Castle-guard. The guard which defends a castle.
Castles. In heraldry, castles are often given as charges in the shields of persons who have reduced them, or been the first to mount their walls in an assault.
Cast-metal Gun. See [Ordnance, Cast-metal Cannon].
Castrametation. Is the art of laying out camps, and of placing the troops so that the different arms of the service shall afford support to each other in the best manner.
Cast Steel. See [Ordnance, Metals for].
Casualties. In the military service, is a word which includes all losses in numerical strength of officers by death, dismissal, or resignation, and of enlisted men by death, desertion, or discharge; also all losses in fighting strength caused by wounds.
Casus Belli. A Latin phrase used with reference to any event, or complication between sovereign powers, which gives rise to a declaration of war.
Catafalco. In ancient military architecture, a scaffold of timber, decorated with sculpture, paintings, etc., for supporting the coffin of a deceased hero during the funeral solemnity.
Catalans. The inhabitants of Catalonia, Spain. Their language, costume, and habits are quite distinct from those of the rest of their countrymen. In energy, industry, and intelligence they greatly surpass the rest of the Spaniards. They were considered brave warriors.
Catalaunian Plain. The ancient name of the wide plain surrounding Châlons-sur-Marne, in the old province of Campagne, France, celebrated as the field of battle where the West Goths, and the forces under the Roman general Aetius, gained a great victory over Attila in 451. A wild tradition tells that three days after the great fight, the ghosts of the fallen myriads appeared on the plain, and renewed the conflict.