The battles of the world : $b or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military eventsBorthwick, J. Douglas (John Douglas)
History
The battles of the world : $b or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military events
Borthwick, J. Douglas (John Douglas)
Battles; Military history
CORUNNA, BATTLE OF.--Sir John Moore commanded the British army of
about 15,000 men, and had just accomplished a safe retreat, when
they were attacked by the French with a force of 20,000. They were
completely repulsed, but the loss of the British was immense. Sir
John Moore was struck by a cannon ball which carried off his left
shoulder and part of his collar bone, leaving the arm dangling by
the flesh. He died immediately. In the evening of the day of battle
the remains of the splendid British army embarked at Corunna,
January 16th, 1809. Previous to the battle, the army under their
illustrious leader, had accomplished an arduous yet honorable
retreat, for many leagues through an enemy’s country.
CRACOW.--It was taken by Charles XII, in 1702. Taken and retaken
several times by the Russians, and Kosciusko expelled the Russians,
March 24th, 1794, but it surrendered to the Prussians the same
year. Occupied by 10,000 Russians, September, 1831; seized by
Austria, and incorporated into that empire, November 16th, 1846.
CRESSY.--Fought between the English and French, August 26th, 1346.
In the month of July in the year 1346, King Edward, at the head
of an army of 30,000 men, landed at La Hogue, in Normandy. He was
accompanied by his son, the Prince of Wales, though only fifteen
years of age, and by his principal nobility. Having taken several
towns, he moved along the left bank of the Seine, which river he
wished to cross, in order to join an army of Flemings in Picardy.
But he found the bridges all broken, and King Philip, at the head
of a numerous army, followed his motions on the opposite bank of
the river. At length Edward contrived to repair one of the broken
bridges, and to pass over unknown to Philip; and he then marched
rapidly till he reached the river Somme; but he there again found
all the bridges secured, and learned that Philip was at Amiens with
100,000 men. Being informed that there was a ford near the town
of Abbeville, which might be passed when the tide was low, Edward
set out for it at midnight; but when the English reached it, the
waters were not sufficiently low; and while they were waiting, a
large body of French cavalry came down to oppose their passage. The
English horsemen, however, gallantly plunged into the stream, drove
off the enemy, and gained the opposite bank. The whole army was
over when King Philip arrived, and the rising of the tide obliged
him to go round by the bridge of Abbeville.
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