Part 29

An attack was made upon the fortress by a combined Dutch and British fleet, under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, July 17, 1707. The allies failed to gain a footing in the town, but 8 French ships lying in the harbour and 130 houses were destroyed by fire.

Toulon (War of the Austrian Succession).

Fought February 11, 1744, between a British fleet of 27 sail of the line, and 8 frigates, under Admiral Matthews, and a combined French and Spanish fleet of 28 line-of-battle ships. The British fleet suffered a serious reverse, in consequence of which the Admiral and four captains were tried by court-martial and cashiered. The British lost 274 killed and wounded, the allies about 1,000.

Toulon (Wars of the French Revolution).

On August 29, 1793, Toulon, which had opened its gates to the British, and was held by a small garrison, under Lord Mulgrave, was besieged by the French, under Dugommier. By December 18, most of the landward defences had been carried, and the place having become untenable, Lord Mulgrave carried off his troops by sea. This siege is chiefly memorable as being the first important appearance of Napoleon, who commanded the artillery.

Toulouse (Peninsular War).

Fought April 10, 1814, between 38,000 French, under Soult, and 24,000 British and Spaniards, under Wellington. The French entrenchments in front of Toulouse were attacked by the British, who after severe fighting captured some of the outworks. The victory, however, was incomplete, and was in effect of no value, as Napoleon had on this date already surrendered to the allies in Paris. The French lost about 3,000 killed and wounded, the allies, 4,659, of whom 2,000 were Spaniards.

Tournay (Netherlands War of Independence).

This place was besieged, October 1, 1581, by the Royal troops, under Alexander of Parma, and in the absence of the Governor, Prince Espinay, was gallantly defended by the Princess, who held out until November 30, when, by an honourable capitulation, she was allowed to march out at the head of the garrison, with all the honours of war.

Tournay (War of the Spanish Succession).

The town was besieged by the British, under the Duke of Marlborough, July 8, 1709, and was defended by a French garrison under M. de Surville. After 56 days of open trenches, the garrison surrendered, having suffered a loss of 3,000 men.

Tours (Moslem Invasion of France).

Fought 732, between the Franks, under Charles Martel, and the Saracens, under Abderrahman Ibu Abdillah. The battle lasted several days—according to the Arab chroniclers, two, while the Christian accounts say seven—and ended in the fall of Abderrahman, when the Saracens, discouraged by the death of their leader, owned defeat, and fled, losing heavily in the pursuit.

Towton (Wars of the Roses).

Fought March 29, 1461, when Edward IV, immediately after his proclamation, marched against the Lancastrians, under Henry VI, and vigorously attacked their entrenched position at Towton. Aided by a heavy snowstorm, blowing in the faces of the defenders, Edward defeated them all along the line, with heavy loss, among the killed being Northumberland, Dacre and de Mauley. Henry and Margaret escaped from the field, and fled northward.

Trafalgar (Napoleonic Wars).

Fought October 21, 1805, between the British fleet of 27 sail of the line and 4 frigates, under Nelson, with Collingwood second in command, and the combined French and Spanish fleets, numbering 33 sail of the line and 7 frigates, under Admiral Villeneuve. Nelson attacked in two lines, and destroying the enemy’s formation, completely defeated them, 20 ships striking their colours. Nelson fell in the moment of victory, while the Spanish Admiral was killed, and Villeneuve captured. Most of the prizes were lost in a heavy gale which sprang up after the battle, but the destruction of Villeneuve’s fleet put an end to Napoleon’s scheme for an invasion of England. The British lost 1,587 killed and wounded, the losses of the allies being far heavier.

Trautenau (Seven Weeks’ War).

Fought June 27, 1866, between the First Prussian Army Corps, under General von Bonin, and the 10th Austrian corps, under General Gablenz. The Prussians at first drove back the Austrians, but General Gablenz advancing in force, fell upon the Prussians, wearied with a long march, and compelled them to retreat, with a loss of 1,277 killed and wounded. Owing to the superiority of the needle-gun, the Austrians, though victorious, suffered a loss of 5,732.

Travancore (Second Mysore War).

Fought December 28, 1789, when Tippu Sahib, with about 15,000 Mysoris, made a night attack upon the British lines. Having thrown down a portion of the rampart, a small advance party were hastening to open the gate, when they were assailed by a detachment of the garrison, and hurled back into the trench. This repulse threw the advancing troops into confusion, and they were routed with a loss of over 2,000.

Trebbia (Second Punic War).

Fought December B.C. 218, between 26,000 Carthaginians, 6,000 being cavalry, under Hannibal, and 40,000 Romans under the Consul Sempronius. Sempronius’ colleague, Scipio, had been wounded a few days before in a skirmish, and Sempronius, contrary to his advice, being in sole command, crossed the Trebbia to attack the Carthaginians. The Romans fought with determination, and the issue was for some time in doubt, but finally a charge of the Carthaginian horse, under Mago, against their left flank, threw the legionaries into confusion, and they were routed with enormous loss.

Trebbia (Wars of the French Revolution).

Fought June 19 to 21, 1799, between the French, under Macdonald, and the Russians, under Suwaroff. After a severe conflict the French were totally defeated and driven beyond the Apennines, being obliged shortly afterwards to evacuate Italy.

Trebizond (Ottoman Wars).

This city, where the last representative of the family of Comnenus had taken refuge after the fall of Constantinople, was besieged by the Turks, under Mohammed II, in 1461. After a brief resistance the city surrendered, and the last vestige of the Empire of the East was swept away.

Treveri (Gallic War).

Fought B.C. 55, between the Romans, 50,000 strong, under Julius Cæsar, and 300,000 Asipetes, a German tribe, who had made a raid into Gaul. The Germans were routed with enormous loss; indeed, the action was less a battle than a massacre, and very few succeeded in recrossing the Rhine.

Tricameron (Invasion of the Vandals).

Fought November, 533, between the Romans, under Belisarius, and the Vandals, under Gelimer and Zano. The Romans were drawn up behind a stream, and were attacked by the Vandals, though only the wing under Zano displayed any vigour in the assault. In the end the Vandals were defeated with a loss of 800, the Romans losing 50 only. This defeat put an end to the Vandal domination in Africa.

Trichinopoly.

This place was captured, after a three months’ siege, by the Mahrattas, March 26, 1741. It had been provisioned for a long siege by Chunda Sahib, but the Mahrattas retired to a distance of 250 miles, whereupon the avarice of Chunda Sahib impelled him to sell the grain which he had in store. The Mahrattas, who had been counting upon this, retraced their steps, and the garrison were in a very short time starved into submission.

Trincomalee (Seven Years’ War).

Fought August 10, 1759, between a British squadron of 12 sail, under Admiral Pococke, and a French fleet of 14 sail, under the Comte d’Aché. After an engagement lasting two hours, the French were worsted, but sailing better than the British, as usual at this period, eluded pursuit and lost no ships.

Trincomalee (First Mysore War).

Fought September 3, 1767, between the British, under Colonel Smith, and the Mysore army, under Hyder Ali. Hyder attacked the British camp, but was beaten off with a loss of 2,000 men while the British lost 170 only.

On September 26 of the same year, a second engagement took place near Trincomalee, when Colonel Smith, with 12,000 British and native troops, came unexpectedly upon the united armies of Hyderabad and Mysore, 60,000 strong, under Hyder Ali, while rounding a hill which separated them. The superior discipline of the British enabled them to take full advantage of the surprise, and they inflicted an overwhelming defeat upon their opponents’ disordered masses. Hyder Ali lost over 4,000 men and 64 guns, the British loss being 150 killed and wounded.

Trincomalee.

A naval action was fought off this place April 12, 1782, between 11 British ships, under Sir Edward Hughes, and 12 French vessels, under Suffren. After a sanguinary action with no decisive result, the two fleets, both too seriously damaged to renew the conflict, separated, the British making for Trincomalee, and the French for their base to repair damages.

On September 3, 1782, another indecisive fight took place between the same Admirals off Trincomalee, the British having 12 and the French 15 sail. Both squadrons were compelled after the action to return to their respective bases to refit.

Trinidad (Wars of the French Revolution).

This island was captured from the French, without resistance, by a naval and military expedition under Admiral John Harvey and Sir Ralph Abercrombie, February 17, 1797.

Trinkitat (Soudan Campaigns).

Fought March 29, 1884, when the British, 4,000 strong, under General Graham, totally defeated 6,000 Mahdists, under Osman Digna, after five hours’ severe fighting. The British casualties amounted to 189 killed and wounded; the Mahdists lost about 2,000. This action is also known as the Battle of El Teb.

Tripoli (Moslem Conquest of Africa).

Fought 647, between the invading Moslems, under Abdallah, and 120,000 Imperial troops and African levies, under the Prefect, Gregory. The Moslems gained a signal victory, Gregory being among the slain.

Trivadi (Seven Years’ War).

Fought 1760, between 5,000 Mysoris, under Hyder Ali, and a British force of 230 European and 2,700 native troops, under Major Moore. Notwithstanding his inferior numbers, Moore attempted to prevent the junction of Hyder Ali with the French, and was totally defeated.

Trout Brook (Seven Years’ War).

A small skirmish, in which the advance guard of Abercromby’s army, marching on Ticonderoga, fell in with a French scouting column, 350 strong, under Langy, July 6, 1758. The French lost 150 killed and wounded and 148 prisoners, and the affair would be without importance but for the fact that Lord Howe, who was the brain of Abercromby’s staff, was killed in the fight. His death was followed by the disaster of Ticonderoga, and as Parkman says (_Montcalm and Wolfe_, chap. xx.): “The death of one man was the ruin of fifteen thousand.”

Troy.

The siege and destruction of this city by the Hellenes, though all the details are legendary, may be accepted as a historical fact, and the date may be put approximately at 1100 B.C.

Truceia.

Fought 593, between the Neustrians, under Queen Fredegond, and the Austrasians, under Childebert II. The Austrasian army was totally routed and fled from the field.

Tsushima (Mongol Invasion of Japan).

Fought 1419 between the Chinese and Koreans, and the ships of the Barons of Kiushiu. The Japanese gained a signal victory, and from that time were no more troubled by foreign invasion.

Tudela (Peninsular War).

Fought November 23, 1808, between 30,000 French, under Lannes, and 45,000 Spaniards, under Castaños and Palafox. The Spaniards were totally defeated, with a loss of about 9,000 killed and wounded, 3,000 prisoners and 30 guns. The French losses were small.

Tunis (First Punic War).

Fought B.C. 255 between 15,000 Romans, under Regulus, and 16,000 Carthaginians, of whom 4,000 were cavalry, with 100 elephants, under Xanthippus, the Spartan. The Romans were broken by a cavalry charge, and their rout was completed by the elephants, and all but 2,500 fell on the field. Regulus was captured, and Tunis at once occupied by the Carthaginians.

Tunis (Ninth Crusade).

This city was besieged by the French Crusaders, under Louis IX in 1270. While before the walls of the place, which offered an obstinate resistance, Louis died of a fever, and the crusaders at once raised the siege and retired.

Turbigo (Franco-Austrian War).

Fought June 3, 1859, when the advance guard of Marshal Macmahon’s corps, under the Marshal in person, was attacked by a portion of the Austrian division of Clam-Gallas, while simultaneously 4,000 Austrians assailed the bridge over the canal near the Ticino, which the French main body was crossing. After severe fighting both attacks were repulsed with considerable loss.

Turcoing (Wars of the French Revolution).

Fought 1794 between the French, under Souham, and the British, under the Duke of York. The British were defeated and driven back upon Tournay.

Turin (Revolt of Maxentius).

Fought 312, between the legions of Gaul, 40,000 strong, under Constantine, and the troops of Maxentius, considerably superior in number. The charge of Maxentius’ heavy cavalry failed, and he was driven back into Turin with enormous loss.

Turin (War of the Spanish Succession).

This place, held by an Imperialist garrison, 10,000 strong, under the Duke of Savoy, was besieged by a French army of 68 battalions and 80 squadrons, with artillery and engineers, under the Duc de la Feuillade, May 26, 1706. On June 17 the Duke of Savoy left the city to organise a relief force, Count Daun taking the command. The garrison held out stoutly till September 7, when the approach of a large relieving force under Prince Eugene compelled the French to raise the siege. About 5,000 of the garrison perished either in action or by disease. In the action which preceded the retirement of the French, the Imperialists lost 1,500, the French 2,000 killed and wounded and 6,000 prisoners.

Turnhout (Netherlands War of Independence).

Fought August 22, 1597, between the Dutch, under Prince Maurice of Nassau, and the Spaniards under the Archduke Albert. The Spaniards were totally defeated, and this victory may be said to have set the seal of the Independence of the Netherlands.

Tyre (Alexander’s Asiatic Campaigns).

This strongly fortified city, built on an island separated from the mainland by a channel 1,000 yards wide, was besieged by the Macedonians under Alexander the Great, B.C., 332. Alexander at once commenced the construction of a mole across the channel but was much hampered by the Phœnician galleys, which issued from the two fortified harbours, and destroyed his military engines. He therefore collected in Sidon a fleet of 250 ships from the captured Phœnician cities, and holding the Tyrian galleys in check, completed his mole. It was some time, however, before a breach could be effected, but in August, 332, an assault was delivered, headed by Alexander in person, and the city was stormed and taken. Eight thousand Tyrians fell in the storm, and about 30,000 were sold into slavery.

U

Ucles (Mohammedan Empire in Spain).

Fought 1109, between the Spaniards, under Don Sancho of Castile, and the Moors, under Ali. The Spaniards were defeated, with a heavy loss of the Christian chivalry, among the killed being Don Sancho.

Uji (Taira War).

Fought 1180 between the adherents of the Taira clan, under Shigehira, and the Japanese, who had risen against the domination of the Taira at the Court of the Emperor Antoku, under Prince Yukiiye and Yorimasa. The Taira gained a complete victory, Yukiiye being killed, while Yorimasa committed suicide in the field.

Ulundi (Zulu War).

The last battle of the war, fought August, 1879, between 5,000 British, under Lord Chelmsford, and about 20,000 Zulus. The Zulus were routed with a loss of over 1,500, the British losing only 15 killed and 78 wounded.

Upsala (Dano-Swedish Wars).

Fought 1520, between the Danes, under Otho of Krumpen, and the Swedes, under Christina Gyllenstierna, widow of the Administrator, Sten Sture. The Danes, in superior force, were strongly entrenched at Upsala. They were vigorously attacked, but the advantage of position and numbers enabled them to beat off their assailants with heavy loss, though only after severe fighting.

Upsala (Dano-Swedish Wars).

Fought 1521, when 3,000 Swedes, under Gustavus Vasa, defeated the troops of the Bishop of Upsala, who was holding the city in the Danish interest. After his victory Gustavus occupied the city.

Urosan (Invasion of Korea).

This place, held by a Japanese garrison under Kiyomasa, was besieged 1595 by the Chinese and Koreans, under Tik Ho. The garrison had been reduced to such straits that they had eaten their horses, when the approach of a relieving force, under Toyotomo Hideaki and Mori Hidemoto, forced Tik Ho to withdraw. While retreating, however, he was attacked by the Japanese and totally routed.

Ushant (Wars of the French Revolution).

This action, generally known as the “Glorious First of June,” was fought June 1, 1794, between a British fleet of 25 sail of the line, under Lord Howe, and 26 French ships, under Villaret. After four hours’ fighting the French were defeated, with a loss of 6 ships captured, and one, the _Vengeur_, sunk. The sinking of this ship was elaborated by the French into a fable, to the effect that she refused to surrender, and went down with all hands and colours flying. She had, however, undoubtedly struck her colours, and her captain and over 200 of her crew were rescued by the boats of the British fleet. The French admitted a loss of 3,000 men, besides prisoners, while the British lost 922 killed and wounded.

Utica (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).

Fought B.C. 49 between the Pompeians, under Varus, and the Cæsarians, under Curio. Varus sallied from his entrenchments to attack the Cæsarians, but was signally defeated, his troops fleeing in disorder, and opening the way for the occupation of Utica by Varus.

Utica (Moslem Conquest of Africa).

Fought 694 between 40,000 Moslems, under Hassan, and a large force of Greeks and Goths in the Imperial service. The Imperialists were defeated and driven out of Africa, and Hassan followed up his victory by the destruction of Carthage, which thenceforth ceased to exist, except as an obscure village.

Utsonomiya (Japanese Revolution).

Fought 1868, between the forces of the Shogun, under Otori Keisuke, and the Imperial troops, under Saigo Takamori. The Imperialists were completely victorious.

V

Vaalkranz (Second Boer War).

General Buller’s third attempt to pierce the Boer lines on the Tugela. On February 5, 1900, he seized Vaalkranz, under cover of a feint attack at Brakfontein towards the Boer right. The hill was held by a brigade during the 6th and 7th, but finding further progress impossible, Buller again recrossed the Tugela. The British losses amounted to 374 killed and wounded.

Valenciennes (Netherlands War of Independence).

Siege was laid to this place in December, 1566, by a force of Spaniards and Germans, mercenaries, under Noircarmes. The operations were somewhat indolently conducted, insomuch that he and his six lieutenants were derided as the “Seven Sleepers,” but towards the end of February Noircarmes began to press on his siege works, and on March 23 his batteries opened fire, the city surrendering on the following day.

Valenciennes.

Defended by a Spanish garrison under Francisco de Manesses, Valenciennes was besieged June, 1566, by the French, under Turenne and La Ferté. The French encamped in two divisions on the opposite side of the Scheldt, and when the city was on the point of surrendering, La Ferté’s division was attacked by 20,000 Spaniards, under Condé, and totally routed with a loss of 400 officers and 4,000 men, before Turenne could come to his assistance. In consequence of this defeat, Turenne was forced to abandon the siege and retire.

Val-ès-Dunes.

Fought 1047, between the Normans, under William of Normandy, with aid from Henri I of France, and the rebel Norman Barons. The rebels were totally defeated.

Valetta (Wars of the French Revolution).

The capital of Malta, held by a French garrison, 60,000 strong, under General Vaubois, was besieged September, 1798, by a force of British and Maltese, under Sir Alexander Ball. Vaubois held out for two years, but on September 5, 1800, was compelled by famine to surrender. The Maltese lost during the siege 20,000 men.

Valmy (Wars of the French Revolution).

Fought September 20, 1792, between the French, 70,000 strong, under Dumouriez, and the Prussians, under the Duke of Brunswick. The battle consisted in the main of an artillery duel, in which the French had the upper hand, and after nightfall the Prussians retired, recrossing the frontier two days later.

Valparaiso.

This city, entirely open and undefended, was bombarded March 31, 1866, by the Spanish fleet under Mendez Nuñez. By this disgraceful action Valparaiso was reduced to ashes.

Valutinagora (Moscow Campaign).

Fought August 19, 1812, between Ney’s corps, about 30,000 strong, and a strong rear-guard of Barclay de Tolly’s army, about 40,000 strong, under Barclay de Tolly in person. The Russians were strongly posted in marshy ground, protected by a small stream. The French, attacking resolutely, carried the Russian position in the face of enormous natural difficulties. Each side lost about 7,000 men.

Varaville.

Fought 1058, between the Normans, under William of Normandy, and the French and Angevins, under Henri I of France. The Normans gained a complete victory, and the French king shortly afterwards made peace.

Varese (Italian Rising of 1858).

Fought May 25, 1859, between 3,000 Garibaldians, under Garibaldi, and 5,000 Austrians, under General Urban. The Austrians were repulsed after hard fighting, and suffered considerable loss. This action is also known as the Battle of Malnate.

Varmas (South-American War of Independence).

Fought 1813 between the Colombian Patriots, under Bolivar, and the Spanish Royalists. The latter were defeated.

Varna (Ottoman Wars).

Fought November 10, 1444, between the Turks, under Amurath II, and the Hungarians, under King Ladislaus. The Hungarians attacked the Turkish camp, but were beaten off with heavy loss, the King being killed. On the following day Amurath stormed the Hungarian entrenchments, practically the whole of the defenders being put to the sword.

Varna (Ottoman Wars).

This fortress, held by a Turkish garrison of 20,000 men, was besieged July, 1828, by the Russians, under Prince Mentschikoff, and though a feeble attempt to relieve it was made by Omar Vrione Pasha, the place was taken by storm on October 11.

Varus. Defeat of (Germanic Wars).

The site of this famous battle is supposed to be between the rivers Ems and Lippe, not far from the modern Detmoldt. In A.D. 9 the Roman army, under Quintilius Varus, was attacked while on the march and encumbered by a heavy baggage-train, by the Germans, under Arminius or Hermann. The country was thickly wooded and marshy, and the Romans could make but little defence, with the result that they were almost annihilated. Varus committed suicide on the field to avoid falling into the hands of the victors.

Vasaq (Ottoman Wars).

Fought 1442, between 80,000 Turks, under Shiabeddin Pasha, and 15,000 Hungarians, under John Huniades. The Turks were utterly routed, with a loss of 20,000 killed and wounded, and 5,000 prisoners, including the Pasha.

Vauchamps.

_See_ Champ-Aubert.

Veii.

This city was besieged B.C. 400 by the Romans, the siege being carried on in a desultory fashion for seven years. At the end of this period the citizens of Capua and Valerii made an attack upon the Roman camp, and inflicted a signal defeat upon the besiegers. M. Furius Camillus was then appointed dictator, and a determined attempt was made to end the siege, with the result that Veii fell B.C. 393. Rome’s greatest rival in Italy was thus destroyed.

Veleneze (Hungarian Rising).