Chapter VIII: Part 8

=Buda=, or =Ofen=. A free city of the Austrian empire, on the west bank of the Danube, opposite Pesth, and with it the capital of Hungary. It was taken by Charlemagne in 799; and sacked by Solyman II. after the battle of Mohatz, when the Hungarian king, Louis, was killed, and 200,000 of his subjects carried away captives, 1526. Buda was sacked a second time, when the inhabitants were put to the sword, and Hungary was annexed to the Ottoman empire, 1541. Retaken by the Imperialists, under the Duke of Lorraine, and the Mohammedans delivered up to the fury of the soldiers, 1686. It suffered much in 1848, and was entered without resistance by the Austrians, January 5, 1849. Here the emperor Francis Joseph was crowned king of Hungary, June 8, 1867. See PESTH.

=Buderich.= A town of Rhenish Prussia, on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite Wesel. Here the Duke of Lorraine was defeated by the emperor Otho I. It was taken by the French in 1672; burned by the French in 1813.

=Budge-barrel.= A small barrel with only one head; on the other end a piece of leather is nailed, which is drawn together with a string, like a purse. It is used for carrying powder from the magazine to the battery, in siege or coast service.

=Buena Vista.= A celebrated battle-field of Mexico, situated about 90 miles southwest of Monterey and 7 miles from Saltillo, famous for the victory gained there by an American force not 5000 strong, under Gen. Zachary Taylor, over a Mexican army four times their number under Santa Anna, February 22-23, 1847. Gen. Taylor, on the way from Victoria to Monterey, having learned that Santa Anna was threatening him with an overwhelming force, decided to withdraw his troops from their camp at Agua Nueva to a position more favorable for withstanding a superior force, which had been selected a little south of the small village of Buena Vista, at a point where the road passed through a mountain gorge called Angostura. Accordingly, on the afternoon of February 21, the camp at Agua Nueva was broken up, and Santa Anna, believing the American forces were retreating, eagerly pursued them until he was drawn into their chosen position. After a useless summons to surrender, on the afternoon of the 22d the Mexicans opened the attack on the American left, but they made no impression, while they suffered severe loss. During the night the Mexicans occupied a position on the heights to the east of the American lines with the intention of forcing their left flank, and it was here that the fighting commenced on the 23d, and continued during the day with varying success, finally resulting in the repulse of the enemy. Meanwhile a force of Mexican cavalry had been detached to attack the American camp at Buena Vista, but was gallantly repulsed. The final attack was made against the American centre--where Gen. Taylor commanded in person--by Santa Anna himself, with his entire reserve, but he was met with such a deadly fire from the American batteries that he was obliged to draw off his much-diminished forces, and during the night he fell back to Agua Nueva. The American loss in killed and wounded was about 700; the Mexicans lost about 2000.

=Buenos Ayres.= A province of the Argentine Republic, with a capital of the same name. A British fleet and army took the city with slight resistance, June 27, 1806; retaken August 12, 1806. Gen. Whitelock and 8000 British entered Buenos Ayres, and were severely repulsed, July 5, 1807; independence of the province declared July 19, 1816; a prey to civil war for many years. It seceded from the Argentine Republic in 1853, and was reunited to it in June, 1860.

=Buffalo.= See PACK AND DRAUGHT ANIMALS.

=Buffalora.= A town of Italy, on the river Ticino. In its environs in 1636, the French and Spanish armies met in combat, in which the former were victorious. There is a bridge at this place crossing the Ticino, over which a division of the invading army of Austria marched, April 29, 1859. This was the first act of overt hostility in the war between Austria and Sardinia.

=Buff Coat.= A close military outer garment, with short sleeves, and laced tightly over the chest, made of buffalo-skin, or other thick and elastic material, worn by soldiers in the 17th century as a defensive covering.

=Buffer, Pneumatic.= See AIR CYLINDERS.

=Buffers.= See HURTER.

=Buff Jerkin.= Originally a leathern waist-coat; afterwards one of a buff color, worn as an article of dress by sergeants and catchpoles; used also as a dress.

=Buff Leather.= A sort of leather prepared from the buffalo, which, dressed with oil, makes what is generally called buff-skin. In European armies, troopers’ breeches, shoulder-belts, and sword-belts are made of this leather.

=Buff Stick.= A wooden stick covered with buff leather, used by soldiers in cleaning their equipments.

=Bugle-horn=, or =Bugle=. The old Saxon horn, now used by all infantry regiments. By its soundings their manœuvres are directed, either in advancing, skirmishing, or retreating.

=Bugler.= One who plays a bugle.

=Built-up Guns.= See ORDNANCE.

=Bukors.= Kettle-drums of the Swedish cavalry.

=Bulgaria.= Anciently _Mœsia_, now part of European Turkey. The Bulgarians were a Slavonian tribe, who harassed the Eastern empire and Italy from 499 to 678, when they established a kingdom. They defeated Justinian II., 687; but were subdued, after several conflicts, by the emperor Basil in 1018. After defeating them in 1014, having taken 15,000 Bulgarian prisoners, he caused their eyes to be put out, leaving one eye only to every hundredth man, to enable him to conduct his countrymen home. The kingdom was re-established in 1086; but after many changes, was annexed to the Ottoman empire, 1396.

=Bull.= A fort which the English possessed in Canada, and which constituted one of their military depots; it was captured by the French, March 27, 1756.

=Bulletin.= A brief statement of facts respecting some passing events, as military operations, etc.

=Bullet-mold.= An implement containing a cavity of the proper shape into which lead is poured to form a bullet.

=Bullet-proof.= Capable of resisting the force of a bullet.

=Bullets.= Are projectiles of lead to be discharged from various kinds of small-arms. The first bullets used were round, and were designated by the number weighing one pound. The sizes employed were very large. Until quite recently the round ball still held its place with rifles and smooth-bores. Various devices were used for making it take the grooves of the rifle,--a guard-patch being among the best. (See SMALL-ARMS.) It was with this that the early settlers of America won their reputation as marksmen. Robins, in 1742, showed the superiority of the conical form, but it was not till about 1840 that round balls were generally discarded. The conical bullet was often used in grooves with an increasing twist, and gave wonderfully accurate results at short range. For long ranges, long bullets are necessary, and these require uniform twists, which are now generally used in military arms. Various forms of the elongated bullets were used. Most of these bullets had an expansive base, either hollow or plugged with wood; the design being to force the soft lead outward, so as to cause it to fit the grooves of the rifle, and thus give the bullet a rotation around its long axis during the motion forward. (See SMALL-ARMS.) This rotation, as is well known, increases the range and precision. Bullets were formerly cast, but now they are more frequently stamped in steel dies, and, as in breech-loading arms, the bullet takes the grooves by compression; the exploding base is omitted. The form of bullet now used in military arms is the cylindrical conoidal. The tendency recently has been to reduce the caliber. (See PROJECTILES.) Copper bullets are used by the Circassians. Bullets of stone were used in 1514; iron ones are mentioned in the _Fœdera_, 1550, and leaden ones were made before the close of the 16th century.

=Bullets, Explosive.= Oblong bullets carrying a percussion-cap on the front end and sometimes containing a small charge of powder in a cavity, used to blow up caissons and magazines. There is a strong sentiment against the use of these bullets in firing at troops.

=Bullets, Express-.= An explosive bullet of great killing power, used in hunting large game. It is of large caliber but quite light, being much shorter than the ordinary rifle-bullet. A cylindrical cavity bored in at the point carries a small metallic cartridge-case filled with powder. It is fired with a large charge of powder, which, owing to its lack of weight, gives it a high initial velocity and a very flat trajectory up to about 200 yards, obviating the necessity for an elevating sight. _The Winchester Express-bullet_ (a good type of those made in America) has a caliber of .50, weighs 300 grains, and is fired with 95 grains of powder, giving an initial velocity of 1640 feet. It is made of pure lead, the softness of which increases its deadliness. The shock from this bullet will bring down the largest game. See EXPRESS-RIFLE.

=Bullets, Grooved.= Bullets having grooves, or cannelures. These grooves were originally used to increase the relative resistance of the air on the _rear_ of the bullet, thus assisting the rotation in keeping the point to the front. In muzzle-loading arms they also increased the _setting up_ of the bullet to take the grooves. They are now used to hold the lubricant, and to facilitate the swaging action of the grooves and lands in breech-loading guns. For the other form of modern bullets, see BULLETS, PATCHED.

=Bullets, Patched.= One of the forms of modern rifle-bullets. The bullet has wrapped around its cylindrical portion a layer of thin paper called the _patch_. The bullet is perfectly smooth. The other form has grooves, or cannelures. (See BULLETS, GROOVED.) The lubricant for the patched bullet is a greased wad or disk of wax, placed between powder and bullet. The _grooved bullet_, carrying its own lubricant, is best adapted to shallow lands and grooves. The _patched bullet_ to sharp lands. The grooved bullet would seem to be the best for military service, as the cartridge-case can be tightly crimped upon it, making the case waterproof. For very long range the best shooting has been done with patched bullets.

=Bullets, Percussion-.= See BULLETS, EXPLOSIVE.

=Bullock.= See PACK AND DRAUGHT ANIMALS.

=Bull Run Battles.= See MANASSAS.

=Bull’s-eye.= In gunnery and archery, is the centre of a target.

=Bulwark.= In fortification, a rampart or bastion; an outwork for defense; that which secures against an enemy; a shelter or means of protection.

=Bunker Hill.= A hill in Charlestown, now part of Boston, Mass., which gave its name to the first important battle of the American Revolution. The Americans learning that Gen. Gage, who was in command of the British forces in Boston, intended to fortify Bunker Hill, determined to forestall his design, and for this purpose a detachment of 1000 men under Col. Prescott was ordered on the night of June 16, 1775, to throw up a breastwork on the hill. After a consultation, however, it was decided to fortify instead another eminence which was nearer to Boston, known as Breed’s Hill. During the night they worked with such activity that by daybreak a strong redoubt was nearly completed. Upon its discovery by the British on the morning of the 17th, they opened fire on it from the ships in the harbor, and Gen. Gage sent about 3000 men under Howe and Pigot to attack it. They landed under cover of the fire from the guns, and setting fire to Charlestown, advanced to the attack. The Americans awaited their approach in silence until the whites of their eyes could be seen, then poured a deadly fire into their ranks, causing them to retreat in disorder. They were rallied by Howe, and again advanced over the same ground with a like result as on the first attack. Clinton now arrived with reinforcements, and an attack was made on three sides of the redoubt at once. The ammunition of the Americans being now exhausted they met their assailants with clubbed muskets, but the superiority of the British in numbers being so great, Col. Prescott ordered a retreat. This was effected across Charlestown Neck, where they were exposed to a galling fire from the ships in the harbor. During the retreat Gen. Warren was killed, and the Bunker Hill monument erected to commemorate this engagement now stands near the spot where he fell. The British loss was over 1000 killed and wounded; the Americans lost less than half that number.

=Bureaux.= See Military Departments throughout this work under appropriate headings.

=Buren.= A town of Switzerland, canton of Berne. It was the scene of several combats. The Spaniards under Gilles de Barlemont took possession of it in 1575.

=Burford.= A town in the county of Oxford, England. It is celebrated for a battle fought between Cuthred, king of the West Saxons, and Ethelbald, king of the Mercians; and for a victory by Fairfax in 1649 over the army of Charles I. at Edgehill, in its vicinity.

=Burganet=, or =Burgonet=. A kind of helmet used by the French.

=Burgos.= A city of Spain, capital of the new province of the same name, was founded in 844; sacked by the French in 1808; in 1812 the castle was four times unsuccessfully besieged by Wellington, who, however, took it in the following year, when the French blew it up, as well as the fortifications.

=Burguete.= A town of Navarre, Spain. Here the army of Charlemagne was defeated in 778.

=Burgundy.= A large province in France, derives its name from the Burgundians, a Gothic tribe who overran Gaul in 275, but were driven out by the Emperor Probus; they returned in 287, and were defeated by Maximin. In 413 they established a kingdom, comprising the present Burgundy, large parts of Switzerland, with Alsace, Savoy, Provence, etc., Gondicaire, their leader, the first king. It was conquered by the Franks, 534. Annexed to France, 1477.

=Burhampoor.= A town of Hindostan, in the province of Bengal. It is one of the military stations of the British government; and the cantonments, consisting of a grand square inclosing a fine parade ground, command the notice of the traveler. It was captured by the English troops under Col. Stevenson in 1803.

=Burial Honors.= See FUNERAL HONORS.

=Burich.= A small town in the circle of Lower Rhine; its fortifications were burned by the French in 1672.

=Burkersdorf.= A village of Austria, where a combat took place between the Prussians and Austrians, July 21, 1762, in which the former were victorious.

=Burley.= The butt end of a lance.

=Burlington Heights.= Here a fierce contest took place between the British and the U. S. forces, June 6, 1813. The British carried the heights.

=Burmah=, =Burma=, or =Birmah=. Also called the Burmese empire, or kingdom of Ava, formerly the most extensive and powerful state in Farther India. The most celebrated ruler of the country was Alompra, the founder of the present dynasty, who reigned about the middle of the 18th century. The Burmese became involved in a war with the English 1824-26, which terminated in the curtailment of their power and the loss of several provinces.

=Burning, Quickness of.= The relative quickness of two different powders may be determined by burning a train laid in a circular or other groove which returns into itself, one-half of the groove being filled with each kind of powder, and fire communicated at one of the points of meeting of the two trains; the relative quickness is readily deduced from observation of the point at which the flames meet.

=Burnish.= In a military sense, is to give a peculiar lustre to a gun-barrel or other part of a rifle by rubbing it with a piece of steel. It is generally forbidden as injurious to the gun.

=Burque= (_Fr._). A kind of cuirass which was worn with the brigantine.

=Burr.= In gunnery, a round iron ring, which serves to rivet the end of the bolt, so as to form a round head.

=Burrel-shot.= Small shot, nails, stones, pieces of old iron, etc., put into cases to be discharged from any piece of ordnance. Very seldom used.

=Bursting.= The simplest method of bursting open strong gates is, to explode a bag of gunpowder containing 50 or 60 pounds suspended near the middle of the gate upon a nail or gimlet, by means of a small piece of port-fire inserted at the bottom, and well secured with twine.

=Busaco.= A hamlet in the province of Beira, Portugal. Here the British under Wellington repulsed an attack of the French under Masséna, September 27, 1810. The French lost about 4000 killed and wounded; the English loss did not exceed 1300.

=Busby.= A military coiffure, or cap, or bear-skin; the French _colbach_.

=Bushiere= (on the Persian Gulf). Attacked by sea by Sir H. Leeke, and by land by Gen. Stalker, was taken December 10, 1856. The place proved stronger than was expected, and was bravely defended.

=Bushing a Gun.= Inserting a piece of metal about an inch in diameter (near the bottom of the bore) through the centre of which the vent has been previously drilled. It is screwed in. The object of bushing a piece is to prevent deterioration of the vent, or provide a new one, when this has already occurred. In bronze pieces pure copper is always used in bushing, as it is not so liable to run from heat as gun-metal. Only rifled and bronze pieces are bushed.

=Bushwhackers.= This term was used during the civil war to designate a class of men who claimed to be non-combatants in the presence of a superior force, and who, to outward appearance, pursued their peaceful avocations, but who did not hesitate, when an opportunity offered, to slay stragglers, and pick off soldiers from ambush. When caught in the commission of such acts they were treated with merciless severity.

=Buskins.= A kind of shoe, or half-boot, adapted to either foot, formerly part of the Roman dress. They are now worn by some European armies.

=Butin= (_Fr._). Booty or pillage. At the beginning of the French monarchy, and for a long time after its establishment, a particular spot was marked out by the prince or general, to which all persons belonging to the victorious army were directed to bring every species of booty that might have fallen into their hands. This booty was not divided, or appropriated according to the will and pleasure of the prince or general, but was thrown into different lots, and drawn for in common. The soldiers who distributed these spoils were called _Butiniers_.

=Butler Projectile.= See PROJECTILE.

=Butrinto.= A fortified maritime town of European Turkey, opposite Corfu. The town and fortress are of Venetian construction; taken by the French from the Venetians in 1797.

=Butt.= In gunnery, is a solid earthen parapet, to fire against in the proving of guns, or in practice.

=Butt=, or =Butt-end=. That extremity of a musket which rests against the shoulder when the piece is brought up to a position of firing.

=Button.= In gunnery, is a part of the cascabel, in either a gun or howitzer, and is the hind part of the piece, made round in the form of a ball.

=Buttress.= A sustaining wall at right angles to the main wall, which it is intended to strengthen.

=Buxar.= A town in Bengal near which, on October 23, 1764, Major, afterwards Sir Hector, Munro (with 857 Europeans and 6215 Sepoys) gained a great victory over the troops of the nabob of Oude, 40,000 in number; 6000 of these were killed, and 130 pieces of cannon taken.

=Byblos.= An ancient town of Egypt, on the Delta of the Nile. Here the Athenians sustained a memorable siege against the Persians, 456 B.C.

=Byrnie.= Early English for body-armor.

=Byssa.= An ancient cannon for throwing stones.

=Byzantium.= See CONSTANTINOPLE.

C.

=Cabas= (_Fr._). A basket made of rushes, used in ancient Languedoc and Rousillon, for the purpose of conveying stores and ammunition.

=Cabasset=, =Cabacet=, or =Capacète=. A kind of helmet, lighter than the morion, terminating in a rounded top. It was also called _Cervelière_, because it only covered the upper part of the head.

=Cabeira= (Asia Minor). Here Mithridates, king of Pontus, was defeated by Lucullus, 71 B.C.

=Cabell Court-house.= See BARBOURSVILLE.

=Cabezon de la Sal.= A town of Spain, in the province of Valladolid. It is celebrated as the scene of one of the first battles of the Peninsular campaign, in which the Spaniards were signally defeated by the French.

=Caboched=, or =Cabossed=. A heraldic term from the old French word _caboche_, “head.” When the head of an animal is borne without any part of the neck, and exhibited full in face, it is said to be _caboched_.

=Cabrera.= One of the Balearic Islands, 10 miles south of Majorca. Celebrated in the annals of war for the number of French prisoners who were there decimated by hunger, disease, and other physical and mental tortures.

=Cabul=, or =Cabool=. A city of Afghanistan, taken by Subuctajeen, grandfather of Mohammed, founder of the Gaznevide dynasty, and by Nâdir Shah in 1738. In 1809, the sovereign Shah Soojah was expelled by Futleh Khan; and in 1818, Cabul came into the hands of Dost Mohammed, a clever and ambitious chieftain. In 1839, the British restored Shah Soojah; but in November, 1841, a dreadful outbreak took place. The British civil officer, Sir William McNaughten, was massacred, and the British commenced a most disastrous retreat. Of about 3849 soldiers, and about 12,000 camp-followers, only one European, Dr. Dryden, and four or five natives escaped. In the same year (September 16), General, afterwards Sir George, Pollock retook the town, and rescued Lady Sale and many of the prisoners. After destroying many public buildings he left Cabul, October 12, 1842.

=Cabule= (_Fr._). A machine of war, used during the 12th century to throw stones, etc.

=Cache.= A hidden reservoir of provision (to secure it from bears) in Arctic travel. Also, a deposit of dispatches, etc.

=Cadence.= A uniform time and pace in marching, indispensable to the correct movements of bodies of troops.

=Cadency, Marks of.= In heraldry, are marks on the shields of younger members of families, by which they are distinguished from the elder and from each other.

=Cadet, Military= (Fr. _cadet_, “younger,” “junior”). Is a youth studying for the military service in a school established for military training, such as the Military Academy at West Point, N. Y., the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, England, the Polytechnic School at Paris, etc. (See MILITARY ACADEMIES.) There are also medical and engineer cadets, who are youths undergoing special instruction for the public service in the several professions implied by their names.

=Cadetship.= The rank or commission of a cadet; as, to get a cadetship.

=Cadiz= (anc. _Gades_). A fortified maritime city of Spain, in the province of the same name. The Carthaginians became masters of Cadiz during the first Punic war, but the Romans obtained possession of it in 206 B.C. It was taken and pillaged by the Earl of Essex in 1596, and was blockaded in 1656 by Admiral Blake, who captured two rich galleons. It was besieged by the French from February, 1810, until August, 1812. Captured by the Duc d’Angoulême, October 3, 1823, and held till 1828; declared a free port in 1829.

=Cadore.= A town of Venice, 22 miles northeast from Belluno. This place stands on the Piave, and is distinguished as the birthplace of Titian. In 1797 the French obtained a victory over the Austrians near this town.

=Caen.= A city of France, in Normandy. A place of importance before 912, when it became the capital of the possessions of the Normans, under whom it flourished. It was taken by the English in 1346 and 1417; but was finally recovered by the French, July 1, 1450. Here were buried William the Conqueror (1087) and his queen (1083).

=Caernarvon.= A town in North Wales. In the castle (founded in 1283 or 1284) Edward II. was born, April 25, 1284; and the town was chartered by Edward I. in the same year. The town suffered by the civil war of Charles, but was finally retained for the Parliament.

=Caffa=, =Kaffa=, or =Theodosia=. A town in European Russia, in the Crimea, at the end of a large bay on the northern shore of the Black Sea. In 1770 the Russians took this place by assault, and in 1774 it was ceded with the rest of the Crimea to the khan of Tartary, who made it his residence.

=Caffraria=, and =Caffre War=. See KAFFRARIA.

=Cahors.= A town of France, capital of the department of Lot. It is supposed to have been the capital of the _Cadurca_, before the conquest of Gaul. It was captured by assault in 1580, by Henry IV.

=Caic.= See CAIQUE.

=Caiffa.= See KAIFFA.

=Cai-fong.= In China, capital of Honan, on the right bank of the Hoang-ho. It was besieged by 100,000 rebels in 1642. The commander of the relieving forces, in order to drown the enemy, broke down the embankments of the river. It is said all the besiegers and 300,000 of the citizens perished.

=Cairo=, or =Grand Cairo=. The modern capital of Egypt, partially built by the Saracens in 969; it is surrounded by stone walls which are surmounted with antique battlements; taken by the Turks from the Egyptian sultans, 1517; taken by the French under Napoleon Bonaparte; they entered the city July 23, 1798; captured by the British and Turks, when 6000 French capitulated, June 27, 1801; massacre of the Mamelukes, March 1, 1811.

=Caisson.= In gunnery, is a carriage used for conveying ammunition for a field battery. It is a four-wheeled carriage, consisting of two parts, one of which is a limber similar to that of a gun-carriage, and connected in a similar way by a wooden stock and lunette. On the axle-body of the rear part, and parallel to the stock, are placed three rails upon which are fastened two ammunition-boxes, one behind the other, and similar to the one on the limber; so that the caisson has three ammunition-boxes, which will seat nine cannoneers. The interior compartments of the ammunition-boxes vary according to the nature of the ammunition with which they are loaded. In the rear of the last box is placed a spare wheel-axle of iron, with a chain and toggle at the end of it. On the rear end of the middle rail is placed a carriage-hook similar to a pintle-hook, to which the lunette of a gun-carriage whose limber has become disabled may be attached, and the gun carried off the field. The caisson has the same turning capacity and mobility as the gun-carriage, so that it can follow the piece in all its manœuvres, if necessary. It also carries a spare wheel, spare pole, etc. See ORDNANCE, CARRIAGES FOR, THE CAISSON.

=Cake-powder.= See GUNPOWDER.

=Caking.= To prevent powder caking, the barrels should be taken outside the magazine and rolled on boards.

=Calabozo.= A town of Venezuela, South America; it was captured by Bolivar, 1820.

=Calabria= (anc. _Messapia_). A region of Southern Italy; it was conquered by the Romans 266 B.C. It formed part of the kingdom of the Ostrogoths under Theodoric, 493; was reconquered (for the Eastern empire) by Belisarius, 536; subdued by the Lombards and joined the duchy of Benevento, 572. After various changes, it was conquered by Robert Guiscard, the Norman, 1058.

=Calabuss.= An early kind of light musket with a wheel-lock. Bourne mentions it in 1578.

=Calagurris= (now _Calahorra_, Spain). A town of the Vascones and a Roman municipium in Hispania Tarraconensis, near the Iberus (Ebro), memorable for its adherence to Sertorius and for its siege by Pompey and his generals (78 B.C.), in the course of which mothers killed and salted their children.

=Calais.= A fortified seaport town of France, department of Pas-de-Calais, on the Strait of Dover. The town and harbor are defended by a castle and several forts, and can be rendered inaccessible by land by flooding the adjacent ground, which is low and marshy. It was taken by Edward III. after a year’s siege in August, 1347; retaken by the Duke of Guise, January, 1558. It was taken by the Spaniards, April, 1596; restored, 1598. Louis XVIII. landed here in 1814, after his exile.

=Calasiries=, or =Calosires=. One of the two divisions (the other being the Hermotybii) of the warrior-caste of Egypt. Their greatest strength was 250,000 men, and their chief abode in the western part of the Delta. They formed the king’s body-guard.

=Calatafimi.= A town of Sicily, province of Trapani. Here, in May, 1860, Garibaldi defeated the royalist troops under Gen. Landi.

=Calatañazor.= A small town of Spain in Old Castile. Here Al-Mansoor gained a great victory over the Christians in 1001.

=Calatayud.= A town of Spain, province of Saragossa. It was captured from the Moors by Alfonso of Aragon in 1118; taken from the descendants of Alfonso by the king of Castile in 1362.

=Calatrava, The Order of.= Was founded in 1158 by Sancho III. of Castile. For a long period the war against the Moors was carried on almost entirely by the knights of Calatrava. The knights bear a cross gules, fleur-de-lised with green, etc.

=Calcans.= The bucklers of the Turks were so called during the Middle Ages.

=Calcinato.= A town of Italy, on the river Chiese. The Duke of Vendôme here defeated the Austrians under Count de Reventlau in 1706.

=Calcium-light.= A brilliant light produced by projecting the oxyhydrogen flame upon a surface of lime. Called also the Drummond-light.

=Calcutta.= Capital of Bengal and British India; the first settlement of the English here was made in 1689. The town was attacked and taken by an army of 70,000 horse and foot and 400 elephants (146 of the British were crammed into the “Black-Hole prison,” a dungeon about 16 feet square, from whence 23 only came forth alive next day), June 20, 1756; it was retaken by Clive, January 2, 1757.

=Caldiero.= A village of Northern Italy. Here, just before the battle of Arcola, the French under Napoleon I. were repulsed by the Austrians under Alvinzi in 1796, and in 1805 were beaten under Masséna by the Archduke Charles.

=Caledonia.= The name given by the Romans to that part of Britain north of the Wall of Antoninus, and afterwards applied to the whole of the country now known as Scotland. The inhabitants were called Caledonii until about the beginning of the 4th century, when they began to be spoken of as Picts and Scots. In 84 they were defeated under their chief Galgacus by the Roman general Agricola, and a great part of the country was overrun by the Romans, who formed many encampments there; but the country was never reduced to a Roman province.

=Caliano.= A town of the Tyrol, Austria, on the left bank of the Adige. Here the Venetians were defeated by the Austrians in 1487.

=Caliber=, or =Calibre=. From the Latin _qua librâ_, “what pound,” applied first to the weight of a bullet, then to the diameter, which determined the diameter of the gun, now signifies the diameter of the bore of a cannon or any fire-arm, and is expressed in inches or fractional parts of an inch, as a 15-inch gun; a Springfield rifle, caliber .45. Cannon are sometimes also designated by the weight of metal which they throw, as a 24-pounder.

=Caliber-rule.= A gunner’s calipers; having two scales, to determine the weight of a ball from its diameter, and conversely.

=Calicut= (now _Kolikod_). A town in Southwestern India; the first Indian port visited by Vasco de Gama, May 20, 1498. It was seized by Hyder Ali, 1766, and taken by the English, 1790.

=California= (from the Spanish _Caliente Fornalla_, “hot furnace,” in allusion to the climate). Was discovered by Cortez in 1537; others say Cabrillo in 1542; and visited by Sir Francis Drake, who named it New Albion in 1579. The Spaniards established missionary and military stations in California, 1698; it became subject to Mexico in 1823; became independent in 1836; occupied by the army of the United States in 1846; ceded to the United States, 1848; admitted into the Union as a sovereign State, 1850.

=Caligæ.= A kind of half-boots worn by the Roman soldiers. These soldiers were sometimes called _Caligati_.

=Caliper-compass.= An instrument by which the bore of cannon, small-arms, etc., is measured; said to have been invented by an artificer of Nuremberg, 1540.

=Caliver.= A hand-gun or arquebuse; probably the old name for the match-lock or carabine.

=Call.= A military musical term, signifies a signal given by a trumpet, bugle, or drum.

=Callao.= A fortified seaport of Peru. Lord Cochrane gallantly cut out the “Esmeralda,” a Spanish ship-of-war, from under the guns of the fort in 1821. Its roadstead (the best on the Peruvian coast) was the scene of a combat between the Spaniards and the Independents; the Colombians took it in 1826. The attempt of the Spanish admiral Nuñez to bombard Callao on May 2, 1866, was defeated by the Peruvians.

=Calle, La.= A seaport on the coast of Algeria. The French, who possessed it before the revolution of 1789, lost it during that epoch; again occupied it in 1815, but lost it in 1827. It has been in the possession of the French since the conquest of Algeria.

=Callinger.= One of the hill-forts of Bundelcund. From its position and size, Callinger must at one time have been a place of great strength. It was stormed by the British in 1812.

=Calmar.= See KALMAR.

=Calones.= A term applied to menials of the Roman armies; also slaves belonging to the Roman soldiers, who followed their masters to the wars.

=Calore.= A river in Italy; on its banks the Romans (composed of slaves), commanded by Tiberius (Gracchus), defeated the Carthaginian general Hanno in 215. After the battle each Roman (slave) who could present the head of an enemy slain by him was granted his freedom.

=Calpee=, or =Kalpee=. A city of India, in Bundelcund, on the right bank of the river Jumna. It was conquered by the British in 1803, and in May, 1858, was captured by Gen. Rose from the mutinous Sepoys, it being the headquarters of the Gwalior contingent.

=Caltrop=, or =Crow’s-foot=. An instrument with 4 iron points, so disposed that, three of them being on the ground, the other projects upward. They are scattered on the ground where an enemy’s cavalry are to pass, to impede their progress by endangering the horses’ feet.

=Calumet.= A kind of pipe used by the North American Indians for smoking tobacco, having the bowl usually of soft red stone, and the tube a long reed ornamented with feathers. The calumet is used as a symbol or instrument of peace. To accept the calumet is to agree to the terms of peace, and to refuse it is to reject them. The calumet is used to seal or ratify contracts and alliances, and to receive strangers kindly.

=Calvi.= A seaport on the island of Corsica, situated on a peninsula in the Gulf of Calvi. It is strongly fortified and has a good port. It was captured by the English in 1794, after a siege of 51 days.

=Calvi.= A decayed town of Naples. Here the French gained a victory over the Neapolitans, December 9, 1798.

=Cam.= A river in England. On its banks was fought a battle between the Saxons and Danes during the reign of Edward I.

=Camail.= Ancient armor, consisting of a guard for the throat made of chain-mail coming down from the helmet.

=Cambrai=, or =Cambray=. A fortified city of France, department of the North. It was fortified by the Romans; besieged and captured by Childebert in 535; taken by Edward III., king of England, in 1337; in 1544 by Charles V.; by the Spaniards in 1595; captured by the French and annexed, 1667; taken by Clairfait, the Austrian general, on September 10, 1798. The French were defeated at Cæsar’s camp, in the neighborhood, by the allied army under the Duke of York, April 24, 1794. Cambray was seized by the British under Sir Charles Colville, June 24, 1815. Several important treaties were entered into at this place.

=Cambria.= See WALES.

=Cambridge.= The Roman _Camboricum_ and the Saxon _Granta_; a town of England, in Cambridgeshire. It was burned by the Danes in 870 and 1010. Roger de Montgomery destroyed it with fire and sword, to be revenged of King William Rufus. During Wat Tyler’s and Jack Straw’s rebellion, the rebels entered the town, seized the University records and burned them in the market-place, 1381.

=Cambuskenneth= (Central Scotland). Here Wallace defeated the English under Warrenne and Cressingham, September 10, 1297.

=Camden.= A village in Kershaw Co., S. C. Gen. Gates was defeated here August 16, 1780, by Lord Cornwallis, and April 25, 1781, Gen. Greene was here defeated by Lord Rawdon. During the civil war this place was captured, February 24, 1865, by the Federal forces under Gen. Sherman, and the bridge over the Wateree, the railroad depot, and a considerable quantity of stores, etc., burned by the 15th Corps.

=Camel.= See PACK AND DRAUGHT ANIMALS.

=Camelford.= A town of England, in Cornwall. It was the scene of a famous battle between King Arthur and his nephew Modred in 543, in which the former was victorious. The West Saxons, under Egbert, had a battle with the Britons here in 823.

=Cameron Highlanders.= The designation given to the 79th Regiment of Infantry in the British service, in consequence of the corps having been raised by Allan Cameron of Erroch in 1793. This gallant regiment, which wears the Highland garb, performed distinguished services in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, and has been engaged in the principal warlike struggles of more recent times.

=Camisado.= A shirt formerly worn by soldiers over their uniform, in order to be able to recognize one another in the darkness, in a night attack.

=Camisado.= An attack by surprise at night, or at break of day, when the enemy is supposed to be in bed, by soldiers wearing the camisado.

=Camouflet= (_Fr._). A small mine containing about 10 pounds of powder, sufficient to compress the earth all around it without disturbing the surface of the ground. It is sometimes formed in the wall or side of an enemy’s gallery, to blow in the earth and cut off the retreat of the miner.

=Camp.= From the Latin word _campus_, a “plain”; is the whole extent of ground covered by an army when under canvas. Its breadth should not exceed the line occupied by the troops when drawn out in order of battle. As a general rule, camps should be located in a position convenient to wood and water, with the front close and well covered, and the rear perfectly open.

=Campaign.= A connected series of military operations, forming a distinct stage or step in a war. Formerly, when troops kept the field only during the summer months, the term was used to include all that was done from the time an army took the field until it went again into winter quarters. In modern times, when no ordinary degree of cold is allowed to arrest military operations, the term is frequently used to include all steps taken to accomplish one immediate object.

=Campaigner.= One who has served in an army several campaigns; an old soldier; a veteran.

=Camp and Garrison Equipage.= All the tents, fittings, utensils, etc., carried with an army, applicable to the domestic rather than to the warlike wants of the soldier. The allowance of camp and garrison equipage to U. S. troops is prescribed in general orders from the War Department.

=Campania= (Southern Italy). Was occupied by Hannibal and various cities declared in his favor, 216 B.C.; conquered by the Romans, 213. Its capital was Capua (which see).

=Camp-bedstead.= A bedstead made to fold up within a narrow space, as used in war; a trestle bedstead.

=Campbell’s Station.= A post-village of Knox Co., Tenn. Here on November 16, 1863, Gen. Burnside, marching from Knoxville to meet the Confederate forces under Gen. Longstreet, was attacked by them, and after several hours’ fighting succeeded in repulsing them. Burnside then withdrew to the neighborhood of Knoxville and fortified his position.

=Camp-boy.= A boy that serves in camp.

=Campeachy.= A city of Central America, and the principal seaport of Yucatan. The country was discovered about 1517, and settled in 1540. This city was taken by the English in 1659; by the buccaneers in 1678, and by the freebooters of St. Domingo in 1685. These last burnt the town and blew up the citadel.

=Campestre.= A kind of girdle or apron worn by Roman soldiers around their waists at certain exercises, where the rest of their bodies remained naked.

=Camp-followers.= The sutlers, traders, and dealers generally; also civilian employés, servants, and women who follow troops, and are amenable to the regulations and restrictions of the service.

=Camp-guard.= A camp-guard consists of one or two rows of sentinels placed around a camp, and relieved at regular intervals. The number of rows of sentinels, and the distance between each man, will depend upon the character of the ground and the degree of danger apprehended.

=Campidoctores.= Officers who drilled the Roman soldiery.

=Camp, Intrenched.= Is a position fortified by field-works, which may be selected by an army in the field, for important operations during a campaign or a war,--such as to secure itself while covering a siege, or in winter quarters to accommodate a corps of observation, while the active army is engaged elsewhere, or to defend a position near a fortified place.

=Camp of Instruction.= Is an encampment of troops in the field to habituate them to the duties and fatigues of war. They may be either temporary or permanent. Of the latter description are the camps at Aldershott, England, and the Curragh of Kildare, Ireland.

=Campo Formio.= A town of Northern Italy; here a treaty was concluded between France and Austria, the latter yielding the Low Countries and the Ionian Islands to France, and Milan, Mantua, and Modena to the Cisalpine Republic, October 17, 1797. By a secret article the emperor gained the Venetian dominions.

=Campo Mayor.= A stronghold which covers the district between the Guadiana and the Tagus, where the French, retreating from this place in March, 1811, were suddenly confronted by a large British force under Marshal Beresford, and a combat ensued which was disastrous to the French.

=Campoos.= Regiments of infantry in the service of the Mahratta confederates.

=Campo Santo.= A town of Northern Italy, situated on the Panaro. In 1743 a sanguinary battle was fought here between the Spanish and Austrian forces.

=Camp Out, To.= To rest for the night without a standing roof; whether under a light tent, a screen of boughs, or any makeshift that the neighborhood may afford.

=Camprodon.= A fortified town of Catalonia, Spain. This town was taken by the French in 1689, and again in 1794.

=Camp-stool.= A portable seat used on campaigns. It is usually made with crossed legs, so as to fold up, and with a full-sized seat of leather or canvas, or else of strips of dressed hide.

=Canada, Dominion of.= A country of North America which embraces all of the American possessions of Great Britain lying north of the United States. It was discovered by John and Sebastian Cabot, June 24, 1497; the French founded Quebec in 1608. The English general Wolfe captured Quebec in 1759, and the conquest of Canada was completed in 1760. The Americans under Montgomery invaded Canada, and surprised Montreal, November, 1775; expelled by Carleton, March, 1776; the Americans under Gen. Hull again invaded Canada; defeated at Brownstown, August 8, and surrendered August 16, 1812. The Americans took York April 27, Fort George May 27, 1814; they were defeated at Chippewa July 25, and peace was signed at Ghent, December 24, 1814. Several rebellions took place in Canada, but were speedily suppressed. Invasions of Canada by armed Fenians from the United States were attempted in 1866 and 1870, but were repelled without difficulty.

=Cananore.= A seaport town of British India, in the presidency of Madras; it is the chief military station of the British in Malabar. In 1501 a small fort was built here by the Portuguese, which was taken by the Dutch in 1664. These were subsequently driven out by Tippoo Saib, and in 1790 the British took possession.

=Candahar=, or =Kandahar=. A fortified city of Afghanistan; stands in a fertile plain, 200 miles southwest from Cabool. This city is supposed to have been founded by Alexander the Great. Candahar was held by Tartary, India, and Persia in turn. During all the disasters of the Afghan war, the British succeeded in holding possession of the city, 1839-42.

=Candia= (anc. _Crete_). An island in the Mediterranean Sea. It was conquered by the Romans, 68 B.C.; seized by the Saracens, 823; retaken by the Greeks, 960; sold to the Venetians, 1204; gained by the Turks after a 24 years’ siege, during which more than 200,000 men perished, 1669; ceded to the Egyptian pasha, 1830; restored to Turkey, 1840; in 1866 the Christian inhabitants revolted against the Turks, and demanded an annexation to the kingdom of Greece. This war excited much sympathy among Christian nations, but the Cretans were subdued in 1869.

=Candle Bombs.= Pasteboard shells filled with pyrotechnic compositions which make a brilliant display upon explosion. They are used for signaling, and are made up with a powder charge attached to one side; a strand of quick-match leads to the charge when placed in the mortar. The mortars used are very light, being simply hollow cylinders of stout paper, sole-leather, or wood. They are made very light for ease of transportation.

=Candy.= A kingdom of Ceylon; it was taken by a British detachment, February 20, 1803, who capitulated June 23, following, anxious to evacuate the place on account of its unhealthiness; on the third day many were treacherously massacred at Columbo. The war was renewed in October, 1814; the king made prisoner by Gen. Brownrigg, February 19, 1815, and the sovereignty vested in Great Britain, March 2, 1815.

=Canister.= In the U. S. service, a round of canister consists of a hollow tin cylinder filled with cast iron or lead balls, which vary in size and number with the caliber and kind of piece; the cylinder is closed at the bottom by a thick cast-iron plate, and at the top by one of sheet-iron. The interstices between the balls are filled with dry sawdust, the object of which is to give more solidity to the mass, and to prevent the balls from crowding on one another when the piece is fired. In the English service this is called case-shot.

=Canister-shot.= One of the lead or iron balls in a round of canister.

=Cannæ.= A town of Naples, province of Terra di Bari. It is celebrated for the great victory gained there by Hannibal over the Romans, in the summer of 216 B.C. The loss of the Romans is stated by Livy at 45,000 infantry and 3000 cavalry.

=Cannon.= A military engine of which the general form is that of a hollow cylinder closed at one end, and variously mounted, used for throwing balls and other instruments of death by force of gunpowder. Cannons are made of iron, brass, bronze, and sometimes of steel rods welded together, and are of different sizes. They are classified, from their nature, _guns_, _howitzers_, and _mortars_; also from their use, as _field_, _mountain_, _prairie_, _sea-coast_, and _siege_; also as _rifled_ and _smooth-bore_. See ORDNANCE.

The following are the most famous cannon of all ages, arranged according to the diameter of the bore:

1. The _Tsar Pooschka_, the great bronze gun of Moscow, cast in 1586; bore 36 inches, weight 86,240 pounds; threw a stone ball weighing 2000 pounds.

2. _Mallet’s Mortar_, English, 1857-58; built up of cast and wrought iron; bore 36 inches; cast-iron shell weighing 2986 pounds.

3. The _Malik-I-Mydan_, “Master of the Field,” the great bronze gun of Bejapoor, India; cast 1538; bore 28.5 inches; basalt ball, 1000 pounds.

4. _The Bronze Gun of Mahomet II._, A.D. 1464; bore 25 inches; granite ball, 672 pounds.

5. The _Dulle-Griete_ of Ghent, wrought iron, A.D. 1430; bore 25 inches; stone ball, 700 pounds.

6. The _Dhool-Dhanee_, bronze gun of Agra, India; bore 23.2 inches; stone balls, 520 pounds.

7. _Mons Meg_ of Edinburgh; wrought iron, A.D. 1455; bore 20 inches; stone ball, 400 pounds.

8. _Rodman Gun_, American, 1863; cast iron; bore 20 inches, weight 117,000 pounds; cast-iron solid shot weighing 1080 pounds.

The most powerful cannon the world has ever seen have been made within the present decade (1870-80). They are rifles.

The _100-ton Armstrong guns_ sold to Italy to arm the “Duilio” and “Dandolo”; bore 17 inches, weight of oblong shot of chilled iron 2000 pounds, charge of _Fossano powder_ 552 pounds. _Muzzle-loading._

The _80-ton Woolwich guns_ made to arm the “Inflexible”; bore 16 inches, weight of shot 1700 pounds, charge of _cubical powder_ 440 pounds. _Muzzle-loading._

The _72-ton Krupp guns_; bore 15.75 inches, weight of steel shot 1700 pounds, charge of _prismatic powder_ 452 pounds. Guns all steel. _Breech-loading._

=Cannonade.= The act of discharging shot or shells from cannon for the purpose of destroying an army, or battering a town, ship, or fort; usually applied to an attack of some continuance.

=Cannon-ball.= A ball usually made of cast iron, to be thrown from cannon.

=Cannon Baskets.= The old English phrase for gabions.

=Cannon-bullet.= A cannon-ball.

=Cannoneer.= A man who manages cannon.

=Cannoneering.= The use of cannon.

=Cannoneers’ Seats.= See ORDNANCE, CARRIAGES FOR, NOMENCLATURE OF ARTILLERY CARRIAGES.

=Cannon-lock.= A contrivance, like the lock of a gun, placed over the vent of a cannon to explode the charge.

=Cannon-metal.= An alloy of copper with about 9 per cent. of tin;--called also _gun-metal_.

=Cannon-perer.= An ancient piece of ordnance throwing stone shot.

=Cannon-proof.= Proof against cannon.

=Cannon Royal.= A 60-pounder of 8¹⁄₂ inches bore.

=Cannonry.= Cannon collectively; artillery.

=Cannon-shot.= A ball for cannon.

=Canonnière= (_Fr._). This name was given formerly to a tent which served to shelter four canonniers, but later the term was applied to all infantry tents which contained seven or eight men.

=Canonnière= (_Fr._). An appellation formerly given to a gun-proof tower; it also designated an opening in the walls of cities, forts, etc., through which the defenders of these places could fire on an enemy without being exposed.

=Canonniers= (_Fr._). Artillerymen, gunners. In 1671, during the administration of Louvois in France, the name of _canonniers_ was given to the first company of the regiment of the king’s fusileers; in April, 1693, this regiment was named _artillerie royal_, but the first company retained the name of _canonniers_.

=Canonniers Gardes-côtes= (_Fr._). Were instituted in 1702, by Louis XIV. of France, for the service of coast batteries. They are similar to the Artillery Coast Brigade in the British service.

=Canstadt=, or =Cannstadt=. A town of Würtemberg, on the river Neckar. In the vicinity a battle was fought in 1796, between Gen. Moreau and the Archduke Charles of Austria.

=Cantabri.= A rude race of ancient mountaineers who lived in Cantabria, the northern part of Spain, near the Bay of Biscay. They made a brave resistance to the Romans in the Cantabrian war, 25-19 B.C. They are said to have been of Iberian origin.

=Cantabrum.= A large banner used during the time of the Roman emperors, and borne on festive occasions.

=Canteen.= A tin vessel used by soldiers to carry water on the march, or in the field. It is usually suspended by a strap from the shoulder. In the British service the canteen is made of wood. The name is also applied to the store authorized within the precincts of British barracks for the sale of liquors, small stores, etc. (See POST TRADER.) A leather or wooden chest divided into compartments, and containing the table equipage of an officer when on active service, is also called a canteen.

=Canterbury= (the _Durovernum_ of the Romans). A town in Kent, England. Its cathedral was sacked by the Danes, 1011, and burnt down, 1067; rebuilt, 1130; again burnt down, 1174, and again rebuilt. During the civil war in England, Cromwell’s dragoons used Canterbury Cathedral as a stable.

=Cantinière= (_Fr._). Women who are authorized to establish themselves in the barracks or follow the troops in time of war, selling them liquors and provisions. The _cantinières_, whether attached to regiments or barracks, are selected from the wives of non-commissioned officers or privates, and wear a uniform. See VIVANDIÈRE.

=Cantle.= The hind-bow or protuberance of a saddle; also written _cantel_.

=Canton.= The only city in China with which Europeans were allowed to trade till the treaty of August 29, 1842. In 1856 a serious misunderstanding arose between Great Britain and China, on account of the Chinese having boarded the “Arrow,” a small vessel, lying in the Canton River, with a British colonial register. The Canton forts were taken, and Canton was bombarded by Sir Michael Seymour in 1856, and in the following year the Chinese fleet was entirely destroyed. In 1858 Canton was taken, and the forts at the mouth of the Pei-ho River were taken by the allied French and English forces.

=Canton.= One of the nine honorable ordinaries in heraldry. It occupies a corner of the shield either dexter or sinister, and is a third of the chief.

=Cantonments.= In the general operations of European armies are temporary resting-places. In cantonments the men are not under canvas, as in camps, but occupy during an armistice, or in intervals between active operations, adjacent towns and villages. In India cantonments are permanent places, being regular military towns, distinct and at some little distances from the principal cities.

=Cantonné.= In heraldry, when a cross is placed between four other objects it is said to be _cantonné_.