Beaumont.—Battle fought near Cambrai and Le Cateau, during the campaign of 1794. A dense fog enabled our troops to surprise the French with a resulting gain for us.
Bhurtpore.—A very powerful fortress in Rajputana. General Lake had failed to capture it in 1805 and it was considered by the Indians to be impregnable. The British had guaranteed the throne to the rightful heir, but his uncle usurped it, and war followed. It was brilliantly taken by assault in 1826 and its capture did much to establish our reputation in India.
Bladensburg.—An action in the great American War which took place on August 24th, 1814.
Blenheim.—(August 13th, 1704). One of the greatest of Britain’s victories; fought by Marlborough to prevent the capture of Vienna by the Marshals of the French King, Louis XIV., and the Bavarians.
Bourbon.—A French island, near Mauritius, taken by the British during the Peninsular War in order that our shipping might be protected from enemy raiding vessels which issued from the island harbours.
Burma, 1885–87.—A war occasioned by the treatment with which the native King Theebaw harassed British traders.
Busaco.—(September 27th, 1810). A battle fought just prior to Wellington’s withdrawal to the lines of Torres Vedras.
Bushire.—One of the battles of the Persian War, 1856–7.
Buxar.—The army of Oude was defeated by Munro here on October 23rd, 1764.
Cabool, 1842.—Town in Afghanistan entered by General Pollock after he had defeated Mahomed Akbar Khan.