Viazma. A town of European Russia, on the river of the same name, in the government and 100 miles east-northeast from Smolensk. The French were defeated here by the Russians, October 22, 1812, when a great part of the town was destroyed by fire.
Vibo (now Bivona). The Roman form of the Greek town Hipponium, situated on the southwestern coast of Bruttium. It was destroyed by the elder Dionysius, who transplanted its inhabitants to Syracuse. It was afterwards destroyed, and at a later time it fell into the hands of the Bruttii by the Romans, who colonized it 194 B.C., and called it Vibo Valentia.
Vicenza. A city of Northern Italy, in the province of Venice, 39 miles west from Venice. Vicenza was a Roman station, and suffered greatly on the irruption of the northern tribes. It was successively pillaged by Alaric, Attila, the Lombards, and the emperor Frederick II. In the early part of the 15th century it came into the possession of the Venetians, who held it till 1796, when it became the scene of sanguinary conflicts between the French and Austrians.
Vicksburg. A city and port of Mississippi, on the Mississippi River, 408 miles north of New Orleans, and is the chief town between Memphis and New Orleans. It was strongly fortified in 1861, and provided with a large garrison. In January, 1862, it was attacked by the Federal naval forces from Memphis and New Orleans, but without success. In April, 1863, a naval attack was combined with the land forces under Gen. Grant, who defeated Gen. Pemberton near Jackson, cut off supplies and reinforcements from the garrison, and with a close siege and continual assaults, compelled a surrender, July 4, 1863, with 30,000 prisoners of war, 200 cannon, and 70,000 stand of arms.
Victor. The winner in a contest; one who gets the better of another in any struggle; especially, one who conquers in war; a vanquisher; one who defeats an enemy in battle.
Victoria Cross. The peculiarities of this decoration, which was instituted on the termination of the Crimean campaign in 1856, are, that it may be granted to a soldier of any rank, and for a single act of valor. The Cross of the Legion of Honor, as was felt during the Crimean campaign, served a purpose in the French army which was served by none of the British decorations, and it was in imitation of it that the Victoria Cross was founded, with the inscription “For Valor,” and which can be given to none but those who have performed, in presence of the enemy, some signal act of valor or devotion to their country. The general distribution of the crosses earned in the Crimean war took place in Hyde Park on June 26, 1857. The recipients were 62 in number. The Victoria Cross is in the form of a Maltese cross, formed from the cannon captured at Sebastopol. In the centre is the royal crown, surmounted by the lion, and below, on a scroll, the words, “For Valor.” The ribbon is blue for the navy, and red for the army. On the clasp are two branches of laurel, and from it the cross hangs, supported by the initial “V.” The decoration is accompanied by a pension of £10 a year.
Victorious. Belonging or relating to victory, or a victor; having conquered in battle or contest; having overcome an enemy; conquering; winning; triumphant; as, a victorious general; victorious troops; victorious army. Producing conquest; as, a victorious day. Emblematic of conquest, indicating victory. “Brows bound with victorious wreaths.”
Victory. The defeat of an enemy in battle, or of an antagonist in contest; a gaining of the superiority in war, struggle, or combat; conquest; triumph.
Victuals. Food or sustenance allowed to the troops, under certain regulations, whether on shore or embarked in transports. Relieving the enemy with money, victuals, etc., is punishable by court-martial. See Appendix, [Articles of War], [45].
Vienna. A celebrated city of Europe, capital of the Austrian empire, is situated about 2 miles from the main stream of the Danube, 251 miles southeast of Prague by railway. Vienna was the Roman Vindobona. On the decline of the Roman empire it experienced the common fate, and was pillaged by the Goths and Huns. In the 13th century Vienna was subjected to a six weeks’ siege, in consequence of the refusal of Ottokar of Bohemia (who was then in possession of Vienna) to acknowledge the election of the emperor Rudolph. It was besieged by the Turks under Solyman the Magnificent, with an army of 300,000 men; but the defense, though conducted by only about 16,000 regular troops, and 4000 citizens, was so valiant that the Turks were forced to retire with the loss of 70,000 of their best troops. In July, 1683, it was again besieged by the Turks, headed by the grand vizier Kara-Mustapha. The defense was most valiantly conducted by Count Rudiger of Starhemberg, but had become almost hopeless, when John Sobieski, king of Poland, suddenly appeared with an army, and the Turkish host was almost annihilated, September 12, 1683. Vienna was taken by the French under Prince Murat, November 14, 1805; evacuated January, 1806; was again captured by the French, May 13, 1809; but was restored on the conclusion of peace, October 14, 1809. The revolt in Hungary induced an insurrection in Vienna, March 13, 1848. A second insurrection broke out, barricades were raised, and Count Latour, the war minister, was murdered, October 6, 1848; the emperor took flight, October 7; and the city was bombarded by Windischgratz and Jeliachich, October 28; it surrendered to the imperial troops on October 30, having suffered considerably from the bombardment. The fortifications were demolished, and the city enlarged and beautified, 1857-58. The Prussians encamped near Vienna, and a state of siege was proclaimed, July, 1866. The following treaties were concluded in Vienna: (1) The treaty between the emperor of Germany and the king of Spain, by which they confirmed to each other such parts of the Spanish dominions as they were respectively possessed of; and by a private treaty the emperor engaged to employ a force to procure the restoration of Gibraltar to Spain, and to use means for placing the Pretender on the throne of Great Britain. Spain guaranteed the Pragmatic Sanction, April 30, 1725. (2) Treaty of alliance between the emperor of Germany, Charles VI., George II., king of Great Britain, and the states of Holland, by which the Pragmatic Sanction was guaranteed, and the disputes as to the Spanish succession terminated (Spain acceded to the treaty on July 22). This treaty was signed March 16, 1731. (3) Treaty of peace between the emperor Charles VI. of Germany and the king of France, Louis XV., by which the latter power agreed to guarantee the Pragmatic Sanction, and Lorraine was ceded to France. Signed November 18, 1738. (4) Treaty between Napoleon I. and Francis (II. of Germany) I. of Austria, by which Austria ceded to France the Tyrol, Dalmatia, and other territories, which were shortly afterwards declared to be united to France under the title of the Illyrian Provinces, and engaged to adhere to the prohibitory system adopted towards England by France and Russia, October 14, 1809. (5) Treaty between Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia, confirming the principles on which they had acted by the treaty of Chaumont, March 1, 1814. Signed March 23, 1815. (6) Treaty between the king of the Netherlands on the one part and Great Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia on the other, agreeing to the enlargement of the Dutch territories, and vesting the sovereignty in the house of Orange, May 31, 1815. (7) Treaty by which Denmark ceded Swedish Pomerania and Rugen to Prussia, in exchange for Lauenburg, June 4, 1815. (8) Commercial treaty for twelve years signed between Austria and Prussia. Signed at Vienna, February 19, 1853. (9) Treaty for the maintenance of Turkey, by the representatives of Great Britain, France, Austria, and Russia. Signed April 9, 1854. (10) Treaty between Austria, Prussia, and Denmark, by which Denmark ceded the duchies, October 30, 1864. (11) Treaty of peace between Austria and Italy; Venetia given up to Italy, October 3, 1866.