Part 25

Fought April 3, 1811, between three British divisions, under Wellington, and the French, consisting of Reynier’s corps. Reynier held the salient angle of the French position on the Coa, and was driven back after less than an hour’s fighting, with a loss of about 1,500. The British lost 200 only.

Sacile (Napoleon’s Wars).

Fought April 16, 1809, between 45,000 Austrians, under the Archduke John, and 36,000 French and Italians, under Eugène Beauharnais, Regent of Italy. After hard fighting, in which little generalship was shown on either side, a flank movement of the Austrians, which menaced the French line of retreat, forced Eugène to retire, victory thus resting with the Austrians. The losses were about equal on the two sides.

Sacripontus (Civil War of Marius and Sulla).

Fought B.C. 82, between the legions of Sulla and the army of the younger Marius, 40,000 strong. Sulla’s veterans were too steady for the newer levies of Marius, and the latter was routed, with the loss of more than half his army killed or captured. After this victory Sulla occupied Rome.

Sadowa.

_See_ Koeniggratz.

Sadulapur (Second Sikh War).

Fought December 3, 1848. After the failure of his frontal attack on the Sikh position at Ramnugger in November, Lord Gough despatched a force under Sir Joseph Thackwell, to cross the Chenab and turn the Sikh left. An indecisive action followed, which Lord Gough claimed as a victory, but though the Sikhs retired, it was slowly, and only to take up a fresh position, which Thackwell did not consider himself strong enough to attack.

Sagunto (Peninsular War).

This fortress, held by a Spanish garrison, was besieged by the French, 22,000 strong, under Soult, September 23, 1811. Built on the heights above Murviedro, the place was accessible on one side only, and an attempt to escalade this was repulsed September 28. A regular siege was then commenced, and a second unsuccessful assault was made on October 18. On the 25th General Blake, with 30,000 Spaniards, made an attempt to relieve the place, but was defeated with a loss of 1,000 killed and wounded and 4,000 prisoners, the victory costing the French about 800 men. On the following day the garrison surrendered.

St. Alban’s (Wars of the Roses).

Two engagements were fought here in the course of the war. On May 22, 1455, 2,000 Lancastrians, under Henry VI, posted in the town, were attacked by 3,000 Yorkists, under the Duke of York. The Duke pierced the Lancastrian centre, and drove them out of St. Alban’s with heavy loss, among those who were killed being the Earls of Somerset and Northumberland.

The second battle took place February 17, 1461, when the army of Margaret of Anjou, led by Somerset, Exeter, and others, attacked the Yorkists, under Warwick, Warwick withdrew his main body, leaving his left unsupported to withstand the Lancastrian attacks, and these troops, after a feeble resistance, broke and fled. Henry VI, who was a prisoner in Warwick’s camp, escaped and rejoined the Queen, and a rapid advance on London would probably have led to his reinstatement. Warwick, however, took such prompt measures as to render the Lancastrian victory practically fruitless.

St. Aubin du Cormier.

Fought 1487, between the Royal troops, under La Tremouille, and the forces of the rebel Princes, under Marshal de Rieux. The rebels were totally defeated, and a large number of nobles made prisoners, including the Duc d’Orléans and the Prince of Orange.

St. Charles (French-Canadian Rising).

Fought 1837, between the Loyalists, under Colonel Wetherall, and the Canadian rebels. The latter were defeated.

St. Denis (Second Civil War).

Fought November 10, 1567, between the Catholics, under the Constable Montmorenci, and the Huguenots, under the Prince de Condé. Victory rested with the Catholics, but at the cost of the Constable, who was killed, and the battle had no decisive effect upon the course of the war.

St. Denis (French-Canadian Rising).

Fought 1837, between the Canadian rebels, and a force of British and Canadian troops, under Colonel Gore. The rebels were victorious, but the results of their victory were unimportant.

Ste. Croix (Napoleonic Wars).

This island, held by a small Danish garrison, was captured by a British naval and military force, under Admiral Sir A. J. Cochrane and General Bowyer, December 25, 1807, but little resistance being offered.

St. Eustache (French-Canadian Rising).

Fought 1837, between the rebels, under Girod, and the Government troops, under Sir John Colborne. The rebels were completely defeated, and the rebellion was suppressed.

Ste. Foy (Seven Years’ War).

Fought April 27, 1760, between 3,000 British troops, under General Murray, and 8,000 French, under the Chevalier de Lévis, who was approaching from Montreal, with the object of recapturing Quebec. Murray marched out to attack Lévis, but was defeated and driven back into Quebec with a loss of over a third of his force. The French lost about 800.

St. George (Ottoman Wars).

This place, the capital of the island of Cephalonia, was besieged in October, 1500, by the Spaniards and Venetians, under Gonsalvo de Cordova and Pesaro. The garrison consisted of 400 Turks only, but being veteran soldiers they made a most gallant defence; but at the end of two months the place was stormed from two quarters simultaneously, and the survivors of the garrison, some 80 only, laid down their arms.

St. Gothard (Ottoman Wars).

Fought August 1, 1664, between 100,000 Turks, under Achmet Köpriali Pasha, and 60,000 French and Germans, under Montecucculi, who occupied a strong position behind the Raab. On the Turks advancing to the attack, a young Turk rode out, and challenged a Christian to single combat. The challenge was accepted by the Chevalier de Lorraine, who killed his adversary. The Turks then assaulted Montecucculi’s entrenchment, but could make no impression, and after hard fighting were beaten off with a loss of 8,000 killed.

St. Jacob an der Mirs (Armagnac War).

Fought September, 1444, between 30,000 Armagnacs, under the Dauphin, and 1,300 Confederate Swiss. The Swiss being hard pressed, occupied the hospital of St. Jacob an der Mirs, where they maintained the unequal fight until the last man had fallen. The Armagnacs, however, had lost 2,000 killed, and the Dauphin felt compelled to abandon the invasion of Switzerland.

St. Kitts (Dutch Wars).

Fought May 10, 1667, when Sir John Harman, commanding an English squadron of 12 frigates, fell in with a combined Dutch and French fleet of 22 sail, under Commodore Kruysen and M. de la Barre, off St. Kitts. Notwithstanding his inferiority, Harman boldly attacked, and gained a signal victory, burning 5 and sinking several more of the enemy’s vessels. The allies took refuge in the harbour of St. Kitts, and Sir John, following them in, destroyed the rest of their fleet, at a cost of 80 men only.

St. Lucia (Wars of the French Revolution).

This island was captured from the French, April 4, 1794, by a British squadron, under Sir John Jervis.

St. Mary’s Clyst (Arundel’s Rebellion).

Fought August 4, 1549, when Lord Russell, marching with the Royal army to the relief of Exeter, was attacked by 6,000 rebels, detached from the besieging force. The rebels were defeated with a loss of 1,000 killed, and Arundel was forced to raise the siege of Exeter.

St. Privat.

_See_ Gravelotte.

St. Quentin.

Fought August 10, 1557, between 22,000 French and Germans, under the Constable Montmorenci, and about 5,000 Spanish and Flemish cavalry of the Duke of Savoy’s army, under Count Egmont, supported by a small force of infantry. The French, in attempting to throw reinforcements into St. Quentin, were entrapped in a narrow pass, and were utterly routed, with a loss of 15,000 killed, wounded and captured, and all but two of their guns. The Spaniards only lost 50 men.

St. Quentin (Franco-German War).

Fought January 19, 1871, between the French, 40,000 strong, under General Faidherbe, and 33,000 Germans, under Von Göben. The French were decisively defeated, with a loss of 3,500 killed and wounded, 9,000 prisoners, and 6 guns. The Germans lost 96 officers and 2,304 men.

St. Thomas (Napoleonic Wars).

This island was captured from the Danes, December 21, 1807, by a combined British naval and military force, under Admiral Sir A. J. Cochrane and General Bowyer.

Saints, The.

_See_ Dominica.

Salado. (Moorish Empire in Spain).

Fought 1344, between the Portuguese and Castilians, under Alfonso IV of Portugal and Alfonso XI of Castile, and the Moors, under Abu Hamed, Emir of Morocco. The Christians won a signal victory, and Alfonso so distinguished himself in the battle as to earn the title of the “Brave.”

Salamanca (Peninsular War).

Fought July 22, 1812, when Wellington, with 46,000 British and Spanish troops, encountered 42,000 French, under Marmont. The battle was forced on by Marmont, who was endeavouring to interrupt Wellington’s retreat, but the Marshal was severely wounded early in the day, and the conduct of the action was in the hands of General Bonnet. The result was a signal victory for the British, the French losing 12,500 killed, wounded and prisoners, and 12 guns. The British and Spanish loss amounted to about 6,000. These figures include the skirmishes of the days preceding the battle, during which the armies were in touch.

Salamanca (Mexican Liberal Rising).

Fought March 10, 1858, between the Government troops, under Miramon, and the Liberals, under Doblado. Doblado’s raw levies could not face Miramon’s trained troops, and were utterly routed.

Salamis (Third Persian Invasion).

Fought 480 B.C. between the Greek fleet of 370 sail, under Themistocles, and the Persian fleet, of over 1,000 galleys. The Greeks at first hesitated to attack in face of the overwhelming numbers of the Persian ships, but an Athenian trireme, commanded by Aminias, dashed in, and being followed by the rest of the Athenians and the Æginetans in good order, the Persians were, after a hard struggle, totally defeated, with the loss of more than half their fleet. Xerxes and his army witnessed the rout from the shores of Salamis.

Salamis (Wars of Alexander’s Successors).

Fought B.C. 307, between the Macedonian fleet, under Demetrius Poliorcetes, and the Egyptians, under Ptolemy Soter. The Egyptians were routed, with the loss of 100 ships captured and the rest sunk, and 30,000 prisoners.

Salankemen (Ottoman Wars).

Fought August 19, 1691, between 100,000 Turks, under the Grand Vizier, Mustapha Köpriali Pasha, and 45,000 Imperialists, under the Margrave Louis. The Turks were signally defeated and Köpriali slain.

Salano (Moorish Empire in Spain).

Fought 1340 between the Spaniards, under Alfonso XI of Castile, and the Moors, under Abu ’l Hasan of Granada. The Moors, who were besieging Tarifa, were attacked by the Spaniards, who utterly routed them and relieved the town. Abu ’l Hamed fled to Africa, and Alfonso was enabled to recover Algeciras.

Saldanha Bay (Wars of the French Revolution).

Fought August 17, 1796, when Sir Keith Elphinstone, with a British squadron, entered the bay, and after capturing a Dutch ship of war lying in the harbour, landed a force, to which the garrison surrendered after a brief resistance.

Salo.

_See_ Castiglione.

Samarcand (Tartar Invasion of Kharismia).

This place, which was defended by a garrison of 110,000 Turks and Kharismians, under the Governor, Alub Khan, was besieged by the Tartars, under Genghiz Khan, in June, 1220. The garrison harassed the Tartars by numerous sorties, and little progress was made with the siege, but some of the inhabitants, hoping to save the city from pillage, opened the gates to the besiegers. After heroic efforts to defend the city against the overwhelming hordes of the enemy, Alub Khan put himself at the head of 1,000 picked horsemen and cut his way out. The survivors of the garrison, now reduced to 30,000, were put to the sword.

Samaghar (Rebellion of Aurungzebe).

Fought June, 1658, between the army of the Great Mogul, Shah Jehan, under Dara, and the forces of his rebellious sons, Aurungzebe and Marad. Dara was totally defeated, and his army dispersed, and three days later the rebels occupied Agra, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned and Aurungzebe seized the crown.

Sampford Courtney (Arundel’s Rebellion).

The final engagement with the rebels, fought August 17, 1549, when Arundel was defeated by the Royal troops, under Lord Russell, with a loss of 700 killed and many prisoners, including most of the ring-leaders in the rising.

San Giovanni (Wars of the French Revolution).

Fought June 17, 1799, between the French, under Macdonald, and the Russians, under Suwaroff. After three days’ hard fighting, the French were forced to retreat, having suffered a loss of 6,000 killed and wounded and 9,000 prisoners. The Russian losses were about 6,000.

San Isidoro (Paraguay War).

Fought April, 1870, between the Paraguayans, under Lopez, and the allied army of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, under General Camera. Camera attacked Lopez’s entrenchments and drove him out, forcing him to take refuge in the mountains with the small remnant of his troops.

San Jacinto (Texan Rising).

Fought April 2, 1836, when the Mexican army, under Santa Anna, about 5,000 strong, was routed and almost destroyed by the Texans, under General Houston. The survivors, with Santa Anna and his staff, were taken prisoners, and Texas was freed from the Mexican yoke.

San Jacinto.

Fought February 12, 1867, between the adherents of the Emperor Maximilian, under Miramon, and the Mexican Constitutionalists, under Escobedo. Miramon was defeated, and his army surrendered, he himself escaping with difficulty from the field.

San Juan.

_See_ El Caney.

San Lazaro (War of the Austrian Succession).

Fought June, 1746, between the Austrians, 40,000 strong, under Prince Lichtenstein, and the French and Spaniards, under Marshal Maillebois. The allies attacked the Austrian entrenched camp, and after an obstinate conflict, lasting nine hours, were repulsed with a loss of 10,000 killed and wounded.

Sanna’s Post (Second Boer War).

Fought March 31, 1900, when a force of cavalry, with 2 R.H.A. batteries and a considerable convoy, under Colonel Broadwood, was ambushed by a party of Boers, under De Wet, while crossing a donga. The guns were just entering the donga when the Boers opened fire, and 4 guns of Q battery succeeded in getting clear and opening fire, stuck to their work till only 10 men of the battery were left standing. Broadwood succeeded in extricating his force, but at a cost of 19 officers and 136 men killed and wounded, 426 prisoners, 7 guns, and the whole of his convoy. General Colville’s column was within a few miles, but though the firing was heard, he failed to relieve. This is also known as the action of Kornspruit.

San Sebastian (Peninsular War).

This town was besieged July 10, 1813, by the British, under General Graham, and was defended by a French garrison, under General Rey. An assault on July 25 was repulsed, and pending the arrival of heavy guns from England, the siege resolved itself into a blockade. Active operations were resumed, and on the 31st the town was taken by storm. Rey, however, still held out in the citadel, and it was only after further bombardment that he surrendered on September 9. The besiegers’ losses amounted to over 2,500 killed and wounded.

San Sebastian (First Carlist War).

This fortress, held by a garrison of Cristinos and a small detachment of the British legion, under Colonel Wylde, was besieged by the Carlists, under Sagastibelza, February, 1836. The siege was carried on in desultory fashion, with constant fighting between the outposts, till June, 1836, when General Evans, with 10,000 British and Spanish troops, occupied the advanced Carlist positions, and forced them to withdraw.

Santa Lucia (Rio Grande Rising).

Fought 1842, between the Brazilian Government troops, under General Caxias, and the rebels, 6,000 strong, under Feliciano. The rebels were totally defeated.

Santarem (Dom Miguel’s Rebellion).

Fought February 18, 1834, when the Portuguese Government troops, under Marshal Saldanha, totally defeated the “Miguelists,” under Dom Miguel.

Santa Vittoria (War of the Spanish Succession).

Fought July 26, 1702, when 4 regiments of Prince Eugene’s army, under General Visconti, were attacked by 15,000 French and Spaniards, under the Duc de Vendôme. The Imperialists were forced to abandon their camp and retire with the loss of their baggage, but lost only 500 men, while their qualified success cost the allies nearly 2,000 killed and wounded.

Santiago (Spanish-American War).

Fought July 3, 1898, between the American fleet of 4 battleships and 3 cruisers, under Admiral W. T. Sampson, and the Spanish fleet of 4 armoured cruisers and 3 torpedo-boats, under Admiral Cervera. The Spaniards endeavoured to escape from the blockaded harbour of Santiago, but were unsuccessful, the whole squadron being destroyed. The Americans suffered hardly any damage, the Spanish gunnery being very inefficient, and lost only 1 man killed.

Sapienza (Ottoman Wars).

Fought 1490 between the Turkish fleet, under Kemal Reis, and the Venetians. The Venetians suffered a severe reverse, this being the first naval victory of the Turks in the Mediterranean.

Saragossa (War of the Spanish Succession).

Fought August 20, 1700, between 25,000 Spaniards, and a force of Austrians, British, Dutch and Portuguese troops, 23,000 in number, under the Archduke Charles. The Portuguese in the right wing gave way, leading a large force of Spaniards in pursuit, but the left and centre stood their ground, and finally repulsed the enemy, with a loss of 4,000 prisoners, besides killed and wounded. The Archduke at once took possession of Saragossa.

Saragossa (Peninsular War).

In June, 1808, siege was laid to this city by the French, under Marshal Lefebvre. A successful defence was made, and the marshal’s forces being insufficient to effect a prompt capture, he raised the siege in August. In December of the same year it was again besieged by the French, under Moncey and Mortier, and defended by a Spanish garrison, under Palafox. A most heroic defence was made, notable for the bravery of Agostina, the maid of Saragossa, who took the place of her wounded lover on the ramparts, and helped to serve the guns, but despite all the efforts of Palafox, the place was stormed, and, after very severe house to house fighting, captured, February 21, 1809.

Saratoga.

_See_ Stillwater.

Sardis (Wars of Alexander’s Successors).

Fought B.C. 280, between the troops of Pergamus, under Eumenes, and the Syrians, under Antigonus Soter. Eumenes gained a signal victory, and annexed a large part of the dominions of Antigonus.

Sárkány (Hungarian Rising).

Fought December 30, 1848, between the Austrians, under Windischgrätz, and the Hungarians, under General Perczel. Perczel had been entrusted by Görgey with the defence of the Sárkány defile, but on being attacked by the Austrians, his division made little resistance, and fled in disorder, thus forcing Görgey to retire from the line he had chosen to defend.

Sauchie Barn (Rebellion of the Barons).

Fought June 18, 1488, between the rebel Barons, under Angus “Bell-the-Cat,” and the troops of James III of Scotland, under the king. The royal army was totally defeated and James slain.

Saucourt (Norse Invasion of France).

Fought 861 between the Neustrians, under Louis III, and the invading Norsemen, when Louis gained a brilliant victory.

Sauroren (Peninsular War).

Fought July 28, 1813, between the French, 25,000 strong, under Soult, and the British, 12,000 strong, under Wellington. Soult attempted to turn the British left in order to drive them from a strong position, but after severe fighting he was repulsed, with a loss of about 3,000. The British losses were about 2,600. Soult renewed his attempt to force Wellington’s lines on the 30th, but was again repulsed, with a loss of 2,000 killed and wounded and 3,000 prisoners. The British loss amounted to 1,900.

Savage’s Station.

_See_ Seven Days’ Battle.

Savandroog (Second Mysore War).

Siege was laid to this place December 10, 1791, by a column of Lord Cornwallis’ army, about 4,000 strong. It was defended by a strong garrison of Mysoris, and was considered impregnable, but a practicable breach having been effected, it was taken by storm eleven days later, the garrison offering little resistance. The assailants did not lose a man.

Saxa Rubra (Revolt of Maxentius).

Fought October 28, 312, between the Imperial troops, under Constantine, and the legions of Italy, under Maxentius. The Italian cavalry, posted on the wings, was routed by Constantine’s horse; the infantry, thus left unsupported, fled from the field, only the Pretorians making a brave resistance, and dying where they stood. Maxentius escaped, but crossing the Tiber into Rome by the Milvian Bridge, was forced by the crowd of fugitives into the river and drowned.

Scarpheia (War of the Achæan League).

Fought B.C. 146, between the Romans, under Metellus, and the Achæans, under Critolaus. The Greeks were totally defeated with heavy loss, Critolaus being killed.

Scio (Ottoman Wars).

Fought July 5, 1769, between a Russian fleet of 10 sail of the line, under Admiral Spiritoff, and 15 Turkish ships, with some small vessels, under the Capitan Pasha. Alter a severe engagement, in which both the flag-ships were blown up, the Turks were driven into the Bay of Tchesme, where a few days later their fleet was destroyed by fire-ships.

Schipka Pass (Russo-Turkish War).

Fought August 21, 1877, and following days, when the Russians, 7,000 strong, under General Darozhinsky, holding the pass, were attacked by 25,000 Turks, under Suleiman Pasha. The Russians were driven from point after point of their defences, and were on the verge of being overwhelmed, when the arrival of reinforcements enabled them to assume the offensive and recover their lost positions, and on the 26th fighting ceased. The Russian losses amounted to 4,000, including Darozhinsky, while the Turks lost about 11,500.

On September 16 Suleiman, reinforced to 40,000 men, made an attempt to carry the Russian position on Mount St. Nicholas, but was repulsed with a loss of 3,000, the Russians losing 31 officers and about 1,000 rank and file.

By January 8, 1878, the Russian force in the Schipka had been increased to 60,000 men, under General Radetski, while the Turks, numbering 40,000 were under Vessil Pasha. General Mirsky, with 25,000 men, attacked the Turkish entrenchments and drove them out of all their positions, and on the following day Vessil Pasha surrendered with 36,000 men and 93 guns. The Russians lost 5,000.

Schwechat (Hungarian Rising).

Fought October 30, 1848, between the Austrians, under Prince Windischgrätz, and the Hungarians, under General Moga. The Hungarian militia made a very feeble stand against the Austrian regulars, and were driven back all along the line with considerable loss.

Scutari (Ottoman Wars).

This place, held by a Venetian garrison, under Antonio Loredano, was besieged by the Turks, under Suleiman Pasha, May, 1474. The garrison held out stoutly till the middle of August, when Suleiman raised the siege.

Four years later, in June, 1478, Mohammed II invested it, the garrison now being under the command of Antonio di Lezze. Though few in numbers, the Venetians withstood a continuous bombardment, repulsing two serious assaults, until September 8, when Mohammed retired, leaving behind him only a blockading force. When on the conclusion of peace the place was handed over to the Turks only 450 men and 150 women were alive in the town. In the first assault the Turks lost 12,000 men, and an even greater number, it is said, in the second.

Sebastopol (Crimean War).