DANTZIC.—It surrendered to the French, after a siege of four months, May 5th, 1807; and, by the treaty of Tilsit, was restored to its former independence under the protection of Russia and Saxony. It was besieged1 by the Allies in 1812, and surrendered to them January 6th, 1814. By the treaty of Paris it reverted3 to its former status.
DARDANELLES, PASSAGE OF THE.—This was achieved by the British fleet under Sir John Duckworth, February 19th, 1807; but the admiral was obliged to repass them—which he did with great loss and immense damage to the fleet, March 2nd following. The castles of Sestos and Abydos hurled5 down rocks, each of many tons weight, upon the decks of the British ships.
DARTMOUTH.—Burnt by the French, in the reign6 of Richard I and Henry IV. Prince Maurice took it in 1643, but it was retaken by General Fairfax, by storm, A.D. 1646.
DELHI.—Once the great capital of the Mogul empire. In 1738, when Nadir7 Shah invaded Hindostan, he entered Delhi, and 100,000 of the inhabitants were put to the sword. In 1803, the Mahrattas aided by the French, got possession of the place; but they were afterwards defeated by General Lake. This city has been the scene of much commotion9 in the course of its history.
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The following is a short account of the storming of Delhi, in the last great mutiny:
“Until the latter end of August, the British troops before Delhi are rather to be considered as an army of observation, than as a besieging10 force. Their inferiority in numbers and artillery11 was barely counter-balanced by their superior discipline, courage and physical strength. These advantages enabled them, indeed, to maintain their ground, but not to assume the offensive.
Toward the close of August, however, a re-inforcement of European and Sikh troops, under Brigadier Nicholson, arrived from the Punjab, and, on the 25th of that month, the rebels were defeated at Nujuffghur, with great slaughter12, and the loss of thirteen guns. A few days later a heavy siege-train was received from Ferozepore, and breaching14 batteries were constructed on the north side of the city. The siege may be said to have commenced on the 7th September, and by the evening of the 13th, the engineers reported two practicable breaches—one near the Cashmere, the other near the Water bastion. Arrangements were, therefore, at once made for an assault, to take place at daybreak on the following morning.
The first column, commanded by Brigadier Nicholson, advanced under a tremendous fire, and, applying their scaling-ladders, carried the Cashmere bastion, and established themselves in the main-guard. Almost simultaneously15, the second column, under Brigadier Jones, stormed the Water bastion, and effected a junction16 with their comrades inside the walls.
A third column, under Colonel Campbell, awaited the blowing open of the Cashmere gate to join the assault. They had not long to wait. Lieutenants17 Salkeld and Home, of the engineers, accompanied by three sergeants19 carrying the powder-bags, walked up to the gateway20 in broad daylight, and, while exposed to a heavy fire of musketry, coolly fastened the bags to the iron spikes21 of the gate. In the performance of this heroic exploit, Lieutenant18 Salkeld was severely22 wounded, and two of the sergeants killed upon the spot; but the train was lighted, and the gate blown open with a tremendous crash.
As the smoke cleared away, the storming party sprang through the ruins with a British cheer; and the three columns uniting, made themselves master of the whole line of works, from the Water bastion to the Cabul gate; and before nightfall were in possession of Skinner’s house, the Church, the College, and the adjacent grounds. This brilliant success, however, was not achieved without great loss of life.
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Of the European soldiery, eight officers and 162 rank and file were killed, with 52 officers and 510 rank and file wounded; of the Sepoys, 413 were placed hors de combat, of whom 103 were slain23 outright24. The total number of casualties thus amounted to 1145, or one-third of the entire assaulting force. Among the mortally wounded was Brigadier Nicholson, whose death was justly deplored25 as a national calamity26.
Simultaneously with these main attacks, a diversion was made by a fourth column, consisting of Sikhs, Ghoorkas, and Cashmerians, on the suburbs of Kishengunge and Pahareepore. But, in spite of their most strenuous27 efforts, these troops failed to overcome the desperate resistance offered by the enemy, and, in the end, were compelled to retreat, though not ingloriously.
The day following the assault was consumed in shelling the palace, and in battering28 the magazine. A breach13 was effected, and, at daylight on the 16th, a storming party dashed forward with such impetuosity that the rebel artillerymen dropped their lighted port-fires and fled, leaving undischarged six guns of large calibre commanding the breach and loaded with grape. On the 17th, the British troops became masters of the Bank, formerly29 the palace of the Begum Sumroo, and shortly afterwards, of the Jumma Musjid, or principal mosque30. Heavy guns were now brought to play upon the palace and the bridge of boats, and, by the evening of the 20th, the rebels entirely31 evacuated32 the city and its suburbs. Then was seen the extent of the damage sustained by the former capital of the Mogul dynasty. Whole streets had been laid in ruins; dead bodies tainted33 the air in all directions; the inhabitants, reduced to beggary, were crouching34, terror-stricken, in obscure lurking-places. But the British soldier is merciful in victory, as he is irresistible35 in battle. To armed rebels, no mercy was shown; but women and children, and the defenceless citizens, were spared and protected.
The venerable descendant of Timour—venerable only by reason of his gray hairs and extreme old age—had fled, with his principal Begum, two sons, and a grandson, to the tomb of his ancestor, Hoomavoon, son of the mighty36 Baber. He was discovered and seized by captain Hodson, of the 2nd European Fusiliers. His own life, and that of his queen, were respected—but the princes were led out and shot, and their dead bodies publicly exposed at the kotwalee, or mayor’s court.
General Wilson, whose health failed him in the hour of victory, now resigned the command to Brigadier Penny, C.B., a veteran of approved gallantry. Colonel Burn, whose father so gallantly37 defended Delhi against[128] Jeswunt Rao Holkar, in 1803, was appointed military commandant within the city, and measures were successfully taken to re-establish order, and to afford protection to well-disposed and peaceful citizens. Two movable columns, consisting each of 1600 infantry38, 500 cavalry39, three troops of horse artillery, and eighteen guns, were told off, and ordered to follow up the retreating enemy without delay. One of these, commanded by Colonel Greathed, of the 84th, came up with a rebel force strongly posted near Bolundshuhur, and, after a spirited engagement, utterly40 discomfited41 them with the loss of two guns, a vast quantity of ammunition42, and 100 men.”
DEMERARA AND ESSEQUIBO.—Founded by the Dutch but taken by the British, under Major General White, April 22nd, 1796. Restored in 1802. Again surrendered to the British, under General Grinfield and Commodore Hood43, September 20th, 1803. They are now British colonies.
DENNEWITZ, BATTLE OF.—In this battle a remarkable44 victory was obtained by Marshal Bernadotte, Prince of Denmark—who afterward8 became Charles XIV of Sweden—over Marshal Ney, September 6th, 1813. The loss of the French exceeded 16,000 men and two eagles, while the loss of the opposite army was inconsiderable.
DETTINGEN, BATTLE OF.—Between the British, Hanoverian, and Hessian army, commanded by George II of England in person and the Earl of Stair, on the one side, and the French army, commanded by Marshal Noailles and the Duke of Grammont, on the other side. The English army amounted to 52,000 men, the French to 60,000 strong. The French having passed a defile45 which they should have guarded, the British and Allies bravely sustained the impetuous charge of the French cavalry, so that they were obliged to give way, and recross the Mayne, with the loss of 5000 men. Fought June 16th, 1743.
DIEPPE.—In France.—This town was bombarded by an English fleet, under Admiral Russell, and laid in ashes, July 1694. Again bombarded by the British, September 14th, 1803.
DIZIER ST.—In Champagne46.—One of the most memorable47 sieges in modern history. This town sustained a siege for six weeks against the army of Charles V, Emperor of Germany, A.D. 1544. A battle was fought here between the armies of the Allies on the one side, and the[129] French, commanded by Napoleon in person, on the other, in which he was defeated with great loss, January 27th, 1814.
DONNINGTON, BATTLE OF.—In Lincolnshire, England.—Fought between the Royalists, commanded by Colonel Cavendish, and the forces of the Parliament—the latter defeated, 1643. The battle of Donnington, in Gloucestershire, was fought in 1645, when the Royalists, under Lord Aston, were defeated by Colonel Morgan. This victory led to the surrender of the King’s garrison48 at Oxford49.
DRAGOON.—Name supposed to have been derived50 from dragon. The first regiment51 of dragoons in England was raised A.D. 1681.
DRESDEN, BATTLE OF.—Between the allied52 army, under the Prince of Schwarzenberg, and the French army, commanded by Napoleon, August 26th and 27th, 1813. The Allies were 200,000 strong. They attacked the position of Napoleon, and the event had nearly proved fatal to them, but for an error of General Vandamme. They were defeated with dreadful loss, and were obliged to retreat into Bohemia. Vandamme pursuing them too far, his division was cut to pieces, and he and all his staff made prisoners. In this battle, General Moreau received his mortal wound, while in conversation with the Emperor of Russia.
DROGHEDA.—In Ireland.—Cromwell took this city by storm, and put the governor and all the garrison to the sword, August 14th, 1649. More than 3000 men, mostly English, perished, one individual—a lieutenant—alone escaping. Cromwell also murdered every man, woman, and child of the citizens that were Irish!
DRUM.—A martial53 instrument—the invention of which is ascribed to Bacchus. Being an oriental invention, it was introduced into Europe by the Moors54, A.D. 713.
DUMBLANE OR DUNBLANE, BATTLE OF.—Called also the Battle of Sheriffmuir.—Fought between the Royalist army, and the Scotch55 rebels, November 12th, 1715. The Duke of Argyle, who commanded the Royalists, had in his army 4000 veteran troops; the Earl of Mar4, who commanded the rebels, 8000, but all newly raised. The loss was equal on both sides, and each claimed the victory. The Highland56 foot behaved most gallantly.
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DUNBAR, BATTLE OF.—Fought between the Scottish and English army, in which John Baliol was defeated by the Earl of Warrenne, and Scotland subdued57 by Edward I, April 27th, 1296. Another battle was fought here between the Scots and the English, under Cromwell, who obtained a great victory, September 3rd, 1650.
DUNDALK.—Edward Bruce, being defeated in his unfortunate invasion of Ireland, was beheaded here, in 1318, and with him 6200 Scots invaders58, lost their lives. The walls and fortifications were destroyed in 1641.
DUNGAN HILL, BATTLE OF.—In Ireland.—Fought between the English and Irish armies. The former commanded by Colonel Jones, who signally defeated the insurgent59 Irish, of whom 6000 were slain, while the loss of the English was inconsiderable. Fought July 10th, 1647.
DUNKIRK.—Taken by the English and French from the Spaniards, June 24th, 1658. Sold by Charles II, for £500,000, to Louis XIV, in 1662. The English attempted to besiege2 this place, but the Duke of York, who commanded, was defeated by Hoche, and forced to retire with loss, September 7th, 1793.
DUNSINANE, BATTLE OF.—Celebrated by Shakespeare. Fought between Macbeth, the thane of Glamis, and Seward, earl of Northumberland. Macbeth was signally defeated, fled, and was pursued, when he was slain, 1057.
DURHAM, BATTLE OF.—Fought between the English and Scottish armies, October 17th, 1316. See Nevill’s Cross.
点击收听单词发音
1 besieged | |
包围,围困,围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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2 besiege | |
vt.包围,围攻,拥在...周围 | |
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3 reverted | |
恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 ); 重提; 回到…上; 归还 | |
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4 mar | |
vt.破坏,毁坏,弄糟 | |
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5 hurled | |
v.猛投,用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 );大声叫骂 | |
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6 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
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7 nadir | |
n.最低点,无底 | |
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8 afterward | |
adv.后来;以后 | |
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9 commotion | |
n.骚动,动乱 | |
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10 besieging | |
包围,围困,围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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11 artillery | |
n.(军)火炮,大炮;炮兵(部队) | |
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12 slaughter | |
n.屠杀,屠宰;vt.屠杀,宰杀 | |
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13 breach | |
n.违反,不履行;破裂;vt.冲破,攻破 | |
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14 breaching | |
攻破( breach的过去式 ); 破坏,违反 | |
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15 simultaneously | |
adv.同时发生地,同时进行地 | |
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16 junction | |
n.连接,接合;交叉点,接合处,枢纽站 | |
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17 lieutenants | |
n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 );副职官员;空军;仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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18 lieutenant | |
n.陆军中尉,海军上尉;代理官员,副职官员 | |
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19 sergeants | |
警官( sergeant的名词复数 ); (美国警察)警佐; (英国警察)巡佐; 陆军(或空军)中士 | |
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20 gateway | |
n.大门口,出入口,途径,方法 | |
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21 spikes | |
n.穗( spike的名词复数 );跑鞋;(防滑)鞋钉;尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 );偷偷地给某人的饮料加入(更多)酒精( 或药物);把尖状物钉入;打乱某人的计划 | |
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22 severely | |
adv.严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地 | |
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23 slain | |
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词) | |
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24 outright | |
adv.坦率地;彻底地;立即;adj.无疑的;彻底的 | |
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25 deplored | |
v.悲叹,痛惜,强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26 calamity | |
n.灾害,祸患,不幸事件 | |
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27 strenuous | |
adj.奋发的,使劲的;紧张的;热烈的,狂热的 | |
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28 battering | |
n.用坏,损坏v.连续猛击( batter的现在分词 ) | |
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29 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
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30 mosque | |
n.清真寺 | |
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31 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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32 evacuated | |
撤退者的 | |
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33 tainted | |
adj.腐坏的;污染的;沾污的;感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 );使污染;败坏;被污染,腐坏,败坏 | |
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34 crouching | |
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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35 irresistible | |
adj.非常诱人的,无法拒绝的,无法抗拒的 | |
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36 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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37 gallantly | |
adv. 漂亮地,勇敢地,献殷勤地 | |
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38 infantry | |
n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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39 cavalry | |
n.骑兵;轻装甲部队 | |
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40 utterly | |
adv.完全地,绝对地 | |
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41 discomfited | |
v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词);使狼狈;使挫折;挫败 | |
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42 ammunition | |
n.军火,弹药 | |
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43 hood | |
n.头巾,兜帽,覆盖;v.罩上,以头巾覆盖 | |
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44 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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45 defile | |
v.弄污,弄脏;n.(山间)小道 | |
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46 champagne | |
n.香槟酒;微黄色 | |
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47 memorable | |
adj.值得回忆的,难忘的,特别的,显著的 | |
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48 garrison | |
n.卫戍部队;驻地,卫戍区;vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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49 Oxford | |
n.牛津(英国城市) | |
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50 derived | |
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取 | |
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51 regiment | |
n.团,多数,管理;v.组织,编成团,统制 | |
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52 allied | |
adj.协约国的;同盟国的 | |
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53 martial | |
adj.战争的,军事的,尚武的,威武的 | |
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54 moors | |
v.停泊,系泊(船只)( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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55 scotch | |
n.伤口,刻痕;苏格兰威士忌酒;v.粉碎,消灭,阻止;adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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56 highland | |
n.(pl.)高地,山地 | |
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57 subdued | |
adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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58 invaders | |
入侵者,侵略者,侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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59 insurgent | |
adj.叛乱的,起事的;n.叛乱分子 | |
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