This action, generally known as the "Glorious First of June," was fought June 1, 1794, between a British fleet of 25 sail of the line, under Lord Howe, and 26 French ships, under Villaret. After four hours' fighting the French were defeated, with a loss of 6 ships captured, and one, the Vengeur, sunk. The sinking of this ship was elaborated by the French into a fable, to the effect that she refused to surrender, and went down with all hands and colours flying. She had, however, undoubtedly struck her colours, and her captain and over 200 of her crew were rescued by the boats of the British fleet. The French admitted a loss of 3,000 men, besides prisoners, while the British lost 922 killed and wounded.
Utica (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).
Fought B.C. 49 between the Pompeians, under Varus, and the Cæsarians, under Curio. Varus sallied from his entrenchments to attack the Cæsarians, but was signally defeated, his troops fleeing in disorder, and opening the way for the occupation of Utica by Varus.
Utica (Moslem Conquest of Africa).
Fought 694 between 40,000 Moslems, under Hassan, and a large force of Greeks and Goths in the Imperial service. The Imperialists were defeated and driven out of Africa, and Hassan followed up his victory by the destruction of Carthage, which thenceforth ceased to exist, except as an obscure village.
Utsonomiya (Japanese Revolution).
Fought 1868, between the forces of the Shogun, under Otori Keisuke, and the Imperial troops, under Saigo Takamori. The Imperialists were completely victorious.
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Vaalkranz (Second Boer War).
General Buller's third attempt to pierce the Boer lines on the Tugela. On February 5, 1900, he seized Vaalkranz, under cover of a feint attack at Brakfontein towards the Boer right. The hill was held by a brigade during the 6th and 7th, but finding further progress impossible, Buller again recrossed the Tugela. The British losses amounted to 374 killed and wounded.