The battles of the world

by J. Douglas Borthwick

In the knapsacks of the fallen Austrians were found spare suits of regimentals that had never been worn; and, according to the prisoners, those uniforms were intended to be worn at the solemn entry into Berlin.

One correspondent was informed by an Austrian officer, a prisoner, that in Konigsgratz, on the 2nd July even, there were 7000 wounded Austrians. But—disgraceful as the fact may seem—three days after the battle of Skalitz, wounded Austrians—such is the testimony of Prussian officers and surgeons—were found with wounds still bleeding on the field among the dead bodies.

At 1.5 the staff galloped off to see the position on the right, passing through the 6th Corps, which was in reserve. As the green plumes were seen rapidly advancing, the bands broke into the National Anthem, and the men cheered their commander as he passed with no uncertain note. Faces broke out into broad smiles; Jager hats were thrown into the air; all seemed joyous in the anticipation of an approaching triumph. Benedek, however, waved to them to cease, shouting in his peculiar tone of voice, always clear and distinct, “Not now—wait till to-morrow, my children.”

By half-past four o’clock the whole army was in full retreat; its rear, harassed by the enemy, was protected by the artillery and cavalry, who are said to have made many desperate charges, and to have been more than decimated. The bridges across the Adler and the Elbe are few and narrow, and the several columns meeting at such points became confused and intermixed. Guns that could not be carried away, were thrown off their carriages into the river; many were lost in this manner, but it is said that comparatively few are taken. A captain of artillery, who heard me asking about the loss in guns, said, “Out of my whole battery I have but one gun and seven horses left, and many others are in like condition.” Another said, “We have no artillery.” Every head was hung down, every spirit depressed. It was not merely a battle, but an empire lost, unless diplomatists can at last unweave the net which baffled them before, and which the sword has failed to cut. The soldiers knew nothing of all this; their only trouble was the fatigue from which they suffered, or the thought that the day’s battle would have to be fought over again before they could reach the pleasant plains and reap the benefits held out to their imaginations in Benedek’s proclamation issued but a few days ago. The night was chilly, and bivouac fires lined the sides of the road at intervals. Had it been an advance instead of a retreat, we might have enjoyed the picturesque scene. Round fires of firwood, flaming high above their heads, stood or sat the brave fellows who had laboured so hard and fought so gallantly on that day. Some stood warming themselves by the blaze which lighted up their bronzed faces to as red a glow as that of the pine stems that towered over them; others sat resting a wounded arm or leg on the bed of branches plucked for them by their more fortunate comrades; others, again, lay about in every attitude of exhaustion.”

SAGUNTUM, SIEGE OF.—Like Numantia, one of the most important in history, occurred B.C. 219. The citizens, after sustaining the siege for eight months, with heroic bravery, to prevent themselves falling into the hands of Hannibal, buried themselves in the ruins of their city. They burnt their houses and all their effects, and thus reduced the city to ashes.

ST. ALBANS, BATTLES OF.—The first fought, May 22nd, 1455, between the houses of York and Lancaster. The second between the Earl of Warwick and Queen Margaret of Anjou, who conquered. Fought, February 2nd, 1461. This battle was fought on Shrove-Tuesday, and resulted in the death of the Earl. “The Earl of Warwick, who now put himself at the head of the Yorkists, was one of the most celebrated generals of the age, formed for times of trouble, extremely artful and incontestably brave, equally skilful in council and the field; and inspired with a degree of hatred against the Queen that nothing could suppress. He commanded an army, in which he led about the captive King, to give a sanction to his attempts. Upon the approach of the Lancastrians, he conducted his forces, strengthened by a body of Londoners, who were very affectionate to his cause, and gave battle to the Queen at St. Alban’s. In this, however, he was defeated. About 2000 of the Yorkists perished in the battle, and the person of the King again fell into the hands of his own party, to be treated with apparent respect, but real contempt.”

ST. CHARLES.—On the 6th of November, 1837, a riot occurred at Montreal, but no lives were lost. On the 10th, Sir John Colborne, the Commander of the Forces, removed his head quarters from Sorel to Montreal. On the same day, a detachment proceeded to St. John’s under the command of Captain Glasgow. He found a large body of people posted on the opposite bank of the Richelieu, and the cavalry proceeded to take possession of the bridge, in order to prevent them from crossing. On the 16th, warrants were issued for the apprehension of twenty-six of the chief leaders. As a party of volunteer cavalry, newly organised, who had charge of two prisoners, were returning to Montreal, a large body of peasantry fired upon them from behind the fences near Longueuil, and compelled them to abandon their prisoners. Colonel Wetherall, with a considerable force, proceeded immediately from Chambly in the direction of St. Charles, for the purpose of dispersing a large body of people who had assembled there, and fortified their position. At some places the insurgents fled on the approach of the army, but at St. Charles the defenders were so obstinate that the Colonel was obliged to storm and carry the works, burning every house but one. The slaughter was great on the side of the unfortunate and misguided people, but slight on that of the troops. Another party of troops, who were marching from Sorel up the course of the Richelieu to effect a junction with Colonel Wetherall, were not so successful. At St. Denis they met with such a strong opposition, that they were compelled to abandon their intention and march back to Sorel. This success on the part of the insurgents was only of short duration, for, on the winter roads being formed, the same party marched through the country without opposition. Having captured St. Charles, and dispersed a considerable body collected for the purpose of cutting off his return, Colonel Wetherall came back to Montreal, bringing with him the pole and cap of liberty, which had been reared at St. Charles, and twenty-five prisoners. Four or five battalions of troops were raised in Montreal, and upwards of 50 corps of various kinds in other parts of the country. One of the most tragical events which took place at this time was the murder of Lieutenant Weir. This young officer had been sent overland to Sorel with a despatch directing the officer in command to prepare a force to accompany Colonel Gore, who was to leave Montreal in the afternoon in the steamboat. The roads were so bad that travelling was almost impossible, and he could not reach Sorel by land until half an hour after Colonel Gore and his division had crossed the St. Lawrence and marched on their route to St. Denis. Taking a fresh calèche, he hastened to join his troops; but, mistaking the road, he passed them and arrived at St. Denis before them. Here he was made a prisoner, closely pinioned, sent forward to St. Charles, and on the road was barbarously murdered by his brutal guardians. The fact and the circumstances attending it were only ascertained on the second expedition to St. Denis. The body was found in the Richelieu, and was brought to Montreal for interment. The funeral took place with military honours, and so solemn and imposing a sight was never before witnessed in the city.

Martial law was proclaimed in the District of Montreal on the 5th of December, and Sir John Colborne invested with authority to administer it. Immediately after this the attention of Government was called to the preparations making at the Lake of the Two Mountains, at St. Eustache, St. Benoit and St. Scholastique, where the most active and able leaders of the revolt had fortified themselves in a formidable manner.

On the morning of the 13th of December, Sir John Colborne, with about 1300 men, advanced towards the district from Montreal along the left hank of the Ottawa. On the 14th the army crossed the river and invested the village of St. Eustache. The attack was completely successful, though attended with much destruction of life and property. The handsome church was set on fire as well as the presbytère and about 60 of the principal houses. One of the leaders was killed near the church, and a large number burnt or suffocated from the flames; of the troops only one or two were killed and a few wounded.