History Bits is where you will find articles of historical fact and significance, accounts of major wars, and other items of interest to the historically-minded.
The NPC wants to so its part in educating the public. Keep checking it and keep up with the past.
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History doesn't have to be boring . . . Two clips to prove it
Homer Simpson's Tribute to Benito Mussolini
Peter Griffin: Bugging His Cousin — Hitler
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Today in History
In 1783, the American Revolutionary War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by the United States and Britain.
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Jordan Finds Iron Age Village
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Gateway to the Viking Empire Found
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Nuremberg Laws Move to US Archives
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Oldest Evidence of Arrows Found
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Civil War Camp in Rural Georgia
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Barbarians at Rome's Gate, 1600 Years Ago Today
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Undisturbed artifacts will detail lives of Civil War prisoners
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Major archaeological find at site of Civil War prison
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3-D New Web Site on Nagasaki A-Bombing
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Cannibalism in History
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How Franklin Roosevelt Led America Into War
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Churchill's Legacy
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Cannibal Donner Party Had Lincoln Documents
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Huge Roman Coin Find
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Pagan Altar Unearthed in Israel
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Cleopatra Quest Reveals Statue
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Archival Discovery Reveals a Ruined Berlin
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Top Ten Passions of Ancient Rome
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“Battle” Archives
Civil War in Chile: The Battle of Concon
August 21, 1891, between 10,000 Congressists under
General Canto and 11.000 Balmacedists under General Barbosa. The
Congressists, who had landed unopposed on the 20th. stormed the Balmacedists'
entrenchments and drove them out, with a loss of 1,648 killed and wounded
and 1500 prisoners. The Congressists lost 869.
Wrotham Heath: Wyatt's Insurrection
January 1554, when insurgents in Kent, England under Sir Henry Isley were
defeated by Royal troops under Lord Abergavenny.
England Burns100 Ships in The Battle of Damme
April 1213, when a fleet of 500 English ships under the Earl of
Salibury, attacked and dispersed a large fleet of French ships designed
to support Philip Ausgustus' invasion of Flanders. The English
captured 300 vessels, burned 100 and Philip Augustus' plan was ruined.
Castlefidardo: Papal Troops Defeated in the
Italian Wars of Independence
Sept. 18, 1860, between the 8,000 Papal troops of General Moriciere
and 40,000 Sardinians under General Cialdini. The Papal army was
routed and Moriciere and 300 infantry troops retreated to Ancona.
Tabraca: The Revolt in Gildo
In 398, between 5,000 Roman legionaires under Mascazel and 70,000
revolted Africans under Gildo, At the first attack the Romans serving
under Gildo deserted, with Mascazel gaining an almost bloodless
victory. Gildo was captured and killed himself in prison.
When The Romans Occupied Britain; The End of
Queen Boudicca
In 61 A.D, Suetonius, with 10,000 legionnaires, routed an enormous host of
Britons under Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni, who sacked Camelodunum, and took Londinium and Verulamium. The Britons lost 80,000
killed and Boudicca took poison on the battlefield.
Landskrone: The Danes Fall to Swedish Troops
Fought July 14th, 1676, between the Swedes under Charles XI (pictured)
and the Danes under Christian V. The Danes suffered a serious defeat.
1782: England Loses Minorca to French and Spanish
Forces
Having been restored to England in the Treaty of Paris, Minorca was
recaptured
in 1782 by 12,000 French and Spaniards (the garrison had only 700 defending
it.). On February 5, after six months of battle, the garrison surrendered.
Czarnovo: Napoleon Vs. Count Tolstoy
December 24, 1806, between the French under Napoleon and 15,000 Russians
under Count Tolstoy. With Davout's corps, Napoleon crossed the Ukra and made
a night attack on the Russians, driving them out of Czarnovo with a loss of
1,600 and several guns; the French lost 700.
24,000 Killed in US Civil War's Battle of
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Dec. 31, 1862, between 35,000 Confederates and 45,000 Federals. Confederate
General Bragg drove back the Federals' right, but the centre and left held,
preventing a total defeat. Each side
lost about 12,000 killed. wounded and missing in two days of fighting.
Fort Bilbao, Spain : First of the Carlist Wars
This fortress was besieged by the Carlists on November 9, 1836, and defended
by a small Cristino garrison. After several unsuccessful attempts, the
Cristino general Espartero, and 18,000 of his troops drove away the Carlists
on December 25, relieving the city, capturing the 25-piece Carlist
artillery.
Drogheda: 4,000 Die in Oliver Cromwell's Ireland
Campaign
On September 3, 1649, siege was laid to this Irish town by the 10,000-man
Parliamentary Army under Oliver Cromwell, the garrison of 3,000
led by James Butler, Marquis of Ormonde.
Germaghah: Genghis Khan Wins First Battle
Genghis Khan's first battle, fought in 1193, when with 6,000 men he defeated
the 10,000-man army of his father-in-law Ung Khan, in a narrow pass and
inflicting heavy losses.
General Santa Anna at the First Battle of Angostura
Fought on February 21, 1847, between the
Mexicans and the
Americans led by General Scott; the Mexicans were totally defeated,
a year after losing 1.500 out an estimated 18,000 Mexicans at the
Battle of Buena Vista.
Maypo: Chileans Lose 1,000 Winning Independence
from Spain
April 5, 1818, between 9,000 Chileans under Jose de San Martin and 6,000
Spanish Royalists under General Osorio. The Spanish were totally defeated
with 1,000 killed and over 2,000 prisoners.
Dyrrachium: Julius Caesar Loses a Battle to Pompey
48 BC: Between the Caesarians, under Julius Caesar, and the Pompeians under
Pompey. Caesar interposed his army between the Pompeian camp and the town of
Dyrrachium, interrupting Pompey's communication. He attacked the Caesarian
lines, which he forced at a cost of 1,000 men. obliging Caesar to retire.
Obligado: Background to the Siege of Montevideo
Nov. 1845, between the Argentine fleet uner Oribe and the combined French
and British Squadrons. The allies were victorious and Oribe was forced to
raise the siege of Montevideo while the waters of the Parana were opened
to international shipping.
Royalists Win Battle of Brentford in England's
Civil War
November 12, 1642, between the Royalists under Lord Forth and Prince Rupert
and a parliamentary force under Col. Holles. Three regiments stationed at
Brentford were routed from their entrenchments by the Royalists, losing
1,500 prisoners and 11 guns.
The Irish Rebellion's Bloodbath at Benburb
June 5, 1646, when 5,500 Irish rebels under Owen Roe O'Neill (pictured)
totally routed General Monro's Scottish Army. The Scots left 3,000 dead on
the field.
Battle of Aylesford: The Jutes Invade Britain
456 AD, between the Jutes under Hengist and Horsa and the Britons under
Vortigern.
The Jutes were victorious, but Horsa was slain in the battle.
Nikko: Japanese Revolution
In 1868, between the followers of the Shogun under Otori Keiseuke and the
Imperial army under Saigo Takamori. The rebels were defeated and fled to the
castle of Wakamatsu.
Cadiz: Sir Francis Drake Singes King of Spain
On April 29, 1857 Sir Francis Drake with between 30-40 English ships,
entered Cadiz Bay and destroyed 100 Spanish vessels. This incident was
described as "Singeing the King of Spain's beard."
Brill: The Netherlands Victorious Over Spain
This fortress was captured from the Spaniards by 400 of the "Beggars of the
Sea" under De la Marck and Treslong on April 1, 1572. It was the first
success of the Netherlands patriots against Spanish rule. and is believed to
have laid the foundation for the Dutch republic.
Penobscotbay, American Revolutionary War
July 14, 1779, when a British squadron of ten ships under Sir George Collier
completely destroyed an American squadron of 24 ships and captured 3,000 of
the crew.
Gehrain: The British Conquer Bengal
August 1763, between the army of Mir Kassim, the deposed Nawab
of Bengal, and the British under Major Adams. A four hour battle ended
in a signal victory for the British.
Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks): A Civil War
Draw
Fought on May 31 and June 1, 1862 in Virginia, led by Union Major George
McClelland and Confederate General Joseph Johnston, who was severely wounded
in the battle that saw the Confederates endure waves of Union assault, but
made little headway. .
Carenage Bay: The British Take St. Lucia
In 1778, between the French under Comte d'Estaing, and the English under
Admiral Barrington and General Meadows. The French were defeated and the
British seized the island of St. Lucia.
Kokein : British Victory in the First Burma War
Dec. 12, 1824, when 1,800 British troops under Sir Archibald Campbell,
stormed and captured two large stockades. garrisoned by 20,000 Burmans under
Maha Bandoola.
Espinosa: France Wins Victory Over Spain in the
Peninsula War
November 10, 1808, between 18,000 French under Marshall Victor and 30,000
badly-armed Spaniards under General Blake. The Spaniards were routed and
Blake's army was scattered. The French lost about 1,100 men.
Granada: Moors Rout Christians in First
Spanish-Muslim War
In 1319, when the Spanish Army under Regents Pedro and John of Castile,
appeared under the walls of Granada. A sortie of 5,000 Moors under Said
Othman routed the Christians, with both Regents being slain.
Bergen: French Victory in the Seven Years' War
April 13, 1759, between the French under the Duc de Broglie and 40,000
Hanoverians under Ferdinand of Brunswick. The victorious French
retained possession of Bergen, its recapture being the object of Ferdinand's
advance.
Penobscot Bay: An American Victory over Britain
at Sea
July 14, 1779, when a British squadron of 10 ships under
Sir George Collier destroyed an American squadron of 24
ships and captured its 3,000-member crew.
St. Quentin: Germans over French in
Franco-Prussian War Battle
January 19, 1871, between 40,000 French under General Faidherbe and 33,000
Germans under General Goeben. The French were defeated with a loss of 3,000.
Monterreau: 2,000 Dead as Napoleon Defeats
Wurtemmbergers
February 18, 1814, between the rear guard
of the French army under Napoleon and the Wurtemmbergers under Prince
Eugene, who attacked Napoleon's position but was repelled, with a loss of
about 2,000 killed and wounded, and 4,000 prisoners.
Fulford: The Norse Invade England and Win
September 20, 1066, between the Norsemen under Harold Hardrada, King of
Norway and the English under the Earls Edwin and Morcar. The English
were defeated.
Charlemagne Defeated at Roncesvalles
August 778, between the Franks under Charlemagne, and the Basques and
Gascons under Loup II. Charlemagne's army, retreating from Spain, was caught
in the defile of Roncesvalles in the Pyrenees, and the rear guard was
annihilated.
Salamis: Alexander's Successors Vs. Egyptians
307 BC, between the Macedonian fleet under Demetrius Poliorcetes, and the
Egyptians under Ptolemy Soter. The Egyptians were routed with 100 ships
captured and the rest sunk, and 30,000 prisoners taken.
Vouille: The Rise of France, The Fall of Alaric
of the Visigoths
In 507, between the Franks under Clovis and the Visigoths under Alaric II
(pictured). Alaric tried to effect a junction with Theodoric, King of the
Ostrogoths, when he was attacked by Clovis and defeated. Alaric fell in the
battle.
The Jutish Invasion of Crayford
Fought 456, between theJutes under Hengist and the Britons under Vortigern.
The Britons were defeated and drivenout of Kent.
British Victory at Oondwa Nullah
September 1763, when 3,000 British and Indian troops under Major Adams
carried by storm the entrenchments and the fort held by Mir Kasim's Bengal
army of 60,000 men and 100 guns. Mir Kasim fled and his army was dispersed.
Hekitai-Kan: Japan Invades Korea and The Chinese
Take It On The Chin
1595, between the Japanese under Kobayagawa Takakage, and the Chinese under
Le Chin. The Chinese were routed, Li's army was almost annihilated, and Li
barely escaped from the battlefield.
The Fall of Rouen in the Hundred Years' War
This city was besieged in 1418 by the English under Henry V. After a gallant
defense, the garrison surrendered on January 19, 1419, with the city paying
a ransom of 300,000 Crowns.
Humaita: The Paraguayan Wars
May 1866, between the Paraguyans under Francisco Lopez and the Argentinians
under Mitre. Mitre attacked the Paraguayan entrenchments, but was repulsed
with heavy losses.
Ottoman Wars: The Siege of Belgrade, 1456
Belgrade was seized by a large Turkish army under Mohammed II (pictured);
the defense was in the hands of the Hungarians under John Hunyadi. After 40
days, the Turks raised the siege on September 4, 1456.
The War of 1812: British Flotilla Defeated in
Battle of Lake Erie
September 10, 1813, between the English flotilla of six schooners under
Commodore Barclay and a largely superior American squadron under Commodore
Perry. The entire British flotilla was destroyed, with a loss of 134 killed
and wounded. The Americans lost 27 killed and 96 wounded; the British were
obliged to withdraw from Detroit.
Ingavi: Peruvian President Falls in The
Bolivian-Peruvian War
November 18, 1841, between 3,800 Bolivians under President Ballivian and
5,200 Peruvians under President Gamarra. The Peruvians were routed, their
army was dispersed and Gamarra was killed in battle.
Bezetha: Jewish Wars of the Roman Empire
October 66 AD, when the Romans under Cestius Gallus were attacked by the
populace of Jerusalem, and driven out of their camp with 6,000 men and all
their baggage and siege train.
Allies and Japan Battle for the Solomon Islands:
1942
From March to July of 1942, Japan followed up on its gains in the Pacific
by capturing the Solomon Islands. On August 7th, The US and its allies
began
to retake them when the First Marines Division landed at Guadalcanal, and
the struggle ended November 25, 1944 with the US victory at Empress Augusta
Bay.
Landskrone: Denmark Vs. Sweden
July 14, 1676: between the Swedes under Charles XI and the Danes under
Christian V, in which the Danes suffered a serious defeat.
Tourcoing: The French Revolutionary Wars
Fought in 1794 between the French under Souham and the British under the
Duke of York. The British were beaten back driven back upon Tournai.
Canea: The Candian War: Turk Assault on Crete
This northwestern Crete town was besieged June 24, 1644 by 50,000 Turks
under Jussuf, the Captain Pasha and defended by a small force of Venetians
and Canadians, who held out until August 22, repulsing numerous assaults
costing the Turks 20,000 men.
Brits Battle and Take Bourbon in the Napoleonic
Wars
Fought on July 8, 1810, this island was captured by a British squadron of
five ships under Commodore Rowely. The British lost 22 killed and 79
wounded.
Mantinea: Spartans Routed in the Achaean League
Wars
208 BC, between the Achaeans under Philipoemen and the Spartans under
Machanidas. The Achaeans drove the Spartans into a ravine and routed them,
with a loss of 4,000 killed, among them being Machanidas.
Shinowara : Yoshinaka's Rebellion Defeats
Imperial Japan
April 1183, between the troops of the rebel Daimo Yoshinaka and the Japanese
Imperial Army with 100,000 horsemen under Tairo-no-Kore. The troops were
defeated, with a loss of 20,000 killed.
Fehrbellin: The Swedes Fall Invading Brandenburg
June 28 1675: between the Swedes under Charles XI and 15,000 Brandenburgers
under Frederick William the Elector. The Swedes were totally defeated and
forced to evacuate Brandenburg.
Placentia: Invasion of the Alemanni
In 271, between the Romans, under Aurelian (pictured) and the invading
Alemanni. The barbarians attacked the Romans in the evening after a long
march, throwing them into disorder. but they were rallied by the Emperor and
succeeded in beating off the invasion.
Fornham St. Genevieve: Rebel Princes Vs. Henry II
In 1173, between the supporters of the rebel princes under Robert de Baumont
and the forces of Henry II under Richard de Lucy. The rebels were defeated.
The Genoans Rise Against Austria
In December 1746 the Genoans rose against the Austrian garrison under
General Botta, and after five days of street fighting that ended December
10, drove them from the city, with a loss of 5,000 men.
The Raid on Porto Bello: Morgan's Buccaneers
Strike
This Spanish-American fortress was captured in 1665 by 460 Buccaneers under
Captain Morgan; The walls were scaled, the town was sacked and many
atrocities were inflicted upon the people.
Etampes: Rise of France
In 604, between the Burgundians under Queen Brunehilde, and the Neustrians
under
Clothaire II. The Neustrians were totally defeated.
San Lazaro: Wars of the Austrian Succession
June 1746, between 40,000 Austrians under Prince Lichtenstein and the French
and Spaniards under Marshal Maillebois. The allies attacked the Austrian
camp and after a nine-hour battle, were repulsed, with a loss of 8,000 men
killed and wounded.
Christianople: One Fortress Seized, 0 Casualties
The first military exploit of Sweden's Gustavus Adolphus, who, during the
War of 1611, assaulted this fortress with 1,500 men and after blowing in the
gate, captured it without losing one man.
Grozka: Austrian Defeat in the Ottoman Wars
1739, between the Austrians under Count Neipperg, and the Turks under the
Grand Vizier. The Austrians were defeated, with heavy losses.
Clusium: Gauls Defeat the Romans, Pay a Heavy
Price
Fought in 225 BC, when the Gauls routed a Roman army, with a loss estimated
to be 50,000 men.
Methven: Wars of Scottish Independence
June 19, 1306, when a small Scottish force under King Robert Bruce was attacked and defeated by a superior English force.
Nivelle: Over 4,000 Lost by the French
November 10, 1813: French troops under Marshal Soult, were driven from a
strong position by the British under Lord Wellington, and forced to retreat
behind the Neville. The French lost 4,265. including 1,200 prisoners and 51
guns. The British lost 2694 killed and wounded.
Porto Bello: An Victory for Britain Against Spain
in 1740
This settlement, on the Isthmus of Panama was captured from the Spaniards on
November 21, 1740 by a British fleet of six ships under Admiral Vernon. The
British losses were negligible.
Battle of Newtown Butler
Fought in July 31, 1689 betwen 5,000 Catholics and 3,000 Protestants in
defense of Enniskillen. The Catholics were routed with 1,500 lost and 500
drowned in Lough Ern.
Sudley Springs: Confederate Army Victory in
Virginia
Aug. 29, 1862, between the Federals under General Pope, and the
Confederate Army under General Jackson. Jackson took a position at Pope's
rear and defied all attempts to dislodge him, repulsing the Federal attacks
with
a loss of over 5,000 men.
Caracha: Colombians Fight for Independence
Fought in 1813 between Colombian patriots under Simon Bolivar and the
Spanish Royalists. Bolivar gained a complete victory.
San Isodoro: Allies Defeat Paraguayans
April 1870, between the Paraguayans under Lopez and the allied army of
Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay under General Camera. Camera attacked Lopez's
entrenchments, forcing him to take refuge in the mountains with the small
remnant of his troops.
Raphia: Battle of the Hellenistic Monarchies
217 BC, between the Egyptians under Ptolemy Philopator and the Syrians under
Antiochus the Great. After Antiochus pressed too far in the pusuit once he
had the advantage, he had been overpowered and routed, losing 14,000 Syrians
killed and 4,000 prisoners taken by the enemy. Within four years, he was
able to reclaim most of Asia Minor.
Tel-el Mahuta: Egyptian Revolt
Aug. 24, 1882, when Egyptians tried to oppose the march of the British
advance guard under General Graham to Kassassin. After a feeble resistance
they were driven off with heavy losses.
Blackheath: Flammock's Failed Rebellion
June 22, 1497, between royal troops under Henry VII and rebels under
Flammock and Lord Audley. The rebels were defeated with a loss of 2000
killed, and all their leaders were captured and executed.
Ile d'Aix: Brits Rout French Ships; Cape Breton
Captured
March 4, 1758: A British squadron of seven ships under Sir Edward Hawke
fought a French squadron of five ships and six frigates, driving them ashore
on the Ile d'Aix. This delayed the French expedition into North America. and
allowed Cape Breton to be captured.
Fort Frontenac: French Fall in First Battle in
the Seven Years' War
This fort, held by 110 French troops under Noyan, was captured by Col.
Bradstreet with 3,000 Colonials on August 27, 1758. This capture robbed the
French of control of Lake Ontario. and severed communications with their
posts in Ohio.
Deorham: Taking Wessex
In 577, when Ceawlin, the King of Wessex, defeated the Welsh and extended
the borders of Wessex to the Bristol Channel, severing the Welsh nation into
two parts.
Cabala: The Carthaginians fall in Sicily
379 BC, between the Syracusians under Dionysius and the Carthaginians under
Mago. The Carthaginians and Mago were killed.
The Battle of Silpia: Romans End Carthaginian
Rule in Spain
Fought in 206 BC between 75,000 Carthaginians and 48,000 Romans. Though it
took place on the open plain in front of the Carthaginians' camp, it
resulted in victory for the Romans, ending Carthaginian domination of Spain.
Luncarty: The Danes Invade Scotland and Lose
980, between the Scots under Kenneth III and the Danish corsairs, who had
landed on the Tay to attack Dunkeld. After furious hand-to-hand combat, the
Danes were defeated and driven back to their ship.
Amoaful: Brits Pay Heavy Price Putting Down
Ashantis
January 31, 1874, when the British expeditionary force under General
Wolesley defeated the Ashantis after a desperate resistance, costing the
British 16 officers killed and 174 soldiers dead and wounded. The 42nd
Regiment, who led the attack, lost 9 officers and 105 men.
COLOMBO: A British Victory Takes a City From the
Dutch
This town in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) was taken from the Dutch in 1796 by
four British warships and a small force of troops under Admiral Peter
Rainier
and Colonel Stuart.
Blackwater: O'Neill's Rebellion (A.K.A, The
Battle of Yellow Ford)
August 14, 1598, between 5,000 Irish rebels under Hugh O'Neill and 5,000
English
under Sir Henry Bagenal. Bagenal was defeated, with a loss of 1,500.
Wednesfield: The Danes Invade Britain
Fought in 911, between the Danes and the West Saxons, under Edward the
Elder. The Danes were defeated.
Shinowara, Japan: Yoshinaka's Rebellion
April 1183, between the troops of the rebel Daimio Yoshinaka and the
Japanese Imperial Army, consisting of 100,000 horsemen. The Imperial troops
were defeated, with a loss of 20,000 killed.
Fair of Lincoln: 13-Century Barons Defeated by
England's Royalists
Fought on the streets of Lincoln, England May 10, 1217, between Royal troops
under the Earl of Pembroke and adherents to the Dauphin Louis, Pretender to
the English throne under the Comte de la Perche. The Royalists were
victorious, the French leader was killed and many of the barons gave in.
Carthagena: British Defeated After 3,000 Fall in
Fort Assaults
This port was blockaded March 9, 1741 by a British fleet under Admiral
Vernon. An unsuccessful attack was made on the forts and Vernon eventually
withdrew on April 9th after losing 3,000 men.
Glen Malone: England Suffers a Defeat during Ireland's Colonization
1850, between the English settlers under Lord Grey de Wilton and the Irish "septs." The English suffered a serious defeat, with Sir Peter Carew among those killed.
Five Forks, Virginia: Confederates Routed in The
US Civil War:
April 1st, 1865, fought between 28,000 Union forces led by General Sheridan
and General Warren against 19,000 Confederate soldiers under General
Pickett. The Confederates were routed, with 5,000 of them taken prisoner.
General Robert E. Lee was forced to withdraw from the cities of Petersburg
and Richmond, Virginia on April 2nd.
Lannoy: The Flemish Fall Hard in the Netherlands
War of Independence
January, 1567, between 3,000 Flemish Protestants under Pierre Cornaille and
a small force of the Duchess of Parma's troops under Novicarmes. The
poorly-armed Flemish were cut to pieces by the Spaniards, losing 2,600 in
one hour of fighting.
Riachuela: Battle at Sea in The Paraguayan War
June 11, 1865, between the fleets of Paraguay and Brazil. After a fierce
engagement the advantage rested with the Brazilians.
Heathfield: Conquest of Britain
633, between the Mercians under Penda and the Northumbrians under Edwin. The
latter were defeated, and Edwin was slain.
Sinuiju: The World's Biggest Jet Air Battle
April 12, 1951, during the Korean War, when 115 USAF fighters escorting 32
Super Fortress bombers, engaged 80 Russian MIG fighter jets and destroyed or
damaged 46, at small loss to themselves.
Rich Mountain: Confederates Win a Battle in The
US Civil War
July 11, 1861, between 9,000 Confederate troops under Gen. Kirby Smith and
6,000 Federal troops under Gen. Morgan. The Federals were routed and driven
into Richmond, Virginia, where 5,000 prisoners, nine guns and 1,000
stand-of-arms were captured. Confederate losses were slight.
The Capture of Monterrey: Opening Battle of The
Mexican American Wars
This small Southern California town was captured from the Mexicans on
September 23, 1846, by the Americans under General Taylor. This success
was followed by the occupation of northern Mexico by the American army.
Gunzburg: Austrians Routed Near the Danube
October 9, 1805, when Marshal Ney's corps carried the brigades over the
Danube,
near the town of Gunzburg, driving off the Austrians with a loss of 300
killed and
wounded and 1,000 prisoners.
Edessa: The Capture of Valerian in The Persian
Wars
Fought in 259 between the Romans under Valerian (pictured), and the Persians
under Sapor I. The Romans were totally defeated, and Valerian was taken
prisoner. He was the only Roman emperor captured alive, and displayed to the
public in a cage.
Hastings: The Norman Conquest of England
October 14, 1066, two weeks after the landing of William the Conqueror
(pictured) with 9,000 men; The English, with 10,000 infantry under Harold,
were successful at first in defense, but finally routed, with Harold falling
in battle. This battle, also known as the Battle of Senlac, led to Norman
rule in England.
Battle of Messines: A Thin Victory for the Allies
June 7, 1917, when Field Marshal Haig, needing to drive the enemy from the
Messines Ridge, to break free of the Ypres salient, exploded 19 mines behind
their lines at dawn after ten days' bombardment. New Zealand's 2nd Army
troops cleared Germans from the lines by 7 a.m. and a few days later,
Australian troops drove the Germans from all the positions in the salient.
All in all, it was a limited tactical victory.
Fort Bausejour, Nova Scotia: A Canadian Battle in
The Seven Years' War
This fort, held by 420 men under Duchambon de Vergor, was invested on June
5, 1755, by 2,000 Massachusetts volunteers and a small army of irregulars
under Col. Monckton. On the 14th, the besiegers opened fire and on the 16th,
the garrison surrendered.
The Moorish Insurrection Hits Monarda: A Spaniard
Falls
On March 18, 1501, between the Spaniards under the Count de Cifuentes, and
Alonso Aguilar, and the insurgent Moors. The Spaniards, outnumbered, were
overpowered by the rebels. and were defeated. with Aguilar fighting to the
end, losing his life in battle.
Rajahmundry: A British Victory Over the French in
The Seven Years' War
Dec. 9, 1758, between 2,500 British troops under Col. Forde with 5,000
Indian levies,
against 6,500 French. Forde's Europeans routed the French. with the latter
fleeing with
considerable losses.
