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 12, 1642, between the Royalists under Prince Rupert, and
a Parliamentary force under Denzil Holles. Three regiments stationed at
Brentford were driven out of their entrenchments by the Royalists,
losing 1,500 prisoners and 11 guns.
Brescia (Italian Rising).
This city, where the populace had risen and shut up the small Austrian
garrison in the citadel, was carried by assault by General Haynau, with
about 4,000 Austrians, March 31, 1849. Carrying the Porta Torrelunga, he
fought his way from barricade to barricade, till, by the evening of
April 1, the resistance of the citizens was overcome. The Austrians lost
480 killed, including General Nugent, and many wounded. The wholesale
executions ordered by Haynau after the capture earned for him the
sobriquet of the Hyæna.
Breslau (Seven Years’ War).
Fought November 22, 1757, between 90,000 Austrians under Prince Charles
of Lorraine, and 25,000 Prussians under the Prince of Bevern. The
Prussians, who were encamped under the walls of Breslau, were driven
into the city with a loss of 5,000 killed and wounded, 3,600 prisoners,
including the Prince of Bevern, and 80 guns. They evacuated the city at
once, leaving a garrison of 6,000, which surrendered two days later. The
Austrians lost 8,000 killed and wounded.
Brest (War of the Holy League).
Fought August 10, 1512, between the English fleet of 45 sail under Lord
Edward Howard, and the French fleet of 39 sail under Jean de Thenouënel.
The French ships were driven into Brest, or along the coast, with heavy
loss. The English lost 2 ships and 1,600 men.
Bridge of Dee (Civil War).
Fought June 18, 1639, between the Covenanters, 2,300 strong, and the
Royal troops under Lord Aboyne. The bridge itself was barricaded and
held by 100 sharpshooters, under Colonel Johnstone, and Montrose, who
led the Covenanters, finding the defences too strong, succeeded by a
stratagem in drawing off the main body of the defenders, whereupon he
forced a passage. The losses on both sides were very small.
Brienne (Allied Invasion of France).
Fought January 29, 1814, between 18,000 French under Napoleon, and about
30,000 Russians and Prussians under Blucher. The allies were driven from
their positions, and the Château de Brienne taken. After nightfall a
determined attempt to retake the château was made by the Russians under
Sachen, but they failed to dislodge the French. The allies lost about
4,000; the French 3,000 killed and wounded.
Brihuega (War of the Spanish Succession).
Fought 1710 between the British under Stanhope, and the French under the
Duc de Vendôme. Stanhope, who was retreating from Madrid to Catalonia,
was surprised and surrounded, and, though he made a gallant stand,
fighting till all his powder was spent, and then leading a bayonet
charge, his force was at last reduced to 500 men, when he surrendered.
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