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
The besieging army had, in its different attacks, about 800
guns mounted, which fired more than 1,600,000 rounds, and the
approaches, dug during 336 days, of open trenches through a rocky
ground, to an extent of fifty-four English miles, were made under
the constant fire of the place, and with incessant combats by
day and night. During the siege we employed no less than 80,000
gabions, 60,000 fascines, and nearly 1,000,000 earth bags.
To the French unquestionably is due the honor of its capture;
but who can forget the courage which the English exhibited, the
fortitude they displayed, or the sufferings they endured? The first
victories of that eventful year are claimed by British valour, and
if, at the last, they failed, let us remember there are some tasks
no ability can execute, some difficulties no skill can surmount,
and some opposition no valour can subdue.”
BORODINO, OR MOSKWA, BATTLE OF.--This battle is one of the most
sanguinary in the annals of the world. It was fought September
7th, 1812, between the French and Russians, commanded on the one
side by Napoleon and on the other by Kutusoff, 240,000 men being
engaged in the battle. Each party claimed the victory, because the
loss of the others was so immense, but it was rather in favour of
Napoleon, for the Russians subsequently retreated, leaving Moscow
to its fate. Among the principal persons of the Russians who fell
on this sanguinary field, may be mentioned Prince Bagration and
General Touczkoff. Many Russian generals were wounded. Their loss
amounted to the awful sum total of 15,000 men killed and more than
30,000 wounded. The French were supposed to have at least 10,000
men killed and 20,000 wounded; of these last few recovered. There
were 8 French generals slain, the most distinguished of whom were
Montbrun and Caulaimcourt, whose brother was the grand equerry to
Napoleon Bonaparte.
BOROUGH BRIDGE, BATTLE OF.--Fought between the Earls of Hertford
and Lancaster and Edward II. The king, at the head of 30,000 men,
pressed Lancaster so closely that he was taken, and executed, 1322.
BOSCOBEL.--Here Charles II concealed himself in an oak tree after
the fatal battle of Worcester, September 3rd, 1651. The whole army
of the Prince was either killed or taken prisoners by Cromwell, and
Charles ultimately escaped with great difficulty.
BOSTON.--Here the first resistance was made to the British
authority by the American Colonies, in 1773. Besieged by the
British next year, and two houses destroyed. In June 1775, the
scene of a battle between the royal and the independent troops.
Finally evacuated by the King’s troops, April, 1776.--_See_
BUNKER’S HILL.
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