EMPIRES WON IN HALF AN HOUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4747, 25 April 1900, Page 4

EMPIRES WON IN HALF AN HOUR.

It is a remarkable fact that some of tbe shortest battles on record have changed the destinies of nations. Let us take Plassey, for instance. Clive, the night before bis. famous victory, called a council of war. Thirteen of tbe twenty officers forming that council v.oted against offering battle. Clive went out to a secluded spot, and, for an hour, debated within himself tbe pros and cons of the question. Fortunately for "England's glory, he resolved to fight. His force consisted of 3000 men, of whom a third were Europeans ; opposed to him Suragab Dowlah, bad 35,000 infantry and 15,000 horsemen dive's brilliant victory was gained in an boar, with comparatively slight loss. on both Bides. Afterwards, the British general said that the council of war mentioned was tbe only one he ever called, and if be had taken its advice the English would never have been masters of Bengal. When that clever and energetic French general Monf calm looked from Quebec on the morning of September 13, 1759, and saw that the .English bad gained the heights of Abraham he could scarcely credit his senses. In the night they bad silently climbed th& precipitous banks of tbe river in the* most amazing fashion, and there they were in battle array. With marvellous self-restraint the English, although: ibeir comrades were falliDg ffll'rbund.'Teserved their fire until the French were within point-blank range. Then tbe word was given, and tbe bail of bullets wrought awful destruction. Singularly enough, Montcalm and his second in command were mortally wounded, as well as General Wolfe. The fight only lasted half an hour, and by the victory the English completed the conquest of Canada. At the Battle of Spurs, or Guinegate, in 1513, the French were led by Bayard. Their cavalry, however, were chased at the outset by the English horsemen, and coming upon the main force of their army, threw the Gallic forces into confusion, with tbe result that all were seized with panic and tbe battle waa over in halfan hour. Some of tbe prisoners were brought before Kiog: Henry VIII. a few hours afterwards/ In bis bluff manner be chaffed them about the speed of their flight, and they, entering into tbe

spirit of .the jest, replied that they bad used their spurs more than their swords. v Then we will call it tbe Battle of Spurs," eaid tbe merry English monarch ; and tbe name has remained ever since On two occasions bave the Scots won victories o.ver the English in a few minutes. ]n 1640 the ill-fated Charles I. dispatched Lord Con way with 6,000 men against the Covenanters. The armies came within sight of one another at Newburn, but as poon as the sturdy Scots crossed the river Lord Conway's men thought they had seen enough, and left in a burry, scarcely striking a "blow. Tbe other time was at the Battle of Ireptonpans, in 1745. Sir John Cope was in charge of some 2,000 Englishmen, and Prince Charles Stuart, the Pretender, led an equal force of Highlanders.. The Boyalists were taken by surprise, and, besides, they did not at all relish their opponents' method of firing and then charging with the claymore. Five minutes sufficed, the Royal army then being in disorder and retreat. Tbe force under Villeroi at Ramillies was beaten in half-an-hour by an army which bad been marching 12 hours. The French marshal, having f be choice of grouad| was in strong position. But the genius of Marlborough quickly discovered its weak pointe. He made a feint, which caused Villeroi to withdraw troops from his centre and right to bis left wing. Thereupon tbe English aud their allies made a sudden dash for the weakened divisions, and so Marlborougb, in 30 minutes, gained one of his most brilliant victories.