Chauvinisme (Fr.). An exaggerated idea of the qualities of a leader, as Chauvin, a character in a French play (from whom the name is derived), is represented to have had of his leader, Bonaparte.
Checky. In heraldry, when the field of any charge is composed of small squares of different tinctures, it is said to be checky.
Cheeks. In the construction of artillery-carriages, are the parts between which the piece is placed and upon which the trunnions are supported. See Ordnance, Carriages for, Nomenclature of Artillery Carriage.
Chelone, or Tortoise. In military antiquity, the form of battle adopted by the Greeks in besieging fortified towns. It served to protect the besiegers in their approach to the walls. This invention was formed by the soldiers placing their shields over their heads, in a sloping position, similar to the tiles of a house. The first rank stood erect, the second stooped a little, the third still more, and the last rank knelt. They were thus protected from the missile weapons of the foe, as they advanced or stood under the walls of an enemy. The chelone was similar to the testudo of the Romans. See Testudo.
Chelsea. A parish of England, in Middlesex, on the Thames. Chelsea Hospital is the great national asylum for decayed and maimed soldiers, and one of the noblest institutions of the kind in Europe. The institution was founded by Charles II. in 1682. Connected with the hospital is the Military Asylum, a noble establishment, founded in 1801, for the education and maintenance of the children of soldiers. See Asylum.
Chemin-des-Rondes (Fr.). A beam from 4 to 12 feet wide, at the foot of the exterior slope in a permanent fortification. It is sometimes covered in front by a hedge, or low wall, or small parapet of earth.
Chemise. In mediæval fortification, an additional escarp or counter-guard wall, covering the lower part of the escarp.
Cherasco. A town of Piedmont, situated on the Tanaro. A peace was concluded here between Louis XIII. of France and the Duke of Savoy, in 1631. On April 26, 1796, the place was taken by the French, and here, three days after, the “Armistice of Cherasco” was concluded between the Sardinian commissioners and Napoleon, by which the latter obtained the right of free passage for his troops through the Sardinian states; and the treaty that followed gave to the French republic Savoy, Nice, and the possessions of Piedmont to the westward of the highest ridge of the Alps.
Cheraw. A village of Chesterfield Co., S. C. It was a Confederate depot of supplies during the civil war, and was captured with all its stores by Gen. Sherman, March 3, 1865.
Cherbourg. A fortified seaport town and important naval station of France, department of Manche, on the English Channel. Edward III. of England unsuccessfully laid siege to Cherbourg in 1346, but in 1418 it was given up to the British. The French regained it in 1450, but the English again took it in 1758.
Cheriton Down. In the county of Hants, England. Here Sir William Waller defeated the royalists under Lord Hopton, May 29, 1644.
Cherokee Indians. A tribe of aborigines who formerly occupied the southern portion of the Appalachian Mountains, and a large tract of country on both sides of the range. In 1838 they were removed by the U. S. government to the west of the Mississippi, into what is now Indian Territory, and the portion of the tribe that now remains have a civilized government and a written language. For numbers, etc., see Indians and their Agencies.
Cherusci. One of the most celebrated of all the German tribes at the time of Cæsar. Being excited to hostilities by the tyranny and rapacity of the Romans, they entered into a confederation with the neighboring tribes, and, under their leader Arminius, defeated a Roman army at Teutoburg Forest, in A.D. 9. Germanicus, a Roman general, afterwards tried to avenge this disgrace to their honor by subduing them, but was unsuccessful. Owing to their own internal dissensions they were subsequently subdued by the Chatti, another German tribe.
Chesses. Are the platforms which form the flooring of military bridges. They consist of two or more planks, ledged together at the edges by dowels or pegs.
Chest, Ammunition-. See Ordnance, Carriages for, The Caisson.
Chest, Military. Is a technical name for money and negotiable securities carried by an army, and intended to defray its current expenses. In the British military system this department is managed by the commissariat; in the United States, by the paymaster-general and commissary-general.
Chester. A city of England, in the county of Cheshire. The British Caerleon and the Roman Deva, the station of the Twentieth Legion, Valeria Victrix, quitted by them about 477. The city was first built by Edelfleda about 908. Chester was ravaged by the Danes in 980; taken after three months’ siege for the Parliament in 1645. A projected attack of Fenians on Chester Castle was defeated by the vigilance of the authorities and the arrival of the military, February 11–12, 1867.
Cheval-de-frise. A piece of timber traversed with wooden spikes, pointed with iron, 5 or 6 feet long, used to defend a passage, stop a breach, or make a retrenchment to stop cavalry.
Chevalet (Fr.). A sort of bell-tent, formerly used in the French service, when an army encamped. It resembled in some degrees the wigwam of an Indian.
Chevalier (Fr.). A horseman; a knight. A member of certain orders of knighthood. In heraldry, a horseman armed at all points.
Chevet (Fr.). A small wedge which is used in raising a mortar. It is placed between the frame and swell of the mortar.
Cheviot Hills. A mountain-range extending along the border between Scotland and England; the scene of many conflicts between the Scotch and English.
Chevrette. An engine for raising guns or mortars into their carriages.
Chevron. The arrow-headed stripes on the arm, by which the rank of a non-commissioned officer is indicated.
Chevron. In heraldry, is an ordinary representing the rafters of a house, and supposed to betoken the accomplishment of some memorable work, or the completion of some business of importance, generally the foundation of his own family by the bearer.
Cheyenne Indians. A tribe of aborigines dwelling east of the Rocky Mountains, and divided into three bands. For numbers, etc., see Indians and their Agencies.
Chiari. A town of Northern Italy, near the Oglio. In 1701, Marshal Villeroi was near this town defeated by Prince Eugène.
Chicane. To dispute every foot of ground, by taking advantage of natural inequalities, etc.
Chickahominy. A river in Eastern Virginia, which, rising about 16 miles northwest of Richmond, flows southeastwardly into the James. Along the margins of the river was the scene of Gen. McClellan’s operations in 1862.
Chickamauga. A village of Hamilton Co., Tenn. During the civil war a continuous series of combats were fought here, between the forces of Gens. Rosecrans and Bragg, but without decisive results, September 19–20, 1863.
Chickasaw Indians. A warlike tribe of aborigines which formerly occupied Alabama and a portion of Mississippi. They removed into the Indian Territory in 1837. See Indians and their Agencies.
Chief. The head or leader of any band or community; a commander.
Chief. In heraldry, an ordinary formed by a horizontal line occupying the upper part of the escutcheon. Any object borne in the upper or chief part of the shield is said to be in chief, though the chief be not