Cappadocia. An ancient province of Asia Minor, now included in Asiatic Turkey. It was conquered by Cyrus the Great of Persia, and was ruled by independent kings after the time of Alexander the Great until 17, when Tiberius reduced it to a Roman province.
Cappel. A village of Switzerland. Here the reformer Ulric Zwinglius was slain in a conflict between the Catholics and the men of Zurich, in October, 1531.
Capri (anc. Capreæ). An island near Naples, the sumptuous residence of Tiberius, memorable for the debaucheries he committed during the last seven years of his life. Capri was taken by Sir Sidney Smith, April 22, 1806; taken from the British, October 4, 1808, by a French force under Gen. Lamarque.
Caps. The head-dress or shako of such troops as are not supplied with helmets.
[Forage Caps] are the cloth undress head-covering of the officer or soldier.
Caps. In gunnery, are the leathern plugs, or bungs, used to prevent rain or rubbish from collecting in the bore of the guns and howitzers. There are also cannon caps for similar purposes, used for mortars.
Caps, Percussion-. Are small metal covers, inlaid with detonating powder, and placed on the nipple of a rifle or revolver. The hammer, striking on the outer surface of the cap, causes the powder to explode and ignite the charge.
Cap-square. A strong plate of iron which comes over the trunnion of a cannon, and keeps it to its place.
Capstan. A strong, massy column of timber, formed somewhat like a truncated cone, and having its upper extremity pierced to receive bars, or levers, for winding a rope round it, to move great weights, or to exert great power; used in moving heavy guns considerable distances; called also a crab.
Capsules. Copper caps for percussion-locks.