Part 28

Fought 1157, between the Japanese rebels, under Shitoku, and the Imperial troops, under Bifukumonia and Tadamichi. The rebels were utterly routed. This battle is remarkable for the fratricidal nature of the conflict, many of the greatest families of Japan having representatives in both armies.

Taillebourg.

Fought 1242, between the French, under Louis IX, and the English, under Henry III, with whom were allied the rebellious vassals of the French crown, the Comtes de Marche and de Foix. The allies were defeated, and Henry withdrew his forces from France.

Takashima (Chinese Invasion of Japan).

After the wreck of the Chinese fleet, in 1281, the survivors, under Chang Pak, took refuge on the island of Takashima. Here they were attacked by the troops of Kiushiu, under Shoni Kagesuke. They were almost without exception killed or captured, only three out of the vast host returning to China.

Taku Forts (Second China War).

Fought June 25, 1859, when an attempt was made by the British to carry the forts at the mouth of the Peiho River. Eleven light-draught gunboats crossed the bar, and tried to silence the batteries, but without success, and at 5 p.m. an attempt was made to carry the defences by a land attack. A force of 600 marines and blue-jackets, under Captain Vansittart, was landed, but after severe fighting was driven back to the boats, with a loss of 68 killed, and nearly 300 wounded. Six of the gunboats were sunk or disabled, and their crews also suffered heavily.

On August 21, 1860, a second and successful assault was made on the forts by a force of 11,000 British and 7,000 French troops, under Sir Hope Grant. After a brief bombardment, the small north fort, garrisoned by 500 Chinese, was stormed by 2,500 British, and 400 French, 400 of the garrison falling, while the British lost 21 killed and 184 wounded. In the course of the day the remaining forts surrendered without further fighting.

Talana Hill (Second Boer War).

Fought October 20, 1899, between 4,000 Boers, under General Lucas Meyer, and a British force of equal strength, under General Symons. The Boers occupied a strong position on the heights of Dundee, from which they were dislodged by the British infantry, with a loss of about 300. The British lost 19 officers, 142 men killed and wounded, and 331 prisoners, the latter a detachment of cavalry and mounted infantry, who were surrounded by a superior force of Boers, and surrendered. General Symons was mortally wounded. The action is also called the battle of Dundee.

Talavera (Peninsular War).

Fought July 28, 1809, between 19,000 British and 34,000 Spaniards, under Sir Arthur Wellesley, and 50,000 French, under Marshals Jourdan and Victor, with Joseph Buonaparte in nominal command. The British repulsed all the attacks on their position, at a cost of 6,200 killed and wounded. The Spanish losses were returned at 1,200, but the figures are doubtful, as they took practically no part in the fighting. The French lost 7,389 killed, wounded and missing, and 17 guns.

Talkhan (Tartar Invasion of Khorassan).

This fortress was captured, 1221, by the Tartars, under Genghiz Khan, after an obstinate defence of seven months, in which thousands perished on both sides.

Talneer (Third Mahratta War).

By the treaty of January 6, 1818, this fortress was surrendered by Holkar to the British, but on Sir Thomas Hislop, with a British force, arriving to take possession, on February 17, the commandant refused to hand it over. Though warned of the consequences, he fired upon the British, whereupon Hislop opened fire, and in the afternoon of the same day the place surrendered. By some misunderstanding, however, the Arab garrison of 300, were drawn up at one of the gates, and on the approach of two British officers and some Sepoys, cut them down. No quarter was then given, the garrison being killed to a man, and the commandant hanged.

Tamai (Soudan Campaigns).

Fought March 13, 1884, when 4,000 British, under General Graham, attacked and defeated the Mahdists, under Osman Digna, destroying their camp. The British fought in two squares, one of which was momentarily broken by the Mahdists, who captured the naval guns. The second square, however, moved up in support, and the Mahdists were repulsed and the guns recovered. The British lost 10 officers and 204 men killed and wounded; the Dervishes over 2,000 killed.

Tanagra.

Fought 457 B.C., between the Spartans, and their Peloponnesian allies, and about 14,000 Athenians and others, including a body of Thessalian cavalry. The battle was stubbornly contested, both sides losing heavily, but the desertion during the action of the Thessalians turned the scale, and the Spartans were victorious, though at a cost which deterred them from their intended attack upon Athens.

Tanjore (Seven Years’ War).

This place was besieged, August, 1758, by the French, under Lally-Tollendal, and was defended by a garrison, under Monacji. After five days’ bombardment, the walls were still insufficiently breached, and owing to lack of ammunition, Lally determined to retire. Hearing this, Monacji made a sortie, and nearly succeeded in surprising the French camp. He was with difficulty beaten off, and the French withdrew, with the loss of all their siege guns and heavy baggage.

Tanjore.

The fortress was besieged, August 20, 1773, by a British force, under General Joseph Smith, and defended by a garrison of 20,000 men, under the Rajah, Laljaji, and his Vizier Monacji. On September 16, a breach having been effected, the besiegers delivered an assault at midday, when their garrison were taking their usual noonday rest, and meeting with little opposition, made themselves masters of the place.

Tansara Saka (Satsuma Rebellion).

Fought 1876, when the rebels in a very strong position were attacked by the Imperial troops, under Prince Taruhito, and after very severe fighting, driven out with enormous loss. The Imperialists also suffered severely.

Tarapaca (Peruvio-Chilian War).

Fought November 17, 1879, and resulted in the defeat of the Peruvians with heavy loss.

Tarento (Italian Wars).

This fortress, held by a Neapolitan garrison, under the Conde di Potenza, was besieged by about 5,000 Spaniards, under Consalvo de Cordova, in August, 1501. Gonsalvo endeavoured to reduce the place by blockade, but found his forces melting away by desertion, and was forced to have recourse to more active measures. The north front of Tarento being bounded by a lake, was unfortified, and Gonsalvo, with incredible labour, transported overland some of the smaller vessels of the Spanish fleet lying in the Bay of Tarento, and launched them on the lake. The town was then at his mercy, and surrendered, being entered by the Spaniards, March 1, 1502.

Tarragona (Peninsular War).

This city was besieged by the French, 40,000 strong, under General Suchet, in May, 1811, and defended by a garrison but little inferior in numbers. The outer defences were stormed one by one, and by June 21, the besiegers had effected a lodgement in the lower town. On the 28th, the upper town was taken by storm, and the survivors of the garrison, 8,000 in number, laid down their arms. The French lost about 6,000 during the siege.

Tashkessen (Russo-Turkish War).

Fought December 28, 1877, between 2,000 Turks, under Valentine Baker Pasha, and a Russian division, under General Kourloff. In order to cover Shakir Pasha’s retirement from the Shandurnik heights, Baker’s greatly inferior force withstood throughout the day, the determined onslaughts of the Russians, when Baker finally withdrew, having effected his object. He had lost 800 men, and had inflicted a loss on his assailants of 32 officers and over 1,000 men.

Tauris (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).

Fought B.C. 47, between the Pompeian fleet, under Marcus Octavius, and the Cæsareans, under Publius Vatinius. The Cæsarean fleet consisted of merchant vessels, temporarily equipped with beaks, but Vatinius, though his ships were inferior both in number and quality, boldly attacked the Pompeians, and after severe fighting, completely defeated them, compelling Octavius to abandon the Adriatic.

Taus (Hussite Wars).

Fought August 14, 1431, between the Hussites, under John Ziska, and the Imperialists, under the Emperor Sigismund. The Hussites gained a signal victory.

Tayeizan (Japanese Revolution).

Fought 1868, when the adherents of the Shogun made their last stand in Tokyo at the Tayeizan temple in the Park of Uyeno. They were defeated after a sharp conflict, leaving the Imperialists in undisputed possession of the Shogun’s capital.

Tchernaya (Crimean War).

Fought August 16, 1855, between three Russian divisions, under General Gortschakoff, and three French and one Sardinian division, under General Marmora. The Russians attacked the allies’ position on the Tchernaya, and after severe fighting, were repulsed with a loss of 5,000 killed and wounded. The allies lost 1,200.

Tchesme (Ottoman Wars).

Fought July 7, 1770, between the Russian fleet of 50 sail, under Count Alexis Orloff, and the Turkish fleet of nearly 100 sail of the line, under Hassan Bey. With the exception of one ship, which was captured, the whole of the Turkish fleet was destroyed.

Tearless Battle.

Fought B.C. 368, when a force of Arcadians endeavoured to cut off a Spartan army, under Archidamus, in a narrow defile in Laconia. They were repulsed with heavy loss, and not a single Spartan was killed, whence the engagement came to be called the Tearless Battle.

Tegea.

Fought B.C. 473, when the Spartans defeated the combined forces of the Arcadian League and the Argives, under the walls of Tegea. Though victorious, the Spartans were too much reduced in numbers to venture upon the attack of Tegea, which had been the object of the expedition.

Tegyra (Bœotian War).

Fought B.C. 373, when Pelopidas, with the Sacred Band of 300 Thebans, routed a large force of Spartans in a narrow pass near Orchomenus, slaying 600, including their two generals.

Telamon (Conquest of Cisalpine Gaul).

Fought B.C. 225, when the Gauls, marching upon Rome, found themselves caught between two Roman consular armies, and though fighting desperately, were cut to pieces.

Tel-el-Kebir (Arabi’s Rebellion).

Fought September 13, 1882, when the British, 17,000 strong, under Lord Wolseley, after a night march across the desert, attacked and stormed Arabi’s entrenchments, which were defended by 22,000 Egyptians. The British lost 339 killed and wounded, the Egyptian loss was very heavy.

Tel-el-Mahuta (Arabi’s Rebellion).

Fought August 24, 1882, when the Egyptians attempted to oppose the march of the British advance guard, under General Graham, to Kassassin. They made, however, but a feeble resistance, and were driven off with heavy loss.

Te-li-ssu (Russo-Japanese War).

Fought June 14 and 15, 1904, between 35,000 Russians, under Baron de Stakelberg, and about 40,000 Japanese, under General Oku. The Japanese attacked the Russian position, but the Russians held their ground throughout the 14th, at a cost of about 350 killed and wounded. On the 15th, however, their flank was turned, and after hard fighting in which they suffered heavily, two batteries of artillery being absolutely cut to pieces, they retreated in some disorder, leaving over 1,500 dead on the field. The Japanese, who lost 1,163 in the two days, captured 300 prisoners and 14 guns. The total Russian losses were about 10,000.

Tellicherry (First Mysore War).

This place, held by a small British garrison, and very imperfectly fortified, was besieged June, 1780, by a Mysore force, under Sirdar Ali Khan. Aid was sent to the garrison from Bombay, and a most gallant defence was made till January 18, 1782, when reinforcements arrived, under Major Abington, who, aided by the garrison, stormed the Mysori entrenchments, capturing all their guns, 60 in number, and 1,200 prisoners, among whom was Sirdar Ali.

Temesvar (Hungarian Rising).

Fought August 9, 1849, between the Austrians, under Haynau, and the Hungarians, under Dembinski. The latter was totally routed, and his army dispersed, this being the last stand made by the Hungarians in the war. On the 13th, Görgey and his army surrendered to the Russians at Villágos.

Tenchebrai.

Fought September 28, 1106, between the English, under Henry I, and the Normans, under Robert of Normandy, Henry’s brother. Robert was totally defeated and made prisoner, and Henry annexed Normandy to the crown of England.

Tergoes (Netherlands War of Independence).

This fortress was besieged, August 16, 1572, by the Dutch Patriots, 7,000 strong, under Jerome de ’t Zeraerts, and was defended by a small Spanish garrison. On October 20, a force of 3,000 Spanish veterans, under Colonel Mondragon, succeeded in crossing the “Drowned Land,” with a loss of only 9 men drowned, and relieved the town, ’t Zeraert’s troops refusing to face this unexpected attack.

Testry.

Fought 687, between the Neustrians, under Thierry III, and the Austrasians, under Pepin d’Héristal, the Maire du Palais. The Neustrians were routed, and Thierry captured.

Tettenhall (Danish Invasion).

Fought 910, between the Danish invaders, and the West Saxons, under Edward the Elder. The Danes were defeated.

Tetuan (Morocco War).

Fought February 4, 1860, when 30,000 Spaniards, under Marshal O’Donnell, stormed the Moorish entrenchments outside Tetuan, held by about 40,000 Moors. Three days later Tetuan was entered by the Spaniards.

Teuttingen (Thirty Years’ War).

Fought November, 1643, between the French, under the Maréchal de Rantzau, and the Imperialists, under the Count de Merci. The Imperialists surprised the French camp, and totally routed them, Rantzau, being captured with most of his superior officers, and all his artillery and baggage.

Tewkesbury (Wars of the Roses).

Fought May 4, 1471, when the Yorkists, under Edward IV, defeated the Lancastrians, under Prince Edward, Somerset and others, with heavy loss. Prince Edward and other leading Lancastrians were killed, and Margaret of Anjou promptly surrendered.

Texel (Dutch Wars).

Fought June 2, 1653, between a British fleet, under Monk, and a Dutch fleet, under Van Tromp. The action was undecided, but on the following day, Monk having been reinforced by 18 ships, under Admiral Blake, renewed the attack, and signally defeated Van Tromp, with a loss of 11 ships and 1,300 prisoners taken, and 6 ships sunk. The British lost 20 ships and 363 killed and wounded.

Thala (Numidian Revolt).

In the year 22, this fortress, defended by no more than 500 Roman veterans, was attacked by a large force of nomads, under Tacfarinas. The Romans sallied out, and inflicted so severe a defeat upon Tacfarinas that his army was dispersed.

Thapsus (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).

Fought April 6, B.C. 46, between the Cæsareans, consisting of 10 legions, under Julius Cæsar, and the Pompeians, 14 legions, in addition to cavalry, light troops, and 100 elephants, under Metellus Scipio and Juba.

Thebes.

This city was captured by the Macedonians, under Alexander the Great, in September, 335 B.C. The Thebans were blockading the Macedonian garrison, which held the citadel, and the Cadmea; Perdiccas, one of Alexander’s captains, without orders, broke through the earthworks outside the city. Before the Thebans could shut the gates, Perdiccas effected an entrance into the city, and being joined by the garrison of the Cadmea, soon overcame the resistance of the Thebans. Six thousand of the inhabitants were massacred, and the city was razed to the ground.

Thermopylæ (Third Persian Invasion).

Fought 480 B.C., when 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians, under Leonidas, defended the pass of Thermopylæ, leading southwards out of Thessaly, against the Persian host, under Xerxes. They kept the Persians at bay until a considerable force having passed the mountains by another part, they were attacked in the rear. They then retired to a hillock, and fought till the last man fell.

Thermopylæ (War with Antiochus).

Fought B.C. 191, between 40,000 Romans, under Glabrio, and the army of Antiochus the Great, King of Asia. Antiochus was entrenched at Thermopylæ, where he was attacked by the Romans, and a post held by 2,000 Ætolians being surprised, his flank was turned, and he was disastrously defeated. Antiochus escaped from the field with barely 500 men.

Thetford (Danish Invasion).

Fought 870, between the Danish invaders, and the East Anglians, under Edward. The latter were defeated and Edward killed.

Thorn (Russo-Swedish War).

Siege was laid to this place by the Swedes, under Charles XII, September 22, 1702. It was defended by a garrison of 5,000 Poles, under General Robel, who made a gallant defence, but after a month’s siege, he was compelled by famine to surrender.

Thurii.

Fought B.C. 282, when a Roman consular army, under Caius Fabricius, routed the Lucanians and Bruttians, who were besieging Thurii. The siege was raised, and the Tarentine coalition temporarily broken up.

Tiberias.

Fought July, 1187, between the Saracens, under Saladin, and the Christians of Jerusalem, under Guy de Lusignan. Saladin gained a signal victory, capturing the King, the Grand Master of the Templars, and the Marquis de Montferrat. Following up his success, Saladin recovered in succession, Acre, Jaffa, and other important places, and in the month of October of the same year, recaptured Jerusalem.

Ticinus (Second Punic War).

Fought B.C. 218, between 26,000 Carthaginians, under Hannibal, and 25,000 Romans, under P. Cornelius Scipio (the Elder). The Romans were defeated with heavy loss, Scipio being severely wounded.

Ticonderoga (Seven Years’ War).

Fought July 8, 1758, between Montcalm, with 3,600 French and Canadians, and the British, 15,000 strong, including 6,000 regulars, under General James Abercromby. Montcalm was strongly intrenched on a ridge in front of Fort Ticonderoga, his position being furthered strengthened by an abatis. Abercromby made no attempt to turn the position, but without waiting for his guns, ordered the regulars to take the lines by storm. Notwithstanding the gallantry of the troops, who advanced six times to the assault, the position proved impregnable, and Abercromby was forced to withdraw, with a loss of 1,944 killed and wounded, the French losing 377 only. The 42nd Regiment (Black Watch) showed conspicuous bravery, losing half the rank and file, and 25 officers killed and wounded.

On July 22, 1759, a British force of 11,000 men under General Amherst, arrived before Ticonderoga, which was held by about 3,500 French and Canadians, under Bourlemaque. On the 23rd, Bourlemaque withdrew to the Isle-aux-Noix, on Lake Champlain, leaving only 400 men, under Hébécourt, with instructions to hold Amherst before the place as long as possible. On the 26th, however, Hébécourt set fire to the magazine and retired.

Ticonderoga (American War of Independence).

This place was invested, June 22, 1777, by the British, under General Burgoyne, and was defended by 5,000 Americans, under General St. Clair. After a brief siege, the Americans evacuated the Fort, July 5.

Tiflis (Tartar Invasion of the Caucasus).

Fought 1386, between the Tartars, under Tamerlane, and the troops of the Caucasian tribes, under the Queen of Georgia. The Queen issued from Tiflis to offer battle to the Tartars, but her forces could not stand against them, and were cut to pieces.

Tigranocerta (Third Mithridatic War).

Fought B.C. 69, when the Romans, 10,000 strong, under Lucullus, who was besieging the city, were attacked by 200,000 Pontic and Armenian troops, under Tigranes. Tigranes had failed to occupy some high ground which commanded the position of his cavalry. This Lucullus seized, and attacking the Pontic cavalry in rear, broke it. He then attacked and routed the infantry, with a loss according to the Roman account of 100,000. The Romans lost 5 men only.

Tigris (Persian Wars).

Fought 363, when the Romans under Julian, crossed the Tigris in the face of a large Persian army, strongly entrenched on the opposite bank. At the first assault, though an attempt at a surprise failed, the Romans stormed the Persian lines, and after 12 hours’ fighting, drove them from the field. The Romans only admitted a loss of 75 men, while they claimed that the Persians lost 6,000 killed.

Tippermuir (Civil War).

Fought September 1, 1644, between the Covenanters, 6,700 strong, under Lord Elcho, and about 3,000 Scottish Royalists, under Montrose. The Covenanters were totally defeated, with a loss variously estimated at from 1,300 to 2,000 killed, and 800 prisoners, while the Royalist loss was trifling. Following up his victory Montrose occupied Perth.

Toba (Japanese Revolution).

Fought 1868, between the troops of Aiza and Kuwana, under the Shogun Yoshinobu, and the army of Satsuma and Choshu. The Shogun was totally defeated, and abandoned his invasion of Satsuma, returning with his troops to Yedo by sea, surrendering shortly afterwards to the Imperial forces.

Tofrek (Soudan Campaigns).

Fought March 22, 1885, when General McNeill, with 3 battalions of Indian, and 1½ of British troops, was surprised in his zariba, by about 5,000 Mahdists. One of the native regiments broke and fled, but the Berkshires and Marines, made a gallant defence, though the zariba was forced, as did the other native regiments. After twenty minutes’ fighting the attack was beaten off, the Mahdists leaving 1,500 dead on the field. The British lost 294 combatants and 176 camp-followers, killed, wounded and missing.

Tolbiac.

Fought 496, between the Franks, under Clovis, and the Alemanni. The Franks, after a desperate conflict, began to give way, but were rallied by Clovis, who leading a charge in person, utterly routed the Alemanni. This victory gave the Franks undisputed possession of the territory west of the Rhine.

Tolentino (Hundred Days).

Fought May 2, 1815, between 50,000 Italians, under Murat, and 60,000 Austrians, under General Bianchi. The Italians were routed and dispersed, and Murat compelled to flee from Italy.

Tolenus (Social War).

Fought B.C. 90, between the Romans, under Lupus, and the revolted Marsians. Lupus was attacked while crossing the Tolenus, and totally routed with a loss of 8,000 men.

Tondeman’s Woods (Seven Years’ War).

Fought February 14, 1754, when a convoy to revictual Trichinopoly, escorted by 180 British and 800 native troops, was attacked by 12,000 Mysore and Mahratta horse, under Hyder Ali and Morari Rao, supported by a small French force. The Sepoys at once laid down their arms, but the Europeans made a gallant defence, until the arrival of the French force, when, hopelessly outnumbered, they also surrendered. The convoy and the whole detachment were captured.

Torgau (Seven Years’ War).

Fought November 3, 1760, between the Prussians, under Frederick the Great, and the Austrians, under Count Daun. The Austrians, besides being numerically superior, occupied a strong position at Torgau. Frederick divided his forces, and while one portion, under Ziethen, attacked in front, he himself led the rest of his army round the position, and fell upon the Austrian rear. Both attacks were repulsed, but during the night, Ziethen, finding the heights badly guarded, gained them, and seized the batteries, turning a defeat into a signal victory. The Austrians lost 20,000, the Prussians, 13,000, and the victory gave Frederick possession of the whole of Saxony.

Toro (War of the Castilian Succession).

Fought March 1, 1476, between the Portuguese, and the Spanish supporters of Joanna for the throne of Castile, 8,500 strong, under Alfonso of Portugal, and the adherents of Isabella, about equal in numbers, under Ferdinand the Catholic. Ferdinand, after a long march, attacked the Portuguese at 4 p.m., and at the end of two hours’ fighting, signally defeated them with heavy loss.

Toulon (War of the Spanish Succession).