Strasburg

or Str as bourg, (strahzboorg,) a celebrated fort if. city, now belonging to the Pru ian p. of Alsace-Lorraine, and former C. of the French dep. of Bas-Rhin, on the Ill, an affluent of the Rhine, 100 m. S.S.W. of Mentz. This place, fortified by Vauban, was long esteemed one of the most celebrated bulwarks and arsenals of France; and its Cathedral, completed in 1439, constitutes one of the finest examples of ecclesiastical Gothic architecture in Europe. S. has many and important manu fs., and is dear to gourmands on account of the famous patés de foie gras, for the making of which it has long been famous. In 1870, S. sustained one of the most memorable sieges recorded in history, from the 29-30 Aug. to the 28th Sept.; during which period its heroic garrison of some 17,000 men sustained the a aults ofGen. Werder's German force, numbering from 60,000 to 70,000 men. The bombardment of the city by the besiegers destroyed many of the finest buildings, including the celebrated Library. The Cathedral was also much damaged. Pop. 84,167. Strategy, (str at'e-je.) [FromGr. stratos, an army, and ag ein, to conduct.] (Mil.) That branch of military science which has reference to the conduct of operations in the field, as distinguished from tactics or those which are performed during actual engagement with the enemy. Stretch'ing-course, [s. 859]