Living Nations of the World to-Day (part 6)

Nicopolis (ni-kop´ō-lis), Asia Minor, B. C. 66 Pompey vs. Mithradates Mithridates’ last fight against the legions of Rome.

Nördlingen (nerd´ling-en), Bavaria, September 6, 1634 Catholics and Imperialists vs. Swedes and German Protestants One of the most bloody and decisive battles of the war; followed by the peace of Prague.

Northampton (nôrth-amp´tn), England, July 10, 1460 Yorkists vs. Lancastrians Capture of Henry VI.; flight of Queen Margaret and her son to Scotland.

Numantia (nū-man´shi-ȧ), Siege of, Spain, B. C. 142-133 Romans vs. Celtiberian tribes City razed by Scipio Æmilianus and its inhabitants sold as slaves.

Obligado (ōb-lē-gä´thō), Bombardment of, Argentina, Nov. 28, 1845 British and French vs. Argentines Over the opening the waters of the Parana to the shipping of all nations.

Olmutz (ol´müts), Siege of, Moravia, May 27 to July 1, 1758 Austrians vs. Prussians General Daun forced Frederick the Great to raise the siege and retire.

Orleans (or-lā-än´); Eng. (ôr´li-anz), Siege of, France, October 13, 1428, to May 8, 1429 French vs. English Joan of Arc saves France by driving back English and crowns Charles VII. at Rheims.

Ostend (ost-end´), Siege of, Belgium, July, 1601 to September, 1604 Spaniards vs. Dutch garrison and inhabitants Scarcely a house in the town left standing; Spaniards lost 70,000.

Ostrolenka (os-tro-leng´kä), Poland, May 26, 1831 Russians vs. Poles Poland becomes a province of the Russian Empire (1832).

Otterburn (ot´er-bûrn), England, August 10, 1388 Scots vs. English The ballad of Chevy Chase deals with this battle.

Otumba (ō-töm´bä), Mexico, July 8, 1520 Cortez vs. Aztecs Two hundred Spanish horsemen rout an immense army and make good their retreat.

Oudenarde (ou-de-när´de), Belgium, July 11, 1708 English and Imperialists vs. French One of the great victories of Marlborough and Prince Eugene over Louis XIV.

Palmyra (pal-mī´rȧ), Siege of, Syria, 272-273 Roman vs. Queen Zenobia Palmyra destroyed and Zenobia taken captive to Rome.

Palo Alto (pä´lō-äl´tō), Mexico, May 8, 1846 Americans vs. Mexicans Mexicans completely routed at small cost to the victors.

Panormus (pa-nôr´mus), Sicily, B. C. 251 Romans vs. Carthaginians Brilliant victory restored confidence to Romans; demonstrated value of elephants in warfare.

Paris (par´is), Siege of, France, Sept. 19, 1870 to Jan. 28, 1871 Prussians vs. French City reduced to desperate conditions through bombardment, famine and disease.

Pavia (pä-vē´ä), Italy, 1525 Emperor Charles V. vs. Francis I. of France The capture of Francis was followed by the peace of Madrid, which, however, was soon repudiated.

Pharsalus (fär-sā´lus), Greece, B. C. 48 Cæsar vs. Pompey The West and the new monarchy completely triumphed over the East and the old republic.

Philippi (fi-lip´ī), Thrace, B. C. 42 Antony and Octavius vs. Brutus and Cassius Cassius and Brutus committed suicide following their defeat.

Pinkie (ping´ki), Scotland, September 10, 1547 English vs. Scots Scots thrown into the arms of France and the little queen, Mary, married to the dauphin.

Plassey (pläs´ē), India, June 23, 1757 English vs. Bengalese Established English control in Bengal and ultimately in all India.

Platæa (pla-tē´ȧ), Greece, B. C. 479 Greeks vs. Persians Won by the discipline and prowess of the Spartan hoplites.

Plevna (plev´nä), Siege of, Bulgaria, July 16 to December 10, 1877 Russians vs. Turks Brilliant defense by Osman Pasha, who surrendered only after four desperate battles.

Poitiers (pwȧ-tyā´), France, September 19, 1356 English vs. French Brilliant victory by the Black Prince over five times his numbers.

Pollentia (po-len´shi-ä), Italy, April 6, 402 Romans vs. Visigoths Alaric, attacked by Stilicho on Easter Sunday, was driven out of Italy.

Pondicherry (pon-di-sher´i), Siege of, India, Aug., 1760 to Jan., 18, 1761 English vs. French Destroyed French power in India.

Port Arthur, Siege of, Manchuria, Feb. 8, 1904 to Jan. 1, 1905 Japanese vs. Russians Port Arthur, the Sea of Japan and Mukden were turning points in the war.

† Portland, English Channel, February 18-20, 1653 English vs. Dutch This battle completely restored to England the lordship of the seas.

Potidæa (pot-i-dē´ȧ), Siege of, Thrace, B. C. 432, September 430 Athenians vs. Potidæans and Corinthians Inhabitants and foreign soldiers were allowed to leave the city, which Athens then colonized.

Prague (prāg), (White Hill), Bohemia, November 8, 1620 Catholic League vs. Frederick V. and Bohemian rebels Frederick proved but a “Winter King” of Bohemia.

Preston (pres´tun), England, August 17-19, 1648 Cromwellians vs. Scottish Royalists This second civil war determined the army to put Charles I. to death.

Pultava (pōl´tä-vä), Russia, July 8, 1709 Russians vs. Swedes Russia takes the place of Sweden as the leading power of the North.

Pydna (pid´nä), Macedonia, B. C. 168 Romans vs. Macedonians Brilliant triumphs of Paulus Æmilius over the phalanxes of King Perseus.

Pyramids, Egypt, July 21, 1798 French vs. Mamelukes The crowning victory of Napoleon in Egypt.

Pyrenees (pir´a-nēz), Battles of, Spain, July 25 to August 1, 1813 British and Spaniards vs. French Followed by the fall of San Sebastian and Pampeluna, and expulsion of French from Spain.

Quatre Bras (kātr-brä´), Belgium, June 16, 1815 British and Allies vs. French The allied success here was rendered fruitless by the Prussian reverse at Ligny.

Quebec (kwē-bek´; locally often ki-bek´), Siege of, Canada, June to September 18, 1759 British vs. French Wolfe was slain and Montcalm mortally wounded in the battle of the Plains of Abraham (September 13).

† Quiberon (kē-brôn), Bay, France, November 20, 1759 British vs. French Hawke, with a loss of forty men, captured, burned, or drove on shore most of the French vessels.

Ramillies (rȧ-mē-yē´), Belgium, May 23, 1706 English and Allies vs. French Followed by French evacuation of the chief towns of the Netherlands.

Rhe (rā), Siege of, France, July 20 to November 8, 1627 French vs. English An attempt of Buckingham to prevent the reduction of the Huguenot stronghold of La Rochelle.

Rhodes (rōdz), or Rhodos (rō´dos), Siege of, Mediterranean, July 28-December 26, 1522 Turks vs. Knights of Rhodes Following the loss of Rhodes the Knights (Hospitallers) retired to Malta.

Rieti (ri-ā´tē), Italy, March 7, 1821 Austrians vs. Neopolitan rebels The defeat of General Pepe enabled Austria to restore the absolute monarchy.

Rivoli (rē´vō-lē), Italy, January 14-15, 1797 French vs. Austrians Napoleon’s victory, followed by surrender of Mantua, completed the conquest of Lombardy.

Rocrol (rō-krwä´), France, May 19, 1643 French vs. Spaniards This victory, won by Condé, made France the first military power of Europe.

Rome, Sack of, Italy, B. C. 390 Gauls Following the battle of the Allia, the Gauls plundered and destroyed city.

Rome, Sieges of, Italy, 408, 409, 410 Visigoths vs. Romans Following the third siege, Alaric sacked city.

Rome, Sack of, Italy, 455 Vandals For fourteen days Genseric’s Vandals plundered Rome.

Rome, Storm of, Italy, May 6, 1527 Mutinous Army of Charles V. vs. Papal troops Marks the end of the artistic, pleasure-loving Rome of the Renaissance.

Rome, Siege of, Italy, June 4 to July 3, 1849 French and Papalists vs. Roman Republicans The republic, founded by Mazzini, overthrown and Pope Pius IX. restored.

Roncesvalles (rōn-thes-väl´yes), Spain, 778 Basques vs. Franks Death of Charlemagne’s paladin, Roland (Chanson de Roland).

Roosebek (rös´bek), Flanders, November 27, 1382 French vs. Flemings A great triumph for the nobles against the cities.

Rossbach (ros´bak), Saxony, November 5, 1757 Prussians vs. French and Austrians Makes Frederick the Great a national hero of Germany.

Rouen (rŏŏ-än´), Siege of, France, June, 1418 to Jan, 1419 English vs. French Because of its desperate resistance, Henry V. granted the city honorable capitulation.

Sacriportis (sak-ri-pōr´tus), Italy, B. C. 82 Optimates vs. Democrates Followed by Sulla’s reign of terror.

Saguntum (sa-gun´tum), Siege of, Spain, B. C. 219 Carthaginians vs. Inhabitants Capture of this city by Hannibal the chief cause of the second Punic war.

St. Albans (sānt ôl´banz), England, May 22, 1455 Yorkists vs. Lancastrians The first battle of the wars of the Roses; Yorkists defeated here in a second battle (1460).

Salamanca (sal-ȧ-mang´kȧ), Spain, July 22, 1812 British vs. French This rout of the French lost them all southern Spain.

† Salamis (sal´ȧ-mis), Greece, September 20, B. C. 480 Greeks vs. Persians Themistocles’ great victory followed by Xerxes’ withdrawal to Asia.

San Jacinto (san jȧ-sin´tō), Texas, U. S. A., April 2, 1836 Texan Rebels vs. Mexicans Santa Anna captured by General Houston.

† Santiago (sän-tē-ä´gō), Cuba, July 3, 1898 Americans vs. Spaniards Fleet of Admiral Cervera totally destroyed.

Saragossa (sä-rä-gos´ȧ), Siege of, Spain, Dec., 1808 to Feb. 21, 1809 British vs. French An important success which broke the spell of French invincibility.

Saratoga (sar-a-tō´gä), New York, U. S. A., October 7, 1777 Americans vs. British Followed (October 17) by the surrender of Burgoyne, which was the turning point of the war.

† Sea of Japan, Sea of Japan, May 27-29, 1905 Japanese vs. Russians Russia’s naval power destroyed.

Sebastopol (se-bȧs´tō-pōl), Siege of, Crimea, September 26, 1854, 59 September 9, 1855 French, British and Sardinians vs. Russians Brought to a close the active operations of Crimean war.

Sedan (sē-dan´), France, September 1, 1870 Prussians vs. French Followed by the surrender of Napoleon III. with an army of 84,000 men.

Shipka (ship´kȧ), Pass, Bulgaria, August 20-23, 1877 Russians vs. Turks Russians hold this strategic position against blindfold violence of the Turks.

Sempach (zem´päK), Switzerland, July 9, 1386 Swiss vs. Austrians Celebrated for the heroic devotion of Arnold von Winkelried.

Sentinum (sen-tī´num), Italy, B. C. 295 Romans vs. Samnites and Gauls Failure of the coalition to crush Rome from the north.

Seringapatam (ser-ing´ga-pa-tam´), Siege of, India, April 24, to May 4, 1799 British vs. Tippoo Sahib With Bonaparte’s failure in Egypt, this battle foils French designs on India.

Shiloh (shī´lō), Tennessee, U. S. A., April 6 and 7, 1862 Federals vs. Confederates Defeated in the first day’s fighting, Grant turned the tables the next day.

Shrewsbury (shrŏŏz´ber-i), England, July 21, 1403 Henry IV. vs. Percies Hotspur defeated and slain.

Silistria (si-lis´tri-ȧ), Siege of, Bulgaria, March 28 to June 22, 1854 Turks vs. Russians A brilliant defense conducted by the Turks under three English officers.

† Sinope (si-nō´pē), Black Sea, November 30, 1853 Russians vs. Turks Turkish fleet destroyed and crews massacred.

Slivnitza (slēv-nēt´sä), Bulgaria, November 17, 18, 19, 1885 Bulgarians vs. Servians The decisive action in the Servo-Bulgarian war.

† Sluys (slois), Flanders, June 22, 1340 English vs. French Gave English control of the sea for thirty years, enabling them to land troops in France at will.

Smolensk (smol-yensk´), Russia, August 17-18, 1812 French vs. Russians First stand of the retreating Russians before Napoleon’s advance on Moscow.

Soissons (swä-sôn´), France, 486 Franks vs. Romans under Syagrius The first military exploit of Clovis.

Solferino (sōl-fā-rē´nō), Italy, June 24, 1859 French and Piedmontese vs. Austrians The horrors of this battle and Prussia’s threatening attitude caused Napoleon III. to make peace.

Somme (som), a river in northern France, July 1 to Sept. 15, 1916 * Germans vs. Allies During this period the Germans were enduring terrific attacks from the Allies, but lost little ground.

† Southwold (south´wōld) Bay, North Sea, May 28, 1672 English and French vs. Dutch A victory gained by the duke of York over De Ruyter’s superior numbers.

Sphacteria (sfak-tē´ri-ä), Greece, B. C. 425 Athenians vs. Spartans To the amazement of the Greek world, 292 Spartan hoplites surrendered.

Spicheren (spich´er-en), Palatinate, August 6, 1870 Prussians vs. French Reveals great superiority of Prussians from the outset of the war.

Stamford (stam´ferd) Bridge, England, September 25, 1066 English vs. Danes This diversion of Harold to the North left William to land in England undisturbed.

Standard, Battle of the (or Northallerton), England, August 22, 1138 English vs. Scots For 200 years saved Yorkshire from Scottish invasion.

Steenkerke (stān´kerk´e), Netherlands, July 24, 1692 French vs. English and Allies Five English regiments utterly cut to pieces.

Sterling, Scotland, 1297 Scots vs. English Before the end of the year all Scotland threw off the English yoke.

Stralsund (shträl´zŏŏnt), Siege of, Germany, March, August 3, 1628 Protestant Inhabitants vs. Catholic Imperialists Wallenstein fails to secure this important Baltic port.

Syracuse (sir´a-kūs), Siege of, Sicily, B. C. 415-413 Syracusans and Spartans vs. Athenians The weakening of Athenian resources in this siege was the final cause of their failure in the Peloponnesian war.

Syracuse, Siege of, Sicily, B. C. 387 Greeks vs. Carthaginians The Syracusan tyrant, Dionysius, connives at the escape of the Carthaginian Himilco.

Syracuse, Siege of, Sicily, B. C. 214-212 Romans vs. Carthaginians and Syracusans Syracuse captured and plundered by the Romans.

Talavera (tä-lä-vā´rä), Spain, July 28, 1809 British and Spaniards vs. French After this first great pitched battle in the Peninsular campaign Wellesley became commander-in-chief of all the English troops.

Tanagra (tan´ȧ-grȧ), Greece, B. C. 457 Spartans and Bœotians vs. Athenians The Spartans failing to follow up their victory, Athens conquered Bœotia the following year.

Tarentum (tȧ-ren´tum), Siege of, Italy, B. C. 274-272 Romans vs. Tarentines and Epirots Tarentum, deprived of her army, her ships and her walls, retained the right of local self-government.

Tauss (tous), Bohemia, August 14, 1431 Bohemian Hussites vs. Catholic Imperialists At Procop’s approach the Imperialists fled in confusion; this was the last effort to crush the Hussites by force of arms.

Telamon (tel´ȧ-mon), Italy, B. C. 225 Romans vs. Gauls The annihilation of the Gallic army was followed by the Roman invasion and conquest of Cisalpine Gaul.

Tel-el-Kebir (tel´el-kā-bēr´), Egypt, September 13, 1882 British vs. Egyptian Rebels Arabi Pasha’s army completely broken up; the British entered Cairo the next day.

Temesvar (tem´esh-vär), Hungary, August 9, 1849 Austrians vs. Hungarians The last stand made by the Hungarians in the war; their army was totally routed and dispersed.

Testry (tes-trē´), France, 687 Austrasians vs. Neustrians Pippin of Heristal, mayor of the palace, unites the Frankish territories under one rule.

Tewkesbury (tūks´ber-i), England, May 4, 1471 Yorkists vs. Lancastrians Ends armed opposition to Edward IV.; Margaret of Anjou was captured and her son slain.

† Texel (tek´sel), North Sea, June 2, 3, 1653 British vs. Dutch The command of the sea fell into the hands of the English fleet.

Thapsus (thap´sus), North Africa, February 6, B. C. 46 Cæsar vs. Followers of Pompey The battle of Thapsus was the death-knell of the Pompeian cause.

Thermopylæ (ther-mop´i-lē), Greece, B. C. 480 Persians vs. Spartans and Thespians Leonidas, with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians, defended the pass to the last man against overwhelming forces.

Tiberias (tī-bē´ri-ȧs), Palestine, 1187 Saracens vs. Crusaders Followed by the conquest of Jerusalem by Saladin, which led to the third crusade.

Ticinus (ti-sī´nus), Italy, B. C. 218 Carthaginians vs. Romans Hannibal’s success brought in numerous adhesions from Gallic tribes; followed by the battle on the Trebia.

Ticonderoga (tī-kon-de-rō´gȧ), New York, U. S. A., July 8, 1758 French vs. British and Americans British and Americans displayed in vain prodigies of valor in the rush on Montcalm’s almost impregnable position.

Tigranocerta (tig-rā-no-cer´tä), Armenia, October 6, B. C. 69 Romans vs. Armenians Lucullus cut to pieces the huge army of Tigranes and secured immense booty.

Tinchebrai (tansh-brā), France, 1106 English vs. Normans Henry I. defeated and captured his brother Robert and annexed Normandy to the crown of England.

Tolbiac (tol-bī´ak), Germany, 496 Franks vs. Alemanni Clovis wins lands of the Alemanni; he and his followers become Roman Christians in fulfillment of a vow taken on the battlefield.

Torgau (tôr´gou), Saxony, November 3, 1760 Prussians vs. Austrians The last pitched battle of the Seven Years’ war, in which the Austrians are said to have lost 20,000 men.

Torres Vedras (tor´resh vā´dräsh), Lines of, Portugal, October 12, 1810 to March 5, 1811 British and Portuguese vs. French Wellington’s defense permanently arrested Napoleon’s march of conquest and was thus the turning point of the Peninsular campaign.

Toulon (tŏŏ-lôn´), Siege of, France, Sept. 18 to Dec. 17, 1793 French vs. Garrison of British, Spaniards, Italians and French Royalists This siege is memorable as the first important appearance of Napoleon, who commanded the artillery.

Tours (tör), France, 732 Franks vs. Saracens Here Charles Martel saved western Christendom from the Moslem invader.

Towton (tou´ton), England, March 28 and 29, 1461 Yorkists vs. Lancastrians This battle, the most obstinate and bloody of the war, secured Edward IV. in his possession of the crown.

† Trafalgar (traf-al-gär), Spain, October 21, 1805 British vs. French Nelson’s last and greatest victory destroyed all possibility of Napoleon’s invading England.

Trebia (trē´bi-ä), Italy, December, B. C. 218 Carthaginians vs. Romans By this splendid victory Hannibal justified his march into Italy; the way into Etruria was now open to him.

Tunis (tū´nis), Siege of, North Africa, 1270 Moslems vs. French Crusaders This crusade, in which Louis IX. lost his life, was the last.

Turin (tū´rin), Italy, September 7, 1706 Prince Eugene vs. French The French were permanently excluded from Italy.

Tyre (tīr), Siege of, Phœnicia, January to August, B. C. 332 Macedonians vs. Tyrians The greatest of Alexander’s triumphs; Alexandria in Egypt takes the place of Tyre as a commercial metropolis.

† Ushant (ush´ant), North Atlantic, June 1, 1794 British vs. French A brilliant victory won by Lord Howe.

Valmy (vȧl-mē´), France, September 2, 1792 French vs. Prussians Goethe said that from Valmy dates a new era. It showed that revolutionary France would and could resist Europe.

Varna (vär´nä), Bulgaria, November 10, 1444 Turks vs. Hungarians King Ladislas lost his life and his army was scattered to the winds.

Vercellae (ver-sel´ē), Italy, July 30, B. C. 101 Romans vs. Cimbri Marius and Catulus utterly destroyed the vast barbarian horde which had been threatening Italy with invasion.

Verdun (ver-dun´), Siege of, France, from February, 1916, on * Germans vs. French The powerful attacks of the Germans for almost a year against the fortress of Verdun were without success.

Vicksburg, Siege of, Mississippi, U. S. A., May 19 to July 4, 1863 Federals vs. Confederates Grant’s success at Vicksburg, together with the battle of Gettysburg, were the turning points of the war.

Vienna (vē-en´ȧ), Siege of, Austria, July 14 to September 12, 1683 Austrians vs. Turks The besieged were reduced to the last extremity when Sobieski intervened and put the invading Turks to flight.

† Vigo (vē´gō) Bay, Spain, October 12, 1702 English and Dutch vs. French and Spaniards The destruction of the Spanish galleons and the protecting French fleet gave a blow to the finances and prestige of the two crowns.

Vimiero (vē-mā´rō), Spain, August 21, 1813 British vs. French Wellesley inflicted a signal defeat on the French, but his senior officer made no use of the victory.

Vittoria (vē-tō´rē-ä), Spain, June 21, 1813 British vs. French This, the crowning victory of Wellington’s peninsular campaign, won Spain from Napoleon.

Wagram (vā´gräm), Austria, July 6, 1809 French vs. Austrians One of the most terrible and least decisive battles of all time.

Wakefield, England, December 30, 1460 Lancastrians vs. Yorkists Queen Margaret’s army completely defeated that of the duke of York, who was slain on the battlefield.

Wandewash (wän-de-wäsh´), India, January 22, 1760 British vs. French Coote’s victory was the death-blow to French power in India.

Warsaw (wôr´sô), Siege of, Poland, August 19 to September 7, 1831 Russians vs. Poles The fall of Warsaw ends the Polish insurrection and Poland becomes a province of the Russian empire.

Waterloo (wô-ter-lŏŏ´), Belgium, June 18, 1815 British and Prussians vs. French The final overthrow of Napoleon by Wellington and Blücher. Napoleon was transported to St. Helena, where he died in 1821.

Wavre (vä´vr), Belgium, June 18, 1815 French vs. Prussians Grouchy’s victory was useless, while he might have saved the day for Napoleon had he arrived at Waterloo when expected.

Wei-hai-wei (wā´hī´wā), China, January 30 to February 12, 1894 Japanese vs. Chinese The Chinese admiral gave up the remnant of his fleet and killed himself; followed by negotiations for peace.

Worcester (wŏŏs´ter), England, September 3, 1651 Cromwellians vs. Scottish Royalists Followed by the submission of Scotland and Charles II.’s adventurous escape to France.

Wörth (virt), Bavaria, August 6, 1870 Prussians vs. French A bloody contest and a decisive victory, followed by the retreat of the French.

Xeres (hā-rās´), Spain, July 19, 711 Moors vs. Visigoths Without having to fight any second battle, the Moors under Tarik mastered Spain.

Yalu (yā´lōō) River, Manchuria, September 17, 1894 Japanese vs. Chinese This action conferred upon the Japanese the full command of the sea and greatly aided the land power.

Yorktown, Siege of, Virginia, U. S. A., Sept. 30 to Oct. 19, 1781 Americans vs. British The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown practically brought to an end the war of the American Revolution.

Ypres (ē´pr), Belgium, October 21-31, 1914 and November 10-12, 1914 Allies vs. Germans A series of the most desperate struggles of the war. The German attempt to break through to Calais, France, failed.

Zama (zä´mä), North Africa, B. C. 202 Romans vs. Carthaginians Scipio defeated Hannibal and annihilated his army, thus ending the second Punic war.

Zorndorf (tsôrn´dorf), Prussia, Aug. 25, 1758 Prussians vs. Russians A desperate and bloody struggle, after which the Russians retired into Poland.

Zurawno (tsu-raw´no), Siege of, Austria, 1676 Poles vs. Turks John Sobieski made an heroic defense against numbers and won an honorable peace.