=Alma.=—The first battle of the Crimean War. Here the British and French landed and successfully stormed the heights. R. Gibb’s famous picture, “Forward 42nd,” refers to this battle. =Almaraz.=—A defeat for the English in Spain by Louis XIV. during the War of the Spanish Succession. =Amboyna.=—An island in the Moluccas, where disputes with the native and English traders has led to a series of unfortunate differences with Holland, to whom it belongs. =Arcot.=—A fort in the Carnatic held by Clive. By making it a stronghold he was able to draw Dupleix from the hard pressed garrison in Trinchinopoly, and thus relieve, in a measure, its vicissitudes. =Arroyo dos Molinos.=—One of the lesser engagements in the Peninsular War, in which the Border Regiment outflanked a French regiment and took prisoners the men of a whole battalion. =Ashantee, 1873–4.=—The Dutch gave to the British all their rights in this country in exchange for territory in Sumatra. The native king raised certain objections and also treated British missionaries in a cruel manner. Human sacrifices were among his abominable practices. When the British Government demanded that he should rule decently, he declared war. =Atbara.=—A prelude to the Battle of Omdurman, fought against the Dervishes on Good Friday, 1898. =Ava.=—Near this town the last fighting in the first Burmese War took place. (February, 1826). =Badajoz.=—A strong fortress in Spain taken by us from the French, by assault, during the Peninsular War, 1812. =Badara.=—A British victory which terminated Dutch influence in India. =Balaklava.=—(October 26th, 1854). A battle in the Crimean War resulting from Mentschikoff’s attempt to get to the coast and so cut off the British from their base. Noted for the stand of the “thin red line,” i.e., 93rd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and the desperate charges of the “Heavy and Light” Brigades of Cavalry. =Banda.=—Islands in the Malay Archipelago which have been twice taken from the Dutch and twice restored to them. =Barrosa.=—(March 5th, 1811). A battle in the Peninsular War in which we suffered serious losses owing to the incapacity of the Spanish general, La Peña. His army looked on while 4,000 British defeated 9,000 French. =Beaumont.=—Battle fought near Cambrai and Le Cateau, during the campaign of 1794. A dense fog enabled our troops to surprise the French with a resulting gain for us. =Bhurtpore.=—A very powerful fortress in Rajputana. General Lake had failed to capture it in 1805 and it was considered by the Indians to be impregnable. The British had guaranteed the throne to the rightful heir, but his uncle usurped it, and war followed. It was brilliantly taken by assault in 1826 and its capture did much to establish our reputation in India. =Bladensburg.=—An action in the great American War which took place on August 24th, 1814.