Chapter D: Caldwell, (4)

The 12 prs. in reserve, are to be ranged behind the curtain, on which ever side they may be required, and the 4 prs. in the outworks; all to fire _en ricochet_ over the parapet. By this arrangement, the whole of the barbette guns are ready to act in any direction, till the side of attack is determined on; and with the addition of the reserve, 49 pieces may be opened upon the enemy the very first night they begin to work upon the trenches.

The day succeeding the night on which the trenches are opened, and the side to be attacked determined, a new arrangement of the artillery must take place. All the 24 and 18 prs. must be removed to the front attacked, and the other bastions, if required, supplied with 12 prs. The barbettes of the bastions on this front may have each 5 guns, and the twelve 18 prs. may be ranged behind the curtain. The six mortars in reserve must be placed, two in each of the salient angles of the covert way of this front, and with those already there mounted as howitzers,[5] to fire down the prolongations of the capitals. Three 4 pounders in each of the salient places of arms of the ravelins on the attacked fronts, to fire over the palisading, and five 9 prs. in the ravelin of this front. This arrangement will bring 47 guns and 18 mortars to fire on the approaches after the first night; and with a few variations will be the disposition of the artillery for the second period of the siege. As soon as the enemy’s batteries are fairly established, it will be no longer safe to continue the guns _en barbette_, but embrasures[6] must be opened for them; which embrasures must be occasionally masked, and the guns assume new directions, as the enemy’s fire grows destructive; but may again be taken advantage of, as circumstances offer. As the enemy gets near the third parallel, the artillery must be withdrawn from the covert way to the ravelins, or to the ditch, if dry, or other favorable situations; and, by degrees, as the enemy advances, to the body of the place. During this period of the siege, the embrasures must be prepared in the flanks, in the curtain which joins them, and in the faces of the bastions which flank the ditch of the front ravelins. These embrasures must be all ready to open, and the heavy artillery mounted in them, the moment the enemy attempts a lodgement on the glacis.

[5] The iron mortars, on iron beds, all admit of being fired at low
angles.

[6] A German author proposes that the mounds of earth which enable
the guns to fire en barbette, should be so arranged, that the
embrasures may be opened between them; and when the guns descend to
the embrasures, the barbettes will serve as traversers.

Every effort should be made to take advantage of this favorable moment, when the enemy, by their own works, must mask their former batteries, and before they are able to open their new ones.

The expenditure of ammunition will be nearly as follows:

_First period_ of the siege; 5 rounds per gun, per day, with only half the full charge, or one-sixth the weight of the shot, and for only such guns as can act.

_Second period_; 20 rounds per gun, per day, with one-sixth the weight of the shot.

_Third-period_; 60 rounds per gun, per day, with the full charge, or one-third the weight of the shot.

_Mortars_; at 20 shells per day, from the first opening of the trenches to the capitulation.

_Stone Mortars_; 80 rounds per mortar, for every 24 hours, from the establishment of the demi-parallels to the capitulation; about 13 days.

_Light_, and _Fire balls_; five every night, for each mortar, from the opening of the trenches to the eighth day, and three from that time to the end of the siege.

These amount to about 700 for guns.
400 for mortars.
1000 for stone do.

This proportion and arrangement is however made upon a supposition, that the place has no countermines to retard the progress of the besiegers, to a period beyond what is abovementioned; but the same author estimates, that a similar place, with the covert way properly countermined beforehand, and those countermines properly disputed, may retard a siege at least 2 months; and that if the other works be likewise effectually countermined and defended, the siege may be still prolonged another month.

The above proportion is therefore to be further regulated, as the strength of the place is increased by these or any other means. These considerations should likewise be attended to, in the formation of an estimate of ammunition and stores for the siege of a fortified place. See _Carriage_, _Platform_, _Park_, and the different kinds of artillery, as _Gun_, _Mortar_, _Howitzer_, &c.

The ammunition for small arms is estimated by this author as follows:

¹⁄₄ of a pound of gunpowder, or 10 rounds per day, per man, for all the ordinary guards.

1¹⁄₄ lbs. or 50 rounds per man, per 12 hours, for all extraordinary guards.

⁵⁄₈ of a pound, or 25 rounds for every man on picket, during the period of his duty.

ARTILLERY, in a military acceptation of the term, signifies every species of light or heavy ordnance. It is classed under specific heads; the most important of which are--

_Field_ ARTILLERY, which includes every requisite to forward the operations of an army, or of any part of an army acting offensively or defensively in the field. Field artillery may be divided into two distinct classes--_Field Artillery_, commonly called the _Park_, and _Horse Artillery_.

_Encampment of a regiment of_ ARTILLERY. Regiments of artillery are always encamped, half on the right, and half on the left of the park. The company of bombardiers (when they are formed into companies, which they are in European nations excepting England) always takes the right of the whole, and they rate by seniority, so that the two youngest are next but one to the centre or park: the two companies next to the park, are the miners on the right, and the artificers on the left.

In the rear of, and 36 feet from the park, are encamped the civil list, commissioners, clerks, &c. all in one line.

The breadth between the front tent-pole of one company, and that of another, called the streets, will depend on the size and capacity of the tents; but according to the old mode during the revolution of 1776, when the American army had tents, 36 feet to each was the interval.

FEET.
From the front pole of officers tent of the quarter-guard, or
guard of the army, to the centre of the bells of arms of ditto 34
To the parade of the quarter-guard 12
To the first line of the regimental parade 150
To the centre of the bells of arms 90
From thence to the front poles of serjeants tents 12
For pitching 12 tents of artillery, with their proper intervals
at 9 feet each 108
From the rear of companies tents, to the front of the subalterns
tents 60
From the front of the subalterns, to that of the captains 72
From the front of the captains, to that of the field officers 72
From the front of the field officers, to that or the colonels 36
From the front of the colonels, to that of the staff officers 48
From the front of the staff officers, to the front row of bâtmans
tents 54
From thence to the first row of pickets for horses 6
From thence to the second row 36
From thence to the second row of bâtmans tents 6
From thence to the front of the grand suttler’s tent 42
From thence to the centre of the kitchens 60
From thence to the front of petit-suttler’s tents 45
From thence to the centre of the bells of arms of the rear-guard 45
---
Total depth 789
---

The army guard is in the front of the park, opposite the alarm-guns, in a line with the artillery quarter-guards, that are placed on the right and left of the artillery companies.

When there are bells of arms they front the poles of serjeants tents.

The colours are placed in the centre of the front line of guns, in the interval of the two alarm-guns, in a line with the bells of arms of the companies.

The lieutenant-colonels and majors tents front the centres of the second streets from the right and left of the regiment.

The colonel’s tent is in a line with the colours and guard of the army, facing the same.

The staff-officers front the centres of the second streets, on the right and left of the angles of the park.

The bâtmen’s tents front towards their horses.

The rear-guard fronts outwards. The front poles are in a line with the centre of the bells of arms, and each is 18 feet distant. The parade of the rear-guard is 12 feet from the bells of arms.

In the rear of the rear guard, and 80 feet distant from their parade, the artillery-horses and drivers tents are placed, in two or more lines, parallel with the line of guns, extending from the right and left of the whole.

It sometimes happens, that a very large train of artillery is in the field, with two or more regiments: in that case the oldest takes the right of the park, the next oldest the left, and the youngest the centre: the centre or grand street is 63 feet broad, opposite to which the tent of the commanding officer is placed. In the centre of this street, the colours are placed in a line with the bells of arms, and the artillery quarter-guard is in the front of the colours at the same distance as before mentioned. For further particulars of camps, see _American Mil. Lib_. Vol. II. Art. CAMPS.

_Regiment of_ ARTILLERY. The corps of artillery, with all its dependencies, is, as it were, the general instrument of the army. It is impossible to attack fortified places, or to defend them, without artillery; and an army in the field, which wants artillery, can not so well make head against one that is well provided with it. for this reason it is, that at all times governments have taken great care to provide proper officers of learning and capacity to govern, repair and keep in order, this essential part of military force.

The strength of a regiment of artillery depends upon the circumstances of the country, the quantity of troops to maintain, the number of fortifications and points to be defended. It had always been the custom, to regulate the corps of artillery according to the French method; but, the celebrated king of Prussia fixed his regiments of artillery on another plan, and produced a great change, upon which the French have since improved, and are again followed by all nations. The British method, from which we borrowed in the revolution, may be useful to know as well as the Prussian.

In 1628, and probably long before, the artillery had sundry privileges, from which the rest of the army were excluded, viz. of having the first rank and the best quarters; neither could any carriage or waggon presume to march before theirs, except that belonging to the treasurer.

In 1705, we find the first mention made of English _royal_ artillery, before that time it was only called the _train of artillery_. It then consisted only of 4 companies, under the command of general Borgard. From that period it gradually increased to 6 battalions, each battalion consisting of 10 companies, beside 1 invalid battalion equal in its establishment to the others, but confined in duty to the home garrisons, or to Jersey, Guernsey and Bermuda, commanded by a colonel commandant, 1 colonel en second, 2 lieutenant-colonels, 1 major, who have no companies. Each company in time of war generally consisted of 120 men, commanded by 1 captain, 1 captain lieutenant, 2 first, and 1 second lieutenant. In time of peace the companies were reduced to 50 men each.

Frederick the second of Prussia, found his army in a very good condition, excepting the corps of artillery and engineers, little esteemed by the rest of the army, and the officers without commissions. Knowing how necessary it was to have a good corps of artillery and engineers, and how impossible it was to secure that important object without having officers learned in every branch of military mathematics; immediately draughted all the illiterate officers into the garrison regiments, supplying their places with persons of capacity; and giving them all commissions, with rank equal to that of the officers of the guards, and an extraordinary pay. This method of proceeding established the use and reputation of that corps; induced the nobility and men of rank (provided they had capacity) to engage in it sooner than elsewhere; which brought it to that summit of high renown, it since enjoyed.

The Prussian army consisted of 12 battalions, 8 for the field, and 4 for garrison. Each battalion had 12 companies, namely, 1 company of bombardiers, 1 of miners, 1 of artificers, and 9 of artillerists. The first, or bombardier companies, were composed of 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 3 upper and 6 under fire-workers, 2 serjeants, 4 corporals, 2 drummers, and 60 bombardiers. The miners had the same commissioned officers, with 3 serjeants, 6 corporals, 2 drummers, 33 miners, and 33 sappers. The artificers had the same officers and non-commissioned officers as the miners, with 30 artificers, and 36 pontoneers. All the artillery companies had 3 commissioned and 6 non-commissioned officers, 2 drummers, and 60 artillerists. The colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major’s companies, had each a captain-lieutenant; and each battalion had further, 1 chaplain, 1 auditor, 1 adjutant, 1 quarter-master, 1 doctor, 3 surgeons, 1 serjeant-major, 1 drum-major, 6 musicians, and 1 provost.

By the law of the 16th March, 1802, sect. 2, the United States artillery consists of five battalions, consisting of 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant colonel, 4 majors, 1 adjutant, 20 companies, each composed of 1 captain, 1 first lieutenant, 1 second lieutenant, 2 cadets, 4 serjeants, 4 corporals, 4 musicians, 8 artificers, and 56 privates; two teachers of music were added by the law of February 28, 1803.

_March of the_ ARTILLERY. The marches of the artillery are, of all the operations of war, the most delicate; because they must not only be directed on the object you have in view, but according to the movements the enemy make. Armies generally march in 3 columns, the centre column of which is the artillery: should the army march in more columns, the artillery and heavy baggage march nevertheless in one or more of the centre columns; the situation of the enemy determines this. If they are far from the enemy, the baggage and ammunition go before or behind, or are sent by a particular road; an army in such a case cannot march in too many columns. But should the march be towards the enemy, the baggage must absolutely be all in the rear, and the whole artillery form the centre column, except some brigades, one of which marches at the head of each column, with guns loaded and burning matches, preceded by a detachment for their safety. The French almost invariably place their baggage in the centre.

Suppose the enemy’s army in a condition to march towards the heads of your columns: the best disposition for the march is in 3 columns only; that of the centre for the artillery; for it is then easy to form it in order of battle. Hence it is equally commodious for each brigade of artillery to plant itself at the head of the troops, in the place marked for it, in such a manner, that the whole disposition being understood, and well executed, the line of battle may be quickly formed in an open country, and in the presence of any enemy, without risquing a surprise; by which method the artillery will always be in a condition to act as soon as the troops, provided it march in brigades.

If your march should be through a country full of defiles, some cavalry and other light troops must march at the head of the columns, followed by a detachment of grenadiers and a brigade of artillery; cannon being absolutely necessary to obstruct the enemy’s forming into order of battle.

When you decamp in the face of the enemy, you must give most attention to your rear-guard. On such occasions, all the baggage, ammunition, provisions, and artillery, march before the troops; your best light troops, best cavalry, some good brigades of infantry, together with some brigades of artillery, form the rear-guard. Cannon is of infinite use for a rear-guard, when you are obliged to pass a defile, or a river; and should be placed at the entry of such defile, on an eminence, if there be one, or on any other place, from whence they can discover the ground through which the enemy must march to attack the rear-guard.

A detachment of pioneers, with tools, must always march at the head of the artillery, and of each column of equipage or baggage.

If the enemy be encamped on the right flanks of the march, the artillery, &c. should march to the left of the troops, and _vice versa_. Should the enemy appear in motion, the troops front that way, by wheeling to the right or left by divisions; and the artillery, which marches in a line with the columns, passes through their intervals, and forms at the head of the front line, which is formed of the column that flanked nearest the enemy, taking care at the same time that the baggage be well covered during the action.

Though we have said armies generally march in 3 columns, yet where the country will allow it, it is better to march in a greater number; and let that number be what it will, the artillery must form the centre columns. See _American Mil. Lib._ on the march of troops.

_Line of march of the_ ARTILLERY for a large army, as established before the French revolution:

1. A guard of the army; the strength of which depends on the commander in chief.

2. The companies of miners (excepting a detachment from each, dispersed in various places, to mend the roads) with tumbrels of tools, drawn by 2 horses, assisted by pioneers.

3. The brigades of artillery’s front-guard, with four light 6 pounders loaded, and matches burning.

4. The trumpeters on horse-back.

5. The flag-gun, drawn by 12 horses, and ten 12 pounders more, by 4 horses each.

6. Twenty waggons with stores for the said guns, and 1 spare one, by 4 horses each.

7. All the pontoons, with the waggons thereto belonging.

8. Eight 9 pounders, by 3 horses each.

9. Fifteen waggons with stores for said guns, by 4 horses each, and 2 spare ones.

10. Gins and capstans, with their proper workmen, 3 waggons, with 2 horses each.

11. A forge on four wheels, and 1 waggon, 4 horses each.

12. Twelve heavy 24 pounders, by 16 horses each.

13. Sixteen waggons with stores for ditto, and 2 spare ones, by 4 horses each.

14. A waggon with tools, and pioneers to mend the roads.

15. Nine light 24 pounders, by 8 horses each.

16. Twelve waggons with stores for ditto, and 2 spare ones, by 4 horses each.

17. A forge and waggon, by 4 horses each.

18. Nine 24 pounders, by 8 horses each.

19. Twelve waggons with stores for ditto, and 2 spare ones.

20. Twelve 12 pounders, by 8 horses each.

21. Sixteen waggons with stores for ditto, and 2 spare ones.

22. Sixteen 5.8 inch mortars, by 2 horses each.

23. Twenty-five waggons with stores for ditto, and 2 spare ones.

24. Ten 8 inch mortars, by 4 horses each.

25. Twenty waggons with stores for ditto, and 2 spare ones.

26. Six 10 inch howitzers, by 6 horses each.

27. Twenty waggons with stores for ditto, and 2 spare ones.

28. A waggon with tools, and men to mend the roads.

29. A forge and waggon, by 4 horses each.

30. Ten 8 inch mortars, by 4 horses each.

31. Twenty waggons with stores for ditto, and a spare one.

32. Sixteen 12 inch mortars, by 8 horses each.

33. Thirty waggons with stores for ditto, and 2 spare ones.

34. Eight 18 inch stone mortars, by 10 horses each.

35. Sixteen waggons with stores for ditto, and a spare one.

36. Eight 9 pounders, by 3 horses each.

37. Sixteen waggons with stores for ditto, and a spare one.

38. Twenty 6 pounders, by 2 horses each.

39. Twenty waggons with stores for ditto, and a spare one.

40. Two sling-waggons, and 2 truck-carriages, 4 horses each.

41. Twenty 3 pounders, by 1 horse each.

42. Ten waggons with stores for ditto, and a spare one.

43. A waggon with tools, &c.

44. A forge and waggon, by 4 horses each.

45. Twelve 2 and 1 pounders, by 1 horse each.

46. Six waggons with stores for ditto.

47. Sixteen 6 pounders, by 2 horses each.

48. Ten waggons with stores for ditto.

49. Twenty spare carriages, for various calibres.

50. Eighteen ditto.

51. Fifty spare limbers.

52. Ten 18 pounders, by 6 horses each.

53. Twenty waggons with stores for ditto, and 2 spare ones.

54. Twenty waggons with ammunition and stores.

55. Two 12 pounders, by 4 horses each.

56. Four waggons with stores for ditto.

57. Fifty waggons with stores.

58. A waggon with tools, and men to mend the roads.

59. A forge and waggon, by 4 horses each.

60. A hundred waggons with stores, and 4 spare ones.

61. Four 2 and 1 pounders, by 1 horse each.

62. A hundred waggons with stores, and 3 spare ones.

63. Two hundred waggons, and 2 spare ones.

64. Two hundred and fourteen waggons belonging to the artillery baggage; some with 4, 3, and 2 horses each.

65. The artillery rear-guard.

66. The rear-guard from the army.

_Horse Artillery._--The French horse artillery consists of 8 Prs. and 6 inch Howitzers.

The English of light 12 Prs., light 6 Prs. and light 5¹⁄₂ inch Howitzers.

The Austrian and Prussian horse artillery have 6 Prs. and 5¹⁄₂ inch Howitzers.

The United States by a law of April 12, 1808, authorised the raising of a regiment of horse artillery of ten companies, of the same number of officers and men as the artillery regiment of the old establishment to the company.

_Officers of_ ARTILLERY. The commander of the army is commander in chief of the artillery; the colonels of artillery act under his orders; they are entrusted with one of the most laborious employments, both in war and peace, requiring the greatest ability, application, and experience. The officers in general should be good mathematicians, and engineers, should know all the powers of artillery, the attack and defence of fortified places; in a word, every thing which appertains to that very important corps.

ARTILLEUR, _Fr._ an officer belonging to the French service.

ARTILLIER, _Fr._ a man who works on pieces of ordnance as a founder; or one who serves them in action.

ARX, in the ancient military art, a fort, castle, &c. for the defence of a place.

ARZEGAGES, _Fr._ batons or canes with iron at both ends. They were carried by the Estradiots or Albanian cavaliers who served in France under Charles VIII. and Louis XII.

ASAPPES, or AZAPES, auxiliary troops which are raised among the Christians subject to the Turkish empire. These troops are generally placed in the front to receive the first shock of the enemy.

ASCENT. See GUNNERY.

ASPECT, is the view or profile of land or coast, and contains the figure or representation of the borders of any particular part of the sea. These figures and representations may be found in all the charts or directories for the sea coast. The Italians call them _demonstratione_. By means of this knowlege you may ascertain whether the land round the shore be high; if the coast itself be steep or sloping; bent in the form of an arc, or extended in strait lines; round at the top, or rising to a point. Every thing, in a word, is brought in a correct state before the eye, as far as regards harbors, swamps, bogs, gulphs, adjacent churches, trees, windmills, &c. See RECONNOITRING in _Amer. Mil. Lib._

_A menacing_ ASPECT. An army is said to hold a menacing aspect, when by advanced movements or positions it gives the opposing enemy cause to apprehend an attack.

_A military_ ASPECT. A country is said to have a military aspect, when its general situation presents appropriate obstacles or facilities for an army acting on the offensive or defensive.

_An imposing_ ASPECT. An army is said to have an imposing aspect, when it appears stronger than it really is. This appearance is often assumed for the purpose of deceiving an enemy, and may not improperly be considered as a principal _ruse de guerre_, or feint in war.

ASPIC, _Fr._ a piece of ordnance which carries a 12 pound shot. The piece itself weighs 42-50 pounds.

ASSAILLIR, _Fr._ to attack; to assail. This old French term applies equally to bodies of men and to individuals.

ASSAULT, a furious effort to carry a fortified post, camp, or fortress, where the assailants do not screen themselves by any works. While an assault during a siege continues, the batteries cease, for fear of killing their own men. An assault is sometimes made by the regiments that guard the trenches of a siege, sustained by detachments from the army.

_To give an_ ASSAULT, is to attack any post, &c.

_To repulse an_ ASSAULT, to cause the assailants to retreat, to beat them back.

_To carry by_ ASSAULT, to gain a post by storm, &c.

ASSAUT, _Fr._ See ASSAULT.

ASSIEGER, _Fr._ to besiege.

ASSEMBLEE, _Fr._ the assembling together of an army. Also a _call_, or beat of the drum. See ASSEMBLY.

ASSEMBLY, the second beating of the drum before a march; at which the men strike their tents, if encamped, roll them up, and stand to arms. See DRUM.

ASSESSMENT, in a military sense, signifies a certain rate which is paid in England by the county treasurer to the receiver-general of the land-tax, to indemnify any place for not having raised the militia; which sum is to be paid by the receiver-general into the exchequer. The sum to be assessed is five pounds for each man, where no annual certificate of the state of the militia has been transmitted to the clerk of the peace: if not paid before June yearly it may be levied on the parish officers. Such assessment where there is no county rate is to be raised as the poor’s rate.

ASSIETTE, _Fr._ the immediate scite or position of a camp.

ASSOCIATION, any number of men embodied in arms for mutual defence in their district; and to preserve the public tranquility therein, against foreign or domestic enemies.

ASTRAGAL. See CANNON.

ATTACH. Officers and non-commissioned officers are said to be attached to the respective army, regiment, battalion, troop, or company with which they are appointed to act.

ATTACHE, _Fr._ the seal and signature of the colonel-general in the old French service, which were affixed to the commissions of officers after they had been duly examined.

ATTACK, any general assault, or onset, that is given to gain a post, or break a body of troops.

ATTACK _of a siege_, is a furious assault made by the besiegers by means of trenches, galleries, saps, breaches, or mines, &c. by storming any part of the front attack. Sometimes two attacks are carried on at the same time, between which a communication must be made. See SIEGE.

_False_ ATTACKS are never carried on with that vigor and briskness that the others are; the design of them being to favor the true attack, by amusing the enemy and by obliging the garrison to severer duty in dividing their forces, that the true attack may be more successful.

_Regular_ ATTACK, is that which is carried on in form, according to the rules of art. See SIEGE, APPROACHES, &c.

_To_ ATTACK _in front or flank_, in fortification, means to attack the saliant angle, or both sides of the bastion.

This phrase is familiarly used with respect to bodies of men which attack each other in a military way.

ATTACK _and Defence_. A part of the drill for recruits learning the sword exercise, which is commenced with the recruit stationary on horseback, the teacher riding round him, striking at different parts as openings appear, and instructing the recruit how to ward his several attacks; it is next executed in a walk, and, as the learner becomes more perfect, in speed; in the latter under the idea of a pursuit. The attack and defence in line and in speed form the concluding part of the sword exercise when practised at a review of cavalry. It is to be observed, that although denominated _in speed_, yet when practising, or at a review, the pace of the horse ought not to exceed _three quarters_ speed.

ATTENTION, a cautionary word used as a preparative to any particular exercise or manœuvre. _Garde-á-vous_, which is pronounced _Gar-a-vous_, has the same signification in the French service.

ATTESTATION, a certificate made by some justice of the peace of the enlistment of a recruit. This certificate is to bear testimony, that the recruit has been brought before him in conformity to law and has declared his _assent_ or _dissent_ to such enlistment; and, if according to the law he shall have been, and is duly enlisted, that the proper oath has been administered to him by the said magistrate.

ATILT, in the attitude of thrusting with a spear, &c. as was formerly the case in tournaments, &c.

AVANT, _Fr._ foremost, most advanced toward the enemy, as

AVANT-_chemin couvert_, _Fr._ The advanced covert-way which is made at the foot of the glacis to oppose the approaches of an enemy.

AVANT-_duc_, _Fr._ The pile-work which is formed by a number of young trees on the edge or entrance of a river. They are driven into the ground with battering rams or strong pieces of iron, to form a level floor, by means of strong planks being nailed upon it, which serve for the foundation of a bridge. Boats are placed wherever the _avant-duc_ terminates. The avant-duc is had recourse to when the river is so broad that there are not boats sufficient to make a bridge across. Avant-ducs are made on each side of the river.

AVANT-_fossé_, _Fr._ The ditch of the counterscarp next to the country. It is dug at the foot of the glacis. See FORTIFICATION.

AVANT-_garde_. See VAN GUARD.

AVANT-_train_, _Fr._ The limbers of a field piece, on which are placed one or two boxes containing ammunition enough for immediate service.

AUDITOR, the person who audits regimental or other military accounts.

AVENUE, in fortification, is any kind of opening or inlet into a fort, bastion, or out-work.

AUGET, or AUGETTE, _Fr._ A wooden pipe which contains the powder by which a mine is set fire to.

AULNE _de Paris_, a French measure, containing 44 inches, used to measure sand-bags.

AUTHORITY, in a general acceptation of the term, signifies a right to command, and a consequent right to be obeyed. The appointment of officers in the army of the United States is in the nomination by the president, and approved by a majority of the Senate. The president may however dismiss at his discretion. The king of Great-Britain has the power to exercise military authority without controul, as far as regards the army; and may appoint or dismiss officers at his pleasure.

AUXILIARY. Foreign or subsidiary troops which are furnished to a belligerent power in consequence of a treaty of alliance, or for pecuniary considerations. Of the latter description may be considered the Hessians that were employed by Great-Britain to enslave America.

AWARD, the sentence or determination of a military court.

AXLE-TREE, a transverse beam supporting a carriage, and on the ends of which the wheels revolve. See CARRIAGES.

B.

BACK-_Step_, the retrograde movement of a man or body of men without changing front; it is half the forward step.

BACKWARDS, a technical word made use of in the British service to express the retrograde movement of troops from line into column, and _vice versa_. See WHEEL.

BAGGAGE, in military affairs, signifies the clothes, tents, utensils of divers sorts, and provisions, &c. belonging to an army.

BAGGAGE-_Waggons_. See WAGGONS.

BAGPIPE, the name of a musical warlike instrument, of the wind kind, used by the Scots regiments, and sometimes by the Irish. Bagpipes were used by the Danes; by the Romans, and by the Asiatics at this day; there is in Rome a most beautiful bas-relievo, a piece of Grecian sculpture of the highest antiquity, which represents a bag-piper playing on his instrument exactly like a modern highlander. The Greeks had also an instrument composed of a _pipe_ and _blown-up skin_. The Romans in all probability, borrowed it from them. The Italians still use it under the names of _piva_ and _cornumusa_. The Bagpipe has been a favorite instrument among the Scots. There are two varieties: the one with long pipes, and sounded with the mouth; the other with short pipes, filled with air by a bellows, and played on with the fingers: the first is the loudest and most ear-piercing of all music, is the genuine highland pipe, and is well suited to the warlike genius of that people. It formerly roused their courage to battle, alarmed them when secure, and collected them when scattered: solaced them in their long and painful marches, and in times of peace kept up the memory of the gallantry of their ancestors, by tunes composed after signal victories. The other is the Irish bagpipe.

BAGS, in military employments, are used on many occasions: as,

_Sand_ BAGS, generally 16 inches diameter, and 30 high, filled with earth or sand to repair breaches, and the embrasures of batteries, when damaged by the enemies fire, or by the blast of the guns. Sometimes they are made less, and placed three together, upon the parapets, for the men to fire through.

_Earth_-BAGS, containing about a cubical foot of earth, are used to raise a parapet in haste, or to repair one that is beaten down. They are only used when the ground is rocky, and does not afford earth enough to carry on the approaches.

BALANCE, _Fr._ a term used in the French artillery to express a machine in which stores and ammunition are weighed.

BALL, in the military art, comprehends all sorts of balls and bullets for fire-arms, from the cannon to the pistol.

BALLS of Lead, of different kinds.

-----------+-------+---------+------------
|_Number|_Diameter| _No. made
|to one | in |from one ton
KINDS. |Pound._| Inches._| of Lead._
-----------+-------+---------+------------
Wall pieces| 6³⁄₄ | .89 | 14,760
Musquets | 14¹⁄₂ | .68 | 32,480
Carabine | 20 | .60 | 44,800
Pistol | 34 | .51 | 78,048
7 Brl. guns| 46¹⁄₂ | .46 | 104,160
-----------+-------+---------+------------

Lead balls are packed in boxes containing each 1 cwt. About 4 pounds of lead in the cwt. are generally lost in casting. See SHOT.

_Cannon_-BALLS are of iron; and musket and pistol-balls are of lead. Cannon-balls are always distinguished by their respective calibres, thus,

A 42} {6,684 inches.
32} {6,105
24} {5,547
18} {5,040
12} pound ball, the diameter of which is {4,403
9} {4,000
6} {3,498
3} {2,775
2} {2,423
1} {1,923

_Fire_-BALLS, _Light_-BALLS, of which there are various sorts, used for various purposes. Their composition is mealed powder 2, saltpetre 1¹⁄₂, sulphur 1, rosin 1, turpentine 2¹⁄₂. Sometimes they are made of an iron shell, sometimes a stone, filled and covered with various coats of the above composition, until it conglomerates to a proper size; the last coat being of grained powder. But the best sort in our opinion, is to take thick brown paper, and make a shell the size of the mortar, and fill it with a composition of an equal quantity of sulphur, pitch, rosin, and mealed powder; which being well mixed, and put in warm, will give a clear fire, and burn a considerable time.

When they are intended to set fire to magazines, buildings, &c. the composition must be mealed powder 10, saltpetre 2, sulphur 4, and rosin 1; or rather mealed powder 48, saltpetre 32, sulphur 16, rosin 4, steel or iron filings 2, fir-tree saw-dust boiled in saltpetre ley 2, birch-wood charcoal 1, well rammed into a shell for that purpose, having various holes filled with small barrels, loaded with musket-balls; and lastly the whole immerged in melted pitch, rosin and turpentine oil.

_Smoke_-BALLS are prepared as above, with this difference, that they contain 5 to 1 of pitch, rosin and saw-dust. This composition is put into shells made for that purpose, having 4 holes to let out the smoke. Smoke-balls are thrown out of mortars, and continue to smoke from 25 to 30 minutes.

_Stink_-BALLS are prepared by a composition of mealed powder, rosin, saltpetre, pitch, sulphur, rasped horses and asses hoofs, burnt in the fire, assa-fœtida, seraphim gum or ferula, and bug or stinking herbs, made up into balls, as mentioned in _Light_-BALLS, agreeably to the size of the mortar out of which you intend to throw them.

_Poisoned_ BALLS. We are not sure that they have ever been used in Europe; but the Indians and Africans have always been very ingenious at poisoning several sorts of warlike stores and instruments. Their composition is mealed powder 4, pitch 6, rosin 3, sulphur 5, assa-fœtida 8, extract of toad’s poison 12, other poisonous substances 12, made into balls as above directed. At the commencement of the French Revolution poisoned balls were exhibited to the people said to have been fired by the Austrians, particularly at the siege of Lisle. We have seen some of this sort. They contained glass, small pieces of iron, &c. and were said to be concocted together by means of a greasy composition which was impregnated with poisonous matter. In 1792, they were deposited in the Archives of Paris.

_Red-hot_ BALLS are fired out of mortars, howitzers, or cannon. Use which you will, the ball must be made red-hot, which is done upon a large coal fire in a square hole made in the ground, 6 feet every way, and 4 or 5 feet deep. Some make the fire under an iron grate, on which the shell or ball is laid; but the best way is to put the ball into the middle of a clear burning fire, and when red-hot, all the fiery particles must be swept off. Whatever machine you use to throw the red-hot ball out of, it must be elevated according to the distance you intend it shall range, and the charge of powder must be put into a flannel cartridge, and a good wad upon that; then a piece of wood of the exact diameter of the piece, and about 3¹⁄₂ inches thick, to prevent the ball from setting fire to the powder; then place the ball on the edge of the mortar, &c. with an instrument for that purpose, and let it roll of itself against the wood, and instantly fire it off. Should there be a ditch or parallel before such a battery, with soldiers, the wood must not be used, as the blast of powder will break it to pieces, and its own elasticity prevent it from flying far; it would in that case either kill or wound your own people. For this deficiency the wad must be double. See _American Mil. Lib_. article ARTILLERY.

_Chain_-BALLS are two balls linked together by a chain of 8 or 10 inches long, and some have been made with a chain of 3 or 4 feet long; they are used to destroy the pallisadoes, wooden bridges, and chevaux-de-friezes of a fortification. They are also very destructive to the rigging of a ship.

_Stang_-BALLS are by some called balls of two heads; they are sometimes made of two half-balls joined together by a bar of iron from 8 to 14 inches long; they are likewise made of two entire balls; they are for the same purpose as the before-mentioned.

_Anchor_-BALLS are made in the same way as the light-balls, and filled with the same composition, only with this addition, that these are made with an iron bar two-thirds of the ball’s diameter in length, and 3 or 4 inches square. One half is fixed within the ball, and the other half remains without; the exterior end is made with a grapple-hook. Very useful to set fire to wooden bridges, or any thing made of wood, or even the rigging of ships, &c. for the pile end being the heaviest, flies foremost, and wherever it touches, fastens, and sets all on fire about it.

_Message_-BALLS. See SHELLS.

BALLIUM, a term used in ancient military history. In towns the appellation of ballium was given to a work fenced with pallisades, and sometimes to masonry, covering the suburbs; but in castles it was the space immediately within the outer wall.

BALLOON, a hollow vessel of silk, varnished over and filled with inflammable air, by which means it ascends in the atmosphere. It has during the war been used by the French in reconnoitering, and with great success at Fleurus.

BALOTS, _Fr._. sacks or bales of wool, made use of in cases of great emergency, to form parapets or places of arms. They are likewise adapted for the defence of trenches, to cover the workmen in saps, and in all instances where promptitude is required.

BAN, _or_ BANN, a sort of proclamation made at the head of a body of troops, or in the several quarters or cantonments of an army, by sound of trumpet, or beat of drum; either for observing martial discipline, or for declaring a new officer, or punishing a soldier, or the like. At present such kind of proclamations are given out in the written orders of the day.

BAN and ARRIERE BAN, a French military phrase signifying the convocation of vassals under the feudal system. Ménage, a French writer, derives the term from the German word _ban_, which means _publication_; Nicod derives it from another German term which signifies _field_. Borel from the Greek _pan_ which means _all_, because the convocation was general. In the reign of Charles VII. the _ban_ and _arriere ban_ had different significations. Formerly it meant the assembling of the ordinary militia. After the days of Charles VII. it was called the extraordinary militia. The first served more than the latter; and each was distinguished according to the nature of its particular service. The persons belonging to the arriere-ban were at one period accoutred and mounted like light-horse; but there were occasions on which they served like the infantry. Once under Francis I. in 1545, and again under Lewis XIII. who issued out an order in 1637, that the Arriere-Ban should serve on foot.

BAN likewise signified during the ancient monarchy of France, a proclamation made by the sound of drums, trumpets, and tamborines, either at the head of a body of troops, or in quarters. Sometimes to prevent the men from quitting camp, at others to enforce the rigor of military discipline; sometimes for the purpose of receiving a new commanding officer, and at others to degrade a military character.

BANDER, _Fr._ to unite, to intrigue together for the purposes of insurrection.

BANDERET, in military history, implies the commander in chief of the troops of the canton of Berne, in Switzerland.

BANDES, _Fr._ bands, bodies of infantry.

BANDES _Francoises_. The French infantry was anciently so called. The term, however, become less general and was confined to the _Prévôt des Bandes_, or the Judge or Prevost marshal that tried the men belonging to the French guards.

BANDIERES, _Fr._ Une Armée rangée en front de _bandieres_, signifies an army in battle array. This disposition of the army is opposed to that in which it is cantoned and divided into several bodies.

BANDOLEER, in ancient military history, a large leathern belt worn over the right shoulder, and hanging under the left arm, to carry some kind of warlike weapon.

BANDOLIERS were likewise little wooden cases covered with leather, of which every musqueteer used to wear 12 hanging on a shoulder-belt; each of them contained the charge of powder for a musquet.

BANDROLS. BANNEROLS. See CAMP COLORS.

BANDS, properly bodies of foot, though almost out of date.

_Train_-BANDS. In England the militia of the City of London were generally so called. The third regiment of Foot or the Old Bulls were originally recruited from the Train bands, which circumstance gave that corps the exclusive privilege of marching through London with drums beating and colors flying. They lost their colors in America, which are now in the war-office at Washington.

BAND _of Music_. The term _band_ is applied to the body of musicians attached to any regiment or battalion, with wind instruments.

BAND is also the denomination of a military order in Spain, instituted by Alphonsus XI. king of Castile, for the younger sons of the nobility, who, before their admission, must serve 10 years, at least, either in the army or during a war; and are bound to take up arms in defence of the Catholic faith, against the infidels.

BANERET, _Fr._ a term derived from Baniere. This appellation was attached to any lord of a fief who had vassals sufficient to unite them under one _banier_ or _banner_, and to become chief of the troops or company.

_Un Chevalier_ BANERET, or a _Knight_ BANERET gave precedence to the troop or company which he commanded over that of a baneret who was not a knight or chevalier; the latter obeyed the former, and the banner of the first was cut into fewer vanes than that of the second.

BANNERET, _Knights-bannerets_, according to the English acceptation of the term, are persons who for any particular act of valor were formerly knighted on the field of battle.

BANQUET. See BRIDGES.

BANQUETTE. See FORTIFICATION.

BAR, a long piece of wood or iron. Bars have various denominations in the construction of artillery carriages, as sweep and cross bars for tumbrils: fore, hind and under cross bars, for powder carts; shaft bars for waggons, and dowel bars used in mortar beds.

BAR _Shot_, two half bullets joined together by an union bar, forming a kind of double headed shot.

BARB, the reflected points of the head of an arrow. The armor for horses was so called. See CAPARISON.

BARBACAN, or BARBICAN, a watch-tower, for the purpose of descrying an enemy at a great distance: it also implies an outer defence, or sort of ancient fortification to a city or castle, used especially as a fence to the city or walls; also an aperture made in the walls of a fortress to fire through upon the enemy. It is sometimes used to denote a fort at the entrance of a bridge, or the outlet of a city, having a double wall with towers.

BARBETS were peasants of Piedmont, who abandoned their dwellings when an enemy has taken possession of them. They formed into bodies and defended the Alps.

BARBET-_Battery_, in gunnery, is when the breast-work of a battery is only so high, that the guns may fire over it without being obliged to make embrasures: in such cases, it is said the guns fire _en barbette_. See BATTERY.

BARDEES _d’eau_, _Fr._ a measure used in the making of saltpetre, containing three half-hogsheads of water, which are poured into tubs for the purpose of refining it. Four half-hogsheads are sometimes thrown in.

BARILLER, _Fr._ an officer employed among the gallies, whose chief duty was to superintend the distribution of bread and water.

BARRACKS, or BARACKS, are places erected for both officers and men to lodge in; they are built different ways, according to their different situations. When there is sufficient room to make a large square, surrounded with buildings, they are very convenient, because the soldiers are easily contained in their quarters; and the rooms being contiguous, orders are executed with privacy and expedition; and the soldiers have no connection but with those who instruct them in their duty.

BARRACK-_Allowance_, a specific allowance of bread, beer, wood, coals, &c. to the regiments stationed in barracks. See RATION.

BARRACK-_Guard_, when a regiment is in barracks, the principal guard is the barrack-guard; the officer being responsible for the regularity of the men in barracks, and for all prisoners duly committed to his charge while on that duty.

BARRACK-_Master General_, a staff officer at the head of the barrack department; he has a number of barrack-masters and deputies under him, who are stationed at the different barracks; he has an office and clerks for the dispatch of business; to this office all reports, &c. respecting the barrack department are made. This is a British sinecure office.

BARRACK-_Office_: the office at which all business relating to the Barrack department is transacted.

BARRELS, in military affairs, are of various kinds.

_Fire_-BARRELS are of different sorts: some are mounted on wheels, filled with composition and intermixed with loaded grenades, and the outside full of sharp spikes: some are placed under ground, which have the effect of small mines: others are used to roll down a breach, to prevent the enemy’s entrance.--Composition, corned powder 30lb. Swedish pitch 12, saltpetre 6, and tallow 3. Not used now.

_Thundering_-BARRELS are for the same purpose, filled with various kinds of combustibles, intermixed with small shells, grenades, and other fire-works. Not used now.

_Powder_-BARRELS are about 16 inches diameter, and 30 or 32 inches long, holding 100 pounds of powder.

BARRELS _for powder_--Their dimensions.

+-----------------+------------+------------+------------+
| | _Whole | _Half | _Quarter |
| | Barrels._ | Barrels._ | Barrels._ |
| +------------+------------+------------+
| |_Ft._ _In._|_Ft._ _In._|_Ft._ _In._|
+-----------------+------------+------------+------------+
|Depth | 1 9.61 | 1 5.13 | 1 2.25 |
|Diameter at top | 1 3.61 | 1 0.37 | 9.35 |
|Diameter at bulge| 1 5.36 | 1 2. | 10.71 |
|Diameter at bot’m| 1 3.51 | 1 0.31 | 9.41 |
+-----------------+------------+------------+------------+

The whole barrels are made to contain 100 pounds, and the half barrels 50 pounds of powder; but of late only 90 pounds have been put into the barrels, and 45 into the half barrels; which, by leaving the powder room to be shifted, preserves it the better.

_Budge_ BARRELS, hold from 40 to 60 pounds of powder; at one end is fixed a leather bag with brass nails: they are used in actual service on the batteries, to keep the powder from firing by accident, for loading the guns and mortars.

_Budge-Barrels_ contain 38 lbs.

Weight of barrel--copper hooped--10 lbs.

Weight of barrel--hazle hooped--6lbs.

Length of barrel--hazle hooped--10¹⁄₂ inches.

Diameter of barrel--hazle hooped--1 foot 1 inch.

BARRICADE. To barricade is to fortify with trees, or branches of trees, cut down for that purpose, the brushy ends towards the enemy. Carts, waggons, &c. are sometimes made use of for the same purpose, viz. to keep back both horse and foot for some time. ABATIS.

BARRIER, in a general sense means any fortification, or strong place on the frontiers of a country. It is likewise a kind of fence composed of stakes, and transums, as overthwart rafters, erected to defend the entrance of a passage, retrenchment, or the like. In the middle of the barrier is a moveable bar of wood, which is opened and shut at pleasure. It also implies a gate made of wooden bars, about 5 feet long, perpendicular to the horizon, and kept together by two long bars going across, and another crossing diagonally: Barriers are used to stop the cut made through the esplanade before the gate of a town.

BARRIER-_Towns_, in military history, were Menin, Dendermond, Ypres, Tournay, Mons, Namur, and Maestricht. These towns were formerly garrisoned half by French or Imperial, and half by Dutch troops.

BARM, _or_ BERM. See BERM.

BASCULE, _Fr._ a counterpoise which serves to lift up the draw bridge of a town. Likewise a term used in fortification to express a door that shuts and opens like a trap door.

BASE, _or_ BASIS, in fortification, the exterior part or side of a polygon, or that imaginary line which is drawn from the flanked angle of a bastion to the angle opposite to it.

BASE signifies also the level line on which any work stands that is even with the ground, or other work on which it is erected. Hence the base of a parapet is the rampart.

BASE, an ancient word for the smallest cannon. See CANNON.

BASE-_line_, the line on which troops in column move, the first division that marches into the alignement forms the base line, or _appui_ which each successive division prolongs.

BASE-_ring_. See CANNON.

BASILISK, an ancient name given to a 48 pounder. See CANNON.

BASIS, the same as BASE.

BASKET-_Hilt_, the hilt of a sword, so made as to contain, and guard the whole hand.

BASKETS, in military affairs, are simple baskets, frequently used in sieges. They are filled with earth, and placed on the parapet of the trench, or any other part. They are generally about a foot and a half in diameter at the top, and eight inches at the bottom, and a foot and a half in height; so that, being placed on the parapet, a kind of embrasure is formed at the bottom, through which the soldiers fire, without being exposed to the shot of the enemy. See GABION.

BASKETS.--Ballast, ¹⁄₂ bushel--weight 5 lbs.

Diameter, 1 foot 6 inches--length 1 foot.