Jaca, orJacca. A fortified town of Spain, in the province of Aragon, situated at the foot of the Pyrenees, on the river Aragon. It is a town of great antiquity, and, from its position, has been the scene of many sanguinary contests. Its occupation was eagerly coveted by every invader of the Peninsula, from Cato and Julius Cæsar to the generals of Napoleon.
Jack.SeeImplements.
Jack(Fr.jacque). A coat of defensive armor, quilted and covered with leather, worn particularly by horsemen; a buff-jerkin; rarely, a coat of mail.
Jack, Hydraulic.SeeHydraulic Jack.
Jack in the Box.A very handy engine, consisting of a large wooden male-screw turning in a female one, which forms the upper part of a strong wooden box, shaped like the frustum of a pyramid. It is used by means of levers passing through holes in it as a press in packing, and for other purposes.
Jack Wambasium.A sort of coat armor,formerly worn by horsemen, not of solid iron but of many plates fastened together, which some persons by tenure were bound to furnish upon any invasion.
Jack-boots.Cavalry boots, made of thick, firm leather, hardened in a peculiar manner. They were sometimes lined with plates of iron.
Jacket.A short, close garment, extending downward to the hips; a short military coat is so called. In the manufacture of ordnance a tube inclosing and reinforcing another tube is called a jacket.
Jack-man.One wearing a jack; a horse-soldier; a retainer.
Jack-screw.SeeImplements.
Jacob, St.A Swiss hamlet, about a mile south of Basle, on the Bienne road, and the scene of a great battle fought in 1444, between 1600 Swiss and a vastly more numerous French force, under the dauphin, afterwards Louis XI. The Swiss fought for ten hours, slew three times their number of the enemy, but were themselves cut off to 10 men. This battle is known as the “Swiss Thermopylæ.”
Jacobins.One of those clubs which played so conspicuous a part in the first French revolution. In 1792 they took the name of “The Society of the Friends of Liberty and Equality.” Immediately after the fall of the king, the Jacobins began that struggle against the Girondists which ended in the destruction of the latter. After the fall of Robespierre during the Convention they rapidly lost influence, and were at last suppressed.
Jacobites.This name was given to those who, at the English revolution in 1688, adhered to the cause of the dethroned James II. In Ireland the adherents of the Stuarts rose in rebellion, but were vanquished by force of arms. In Scotland attempts were made in 1715 and 1745 by the descendants and adherents of James II. to expel the house of Hanover. Both were unsuccessful, and involved the ruin of many noble families.
Jacob’s-staff.A mathematical instrument for taking heights and distances, used by military engineers.
Jacquerie, Insurrection of the.The name given to the war of the French peasantry, which broke out in 1358. The immediate occasion of it was the enormities perpetrated by Charles the Bad, king of Navarre, and his adherents; but it was really caused by long-continued oppression on the part of the nobles. Suddenly rising against their lords, the peasants laid hundreds of castles in ruins, murdered the nobles, and violated their wives and daughters, practicing every enormity, and acting, as they said, on the principle of doing as had been done to them. For some weeks they were successful; but the magnitude of the danger induced the nobles to make common cause against them, and on June 9 the peasants were defeated with great slaughter near Meaux by Captal de Buch and Count of Foix. This put an end to the insurrection.
Jade(Fr.). A very hard stone, of an olive color, from which the handles of swords and sabres are manufactured in Poland and Turkey.
Jaen.Formerly an independent Moorish kingdom; is now a province of Spain. It was conquered by the Moors on their entrance into Spain. Jaen maintained its independence as a Moorish state till 1234, when it fell into the hands of Ferdinand III., and was added to the kingdom of Castile.
Jaffa,Yafa, orJoppa. A town of Asiatic Turkey, in the province of Syria, on the Mediterranean. This place attained its greatest prosperity in the times of the Crusaders, when it became the principal landing-place of the warriors of Christendom. In 1799 it was stormed by the French under Bonaparte, and here was perpetrated his shameful massacre of Turkish prisoners. In 1832, Mohammed Ali made himself master of it; but the Turks, with the assistance of the British and Austrians, took it from him again in 1840.
Jaffna, orJaffnapatam. The capital of the district of Jaffnapatam, in Ceylon. The town is fortified, and possesses a good citadel; but it was taken, after a short resistance, by the British troops in 1795.
Jaghire.An Indian term, signifying the assignment of the revenues of a district to a servant or dependant of government, who is hence calledJaghirdar. Jaghires are frequently given in India to persons as a reward and compensation for their military services.
Jaghire Asham.An Indian term, signifying land granted for the support of the troops.
Jahpoor.A town of Hindostan, in the presidency of Bengal, 15 miles from Agra. This place has been the scene of two decisive battles; the first fought in 1688, between Aurungzebe and his brother Darah Sheeoh; and the second, in 1707, between Alum and Azain Usbaum, all Indian princes.
Jalapa.A city of the Mexican confederation, 60 miles west-northwest of Vera Cruz. In 1847-48 the American troops occupied it.
Jalet(Fr.). SeeGalet.
Jalons(Fr.). Long poles with a wisp of straw at the top. They are fixed at different places and in different roads, to serve as signals of observation to advancing columns, when the country is inclosed, etc. They are likewise used as camp colors to mark out the ground on days of exercise.
Jamaica.One of the West India Islands, or Greater Antilles, which belongs to Great Britain, and forms the most considerable and valuable of its possessions in that quarter. It was discovered by Columbus in 1494, and colonized by the Spaniards in the early part of the 16th century. In 1655 it was taken by the English, when 3000 British soldierswho had served in the Parliamentary army settled there. In 1866 a revolt of a large portion of the negro population took place, which was promptly suppressed.
Jamb.To squeeze tight.
Jambeaux, orJambes(Fr.). Greaves; armor for the legs, made of waxed leather or metal; much used in the Middle Ages.
James of the Sword, St.A military order in Spain, instituted in 1170 under the reign of Ferdinand II., king of Leon and Galicia. Its object was to put a stop to the incursions of the Moors; these knights obliging themselves by a vow to secure the roads. The highest dignity in that order is that of grand master, which has been united to the crown of Spain. The knights were obliged to give proof of their descent from families that had been noble for four generations on both sides; they were also required to make it appear that their ancestors were neither Jews, Saracens, nor heretics, nor had ever been called into question by the Inquisition.
James Island.One of the sea islands of Charleston Co., S. C., having Charleston harbor and Ashley River on the north. The battle of Secessionville (June 11, 1863) and several other spirited engagements occurred upon this island during the late civil war.
James Projectile.SeeProjectiles.
James Rifle.An American sporting rifle, which was popular many years ago.
James, St.A town of France, in the department of Manche. William the Conqueror built a strong fortress here, which remained in possession of the English till 1448.
Jamestown.A former village of James City Co., Va., on the north bank of the James River. The first English settlement in the United States was made at this place in 1608, but nothing now remains but a few ruins. The forces of Wayne and Lord Cornwallis had an engagement near here in 1781.
Jangar.A kind of ponton constructed of two boats with a platform laid across them, which is used by the natives in the East Indies to convey horses, cattle, etc., across rivers.
Janissar-Agasi.Commander-in-chief of the Janissaries.
Janissaries(Turk,ieni tcheri, “new soldiers”). An order of infantry in the Turkish army: originally prisoners trained to arms; were first organized by Orcan, about 1330, and remodeled by his son Amurath I., 1360; their numbers being increased by following sultans. In later days they degenerated from their strict discipline, and several times deposed the sultan. During an insurrection, June 14-15, 1826, when nearly 3000 of them were killed, the Ottoman army was reorganized, and a firman was issued on June 17 abolishing the Janissaries.
Januarius, Order of St.An order of knighthood founded by King Charles of Sicily (afterwards Charles III. of Spain) on July 6, 1738. It was abolished after the French invasion of 1806, and re-introduced in 1814. The badge is a gold octagonal white and red enameled cross, with gold lilies in the upper and side angles. The obverse represents St. Januarius in episcopal robes with an open book. The round middle of the reverse shows a golden open book, and two phials partly filled with blood. The knights are eitherCavalieri di Giustizia, who must count four noble generations, orCavalieri di Grazia.
Japan.An Asiatic empire, composed of Japan, or Niphon, and 3850 isles, with nearly 40,000,000 inhabitants. For military events in Japan, see separate articles in this book.
Jargeau.A town of France, in the department Loiret, 10 miles from Orleans. This place was taken, after a short siege, by the Earl of Salisbury, in 1428.
Jarnac.A town of France, situated on the Charente. The Protestants under Coligny and the Prince of Condé were defeated near Jarnac in 1659, when the latter was slain.
Jassy, orYassy. The chief town of Moldavia, and the residence of the hospodar or prince of that country. Jassy has been frequently taken by the Russians, but it has always been restored at the conclusion of each war with Turkey. In 1822 it was burned by the Janissaries, from which disaster it has never recovered.
Jauts, orJats. A people of Hindostan, who have at different times made some figure in its annals. The first historical mention of them occurs in the beginning of the 11th century, on the invasion of India by Mahmoud the Gaznevide, when they were completely defeated and driven into the mountainous districts of the interior of India. We find them afterwards, under the growing imbecility of Aurungzebe’s successors, continually extending their conquests. They suffered a reverse, however, at the hands of Ahmed Shah, the sovereign of Cabul, who invaded Northern India, and overran a great portion of their territory. The Jaut chief afterwards became an ally of Ahmed Shah, having treacherously betrayed his former allies, the Mahrattas, at the battle of Paniput, January 14, 1761. When the British power became predominant, the rajah of the Jauts, Rungeet Sing, sought security by concluding a treaty by which he agreed to assist England against all enemies, and by this means he retained the government of his territories. In 1808, however, on the defeat of Holkar by the British, he received into Bhurtpore the discomfited army. The city was besieged, and cost the British an immense number of lives; but at length, despairing of effectual resistance, the rajah agreed to compel Holkar to quit the place. For this breach of the terms of the treaty he was compelled by the English to pay a heavy fine. Disputes about the succession to the throne afterwards led to the interferenceof the British, and the hitherto impregnable fortress of Bhurtpore was taken by Lord Combermere, January 18, 1826, after a desperate resistance on the part of the Jauts.
Java.A large island in the Eastern Archipelago; is said to have been reached by the Portuguese in 1511, and by the Dutch in 1595. The latter, who now possess it, built Batavia, the capital, about 1619. The atrocious massacre of 20,000 of the unarmed natives by the Dutch, sparing neither women nor children, to possess their effects, took place in 1740. The island capitulated to the British, September 18, 1811; but it was restored to Holland in 1814.
Javelin(Lat.pilum). A short and light spear used for darting against an enemy. In the ancient Roman legions, the first and second lines were armed with them, and in those days they were considered excellent offensive weapons.
Je Maintiendrai(“I will maintain”). The motto of the house of Nassau. When William III. came to the throne of England, he continued this, but added “the liberties of England and the Protestant religion,” at the same time ordering that the old motto of the royal arms, “Dieu et mon droit” should be retained on the great seal, 1689.
Jean de Pied de Port, St.A town of France, in the department of the Lower Pyrenees, on the Nive. Near this place is the pass of Roncevaux, or Roncesvalles, where, in 778, the army of Charlemagne was defeated, and Rolland, the distinguished Paladin, mortally wounded.
Jelalabad.A town of Afghanistan; capital of a province of the same name, 75 miles southeast from Cabul (Cabool). It is memorable for the successful resistance made there in 1841-42 by Sir Robert Sale, with a handful of British troops against a large besieging force of Afghans. Its fortifications were destroyed by the British in 1842, when they evacuated the country.
Jeloudar.An East Indian term, signifying to belong to the train or equipage.
Jemadar.A native lieutenant in an Indian native infantry or cavalry regiment.
Jemappes.A village and commune of Belgium, in the province of Hainault, 2 miles west from Mons. In 1792, the French under Dumouriez gained a great victory over the Austrians near this place.
Jemaulabad.A town and fortress in the south of India, province of Canara, which was originally called Narasingha Augady. The first, which was built by Tippoo, stands on the summit of an immense rock, which may be deemed impregnable, as it is wholly inaccessible except by one narrow way. After the fall of Seringapatam, it sustained a siege of six weeks from the British, when being bombarded, it was taken, and the commander having poisoned himself, his principal officers were hanged. It was afterwards surprised and taken by a band of insurgents or plunderers, when it was reduced, after a blockade of three months, and all that did not escape were summarily executed.
Jena.A town of Germany, in the grand duchy Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, situated in a romantic valley at the confluence of the Leutra with the Saale. In this vicinity was fought the great battle of Jena, October 14, 1806, between the French and Prussian armies, in which the latter was totally defeated.
Jenizer-effendi.An appointment among the Turks, which in some degree resembles that of provost-marshal in European armies. The only functions which this officer is permitted to exercise are those of judge to the company. He sits on particular days for the purpose of hearing the complaints of the soldiers, and of settling their differences. If a case of peculiar difficulty should occur, he reports the case to theAga, whose opinion and determination are final.
Jericho.Once one of the most flourishing cities of Palestine, situated a few miles northeast of Jerusalem. The Israelites captured and destroyed it on their first entry into Canaan. In the time of Herod it was rebuilt, but was destroyed in the reign of Vespasian, and again rebuilt under Hadrian. During the Crusades, it was repeatedly captured, and at last destroyed. At the present day its place is occupied by a miserable village called Richa.
Jersey.One of the Channel Islands, and the largest and most southerly of the group, situated about 15 miles west from the coast of France, and belonging to Great Britain. Various attempts have been made by the French to possess themselves of this island, but without success. The most remarkable was in 1781, when they were repulsed by the local militia.
Jerusalem.A celebrated city of Syria, the capital of the ancient Judæa and the modern Palestine. This city was called Salem in 1913B.C.; its king was slain by Joshua, 1451B.C.It was taken by David, 1048B.C., who dwelt in the fort, calling it the City of David. Jerusalem was taken by the Persians in 614; retaken by the emperor Heraclius, 628; by the Saracens, 637; and by the Crusaders, when 70,000 infidels were put to the sword; taken by Saladin, 1187; by the Turks, who drove away the Saracens, 1217 and 1239. It was held by the French under Bonaparte, February, 1799.
Jet(Fr.). A term signifying the motion of any body that is urged forward by main force; it likewise means the space which is gone over by any propelled body; and sometimes the instrument from which anything is thrown or shot; as, the cross-bow, etc.Jet des bombesis a phrase adopted instead oftir, which formerly expressed the course that a shell took when it was thrown out of a mortar by the power of gunpowder.
Jets.SeePyrotechny.
Jiddah, orJeddah. A trading town of the Hedjaz, Arabia, about 60 miles west fromMecca. On June 15, 1858, the inhabitants rose against the Christians resident among them, and massacred a considerable number of them. In August of the same year the town was bombarded by the British, and satisfaction rendered.
Jingal, orJingall. A small, portable piece of ordnance, to be fired from the ground or on a wall, resting on a long, slender butt-end, and two legs. This piece was used in India. SeeGingals.
Joar.An East Indian term, signifying a general massacre of the women and children, which is sometimes performed by the Hindoos, when they find they cannot prevent the enemy from taking the town. When this dreadful and unnatural ceremony is to take place, a spot is selected which is filled with wood, straw, oil, etc. The victims are inclosed and the whole is set on fire.
John (St.) of Jerusalem, Knights of.SeeSaint John of Jerusalem, The Order of the Knights Hospitallers of.
Join.A technical word used in the British service, signifying to effect the junction of one military body with another. In a more limited sense, it means the accession of an individual, voluntary or otherwise, to a corps or army. If an officer, on being ordered to join, omits to do so willfully, he is liable to be tried by a general court-martial, or to be peremptorily suspended for being absent without leave.
Jooday Perraput.An East Indian term, signifying a slave taken in war.
Jour(Fr.). The tour of duty which is done in the course of a day and night.Etre de jour, to be officer of the day, or to command a body of troops at a siege or otherwise in the capacity of a general officer, etc.
Journal(Fr.). A public record or general orderly book, kept in the French service, and in which every transaction that occurred during a siege is entered by the governor of the town, for the inspection of a superior authority. The general officer who carried on the siege of a place likewise kept a document of the same kind, and minuted down everything that happened under his command. So that the journal which was kept in this manner was a circumstantial detail of what occurred, day after day, during the attack and defense of a town.
Journals of Defense.In the American service during war, the commander of a place, and the chiefs of engineers and of artillery, shall keep journals of defense, in which shall be entered, in order of date, without blank or interlineation, the orders given or received, the manner in which they are executed, their results, and every event and circumstance of importance in the progress of the defense. These journals shall be sent after the siege to the Department of War.
Journals of March.Commanding officers of troops marching through a country little known will keep journals of their marches according to a form laid down in Army Regulations. At the end of the march a copy of the journal will be retained at the station where the troops arrive, and the original will be forwarded to the headquarters of the department orcorps d’armée. Thence, after a copy has been taken, it will be transmitted, through the headquarters of the army, to the adjutant-general, for the information of the War Department. The object of the journal is to furnish data for maps, and information which may serve for future operations. Every point of practical importance should therefore be noted.
Journée(Fr.). A term used among the French to express any particular engagement or battle; as,la journée de Marengo, the battle of Marengo. We frequently adopt the word in the same sense; thus, a hard-foughtdaysignifies a hard-foughtbattle.
Joust, orJust. An exercise of arms and horsemanship, performed in the Middle Ages by knights and nobles. In the joust, the combatants engaged one another singly, each against his antagonist. The weapon most in use in the joust was the lance, but sometimes the battle-axe and sword were employed. To direct the lance anywhere but at the body of the antagonist was reckoned foul play. In the joust of peace, orjoute de plaisance, a foot encounter preceded the mounted combat.
Joute(Fr.). A close fight between two individuals. It likewise means an engagement at sea.
Joves(Fr.). The two sides in the epaulement of a battery which form the embrasure are so called.
Joyeuse(Fr.). A name given to the sword of Charlemagne.
Judge-Advocate.An individual appointed to officiate as public prosecutor upon every general court-martial for the trial of officers and soldiers accused of a breach of the Articles of War, general regulations, or any conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. He is appointed by the officer authorized to assemble a general court-martial, and must be relieved by the same authority. His duties are various and important (see De Hart’s “Military Law,” Benét on “Courts-Martial,” and Scott’s “Analytical Digest of Military Law,” on duties, etc., of judge-advocate); he must be present at the court for which he is appointed, not only to record all its proceedings, but also in order to impart validity to its jurisdiction. He advises the court on points of law, of custom, and of form, and invites their attention to any deviation therefrom. If any question of law arises out of the proceedings, and he is called upon for his opinion, he is bound to give it. It is his duty to take care that the accused does not suffer from a want of knowledge of the law, or from a deficiency of experience or ability to solicit from witnesses, or develop by the testimony on the trial, a full statementof the facts of the case as hearing on the defense. If the court, or a member thereof, should deviate from the letter of the law, or assume a power at variance with it, the judge-advocate is bound to point out the error, which should become a part of the record. It is now admitted that the custom of appointing persons from civil life to officiate as judge-advocate is clearly objectionable. It creates a ministerial officer without legal responsibilities, and necessarily commits to his hands high interests of the government, and to some extent the rights and reputation of individuals, to be treated and observed without any stronger guaranty of fidelity than his own sense or impression of moral obligation. In the important duties of the judge-advocate as recorder, adviser, and prosecutor, the utmost deference to the dignity of the court should be apparent; a delicate courtesy and modest demeanor should be characteristic of his address, while his argument may be replete with all the vigor and energy which knowledge imparts and which truth demands.
Judge-Advocate-General.Of the British forces is stationed in London, and is regarded as a civil officer, and is paid from the civil department. The office is generally held by an experienced barrister, to whom all proceedings of courts-martial are referred for remarks as to legality and regularity. In the United States he is a staff-officer with the rank of brigadier-general, who receives, revises, and causes to be recorded the proceedings of all courts-martial, courts of inquiry, and military commissions, and has charge of the records of the bureau of military justice.
Judge-Advocates, Corps of.In the United States, consists of four general staff-officers with the rank of major, who are usually assigned to duty at the headquarters of geographical divisions and departments, and may be detailed as judge-advocates of military courts.
Judge-Martial, orAdvocate-General. In former years was the supreme judge in martial law, as to the jurisdiction and powers of military courts in the British system.
Junior.One having a lower rank. When the grade is the same, the one having the more recent commission or warrant.
Junk-wads.Are used for proving cannon.Wad-moldsfor each caliber—consisting of two cast-iron cylinders of different diameters set in oak, or of two strong pieces, strapped with iron, and joined by a hinge—are employed in their manufacture. The junk, after having been picked, is compressed by being beaten in the smaller mold with amaulandcylindricaldrift—the latter nearly of the size of the mold—until it assumes the requisite dimensions; it is then taken out by raising the upper part of the mold, and closely wrapped with rope-yarn passed over it in the direction of the axis of the cylinder, and fastened by a few turns around the middle of the wad. It is then placed in the large mold, and again beaten with the maul and drift until its diameter is increased to that of the mold; when it is taken out and its diameter verified by a wooden gauge corresponding to the large shot-gauge of the caliber.
Jupon, orJust-au-Corps. A surcoat. The name jupon is chiefly applied to the short tight form of that military garment in use in the 14th century. It was a sleeveless jacket or overcoat, composed of several thicknesses of material sewed through, and faced with silk or velvet, upon which were embroidered the arms of the wearer. It fitted closely to the body, and, descending below the hips, terminated in an enriched border of various patterns.
Jurisdiction.Legal authority; extent of power. All sutlers and retainers to the camp, and all persons whatsoever serving with the armies of the United States in the field, though not enlisted soldiers, are to be subject to orders, according to the rules and discipline of war. To decide exactly where the boundary-line runs between civil and military jurisdiction as to the civilians attached to an army is difficult; but it is quite evident that they are within military jurisdiction, as provided for in the Articles of War, when their treachery, defection, or insubordination might endanger or embarrass the army to which they belong in its operations against what is known in military phrase as “an enemy.” Probably the fact that troops are found in a region of country chiefly inhabited by Indians, and remote from the exercise of civil authority, may enter into the description of “an army in the field.” Persons who attach themselves to an army going upon an expedition against hostile Indians may be understood as agreeing that they will submit themselves for the time being to military control. All officers, conductors, gunners, matrosses, drivers, or other persons whatsoever receiving pay or hire in the service of the artillery or corps of engineers of the United States, shall be subject to be tried by courts-martial. The officers and soldiers of any troops, whether militia or others, being mustered and in pay of the United States, shall, at all times and in all places, when joined, or acting in conjunction with the regular forces of the United States, be governed by the Rules and Articles of War, and shall be subject to be tried by courts-martial in like manner with the officers and soldiers in the regular forces; save only that such courts-martial shall be composed entirely of militia officers. No officer, non-commissioned officer, soldier, or follower of the army shall be tried the second time for the same offense. No person shall be liable to be tried and punished by a general court-martial for any offense which shall appear to have been committed more than two years before the issuing of the order for such trial, unless the person by reason of having absented himself, or some other manifest impediment, shall not have beenamenable to justice within that period. No garrison or regimental court-martial shall have the power to try capital cases, or commissioned officers; neither shall they inflict a fine exceeding one month’s pay, nor imprison, nor put to hard labor any non-commissioned officer or soldier, for a longer time than one month.
Just.SeeJoust.
Justice, Military.That species of justice which prevails in the army, and which is administered by military tribunals in accordance with the Articles of War. In Prussia justice is frequently obtained through what is known as the court of honor. SeeCourt of Honor,Court-martial; also,Appendix,Articles of War,29,30, and72to105.
Justice, Military, Bureau of.In the United States consists of one judge-advocate-general, with the rank, pay, etc., of brigadier-general. SeeJudge-Advocate-General.
Juterbogk.A small town of Prussia, in the province of Brandenburg. In the vicinity is the field of Dennewitz, where the Prussians defeated the French, September 6, 1813. SeeDennewitz.
Jutland.The only considerable peninsula of Europe that points directly north, forms a portion of the kingdom of Denmark, and comprises the province of North Jutland. South Jutland was taken by the allies in 1813, and restored in 1814. In historical times, the Jutes took part in the expedition of the Saxons to England. As allies of the Saxons, they waged war with Charlemagne, and under the name of Normans (Northmen), frequently desolated the coasts of Germany and France.
Juzail.A heavy rifle used by the Afghans.
Kabbade(Fr.). Military clothing of the modern Greeks; Romansagum.
Kabyles.An aboriginal African people, inhabiting the mountains of the Atlas. They are an independent race, who mainly exist by plundering the people of the plains. They are divided into numerous tribes, each of which has its distinctive name, with the prefixBenibefore it. SeeBeni-Abbes,Beni-Achour, etc.
Kaffa.SeeCaffa.
Kaffraria.An extensive country in Southern Africa, extending from the north of Cape Colony to the south of Guinea. The English war with the natives of the country began in 1798, and continued with intermissions until March, 1853. The Kaffirs, headed by Mokanna, a prophet, attacked Grahamstown, but were repulsed with much slaughter in 1819; again defeated in 1828, 1831, and 1834. After a series of engagements, they were attacked by Governor-General Cathcart, and completely defeated, December 20, 1852, and peace was restored in the following March.
Kagosima.A town of Japan, which was bombarded by the English in 1863, in retaliation for the murder of one of their subjects.
Kahlenberg.A hill in Austria, on the Danube, a little northwest of Vienna. On its side the army of Sobieski arrived to the rescue of Vienna, when besieged by the Turks in 1683.
Kaiffa.A seaport town of Syria, situated on the south side of the Bay of Acre. It was captured by the French in 1799.
Kainardji.In Bulgaria; here a treaty was signed, 1774, between the Turks and Russians, which opened the Black Sea, and gave Crimea to the latter.
Kaiser(from Lat.Cæsar). The German word for emperor, which has been so extensively known and used in every language since the year 1871, when William, king of Prussia, was crowned at Versailles, France, as emperor of Germany. Thus was revived the old Teutonic appellation of kaiser, which applied formerly, and especially in the Middle Ages, to the German emperors, who inherited this title from the Roman Cæsars, themselves succeeded by Charlemagne, who is considered by the Germans as the first emperor of the Vaterland, as William is the latest one.
Kaiserslautern.A fortified town of the palatinate of the Rhine, which belongs to Bavaria, 33 miles west from Spires. It was the scene of much hard fighting between the French and Germans in 1792 and 1793.
Kak Towda(Ind.). A term applied in the East Indies to the fine mold used in making butts for archery practice.
Kalafat.A town of Wallachia, situated on the left bank of the Danube, nearly opposite Widdin. It is strongly fortified, and commands the approach to the Danube. The battle of Citate was fought here on January 6, 1854, and three following days, between the Turks under Omar Pasha and the Russians under Gortschakoff.
Kalai(Fr.). A Turkish fortress; more particularly applied to stockades.
Kalisch, orKalice. A town of Poland, belonging to Russia, and situated on the frontier of the Prussian territory. The Swedes were defeated by the Poles in its vicinity in 1706; another battle was fought here between the Russians and Saxons in 1813.
Kalispels, orCalispels. SeePend d’Oreilles.
Kalmar, orCalmar. A fortified town of Sweden, and the capital of a province, on the sound or strait of the same name, in the Baltic, opposite the island of Oland. In 1397, the treaty of Kalmar, by which Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were united, was signed here.
Kalmucks, orCalmucks. Called by the TartarsKhalimick(“renegades”), the largest of the Mongolian peoples, inhabiting large regions of the Chinese, and also Russian dominions. They are divided into four tribes: the Choshots, ruled by descendants of Genghis Khan; the Soongars, in the 17th and the 18th centuries the masters of the other races; oppressed by the Chinese, they migrated in great numbers, in 1758, to Russia, but returned in 1770 to Soongaria; the Derbets, who dwell in the valleys of the Don and Ili; the Torgots, formerly united with the Soongars. The Kalmucks are a nomad, predatory, and warlike race, and pass the greater part of their lives in the saddle.
Kalsa Cutcherry(Ind.). The room of business, where matters pertaining to the army are transacted, and all matters of litigation on that branch of service are determined.
Kaluga.Chief town of the government of the same name in Russia, on the right bank of the Oka. From the 14th to the 18th century, its stronghold was a great protection against the invasions of the Lithuanians, the Tartars of the Great Horde, and especially against the Crimean Tartars. It is at present the residence of Schamyl, the Circassian chief.
Kalunga Fort.In the East Indies; it was attacked unsuccessfully by the company’s forces, and Gen. Gillespie killed, October 31, 1814; and again unsuccessfully on November 25. It was evacuated by the Nepaulese, November 30, same year.
Kaminietz.A town of Russian Poland, situated on the river Smotriza, and the capital of the government of Podolia. The fortifications of this place were razed in 1812, but have since been rebuilt.
Kamtschatka.A peninsula on the east coast of Asia; was discovered by Morosco, a Cossack chief, and was taken possession of by Russia in 1697.
Kanauts.A term used in India to designate the walls of a canvas tent.
Kangiar.A Turkish sabre, the blade of which is bent contrary to other swords, generally ornamented with diamonds and other precious stones.
Kansas.One of the States of the United States, the thirty-fourth in order of admission. It lies between 37° and 40° N. lat., and between 25th meridian of long. and the western boundary of the State of Missouri, and is, geographically, the central State of the Union. It was organized as a Territory in 1854, and admitted into the Union January 29, 1861; and though it remained loyal during the civil war, yet many of its inhabitants took the field for the Confederate cause.
Kapigi-Bachi.Officer in charge of the gates of the sultan’s palace; a warrior.
Kaponier.SeeCaponiere.
Karauls.Military posts; sultan’s body-guards.
Karki-Mesrac.A Turkish lance.
Karmathians.So called from Abu Said Al-Jenabia, surnamed Al-Karmata, a Mohammedan sect which sprang up in the 9th century, and was originally a branch of the Ismailis. The sect was very powerful for a time. They conquered Arabia, Persia, and Syria, which they ruled with a despotic power, and their armies gained great victories of those of the caliphs. In 928 they threatened Bagdad, and in 930, under their leader, Abu Takir, entered Mecca, which was full of pilgrims, when a massacre of the most fearful description ensued, desecrated the holy places, and carried away the supreme palladium, the black stone, which was only restored to Mecca at an immense ransom after twenty years. From that time their power declined, and after the 11th century they are not mentioned in history, although some traces of them still exist at Hasa, their former stronghold.
Karrack.SeeCarrack.
Kars.A fortified town of Asiatic Turkey, in the province of Armenia, situated on a table-land between 6000 and 7000 feet above the level of the sea. In 1828 it was taken from the Turks by the Russians under Paskievitsch. In 1855, its fortifications having been strengthened, it sustained a long siege by the Russians. Their attempt at taking it by storm (September 29) failed, but it was compelled by famine to surrender, November 30. Kars again surrendered to the Russians in 1877, having been captured by storming in a night attack,—one of the most brilliant feats of arms in the annals of history.
Kaschau.A town of Hungary; is situated in the beautiful valley of the Hernad, 130 miles northeast from Pesth. Two battles were fought near Kaschau during the Hungarian revolution, both of which the Austrians gained.
Kaskaskia Indians.A tribe which formerly inhabited Illinois, but are now located with other tribes on the Quapaw agency, Indian Territory. SeeIndians and their Agencies.
Kastamouni, orCostambone. A town in Anatolia, Asia Minor. It stands in a dreary hollow, from which rises a solitary rock surmounted by a fortress in ruins. During the Greek empire, the fortress wasin possession of the Comneni. It was taken by Bajazet, retaken by Timour, and lastly, conquered by Mohammed I.
Katan.A Japanese sword, otherwisecattan.
Katsbach, orKatzbach. A river in Prussia, in the province of Silesia, near which Gen. Blücher defeated the French under Macdonald and Ney, August 26, 1813. He received the title of Prince of Wahlstatt, the name of a neighboring village.
Kátsena.A town of Central Africa, in the empire of Sokoto. In 1807 the conquering Fúlbes assailed it, and a war was commenced, which lasted for upwards of seven years. The capture of the town was achieved only through its destruction.
Kavass.In Turkey, an armed constable; also a government servant or courier.
Kazan.A town of Russia, capital of the government, and ancient capital of the kingdom of the same name; is situated on the river Kazanka, 4 miles from the north bank of the Volga. It was founded in 1257 by a Tartar tribe, and after various vicissitudes, was made the capital of an independent kingdom of the khan of the Golden Horde, which flourished in the 15th century. In 1552 the Russians, under Ivan the Terrible, carried the town after a bloody siege, and put an end to the existence of the kingdom.
Kecherklechi.Are guards attached to the person of the king of Persia; they are armed with a musket of an extraordinary size and caliber. They were raised and formed into a regular corps about the middle of the 18th century.
Keechies.A small tribe of Indians residing with others on the Wichita Agency, Indian Territory. SeeIndians and their Agencies.
Keen.Sharp; having a fine cutting edge; as, a keen blade.
Keep.To maintain hold upon; not to let go of; not to lose; to retain; as, if we lose the field, we cannot keep the town.
Keep.In ancient military history, a kind of strong tower, which was built in the centre of a castle or fort, to which the besieged retreated, and made their last efforts of defense. In the Norman keeps there appear to have been three stories, the lowest for stores, the second for a guard-room, and the upper, orsolarium, for the family. The keep was similar to what the classical ancients called the citadel, or inner fort,—a term generally applied to modern fortification on the continent.King’s Keep, a fort built by King Henry II. in the inner part of Dover Castle is so called.
Keep Off.To deter an enemy from approaching close to the lines or fortifications, by inducing him to suspect a superior force, an ambuscade, or a mine, or by openly galling his advanced posts in such a manner as to beat him in detail. Infantry may keep off cavalry by hot firing, or by a bristling hedge of bayonets, when in square.
Keep On.To go forward; to proceed; to continue to advance; as, to keep on advancing into the enemy’s country.
Keep Up.In military movements, is to preserve that regular pace by which a line or column on a march, or in manœuvring, advances towards any given point without any chasms or fluctuations. When a regiment marches by files, it is almost impossible for the rear to keep up. On this account, divisions, sub-divisions, and even sections, are best calculated to preserve a regular depth and continuity of march. Keep up likewise signifies to attend to the interior management and discipline of a corps, so as to prevent the least deviation from established rules and regulations. Thus commanding officers are said to keep up good order and discipline, who, whether present or absent, provide against the least insubordination, etc. Tokeep up a heavy fire, is to play heavy ordnance against a fortified place, or body of men, by a calm and well-directed succession of shot. The term is equally applicable to a steady fire of musketry.
Kehl.A town of Germany, on the Rhine, opposite Strasburg. It is of great importance in a military sense, and was fortified by the French engineer Vauban in the year 1688. This place has often been besieged and taken. It was obstinately defended against the Austrians, who took it in 1797. It was taken by the French the following year, and retained by them till 1814.
Kelat.A town and strong fortress of Afghanistan, 72 miles northeast from Candahar. It was held by the British till their evacuation of the country in 1842.
Kelat.The capital of Beloochistan, India, standing on a hill 6000 feet above the level of the sea. In 1840 this place was taken by the English general Nott, but in the following year the British finally withdrew from it.
Kelso.A town in Scotland, in the county of Roxburgh, situated at the confluence of the Tweed and the Teviot. An old abbey, now in ruins, is the chief object of interest in Kelso. It was founded by David I. in 1128, and was destroyed in 1560, after having sustained great injury at the hands of the English in 1522 and 1545. Kelso is often mentioned in the histories of the border wars.
Kemmendine.A post of the Burmese empire, near Rangoon, memorable for the various contests between the British forces and the natives in 1824.
Kenaians.A numerous tribe of Indians residing in Alaska. They derive their name from the peninsula of Kenai, and are peaceable and self-supporting.
Kenilworth.A small town of Warwickshire, England. The only interest of the place centres in its ruined castle, which stands on a rocky and commanding eminence; it was founded by Geoffrey de Clinton, lord chamberlain to Henry I. It was granted by Henry III. to Simon do Montfort, earl of Leicester, and became the chief rallying-point of the insurgents who sidedwith that noble. After his death it held out for six months against the royal forces. The castle of Kenilworth was dismantled by Oliver Cromwell.
Kent.A maritime county of England, forming the southeastern angle of the kingdom, and approaching nearer to the continent than any other part of the kingdom. It was in this county that the Romans first landed when they invaded Britain. It was then inhabited by the Cantii. Kent was the first kingdom of the Heptarchy established by the Saxons in Britain.
Kentucky.One of the Central States of the Mississippi Valley, and the second admitted into the confederacy after the Revolution. It was formerly included in the territory of Virginia, to which it belonged till 1792. Its name, signifying “the dark and bloody ground,” is suggestive of its early history, it being the scene of many bloody conflicts between the settlers and Indians, and also the grand battle-ground of the Indians themselves. The most important battle between the Indians and whites took place near Blue Lick Springs, August 19, 1782, the latter numbering 182, and the former about three times that number. After a desperate engagement the Kentuckians were totally routed, with a loss of 60 killed and wounded. The celebrated Col. Boone bore a part and lost a son in this engagement. In the war of 1812 Kentucky was largely and effectively represented, as also in the Mexican war. In the civil war the State at first declared a strict neutrality; but as this condition could not be maintained, after stormy and exciting discussions in its councils, it declared for the Union in November, 1861. As the population was almost equally divided in its sympathy, Kentuckians were to be found fighting in the ranks of both contending armies. The State was the theatre of several hotly contested actions during the civil war, and suffered considerably during that trying period.
Kerana.A long trumpet, similar in shape and size to the speaking-trumpet. The Persians use it whenever they wish to make any extraordinary noise, and they frequently blow it with hautboys, kettle-drums, and other instruments, at retreat or sunset, and two hours after midnight.
Kerman, orSirjan. The capital of a province of the same name in Persia, situated about 360 miles southeast from Ispahan. In 1794, after a brave defense, this city was taken by Aga Mohammed Khan, and given up to plunder for three successive months. It has never recovered from the effects of this great disaster.
Kern(Ir.cearn). A soldier. The Irish infantry were formerly distinguished by this appellation. The men in those days were armed with a sword and a dart or javelin, which was tied to a small cord, so that after they had thrown it at the enemy they could instantly recover it, and use it in any way they thought proper. The javelin was calledskene, which is also the Irish for aknife.
Kertch(anc.Panticapœum). A town of Russia, in the government of Taurida, on the coast of the Crimea. It was colonized in 500B.C.by the Milesians, and about 50B.C.it became part of the Roman empire; and in 375A.D.it fell into the hands of the Huns. In 1280 it was occupied by the Genoese, who were driven out by the Turks in 1473. It was seized by the Russians in 1771, and formally ceded to them in 1774. In May, 1855, it was taken by the allied French and English during the Crimean war, on which occasion it was ruthlessly plundered by the soldiery.
Ket’s Rebellion.A revolt which occurred in England in July, 1549, instigated by William Ket, a tanner, of Norfolk. He demanded the abolition of inclosures and the dismissal of evil counselors. The insurgents amounted to 20,000 men, but were quickly defeated by the Earl of Warwick, whose troops killed more than 200 of the insurgents.
Kettle-drum.A drum formed by stretching vellum over the circular edge of a hemispherical vessel of brass or copper. This instrument, which gives forth a sharp, ringing sound, is used in Europe by regiments of cavalry and horse-artillery in lieu of the ordinary cylindrical drum, which would, from its shape, be inconvenient on horseback. Kettle-drums are not used in the U. S. military service.
Kettle-drum Cart.A four-wheel carriage drawn by four horses, which was used exclusively by the British artillery as a pageant. The ordnance flag was painted on the fore part, and the drummer, with two kettle-drums, was seated, as in a chair of state, on the back part. This cart, which is finely engraved and richly gilt, has not been in the field since 1743, when the king was present. It is at present kept in the Tower of London.
Kettle-drummer.One who plays on a kettle-drum.
Kettle-hat.A cap of iron worn by knights in the Middle Ages.
Key.In artillery carriages, is a bolt used to secure cap squares and for analogous purposes.
Key of a Position or Country.A point the possession of which gives the control of that position or country.
Key-chain.A chain attached to the key to prevent it from being lost.
Key-plates.SeeOrdnance, Carriages for, The Caisson.
Keyserlicks, orImperialists. The Austrian troops are frequently called so. The term was indeed common among the British soldiers, when they did duty with the Austrians, and invaded France in 1794.
Khaibar.A town of Arabia, the capital of an independent Jewish territory, 110 miles north from Medina. In 628 it was taken by Mohammed, who had receivedfrom a Jewess of the town the poisoned egg which ultimately cost him his life.
Khan.A title of Mongolian or Tartar sovereigns and lords. Akhanateis a principality.Khaganmeans “khan of khans,” but has seldom been applied. The word khan is probably of the same origin as king.
Khedive.A title, said to signify a position inferior to an absolute sovereign, but superior to a mere viceroy, which was given to the viceroy of Egypt, Ismail Pasha, by the sultan of Turkey in 1867.
Kheet(Ind.). A fortified city, which is 4 or more coss, or 8 English miles, in length and breadth, and which does not exceed 8 coss, or 16 English miles.
Khelat.A hill fortress of considerable strength in the territory of Afghanistan, which was gallantly captured by the British troops in 1839.
Kherson.An ancient Dorian colony, which came under the sway of the great Mithridates about 120B.C., and afterwards of that of Rome in 30. It continued important, and its possession was long disputed by the Russians and Greeks. It was taken by Vladimir, grand duke of Russia, in 988. The city was destroyed by the Lithuanians; and the Turks found it deserted when they took possession of the Crimea in 1475.
Khiva(anc.Chorasmia),Khaurezm,Kharasm, orUrgunge. A khanate of Turkestan, in Central Asia. In ancient times it was nominally subject to the Selucidæ; subsequently it formed part of the kingdoms of Bactria, Parthia, Persia, and the Caliphate, and became an independent monarchy in 1092 under a Seljuk dynasty. The Khivans, or as they were then called, the Khaurezmians, after conquering the whole of Persia and Afghanistan, were obliged to succumb to the Moguls, under Genghis Khan, in 1221. In 1370 it came into the hands of Timur. Timur’s descendants were subdued in 1511 by Shahy Beg, chief of the Uzbeks, a Turkish tribe, and his successors still rule over Khiva. In 1717, Peter the Great attempted to conquer it, but his army was totally defeated; the attempt was renewed in 1839 by the czar Nicholas, with the same result; the greater part of the Russian army perished in the desert. From 1873 to 1875, however, it was continually invaded by the armies of Russia, who in the latter year occupied a portion of the principality, which is now ruled by the Russian government under the name of the Trans-Caspian Territory.
Khodadaud Sircar(Ind.). The government or ruler blessed or beloved of God; it was a title assumed by Tippoo Sahib, the sovereign of the kingdom of Mysore, who fell in defense of his capital, Seringanatam, when it was stormed, May 4, 1799, by the British forces under Lieut.-Gen. Harris.
Khoi.A walled town of Persia, province of Azerbijan, on a tributary of the Khar. In the plain of Khoi, Shah Ismael signally defeated the Turks under Selim I. in 1514.
Khurd-Cabul.A village of Afghanistan, situated 16 miles southeast of Cabul. Here, in 1841, the British troops retreating from Cabul to Jelalabad became totally disorganized, and were murdered without resistance by the Afghans; and here, in 1842, Gen. Pollock encamped after the decisive defeat of the Afghans at Terzeen.
Khyber Pass.The most practicable of all the openings through the Khyber Mountains, is the only one by which cannon can be conveyed between the plain of Peshawur, on the right bank of the upper Indus, and the plain of Jelalabad, in Northern Afghanistan. It is 30 miles in length, being here and there merely a narrow ravine between almost perpendicular rocks of at least 600 feet in height. It may be said to have been the key of the adjacent regions in either direction from the days of Alexander the Great to the Afghan wars of 1839-42. Here a British army, on its retreat from Cabul in January, 1842, was absolutely annihilated.
Kibee.A flaw produced in the bore of a gun by a shot striking against it.
Kick.To recoil;—said of a musket, piece of ordnance, and the like.
Kickapoos.A tribe of Indians who formerly lived on the Wisconsin River, and were for a long time hostile to the white settlers, but after Wayne’s victory over the tribes in Ohio in 1794 submitted, and concluded a treaty of peace in 1795. In 1811 and 1812, however, they again renewed hostilities, and attacked Fort Harrison in the latter year. Being repulsed, they surprised and murdered 20 persons at the mouth of White River. For this and similar atrocities they were punished by the burning of some of their villages. After a desultory warfare, treaties of peace were again concluded with them, and after the treaty of 1819 they sold their lands and moved beyond the Mississippi River. A few settled down to agriculture, and their descendants now exhibit considerable indications of civilization; but the greater number roamed over the country committing depredations. Some of them are now settled on the Kansas agency, Kansas, and others on the Sac and Fox agency, in Indian Territory. SeeIndians and their Agencies.
Kidnapper.Parties were formerly so called, who by improper means decoyed the unwary into the army.
Kiel.Chief town of Holstein, a seaport, and a member of the Hanseatic League in 1300. By a treaty between Great Britain, Sweden, and Denmark, signed here January 14, 1814, Norway was ceded to Sweden. An extraordinary assembly of the revolted provinces, Schleswig and Holstein, met here September 9, 1850. By the convention of Gastein between Austria and Prussia, August 14, 1865, the former was to govern Holstein, but Kiel to be held by Prussia as a German federal port. This was annulled in 1866 by the issue of the war.
Kiev, orKief.The chief town of thegovernment of that name, on the west bank of the Dnieper; is one of the oldest of the Russian towns, and was formerly the capital. In 864 it was taken from the Khazars by two Norman chiefs, companions of Ruric, and conquered from them by Oleg, Ruric’s successor, who made it his capital. It was nearly destroyed by Batu, khan of Kiptchak. In the 14th century it was seized by Gedimin, grand duke of Lithuania, and annexed to Poland in 1569, but in 1686 was restored to Russia.
Kilcullen.In Kildare, Ireland. Here a large body of the insurgent Irish defeated the British forces commanded by Gen. Dundas, May 23, 1798. The general in a subsequent engagement overthrew the rebels near Kilcullen bridge, when 300 were slain.
Kildare.A county of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. The insurrection in Ireland which swelled into the rebellion, commenced in Kildare, May 23, 1798. On that night Lieut. Gifford of Dublin, and a number of other gentlemen, were murdered by the insurgents. This rebellion was quelled in 1799.
Kilkenny.Capital of a county of the same name in Ireland, on the Nore. After a siege the town surrendered to Cromwell, March 28, 1650, on honorable terms.
Killa(Ind.). A castle, fort, or fortress.
Killadar.The governor, or commandant of a fort in India.
Killala.A small seaport town of Ireland, in the county of Mayo. It was invaded by a French force landing from three frigates, under Gen. Humbert, August 22, 1798. The invaders were joined by the Irish insurgents, and the battles of Castlebar and Colooney followed; and the French were defeated at Ballinamuck, September 8 of the same year.
Killaloe.A town of Ireland, in the county Clare, 12 miles northeast of Limerick. This town was long the royal seat of the O’Briens; and at Kincora, about a mile to the north, are pointed out some remains of the residence. At Killaloe, in 1691, Gen. Sarsfield intercepted the artillery of William III. on its way to Limerick.
Killese.The groove in a cross-bow.
Killiecrankie.A famous pass through the Grampian Mountains, in Perthshire, Scotland, 15 miles northwest of Dunkeld. At the northwest extremity of this pass a battle was fought in 1689, between the revolutionary army under Gen. Mackay, and the royalists under J. C. Graham of Claverhouse, viscount Dundee, in which the former was defeated.
Kilmainham Hospital.An asylum in Dublin, Ireland, for aged and disabled soldiers. It was founded by Arthur, earl of Granard, marshal-general of the army in Ireland, 1675. The appointments to this place are in the gift of the commander-in-chief of the army, who selects them from the old half-pay officers. The expense of the institution to the country is £8000 per annum.
Kilmallock.A town of Ireland, in the county Limerick. It was invested by the Irish forces in 1598, but the siege was raised by the Duke of Ormond. There was much fighting done here in 1641 and 1642. Kilmallock police barrack was attacked by 200 armed Fenians on March 5, 1867; the barrack was defended for three hours by 14 police constables, who finally drove off the Fenians, with loss, by a sally.
Kilsyth.A village of Scotland, in Stirlingshire, 13 miles southwest from Stirling. Montrose gained a victory over the Covenanters, commanded by Gen. Baillie, near Kilsyth in 1637.
Kinburn.A fort at the confluence of the rivers Bug and Dnieper, which was taken by the English and French, October 17, 1855. Three floating French batteries, on the principle of horizontal shell-firing, said to be the invention of the emperor, were very effective. On October 18, the Russians blew up Oczakoff, a fort opposite.
Kindle.In a military sense, to kindle is to excite to arms; to excite military ardor.
Kineton.A town of England, in Warwickshire, 11 miles southeast from Warwick, in the vicinity of which the famous battle of Edgehill was fought between the royalist and Parliamentary armies in 1642.
Kinghorn.A small burgh of Scotland, in the county of Fife, situated on the Frith of Forth. In early Scottish history it was a place of importance. Here Macbeth is said to have routed the Northmen.
King-of-Arms, orKing-at-Arms. The principal herald of England was at first designated king of the heralds, a title exchanged for king-of-arms about the reign of Henry IV. There are four kings-of-arms in England, named respectively Garter, Clarencieux, Norrov, and Bath; but the first three only are members of the College of Arms. Scotland has a heraldic officer called Lyon king-of-arms, or Lord Lyon king-at-arms. Ireland has one king-of-arms, named Ulster. SeeHerald.
King’s Mountain.A range of mountains in North and South Carolina, about 16 miles from north to south, with several spurs spreading laterally. About a mile and a half south of the North Carolina line, in this range, on October 7, 1780, the British forces about 1100 strong, under Lieut.-Col. Ferguson, were surprised and attacked by the American militia under Cols. Cleaveland, Shelby, and Campbell, and, after an obstinate and bloody contest, their leader being among the slain, the British were made prisoners.
Kingsland.A parish of England, in Herefordshire, 4 miles west from Leominster. The battle of Mortimer’s Cross, which fixed Edward IV. on the throne, was fought here in 1461.
Kingston.A city in Ulster Co., N. Y., 90 miles north of New York City. It was burnt by a British force under Sir Henry Clinton, October 7, 1777; it was afterwards rebuilt and incorporated as a village in 1805.