The New Student's Reference Work/Blenheim

Blenheim (blĕn′īm), a village of Bavaria, 23 miles northwest of Augsburg, famous as the scene of the Duke of Marlborough's great victory over the French and Bavarians, Aug. 13, 1704. The two armies numbered about 50,000 on either side. The French and Bavarians lay in a strong position, and the attack was made by the English and Austrians, with their allies, headed by the Duke of Marlborough, the great English general, and Prince Eugene. The onset was long resisted, until Marlborough, by two desperate charges, which he led in person, broke the enemy's line and decided the day. Of the defeated army only 20,000 escaped. Twelve thousand were killed and 14,000 captured. The battle is also called the battle of Höchstadt, from the name of another small village near by. Near Blenheim, also, the French defeated the Austrians in 1800.