1772. A bow and quiver were found in the new forest, England, supposed to have lain since the time of William Rufus, who was killed by an arrow in this forest in 1100.
1777. Burgoyne, having collected about thirty days' provision, and thrown a bridge of boats over the Hudson, crossed and encamped on the heights and plains of Saratoga.
1778. During the celebration of mass at Bourbon-les-bains, in Bassigni, France, the vault under the church gave way, which occasioned the death of 600 persons.
1784. James Essex died; an Englishman famous for his skill in Gothic architecture.
1788. Jordan Noel de Vaux, a celebrated French general, died. He was made governor of Corsica in 1769, and completed the conquest of that island; he was afterwards raised to the dignity of marshal of France. He had been present at 19 sieges and 14 battles.
1792. John Vander Mersch died. He headed the insurgents of Brabant against the imperial forces, in 1789, and distinguished himself by his valor and prudence.
1795. The English drove the Dutch from their camp at the cape of Good Hope, and captured the Williamstad of 26 guns.
1811. James Grahame, a Scottish poet and divine, died.
1814. The French advance guard under Murat and Beauharnois entered Moscow. No defence was made except by the populace in the Kremlin, who fired the palace, and the whole city was wrapt in flames. Of 4,000 superb stone houses, only 200 remained; of 800 churches, all were destroyed or heavily damaged, and of 8,000 wooden houses, about 500 escaped.
1814. Gloutzk attacked and stormed by the Russians; the Poles and French under Dombrofsky retreated with the loss of 1,000 men.