Chapter D: Caldwell, (5)

BASTILLE, _Fr._ any place fortified with towers.

BASTILLE, a state prison which stood near the Temple in Paris, and was deservedly destroyed by the inhabitants of that capital on the 14th of July, 1789.

BASTINADO, a punishment among the Turkish soldiers, which is performed by beating them with a cane or flat of a sword on the soles of their feet.

BASTION. See FORTIFICATION.

BASSE-_Enceinte_. See FAUSSE-_Braye_.

BASSINET, _Fr._ the pan of a musquet.

BASSON _or_ BASSOON, a wind instrument blown with a reed, performing the base to all martial music, one or two of which are attached to each regimental band.

BAT DE MULET, a pack-saddle used on service when mules are employed to carry stores, &c.

BATAGE, _Fr._ the time employed in reducing gun-powder to its proper consistency. The French usually consumed 24 hours in pounding the materials to make good gun-powder; supposing the mortar to contain 16 pounds of composition, it would require the application of the pestle 3500 times each hour. The labour required in this process is less in summer than in winter, because the water is softer.

BATAILLE, _Fr._ a battle.

_Cheval de_ BATAILLE, _Fr._ a war horse, or charger. This expression is used figuratively as a sheet anchor or last resource.

BATAILLER, _Fr._ to struggle hard.

BATARDE, French 8 pounders were so called.

BATARDEAU, in fortification, is a massive perpendicular pile of masonry, whose length is equal to the breadth of the ditch, inundation, or any part of a fortification where the water cannot be kept in without the raising of these sorts of works, which are described either on the capitals prolonged of the bastions or half-moons, or upon their faces. In thickness it is from 15 to 18 feet, that it may be able to withstand the violence of the enemy’s batteries. Its height depends upon the depth of the ditch, and upon the height of the water that is necessary to be kept up for an inundation; but the top of the building must always be under the cover of the parapet of the covert way, so as not to be exposed to the enemy’s view. In the middle of its length is raised a massive cylindrical turret, whose height exceeds the batardeau 6 feet.

BATESME _du Tropique_, _Fr._ a christening under the line. This is a ridiculous ceremony which every person is obliged to go through the first time he crosses the Line on his passage to the East-Indies. Different methods of performing it are observed by different nations. Englishmen frequently buy themselves off. Among the French, the individual who was to be baptized or christened, swore that he would individually assist in forcing every person hereafter, who should be similarly situated, to go through the same ceremony. A barbarous usage.

BAT-_Horses_, BAW-_Horses_, are baggage horses belonging to the officers when on actual duty.

BAT-_Men_, BAW-_Men_, were originally servants hired in war time, to take care of the horses belonging to the train of artillery, bakery, baggage, &c. Men who are excused regimental duty, for the specific purpose of attending to the horses belonging to their officers, are called bat-men.

_Knights of the_ BATH, an English military order of uncertain original. After long decay, this order was revived under George I. by a creation of a considerable number of knights. They wear a red riband, and their motto is, _Tria juncta in uno_, alluding to the three cardinal virtues which every knight _ought to possess_!

BATON, _Fr._ a staff. See STAFF.

BATON _a deux bouts_, _Fr._ a quarter-staff.

BATON _de commandement_, _Fr._ an instrument of particular distinction which was formerly given to generals in the French army. Henry III. before his accession to the throne was made generalissimo of all the armies belonging to his brother Charles the IX. and publicly received the Baton, as a mark of high command.

BATON _ferrat et non ferrat_, _Fr._ all sorts of weapons.

_Obténir son object par le tour du_ BATON, _Fr._ to accomplish one’s ends by equivocal means.

_Etre bien assuré de son_ BATON, _Fr._ to be morally certain of a thing.

_Etre reduit au_ BATON _blanc_, to be reduced to your last stake.

A BATONS _rompus_, _Fr._ to do any thing by fits and starts, to be undecided in your plans of attack, &c.

BATOON, a truncheon, or marshal’s staff.

BATTAILOUS, a warlike or military appearance.

BATTALIA, Johnson adopts the word from Battaglia, Ital. and calls it the main body of an army, distinguished from its wings. It also implies an army or considerable detachment of troops drawn up in order of battle, or in any other proper form to attack the enemy. See BATTLE.

BATTALION, an undetermined body of infantry in regard to number, generally from 500 to 1000 men. In the United States the usage is various, as it is in all other countries. The United Stares regiment of artillery consists of 20 companies, which form five battalions; the other regiments infantry and artillery, consist of ten companies of each, so that each regiment must form two battalions of five companies each. The militia regiments in most of the states consist of 1000 men, composing two battalions of 500 men each, being perhaps the most perfect organization for a battalion.

The French call their military corps which answer to our regiments, _demi brigades_, these usually consist or three battalions of 1000 men each; when two of the battalions of a demi brigade are in the field the other is in quarters or recruiting and disciplining the young soldiers, who are thus drafted from their regimental depots.

On the British establishment the companies of grenadiers and light infantry-men having been detached from their several corps and formed into separate battalions; the British guards at present consist of 9 battalions. The different companies are likewise considerably augmented; so that it is impossible to affix any specific standard to their complement of men. The English royal regiment of artillery consists of 4 battalions. Sometimes regiments consist each of 1 battalion only; but if more numerous, are divided into several battalions, according to their strength; so that every one may come within the numbers mentioned. A battalion in one of the English marching regiments consists of 1000, and sometimes of 1200 men, officers and non-commissioned included. When there are companies of several regiments in a garrison to form a battalion, those of the eldest regiment post themselves on the right, those of the second on the left, and so on until the youngest fall into the centre. The officers take their posts before their companies, from the right and left, according to seniority. Each battalion is divided into 4 divisions, and each division into two sub-divisions, which are again divided into sections. The companies of grenadiers being unequal in all battalions, their post must be regulated by the commanding officer. See REGIMENT.

_Triangular_ BATTALION, in ancient military history, a body of troops ranged in the form of a triangle, in which the ranks exceed each other by an equal number of men: if the first rank consists of one man only, and the difference between the ranks is only one, then its form is that of an equilateral triangle; and when the difference between the ranks is more than one, its form may then be an isoscele; having two sides equal, or scalene triangle. This method is now laid aside.

BATTER, a cannonade of heavy ordnance, from the 1st or 2d parallel of entrenchment, against any fortress or works.

_To_ BATTER _in breach_, implies a heavy cannonade of many pieces directed to one part of the revetement from the third parallel.

BATTERING, in military affairs, implies the firing with heavy artillery on some fortification or strong post possessed by an enemy, in order to demolish the works.

BATTERING-_Pieces_, are large pieces of cannon, used in battering a fortified town or post.

It is judged by all nations, that no less than 24 or 18 pounders are proper for that use. Formerly much larger calibres were used, but, as they were so long and heavy, and very troublesome to transport and manage, were for a long time rejected, till adopted among the French, who during the present war have brought 36 and 42 pounders into the field.

BATTERING-_Train_, a train of artillery used solely for besieging a strong place, inclusive of mortars and howitzers: all heavy 24, 18, and 12 pounders, come under this denomination; as likewise the 13, 10, and 8 inch mortars and howitzers.

BATTERING-_Ram_. See the article RAM.

BATTERIE _de Tambour_, a French beat of the drum similar to the _general_ in the British service.

BATTERIE _en roüage_, _Fr._ is used to dismount the enemy’s cannon.

BATTERIE _par camarades_, _Fr._ the discharge of several pieces of ordnance together, directed at one object or place.

BATTERY, in military affairs, implies any place where cannon or mortars are mounted, either to attack the forces of the enemy, or to batter a fortification: hence batteries have various names, agreeably to the purposes they are designed for.

_Gun_-BATTERY, is a defence made of earth faced with green sods or fascines, and sometimes made of gabions filled with earth: it consists of a _breast-work parapet_, or _epaulement_, of 18 or 20 feet thick at top, and of 22 or 24 at the foundation; of a ditch 12 feet broad at the bottom, and 18 at the top, and 7 feet deep. They must be 7¹⁄₂ feet high. The embrasures are 2 feet wide within, and 9 without, sloping a little downwards, to depress the metal on occasion. The distance from the centre of one embrasure to that of the other is 18 feet; that is, the guns are placed at 18 feet distance from each other; consequently the _merlons_ (or that part of solid earth between the embrasures) at 16 feet within, and 7 without. The _genouilliers_ (or part of the parapet which covers the carriage of the gun) are generally made 2¹⁄₂ feet high from the platform to the opening of the embrasures; though this height ought to be regulated according to the semi-diameter of the wheels of the carriage, or the calibre of the gun. The platforms are a kind of wooden floors, made to prevent the cannon from sinking into the ground, and to render the working of the guns more easy; and are, strictly speaking, a part of the battery. They are composed of 5 sleepers, or joists of wood, laid lengthways, the whole length of the intended platform; and to keep them firm in their places, stakes must be driven into the ground on each side: these sleepers are then covered with sound thick planks, laid parallel to the parapet; and at the lower end of the platform, next to the parapet, a piece of timber 6 inches square, called a _hurter_, is placed, to prevent the wheels from damaging the parapet. Platforms are generally made 18 feet long, 15 feet broad behind, and 9 before, with a slope of about 9 or 10 inches, to prevent the guns from recoiling too much, and for bringing them more easily forward when loaded. The dimensions of the platforms, sleepers, planks, hurters, and nails, ought to be regulated according to the nature of the pieces that are to be mounted.

The powder magazines to serve the batteries ought to be at a convenient distance from the same, as also from each other; the large one, at least 55 feet in the rear of the battery, and the small ones about 25. Sometimes the large magazines are made either to the right or left of the battery, in order to deceive the enemy; they are generally built 5 feet under ground; the sides and roof must be well secured with boards, and covered with earth, clay, or something of a similar substance, to prevent the powder from being fired: they are guarded by centinels. The balls are piled in readiness beside the merlins between the embrasures.

The officers of the artillery ought always to construct their own batteries and platforms, and not the engineers, as is practised in the English service; for certainly none can be so good judges of those things as the artillery officers, whose daily practice it is; consequently they are the properest people to direct the situation and to superintend the making of batteries on all occasions.

_Mortar_-BATTERY. This kind of battery differs from a gun-battery, only in having no embrasures. It consists of a parapet of 18 or 20 feet thick, 7¹⁄₂ high in front, and 6 in the rear; of a berm 2¹⁄₂ or 3 feet broad, according to the quality of the earth; of a ditch 24 feet broad at the top, and 20 at the bottom. The beds must be 9 feet long, 6 broad, 8 from each other, and 5 feet from the parapet: they are not to be sloping like the gun platforms, but exactly horizontal. The insides of such batteries are sometimes sunk 2 or 3 feet into the ground, by which they are much sooner made than those of cannon. The powder magazines and piles of shells are placed as is mentioned in the article GUN-BATTERY.

_Ricochet_-BATTERY, so called by its inventor M. Vauban, and first used at the siege of Aeth in 1697. It is a method of firing with a very small quantity of powder, and a little elevation of the gun, so as just to fire over the parapet, and then the shot will roll along the opposite rampart, dismounting the cannon, and driving or destroying the troops. In a siege they are generally placed at about 300 feet before the first parallel, perpendicular to the faces produced, which they are to enfilade. Ricochet practice is not confined to cannon alone; small mortars and howitzers may effectually be used for the same purpose. They are of singular use in action to enfilade an enemy’s ranks; for when the men perceive the shells rolling and bouncing about with their fuzes burning, expecting them to burst every moment, the bravest among them will hardly have courage to await their approach and face the havoc of their explosion.

_Horizontal_ BATTERIES are such as have only a parapet and ditch; the platform being only the surface of the horizon made level.

_Breach_ or _Sunk_ BATTERIES are such as are sunk upon the glacis, with a design to make an accessible breach in the faces or saliant angles of the bastion and ravelin.

_Cross_ BATTERIES are such as play athwart each other against the same object, forming an angle at the point of contact; whence greater destruction follows, because what one shot shakes, the other beats down.

_Oblique_ BATTERIES or _Batteries en Echarpe_, are those which play on any work obliquely, making an obtuse angle with the line of range, after striking the object.

_Enfilading_ BATTERIES are those that sweep or scour the whole length of a strait line, or the face or flank of any work.

_Sweeping_ BATTERIES. See _Enfilading_-BATTERIES.

_Redan_ BATTERIES are such as flank each other at the saliant and rentrant angles of a fortification.

_Direct_ BATTERIES are those situated opposite to the place intended to be battered, so that the balls strike the works nearly at right angles.

_Reverse_ BATTERIES are those which play on the rear of the troops appointed to defend the place.

_Glancing_ BATTERIES are such whose shot strike the object at an angle of about 20°, after which the ball glances from the object, and recoils to some adjacent parts.

_Joint_ BATTERIES, _Camarade_ BATTERIES, when several guns fire on the same object at the same time. When 10 guns are fired at once, their effect will be much greater than when fired separately.

_Sunk_ BATTERIES are those whose platforms are sunk beneath the level of the field; the ground serving for the parapet; and in it the embrasures are made. This often happens in mortar, but seldom in gun-batteries. BATTERY sometimes signifies the guns themselves placed in a battery.

_Fascine_ BATTERIES, _Gabion_ BATTERIES, are batteries made of those machines, where sods are scarce, and the earth very loose or sandy. For a particular detail of all kinds of batteries, see _Toussard’s Artillerist_, No. I. c. 1.

BATTERY.--Dimensions of Batteries.

1. _Gun_ BATTERIES.--Gun Batteries are usually 18 feet per gun. Their principal dimensions are as follow:

_Ditch_--Breadth 12 feet.
Depth 8

_Note._--These dimensions give for a battery of two guns 3456 cubic feet of earth; and must be varied according to the quantity required for the epaulment.

_Epaulement_--Breadth at bottom 23 feet.
Breadth at top 18
Height within 7
Height without 6 ft. 4 in.
Slope, interior ²⁄₇ of h’gt.
Slope, exterior ¹⁄₂ of h’gt.

_Note._--The above breadths at top and bottom are for the worst soil; good earth will not require a base of more than 20 feet wide, which will reduce the breadth at top to 15 feet; an epaulement of these dimensions for two guns will require about 4200 cubic feet of earth, and deducting 300 cubic feet for each embrazure, leaves 3600 required for the epaulement. In confined situations the breadth of the epaulement may be only 12 feet.

_Embrazures_--Distance between their centers 18 feet
Openings, interior 20 inc.
Openings, exterior 9 feet
Height of the sole above the platform 32 inc.

_Note._--Where the epaulement is made of a reduced breadth, the openings of the embrazures are made with the usual breadth within, but the exterior openings proportionably less. The embrazures are sometimes only 12 feet asunder, or even less when the ground is very confined. The superior slope of the epaulement need be very little, where it is not to be defended by small arms. The slope of the side of the embrasures must depend upon the height of the object to be fired at. The _Berm_ is usually made 3 feet wide, and where the soil is loose, this breadth is increased to 4 feet.

2. _Howitzer_ BATTERIES.--The dimensions of howitzer batteries are the same as those for guns, except that the interior openings of the embrazures are 2 feet 6 inches, and the soles of the embrazures have a slope inwards of about 10 degrees.

3. _Mortar_ BATTERIES.--Are also made of the same dimensions as gun batteries, but an exact adherence to those dimensions is not so necessary. They have no embrazures. The mortars are commonly placed 15 feet from each other, and about 12 feet from the epaulement.

_Note._--Though it has been generally customary to fix mortars at 45°, and to place them at the distance of 12 feet from the epaulement, yet many advantages would often arise from firing them at lower angles, and which may be done by removing them to a greater distance from the epaulement, but where they would be in equal security. If the mortars were placed at the undermentioned distances from the epaulement, they might be fired at the angles corresponding:

At 13 feet distance for firing at 30 degrees.
21 20
30 15
40 10

over an epaulment of 8 feet high.

A French author asserts, that all ricochet batteries, whether for howitzers or guns, might be made after this principle, without the inconvenience of embrazures; and the superior slope of the epaulement being inwards instead of outwards, would greatly facilitate this mode of firing.

If the situation will admit of the battery being sunk, even as low as the soles of the embrazures, a great deal of labour may be saved. In batteries without embrazures, this method may almost always be adopted; and it becomes in some situations absolutely necessary in order to obtain earth for the epaulement; for when a battery is to be formed on the crest of the glacis, or on the edge of the counterscarp of the ditch, there can be no excavation but in the rear of the battery.

4. BATTERIES _on a coast_--generally consist of only an epaulement, without much attention being paid to the ditch; they are, however, sometimes made with embrazures, like a common gun battery; but the guns are more generally mounted on traversing platforms, and fire over the epaulement. When this is the case, the guns can seldom be placed nearer than 3¹⁄₂ fathoms from each other. The generality of military writers prefer low situations for coast batteries; but M. Gribauvale lays down some rules for the heights of coast batteries, which place them in such security, as to enable them to produce their greatest effect. He says the height of a battery of this kind, above the level of the sea, must depend upon the distance of the principal objects it has to protect or annoy. The shot from a battery to ricochet with effect, should strike the water at an angle of about 4 or 5 degrees at the distance of 200 yards. Therefore the distance of the object must be the radius, and the height of the battery the tangent to this angle of 4 or 5°; which will be, at the above distance of 200 yards, about 14 yards. At this height, he says, a battery may ricochet vessels in perfect security; for their ricochet being only from a height of 4 or 5 yards, can have no effect against the battery. The ground in front of a battery should be cut in steps, the more effectually to destroy the ricochet of the enemy. In case a ship can approach the battery so as to fire musquetry from her tops, a few light pieces placed higher up on the bank, will soon dislodge the men from that position, by a few discharges of case shot. It is also easy to keep vessels at a distance by carcasses, or other fire balls, which they are always in dread of.

Durtubie estimates, that a battery of 4 or 5 guns, well posted, will be a match for a first rate man of war.

To estimate the materials for a battery.

Fascines of 9 feet long are the most convenient for forming a battery, because they are easily carried, and they answer to most parts of the battery without cutting. The embrazures are however better lined with fascines of 18 feet. The following will be nearly the number required for a fascine battery of two guns or howitzers:

90 fascines of 9 feet long.

20 fascines of 18 feet--for the embrazures.

This number will face the outside as well as the inside of the epaulement, which if the earth be stiff, will not always be necessary; at least not higher than the soles of the embrazures on the outside. This will require five of 9 feet for each merlon less than the above.

A mortar battery will not require any long fascines for the lining of the embrazures. The simplest method of ascertaining the number of fascines for a mortar battery, or for any other plain breast work, is to divide the length of work to be fascined in feet, by the length of each fascine in feet, for the number required for one layer, which being multiplied by the number of layers required, will of course give the number of fascines for facing the whole surface. If a battery be so exposed as to require a shoulder to cover it in flank, about 50 fascines of 9 feet each will be required for each shoulder.

Each fascine of 18 feet will require 7 pickets.

Each fascine of 9 feet will require 4 pickets.

12 workmen of the line, and 8 of the artillery, are generally allotted to each gun.

If to the above proportion of materials, &c. for a battery of two guns, there be added for each additional gun, 30 fascines of 9 feet, and 10 of 18 feet, with 12 workmen, the quantity may easily be found for a battery of any number of pieces.

The workmen are generally thus disposed: one half the men of the line in the ditch at 3 feet asunder, who throw the earth upon the berm: one fourth upon the berm at 6 feet asunder, to throw the earth upon the epaulement, and the other quarter on the epaulement, to level the earth, and beat it down. The artillery men carry on the fascine work, and level the interior for the platforms. This number of workmen may complete a battery in 36 hours, allowing 216 cubic feet to be dug and thrown up, by each man _in the ditch_ in 24 hours.

Tools for the construction of the battery.

_Intrenching_--1¹⁄₂ times the number of workmen required; half to be pick axes, and half shovels or spades, according to the soil.

_Mallets_--3 per gun.

_Earth Rammers_--3 per gun.

_Crosscut Saws_--1 to every two guns.

_Axes_ or _Hatchets_--2 per gun.

This estimate of tools and workmen, does not include what may be required for making up the fascines, or preparing the other materials, but supposes them ready prepared. For these articles, see the words _Fascine_, _Gabion_, _Platform_, &c. and for the construction of field magazines for batteries, see the word _Magazine_.

_Note._ The following estimate of the quantity of earth which may be removed by a certain number of workmen in a given time, may serve to give some idea of the time required to raise any kind of works. 500 common wheel barrows will contain 2 cubic toises of earth, and may be wheeled by one man, in summer, to the distance of 20 yards up a ramp, and 30 on a horizontal plain, in one day. In doing which he will pass over, going and returning, about 4 leagues in the first case, and 6 in the last. Most men, however, will not wheel more than 1³⁄₄ toise per day. Four men will remove the same quantity to four times the distance.

In a soil easy to be dug, one man can fill the 500 barrows in a day; but if the ground be hard, the number of fillers must be augmented, so as to keep pace with the wheel barrow man.

BATTERY-_Planks_ are those planks or boards used in making platforms.

BATTERY-_Boxes_ are square chests or boxes, filled with earth or dung; used in making batteries, where gabions and earth are not to be had. They must not be too large, but of a size that is governable.

BATTERY-_Nails_ are wooden pins made of the toughest wood, with which the planks that cover the platforms are nailed. Iron nails might strike fire against the iron-work of the wheels, in recoiling, &c. and be dangerous.

BATTERY-_Master_, whose duty formerly it was to raise the batteries. This officer is now out of use.

BATTEURS _d’Estrade_. See SCOUTS.

BATTLE, implies an action, where the forces of two armies are engaged; and is of two kinds, _general_ and _particular_, general where the whole army is engaged, and particular where only a part is in action; but as they only differ in numbers, the methods are nearly alike.

There is no action in war more brilliant than that of pitched battles. Their success sometimes decides the fate of nations. It is by this action a general acquires reputation. It is in battle that his valour, his force of genius, and his prudence, appear in their full extent; and where especially he has occasion for that firmness of mind, without which the most able general will hardly succeed.

_Battles_ have ever been the last resource of good generals. A situation where chance and accident often baffle and overcome the most prudential and most able arrangements, and where superiority in numbers by no means ensures success, is such as is never entered into without a clear necessity for so doing. The fighting a battle only because the enemy is near, or from having no other formed plan of offence, is not the way of making war. Darius lost his crown and life by it: Harold, of England, did the same; and Francis I. at Pavia, lost the battle and his liberty. King John, of France, fought the battle of Poictiers, though ruin attended his enemy if he had not fought. The king of Prussia lost his country, and the reputation which Prussia acquired from Frederick II. by the battle of Jena.

A skilful general will give battle when his army’s situation cannot be worse, if defeated, than if it does not fight at all; and when the advantage may be great, and the loss little. Such was the duke of Cumberland’s at Hastenbeck, in 1757, and prince Ferdinand’s at Vellinghausen, in 1761. The reasons and situations for giving battle are so numerous, that to treat of them all would fill a large volume; the following are a few exigencies of state that require an army to attack the enemy at all events. Such were the causes of the battle of Blenheim, in 1704, of Zorndorff, in 1758, of Cunnersdorff, in 1759, and of Rosbach, in 1757, of Austerlitz, in 1805. An army is also obliged to engage when shut up in a post. An army may give battle to effect its junction with another army, &c.

The preparations for battle admit of infinite variety. By a knowlege of the detail of battles, the precept will accompany the example. The main general preparations are, to profit by any advantage of ground; that the tactical form of the army be in some measure adapted to it; and that such form be, if possible, a form tactically better than the enemy’s; and, in forming the army, to have a most careful attention to multiply resources, so that the fate of the army may not hang on one or two efforts; to give any particular part of the army, whose quality is superior to such part in the enemy’s army, a position that ensures action; and finally, to have a rear by nature, or if possible, by art, capable of checking the enemy in case of disaster.

The dispositions of battles admit likewise of an infinite variety of cases; for even the difference of ground which happens at almost every step, gives occasion to change the disposition or plan; and a general’s expedience will teach him to profit by this, and take the advantage the ground offers him. It is an instant, a _coup d’œil_ which decides this: for it is to be feared the enemy may deprive you of those advantages or turn them to his own profit; and for that reason this admits of no precise rule, the whole depending on the time and the occasion.

With regard to battles, there are three things to be considered; what precedes, what accompanies, and what follows the action. As to what precedes the action, you should unite all your force, examine the advantage of the ground, the wind, and the sun, (things not to be neglected) and chuse, if possible, a field of battle proportioned to the number of your troops.

You must post the different kinds of troops advantageously for each: they must be so disposed as to be able to return often to the charge; for he who can charge often with fresh troops, is commonly victorious. Your wings must be covered so as not to be surrounded, and you must observe, that your troops can assist each other without any confusion, the intervals being proportioned to the battalions and squadrons.

Great care must be taken about the regulation of the artillery, which should be disposed so as to be able to act in every place to the greatest advantage; for nothing is more certain than that, if the artillery be well commanded, properly distributed, and manfully served, it will greatly contribute to gaining the battle; being looked upon as the general instrument of the army, and the most essential part of military force. The artillery must be well supplied with ammunition, and each soldier have a sufficient number of cartridges. The baggage, provisions, and treasure of the army, should, on the day of battle, be sent to a place of safety.

In battle, where the attacks are, there is also the principal defence. If an army attacks, it forms at pleasure; it makes its points at will: if it defends, it will be sometimes difficult to penetrate into the designs of the enemy, but when once found, succour succeeds to the discovery. Ground and numbers must ever lead in the arrangement of battles; impression and resource will ever bid fairest for winning them.

The most remarkable on record are

_B. C._
1225. The Theban war of the Seven Heroes against Eteocles.

1184. Troy taken after ten years siege.

1048. Jerusalem taken by David from the Jebusites.

750. War of the Romans against the Sabines.

743. The first Messinian war begins and continues 19 years, to the
taking of Ithome.

721. Samaria taken.

685. The second Messinian war begins, continues 14 years to the
taking of Ira, after 11 years siege.

624. Scythians make war in Asia Minor.

612. Nineveh destroyed by the Medes.

596. The war of the Persians against the Scythians, who are expelled
by Cyaxeres.

587. Jerusalem taken by Nebuchadnezzar after a siege of 18 months.

548. War of Cyrus against Crœsus.

509. Civil war at Rome, the Tarquins expelled, monarchy abolished,
and consuls chosen.

504. The Athenians take and burn Sardis.

490. Battle of Marathon.

480. Battle of Thermopylæ.

Battle of Salamis.

479. Platea}Same day Persians defeated at both places.
Mycale}

470. Cyprus, Persians defeated.

Eurymedon, Persians defeated.

465. Third Messinian war begins, continues ten years.

448. First sacred war concerning the temple of Apollo at Delphi.

439. War between Corinth and Corcyra.

431. The Peloponnesian war begins the 7th of May, lasts 27 years.

409. Carthage makes war on Sicily.

405. Battle of Egospotamos--the usurpation of Dyonisius.

404. Lysander takes Athens--end of the Peloponnesian war--30 tyrants
reign.

401. Battle of Cunaxa--the younger Cyrus killed--the glorious retreat
of the 10,000, and expulsion of the 30 tyrants.

396. Agesilaus carries the war into Persia.

395. The Corinthian war--Athens, Corinth, Thebes, Argos, against
Lacedæmon.

394. Battle of Cnidus--Lacedæmonians under Pisander defeated by
Conon.

A few days after Agesilaus defeats the allies at Choronea.

390. Battle of Attia--Rome taken by the Gauls.

387. War against Cyprus--ends in two years.

371. Leuctra, battle of--Epaminondas, general of Thebes, defeats the
Lacedæmonians.

363. Mantinea battle gained by Epaminondas.

360. Methone, the first victory of Philip of Macedon over the
Athenians.

357. Second sacred war, on the temple being attacked by the Phoceans,
ends in 9 years.

340. Battle of Agrigentum--Timoleon defeats the Carthaginians.

338. Battle of Cheronea.

335. Thebes destroyed by Alexander the Great, when he left only
Pindar the poet’s house standing.

334. Battle of Granicus--Alexander.

333. Battle of Issus.

331. Battle of Arbella.

301. Battle of Ipous--Antigonus defeated.

312. Tuscan war commenced.

278. Battle at Delphi. Gauls under Brennus cut to pieces.

264. First Punic war lasts 23 years.

262. Sardis, Antiochus Soter defeated there by Eumenes.

256. Regulus defeated by Xanthippus.

234. Sardinian war continues 3 years.

222. Battle of Sellafia.

218. Second Punic war begins, lasts 17 years.

217. Battle of Thrasymene.

216. Battle of Cannæ.

208. Battle of Mantinea.

202. Battle of Zama.

197. Battle of Cynocephale--Philip defeated.

168. Battle of Pydna. This battle closed the Macedonian empire.

149. Third Punic war.

146. Carthage destroyed by the Romans.

111. Jugurthine war begins, continues 5 years.

105. Battle on the Rhine, the Tuetones defeat 80,000 Romans.

102. Tuetones defeated by C. Marius at Aquæ Sextia.

91. Social war begins, continues three years, finished by Sylla.

89. Mithridatic war begins, continues 26 years.

88. Wars of Marius and Sylla, last six years.

73. War of the Slaves under Spartacus, lasts two years, ended by
Pompey and Crassus.

54. England invaded by Julius Cæsar.

48. Battle of Pharsalia.

45. Battle of Munda.

43. Battle of Mutina.

42. Battle of Philippi. Death of Brutus.

31. Battle of Actium. Death of the Republic; beginning of the
Empire.

_A. D._
10. Varus the Roman general, defeated in Germany.

70. Jerusalem destroyed by Titus, August 31.

73. Byzantium taken by the Romans.

196. Byzantium destroyed by Severus.

269. The Goths conquered by Claudius, who massacres 300,000 of them.

340. Battle of Aquileia, Constantine the younger defeated and killed
by Constans.

405. Battle of Fesulæ, Stilicho defeats 200,000 Goths.

410. Rome taken and plundered by the Goths.

440. England ravaged by the Picts and Scots.

455. Rome taken and plundered by the Vandals.

547. Rome re-taken by the Goths.

553. Rome re-conquered by the Emperor.

613. Jerusalem pillaged by the Persians, and 90,000 inhabitants
killed.

622. Carthage destroyed by the Saracens.

637. Jerusalem taken by the Saracens.

640. Egypt conquered by the Saracens.

787. Danes, their first descent upon England, at Portland.

895. The Danes under Rollo, make their first descent on France.

1016. Battle of Ashdown, between Canute and Edmund.

1017. Danes under Canute conquer England.

1041. Danes expelled from England.

1066. England invaded by the Normans.

1066. Battle of Hastings, where Harold was slain, and William the
Norman became king of England.

1074. The last Danish invasion of England, when they were bribed to
depart.

1095. First Crusade--Jerusalem taken and re-taken.

1100. Jerusalem taken by Robert, duke of Normandy.

1147. Second Crusade.

1187. Jerusalem finally conquered by Saladin.

1189. Third Crusade--Siege of Acre.

1192. Battle of Ascalon, in Palestine.

1203. Fourth Crusade.

1204. Constantinople taken by the Latins.

1205. Zenghis Khan, till his death in 1227, gains various battles in
Asia.

1215. Prussia subdued by the Mercian Knights.

1214. Battle of Bovines, 25 July.

1217. Battle of Lincoln, 19 May.

1218. The Fifth Crusade.

1219. Prussia revolted to Poland.

1261. Constantinople recovered by the Greeks.

1064. Battle of Lewis, 14 May.

1265. Battle of Evesham, 4 Aug.

1314. Battle of Bannockburn, 25 June.

1333. Battle of Halydown-Hill, 19 July.

1346. Battle of Cressy, 26 Aug.

Battle of Durham, when David, king of Scots, was taken prisoner,
17 Oct.

1347. Calais taken by the English, August 4.

1356. Battle of Poictiers, when the Fr. king and his son were taken
prisoners, 19 Sept.

1357. John, king of France, taken prisoner by Edward the Black Prince,
brought to England, and ransomed for 3,000,000 crowns, but
being unable to pay this sum, he returned to England, and died
in prison 1364.

1370. Timour (vulgarly called Tamerlane) appears a warrior, and
conquers Asia, reigns 35 years.

1388. Battle of Otterburn, between Hotspur and earl Douglas, 31 July.

1403. Battle of Shrewsbury, 12 July.

1415. Battle of Agincourt, 25 Oct.

1421. Battle of Beauge, 3 April.

1423. Battle of Crevaut, June.

1424. Battle of Ferneuil, 27 Aug.

1429. Battle of Herrings, 12 Feb.

1453. Mahomed II. takes Constantinople, and begins the Turkish Empire
in Europe, which put an end to the eastern empire.

Same year, the wars of the two Roses in England commence.

1455. Battle of St. Alban’s, 22 May.

1459. Battle of Blackheath, 23 Sept.

1460. Battle of Northampton, 10 July.

Battle of Wakefield, 24 Dec.

1461. Battle of Tourton, 29 March.

1464. Battle of Hexham, 15 May.

1469. Battle of Banbury, 26 July.

1470. Battle of Stamford, March.

1471. Battle of Barnet, 14 April.

Battle of Tewkesbury, 4 May.

1485. Battle of Bosworth, 22 Aug.

1487. Battle of Stoke, 6 June.

1494. Battle of Formonte, 6 July.

1497. Battle of Blackheath, 22 June.

1513. Battle of Flouden, 9 Sept. when James IV. king of Scots, was
killed.

1515. Battle of Marignano, Francis I. gains victory, 14-15-25 Sept.

1516. Egypt conquered by the Turks.

1525. Battle of Pavia, Francis I. loses all but honor, 24 Feb.

1542. Battle of Solway, 24 Nov.

1547. Battle of Pinkey, 20 Sept.

1557. Battle of St. Quintin, 10 Aug.

1558. Calais retaken by the French, January 10.

1596. Cadiz, in Spain, taken by the English.

1632. Battle of Lutzen, Gustavus Adolphus, killed.

1641. Battle of Naseby, June.

1642. Battle of Edgehill, 24 Oct.

1643. Battle of Shatton, 16 May.

Battle of Lansdown, 5 July.

Battle of Roundawaydown, 13th July.

Battle of Newbury, 20 Sept.

1644. Indians, in New England, at war amongst themselves.

1644. Battle of Marston-moor, 2 July.

1650. Battle of Dunbar, 3 Sept.

1651. Battle of Worcester, 3 Sept.

1658. Ostend attempted to be taken by the French, but they were
defeated with great loss.

1658. Dunkirk taken by the English, June 24.

1662. Battle of Steinkirk.

1675. Providence, the town of, in Rhode Island, almost destroyed by
Indians.

1675. Medfield, town of, in Massachusetts, about half-burnt by the
Indians, Feb.

1676. Northampton, and several other towns in Massachusetts, burnt and
plundered by the Indians, March.

1679. Battle of Bothwell-bridge, 22 June.

1686. Buda taken from the Turks by the Imperialists.

1690. Battle of Staffarda, Catenat defeats the duke of Savoy.

Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, taken by the Massachusetts forces.

Battle of Boyne, Ireland, 1 July.

Casco fort, New Hampshire, taken by the French and Indians.

1691. York-town, in the province of Maine, burnt and plundered by the
Indians, Jan. 25.

Battle of Aughrim, Ireland, 22d July.

1700. Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, retaken by the French.

1703. Deerfield in Massachusetts, burnt, and the inhabitants carried
off by the French and Indians, as prisoners, February.

1704. Battle of Blenheim, 13 Aug.

1705. Battle of Cassano, passage of the Adda, by prince Eugene.

1706. Battle of Turin, prince Eugene defeats the French.

Battle of Ramillies, on Whitsunday.

Charleston, South Carolina, invaded by the French, who were
repulsed with loss.

1708. Battle of Oudenard, 30 June.

Battle of Wynendale, 28 Sept.

1709. Battle of Malplaquet, Eugene defeats Villeroy.

Battle of Blarignies, 14 Sept.

Battle of Pultowa, Charles XII. defeated.

Canada unsuccessfully attacked by the New-Yorkers.

1710. Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, re-taken by the English, when it
received the name of Annapolis.

1711. Canada attacked by the British troops and those of New England.

1712. Indian war in North Carolina.

1715. Battle of Dumblain, 12 Nov.

1717. Indians instigated by a Jesuit to make incursions upon the
colony of Massachusetts.

1734. Dantzic taken by the Swedes.

1743. Dettingen, the battle of, won by the English and allies, in
favour of the queen of Hungary, 26th June.

1744. Battle of Fontenoy, 30 Apr.

1745. Louisburgh taken by the Massachusetts forces, June 17.

Battle of Preston-pans, 21 Sept.

1746. Battle of Falkirk, 17 Jan.

Battle of Culloden, 16 Apr.

Madras taken from the English.

1747. Battle of Laffeldt, 20 July.

1749. Louisburg given up to the French.

1755. Fort Du Quesne, (now Pittsburgh) battle of, July 9.

1756. Oswego taken by the English.

Grenada, the island of, taken by Admiral Rodney, Feb.

Battle of Lobositz, 1 Oct.

1757. Battle of Rosbach, 5 Nov.

Battle of Reichenberg, 21 April.

Battle of Gros Jegerndorff, 30 Aug.

Battle of Breslau, 22 Nov.

Battle of Lissa, 5 Dec.

Battle of Hastenbeck, 26 July.

Battle of Kolin, 13 June.

Battle of Prague, 6 May.

1758. Fort Du Quesne (Pittsburg) taken by General Forbes.

Hanover desolated by the French.

Louisburgh re-taken, July 22.

Dresden taken by the Prussians.

Battle of Sandershausen, 23 July.

Battle of Crevelt, 23 June.

Battle of Meer, 5 Aug.

Battle of Zorndorff, 25 Aug.

Battle of Sandershagen, 10 Oct.

Battle of Munden, 11 Oct.

Battle of Hochkirken, 14 Oct.

1759. Battle of Kunersdorf, 12 Aug.

Niagara taken by the English, July 24.

Ticonderoga taken by the English.

Quebec taken by the English, September 13.

Canada taken by the English, September 13.

Arcot, Carnatic, taken by the English from the Hindoos.

Frankfort upon the Oder, the Prussians and Russians, 20,000 men
on field of battle.

Dresden taken by the Imperialists.

Crown Point taken from the English.

Battle of Bergen, 13 April.

Battle of Zullichau, 23 July.

Battle of Coefeld, 1 Aug.

Battle of Minden, 1 Aug.

Battle of Torgau, 8 Sept.

Battle of Pretsch, 29 Oct.

Battle of Plains of Abraham, 13 Sept. Wolf killed.

Battle of Maxen, 20 and 21 Nov.

1760. Montreal taken by the English.

Battle of Cosdorff, 20 Feb.

Battle of Quebec, 28 April.

Battle of Grabensteyn, 4 June.

Battle of Corbach, 24 June.

Battle of Emsdorff, 9 July.

Battle of Warburg, 31 July.

Battle of Strehlen, 2 Aug.

Battle of Leignitz, 15 Aug.

Battle of Torgau, 2 Nov.

Dresden taken by the Prussians again.

Chamblee taken from the French by the British, Sept. 7.

1761. Cherokee Indians in Carolina, defeated by the Americans under
Col. Grant.

Dominica taken by the English.

Battle of Langensaltz, 15 Feb.

Battle of Grümberg, 21 March.

Battle of Vellinghausen, 16 July.

Battle of Kirkdenckern, 15 July.

Battle of Einbeck, 24 Aug.

1762. Battle of Dobeln, 12 May.

Battle of Wilhelmstahl, 24 June.

Battle of Fulda, 23 July.

Battle of Friedberg, 30 Aug.

Battle of Freyberg, 10 and 29 Oct.

1773. Dantzic taken by the Prussians.

1774. Fort William and Mary, in New-Hampshire, seized by the
inhabitants, who possessed themselves of a quantity of powder
and military stores, Dec. 14.

1775. Cedars, fort at the, given up to the British by Major

Rutherfield, March 15.

Engagement at Concord and Lexington.

The grenadiers and light infantry of the British army at Boston,
under colonel Smith, 10th foot, and Major Pitcairn, detached to
destroy the magazines at Concord, 20 miles from Boston, 18-19
April.

Another detachment march under earl Percy, of 16 companies of
infantry and a corps of marines, 19 April.

At Lexington, 15 miles from Boston, fell in with the
continentals about five in the morning. The British fire on them
and a skirmish is continued to Concord; the British are forced
to retreat to Boston, driven before the Americans like sheep;
the British lost 114 killed, and 127 wounded, beside 52 missing:
the Americans had 62 men killed and wounded; about the third
recovered of their wounds.

Ticonderoga taken by Ethan Allen, “in the name of Great Jehovah
and the continental Congress,” containing 120 pieces of iron
ordnance, between 6 and 24 pounders, 50 swivels, 2 ten inch
mortars, 1 howitzer, 1 cohorn, 10 tons of leaden ball, 3 carts
laden with flints, 30 new field carriages, a quantity of shells,
100 stand of small arms, 10 casks gun-powder, 2 pieces of brass
artillery, 3 May.

Crown Point taken by the Americans, May 14.

Bunker’s-hill, the British began the attack about noon; the
British lost 1440 men killed, 857 wounded; among the killed were
26 commissioned officers, and 81 among the wounded. The
Americans had 452 men killed, 301 wounded and missing; among the
killed was the gallant Dr. Warren, who commanded the American
forces. The American fire was conducted with great judgment; and
the British were blockaded in Boston, 17 June.

Charlestown, Massachusetts, burnt by the British, June 17.

Stonington, Connecticut, set on fire by the British, Sept. 3.

Canada invaded by the American forces, October.

Chamblee taken by the Americans commanded by Col. Brown and
Major Livingston, October 18.

Falmouth, New England, destroyed by the British forces, October
18.

Chamblee fort, in Canada, attacked by the Americans, Oct. 20.

Chamblee taken by Montgomery, 124 barrels gun-powder, 6564
musket cartridges, 150 stand French made arms, 3 mortars, 61
shells, 83 stand English arms; and other valuable military and
naval stores, 3 Nov.

Montreal taken by the Americans, Nov. 12.

St. John’s taken by Montgomery, 17 brass ordnance, 2 eight inch
howitzers, 22 iron ordnance, shot, shells, powder, 800 stand
small arms, and naval stores, 13 Nov.

Storm of Quebec, Montgomery falls, Arnold wounded, the Americans
obliged to retreat, but encamp on the Plains of Abraham, 31 Dec.

Great Bridge in Virginia, battle of, in which the British were
defeated, Dec.

1776. Norfolk, in Virginia, burnt by order of Lord Dunmore the British
governor, and great damage sustained, Jan. 1.

Chamblee fort retaken by the British, Jan 18.

Highlanders, and regulators of N. Carolina, defeated with great
loss near Moore’s Creek bridge, by Gen. Moore, Feb. 27.

Dorchester Point fortified in the night, so as to render Boston
no longer tenable by the British, March 4.

Boston evacuated precipitately, the British leaving behind their
arms, military stores and provisions; sir Archibald Campbell,
with 1700 men, enters the harbor, and are made prisoners by
general Washington, 18 March.

Crown Point re-taken by the British.

British attack on the Cedars, Arnold capitulates; Americans
treated with barbarity; congress annuls the capitulation in
consequence, 26 May.

British tories defeated at Moore’s creek, in North Carolina, by
colonel Caswell, and the tory leader Macleod killed.

Portsmouth, Virginia, destroyed by the British, June 1.

General sir H. Clinton attacks Sullivan’s island, in concert
with Sir P. Parker, and is defeated by general Lee, 15 June.

Montreal retaken by the British, June 15.

Charleston, S. C. attacked by a squadron of ships under Sir
Peter Parker, and a body of troops under Generals Clinton and
Cornwallis, who were defeated with great slaughter, June 25.

Battle of Long Island, or Flat bush; the American lines attacked
by sir William Howe, with 20,000 men, and the American army
suffers great loss from an injudicious disposition of the
forces; the retreat however was conducted with admirable skill,
in thirteen hours 9000 men with artillery, and all their
equipage, crossed an arm of the sea a mile wide, in the face of
a superior and victorious army. In this action the Americans had
2000 men killed and wounded, and 1000 taken prisoners. 26 Aug.

Fort on Sullivan’s Island, unsuccessfully attacked by the
British, June 28.

New-York surrendered to the British forces, Sept. 15.

General Arnold opposes the force sent by Carleton from Canada
against Ticonderoga, but is defeated on Lake Champlain; he makes
an admirable retreat to Crown point, 11 Oct.

Battle of White Plains; generals Knyphausen, Cornwallis, and
Percy, commanded columns; Howe commander in chief of the
British, with 15,000 effectives; general Washington commander in
chief of the American army, consisting of 5000 regulars, and
11,000 militia; the British attack the American entrenchments
but are defeated, 28 Oct.

Fort Washington, near King’s Bridge, taken by the British, with
a loss of 1000 men! 15 Nov.

Fort Lee, near New-York, taken by the British, Nov. 18.

Newport, R. Island, taken by the British, Dec. 7.

General Washington surprises the Hessians at Trenton; general
William Irvine commanding the advance; general Cadwallader, the
second column, and general Washington the principal division,
general Greene and general Sullivan formed his suite; the enemy
and their artillery were captured, 26 Dec.

Strength of British and American armies in 1776.
British. Americans.
Aug. 24000 16000
Nov. 26900 4500
Dec. 27000 3300

1777. Princetown, battle of, when the Americans under General
Washington, defeated the British with great loss, Jan. 2.

Providence, the island of, taken by Commodore Hopkins, March.

Danbury, town of, in Connecticut, burnt by the British, and
large quantities of continental stores destroyed, April 26.
Ticonderoga taken by the British, 5 July.

Action at Hubberton, the British general Frazer attacks the
retreating Americans under colonel Francis, and defeats them, 6
July.

Fairfield, in Connecticut, burnt by the British, July 7.

Bennington battle, 16 Aug.

General Stark defeats the Hessian general Baum, and colonel
Breyman, on Walloon Creek, 16 Aug.

Fort Stanwix, alias Fort Schuyler, the siege of, raised by Sir

John Johnson and Lieut. Col. St. Leger, Aug. 22.

Eutaw Springs, the battle of, in which General Green defeats the
British, Sept. 8.

Battle of Brandywine; the dispositions of the British were
masterly in this action; the American army discomfitted and make
a precipitate but circuitous retreat, 11 Sept.

Massacre at the Paoli, by sir Charles Grey, 20 Sept.

Philadelphia taken by the British under General Howe, Sept. 26.

Battle of Germantown; 800 English, 900 Americans killed and
wounded; the British lost general Agnew and colonel Bird; the
Americans, colonel Haslet, of Delaware state, a gallant officer,
4 Oct.

Battle of Stillwater, about 600 men killed on each side; no
victory; the action as intrepid as any known for the numbers;
Burgoyne retreats and entrenches himself at Saratoga, 17
September.

British entrenchments near Lake George attacked by general
Gates, and the British completely beaten; the British general
Frazer, and the Hessian colonel Breyman killed; Arnold who
commanded on the right, was wounded in the tendon Achilles;
Gates took 200 prisoners and 9 brass field pieces. Burgoyne
makes a precipitate retreat to Saratoga, where he capitulates on
the 17th of October, surrendering 5790 men, and 35 pieces of
field artillery, &c. 17 Oct.

Esopus, in New-York, was totally destroyed by the British, with
great quantities of stores, October 15.

Kingston, in Ulster county, New-York, burnt by the British,
October 15.

Action at Red Bank, the Hessian general Donop killed, and the
British attack frustrated, and the ship of war Augusta blown up,
22 Oct.

Forts Montgomery and Clinton taken by the British, October.

Martha’s Island, pillaged by the British, who carried off 300
oxen, and 2000 sheep.

Attack of Mud Fort, (now Fort Mifflin) by Cornwallis; gallantly
defended by Col. Samuel Smith, 15 Nov.

Strength of British and American armies in 1777.
British. Americans.
March, 27000 4500
June, 30000 8000

1778. Battle of Savannah, 15 Jan.

Battle of Monmouth, the British retreat by forced marches to New
York, 28 June.

Wyoming, out of 417 Americans stationed there, 360 were
inhumanly butchered by a party of Tories and Indians, commanded
by Col. John Butler, July 1.

Dominica taken by the French under the Marquis de Bouille, when
164 pieces of cannon and 24 brass mortars were found therein,
Sept. 7.

Attack of Savannah, 28 Dec.

1779. Sunbury taken by Gen. Provost, Jan. 9.

Briars creek, American general Ashe defeated, 3 March.

Portsmouth, in Virginia, invaded again by the British, under Sir
George Collier and General Matthews, who burnt vast quantities
of property there, May 10.

Stoney Point and Verplanks taken by the British under general
Vaughan, 30 May.

Stonoferry, in Carolina, the battle of, June 20.

Grenada taken by the French, July 6.

Norwalk, in Connecticut, burnt by the British, July 7.

General Wayne storms and takes Stony Point, 16 July.

Pawlus-hook taken by the Americans under General Lee, when 30 of
the British were killed, and 160 made prisoners, July 19.