The battles of the world

by J. Douglas Borthwick

1854 Great Britain and France declare war against Russia in March. The Allies land at Varna. Dreadful attack of Cholera in both armies—then the invasion of the Crimea. Battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann with all the minor sorties and engagements, and the scenes of camp life, so graphically described by military and civil correspondents. Bomarsund taken by the Baltic Expedition, August 16th.

1855 Sardinia joins the Allies. South side of Sebastopol taken. Battle of Tchernaya. Taking of Kertch and Kinburn. Battle of the Heights of Kars. Fall of Sebastopol and Kars. Russia proposes peace. Napoleon visited England, April 17th. Crimean medals distributed, May 18th. Sebastopol evacuated by the Russians, September 9th. Dreadful storm in the Black Sea, during which the Prince, Resolute, &c., foundered. Insurrection at Madrid. Flight of the Queen Mother Christina and dismissal of her favourites.

1856 Peace of Paris signed, March 31st. Victoria cross instituted, January 29th. Lord Dalhousie ceased to be Governor General of India, and was succeeded by Viscount Canning. War in Persia, and capture by the British of Bushire; Persian King, obliged thereafter to sue for peace. Great Britain involved in a war with China. Commissioner Yeh made prisoner. Lord Elgin made Ambassador to negotiate a settlement of difficulties. Seizure of Lorch, October 8th. English Cathedral, Montreal, burnt.

1857 Shakspeare’s house bought. Kensington Museum opened. Victoria cross distributed, and Victoria Asylum commenced. Indian Mutiny begun, February 28th. Massacre of Cawnpore, July 16th. Relief of Lucknow, November 17th.

1858 Close of the Mutiny and re-organization of the country. Attempt on the life of Napoleon III by Orsini and others. Orsini beheaded, March 13th. Princess Royal married to the Prince of Prussia.

1859 Revolution in Tuscany. Victoria Bridge opened, 19th December. Earthquake at Quito, 29th March. A Southern Convention at Vicksburg, Miss., at which eight States are represented, passes resolutions in favor of opening the slave trade. John Brown and fifteen white men and five negroes seize the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry and kill four of the inhabitants. The militia and Federal troops arrive at Harper’s Ferry and besiege Brown and his men in the armory buildings. The armory captured by Colonel Lee (now General). One marine and twelve of Brown’s men killed, Brown and four men taken prisoners, and two escape, but are re-captured. The people of Charlestown, Va., excited by the rumors of an attempt to rescue John Brown; and Governor Wise calms their fears by guarding the place with a Richmond regiment. In the House of Representatives of South Carolina a resolution is offered that “South Carolina is ready to enter, together with other slave-holding States, or such as desire present action, into the formation of a Southern Confederacy.” John Brown and two negroes hung. The medical students from Southern States in Philadelphia colleges resolve to secede and join colleges in their own States.
The following is a chronological table of the war in Italy. It is taken from the Journal of Education and compiled by the esteemed Superintendent of Education for Lower Canada, and will be found valuable for History students.
“First body of French troops leaves Toulon; Austrian ultimatum dispatched from Vienna to Turin. It is received at Turin. The limit fixed by the ultimatum (of three days) expires; Count Cavour declines the Austrian conditions; statement of the war question addressed to the Corps Legislatif by Count Walewski; French troops first cross Mont Cenis. Revolution in Tuscany; the Grand Duke retires: address of Victor Emmanuel to his army. The Austrian declaration of war posted in Vienna; the Austrians, under Count Gyulai, pass the Ticino; Marshal Canrobert and General Niel reach Turin and assume command of their respective corps d’armée; General McMahon arrives at Genoa; death of General Bouat; appeal of Victor Emmanuel to the Italian people. The Austrians occupy Novara; the French ambassador quits Vienna; revolt of Massa and Carrara. King Victor Emmanuel leaves Turin to take command of his army; the Austrians occupy Mortara; their steamers seize the Sardinian ports on Lake Maggiore; three Austrian vessels repulsed on the lake; the Duchess of Parma withdraws from the Duchy. Manifesto of Napoleon III, addressed to the Corps Legislatif; the Austrians pass the Po at Cambio; they are repulsed in an attempted crossing at Frassinetto; they burn the bridge over the Scrivia at Piacenza; the Austrian vanguard reaches Tronzano. The conflict at Frassinetto continues; the Austrians, passing the Po at Vacarizza, advance to Sale; a cannonade at Valenza. The Duchess of Parma returns to her capital. General Cialdini, issuing from Casale, seizes a convoy of the enemy. The Austrians repass the Po at Gerola. Imperial decree establishing the Regency in France. The Emperor Napoleon III, and the Prince Napoleon Jerome leave Paris for the seat of war; the Austrians complete a retrograde movement to the left of the Sesia. The Emperor embarks at Marseilles; the Austrians pause at Vercelli, and return reconnoitering parties to the right bank of the river; they occupy Rivergaro. The Emperor lands at Genoa; issues an order of the day to the army. The English declaration of neutrality published. The Austrians occupy Bobbio, and push their advanced post to Casteggio. The French Emperor arrives at Alessandria. The French squadron of Admiral Jurieu-Gravier anchors before Venice; the Emperor visits the outposts at Valenza. The Austrians threaten the bridge at Stella; the Emperor visits the head-quarters of the King at Occimiano; the Austrians vainly attempt to take the bridge at Valenza. The head-quarters of Count Gyulai transferred in retreat to Gariasco. Speech of M. Kossuth on the war, delivered at London Tavern; battle of Montebello; the Allies, numbering 6,300, under General Forey, defeat 25,000 Austrians under General Count Stadion; the Emperor visits Casale. The Piedmontese, under General Cialdini, force the passage of the Sesia at Vercelli, routing the Austrians; Garibaldi with his corps, leaves Biella, and marches for Northwestern Lombardy; the blockade of Venice established. Death of the King of Naples. Garibaldi, passing the Ticino at Sesto Calende, defeats the enemy and captures Varese. Garibaldi, attacked by the Austrians, beats them; Colonel Christoforis, with a portion of Garibaldi’s force, beats the Austrians near Sesto Calende; the Emperor at Voghera. The Emperor arrives at Vercelli; Garibaldi again beats the Austrians at Malmate. Garibaldi marches upon Como; rapid movement of the French army from the south to the north of the Po; Montebello and Custeggio, evacuated by them, occupied by the Austrians. Garibaldi, beating the Austrians at San Fermo, occupies Como, Camerlata, and Lecco; Austrian vessels bombard Canobbio, on Lake Maggiore; the Valtelline rises in insurrection. Battle of Palestro; the Allies, commanded by Victor Emmanuel, attack the Austrians; the Emperor of Austria, attended by Field-Marshal Baron Hess, arrive at Verona. The Allies defeat the Austrians at Palestro; General Niel occupies Novara; proclamation of the Emperor Francis Joseph to the Tyrolese. Garibaldi retiring before a powerful body of the enemy, attacks Laveno unsuccessfully; the Austrians attack the allied outposts at Robbio, but speedily retreat; the advance of the Allies, under McMahon, enters Lombardy by the bridge of Turbigo. The Austrians hastily evacuate Sardinia; severe action at Buffalora; Garibaldi again marches upon Varese, beats the Austrians, and re-occupies it. The conflict at Buffalora concludes in a splendid victory of the Allies at Magenta. Milan rises upon the Austrians; the garrison retires; Victor Emmanuel proclaimed King; Lombardy annexed to Sardinia; Grand Te Deum at Paris for the victory at Magenta. The Emperor and King enter Milan; the Austrian’s custom-houses on Lake Maggiore seized by Garibaldi’s corps. Garibaldi pursues the Austrians, who retreat towards Monza; proclamation of Napoleon III to the Italians. Marshal Baraguay d’Hilliers attacks the Austrians at Malegnano, and after a severe contest carries that post; on the same day the Austrian Count d’Urban is beaten by Marshal Canrobert at Canonica; the Austrians evacuate Laverno on Lago Maggiore. Garibaldi enters Bergamo; the Austrians evacuate Pavia and Piacenza; the Duchess of Parma arrives at Verona. The Austrians evacuate Lodi; they also evacuate Bologna and Ancona; resignation of the Derby Ministry in England; Lord Palmerston invited to form a cabinet; head-quarters of the French advanced to Gorgouzola. The vanguard of the French army passes the Adda at Cassano; the Sardinian army passes the Adda at Vaprio; the Austrians complete the evacuation of the Papal territory, and also withdraw from Modena; death of Prince Metternich. The Austrians abandon Pizzigbettone; Garibaldi at Brescia; Cremona and Brescia declare for the King of Sardinia; the Allied army passes the Sesia; General d’Urban retires from Coccaglia. The Duke of Modena arrives at Mantua; d’Urban occupies Cavriana, but evacuates it the same night; revolt at Venice. Garibaldi repulsed by an overwhelming force of the Austrians at Castenedolo; he retreats towards Lonato. General Count Schlick takes command of the second Austrian army, replacing Gyulai; the head quarters of Napoleon III removed to Covo; the Austrian Emperor at Travigliato. The Austrians occupy Montechiaro and Castiglione; Kossuth leaves London for Italy. The Emperor and King enter Brescia; the Austrians occupy the pass of the Stelvio; the Emperor Francis Joseph reviews a portion of his army at Lonato; he assumes supreme command of the army. The third division of the Adriatic fleet sails from Toulon. The Austrians abandon Montechiaro, Castiglione, and Lonato. The Emperor and King leave Brescia for the camp; the Austrians re-occupy Montechiaro and Castiglione; Francis Joseph Axes his head-quarters at Villafranca. The French pass the Chinese at Montechiaro, and push a reconnaissance as far as Goito; the head-quarters of Francis Joseph at Vallegio; Kossuth arrives at Genoa. The French Emperor and the King urge a reconnaissance as far as Desenzano; the Austrians in full force repass the Mincio, and occupy Pozzolengo, Solferino and Cavriana. Great battle of Solferino: 250,000 Austrians defeated by the Allies, numbering 150,000; the Austrians repass the Mincio; the allied head-quarters at Cavriana. Prussia proposes in the Diet the mobilization of the Federal army; retreat of the French troops at Brescia. Kossuth arrives at Parma, and after conferring with Prince Napoleon, proceeds to the Imperial head-quarters. A portion of Garibaldi’s troops, under Major Medidi, occupy the pass of Tonal, between Val Canonica and the Tyrol. The Allies, crossing the Mincio, enter the Venitian States. The vanguard of the Allies advances to Villafranca. The Imperial head-quarters removed to Volta; the corps of Prince Napoleon joins the main body of the allied army at Vallegio; the Sardinians commence the siege of Peschiera; the new British ministry declares in Parliament its determination to maintain an inviolable neutrality. The Emperor removes his head-quarters from Volta, and, crossing the Mincio, fixes them at Vallegio. Ten thousand French troops landed at Lussin-Piccolo, in the Adriatic; Grand Te Deum for the victory of Solferino at Notre-Dame. The Austrians retire from Bormio, after a sharp action, in which they are defeated by Garibaldi. Armistice concluded between the two emperors at VillaFranca; Zara bombarded by the French frigate Impetueuse. Interview between Napoleon III and Francis Joseph; the war terminated by the peace of VillaFranca.” Militia Volunteer Association of England established 17th November.

1860 The principal events of this year are: General rising of the Sicilians, March 16th. Annexation of Savoy and Nice to France, March 24th. War in China and capture of Pekin. Insurrection at Palermo, April 4th. Great Eastern sailed for America, June 16th. Prince of Wales at Quebec, August 18th. King of Naples, Francis II, retired to Gaeta, September 6th. Garibaldi entered Naples, September 8th. Ancona taken, September 30th. Battle of Volturno, October 2nd. Victor Emmanuel at Naples, November 7th. Abraham Lincoln elected President of the United States. A Secession Convention assembles in Columbia, S.C., but adjourns to Charleston, in consequence of the small pox. The Convention at Charleston passes the ordinance carrying South Carolina out of the Union. Attempted removal of ordnance from the Arsenal at Pittsburg, Pa., prevented by the citizens. Fort Moultrie evacuated by Major Robert Anderson, who retires with his troops to Fort Sumter. Seizure by the citizens of the Arsenal at Charleston, S.C.

1861 Duchess of Kent died, March 16th. Attack on Japanese Nussier, September 23rd. The fearful colliery explosion at Hartley took place on the 16th January of this year. King of Russia died, January 2nd. Taltian gallery destroyed, February 5th. The principal events of the Great Rebellion this year are given under in the order of occurrence:—The Postmaster at Charleston refuses to make returns to the United States Government. The Star of the West chartered and sent to Fort Sumter to reinforce Major Anderson. Mississippi secedes. The first gun of the rebellion fired; the forts on Morris Island fire on the Star of the West, and she puts to sea. Major Anderson leaves Fort Sumter in the Baltic, after having formally surrendered the fort and saluting his flag with the honors of war; several men killed by the explosion of a gun while saluting; no lives lost in the bombardment. The Army and Navy Appropriation Bills pass Congress. Battle at Rich Mountain, Va., in which General McClellan defeats Pegram. The rebels evacuate Laurel Hill, Va. General McClellan occupies Beverly, Va.; Garnett defeated and killed at Carrick’s Ford, Va.; Pegram surrenders. Battle of Bull Run, Va.; the Union army defeated, and falls back on Washington in confusion; Union loss, 481 killed, 1011 wounded, and 700 prisoners; Rebel lose, 269 killed, and 1483 wounded. General Dix takes command in Baltimore. General Scott’s resignation accepted by the President, who appoints General McClellan to the chief command of the armies. General Dix issues an order regulating the Maryland elections. Floyd defeated by Rosecrans at Gauley Bridge. Battle at Belmont, Mo.; the rebels under Sidney A. Johnston defeated by Grant. Naval engagement in Port Royal Harbour; the rebel forts Beauregard and Walker captured. General Buell assigned to the Department of Kentucky. James M. Mason and John Slidell, rebel Ministers to England and France, seized on board the Trent, by Commodore Wilkes, of the San Jacinto. Rebels defeated at Piketon, Ky., by General Nelson. A general bombardment of Pensacola and the navy-yard by Colonel Brown at Fort Pickens; the town and navy-yard destroyed. The gunboat Cœur de Lion runs the blockade of the Potomac, and arrives at Fortress Munro. The Constitution leaves Hampton Roads with General Phelps, first part of the Butler expedition to New Orleans. General Scott returns to New York from Europe. Mr. Seward agrees to surrender Mason and Slidell.

1862 French army in Mexico, January 7th. Mausoleum at Frogmore commenced, March 15th. French Victories in Cochin-China, March 29th. Garibaldi at Catania, August 20th. Battle of Aspromonte, August 29th. Mason and Slidell surrendered. Engagements at Port Royal Ferry, S.C., and Pensacola, Fla. General Mitchell occupies Huntsville, Ala. Fort Puluski surrenders. The siege of Fort Macon, N.C., commenced. Pocahantos, Ark., occupied by General Curtis. New Orleans surrenders to Commodore Farragut. Battle at Warwick Creek, Va. General Banks evacuates Strasburg, Va., in consequence of the advance of Jackson. Commodore Farragut shells Grand Gulf, Miss. Battle at Lewisburg, Va. The President calls for 300,000 men. Battle of Malvern Hills; end of the seven days’ fight. Battle of Catlett’s Station, Va., and retreat of Pope. General McDowell evacuates Fredericksburg, Va. General W. T. Sherman commences a movement upon Vicksburg in the rear of Haine’s Bluff. Stuart makes an unsuccessful foray on Burnside’s army at Falmouth, Va.

1863 Captain Speke discovered the source of the Nile, February 23rd. Prince of Wales married, March 10th. The President issues his Emancipation Proclamation. The rebels estimate their losses thus far at 20,898 killed, 59,615 wounded, and 21,169 prisoners. Total, 209,116. Battles of Hunt’s Cross Roads, Tenn., and Galveston, Texas. Naval engagement in Charleston Harbour; the rebel rams attack the fleet. National fast observed by order of President Lincoln. Porter’s squadron passes the batteries at Grand Gulf, Miss., and General Grant fights the battle of Branlinsburg, and lands his troops. Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., commenced. Stonewall Jackson mortally wounded. The tracks diverging from Gordonsville destroyed by General Buford. General Stoneman destroys the railroad at Columbia, Va. Second day of the battle of Chancellorsville, Va. Battle of Nansemond, Va.; Longstreet reinforces Lee. Fredericksburg, Va., captured by General Sedgwick. Battle at Gettysburg, Pa., commenced. General Rosecrans occupies Tullahoma, Tenn., and Winchester the next day. Negotiations for the surrender of Vicksburg, Miss., opened. Vicksburg surrenders to General Grant. Lee defeated at Gettysburg, Pa. Battle at Helena, Ark. Chattanooga, Tenn., evacuated by the rebels. Naval engagement in Charleston Harbour; a naval attack on Fort Sumter repulsed. Union forces defeated at Sabine Pass, Texas. Chattanooga occupied by General Crittenden. Cumberland Gap surrendered to General Burnside—Union forces defeated at Tipton, Tenn. Culpepper, Va., occupied by General Meade’s advance. Engagements near Culpepper, Va., and at Bird’s Gap, Ga. General Hooker’s “battle in the clouds” at Lookout Mountain. Engagement at Wauhatchie, Ala. General Blair occupies Tuscumbia, Ala. 181 Federal prisoners arrive at Fortress Monroe from Libby Prison, in a starving condition. The exchange of prisoners stopped. General Butler takes command of the Department of Virginia at Fortress Monroe. A furious bombardment of Fort Sumter. General Foster announces Longstreet in full retreat from Tennessee, whereupon the President orders a Thanksgiving. General Grant’s captures during the war announced as 472 cannon and 90,000 prisoners.