A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer / Comprising ancient and modern military technical terms, historical accounts of all North American Indians, as well as ancient warlike tribes; also notices of battles from the earliest period to the present time, with a concise explanation of terms used in heraldry and the offices thereof. The work also gives valuable geographical information. Compiled from the best authorities of all nations. With an appendix containing the Articles of war, etc.

by Thomas Wilhelm

Kapigi-Bachi. Officer in charge of the gates of the sultan’s palace; a warrior.

Kaponier. See [Caponiere].

Karauls. Military posts; sultan’s body-guards.

Karki-Mesrac. A Turkish lance.

Karmathians. So called from Abu Said Al-Jenabia, surnamed Al-Karmata, a Mohammedan sect which sprang up in the 9th century, and was originally a branch of the Ismailis. The sect was very powerful for a time. They conquered Arabia, Persia, and Syria, which they ruled with a despotic power, and their armies gained great victories of those of the caliphs. In 928 they threatened Bagdad, and in 930, under their leader, Abu Takir, entered Mecca, which was full of pilgrims, when a massacre of the most fearful description ensued, desecrated the holy places, and carried away the supreme palladium, the black stone, which was only restored to Mecca at an immense ransom after twenty years. From that time their power declined, and after the 11th century they are not mentioned in history, although some traces of them still exist at Hasa, their former stronghold.

Karrack. See Carrack.

Kars. A fortified town of Asiatic Turkey, in the province of Armenia, situated on a table-land between 6000 and 7000 feet above the level of the sea. In 1828 it was taken from the Turks by the Russians under Paskievitsch. In 1855, its fortifications having been strengthened, it sustained a long siege by the Russians. Their attempt at taking it by storm (September 29) failed, but it was compelled by famine to surrender, November 30. Kars again surrendered to the Russians in 1877, having been captured by storming in a night attack,—one of the most brilliant feats of arms in the annals of history.

Kaschau. A town of Hungary; is situated in the beautiful valley of the Hernad, 130 miles northeast from Pesth. Two battles were fought near Kaschau during the Hungarian revolution, both of which the Austrians gained.

Kaskaskia Indians. A tribe which formerly inhabited Illinois, but are now located with other tribes on the Quapaw agency, Indian Territory. See [Indians and their Agencies].

Kastamouni, or Costambone. A town in Anatolia, Asia Minor. It stands in a dreary hollow, from which rises a solitary rock surmounted by a fortress in ruins. During the Greek empire, the fortress was in possession of the Comneni. It was taken by Bajazet, retaken by Timour, and lastly, conquered by Mohammed I.