On the 5th November 1854 a smaller British and (yes) French army beat off an assault by the Russians at Inkerman in the Crimea. It was known as “The Soldier’s Battle” as men fought small engagements due to poor visibility in dense fog.
The Russians had massed 32000 men on the Allied flank and headed for the 2700 man 2nd Division, commanded today by the aggressive Pennefather. Instead of falling back in the face of superior numbers, he advanced. The British had their rifles to thank this day as they took a terrible toll on the musket armed Russian Infantry, who were hemmed in by the valley’s bottle neck shape. The British 2nd Division pushed the Russians back onto their reinforcements and should have been routed by the Russians’ numbers, but the fog and the British Light Division saved them. Three successive Russian commanders were killed in this engagement.
The Russians other 15000 men approached and assailed the Sandbag Battery, but they were routed by 300 British defenders vaulting the wall, blunting the lead Battalions, who were then attacked in the flank. More Russian attacks ensured the Battery exchanged hands several times.
The British 4th Division was not as lucky. Arriving on the field, its flanking move was itself flanked and its commander, Cathcart, killed. This enabled the Russians to advance, but not for long. They were soon driven off by French units arriving from their camps and made no more headway.
The battle was lost and they had to withdraw.
This was the last time the Russians tried to defeat the Allied troops in the field. Despite this reverse, however, the Russian attack had seriously stalled the Allies from capturing Sevastopol. They had to instead, spend one harsh winter on the heights overlooking the city, before it fell in September of 1855.
The British suffered 2573 casualties, the French 1800 and the Russians 11959.
Texas declared independence from Mexico today in 1836
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Today, the 2nd March, in 1836 Texas declared independence from Mexico.
Its first(interim) President was David Burnet, a lawyer born in New Jersey, who found himself in Washington on the Brazos when news of Travis’ plea came from the Alamo. One of his first acts as President was to move the capital nearer the small Texan navy and the United States. . He chose Harrisberg. In the meantime Sam Houston, commanding the Texan army, withdrew on news of the fall of the Alamo. Houston was to best Santa Anna, the Mexican President and General of its army, at the battle of San Jacinto on the 21st April. This battle led to a peace treaty with Santa Anna.
Houston was to be Texas’ second President and he favoured joining the United Stares. Another faction, led by Lamar, favoured staying independent. The almost ten years of Republic were difficult ones with incursions by a Mexico, which never considered them independent and problems with Indians, especially Commanches.
Texas joined the United States on the 29th December 1845, with Austin as its capital, becoming the 28th State. -
Interesting facts witt!
I find it fascinating that the army of Mexico could not conquer the nation of Texas in the late 1830s and most of the 1840s. No wonder 75 years later they didn’t want to take on not only the army of Texas but that of the United States during WW I!
I always appreciate reading your factoids!
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Thank you. Sometimes I am reminding myself of something I read or learnt about years ago, other times they come as just as a surprise to me.
Only with US Civil War and a few other subjects can I write without reference.
I am happy for anyone to challenge what I write; some times authors do not agree.
This one was for my friend, Worsham, who is lucky enough to live in this most interesting State. -
Interesting facts witt!
I find it fascinating that the army of Mexico could not conquer the nation of Texas in the late 1830s and most of the 1840s. No wonder 75 years later they didn’t want to take on not only the army of Texas but that of the United States during WW I!
I always appreciate reading your factoids!
Had Sam Houston not been in Texas I beleive Mexico may have beat the small Texas Army. The Mexican Army had sought an alliance with the Cherokee Indian Nation but Sam Houston had lived with the Cherokee people at one time and was able to get the Indians to side with the Texans.
I don’t think the Texans could have foughtand won a two front war.Sadly after Houston’s first term as President, Lamar took office and made war on the Cherokees. :-(
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Wittmann is an honorary Texan!
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ABWorsham, so your natives helped beat the Mexicans off then lived or rather died to regret it. The natives around here were promised the Michigan area by the British for helping the colony of upper Canada ward off an American invasion. So how did that native nation of Michigan work out for them?
A friendly poke at Garg…. I’m no racist but I don’t mind giving the natives a few bucks a month just for being native and the losers of their lands. Kinda like screwing some guys wife then buying him a beer later because you kinda feel a bit guilty. Prepares for the incoming western volley! :-D
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The problem isn’t buying a beer for the guy’s wife you screwed.
The problem is when some little 8 year old kid shows up at your house asking for support payments until he’s 80. Because your great great grandma lied to his great great grandpa on the playground 300 years ago.
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At the time of the civil war Gov. Sam Houston of Texas refused to secede from the union. I think he resigned as gov. as most of the state wanted to join the confederacy.
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Garg, still laughing out loud at your analogy. Good one!!! Man I can’t wait to have a drink with you and da boys!
Fishmoto, I didn’t know that about Sam Houston. Thanks.
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Was in San Antonio a few weeks back, and saw the Alamo. Always a fun site to see in this hallowed state.
GG
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Me too Garg. Cannot see why it would warrant a negative score.
Made me smile.Would certainly visit the Alamo if I ever got on that plane……
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Still independent today…got this one from “How the 50 states Were Made” Three different power grids…
Home of the Schlitterbahn, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Franklin BBQ! What every man needs…water parks, boobs, and food!
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At the time of the civil war Gov. Sam Houston of Texas refused to secede from the union. I think he resigned as gov. as most of the state wanted to join the confederacy.
Sam Houston was prophetic in the his discussions with secessionist in his last days as leader, He spoke of the South getting cut in half by losing control of the Mississippi and about a smothering blockade of ports if the South decided to fight.
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If any of you are traveling Houston on I-45 just out of the city is a 100’ statue of Houston. It’s a nice memorial to visit.
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I’m also from Texas, and as a youngster I had a romantic vision of my state’s history, particularly it being independent and the fate of the Alamo.
Then I got older, read a bit more, and am not as disillusioned anymore.
Texas is the only state to fight two wars over slavery (AFAIK), winning the first and losing the second…
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Yea there’s nothing wrong being from texas(I guess) and being proud of it
texas isn’t so bad when florida,alabama,mississippi,georgia and louisianna are thrown into the mix
sorry:)
now that I reread this it sounds a little harsh I have friends(ha ha) from canada ,alabama and I used to know a couple hot blondes from east texas
FandG
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Texas produces some really hot women. I love my state.
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March 6th 1836: the Alamo fell to Santa Anna’s army.
It had been besieged for 13 days and despite repulsing two attacks the 187 men inside the Mission could not hold off the third and final one. It is thought Santa Anna commanded just under 2000 men, so the outcome was never in doubt for the fewer than 200 defenders, despite their better quality. Perhaps as much as a quarter of the Mexican attackers were casualties. It would seem the defenders had decided to sell their lives dearly so as to give the rest of the fledgling nation time to mobilise to fight the threat to their newfound independence.
The Alamo’s defence roused the nation and brought new recruits to its defence and Santa Anna was defeated soon after and vengeance had for the “massacre”.
Two well known American Frontiersmen perished at the Alamo: Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. The Alamo is the most visited tourist site in Texas. -
Oops! Sorry guys.
Why do I never know what date it is?
The 6th is tomorrow! -
@ABWorsham:
Texas produces some really hot women. I love my state.
No doubt. Kentucky isn’t bad either (although the Appalachia area produces some scary folk).
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