1794. Anthony Petit, an eminent French physician, died. He was a copious and learned writer.
1800. Simeon Thayer, an officer of the revolution, died. He was in the army led by Arnold through the wilderness to Quebec, was wounded by a cannon ball at Monmouth, and was the brave volunteer defender of Mud fort on the Delaware.
1803. Frederick Cavendish, an English field marshal died.
1805. Battle of Trafalgar; the British fleet, 27 sail and 4 frigates, defeated, after an action of 4 hours, the combined French and Spanish fleets of 33 sail. Admiral Horatio Nelson was killed, and the French admiral Villeneuve was captured. British loss 423 killed, 1164 wounded. The French and Spanish fleet was completely overthrown; but 14 escaped from the battle, and nearly the whole of those were afterwards wrecked or captured.
1841. John Forsyth, an eminent American statesman, died. As a member of the Union convention of Georgia in 1832, he was principally instrumental in preventing that state from pledging itself to nullification. He was a man of talent and eloquence and long distinguished in public life by the many important offices which he held.
1849. Charles E. Horn, a well known musical composer of Boston, died.
1852. Saul Alley, long known as a leading merchant and capitalist of New York, died aged 74.
OCTOBER 22.
50 B. C. The civil wars of the Romans began in which Cæsar and Pompey were arrayed against each other.
615. Columbanus, an Irish missionary and reformer of monastic life, died in Italy. In his character he was intrepid, violent and fearless.