Keep Off. To deter an enemy from approaching close to the lines or fortifications, by inducing him to suspect a superior force, an ambuscade, or a mine, or by openly galling his advanced posts in such a manner as to beat him in detail. Infantry may keep off cavalry by hot firing, or by a bristling hedge of bayonets, when in square.
Keep On. To go forward; to proceed; to continue to advance; as, to keep on advancing into the enemy’s country.
Keep Up. In military movements, is to preserve that regular pace by which a line or column on a march, or in manœuvring, advances towards any given point without any chasms or fluctuations. When a regiment marches by files, it is almost impossible for the rear to keep up. On this account, divisions, sub-divisions, and even sections, are best calculated to preserve a regular depth and continuity of march. Keep up likewise signifies to attend to the interior management and discipline of a corps, so as to prevent the least deviation from established rules and regulations. Thus commanding officers are said to keep up good order and discipline, who, whether present or absent, provide against the least insubordination, etc. To keep up a heavy fire, is to play heavy ordnance against a fortified place, or body of men, by a calm and well-directed succession of shot. The term is equally applicable to a steady fire of musketry.
Kehl. A town of Germany, on the Rhine, opposite Strasburg. It is of great importance in a military sense, and was fortified by the French engineer Vauban in the year 1688. This place has often been besieged and taken. It was obstinately defended against the Austrians, who took it in 1797. It was taken by the French the following year, and retained by them till 1814.
Kelat. A town and strong fortress of Afghanistan, 72 miles northeast from Candahar. It was held by the British till their evacuation of the country in 1842.
Kelat. The capital of Beloochistan, India, standing on a hill 6000 feet above the level of the sea. In 1840 this place was taken by the English general Nott, but in the following year the British finally withdrew from it.
Kelso. A town in Scotland, in the county of Roxburgh, situated at the confluence of the Tweed and the Teviot. An old abbey, now in ruins, is the chief object of interest in Kelso. It was founded by David I. in 1128, and was destroyed in 1560, after having sustained great injury at the hands of the English in 1522 and 1545. Kelso is often mentioned in the histories of the border wars.
Kemmendine. A post of the Burmese empire, near Rangoon, memorable for the various contests between the British forces and the natives in 1824.
Kenaians. A numerous tribe of Indians residing in Alaska. They derive their name from the peninsula of Kenai, and are peaceable and self-supporting.
Kenilworth. A small town of Warwickshire, England. The only interest of the place centres in its ruined castle, which stands on a rocky and commanding eminence; it was founded by Geoffrey de Clinton, lord chamberlain to Henry I. It was granted by Henry III. to Simon do Montfort, earl of Leicester, and became the chief rallying-point of the insurgents who sided with that noble. After his death it held out for six months against the royal forces. The castle of Kenilworth was dismantled by Oliver Cromwell.