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