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
Dunsinnan.
Fought 1054, between the usurper, Macbeth, and the Anglo-Saxons under
Siward, Earl of Northumberland, who was supporting Malcolm Canmore, the
son of the murdered Duncan. Macbeth was defeated, losing 10,000 men, and
fled to the north. The Anglo-Saxons lost 1,500.
Duplin (Baliol’s Rising).
Fought August 12, 1332, between the Scottish barons, under Edward
Baliol, and the forces of David, King of Scotland. Though largely
outnumbered Baliol was victorious.
Düppel (Schleswig-Holstein War).
This fortress, protected by an outer chain of ten redoubts, was invested
by the Prussians, 16,000 strong, under Prince Frederick Charles, and the
first parallel opened, March 30, 1864. The Danish garrison numbered
22,000. On April 17, after a heavy bombardment, the Prussians were
launched at the first six of the chain of redoubts, and, after a brief
resistance, they were captured and the place was immediately afterwards
surrendered. The Prussians lost 70 officers and 1,331 men, the Danes,
including prisoners, 5,500.
Durazzo (Norman Invasion of Italy).
This fortress, which was defended by a garrison of Greeks and
Macedonians under George Palæologus, was besieged by the Normans, under
Robert Guiscard, July 17, 1081. On October 18, the besiegers, now
reduced to 18,000, were attacked by a force of about 75,000 Greeks,
under Alexius Comnenus, and after a terrible struggle, in which the
Normans were almost overpowered, the victory rested with Guiscard. The
Greeks lost about 6,000. On the Norman side, the Italian auxiliaries
suffered heavily, but only 20 Norman knights were killed.
Notwithstanding this disaster, the city still held out, and it was not
till February 8, 1082, that a night surprise rendered the Normans
masters of the place.
Dürrenstein (Campaign of the Danube).
Fought November 11, 1805, during Napoleon’s advance on Vienna, when
Mortier, with one French division, was attacked by 30,000 Russians, and
would have been overwhelmed but for the timely arrival of another
division. The French lost 3,000; the Russians about the same number.
Dwina, The (Swedo-Polish War).
Fought 1701, between 15,000 Swedes under Charles XII, and 12,000 Saxons
under Marshal von Stenau. Charles, who was marching upon Riga, found the
passage of the Dwina barred by von Stenau. Having the wind at his back,
he set fire to a large quantity of straw, and under cover of the smoke,
crossed the river unperceived. He then attacked the Saxons, who, after
an obstinate engagement, were defeated and driven from the field.
Dyle (Norman Invasion of France).
Fought 896, between the Norman invaders, and the Germans under Arnulph,
Emperor of Germany. The Normans were totally routed with enormous loss.
Dyrrachium (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).
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