U.
Ucles. A fortified town of Spain, in the province of Cuenca, 40 miles southwest from the town of that name. It stands at the foot of a hill crowned by a famous monastery which belonged to the military order of Santiago or St. James of Spain. It was taken by the French in 1809.
Uglitch. A town of European Russia, in the government and 60 miles west-southwest from Jaroslav, on the right bank of the Volga. It was destroyed by the Lithuanians in 1607.
Uhlans (a Tartar word signifying “brave”). Light cavalry of Asiatic origin, were introduced into the north of Europe along with the colonies of Tartars, who established themselves in Poland and Lithuania. They were mounted on light active Tartar horses, and armed with sabre, lance, and latterly with pistols. Their lance was from 51⁄2 to 61⁄2 feet in length, and, like that of the modern lancers, was attached to a stout leather thong or cord, which was fastened to the left shoulder and passed round behind the back, so as to allow the lance to be couched under the right arm. Immediately below its point was attached a strip of gaudy-colored cloth, the fluttering of which was designed to frighten the enemies’ horses. The early dress was similar to that of the Turks, and the regiments, or polks, were distinguished from each other by the red, green, yellow, or blue color of their uniforms. The Austrians and Prussians were the first to borrow this species of cavalry from the Poles. In 1734, an attempt was made by Marshal Saxe to introduce uhlans into France, and a “polk” of 1000 men was formed; but it was disbanded at the author’s death. At the present time, Russia, Prussia, and Austria are the only powers which possess uhlan regiments. In the British army, the place of the uhlans is occupied by hussars.
Ukraine. The name given in Poland first to the frontiers towards the Tartars and other nomads, and then to the fertile regions lying on both sides of the middle Dnieper, without any very definite limits. The Ukraine was long a bone of contention between Poland and Russia. It was ceded to the Cossacks by Poland in 1672, and was obtained by Russia about 1682. The country was divided, Poland having the west side of the Dnieper, and Russia the east. The whole country was assigned to Russia by the treaty of partition in 1795. See [Poland].
Ulans. See [Uhlans].
Ulm. The second city of Würtemberg; was, till the war in 1866, a stronghold of the Germanic Confederation. Here a peace was signed, July 3, 1620, by which Frederick V. lost Bohemia (having been driven from it previously). Ulm was taken by the French in 1796. After a battle between the French and Austrians, in which the latter under Gen. Mack were defeated with dreadful loss by Marshal Ney, Ulm surrendered with 28,000 men, the flower of the Austrian army, October 17-20, 1805.
Ulster. A province of Ireland, the most northern of the four into which that kingdom is divided. The northeast portion, the present county of Down, was, early after the invasion, overrun by the English under De Courcy, and was subsequently held by Hugh De Lacy. Although various efforts were made by the English to effect a permanent settlement in the north and northwest, their success was little more than nominal until the reigns of Elizabeth and James I., when the well-known plantation of Ulster was attempted.
Ulster Badge. On the institution of the order of Baronets in England by James I., a sinister hand, erect, open, and couped at the wrist gules, the armorial ensign of the province of Ulster, was made their distinguishing badge, in respect of the order having been intended for the encouragement of plantations in the province of Ulster. This badge is sometimes borne in a canton, sometimes on an escutcheon, the latter placed either in the fess point or in the middle chief point, so as to interfere as little as possible with the charges of the shield.