LIGNY, BATTLE OF.—Fought, June 16th, 1815, just before the celebrated battle of Waterloo, between the Prussians under Blucher, and the French commanded by Napoleon. The French gained the victory.
LINCELLES, BATTLE OF.—Between the allied English and Dutch armies and the French, in which the French were defeated August 18th, 1793. In this battle, General Lake commanded the 3rd battalion of Foot Guards, who so much distinguished themselves. Colonel Bosville, of the Coldstreams, was killed; the French lost 11 cannon.
LINCOLN, BATTLE OF.—A battle was fought at Lincoln between the armies of the Princess Maud and King Stephen of England. Stephen was defeated and captured, February 2nd, 1141. Another battle was fought here between the Dauphin of France and Henry III of England. This was a bloody engagement, in which the French and their English adherents were completely defeated, and Louis withdrew his pretensions to the English crown, May 19th, 1217.
LINLITHGOW-BRIDGE, BATTLE OF.—Between the forces of the Earl of Angus, and the forces of Lenox, who fought to get possession of the person of James V, then a minor. Lenox was slain by Sir James Hamilton, 1525.
LIPPSTADT, BATTLE OF.—One of the most bloody battles ever fought in the world. Called also Lutzen, which see.
LISLE, SIEGE OF.—Besieged by the Duke of Marlborough and the Allies, and taken after three months, in 1708. Restored at the treaty of Utrecht, 1713—this siege is accounted one of the most famous in modern times. It also sustained a severe bombardment by the Austrians in the revolutionary war, but they were obliged to raise the siege, October 7th, 1792.
LISSA, BATTLE OF.—This battle, fought December 5th, 1757, closed the campaign, in which the King of Prussia vanquished Prince Charles of Lorraine; 6000 Austrians were slain. Laid in ashes by the Russians in 1707.
LODI, BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE OF.—One of the earliest of Napoleon’s victories. Fought in Italy, May 10th, 1796. Napoleon commanded the French army, which was opposed to the Austrians, under General Beaulieu, and obtained a splendid victory after a bloody engagement, in which several thousands of the Imperialists were slain, and many thousands made prisoners. Napoleon nearly lost his life at this battle, and was wounded in the hip with a bayonet. One of his great Marshals in this battle, a sergeant, saved him, and was commissioned on the spot.
LONDONDERRY, SIEGE OF.—Memorable for a siege during the reign of James II, of England. James’ army, under the French General Rosene, retired with the loss of 8000 men, after having practised almost unparalleled cruelties upon the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, April 20th, 1689.