Raab (Campaign of Wagram).

Fought June 14, 1809, between 44,000 French, under Eugene Beauharnais, and about 40,000 Austrians, under the Archduke John. The French attacked the Austrian position, and driving them successively from the villages of Kismegyer and Szabadhegy, totally defeated them. Under cover of night, however, the Archduke was able to make an orderly retirement, with a loss of about 3,000 killed and wounded and 2,500 prisoners. The French lost something over 2,000.

Radcot Bridge.

Fought 1387, between the troops of Richard II, under De Vere, Duke of Ireland, and the forces of the Lords Appellant, under the Earl of Derby (Henry IV). De Vere and his troops fled almost without striking a blow, and the King was thus left entirely in the power of the Barons.

Ragatz (Armagnac War).

Fought March, 1446, between the Austrians and the Swiss Confederation. The Swiss gained a brilliant victory, which was followed by peace with Austria and the Armagnacs.

Rajahmundry (Seven Years' War).

Fought December 9, 1758, between 2,500 British troops, under Colonel Forde, in conjunction with about 5,000 native levies, and the French, 6,500 strong, under Conflans. The native troops did little on either side, but Forde's 500 Europeans routed Conflans' Frenchmen, and the latter fled with considerable loss.

Rakersberg (Ottoman Wars).

Fought 1416, between 20,000 Turks, under Ahmed Bey, and 12,000 Austrians and others, under Duke Ernest of Styria. Duke Ernest marched to the relief of Rakersberg, which the Turks were besieging, and drove them from the field utterly routed. It is said that the Turkish losses amounted to more than the whole Christian army. Ahmed Bey was among the slain.

Ramillies (Seven Years' War).

Fought May 23, 1706, between the British and Imperialists, under Marlborough and Prince Eugene, about 80,000 strong, and the French, in equal force, under Marshal Villeroy. The allies drove the French out of Ramillies, their resistance on the whole being unworthy of them, and in the end they were disastrously defeated with heavy loss, 5,000 being killed and wounded, while 6,000 prisoners and 50 guns were taken. The allies lost less than 3,000.

Ramla.

Fought 1177, between the Saracens, under Saladin, and the Christians of Jerusalem, under Renaud de ChÂtillon. The Christians won a complete victory.

Ramnugger (Second Sikh War).

Fought November, 1849, when Lord Gough attempted to dislodge Shir Singh, who with about 35,000 Sikhs, had occupied a position behind the Chenab opposite Ramnugger. The attempt was made by a brigade under General Campbell, with a cavalry force under General Cureton, and failed owing to the unexpected strength of the Sikh artillery, which was well posted and served. General Cureton was killed.

Raphia.

Fought B.C. 223, between the Egyptians, under Ptolemy Philopator, and the Syrians, under Antiochus the Great. Antiochus at first held the advantage, but pressing too far in the pursuit, was overpowered and totally routed. The Syrians lost 14,000 killed and 4,000 prisoners.

Rastadt (Wars of the French Revolution).

Fought 1796, between the French, under Moreau, and the Austrians, under the Archduke Charles. After a severe engagement Moreau succeeded in seizing the heights held by the Austrians, and forced Charles to retreat to the Danube.

Raszyn (Campaign of Wagram).

Fought April 19, 1809, between 30,000 Austrians, under the Archduke Ferdinand, and about 20,000 French and Poles, under Poniatowski. The Archduke was marching on Warsaw when Poniatowski, to whom the defence of that city had been entrusted, came out to meet him, and after a stubborn fight in the woods and marshes round Raszyn, was driven back upon Warsaw, with a loss of 2,000 killed and wounded. A few days later he surrendered the city to the Austrians to save it from a bombardment.

Rathenow (Swedish Invasion of Brandenburg).

Fought June 25, 1675, between the Brandenburgers, 15,000 strong, under the Elector Frederick William, and the Swedes, under Charles XI. The Swedes, wearied by a long march, were surprised by the Elector in their camp, and suffered a serious reverse.

Rathmines (Civil War).

Fought August 2, 1649, between the Royalists, under Ormonde, and the Parliamentary garrison of Dublin, under Colonel Jones. Ormonde having ordered a night attack upon Dublin, the Parliamentarians made a sortie, and driving back the assaulting column, attacked the main body of the Royalists in their camp, totally routing them, with a loss of 4,000 killed and wounded and 2,000 prisoners. All Ormonde's artillery was captured.

Ravenna.

Fought 729 between the troops of Leo the Iconoclast, and a force of Italians, raised by Pope Gregory II, in defence of image worship. After a severe struggle, the Greeks were routed, and in their flight to their ships were slaughtered by thousands. It is said that the waters of the Po were so infected with blood, that for six years the inhabitants of Ravenna would not eat any fish caught in that river.

Ravenna (War of the Holy League).

Fought 1512, between the troops of the Holy League, and the French, under Gaston de Foix. The French gained a signal victory, but Gaston de Foix fell in the moment of his triumph, pierced with sixteen wounds.

Reading (Danish Invasion).

Fought 871, between the Danish invaders, and the West Saxons, under Æthelred and Alfred. The West Saxons, after a stubborn resistance, were defeated and driven from the field with great slaughter.

Fought 1524. between the Imperialists, under Constable de Bourbon, and the French, under Bonnivet. The French were totally defeated, with heavy loss, among those who fell being the Chevalier de Bayard.

Redan (Crimean War).

This fort, forming part of the southern defences of Sebastopol, was attacked by the British Second and Light Divisions, September 8, 1855. The ramparts were stormed, but the assailants were unable to make good their footing, and were eventually repulsed with heavy loss. The fall of the Malakoff, however, rendered the southern side of Sebastopol untenable, and the Russians retired during the night. The British losses amounted to 2,184 killed and wounded.

Reddersberg (Second Boer War).

Fought April 3, 1900, when 5 companies of British infantry were surrounded by a force of Boers, with 5 guns, and after holding out for twenty-four hours, were compelled by want of water to surrender, having lost 4 officers and 43 men killed and wounded. The prisoners numbered 405.

Reims (Allied Invasion of France).

Fought March 13, 1814, when Napoleon, with 30,000 French, surprised and routed 13,000 Prussians and Russians, under Saint-Priest, with a loss of 6,000 killed, wounded and prisoners. The French lost a few hundreds only.

Revel (Russo-Swedish Wars).

This port was attacked in the spring of 1790 by the Swedish fleet, under the Duke of Sudermanland. The Russian batteries, however, aided by the fleet under Admiral Chitchagoff, drove them off with considerable loss.

Revolax (Finland War).

Fought April 27, 1808, when General Klingspoor, with about 8,000 Swedes, surprised an isolated Russian column of about 4,000 men, under General BoulatoffBoulatoff. The Russians were surrounded, and tried to cut their way through, but failed, less than 1,000 succeeding in escaping from the trap. General BoulatoffBoulatoff fell fighting to the last.

RhÉ.

St. Martin, the capital of this island, was besieged by the English, under the Duke of Buckingham, from July 17 to October 29, 1627. An assault on October 27 was repulsed, and the landing of the Duke of Schomberg, with 6,000 French, on the island, made the English lines untenable, whereupon Buckingham raised the siege. While returning to his ships Buckingham was attacked by the French, and suffered considerably. The English losses during the operations amounted to about 4,000 men.

Rheinfeldt (Thirty Years' War).

Fought 1638, between the Protestant Germans, under Duke Bernard of Saxe Weimar, and the Imperialists, under Jean de Wert. The Duke was besieging Rheinfeldt, when he was attacked by de Wert, and forced to raise the siege and retire. After retreating, however, a short distance only, unpursued, he suddenly retraced his steps, and taking the Imperialists by surprise, inflicted upon them a severe defeat, dispersing their army and capturing de Wert. In this action fell the veteran Duc de Rohan.

Rhodes (Ottoman Wars).

This place, defended by the Knights, under their Grand Master, Pierre d'Aubusson, was besieged May 23, 1480, by a Turkish army, under Meshid Pasha, aided by a fleet of 160 ships. The siege lasted three months, and was raised after the failure of the second assault, the Turks having by that time lost 10,500 killed and wounded.

A second and successful siege was begun July 28, 1522, by Solyman the Magnificent. The Knights, under Villiers de L'Isle Adam, held out until December 21, repulsing numerous attacks, but at last, worn by famine, they were compelled to surrender. The Turks are stated to have lost by disease and battle over 100,000 men. This siege is notable as being the first in which the Turks used explosive bombs.

Riachuelo (Paraguayan War).

Fought June 11, 1865, between the fleets of Paraguay and Brazil. After a sanguinary engagement the advantage rested with the Brazilians.

Richmond (American Civil War).

Fought August 30, 1862, between the Confederates, about 6,000 strong, under General Kirby Smith, and 8,000 Federals, under General Manson. The Federals were routed and driven headlong into Richmond, where 5,000 prisoners, 9 guns and 10,000 stand of arms were captured. The Confederate losses were slight.

Richmond (American Civil War).

In the neighbourhood of this place were fought the final actions of the war, when Lee, with the army of Virginia, endeavoured to break through the ring of Grant's troops by which he was surrounded, and being everywhere repulsed, was compelled to surrender March 8, 1865, on which date he had but 10,000 effectives under his command.

Rich Mountain (American Civil War).

Fought July 12, 1861, between 15,000 Federals, under General McClellan, and 6,000 Confederates, under General Garnett. The Federals stormed the heights of Rich Mountain and Laurel Hill, and drove the Southerners from their positions, with a loss of about 1,000, including prisoners. During the pursuit on the following day, General Garnett was killed in a cavalry skirmish.

Rietfontein (Second Boer War).

Fought October 24, 1899, between 4,000 British, under Sir George White, and the Free Staters, who were advancing to interrupt the retreat of Colonel Yule from Dundee. The enemy occupied a range of hills about seven miles from Ladysmith, where they were attacked by White. After an indecisive action the British retired to Ladysmith, with a loss of 111 killed and wounded, but the object aimed at was attained, for the Boers were prevented from interfering with Colonel Yule's march.

Rieti (Neapolitan Rising).

Fought March 21, 1821, between 12,000 Neapolitans, under General Pepe, and the Austrian invading army, 80,000 strong. As long as he was opposing only the advance guard, Pepe made a most resolute resistance, but on their being reinforced from the main body, the Neapolitans were overpowered by superior numbers, and finally driven in confusion from the field. Two days' later the Austrians entered Naples, and reinstated Ferdinand on the throne.

Riga (Thirty Years' War).

This place was invested by the Swedes, under Gustavus Adolphus, in the early part of August, 1621, and was defended by a garrison of 300 Poles. A resolute defence was made, and several determined assaults repulsed, but a large breach having having been effected by September 11, the garrison, now reduced to a handful, had no option but to surrender, and the town was entered by the Swedes, September 15, 1621.

Rimnitz (Ottoman Wars).

Fought September 22, 1789, when 25,000 Austrians and Russians, under the Duke of Coburg and Suwaroff, routed an army of 90,000 Turks, under the Grand Vizier. The Turkish losses were enormous, the whole army being killed, captured, or dispersed.

Rinya (Ottoman Wars).

Fought July 21, 1556, between 40,000 Turks, under Ali Pasha, and a comparatively small force of Austrians and Hungarians, under Thomas Nadasdy. The Turks were defeated with heavy loss, the Christians losing 300 men only.

Rio Seco (Peninsular War).

Fought July 14, 1808, when Marshal BessiÈres, with about 14,000 French, defeated 26,000 Spaniards, under Cuesta. The Spaniards lost about 6,000, while the French loss was only 370 killed and wounded. Following upon this victory, Joseph entered Madrid.

Rivoli (Napoleon's Italian Campaigns).

Fought January 14, 1797. when the Austrians, with five divisions, under Alvinzi, attacked Napoleon's position on the heights of Rivoli. The position proved too strong to be carried, and Napoleon's superb handling of his troops resulted in the total defeat of the assailants. The fifth Austrian division, which had not taken part in the frontal attack, appeared in the rear of the French position after the battle was over, and being forced by overwhelming numbers, laid down its arms. MassÉna, who had specially distinguished himself, took his title from this battle when later ennobled by Napoleon.

Roanoke Island (American Civil War).

This island, which commanded the entrance to Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, and which was defended by 1,800 Confederates, under General Wise, was attacked February 7, 1862, by three brigades of Federals, under General Burnside, aided by 26 gunboats. On the 8th the Federals landed, overpowered the garrison, and occupied the island, losing 235 killed and wounded. The Confederates lost 91 killed and wounded. Of 7 Confederate gunboats employed in the defence, 5 were captured or destroyed.

Rocoux (War of the Austrian Succession).

Fought 1747, between the French, under Maurice de Saxe, and the Imperialists, under Charles of Lorraine. The French won a signal victory, as the result of which they occupied Brabant.

Rocroi (Thirty Years' War).

Fought May 19, 1643, between the French, 22,000 strong, under the Great CondÉ, and 27,000 Spaniards, under Don Francisco de Melo. The battle was sternly contested, and at first went against the French, their left wing being repulsed, and the centre shaken. Want of cavalry, however, prevented Melo pressing home his advantage, and the French, rallying, broke the Spanish line, and severely defeated them. The Spaniards lost 9,000 killed, and 6,000 prisoners in the infantry alone. The French only admitted a loss of 2,000, but it was doubtless considerably heavier.

RoliÇa (Peninsular War).

Fought August 17, 1808, when Wellington, with 14,000 British and Portuguese, of whom only 4,000 came into action, attacked the French, 3,000 strong, under Laborde, and after a half-hearted resistance drove them from their position, with a loss of 500 men. The allies lost about 400.

Rome (First Invasion of the Gauls).

The first siege of Rome by the Gauls, under Brennus, took place B.C. 387. No attempt was made to defend the city, which was seized and burnt by the barbarians, the greater part of the population fleeing to Veii and other neighbouring cities. The Capitol, however, was held by the leading Patrician families, and it is said withstood a siege of six months, when Brennus accepted a heavy ransom and withdrew his army.

Rome (Second Gothic Invasion of Italy).

The city was besieged in 408 by the Goths, under Alaric, and after being brought to the verge of starvation and losing many thousands from famine, the Romans capitulated, but retained their freedom on payment of a heavy ransom, whereupon Alaric retired northward in 409. In the course of the year, however, Alaric seized Ostia, the port of Rome, and summoned the city to surrender. In the absence of the Emperor Honorius, the populace forced the authorities to yield; and Alaric, after deposing Honorius, and bestowing the purple on Attalus, withdrew his troops. In 410, during the month of August, Alaric for the third time appeared before the walls, and on the night of the 24th the Salarian gate was opened to the besiegers by some sympathisers within the city, and Rome was given over to pillage and massacre, in which thousands perished.

Rome (Ricimer's Rebellion).

The rebel Count Ricimer, with a large army of Burgundians, Suevi and other barbarians, laid siege to Rome in 472, and after a defence of three months the besiegers entered the city by storming the Bridge of Hadrian, and sacked it.

Rome (First Gothic War).

In March, 537, the city was besieged by the Goths, under Vitiges, and defended by Belisarius. After a determined resistance, during which a vigorous assault was repulsed, and several successful sorties made, with heavy loss to the besiegers, Vitiges in March, 538, was compelled to raise the siege.

Rome (Second Gothic War).

In May, 546, Totila, King of Italy, at the head of an army of Goths, laid siege to Rome, which was defended by a garrison of 3,000, under Bassas. An attempt to relieve it by Belisarius was on the point of success, but Bassas failed to co-operate with the relieving force, and Belisarius was forced to retire, whereupon the city surrendered, December 17, 546.

It was recovered by Belisarius in the following February, but was again besieged by Totila in 549. On this occasion it was defended by a garrison of 3,000 troops, under Demetrius, who, aided by the inhabitants, made a gallant resistance, but the Gate of St. Paul was opened to the besiegers by some Isaurian sympathisers within the walls, and Totila thus made himself master of the last Italian city excepting Ravenna, which had resisted his victorious army.

In 552, after the defeat of Totila at Tagina, Rome was invested by the Imperial army, under Narses, who, after a brief siege, stormed the defences, and finally delivered the city from the Gothic domination.

Rome.

In the course of dispute with Pope Gregory VII, who had refused to recognize him as emperor, Henry III of Germany laid siege to Rome in 1082. After two interruptions to the siege, the city was finally surrendered to him by the Roman nobles, March, 1084. Gregory was deposed, and the anti-Pope Clement III set upon the pontifical throne, Henry at the same time assuming the Imperial purple.

Rome (Wars of Charles V).

The city was taken by storm May 9, 1527, by the Imperialists under the Constable de Bourbon, who fell in the assault. A massacre followed, in which 8,000 of the inhabitants perished. The Pope retired to the Castle of St. Angelo, where he held out until November 26, when a treaty between him and Charles V put an end to the conflict.

Rome (Italian Rising).

After the proclamation of a Roman republic by Garibaldi and his adherents in 1848, a French army, under General Oudinot, was sent to restore the papal rule. On April 30, 1849, the French, 7,000 strong, attacked the Porta San Pancrazio, where they were encountered by the Republicans, under Garibaldi, and repulsed, with a loss of 300 killed and wounded and 500 prisoners. The Garibaldians lost 100.

On June 3 of the same year the French, under Oudinot, 20,000 strong, made a night attack upon the Garibaldians, who brought up about 8,000 men to oppose them. The Garibaldians were repulsed, with a loss of over 2,000, including 200 officers. Oudinot then laid siege to the city, which, after a terrible bombardment, surrendered July 2, 1849.

Romerswael (Netherlands War of Independence).

Fought January 29, 1574, between the "Beggars of the Sea," under Admiral Boisot, and a Spanish fleet of 75 ships, under Julian Romero. The "Beggars" grappled the enemy's ships in a narrow estuary, and after a very severe encounter, in which the Spaniards lost 15 vessels and 1,200 men, Romero retreated to Bergen-op-Zoom.

Roncesvalles.

Fought 778 between the Franks, under Charlemagne, and the Basques and Gascons, under Loup II. The army of Charlemagne, retreating from Spain, was caught in the defile of Roncesvalles, in the Pyrenees, and the rearguard was totally annihilated, among those who fell being the famous Paladin, Roland.

Roncesvalles (Peninsular War).

One of the actions known as the "Battles of the Pyrenees," fought July 25, 1813. Soult, at the head of Clauset's division, attacked the British, consisting of three brigades, under General Byng, but was unable to carry their position, and after severe fighting was repulsed with a loss of 400. The British lost 181 killed and wounded.

Rorke's Drift (Zulu War).

On the night of January 22, 1879, after the disaster of Isandhlwana, this outpost, held by a company of the 24th Regiment and details, in all 139 men, under Lieutenants Bromhead and Chard, R.E., was attacked by a force of Zulus, estimated at 4,000. After a most heroic defence, in which many acts of heroism were performed, especially in the removal of the sick from the hospital, which was fired by the Zulus, the assailants were beaten off, leaving over 400 dead on the field. The little garrison lost 25 killed and wounded. Eight Victoria Crosses and nine Distinguished Conduct medals were awarded for this affair.

Rosbach (Seven Years' War).

Fought November 5, 1757, between 80,000 French and Austrians, under Marshal Soubise, and 30,000 Prussians, under Frederick the Great. Frederick, who occupied the heights of Rosbach, was attacked by the allies. The Prussian cavalry, however, under Seidlitz, charged down upon the Austrians, and threw them into disorder, and the infantry falling upon the broken columns utterly routed them, with a loss of 4,000 killed and wounded, 7,000 prisoners, including 11 generals and 63 guns. The Prussians lost 3,000 only.

Rosbecque.

Fought 1382 between 50,000 Flemings, under Philip van Arteveldt, and the French, under Charles VI. The Flemings at first drove back the French, but were overwhelmed by the charges of the French cavalry on their flanks, and were in the end utterly routed. Thousands fell in the action and subsequent pursuit, amongst them van Arteveldt.

Rostock (Dano-Swedish Wars).

Fought June, 1677, between the Danish fleet, under Admiral Juel, and the Swedes, under Admiral Horn. The Swedes were completely defeated.

Rotto Freddo (War of the Austrian Succession).

Fought July, 1746, when the rearguard of the retreating French army, under Marshal Maillebois, was attacked by the Austrians, under Prince Lichtenstein, and after a gallant resistance defeated with heavy loss. In consequence of this defeat the French garrison of Placentia, 4,000 strong, surrendered to the Imperialists.

Rouen (Hundred Years' War).

This city was besieged 1418, by the English, under Henry V. After a gallant defence the garrison surrendered January 15, 1419, the city paying a ransom of 300,000 crowns.

Roundway Down (Civil War).

Fought July 13, 1643, when the Parliamentarians, under Waller and Hazlerigg, attacked the Royalists, under Prince Maurice, who was advancing to the relief of Devizes. The Parliamentarians were totally defeated, their attack on Prince Maurice being repulsed, while at the same time they were taken in the rear by a sortie from the town. Of 1,800 infantry, 600 were killed and the rest taken prisoners.

Roncray-St.-Denis.

See Herrings.

Roveredo (Napoleon's Italian Campaigns).

Fought September 4, 1796, between 25,000 Austrians, under Davidowich, and the main body of Napoleon's army. Napoleon attacked the Austrian entrenched position, and in spite of a determined defence, carried it, driving the enemy out of Roveredo with heavy loss, including 7,000 prisoners and 15 guns. This victory enabled MassÉna to occupy Trent, and the remnants of the Austrian army were driven headlong into the Tyrol.

Rowton Heath (Civil War).

Fought September 24, 1645, when a body of Royalist cavalry, under Sir Marmaduke Langdale, which was endeavouring to prevent the investment of Chester, was attacked by the Parliamentary horse, under Colonel Poyntz. The first attack was repulsed with loss, but Poyntz receiving infantry support, rallied his troops, and drove the Royalists from the field, with a loss of 300 killed and wounded and 1,000 prisoners.

Roseburgh (Scottish Wars).

This town, defended by an English garrison, was besieged by the Scots, under James II of Scotland, in 1460, and after a stubborn defence was captured and destroyed. This is the first occasion on which artillery was used by the Scots. During the siege the Scottish king was killed by the bursting of a gun of large calibre, August 3, 1460.

Rullion Green (Covenanters' Rising).

Fought November, 1666, between the Covenanters, under Colonel Wallace, and the Royal troops, under General Dalziel. The Covenanters were defeated.

Rumersheim (War of the Spanish Succession).

Fought August 26, 1709, between the French, under Marshal Villiers, and the Imperialists, under Count Mercy. Mercy was defeated and driven out of Alsace.

Ruspina (Civil War of CÆsar and Pompey).

Fought January 3, 46 B.C., between Julius CÆsar, with three legions, and a force of Pompeians, composed entirely of cavalry and archers, under Labienus. CÆsar's troops were surrounded, but behaving with extreme steadiness, were able to retire to Ruspina in good order, though with very heavy loss.

Rynemants (Netherlands War of Independence).

Fought August 1, 1578, between the Dutch Patriots, 20,000 strong, under Count Bossu and FranÇois de la Noue, and the Spaniards, numbering about 30,000, under Don John of Austria. Don John crossed the Demer, and attacked Bossu in his entrenchments. He was however repulsed, after severe fighting, and retired, leaving 1,000 dead on the field. He offered battle in the open on the following morning, but Bossu declined to leave his lines, and Don John was indisposed to renew the attack, and fell back upon Namur.