Cattaro. A fortified town of Dalmatia, Austria, at the bottom of the Gulf of Cattaro. This town was captured by the British in 1813, and till 1814 belonged successively to Austria and France.
Catti. An ancient German tribe, attacked but not subdued by the Romans; absorbed by the Franks in the 3d century.
Caudine Forks. Two narrow mountain-gorges or defiles near the town of Caudium, in ancient Samnium. They are celebrated in connection with a humiliating disaster which the Roman army suffered in 321 B.C.
Caution. An explanation given previous to the word of command, by which soldiers are called to attention, that they may execute any given movement with unanimity and correctness.
Cavalcade. In military history, implies a pompous procession of horsemen, equipages, etc., by way of parade, to grace a triumph, public entry, or the like.
Cavalier. Originally meant any horse-soldier, but in English history is the name given to the party which adhered to King Charles I., in opposition to the Roundheads, or friends of the Parliament.
Cavalier. In fortification, is a defense-work constructed on the terre-plein, or level ground of a bastion. It rises to a height varying from 8 to 12 feet above the rampart, and has a parapet about 6 feet high. Its uses are to command any rising ground held by the enemy within cannon-shot, and to guard the curtain, or plain wall between two bastions, from being enfiladed. A cavalier battery—used in siege operations—is a battery of which the terre-plein, or platform of earth on which the gun stands, is above the ordinary level of the ground.
Cavalot. An obsolete cannon carrying a ball weighing one pound.
Cavalry. That part of a military force which consists of troops that serve on horseback. In European armies cavalry are generally classed as heavy, medium, and light,—cuirassiers and dragoons, lancers, hussars, etc. In the U. S. service all mounted soldiers are simply called cavalry.
Caveating. In fencing, implies a motion whereby a person in an instant brings his sword, which was presented to one side of his adversary, to the opposite side.