1704- The Battle of Blenheim was fought near the village of the same name, near Höchstädt, in Bavaria. It was one of the decisive battles of the War of the Spanish Succession. Austria, an ally of the Anglo-Dutch forces had earlier in the year been threatened by invasion from the French and the Bavarians. The Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill, marched his army from the Netherlands to Bavaria and, joining forces with the Austrian general, Prince Eugene of Savoy, their combined armies crushed the Franco-Bavarian forces of Marshall Tallard and the Elector of Bavaria. Bavaria was conquered, Austria saved and the French were humbled. When the Duke retired he built a grand stately home, as befitted his station in life, on his estate, which he called Blenheim Palace. The Royal Regiment of Ireland participated in the battle.
1816- Jeremiah Grant a highwayman from Moyne, Co. Tipperary was hung in Maryborough, now Portlaoise.
1901- During the Boer War, Irish-born Sgt Major Alexander Young of the Cape Police rushed some kopjes at Ruiterskraal which were being held by about 20 Boers. On reaching their objective, Sergeant-Major Young continued to chase the retreating Boers, shooting one of them and capturing their commandant, who fired three times at point-blank range at Sgt Major Young, before being taken prisoner. Alexander Young joined the South African Scottish in WW1 and was killed in action on the Somme October 19th 1916.
1979- 18 people died when the Fastnet race was hit by a violent storm south of Ireland.
Births
1819- George Stoke, physicist, born at Skreen, Co. Sligo.
Deaths
1667- Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down and Connor.
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Subject: On This Day 13th August in Irish History 
Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:46 pm
