Beetles. In a military sense, are large wooden hammers for driving down palisades, and for other uses.
Beetlestock. The stock or handle of a beetle.
Befort, or Belfort. A fortified town in the department of Haut-Rhin, France; sustained several sieges; taken by the Austrians in 1814. Its citadel was constructed by Vauban.
Beg, or Bey. A Turkish title, rather vague in its import, and commonly given to superior military officers, ship-captains, and distinguished foreigners. More strictly, it applies to the governor of a small district, who bears a horse-tail as a sign of his rank. Beglerbeg, or more correctly Beilerbegi (“lord of lords”), is the title given to the governor of a province who bears three horse-tails as his badge of honor, and has authority over several begs, agas, etc.
Begkos, or Beikos. A large village of Anatolia, on the Bosphorus, 8 miles north-northeast of Scutari, said to be the locality of the contest between Pollux and Amycus, in which the latter was killed. At the commencement of the Crimean war, the allied fleets anchored in Begkos Bay, prior to their entering the Black Sea, in January, 1854.
Behourd, Bihourt, or Bohourt (Fr.). This name was given during the Middle Ages, to a combat on horseback, lance in hand; also a tilting of cavaliers, which took place at public amusements.
Beilan. A town and mountain-pass of Syria at its northern extremity, on the east side of the Gulf of Iskanderoon. Here the Egyptian troops totally defeated the Turks in 1882.
Belbeys, or Belbeis. A town of Lower Egypt, on the eastern arm of the Nile, 28 miles north-northeast of Cairo; it is inclosed by earthen ramparts, and is a station on the route from Egypt to Syria. During the expedition of the French into Egypt, Gen. Bonaparte had the ancient fortifications repaired.
Beleaguer. To invest a town or fortress, so as to preclude escape; to besiege; to blockade.
Belem. A town of Portugal, on the right bank of the Tagus, near Lisbon. It is historically interesting as the place from whence Vasco de Gama set sail on his voyage of oriental discovery; it was taken in November, 1807, by the French, the royal family of Portugal embarking from its quay for Brazil as they entered; in 1833, it was occupied by Don Pedro’s troops.