This place, held by a Turkish garrison, was besieged by the Russians under Count Panin, August, 1768. After a defence of two months, the place was taken by storm, and the garrison put to the sword. Benevento (Italian Wars). Fought February 26, 1266, between the Neapolitans, under Mainfroy, the usurper of the crown of the Two Sicilies, and the French under Charles of Anjou. After a sanguinary engagement, in which Mainfroy was slain, the Neapolitans were utterly routed, and Charles of Anjou remained in undisputed possession of the throne. Beneventum (Pyrrhus’ Invasion of Italy). Fought B.C. 275, when Pyrrhus with a strong force of Epirots and Italians made a night attack upon the consular army of M. Carius Dentatus, encamped in a strong position near Beneventum. Pyrrhus was repulsed with considerable loss, including eight elephants. Encouraged by this success, the Romans shortly afterwards advanced to meet Pyrrhus in the open plain, and were at first driven back by the elephants, but rallying, they drove these back through Pyrrhus’ lines, and disordered the Epirot phalanx, and a charge of the legionaries completed the rout. This was Pyrrhus’ last serious attack against the Roman power, and he soon afterwards left Italy. Beneventum (Second Punic War). Fought B.C. 214, between 18,000 Carthaginians under Hanno, and 20,000 Romans under Tiberius Gracchus. Hanno’s troops were routed, his infantry being cut to pieces, and he himself escaping with difficulty, with a portion of his cavalry. Beneventum (Second Punic War). Fought B.C. 212, when a Roman consular army under Cn. Fulvius, stormed Hanno’s camp, three miles from Beneventum, at daybreak, and surprising the Carthaginians, routed them with heavy loss and captured all the corn and supplies intended for the revictualling of Capua. Bennington (American War of Independence). Fought August 10, 1777, between a British force under Colonel Baum, and the New Hampshire troops under General Stark. Baum had been ordered to seize the American magazines at Bennington, but found the place too strong, and asked for reinforcements. Meanwhile they were surrounded and attacked by Stark. The British fought till their ammunition was exhausted and then surrendered, while Baum was killed trying to cut his way through the American lines. Berea (Kaffir Wars). Fought December 20, 1852, between the British under General Cathcart, about 2,500 strong, and the Basutos, many thousands in number, under Moshesh. The British, after hard fighting, succeeded in holding their ground, but were obliged on the following day to retreat to the entrenched camp on the Caledon, having suffered a loss of 37 killed and 15 wounded. Beresina (Moscow Campaign).