Part 27

Fought February 10, 1846, between the British, about 15,000 strong, and 25,000 Sikhs, under Runjur Singh. The Sikhs were strongly entrenched on the Sutlej, and Sir Hugh Gough, with feigned attacks on their centre and right, succeeded in pushing home his assault on their left, and after hard fighting drove the defenders to the river, where many perished. The British lost 2,383, the Sikhs about 8,000.

Soczawa (Ottoman Wars).

Fought 1676, between the Poles, under John Sobieski and the Turks, under Mohammed IV. The Poles, who had been reinforced by the Lithuanians, under Paz, totally routed the Turks, who were greatly superior in numbers, and drove them in confusion into Kaminiec, with the exception of which fortress, the whole of Poland was thus freed from the Ottoman invaders.

Sohr (War of the Austrian Succession).

Fought September 30, 1745, between 18,000 Prussians, under Frederick the Great, and 35,000 Austrians, under Prince Charles of Lorraine. The Prussians attacked the Austrian position and the Austrians, failing to display their usual courage made no stand against the steady advance of the Prussian infantry, and were driven back in confusion, with a loss of 6,000 killed, wounded and prisoners, and 22 guns. The Prussians lost between three and four thousand men.

Soissons.

Fought 486, and notable as the first military exploit of Clovis, the founder of the Merovingian dynasty, who here defeated Syagrius, Count of Soissons, and annexed his dominions.

Solebay (Dutch Wars).

Fought May 28, 1672, when the French and English fleets, together about 140 sail, under the Comte d’Estrées and the Duke of York, were surprised at anchor, by a Dutch fleet of 115 ships, under de Ruyter. The French were first attacked, but soon edged out of the fight, and the bulk of the work fell to the English. The battle was indecisive, for though the Dutch lost five or more ships, and the English one only, the allied fleet was too crippled to take the offensive for over a month after the action.

Solferino (Franco-Austrian War).

Fought June 24, 1859, between 150,000 Austrians, under the Emperor Francis Joseph, with Generals Wimpffen and Scholick in actual command, and the French and Piedmontese, under Napoleon III and Victor Emmanuel. The French attacked the Austrian position on the heights round Solferino, which were held by Scholick, and after very hard fighting, they were captured by the corps of Macmahon and Baraguay d’Hilliers. Meanwhile Wimpffen, with three Army Corps, attacked the French left, but was held at bay throughout the day by Marshal Niel’s corps, and when night fell, the Austrian centre being broken, Francis Joseph had no option but to retreat, and consequently recrossed the Mincio. The Austrians lost 22,000 killed, wounded and missing. The allies’ losses were 18,000, of which number the Piedmontese corps of 25,000 lost 4,000.

Solway Moss (Scottish Wars).

Fought December 14, 1542, between the Scottish invading army, under Oliver Sinclair, and a band of 500 English borderers, under Thomas Dacre and John Musgrave. The Scots were totally defeated, and many important nobles captured.

Somnauth (Mahmud’s Twelfth Invasion of India).

This city, one of the holy places of India, was captured by the Afghans, under Sultan Mahmud of Ghuzni, in 1024. According to tradition, he carried off the great gates of the city to Ghuzni; and certain gates purporting to be the same, but which afterwards proved to be of later date, were brought back to India with a flourish of trumpets, after the capture of Ghuzni by the British in 1842.

Son-Tai (Tongking War).

This fortress, defended by a garrison of 25,000 Chinese, including 10,000 “Black Flags,” under Lin Yung Ku, was attacked by the French, under Admiral Courbet, with 7 river gun-boats and force of 7,000 men, December 14, 1883. On this day the outer defences were carried, and the garrison driven into the citadel. During the night the French were surprised by a sortie, which however they repulsed, after severe fighting. On the 16th they stormed the citadel, losing in the three days 92 officers and 318 men killed and wounded. The Chinese lost about 1,000.

Sorata (Inca Rising).

This city was besieged, 1780, by the revolted Peruvians, under Andrés, the last of the Incas. The fortifications, well provided with artillery, proved impregnable, but Andrés diverted certain mountain torrents against the walls, and thus opened a large breach, through which the Peruvians entered the city, and massacred the whole of the garrison and inhabitants. Of 20,000 souls, it is said that only one priest escaped.

South Mountain (American Civil War).

Fought September 14, 1862, between the Federals, under General M’Clellan, and the Confederates, under General Lee. Lee’s object was to hold M’Clellan in check while Jackson captured Harper’s Ferry, and to this end he posted General D. Hill with 15,000 on South Mountain. Here Hill was attacked, and driven to the upper slopes, but being reinforced by a portion of Longstreet’s command, he maintained his position there, withdrawing on the morning of the 15th. Each side lost about 2,500 men, but Lee had gained his object, as the delay to M’Clellan ensured the capture of Harper’s Ferry.

Southwark (Cade’s Rebellion).

Fought July 5, 1450, between the rebels, under Cade, and the citizens of London, under Matthew Gough. The Londoners endeavoured to hold London Bridge, to prevent the plundering expeditions of Cade’s followers into the city, but were driven back, and the central drawbridge set on fire. The Londoners lost heavily, among the killed being Gough.

Southwold Bay (Dutch Wars).

Fought 1665, between the English fleet, under the Duke of York, and the Dutch fleet, under Admiral Opdam. The English were completely victorious, the Dutch losing 18 ships and 7,000 men. The English lost one ship only, and 700 men.

Spanish Galleons.

_See_ Vigo Bay.

Sphacteria.

_See_ Pylos.

Spicheren (Franco-German War).

Fought August 6, 1870, between the Germans, under Von Alvensleben, and a superior French force, under General Frossard. After an obstinate encounter, the French were driven from all their positions with heavy loss, and compelled to retreat on Metz. The Germans lost 223 officers and 4,648 men. The battle is remarkable for the storming of the Rote Berg by 1 company of the 39th Regiment and 4 companies of the 74th Regiment, under General von François, who was killed. These 5 companies maintained their position throughout the afternoon, in face of a vastly superior force. This action is also known as the Battle of Forbach.

Spion Kop (Second Boer War).

General Buller’s second attempt to break through the Boer lines on the Tugela, and relieve Ladysmith, is known by this name. The operations commenced on the 19th, 24,000 men being employed. On that day Sir Charles Warren’s division commenced to turn the Boer right, and gradually drove them from ridge to ridge till the evening of the 22nd, when by a night surprise, Spion Kop, the centre of the position, was seized. It was, however, found impossible to get artillery up the steep slopes, and the brigade holding the hill lost about a third of their strength in the course of the 23rd, including the Brigadier, General Woodgate. At nightfall, Colonel Thorneycroft, who had been appointed to the command, abandoned the hill, and on the following day General Buller decided to recross the Tugela. The British losses during the operations amounted to 87 officers and 1,647 men.

Spira (War of the Spanish Succession).

Fought November 15, 1703, between the French, under Marshal Tallard, and the Imperialists, under the Prince of Hesse, each side being about 20,000 strong. After a severe engagement, the Imperialists were overpowered by the French cavalry, and totally defeated with a loss of 6,000 killed, wounded and missing. Among the prisoners was the Prince of Hesse.

Splitter (Swedish Invasion of Brandenburg).

Fought January, 1679, between 16,000 Swedes, under Field-Marshal Horn, and 10,000 Brandenburgers, under the Elector Frederick William. The Swedes were utterly routed, Horn being taken prisoner, and not more than 1,500 succeeded in making their way to Riga.

Spottsylvania (American Civil War).

A continuation of the Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 10 to 12, 1864, between the Confederates, under General Lee, and the Federals, under General Grant. Lee’s position covering Richmond was attacked on the 10th by Grant, and the day ended with both armies in their original positions, while the losses, especially on the side of the assailants, were very heavy. On the 12th Grant renewed the attack, and General Hancock, on the right surprised the first line of the Confederate defences, and compelled General Johnson and his division to surrender. With this exception, entailing the loss of about a mile of ground Lee held his own throughout the day, and Grant had suffered too severely to renew the attack. The losses from the 5th, the date of the first Battle of the Wilderness, to the 12th inclusive, were: Federals, about 50,000 killed and wounded, Confederates, about 12,000.

Spurs.

_See_ Courtrai.

Spurs.

_See_ Guinegate.

Stadtlohn (Thirty Years’ War).

Fought August 9, 1623, between the army of the Protestant Princes of Germany, about 22,000 strong, under Duke Christian of Brunswick and the Imperialists, under Tilly. The Protestants were utterly routed and dispersed, Christian fleeing to Holland.

Staffarda (War of the Revolution).

Fought 1690, between the French, under Marshal Catinat, and the Imperialists, under Victor Amadeus of Savoy. The Imperialists met with a crushing defeat.

Stamford Bridge.

Fought September 25, 1066, between the English, under Harold, and the Norse invaders, under Harold Hardrada and Tostig. The Norsemen were surprised by Harold in their camp, and totally defeated, both Hardrada and Tostig being killed, and the survivors driven to their ships.

Stamford Bridge (Wars of the Roses).

An encounter between the retainers of Sir Thomas Neville, and those of Lord Egremont, which developed into a pitched battle, in August, 1453. It is considered to be the beginning of the Wars of the Roses.

Standard, The (Scottish Wars).

Fought at Luton Moor, near Northallerton, in 1138, between the Scots, under David, and the English, under Thurstan, Archbishop of York, and Raoul, Bishop of Durham. The Scots were routed, and fled in disorder. The battle derives its name from the fact that the banner of St. Cuthbert of Durham, which was held to ensure victory, that of St. Peter of York, and those of other saints, were carried in a waggon in the midst of the English army.

Stavrichani (Ottoman Wars).

Fought August 28, 1739, between 30,000 Russians, under General Münnich, and the Turkish army, under Veli Pasha. The Russians stormed the Turkish entrenched camp, driving the Turks headlong into the Danube, where thousands perished, and capturing all their guns and baggage. Münnich followed up this success by the capture of Choczin.

Steinkirk (War of the Revolution).

Fought August 8, 1692, between the English, under William III, and the French, under Marshal Luxembourg. The English attacked the French camp at daybreak, and broke and dispersed a brigade. Luxembourg, however, rallied his troops, and after a severe engagement, repulsed the English attack, though William was able to withdraw his forces in good order.

Stillwater (American War of Independence).

Fought October 7, 1777, between the British, 6,000 strong, under General Burgoyne, and the Americans, under General Gates. The Americans occupied a strongly entrenched position, which was attacked by Burgoyne. After a severe encounter, the attack was repulsed at all points, and the British driven back upon their camp at Saratoga, with heavy loss, including General Fraser, mortally wounded. The Americans followed up their success by an assault upon the British camp, in which they succeeded in effecting a lodgement, and on the following day, Burgoyne withdrew, and took up a fresh position on the heights near the Hudson. On October 15, Burgoyne, surrounded by the Americans, and finding that no aid could reach him, surrendered with 5,790 men, his total losses during the campaign having amounted to 4,689.

Stirling (Scottish Wars).

Fought September 11, 1297, between the Scots, under Sir William Wallace, and the English, 50,000 strong, under the Earl of Surrey. Wallace fell upon the English army as it was crossing a narrow bridge over the Forth, and practically annihilated it. This battle is also called the Battle of Cambuskenneth.

Stockack (Wars of the French Revolution).

Fought 1799, between the French, under Jourdan, and the Austrians, 60,000 strong, under the Archduke Charles. The French were defeated and driven back upon the Rhine.

Stoke (Lambert Simnel’s Rebellion).

Fought June 16, 1487, between the royal troops, under Henry VII, and the rebels, under John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, who was aided by 2,000 German mercenaries, under Martin Schwarz. The King, whose force was superior in numbers, completely defeated the rebels, Simnel and all the rebel leaders being taken prisoners.

Stolhoffen (War of the Spanish Succession).

Fought May 22, 1707, when Marshal Villars, with 45 French battalions, stormed and captured the lines of Stolhoffen, which were held by the Imperialists, under the Marquis of Baireuth. The French took 50 guns.

Stone Creek.

_See_ Murfreesboro.

Stormberg (Second Boer War).

Fought December 10, 1899, when General Gatacre, with about 3,000 men, made a night march to attack the Boer position at Stormberg. He was misled by his guides, and came unexpectedly under a heavy Boer fire. The position was too strong to carry, and Gatacre was forced to retire, with a loss of 89 killed and wounded, and 633 prisoners.

Stralsund (Thirty Years’ War).

This place was besieged, July 5, 1628, by the Imperialists, under Wallenstein, who had sworn to take it in three days. It was defended mainly by the inhabitants, aided by a small garrison of Swedes and Scots. An assault on the 8th was repulsed, and though on the 9th some of the outworks were gained, the town still held out, and finally, after a siege of 11 weeks, Wallenstein was compelled to withdraw his troops, having suffered a loss of over 12,000 men.

Stralsund (Dano-Swedish Wars).

The town was again besieged, October 19, 1715, by an army of Prussians and Danes, 36,000 strong, under Frederick William III of Prussia and Frederick IV of Denmark, and was defended by a Swedish garrison, under Charles XII. At the end of three months, the besiegers succeeded in seizing the island of Rugen, which commanded the town, and an attempt by Charles to retake it ended disastrously, the king escaping with difficulty, and severely wounded, while the whole of his force was killed or captured. On October 10, the allies captured the hornwork, and on the 20th, the place being no longer defensible, Charles left the town and embarked for Sweden on the only ship remaining in the harbour. The garrison immediately afterwards surrendered.

Stratton (Civil War).

Fought May 16, 1643, between the Parliamentary troops, under General Chudleigh, and the Cornish Royalists, under Sir Ralph Hopton. The Royalists attacked the Parliamentarian position on Stratton Hill, and after severe fighting defeated them, capturing 1,700 prisoners, including Chudleigh, 13 guns and all their baggage and munitions of war.

Suero, The (Civil War of Sertorius).

Fought B.C. 75, between the rebels, under Sertorius, and the Roman army, under Pompey. The Roman right, under Pompey, was broken and defeated, but Afranius turned defeat into victory, capturing the Sertorian camp, and routing and dispersing the rebel army.

Suddusain (Second Sikh War).

Fought July 1, 1848, when a force of Bhawalpuris and British 18,000 strong, under Lieutenant Edwardes, encountered 12,000 Sikhs, under Malraj. The Sikhs attacked, but were beaten off, largely owing to the superiority of the British artillery, and defeated with heavy loss.

Sudley Springs (American Civil War).

Fought August 29, 1862, between the Federals, under General Pope, and the Confederates, under Jackson. Jackson, by a forced march, had succeeded in taking up a strong position in Pope’s rear, and defied all attempts to dislodge him, repulsing the Federal attacks with a loss of over 8,000 men.

Sugar-loaf Rock (Seven Years’ War).

Fought September 20, 1753, between the British, about 3,000 strong, under Major Laurence, and the French army which was besieging Trichinopoly, under M. Astruc. Laurence attacked before daybreak, and the native auxiliaries with the French army were seized with a panic and fled, leaving the Europeans unsupported. In the end the French were defeated, with a loss of 100 killed and 200 prisoners, including Astruc. The British lost 40 killed and wounded.

Surinam (Napoleonic Wars).

This place, held by a Dutch garrison, was captured, May 5, 1804, by a British squadron, under Commander Hood, together with 2,000 troops, under Sir Charles Green.

Sursuti, The (Mohammed Ghori’s Invasion).

Fought 1191, between the Afghans, under Mohammed Ghori, and the Hindus, under the King of Delhi, with 200,000 horse and 300 elephants. The Afghans, who were greatly outnumbered, were surrounded, and utterly routed, Mohammed Ghori escaping with difficulty from the field.

Sursuti, The (Mohammed Ghori’s Invasion).

Fought 1192, when Mohammed Ghori, on the field where he had suffered defeat in the previous year, encountered the Rajputs and Delhi men, under the Rajah of Ajmir. The Afghans, numbering 120,000, completely routed the Rajputs, and captured the Rajah.

Sveaborg (Finland War).

This place was besieged by the Russians, under General Suchtelen, in February, 1808, and was defended by a garrison of 7,000 Swedes and Finns, under Admiral Cronstedt. The siege was conducted under considerable difficulties, the transport of breaching guns being almost impossible. However, lack of supplies compelled the Admiral to sign an armistice, on April 3, by which he agreed to surrender if not relieved by at least five ships of war on May 3. This being still unbroken at that date, he handed over the town to the Russians, with 200 guns, and 2 frigates and 19 transports, which were ice-bound in the harbour.

Sveaborg (Crimean War).

The town, which had become an important Russian arsenal, was bombarded by a British fleet, under Admiral Dundas, August 9 to 11, 1854. By the latter date, the arsenal and storehouses had been destroyed, and Dundas withdrew, making no further attempt to destroy the fortifications.

Sybota.

Fought 433 B.C., between a Corinthian fleet of 150 sail, and a Corcyrean fleet of 110 sail, aided by 10 Athenian triremes. The Corcyrean right wing was defeated, and would have been destroyed, but for the assistance of the Athenians, and the arrival of a reinforcement of 20 Athenian ships caused the Corinthians to retire. The Corcyreans offered battle on the following day, but the Corinthians declined. Both sides claimed the victory, but the advantage lay with the Corinthians, who captured several ships.

Syracuse (Athenian Expedition to Sicily).

Siege was laid to this city by the Athenians, under Alcibiades, Lamachus and Nicias, who with a fleet of 134 galleys, took possession of the harbour and effected a landing in the autumn of 415 B.C. Alcibiades was soon recalled, and Lamachus killed in a skirmish, while Nicias proved weak and incompetent. The siege works were not pressed and in the following year, Gylippus of Sparta succeeded in getting through the Athenian lines, and bringing a considerable force to the aid of the Syracusans, capturing at the same time the advanced positions of the besiegers. Early in 413, Demosthenes arrived from Athens, with a fleet of 73 triremes, and made a desperate attempt to recover the lost ground. He was, however, totally defeated, and in a series of sea-fights which followed, the Athenian fleet was completely destroyed. This disaster forced the Athenians to raise the siege, and was, in addition, a death-blow to the naval supremacy of Athens.

Syracuse (Second Carthaginian Invasion).

Syracuse was again besieged, B.C. 387, by about 80,000 Carthaginians, under Himilco, aided by a powerful fleet, and defended by Dionysius, with about an equal number of troops. A fleet of 30 Lacedæmonian triremes arrived to the succour of the Syracusans, and meanwhile a pestilence had carried off thousands in the besiegers’ camp. At this juncture Dionysius decided on a joint sea and land attack upon the Carthaginians, which was completely successful. Leptinus, with 80 galleys, surprised the Carthaginian fleet while the crews were ashore, and completely destroyed it, while Dionysius stormed Himilco’s defences, and utterly routed the besiegers, Himilco and his principal officers escaping from Sicily, and leaving the army to its fate.

Syracuse (Second Punic War).

In 213 B.C. Syracuse, then in the hands of the pro-Carthaginian faction, was besieged by the Romans, 25,000 strong, under M. Marcellus, and a fleet under Appius Claudius. The city was defended by a garrison under Hippocrates. The siege is specially notable for the presence in the city of Archimedes, whose military engines played an important part in the defence, especially against the fleet. During the winter, the revolt of other Sicilian towns drew off a portion of the besiegers, and during the spring and early summer of 212, only a partial blockade could be maintained. Then however, taking advantage of a festival in the city, Marcellus stormed and captured the upper portion of the town. An attempt to force the Roman lines by a Carthaginian relieving force, under Himilco, was repulsed, and shortly afterwards the rest of the city was captured by assault.

Szigeth (Ottoman Wars).

This small place, held by a Hungarian garrison, under Count Zrinyi, was besieged by the Turks, under Solyman the Magnificent, in 1566. The siege was prosecuted with vigour but was fatal to the great Sultan, who died on the night of September 4. On the following day, however, the Turks stormed and sacked the town, and Count Zrinyi and his little garrison perished in the flames.

T

Tabraca (Revolt of Gildo).

Fought 398, between 5,000 picked Roman legionaries, under Mascazel, and the revolted Africans, 70,000 strong, under Gildo. At the first onslaught of the legionaries, all the Roman soldiers serving under Gildo deserted, and the Africans taking to flight, Mascazel gained an almost bloodless victory. Gildo was captured and committed suicide in prison.

Taçna (Peruvio-Chilian War).

Fought May 26, 1880, between the Chilians, under General Baquedano, and the Peruvians, the Chilians gaining a signal victory. The Peruvian losses were very heavy, including 197 officers. Following up their victory, the Chilians captured the fortress of Ariça.

Tacubaya (Mexican Liberal Rising).

Fought April 11, 1859, between the Mexican Government troops, under Marquez, and the Liberals, under Degollado. The Liberals were completely routed, with the loss of all their artillery and munitions of war.

Tagina (Second Gothic War).

Fought July, 552, between the Goths, under Totila, King of Italy, and 30,000 Imperial troops, under Narses. The Romans withstood the charge of the Goths, broke their cavalry, and then drove their infantry from the field, with a loss of about 6,000. Totila was overtaken and slain in the pursuit.

Tagliacozzo (Guelfs and Ghibellines).

Fought 1268, between the Guelf party, under Charles of Anjou, the usurper of the throne of Naples, and the Ghibellines, under Conradin, the rightful heir, and Frederick, Duke of Austria. The Ghibellines were utterly routed, and their leaders, including Conradin and the Duke, captured and beheaded.

Taiken Gate (Hogen Insurrection).