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 August 27, 1626, between the Imperialists, under Tilly, and the
Danes and Germans, under Christian IV of Denmark. The allies were
retreating before Tilly, who came up with them in an open plain near the
Castle of Lutter, where the King had taken up a strong position. Tilly
attacked, and notwithstanding Christian’s personal gallantry, his
infantry was overwhelmed, while the German cavalry refused to take any
part in the fight. The Danes left 4,000 dead on the field, and Tilly
captured 2,000 prisoners, 22 guns and 60 standards. The King with
difficulty cut his way through the enemy’s horse, and escaped.
Lützen (Thirty Years’ War).
Fought November 16, 1632, between 20,000 Swedes, under Gustavus
Adolphus, and 30,000 Imperialists, under Wallenstein. The Swedes
attacked with success on their right, but their left was driven back by
Pappenheim, and Gustavus, hurrying off to rally them fell mortally
wounded. The fall of their king, however, did not dishearten the Swedes,
and a fresh charge, in which Pappenheim was killed, gave them a complete
victory. A dense fog, however, came on, which enabled Wallenstein to
effect an orderly retreat, though he left all his guns on the field.
Lützen (Campaign of Leipsic).
Fought May 2, 1813, between the French, 70,000 strong, under Napoleon,
and the Russians and Prussians, 65,000 strong, under Wittgenstein and
Blucher. The King of Prussia and the Russian Emperor were present on the
field. Napoleon held five villages in front of Lützen, round which the
battle centred. They were taken and re-taken several times during the
day, but at 8 p.m., in spite of the remonstrances of Blucher, the two
sovereigns ordered a retreat, and the honours of the day rested with the
French. The allies lost about 20,000; the French about 18,000.
Luzzara (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought August 15, 1702, between the French, 35,000 strong, under the Duc
d’Anjou, and 25,000 Imperialists, under Prince Eugene. The Prince
attacked the French in their entrenchments in front of Luzzara, and
after a stubborn resistance, drove them out with a loss of about 4,000
men. The Imperialists lost 27,000 killed and wounded.
Lynn Haven Bay.
Fought September 5, 1781, between a British fleet of 19 ships of the
line and 7 frigates, under Admiral Thomas Graves, and a French fleet of
25 line of battle ships. Admiral Graves attacked the French as they were
lying in Lynn Haven Bay, but was unsuccessful, and drew off after two
hours’ hard fighting, with a loss of 79 killed and 230 wounded. The
French lost 22 officers and 200 men killed and wounded.
Lyons.
Fought 197 between the legions of Britain, under Clodius Albinus, and
the legions of Pannonia, under Severus, both generals having been
proclaimed Emperor by their respective troops on the death of Pertinax.
Albinus was defeated and slain.
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