Читать книгу The Battles of the World or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military events онлайн

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The besieging army had, in its different attacks, about 800 guns mounted, which fired more than 1,600,000 rounds, and the approaches, dug during 336 days, of open trenches through a rocky ground, to an extent of fifty-four English miles, were made under the constant fire of the place, and with incessant combats by day and night. During the siege we employed no less than 80,000 gabions, 60,000 fascines, and nearly 1,000,000 earth bags.

To the French unquestionably is due the honor of its capture; but who can forget the courage which the English exhibited, the fortitude they displayed, or the sufferings they endured? The first victories of that eventful year are claimed by British valour, and if, at the last, they failed, let us remember there are some tasks no ability can execute, some difficulties no skill can surmount, and some opposition no valour can subdue.”

BORODINO, OR MOSKWA, BATTLE OF.—This battle is one of the most sanguinary in the annals of the world. It was fought September 7th, 1812, between the French and Russians, commanded on the one side by Napoleon and on the other by Kutusoff, 240,000 men being engaged in the battle. Each party claimed the victory, because the loss of the others was so immense, but it was rather in favour of Napoleon, for the Russians subsequently retreated, leaving Moscow to its fate. Among the principal persons of the Russians who fell on this sanguinary field, may be mentioned Prince Bagration and General Touczkoff. Many Russian generals were wounded. Their loss amounted to the awful sum total of 15,000 men killed and more than 30,000 wounded. The French were supposed to have at least 10,000 men killed and 20,000 wounded; of these last few recovered. There were 8 French generals slain, the most distinguished of whom were Montbrun and Caulaimcourt, whose brother was the grand equerry to Napoleon Bonaparte.