The battles of the world

by J. Douglas Borthwick

“It was thus the 19th of September before General Havelock was in a position to cross the Ganges for a third time, and to advance with an efficient force to relieve the long-beleaguered garrison at Lucknow. On that day the army of relief crossed the river by a bridge of boats, and encamped on the other side. General Havelock’s force consisted of about 2000 European infantry, the Sikh regiment of Ferozepore, three batteries of field artillery, and a handful of volunteer cavalry. The rebels mustered above 40,000 strong, but their numerical superiority only served to enhance the prowess of their conquerors. The first engagement took place on the 21st of September, at the village of Mungarwar, and resulted in the total defeat of the mutineers. Five field-pieces and guns in position were taken, two of the former being captured by the volunteer cavalry, led on to the charge by General Outram in person. From this point the army pushed on by forced marches, without encountering any organized opposition, until it arrived before the city of Lucknow. Skirting the suburbs of that once stately capital, General Havelock forced his way through every obstacle, and, by the evening of the 25th, had relieved the heroic garrison. The relief was opportune. Two mines had already been driven under the chief works, and, in a few hours more, would have been loaded and sprung. The besieged would thus have been placed at the mercy of those who knew no mercy. The city, however, had still to be subdued. From several advantageous positions the enemy continued to fire upon the fort, and were only finally dislodged after a series of determined assaults. In these operations the loss of the British was very severe. General Neill, the brave and energetic saviour of Benares, and the inexorable avenger of the massacre at Cawnpore, was among the slain. With him fell major Cooper, in command of the artillery, and many other gallant spirits. Even now much remained to be done. Taking courage from their overwhelming numbers, the enemy soon closed again around the army of deliverance, and cut off their communications with Cawnpore. Encumbered with not less than 1000 women and children, and sick and wounded men, it would have been hazardous if not impossible to have attempted a march across a difficult country. Under these circumstances Sir James Outram, who had assumed the chief command, determined on remaining at Lucknow, and awaiting the arrival of re-inforcements. Sir Colin Campbell, the Commander-in-Chief, left Cawnpore with a strong force, on the 9th of November, to relieve Lucknow. He succeeded, by a well-conceived stratagem on the 12th, in bringing away the garrison with the women and children, and marched for Cawnpore. On the third day after leaving Lucknow, General Havelock died from the effects of dysentery, brought on by excessive fatigue and anxiety. In December, Cawnpore was attacked by 25,000 rebels with fifty guns, and Sir Colin Campbell was summoned from the neighbourhood of Lucknow for its defence. He arrived in season to save the place, after a severe action with the enemy. Sir Colin remained at Cawnpore, collecting a large force for the final siege of Lucknow. During the time which was thus occupied, several actions of minor importance took place; but it was not till the 17th of March that Lucknow was recovered, after a short but active siege. After its fall, the kingdom of Oude, of which it was the capital, was speedily restored to obedience and comparative tranquillity.”

LUNEVILLE, PEACE OF.—Between the French Republic and the Emperor of Germany, concluded February 9th, 1801.

LUTZEN, BATTLE OF.—Between the French, commanded by Napoleon, and the combined armies of Russia and Prussia, commanded by General Wittgenstein, May 2nd, 1813. This bloody battle opened the campaign of that year, and though each side claimed the victory, it was manifestly on the side of France. Marshal Duroc was mortally wounded in this battle.

LUTZENGEN OR LUTZEN, BATTLE OF.—Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, fought this battle against the Emperor. In this sanguinary engagement Gustavus was basely killed in the victory, November 6th, 1632. This Gustavus was the most illustrious hero of his times, and the chief support of the German Protestants, and an ally to Charles I of England.

LUXEMBURG.—Considered the strongest fortress in the world, taken by the French in 1543; then by the Spaniards in 1544; again by the French in 1684—restored to Spain in 1697. Again taken by the French, in 1701, and given to the Dutch, and ceded to the Emperor at the peace of 1713. During last century it also sustained a long and memorable siege, June 17th, 1795. The garrison surrendered to the French, and were liberated on parole.

M.

MAESTRICHT.—Taken by the Prince of Parma in 1579; reduced by the Prince of Orange, in 1632. Louis XIV took it in 1675. William, Prince of Orange, invested it in 1676; restored to the Dutch in 1678; besieged by the French, in 1748. In 1793, attacked by the French, who took it the following year; but in 1814, it was delivered up to the allied forces.

MAGENTA, BATTLE OF.—Fought June 4th, 1859, between the French and Austrians. The French gained a splendid victory, the Allies losing 12,000, the Austrians 15,000. The latter rapidly retreated and evacuated Milan. The battle of Magenta was begun by the Austrians, who, although in full retreat towards Pavia, were ordered to change their front, and attack the advanced guard of the Allies, who had crossed the Ticino at Buffalora. Suddenly 25,000 Austrians attacked a battalion of Zouaves, together with two battalions of grenadiers; a close and deadly fire was now exchanged. Then the Austrians charged with the bayonet. At 12 o’clock the French were retiring, having lost General Leclere, a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, and 12 officers, when reinforcements appearing on their left, they rallied and forced the Austrians to withdraw. The bold assault of General McMahon decided the victory; and for his brave conduct and efficient generalship, Napoleon conferred on him the rank of Marshal, with the title of Duke of Magenta. General Guyalai brought into the action 120,000 men; he left 20,000 of them wounded or dead on the battle-field: 7000 were taken prisoners; 5 flags, 4000 knapsacks, 12,000 muskets and 4 guns, fell into the hands of the French. During the battle of Magenta the bridge and the village of Magenta were taken and retaken seven times. It was only at half-past eight at night that the Austrians withdrew. Their retreat was slow and orderly.

MAIDA, BATTLE OF.—Fought between the French, commanded by General Regnier, and the British, under Major General Sir John Stuart. The French were nearly double the number of the British, yet the latter gained a most glorious victory on the “Plains of Maida,” a village of Calabria. The loss of the French was very great, July 4th, 1806. The British commander, from this victory, has historically received the name of the “Hero of the Plains of Maida.”