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
HORATII AND CURIATII, COMBAT BETWEEN THE.--Fought B.C. 669. The
forces of the two states met about five miles from Rome. While the
armies were awaiting the signal for the battle, the Alban General,
stepping into the space between them, proposed to decide the
dispute by single combat. To this proposition Tullus agreed. There
were in each army three twin brothers, all remarkable for their
courage, strength, and activity, and to them it was resolved to
commit the management of the combat. The Roman brothers were called
Horatii and the Albans Curiatii. The champions met. Victory, which
for a time, appeared doubtful, at last seemed to decide against
the Romans. Two of their champions lay dead on the field, and the
third seemed, by flight, to beg for mercy. Defeat was however only
apparent. It soon became evident that this flight of the surviving
Roman was pretence in order that, by separating his antagonists, he
might have an opportunity of engaging them singly. Turning suddenly
upon the foremost of the Curiatii, he laid him dead at his feet.
The second instantly shared his fate. Fatigued and disabled by his
wounds, the third slowly advanced to offer an easy victory. He was
slain almost unresisting, while the conqueror exclaimed “Two have
I already sacrificed to the Manes of my brothers; a third will I
offer up to my country.”
HUSSAR.--This kind of soldier originated in Poland and Hungary, and
as they, being light cavalry, were more suited for hasty attacks
than a set battle, they are supposed to have taken their name from
the _huzzas_ or shouts which they made at their first onset. Pardon
says that they were oddly clothed, having the skins of tigers, &c.,
hanging on their backs, against bad weather, and wore fur caps,
with a cock’s feather. Introduced into the British service in the
last century.
I.
INKERMANN, BATTLE OF.--One of the most brilliant achievements in
the history of the British Army. Fought on the 5th of November,
1854.
“Two days after the repulse of the enemy’s sortie, by Sir De
Lacy Evans’ division, General Dannenberg, with a large Russian
reinforcement, arrived at Baktchi-Serai from Odessa, which place he
left on the 19th of October. In order that his men might reach the
scene of action with the greatest practicable rapidity, and in good
condition, every available cart and rustic conveyance was pressed
into the service. They were thus comparatively fresh and vigorous
after so rapid a march. On the 3rd of November, one division, under
General Soimonoff, entered Sebastopol. The remainder, under General
Pauloff, encamped at Tchorgoun, a short distance to the east.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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