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

Katan. A Japanese sword, otherwise cattan.

Katsbach, or Katzbach. A river in Prussia, in the province of Silesia, near which Gen. Blücher defeated the French under Macdonald and Ney, August 26, 1813. He received the title of Prince of Wahlstatt, the name of a neighboring village.

Kátsena. A town of Central Africa, in the empire of Sokoto. In 1807 the conquering Fúlbes assailed it, and a war was commenced, which lasted for upwards of seven years. The capture of the town was achieved only through its destruction.

Kavass. In Turkey, an armed constable; also a government servant or courier.

Kazan. A town of Russia, capital of the government, and ancient capital of the kingdom of the same name; is situated on the river Kazanka, 4 miles from the north bank of the Volga. It was founded in 1257 by a Tartar tribe, and after various vicissitudes, was made the capital of an independent kingdom of the khan of the Golden Horde, which flourished in the 15th century. In 1552 the Russians, under Ivan the Terrible, carried the town after a bloody siege, and put an end to the existence of the kingdom.

Kecherklechi. Are guards attached to the person of the king of Persia; they are armed with a musket of an extraordinary size and caliber. They were raised and formed into a regular corps about the middle of the 18th century.

Keechies. A small tribe of Indians residing with others on the Wichita Agency, Indian Territory. See [Indians and their Agencies].

Keen. Sharp; having a fine cutting edge; as, a keen blade.

Keep. To maintain hold upon; not to let go of; not to lose; to retain; as, if we lose the field, we cannot keep the town.

Keep. In ancient military history, a kind of strong tower, which was built in the centre of a castle or fort, to which the besieged retreated, and made their last efforts of defense. In the Norman keeps there appear to have been three stories, the lowest for stores, the second for a guard-room, and the upper, or solarium, for the family. The keep was similar to what the classical ancients called the citadel, or inner fort,—a term generally applied to modern fortification on the continent. King’s Keep, a fort built by King Henry II. in the inner part of Dover Castle is so called.