Chapter D: Caldwell, (50)

_Amaranth_, an order of military knighthood, instituted in Sweden, by queen Christina, in 1645, at the close of an annual feast, celebrated in that country, and called _wirtschaft_. Their device was the cypher of _amarante_, composed of two _A’s_, the one erect, the other inverted, and interwoven together; the whole inclosed by a laurel crown, with this motto, _Dolce nella memoria_.

_Argonauts of St. Nicolas_, was the name of a military order, instituted by Charles III. king of Naples, in the year 1382, for the advancement of navigation, or as some authors say, merely for preserving amity among the nobles. They wore a collar of shells, inclosed in a silver crescent, whence hung a ship with this device, _Non credo tempori_.

ORDER _of Calatrava_, a Spanish military order. It was instituted in 1130 by don Santio, of Toledo. The habit of these knights is a black garment, with a red cross upon the breast.

ORDER _of Alcantara_, a Spanish military order. It was established by Ferdinand the second, king of Leon and Castile, in 1170. They wore a green cross upon their garment.

ORDER _of St. James_, instituted by Ferdinand II. in 1175. These knights had the privilege of wearing their hats in the chapter, in the presence of their sovereign.

ORDER _of St. Michael_, instituted in 1469, by Lewis XII. in honor of the important services done to France by that archangel at the siege of Orleans, where he is supposed to have appeared at the head of the French troops, disputing the passage of a bridge, and to have repulsed the attack of the English, whose affairs ever after declined in that kingdom. The order is a rich collar, with the image of that saint pendent thereto; with this inscription: _Immensi tremor oceani_.

ORDER _of the Holy Ghost_, instituted by Henry II. of France, in 1578. The number of knights are 100, besides the sovereign, who is always grand-master.

ORDER _of St. Louis_, instituted by Louis XIV. in the year 1693. This order has remained entirely in the possession of military men, ever since its institution, and has been of singular use in keeping up the spirit, and rewarding the services, of those who have distinguished themselves. The number of knights is unlimited, being given to every man of merit. The order is a golden cross, with eight points, which hang pendent to a broad crimson riband. The motto is _Bellicæ virtutis præmium_.

ORDER _of Mount Carmel_, instituted by Henry IV. in 1608.

ORDER _of St. Lazarus_, is of a very early institution, but has been often neglected, and as often revived, till Louis XV. united the order of St. Carmel and St. Lazarus in April 1722. The king was sovereign, chief, founder, and protector.

ORDER _of the knights of Malta_. See MALTA.

ORDER _of the knights of the Garter_. See GARTER.

ORDER _of the knights of the Bath_. See BATH.

ORDER _of the golden fleece_, instituted by Philip duke of Burgundy, surnamed the Good, in 1429. See FLEECE.

ORDER _of the Annunciation_, instituted by Amadeo, count of Savoy, surnamed the Green, in memory of Amadeo, the first earl, who had valorously defended the island of Rhodes against the Turks. The collar belonging to this order is of gold, and on it are these four letters, _F. E. R. T._ which means _Fortitudo ejus Rhodum tenuit_, with the figure of the annunciation hanging to it.

ORDER _of knights templars_, instituted at Jerusalem about the year 1118. At first there were but nine of the order, and the two principal persons were Hugo de Paganis, and Jeoffroy of St. Omer’s. This order, after having performed many great exploits against the infidels, became rich and powerful all over Europe; when, on the 22d of May, 1312, the pope by his bull, pronounced the extinction of the order, and united their estates to the order of St. John of Jerusalem. They took the name of templars, because their first habitation stood near the temple dedicated to our Saviour at Jerusalem.

ORDER _of the knights of St. Jago_, instituted by king Ramico, of Spain, in commemoration of a victory obtained against the Moors, A. D. 1030. Their ensign is a red cross in form of a sword.

ORDER _of knights of the band_, erected by Alphonso, king of Spain, in the year 1268. Their name proceeded from the knights wearing a red scarf, or lace of silk, the breadth of three inches, which hung on their left shoulder.

ORDER _of knights of the Redemption_, erected in the kingdom of Arragon, by king James, who conquered the island of Majorca, in the year 1212. Their garments are white, with a black cross thereon.

ORDER _of Teutonic knights_, established towards the close of the 12th century, and thus called, as chiefly consisting of Germans, anciently called Teutons.

ORDER _of the knights of St. Stephen_, instituted in the year 1561, by Cosmo, duke of Florence. They wear a red cross with a border of gold.

ORDER _of merit_, instituted by Frederic III. king of Prussia, as a reward to those officers whose behaviour deserved some marks of distinction. The ensign of this order is a golden star of eight rays, enamelled with blue, which is worn appendant to a black riband, edged with silver: the motto, _Pour le mérite_.

ORDER _of St. Alexander Newski_, or the red riband, which was instituted by Peter I. emperor of Russia; but the czarina Catharine I. conferred it in the year 1725.

ORDER _of the stole_, an order of knights instituted by the kings of Arragon.

ORDER _of the golden stole_, a Venetian military order, so called from a golden stole, which those knights wore over their shoulder, reaching to the knee, both before and behind, a palm and a half broad. None are raised to this order but patricians, or noble Venetians. It is uncertain when this order was instituted.

ORDER _of Maria Theresa_. This order was instituted in June, 1757, by the empress queen of Hungary. In 1765, an intermediate class, styled knights commanders, was added to the two classes that originally composed the order. See THERESA.

ORDERLY _Officer_. See OFFICER OF THE DAY.

ORDERLY _serjeant_, ORDERLY _men_, are appointed to attend general, or other officers that are entitled to have them.

ORDERLIES, the non-commissioned officers and private men who do orderly duty are so called.

Orderly serjeants when they go for orders are sashed.

Orderly corporals and orderly men wear their side arms, and carry a small osier switch or cane in their hands.

In the dragoons, orderly men, on foot, have their sword-belts and bayonets; and on horseback, are dressed the same, only with gloves, and boots, and spurs of course, with the sword-belt and sword. They likewise have their pistols. When an orderly dragoon or foot soldier is sent from one quarter to another, the time of his setting out must be specified on the back of the letter which he carries; the dragoon must take care to bring his horse in cool and properly (unless he has been sent on any pressing occasion) and they must both return to quarters perfectly sober.

ORDERLIES _in general_. It is the duty of the serjeant-majors to see that the orderlies are properly dressed and accoutred, before they are inspected by the adjutant, who parades them every morning in front of the main guard, &c. When private soldiers are chosen for orderlies in mixed duty, the credit of the corps from which they are taken requires, that they should be the best set up and the best behaved men belonging to it.

ORDERLY _non-commissioned officers_, are those who are orderly, or on duty for that week; who, on hearing the drum beat for orders, are to repair to the place appointed to receive them, and to take down in writing, in the orderly book, what is dictated by the adjutant or serjeant-major; they are then immediately to show those orders to the officers of the company, and afterwards warn the men for duty.

ORDERLY _book_. Every company has such a book in which the serjeants write down both general and regimental orders, for the specific information of the officers and men. This book is provided by the public.

ORDERLY _Drum_. The drummer that beats orders, and gives notice of the hour for messing, &c. is so called.

ORDINAIRE, _Fr._ The soldier’s messing together is so called among the French.

ORDINANCE, or ORDNANCE, a name given to all that concerns artillery, or engineering: thus, the commander in chief is called master general of the _ordnance_; and the next officer, lieutenant general of the _ordnance_, instead of _artillery_.

ORDNANCE. The British value of all brass ordnance is at 84_l._ 17_s._ or 371 dollars _per_ ton, for the metal; that is, the weight of the gun, and 12lbs. _per_ hundred weight for waste: to which is added for casting, on the total weight of metal used, 64_l._ or 286 dollars _per_ ton for light pieces; 54_l._ or 240 dollars for medium; and 44_l._ 195¹⁄₂ dollars for heavy.

Iron ordnance cost 20_l._ or 90 dollars _per_ ton. See also the words GUNS, MORTARS, HOWITZERS, &c.

For the proof of all kinds of ordnance, see the word PROOF.

ORDINARY TIME. This in the British service is the slowest time in marching that is permitted to be used by infantry, and consists of a pace which is 30 inches from heel to heel, and of which only 75 are to be taken in a minute. But there is a manifest absurdity in having a different length of pace; in the American service the pace in all time is 24 inches; and the ordinary time is what the British call _quick_ time; and is in fact gay and lively, or the time of country dances.

ORDONNANCE. _Fr._ A warrant. This word is variously used among the French, viz.

_Compagnies d’_ORDONNANCE. Independent companies, or such bodies of armed men as do duty by detached companies, and are not formed into regular regiments. Of this description were the gendarmes, the light horse, and the musqueteers, under the French monarchy.

ORDONNANCES, _Fr._ Orderly men, whether on foot or horseback.

ORDONNANCE, _Fr._ The disposition or arrangement of troops for battle.

ORDRE, _Fr._ Parole and countersign so called.

_Aller à l’_ORDRE, _Fr._ To go for the parole or countersign.

_Récevoir_ _l’_ORDRE, _Fr._ To receive or get the parole or countersign.

ORDRE _que l’on donne à la tranchée_, _Fr._ Parole and countersign together with specific orders, which are given out every night in the trenches.

ORDRES _Militaires_, _Fr._ Military orders.

_Nouveaux_ ORDRES, _Fr._ Fresh orders.

ORDRES _de mouvement_. Marching orders.

ORGANIZATION _of Troops_. The act of putting troops into such uniform state of discipline, as may fit them to co-operate on any service.

ORGUES, thick long pieces of wood, pointed and shod with iron, clear one of another, hanging perpendicular each by a rope, over a gate of a strong place to be dropped in case of emergency.

Their disposition is such, that they stop the passage of the gate, and are preferable to _horses_ or _portcullises_; because these may be either broken by a petard, or stopped, by different contrivances, in their falling down. But a petard is useless against an _orgue_; for if it break one or two of the pieces, others immediately fall down and fill up the vacancy.

ORGUE, (_un Orgue_, _Fr._) A term used to express that arrangement or disposition of a certain quantity of musquet barrels in a row, which by means of a priming train of gunpowder, may be subjected to one general explosion. This machine has been found extremely serviceable in the defence of a low flank, a tenaille, or to prevent an enemy from crossing the ditch of a fortified place.

ORIENT, _Fr._ The east.

ORIFLAMME, _Fr._ The ancient banner belonging to the abbey of St. Denis, which the counts du Vexin, who possessed the perpetual advowson of the abbey, always bore in the different wars or contests that formerly prevailed between the abbot and some neighboring lords. When the Vexin country fell into the hands of the French kings, they made the oriflamme the principal banner of their armies, in honor of St. Denis, whom they chose for the patron and tutelary saint of France.

ORILLON. See FORTIFICATION.

ORME, _Fr._ Elm. This wood was considered of such consequence by the old French government, (and perhaps is equally so by the present) that a specific order was made out in 1716, enjoining all persons letting or holding land in French Flanders, Artois, and Hainault, to plant elm trees, in order that there might be a constant supply in future of carriages and wainage for the artillery.

ORNAMENTS _Military_. Those parts of the dress of a soldier which are more for appearance or distinction than for absolute use; as gorgets, plates for cross-belts, pouch ornaments, &c.

ORTEIL. See BERM in FORTIFICATION.

ORTHOGON, any rectangular figure.

ORTHOGRAPHIE, _Fr._ See ORTHOGRAPHY.

ORTHOGRAPHY. The art of drawing or sketching out a work according to its breadth, thickness, elevation, and depth.

OSIER, a young willow twig, with which hurdles are made.

OSTAGE, _Fr._ See HOSTAGE.

OTTOMAN. A name generally given to the Turks, and to the Turkish empire, from Ottoman, who was one of their most celebrated emperors.

OVATION, (so called of a sheep, because the general who so triumphed, offered only a sheep; whereas in the great triumph he offered a bull) an inferior sort of triumph allowed by the Romans to the generals of their armies for lesser victories, as over slaves, &c. or when the war had not been declared pursuant to military usage. According to Kennett, in his Roman Antiquities, page 224, the word ovation is said to have derived its name from shouting _evion!_ to Bacchus; but the true original is _ovis_. The shew generally began at the Albanian mountain, whence the general, with his retinue, made his entry into the city: he went on foot with many flutes or pipes, sounding in concert as he passed along, wearing a garment of myrtle as a token of peace, with an aspect rather raising love and respect than fear.

We have already observed, with Gellius, that this honor was then conferred on the victor, when either the war had not been proclaimed in due method, or not undertaken against a lawful enemy, and on a just account; or when the enemy was but mean and inconsiderable. But Plutarch has delivered his judgment in a different manner; he believes that heretofore the difference betwixt the _ovation_ and the triumph was not taken from the greatness of the achievements, but from the manner of performing them: for they who, having fought a set battle, and slain a great number of the enemy, returned victors, led that martial, and, as it were, cruel procession of the triumph. But those who without force by benevolence and civil behaviour, had done the business, and prevented the shedding of human blood; to these commanders custom gave the honor of this peaceable ovation. For a pipe is the ensign or badge of peace; and myrtle the tree of Venus, who, beyond any other deities, has an extreme aversion to violence and war. _Vide Plut. in Marcell._ For a full account of this ceremony, as well as of the Roman triumph, see _Kennett_, page 224.

OVENS. The modern improvements in the art of war, has beside making biscuit, the common food of man and horse, also introduced in the equipage of armies, ovens of _cast iron_, which travel with the waggon train, and the bakers are classed and under military discipline, in the performance of their important functions. The operations of dressing food in military camps, have been also improved by the introduction of count _Rumford’s_ process of boiling, roasting, and baking by steam; all performed by the single fire which heats the oven.

OVERFLOW. See INUNDATION.

_To_ OVERLAP, to overspread any preceding object. In marching by echellon, for the purpose of forming upon any given point, but particularly in wheeling from column into line, troops may loose their relative distances by not taking ground enough; when this occurs, the rear division, company, or section, unavoidably crouds upon its preceding one, and it is then said to _overlap_. When this happens on service, the troops, so shut out, must remain as serre-files, or reserve, to fill up the intervals that will necessarily present themselves in action. But whether so or not, the line must, on no account, be deranged by moving it to right or left.

OVERLANDRES, _Fr._ Small barges that ply upon the Rhine and the Meuse.

_To_ OVER-RUN. In a military sense, to ravage, to lay waste. A country which is harassed by incursions, is said to be _over-run_.

OVERSEER, an officer in the ordnance department, who superintends the artificer in the construction of works, &c.

OVERSLAGH, as a _military phrase_, which is derived from the Dutch, to skip over, will be better explained by the following table.--For instance, suppose 4 battalions, each consisting of 8 captains, are doing duty together, and that a captain’s guard is daily mounted: if in the first regiment the second captain is doing duty of deputy adjutant-general; and the 4th and 7th captains in the second are acting, one as aid-de-camp, the other as brigade major; the common duty of these three captains must be _overslaghed_, that is _skipped_ over, or equally divided among the other captains.

TABLE _of Explanation_.

------------+------+-----------------------+
|No. of| Heads of each column. |
------------+ cap- +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
Regiments. |tains.| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8|
------------+------+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
Pennslvania.| 8 | 1| 5| 8|12|15|19|23|26|
------------+------+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
Georgia. | 8 | 2| 6| 9|13|16|20|24|27|
------------+------+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
Massachu’s. | 8 | 3| |10|14|17|21|25|28|
------------+------+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
Virginia. | 8 | 4| 7|11| |18|22| |29|
------------+------+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
Total. | 32 | | | | | | | | |
------------+------+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+

N. B. The three blanks shew where the overslaughs take place.

OVERTHROW, total defeat, discomfiture, rout.

OUEST _ou Occident_, _Fr._ One of the four cardinal points of the world, or the west.

OURAGAN, _Fr._ A violent tempest.

OUTBAR, to shut out by fortification.

OUT-GUARD. See OUT-POSTS.

OUTILS, _Fr._ Tools of every description that are used by the artificers and workmen belonging to the artillery, &c.

OUTILS _à mineur_. _Fr._ Tools used in mining.

OUTLINE, the line by which any figure is defined.

OUTPART, at a distance from the main body. See OUT-POSTS.

OUT-_posts_, a body of men posted beyond the grand guard, called out-posts, as being without the rounds or limits of the camp. See POSTS.

OUTSIDE, in _fencing_, that part which is to the right of the line of defence.

OUTSIDE _Guard_, a guard used with the broad sword and sabre, to defend the outside of the position. See BROADSWORD.

OUTWALL. See REVETEMENT.

OUTWARD FACE, a word of command for troops to face to the right and left from their centre.

_To_ OUTWING, to extend the flanks of an army or line in action, so as to gain an advantageous position against the right or left wing of an enemy. This manœuvre or evolution is effected by the _movement on an oblique line_. See MOVEMENTS.

OUT-_works_, in _Fortification_, are works of several kinds, which cover the body of the place, as ravelins, half-moons, tenailles, horn-works, crown-works, counter-guards, envelopes, swallow-tails, lunettes, covert-ways, &c.

These out-works, not only cover the place, but likewise keep an enemy at a distance, and hinder his gaining any advantage of hollow or rising grounds; as such cavities and eminences may serve for lodgments to the besiegers, facilitate the carrying on approaches, and enable them to raise their batteries against the town. When outworks are placed one before another, you will find a ravelin before the curtain, a horn-work before the ravelin, and a small ravelin before the curtain of the horn-work; those works which are nearest to the body of the place must be the highest, though lower than the body of the place, that they may gradually command those without them, and oblige the enemy to dislodge, if in possession of them.

OUVERTURE _des portes_, _Fr._ The opening of the gates in a fortified town or place, according to specific military rules. The method in all regular governments is too well known to require any particular explanation.

OUVERTURE _et fermeture des portes chez les Turcs_, _Fr._ There are certain laws and regulations among the Turks, by which the janizaries are entrusted with the keys belonging to the gates of every fortified town or place in which they do garrison duty. The gates are always opened at day-break by two or four janizaries. There is a capigy or porter stationed at each gate. Whenever he opens the gate he repeats, in an audible tone of voice, certain words in the praise of God and the sultan, after which he returns the key or keys to the janizaries, who carry them to the governor or commandant or the place. The closing of the gates is done with the same solemnity.

OUVERTURE _de la tranchée_, _Fr._ the opening of the trench or trenches.

OUVRAGES, _Fr._ Works. See FORTIFICATION.

OUVRAGE _à corne_, _Fr._ _Hornwork_. See FORTIFICATION.

OUVRAGE _à couronne_, _Fr._ _Crowned_ work. See FORTIFICATION.

OUVRAGES _detachés_, _pieces detachées_, _Fr._ See DEHORS.

OUVRIR, _Fr._ To open.

OUVRIR _les rangs_, _Fr._ To take open order.

_En arriére_, OUVREZ _vos rangs_, _Fr._ Rear ranks take open order.

_S’aligner à rangs_ OUVERTS, _Fr._ To aligne or dress in line at open order.

_A jour_ OUVRANT. At break of day.

_A portes_ OUVRANTES. At the opening of the gates.

OUVRIERS, _Fr._ All sorts of artificers and workmen employed in fortification, &c. are so called.

OXFORD _Blues_. See HORSE GUARDS.

OXYCRAT, _Fr._ A certain portion of vinegar to five or six times its quantity of water. This mixture is frequently used on service, and in hot weather, to allay the burning heat of any inflamed part. It is likewise employed to cool cannon, during an engagement, in very hot firing.

OXYGENE. The chemical base of vital air with which nitre is found to abound, and to which gunpowder owes its rapid and perfect combustion.

_King’s_ or _queen’s Own_, a term which has been attached to some British regiments since the revolution in 1688. Thus the 4th, which landed with William III. was called the 4th, or King’s Own.

P.

PAAT, _Ind._ A promissory note.

PACE. The common pace is of no determined length; though made use of as a measure by most military writers.

In Germany, and amongst most of the northern powers, the pace is considered equal to ²⁄₁₀ of a Rhinland rood.

In France the pace is commonly reckoned at 2¹⁄₂ feet. The military pace is 2 ft.

In England it is usually reckoned at 2¹⁄₂ feet.

The geometrical pace is equal to 5 French royal feet; 60,000 of which make a degree of the equator. This makes the geometrical pace equal to 6.102 English feet, and 5.6719 Rhinland feet.

For the military pace, see MARCHING.

_To_ PACE, as a horse does: _aller à pas_, _Fr._ There are four kinds of paces in the manége, the walk, trot, gallop, and amble. The last, more particularly, is called a pace, or easy motion, wherein the horse raises the two feet of the same side together.

PACHA. The captain pacha, among the Turks, is the chief admiral and superintendant general of the marine. He generally commands in person. The sailors and soldiers of the military marine were formerly called _lavans_ or _lavantis_; the soldiers are now called _galiondjis_.--The sailors are Turks from the maritime towns, or Greeks from the Archipelago. They are in constant pay. The soldiers, or _galiondjis_, are all mussulmen, and only receive pay when they are in actual service. We recommend to our military readers an important work, which has lately been published at Paris, and from which they will derive considerable information respecting the Turks. It is intituled, Travels in the Ottoman Empire, Egypt, and Persia, by citizen Olivier, member of the French National Institute.

PACKET-_Boats_, small vessels that sail from the different sea ports and carry passengers, mails, &c. and keep up a regular intercourse with different places.

PADDY, _Ind._ Rice in the husk whether dry or green.

PADSHA, _Ind._ A king.

PAGEANT, in _ancient military history_, a triumphal car, chariot, arch, or other like pompous decoration, variously adorned with colors, flags, &c. carried about in public shows, processions, &c.

PAGES, _mousses ou garcons_, _Fr._ Young lads of the description of English cabin boys, who learn navigation, and do the menial offices on board a French ship.

PAGOD, _Ind._ a general name given by the Portuguese to the temples in the east. It also denotes a coin. See PAGODA.

PAGODA, _Ind._ The place of worship among the Hindoos. It is likewise the name of a gold coin of the value of eight rupees. The English and Dutch coin pagodas. There are also silver pagodas struck, at Marsingua, &c. with the figure of some monstrous idol.

PAILS, made of wood, with iron hoops and handles, hold generally four gallons, and serve in the field to fetch water for the use of artillery works, &c.

PAILLASSES, _Fr._ Straw beds, commonly called _paillasses_. These are furnished by the barrack-department for the accommodation of sick soldiers.

PAILLE, _Fr._ Straw.

_Les soldats vont à la_ PAILLE, _Fr._ The soldiers are going to the forge yard or depot. This term is likewise used to signify the indulgence occasionally granted to soldiers for exercise or necessary evacuations. Thus when a battalion has gone through its manual, &c. the commanding officer gives the word _à la paille_.

_Rompre la_ PAILLE _avec quelqu’un_, _Fr._ a figurative term, signifying to quarrel or fall out with any body, in an open and unreserved manner.

PAILLE, _Fr._ likewise signifies any flaw in metals. _Cette lame est fine, mais il y a quelques pailles_; this blade is finely tempered, but there are some flaws in it. _La lame de son épée se cassa à l’endroit ou il y avoit une paille._ The blade of his sword broke where there was a flaw.

PAILLER, _Fr._ _Palearius._ An ancient body of French militia. The soldiers belonging to it were probably so called either from the circumstance of their wearing straw in their helmets, in order to know one another in action, or because they were accustomed to set fire to their enemy’s habitations, &c. with bundles of straw, which they always carried with them for that purpose. The inquisitive may be more fully satisfied on this subject by referring to _Ducange’s Glossary_.

PAIN _de Munition_, _Fr._ Ammunition bread. In the folio edition of marshal Saxe’s reveries, page 16, we find the following important observations on the subject of ammunition bread. He states that bread never should be given to soldiers on active service, but that they should be accustomed to eat biscuits, for the following reasons:--Biscuits will keep a considerable number of years, and every soldier can conveniently carry with him in his haversack a sufficient quantity for seven or eight days. Those officers who have served among the Venetians, will readily prove the justness of this remark. But there is a species of biscuit, or hard baked bread, that never crumbles, (called _soukari_ by the Russians) which is preferable to any thing of the kind. It is square, and about the thickness of a nut, and takes up less room than either bread or biscuits.

Purveyors, who are interested in the business, maintain a different opinion. They tell you that bread is best for troops. Every man of experience knows the contrary; for it is notorious, that contract, or ammunition bread, is not only made of unwholesome ingredients, but that it is seldom more than half baked; which together with the water it contains, increases the weight, and consequently enhances the value. Add to this, that purveyors must unavoidably increase the expence of the army by being obliged to employ a great number of bakers, bakers’ men, waggons, and horses. Independent of the expence, it is evident, that the operations of an army must unavoidably be clogged by the necessity of providing quarters for these people, of having a quantity of hand-mills, and of employing a certain number of effective men to form detachments for their security.

It is impossible to calculate the train of robberies and inconveniences which grow out of this system, the embarrassments it occasions to a general; but above all the diseases, which bread, supplied in this manner, will always engender, and the fatigue that the troops must necessarily undergo to get their rations. Were all these mischiefs obviated, there is still another evil in reserve, which no precaution can set aside. This is the certainty that an enemy may be under, with respect to your intentions and motions, by narrowly watching the establishment and disposition of your ovens. Were I, continues the marshal, to adduce instances and facts to corroborate these observations, I might dwell considerably at large upon the subject. I do not hesitate to say, that much ill success, which is attributed to other causes, proceeds entirely from the provision and distribution of ammunition bread. He even goes farther, for he asserts unequivocally, that soldiers ought sometimes to be enured to almost every species of privation, and instead of being provided with biscuit, occasionally to receive grain, which they must be taught to bake upon iron pallets, after having bruised and made it into dough.--Marshal Turenne has observed upon the same subject in his Memoirs. Marshal Saxe, indeed, does not scruple to say, that although there might be plenty of bread, he would, in conformity to the opinion of many good officers, suffer his men to feel the want of it. I have, adds the latter, been eighteen months successively on service with troops who during the whole of that period never tasted bread, and yet never once complained or murmured. I have, on the contrary, been frequently with others that had never familiarized themselves to that privation, and who, on the first appearance of want, were disheartened. In consequence of which the very nerve of enterprise and hardihood was broken, and nothing great could be undertaken.

The modern French armies have carried this idea to an astonishing extent and with success; not only their troops in the field are supplied with biscuit, but their horses also.

PALADIN, _Fr._ A name given to those ancient knights who were either what the French call _comtes du palais_, counts of the palace, or were princes lineally descended from Charlemagne, and other old kings.

PALANKEEN, _Ind._ a vehicle carried on the shoulders of four men, by means of a bamboo pole extending from each end: it carries one person in a reclining posture: it has a canopy which is supported by a pole raised along the centre, from whence it is pendent on either side. The palankeens are of various kinds; some are shaped like a chair, in which the person carried sits: in others they recline or sleep, and frequently journies of 2000 miles are thus performed.

PALEAGAS, _Ind._ See POLYGARS.

PALANQUE, _Fr._ a kind of fortification, so called in Hungary. It is made of stakes driven into the ground, interlaced with twigs, and covered with earth, and serves to stop the progress of an advancing enemy.

PALÆSTRA, in _Grecian antiquity_, a public building, where the youth exercised themselves in the military art, wrestling, running, playing at quoits, &c.

PALEE, _Fr._ The row of piles upon which a wooden bridge is constructed, is so called.

PALESTRE, _Fr._ a wrestling place, or exercising ground. It comes from the Latin, and was originally derived from the Greek.

PALIS, _Fr._ the rows of small pointed stakes, which serve for any species of inclosure, are so called. The term _palissade_ is derived from it.

PALISADES, _or_ PALISADOES, in _fortification_, stakes made of strong split wood, about nine feet long, six or seven inches square, three feet deep in the ground, in rows about 2¹⁄₂ or three inches asunder, placed in the covert-way, at three feet from and parallel to the parapet or side of the glacis, to secure it from surprise.

They are also used to fortify the avenues of open forts, gorges, half moons, the bottoms of ditches, and, in general, all posts liable to surprise. They are usually fixed perpendicularly, though some make an angle inclining towards the ground next the enemy, that the ropes cast over them, to tear them up, may slip off.

_Turning_ PALISADES, are an invention of Mr. Cohorn, in order to preserve the palisades of the parapet of the covert-way from the besiegers shot. They are so ordered, that as many of them as stand in the length of a rod, or about ten feet, turn up and down like traps, so as not to be in the sight of the enemy, till they just bring on their attack; and yet are always ready to do the proper service of palisades.

PALISSADES, _Fr._ See PALISADES.

PALISSADES _de camp_, _Fr._ several pieces of wood so arranged and tied together, that they may with great dispatch be fixed in the ground, which is marked out for the encampment of an army.

PALISSADES _ferrèes_, palisades that are shod with iron. They are used in shallow streams and marshes to prevent small craft from plying, or persons from crossing them on foot.

PALKEE, _Ind._ See _Palankeen_.

PALL, a covering thrown over the dead. It is always used in military burials.

PALLAS, a name in the Heathen mythology, which is given to Minerva, who was looked upon as the goddess of war.

PALUDAMENTUM, (_Chlamys_) among the ancients, a garment worn in time of war by the principal men of Rome, especially the generals, who were called for that reason _paludati_. The soldiers, having only short coats, called a _sagum_, were denominated _sagati_.

The _paludamentum_ was open on the sides, coming down no lower than the navel, and had short sleeves. It was either of a white, purple, or red color, and sometimes black. Kennett, in his Roman Antiquities, page 313, says, the old _paludamentum_ of the generals was all scarlet, only bordered with purple; and the _chlamydes_ of the emperors were all purple, commonly beautified with a golden or embroidered border.

PAN, the side of a rectangle or irregular figure.

PAN, likewise means the distance which is comprized between the angle of the epaule and the flanked angle in fortification. See FACE OF A BASTION.

PAN, a name well known among the shepherds of antiquity, and frequently used by modern writers in their rural fictions. In military history it signifies a man who was lieutenant general to Bacchus in his Indian expedition. He is recorded to have been the first author of a general shout, which the Grecians practised in the beginning of their onset in battle. See PANIC.

PAN, that part of the lock of a musquet, pistol, &c. which holds the priming powder.

PANACHE, PANNACHE, _Fr._ a plume, a bunch of feathers.

PANACHES _flottans_, _Fr._ nodding plumes.

PANNACHES likewise signifies in architecture, the triangular part of an arch that contributes towards the support of a turret or elevation which is raised above the dome of any particular edifice.

PANCARTE, _Fr._ an ancient exercise or tournament, which was performed in the Roman amphitheatre, when strong athletic men were opposed to all sorts of enraged animals.

PANDOURS, are Hungarian infantry. They wear a loose garment fixed tight to their bodies by a girdle, with great sleeves, and large breeches reaching down to their ankles. They use firearms, and are excellent marksmen: they also wear a kind of sabre, near four feet long, which they use with great dexterity.

PANIC, PANIC _fear_, sudden consternation which seizes upon men’s fancies without any visible cause; a needless or ill grounded fright. The reason why these terrors are attributed to Pan, was, as some say, because when Osiris was bound by Typho, Pan and the satyrs appearing, cast him into a fright; or because he frightened all the giants that waged war against Jupiter: or as others say, that when Pan was Bacchus’s lieutenant general in his Indian expedition, being encompassed in a valley, with an army of enemies, far superior to them in number, he advised the god to order his men to give a general shout, which so surprised the opposite army, that they immediately fled from their camp. And hence it came to pass, that all sudden fears impressed upon men’s spirits, without any just reason, were, by the Greeks and Romans, called _panic terrors_. (See Polyænus Stratag. book I.) The custom of shouting seems to have been used by almost all nations, barbarous as well as civil; and is mentioned by all writers who treat of martial affairs. Homer has several elegant descriptions of it, particularly one in the fourth Iliad, where he resembles the military noise to torrents rolling with impetuous force from the mountains into the adjacent vallies. We have likewise had our war-hoops.

PANIER _à mine_, _Fr._ See BOURRIQUET.

PANIERS, _Fr._ Baskets. Figuratively, _un panier percé_, a leaky vessel, or one who cannot keep a secret. A dangerous man in society: and in military concerns, one who ought to be particularly guarded against where discretion and confidence are necessary.

PANIQUE, _Fr._ See PANIC.

PANNE, _Fr._ literally means shag, plush, &c. and is properly a sea term, signifying to _lie to_, _mettre en panne_. It is likewise used in a military sense, to express the steady posture of troops who are drawn up for battle, and wait an enemy’s attack. _La troupe est restée en panne._ The squadron remained immoveable.

PANNEAU, _Fr._ Trap, snare.

_Donner dans le_ PANNEAU, _Fr._ to be ensnared, or outwitted.

PANNELS, in _artillery_, are the carriages which carry mortars and their beds upon a march.

PANNONCEAU, _Fr._ an ancient term, which was used to signify _ensign_ or _banner_.

PANOPLY, complete armor or harness.

PANSEMENT, _Fr._ The dressing of wounds.

PANSER, _Fr._ to dress a wound.

PANSER, _Fr._ in farriery, signifies to rub down, and otherwise to take care of a horse.

PANTHEON, in architecture, a temple of a circular form, dedicated to all the gods. The name has been adopted among modern nations from the Pantheon of ancient Rome, built by Agrippa in his third consulate, and dedicated to Jupiter Ultor, or Jupiter the avenger. There is a chapel in the Escurial in Spain, called Pantheon, of marble and jasper inlaid: the whole inside is of black marble, excepting the luthern, and some ornaments of jasper and red marble. The Pantheon at Paris during the progress of the French revolution, has been appropriated to national purposes; the names and busts of the most distinguished statesmen and generals being preserved therein as marks of public gratitude, and objects of public emulation. There is a building in London that bears the name of Pantheon, but that is all. It is private property, and the only public use to which it has been appropriated, has been that of operatical speculation, masquerades, or frivolous entertainments.

PANTOGRAPHE, _Fr._ a mathematical instrument, which serves to copy all sorts of drawings. The French have paid great attention to the improvement of this instrument, of which a minute description may be found in _Cours de Mathématiques_, by Pere Deschalles. But the sieur Panglois brought it to such perfection in 1750, that it is become universally useful.

PANTOMETER, an instrument used, to take all sorts of angles, distances and elevations. It was invented by the ancients, but has been greatly improved since.

PANTOMETRE, _Fr._ See PANTOMETER.

PAPIER _de cartouche_, _Fr._ Paper used for cartridges.

PAPIER _gris_, _ou_ PAPIER _brouillard_, _Fr._ Whited brown paper.

PAPIERS _et enseignemens_, _Fr._ All the papers and manuscripts which are found on board a ship are so called.

PAQUEBOT, _Fr._ a modern French term, derived from packet-boat, which see.

PARABOLA, in _geometry_, a figure arising from the section of the cone, when cut by a plane parallel to one of its sides.

From the same points of the cone, therefore, only one parabola can be drawn; all the other sections within these parallels being ellipses, and all without hyperbolas.

_Properties of the_ PARABOLA. The square of an ordinate is equal to the rectangle of the abscissa, and four times the distance of the focus from the vertex.

The perpendicular on the tangent, from the focus, is a mean proportional between the distance from the vertex to the focus, and the distance of the focus from the point of contact.

All lines within the parabola, which are drawn parallel to the axis, are called diameters.

The parameter of any diameter is a right line, of such a nature that the product under the same, and the abscissa, are equal to the square of the semi-ordinate.

The squares of all ordinates to the same diameter, are to one another as their abscissas.

_Cartesian_ PARABOLA, is a curve of the second order, expressed by the equation _xy_ = _ax³_ + _bx²_ + _cx_ + _d_ containing four infinite legs, being the 66th species of lines of the third order, according to sir Isaac Newton: and is made use of by Descartes, in the third book of his geometry, for finding the roots of equations of six dimensions by its intersections with a circle.

_Diverging_ PARABOLA, a name given by sir Isaac Newton to five different lines of the third order, expressed by the equation _yy_ = _ax³_ + _bx²_ + _cx_ + _d_.

PARABOLE, _Fr._ See PARABOLA.

PARABOLOIDE, _Fr._ See PARABOLIC CONOID.

PARADE, originally consisted of a square court before cathedrals, surrounded with piazzas or porticoes for persons to walk under, being supported with pillars. It is now used in a military sense, to signify any place where troops assemble, and may be distinguished in the following manner:

_General_ PARADE, the place where soldiers belonging to different corps are drawn up, according to seniority, to mount guard, or to be exercised, &c.

_Regimental_ PARADE, the place where any particular regiment or corps is formed in line, &c.

_Private_ PARADE, any spot selected, in general by each captain of a troop or company, for the inspection of his men, previous to their being marched off to the regimental parade. This parade is likewise called company or troop parade. When troops are encamped, the general and regimental parades are usually in front of the line of tents; each regiment having its quarter-guard opposite, and the space between being sufficient to allow of the free exercise of the battalion. The companies have their private parades in the several streets of the camp.

PARADE, _in camp_, is that spot of ground in the front of each encampment, between the camp colors, on the right and left wings.

_Morning_ PARADE. In every garrison town, fortified place and camp, as well as in every town through which soldiers pass, or occasionally halt, a certain hour in the morning is fixed for the assembling of the different corps, troops, or companies, in regular order.

_Evening_ PARADE. The hour generally fixed for the evening parade is at sunset. When troops are encamped, the signal for evening parade is given from the park of artillery, by the discharge of a piece of ordnance, which is called the evening gun.

_To_ PARADE, to assemble in a prescribed regular manner, for the purposes of being inspected, exercised, or mustered.

_To_ PARADE. This word is frequently used as an active verb, with respect to military matters, viz. _to parade the guard_, &c. It has likewise been adopted in Ireland to express the act of calling out a person in an affair of honor. The Irish familiarly say--_I shall parade the gentleman to-morrow morning in the Phœnix Park_.

PARADE, _Fr._ The French make use of this term in various ways.

PARADE, _Fr._ Show, ostentation.

_Lit de_ PARADE, _Fr._ Bed of state.

_Cheval de_ PARADE, _Fr._ a horse finely caparisoned, and kept for show.

PARADE, _Fr._ in fencing, the act of parrying a thrust or blow.

PARADE, _Fr._ the place or ground where soldiers parade.

_Se mettre en_ PARADE, _Fr._ to take one’s ground.

_Faire la_ PARADE, _Fr._ To do parade duty.

_Monter la_ PARADE, _Fr._ To take part in the regular line of parade.

_Manquer sa_ PARADE, _Fr._ in fencing, to miss one’s parry.

_Etre hors de_ PARADE, _Fr._ to parry wide, or stand exposed.

PARADIS, _Fr._ that part of a harbor in which vessels may ride with the greatest safety.

PARALLELES, _Fr._ Parallel lines in fortification are so called. See PARALLELS.

PARALLELS, at a siege, the trenches or lines made parallel to the defence of the place besieged: they are also called lines of communication, and boyeaus.

PARALLELS, or places of arms, are deep trenches 15 or 18 feet wide, joining the several attacks together. They serve to place the guard of the trenches in readiness to support the workmen when attacked. There are usually three in an attack; the first, about 300 toises, or 600 yards, from the covert-way: the 2d and 3d, nearer to the glacis.

PARALLELEPIPED, (_Parallelepipede_, _Fr._) one of the regular bodies of solids, comprehended under six rectangular and parallel surfaces, the opposite ones whereof are equal.

_Tirer une_ PARALLELE, _Fr._ verbatim, to draw a parallel. To make a direct communication between one trench and another.

PARALLELISM, the situation or quality whereby any thing is denominated parallel.

PARALLELISM _of a march_. In order to preserve the parallelism of a march in the movement of troops each battalion must be kept perpendicular to the direction it marches upon, the whole of the several battalions in one straight line, and their several marching directions parallel to each other. The first battalion or line becomes the regulating one, and must be regarded as infallible; and from the moment that its direction is ascertained, the commander of each other, and their directing serjeants, are to consider their movements as subordinate to it, and to conform accordingly. It is the helm which guides the line, and must not change cadence; nor will it increase or diminish its speed, but from unavoidable necessity, and by particular order.

The instant communication of the word march is particularly important, that the advanced guides of the whole may step off together, and thereby maintain their line parallel to the one they quitted, and which becomes the principal guide for their battalions; each preserves its six paces from its advanced guide; this distance is to be kept by, and depends on, the replacing officer next to the color, who covers the directing guide; and if these trained guides do step equally, and in parallel directions to each other, they must be dressed themselves in line, and of consequence the centres of their following battalions.

PARALLELISM _and distance_ to be observed in the formation and movement of any considerable body of troops. It is laid down as a general maxim, that no considerable body should ever be formed without a proportion of it being placed in _reserve_ or in _second line_, and more or less according to circumstances. The movements of such second line will always correspond with those of the first, and it will always preserve its parallelism and distance.

If the first line makes a flank or central change of position, the second must make a change also on such point as will bring it into its relative situation.

The march of the second line in front, is regulated by its own division or battalion of direction, which moves relatively to that of the first line. In forming in line it will march upon its own points which are parallel to, and ascertained in consequence of those of the first.

When the lines break into columns to the front, the second will generally follow those of the first. When the march is to the flanks, the second line will compose a separate column, or columns. When the march is to the rear, the second line will lead in columns.

The distance betwixt the lines, may be in general supposed equal to the front of one or two battalions, and an interval.

The second lines are seldom composed of as many battalions as the first: they are often divided into distinct bodies, covering separate parts of the first line, and consequently preserving a relative parallelism and distance.

Second lines should not always remain extended, they may often be formed in column of battalions, or of greater numbers, ready to be moved to any point where their assistance is necessary.

Whenever the first line breaks, and manœuvres by its right to face to the left, or by its left to face to the right: the movements of the second line are free and unembarrassed, and it may turn round the manœuvring flank of the first line, and take its new position behind it, by extending itself parallel to that direction, how oblique soever it may be.

The central movement generally required from the second line to conform to that of the first, is equivalent to that line marching in two columns of platoons, from near the centre obliquely to the front, and from that situation forming to both flanks.

The movements of the central columns being well understood, those of the battalions of the wings, are similar in two lines.

The officer commanding the second line, must always be properly informed of the nature of the change to be made by the first, that he may readily determine his corresponding movements.

It requires much attention to conduct heads of battalion columns of both lines nearly parallel to their lateral ones, and perpendicularly, or diagonally to front or rear, according to the nature of the movement. To determine with precision, and in due time, their points in the new line, that wavering and uncertainty of march may be avoided. In great movements to allow the soldier every facility of motion without increasing the distances of divisions, and to require the most exact attention on entering the new line, and in forming. To avoid obstacles in the course of marching, but as soon as possible to re-enter the proper path of the column, while out of that path, the colors of that battalion column may be lowered, (as a mark for the neighboring column, not to be then entirely regulated by it) and again advanced when it regains its proper situation.

All the battalions of a second line, must at the completion of every change of position, find themselves placed in the same relative situation with respect to the first, as they were in before the commencement of the movement.

All changes of position of a first line are made according to one of the modes already prescribed: in general, in critical situations, they are made on a fixed flank, or central point, and by the echellon march of platoons or echellons of smaller sections than platoons, where ground and other circumstances require it; and the echellons may upon occasion be each marched in file, but keeping its position: but the movements of a second line being protected, more complicated, and embracing more ground, are made by the march of battalion columns regulated by a certain determined division of the line.

In all cases where a change of position is made on a flank or central point of the _first line_, the movement of its _corresponding_ point of the second line determines the new relative situation of that second line.

_Movements_ PARALLEL _with a line of fire_. Movements are said to be parallel with a line of fire, when one or more lines march either in the rear of troops engaged with an enemy, or in face of an enemy, who is advancing to attack. The greatest accuracy and order are required on both occasions, particularly on the latter; for if the second line, which is the line of support, does not preserve its perpendicular direction with respect to every leading point, and its relative parallelism and distance with the line engaged, according to circumstances, it will not only run the risk of becoming useless itself, but will in all probability endanger the line it covers, should any sudden necessity occur for a change of position.

PARALLELOGRAM, (_Parallelogramme_, _Fr._) a plain figure bounded by four right lines, whereof the opposite are parallel one to the other. It likewise means an instrument composed of five rulers of brass or wood, with sliding sockets, to be set to any proportion, for the enlarging or diminishing any map or draught.

PARALYSER, _Fr._ To paralyse. A term frequently used by the French since the revolution, to express the bad effects of a factious spirit, &c. _Un seul factieux quelque fois paralyse toute une administration_: one factious man will sometimes render the designs of a whole administration abortive.

PARAMETER. See GUNNERY and PROJECTILES.

PARAPET, in _fortification_, an elevation of earth, designed for covering the soldiers from the enemy’s cannon, or small shot; its thickness is from 18 to 20 feet; its height 6 on the inside, and 4 or 5 on that side next the country: it is raised on the rampart, and has a slope called the superior talus, or glacis of the parapets, on which the troops lay their arms to fire over. The slope renders it easy for the soldiers to fire into the ditch. It has a banquette or two on the inside for the troops who defend it, to mount upon, for better discovering the country, the ditch, and counterscarp, to fire as they find occasion.

PARAPET _of the covert-way_, is what covers that way from the sight of the enemy; which renders it the most dangerous place for the besiegers, because of the neighborhood of the faces, flanks, and curtains of the place.