Averysborough. A village of North Carolina, on Cape Fear River, about 40 miles south of Raleigh. During Gen. Sherman’s South Carolina campaign, in 1865, this place was the scene of an engagement between his forces and about 20,000 Confederates under Gen. Hardee, who were intrenched in a swampy neck between Cape Fear and South Rivers in order to check Sherman’s progress, and gain time for the concentration of Gen. Johnston’s forces in the rear at Raleigh, Smithfleld, or Goldsboro’. The position of the Confederates was a strong one to carry by reason of the nature of the ground, which was very soft; but after four hours’ fighting they were driven back to a second line better and more strongly held, losing 3 guns and 217 prisoners. Here the fighting was continued until late in the afternoon, when the entire Federal line advanced and drove the Confederates within their intrenchments, pressing them so hard that during the night of March 16, which was stormy, they retreated towards Smithfield. The Union loss was 12 officers and 65 men killed and 477 wounded.
Avesnes. A city in the department of the North, France; ruptured by Louis XI.; recaptured by the Spaniards in 1559; returned to France in 1659; occupied by the Russians in 1814, and by the Prussians in 1815.
Avesnes le Sec, Battle of. The French were defeated by the Austrians in this battle, September, 1793.
Avigliana. A city in Italy where the French defeated the Piedmontese in 1630.
Avignon. A city in Southeastern France; besieged and captured by Louis VIII. of France in 1226; ceded by Philip III. to the pope in 1273. The papal seat was removed by Clement V. to Avignon in 1309. In 1348, Clement VI. purchased the sovereignty from Jane, countess of Provence and queen of Naples. In 1408 the French, wearied of the schism, expelled Benedict XIII., and Avignon ceased to be the seat of papacy. Here were held nine councils (1080-1457). This city was seized and restored several times by the French kings; the last time in 1773. It was claimed by the National Assembly, 1791, and was confirmed to France by the congress of sovereigns in 1815. In October, 1791, horrible massacres took place here.
Avis, or Aviz. An order of knighthood in Portugal, instituted by Sancho, the first king of Portugal, in imitation of the order of Calatrava, and having, like it, for its object the subjugation of the Moors. The king of Portugal is grand-master of the order.
Avranches (anc. Abrancæ). A city in the department of La Manche, France. It was a place of importance during the Roman period. Charlemagne fortified it, but it was taken by the Normans in 865. It was captured by Geoffrey Plantagenet in 1141; by Guy de Thouars in 1203; by the English in 1418; by the Calvinists in 1562; besieged by the royal troops in 1591.
Award. A judgment, the result of arbitration. In a military sense, the decision or sentence of a court-martial. To award medals of honor.
Awkward Squad. See [Squad].
Axel. A town in the province of Zealand, Holland; captured by escalade from the Spaniards August 20, 1586, by Prince Maurice of Saxony, who was then but twenty years of age; captured by assault on May 16, 1747, by Marshal Maurice de Saxe.