Bowyer. The man who made or repaired the military bows was so called.
Boxer-cartridge. The metallic cartridge used in the service rifle of England. See [Cartridge].
Boxtel (in Dutch [Brabant]). Here the British and allied armies, commanded by the Duke of York, were defeated by the French republicans, who took 2000 prisoners and 8 pieces of cannon, September 17, 1794.
Box Pontons. See [Pontons].
Boyaca. A village of the republic of New Granada, South America, celebrated for the victory gained by Bolivar over the Spaniards, August 7, 1819, which secured the independence of Colombia.
Boyau. In military engineering, is a winding zigzag or trench, made by besiegers to enable them to approach a town or fortified place under cover. These trenches are also called zigzags, or approaches.
Boyne. A river in Kildare, Ireland, near which William III. defeated his father-in-law, James II., July 1, 1690. The latter lost 1500 (out of 30,000) men; the Protestant army lost about a third of that number (out of 30,000). James fled to Dublin, thence to Waterford, and escaped to France. The Duke of Schömberg was killed, shot by mistake by his own soldiers as he was crossing the river.
Brabançons (Fr.). Soldiers of fortune, adventurers, freebooters of Brabant, who, during the Middle Ages, hired their services to those chiefs who paid them best.
Bracelet. In ancient times, a piece of defensive armor for the arm; a part of a coat of mail.
Bracket. The cheek of a mortar-carriage, made of strong plank.