Dictionary of Battles: From the Earliest Date to the Present TimeHarbottle, Thomas Benfield
History
Dictionary of Battles: From the Earliest Date to the Present Time
Harbottle, Thomas Benfield
Battles
Fought November 25, 1899, between Lord Methuen’s division, with a naval
brigade, 400 strong, and a Boer commando of about 2,500 men. The Boers
occupied a strong position, the key of which, a high kopje, was attacked
in front and flank, and carried, with a loss of 9 officers and 185 men.
The marines, who numbered 200, lost 3 officers and 86 men of this total.
The Boers lost about 100. This is also called the battle of Enslin.
Gravelines.
Fought July 13, 1538, between 8,500 French and Germans, under Marshal de
Thermes, and about 10,000 Spanish, Germans and Flemings, under Count
Egmont. De Thermes’ right rested on the sea, and a cavalry charge,
headed by Egmont, broke his line, after severe hand-to-hand fighting,
and the French fled in confusion, leaving 1,500 dead on the field, while
as many more were driven into the sea, and drowned. Large numbers were
cut down in the pursuit, and de Thermes was captured.
Gravelotte (Franco-German War).
Fought August 18, 1870, between the French, under Bazaine, and the
combined German army under the supreme command of William of Prussia.
The battle was most hotly contested, but while the French held their
ground in the neighbourhood of Gravelotte, the Germans turned their
right flank at St. Privat, and they were eventually obliged to abandon
all their positions, and retire into Metz, where they were subsequently
blockaded. The German losses amounted to 899 officers and 19,260 men
killed and wounded. The French losses were somewhat less. This battle is
also known as the battle of St. Privat.
Great Meadows (Seven Years’ War).
Fought July 3, 1752, between 350 Virginians, under Washington, and 700
French, under Coulon de Villiers. The Virginians occupied a square log
enclosure, known as Fort Necessity, where they resisted the French
attack for nine hours, till lack of ammunition forced Washington to
surrender. The Virginians lost 60 killed and wounded; the French
considerably less.
Grenada (American War of Independence).
Fought July 3, 1779, between a British fleet of 24 sail, under Admiral
Byron, and a French fleet of 20 sail-of-the-line, and 10 frigates, under
the Comte d’Estaing. Admiral Byron attacked the French with a view of
recapturing Grenada, but was unsuccessful, though he inflicted upon them
a loss of 1,200 killed and 1,500 wounded. The British lost 183 killed
and 346 wounded.
Grangam (Russo-Swedish Wars).
Fought 1721, between the Swedes, and the Russian fleet under Admiral
Golitshin. The Swedes were completely defeated, losing four
line-of-battle ships captured.
Grochow (Second Polish Rising).
Fought February 25, 1831, between the Poles, 90,000 strong under Prince
Michael Radziwill, and 120,000 Russians, under General Dubitsch. After a
sanguinary engagement, the Russians were defeated, with a loss of 10,000
killed and wounded. The Poles lost about 5,000.
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