Chapter D: Caldwell, (46)

[15] For the Ranges with the 5¹⁄₂ inch Brass, see the _Iron Mortars_.

_Ranges with a 5¹⁄₂ Inch Brass Mortar, at 15 Degrees._

-------+-------+------+------
| | First|Rolled
Charge.|Flight.|Graze.| to.
-------+-------+------+------
oz. dr.| Sec. |Yards.|Yards.
2 8 | 3 | 209 | 303
3 -- | 3¹⁄₂ | 256 | 330
3 8 | 4 | 375 | 443
4 -- | 4- | 457 | 501
4 8 | 5 | 530 | 600
5 -- | 5- | 561 | 627
5 8 | 6- | 667 | 715
6 -- | 7 | 709 | 780
-------+-------+------+------

_Medium Ranges with Land Service Iron Mortars, at 10 Degrees Elevation....Powder in Cartridges._

------------------------------++------------------------------
10 Inch. || 8 Inch.
-------+-------+------+-------++-------+-------+------+-------
| | First|Extreme|| | | First|Extreme
Flight.|Charge.|Graze.| Range.||Flight.|Charge.|Graze.| Range.
--------+-------+-----+-------++-------+-------+------+-------
Sec. |lb. oz.| Yds.| Yds. || Sec. |lb. oz.| Yds. | Yds.
3 |-- 12 | 198 | 415 || 3 |-- 8 | 202 | 403
3¹⁄₂ | 1 -- | 278 | 458 || 3 |-- 10 | 266 | 461
4 | 1 4 | 366 | 564 || 3¹⁄₄ |-- 12 | 351 | 614
4¹⁄₂ | 1 8 | 451 | 685 || 4 |-- 14 | 413 | 630
4 | 1 12 | 432 | 686 || 4³⁄₄ | 1 -- | 468 | 754
4³⁄₄ | 2 -- | 559 | 938 || 5 | 1 2 | 562 | 811
5 | 2 4 | 602 | 798 || 6 | 1 4 | 664 | 950
4³⁄₄ | 2 8 | 597 | 976 || 6¹⁄₂ | 1 6 | 700 | 1028
5 | 2 12 | 664 | 1121 || 6 | 1 8 | 768 | 1064
5¹⁄₄ | 3 -- | 764 | 1169 || | | |
-------+-------+------+-------++-------+-------+------+-------

_Medium Ranges with the above Mortars, at 15 Degrees._

----------------------++----------------------
10 Inch. || 8 Inch.
-------+-------+------++-------+-------+------
Ch’ge.|Flig’t.|Range.|| Ch’ge.|Flig’t.|Range.
-------+-------+------++-------+-------+------
lb. oz.| Sec. |Yards.||lb. oz.| Sec. | Y’ds.
1 4 | 5 | 464 ||-- 11 | 4¹⁄₂ | 427
1 6 | 5¹⁄₂ | 543 ||-- 12 | 4- | 485
1 8 | 6 | 590 ||-- 13 | 5 | 513
1 12 | 6³⁄₄ | 685 ||-- 14 | 5- | 559
1 14 | 7 | 765 || 1 -- | 6- | 690
2 -- | 7 | 805 || 1 2 | 7 | 822
2 4 | 7¹⁄₂ | 884 || 1 4 | 7 | 827
2 8 | 7³⁄₄ | 960 || 1 6 | 7³⁄₄ | 1004
2 12 | 8 | 1070 || 1 8 | 8¹⁄₂ | 1012
3 -- | 8¹⁄₂ | 1154 || 1 10 | 8 | 1196
| | || 1 11 | 9 | 1337
-------+-------+------++-------+-------+------

All English mortars are erroneously fixed to an angle of 45 degrees, and custom has prevailed to lash them strongly with ropes to that elevation. In a siege, shells should never be thrown with an angle of 45 degrees, excepting in one case only; that is, when the battery is so far off that they cannot otherwise reach the works: for when shells are thrown out of the trenches into the works of a fortification, or from the town into the trenches, they should have as little elevation as possible, in order to roll along and not bury themselves; whereby the injury they do, and the terror they cause to the troops, is much greater than if they sink into the ground. On the contrary, when shells are thrown upon magazines, or any other buildings, with an intention to destroy them, the mortars should be elevated as high as possible, that the shells may acquire a greater force in their fall, and consequently do more execution. The British are the only nation that fix mortars to an elevation of 45 degrees, the proper range is from 32¹⁄₂ to 35 degrees.

The use of mortars is thought to be older than that of cannon; for they were employed in the wars of Italy to throw balls of red-hot iron, and stones, long before the invention of shells. It is generally believed, that the Germans were the first inventors, and that they were actually used at the siege of Naples, in the reign of Charles the VIII., in 1435. History informs us, with more certainty, that shells were thrown out of mortars at the siege of Wachtendonk, in Guelderland, in 1588, by the earl of Mansfield. Shells were first invented by a citizen of Venlo, who, on a festival, celebrated in honor of the duke of Cleves, threw a certain number, one of which fell on a house, and set fire to it; by which misfortune the greatest part of the city was reduced to ashes. Mr. Malter, an English engineer, first taught the French the art of throwing shells, which they practised at the siege of Motte, in 1634. The method of throwing red-hot balls out of mortars, was first put in practice, with certainty, at the siege of Stralsund, in 1675, by the elector of Brandenburg; though some say in 1653, at the siege of Bremen.

_Land_-MORTARS, are those used in sieges, and of late in battles, mounted on beds; and both mortar and bed are transported on block-carriages. There is also a kind of land-mortars, mounted on travelling carriages, invented by count Buckeburg, which may be elevated to any degree; whereas the British as we have already stated, are fixed to an angle of 45 degrees, and are firmly lashed with ropes.

_Partridge_ MORTAR, is a common mortar, surrounded by 13 other little mortars, bored round its circumference in the body of its metal. The centre one is loaded with a shell, and the others with grenades. The vent of the large mortar being fired, communicates its fire to the small ones; so that both shell and grenades go off at once. The French used them in the war of 1701, and more especially at the siege of Lisle, in 1708, and at the defence of Bouchain in 1702.

_Hand_-MORTARS, were frequently used before the invention of cohorns. They were fixed at the end of a staff of 4¹⁄₂ feet long, the other end being shod with iron to stick in the ground: while the bombardier, with one hand, elevated it at pleasure, he with the other hand fired.

_Firelock_-MORTARS, _Bombards_, are small mortars, fixed at the end of a firelock they are loaded as all common firelocks are; and the grenade, placed in the mortar at the end of the barrel, is discharged by a flint-lock; and, to prevent the recoil hurting the bombardier, the bombard rests on a kind of halberd, made for that purpose. They were first invented by major-general Siebach, a German, about the year 1710.

_Names of the several parts of a_ MORTAR.

Grand divisions exterior, viz.--The whole length, of the mortar, muzzle, chace, reinforce, breech, trunnions.

Small divisions exterior. The vent, dolphins, vent astragal and fillets, breech ring and ogee, reinforce ring and ogee, reinforce astragal and fillets, muzzle astragal and fillets, muzzle ring and ogee, muzzle moulding, shoulders.

Interior parts. Chamber, bore, mouth, vent.

_Chamber in_ MORTARS, is the place where the powder is lodged. There are different sorts, and made variously by different nations. The Spaniards use chiefly the spheric; the French, Germans, and Dutch, the conic, cylindric, and the concave or bottled; the Portuguese at present, the parabolic; and the English make them in the form of a frustrum of a cone. Each nation has its reasons, good or bad, to prefer their make before that of others: among which the English say the concave and cylindric chambers are the best; the French say the frustrum of a cone.

_Sea_-MORTARS; are those which are fixed in the bomb-vessels, for bombarding places by sea: they are made somewhat longer, and much heavier than the land-mortars.

_Land_-MORTAR-BEDS, are made of very solid timber, and placed upon very strong timber frames, fixed in the bomb ketch; to which a pintle is attached in such a manner, that the bed may turn round. The fore part of these beds is an arc of a circle, described from the same centre as the pintle-hole. Land-mortar-beds are now made of cast iron.

_Stone_-MORTARS, serve to throw stones into the enemy’s works, when near at hand; such as from the town into the trenches in the covert-way, or upon the glacis; and from these trenches into the town. The bore is terminated by two quadrants of a circle, terminated by the reinforce and lines drawn from the ends of the cylinder, made to lodge the tompions parallel to the axis of the mortar. The bottom of the conic chamber is terminated by an arc of 60 degrees, and the round part of the outside is a semi-circle.

_Chambers in_ MORTARS, are of different sorts and dimensions. Mr. Belidor mentions four; namely, the cylindric, the spheric, the conic, and the concave or bottled; to which a fifth may be added, the parabolic, invented by count de Lippe Buckeburg.

_Cylindric chambers._ Experience demonstrates, that concave chambers will throw the shell farthest of any with the same charge, yet, in this case, where but little powder is required, in the entrance would become too narrow, and consequently inconvenient to clean; whereas, when they are cylindric, the difference between the advantages of the one and the other will be but little, and not attended with any inconveniences.

_Conic chambers_, are generally made in a circular form at the bottom, so that the sides produced, meet the extremities of the diameter at the mouth.

_Spheric chambers_, are much inferior to the cylindric or concave; for it is well known by the properties of geometry, that when a cylinder and a frustrum of a cone occupy equal spaces, the surface of the cone is always greater than that of the cylinder. Hence, if the entrance of these chambers be not made very narrow, contrary to practice, as demonstrated by Mr. Muller, in his second edition of Artillery, page 38, of the introduction, and the examples that follow, we conclude that these and the conic chambers are the worst.

_Concave chambers._ The advantage of these kinds of chambers consist in this, that their entrance may be made narrower than that of any other form; and practice has sufficiently proved it. Yet, when the entrance is so small as not to admit a man’s hand, they are not easily cleaned: for which reason it is supposed that all 13 and 10-inch mortars should have concave chambers, and the others cylindric ones.

_Parabolic chambers._ These chambers, being the widest of any, may therefore be included among the worst; as it is not the inward figure of the chamber, but its entrance, which produces the effect; because the smaller it is, the nearer it reduces the effect into the direction of the shell. It has however one advantage, namely that the shells will have no windage.

MORTAR, in _military architecture_, a composition of lime, sand, &c. mixed up with water, that serves as a cement to bind the stones, &c. of any building. Mine sand makes weak mortar, and the rounder the sand, the stronger the mortar; and if the sand is washed before it is mixed, so much the better.

The proportion of lime and sand for making mortar is extremely variable. Some use three parts of pit-sand, and two of river-sand, to one of lime; others, a proportion of sand to quick-lime as 36 to 35. It should be well mixed, and beat every 24 hours for a week together, letting it then lie for a week more; and when it is used, must be beat and mixed again. By this means it will make good mortar, though the lime is but indifferent.

MORTAR _for water-courses, cisterns_, &c. is made of lime and hog’s lard; sometimes mixed with the juice of figs, and sometimes with liquid pitch, which is first slaked with wine; and, after application, it is washed over with linseed oil.

MORTAR _furnaces_, &c. is made with red clay wrought in water wherein horse dung and chimney-soot have been steeped; by which a salt is communicated to the water, that binds the clay, and makes it fit to endure the fire. The clay must not be too fat, lest it should be subject to chinks: nor too lean or sandy, lest it should not bind enough.

MORTAR, made of terras, puzolana, tile-dust, or cinders, is mixed and prepared in the same manner as common mortar; only these ingredients are mixed with lime instead of sand in a due proportion, which is to be in equal quantities. As this mortar is to be used in aquatic buildings, the lime should be the very best.

In fortifications, docks, or piers of harbors, lay all the works under water with terras-mortar, and the rest of the facings, both within and without, with cinder or tile-dust mortar, for about two feet deep.

The _East India_ MORTAR for building and plaistering, is made with shell lime, brick dust pulverized, (called _soorkee_) washed sand, and the raw juice of the sugar cane, (called _jaggeree_.) The proportions of different kinds of work are different; but well made and mixed, surpasses all others; the roofs of houses, as well as the floors of their chambers, and the walls are covered with this composition, which, skilfully executed, bears a polish and smoothness like marble.

MORTES-_Payes_, _Fr._ Soldiers that were paid for the constant duty of a town or fortified place, both in the time of peace and war. Infantry regiments, which were occasionally stationed in citadels and garrisoned towns, took the right of the _mortes-payes_, and had the precedence in chusing lodgings.

MORTISE, a hole cut in wood, so that another piece may be fitted into it.

MORTS, _Fr._ The dead on a field of battle are so called.

MOT, _Fr._ Parole, watchword.--This word bears the same import in French that it does in English. See PAROLE.

_Donner le_ MOT, _Fr._ To give the parole, or watch-word.

_Aller prendre le_ MOT, _Fr._ To go for the parole or watch-word.

_On l’envoya porter le_ MOT, _Fr._ he was sent with the parole or watch-word.

In the French service _parole_ and _countersign_ are frequently comprehended under the word _mot_, viz. _Le mot qu’on avoit donné le jour du combat, étoit Saint Louis et Paris_; which according to the English method of giving out orders would have stood thus:--Parole St. Louis, countersign Paris.

MOT _de ralliement_, _Fr._ Rallying word.

MOTHIR _al moolk_. In Indian fortification, barricadoes, intrenchments, or breastworks, are so called.

MOTION, is defined to be the continued and successive change of place.--There are three general laws of motion: 1. That a body always perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, till by some external force it be made to change its place: for as a body is passive in receiving its motion, and the direction of its motion, so it retains them without any change, till it be acted on by something external. 2. The second general law of motion is, that the change of motion is proportional to the force impressed, and is produced in the right line in which that force acts. 3. The third general law of motion is, that action and re-action are equal, with opposite directions, and are to be estimated always in the same right line.

MOTION. A word bearing the same signification as _tems_ does in the French. It is peculiarly applicable to the manual and platoon exercise; as, _draw ramrod_, which is done in two motions:--_Tirez la baguette en deux tems_. Motion, in a military sense, is distinguished from movement, inasmuch as the former applies specifically to something done by an individual, with an instrument of war, as handling the firelock; whereas the latter is generally understood to mean the different changes, &c. which are made in evolutions, &c. Motion is the particular adjunct of the manual, and movement that of evolution. The French make the same distinction with respect to _maniement_.

MOTION, _mouvement_, _Fr._ generally so called, a continual and successive change of place.

MOTION, _equal or uniform_, (_mouvement égal, ou uniforme_) that by which a body moves over _equal_ spaces in equal times; such are the motions of celestial bodies.

MOTION _absolute_, (_mouvement absolu_, _Fr._) is a mutation or change of absolute space, and its celerity is measured according to absolute space.

MOTION _relative_, (_mouvement relatif_, _Fr._) is a change or mutation of relative place, and its celerity is measured according to relative space.

MOTION _equally accelerated_, (_mouvement uniformément accéléré_, _Fr._) is such whose velocity equally increases in equal times.

MOTION, _equally retarded_, (_mouvement uniformément retardé_) is such whose velocity equally decreases, in equal times, till the body comes to rest.

MOTIONS _of an army_, (_mouvemens d’une armée_, _Fr._) are the various changes which it undergoes in marching from one place to another; these are more generally understood by the word movement.

MOTIONS _of the firelock during the manual and platoon exercise_. Motion in this sense is expressed by _tems_ among the French. These consist of those prescribed methods which have been explained under _manual_.

The new mode of carrying, (which is with nearly extended arm) is certainly less fatiguing than supporting arms; since the former leaves the circulation of the blood free, and the latter binds the soldier’s arm at the elbow. The French allow great latitude in the carrying of the firelock, especially in marching and manœuvring. The men are frequently permitted to slope arms.

MOTION _compound_, (_mouvement composé_, _Fr._) is the motion of one body impelled by two different powers.

MOTION _of projection_, (_mouvement de projection_, _Fr._) that by which bodies are impelled through the air, or through any other fluid. A shell which is forced out of a mortar by means of inflammable gunpowder has a _motion of projection_.

MOTION _of vibration, or vibrating motion_, (_mouvement de vibration_, _Fr._) is the circular motion of a body, which is generally round or spherical.

MOTION _of undulation, or undulating motion_, (_mouvement d’ondulation_, _Fr._) a circular motion which is perceptible in water, when any hard substance is thrown into it.

MOTIONS _of an enemy_, (_mouvemens d’un ennemi_, _Fr._) The different marches, positions, &c. which an enemy takes are so called.

_To watch the_ MOTIONS _of an enemy_, (_guétter un ennemi_, _Fr._) To keep a good look out by means of a regular communication between head-quarters, and the outposts of your army. On a large scale, the business of an army of observation is chiefly confined to this species of service. On a more limited one, the duty is frequently entrusted to partisans and light troops.

MOTION _of a bomb or ball_. The progress which a bomb or ball makes through the air may be said to consist of three sorts, after it has been delivered out of the mortar, or emitted from a gun or musquet. These are:--

_The violent_ MOTION, or first explosion, when the powder has worked its effect upon the ball, so far as the bomb or ball may be supposed to move in a right line.

_The mixed_ MOTION, or yielding impulse, when the natural weight of the bomb or ball begins to overcome the force which was given by the gunpowder.

_The natural_ MOTION, or exhaustion of the first impulse. This occurs when the bomb or ball is falling to the ground.

_To_ MOTION _a thing_, to propose it in a military or civil meeting.

MOTION, _Fr._ This word has been adopted by the French to convey the same meaning that it does in English, namely, a proposition; hence _appuyer la motion dans une assemblée_; to support a motion in a public assembly or meeting. _Déliberer sur la motion_, to deliberate upon the motion. _Retirer sa motion_, to withdraw one’s motion. _Rejeter la motion_, to throw out the motion.

MOTS _d’ordre et de ralliement_, _Fr._ In a recent publication, written by Paul Thiébault, adjutant-general, on the French staff, the following explanation is given of paroles and countersigns, which may be considered as the free translation of _mots_, with this exception, that the _mot de ralliement_ seems peculiarly used in the French service. The parole and countersign only are practised, and their distinct import seems so little understood, that we shall not hesitate to give the whole article from the French.

The MOTS _d’ordre et de ralliement_, consist of three distinct and separate words, which are chosen for the specific purpose of enabling the soldiers belonging to the same army, to be in perfect intelligence with one another, especially during the night.

These words are composed in the following manner, viz. _Le_ MOT _d’ordre_, or what we call the parole, must be taken from the name of some deceased person, to which must be added that of some town or country.

The _mot de ralliement_, must consist of a substantive, which does not relate either to the name of a man, the name of a town, or the name of a country.

These three words are given out every morning from head quarters, and are delivered sealed up, to the officers of the different guards, and to those persons who are entrusted with the command of an outpost, or have the charge of a patrole.

The MOT _d’ordre_, or parole, must never be confided beyond officers and non-commissioned officers; the _mot de ralliement_ may in some cases be given to centries that are stationed at some distance from the outposts; but these should invariably consist of old soldiers, whose fidelity and courage can be depended on.

The _mot d’ordre_, or parole, as well as the _mot de ralliement_, is always given out from head quarters; nor ought any general or commanding officer to take upon himself to alter either, except under circumstances so peculiarly urgent, that the good of the service would justify the change. Among these circumstances may be considered, the desertion of a centinel from the out post, and the strong presumption, that the enemy has been made acquainted with the words, &c. Whenever this necessity occurs, all the commanding officers who have any communication with that quarter from whence the parole was issued, should instantly be made acquainted with the alteration.

With respect to the manner in which these words are to be delivered out, and the frequency of their circulation, the whole must depend upon circumstances. When an army or body of troops lies at some distance from the enemy, they are usually forwarded to the different quarters, camps, or cantonments, for five, ten, or fifteen days together. When close to the enemy, they are given out, as we have already observed, every day. When there is no ground to apprehend a surprize or attack, one word will be sufficient for each day: but, in critical cases, the parole must be changed two or three times during the night. If several corps are cantoned together, the _mot d’ordre_, or parole, must be sent to the officer commanding in the cantonment. When the troops are encamped, it is generally sent to the commanding officer of each regiment, and seldom to the commandant of each brigade.

The MOT, or parole, must always be given out during the day, except in cases of emergency; and it must never be delivered to any person, unless the individual who is entrusted with it be fully convinced, that he is authorised to receive it. It ought indeed to be given personally to him only to whom it is addressed by name. See _Am Mil. Lib._ Art. STAFF.

MOTTO. Any sentence, either with or without a badge by which any regiment is particularly distinguished, as for example, the English 3d foot, or old _Buffs_, have a griffin embossed as their badge, and the motto, _Veteri frondescit honore_. The colors taken from this regiment in the American revolution are in the war office at Washington.

MOUCHARD, _Fr._ a domestic spy, an informer. Among the French it more particularly means a person who is employed to watch the motions of any marked man. Creatures of this infamous, although perhaps necessary, class, were constantly attached to the police of France. The term is little known in the United States, unless it be those _mouchards_ established in the American coffee house, to give information to the British consuls. These gentlemen have been called, humorously enough, _reporters_. In a military sense, neither the term nor the practice can be properly understood; at least we should hope so, as it is beneath the high mind of a soldier to _fetch and carry_.

MOVEABLE PIVOT. When the _pivot flank_ of any body of men describe in the wheel a smaller circle than the _wheeling flank_, the wheel is said to be made on a moveable pivot.

MOVEMENT. Every inspecting general should notice minutely and comparatively on the performance by each battalion of the great leading points of movement. He is particularly to observe and specify

_Whether or not_

The original formation be according to order? The marches are made with accuracy, at the required times and length of step, and on such objects as are given.

The proper distances in column and echellon are at all times preserved.

The wheelings are made just, and in the manner prescribed.

The formations into line are made true, without false openings, or necessity of correction.

The officers are alert in their changes of situation, exact in their own personal movements, and loud, decided, and distinct, in their words of command.

The march in line is uniformly steady, without floating, opening, or closing.

The march in file, close, firm, and without lengthening out.

The officers, and under-officers, give the aids required of them with due quickness and precision.

Hurry and unnecessary delay, are equally avoided.

In the firings the loading is quick, the levelling is just, the officers animated and exact in their commands.

MOVEMENTS. In cavalry movements the following great leading points should be attended to by every inspecting officer, independent of the circumstances which relate to the dress and general appearance of man and horse, the exercise on foot, &c. &c.

He must particularly observe and specify in his communications to the commanding officer,

_Whether or not_

The original formation of squadrons and regiments be according to order?

The marches made with accuracy, at the paces required, and on such objects as have been given?

The proper distance in column are at all times preserved?

The wheelings are made quick, just and in the manner prescribed?

The formations into line are made true in the intended directions, without false openings, or necessity of correction; or that corrections, when necessary are instantly made?

The changes of position are made with due celerity and justness?

The officers are alert in their changes of situation, exact in their own personal movements, and loud, decided, and distinct in their words of command?

The march in line is uniformly steady, without opening, floating, or closing?

The flank march is compact, firm, and without improperly lengthening out?

The officers and under officers give the aids required of them with due quickness and precision?

Hurry and delay, in military movements, are two extremes which should be equally avoided.

In the firings the loading is quick, the levelling is just, and the officers firm in their commands.

The officers, non-commissioned officers, and men ride well, and the horses are active, vigorous, and well broken.

Movements, in a general sense, may be considered under the following heads, viz.--1st. Offensive movements; the great advantage which attends this movement, consists in the measure having been previously determined upon, and a consequent preparation made for rapid execution before the design is obvious. Much however, will depend, upon the justness of the distances, and of the march in column, having been so taken as to allow of decisive operations. Manœuvre will chiefly operate where an enemy is inferior in number, inexpert in movement, weakly posted, and where the weak point is found out, and is attacked before he can move to strengthen it.

_Counter_-MOVEMENTS _of defence_, are movements calculated to defeat any premeditated attack. According to the regulations they may be briefly explained by observing, that if the flank of one body be thrown forward, that of the other may by similar means be thrown back. If one body prolongs its line to outflank, the other may by the same movement maintain its relative situation. Whatever change of position is made by one body, the other may counteract it by a similar change. If the wing of one body is refused, the wing of the others may be advanced to seize an advantage.

MOVEMENTS _of previous formation_, are military dispositions which every general must have carefully digested, before he advances upon a direct line of offensive operations. A body of troops, which has a considerable march to make previous to the _attack_, must always approach an enemy in one, or more columns, at open or other distances, according to circumstances. Some general knowlege of an enemy’s situation, determines the manner in which he is to be approached, the composition of the columns, the flank of each which leads, and their combination in forming. A nearer view determines a perseverance in the first direction, or a change in the leading flanks, and direction of the columns, in order to form in the most speedy and advantageous manner.

MOVEMENTS _of attack_, are made by bodies of men advancing in line or column to attack an opposing enemy. When a considerable body of troops is to act offensively, it must form in line at latest within 1200 or 1500 paces of a posted enemy, unless the ground particularly favor, and cover from the fire of the artillery, the enfilade of which is what chiefly prevents bodies in column from approaching nearer; and that space, under the unceasing fire of their own artillery, troops in line will march over in 18 minutes.

Movements of attack, when they are made from a parallel position, must be either in line, or by a flank of the line in echellon, that flank being reinforced, and the other refused; or from a new and advantageous position taken up, and not provided against by the enemy. From an _oblique_ position the attack is directed against a comparatively weak point of the enemy. Attacks from the centre are more liable to be enfiladed, and are sooner guarded against than from the flank.

MOVEMENTS _of retreat_, are combinations of columns of march, covered by positions, and a strong rear guard. Troops are occasionally taken out of the retiring columns of march, to occupy positions and heights; they remain till the rear has passed, and then become the rear guard; this they continue to be, till they find other troops in like manner posted; these last in their turn become also the rear guard, and in this way are the troops of columns in such situations relieved. A rear guard will fall back by the _retreat in line_--the _chequered retreat_--the _passage of lines_--the _echellon_ changes of position.

MOVEMENTS _in echellon of the line._ Echellon, or diagonal movements, especially of a great corps, are calculated not only to disconcert an enemy, but likewise to enable the army, which adopts them, either to make a partial attack, or a gradual retreat. The attack may be formed from the centre, or from either of the wings reinforced. If successful, the divisions move up into line to improve the advantage: if repulsed, they are in a good situation to protect the retreat. In advancing, the several bodies move independent, act freely, and are ready to assist: in retiring, they fall gradually back on each other, and thereby give mutual aid and support. Echellon movements, in fact, comprise within themselves all the essential principles of extension and compression, which are found in close or open column, with the additional advantage of being better adapted to throw a considerable line into an oblique position, of presenting a narrow front, with the means of increasing it at pleasure, unexposed to the enemy’s fire and of diminishing it with the same facility and safety.

_Echellon_ MOVEMENTS _on an oblique line_, are best calculated to outwing an enemy, or to preserve the points of appui of a wing; possessing this advantage, that such movement may not be perceptible to the enemy, as they are short and independent lines, and when seen at a distance, appear as if a full line.

Echellon movements by half battalions or less, are made by their directing flank, which is always the one advanced from, or wheeled to. Echellon movements by whole battalions, are governed by their advanced serjeants. Echellon movements by several battalions are made in line, each by its own centre, and the whole by the directing flank.

MOVEMENTS _that are made in face of an enemy_. (_Mouvemens devant l’ennemi_ _Fr._) There is no operation in war which requires so much nicety, precision, and judgement, as that of retreating in the presence of an enemy. Every movement from the direct line of battle is more or less critical; but when a regiment is obliged to retire under the eye, and perhaps the fire of a pursuing foe, the utmost presence of mind is required in the officers who command, and the greatest steadiness in the men. In a situation of this sort it becomes the peculiar duty of the field officers, to see that every change of manœuvre, and every movement, be made with promptitude and accuracy. For although they be subordinate to others, and must of course, follow superior directions, yet so much of the executive duty rests with them that their character and abilities, as officers, will be more conspicuous on these occasions than in any other. The movements of a corps which retreats, consist in retrograde marches, in line, by alternate companies, in column, by wings, or in square.

_Eventail or Fan_ MOVEMENT. This movement is performed on the march, and must be begun at a distance behind the line, proportionate to the body which is to oblique and form. It may be applied to one battalion, but hardly to a more considerable body, which would find great difficulty in the execution. It gives a gradual increase of front during a progressive movement. With justness it can be made on a front division only, not on a central or rear one: in proportion as the leading platoon shortens its step, will the one behind it, and successively each other come up into line with it. As soon as the colors of the battalion come up, they become the leading point. Although it is an operation of more difficulty, yet if the leading division continues the ordinary, and the obliquing ones take the quick step, till they successively are up with it, a battalion column which is placed behind the flank of a line, may, in this manner, during the march, and when near to the enemy, gradually lengthen out that line.

_Vourff or quick_ MOVEMENT. This movement is frequently resorted to when the head of a considerable open column in march arrives at, or near the point from which it is to take an oblique position facing to its then rear, and at which points its third, fourth, or any other named battalion, is to be placed.

The justness of the movement depends on the points in the new direction being taken up quickly, and with precision. On the previous determination that a certain battalion, or division of a battalion, shall pass or halt at the point of intersection; and that every part of the column which is behind that battalion, shall throw itself into open column on the new line behind the point of intersection, ready to prolong or to form the line whenever it comes to its turn.

This movement will often take place in the change of position of a second line, and is performed by all those that are behind the division, which is to stop at the point where the old and new lines intersect. And at all times when the open column changes into a direction on which it is to form, and that the division which is to be placed at the point of entry can be determined, it much facilitates the operation to make every thing behind that division gain the new line as quick as possible, without waiting till the head of the column halts.

MOUFLE, _Fr._ a sort of stuffed glove. It is common among the French to say, _Il ne faut pas y aller sans moufles_; figuratively meaning, that no dangerous enterprise ought to be undertaken without sufficient force to carry it into execution.

MOUILLAGE, _Fr._ Anchorage.

MOUILLER, _Fr._ To anchor. To let go the anchor.

MOULDS, for casting shot for guns, musquets, rifles, and pistols: the first are of iron, used by the founders, and the others by the artillery in the field, and in garrison.

_Laboratory_ MOULDS, are made of wood, for filling and driving all sorts of rockets, and cartridges, &c.

MOULDINGS, _of a gun or mortar_, are all the eminent parts, as squares or rounds, which serve for ornaments: such as the breech-mouldings. The rings, &c. are also called mouldings.

MOULE. _Fr._ See MOULD.

MOULE _de fusée volante_, _Fr._ a piece of round wood used in fireworks.

MOULIN, _Fr._ a mill.

MOULIN _à bras portatif_, _Fr._ a species of hand-mill, which was invented in France by le Sieur de Lavault, and which has been found extremely useful to troops on service. Ten of these mills may be conveniently placed on one waggon.

MOUND, in _old military books_, is a term used for a bunk or rampart, or other defence, particularly that of earth.

MOUNTEE, an alarm to mount or go upon some warlike expedition.

_Half or small_ MOUNTING. The shirt, shoes, stock, and hose, or stockings which were formerly furnished by the colonels or commandants of corps every year. This mode of distribution, which engendered a multiplicity of abuses, has been abolished in the British service: in lieu of which, a regulation has taken place, that (if _honestly_ attended to) must be highly beneficial to the soldier.

In lieu of the small articles of clothing, which were annually given, by the colonels of regiments, to non-commissioned officers and private soldiers, and were called _small_ or _half_ mounting, two pairs of good shoes, of the value of five shillings and sixpence each, have been substituted. These shoes are to be provided in conformity to a pattern lodged at the office of the comptrollers of the accompts of the army; and patterns of the shoes are to be approved and sealed by the general officers of the clothing board, at the same time, and in like manner, as for the clothing: one pair is to be delivered out at the annual period of clothing, and the other pair at the end of six months from that time; and in order to prevent the injury that the shoes might sustain, from remaining a long time in store in the East and West Indies, they are to be forwarded to corps on those stations at two different periods, instead of sending the whole quantity with the clothing.

Should the price of good shoes at any time exceed five shillings and sixpence per pair, the difference, which shall be declared by the clothing board at their first meeting on, or after the 25th of April in each year, is to be charged to the respective accompts of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers receiving them, but with respect to the 5th battalion of the 60th regiment, the difference is to be taken between four shillings and sixpence paid by the colonel, and the actual price declared as above mentioned.

The allowances, directed to be given by the colonels, in lieu of the former small articles, called _half mounting_, are to be regularly credited to the men, and to be expended for their use, in such articles as are suitable to the respective climates in which they are serving.

Non-commissioned officers and soldiers of infantry, dying or discharged before the completion of a full year, from the usual day of delivering the annual clothing of their regiments, have no demand whatever on account thereof.

A recruit, who comes into the regiment after the proper time of the delivery of the clothing, is entitled to a pair of shoes at the next delivery of that article.

The compensation money to be given to each servant in the
infantry in lieu of half-mounting is 0 14 0
To each corporal, drummer, and private, 0 11 0

_To_ MOUNT, is a word variously made use of in military matters, as

_To_ MOUNT _Cannon_. To place any piece of ordnance on its frame, for the more easy carriage and management of it in firing. Hence to dismount is to take cannon from any serviceable position.

_To_ MOUNT _a breach_, to run up in a quick, and determined manner to any breach made in a wall, &c.

_To_ MOUNT _guard_, to do duty in a town of garrison, in a camp, or at out quarters.

_To_ MOUNT, to place on horseback, to furnish with horses; as, twelve thousand men have been well mounted, without any considerable expence to the country. A cavalry regiment may be said to be well or ill mounted; in either of which cases, the commanding officer is generally blameable or praise-worthy.

To mount likewise signifies the act of getting on horseback, according to prescribed military rules: as, to prepare to mount, is when the left hand files move their horses forward in the manner described under unlink your horses. The dragoons put their firelocks into the buckets, and buckle them on, doubling the strap twice round the barrel, come to the front of the horses, fasten the links, throw them over the horses’ heads with the left hand round the horses’ heads, take their swords, and buckle them tight into the belt, take the bit reins up, then take a lock of the mane, and put it into the left hand, the left foot into the stirrup, and the right hand on the cantle of the saddle, waiting for the word _mount_; when they spring smartly up, and look to the right of the rear. At the next signal, they must throw the leg well over the _valise_ and place themselves well in the saddle, with the right hand leaning on the off holster. The men must be careful not to check the horses with the bits in mounting. In mounting and dismounting, the files that move forward must take care to keep their horses straight, and at the prescribed distances from each other; and when mounting, as soon as the gloves are on, belts right, &c. the left files must dress well to the right, putting the horses straight, and leaving distance enough for the right files to come in.

_To_ MOUNT _a gun_, is either to put the unit to its carriage, or else when in the carriage, to raise the mouth higher.

MOUNTAINS, _called Great and Little St. Bernard_. A part of the Alps, situated in the Glacieres of Switzerland, which has been rendered famous in modern history by the passage of the French army under Bonaparte. The following account is extracted from a French publication, and cannot fail of being interesting to the military reader, as it is told in the plain and simple language of a soldier, who was present during the whole of this astonishing campaign. On the 16th of May, 1800, the vanguard, commanded by general Lannes, climbed up the mountain: the Austrians, although greatly inferior in number, defended themselves step by step, and never disappeared till they perceived another corps of the French army descending the mountain of the Little St. Bernard, menacing their rear, and absolutely interrupting their retreat.

The first division of the army, under general Watrin, followed the movement of the vanguard.

Until this period of time, neither artillery nor ammunition had crossed either eminence; the whole was collected at St. Peter, (a small village at the foot of the mountain) where the park of artillery was established. It appeared at first impossible to transport this heavy and embarrassing ordnance across the mountain; however it was natural to consider the question, _what is an army in the present day without artillery?_ Its necessity in this respect was manifest and imperious.

The artillery corps immediately set about dismounting the cannons, caissons, forges, &c. piecemeal. Gassendi, inspector of ordnance, gave directions for hollowing a number of the trunks of trees in the same manner that wood is hollowed for troughs. The pieces of cannon were deposited in these machines, and after having been drawn up these almost inaccessible heights, by five or six hundred men, according to the weight of metal, were left to slide down the steep declivities. The wheels were carried up on poles; and sledges made expressly for the purpose at Auxonne, conveyed the axle trees, and the empty caissons, and lastly, mules were loaded with ammunition in boxes made of fir.

The exertion of a whole battalion was requisite for the conveyance of one field piece with its proportion of ammunition: one half of the regiment could only draw the load, while the other half was obliged to carry the knapsacks, firelocks, cartridge boxes, canteens, kettles, and more especially five days provisions, in bread, meat, salt, and biscuit.

Such was the commencement of the march of the French army across the Alps.

MOUNTING _and_ DISMOUNTING, _when the horses are to be led away_. It frequently happens, especially in retreating or advancing, that it may be necessary to cover the defiling of a regiment by dismounting a squadron, or part of one, to flank the mouth of a defile. This is generally effected by lining the hedges, &c. and keeping up a hot fire upon the enemy. It follows, of course, that the horses cannot be linked together, but they must be led away (in a retreat) to the most convenient spot in the defile for the men to mount again. In advancing they must be led to a spot where they will not impede the defiling of the regiment, but where they will be at hand for the dismounted parties to mount.

_Guard_ MOUNTING. The hour at which any guard is mounted obtains this appellation, viz. _The officers will assemble at guard mounting._

MOURIR, _Fr._ To die.

MOURIR _d’un bel epée_, _Fr._ A French phrase, which signifies to fall under the hands of an enemy of great skill and reputation.

MOURNE, that part of a lance or halbert to which the steel or blade is fixed.

MOUSER. An ironical term, which is sometimes used in military sport to distinguish battalion men from the flank companies. It is indeed generally applied to them by the grenadiers and light bobs, meaning that while the latter are detached, the former remain in quarters, like cats to watch the mice, &c.

MOUSQUET, _Fr._ Musquet. This word, which signifies an old weapon of offence that was formerly fired by means of a lighted match, has been variously used among the French, viz. _gros mousquet_, a heavy musquet; _un petit mousquet_, a short musquet; _un mousquet leger_, a light musquet.

_Recevoir un coup de_ MOUSQUET, _Fr._ To receive a musquet shot.

_Porter le_ MOUSQUET _dans une compagnie d’infanterie_, _Fr._ To stand in the ranks as a foot soldier.

MOUSQUETADE, _Fr._ a musquet shot. _Il fut tué d’une mousquetade_; he was killed by a musquet shot. This term is generally used to express a smart discharge of musquetry: _On a entendu une vive_ MOUSQUETADE; they have heard a brisk discharge of musquetry.

MOUSQUETAIRES, Musqueteers, _Fr._ A body of men so called during the old government of France. It consisted of two companies, selected from the young men of noble extraction. The first company was formed in 1622, by Louis XIII. out of another company, called his Majesty’s Carabineers. The king was captain, so that the person who commanded had only the rank of captain lieutenant. The company remained upon this footing until 1640, when it was reduced at the instigation of cardinal Mazarine, who from personal motives, had taken a decided aversion to it. But Louis XIV. restored it in 1657, by the same appellation, and increased the establishment to 150 musqueteers. They were commanded by one captain-lieutenant, one sub-lieutenant, two ensigns, and two quarter-masters.

The second company, when first created, was attached to cardinal Mazarine as his personal guard; but the officers received their commissions from the king. An alteration took place in the management of this company in 1660, the men being incorporated with the rest of the troops that were destined for the immediate protection of his majesty’s person. In consequence of this change they did duty on foot, but were again mounted, in order to accompany the expedition against Marsal, which took place that year.

Louis XIV. named himself captain of this company, as well as of the first; and from that period both companies became subject to the same regulations, with no other difference, than that of precedency as first and second company. From the year 1663, the establishment of each company was 300, exclusive of the officers. They were subsequently reduced to a lower establishment. Having originally been raised to serve on foot or horseback, the mousquetaires were allowed drums and fifes when they acted as infantry troops; and trumpets when they acted as cavalry. In 1603 hautboys were substituted for fifes and trumpets. It is supposed that mounted drummers were first used among the mousquetaires du Roi. Previous to the revolution, each of these companies consisted of one captain-lieutenant, two sub-lieutenants, two ensigns, two cornets, two aid-majors, eight quarter-masters, four brigadiers, sixteen sub-brigadiers, six standard-bearers, one ensign or color-bearer, one hundred and eighty musqueteers, six drummers, four hautboys, one commissary, one chaplain, one quarter-master serjeant, one surgeon, one apothecary, one blacksmith, one saddler, and three treasurers.

This corps was raised, not only for the purpose of attending his majesty on foot or horseback, and of going on service, as circumstances might require, but it was further intended to be a sort of military school for the French nobility. Several princes, almost all the general officers, and old marshals of France, were indebted to this establishment for the first elements of military science.

The officers, belonging to these companies, clothed, armed, and mounted themselves, without putting government to the expence of one shilling. Their uniform was a scarlet coat faced with the same, and a scarlet waistcoat. Those attached to the first company had gold buttons and button-holes, and their coats were edged with gold. Those attached to the second company, had the same ornaments in silver; their hats, in which they wore a white feather, were laced according to the same distinction, as were likewise their horse cloths and holsters. Instead of the musquet, which they formerly carried, they were latterly armed with a carbine, two pistols in the saddle-bow, and a sword calculated for infantry or cavalry duty. The brigadiers and sub-brigadiers were armed in the same manner. The quarter-masters, when mounted, had only a sword and two pistols, but on foot they each carried a halbert or pike, which they used as the sergeants belonging to infantry regiments were directed to do.

The cloaks and great coats of the mousquetaires were made of blue cloth laced with silver. The quarter-masters, brigadiers, and sub-brigadiers, wore the same, with more or less lace according to the rank they held. These cloaks, &c. were distinguished from those worn by the rest of the army; having white crosses sewed before and behind with red streaks running into the corners or rentrant angles. The first company was marked with red, and the second with yellow streaks. The uniform of the superior officers, (who were generally called _officiers a hausse-col_, or officers wearing gorgets or breast plates) was embroidered in gold or silver, according to the company which they commanded. The troop horses of the first company, were of a white or dapple-grey color; those of the second company were black. Each company had a flag and two standards: so that when the mousquetaires served on foot, the flag or color was unfurled, and the standards were cased; and when they were mounted, the standards were displayed, and the colors cased. The standards belonging to the first company represented a bomb falling upon a besieged town, with this motto: _Quo ruit et lethum_: those of the second company bore a bunch of arrows, with these words underneath: _Alterius Jovis altera tela_. The mousquetaires received their colors from the king’s hands.

The mousquetaires never served on horseback, except when the king travelled: on those occasions they stood next to the light horse. Their duty when on foot, was the same as that of the royal regiment of guards.

When they did duty on foot at the palace, they were provided with a handsome table at the expence of the civil list. The two companies always mounted guard without being mixed with any other troops; whereas the rest of the household did duty by detachment.

The mousquetaires did not take rank in the army, but they enjoyed the same privileges that were attached to the body guards, gensdarmes, and light horse. They were frequently called _mousquetaires gris_, and _mousquetaires noirs_, from the color of their horses.

MOUSSE, _Fr._ Moss.

MOUSSE, _garcon de bord_, _Fr._ a cabin boy. The _Powder Monkey_, on board ships of war, corresponds with the term Mousse. According to a French writer, these boys were so hardly used in the old French navy, that, whether they deserved punishment or not, some captains of ships directed them to be chastised regularly once a week.