Part 18

Fought 315, shortly after the battle of Cibalis, between Constantine, Emperor of the West, and Licinius, Emperor of the East. Constantine moved a body of 5,000 men round his opponent’s flank, and attacked him simultaneously in front and rear. The Illyrian veterans formed a double front, and held their ground, though with heavy loss, till nightfall, when Licinius, having lost thousands of his best troops, drew off his army towards the mountains of Macedonia. The consequence of this defeat was the acquisition by Constantine of Pannonia, Dalmatia, Dacia, Macedonia and Greece.

Marengo (Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns).

Fought June 14, 1800, between 30,000 French, under Napoleon, and 40,000 Austrians, under Melas. The Austrians attacked, and drove back in disorder the first line under Victor, and, following up their success, a serious defeat for Napoleon seemed inevitable, when the arrival of the reserve corps under Desaix turned the scale. Undercover of his attack, the broken divisions reformed, and the Austrians were finally repulsed at all points, and fled in disorder. Desaix was killed at the head of his troops.

Margus.

Fought May, 285, between the legions of the Emperor Carinus and those of Diocletian, who had been raised to the purple by his soldiers. The troops of Diocletian, wasted by the Persian War, were all but overpowered by the fresher legions of Carinus, but the defection during the battle of one of his generals turned the scale, and Carinus himself being killed by an officer whom he had wronged, Diocletian gained a complete victory.

Maria Zell (Campaign of the Danube).

Fought November 8, 1805, during the French advance on Vienna, between Davoust’s corps, and the Austrian corps, under General von Meerfeld. The Austrians were defeated and driven off in disorder, leaving 4,000 prisoners in the hands of the French.

Mariendahl (Thirty Years’ War).

Fought May 2, 1645, between the French, under Turenne, and the Imperialists, under Merci. Turenne, who had 3,000 infantry and 8 regiments of horse, was surprised in his camp by Merci at 2 a.m., and being placed between two fires, was compelled to beat a disastrous retreat, with the loss of almost all his infantry, 1,200 cavalry, and all his artillery and baggage.

Marignano (Italian Wars).

Fought September 13 and 14, 1575, between 50,000 French, under Francis I, and about 40,000 Swiss mercenaries. The Swiss attacked the French camp, and forcing the lines, fought till midnight without decisive result. On the morning of the 14th the battle was renewed, and the Swiss were on the point of success, when the arrival of a small force of Venetians obliged them to withdraw. The French lost 6,000 men, and the Swiss losses were very heavy, including 1,200 who perished in the flames of a village they were defending after the repulse of the attack. Marshal Trivulzio, who commanded a wing of the French army, called the action the “Battle of Giants.”

Marosch, The (Conquest of Dacia).

Fought 101, between the Dacians, under Decebalus, and the Romans, under Trajan. The Dacians were utterly routed, and driven across the river with heavy loss.

Marseglia (Wars of Louis XIV).

Fought October 4, 1693, tween the French, under Marshal de Catinat, and the Austrians, Spanish, and English, under the Duke of Savoy. The allies, who were inferior in numbers, were attacked by the French, and, after severe fighting, driven across the Po with a loss of about 6,000. The Duke of Schomberg and Lord Warwick were taken prisoners. The loss of the French was slightly less.

Mars-la-Tour (Franco-German War).

Fought August 18, 1870, between the French, under Marshal Bazaine, and the 3rd and 10th German Army corps, under Von Alvensleben. The Germans, though at times very hard pressed, succeeded in holding their ground, and prevented the French breaking through to the westward. The battle is chiefly remarkable for the desperate charges of the German cavalry, and especially of Von Bredow’s brigade, against the French infantry, under cover of which the shattered German infantry was enabled to reform. The losses were about equal, amounting to about 16,000 killed and wounded on each side. The action is also known as the Battle of Vionville.

Marston Moor (Civil War).

Fought July 2, 1644, between 18,000 Royalists, under Prince Rupert, and 27,000 Parliamentarians, under Manchester, Leven and Fairfax. For the first time in the war, Rupert’s cavalry was repulsed by Cromwell’s Ironsides, and though the right wing under Fairfax was broken, the left and centre were victorious, and the Royalists were totally defeated, with a loss of 4,000. This victory gave the Parliament complete control of the north.

Martinesti (Ottoman Wars).

Fought September 23, 1789, between the Austrians and Russians, 27,000 strong, under the Prince of Coburg and Suwaroff, and the Turks, 80,000 strong, under Osman Pasha. The allies stormed the Turkish entrenchments, and drove out the defenders, of whom 7,000 were killed and wounded, while 8,000 were drowned in crossing the Rymna. The victors lost 617 killed and wounded.

Martinique (Wars of the French Revolution).

This island was captured from the French in 1794, by a combined naval and military force under Sir John Jervis and Sir George Grey, with a loss to the victors of 6 officers and 37 men killed and wounded.

Martinique (Napoleonic Wars).

Having been restored to France at the Peace of Amiens, Martinique was again taken by the British, February 24, 1809, the force engaged being under Admiral Sir A. J. Cochrane, and Lieut.-General Beckwith.

Maserfield.

Fought 642, between the Northumbrians, under Oswald, and the Mercians, under Penda. The latter were defeated, and Penda slain.

Masulipatam (Seven Years’ War).

This fortress, held by a French garrison, under Conflans, was besieged by the British, about 2,500 strong, under Colonel Forde, in March, 1759. After a fortnight’s bombardment the place was taken by storm, the resistance being very feeble, and Conflans surrendered with his whole force, which considerably outnumbered the assailants. One hundred and twenty guns were taken in the fortress.

Matchevitz (First Polish Insurrection).

Fought October 10, 1794, between the Russians, under Baron de Fersen, and the Poles, under Kosciusko. The Poles, after hard fighting, were totally defeated, leaving 6,000 dead upon the field, while Kosciusko was severely wounded.

Matchin (Ottoman Wars).

Fought July 10, 1791, between the Turks, under Yussuf Pasha, and the Russians, under Prince Repnin. The left and centre of the Turkish army held its ground manfully, and the victory was long in doubt, but a brilliant charge of the Russian left, under General Kutusoff, drove back the Turks who were defeated with heavy loss.

Maxen (Seven Years’ War).

Fought November 21, 1759, between the Austrians, under Marshal Daun, and the Prussians, under General Finck. Daun surrounded Finck’s position, and after comparatively little fighting compelled him to surrender with over 15,000 men, including 17 generals. Seventeen guns were captured. The casualties on both sides were very small.

Maya (Peninsula War).

Fought July 25, 1813, between a British division, under General Stewart, and the French divisions of d’Armagnac, Abbé and Maransin. The French, at a cost of 1,500 men, forced the pass of Maya, driving back the British with a loss of 1,400 men and 4 guns.

Maypo (South American War of Independence).

Fought April 5, 1818, between the Chilian Patriots, 9,000 strong, under San Martin, and 6,000 Spanish Royalists, under General Osorio. The Spaniards were totally defeated with a loss of 1,000 killed and 2,350 prisoners, the Chilians losing over 1,000 killed and wounded. The result of the battle was the establishment of the independence of Chili.

Medellin (Peninsular War).

Fought March 28, 1809, between the French, under Marshal Victor, and 30,000 Spaniards, under Cuesta. The Spaniards soon gave way, and were mercilessly sabred in the pursuit by the French cavalry, losing, it is said, 18,000 killed and wounded. The French lost 300 only.

Medina (Mohammed’s War with the Koreish).

Siege was laid to this town in 625 by 10,000 Koreish, under Abu Sophian. It was defended by Mohammed with 3,000 Moslems, and during the space of 20 days several half-hearted assaults were easily repulsed. At the end of this time Abu Sophian withdrew, and the Koreish made no further attempt to interfere with the progress of Mohammedanism.

Medola (Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns).

Fought August 5, 1796, between the French, 23,000 strong, under Napoleon, and 25,000 Austrians, under Wurmser. The Austrians were totally defeated, and driven back to Roveredo, with a loss of 2,000 killed and wounded, 1,000 prisoners and 20 guns. Prior to this defeat Wurmser had succeeded in revictualling Mantua, but at very heavy cost, the Austrian losses during the three days’ fighting, from the 3rd to the 5th, amounting to 20,000 men and 60 guns.

Meeanee (Scinde Campaign).

Fought February 17, 1843, between 2,800 British and native troops, under Sir Charles Napier, and about 20,000 Beluchis, under the Amirs of Scinde. The infantry were at one time almost overpowered by the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, who attacked with great bravery, but they were rescued by a charge of the 9th Bengal cavalry, who broke up the assailants, and in the end the Beluchis were routed with a loss of 5,000 men and several guns. The British lost 256 killed and wounded.

Meerut (First Mongol Invasion of India).

This place was besieged in 1398 by the Tartars, under Tamerlane. It was considered impregnable, and Tamerlane commenced mining operations, but these methods were too slow for his followers, who by means of scaling ladders carried the fortress by storm, and massacred all the inhabitants. Tamerlane afterwards completed his mines and destroyed all the defences.

Megaletaphrus (First Messenian War).

Fought 740 B.C., between the Messenians, under Aristomenes, and the Spartans. The Messenians were surrounded and cut to pieces, Aristomenes escaping with a few followers.

Megalopolis.

Fought B.C. 331, in the attempt of the Spartans, aided by the Arcadians, Achæans and Eleians, to shake off the Macedonian yoke, during Alexander’s absence in Asia. The allies, under Agis, King of Sparta, were besieging Megalopolis, which had declined to join the league, when they were attacked by the Macedonians, under Antipater, and completely routed, Agis falling in the battle.

Megalopolis (Wars of the Achæan League).

Fought B.C. 226, between the Spartans, under Cleomenes, and the forces of the Achæan League, under Aratus. The Achæans early gained an advantage, and the Spartans fled, pursued by the light troops. These, however, being unsupported, the Spartans turned and routed them, and then overwhelmed the Achæan hoplites in their turn with enormous slaughter.

Melanthias (Sclavonian Invasion).

Fought 559, between the Imperial troops, under Belisarius, and the Sclavonians and Bulgarians, under Zabergan, Prince of Bulgaria. The barbarians assailed the Roman lines, but were easily repulsed, and so precipitate was their flight that only about 500 fell. This was Belisarius’ last victory, and it was closely followed by his disgrace and death.

Meldorp.

Fought 1500, between the Danes, 30,000 strong, under John of Denmark, and the inhabitants of the province of Dithmarsh, which John designed to bring again under Danish rule, after two centuries of virtual independence. The advancing Danes delivered an assault against a small fortified outpost, but were repulsed, and driven in confusion into the surrounding marshes, where over 11,000 perished.

Melitene (Persian Wars).

Fought 578, between the Imperial troops, under Tiberius, and the Persians, under Chosroes. After a somewhat indecisive battle, at the end of which each side had held its ground, Chosroes, owing to his heavy losses, found it necessary to retire during the night. The battle was, however, signalised by an exploit of a Scythian chief, in command of the Roman left wing, who at the head of his cavalry charged through the Persian ranks, plundered the royal tent, and then cut his way out through the opposing hosts.

Memphis (Athenian Expedition to Egypt).

This city was captured B.C. 459 by an Athenian fleet of 200 ships, which sailed up the Nile to the assistance of Inaros, who had raised the standard of revolt against Persia. The citadel, however, held out until B.C. 456, when a Persian army, under Megabyzus, defeated the Athenians and drove them out of Memphis.

Memphis (Moslem Conquest of Egypt).

In 638, Amron, lieutenant of the Caliph Omar, with 8,000 Moslems, invested the city, and after a siege of seven months, in the course of which the besiegers were nearly overwhelmed by the rising of the Nile, the place was taken by assault. On the site of the Moslem encampment were laid the foundations of Old Cairo.

Memphis (American Civil War).

A river action fought June 6, 1862, between 8 Confederate armed vessels, under Commodore Montgomery, and 10 Federal gunboats, under Commodore Davis. Only one of the Confederate vessels escaped destruction, and Memphis fell.

Mensourah (Fifth Crusade),

Fought 1249, between the French, under Louis IX, and the Moslems. The town of Mensourah was seized by the Comte d’Artois, but being surrounded, he and the knights with him were killed. The king meanwhile had seized the Saracen camp, but was unable to hold his ground, and was driven back to Damietta. In the course of his retreat, however, he was surrounded and taken prisoner by the Saracens, with his whole army.

Mentana (Garibaldian Rising).

Fought November 3, 1867, between 10,000 Garibaldians, under Garibaldi, and the French and Papal troops, 5,000 strong, under General Kanzler. Garibaldi was totally defeated, a result largely due to the brilliant work of 1,500 Papal Zouaves, who drove them out of position after position. The Garibaldians lost 1,100 killed and wounded, and 1,000 prisoners. The allies’ losses were only 182 killed and wounded, of which the Papal troops lost 144.

Merida (Moorish Empire in Spain).

This place was besieged in 712 by 18,000 Moors, under Musa. After a defeat in the open plain before the city, the Spaniards made a long and obstinate defence, which cost the besiegers many lives, but in the end they were forced by famine to surrender.

Merseburg.

Fought 934 between the Germans, under Henry the Fowler, and the Hungarian invaders. The Hungarians were completely defeated, with heavy loss, and withdrew from Germany, which they did not again invade for twenty years.

Merta (Mogul Invasion of the Deccan).

This strong fortress, belonging to the Rajput Rajah of Malwar, was besieged, 1561, by Sharf-ud-Din Hussein, one of the generals of Akbar, the Great Mogul. The place held out gallantly for several months, but was then forced by famine to capitulate. One of the Malwar chiefs, however, refused all terms, and cut his way out at the head of 500 men, of whom 250 fell in the enterprise.

Merton (Danish Invasion).

Fought 871, between the West Saxons, under Alfred, and the Danish invaders. After a severe engagement the Danes were victorious.

Messina.

Fought October 2, 1284, between the Sicilian and Catalan fleet, under the Grand Admiral, Roger de Lauria, and the French fleet, under Charles of Anjou. The Sicilians, who largely outnumbered the French, totally defeated them, burning or destroying practically the whole of their fleet. Charles of Anjou was captured, and henceforth made no further attempt to re-establish his authority in Sicily.

Messina.

_See_ Cape Passaro.

Metaurus (Second Punic War).

Fought 207 B.C., between 50,000 Romans, under Claudius Nero and Marcus Livius, and the Carthaginians, in rather smaller force, under Hasdrubal. The Carthaginians were surprised at early dawn as they were endeavouring to find a ford in the Metaurus, and being vigorously attacked, were totally routed, Hasdrubal being slain. The completeness of the victory was due to Nero, who being in command of the right wing, where the ground prevented his getting to close quarters, and seeing the Roman left hard pressed by Hasdrubal’s best troops, led the major part of his force round the Roman rear, and fell upon Hasdrubal’s right, routing him utterly.

Methuen (Scottish Wars).

Fought June 19, 1306, when a small Scottish force, under Robert Bruce, was attacked and defeated by the English in superior force.

Metz (Franco-German War).

This fortress was invested by the Germans after the defeat of Bazaine at Gravelotte in August 18, 1870, and after several fruitless attempts to break through the German lines had been repulsed, Bazaine surrendered to Prince Frederick Charles on October 26, with 3 marshals, 6,000 officers, and 173,000 men. The Germans took 56 eagles. 622 field guns, 72 mitrailleuses, 376 pieces of fortress artillery, and about 300,000 rifles.

Mexico (Conquest of Mexico).

Fought June 20, 1520, when the Spaniards, under Cortez, who were evacuating Mexico during the night, were attacked by the Aztecs, and suffered heavy loss. The Spaniards called this event the “Noche Triste.”

Michelberg (Campaign of the Danube).

Fought October 16, 1805. Ney’s corps stormed the heights of the Michelberg at the same time that Lannes carried the Frauenberg, driving the Austrians back into Ulm, where on the 17th General Mack capitulated with 30,000 men.

Middelburg (Netherlands War of Independence).

This fortress, the last stronghold in Walcheren to hold out for the Spanish king, was besieged by the Patriots in the winter of 1593. It was defended by a garrison under Colonel Mondragon, who in spite of a gallant resistance and numerous attempts to relieve him, was forced by famine to surrender, February 18, 1594.

Milazzo (Unification of Italy).

Fought July 18, 1860, between the Italian Volunteers, under Garibaldi, and the Neapolitans, under General Bosco. The Neapolitans occupied a strongly entrenched position, which Garibaldi succeeded in turning, the Neapolitans, after a severe struggle, being totally defeated and driven out.

Miletopolis (First Mithridatic War).

Fought B.C. 86, between the Romans, under Flavius Fimbria, and the Pontic troops, under Mithridates. The Romans gained a complete victory.

Millesimo (Napoleon’s Italian Campaigns).

Fought April 13, 1796, when the divisions of Augereau, Masséna and La Harpe attacked the Austrians, strongly entrenched, under General Colli, and after severe fighting, drove them back, thus cutting Colli’s communications with General Beaulieu, the Austrian Commander-in-Chief. The Austro-Sardinians lost about 6,000 men and 30 guns, and all effective co-operation between the two wings was at an end. Also called the Battle of Monte Lezino.

Mill Springs (American Civil War).

Fought January 19, 1862, between the Federals, about 9,000 strong, under General Thomas, and 8,000 Confederates, under General Crittenden. The Confederates attacked, and at first drove back the Federals, who began the action with 5,000 men only, but reinforcements arriving. Thomas repulsed the assailants with considerable loss, capturing 12 guns. The Federals lost 246 only. This was the first considerable defeat suffered by the Confederates in the war.

Minden (Seven Years’ War).

Fought August 1, 1759, between the French, 64,000 strong, under the Marquis de Contades, and the Hanoverians, British and Prussians, 54,000 strong, under Ferdinand of Brunswick. Ferdinand detached a force of 10,000 men to threaten de Contades’ rear, and then, attacking strongly, broke the first line of the French. But for the failure of the allies’ cavalry to advance, the French would have been routed. As it was, they were able to rally, and effect an orderly retreat, though with a loss of 7,086 killed, wounded and prisoners, 43 guns and 17 standards. The allies lost 2,762, fully a half of this number being in the ranks of the six English regiments present, who bore the brunt of the battle.

Minorca (Seven Years’ War).

This place, garrisoned by 2,800 British troops, under General Blakeney, was invested by the French, under the Duc de Richelieu, May, 1756. On May 20, a British squadron of 15 line-of-battle-ships and 3 sloops, under Admiral Byng, attacked Richelieu’s blockading squadron of 12 sail of the line and 5 frigates, with the object of throwing succours into the place. The attack, however, was conducted with so little resolution and resource, that Byng failed in his object, and allowed the French ships to escape him. Blakeney was shortly afterwards forced to surrender, and Byng was tried by court-martial, condemned and shot.

Minorca.

Having been restored to England by the Treaty of Paris in 1762, Minorca was again recaptured in 1781, by a force of 12,000 French and Spaniards, the garrison, under General Murray, being only 700 strong. Murray made a sturdy defence but was forced to surrender.

Miohosaki.

Fought September, 764, between the Japanese rebels, under Oshikatsa, and the Imperial troops, under Saiki-no-Sanya. The rebels were totally routed, and Oshikatsa and his son slain.

Miraflores (Peruvio-Chilian War).

Fought January 15, 1881, between the Chilians, under General Baquedano, and the Peruvians, under General Caceres. The Peruvians were totally defeated, losing 3,000 killed and wounded, while the victors lost 500 killed and 1,625 wounded. Following up their victory, the Chilians occupied Lima on the 17th, and the war came to an end.

Missionary Ridge. _See_ Chattanooga.

Missolonghi (Greek War of Independence).

This place was besieged in 1821 by a force of 11,000 Turks, under Omar Brionis Pasha, and was defended by a small Greek garrison, under Mavrocordatos. The little garrison made so gallant a defence, that at the end of two months Omar was forced to raise the siege. On April 27, 1825, the town was again besieged by the Turks and was again most obstinately defended by the garrison and inhabitants. So little progress was made that it was found necessary to call for the aid of the Egyptian army, under Ibrahim, son of Mehemet Ali. It was not, however, till three months after his arrival before the place that it was finally taken by storm, April 22, 1826, having held out for all but a year.

Mita Caban.

Fought 1362, between the Tartars, under Tamerlane, and the Getes, under the Khan Elias. The Getes were routed with heavy loss.

Miyako.

Fought June, 1353, between the revolted Moronoshi, and the troops of the Emperor of the South, Gomurakami, under Yoshinori. Moronoshi gained a complete victory, and Yoshinori and the Emperor fled into the Eastern provinces.

Miyako.

Fought December 30, 1391, between the troops of the provinces of Idzumo and Idzumi, under Mitsuyaki, and those of the Emperor of the South, Gokameyama. A series of engagements took place in and around Miyako, and in the end Mitsuyaki was driven off with heavy loss, among the killed being the Daimio of Idzumi.

Modder River (Second Boer War).

Fought November 28, 1899, between a Boer force, about 9,000 strong, under General Cronje, and the British, under Lord Methuen. Cronje held a strong position on both banks of the river, which was not accurately known to Lord Methuen, who was marching to the Modder. His columns came under fire about 7 a.m., and the action lasted till evening, when a turning movement enabled him to drive Cronje from his entrenchments. The British losses were 24 officers and 461 men killed and wounded, those of the Boers being about the same.

Mohacz (Ottoman Wars).