Wrought Iron. See [Ordnance, Metals for].
Würtemberg, or Wirtemberg, Kingdom of. A state in the southwest of Germany, which was erected into a kingdom in 1806. It was originally part of Suabia, and was made a county for Ulric I., about 1265, and a duchy in 1495. Würtemberg has been repeatedly traversed by hostile armies, particularly since the revolution of France. Moreau made his celebrated retreat October 23, 1796. This kingdom opposed Prussia in the war of 1866, but made peace on August 31, following. On November 5, 1870, it joined the other German states in the formation of the German empire.
Wyandot Indians. See [Huron Indians].
Wyoming. A Territory of the United States, organized July 25, 1868, from a region attached to Dakota, but formerly included in Idaho, and still earlier known as part of Nebraska. Its average length from east to west is 355 miles, and its breadth 276 miles. This Territory has been overrun several times by hostile Indians, but under the strong hand of the military the country is becoming rapidly settled.
Wyoming Valley. A beautiful fertile valley on the Susquehanna River, in Pennsylvania. It is 21 miles long by 3 wide, and surrounded by mountains 1000 feet high. It was purchased about 1765 by a Connecticut company from the Delaware Indians; but the settlers were soon dispersed by hostile savages. In 1769, forty families came from Connecticut, but found a party of Pennsylvanians in possession, and for several years there were continual contests of the settlers with the Indians, and with each other. In 1776, the settlers armed for their own defense against the English and their Indian allies; but in 1778 most of their troops were called to join the army under Washington. On June 30, a force of 400 British provincials, or “Tories,” and 700 Seneca Indians, led by Col. John Butler, entered the valley, and were opposed by 300 men, under Col. Zebulon Butler. On July 3, the settlers were driven to the shelter of Fort Forty (so called from the original number of families), with the loss of two-thirds of their number, many soldiers and inhabitants being murdered. On the 5th, the remnant of the troops surrendered, and they and the inhabitants were either massacred or driven from the valley, which was left a smoking solitude.
Wyvern. A fictitious monster of the Middle Ages, of frequent occurrence in heraldry. It resembles a dragon, but has only two legs and feet, which are like those of the eagle.
X.
Xanthica. A military festival observed by the Macedonians in the month called Xanthicus (our April), instituted about 392 B.C.
Xanthus. The most famous city of Lycia, stood on the western bank of the river of the same name, 60 stadia from its mouth. Twice in the course of its history it sustained sieges, which terminated in the self-destruction of the inhabitants with their property, first against the Persians under Harpagus, and long afterward against the Romans under Brutus. The city was never restored after its destruction by the latter.