The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
1
THE BATTLES
OF THE
BRITISH ARMY
2
3
The Battles
OF THE
British Army
BEING
A POPULAR ACCOUNT OF ALL THE PRINCIPAL
ENGAGEMENTS DURING THE LAST
HUNDRED YEARS
BY
Robert Melvin Blackwood, m.a.
AUTHOR OF
“The British Army at Home and Abroad,”
“Some Great Commanders,”
&c., &c.
THIRD EDITION
LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL,
HAMILTON, KENT AND CO. LTD.
4
5
PREFACE.
All phases of life and incident relating to the building upand consolidation of our Empire, ought to be of supreme interestto those who regard themselves as Britain’s sons. Fortunatelythe arts of peace, and the respect for justice and individualright, have had much to do with the growth of the greatestempire in the world’s history.
At the same time, unfortunate though the case may be, theordinance of battle has had no small share in the extension ofthe country’s interests. In acknowledging this unfortunatefact, it is so far consoling to realise that many of these conflictshave been thrust upon us, and were not sought on our part, inthe interests of self-aggrandisement. It likewise is a matterfor congratulation, that this battle feature in the future historyof our country, is likely to prove much less than in the past.All wise and good men will strive towards this end. Eventhose who look on the appeal to arms as unavoidable in internationalcontroversies, concur in thinking it a deplorablenecessity, only to be resorted to when all peaceful modes ofarrangement have been vainly tried. And also, when the lawof self-defence or of the defence of national interest justifiesa state, like an individual, in using force to protect itself fromimminent and serious injury.
The battles, however, form a large and integral part of ourpast national history. And, so far as they are in the cause ofright, we may well be proud of them. Our soldiers and6generals may compare favourably with those of any othernationality. For bravery, indomitable pluck, and perseverancethey never have been surpassed in the whole annals of history.A fearful and wonderful interest is attached to these scenes ofbloodshed. The intense love of country and honour, and theundeniable greatness of disciplined courage, which make soldiersconfront death and destruction, excite our profound admiration.The powers also of the human intellect are rarely more stronglydisplayed than they are in the capable commander who regulates,arrays, and wields at his will the armed masses under him,and who, cool in the midst of fearful peril, is ready with freshresources as the varying vicissitudes of battle require. Seeingthat these splendid feats of arms and acts of patriotism, are theperformances of our own fathers and brothers, intense interestin, and knowledge of their details, ought to be universal throughoutthe land.
In the present volume will be found separate and