CUIRASSIERS, in the military art, are a sort of heavy cavalry armed with cuirasses, as most of the German horse are. The several German powers have regiments of cuirassiers, especially the emperor, and the king of Prussia. The late king of France had also one regiment; but there were none in the English army since the revolution of 1688. CUISH, the ancient armor which covered the thighs, was so called. CUISSARS, _Fr._ are plates or scales made of beaten iron, which formerly served to cover the thighs. CUITE, _Fr._ a technical word to express the preparation of saltpetre for the making of gunpowder. See SALTPETRE. CULASSE, _Fr._ See BREECH of a GUN. CULBUTER, _une Colonne_, to overthrow a column. This term is frequently used when cavalry attack infantry by rapidly charging it. CULEE _d’un pont_, _Fr._ butment of a bridge. CULVERIN, CULVERIN _ordinary_, CULVERIN _of the largest size_, See CANNON. CUNEUS. See WEDGE. CUNETTE. See CUVETTE. CURFEW-_bell_, a signal given in cities taken in war, &c. to the inhabitants to go to bed. The most eminent curfew was that in England, established by William the Conqueror, who appointed, under severe penalties, that, at the ringing of a bell, at 8 o’clock in the evening, every one should put out their lights and fires, and go to bed, &c. CURTAIN, in fortification, is that part of the body of the place, which joins the flank of one bastion to that of the next. See FORTIFICATION. _Angle of the_ CURTAIN. See FORTIFICATION. _Complement of the_ CURTAIN. See FORTIFICATION. CURTELASSE, CURTELAX, See CUTLASS. CUSTREL, the shield-bearer of the ancients was so called. CUT. There are six cuts used by the cavalry, to be made with the broad sword, or sabre. See SWORD _Exercise_. _To_ CUT _off_. To intercept, to hinder from union or return. In a military sense, this phrase is variously applicable, and extremely familiar. _To_ CUT _off an enemy’s retreat_, is to manœuvre in such a manner as to prevent an opposing army, or body of men, from retiring, when closely pressed, either to their entrenchments, or into a fortified town from which they had marched or sallied. Whole armies may be cut off either through the mismanagement of their own generals, by extending the line of operation too far, or through the superior talents of an individual, who in the midst of the hurry, noise, and desolation, which invariably attend a pitched battle, suddenly takes advantage of some opening in the wings or centre, and cuts off a material part of his enemy’s line. When one army is superior to another in numbers, and is commanded by a shrewd and intelligent officer, it may always cut off a part at least of the opposing forces that come into action. _To_ CUT _short_. To abridge: as the soldiers were cut short of their pay. _To_ CUT _up_. When the cavalry are sent in pursuit of a flying enemy, the latter are generally cut up.