 200, lost 3 officers and 86 men of this total. The Boers lost about 100. This is also called the battle of Enslin.

Gravelines.

Fought July 13, 1538, between 8,500 French and Germans, under Marshal de Thermes, and about 10,000 Spanish, Germans and Flemings, under Count Egmont. De Thermes’ right rested on the sea, and a cavalry charge, headed by Egmont, broke his line, after severe hand-to-hand fighting, and the French fled in confusion, leaving 1,500 dead on the field, while as many more were driven into the sea, and drowned. Large numbers were cut down in the pursuit, and de Thermes was captured.

Gravelotte (Franco-German War).

Fought August 18, 1870, between the French, under Bazaine, and the combined German army under the supreme command of William of Prussia. The battle was most hotly contested, but while the French held their ground in the neighbourhood of Gravelotte, the Germans turned their right flank at St. Privat, and they were eventually obliged to abandon all their positions, and retire into Metz, where they were subsequently blockaded. The German losses amounted to 899 officers and 19,260 men killed and wounded. The French losses were somewhat less. This battle is also known as the battle of St. Privat.

Great Meadows (Seven Years’ War).

Fought July 3, 1752, between 350 Virginians, under Washington, and 700 French, under Coulon de Villiers. The Virginians occupied a square log enclosure, known as Fort Necessity, where they resisted the French attack for nine hours, till lack of ammunition forced Washington to surrender. The Virginians lost 60 killed and wounded; the French considerably less.

Grenada (American War of Independence).

Fought July 3, 1779, between a British fleet of 24 sail, under Admiral Byron, and a French fleet of 20 sail-of-the-line, and 10 frigates, under the Comte d’Estaing. Admiral Byron attacked the French with a view of recapturing Grenada, but was unsuccessful, though he inflicted upon them a loss of 1,200 killed and 1,500 wounded. The British lost 183 killed and 346 wounded.

Grangam (Russo-Swedish Wars).

Fought 1721, between the Swedes, and the Russian fleet under Admiral Golitshin. The Swedes were completely defeated, losing four line-of-battle ships captured.

Grochow (Second Polish Rising).

Fought February 25, 1831, between the Poles, 90,000 strong under Prince Michael Radziwill, and 120,000 Russians, under General Dubitsch. After a sanguinary engagement, the Russians were defeated, with a loss of 10,000 killed and wounded. The Poles lost about 5,000.

Gross-Beeren (Campaign of Leipsic).

Fought August 23, 1813, between the French army of the north, under Oudinot, and the allies, 80,000 strong, under the Crown Prince of Sweden, who was covering the road to Berlin. Regnier, whose corps formed the centre of Oudinot’s army, captured Gross-Beeren, which was retaken by the Prussians under von Bulow, and again recovered by Fournier’s and Guilleminot’s divisions, but Oudinot was not sufficiently strong to press his advantage, and retired with a loss of 1,500 men, and 8 guns.

Gross-Jägersdorf (Seven Years’ War).

Fought August 30, 1757, between 28,000 Prussians, under Marshal Lehwaldt, and a largely superior force of Russians, under General Apraxine. The Prussians were defeated, but Apraxine failed to follow up his victory, and recrossed the frontier.

Grozka (Ottoman Wars).

Fought 1739, between the Austrians, under Count Neipperg, and the Turks, under the Grand Vizier. The Austrians were defeated, with heavy loss.

Grunnervaldt.

Fought 1404, between the Poles, under Vladislas IV, and the Teutonic Knights, under their Grand Master. The Poles gained a complete victory, and it is said that 50,000 knights perished, though it is more than doubtful whether their whole army amounted to so many.

Guadeloupe (Wars of the French Revolution).

This island was taken by a British force under Sir John Jervis, July 3, 1794, with a loss of 3 officers and 33 men killed and wounded. It was recaptured by the French, on December 10, of the same year.

Guad-el-Ras (Moroccan War).

Fought March 23, 1860, when 25,000 Spaniards, under Marshal O’Donnell, routed a large force of Moors, entrenched in a very strong position behind the Guad-el-Ras. This victory ended the war.

Guastalla (War of the Polish Succession).

Fought September 19, 1734, between the Imperialists, under the Prince of Würtemberg, and the French, under Marshal de Coligny. The Imperialists were defeated with a loss of about 4,000, including the Prince of Würtemberg. The French losses were about the same.

Gubat.

_See_ Abu Klea.

Guildford Court House (American War of Independence).

Fought March 16, 1781, between the British, under Lord Cornwallis, and a largely superior force of Americans, under General Greene. The Americans occupied a strongly entrenched position in and round Guildford, and the battle consisted of a series of independent actions, in which the British were uniformly successful, driving out the Americans with heavy casualties, and the loss of all their guns and ammunition. The British lost 548 killed and wounded, but the victory served little purpose, as Lord Cornwallis was too weak to pursue his advantage.

Guinegate.

Fought August 16, 1513, when a body of French cavalry, who aimed at relieving Terouënne, which was besieged by the English, under Henry VIII, and the Imperialists, under Maximilian I, were put to flight by the allies without striking a blow. The French fled so precipitately that the action was dubbed the Battle of the Spurs.

Gujerat (Second Sikh War).

Fought February 22, 1849, between the British, 25,000 strong, under Lord Gough, and 50,000 Sikhs, under Shir Singh. The British artillery, numbering 84 pieces, broke the Sikh lines, and after resisting for over two hours, they fled, and were practically annihilated in the pursuit. Fifty-three guns were taken. The British lost only 92 killed and 682 wounded.

Gunzburg (Campaign of the Danube).

Fought October 9, 1805, when Ney’s corps carried the three bridges over the Danube, at or near this town, driving off the Austrians with a loss of 300 killed and wounded, and 1,000 prisoners.

Gwalior (First Mahratta War).

This strong fortress was captured from the Mahrattas, August 3, 1780, by a British force of about 2,000 men, mostly sepoys, under Captain Popham. The wall was scaled by two companies of sepoys, under Captain Bruce, supported by 20 Europeans, and followed by two battalions. The garrison was completely surprised, and an entrance effected without opposition, whereupon the place was surrendered to the assailants, who had not lost a man.

Gwalior (Indian Mutiny).

Fought June 17, 18 and 19, 1858, between a British column under Sir Hugh Rose, and a large body of rebels, led by the Ranee of Jhansi in person. On the 17th the mutineers were driven out of the cantonments with heavy loss, while on the following days the important positions in the town were captured in succession, until by the evening of the 19th, the British were in undisputed possession of Gwalior. The Ranee was known to be amongst the slain, though her body was never found.

H

Haarlem (Netherlands War of Independence).

This city was invested by the Spaniards, 30,000 strong, under Don Francisco de Toledo, December 11, 1572. It was held by a garrison of 4,000, under Ripperda, including a corps of Amazons, led by a widow named Kenau Hasselaer. The batteries opened on the 18th, and on the 21st an assault was repulsed, the assailants losing 400, the garrison three or four only. A second assault, on January 31, 1573, was also repulsed, while a brilliant sortie, on March 25, captured a large and welcome convoy of provisions. On May 28, however, the patriot flotilla of 150 vessels under Martin Brand, on the lake, was defeated by 100 Spanish ships, under Count Bossu. From this point the reduction of the city by famine was inevitable, and the place was surrendered, July 12, 1573. The garrison, reduced to 1,800, was massacred, with the exception of 600 Germans, and altogether 2,300 persons perished after the capitulation. The Spaniards lost 12,000 men in the course of the siege.

Hadranum.

Fought B.C. 344, between Timoleon, the deliverer of Sicily, with 2,000 followers, and Hiketas, Tyrant of Leontini, with 10,000 men. The two had been summoned to the assistance of the rival factions in Hadranum, and Hiketas, who arrived first, was resting his men under the walls, when he was surprised by Timoleon, and totally routed. This was Timoleon’s first exploit, and Hadranum became his headquarters.

Hadrianople (War of the Two Empires).

Fought July 3, 323, between Constantine, Emperor of the West, with 120,000 troops, and Licinius, Emperor of the East, with 165,000. Licinius, by the skilful manœuvring of Constantine, was enticed from his entrenched camp into the open plain, and his raw levies being powerless against the Western veterans, he was totally defeated. It is said that 34,000 perished in the battle.

Hadrianople (Second Gothic Invasion of the East).

Fought August 9, 378, between the Romans, under the Emperor Valens, and the Goths, under Fritigern. The Roman cavalry fled from the field, and the legionaries were surrounded and ridden down by the overwhelming masses of the Gothic horse. Two thirds of the legionaries, and 39 great officers and tribunes perished. Valens was carried off the field wounded, but the hut in which he was lying was fired, and he perished in the flames.

Hahozaki (Tartar Invasion of Japan).

Fought 1274, between the troops of the province of Kiushiu and the Tartars forming the expedition, despatched by Kublai Khan, under Lin Fok Heng. After severe fighting, in which the Japanese suffered heavily, Lin was severely wounded, and withdrew to his ships. A heavy gale destroyed a large number of the Tartar and Korean vessels, and finally the remnant of the invading force made good its escape.

Haliartus.

Fought B.C. 395, when Lysander, at the head of a Spartan force, without waiting as had been arranged to effect a junction with Pausanius, attacked the town of Haliartus. The Haliartians, seeing from the battlements that a body of Thebans was approaching, made a sortie, and the Spartans, attacked simultaneously in front and rear, were routed, and Lysander slain.

Halidon Hill (Scottish Wars).

Fought 1383, in the course of an attempt by Archibald Douglas, the Regent, to relieve Berwick, which was besieged by Edward III. The Scots were powerless against the English archers, and were defeated with a loss of 30,000, including the Regent, and four Earls. This defeat resulted in the submission of Scotland, and Edward placed Balliol upon the throne.

Halieis.

Fought B.C. 459, between the Athenians, and the combined forces of Corinth and Epidamnus. The Athenians were victorious.

Hallue (Franco-German War).

Fought December 23 and 24, 1870, between 40,000 French, under General Faidherbe, and 22,500 Germans, under Manteuffel. The French lost heavily in the village lying in front of their position, but the Germans were unable to carry the entrenchments on the heights. After their attack had been repulsed, the French assumed the offensive, but with no decisive result. The Germans lost 927 killed and wounded; the French over 1,000, besides 1,300 prisoners.

Hampton Roads (American Civil War).

Fought March 8 and 9, 1862, between the Confederate armoured frigate, _Merrimac_, and 5 gunboats, under Captain Buchanan, and 5 Federal warships, under Captain Marston. On the 8th, the _Merrimac_ destroyed two Federal vessels, and drove one ashore, but on the 9th, the Federals were reinforced by the arrival of the turret-ship _Monitor_, and after an indecisive action, the _Merrimac_ drew off. In the two days, the Confederates lost only 10 killed and wounded, but the Federal losses were far heavier, the _Cumberland_ alone losing 150 out of a crew of 400.

Hanau (Campaign of Leipsic).

Fought October 30 and 31, 1813, between 80,000 French, the survivors of Leipsic, under Napoleon, and 45,000 Austrians and Bavarians, under General Wrede, who had occupied a position at Hanau, barring Napoleon’s retreat to France. On the 30th, Napoleon attacked Wrede’s left, which was astride of the road, and driving it back continued his retreat with the main body, leaving three divisions, under Marmont, to secure his rearguard. On the 31st, the rearguard, under Mortier, attacked Hanau, and Wrede being dangerously wounded, his successor, Fresnel, drew off, leaving the road clear. The French lost 6,000, the allies 10,000 men in the two days.

Hardenberg (Netherlands War of Independence).

Fought June 15, 1580, between the Dutch Patriots, under Count Philip Hohenlo, and the Royalists, under Martin Schenck. Fatigued by a long march, the Patriots were no match for Schenck’s fresh troops, and after an hour’s fighting, were broken and almost annihilated.

Harlaw.

Fought July 24, 1411, between the rebel Highlanders, under Donald, Lord of the Isles, and the Lowland Scots, under the Earl of Mar, together with the town militia of Aberdeen, led by their Provost. After a most sanguinary battle, the Lowlanders were utterly routed. Among the slain were the Provost, many knights, 500 men-at-arms, and the majority of the burghers forming the militia. The Highlanders lost 500 only.

Harper’s Ferry (American Civil War).

Fought September 16, 1862, when the Confederates, three divisions, under General “Stonewall” Jackson surrounded the Federal garrison of Harper’s Ferry, 11,000 strong, with 73 guns, and forced them to surrender.

Hashin (Soudan Campaigns).

Fought March 20, 1885, when 8,000 British troops, under General Graham, defeated a detachment of Osman Digna’s army, inflicting upon them a loss of about 1,000 killed. The British lost 48 killed and wounded.

Haslach (Campaign of the Danube).

Fought October 11, 1805, when General Dupont, with 6,000 French, marching upon Ulm, was suddenly confronted with an army of Austrians, 60,000 strong, strongly posted on the Michelberg. Dupont at once seized and entrenched the village of Hanau, which he held until dark against 25,000 Austrians, under the Archduke Ferdinand. After nightfall he withdrew, carrying off 4,000 prisoners.

Hastenbech (Seven Years’ War).

Fought July 26, 1757, between 50,000 Hanoverians and others, under the Duke of Cumberland, and 80,000 French, under Marshal d’Estrées. The Duke, who had taken post on the Weser, to protect Hanover, was overpowered by d’Estrées, and driven back to Slade, on the Elbe, with a loss of several hundred men. This defeat was followed by the signature of the Convention of Closter-Seven.

Hastings (Norman Conquest).

Fought October 14, 1066, a fortnight after the landing of William the Conqueror. The English, under Harold, fought entirely on the defensive, at first with success, but were at last lured from their position by a feigned flight of the Normans, and were then totally routed. Harold was among the fallen. This battle is also known as the Battle of Senlac.

Hatvan (Hungarian Rising).

Fought April 2, 1849, when the Austrians, 15,000 strong under Marshal Schlick, attacked the 7th Hungarian corps, of about equal strength, and after a severe engagement, were totally defeated.

Havana (War of the Austrian Succession).

Fought October 12, 1748, between a British squadron of seven ships, under Admiral Knowles, and a Spanish squadron of equal strength. The action was fought with little determination, and though the British captured one ship, the result was far from decisive. The Spaniards lost 298, the British 179 killed and wounded.

Havana (Seven Years’ War).

In June, 1762, the Earl of Clanwilliam, with 11,000 British troops, supported by a squadron, under Admiral Pococke, laid siege to Havana. Moro Castle, the key of the defences, was taken by storm, and after a siege of two months and eight days the city was captured.

Heathfield.

Fought 633, between the Mercians, under Penda, and the Northumbrians, under Edwin. The latter were defeated and Edwin slain.

Heavenfield.

Fought 634, between the Anglo-Saxons, under the Bretwalda, Oswald of Northumbria, and the Britons, under Cadwallon. The Britons were totally routed.

Hedgeley Moor (Wars of the Roses).

Fought April 25, 1464, between the Lancastrians, under Margaret of Anjou and Sir Ralph Percy, and the Yorkists, under Lord Montague. The Lancastrians were totally defeated, Percy falling in the battle.

Heiliger-Zee (Netherlands War of Independence).