BAYONNE.--In the neighbourhood of this town there was much desperate fighting between the French and English armies, December 10th, 11th, and 13th, 1813. Bayonne was invested by the British, January 14th, 1814, during which the French made a sally and attacked the English with success, but were at length driven back. The loss of the British was considerable, and Lieut.-General Sir John Hope was wounded and taken prisoner. It was here that the bayonet was first made, in or about A.D. 1670. According to the Abbé Langlet, it was first used by the French in battle, 1693, “with great success against an enemy unprepared for the encounter with so formidable a novelty.” Adopted by the British, September 26th, 1693. BEACHY HEAD, ENGAGEMENT OF.--Memorable for the defeat of the British and Dutch combined fleet, by the French. The British, whose ships were commanded by the Earl of Torrington, suffered very severely in the unequal contest, June 30th, 1690. The Dutch lost two Admirals and 500 men, the English two ships and 400 men. Several of the Dutch ships were sunk to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. The Admirals on both sides were blamed; on the English side for not fighting, on the French, for not pursuing the victory. BEAGUE, BATTLE OF.--_In Anjou, France._--Fought April 3rd, 1421, between the English and French.--The former commanded by the Duke of Clarence, the latter by the Dauphin of France, who was aided by a body of 7000 Scots, under the Earl of Buchan. The English were defeated with the loss of 1500 men killed, and the Duke himself was killed by a Scotch Knight. BELGRADE, BATTLE OF.--Fought in 1456, between the German and Turkish armies, in which the latter was defeated with the loss of 40,000 men. Belgrade was taken by Solyman, 1522, and retaken by the Imperialists in 1688, from whom it again reverted to the Turks in 1690. Again taken by Prince Eugene, in 1717, and kept till 1739, when it was ceded to the Turks, after its fine fortifications had been demolished. It was again taken in 1789, and restored at the peace of Reichenbach, 1790. The Servian insurgents had possession of it in 1806. The most memorable siege which it sustained was undertaken in May, 1717, by Prince Eugene. On August 5th of that year, the Turkish army, 200,000 strong, approached to relieve it, and a sanguinary battle was fought, in which the Turks lost 20,000; after the battle Belgrade surrendered. This city is called “_The Key of Eastern Christendom_,” and “_The Bulwark of Christian Europe_.” BELLAIR, BATTLE OF.--In America.--This town was attacked by the British forces, under command of Sir Peter Parker; but after an obstinate engagement, in which the result was a long time doubtful, they were repulsed with considerable loss, and their gallant commander was killed. August 30th, 1814.