NOIR, BATTLES OF.--First, fought, August 15th, 1799, between the French army commanded by Joubert, and the Russians, under Suwarrow. The French were defeated with immense slaughter,--10,000 being left dead on the battlefield, among whom was their General, Joubert, and several distinguished officers. A second battle was fought, January 8th, 1800, between the Austrian and French armies, when the latter a second time were signally defeated. NUMANTIA, SIEGE OF.--Celebrated in the life of Scipio Africanus. He besieged the city with 60,000 men, the Numantines had only 4000 able to bear arms, but for 14 years it bravely withstood all attempts, till at last it fell, and every soul preferred to perish rather than fall into the hands of the Romans. O. ORLEANS.--_France._--Besieged by John Talbot, the Earl of Salisbury, October 12th, 1428; relieved, and the siege raised by the Maid of Orleans--Joan of Arc--from which circumstance she received her name. ORLEANS NEW.--The British made an attack on New Orleans, December, 1814; they were repulsed by the Americans, under General Jackson, with great loss January, 7th, 1815. The American troops were entrenched behind a large number of cotton bales, and the British were obliged to advance in an open and exposed plain for more than a mile, during which they were literally mowed down by the shot from the cotton batteries. Some of the bravest Peninsular heroes fell here and met a soldier’s grave. ORTHES, BATTLE OF.--Fought, February 27th, 1814, between the British and Spanish armies, on the one side, and the French on the other. The Allies were commanded by Wellington--the French by Soult. In this memorable engagement the Allies gained a complete victory. OSTROLENKA, BATTLE OF.--Between the Poles and Russians. It was one of the most sanguinary and desperate battles fought between the two countries, and took place May 26th, 1831. On both sides the slaughter was immense, but the Poles remained masters of the field. OTTERBURN, BATTLE OF.--Fought, July 31st, 1388. The following is a graphic account of this engagement:--