Kabbade (Fr.). Military clothing of the modern Greeks; Roman sagum.

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 prefix Beni before it. See Beni-Abbes, Beni-Achour, etc.

Kaffa. See Caffa.

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, or Kalice. 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, or Calispels. See Pend d’Oreilles.

Kalmar, or Calmar. 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, or Calmucks. Called by the Tartars Khalimick (“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. See Caponiere.

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. See Carrack.

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. See Indians and their Agencies.

Kastamouni, or Costambone. 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 was in possession of the Comneni. It was taken by Bajazet, retaken by Timour, and lastly, conquered by Mohammed I.

Katan. A Japanese sword, otherwise cattan.

Katsbach, or Katzbach. 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. See Indians 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, or solarium, 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 manoeuvring, 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. To keep 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 sided with 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, or Sirjan. 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 called skene, which is also the Irish for a knife.

Kertch (anc. Panticapoeum). A town of Russia, in the government of Taurida, on the coast of the Crimea. It was colonized in 500 B.C. by the Milesians, and about 50 B.C. it became part of the Roman empire; and in 375 A.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. See Ordnance, Carriages for, The Caisson.

Keyserlicks, or Imperialists. 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 received from a Jewess of the town the poisoned egg which ultimately cost him his life.

Khan. A title of Mongolian or Tartar sovereigns and lords. A khanate is a principality. Khagan means “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 120 B.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, or Urgunge. 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. See Indians 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, or Kief. The chief town of the government 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, or King-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. See Herald.

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.

Kingston. A village and township of Luzerne Co., Pa. In this township the massacre of Wyoming took place, on July 3, 1778. See Wyoming Valley.

Kingston-upon-Thames. A town in Surrey, England, on the Thames, 10 miles southwest of London. The first armed force of the Parliamentary army assembled in this town, and here the last attempt in favor of Charles I. was made.

Kinsale. A town of Ireland, in the county of Cork. This place was taken by the Spaniards in 1601, and in 1608 King James II. landed here.

Kioge. A seaport of Denmark, near Copenhagen, where the Danes in 1807 were signally defeated by the British.

Kiowas. A warlike and powerful tribe of Indians, who formerly roamed over Kansas, Colorado, and Northern Texas, robbing and murdering settlers. They are now located, to the number of about 2000, with the Comanches, on a reservation in Indian Territory. In 1870, in violation of the terms of their treaty, they made a raid into Texas, where they killed several people. For this two of their principal chiefs, SatantÁ and Big Tree, were sentenced to be hung; but their sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life, and they were subsequently pardoned. Of late years they have been peaceable.

Kiptchak, or Kipchak. A term which, in the Middle Ages, designated that vast territory stretching north of the Caspian Sea, from the Don to Turkestan, and occupied by the Kumans and Polovises. This tract formed one of the four empires into which the huge dominion of Genghis Khan was divided, and was the portion of his eldest son JÛjy, under whose son and successor, BatÛ Khan, it became the terror of Western Europe, and held Russia in iron subjection from 1236 till 1362. BatÛ also conquered Bulgaria, and invaded Hungary, Austria, and Eastern Germany, but made no permanent conquests in this direction. This extensive empire was dismembered towards the end of the 15th century, and gave rise to the khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Crim-Tartary. The Mongols of Kiptchak were also known as the Golden Horde.

Kirkee. A village of Hindostan, near Poona, in the Deccan, memorable for a battle fought there in 1817 between the Anglo-Indian forces and the Mahrattas, who, although greatly superior in number, were compelled to retreat with severe loss.

Kisselbaches. Soldiers are so called in India.

Kissingen. A town of Bavaria, on the Saale, 30 miles north-northeast of WÜrzburg. It was taken by storm on July 10, 1866, after a severe engagement between the Bavarians and Prussians, in which the latter were victorious.

Kit. A small wooden pail or bucket, wherewith boats are bailed out.

Kit. In military language, the equipment in necessaries, such as shirts, boots, brushes, etc., of a soldier, but not applicable to his uniform, arms, or accoutrements.

Kitchen. The building or room used by soldiers for cooking purposes.

Klagenfurth, or Clagenfurt. A town of Austria, the capital of the duchy of Carinthia, on the Glan. In 1809 the French entered this place, and destroyed the fortifications which surrounded it.

Klamaths, or Clamets. A tribe of Northern California Indians, who lived in Southern Oregon and Northern California, near Klamath Lake, and on Klamath and Rogue Rivers. They are generally peaceable, and number about 700. They are now located on a reservation, and have an agency in Southern Oregon known by their name.

Klicket. A small gate in a palisade for the purpose of sallying forth.

Kliketats, or Kliktats. A tribe of Indians who resided in Washington Territory, in the country between the Cascade Range and the Columbia River, north of the Dalles. They were reduced to complete subjection in 1855, and are now located with kindred tribes to the number of about 4000, on the Yakima reservation, Washington Territory.

Klinket. A term used in fortification, signifying a small postern or gate in a palisade.

Knapsack. A bag of canvas or skin, containing a soldier’s necessaries, and worn suspended by straps between his shoulders. Those used in the British army are ordinarily of black painted canvas, but a new sort of knapsack, called the valise equipment, has been issued to some regiments. Some other nations, as the Swiss, make them of thick goat-skin, dressed with the hair on.

Knight. From the Saxon cniht, a servant or attendant, was originally a man-at-arms bound to the performance of certain duties, among others to attend his sovereign or feudal superior on horseback in time of war. The institution of knighthood, as conferred by investiture, and with certain oaths and ceremonies, arose gradually throughout Europe as an adjunct of the feudal system. The character of the knight was at once military and religious; the defense of the Holy Sepulchre and the protection of pilgrims being the objects to which, in early times of the institution, he especially devoted himself The system of knight-service introduced into England by William the Conqueror empowered the king, or even a superior lord who was a subject, to compel every holder of a certain extent of land, called a knight’s fee, to become a member of the knightly order; his investiture being accounted proof that he possessed the requisite knightly arms, and was sufficiently trained in their use. After the long war between France and England, it became the practice for the sovereign to receive money compensations from subjects who were unwilling to receive knighthood, a system out of which grew a series of grievances, leading eventually to the total abolition of knight-service in the reign of Charles II. Since the abolition of knight-service, knighthood has been conferred, without any regard to property, as a mark of the sovereign’s esteem, or a reward for services of any kind, civil or military. The ceremonies practiced in conferring knighthood have varied at different periods. In general, some religious ceremonies were performed, the sword and spurs were bound on the candidate; after which a blow was dealt him on the cheek or shoulder, as the last affront which he was to receive unrequited. He then took an oath to protect the distressed, maintain right against might, and never by word or deed to stain his character as a knight and a Christian. A knight might be degraded for the infringement of any part of his oath, in which case his spurs were chopped off with a hatchet, his sword was broken, his escutcheon reversed, and some religious observances were added, during which each piece of armor was taken off in succession, and cast from the recreant knight. For the different orders of knighthood, see separate articles, under their appropriate headings, in this work.

Knight, To. To dub or create a knight, which in modern times is done by the sovereign, who gives the person kneeling a blow with a sword, and says, “Rise, Sir ——.”

Knight Baronet, or Baronet. A dignity or degree of honor next below a baron and above a knight, having precedency of all orders of knights except those of the garter, and being the only knighthood that is hereditary. The order was founded by James I. in 1611, and is given by patent. The word, however, in the sense of lesser baron, was in use long before the time of James I.

Knightage. The body of knights taken collectively.

Knight-bachelor. One of the lowest order of knights, who were expected to remain unmarried until they had gained some renown by their achievements.

Knight-banneret. A knight who carried a banner, who possessed fiefs to a greater amount than the knight-bachelor, and who was obliged to serve in war with a greater number of attendants. He was created by the sovereign in person on the field of battle.

Knight-errant. A wandering knight; a knight who traveled in search of adventures, for the purpose of exhibiting military skill, prowess, and generosity.

Knight-errantry. The practice of wandering in quest of adventures; the manners of wandering knights; a quixotic or romantic adventure or scheme.

Knight-erratic. Pertaining to knight-errantry.

Knighthood. Originally a military distinction, came, in the 16th century, to be occasionally conferred on civilians, as a reward for valuable services rendered to the crown or community. The first civil knight in England was Sir William Walworth, lord mayor of London, who won that distinction by slaying the rebel Wat Tyler in presence of the king. In recent times, it has been bestowed at least as often on scholars, lawyers, artists, or citizens, as on soldiers, and in many cases for no weightier service than carrying a congratulatory address to court.

Knighthood. The character, dignity, or condition of a knight.

Knightliness. Duties of a knight.

Knightly. Pertaining to a knight; becoming a knight; as, a knightly combat.

Knights, Military. An institution of military knights at Windsor, England, formerly called “Poor Knights,” which owes its origin to Edward III., and is a provision for a limited number of old officers. These officers consist of a governor and 12 knights on the upper foundation, and 5 on the lower, together 18, and are composed of officers selected from every grade, from a colonel to a subaltern, chiefly veterans, or on half-pay. They are allowed three rooms each in Windsor Palace, and 2 shillings per diem for their sustenance, besides other small allowances.

Knights of St. George. See Garter, Order of the.

Knights Templar. See Templar, Knights.

Knight-service. A tenure of lands held by knights on condition of performing military service. It was abolished in the time of Charles II. of England.

Knob of a Cascabel. See Cascabel.

Knot. A twist or loop in a rope or cord, so made that the motion of one piece of the line over the other shall be stopped. The knot owes its power of passive resistance to the friction of the rope. The three elementary knots, which every one should know, are the timber-hitch, the bow-line, and the clove-hitch.

The virtues of the timber-hitch are, that, so long as the strain upon it is kept up, it will never give; when the strain is taken off, it is cast loose immediately.

The bow-line makes a knot difficult to undo; with it the ends of two strings are tied together, or a loop made at the end of a single piece of string. For slip nooses, use the bowline to make the draw-loop.

The clove-hitch binds with excessive force, and by it, and it alone, can a weight be hung to a smooth pole, as to a tent-pole. A kind of double clove-hitch is generally used, but the simple one suffices, and is more easily recollected.

There are other knots very useful in the artillery service and indispensable aboard ship, viz.: single knot, weaver’s knot, figure-eight knot, artificer’s knot, mooring knots, hitches, capstan, or prolonge knot, square knot, loops, becker knot, and anchor knot.

Knot, Shoulder-. See Shoulder-knot.

Knout. A scourge composed of many thongs of skin, plaited, and interwoven with wire, which was till lately the favorite instrument of punishment in Russia for all classes and degrees of criminals. The offender was tied to two stakes, stripped, and received on the back the specified number of lashes; 100 or 120 were equivalent to sentence of death, but in many cases the victim died under the operation long before this number was completed. This punishment is at present only inflicted upon ordinary criminals, such as incendiaries or assassins. It is no longer in use in the army, except when a soldier is dismissed for ill conduct, in which case 3 to 10 lashes are given, in order to disgrace the soldier, rather than punish him.

Kolin. A town of Bohemia, on the left bank of the Elbe. Here the Austrians under Daun defeated the Prussians under Frederick the Great, June 18, 1757.

Koloshes. The Russian name for the Indians of the coast of Alaska.

Komorn. See Comorn.

Koniagas, or Kadiaks. The names by which the various tribes of aborigines living along the coast of Alaska for over 1500 miles, are known.

Konieh (anc. Iconium). A town of Asiatic Turkey, the capital of the province of Karamania, Asia Minor. Here the Turkish army was defeated by the pasha of Egypt, after a long, sanguinary fight, December 21, 1832. See Iconium.

KÖniggrÄtz. A town and fortress of Bohemia, on the left bank of the Elbe. On July 2, 1866, the Austrians under Gen. Benedek were signally defeated with a loss of 40,000 men by the Prussians under King William, at Sadowa, near KÖniggrÄtz.

KÖnigsberg. A fortified city of Prussia, and former capital of the kingdom, is situated on both banks of the Pregel, and on an island in that river, 4 miles from its entrance into the Frisch Haff. It was founded in 1255, and in 1365 became a member of the Hanseatic League; in 1626, it was surrounded with walls; and in 1657, received a strong additional defense in the citadel of Friedrichsburg. It suffered much during the Seven Years’ War by the occupation of the Russians from 1758 to 1764; and also from the French, who entered it in 1807, after the battle of Friedland.

KÖnigstein. A town of Germany, in Saxony, 17 miles southeast of Dresden, on the left bank of the Elbe. It has a fortress, situated on a rock nearly 450 feet high, which is one of the few in Europe that never yet were taken. The royal treasures have usually been deposited here during war.

Koom, or Kum. A town of Persia, in the province of Irak-Ajemee. It was destroyed by the Afghans in 1722.

Kootenais, Kontenays, Cottonois, Coutanies, or Flatbows. A tribe of Indians who formerly resided wholly in British Columbia, but some of them are now located in Washington, Idaho, and Montana Territories. They are generally peaceable and self-supporting, and have made some progress in civilization. About 400 of them reside at the Flathead Agency, Montana.

Koreish. An Arab tribe which had the charge of the Caaba, or sacred stone of Mecca, and strenuously opposed the pretensions of Mohammed. It was defeated by him and his adherents, 623-30.

Kossacks. See Cossacks.

Kossova. A town of European Turkey, 8 miles northeast from Pristina. A battle was fought near this place in 1389 between the Turks and Serbs. The latter were defeated, and the king slain.

Koszegh, or Guns. See Guns.

Kotah. The chief town of a protected state of the same name; is situated in Rajpootana, India, on the right bank of the Chumbul. In 1857, notwithstanding the fidelity of the rajah to the British government, Kotah fell under the power of the mutineers, remaining in their possession until March 30, 1858, when it was stormed by Gen. Roberts.

Kot-duffadar. See Duffadar, Kot.

Koul. A soldier belonging to a noble corps in Persia.

Kouler-Agasi. A distinguished military character in Persia, who has the command of a body of men called Kouls. He is usually governor of a considerable province.

Kouls. The third corps of the king of Persia’s household troops. The Kouls are men of note and rank; no person can arrive at any considerable post or situation in Persia who has not served among the Kouls.

Kovno. Capital of the government of the same name in European Russia, near the confluence of the Vilia and the Niemen, was founded in the 10th century, and was the scene of many bloody conflicts between the Teutonic knights and Poles during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Kraal (probably from the language of the Hottentots). In South Africa, a village; a collection of huts; sometimes a single hut. This term is applied to the villages and military camps of the Zulus.

Krasnoe. A Russian village, 30 miles southwest of Smolensk, near which the French, in the retreat of 1812, lost, during three successive days, 25,000 men, several thousand prisoners, and 25 pieces of cannon.

Kreuznach. A town of Rhenish Prussia, on the Nahe, 40 miles south-southeast of Coblentz. This place was stormed by Gustavus Adolphus in 1632.

Kris, or Crease. A dagger or poniard, the universal weapon of the inhabitants of the Malayan Archipelago. It is made of many different forms, short or long, straight or crooked. The hilt and scabbard are often much ornamented. Men of all ranks wear this weapon; and those of high rank, when in full dress, sometimes carry three or four. In Java women sometimes wear it.

Krupp Gun. The metal used in these celebrated guns is cast steel, a composition of puddled steel and wrought iron. The wrought iron is obtained from the best hematite ores of Europe, the puddled steel from the spathic ore of Siegen, in the immediate vicinity of the works. The proportions of each metal, the details of their preparation, as well as certain ingredients guessed at but not known, remain a secret with the manufacturers. Manganese in small quantity is supposed to be present and to exercise an important influence. The result is a metal equal in elasticity and tensile strength to the best English steel, the excellent quality of which is largely due to “oil tempering,” a process entirely omitted in the Krupp gun. The ingots forming the different parts of the gun are cast in cylindrical iron molds, an operation requiring the greatest care to prevent the imprisonment of air or other gases in the casting,—a defect which the tenacious character of the metal renders fatal. Subsequent hammering only increases the trouble by involving a larger area. As soon as the ingot is hard enough to permit handling it is removed from the mold and cooled slowly in ashes. It is next brought to a working heat in a furnace, placed under a steam-hammer weighing from 1 to 50 tons, according to the size of the ingot, and drawn out to the required length and thickness, when it is again buried in ashes and gradually annealed to remove the tensions induced by hammering. From the rough ingot thus prepared the tube forming the barrel is made directly by boring, turning, and rifling. The ingots intended for hoops, trunnion bands, etc., are cut up into short lengths, which are formed into rings without weld by being split through the centre within a certain distance of the ends, after which the slit is gradually widened to a circle by swaging. The parts when finished are carefully annealed.

The Krupp gun consists of a central tube or barrel, comprising the greater mass of the gun, and a series of encircling hoops. The tube has a thickness of about eight-tenths of the caliber from a point over the front of the charge to the termination of the rings or hoops, whence it is conical, tapering to a thickness of about half the caliber at the muzzle. From the seat of the charge breech-wards the tube thickens rapidly by a series of steps to a cylinder about 1¹/₅ calibers thick. The hoops overlie the tube from the cylinder in rear to the base of the cone in front, covering about half the total length of the tube. The hoops are put on in layers, the number of layers being determined by the size of the gun. The 6-inch gun has one, the 8- and 9-inch two, and the higher calibers have three layers of hoops. The hoops are shrunk on at black heat, the different layers being held in place by small key-rings.

The rifling for Krupp guns is polygrooved, the twist uniform, the grooves being gradually narrowed towards the muzzle for the suppression of windage. The chamber in which the shot and charge rest is a little larger than the bore, though they coincide at the bottom. This makes the passage of the projectile into the bore direct and prevents the abrasion which would occur if tilted upwards in leaving its seat. Moreover, the shot is “centred”—that is, has its axis in the axis of the bore—from its entry into the gun.

The breech-mechanism is essentially that of Broadwell. The breech is closed on the “sliding block” principle. Through the cylindrical part of the barrel in rear of the rings, from one side to the other, a slot is cut in which the breech-block slides horizontally, alternately exposing and closing the rear of the chamber. The block is run in and out by an attached screw, which works partly in the upper wall of the slot. The motion of the block is governed by guides in the upper and lower walls of the slot slightly inclined from the perpendicular to the axis of the piece. The rear of the slot is so cut that the block is wedged firmly against it when it is home. The block is locked in this position by a large screw, which catches in certain threads cut on the rear wall of the slot. The block is furnished with an “indurator plate,” a disk of hardened steel, which is set in its face to receive the direct action of the powder gases. The vent is in the axis of the gun through the block. The gas-check used is the Broadwell ring (which see). The powder for all the large guns is the prismatic. (See Gunpowder.) Both steel and cast-iron projectiles are used. The steel projectiles for armor piercing have their points water-tempered. Rotation being communicated by compression, the projectiles belong to the soft-jacketed class. The projectile is turned smooth in a lathe, pickled in dilute acid, and then put in sal-ammoniac to remove oil. It is next galvanized by immersion in molten zinc, then immersed in lead, and afterwards a heavy lead jacket is cast on it, which is turned down, leaving several prominent rings to facilitate compression into the grooves. In late years Herr Krupp has adopted for his large guns the American system of projectiles, having soft metal expanding sabots attached to the base, with a centring ring in front.

Krupp guns range in size from small field-pieces to a gun weighing 72 tons. The field pieces manufactured number several thousand. They form the official equipment of the German army, and contributed much to German success in the Franco-Prussian war. The large guns, comprising 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, and 12-inch guns, have been made in large numbers, and have found a ready sale in Germany, Russia, and Turkey.

The largest guns are a 14-inch gun weighing 56 tons, and a 15³/₄-inch weighing 72 tons. (See Cannon.) Herr Krupp is also a large manufacturer of gun-carriages of all kinds. His partiality for steel has led him to use it almost exclusively in his constructions. He has inherited likewise the aversion of the great Borsig for welding; and a noticeable feature of his guns is an absence of any weld. The “coil” principle, so well adapted to develop tangential strength, is also omitted, the character of the metal being relied upon to resist strains “across the grain.”

Perhaps the most novel piece of ordnance of modern times is Krupp’s non-recoiling shield gun. This gun is made with an enlargement around the muzzle in the shape of a large ball, which is held in a socket formed in a heavy armored shield protecting the gun in front, the arrangement giving a veritable ball-and-socket joint, about which the gun is elevated and traversed. On shipboard or in a fortification the shield would form a part of the armor or scarp wall. A narrow slit above the ball is used in pointing by the gunner, who for this purpose sits astride of the gun. The problem solved by this unique arrangement is the entire suppression of recoil, the strain being absorbed by the massive shield. In the late experiments at Mappen, 1879, the triumphs of Krupp guns culminated in the performances of this novel piece of ordnance. Its action was satisfactory in every respect, and so slight was the shock communicated to the gun that the gunner did not deem it necessary to dismount, but kept his seat astride of it during the firing.

Krupp’s Steel Works. On account of the wide-spread reputation which the steel produced in the great works of Krupp at Essen, in Rhenish Prussia, has obtained, it is necessary that these works should receive a brief notice. They were founded by Friedrich Krupp in 1810, and were continued by his sons after his death in 1826. For the last fifty years they have been increasing annually from one-sixth to one-third in size, until now they cover about 500 acres, and give employment to about 20,000 persons, including those engaged in building, and in the mines and smelting-houses. For large metallurgical works Essen is favorably situated, being in the centre of a coal-bearing area, where coal of the best quality can be procured cheaply, and near mines of manganiferous iron ore, which has been found excellently adapted for the manufacture of steel; but it is believed that the admirable organization of every part of his manufactory has conduced as much as anything to the great success of Krupp. The articles manufactured consist principally of rails, tires, crank-axles, shafts, mining pump-rods, gun-carriages and guns, the proportion of ordnance being about two-fifths of the whole. Guns have been made at Essen for the Prussians, Austrians, Belgians, Dutch, Italians, Turks, Japanese, and also for the English, although not directly ordered by the government. Since 1872 a field-gun invented by Krupp has been adopted by the Prussian government, and supplied to the whole army. The establishment possesses 286 steam-engines from 2 to 1000 horse-power, 1100 furnaces of various kinds, 71 steam-hammers, 264 smith’s forges, 275 coke-ovens, and 1056 planing, cutting, and boring machines. It burns over 1000 tons of coal daily, and has over 11,000 gas-burners, consuming in twenty-four hours 400,000 cubic feet of gas. It has, besides, a complete telegraph system, 800 cars, 15 locomotives, 33 miles of railway, over 3000 dwelling-houses, hospitals, chemical laboratory, a photographic and lithographic establishment, over 400 mines, 11 blast-furnaces and several smelting-houses which produce annually about 20,000 tons of pig-iron. These works have already produced over 18,000 heavy guns.

Kshatriya. The second or military caste in the social system of the Brahmanical Hindus.

Ku-Klux-Klan. A secret organization of ex-Confederate soldiers, who, for several years after the close of the civil war, by their murders and other crimes disturbed the tranquillity of the Southern States. Their victims were chiefly freedmen, and persons suspected of favoring the policy of the government. Stringent measures were taken against them by Congress in 1871, and they soon after ceased their disturbances.

Kul. The Turkish word for slave to the Prince. The grand vizier, the bachas, the beiglerbeys, and all persons who receive pay or subsistence from situations dependent upon the crown, are so called. This title is in high estimation among the Turkish military, as it authorizes all who are invested with it to insult, strike, and otherwise ill use the common people, without being responsible for the most flagrant breach of humanity.

Kulm. A small village of Bohemia, 16 miles north-northwest of Leitmeritz, was the scene of two bloody conflicts between the French and allied Russian-Austrian armies on August 29-30, 1813. The French, numbering 30,000 men, were commanded by Gen. Vandamme; the Russians, during the first day’s conflict, were 17,000, and were commanded by Gen. Ostermann-Tolstoi. During the night, the latter were heavily reinforced, and on the second day Barclay de Tolly assumed the command with 60,000 troops. The result was the complete wreck of the French army, which lost in these two days little short of 20,000 men, while the allies did not lose half of that number.

Kunnersdorf. See Cunnersdorf.

Kunobitza. In the Balkan, where John Hunniades, the Hungarian, defeated the Turks, December 24, 1443.

Kupele. Straits so called in India, through which the Ganges disembogues itself into Hindustan. They are distant from Delhi about 30 leagues. It was at these straits that the East Indians made some show of resistance when the famous Tamerlane (Timur) invaded India. The field of this victory is the most distant point of that emperor’s conquest in India, and on the globe.

Kurrol (Ind.). The advanced-guard of a main army.

Kurtchi. A militia is so called in Persia. It consists of one body of cavalry, which is composed of the first nobility of the kingdom, and of the lineal descendants of the Turkish conquerors, who placed Ismael Sophi on the throne. They wear a red turban of twelve folds, which is made of particular stuff. This turban was originally given them by Ismael, in consideration of their attachment to the religion and family of Ali. In consequence of their wearing this turban, the Persians are always called by the Turks kitilbaschi, or red-heads. The Kurtchi form a body of nearly 18,000 men.

Kurtchi-baschi. The chief or commanding officer of the Kurtchi. This was formerly the most distinguished situation in the kingdom, and the authority annexed to it was equal to what the constable of France originally possessed. At present his power does not extend beyond the Kurtchis.

Kush-bash (Ind.). Persons who enjoy lands rent free, upon condition of serving the government in a military capacity when called upon.

Kustrin, or Custrin. A fortified town of Prussia, in the province of Brandenburg, at the union of the Wartha with the Oder, 48 miles east from Berlin. In 1758 it was bombarded by the Russians, and in 1806 taken by the French. It has a large powder-magazine.

Kutchin. A family of Alaska Indians, which is divided into a number of petty tribes, who occupy the valley of the Yukon River.

Kyanizing. A process for preserving timber from decay,—so named from the inventor Kyan. The process consists in saturating the wood with a solution of corrosive sublimate.

Kythul. A town of India, and the capital of a district of the same name. The district fell into the possession of the British in 1843, from the failure of heirs to the last rajah.