Chapter D: Caldwell, (30)

ICH DIEN, _I serve_. A motto belonging to the badge of the arms of the British prince of Wales, which was first assumed by Edward surnamed the Black Prince, after the battle of Cressy in 1346. _Dieu et Mon Droit_, in the badge of the British king’s arms, was used by Richard I. on a victory over the French in 1194.

ICHNOGLANS. It has been a singular maxim of policy among the Turks to prefer Christian slaves, as confidential servants, to their own countrymen. Their motive originates in an idea, that the former having lost all recollection of their native spot, and of the tenderness which is innate between child and parent, would have no other interest at heart but that of their employers; whereas freemen in general measure their attachment to their masters by the rule of self accommodation and personal emolument. From these principles the grand Signor has established a body of Ichnoglans, in order that they may be devoted to his service; and as a security for their affection he frequently raises individuals amongst them to the highest posts of trust and dignity in the empire. The rank of _Sepaler Agasi_, or general of cavalry, has been conferred upon them; which appointment, next to that of grand vizir, of Mufti or of Bostangi, is the most considerable belonging to the Ottoman empire.

ICHNOGRAPHIE, _Fr._ Ichnography.

ICHNOGRAPHY, in fortification, denotes the plan or representation of the length and breadth of a fortification; the distinct parts of which are marked out either on the ground itself, or on paper. By this we are at once acquainted with the value of the different lines and angles which determine the exact breadth of fossés, the depth of ramparts, and of parapets. So that, in fact, a plan, upon the correct principles of ichnography, represents a work as it would appear if it were levelled to its foundations, and shewed only the expanse of ground upon which it had been erected. But the science of ichnography does not represent either the elevation or the depth of the different parts belonging to a fortification. This properly comes under profile, which does not, however, include length. See PLAN.

JEE, _Ind._ a title of respect which is used in India, and signifies sir, master, worship.

JEE POTR, _Ind._ a statement and decree.

JEHAUNDER, _Ind._ a term used in India, signifying the possessor of the world.

JEHAUN GEER, _Ind._ a term used in India, signifying the conqueror of the world.

JEHAUN SHAH, _Ind._ king of the world.

JEHOULDAR, _Ind._ Treasurer.

JELOUDAR, _Ind._ belonging to the train or equipage.

JEMADE, _Ind._ the Indian word for month.

JEMIDAR or JEMMADAR, _Ind._ means a captain or chief of a company; it is the title of a black officer who has the same rank as a white lieutenant in the E. India company’s service. The author of the history of the Carnatic calls Jemidars or Jemmadars, captains either of horse or foot.

JENIZER-EFFENDI, an appointment among the Turks, which in some degree resembles that of provost-marshal in European armies. The only functions which this officer is permitted to exercise are those of judge to the company. He sits on particular days for the purpose of hearing the complaints of the soldiers, and of settling their differences. If a case of peculiar difficulty should occur, he reports the same to the Aga, whose opinion and determination are final.

JERSEY, an island on the coast of Normandy in France, which has belonged to the English ever since the Norman conquest. Although this island, as well as that of Guernsey, is still governed by the ancient Norman laws, it is nevertheless subject to the British mutiny act in many particulars.

JERUMONA, _Ind._ Mulct, fine, or penalty.

JETH, _Ind._ the name of a month which in some degree coincides with our month of May.

JET, _Fr._ a term signifying the motion of any body that is urged forward by main force; it likewise means the space which is gone over by any propelled body.

JET _des bombes_, _Fr._ This word has been adopted instead of _Tir_, which formerly expressed the course that a shell took when it was thrown out of a mortar by the power of gunpowder.

We sometimes use the words _flight_ and _range_, to express the same action and progress.

The jet or flight of a bomb usually forms a curved line; but many engineers assert, that when the mortar is placed horizontally, it describes the three movements that are made by a cannon ball, viz. The violent or strait forward one, the mixed or curved, and the natural one, which is perpendicular.

It is particularly incumbent upon the officers who superintend the mortar duty, to ascertain, by a correct observation of the eye, the exact distance to which he means to throw the bomb. With this view he must give as many degrees of elevation as may be found necessary by the judgment he has formed.

In order to obtain some degree of certainty he first throws a bomb, by way of experiment, and he increases or diminishes his degrees of elevation according to the distance it runs, and from the spot on which it falls.

These are the only rules which are generally followed by those officers who have the direction of mortars. However, according to St. Remi the French bombardiers frequently make use of tables in order to calculate precisely the different lines of extent according to the different elevations of the mortar, particularly with respect to the degrees of the square rule from 1 to 45·

Although this method has been sanctioned by various and innumerable experiments, it has nevertheless been exposed to some censure. Mr. Blondel has written a treatise on the subject. This engineer asserts, that he has discovered a way of firing true, which exceeds all former inventions.

We are of opinion, that the best method must be that which is founded upon practical and daily experience. Those men who are in the continual habit of exercising in mortar duty, and who can form just calculations, especially with regard to the quality and quantity of gunpowder, will always be esteemed in preference to the most profound theorists.

According to the experiments which have been made by bombardiers with respect to the flight of bombs, a mortar is said to propel or urge forward in proportion to the quantity and quality of the gunpowder, by which it is charged.

A mortar, for instance, which has twelve inches calibre, and which is loaded with two pounds of mealed gunpowder gives a difference in its flight of 48 feet from one degree to another; and 2160 feet in its greatest extent under the elevation of 45 degrees.

The same mortar gives a difference, from one degree to another, of 60 feet, provided there be two pounds and a half of the same powder in its chamber, and it gives 2700 feet, for its greatest flight.

It finally gives 72 feet difference from one degree to another, if the charge consists of three pounds of mealed gunpowder, and the elevation be taken at 45 degrees, which in the opinion of bombardiers, is the greatest flight, taking a range of 3240 feet.

Among the French bombardiers there are tables put out according to this calculation, which may be found in Blondel or St. Remi. These tables are adapted to mortars of 12 inches calibre, which weight we have taken for example.

JET, among the French is likewise applied to the range taken by a fusee, as _jet de la fusee_, the flight of a fusee.

In cannon founderies it is further used to express the different pipes or hollows which are made of clay or wax, in order to convey the liquid metals into their moulds. In this sense it means _cast_, so that _jet_ may be properly called a vent or aperture which is made at the extreme end of the mould and through which the metal is poured.

_Un beau_ JET, _Fr._ a fine cast.

JETTER, _Fr._ to pour metal into a mould.

JETTEE, _Fr._ a pier. It usually consists of a projection, made with stone, brick or wood at the extreme ends of a harbor, for the purpose of resisting the impetuosity of the waves.

JEU _de hazard_, _Fr._ chance play. It was our intention to have entered fully into this subject, as far as it concerns the military system, under the head _hazard_; but as the matter has been more particularly adverted to in a French author, we judge it best to quote from that authority, and to shew, that, corrupt as the old government of France most unquestionably was, the character of its army was not neglected. Every species of chance play was strictly forbidden in the French camps and garrisons, and throughout their armies. The prohibitions on this head bear the most ancient dates. On the 24th of July, 1534, Francis I. issued an order, which was again confirmed by Henry II. on the 22d of May, 1557, that no comrade should, under any pretext whatever, obtain money from a brother soldier by play. It was further ordained, that in case of foul play, the persons who should be discovered were, for the first offence, to be publicly flogged, and for the second to be punished in the like manner, to have their ears cut off, and to be banished for ten years. The delinquents were committed to the charge and custody of the provost, who was authorized to confiscate every farthing that was played for. Dice and cards were rigorously forbidden under the same penalties, as well as all sorts of games which might create animosities and dissentions among individuals.

On the 15th of January, 1691, Louis XIV. issued an order from the privy council, by which he expressly forbade not only the officers belonging to his army, but likewise all other persons of whatever sex or denomination to play at _Hoca, Pharoah, Barbacole, Basset, and Pour et Contre_. The penalties for every infraction or breach of this order were as follows. Those persons who played were fined 1000 livres or 200 dollars, and the master or mistress of the house where games of the above description were allowed, stood fined in 6000 livres, or 1200 dollars for each offence. One third of these penalties was applied to his majesty’s use, one third to the relief of the poor of the place where the offence was committed, and the other third was paid to the informer. It was further ordained, that in case the persons so discovered were unable to pay the fines, their persons should be taken into custody. Those subjected to the penalty of 1000 livres were imprisoned four months, and those who incurred the fine of 6000 livres, without having the means to pay it, were imprisoned one year. The intendants, or lord-lieutenants of the provinces and armies, the police magistrates, and the military provosts, were all and severally directed to see this edict put into execution; and by a circular letter, which in 1712, was written, in the king’s name, by M. Voisin, to the different governors and lords-lieutenants of provinces, the prohibitions were extended to the lansquenet, or private soldier.

On the 25th of August, 1698, Louis XIV. issued out an order, by which he rigorously forbade, under pain of death, every individual belonging to the French cavalry or infantry, (suttler and private soldier included) to keep any gaming table in camp or quarters. In consequence of these regulations, and with the view of introducing the strictest principles of honor and regularity in a profession which must be tarnished even by the breath of suspicion, on the 1st of July, 1727, Louis the XVth ordained by the 43d article of war, that whatsoever soldier, horse or foot, was convicted of cheating at play, should be punished with death. He further directed, that in case any hazard table should be set up in a camp, or garrison, the commanding officer or governor was to order the same to be broken forthwith, and to commit all persons concerned therein to prison.

JEWAER KHANNA, _Ind._ The jewel office.

IHTIMAMDAR, _Ind._ A person appointed by the Hindoo magistrate, who has the superintending agency over several towns.

IJELAS, _Ind._ The general assembly of the court of justice in Bengal, so called.

_To_ IMBODY, in a military sense, implies to assemble under arms, either for defence or offence. This term is particularly applied to the meeting of the militia.

IMPETUS, in mechanics, the force with which one body impels or strikes another. See GUNNERY. MOMENTUM.

IMPOSTS, that part of a pillar in vaults or arches, on which the weight of the whole rests.

IMPREGNABLE. Any fortress or work which resists the efforts of attack, is said to be impregnable.

_To_ IMPRESS, to compel any body to serve.

IMPRESS-_Service_, A particular duty which is performed by persons belonging to the navy. Soldiers, that behave ill, in the British service, and from repeated misconduct are deemed incorrigible on shore, get frequently turned over to a press gang. This does not, however, occur without some sort of concurrence on the part of the soldier, who is left to chuse between the execution or continuance of a severe military punishment, or to enter on board one of the ships of war.

IMPRESS-_Money_. All sums which are paid to men who have been compelled to serve are so called.

IMPRESSION, the effect of an attack upon any place, or body of soldiers.

IMPREST _of Money_. A term not strictly grammatical, but rendered familiar by its official adoption, signifying sums of money received from time, to time, by persons in public employment, for the current services of the year.

_To_ IMPUGN, to attack, or assault.

IMPULSE, hostile impression.

INACCESSIBLE, not to be approached, in contradiction to accessible.

INCAPABLE. A term of disgrace, which is frequently annexed to military sentences; as, such an officer has been cashiered by the sentence of a general court-martial, and rendered _incapable_ of ever serving his majesty in either a civil or military capacity.

INCH, a well known measure in length, being the 12th part of a foot, and equal to three barley-corns in length. See MEASURE.

INCIDENCE, the direction with which one body strikes another; the angle made by that line and the plane of the body struck, is called the Angle of Incidence, which see.

INCLINAISON, _Fr._ See INCLINATION.

_To_ INCLINE, in a military sense, means to gain ground to the flank, as well as to the front. Inclining is of great use in the marching of the line in front, to correct any irregularities that may happen. It is equivalent to the quarter facing and to the oblique marching of the infantry. It enables you to gain the enemy’s flank without exposing your own, or without wheeling or altering the parallel front of the squadron.

_Right_ (_or left_) INCLINE. A word of command in cavalry movements, when each man makes a half-face on his horse’s fore feet, by which means each will appear to be half a head behind his flank leader; and the whole will look to the hand to which they are to incline. It must be generally observed, that the leading officer on the flank, with a glance of his eye ascertaining his points, marches steadily upon them, at whatever pace is ordered: every other man in the squadron moves in so many parallel lines, with respect to him, and preserves the same uniformity of front and files, as when he first turned his horse’s head.

At no time of the incline ought the former front of the squadron, or distance of files to be altered.

In the incline, the rear rank moves in the same manner, and is of course regulated by the front rank, which it takes care to conform to.

Whenever a squadron inclines it must not pass an angle of 34° with respect to its former direction, unless it should be required to gain as much or more ground to the flank as to the front. The distance of files at six inches allows the squadron to incline in perfect order, while its new direction does not go beyond the angle specified. When more is required to be taken, the squadron must either wheel up, and march upon the flank point, or it will fall more or less into file, according to the degree of obliquity required, by moving each horse retired, half neck, or head to boot.

INCLINED _Plane_. See GUNNERY.

INCLUSIVE, comprehended in the sum or number; thus when the abstracts were made out for 60 and 61 days, they generally ran from the 24th of one month to the 24th of the second month, including the last 24th _only_. Since the new British regulation, the muster, as also the abstract, is taken from the 25th of one month to the 24th of the following month, both days _inclusive_.

INCOMMENSURABLE. That cannot be measured, or be reduced to any proportion or equal measure with another.

INCOMPETENT. Incapable, unfit, unequal. No officer, be his situation what it may, (from a general inclusive to the lowest non-commissioned) can be said to be _competent_ to command, who is not only willing and able to follow orders himself, but will likewise see them strictly adhered to by others; whose mind is not superior to partialities, and whose judgment is not equal to discern real merit from ignorant assumption. Every soldier is incompetent to his profession who does not possess a spirit of subordination, and cool determined bravery.

INCOMPLETE, opposed to complete, which see.

_To_ INCORPORATE. In a military sense, is to add a smaller body of forces to a large, and to mix them together. Independent companies are said to be incorporated, when they are distributed among different regiments, regiments among brigades, &c. &c. So that any lesser body may be incorporated in a greater.

INCURSION, invasion without conquest; inroad; ravage.

INDEMNIFICATION, any reimbursement or compensation which is given for loss or penalty.

_Military_ INDEMNIFICATION, a regulated allowance which is made by the British for losses sustained by officers or soldiers on actual service, viz.

_Infantry._

1st. The whole of the personal baggage of a subaltern officer to be valued at 60_l._ and the camp equipage between two subalterns, 35_l._

2d. The baggage of a captain to be valued at 80_l._ and the camp equipage, at 35_l._

3d. Field officer’s baggage, 100_l._ and the camp equipage 60_l._

4th. Colonel’s baggage, 120_l._ and camp equipage, 80_l._

_Cavalry._

5th. The whole of the personal baggage of a subaltern officer to be valued at 70_l._ and the camp equipage at 45_l._

6th. Captain’s baggage, 90_l._ and camp equipage 45_l._

7th. Field officer’s baggage, 120_l._ and camp equipage 90_l._

8th. Colonel’s baggage, 140_l._ and camp equipage, 90_l._

9th. Officers giving certificates signed by themselves and the commanding officer of their regiments, that they have lost the whole of their baggage and camp equipage, and that at the time it was lost, they were in no respect deviating from the orders of the general officer commanding in chief relative to baggage, shall receive the whole of the sums above allotted, according to their ranks.

10th. Officers losing any part of their baggage, are to give in similar certificates, according to the best of their belief and judgment, without entering into particulars, but estimating their loss at one-fourth, one-half, or three-fourths of the whole value, according to which they shall be paid the like proportion of the above sums.

11th. The whole baggage of a quarter-master of cavalry shall be estimated at 40_l._ A quarter-master losing the whole or any part of his baggage, must produce certificates from the officer commanding, and from his captain, as to the quantity of his baggage, which to the best of their belief and judgment has been lost, according to which he will receive the whole or a proportion, of the above sum of 40_l._

12th. The baggage and camp equipage of all staff officers of both cavalry and infantry, are to be valued as those of subaltern officers, except for such as are allowed a tent to themselves, whose camp equipage in that case will be valued as that of a captain.

13th. A serjeant of cavalry losing his necessaries, without any fault of his own, shall receive 2_l._ 15_s._

14th. Corporal, trumpeter, or private, 2_l._ 10_s._

15th. Serjeant of infantry, 2_l._ 10_s._

16th. Corporal, drummer, or private, 2_l._ 2_s._

17th. A servant, not being a soldier, 3_l._ 8_s._

The certificates in these five cases to be the same as in the case of the quarter-master.

Officers on actual service, whose horses shall be killed or taken by the enemy, or shall be shot for the glanders, receive allowances by way of indemnification for them, according to the following rates; viz.

_Cavalry._

Heavy dragoons, first charger, 47_l._ 5_s._

Light dragoons, first ditto. 36_l._ 15_s._

Heavy or light ditto, second ditto, 31_l._ 10_s._

Quarter-master’s horse, 29_l._ 8_s._

_Infantry._

Field officer’s charger, 31_l._ 10_s._

Adjutant’s ditto, 31_l._ 10_s._

Chaplain’s and subaltern’s horses, each 18_l._ 18_s._

Bat horses, (both cavalry and infantry) 18_l._ 18_s._

General officer’s first charger, 47_l._ 5_s._

Second ditto, 31_l._ 10_s._

Aids de camp, brigade majors, and other staff officers, whose situations require their keeping good horses, receive as the light dragoons.

Staff officers, for whom inferior horses are deemed sufficient, 18_l._ 18_s._

Certificates, stating the particular circumstances and causes of the loss of the horses, are to be signed by the officers themselves, and by the commanding officers of their regiments.

And the general officers commanding in chief on the different foreign stations, are to decide on the claims preferred in their respective districts of command upon the ground of this regulation, and to grant payment accordingly.

INDEMNITY, a security or exemption from penalty, loss, or punishment. It is sometimes connected with amnesty. Thus Charles the second on his restoration, endeavored to conciliate the minds of his subjects, by promising amnesty and indemnity to the different parties that had been directly active, indirectly instrumental, or passively the means of his father’s death.

_To_ INDENT, a word particularly made use of in India for the dispatch of military business. It is of the same import and meaning as to draw or set a value upon. It likewise means an order for military stores, arms, &c. As an indent for new supplies, &c.

INDENTED _line_, in fortification, is a line running out and in like the teeth of a saw, forming several angles, so that one side defends another. They are used on the banks of rivers, where they enter a town; the parapet of the covert-way is also often indented.--This is by the French engineers called _redans_. Small places are sometimes fortified with such a line, but the fault of such fortifications is, that the besiegers from one battery may ruin both sides of the _tenaille_ of the front of a place, and make an assault without fear of being enfiladed, since the defences are ruined.

INDEPENDENT, in a military sense, is a term which distinguishes from the rest of the army, those companies that have been raised by individuals for rank, and were afterwards drafted into corps that were short of their complement of men.

INDEPENDENT COMPANY, INDEPENDENT TROOP, is one that is not incorporated into any regiment.

INDIAN _Camp_. An Indian camp may be considered as one of the loosest assemblages of men, women, and children, that can perhaps, be imagined.

Every common soldier in the army is accompanied with a wife, or concubine; the officers have several, and the generals whole seraglios; besides these the army is encumbered by a number of attendants and servants, exceeding that of the fighting men; and to supply the various wants of this enervated multitude, dealers, pedlars, and retailers of all sorts, follow the camp, to whom a separate quarter is allotted, in which they daily exhibit their different commodities, in greater quantities, and with more regularity, than in any fair in Europe; all of them sitting on the ground in a line, with their merchandise exposed before them, and sheltered from the sun by a mat supported by sticks.

INDIAN _Engineer_. Mr. Orme, in his history of the Carnatic, affords an instance of the art of engineering being known, and cultivated by the native Indians. In page 265, he gives the following account of a place called Chinglapet, which had been fortified by an Indian engineer. Chinglapet is situated about 30 miles west of Covelong, 40 south-west of Madras, and within half a mile of the northern bank of the river Paliar. It was, and not without reason, esteemed by the natives, a very strong hold. Its outline, exclusive of some irregular projections at the gateways, is nearly a parallelogram, extending 400 yards from north to south, and 320 from east to west. The eastern and half the northern side, is covered by a continued swamp of ricefields, and the other half of the north, together with the whole of the west side, is defended by a large lake. Inaccessible in these parts, it would have been impregnable, if the south side had been equally secure; but here the ground is high, and gives advantages to an enemy.--The Indian engineer, whoever he was that erected the fort, seems to have exceeded the common reach of his countrymen in the knowlege of his art, not only by the choice of the spot, but also, by proportioning the strength of the defences, to the advantages and disadvantages of the situation: for the fortifications to the south are much the strongest, those opposite to the rice-fields, something weaker; and the part that is skirted by the lake, is defended only by a slender wall: a deep ditch 60 feet wide, and faced with stone; a _fausse braye_, and a stone wall 18 feet high, with round towers, on, and between the angles, form the defences to the land: nor are these all, for parallel to the south, east, and north sides of these outward works, are others of the same kind, repeated within them, and these joining to the slender wall, which runs to the west along the lake, form a second enclosure of fortification.

INDIAN _Fortification_. The entrance into an Indian fortification is through a large and complicated pile of buildings, projecting in the form of a parallelogram from the main rampart; and if the city has two walls, it projects beyond them both: this building consists of several continued terraces, which are of the same height as the main rampart, and communicate with it; the inward walls of these terraces, form the sides of an intricate passage about 20 feet broad, which leads by various short turnings at right angles, through the whole pile to the principal gate, that stands in the main rampart. We have extracted this passage, from the History of the Carnatic, as affording a general outline of Indian fortification. In the same place may be seen, (page 320) the following description of a battery; which was built by the English in 1753, and contributed to the preservation of Tritchinopoly, when the French attempted to storm that place.

This battery was called Dalton’s battery, from an officer of that name, who, when intrusted with the command of the garrison, had converted that part of the gateway which projected beyond the outward wall, into a solid battery, with embrasures; having the part between the two walls, as it stood with its windings and terraces: an interval was likewise left between the backside of the battery and the terrace nearest to it, which lay parallel to each other; so that an enemy who had gained the battery, could not get to the terrace, without descending into the interjacent area, and then mounting the wall of the terrace with scaling ladders: the battery, however, communicated with the rampart of the outward wall of the city, but being, as that was, only eighteen feet high, it was commanded by the terraces behind it, as well as by the rampart of the inner wall, both of which, were thirty feet high; upon one of the inward cavaliers, south of the gateway, were planted two pieces of cannon, to plunge into the battery, and scour the interval between the two walls, as far as the terraces of the gateway; and two other pieces, mounted in the north-west angle of the inward rampart, commanded in like manner, both the battery and the interval to the north of the terraces.

INDIAN _Guides_. According to the ingenious author of the history of the Carnatic, these men are not to be depended upon. In page 217 he relates, that on the 1st of April, 1752, at night, a captain Dalton was ordered with 400 men to march, and, by taking a large circuit, to come in at the eastern extremity of the enemy’s camp, which he was to enter, beat up, and set fire to. The English troops, from their long inactivity, knew so little of the ground about Tritchinopoly, that they were obliged to trust to Indian guides; and these being ordered to conduct them out of the reach of the enemy’s advanced posts, fell into the other extreme, and led them several miles out of their way, and through such bad roads, that when the morning star appeared, they found themselves between Elimiscram and the French rock, two miles from Chunda Saheb’s camp, and in the centre of all their posts.

INDIAN _princes and their troops_. Their military character may be collected from the following curious account, which is given of a circumstance that occurred in the Tanjore country, when the English obtained a signal victory over the French and Mysoreans, in 1753. The presence of the nabob being thought necessary to facilitate a negociation that was then judged expedient to undertake, he prepared to march with the English army; but on the evening he intended to quit the city, his discontented troops assembled in the outer court of the palace, and clamoring, declared, that they would not suffer him to move, before he had paid their arrears; in vain were arguments used to convince this rabble, more insolent because they had never rendered any effectual service, that his going to Tanjore was the only measure from which they could hope for a chance of receiving their pay: they remained inflexible, and threatened violence; upon which captain Dalton, a British officer, sent a messenger to the camp, from whence the grenadier company immediately marched into the city, where they were joined by 100 of the garrison of Tritchinopoly, and all together forcing their way into the palace, they got the nabob into his palanquin, and escorted him to the camp, surrounded by 200 Europeans with fixed bayonets; the malcontents not daring to offer him any outrage as he was passing, nor on the other hand, was any injury offered to them: for notwithstanding such proceedings in more civilized nations rarely happen, and are justly esteemed mutiny and treason; yet in Hindustan they are common accidents, and arise from such causes as render difficult to ascertain whether the prince or his army be most in fault. The nabob had certainly no money to pay his troops; so far from it, that the English had now for two years furnished all the expences of their own troops in the field, but it is a maxim with every prince in India, let his wealth be ever so great, to keep his army in long arrears, for fear they should desert. This apprehension is perhaps not unjustly entertained of hirelings collected from every part of a despotic empire, and insensible of notions of attachment to the prince or cause they serve; but from hence the soldiery, accustomed to excuses when dictated by no necessity, give no credit to those which are made to them, when there is a real impossibility of satisfying their demands; and a practice common to most of the princes of Hindustan, concurs not a little to increase this mistrust in all who serve them; for on the one hand, the vain notions in which they have been educated, inspire them with such a love of outward shew, and the enervating climate in which they are born, renders them so incapable of resisting the impulses of fancy; and on the other hand, the frequent reverses of fortune in this empire, dictate so strongly the necessity of hoarding resources against the hour of calamity, that nothing is more common than to see a nabob purchasing a jewel or ornament of great price, at the very time that he is in the greatest distress for money to answer the necessities of the government. Hence, instead of being shocked at the clamors of their soldiery, they are accustomed to live in expectation of them, and it is a maxim in their conduct to hear them with patience, unless the crowd proceed to violence; but in order to prevent this, they take care to attach to their interest some principal officers, with such a number of the best troops, as may serve on emergency to check the tumult, which is rarely headed by a man of distinction. But when his affairs grow desperate by the success of a superior enemy, the prince atones severely for his evasions, by a total defection of his army, or by suffering such outrages as the Nabob Mahomed-Ally would in all probability have been exposed to, had he not been rescued in the manner we have described.

_Military_ INDICATIONS. (_Indices_, _Fr._) Marshal Saxe very judiciously observes, that there are indications in war which every officer should attend to, and from which deductions and conclusions may be drawn with some degree of certainty. A previous knowlege of your enemy’s national character and customs, will contribute not a little towards the attainment of this object. Every country indeed has customs and usages which are peculiar to itself. Among various indications that we might adduce, let us suppose these leading ones by which the intentions of an enemy may be discovered by the garrison of a besieged town. If, for example, towards the close of day groupes or loose parties of armed men should be discovered upon the neighboring heights which overlook and command the town, you may remain assured, that some considerable attack is in agitation. Small detachments from the different corps are sent forward for this purpose, and the besieging army is thereby apprized of the business; as the heights are occupied in the evening by the parties in question, in order that they may be thoroughly acquainted with the leading avenues, &c.

When much firing is heard from an enemy’s camp, and another army lies encamped near, the latter may conclude, that an engagement will take place the following day; for it must be evident, that the soldiers are cleaning and trying their musquets.

Marshal Saxe further remarks, that a considerable movement in an enemy’s army may be discovered by any large quantity of dust, which is a sure indication of it. The reflection of the sun upon the firelocks of an army will likewise lead to some knowlege of its position. If the rays are collected and perpendicular, it is a certain indication, that the enemy is advancing towards you; if they disappear at times and cast a broken radiance, you may conclude, that he is retreating. If the troops move from right to left, their line of march is towards the left; if from left to right, the line of march is towards the right. Should considerable clouds of dust be seen to rise from an enemy’s camp, and it be ascertained, that he is in want of forage, it may fairly be inferred, that the train of waggoners and purveyors, &c. are moving, and that the whole will follow shortly.

If the enemy, observes the same writer, has his camp-ovens on the right or left, and you are covered by a small rivulet, you may make a flank disposition, and by that manœuvre, suddenly return and detach ten or twelve thousand men to demolish his ovens; and whilst you are protected by the main body of the army which is ordered to support the first detachment, you may seize upon all his flour, &c. There are innumerable stratagems of this sort which may be practised in war, and by means of which, a victory may be obtained without much bloodshed on your part, and at all events with considerable disadvantage to the enemy.

INDIES (EAST). According to the geographical description of the East Indies, they must be considered as being divided into two principal parts, viz. India within the river Ganges, and India beyond the river Ganges.

INDIA, _within the river Ganges_. This division consists of a country, which is situated between the latitudes of 6 and 34 degrees north, and between 53 and 91 degrees of east longitude. A great part of this space is covered with the sea. India within the Ganges is bounded on the north by Usbec Tartary, and part of Thibet, by the Indian ocean on the south; by Great Thibet, India beyond the Ganges, and the bay of Bengal on the east, and by Persia and the Indian ocean on the west. The chief mountains are those of Caucasus, Naugracut, and Balahaut, which run almost the whole length of India from north to south.

INDIA _beyond the Ganges_. This division consists of a country, which is situated between the latitudes of one and 30 degrees north, and between the longitudes of 89 and 109 degrees east. Great part of these limits is covered by the sea. It is bounded on the north by Thibet and China, by China and the Chinese sea on the east; by the same sea and the streights of Malacca on the south, and by the bay of Bengal and part of India on the west.

To enter into the extent of the British possessions in this quarter of the globe, would be to exceed the limits of our undertaking in a considerable degree, without materially aiding its principal object, which is military information. We shall therefore content ourselves with giving, in a brief and succinct manner, a view of those establishments which constitutes the Indian army.

According to the last printed oriental register, the army in India is composed of one corps of engineers, two artillery regiments, eight regiments of cavalry, two regiments of European infantry, and forty regiments of native infantry, divided into brigades of 6 regiments each.

The military board consists of one lieutenant-general, two major-generals, one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two captains and one lieutenant.

The military offices and departments are superintended by one military auditor-general, one deputy military auditor-general, one first assistant and accomptant, one military pay-master general, one deputy pay-master general, one adjutant-general, one deputy adjutant-general, one secretary to the military board, one first assistant, one quarter-master general, one deputy quarter-master general, one surveyor general, one assistant to ditto, one judge-advocate general, one deputy judge-advocate at Dinapore and Chunar, one ditto at Cawnpore and Futtygur, one superintendant of powder-works, one assistant ditto.

The army stations in India, with their appropriate public staffs are;--

_Fort-William_, under one major-general commanding at the presidency, who has one aid-de-camp, one head surgeon, one chaplain, one pay-master; and we presume, one brigade-major.

_Barrackpore_, under one captain commandant, who has one brigade-major, and one chaplain.

_Berhampore_, under one major-general, who commands the station, and has one aid-de-camp, one brigade-major, one chaplain, and one deputy pay-master.

_Dinapore_, under one major-general, who has one aid-de-camp, one brigade-major, one pay-master, one head surgeon, and one chaplain.

_Chunar_, under one major-general officer, who commands the station, and has one aid-de-camp, one brigade-major, one head surgeon, one deputy pay-master, and one chaplain.

_Cawnpore_, under one major-general who commands the station, and who has one secretary and Persian interpreter in the field, one aid-de-camp, one head surgeon, one brigade-major, one deputy pay-master, and one chaplain.

_Futty Ghur_, under one major-general commanding, who has one aid-de-camp, one brigade-major, one surgeon, one chaplain, and one pay-master.

_Hydrabad detachment_, under the command of one lieutenant-colonel, one major of brigade, one deputy commissary of ordnance, one deputy pay-master, and one Persian interpreter.

_Prince of Wales’s Island_, under one captain commandant, one captain subordinate to him, one lieutenant, who is deputy commissary of ordnance, one pay-master, one engineer, having the rank of lieutenant, one surgeon, and one assistant-surgeon.

The cantonments and garrisons consist of the following:--

_Barrackpore_, where there is one barrack-master.

_Berhampore_, where there is one barrack-master, and one engineer.

_Dinapore_, with one barrack-master, and one engineer.

_Midnapore_, with one adjutant and quarter-master.

_Fort-William_, with one fort-major, one barrack-master, one fort-adjutant, one garrison store-keeper, one surgeon, and one assistant surgeon.

_Monghyr_, under one major-general, who commands; one fort-adjutant, one engineer, and one surgeon.

_Buxar_, under one major-general commandant, one fort-adjutant, and one assistant surgeon.

_Chunar_, with one fort-adjutant, and barrack-master, one engineer, and one garrison store-keeper.

_Allahhabad_, with one lieutenant-colonel commandant, one fort adjutant, and one barrack-master.

There is likewise, an establishment for European invalids at Chunar, consisting at present, of one captain from the first company of artillery, two captains from the third company of infantry, two lieutenants, two ensigns, one adjutant, and one quarter-master.

The medical department of India consists of an hospital board, under one first member and director of the hospitals, one second member of the hospital board, one secretary, one surgeon and apothecary, one assistant surgeon and deputy apothecary, one purveyor and contractor for bedding and clothing, one head surgeon at head quarters, and six hospital mates.

The armed force of the East Indies independent of the troops sent from Europe, consists in a marine battalion which has six companies stationed at Bengal, one company at Fort-Marlborough, and one at the Prince of Wales’s Island. There is likewise a battalion distinguished by the name of the Ramghur battalion, and a corps of hill rangers. To which must be added the Calcutta native militia, the Hindustan cavalry, and three volunteer battalions serving in the Carnatic.--The Calcutta militia, properly so called, is commanded by the right honorable the governor general. This establishment consists of one troop of cavalry; one infantry battalion, one Armenian corps, and one Portuguese corps.

The general staff of India in 1800, consisted of one commander in chief, one military auditor general, one military paymaster general, one adjutant general, one quarter-master general, one judge-advocate general, two deputies at Dinapore and Chunar, and Cawnpore, and Futtyghur, one surveyor general, one military secretary to the governor general, four aids-de-camp to the governor general, two aids-de-camp to the commander in chief, one secretary to the commander in chief, one surgeon to the commander in chief, one Persian translator to the commander in chief.

INDOSTAN. This word properly spelled Hindustan; from _Stan_ a country, and _Hindus_ the people; usually called _India_.

INEXPUGNABLE. See IMPREGNABLE.

INFAMOUS _behaviour_, (_infamie_, _Fr._) a term peculiarly applicable to military life when it is affected by dishonorable conduct. Hence the expression which is used in the Articles of War, relative to _scandalous infamous behaviour_; on conviction of which, an officer is ordered to be cashiered. Infamy may be attached to an officer or soldier in a variety of ways; and some countries are more tenacious than others on this head. Among European nations it has always been deemed infamous and disgraceful to abandon the field of action, or to desert the colors, except in cases of the greatest emergency. In Germany, a mark of infamy was attached to the character of every man that was found guilty of misbehaviour before the enemy. He could not assist at the public sacrifices, nor be present at a court-martial. Many destroyed themselves in consequence of the ignominy they suffered on these occasions. According to the old French salique law, any person who should upbraid another with having fled from the field of battle, and not be able to prove it, was heavily fined.

Among the Romans the punctilious nicety of military fame was carried to a much higher pitch. It was considered as infamous and disgraceful to be taken prisoner, and a Roman soldier was impressed with the idea, that he must either conquer or die in the field. Regulus, the Roman general, was so much influenced by these high sentiments, that when the Carthagenians by whom he had been taken prisoner, sent him to Rome, in order to arrange certain conditions of peace, he deemed himself unworthy to appear in the senate, notwithstanding that his fellow citizens invited him to the sitting. The advice which he gave his countrymen, and the punishment he suffered on his return to Carthage are well known.

Although these notions have considerably degenerated among the moderns, the military character is nevertheless so far elevated above every other profession in life, that the slightest imputation of cowardice or dishonor is sufficient to affect it. Among the French the most punctilious nicety is observed; so much so, that the common soldier considers himself superior to the lower orders of mankind, and will resent a blow or a lie with a pertinacity of honor, that puts him upon a level with the most scrupulous duellist. How far this sense or honor ought to be encouraged in the ranks we will not pretend to determine. But we shall scarcely be found fault with, or run the hazard of contradiction, when we assert, that no officer ought to hold a commission in any service, who can either take or give the lie, or receive a blow without resenting the insult in the most summary manner. For we may pronounce, that man incapable of doing justice to the service, who can be insensible himself. Nor does the term _infamous_ apply in this instance only. There are various cases, in which the conduct of an officer may render him unworthy of the situation he fills: such as cheating at play, taking unfair advantages of youth, imposing upon the credulity or confidence of a tradesman, habitual drunkenness, flagrant breaches of hospitality, &c.

INFANTRY, (_Infanterie_, _Fr._) This term being little understood with respect to its derivation, and having by some writers been either vaguely interpreted, or erroneously traced, we think it our duty to give the best, and we presume, the only correct explanation of the word. In so doing we should be unthankful to one of the most acute observers in life, and one of the closest reasoners, were we to omit acknowleging that we have been favored by the ingenious and learned author of the _Diversions of Purley_, with the following account of its derivation.

Johnson generally states, that infantry _are foot soldiers belonging to the army_; and the compilers of other dictionaries content themselves with assimilating the term infantry to the name of a Spanish princess, who marched at the head of a body of Spaniards on foot, and defeated the Moors. She was called Infanta. Our learned friend, on the contrary, traces it to the source of genuine etymology, and grounds his opinion upon the best authorities. His first root is from the Greek _phe-mi_, Latin, _Fa-ri_, participle _Fans_--_In-fans_; Italian, _Infante_, by abridgment, _Fante_; _Infanteria_, by abridgment, _Fanteria_; French, _Infanterie_; English, _Infantry_.

It is still in French and in English a common expression to soldiers, _allons mes enfans_, _come on my lads_, (_or my boys_). So a servant is called a _lad_ or _a boy_ (and formerly a _knave_ or a _page_), although a full grown _man_.

The military profession is still called _service_; and a soldier is said to _serve_ in the army.

Skinner says well;--“The _infantry_, _Fr._ G. _infanterie_; Italian, _fanteria_, peditatus: _fante_, pedes et famulus; quia scilicet olim pedites equitum famuli, vel pedissequi fuerunt.--_fante_ autem a Lat. _Infans_, manifeste ortum ducit. Et nos _Boy_, non tantum pro puero sed et pro famulo, secundario sensu usurpamus.”

After which he refers us to _Lansquenet_.

_A Lansquenet_, a Fr. G. _Lansquenet_, pedes, miles, gregarius, utr. a Teut. _Lance_, lancea, et _Knecht_, servus: olim enim pedites equitum lanceariorum quasi servi erunt; et quilibet eques quatuor vel quinque pedites, tanquam famulos circumduxit. Exercitus autem numero equitum, non peditum censebantur.

Vide _Comineum_ et alios illorum seculorum Scriptores.

It appears, that Machiavelli, in his Arte della Guerra, sufficiently points out what, and how considered, the infantry were in his time, when he says (libro primo) “Venuta la pace, che i _gentil huomini_ alla loro particolare arte.”

It is plain, the _fanti_ were huomini bassi, e soldati gregarii, _i. e._ hired _servants_, and therefore called _fanti_, and the corps _fanteria_. The term _infantry_ was given to them when they were considered merely as _lads_ attending on the army: and the term has continued, though their condition is altered.

From these sensible observations, it is evident that although the primary sources of infantry are in the Greek and Latin languages, its modern derivation is from the Italian word _fante_, which signifies a follower. In the first stages of modern warfare, battles were chiefly fought by cavalry or horsemen; but in Italy, and afterwards in Spain, the bodies of horse were always attended by a certain number of squires or armed men on foot, who marched in the rear and assisted their leaders.

Boccacio mentions the latter under the term _fanteria_, and other Italian writers, one of whom we have already quoted, call it _infanteria_, both being derived from _fante_. Nothing can be more out of date, out of place, and superficial than to imagine that because the Spaniards have recorded a gallant action, which was performed by an _infanta_ of that nation, the rest of Europe should bury the real etymology of infantry beneath the flimsy texture of court adulation. It is, besides, extremely erroneous to state, that until that period men did not fight on foot. It is well known that the Greeks and Romans frequently placed the greatest confidence in men of that description. The former had their Hoplitai, their Psiloi, and their Peltastai; and the latter their _Celeres_, _Velites_, Hastati, Principes, and Triarii, or Pisarii. The French word _Fantassin_ which signifies a foot soldier, is manifestly derived from _fante_.

Until the reign of Charles the VIIth. the French infantry were extremely defective; so much so, that Brantome says in one part of his works, the infantry could not be considered as essentially useful to the security of the state. For it consisted in those days, of _marauts, belistres mal armés, mal complexionnés; fenéans, pillards et mangeurs du peuple_: which may be thus rendered in plain English: _lads, rascals, and vagabonds, scoundrels ill equipped and ill looking, filchers, plunderers, and devourers of the people_.

Europe however is unquestionably indebted to the Swiss for a total change in the military system particularly so with regard to foot soldiers.

Dr. Robertson in the first volume of his history of Charles V. p. 105, observes that the system of employing the Swiss in the Italian wars, was the occasion of introducing a total innovation in the military custom. The arms and discipline of the Swiss were different from those of other European nations. During their long and violent struggles in defence of their liberties against the house of Austria, whose armies, like those of other considerable princes, consisted chiefly of heavy-armed cavalry, the Swiss found that their poverty, and the small number of gentlemen residing in their country, at that time barren and ill cultivated, put it out of their power to bring into the field any body of horse capable of facing the enemy. Necessity compelled them to place all their confidence in infantry, and in order to render it capable of withstanding the shock of cavalry, they gave the soldiers breast-plates and helmets, as defensive armor, together with long spears, halberts, and heavy swords, as weapons of offence. They formed them into large battalions, ranged in deep and close array, so that they could present on every side a formidable front to the enemy. (See Machiavel’s Art of War, b. ii. chap. ii. p. 451.) The men at arms could make no impression on the solid strength of such a body. It repulsed the Austrians in all their attempts to conquer Swisserland. It broke the Burgundian gendarmerie, which was scarcely inferior to that of France, either in number or reputation; and when first called to act in Italy, it bore down by its irresistable force, every enemy that attempted to oppose it. These repeated proofs of the decisive effect of infantry, exhibited on such conspicuous occasions, restored that service to reputation, and gradually re-established the opinion which had been long exploded, of its superior importance in the operations of war. But the glory the Swiss had acquired, having inspired them with such high ideas of their own prowess and consequence, as frequently rendered them mutinous and insolent, the princes who employed them became weary of depending on the caprice of foreign mercenaries, and began to turn their attention towards the improvement of their national infantry.

The German powers having the command of men, whom nature has endowed with that steady courage and persevering strength which form them to be soldiers, soon modelled their troops in such a manner, that they vied with the Swiss both in discipline and valor.

The French monarch, though more slowly, and with greater difficulty, accustomed the impetuous spirit of their people to subordination and discipline; and were at such pains to render their national infantry respectable, that as early as the reign of Louis XII. several gentlemen of high rank had so far abandoned their ancient ideas, as to condescend to enter into their service.