Part 26

This fortress was besieged by the allied French and British armies, under Marshal St. Arnaud and Lord Raglan, September 28, 1854. It was defended by a large force of Russians, under Prince Mentschikoff, with General Todleben as his principal engineer officer. The besiegers were too few for a complete investment, and though the harbour was closed by the British fleet, under Sir Edmund Lyons, the Russians were throughout the siege enabled to obtain reinforcements and provisions from the north side. The batteries opened on October 17, and from that time till September 8, 1855, the town was more or less continuously bombarded. On that day the Malakoff, an important part of the southern defences, was stormed by the French, and the place became untenable, the allies entering it unopposed on the following day. The Russians, during the later days of the bombardment, are said to have lost as many as 3,000 men a day.

Secchia, The (War of the Polish Succession).

Fought September 14, 1734, when the Imperialists, under Count Köningsegg, surprised the camp of the French army, under the Duc de Broglie, capturing 5,000 prisoners, 100 guns and the whole of the stores, baggage and ammunition.

Secessionville (American Civil War).

Fought June 15, 1862, when 6,000 Federals, under General Benham, attacked the strong position of Secessionville, covering the road to Charleston, which was held by 2,000 Confederates, under General Evans. The Federals were repulsed with a loss of 600 men, the Confederates losing 200.

Secunderbagh (Indian Mutiny).

Fought November 16, 1857, during the second relief of Lucknow by Sir Colin Campbell. The Secunderbagh, a walled enclosure of strong masonry, held by a large body of rebels, was, after a bombardment of about an hour and a half, taken by storm by the 93rd Highlanders and the 4th Punjabis, with very heavy loss to the enemy, over 2,000 dead bodies being afterwards carried out of the enclosure.

Sedan (Franco-German War).

This battle, the most decisive of the war, was fought September 1, 1870, The French, under Marshal Macmahon, who was wounded early in the action, were driven from all their positions by the Germans, under the King of Prussia, and compelled to retire into Sedan, where they laid down their arms. The Emperor Napoleon III was among the prisoners, and one of the results of the surrender was his dethronement and the proclamation of a republic in Paris. The battle is remarkable for the charge of the Chasseurs d’Afrique, under General Margueritte, in the neighbourhood of Floing. The brigade was cut to pieces and the general killed. The Germans lost in the action 460 officers and 8,500 men; the French 3,000 killed, 14,000 wounded, and 21,000 prisoners, while 83,000 subsequently surrendered in Sedan. The Germans took 419 guns, 139 fortress guns and 66,000 rifles.

Sedgemoor (Monmouth’s Rebellion).

Fought July 5, 1685, between the Royal troops, under the Earl of Faversham, and the rebels, under James, Duke of Monmouth. Monmouth attempted a night attack on Faversham’s camp, but the alarm was given, and the Royal troops falling upon their assailants, put Monmouth’s cavalry to flight, and though his infantry made a sturdy resistance they were at length overpowered and routed with heavy loss. This defeat put an end to the rebellion.

Segeswár (Hungarian Rising).

Fought July 31, 1849, between the Hungarians, under General Bem, and the Russians, under General Lüders. The Russians, after a severe engagement, were totally defeated.

Segikahara (Rebellion of Hideyori).

Fought September 16, 1600, between the troops of the Shogun Tokugawa Tyeyasa, 80,000 strong, and 130,000 rebels, under Mitsunari. The rebels were utterly routed with the loss of 30,000 killed, among whom was Mitsunari, and the rebellion was suppressed.

Seine Mouth (Hundred Years’ War).

Fought August 15, 1416, when the English fleet, under Bedford, sailed into the Seine with the object of revictualling Harfleur, which the French were besieging. The blockading force, consisting of 8 large Genoese carracks, besides smaller vessels, attacked the English fleet, and after six hours’ hard fighting were totally defeated, with a loss of 5 carracks and 5 other ships, while Bedford succeeded in throwing supplies into the town.

Selby (Civil War).

Fought April 11, 1644, between the Royalists, 3,300 strong, under Colonel John Bellasis, and a slightly superior force of Parliamentarians, under Sir Thomas Fairfax. Bellasis had occupied Selby with the object of preventing a junction between Fairfax’s troops and those of the Scots at Durham. He was attacked by Fairfax and totally defeated, with the loss of 1,600 men and all his artillery and baggage.

Selinus (Second Carthaginian Invasion of Sicily).

This city was besieged by the Carthaginians, 100,000 strong, under Hannibal, B.C. 409. An attempt by the Syracusans, under Diocles, to relieve came too late, for after resisting stubbornly for nine days, the garrison, hopelessly outnumbered, were overpowered; and the place stormed and sacked, all the survivors being carried off into captivity.

Seminara (Italian Wars).

Fought 1495 between 6,000 Spaniards and Neapolitans, under Gonsalvo de Cordova and Ferdinand of Naples, and a largely superior French army, under D’Aubigny. The Neapolitans fled almost without striking a blow, and though the Spaniards fought well, they were overpowered by numbers, and in the end totally routed, only Gonsalvo with 400 Spanish cavalry making an orderly retreat.

Sempach (War of Sempach).

Fought July 9, 1386, between 6,000 Austrians, under Duke Leopold, and 1,500 Swiss Confederates. The Swiss gained a complete victory, the Austrians losing 1,500 killed and wounded, while only 120 Swiss fell. The battle is celebrated for the heroic action of Arnold von Winkelried, who broke the line of the Austrian spearmen at the cost of his life, and enabled his followers to penetrate their phalanx.

Seneff (Wars of Louis XIV).

Fought August 11, 1674, between the French, 45,000 strong, under Condé, and the Flemings and Spaniards, 60,000 strong, under the Prince of Orange. Orange, finding Condé’s position too strong to attack, began a retreat towards Le Quesnay, thereby exposing his flank. Condé took instant advantage of this error, and dispersed the vanguard of the allies, but the Prince took up a strong position at Seneff, from which Condé was unable to dislodge him, and the conflict ended in a drawn battle, after seventeen hours’ hard fighting.

Senegal (Napoleonic Wars).

The French garrison of this place surrendered, July 13, 1809, to a British force of 1 frigate and 2 brigs, with some transports carrying troops, under Captain G. H. Columbine.

Senekal (Second Boer War).

Fought May 29, 1900, when a British force, under General Rundle, attacked the Boers, strongly posted on the Biddulphsberg. The attack was made amidst great bush fires, in which many of the wounded perished, and was unsuccessful, the British losses amounting to 7 officers and 177 men killed and wounded.

Senlac.

_See_ Hastings.

Sentinum (Third Samnite War).

Fought B.C. 298, between five Roman legions, under Q. Fabius Maximus and Publius Decius, and the Samnites and Gauls, under Gellius Equatius. The Roman left was disordered by the war-chariots of the Gauls, but was rallied by Decius, who restored the battle, but at the cost of his life. On the right the Samnites were routed, and Fabius then fell upon the Gauls in flank, and broke them. Meanwhile the Samnite camp was attacked, and Equatius slain, the Romans gaining a signal victory. The losses of the victors amounted to 8,200, while the Gauls and Samnites lost 25,000 killed and 8,000 prisoners.

Sepeia (Argive War).

Fought B.C. 494, between the Spartans, under Cleomenes, and the Argives. The Spartans, by a ruse, succeeded in surprising the Argives while the soldiers were dining, and totally routed them. This defeat deprived Argos of the paramountcy in the Peloponnesus.

Seringapatam (Second Mysore War).

This city was besieged, February 5, 1792, by 22,000 British and native troops, with 86 guns, under Lord Cornwallis, and defended by a Mysori garrison, under Tippu Sahib. On the 6th an assault upon the outlying works was successful, all the redoubts commanding the city being carried, at a cost to the assailants of 530, while the Mysoris lost 20,000. On the approach of reinforcements, under General Abercromby, on the 16th, Tippu consented to treat, and peace was signed in the following month.

Seringapatam (Third Mysore War).

The second siege by General Harris, opened April 6, 1799, when the city was defended by a garrison of 20,000, under Tippu. On May 3, the breach was declared practicable, and the place was stormed by 4,000 men, under General Baird. Tippu was slain in the rout which followed the assault. The British losses during the siege amounted to 1,464. About 8,000 Mysoris fell in the assault.

Seringham (Seven Years’ War).

Fought 1753, between 1,000 British troops, under Major Laurence, and the French, with their Mahratta and Mysori allies, under M. Astruc. The French attacked in force an isolated post, held by 200 Sepoys, and carried it before Major Laurence could come up. He then attacked, and in turn carried the position, driving off the French, and the Mahrattas who came up to their support, and captured three guns.

Seskar (Russo-Swedish Wars).

Fought 1790, between the Swedish fleet, under the Duke of Sudermanland, and a Russian squadron, under Admiral Kruze. The Swedes were totally defeated, after a severe engagement, which lasted from daybreak till far into the night.

Seta (Yoshinaka’s Rebellion).

Fought 1183, between the army of Yoritomo, under his brothers Noriyori and Yoshitsune, and that of Yoshinaka. The rebels were completely defeated, and Yoshinaka killed.

Seven Days’ Battles (American Civil War).

A series of actions fought by General Lee, with 100,000 Confederates, against General M’Clellan, with 95,000 Federals, Lee’s object being to relieve Richmond. On June 26, 1862, General Hill, with 1,400 Confederates, attacked M’Call’s division, in a strong position at =Beaver’s Dam Creek=, which attack M’Call repulsed, at small cost to his force. On the 27th, General Porter, 35,000 strong, posted on the Chickahominy at =Gaines’ Mill=, was attacked by 54,000 Confederates, under Lee in person. The Southerners advanced under a heavy artillery fire, and after severe fighting, drove the Federals across the river, and captured 20 guns. On the 28th, M’Clellan prepared to withdraw to the James River, his centre having been pierced, and commenced his retreat. On the 29th, 4 Confederate divisions, under Longstreet, aided by an armoured train, came up with Sumner’s corps at =Savage’s Station=, but was repulsed, Sumner thus inflicting a serious check upon the pursuing columns. On the 30th, 3 divisions, under General Jackson, overtook the Federal rearguard, under General French, near the =White Oak Swamp=, and an artillery duel followed, which cost the Federals some guns. Two divisions, under Longstreet, also attacked M’Call’s division, and routed it, M’Call being captured. By the evening of the 30th, M’Clellan reached =Malvern Hill=, overlooking the James River, and determined to oppose here the further advance of the Confederates. On July 1st, the Confederates attacked, but the Federals held their ground throughout the day, and on the 2nd retired in good order and practically unmolested. The Federals admit a loss of 15,249 men and 25 guns during the operations, but Confederate accounts put the figures much higher, and claim 51 guns. The losses of the Southerners were also very heavy, especially at Malvern Hill, but Lee’s object was accomplished, and Richmond was relieved.

Sevenoaks (Cade’s Rebellion).

Fought June 18, 1450, between the rebels, under Cade, and the royal troops, under Sir Humphrey Stafford. The force under Stafford was quite inadequate for the work in hand, and was routed, Stafford being killed.

Seven Pines.

_See_ Fair Oaks.

Shahjehan (Tartar Invasion of Kharismia.)

This city was besieged 1221, by the Tartars, under Tuli Khan, and was obstinately defended by the garrison under a Turkish general named Bugha. For twenty-one successive days the besiegers delivered assaults, which were repulsed, but finally the inhabitants made terms with Tuli Khan, and opened the gates.

Shaldiran (Ottoman Wars).

Fought August 24, 1514, between 120,000 Turks, under Selim I, and about 80,000 Persians, under the Shah Ismael. The wing led by the Shah in person was victorious, but the Persian left was totally routed, and in endeavouring to restore the battle on that side Ismael was wounded, whereupon the army was seized with panic, and took to flight.

Shannon and Chesapeake (Second American War).

A famous frigate action, fought May 29, 1813, between the British frigate _Shannon_, of 38 guns, commanded by Captain Broke, and the American frigate _Chesapeake_, also of 38 guns, under Captain John Lawrence. The _Chesapeake_ sailed out of Boston Harbour to attack the _Shannon_, and after a brisk action was taken by the board by the British. The _Shannon_ lost 4 officers and 21 men killed, and 3 officers and 56 men wounded; the _Chesapeake_, 8 officers and 39 men killed, and 9 officers and 106 men wounded. Captain Lawrence was killed and Captain Broke wounded.

Sheerness (Dutch Wars).

Fought June 7, 1667, and following days, when the Dutch fleet, under de Ruyter, sailed up the Medway as far as Upnor Castle, and destroyed 7 ships of war.

Sheriffmuir (Rebellion of the Fifteen).

Fought November 13, 1715, between 3,500 royal troops, under the Duke of Argyle, and 9,000 Highlanders, under the Earl of Mar. Argyle’s left wing was routed by the Macdonalds, and his left and centre, though at first they held their own, were in the end compelled to retire, and Argyle effected a retreat in good order to Stirling.

Sherstone (Danish Invasion).

Fought 1016, between Edmund Ironside, and Knut, the rival claimants to the throne. The battle was indecisive.

Shijo Nawate (War of the Northern and Southern Empires).

Fought 1339, between the army of the Northern Emperor, under Takaugi and Tadayoshi, and the troops of the Southern Emperor, under Kusunoki Masatsura. Masatsura was attacked at Yoshino, which place was temporarily the Imperial residence. Feeling that he was too weak to defend it, he marched out with his whole force to meet his assailants, and fell fighting to the last, the Northern troops gaining a complete victory. Japan was soon afterwards again united, under the rule of the Northern line.

Shiloh (American Civil War).

Fought April 6 and 7, 1862, between the Confederates, 43,000 strong, under General Johnston, and the Federals, 40,000 strong, under General Grant. The Confederates attacked Grant’s position on the west of the Tennessee river, and surprised the Federals, driving back the first line in confusion. By nightfall, Grant was practically defeated, but Johnston failed to take advantage of his opportunity, and Grant being reinforced by 20,000 men during the night, was able on the 7th to assume the offensive. After severe fighting the Southerners were driven from the field with a loss of 9,740 killed and wounded and 959 prisoners, General Johnston being among the killed. The Federals lost 9,617 killed and wounded, and 4,044 prisoners.

Shinowara (Yoshinaka’s Rebellion).

Fought April, 1183, between the troops of the rebel Daimio Yoshinaka, and the Japanese Imperial army, consisting of 100,000 horsemen, under Taira-no-Kore. The Imperial troops were defeated with a loss of 20,000 killed.

Shirogawa (Satsuma Rebellion).

Fought September 24, 1876, when the last remnants of the rebels, under Saigo, were defeated by the Imperial army, under Prince Taruhito. The rebels were practically annihilated, and most of the leaders of the revolt killed. Saigo, after the defeat, committed _Hara-kiri_ on the field.

Sholapur (Third Mahratta War).

Fought May 10, 1818, when a body of cavalry, under General Pritzen, forming part of General Monro’s force, attacked and dispersed the retreating remnant of the Peshwa’s army. Sholapur surrendered on the 15th, the operations having cost the British only 97 killed and wounded, while the loss of the Mahrattas exceeded 800 killed.

Sholingur (First Mysore War).

Fought September 27, 1781, between the British, 10,000 strong, under Sir Eyre Coote, and the Mysoris, numbering about 80,000, under Hyder Ali. Hyder was surprised in the act of striking camp, and though a series of cavalry charges enabled him to withdraw his guns in safety, it was at a cost of 5,000 men that he eventually made good his retreat. The British loss did not exceed 100.

Shrewsbury (Percy’s Rebellion).

Fought July 21, 1403, when the royalists, under Henry IV, met and defeated the insurgents, under Hotspur. Hotspur was killed, and Douglas and Worcester taken prisoners. The battle was the baptism of fire of Henry, Prince of Wales (Henry V), who displayed great bravery, and was severely wounded.

Sidassir (Third Mysore War).

Fought March 6, 1799, between the advance guard of General Stuart’s force, composed of three regiments, under Colonel Montresor, and 12,000 Mysoris, under Tippu Sahib. Montresor’s small force withstood the attack of Tippu’s troops for over six hours, and their ammunition was all but exhausted when Stuart came up, and drove back the enemy with a loss of 2,000 men. The British lost 143 killed and wounded.

Sievershausen.

Fought July 9, 1553, between the Germans, under Maurice, Elector of Saxony, and the Brandenburgers, under the Margrave Albert. The Brandenburgers were defeated, but Maurice was wounded in the action, and died two days later.

Siffin.

A series of actions extending over a hundred days, in 656, between the Moslems, under the Caliph Ali, and the adherents Moawiyeh, the son of Abu Sophian, a pretender to the Caliphate. In the course of these engagements Ali lost 25,000, and Moawiyeh 45,000 men, but the latter was undefeated, and the sanguinary conflict was ended by an unsatisfactory compromise.

Sikajoki (Finland War).

Fought April 18, 1808, between the Swedes, under General Klingspor, and the Russians, under General Bouxhoevden. The Russians endeavoured to outflank the Swedes by moving out on to the ice at the mouth of the Sikajoki river, at the same time assailing them in front. Both attacks were repulsed, and after eight hours fighting, Klingspor took the offensive, and drove the Russians from the field, with heavy loss. The Swedes lost 1,000 killed and wounded.

Silistria (Crimean War).

This fortress was besieged by the Russians in 1854, and was defended by a Turkish garrison, who received valuable assistance from two English officers, Captain Buller and Lieutenant Nasmyth. Many attempts to storm the place were repulsed, and though no efforts were made to relieve them, the garrison held out until June 22, when the Russians raised the siege, having suffered a loss of over 12,000 men.

Silpia.

_See_ Elinga.

Simnitza (Russo-Turkish War).

Fought June 26, 1877, between the Russians, under the Grand Duke Nicholas, and the Turkish garrison of Sistova. On the night of the 26th, the Russian advance-guard, 15,000 strong, under Dragomiroff, crossed the Danube in boats, and then, under Skobeleff, drove the Turks headlong from their entrenchments. On the morning of the 27th, Sistova was occupied, the Russians having lost 820 only in the operations.

Singara (Persian Wars).

Fought 348, between the Romans, under Constantius, and the Persians, in largely superior force, under Sapor II. The Persian king, having posted the major part of his army on the heights overlooking Singara, engaged the Romans with a comparatively small force of light-armed troops, who were easily routed by the legionaries. The pursuit, however, was carried too far, and when night fell, the Romans, exhausted by their efforts, bivouacked under the heights. During the night, Sapor led his best troops to the attack, and routed the weary Romans, with terrible slaughter.

Singara (Persian Wars).

This fortress, held by a Roman garrison, was captured, after a brief siege, by the Persians, under Sapor II, in 360. The garrison was sent into captivity and the fortress dismantled.

Sinnaca (Parthian War).

At this place the remnants of the army of Crassus, after the battle of Carrhæ, B.C. 53, surrendered to the Parthians. Only 5,000 men were with the eagles.

Sinope (Crimean War).

Fought 1853, when the Russian fleet attacked the Turkish fleet of 9 sail, lying in the harbour of Sinope. No quarter was given, and the Turkish fleet was totally destroyed. Over 4,000 Turks were killed, and it is said that only 400, almost all wounded, escaped the massacre.

Sinzheim (Wars of Louis XIV).

Fought October 4, 1674, between the French, under Turenne, and the Imperialists, under General Caprara and the Duke of Lorraine. The French gained a signal victory. This action is also known as the Battle of Entzheim.

Sitabaldi (Third Mahratta War).

Fought November 24, 1817, between a small force of Madras native troops, and some Bengal cavalry, in all about 1,300 men, under Colonel Scott, and the army of Nappa Sahib, Rajah of Nagpur, 18,000 strong, with 36 guns. The Sepoys held their ground for 18 hours, and eventually beat off their assailants, at a cost to themselves of about 300 men.

Skalitz (Seven Weeks’ War).

Fought June 28, 1866, between the 5th Prussian Army Corps, under General Steinmetz, and the 6th and 8th Austrian Corps, under General Ramming. The Austrians were defeated, and Skalitz occupied by the Prussians, who captured 4,000 prisoners and 8 guns.

Slivnitza (Servo-Bulgarian War).

Fought November 17, 18 and 19, 1885, between the Servians, 28,000 strong, under King Milan, and Bulgarians, at first 10,000 in number, but reinforced on the night of the 17th and during the 18th, by a further 5,000, under Prince Alexander. On the 17th, Prince Alexander, who occupied a position strong against a frontal attack, but very vulnerable on his left, made a strong attack on the Servian left, to distract attention from his weak flank. This attack was repulsed, and on the following day the Servians attacked Alexander’s left. Having been reinforced, however, he was able to beat them off, while a frontal attack was also repulsed with loss. On the 19th the Servian attacks were again unsuccessful, and by 3 p.m. they were in full retreat, pursued by the Bulgarians. The Servians lost about 2,000, the victors 3,000 in killed and wounded, in the three days.

Sluys (Hundred Years’ War).

Fought June 24, 1340, when the English fleet of 250 sail, under Sir Robert Morley and Richard Fitzalan, attacked the French fleet of about 200 sail, under Hugues Quiéret, lying in Sluys Harbour. Practically the whole of the French fleet was captured or destroyed, and Quiéret was killed. The French lost 25,000 men, the English 4,000.

Smolensko (Russo-Swedish Wars).

Fought September 22, 1708, when Charles XII of Sweden, with 4,000 infantry and 6 regiments of cavalry, attacked a force of 16,000 Cossacks and Tartars. The king with one regiment was in the course of the action cut off from the rest of his troops by a body of Tartars, and had a narrow escape. His immediate following was reduced to 5 men, when he was rescued by a cavalry charge. In the end the Swedes routed the Cossacks with heavy loss.

Smolensko (Campaign of Moscow).

Fought August 17, 1812, between 175,000 French, under Napoleon, and 130,000 Russians, under Bagration, of whom about 50,000 and 60,000 respectively were actually engaged. Bagration’s corps occupied the town of Smolensko, which Napoleon attacked, carrying two of the suburbs. During the night the Russians set fire to the place, and evacuated it, having lost in the action about 10,000 killed and wounded. The French lost 9,000.

Sobraon (First Sikh War).