CAMDEN, BATTLES OF.—The first battle fought here was between General Gates and Lord Cornwallis. The Americans were defeated August 16th, 1780. The second battle was fought between the revolted Americans and the British, the former commanded by General Greene, and the latter by Lord Rawdon. The Americans were again defeated, April 25th, 1781. Camden was evacuated and burnt by the British, May 13th, 1781.
CAMPERDOWN, BATTLE OF.—This was a memorable engagement, off Camperdown, between the British fleet, under Admiral Duncan, and the Dutch fleet, commanded by Admiral De Winter. The Dutch lost 15 ships, which were either taken or sunk. It was fought October 11th, 1797. This victory obtained the brave and good Admiral a peerage.
CAMPO FORMIO, TREATY OF.—Concluded between France and Austria. This memorable and humiliating treaty took place on the 17th October, 1797. By this treaty Austria had to yield the low countries and the Ionian Islands to France; and Milan &c., to the Cisalpine Republic.
CANNAE, BATTLE OF.—This battle, one of the most celebrated in ancient history, was fought between the Romans and Hannibal. The forces of the Africans amounted to 50,000, while those of the Romans were equal to 88,000, of whom 40,000 were slain. The victor sent 3 bushels of gold rings as a present to the Carthagenian ladies, which he had taken off the fingers of the Roman knights slain in this memorable engagement. So contested was the fight that neither side perceived an earthquake, which happened during the battle. The place is now called “The Field of Blood.” Fought 21st May, B.C. 216.
CANNON.—They are said to have been used as early as 1338. First used by the English at the siege of Calais, 1347. Used by the English first in battle, that of Crecy, in 1346.
CAPE BRETON.—Discovered by the English 1584. Taken by the French in 1632. Restored and again taken in 1745, and retaken in 1748. Finally possessed by the English, when 5000 men were made prisoners of war, and 11 ships destroyed, 1758. Ceded to England at the peace of 1783.
CAPE ST. VINCENT.—1st Battle.—Admiral Rooke, with 20 ships of war, and the Turkish fleet under his convoy, was attacked by Admiral Tourville with a force vastly superior to his own, off Cape St. Vincent, when 12 English and Dutch men of war and 80 merchantmen were captured or destroyed by the French. It was fought June 15th, 1693.
2nd Battle.—This second battle was one of the most glorious of the British navy. Sir John Jarvis, being in command of the Mediterranean fleet of 15 sail, gave battle to the Spanish fleet of 27 ships of the line, and signally defeated the enemy, nearly double in strength, taking 4 ships and destroying several others. Fought February 14th, 1797. For this victory Sir John Jarvis was raised to the peerage under the title of Earl St. Vincent.
CAPTAIN.—This title, derived from the French capitaine, literally signifies a head or chief officer,—the officer who commands a company. In Turkey, the Captain-Bashaw is the High Admiral.
CARLISLE.—The castle founded by William II, in 1092, was made the prison of the unfortunate Queen of Scots, 1568. Taken by the Parliamentary forces in 1645, and by the Pretender in 1745.