Chapter I: DO HEREBY CERTIFY, upon my word and honor, as an officer and (3)

_Particular_ RETRENCHMENTS, _or retrenchments within a bastion_, (_retrenchemens dans un bastion_, _Fr._) Retrenchments of this description must reach from one flank to another, or from one casemate to another. It is only in full bastions that retrenchments can be thrown up to advantage. In empty bastions you can only have recourse to retirades, or temporary barricadoes above the ramparts. The assailants may easily carry them by means of hand grenades, for these retrenchments never flank each other. It is necessary to raise a parapet about five or six feet thick before every retrenchment. It must be five feet high, and the ditches as broad and as deep as they can be made. There must also be small mines run out in various directions, for the purpose of blowing up the assailants should they attempt to force the retrenchments.

RETURNS, in a _military sense_, are of various sorts, but all tending to explain the state of the army, regiment, troop, or company; namely, how many capable of doing duty, on duty, sick in quarters, barracks, infirmary, or hospital; prisoners, absent with or without leave; total effective; wanting to complete the establishment, &c. See REGULATIONS and _Amer. Mil. Lib._

RETURNS _of a mine_, are the turnings and windings of the gallery leading to the mine. See GALLERY.

RETURNS _of a trench_, the various turnings and windings which form the lines of the trench, and are, as near as they can be, made parallel to the place attacked, to avoid being infiladed. These _returns_, when followed, make a long way from the end of the trench to the head, which going the straight way is very short: but then the men are exposed; yet, upon a sally, the courageous never consider the danger, but getting over the trench with such as will follow them, take the shortest way to repulse the enemy, and cut off their retreat if possible.

Any officer who shall knowingly make a false return to any his superior officer authorised to call for such returns, shall, upon being convicted thereof before a general court-martial, be cashiered.

Whoever shall be convicted of having designedly, or through neglect, omitted sending such returns, shall be punished according to the nature of the offence by the judgment of a general court-martial.

_To_ RETURN, in a military sense, to insert the names of such officers, as are present or absent on the stated periods for the identification of their being with their regiments, on detachment, or absent with or without leave.

_To be_ RETURNED. To have one’s name inserted in the regular monthly, fourteen days, or weekly state of a regiment, according to circumstances; as _to be returned absent without leave_; to be reported to the commander in chief, or to any superior officer, as being absent from the duty of the corps; either from having exceeded the leave given, or from having left quarters without the necessary permission. To be returned upon the surgeon’s list as unfit for duty, &c. from illness, &c.

Commanding officers of regiments or posts, in the British service, are regularly to transmit to the adjutant and inspector’s office the following returns:

A monthly, on the 1st of each month.

A return of officers, on the 14th of each month.

A weekly state, to arrive on Mondays.

To the war office.

A monthly return, on the 1st of each month.

A return of absent officers, on the 14th of each month.

Every officer commanding a regiment, or detachment, on embarking for a foreign station, will transmit an embarkation return to the adjutant-general’s office, and to the war office, a duplicate of which he will deliver to the general or officer commanding at the port from which he embarks.

On a regiment embarking, the commanding officer is to transmit to the adjutant-general’s office, a return of the recanting parties he purposes to leave in Great Britain, or Ireland, specifying their strength, their stations, and the officers by whom they are commanded; a duplicate of this return is to be transmitted to the inspector-general of the recruiting service in the Isle of Wight.

All officers belonging to regiments on foreign stations, not actually employed on the recruiting service, are to report their arrival from abroad, and the cause of their absence, at the adjutant-general’s office, and are to leave their addresses with their respective agents, and in case of their changing their places of residence, are immediately to notice the same to their agent: any officer whose address is not with his agent, will be considered as absent without leave, and guilty of disobedience of orders.

Officers upon half pay are, in like manner, to leave their addresses at the war office; particularly so if they should leave the united kingdoms; and officers belonging to the militia are to leave their names, &c. with the several adjutants of regiments.

Commanding officers of regiments or posts, are to transmit to the adjutant and inspector an half yearly return of quarters, on the 1st of December, and the 1st of May, agreeable to the printed form; like wise a report of any march performed by the corps under their orders.

All returns, reports, and papers, purely of a military and public nature, which are to be sent to the war office of the United States, are to be addressed, “To the adjutant and inspector, Washington.”

All official letters, intended for the secretary at war, should be transmitted, under covers, addressed as above, to the adjutant and inspector.

To prevent an improper expence of postage, all official letters and returns sent to the adjutant and inspector, are to be sent, under covers, addressed “To the officer by name, with the title of adjutant and inspector, at Washington,” and on the outside of the covers is to be written in legible characters, “public service, and then the name and rank of the writer.”

RETURN _pistol_. See PISTOL.

RETURN _bayonet_. This term is sometimes used, but it is not technically correct, as the proper word of command is _unfix_ bayonet.

RETURN _ramrod_. See MANUAL.

RETURN _swords_. See SWORD.

REVEILLE, is the beat of a drum, about break of day, to advertise the army that it is day light, and that the sentinels forbear challenging.

REVERS, _Fr._ Behind, in rear, at the back of any thing.

_Etre vu de_ REVERS, _Fr._ To be overlooked by a reverse commanding ground. When a work, for instance, is commanded by some adjacent eminence, or has been so badly disposed, that the enemy can see its terre-pleine, or rampart, that work may be said to be overlooked, _être vu de revérs_. The same term is applicable to a trench when the fire of the besieged can reach the troops that are stationed within it.

REVERS _de la tranchée_, _Fr._ Literally means the back part of the trench. It is the ground which corresponds with that proportion of the border of the trench that lies directly opposite to the parapet. One or two banquettes are generally thrown up in this quarter, in order that the trench guard may make a stand upon the reverse when it happens to be attacked by a sortie of the enemy.

REVERSE. A contrary; an opposite; as, the reverse, or outward wheeling flank; which is opposite to the one wheeled to or upon. See PIVOT.

REVERSE likewise signifies _on the back_, or _behind_: so we say, _a reverse commanding ground_, _a reverse battery_, &c.

REVERSED _arms_. Arms are said to be reversed when the butts of the pieces are slung or held upwards.

REVERSED. Upside down; as arms reversed.

REVETEMENT, (_revêtement_, _Fr._) in _fortification_, a strong wall, built on the outside of the rampart and parapet, to support the earth, and prevent its rolling into the ditch.

REVETEMENT _du rampart_, _Fr._ Revetement belonging to the rampart.

REVETIR, _Fr._ To line, to cover, to fortify.

REVIEW, (_revue_, _Fr._) In the military acceptation of the term, an inspection of the appearance, and regular disposition of a body of troops, assembled for that purpose, is called a _review_.

At all _reviews_, the officers should be properly armed, ready in their exercise, salute well, in good time, and with a good air; their uniform genteel, &c. The men should be clean and well dressed; their accoutrements well put on; very well sized in the ranks; the serjeants expert in their duty, drummers perfect in their beatings, and the fifers play correct. The manual performed in good time, and with life; the men carry their arms well; march, wheel, and form with exactness; manœuvres performed with regularity, both in quick and slow time. The intention of a _review_ is, to know the condition of the troops, to see that they are complete, and perform their exercise and evolutions well. See MOVEMENTS, likewise INSPECTION.

_To_ REVISE, (_réviser_, _Fr._) To review; to re-examine; to re-consider. This term is used in military matters, which relate to the proceedings of a general or regimental court-martial. It sometimes happens that the members are directed to re-assemble for the purpose of _revising_ part of the whole mass of the evidence that has been brought before them, and of maturely weighing afresh the substance of the proofs upon which they have formed their opinion and judgment. Great delicacy and discretion are required in those who have authority to order a revision of this sort. A court-martial ought to be the most independent court on earth. Interest, prejudice, or partiality, has no business within its precincts. An honest regard to truth, a sense of the necessity of good order and discipline, and a stubborn adherence to facts, constitute the code of military laws and statutes. Quirks, quibbles and evasions, are as foreign to the genuine spirit of martial jurisdiction, as candor, manliness, and resolute perseverance in uttering what he knows to be the fact, are familiar to the real soldier.

REVOCABLE, (_révocable_, _Fr._) That may be recalled. Nominations for appointments in the army, are made by the president of the United States, subject to the concurrence of the senate, who, if they disagree, revoke the appointment.

REVOLT, (_révolte_, _Fr._) Mutiny; insurrection.

REVOLTER. One who rises against lawful authority; a deserter, &c.

REVOLTES, _Fr._ Rebels.

REVOLUTION, (_révolution_, _Fr._) A change in government, as the throwing off the tyranny of Britain, by the declaration of independence, in 1776, and as the French revolution.

REVOLUTIONNAIRE, _Fr._ A friend to the revolution.

REVOLUTIONNAIRE, _Fr._ An adjective of two genders. Anything belonging to the revolution. Hence

_Armée_ RÉVOLUTIONNAIRE. A revolutionary army; such as appeared in France.

REVOLUTIONNER, _Fr._ To revolutionize. To propagate principles in a country which are subversive of its existing government.

REWARD, (_récompense_, _Fr._) A recompence given for good performed. Twenty shillings are allowed by the mutiny act, as a reward for apprehending deserters.

_Military_ REWARDS, (_récompenses militaires_, _Fr._) The original instances of military rewards are to be found in the Grecian and Roman histories. The ancients did not, however, at first recompence military merit in any other way than by erecting statues to the memory, or presenting them with triumphal crowns. The warriors of that age were more eager to deserve public applause by extraordinary feats of valor, by temperance and moral virtue, than to become rich at the expence of the state. They thirsted after glory; but it was after a species of glory which was not in the least tarnished by the alloy of modern considerations.

The services which individuals rendered were distinguished by the kind of statue that was erected, and its accompanying decorations, or by the materials and particular formation of the crowns that were presented.

In process of time, the state or civil government of a country, felt the propriety and justice of securing to its defenders something more substantial than mere show and unprofitable trophies. It was considered, that men who had exposed their lives, and had been wounded, or were grown infirm through age, &c. ought to be above want, and not only to have those comforts which through their exertions millions were enjoying, but to be placed in an independent and honorable situation. The most celebrated of their warriors were consequently provided for at the public expence, and they had regular claims made over to them, which were answered at the treasury.

Triumphal honors were likewise reckoned among the military rewards which the ancients voted to their best generals. Fabius Maximus, Paul Emilius, Camillus, and the Scipios were satisfied with this recompense for their services. With respect to old infirm soldiers, who were invalided, they were provided for by receiving, each a lot of ground, which they cultivated and improved. Lands, thus appropriated, formed part of the republican or national domains, or were divided amongst them in the conquered countries.

The Roman officer was rewarded for his services, or for particular acts of bravery in three ways: 1st. By marks of honor or distinction, which consisted of two sorts, viz. Of that which was merely ornamental to their own persons, or limited to the investiture for life; and of that which may be called _rememorative_, such as statues, &c. The latter descended to their posterity, and gave their families a certain rank in the republic. 2dly. By pensions or allowances, and 3dly. By a grant of lands which exceeded the lots given to private soldiers. These lands, the property of the veteran soldier, in process of time became objects of solicitude among the Patricians and rich men; they encroached upon them, and often excited foreign wars, in order to take away the citizens, and in their absence, engross their lands; this rapacity of the senators, was the true cause of the _agrarian laws_, which has generally been held up as a reproach to the injured and not to the oppressors, and the people in republics have been held forth as turbulent and inimical to personal property, because the people of Rome sought to recover the lands of which they had been despoiled by the avarice of the senate, and by an inordinate spirit of speculation.

The Franks, who got possession of the country which was formerly occupied by the Gauls, had, at first, no other method of recompensing their generals than by giving them a certain proportion of land. This grant did not exceed their natural lives, and sometimes it was limited to the time they remained in the service.

These usages insensibly changed, and by degrees it became customary for the children of such men as had received grants of national territory, to continue to enjoy them; upon condition, however, that the actual possessors of such lands should be liable to military service. Hence the origin of _fiefs_ in France, and the consequent appellation of _milice des fieffés_, or militia, composed of men who held their lands on condition of bearing arms when called upon. The French armies were for many years constituted in this manner; and the custom of rendering military service in consideration of land tenure, only ceased under Charles the VIIth.

In process of time, those lands which had been originally bestowed upon men of military merit, descended to their children, and were gradually lost in the aggregate mass of inheritable property. Other means were consequently to be resorted to by the state, in order to satisfy the just claims of deserving officers and soldiers. The French, therefore, returned to the ancient custom of the Romans, and rewarded those, who distinguished themselves in war, by honorary marks of distinction.

Under the first race of French kings may be found several instances of men of obscure condition having, by their valor, obtained the rank and title of count, and even those of duke. These dignities, of themselves, entitled the bearers to places of high command in the armies. The title of knight, most especially of _knight banneret_, gave very high rank during the reign of Philip Augustus: and in the reigns of one or two of his predecessors, it was bestowed upon individuals who behaved in a distinguished manner in the field.

This species of reward did not cost the public any thing. It was bestowed upon the individual by the general of the army, and consisted in nothing more than a salute given by the latter on the field of battle, by which he became _knight banneret_, and was perfectly satisfied with the honor it conferred.

This mode of rewarding individuals for great actions or long services, continued until men inlisted themselves for money, and the army was regularly paid, according to the several ranks of those who composed it. At this period, however, it became expedient to have recourse to the second method which was adopted by the Romans to compensate individuals for services rendered to the state. The royal treasury was either subjected to the annual claims of individuals, or to the payment of a specific sum, for having eminently distinguished themselves under arms. Notwithstanding this, honorary rewards continued to be given, and the knighthood conferred in the field by the kiss or salute of a general, which the French style _accolade_, was practised until the 16th century:

It was usual, even during that century, to reward a soldier, who did a brave action, by some mark of distinction, that was given on the spot by a crown made of grass or other verdure, which was placed upon his head by his comrades, or by a gold ring, which his commanding officer put upon his finger in the presence of the whole troop or company to which he belonged. It sometimes happened, as in the reign of Francis the first, that this mark of distinction was given by the general of the army.

Several brave men have been distinguished with titles of nobility and armorial bearings, which were conferred by princes, in consequence of some singular feat or exploit. There have been instances recorded in the French history of extraordinary actions having been rewarded upon the spot by kings who commanded in person. A soldier of merit was peculiarly honored by Louis the XIth, for bravery and good conduct in the field. That monarch took the collar of a military order off his own neck, and placed it round the neck of Launay Morvillier, as a reward for great prowess and intrepidity.

Besides the gramineous crown and gold ring, which were thus given as marks of honor and distinction, the private soldiers were frequently rewarded by small sums of money when they performed any particular feat or act of bravery. They were likewise promoted from the ranks, and made serjeants or corporals.

Honorary rewards and compensations for service were not confined to individual officers and soldiers. Whole corps were frequently distinguished in the same manner. When several corps acted together, and one amongst them gave signal proofs of gallantry and good conduct, that one frequently took precedence of the others in rank, or was selected by the sovereign to be his personal guard. Sometimes, indeed, the king placed himself at the head of such a corps on the day of battle, thereby testifying his approbation of their conduct, and giving a proof of his confidence in their bravery.

It is now usual, in most countries, to confer marks of distinction on those corps, that have formed part of any army that has signalized itself. Thus the kettle drums, under the appellation of _nacaires_, were given to some regiments, as proofs of their having behaved gallantly on trying occasions.

The military order of St. Louis, which was created by Louis the XIVth in 1693, and that of Maria Theresa. The modern French _legion of honor_, instituted by Bonaparte, adopts and organizes into a most influential and comprehensive military and political system, all the usages of pre-existing military orders; and fixes degrees of rank under various denominations, those thus decorated are preferred for other trusts and honors. There are many other orders in different countries, were only instituted for the purpose of rewarding military merit. The Greeks and Romans satisfied themselves with honorary rewards, or occasional compensations. The moderns, particularly the French and English, have placed military claims upon a more solid footing. The gratitude of the public keeps pace with the sacrifices of individuals, and permanent provisions are made for those who are wounded or rendered infirm in the service.

The Athenians supported those who had been wounded in battle, and the Romans recompensed those that had served during a given period. The French kings reserved to themselves the privilege of providing for individuals who had been maimed in action, by giving them certain monastic allowances and lodging, &c. in the different convents of royal institution. Philip Augustus, king of France, first formed the design of building a college for soldiers who had been rendered infirm, or were grown old in the service. Louis, surnamed the great, not only adopted the idea, but completed the plan in a grand and magnificent style. Charles the second, on his restoration to the crown of Great Britain, established Chelsea, and James the second added considerable improvements to this institution.

REZ, _Fr._ A preposition which signifies close to, adjoining, level with. _Rez le metal_ in a right line with the metal, a phrase used in pointing guns, to discriminate between the real and artificial point blank; it means on a level with the tops of the base-ring and swell of the muzzle. As _rez pied_, _rez-terre_. _Démolir les fortifications, rez-pied, rez-terre._ To level the fortifications with the ground.

REZ-_de-chaussée_, _Fr._ The ground floor. This term properly means the surface or floor of any building which is even with the ground on which it is raised. It would be incorrect to say _Rez-de chaussée d’une cave, ou du premier étage d’une maison_; the ground floor of a cellar, or of the first story of a house.

RHAGOON, _Ind._ The twelfth month which, in some respect, corresponds with February. It follows the month Magh, which agrees with January.

RHINELAND _rod_, is a measure of twelve feet, used by all the Dutch engineers.

RHOMBUS, (_Rhombe_, _Fr._) in _geometry_, an oblique angled parallelogram, or a quadralateral figure whose sides are equal and parallel, but the angles unequal; two of the opposite ones being obtuse, and the other two acute.

RIBAND, _Rubande_, _Ruban_, _Fr._ This word is sometimes written _Ribbon_. A narrow web of silk which is worn for ornament.

RIBAND _cockade_. The cockades which are given to recruits, and is commonly called _the colors_.

RIBAUDE, _Fr._ Irregular, noisy, ill-mannered. This term is likewise used as a substantive, viz.

_Un_ RIBAUD, _Fr._ A noisy, ill-mannered fellow. It is an old French word, which at present is seldom spoken in the polished circles of life. In former times, as late indeed as during the reign of Philip Augustus, king of France, it was current without carrying along with it any particular reproach or mark of infamy. The foot guards, who did duty at the palace, were generally called _ribauds_, from the looseness of their morals; which by degrees grew so very corrupt, that the term, (harmless perhaps at first) was insensibly applied to persons guilty of dishonorable acts. Hence pick-pockets, thieves, cheats, &c. were called _ribauds_. On which account the provost of the hotel or town house in Paris, was popularly stiled _roi des ribands_, or provost of _ribauds_. This phrase prevailed until the reign of Charles the VIth.

RIBAUD, _Fr._ _adj._ likewise means lewd, debauched, &c.

_Un homme_ RIBAUD, _Une femme_ RIBAUDE, _Fr._ A licentious man; a licentious woman.

RIBAUDEQUIN, _Fr._ A warlike machine or instrument, which the French anciently used. It was made in the form of a bow, containing twelve or fifteen feet in its curve, and was fixed upon the wall of a fortified town, for the purpose of casting out a prodigious javelin, which sometimes killed several men at once.

According to Monstrelet, a French writer, _ribaudequin_, or _ribauderin_, signified a sort of garment which was worn by the soldiers when they took the field.

RIBLEURS, _Fr._ Vagabonds, debauched fellows that run about the streets, or spend their nights in disorderly houses. Soldiers who give themselves up to pillage &c. in war time, are likewise called _ribleurs_, by way of reproach.

RIBLER, _Fr._ To ramble, &c. was formerly the verb, and _riblerie_, the act of rambling, &c. the substantive. Both terms are now obsolete, except among the lower orders.

RICOCHER, _Fr._ To ricochet, to batter or fire at a place with ricochet shots. The author of a very valuable work entitled, _Essai Général de Fortification, et d’Attaque et Defense des places_, observes in a note to page 89, vol. I, that in strict analogy, we should say _ricocheter_; but use, which is above all rules, has made _ricocher_ a technical term, whenever we speak of the ricochets of cannon shot.

_Une face_ RICOCHEE, _Fr._ The face of a fortification, which is fired at with ricochet shots.

RICOCHET, literally means a bound, a leap, such as a flat piece of stone or slate makes when it is thrown obliquely along the surface of a pool.

RICOCHET, (_ricochet_, _Fr._) in _gunnery_, is when guns, howitzers, or mortars, are loaded with small charges, and elevated from five to twelve degrees, so that when fired over the parapet, the shot or shell rolls along the opposite rampart. It is called _ricochet-firing_, and the batteries are likewise called _ricochet-batteries_. This method of firing out of mortars, was first tried in 1723, at the military school of Strasburgh, and with success. At the battle of Rosbach in 1757, the king of Prussia had several 6-inch mortars made with trunnions, and mounted on travelling carriages, which fired obliquely on the enemy’s lines, and amongst their horse, loaded with eight ounces of powder, and at an elevation of one degree fifteen minutes, which did great execution; for the shells rolling along the lines, with burning fuzes, made the stoutest of the enemy not wait for their bursting. See BATTERY.

RICOCHET firing is not confined to any particular charge or elevation; each must vary according to the distance and difference of level of the object to be fired at; and particularly of the spot on which it is intended the shot shall make the first bound. The smaller the angle is under which a shot is made to ricochet, the longer it will preserve its force and have effect, as it will sink so much the less in the ground on which it bounds; and whose tenacity will of course present so much less resistance to its progress. In the ricochet of a fortification of any kind, the angle of elevation should seldom be less than 10°, to throw the shot over a parapet a little higher than the level of the battery. If the works should be of an extraordinary height, the piece must be removed to such situation, and have such charge, that it can attain its object at this elevation, or at least under that of 13° or 14°, otherwise the shot will not ricochet, and the carriages will suffer very much. The first gun in a ricochet battery should be so placed as to sweep the whole length of the rampart of the enemy’s work, at 3 or 4 feet from the parapet, and the rest should form as small an angle with the parapet as possible. For this purpose the guns should be pointed about 4 fathoms from the face of the work towards the interior. In the ricochet of ordnance in the field, the objects to be fired at being principally infantry and cavalry, the guns should seldom be elevated above 3 degrees; as with greater angles the ball would be apt to bound too high, and defeat the object intended. For ricochet practice, see the different pieces of ordnance, as GUN, MORTAR, and HOWITZER.

_Battre en_ RICOCHET, _Fr._ To put a sufficient quantity of gunpowder in a piece of ordnance to carry the ball, with effect, into the works that are enfiladed. This sort of firing is generally practised along the whole extent of a face or flank. The celebrated marshal Vauban first invented the mode of firing _ricochet_-shots. He tried the experiment at the siege of Ath, in 1679.

_Battre un rempart à_ RICOCHET, _Fr._ To batter a rampart with ricochet shots.

RIDEAU is a rising ground, or eminence, commanding a plain, sometimes almost parallel to the works of a place: it is a great disadvantage to have rideaus near a fortification, which terminate on the counterscarp, especially when the enemy fire from afar: they not only command the place, but facilitate the enemy’s approaches.

RIDER, in _artillery carriages_, a piece of wood somewhat higher than broad, the length equal to that of the body of the axle-tree, upon which the side pieces rest, in a four-wheel carriage, such as the ammunition waggon, block carriage, and sling waggon.

_Rough_ RIDER. See ROUGH.

RIDING-_Master_. In the cavalry, an officer whose duty it is to instruct the officers and soldiers in the management of their horses.

_To_ RIFLE, to plunder; to rob.

RIFLE, the thread, ray, or line made in a rifled barrel.

RIFLED _gun_, RIFLED _piece_, RIFLED _barrel_, _Arquebuse rayée_, _Fr._ a fire arm which has lines or exiguous canals within its barrel that run in a vermicular direction, and are more or less numerous, or more indented, according to the fancy of the artificer. With respect to the word itself, it does not appear to bear any other analogy to our common acceptation of the verb, than what may be vulgarly applied to the common practices of riflemen. It is, on the contrary, more immediately connected in sense and signification with an old obsolete word _to ray_; to streak: which comes from the French _rayer_. The rifled barrel possesses many advantages over the common one; which advantages are attributed to the threads or rays with which it is indented. These threads are sometimes cut in such a manner, that the line which commences on the right side at the breech, terminates on the left at the muzzle; by which means the ball acquires a rotary movement, revolving once and a half round its own axis before it quits the piece, and then boring through the air with a spiral motion. It is well known, that cannon balls and shot out of common barrels are impelled in a line formed by the centre of the ball, and a compound of the projectile force of the explosion acted upon by the air and by gravitation in its course; the ball has a tendency to rise upward to a certain extent after leaving the muzzle of the gun; its particular motion is as if the ball had a transverse axis, and rolled forward in that axis, in the manner that the wheels of a carriage roll; and at the same time continue their progression forward. See _Amer. Mil. Lib._

The rifled barrels of America, during the revolution, contained from 10 to 16 rays or threads; some had as few as four. Some persons have imagined, that those of 16 rays were the best, from a supposition that by the air collapsing in the several grooves, the ball obtained more velocity. Mr. Robins, however, seems to differ in opinion, particularly with respect to the depth of the grooves. He observes, page 339 and 340, in his Tracts on Gunnery, that whatever tends to diminish the friction of these pieces, tends at the same time to render them more complete; and consequently it is a deduction from hence, that the less the rifles are indented, the better they are; provided they are just sufficient to keep the bullet from turning round the piece. It likewise follows, that the bullet ought to be no larger than to be just pressed by the rifles, for the easier the bullet moves in the piece, supposing it not to shift its position, the more violent and accurate will its flight be. It is necessary, that the sweep of the rifles should be in each part exactly parallel to each other. See _Robins on Gunnery_, page 328.

Paradés, a gunsmith at Aix-le-Chapelle, who was reputed to be very ingenious in the construction of rifled barrels, used to compress his barrels in the centre.

RIFLEMEN, experienced marksmen, armed with _rifles_. They formed the most formidable force of the United States in the revolution, being posted along the American ranks, and behind hedges, &c. for the purpose of picking off the British officers. They have proved equally fatal in the hands of the French during their revolution. Considerable improvements are daily made; and light infantry battalions, like the chasseurs of the French, should form a considerable portion of every army, and all infantry and cavalry should be taught to act as riflemen, as well as artillerists.

_Mounted_ RIFLEMEN, are no other than good riflemen, accustomed to horsemanship, mounted.

RIGHT, that which is ordered; that which justly belongs to one.

RIGHTS, certain unalienable claims and privileges, which every individual, civil as well as military, possesses in regulated community. See WRONGS.

RIGOL. See CIRCLE.

RING. A circle, an orbicular line.

RING _of an Anchor_. That part of the anchor to which the cable is fastened.

RINGS, in _artillery_, are of various uses; such as the lashing-rings in travelling-carriages, to lash the sponge, rammer, and ladle, as well as the tarpauling that covers the guns; the rings fastened to the breeching-bolts in ship-carriages; and the shaft-rings to fasten the harness of the shaft-horse by means of a pin.

RINGS _of a Gun_. Circles of metal, of which there are five, viz.

_Base-ring_, _reinforce-ring_, _trunnion-ring_, _cornice-ring_, and _muzzle-ring_. See _Am. Mil. Lib._

RINGLEADER. The head of any particular body of men acting in a riotous or mutinous manner.

_To_ RING. To make a sharp reverberating noise.

RING _Ramrod!_ A word of command which is sometimes used at private inspections, to try the bottom of the barrel of a musquet.

RINGROD, _Fr._ A strong iron bar which is used in forges. It likewise means a thick pole with an iron ferrel.

RINGRAVE, _Fr._ Pantaloon breeches.

RIOT and _Tumult_. Sedition, civil insurrection, disturbance, &c. A breach of the peace committed by an assembled multitude.

RIOTERS. Disturbers of the public peace; persons acting in open violation of good order; raising or creating sedition, &c.

RIPOSTE, _Fr._ A parry and thrust. It likewise signifies in a figurative sense, a keen reply, a close retort.

RIPOSTER, _or_ RISPOSTER, _Fr._ In fencing, to parry and thrust,

RISBAN, _Fr._ In fortification, a flat piece of ground upon which a fort is constructed for the defence and security of a port or harbor. It likewise means the fort itself. The famous _Risban_, of Dunkirk, was built entirely of brick and stone; having within its walls excellent barracks, a large cistern well supplied with water, magazines for stores, provisions, and ammunition. A ready communication was kept up with the town by means of the jetée, which corresponded with the wooden bridge that joined the entrance into the fort. The rampart was capable of receiving forty-six pieces of ordnance, which were disposed in three different alignements or tiers, owing to the triangular figure of the fort; so that a fire could be kept up on all sides.

_To_ RISE. To break into commotions; to make insurrections.

_To_ RISE. In a military sense, to make hostile attack: as the military rose against their government.

_To_ RISE. To obtain promotion.

_To_ RISE _from the ranks_. To obtain promotion by degrees after having been in the ranks as a private soldier; a circumstance which has happened to some of the best generals in the world.

RISE. Increase of price; as the rise of commissions in the army upon the prospect of peace.

RISSALA, _or_ RASSAULA, _Ind._ An independent corps of cavalry.

RISSALDAR, _Ind._ The commander of an independent corps of cavalry.

RIVAL, one who is in pursuit of the same thing which another pursues. A competitor.

RIVAL _Powers_. Nations are so called when their relative situation and resources in men and money, &c. enable them to oppose each other.

RIVERAINS, _Fr._ Persons who inhabit the banks of rivers. By a regulation which was in force during the French monarchy, all persons, so situated, were obliged to leave a space 20 feet broad at least, between their houses or huts, and the bank, for the convenience of navigation. A set of men, called _baliseurs_, were paid to see this regulation strictly complied with.

RIVER, (_Riviére_, _Fr._) a land current of water bigger than a brook.

_Fordable_ RIVER. A river which may be passed without the assistance of any floating machines. In order to sound the ford, and to ascertain the state of it, men on horseback are first ordered to cross. By that means you will be able to know whether any obstacles have been thrown in the way by the enemy; for nothing is more easily effected. The passage of a ford may be rendered impracticable by throwing whole trees in, by tables or platforms covered with nails, and by stakes. The two latter impediments are the most dangerous. But stakes are not easily fixed, and are consequently seldom used. When fords are embarrassed by them, it requires some time and trouble to clear the river; and it is equally difficult to get rid of the inconvenience that arises when wells have been sunk. Whenever there is reason to apprehend such obstacles, it is always best to reach the ford at dusk. A good resource in such cases, is to collect a great number of empty casks or hogsheads, and lay over them either platforms of boards or faggots of underwood and boards over them, upon which either cavalry or artillery may pass. Intervals sufficient for the passage of the water must be left. The banks should be lined with riflemen to cover the passage; light guns and grape might be employed upon suitable ground.

When the prince of Condé in 1567, resolved to cross the river Seine, the royalists who were on the opposite side, endeavored to prevent his passage by throwing quantities of madriers or thick planks that were nailed together, iron hoops and water-cats into the ford. The Hugonots or Protestants, however, were not diverted from their purpose. Aubigné, a French writer, says, that on that occasion they placed 400 arquebusiers upon the bank to protect the men that raked the ford.

This was certainly a singular method which was used to clear a ford, nor could it be done without much difficulty, and no inconsiderable share of danger. The chevalier Folard has proposed a much safer, and a much easier way, by means of grappling hooks, tied to long ropes, which might be thrown into the ford. Yet even in this case, observes the writer, the object could not be accomplished if the river were broad, unless the persons employed in the undertaking, be under the cover of so heavy a discharge of ordnance and musquetry, that the enemy would not be able to interrupt them, even from an intrenched position on the opposite bank.

With respect to caltrops, the removal of them, when properly distributed at the bottom of a ford, must be attended with great difficulty; for they must render the passage absolutely impracticable, unless they were to sink very deep into the mud and sand, and thus become useless. The men that first enter are in this case the only persons incommoded, but the rest may follow without much hazard.

It sometimes happens, that the bottom of a stream or rivulet is firm and gravelly; when this occurs, the greatest precautions must be taken to escape the effects of caltrops, which would be extremely hurtful to any persons that might attempt to cross. In order to obviate their mischievous consequences, and to render them in a manner useless, a good stock of hurdles must be provided. The soldiers will hand these to one another, force them into the water, and then cover them with stones.

When one or two fords in a river are so situated, that several battalions cannot cross them upon one front, it is then highly prudent to throw a bridge over, either above or below the ford; for a swell may intervene and render it otherwise impassable; and to which, you have the advantage of getting a greater number of troops over at once.

In order to effect a passage for his army over the river Segre, Cæsar gave directions that ditches, thirty feet broad, should be dug in such parts of the banks as might with ease receive the water out of the stream, and render it fordable. Having accomplished this object, he found no difficulty in reaching Petréius, who, being in the daily fear of wanting provisions and forage for his men, was on the eve of quitting his position and marching forwards.

The passage of the Granicus by Alexander the great, is likewise mentioned in history, as an instance of bold enterprise. But however celebrated that act may be in ancient records, we shall not be thought partial to the moderns when we state, that the passage of the river Holowitz by Charles XII. of Sweden, was equally bold and well managed.

The passage of the Tagliamento by Bonaparte during his campaign in Italy, would be the most celebrated of modern times, had not the passage of the Danube in 1809, eclipsed all similar achievements by the magnitude of the difficulties to be overcome, and the astonishing success of the means by which they were overcome.

RIVET, a fastening pin clenched at both ends, so as to hold an intermediate substance with more firmness.

RIVETING-_plates_, in _gun carriages_, small square thin pieces of iron, through which the ends of the bolts pass, and are riveted upon them.

RIZAMEDAR, _Ind._ An officer commanding a small body of horse.

RO, _Ind._ In Indian music means quick.

ROBE-_courte_, _Fr._ literally means a short gown. Provost-marshals, under-bailiffs, vice-seneschals, then lieutenants, and various other persons, occasionally employed in camps and garrisons, to assist the military in maintaining internal good order and discipline, were formerly called in France _officiers de robe-courte_.

ROC, _Fr._ A rock.

ROC _de lance_, _Fr._ In tournaments the wooden part of a lance is so called.

ROCHER, _Fr._ a large rock; derived from _roc_, and generally bearing the same import.

ROCHE _à feu_, _Fr._ a solid composition, which gradually consumes when it has been lighted, but which emits a very broad and lively flame, and is not extinguished by water.

ROCKETS. _Composition._

_Old proportion._ _New proportion._
lbs. oz. lbs. oz.

Saltpetre 4 0 -- 4 4
Sulphur 1 0 -- 0 12
Charcoal 1 8 -- 2 0

_Composition for the Stars._

Mealed powder 0 lb. 8 oz.
Saltpetre 8 0
Sulphur 2 0
Antimony 2 0
Isinglass dissolved 0 3¹⁄₂
Spirits of wine 1 pint.
Vinegar 1 quart.

Composition for rain to head sky rockets, is the same as the above for the rockets.

_General Table of Sky Rockets._

+------------------------------+------+-------+------+------+
| | 2 | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | ¹⁄₄ |
| |Pound.| Pound.|Pound.|Pound.|
+------------------------------+------+-------+------+------+
| | Inch.| Inch. | Inch.| Inch.|
| {Exterior diameter | 2.13 | 1.69 | 1.34 | 1.06 |
|Case{Interior diameter | 1.529| 1.214 | 0.961| 0.761|
| {Length before driving |15.97 |12.67 |10.05 | 8.25 |
|Length of guage for the choke | 1.5 | 1.25 | 1.0 | 0.75 |
|Cylinders for heading{Diameter| 2.84 | 2.25 | 1.79 | 1.39 |
| {Length | 4.26 | 3.38 | 2.68 | 2.12 |
|Cones for heading { Diameter| 2.84 | 2.25 | 1.79 | 1.39 |
| { Height | 4.36 | 3.38 | 2.68 | 2.18 |
|Mallet for driving--Weight | 1lb. | 3 8oz.| 2 1 | 1 10 |
|No. of Strokes | 31 |21 |18 |13 |
+------------------------------+------+-------+------+------+

_Copper Ladles for filling Sky Rockets._

_Length_, 1¹⁄₂ the exterior diameter of the case.

_Diameter_, equals the interior diameter of case.

_Circumference_, ³⁄₄ the interior calibre of the case.

Sky rockets are driven with composition up to 4¹⁄₂ exterior diameters of the case from the choke; and ¹⁄₅ of a diameter above the composition with good clay. They are bored and reamed up to 3¹⁄₂ diameters.

_Dimensions of Sticks for Rockets._ General rules.

For rockets from ¹⁄₂ an ounce to one pound, the stick must be 60 diameters of the rocket in length: for rockets from one pound and upwards fifty or fifty-two diameters. Their thickness at top about ¹⁄₂ a diameter, and their breadth very little more. Their square at bottom equal to ¹⁄₂ the thickness at top.

+------------+-------+------+------+------+--------+-------+-------+
|Kind of | | | | | | | |
|Rockets. | 6 Pr. | 4 Pr.| 2 Pr.| 1 Pr.| ¹⁄₂ Pr.|¹⁄₄ Pr.|¹⁄₈ Pr.|
+------------+-------+------+------+------+--------+-------+-------+
| |ft.in. |ft.in.|ft.in.|ft.in.|ft.in. | ft.in.| ft.in.|
|Distance of | | | | | | | |
|poise from | | | | | | | |
|the point of| | | | | | | |
|the cone | 4 1¹⁄₂| 3 9 | 2 9 | 2 1 | 1 10¹⁄₂| 1 8 | 1 3 |
+------------+-------+------+------+------+--------+-------+-------+

Rockets of between 3 and 4 inches diameter have been observed to ascend as high as 1000 or 1200 yards; but the height of common rockets is between 450 and 600 yards; and their flight usually short of 7 seconds.

ROCKET _as used in India_. A most formidable weapon against cavalry; they are made of the hollow tube of the bamboo, of a very large size, filled with the usual composition of rockets. The rod is only a part of the same bamboo, the six eighths or seven eighths of which is cut away, leaving the rod. See FOUGETTE.

ROCKETS. See LABORATORY.

ROD. See MEASURING.

RODS, or _rammers_, either of iron or wood, to drive home the charges of musquets, carabines, and pistols.

RODS, or _sticks_, fastened to sky-rockets, to make them rise in a straight line.

RODOMONT, _Fr._ A bully. An unmilitary character.

_Raire le_ RODOMONT, _Fr._ To bully, to talk loudly without possessing the real spirit of a man or soldier.

RODOMONTADE, _Fr._ Rodomontade. The act of bullying, vain boasting or arrogating to ourselves qualities which we do not possess. A French writer has very justly observed, that there cannot be a greater defect in the character of an officer than an overweening display of real or fictitious talents. The word is derived from one Rodomont, the hero or principal character in an old romance, who makes himself conspicuously ridiculous in this way. Sir John Falstaff and Bobadil in English comedy, are specimens of this character.

ROGUE’S _March_. See MARCH.

ROHILLAS, _Ind._ A tribe of Afghans inhabiting the country north of the Ganges, as tar as Oude to the eastward.

ROI, _Fr._ King.

ROI _d’armes_, _Fr._ See KING AT ARMS.

ROKER, _Ind._ Cash.

ROLE, _Fr._ A muster roll, state, or return. The word _Role_ is used among the French indiscriminately, to signify either the effective force of an army, or the actual quantify of stores and ammunition which the magazines contain.

_To_ ROLL _in duty_, is when officers of the same rank take their turns upon duty pursuant to some established roster, as captains with captains, and subalterns with subalterns, and command according to the seniority of their commissions.

_To_ ROLL. To continue one uniform beat of the drum, without variations, for a certain length of time. When a line is advancing in full front, or in echellons, for any considerable distance, the music of one regulating battalion may, at intervals, be permitted to play for a few seconds at a time, and the drums of the other battalions may be allowed occasionally to _roll_; drums, likewise _roll_ when troops are advancing to the charge.

_Long_ ROLL. A beat of drum by which troops are assembled at any particular spot of rendezvous or parade.

_Muster_-ROLL, is a return, given by the muster-master, on which are written the names of both officers and soldiers of the regiment, troop, or company, with their country, age, and service.

_Squad_ ROLL. A list containing the names of each particular squad. Every non-commissioned officer and corporal, who is entrusted with the care and management of a squad, must have a roll of this kind.

_Size_-ROLL. A list containing the names of all the men belonging to a troop or company, with the height or stature of each specifically marked. Every serjeant keeps a regular size-roll, and every captain of a troop or company ought to have one likewise.

ROLL-_Call_. The calling over the names of the several men who compose any part of a military body. This necessary duty is done by the serjeants of companies morning and evening, in every well regulated corps. Hence _morning roll-call_, and _evening roll-call_. On critical occasions, and in services that require promptitude and exertion, frequent roll-calls should be made.

ROLLER. A small wheel placed at the foot of the hammer of a gun, or pistol lock, in order to lessen the friction of it against the hammer or feather spring.

ROLLER likewise means a long piece of wood which is rounded and made taper to suit the regulated size of a military trail.

ROLLER. In surgery, a long and broad ligature, usually made of linen cloth, for binding, surrounding, and containing the parts of the human body, and keeping them in their proper situation, thereby disposing them to a state of health and redintregation.

ROLLERS, are round pieces of wood of about nine inches diameter, and four feet long, used in moving pieces of artillery from one place to another.

ROMAINE, _Fr._ A steelyard or balance for weighing things of various weights by one single weight, as from one single pound to 112 pounds.

ROMPRE, _Fr._ To break.

ROMPRE _un battaillon_, _Fr._ In military evolutions to break a battalion into a given number of parts for the purpose of defiles, &c.

ROMPRE _en colonne_, _Fr._ To break into column.

RONDACHE, _Fr._ A sort of shield which the French formerly used, and which is still carried by the Spaniards.

RONDEL, in _fortification_, a round tower, sometimes erected at the foot of a bastion.

RONDES, _Fr._ See ROUNDS.

RONDE _Major_, _Fr._ Town-majors round. So called from the town-major visiting the different quarters of a garrison during the night. This round, in some degree, corresponds with our grand round.

RONDES _roulantes_, _Fr._ Rounds that are made by officers, serjeants, or corporals, over a certain part of the ramparts. These agree with our visiting rounds. The French say, _qui va la?_ Who goes there? technically with us, Who comes there?

RONDE _d’officier_. Officer’s round.

_Chemin des_ RONDES, _Fr._ A path marked out for the convenience of the rounds.

RONDE _de gouverneur_, _Fr._ The governor’s rounds.

The French method of ascertaining the nature of the several rounds is by challenging in the same manner that we do, viz. _qui va la?_ Who comes there? This must be said sufficiently loud for the main guard to hear. He is instantly answered: _ronde de gouverneur_, governor’s rounds; _ronde major_, major’s round, or grand round, and so on, according to the nature of the rounds. The sentry, who stands posted near the guard-house, after having cried out--_Demure là_; stop there: or as we say, stop round; cries out again, _Caporal hors de la garde_, corporal turn out the guard. The corporal or officer of the guard with his sword drawn, according to the French custom, repeats, _qui va la?_ Who comes there? He is answered ronde, round. He then says, _avance qui a l’ordre_; let him advance who has the parole or countersign; or, as we say, advance one, and give the countersign.

RONDE _des officiers de picquet_, _Fr._ Piquet rounds.

RONDES _chez les Turcs_, _Fr._ See TURKISH ROUNDS.

RONDELLE, _Fr._ a small round shield, which was formerly used by light armed infantry. It likewise means a part of the carriage of a gun.

RONDELIERS, _Fr._ Soldiers who were armed with rondelles, or small wooden shields, covered with leather, were anciently so called.

ROPE. A cord; a string; a halter; a cable; a haulser.

Rope is always distinguished by its circumference: thus a two inch rope means a rope of 2 inches in circumference.

_Rule for finding the weight of Ropes._

Multiply the square of the circumference in inches, by the length in fathoms; and divide the product by 480 for the weight in cwt. See also DRAG ROPES.

ROPE _of sand_. A phrase in familiar use to signify disunion, want of adhesion and continuity. Thus the colonel and the captains of a regiment disagreeing may be called a _rope of sand_.

ROPES, of various lengths and thickness, according to the uses they are made for; such as drags for the gin, for the sling cart and waggon, &c.

_Drag_-ROPES, according to the old practice in the _artillery_, by which the soldiers pulled the guns backwards or forwards, both at practice and in an engagement, were of the following dimensions, viz.--For a 24-pounder, 54 feet long, with the loop-holes for the pegs included, and 5³⁄₄ inches in circumference; for 18 and 12-pounders, 48 feet long, and four inches in circumference; for 6 and 3-pounders, 39 feet long, and 1⁷⁄₈ inches in circumference. For 13 and 10-inch howitzers, 45 feet long, and 6³⁄₄ inches in circumference; for 8-inch howitzers, 48 feet long, and four inches in circumference; for all other howitzers, 35 feet long, and two inches in circumference. These awkward and cumbersome ropes are now superceded by the more improved and powerful method, of the _bricoles_, which instead of drag ropes held each by several; there is attached a single bricole or rope with a hook and belt to each of several artillerists; the number of bricoles is in proportion to the calibre. See BRICOLES and PROLONGE, See _Amer. Mil. Lib._

ROSETTE, an ornamental bunch of ribands, or cut leather, which was worn both by officers and soldiers in the British service, on the upper part of their cues.