Casale, or Casal. A town of Piedmont, the capital of a province of the same name, on the river Po. Here the French defeated the Spaniards in 1640. In May, 1859, an Austrian reconnoitring party, who had advanced from Vercelli, were here repulsed by the Sardinian Bersaglieri (riflemen).
Casal Nova. A village in Spain, where a corps of Lord Wellington’s army had an affair with the French troops under Marshal Masséna, during their retreat from Portugal on March 14, 1811.
Cascabel. In gunnery, is the projection in rear of the breech, and is composed of the [knob], the [neck], and the [fillet]. It is used to facilitate the handling of the piece in mounting and dismounting it, and moving it when off its carriage.
Cascans. In fortification, are holes in the form of wells, serving as entrances to galleries, or giving vent to the enemy’s mines.
Case-hardening. The process of converting the surface of iron into steel. Formerly much used in making small-arms. The parts to be hardened, such as the hammer, tumbler, etc., were inclosed in an airtight iron box, filled with charcoal, bones, particles of horn, or other carbonizing substance. The box and its contents were then submitted to prolonged heat. The process is that of incomplete [cementation] (which see).
Casemate. Was originally a loop-holed gallery excavated in a bastion, from which the garrison could fire on an enemy who had obtained possession of the ditch without risk of loss to themselves. The term was afterwards applied to a bomb-proof vault in a fortress, which is designed for the protection of the garrison, without direct reference to the annoyance of the enemy. A casemated battery consists of such a vault or vaults, with openings for the guns.
Casemate Carriage. A gun-carriage used in casemates. See [Ordnance, Carriages for].
Casemate Gun. A gun mounted in a casemate.
Casemates Nouvelles (Fr.). Arched batteries which are constructed under all the openings of revetments or ramparts. The different forts of Cherbourg are defended by these casemates; the works erected around Dover Castle come likewise under this description; the works at Fort Columbus, N. Y., are erected on the same principle.
Casemate Truck. Consists of a stout frame of wood mounted upon three barbette traverse wheels. The front wheel is pivoted so as to change direction. It is used to move cannon and heavy weights through posterns and along casemate galleries.