Dictionary of Battles From the Earliest Date to the Present Time

About this book

The Dictionary of Battles is a reference work that catalogues engagements from antiquity to the early twentieth century, compiled by the late Thomas Benfield Harbottle and completed posthumously by his colleague P. H. Dalbiac. The volume opens with a practical note on its two‑column printing and the editor’s decision to preserve the original reference format, followed by a preface that explains Harbottle’s untimely death and the subsequent corrections made by Dalbiac. After these introductory pages the text proceeds alphabetically, each entry giving the name of the battle, the date, the belligerents, troop strengths, and a concise summary of the outcome and casualties. The entries are terse yet informative, offering a quick snapshot of each conflict without extended narrative.

Written in the scholarly tone of early‑1900s encyclopedic compilations, the prose is formal, dense, and largely devoid of embellishment. It reflects the period’s emphasis on factual precision and systematic organization, making it especially useful for historians, military enthusiasts, and students who need a reliable quick‑reference guide to the chronology of wars. Readers who appreciate concise, data‑driven descriptions of historic battles will find this work a valuable addition to their research library.