Bibans, or Bibens. “The Gates of Iron.” A dangerous defile of the Atlas Mountains, between Algiers and Constantine; it is traversed by a number of currents. The French, led by the Duke of Orleans and Marshal Valée, passed through it in 1839.
Bibaux, or Petaux (Fr.). In ancient times, were soldiers who fought on foot, with cross-bow and lance.
Biberach (Würtemberg). Here Moreau twice defeated the Austrians,—under Latour, October 2, 1796, and under Kray, May 9, 1800.
Bicker. A word formerly used in the sense of to skirmish; to fight off and on; to make repeated attacks.
Bicocca (Northern Italy). Lautrec and the French were here defeated by Colonna and the Imperialists, April 29, 1522, and Francis thereby lost his conquests in Milan.
Bicoque (Fr.). A term used in France to signify a place ill fortified and incapable of much defense. It is derived from a place on the road between Lodi and Milan, which was originally a gentleman’s country-house surrounded by ditches. In 1522, a body of Imperial troops were stationed in it, and stood the attack of the whole French army, during the reign of Francis I. This engagement was called the battle of Bicoque.
Bicorneurs (Fr.). Name given to the militia of Valenciennes.
Bidarkee. A skin boat used by the Aleuts.
Bidassoa. A river of the Pyrenees, which forms one of the boundaries of France and Spain, the passage of which is memorable as completing the endeavors of Lord Wellington to drive the French, under Marshal Soult, out of the Peninsula into France. In 1808, Marshal Junot crossed the Bidassoa with the armies of France to invade the Peninsula, and in 1813, Lord Wellington crossed it, after driving the French out of Spain.
Bidauts, or Bidaux (Fr.). An ancient French corps of infantry; according to some authorities they were armed with two javelins.