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
dropping fire of twenty-five or thirty shots and all was silent.
At the first report the whole party sprang to their feet, the
gunners placed themselves by their pieces, and the officers of
artillery prepared to point them upon any body of the enemy that
might break cover. And much were all disappointed when the firing
ceased.
Presently the red coats emerged from the woods, marched across a
small clearing and disappeared in the woods beyond. After waiting
some time longer and the sun beginning to approach the horizon, the
horses were put to the guns and waggons and preparations were made
for returning to St. Armand. One company of the 25th regained their
comrades on the hill. The rest of the force made their way by the
Cook’s Corner road back to Pigeon Hill, with the exception of one
company of the Rifles, which was detached towards Frelighsburg. The
rest of the force reached St. Armand’s Station between 9 and 10
o’clock at night.
The result of this expedition was unsatisfactory, though all
concerned did their duty with the utmost alacrity and zeal. But
when there was really no enemy to fight, no great victory could be
achieved.
It was generally supposed that 2 Fenians only were killed and 16
captured, but I have been since informed that 4 bodies were found
in the woods on Sunday.
Thus ended most ingloriously to those concerned in it this base
attempt to desecrate, by unlawful invasion, the soil of Canada,
_and to detach from their allegiance to their rightful Sovereign a
contented, happy and loyal people_. I may add, in conclusion, that
the inhabitants were most active in searching for and arresting
straggling Fenians and bringing them into head-quarters.”
PINKEY, BATTLE OF.--Fought, September 10th, 1547, between the
English, under the Earl of Hertford Protector, and the Scots, when
the latter were totally defeated. Few victories have been achieved
with less loss to the victors; the English loss was no more than
200, whilst the Scots lost the enormous number of 20,000.
PISTOL.--The smallest sort of fire arms. First used by the English
cavalry, A.D. 1544.
PLAINS OF ABRAHAM.--_See Quebec._
PLASSY, BATTLE OF.--Fought, June 23rd, 1757, between the British,
under Lord Clive, and the native Hindoos, under Surajah Dowlah. The
Hindoo army consisted of 70,000 men, whilst the British did not
exceed 3000, yet the Surajah was signally defeated. This battle
laid the foundation of the British power in India.
PLATÆA, BATTLE OF.--Fought, September 22nd, B.C. 479, between
Mardonius, General of the Persians, and the Lacedæmonians and
Athenians under Pausanias. The Persian army consisted of 300,000
men, 3000 of which only remained alive after the battle. The
Grecians lost only 91 Spartans, 52 Athenians, and 16 Tegeans.
Pausanias received one-tenth of all the immense plunder for his
uncommon valour, and the rest were rewarded each according to his
respective merit.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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