ClipArt ETC
The Battle of the Alamo was fought in February and March 1836 in San Antonio, Texas. The conflict, a part of the Texas Revolution, was the first step in Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's attempt to retake the province of Texas after an insurgent army of Texian settlers and adventurers from the United States had driven out all Mexican troops the previous year. Mexican forces began a siege of the Texian forces garrisoned at the Alamo Mission on Tuesday, February 23. For the next twelve days, Mexican cannons advanced slowly to positions nearer the Alamo walls, while Texian soldiers worked to improve their defenses.

The Alamo

The Battle of the Alamo was fought in February and March 1836 in San Antonio, Texas. The conflict, a…

Bas-relief of early amusements at the amphitheatre.

Amphitheatrical Amusements

Bas-relief of early amusements at the amphitheatre.

The Appomattox Campaign (March 29, 1865 – April 9, 1865) was a series of battles fought in Virginia that culminated in the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and the effective end of the American Civil War.

After Appomattox

The Appomattox Campaign (March 29, 1865 – April 9, 1865) was a series of battles fought in Virginia…

An illustration of a group of men sitting around a table arguing.

Group of Men Arguing

An illustration of a group of men sitting around a table arguing.

The Battle of Agincourt was an English victory against a larger French army in the Hundred Years' War. The battle occurred on Friday 25 October 1415 (Saint Crispin's Day), in northern France. Henry V's victory started a new period in the war, in which he came very close to capturing the throne of France for himself and his heirs.

Battle of Azincourt

The Battle of Agincourt was an English victory against a larger French army in the Hundred Years' War.…

"In the Brave Days of Old." —Bulfinch, 1897

Roman battle

"In the Brave Days of Old." —Bulfinch, 1897

A battlefield refers to the location of a battle. Generally, a battle is a conceptual component in the hierarchy of combat in warfare between two or more armed forces, wherein each group will seek to defeat the others within the scope of a military campaign, and are well defined in duration, area and force commitment.

Battlefield

A battlefield refers to the location of a battle. Generally, a battle is a conceptual component in the…

Brawl among Egyptian boatmen. Carving from the tomb of Ptah-hetep during the Pyramid age.

Egyptian Boatmen Fighting

Brawl among Egyptian boatmen. Carving from the tomb of Ptah-hetep during the Pyramid age.

"The Olympic games were of greater efficacy than the Amphictyonic Council in promoting the spirit of union among the various branches of the Greek race, and in keeping alive a feeling of their common origin. They were open to all persons who could prove their Hellenic blood, and were frequented by spectators from all parts of the Grecian world. They were celebrated at Olympia, on the banks of the alpheus, in the territory of Elis." — Smith, 1882

Boxing

"The Olympic games were of greater efficacy than the Amphictyonic Council in promoting the spirit of…

"Battle of Charles City Road- charge of the Jersey Brigade- the first New Jersey brigade, General Tayler, detaching itself from General Slocum's division and rushing to the support of the General Kearny's division, which had been driven back, thus turning the fortunes of the day, June 30th, 1862, six o'clock p.m." —Leslie, 1896

Battle of Charles City

"Battle of Charles City Road- charge of the Jersey Brigade- the first New Jersey brigade, General Tayler,…

"The trial by combat, or wager of battle, was a solemn judicial duel. It was resorted to in the belief that God would give victory to the right."—Myers, 1905

Trial by Combat

"The trial by combat, or wager of battle, was a solemn judicial duel. It was resorted to in the belief…

An illustration of the fortification around Constantinople and soldiers firing cannons.

Constantinople

An illustration of the fortification around Constantinople and soldiers firing cannons.

A mother standing on a porch looking over her child.

Couple Arguing

A mother standing on a porch looking over her child.

A crocodile and a tiger engaged in a fight.

Crocodile and tiger

A crocodile and a tiger engaged in a fight.

An illustration of a crowd fighting.

Crowd Fighting

An illustration of a crowd fighting.

A duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, in which Hamilton was killed.

Duel Between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton

A duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, in which Hamilton was killed.

The <em>Serapis</em> was a British frigate that was captured by the Americans during the American Revolutionary War.

Fight on the Deck of the Serapis

The Serapis was a British frigate that was captured by the Americans during the American Revolutionary…

A cartoon image showing some soldiers on horses running to attack a castle.

The Fight

A cartoon image showing some soldiers on horses running to attack a castle.

Betta pugnax, also known as the Fighting Fish (on account of its pugnacious habits), is a bony fish of the family Labyrinthidae, found in the streams of Siam. The fish is bred by the Siamese, who hold fish-fights, similar to cock-fights.

Fighting Fish

Betta pugnax, also known as the Fighting Fish (on account of its pugnacious habits), is a bony fish…

An illustration of two men fighting.

Two Men Fighting

An illustration of two men fighting.

Illustration of the Maccabee warriors fighting alongside angelic warriors in a swirl of battle. The angels are pictured wielding swords of fire and riding horses. The horses of the angels and Maccabees trample the king's soldiers. One warrior wears a winged helmet and wields a spear. The king's army is fleeing into the background.

Five Angelic Warriors Fight for the Maccabees

Illustration of the Maccabee warriors fighting alongside angelic warriors in a swirl of battle. The…

As June wore on, Grant pressed the siege with vigor. Johnston tried to help Pemberton, but could not. Grant proceeded to mine under some of the Confederate works to blow them up. One of these, known as Fort Hill Bastion, was in front of McPherson, ad on the afternoon of June 25 it was exploded with terrible effect, making a great breach, at which a fierce struggle ensued.

Blowing Up Fort Hill Bastion

As June wore on, Grant pressed the siege with vigor. Johnston tried to help Pemberton, but could not.…

This illustration shows various types of gladiators, each type with with his specific weapons attributed to him. Gladiators were swordsmen whose profession was to fight for the public amusement. Gladiators are said to have been borrowed by Rome from the Etruscans. They were first exhibited in Rome in 246 BC, primarily at funerals, but afterwards at festivals, particularly those celebrated by the aediles and other magistrates. More than ten thousand were shown at Trajan's triumph over the Dacians. They were either free-born citizens, usually of a low class, who fought for hire, or captives, slaves, or malefactors, and were kept in schools, where they were carefully trained. Chief varieties were Andabatae, who wore helmets with no openings for the eyes, so that their blindfold movements provoked the spectators' mirth; Mirmillones, who used Gallic weapons, sword and shield; Retiarii, who carried a net and a three-pronged lance -- the net to entangle their opponents; and Thraces, who, like the Thracians, used a short sword and a round buckler. When a gladiator was severely wounded and defeated, the people cried out 'Habet' (He has it), and he lowered his arms; then, if the spectators wished his life to be spared, they turned their thumbs down; but it they desired his death, they turned them up. These combats were often attended by great cruelty and callousness on the part of the spectators; sometimes they were fights à outrance, none being spared alive. Discharged gladiators were presented with a rudis, or wooden sword, and hence were called rudiarii. Gladiatorial combats were disliked by the Greeks, and practically never took place in Greek cities.

Gladiators

This illustration shows various types of gladiators, each type with with his specific weapons attributed…

A group of people interacting in front of a house. One man is hiding behind a tree and another is walking away from an altercation between a man and woman.

A Group of People

A group of people interacting in front of a house. One man is hiding behind a tree and another is walking…

Hercules slaying the Hydra, from sculpture at Florence

Hercules

Hercules slaying the Hydra, from sculpture at Florence

"A chimney sweep hath some offense here given, / The foolish man is to fierce anger driven; / The urchin black, strikes at his face and eyes, / A dirty fight ensures, fierce passion rise: / Lashes are given - oftener the blows, / At every touch the man still blacker grows: / If you would keep your face and clothes quite neat, / Avoid all quarrels with a chimney sweep."&mdash;Barber, 1857

If You Quarrel with a Sweep, You'll Get Blackened

"A chimney sweep hath some offense here given, / The foolish man is to fierce anger driven; / The urchin…

"See these poor fools into anger falling, / What hateful raging, tearing, mauling; / And all for what? for some small insult given, / The fool into mad revenge is driven: / Better by far, of jeers no notice take, / Than foot the cost that fell revenge will make."&mdash;Barber, 1857

It Costs More to Revenge Injuries than to Bear Them

"See these poor fools into anger falling, / What hateful raging, tearing, mauling; / And all for what?…

An illustration of a group of knights in battle within sight of a castle.

Knights in Battle

An illustration of a group of knights in battle within sight of a castle.

An illustration of two knights jousting with lances, shields, and armor.

Two Knights Jousting with Lances

An illustration of two knights jousting with lances, shields, and armor.

"A man and wife, by liquor strong inspired, / Have come to blows, with hateful anger fired: / A humane passer by, to quell the broil, / Steps in the house - he gets for all his toil / Some several blows - he learns a lesson sore, / In other's quarrels to interfere no more."&mdash;Barber, 1857

Let Other People's Quarrels Alone

"A man and wife, by liquor strong inspired, / Have come to blows, with hateful anger fired: / A humane…

Chaimerlain and Paugus at Lovewell's Fight

Chamberlain and Paugus at Lovewell's Fight

Chaimerlain and Paugus at Lovewell's Fight

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, that didst lay low the nations!" Isaiah 14:12 ASV <p>Illustration of Lucifer, Satan, falling from heaven, clinging to a rock. Michael, the archangel, hovers over him with a spear pointed downward, wings unfurled. He carries a shield with the cross on it. Four other angels, with swords or spears, hover behind Michael, fighting the fallen angels. Two angels fall into the abyss with Lucifer.

Lucifer's Fall from Heaven - Michael and Other Angels Fight Against the Vanquished Angels

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground,…

A flock of mocking-birds attacking a rattlesnake in a tree, which was threatening a nest.

Mockingbirds Attacking a Rattlesnake

A flock of mocking-birds attacking a rattlesnake in a tree, which was threatening a nest.

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

Norse Arrowhead

Old stone relic of Norse warfare

An oriole attacking a serpent on a branch.

Oriole and serpent

An oriole attacking a serpent on a branch.

Tecumseh's deputy commander who led the Indians against American forces at the Battle of the Thames

Oshawahnah

Tecumseh's deputy commander who led the Indians against American forces at the Battle of the Thames

Reynard the Fox and Isegrim the wolf fight each other. Reynard kicks dirt and sand up in Isegrim's eyes.

Reynard the Fox: Fighting the Wolf

Reynard the Fox and Isegrim the wolf fight each other. Reynard kicks dirt and sand up in Isegrim's eyes.

Reynard the Fox and Isegrim the wolf fight each other. Reynard outsmarts him and knocks him down.

Reynard the Fox: Reynard's Victory

Reynard the Fox and Isegrim the wolf fight each other. Reynard outsmarts him and knocks him down.

"Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnah, and came to the vineyards of Timnah: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid; and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done." Judges 14:5-6 ASV <p>Illustration of Samson tearing apart the jaw of a lion he is killing. He is wearing a tunic and cloak. He has long hair and a thick beard. The lion appears to be alive still. The terrain is rocky with some foliage.

Samson Tears a Lion Apart with His Bare Hands

"Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnah, and came to the vineyards of Timnah:…

Illustration including one large shield from the first half of the 13th century, bearing a decorative cross. It also includes two men having a sword fight. The man on the left is wearing a shield from the close of the 14th century, while the man on the right uses a shield from the close of the 13th century. The man on the right is on horseback. Both men have their swords raised and are wearing full armor.

Medieval Shields from the 13th and 14th Centuries

Illustration including one large shield from the first half of the 13th century, bearing a decorative…

An illustration of Spanish and English ships with sails at war.

Spanish & English Ships with Sails at War

An illustration of Spanish and English ships with sails at war.

A Roman rider battling a Sueve. Suevi were Germanic people that posed a threat to the Romans.

Sueve and Roman Rider

A Roman rider battling a Sueve. Suevi were Germanic people that posed a threat to the Romans.

Showing a fight between settlers and Native Americans in Rhode Island in 1675.

Swamp Fight

Showing a fight between settlers and Native Americans in Rhode Island in 1675.

The Battle of the Thames, also known as the Battle of Moraviantown, was a decisive American victory in the War of 1812. It took place on October 5, 1813, near present-day Chatham, Ontario in Upper Canada. It resulted in the death of the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, and the destruction of the Native American coalition that he led. The American victory led to the re-establishment of American control over the Northwest frontier

Appearance of the Thames Battle Ground in 1860

The Battle of the Thames, also known as the Battle of Moraviantown, was a decisive American victory…

"See here three men engaged in mortal strife; / Two fell assassins seek the lone man's life, / But he, with skill, wards off the murderous blow, / Wielding his sword they cannot him o'erthrow: / But ah! at this, his time of utmost need, / His sword is broke - thus 'tis so decreed: / Poor man! he can defend himself no more, / His life is taken, and the conflict's o'er."&mdash;Barber, 1857

The Worth of a Thing is Known by the Want of It

"See here three men engaged in mortal strife; / Two fell assassins seek the lone man's life, / But he,…

The crossing between Lakes George and Champlain had been used by natives for thousands of years. The town was located on the direct route, utilizing rivers and two long lakes, between New York City to the south and the French settlement of Montreal to the north. The town was the setting for historic battles and maneuvers during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. The site of Fort Ticonderoga marked the location of an important portage between Lake George and Lake Champlain.

Ticonderoga and the Lake, from Mount Defiance

The crossing between Lakes George and Champlain had been used by natives for thousands of years. The…

The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought in 1811 between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and forces of Tecumseh's growing American Indian confederation. The battle took place outside Prophetstown, near present-day Battle Ground, Indiana, and was part of what is sometimes known as Tecumseh's War, which continued into the War of 1812. The battle was an important political and symbolic victory for the American forces.

Tippecanoe Battle Ground in 1860

The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought in 1811 between United States forces led by Governor William Henry…

An illustration of two men arguing.

Two Men Arguing

An illustration of two men arguing.

A cartoon of two men fighting with sticks and books.

Two Men Fighting

A cartoon of two men fighting with sticks and books.

During the siege, Union gunboats lobbed over 22,000 shells into the town and army artillery fire was even heavier. As the barrages continued, suitable housing in Vicksburg was reduced to a minimum. A ridge, located between the main town and the rebel defense line, provided a diverse citizenry with lodging for the duration. Over 500 caves were dug into the yellow clay hills of Vicksburg. Whether houses were structurally sound or not, it was deemed safer to occupy these dugouts.

Cave Life in Vicksburg

During the siege, Union gunboats lobbed over 22,000 shells into the town and army artillery fire was…

Union forces bombarded the city all night, from 220 artillery pieces and naval gunfire from Rear Adm. David D. Porter's fleet in the river, and while causing little property damage, they damaged Confederate civilian morale. On the morning of May 22, the defenders were bombarded again for four hours before the Union attacked once more along a three-mile front at 10 a.m.

Porter's Fleet Shelling the Batteries Vicksburg

Union forces bombarded the city all night, from 220 artillery pieces and naval gunfire from Rear Adm.…

"One of the boys appears in desperate case; / He thrusts his fists into his playmate's face: / His playmate does not mind for blow or taunt, / He will not fight, and so the other can't."

Where One Will Not, Two Cannot Fight

"One of the boys appears in desperate case; / He thrusts his fists into his playmate's face: / His playmate…

A cartoon of a young woman talking to a boy who has been injured.

Woman Consoling Injured Boy

A cartoon of a young woman talking to a boy who has been injured.

The Battle of Wyoming was an encounter during the American Revolutionary War between American Patriots and Loyalists accompanied by Iroquois raiders that took place in Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1778. More than three hundred Patriots were killed in a battle followed by a massacre, in which the Iroquois raiders hunted and killed fleeing Patriots before torturing to death thirty to forty who had surrendered.

Wyoming Valley Massacre

The Battle of Wyoming was an encounter during the American Revolutionary War between American Patriots…

The Siege of Yorktown or Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by General Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by General Lord Cornwallis. It proved to be the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War, as the surrender of Cornwallis’s army (the second major surrender of the war) prompted the British government to eventually negotiate an end to the conflict. <p>"Present appearance of the British Works at Yorktown. This view is from the fields in the direction of the American works, looking north. Toward the left is seen a portion of Governor Nelson's house, and on the extreme left, a few other houses in Yorktown appear."—Lossing, 1851

British Works at Yorktown

The Siege of Yorktown or Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of…

A cartoon of a young boy, with his arm wrapped in a sling.

Young Boy with Sling

A cartoon of a young boy, with his arm wrapped in a sling.