H.
HABERGEON, a small coat of mail, or only sleeves and gorget of mail, formed of little iron rings or meshes linked together.
HABILIMENTS of war, in ancient statutes, signify armor, harness, utensils, or other provisions, without which it is supposed there can be no ability to maintain a war.
Habillement des troupes, Fr. properly means the regimental clothing or the uniform of soldiers. The clothing of the French army was not reduced to any regular system before the reign of Louis the 14th. The following observations relative to this important object are too appropriate, and suit all countries too well, to be left unnoticed.
The dress of a soldier should be plain, and made up so as to facilitate every movement of his person, to guard him against the inclemency of the weather, and to be remarkable for its collective uniformity of appearance. Next to these general requisites, the ease of each individual should be consulted; particularly with regard to the breeches, trowsers, or pantaloons. Regimental surgeons will certainly say, that in some instances men have suffered as much from an inattention to this part of their dress, as from the most harrassing service in the face of an enemy. The loins should invariably be covered, the stride be made easy, and the bend of the knee be left unembarrassed. Under the old French government, the whole infantry was clothed in white, with facings of various colors; but both the officers and the men were extremely plain in every part of their dress. Since the revolution, the national color, which was white, has been changed to blue. Not only the soldiers, but the waggon-drivers, &c. had a particular dress to distinguish them from other people. See [Uniform].
| Un HABIT d’ordonnance, | - | |
| Un HABIT d’uniforme, Fr. |
regimental coat; or clothing.
HACHE, Fr. a hatchet.
Hache d’armes, Fr. a hatchet or battle-axe.
In ancient times this weapon was frequently resorted to by whole armies when they engaged. At present it is only used on particular occasions, in sorties, &c. or boarding ships.
Hache, Fr. A term which was formerly used among the French to express a certain punishment that military delinquents were obliged to undergo. It consisted in being loaded with a pack or saddle, which the guilty person was under the necessity of carrying a specified distance, and which entailed disgrace upon the bearer.
HACHER, Fr. to cut to pieces. This word is very frequently used among the French in a military sense, viz.
Un bataillon, ou un escadron s’est fait Hacher en pièces, a battalion, or a squadron has suffered itself to be cut to pieces.
They likewise make use of the expression in familiar discourse, as speaking of truth, viz
On se feroit Hacher en pièces pour la verite; one would be cut to pieces for the support of truth.
HACHEREAU, Fr. a small hatchet.
HACKERY, an Indian two wheel carriage or cart, drawn by oxen.
HACQUETON. See [Hatchet].
HACQUET-WAGEN, a four-wheeled waggon, which is used in the Prussian service to convey pontoons. The under-frame of this carriage is built like that of a chariot, by which means it can turn without difficulty.
HAIL-SHOT. See [Grape-Shot].
HAIR-CLOTH, a stuff made of hair. It is laid on the door of powder-magazines and laboratories, to prevent accidents of fire from the shoes of the men treading or rubbing upon nails, sand, or gravel.
Hair-Cloth—Weight 30 lbs.—length 15 feet—breadth 11 feet.
HAKIM. A term used in India to signify a master, the governor of a city, a judge, or a king. It sometimes means the government, and power.
| HALBERD, | - | |
| HALBERT, |
a weapon formerly carried by the serjeants of foot and artillery. It is a sort of spear, the shaft of which is about 6 feet long, generally made of ash. Its head is armed with a steel point edged on both sides. Besides this point, which is in a line with the shaft, there is a cross piece of iron, flat and turned down at one end, but not very sharp, so that it serves equally to cut down or thrust with. This weapon has of late been exchanged for the half-pike.
HALBERDIER, a soldier armed with a halbert.
HALEBARDE, Fr. halbert. This weapon, as well as the pike, was first adopted by the French, in imitation of a similar one which was carried by the Swiss troops. It was not known in that country before the reign of Louis XI. and when it fell into disuse among the rank and file, it was confined to the serjeants of infantry. The length of a French halbert was six of their feet from one extremity to the other. The handle or shaft was a long stick, with a strong, sharp, iron ferrel at the end, and the upper part had a flat sharp blade, with a cross bar attached to it.
HALF, is frequently used in military terms. Thus,
Half-Brigade, (demie brigade, Fr.) which signifies half the number of men of which a whole brigade is composed. A brigade of infantry in the French army, consists of six battalions, each of one thousand men, making together six thousand men. Three thousand of course constitutes a demie-brigade, or half-brigade. In the British service, a brigade is various, according to the number of regiments that may be encamped, or lie contiguous to each other. Sometimes two, three, or four regiments form a brigade; so that half the recited number of men which composes a brigade, whether of cavalry or infantry, makes a half-brigade.
Half-Companies. The same as subdivisions, and equal to a platoon.
Half Distance, signifies half the regular interval or space between troops drawn up in ranks, or standing in column.
Half Files, half the given number of any body of men drawn up two deep.
Half-files are so called in cavalry, when the men rank off singly.
Half-File leader, (Chef de demi-file, Fr.) the foremost man of a rank entire.
Half-Batta. An extra allowance which has been granted to the whole of the officers belonging to the British east Indian army, except in Bengal, when out of the company’s district in the province of Oude. In the upper provinces double batta is allowed. All above full is paid by the native princes, as the troops stationed in that quarter are considered as auxiliaries. The full batta is an allowance granted to both officers and men whenever they are under canvas. Batta is equal to full pay.
Half-Circle guard, one of the guards used with the broad-sword to parry an inside cut below the wrist, formed by dropping the point of the sword outward in a semicircular direction, with the edge turned to the left, and raising the hand to the height of the face.
Half-Circle parade, a parade of the small sword, used against the thrust in low carte.
Half-Hanger, or Half-Hanging-Guard, a position of defence in the art of broad-sword; differing from the hanging-guard, in the sword-hand not being raised so high, but held low enough to see your opponent over the hilt. See [Broadsword].
Half-Moon, or demi-lune, Fr. See [Fortification].
Half-Pay, a certain allowance which is made to officers in the British service who have been reduced, in consequence of some general order that effects whole corps, supernumerary companies or individuals.
It may likewise be considered as a compensation to individuals, who have been permitted to retire from the active functions of military life.
Half-Pay officers are, to all intents and purposes, out of the reach of military cognizance. They cannot be tried by martial law; nor are they liable to be called upon either as members of a court martial, or for the purpose of actual service.
Half-Pike, (demi pique, Fr.) a small pike, which was formerly carried by officers.
Half-Sword, close fight, within half the length of a sword.
HALT [French halte], is a discontinuance of the march of any body of men, armed or unarmed, under military direction. It is frequently practised for the purpose of easing troops during their progress through a country, or to render them fresh and active previous to any warlike undertaking.
Frequent halts are made during the passage of obstacles, and in an intersected country, in order to obviate the inconvenience and danger which must attend a column whose head is advanced too far to preserve the regular succession of all its component parts. Nothing, indeed, can be more pregnant with mischief than such a chasm; for, if the enemy be in the neighborhood, both front and rear are exposed. The best way in the passage of defiles, &c. is to proceed to a distance beyond it which shall be sufficiently extensive to admit of the whole number; there to halt, and not to march forward until the rear has completely cleared the obstacle.
Halt, is likewise a word of command in familiar use when a regiment is on its march from one quarter to another. The men are permitted to refresh themselves half-way. It should be generally observed, that to prevent soldiers from straggling about, or getting among persons who might entice them to be disorderly, a strict order ought to be given by the commanding officer of every battalion not to allow any division or detachment to halt in or near a town or village. A convenient midway spot should be chosen for the purpose, and when the men have piled their arms (which may be done in line or in column), a few steady soldiers should be detached to guard the ground, and to prevent others from straggling beyond certain limits. Among the French it was usual for the commanding officer of a battalion, division, or detachment, in hot weather, to send a sergeant and a few steady grenadiers forward, in order to secure good water for the troops. This practice ought to be avoided as much as possible; for men are more exposed to suffer from drinking when overheated, than they would be by patiently enduring the thirst until they reached the spot where the day’s march is to terminate.
To Halt in open column for the purpose of wheeling up into line. When the several companies of one or more battalions have entered the alignement, and marched with their guides of manœuvre, or pivot flanks along the line, covering each other at their due distances (for which company officers are answerable), the open column is then in a state to be wheeled into line.
As soon, therefore, as the head or rear division, according to circumstances, arrives at the given point where it is to form line, the commander of the battalion gives the word mark time, in order to afford the several ranks time to correct their dressing and distance by their guides and pivots: on the delivery of this word, the foot which is then off the ground, finishes its proper step, and the other is brought up to it; and when the whole are dressed the word is given to halt. The instant the halt is ordered, the commanding officer from the head division of each battalion (taking care that an adjutant is placed in the true line) makes any small correction on a near point in that line that the pivots may require, although no such correction ought to be necessary.
To Halt after having wheeled from open column. The officers commanding companies, &c. having during the wheel turned round to face their men, and inclined towards the pivot of the preceding company, as they perceive their wheeling men make the step which brings them up to their several pivots, they give the word mark time—halt. The men, on receiving this last word of command, halt with their eyes still turned to the wheeling flank, and each officer being then placed before the preceding guide or pivot, to which his men are then looking, corrects the interior of his company upon that pivot, his own pivot, and the general line of the other pivots. This being quickly and instantaneously done, the officer immediately takes his post on the right of his company, which has been preserved for him by his serjeant. Thus the whole line, when halted, is imperceptibly dressed.
In cavalry movements, when the open column halted on the ground on which it is to form, wheels up into line, the following specific instructions must be attended to:
Distances being just, guides and pivot leaders being truly covered, the caution is given, Wheel into line! when the then pivot-flank leaders place themselves each on the reverse flank of such divisions, as by its wheel up brings them to their true place in the squadron. The leading division of each squadron sends out a guide to line himself with the pivot files. At the word march! the whole wheel up into line, which is marked by the guides or pivots, and also bounded by the horses’ heads of the faced guides of it.—Dress—halt! is then given (as well as the other words by each squadron leader) the instant before the completion of the wheel; the eyes are then turned to the standing flank (to which the correction of the squadron is made), and remain so till otherwise ordered; so that a line formed by wheels to the left, will remain with eyes to the right; and one formed by wheels to the right will remain with eyes to the left.
During the wheel up, the standard moves to its place in squadron, and at the halt every individual must have gained his proper post.
HALTE, Fr. See [Halt].
HALTER-CAST. In farriery, an excoriation or hurt in the pastern, which is occasioned by the horse endeavoring to scrub the itching part of the body near the head and neck, and thus entangling one of his hinder feet in the halter. The consequence of which is, that he naturally struggles to get free and sometimes receives very dangerous hurts in the hollow of his pastern.
HALTING, in farriery, a limping, or going lame; an irregularity in the motion of a horse, arising from a lameness in the shoulder, leg, or foot, which obliges him to tread tenderly.
HAMLET, a small village.
Tower Hamlets. The militia raised in the district of the Tower of London, is so called, and is divided into two battalions.
HAMMER, well-known instrument with an iron head, for driving nails, &c. The artillery aids each carry one in his belt, in order to clear the vent from any stoppage.
Hammer, a piece of iron which stands in a perpendicular direction above the cover of the pan, being a part of the same, and serving to produce those sparks of fire that ultimately occasion the explosion of the gunpowder. The Germans call it pfannen deckel, the cover of the pan; but this expression does not convey a distinct and clear idea of the use that is made of it. Nothing, however, can be less appropriate than the term appears amongst us. We call the part which is struck against to produce sparks of fire the hammer; and the part which strikes, the cock; whereas that part of the cock which holds the flint is, in fact, the hammer, and the other is without a proper name. The Germans call the cock hahn. It is not within our province to propose new terms; we are therefore satisfied in having pointed out the contradiction.
Hammer-Spring, the spring on which the hammer of a gun-lock works. It is also called feather-spring.
HAMMOCK, (hamac, Fr.) a sort of bed made of cotton or canvas. Those used in America consisted of a broad piece of canvas which was suspended between two branches of a tree, or between two stakes, and in which the savages are accustomed to sleep.
Among sailors the hammock is about six feet long and three feet broad, and drawn together at the two ends, and hung horizontally under the deck for the sailors to repose in. In time of battle, the hammocks are strongly fastened and laid above the rails on the quarter-deck and forecastle, to barricade, and to prevent the execution of small shot.
HAMPE, ou HANTE, Fr. a shaft; a long stick to which any thing else is attached; as a sharp blade to form a halbert or pike.
HANCES, the ends of elliptical arches.
HAND. Among the Mysoreans the print of a hand is reckoned a form equivalent to an oath. The hand is one of their military ensigns, and always carried by their princes to war.
Hand, a measure of four inches, or of a clinched fist by which the height of a horse is computed. Thus horses are said to be so many hands high.
The sizes of military horses should run from 15 hands and 1 inch to 16 hands high, and the age 4 or 5 off, if possible.
Hand is also used for the division of a horse into the fore and hind parts. The parts of the fore-hand are the head, neck, and fore-quarters; and those of the hind-hand include all the other parts of his body.
Hand is likewise used for the horseman’s hand. Thus spear-hand, or sword-hand, is the horseman’s right hand, and bridle-hand is his left hand.
Hand-Barrow, a machine made of light wood, of great use in fortification for carrying earth from one place to another; or in a siege, for carrying shells or shot along the trenches.
Hand-Barrow. Weight 13 pounds, length 5 feet 4 inches.
Hand-Breadth, a measure of three inches, or a space equal to the breadth of the hand, the palm.
Hand-Gallop, a slow and easy gallop, in which the hand presses the bridle to hinder increase of speed.
Hand-Grenades, small iron shells, from 2 to 3 inches diameter, filled with powder which being lighted by means of a fuse, are thrown by the grenadiers amongst the enemy; until lately out of use. See [Grenades].
Hand-Gun, a gun held in the hand.
Hand-Mallet, a wooden hammer with a handle, to drive fuses, or pickets, &c. in making fascines or gabion batteries.
Hand-Screw, is composed of a toothed iron bar, which has a claw at the lower end and a fork at the upper: the bar is fixed in a stock of wood, about 2.5 feet high, and 6 inches thick, moved by a rack-work, so that this claw or fork being placed under a weight raises it as far as the bar can go.
Hand-Spike, in gunnery, a wooden lever 5 or 6 feet long, flattened at the lower end, and tapering towards the other, useful in moving guns to their places after being fired and loaded again, or for moving other heavy weights.
Hand-spikes. Common, weight 10 pounds, length 6 feet.
Hand-to-Hand, close fight; the situation of two persons closely opposed to each other.
HANDFUL, used figuratively, in a military sense, to denote a small quantity or number, as a handful of men.
To HANDLE, to manage, to wield.
Handle arms, a word of command (when the men are at ordered arms) by which the soldier is directed to bring his right hand briskly up to the muzzle of his musquet, with his fingers bent inwards. This word of command is frequently used at the private inspection of companies, and always precedes—Ease arms.
This term was formerly used in the manual from the support to the carry. It is now however used only in the instance just mentioned.
To HANG-FIRE. Fire-arms are said to hang-fire when the flame is not speedy in communicating from the pan to the charge. This defect may arise from the powder being damp or the touch-hole foul.
To Hang upon. To hover, to impede.
To Hang upon the rear of a retreating enemy. To follow the movements of any body of men so closely as to be a constant annoyance to them.
It requires both judgment and activity in the commanding officer of a pursuing army to execute this business without endangering his troops. For it might happen that the retreating enemy, seeing an opportunity to make a retrograde flank movement from its front, would practice a feint in its rear, and suddenly appear upon the right or left of his pursuers. To prevent a surprize of this sort, constant vedettes and side-patroles must be detached, and the pursuer must never attempt to follow through any considerable length of defile, or cross rivers, without having secured the neighboring eminences, and been well informed as to the nature of the stream, for some extent on his right and left. Without these precautions he might himself be taken in flank and rear.
To Hang upon the flanks of an enemy, is to harass and perplex him in a more desultory manner than what is generally practised when you press upon his rear.
Hussars, light dragoons, mounted riflemen, and light infantry detachments are well calculated for this service. Light pieces of artillery are likewise extremely useful, but they should be cautiously resorted to, as ambuscades might be laid, and their removal would require too much time. A perfect knowlege of the country in which you fight, aided by intelligent guides and faithful scouts, will be one of the best safeguards in all operations of this kind.
HANGER, a short-curved sword.
HANGING-GUARD, a defensive position in the art of broad-sword; it is formed by raising the sword-hand high enough to view your antagonist under your wrist, and directing your point towards his ribs. See [Broadsword].
HANNIBAL, a celebrated general among the Carthagenians, who crossed the Alps, and threatened Rome. This able man lost all the fruits of his uncommon exertions and military talents by relaxing from that active conduct, by which he had thrown the Roman legions into confusion. He is a striking example of the propriety of marshal Saxe’s observations on the necessity of vigorous and unremitting operations against a retreating enemy. See [General].
HANOVERIANS, troops belonging to Hanover, formerly subject to the king of Great Britain, and of which a considerable body were employed to subjugate America, for which forty pounds sterling a head were paid out of the British treasury to the elector of Hanover; they are now subjects of France.
HANSE, or HANS, (Hans Teutonique, Fr.) a body or company of merchants united together for the promotion of trade.
Hans towns, (villes Hanseatiques, Fr.) Certain towns and places in Germany and the north of Europe in which a commercial compact, or agreement, for the benefit of commerce was entered into by merchants of respectability. The four towns that first united for this purpose were Lubec, Brunswick, Dantzic, and Cologne, and on that account they bore the distinguishing title of mother-towns. After the original establishment of this company had taken place, several towns became anxious to belong to so respectable and useful a company. They were accordingly adopted, and obtained the denomination of god-daughters. The number of these associated places amounted to 81, and they were generally called the Hanseatic or Anseatic towns. In the year 1372, a treaty of alliance was entered into between Denmark and the Hans towns. Amsterdam and other Dutch cities were included, as may be seen in a copy of that treaty which has been preserved by Boxhoorn.
HAQUET, Fr. a dray; a species of waggon formerly used in the artillery; they differed in their sizes and dimensions according to the nature of the service.
Military HARANGUES, (harangues militaires, Fr.) It was usual among the ancients for generals, &c. to harangue their soldiers previous to an engagement. This custom, however, is too old to be traced to its origin. Short harangues, if any are adopted, will always prove the best; for that natural impulse by which the aggregate of mankind are driven into acts of peril and possible destruction, is of too subtile and too volatile a nature to bear suspence.
We find among the ancient historians various instances in which the generals of armies have judged fit to harangue their troops. It must, however, be acknowleged, that the greater part of these harangues have been studiously made out by ingenious writers, and put into the lips of the heroes they have thought proper to celebrate. Those which contain most common sense, and are conveyed in short pithy sentences, will always produce the best effects.
Eloquence is certainly a qualification which every general of an army should possess; but, it is not, in our days, the most essential requisite in his character. Cæsar was naturally endowed with a most bewitching talent in the exercise of words; and he used it on many occasions to considerable advantage. The manner in which he was accustomed to address his men became so celebrated, that several persons belonging to the army he commanded carefully selected his military harangues; and, if we may believe the Chevalier Folard, the emperor Augustus was particularly pleased and entertained in having them read to him.
In Chevalier Folard’s opinion, those speeches which are enlivened by expressions of humor and by occasional raillery, will always have the most influence over the minds of common soldiers. War although apparently dictated by the laws of nature (for war and bloodshed seem to have been the concomitants of man from his first creation) cannot be so far congenial to the feelings of civilized mortality, as to mingle with sober sense and rational reflection. Consequently, those discourses which lead the common mind to think, and which induce the common heart to feel, are ill adapted to acts of violence and mutual rancour. A witticism or humorous expression has sometimes the most happy effect. The answer which Hannibal the Carthaginian made to one of his generals, whose name was Gisco, produced a fortunate emotion among the soldiers. The latter observed, that the enemy’s great numbers somewhat surprized him; Hannibal, as Plutarch relates the story, immediately said, with a sort of indignant look—But there is another circumstance, Gisco, which ought to surprize you much more, and which you do not seem to know. Gisco requested to know what it might be. It is, replied Hannibal, that in so large a multitude there should not be one man whose name is Gisco. This sarcastic observation created a loud laugh among all who surrounded the general, and the humor of the saying was instantly conveyed through the ranks.
Antigonus, according to the same authority, never adopted any other mode of conveying his sentiments to the troops. The Lacedemonians were even more laconic; but every thing they uttered was full of sound sense and energy of thought. Thucydides, who was not only a good historian, but likewise an able general, makes his heroes speak in a very emphatic and eloquent manner. Tacitus does not appear to possess much excellence that way; and the speeches which we find in Polybius, are copied after what was spoken by the several generals, whom he celebrates. Titus Livius is too ornamental and too flowery. An active and intelligent general must be a perfect stranger to that species of oratory.
We read in Varillas, a French historian, who was born in 1624, and wrote a history of France beginning with Louis XI. and ending with Henry III. &c. that Zisca (or Ziska) a gentleman and soldier of Bohemia (who was so called because he happened to lose an eye,) made a remarkable speech to his followers. We refer our inquisitive readers to that writer’s works for one of the most energetic, most soldier-like, and persuasive pieces of military eloquence that perhaps is extant. Zisca succeeded Huss, who had armed the peasantry of Bohemia to resist the oppressions of the emperor and the Roman pontiff; and although he lost his other eye at the siege of Rabi, his influence and courage were so great, that he obliged the emperor Sigismund to send an embassy to him, and to offer him the government of Bohemia. Such was his power of persuasion, that he could not only animate his men to the most desperate feats of valor, but likewise check them in the full career of victory, to prevent plunder and unnecessary bloodshed. A remarkable instance of this sort may be found in Varillas, where he relates, that nothing but the influence which Zisca possessed over the minds of his followers could have saved the city of Prague from utter destruction.
Several specimens of military eloquence may be found in Procopius. They possess the happy quality of being very short, full of good sense and strength of expression. Since the time of Henry the IVth, of France, we find few instances in which the generals of armies have thought it expedient to harangue their troops, unless we except the battle of Nerva, previous to which Charles the XIIth, king of Sweden, addressed his little army.
It frequently happens, however, that the commanding officers of corps and of detached parties, feel it necessary to encourage their men by short and appropriate speeches after the manner of the Lacedemonians. At the famous battle of Tory, Henry the IVth, of France, rode down the front of the line, and pointing to the white feather which he wore in his hat, spoke in the following emphatic manner to his soldiers: My children, (mes enfans) cried he, should any mistake or irregularity occur among the standard bearers, and your colors by any accident be misled, recollect, that this feather will shew you where you are to rally; you will always find it on the road to honor and victory!
At Fleurus, general Jourdan rode along the line with this short speech, “no retreat to-day.” At Marengo Bonaparte addressed the soldiers, “remember we always sleep the night after victory on the field of battle.” At Jena he told them—“There is Rosbach and a column commemorating French defeat, we must retrieve the honor of France, and plant a column dedicated to French glory.” Admiral Nelson’s address before the battle of Trafalgar, merits perpetual record,—“England expects every man to do his duty.” The English ladies very significantly embroidered it on their garters.
HARASS, (harceler, Fr.) In a military sense, signifies to annoy, to perplex, and incessantly turmoil any body of men, to hang upon the rear and flanks of a retreating army, or to interrupt its operations at a siege by repeated attacks. The troops best calculated for this duty are hussars, mounted riflemen, and light dragoons. The general most celebrated among the ancients for this kind of warfare was Sertorius. By means of the most subtile and ingenious manœuvres, aided by a thorough knowlege of military tactics, he disconcerted all the plans, and finally defeated all the attempts which were made by Pompey and Metellus to subdue him. It has been shrewdly remarked by the commentator on Polybius, that had there been one Sertorius within the walls of Lisle, when that city was besieged in 1708, the whole combined force of the allies that was brought before it would have been rendered ineffectual. This wise and sagacious officer was constantly upon the watch; no movement of the enemy escaped his notice; and by being master of his designs, every measure which was attempted to be put in execution, was thwarted in its infancy.
When he received intelligence that a convoy was on its way to the enemy, such was his activity, that no precautions could save it from his attack; and however seemingly advantageous a temporary position might appear, every possible peril or surprize crouded upon his mind, and the instant he judged it necessary to decamp, such was his sagacity and shrewdness, that no foresight or information of the enemy could circumvent him on his march. He was full of expedients, master of military feints, and indefatigably active. When pursued in his retreats, he had always the ingenuity to avoid his enemy by getting into inaccessible places, or by disposing of his troops in such a manner, as to render it extremely hazardous to those who might attempt to harrass or perplex him.
HARBOR, in military architecture, a port or haven for shipping. The making and inclosing harbors with piers, so as to resist the winds and waves, for the preservation of ships in stormy weather, is one of the most useful and necessary works that can be made in a trading nation; since the security of their wealth and power depends greatly upon it. Hence it should be the particular study of every young engineer, who is desirous of being useful to his country, or of distinguishing himself, to render himself master of this branch of business. The works principally recommended to his attention are L’Architecture Hydraulique, par M. Belidor; Essai sur la Resistance des Fluides, par M. d’Alembert, Maclaurin, and Muller.
HARCARRAH. In India, a messenger employed to carry letters, and otherwise entrusted with matters of consequence that require secrecy and punctuality. They are very often Bramins, well acquainted with the neighboring countries; they are sent to gain intelligence, and are used as guides in the field.
HARDI, Fr. In French architecture, an epithet which is frequently attached to those sorts of works that, notwithstanding their apparent delicacy of construction, their great extent and wonderful height, remain uninjured for a succession of years. Gothic churches are of this description.
HARE, an old Saxon term for an army.
HARNESS, armor, or defensive furniture of war. Also the traces for horses of draught.
Harness. For men in the light artillery, one set, 26 lbs. length 12 feet. Wheel harness for a pair of horses, such as was used in the service of artillery, about 1 cwt.
HARNOIS, Fr. harness. This word was formerly used among the French to signify the complete armor or equipment of a horseman, including the cuirass, helmet, &c. The term, however is still adapted in a figurative sense: as, Cet ancien officier a blanchi sous le harnois—This old officer has grown grey beneath his harness, or equipment; signifying that he has grown old in the service.
Harnois du Cheval, Fr. Military equipment for a horse. There are some curious remarks on this subject in the Reveries de Mareschal Saxe.
HARO, Fr. hue and cry.
HAROL. An indian term signifying the officer who commands the van of an army. It sometimes means the vanguard itself.
HARPE, Fr. a species of draw-bridge, which was used among the ancients, and which obtained the name of harp from its resemblance to that instrument. This bridge, which consisted of a wooden frame, and hung in a perpendicular direction against the turrets that were used in those times to carry on the siege of a place, had, like the harp, a variety of ropes attached to it, and was let down upon the wall of a town by means of pullies. The instant it fell the soldiers left the turret and rushed across the temporary platform upon the rampart.
HARQUEBUS, a kind of fire-arm, of the length of a musquet, usually cocked with a wheel. It carried a ball of about 3 ounces. Not used at present.
HARQUEBUSIER, a soldier carrying a harquebus.
HARROW, to lay waste, to ravage, or destroy.
HASTAIRES, Fr. soldiers armed with spears. See [Hastati].
HASP, a flat staple to catch the bolt of a lock.
HASTATI, from the Latin word hasta, a spear; so that they may literally be called spearmen. A body of Roman soldiers who were more advanced in age, and had acquired a greater reputation in arms than the Velites possessed, were distinguished by this appellation. They wore a complete set of armor, and always carried a buckler, made convex, measuring two feet and a half in breadth and four in length. The longest contained about four feet nine inches, or a Roman palm. The buckler was made of two boards glued together. These were covered, in the first instance, with a broad piece of linen, which was again covered over with sheep’s skin. The edges, both at top and bottom, were fenced with iron, to enable them to meet the broad sword and sabre, and to prevent them from rotting when planted on the ground. The convex part was further covered over with iron plates to resist the impression of hard blows, and to withstand the violent concussion of stones, &c.
The hastati likewise wore a sword, which they carried girted to their right thigh, and which was called the Spanish sword. This weapon was calculated both to cut and thrust, the blade being very broad, thick, and pointed. Each had moreover two pikes, a brass helmet, and half boots. One of the pikes was thick, and the other of a middling size, and they were in general either round or square. The round ones were four fingers diameter, and the square ones contained the breadth of a side. The small pikes were not unlike to the darts which the hastati, or spearmen, were still obliged to carry.
The pole or staff of these pikes, whether large or small, was nearly five cubits long. The iron which was made somewhat in the shape of a fish-hook and was fixed to the pole, contained the same length. It reached beyond the middle, and was so well nailed that nothing could loosen it without at the same time breaking the pole. This iron was one finger and a half thick, both at the bottom, and at the part where it was joined to the wood.
The hastati or spearmen wore upon their heads a red or black plume, consisting of three straight feathers, each measuring one cubit in height. These, added to their other accoutrements, made them appear uncommonly tall, and gave them a bold and formidable look. The lowest class of hastati, or spearmen, had their chests protected by a piece of brass, containing twelve fingers’ breadth every way. This plate was called a breast-plate. All that were worth 10,000 drachmæ wore a coat of mail, instead of a breast-plate.
Kennet, in his R. Ant. p. 190, gives a similar account of the hastati; and adds, that the spears were afterwards laid aside as incommodious.
Armes d’HASTE, Fr. long-hafted weapons.
Haste, Fr. The piece of wood or long pole to which the standard is fixed, was formerly so called in France.
HASSEIN and HOUSSEIN, two brothers, and Mahomedan saints, whose feast is celebrated with great pomp and much enthusiasm in Asia. This festival is kept on the 14th of November, in commemoration of the murder of those two brothers. The Mahomedans of Hindostan observe it with a kind of religious madness, some acting and others bewailing the catastrophe of their saints with so much energy, that several die of the excesses they commit. They are likewise persuaded that whoever falls in battle against unbelievers, during any of the days of this ceremony, shall be instantly translated into the higher paradise, without stopping at any of the intermediate purgatories. On these occasions, to the enthusiasm of superstition is added the more certain efficacy of inebriation; for the troops eat plentifully of bang, a vegetable substance something like hemp which yields an intoxicating juice.
HAT. Hats are no longer used by the non commissioned officers or privates; in the European armies all the infantry wear caps of leather, &c.
HATCHET, used in the army, a small light sort of an axe, with a bazil edge on the left side, and a short handle, used by the men for cutting wood to make fascines, gabions, pickets, &c.
To take up the Hatchet, among the Indians to declare war, to commence hostilities, &c.
HAUBERGEON, Fr. See [Habergeon].
HAUBERGIER, Fr. an individual who held a tenure by knight’s service, and was subject to the feudal system, which formerly existed in France, and by which he was obliged to accompany the lord of the manor in that capacity whenever the latter went to war. He was called fief de haubert, and had the privilege of carrying a halbert. All vassals in ancient times served their lords-paramount as squires, haubergiers, lance-men, bow-men, &c.
HAUBERJON, Fr. See [Habergeon].
HAUBERT. See [Hautbert].
HAVERSACK, a kind of bag made of strong coarse linen, to carry bread and provisions on a march. It is only used in the field and in cantonments, each soldier having one.
| HAVILDAR, or | - | |
| HAVILDAUR, |
a non-commissioned officer or serjeant among the East India sepoys. He ranks next to the Jemidar.
HAVOCK, carnage, slaughter.
HAVRESAC, Fr. See [Haversack].
HAUSSE-col, Fr. an ornamental plate similar to the gorget. It is worn by infantry officers only.
Un Hausse-cou, Fr. a neck piece.
HAUT-LE-PIED, Fr. a term used to distinguish such persons as were formerly employed in the French armies without having any permanent appointment. Commissaires hauts-le-pied were known in the artillery during the monarchy of France. They were usually under the quarter-master general.
Le Haut Rhin, Fr. the Upper Rhine.
Le Haute Saxe, Fr. Upper Saxony.
HAUTBERT, Fr. a coat of mail, which covered the neck and arms, formerly worn by the seigneurs de haubert, or lords-paramount, in France, in lieu of the hausse-col, brassarts, and cuissarts.
HAUTBOY, (hautbois, Fr.) a wind-instrument, now almost universally adopted by the European armies, and which forms a part of the regimental bands.
HAUTES-payes, Fr. were soldiers selected by the captains of companies to attend them personally, for which service they received something more than the common pay. Haute-paye became afterwards a term to signify the subsistence which any body of men superior to, or distinguished from the private soldier were allowed to receive.
HAUTEUR, Fr. in geometry, signifies elevation.
Hauteur, Fr. in architecture, the extreme height of any building. Thus, un bâtiment est arrivée à hauteur signifies that the last stones or bricks are laid ready for the roof to be covered in.
Hauteur d’appui, Fr. breast-height.
Hauteur de marche, Fr. The usual height which a man takes in stepping, being about six or seven inches above ground.
Hauteur d’un escadron, ou d’un battaillon, Fr. the depth of a squadron of horse, or battalion of foot. The word hauteur in the French service is equivalent to depth in the English: as—an army consisting of many squadrons of horse and battalions of foot, one in front of the other and forming several columns, is said to stand that number of columns deep; the term being applicable in all services to the army collectively or separately considered from several columns to a mere rank and file.
HAUTS-officers, Fr. superior officers.
With respect to an army composed of several regiments, the following fall under the description of hauts officiers according to the old French system: generals, lieutenant-generals, colonels, and lieutenant-colonels. The hauts-officiers, or superior officers in distinct corps, were majors, aid-majors, captains, lieutenants, sub-lieutenants, and ensigns.
HAYE, Fr. a military disposition in which soldiers stood aside one another on a straight line. Se mettre en haie, is to stand rank entire. Faire un double haie, to stand two deep. Border la haie, is a disposition to which infantry has recourse when attacked by cavalry. See Border la Haye.
HAZAREE, an East Indian term signifying a commander of armed men.
HEAD, in gunnery, the fore part of the cheeks of a gun or howitz carriage.
Head of a work, in fortification, is the front next to the enemy, and farthest from the place; as the front of a horn-work is the distance between the flanked angles of the demi-bastions: the head of a double tenaille is the salient angle in the centre, and the two other sides which form the re-entering angles. See [Fort].
Head of an army, or body of men, is the front, whether drawn up in lines, or on a march.
Head of a double tenaille, the salient angle in the centre, and the two other sides which form the re-entering angle.
Head-piece, armor for the head; an helmet, such as the light dragoons wear.
Head-of a camp, the ground before which the army is drawn up.
Head-Quarters, the place where the officer commanding an army or independent body of troops takes up his residence.
HEADSTALL, that part of the bridle which goes over the horse’s head.
HEAUME, Fr. A word derived from the German, which formerly signified casque, or helmet. The heaume has been sometimes called among the French salade, armet, and celate from the Latin word which means engraved, on account of the different figures which were represented upon it. The heaume covered the whole of the face, except the eyes, which were protected by small iron bars laid cross-ways.
The heaume was not only worn by the chevaliers or knights when they went to war, but also at tilts and tournaments. It serves as an ornament or helmet in coats of arms and armorial bearings. Various appellations have been given to this piece of armor, such as habillement de tête, covering for the head, casque, helmet; and under Francis I. it was distinguished by the name of armet. It does not resemble the morion, the salade, or headpiece, the pot, or bourgignote, burganet, which were worn only in the infantry. The heaume, as we have observed above, covered the face. There was an opening opposite to the eyes which was guarded by small iron bars, or latice-work, and was a kind of visier. The heaume, or helmet, is still preserved in heraldry, and is a distinguishing mark of nobility. In tournaments, the helmet was presented as a prize of honor to the most active champion, because it was the principal piece of defensive armor; but a sword was given to the assailants, as that was an offensive weapon.
HEBDOMADIER, Fr. The person whose week it is to be on duty.
HELEPOLIS, in the ancient art of war, a machine for battering down the walls of a place besieged. The invention of it is ascribed to Demetrius the Poliorcetes. Diodorus Siculus says, that each side of the helepolis was 450 cubits broad, and 90 in height; that it had 9 stages or floors, and was carried on four strong solid wheels, 8 cubits in diameter; that it was armed with huge battering rams, and had 2 roofs capable of supporting them; that in the lower stages there were different sorts of engines for casting stones; and in the middle, they had large catapulta’s for lancing arrows.
HELICOMETRY, an art which teaches how to draw or measure spiral lines upon a plane, and shew their respective properties.
HELIOID parabola, is a curve arising from the supposition of the axis of the Apollonian parabola, being bent into the periphery of a circle, and is then a line passing through the extremities of the ordinates, which converge toward the centre of the circle.
HELIOSCOPE, a prospect glass to view the sun. The glass is colored in order to weaken the radiance of light.
HELIX, a spiral line.
| HELM, or | - | |
| HELMET, |
an ancient defensive armor worn both in war and tournaments. It covered both the head and face, only leaving an aperture in the front, secured by bars, which was called the visor. The Carians first invented the boss of shields and the crest of helmets. In remembrance of this, a small shield and a crest were always buried with them.
| HELMET-CAP, | - | |
| HELMET-HAT, |
a cap, or hat, the crown of which is shaped like the dragoon helmet.
| HELVE, or | - | |
| HAFT, |
the wooden handle of a hatchet, hammer, or pick-axe.
To HEM in, to surround.
HEMERODROMES, Fr. a French term taken from the Greek, signifying sentries or guards, which were employed among the ancients to protect and watch over fortified towns and places. As soon as the gates were opened they went out, and continued to patrole round the skirts of the town during the whole of the day. Frequently, indeed they advanced considerably into the country, in order to discover whether any hostile body of men was approaching in order to surprize the garrison.
HENDECAGON, a figure that has 11 sides and as many angles, each capable of a regular bastion.
HINDOO, or HINDU, the name by which the natives of Hindustan distinguish themselves from the inhabitants of other countries.
HEPTAGON, a figure consisting of seven sides and as many angles. If the sides be all equal, it is called a regular heptagon.
HEPTAGONAL numbers, are a sort of polygonal numbers, wherein the difference of the terms of the corresponding arithmetical progression is = 5. One of the properties of these numbers is, that if they be multiplied by 40, and 9 be added to the product, the sum is a square number.
HEPTARCHY, a government which consisted of 7 kings or sovereign princes. Such was the government under which England was ruled by the Saxon kings.
HERALD, an officer at arms, whose duty is to declare war, to proclaim peace, or to be employed in martial messages. The heralds in England are judges and examiners of that ridiculous jargon called heraldry, or coats of arms; they marshal all solemnities at the coronations, and funerals of their princes, &c. The origin of heralds is extremely ancient. It is reported that the Greek herald, Stentor, possessed such a powerful voice that it exceeded the united clamor of fifty men.
There are three heralds called kings at arms in England, each bearing a name peculiar to himself, and six heralds. The first king at arms is that of Garter, created by Henry V., that of Clarencieux, created by Edward IV. and that of Norroy, so called from the exercise of his functions north of the river Trent.
The heralds extraordinary are those of Windsor and Chester, created by Edward III., those of Somerset by Henry VIII. and those of York and Lancaster, created by the children of Edward III. They are pageants and sinecures.
HERALDS College, a corporation in England which consists of kings at arms, heralds, and pursuivants, in which the nonsense of heraldry is recorded.
HERAUT, Fr. herald. During the old monarchy of France there were thirty heralds each distinguished by the name of some particular province. The first of these who was king at arms, bore the title of Montjoy St. Denis: he had the privilege of wearing a royal coronet over the fleur de luce. On solemn occasions the king and the heralds at arms appeared in their coats of arms made of violet colored crimson velvet, with three golden fleurs de luces before and behind, and as many on each sleeve where the name of the province stood, to which the herald belonged. They wore a black velvet cap ornamented with golden strings, and half boots, when they appeared on peaceable occasions, with whole boots on warlike or martial ones. In solemn funerals they had a long robe of black velvet. The only difference between the king at arms and the heralds with respect to dress, consisted in the richness of the embroidery, that of the former being more expensive. The coats of arms which were peculiar to the heralds were called Plaques, those of the kings at arms were distinguished by the name of Tunics. They carried a stick called Caduceus (such as Mercury is represented to have borne in ancient mythology.) But this stick was not ornamented by a crown with fleurs de luce, it was only covered with crimson velvet, having a few fleurs de luce scattered here and there.
There was likewise a herald, whose particular functions were to carry the king’s orders. He was entitled to a coat of arms upon violet colored velvet, interspersed with fleurs de luce and gold embroidered flammes or pendants, together with the arms and collars both before and behind. He likewise wore the cross belonging to the order which was attached to a black silk cord borne cross-ways.
The author of the Dictionnaire Militaire derives the French term Heraut from the German Hérald, which signifies a man at arms, un Gendarme. Verstegan derives it from the Saxon. Other French writers derive it from an old Gallic word harou, or hara, which was used as a challenge, a notification of fresh hostilities, a ban or general assembling of the people, a loud and public proclamation of battles fought and victories obtained; on which account heralds, according to Ducange, were formerly called Clarigarvis as well as Heraldus.
HERCOTECTONIQUE, Fr. a term in fortification signifying that branch of Military architecture which specifically points out the best means of defence and the surest method of providing stores. This word is derived from the Greek.
HEREFARE, an old term from the Saxon, signifying the same as warfare.
HEREGELD, a term derived from the Saxon, signifying a tax which was formerly levied for maintaining an army.
| HERESLITA, | - | |
| HERESILIA, |
a term derived from the Saxon, signifying a soldier who abandons his colors, or leaves the army without leave.
| HERETEQ, | - | |
| HERETOQ, | ||
| HERTZOG, |
a term derived from the Saxon, signifying the leader of an army, a Duke, the same as dux in the Latin.
HERETUM, a court in which the guards or military retinue that usually attended the old British nobility and bishops were accustomed to parade or draw up.
HERISSON, Fr. a turnpike which is made of one stout beam that is fenced by a quantity of iron spikes, and which is fixed upon a pivot, in the manner that turnstiles are, so that it can turn in every direction.
Herisson, (foudroyant, Fr.) a sort of artificial firework which has several sharp points attached to it on the outside, and is filled with inflammable composition within. It is frequently used in breaches and retrenchments.
HERGATE, a term derived from the Saxon, signifying a tribute which was paid in ancient times to the lord of the soil, to enable him to carry on a war.
HERO. This name was given by the ancients to those men who became illustrious in war, and who were stiled Demi-Gods, from a general notion, that their actions entitled them to a place in heaven immediately after their decease.
The heroes of antiquity were divided into two classes, the one of mortal genealogy, the other of heavenly descent, being the offspring of some god or goddess who had connexion with the human species.
Modern authors make a distinction between a hero and a great man; the former appellation being given to one who distinguishes himself by feats of hardihood in military enterprize, and the latter to a person eminent for his virtues and extraordinary talents in civil life.
HEROINE, a term generally applied to women who have given exemplary proofs of courage and virtue.
HERRISON. See [Herisson].
HERSE, in fortification, a grated door formed by strong pieces of wood, jointed cross-ways like a lattice or harrow, and stuck full of iron spikes. It is usually hung by a rope and fastened to a molinett, which is cut in case of a surprise, or when the first gate is forced by surprise or with a petard, to the end that it may fall and stop the passage of a gate or other entrance of a fortress.
These herses are also often laid in the roads, with the points upwards instead of the chevaux-de-frize, to incommode the march of both horse and foot. Common harrows are sometimes made use of in cases of emergency, with their points upwards.
HERSILLON, a strong beam, whose sides are stuck full of spikes, which is thrown across the breach made by an enemy to render it impassable.
HESSIAN, a substitute, a deputy, one employed to do base or dirty work for another.
HESSIANS, troops belonging to the country of Hesse-Cassel in Germany. They have been frequently hired by Great Britain, particularly in the war of American independence, when they were sold at 40l. sterling a head; nine pounds of which was to be repaid if they returned alive. Hesse has been since made subject to France, forming part of the kingdom of Westphalia.
HETMAN, Fr. sometimes called Atteman, a word derived from the German, which signifies the head-man, the chief of a troop. The chief general or grand general in Poland is called Hetman Wielki, and the second general Hetman Polny.
The chief or general of the Cossacks is likewise invested with this title by the sovereigns of Russia.
HEURTEQUINS, Fr. two pieces of iron resembling a knocker, which are placed over the trunnions, or axis of a cannon.
HEXAEDRON, (Hexaedre, Fr.) a solid geometrical figure, consisting of six equal sides.
HEXAGON, a figure of 6 sides and as many angles, capable of being fortified with 6 bastions. If the sides and angles be equal, it is called a regular hexagon. The side of a regular hexagon inscribed in a circle, is equal to the radius of that circle; hence a regular hexagon is inscribed in a circle, by setting the radius of 6 times upon the periphery: as 1 to 1.672, so is the square of the side of any regular hexagon to the area therefore, nearly.
Tanned HIDES, are always carried along with an army, especially in the laboratory’s stores, to protect powder or shells from rain; they are also used in batteries and in laboratories.
HIERARCHY, church government.
HIEROGLYPHICKS, (hieroglyphes, Fr.) certain mysterious characters of creatures or letters used among the Ægyptians, by which they explained to one another the principles of their religion and their maxims of philosophy, without divulging them to strangers. Arbitrary signs which represent things: the signs used in almanacs for the planets and other phenomena are hieroglyphicks.
HIGHLANDER, any person from a mountainous country.
Highlanders, the people of the north of Scotland, who wear a dress peculiar to themselves.
HILT, the handle of a sword.
HINGES, are two iron bands, with a joint, nailed to the doors or lockers of gun carriages to fasten them and move them backwards and forwards.
HINGUET, Fr. See Ginguet.
HIPPODROME, Fr. a French term derived from the Greek, signifying a spot where horses used to run, properly speaking a race-ground. The Hippodrome or course at Constantinople was much celebrated in ancient days. The spot still exists under that name.
HIRCARRAH, or HIRCARRA, an Indian term for a messenger, guide, footman, or spy.
HISTORY, a narration or description of the several transactions, or events of a state, king, or private person, in the order in which they happened.
Military History, a narrative of military transactions, campaigns, battles, sieges, marches, &c. of an army: likewise a relation of the heroic actions of great generals, &c.
HIVERNER, Fr. a sea phrase among the French signifying to winter.
HOCHEBOS, Fr. certain soldiers among the ancients, who were so called from their brandishing the pike. This word has likewise been applied to the pike itself.
HOGSHEADS, filled with earth, sand, &c. are sometimes used in lieu of gabions, to cover men.
HOLD. See [Fastnesses].
To HOLD out, to maintain any place, ground, &c. resolutely against an enemy.
HOLLOW square, the form in which a body of foot is drawn up, with a vacant space in the middle for the colors, drums, baggage, &c. See [Square].
HOLLOW tower, a rounding made of the remainder of two brisures, to join the curtain to the orillon, where the small shot are played, that they may not be so much exposed to the view of the enemy.
HOLLOW way, any pass or road, both sides of which are commanded by heights.
HOLSTERS, cases for a horseman’s pistols, affixed to the pommel of the saddle.
Order of the HOLY-GHOST, formerly the principal military order in France, instituted by Henry III. in 1569. It consisted of 100 knights, who were to make proof of their nobility for three descents.
HOME-SERVICE consists in military operations and arrangements for the immediate defence of our own country, should it be threatened by invasion, or by domestic broils or insurrections.
As there is a great affinity between the following general regulations for home-service, and those that are generally prescribed for foreign, we have thought it right to class the whole, including carriages, baggage, &c. under one head.
The carriages allowed, if circumstances will permit, to be with each regiment of infantry, of 10 companies at 80 each, are
3 Bread waggons; each to carry 4 day’s bread for 400 men, or 2400lb.
2 Ammunition caissons.
2 Battalion guns.
1 Waggon spare.
1 Cart with entrenching tools.
2 Sutler’s carts.
1 Waggon for sick; or more as may be permitted.
The carriages allowed to be with each regiment of cavalry, of 10 troops of 76 each, are
3 Bread waggons; each to carry 4 day’s bread for 400 men, or 2400lb.
2 Ammunition caissons.
2 Sutler’s carts.
2 Forage carts.
2 Carriages for sick.
Regiments on lower establishments to be allowed carriages in proportion to their effective strength.
The carriages of the general officers allowed with or near the column of the army will be: for lieutenant-generals, 1 chaise and 2 carts—for major-generals, 1 chaise and 1 cart.
The carriages of head quarters will be exceedingly limited by the commander in chief.
All other private carriages whatever to be considered as belonging to the heavy baggage of the army, and ordered to a great distance in the rear, and if at any time found near the army, to be ordered to be destroyed by the baggage-master general.
All other baggage therefore, whether tents, blankets, or necessaries for the officers, to be carried on bat horses.
The number of horses which officers of each rank may have in common situations in the field, to be specified by regulation. But as it is impossible in any service that may occur, to calculate for the carriage or use of large tents, or other conveniences which officers are generally allowed when in the field; it is always recommended to each officer to make his arrangements for moving in the lightest manner possible.
The personal baggage of each officer must be contained in a small portmanteau. One small tent is all that the officers of each company or troop should calculate upon. To carry the above, blankets, provisions, 3 or 4 days grain and other useful necessary articles, 2 bat horses per troop or company will be sufficient.
The bat horses of each regiment of infantry of 10 companies, at 80 each, should therefore be,
| For the tents and poles of the regiment | 20 |
| For the company officers | 20 |
| Field officers and staff | 4 |
| Surgeon’s chest | 1 |
Regiments on a lower establishment, allowed bat horses in proportion.
The bat horses of each regiment of cavalry of 10 troops of 75 each, will therefore be,
| For the tents and poles of the regiment | 20 |
| For the troop officers | 20 |
| Field officers and staff | 6 |
| Entrenching tools | 2 |
| Surgeon’s chest | 1 |
and in proportion for regiments on a lower establishment.
The infantry to carry tents at the rate of 16 men per new tent, and the cavalry 12 men per tent. The necessary outlying guards and detachments, and the readiness of hutting and other cover that a woody country affords, will make this a sufficient number. The troop and company bat horses can therefore easily carry the tents, poles, and pins. The blankets of the cavalry may be divided and carried under the men’s saddles. The blankets of the infantry must be divided and carried by the men, unless some other provision be made.
The picket ropes of the cavalry to be carried on the bat horses. Half the usual number of pickets must be considered as sufficient, and be carried by the men. The camp kettles will be carried by the men, if horses are not provided for that purpose.
A reduction and critical inspection of what every soldier should carry as his baggage should be made in time, and every thing superfluous destined to be lodged with the heavy baggage, which should remain in the last quarters of the regiment, till otherwise ordered to be disposed of. Three shirts, 2 pair of shoes 2 pair of pantaloons, 2 pair of socks, a fatigue frock and cap, combs, brushes, (and a horseman what is necessary for the care of his horse) is all a soldier ought to carry.
The heavy baggage of the army, including every thing not mentioned above, under a proper escort, should be ordered to some place of security. Each regiment of infantry will be allowed to send a serjeant and 6 men, and each regiment of cavalry 1 corporal and four dismounted men as a guard; such men must be the least fit for marching duties, but should be fully adequate to the service, and by no means convalescents recovering from long indisposition. Proper officers should be ordered to command the whole, and no part of this baggage will be allowed to join the army but by public orders. If at any time carriages not allowed in this regulation should be found in the army, they must be conducted to head quarters, and there destroyed or confiscated to the advantage of those who make the discovery.
Four battalion guns with two waggons will be attached to each regiment of infantry. Should it be necessary, two bat horses will be allowed for the artillery detachment.
Such artillery as remains in the park to be limited as to the number of guns, carriages, and according to the specification given to the commanding officer of the artillery.
The bat men allowed are two for each company and troop, also two for the surgeon and staff of each regiment.
Each battalion to give a non-commissioned officer and 8 men; each regiment of cavalry to give a non-commissioned officer and 6 men, as a guard to their bat horses.
The following number of men on the several after-mentioned duties of the regiment will never exceed
| Infantry. | Cavalry. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non- com. | Men. | Non- com. | Men. | |
| Camp color-men | 2 | 10 | 2 | 8 |
| Bat horse guard | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Bread carriage guard | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Heavy baggage | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| Regimental carriages | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Allowed bat men | 0 | 22 | 0 | 18 |
| 6 | 52 | 6 | 48 | |
Each regiment of infantry will receive 20 pick-axes, 20 spades, 20 shovels, 40 bill-hooks, 10 axes, amounting in weight to about 400lb. These tools to be carried in the cart allotted for that purpose, and that cart at all times, and in all situations, to march at the head of the regiment.
Each regiment of cavalry will receive 10 pick-axes, 10 spades, 10 shovels, 16 bill-hooks, and 10 axes. These tools will be carried on horseback, and on a horse with hampers allotted for that purpose, and will at all times march at the head of the regiment.
These tools are meant to be ready at all times for making the openings so necessary in an embarrassed country, consequently should be kept in the front of each regiment or column.
Spare appointments and arms of every kind must of course remain with the heavy baggage.
The battalion guns will always march at the head of the regiment, which ever flank leads. The ammunition waggons and carts will immediately follow the troops of the column.
The place of march of the artillery of the park and carriages will be specified in the order of march.
It is to be wished, that at all times each soldier be provided with 4 days bread in his haversack, and 4 days more carried in the regimental carriages. When this is delivered out, those carriages, under the guard of a serjeant and 4 men per battalion, and a corporal and 2 men per regiment of cavalry, will be sent to the bakery to be again loaded.
Each infantry soldier will always carry 20 rounds in his pouch, and 40 in his knapsack or magazine. Each horseman his cartouch box full.
The cavalry will always carry 2 days grain if it can be got, and hay according to circumstances.
Order of March.
When a corps moves in one column, the following will in general be the order of march, if not otherwise ordered, and exclusive of the more particular van or rear guards.
Advancing.
Advanced guard consisting of the picquets of the infantry and cavalry, and new grand guard, followed by the camp-color men.
Pioneers.
1 Reg. light dragoons.
Infantry.
Cavalry.
Regimental ammunition waggons and carts.
Bat horses in the order of their regiments, artillery of the park.
General officers’ carriages, bread carriages.
Cavalry forge cart and ammunition cart.
Sutlers’ carts.
Sick carriages.
Squadron of cavalry.
Old grand guard and small out-posts and detachments which will be ordered to join it, will form the rear guard.
Retreating.
Advanced guard consisting of the new grand guard, guard for head quarters, one infantry picquet, camp color-men.
Pioneers.
Sick carriages.
Sutlers’ carriages.
Cavalry forge carts and ammunition cart.
Bread carriages.
General officers’ carriages.
Artillery of the park.
Bat horses in the order of their regiments.
Regimental ammunition waggons and carts.
Cavalry.
Infantry.
1 Squadron light dragoons.
Rear guard consisting of the infantry and cavalry picquets, old grand guard, out-posts of cavalry or infantry ordered to join.
Two or more pieces of cannon will always march with the advanced guard when retiring.
When the tents are ordered to be struck, the advanced guard and camp color-men will always assemble at the head of the regiment of infantry in advancing, or of the cavalry in retiring, which leads the columns, or of such regiment as will be specified when marching in more columns than one. The general officers will each send a proper person with the camp color-men, to take possession of quarters when they can be marked.
When the army marches in more than one column, the columns will generally be composed of both cavalry and infantry; the particulars of rear and advanced guards will be specified, the generals who command them will be named, and the particular corps in the manner they follow in each column. It is always the business of general officers leading columns, to take care that every part of that column falls properly into its place of march.
When the army marches from its left, every regiment marches from its left; and when the army marches from its right, every regiment marches from its right.
When the army retires, the carriages, except such artillery ones as are specified, will in general be ordered under a proper escort to precede the march of the army.
When the army is to march, the particular detail and disposition of march will not always be given out in public orders. Should the only notice given be, the army will march the —— exactly at —— o’clock; an hour before the time fixed for the march, the tents must be struck; the regiments will then form, and the baggage be loaded and ready in the rear of each.
Guides will be sent to the head of the regiments that lead columns and a sealed disposition of march, there to be opened by the general or oldest field officer present. In consequence of which, by him the advanced guard will be ordered to form; the regiments and carriages to close in to the leading regiments, according to the order of march, and when the whole are ready, the column, or columns, will move off in the manner then prescribed, and at the appointed hour.
In general a rendezvous will be appointed for the bat horses and carriages, that they may the more readily be directed into the line of march.—One subaltern per brigade will attend the bat horses; one subaltern per brigade will attend the carriages.
The aids-de-camp and majors of brigade will always regulate their watches by head quarters, at orderly time, that regularity of movement in the troops may be observed.
Commanding officers of battalions, squadrons, and brigades of artillery, will be responsible that they are formed, tents struck, and the baggage loaded in half an hour, from the time that the signal for the march was given them, and for this purpose it is necessary that they should exercise their men to it where they have opportunities.
The battalions are to march by subdivisions, and the cavalry by subdivisions, or ranks by three’s or two’s. If the narrowness of the route obliges them to diminish this front, they must be ordered to form up again as soon as the route permits.
Every officer must remain with his division, and never quit it on any account. No soldier to be permitted to leave his rank. No horses or carriages suffered to interrupt the march of the column. The distance between divisions never to exceed the front of divisions. Commanding officers of brigades will take care that the battalions and squadrons march at their proper ordered distance. When the formation in order of battle may be expected to the flank, the divisions will march at wheeling up distance; when the formation may be expected to the front, the divisions will march at half or quarter distance. Officers on command will remain with their brigades, and punctually observe the order of march, and the execution of every article prescribed.
If a carriage breaks, it must be drawn aside, the road cleared, and a proper escort left with it, that the march of the column be not interrupted. If it can be repaired in time, it will follow; if not, the loading must be divided among the nearest carriages, who are hereby ordered to give this reasonable assistance.
The troops at most may march three miles in an hour and a quarter.
The guides serve only to shew the way for the columns; pioneers ordered must make the necessary openings and repair the roads. But the generals must not trust to those precautions, they must gain the most exact knowlege of the route they are to march, and themselves reflect on the most proper means to avoid all difficulties that may embarrass the march.
It is always time well employed to halt the head of a column, and enlarge an opening or repair a bad step in the road, rather than to diminish the front and lengthen out the line of march.
No individual is ever to presume to march on a less front than what the leader of the column directs, and all doublings therefore must come from the head only; and the proper closeness of the march on all occasions, is a point of the highest consequence, and it is a most meritorious service in any officer to prevent all unnecessary doublings, or to correct them as soon as made, and on all occasions whatsoever, in an inclosed country, when in column, to march on the greatest, front the roads or openings will allow, although the regiments or divisions before them may be marching on a narrower front.
The carriages must be obliged to march two a breast when the roads will allow, and the bat horses to be as connected, and take up as little space as possible. In short, it should be the study and attention of every one to contract the line of march to its just length, for notwithstanding every possible exertion it will be much too extended.
Whenever the baggage is ordered to be sent away, all carriages whatever are comprehended, except such as are particularly specified.
The instant that a regiment comes to its ground, it must make openings of communication both to its front and flanks.
The line of carriages must at no time stop, whatever accident may happen to any individual one, but such carriage must instantly be drawn on one side, and repaired if possible, while the rest proceed. The officers commanding the several divisions of carriages will be answerable for the strict observance of this article, a failure of which might stop and endanger the whole army.
Whenever the regiments encamp, or take up any extended position in front, it will always be the business of commanding officers to find out, and to make the most convenient passages to the great routes by which the column is afterwards to march. And on many occasions, where there will not be time to open and occupy an extensive front, the army will encamp parallel to and along the great route, covered by an advanced corps on the flank next the enemy.
At all times when commanding officers see, that there are likely to be impediments from the nature of the ground to the movements or march of their regiments, they should always detach officers in advance to reconnoitre and point out the means and passages by which such obstacles are to be avoided, and at no time are such helps so necessary as when regiments are acting in line in broken ground, and when their movements are combined with those of others.
Whenever the army moves, the majors of brigade are made responsible, that all advanced and detached posts are called in at the proper times to their places in the column of march.
It must be observed that this is the old British system of march; the war of the French revolution has brought this part of the art of war to a degree of perfection, which would have rendered the insertion of this unnecessary if their system were published.
HOMME, Fr. a man.
Homme de mer, Fr. a seaman.
Homme d’armes, Fr. a military phrase among the French, signifying a gentleman or cavalier who belonged to one of the old companies, was armed cap-a-pied, and always fought on horseback. In ancient times every man of this description was accompanied by two horsemen independent of his servants. One of the mounted attendants was armed with a cross-bow, and the other with a common bow or battle-axe; so that one hundred hommes d’armes composed a body of three hundred horse. It was a species of cavalry which existed from the reign of Louis XI. until the reign of Henry II. Charles VII. had begun to form the French nobility into regular corps of cavalry, dividing them into different troops. Out of these he established a body of fifteen hundred hommes d’armes or armed bowmen, and he gave the troops or companies according to their sizes, to the princes and most experienced captains in his kingdom. For particulars we refer the curious to Le Gendre and Gaia, Traité des armes, L. 14, and to Fauchet, L. 2. C. 1. de son Traité de la milice et des armes.
Etre Homme de Cheval, Fr. a term in French equitation, signifying, that a man is completely master of his horse, or knows how to manage him thoroughly and according to prescribed rules and regulations. Thus Il est suffisamment homme de cheval pour d’etre point embarrassé de celui qu’il monte en commandant sa troupe—He is sufficiently master of his horse, or he is horseman enough, not to be in the least embarrassed by the one he rides in exercising his troop.
HONDEAAN or HUNDYVEAAN, an Indian term signifying commission on bills of exchange.
HONEY-Combs, in cannon, flaws in the metal, a fault in casting, which renders it extremely dangerous in firing. The British board of ordnance rejects all guns (on proof) having an honey-comb of ¹⁄₉th of an inch deep, as being unfit for service.
HONI soit qui mal y pense, Fr. evil be to him that evil thinks. The motto of the English order of the Garter.
HONNEUR, Fr. honor.
Honneurs Militaires, Fr. military honors. It was directed by a general instruction in the French service, that whenever an officer saluted or paid a military honor to a general officer, he should make his troop or company invariably face towards the enemy. The same practice prevails in our service.
Honneurs funebres. Fr. funeral honors. See [Burials].
HONOR, in a military sense, is an expression, to which custom has given different meanings. Honor consists in the constant practice of virtue. Aristotle calls it the recompence of virtue; the testimony of the excellence of a man who distinguishes himself by virtue. An Italian writer calls it a state of inviolable dignity, above all calumny, and all suspicion. Honor gives many advantages: it procures us the consideration of the public; it advances our fortunes. The best recompence of a brave action is, undoubtedly, the satisfaction of having done it; but nevertheless the honor resulting to us from it is a real good, which should be dear to us.
Honor, in a general acceptation may be properly called a consciousness of worth and virtue in the individual, and a lively desire to preserve the reputation of virtue. As a term it is variously used in military life, and frequently misunderstood by young and unexperienced officers in their first outset. As a quality of the mind, it cannot be too much encouraged or too much cultivated among military men of all ranks and descriptions. The possession of it is a guarantee for good conduct, a bond of fidelity, and a certain barrier against military corruption. Men are excited to deeds of valor and enterprize by a sense of honor, who would otherwise remain inactive, or only perform the mere drudgery of service. This species of honor, is in fact, the root of that Esprit de corps which makes the whole body of an army tenacious of reputation, and solicitous to preserve it unsullied from the colonel down to the lowest drum boy.
This term may likewise be considered as esteem, reputation, the glory which is attached by mankind to talents and the virtues.
Affair of Honor. We have already given a general outline of this term under [Duelling]. The propriety or impropriety, as well as the legality or illegality of which mode of terminating human differences is thus explained by the celebrated English lawyer John Selden. His words are under the head [Duel]; we shall quote them under that of affair of honor.
“A Duel may still be granted in some cases by the law of England, and only there. That the church allowed it anciently appears by this, in their public liturgies there were prayers appointed for the duellists to say, the judge used to bid them go to such a church and pray, &c. But whether this is lawful? If you make any war lawful, I make no doubt but to convince you of it. War is lawful, because God is the only judge between two, that is supreme. Now if a difference happen between two subjects, and it cannot be decided by human testimony, why may not they put it to God to judge between them, by the permission of the prince? Nay, what if we should bring it down for argument’s sake, to the sword men; one gives me the lie: it is a great disgrace to take it the law has made no provision to give remedy for the injury, (if you can suppose any thing an injury for which the law gives no remedy) why am not I in this case supreme, and may therefore right myself.
“A duke ought to fight with a gentleman; the reason is this: the gentleman will say to the duke, it is true you hold a higher place in the state than I; there is a great difference between you and me, but your dignity does not privilege you to do me an injury; as soon as ever you do me an injury, you make yourself my equal; and as you are my equal I challenge you; and in sense the duke is bound to answer him.”
In addition to what Selden has said upon duelling, we shall quote a passage from Dr. Robertson’s History of the reign of Charles the V. which will shew that this mode of determining private disputes is extremely ancient.
“It is evident” observes that author, “from Velleius Paterculus, lib. ii. c. 118, that all questions which were decided among the Romans by legal trial, were terminated among the Germans by arms. The same thing appears in the ancient laws and customs of the Swedes, quoted by Jo. O. Stiernhook de jure Sueonum et Gothorum vetusto, 4to Holmiæ 1682, lib. i. c. 7. It is probable, that when the various tribes which invaded the empire were converted to Christianity, their ancient custom of allowing judicial combats appeared so glaringly repugnant to the precepts of religion, that for some time, it was abolished, and by degrees, several circumstances which I have mentioned led them to resume it.
“It seems likewise to be probable from a law quoted by Stiernhook in the treatise which I have mentioned, that the judicial combat was originally permitted in order to determine points respecting the personal character or reputation of individuals, and was afterwards extended not only to criminal cases, but to questions concerning property. The words of the law are ‘If any man shall say to another these reproachful words ‘You are not a man equal to other men’ or, ‘You have not the heart of a man,’ and the other shall reply ‘I am a man as good as you,’ let them meet on the highway. If he who first give offence appear, and the person offended absent himself, let the latter be deemed a worse man even than he was called; let him not be admitted to give evidence in judgment either on man or woman, and let him not have the privilege of making a testament. If he who gave the offence be absent, and only the person offended appear, let him call upon the other thrice with a loud voice, and make a mark upon the earth, and then let him who absented himself be deemed infamous, because he uttered words which he durst not support. If both shall appear properly armed, and the person offended shall fall in the combat, let a half compensation be paid for his death. But if the person who gave the offence shall fall, let it be imputed to his own rashness. The petulance of his tongue hath been fatal to him. Let him lie in the field, without any compensation being demanded for his death. Lex Uplandica ap. Stiern, p. 76. Martial people were extremely delicate with respect to every thing that affected their reputation as soldiers. By the laws of the Salians, if any man called another a hare, or accused him of having left his shield in the field of battle, he was ordained to pay a large fine. Leg. Sal. tit. xxxii, § 4. 6. By the law of the Lombards, if any one called another arga, i. e. a good-for-nothing fellow, he might immediately challenge him to combat. Leg. Longob. lib. i. tit. v. § i. By the law of the Salians, if one called another cenitus, a term of reproach equivalent to arga, he was bound to pay a very high fine, tit. xxxii. § i. Paulus Diaconus relates the violent impression which this reproachful expression made upon one of his countrymen, and the fatal effects with which it was attended. De Gestis Longobard. lib. vi. c. 24. Thus the ideas concerning the point of honor, which we are apt to consider as a modern refinement, as well as the practice of duelling, to which it gave rise, are derived from the notions of barbarians.” See Robertson’s History of Charles V. pages 271, 272.
We shall not take leave of our learned author without giving two or three instances out of his proofs and illustrations relative to the termination of private feuds by judicial or private combat.
This mode of trial was so acceptable, that ecclesiastics, notwithstanding the prohibitions of the church, were constrained not only to connive at the practice, but to authorize it. A remarkable instance of this is produced by Pasquier, Recherches, lib. iv. ch. i. p. 350. The abbot Wittikindus considered the determination of a point of law by combat as the best and most honorable mode of decision.
In the year 978, a judicial combat was fought in the presence of the emperor. The archbishop Aldebert advised him to terminate a contest which had arisen between two noblemen of his court, by this mode of decision. The vanquished combatant, though a person of high rank, was beheaded on the spot. Chronic. Ditmari. Episc. Mersb. chez Bouquet Recueil des Hist. tom. x. p. 121. Questions concerning the property of churches and monasteries were decided by combat. In the year 961, a controversy concerning the church of St. Medard, whether it belonged to the abbey of Beaulieu or not was terminated by judicial combat. Bouquet Recueil des Hist. tom. ix. p. 729. ibid. p. 612, &c. The emperor Henry I. declares that this law, authorizing the practice of judicial combats, was enacted with consent and the applause of many faithful bishops. Ibid. p. 231. So remarkable did the martial ideas of those ages prevail over the genius and maxims of the canon law, which in other instances was in the highest credit and authority with ecclesiastics. A judicial combat was appointed in Spain by Charles V. A. D. 1522. The combatants fought in the presence of the emperor, and the battle was conducted with all the rites prescribed by the ancient laws of chivalry. The whole transaction is described at great length by Pontus Heuterus Rer. Austrica. lib. viii. C. 17. p. 205.
The last instance which occurs in the history of France, of a judicial combat authorized by the magistrate, was the famous one between M. Jarnac and M. de la Chaistagnerie, A. D. 1547. A trial by combat was appointed in England, A. D. 1571, under the inspection of the judges in the court of Common Pleas; and though it was not carried to the same extremity with the former, queen Elizabeth having interposed her authority, and enjoined the parties to compound the matter, yet in order to preserve their honor, the lists were marked out, and all the forms, previous to the combat, were observed with much ceremony. Spelm. Gloss. Voc. Campus, p. 103. In the year 1631, a judicial combat was appointed between Donald lord Rea, and David Ramsay, Esq. by the authority of the lord high constable and earl marshal of England; but that quarrel likewise terminated without bloodshed, being accommodated by Charles I. Another instance occurs seven years later. Rushworth in Observation on the Statutes, &c. p. 266.
It manifestly appears from these extracts, that in former times not only the property of individuals was considered, but their feelings, as men of honor, were consulted. Law, however, soon obtained the entire ascendancy, and judicial or private combats were not only laid aside, but were moreover strictly forbidden. The military character alone seems to have retained a sort of tacit privilege to make appeals to the sword, in cases where the nice sensibility of the heart breaks through the trammels of legal disquisition, and establishes points of honor which can only be determined by personal exposure. Thus we find that although premeditated duels were severely punished in France, Rencontres or accidental quarrels were always overlooked, whatever their issue might be. Frederic the Great of Prussia seems to have set his face against duelling altogether. Yet it is singular, that notwithstanding his severe prohibition, a Prussian officer was under the necessity either of vindicating his wounded honor by an appeal to the sword or pistol, or was disgraced for having suffered a personal affront. In England the same hardship exists. Lord Kenyon declared from the bench, that he would personally interfere as expounder of the British laws, should any minister recommend mercy to his majesty on the conviction of an individual who had murdered his fellow creature in a duel. See [Duel].
Word of Honor, (parole d’honneur, Fr.) A promise or engagement that is made or entered into by word of mouth, the breach of which entails disgrace upon the violator.
Point of Honor, (point d’honneur, Fr.) A delicacy of feeling, which is generally acquired by education, and strengthened by an intercourse with men of strict integrity and good conduct. It is likewise very frequently the offspring of peculiar habits, received notions, and established etiquettes. The French familiarly say, Ils se sont battus pour un point d’honneur, they fought for a point of honor; they likewise say, Il y va de son honneur, his honor is at stake.
To die upon the bed of Honor, (mourir au lit d’honneur, Fr.) is a term particularly applied to military men, who die in battle fighting in their country’s cause.
A court of Honor. Although a court of honor may be said, in some degree, to resemble a court of inquiry, nevertheless it cannot be strictly so; for a court of honor has not only the power of ascertaining the degree of guilt which may be attached to misconduct, but it can entail ignominy upon the guilty person; whereas a court of inquiry only investigates the matter and circumstances, and determines whether there be sufficient ground to try the accused before a general court martial; which is the last resort of military jurisdiction, and unites within itself all the qualities and powers of the other two courts.
A debt of Honor, an obligation which among honorable men, especially officers, is more binding than those engagements or contracts that are guaranteed by law. The reason is manifest.
Honors by Guards, as a compliment to general officers, &c. with the detail of officers and men they are entitled to in the English army:
The commander in chief, if a field-marshal or captain-general, has 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 2 serjeants, 2 drummers, 2 fifers, and 50 privates, with colors.
A general of horse and foot has 1 captain, 1 subaltern, 2 serjeants, 2 drummers, 2 fifers, and 50 privates.
A lieutenant-general of horse and foot has 1 lieutenant, 1 serjeant, 1 drummer, 1 fifer, and 30 privates.
A major-general of horse and foot has 1 ensign, 1 serjeant, 1 drummer, 1 fifer, and 20 privates.
A brigadier has 1 serjeant and 12 privates.
A quarter-master general has 1 serjeant and 12 privates.
Majors of brigade encamped together, have 1 serjeant and 2 privates.
A judge advocate has 1 serjeant and 7 privates.
A provost-marshal has 1 serjeant and 18 privates.
A provost-marshal, when he has prisoners, has 1 lieutenant, 2 serjeants, 1 drummer, 1 fifer, and 48 privates.
Military Honors. A field-marshal in the British service is to be saluted with the colors and standards of all the forces, except the horse and foot guards, and excepting when any of the royal family shall be present; but in case a field-marshal is colonel of any regiment, or troop of horse or foot guards, he is to be saluted by the colors or standards of the regiment or troop he commands.
Generals of cavalry and infantry, upon all occasions, are to have the march beat to them, and to be saluted by all officers, those bearing the colors excepted.
Lieutenant-generals of cavalry and infantry are, upon all occasions, to be saluted by all officers. They are to have three ruffles given them, with presented arms.
Major-generals are to have two ruffles with presented arms.
Brigadier-generals are to have one ruffle with presented arms.
To colonels their own quarter-guards in camp turn out, and present their arms, once a day, after which they only turnout with ordered arms.
To majors their own guards turn out with ordered arms once a day; at other times they stand by their arms.
When a lieutenant-colonel or major commands a regiment, their own quarter-guards pay them the same compliment as is ordered for the colonel.
Honors to be paid by the cavalry.—A general of cavalry or infantry is to be received with swords drawn, kettle drums beating, trumpets sounding the march, and all the officers to salute, except the cornet bearing the standard.
A lieutenant-general is to be received with swords drawn, trumpets sounding twice the trumpet flourish, as in drawing swords, and all the officers to salute except the cornet bearing the standard; but the kettle drums are not to beat.
A major-general is to be received with swords drawn, one trumpet of each squadron sounding once the trumpet flourish, as in drawing swords; no officer to salute, nor kettle drum to beat
A brigadier-general is to be received with swords drawn; no trumpet to sound, nor any officer to salute, nor kettle drum to beat.
All officers in the command of forts or garrisons, have a right to the complimentary honors from the troops under their command, which are due to the rank one degree higher than the one they actually possess.
Manner of paying honors.—In the British service the king’s standard or color in the guards, is never carried by any guard except that which mounts on his majesty’s person.
The first standard, guidon, or color of regiments, which is the union color, is not carried by any guard but that on the king, queen, prince of Wales, or commander in chief being of the royal family; and, except in those cases, it always remains with the regiment.
When general officers, or persons entitled to a salute, pass in the rear of a guard, the officer is only to make his men stand shouldered, and not to face his guard to the right about, or beat his drum.
All sentries are to pay a due respect to every officer who passes by their posts, but are to keep their proper front while paying the compliment.
All governors, whose commissions in the army are under the degree of general officers, shall have, in their own garrisons, all the guards turn out with rested arms, and beat one ruffle; and though the main guard turns out with rested arms every time he passes, yet they give him the compliment of the drum but once a day; but all the other guards beat as often as he appears near them.
If they are general officers likewise, they are then to have the further compliments paid them, by the several beatings of the drum, as practised in the army.
Regulation of honors to be paid to admirals.—Admirals, with their flags on the main-top, are to have the same respect from the troops as generals of cavalry and infantry; that is, upon all occasions to have a march beat to them, and to be saluted by all the officers, those bearing the colors excepted.
Vice admirals are to have the same respect as lieutenant generals of cavalry and infantry; that is, upon all occasions be saluted by all the officers in the garrison, the drummers beating 3 ruffles.
The rear admirals are to have the same respect as major generals, who have two ruffles, and not to be saluted by any officer.
Commodores with broad pendants have the same respect as brigadier-generals; which is, to have one ruffle.
Rank and precedence between sea and land officers.—The admiral or commander in chief of his majesty’s fleet is to rank with a field-marshal of the army.
The admirals with their flags on the main-top mast-head, are to have rank with generals.
Vice admirals are to have rank as lieutenant-generals.
Rear admirals are to have rank as major-generals.
Commodores with broad pendants are to have rank as brigadier-generals.
Captains commanding post ships, after three years from the date of their first commission for a post ship, are to have rank as colonels.
All other captains commanding post ships, are to have rank as lieutenant-colonels.
Captains of his majesty’s ships or vessels, not taking post, are to have rank as majors.
Lieutenants of his majesty’s ships are to have rank as captains.
The rank and precedence of sea officers, in the classes above-mentioned, are to take place according to the seniority of their respective commissions.
Post captains commanding ships or vessels that do not give post, rank only as majors during their commanding such vessels.
No land officer is to command on board any of his majesty’s squadrons or ships, nor any sea officer to command on land; nor shall either have a right to demand military honors due to their respective ranks, unless they are upon actual service.
All guards and centinels are to pay the same compliments to the officers of the navy, as are directed to be paid to the officers of the army, according to their relative ranks.
The compliments above directed are to be paid by the troops, to officers in the service of any power in alliance with the British king, according to their respective ranks.
Turning out of the line. The line turns out without arms, whenever the general commanding in chief comes along the front of the camp.
When the line turns out, the private men are to be drawn up in a line with the colors and standards; the corporals on the right and left of their respective companies, the picquet forms behind the colors, accoutred, but without arms.
The officers and non-commissioned officers are to be drawn up with their respective companies. The field officers in their proper posts in battalion, two ensigns taking hold of the colors.
When the commander in chief comes along the line, the camp colors on the flanks of the parade are to be struck, and planted opposite to the bells of arms, and the drums piled up behind the colors; the halberts are to be planted between, and on each side of the bells of arms, the hatchets turned from the colors.
Honors of war, in one sense are stipulated terms which are granted to a vanquished enemy, and by which he is permitted to march out of a town, from a camp or line of entrenchments, with all the insignia of military etiquette. In another sense they signify the compliments which are paid to great personages, military characters, &c. when they appear before any armed body of men; or such as are given to the remains of a deceased officer. The particular circumstances attending the latter are well known, and depend greatly upon the usages of different countries; those which regard our own service may be seen under [Burials].
With respect to the former we think it necessary to observe, that it is extremely difficult, and much beyond the limits of this work, to describe them specifically; as much, indeed almost every thing, depends upon the disposition of the general who grants the capitulation. In some instances, the troops of a besieged garrison are permitted to march out with drums beating, colors flying, &c. others are only allowed to advance silently in front of their works, ground or pile their arms, face to the right and return within their line of entrenchments. Others again (as was the case with earl Cornwallis, at York Town, in Virginia) are permitted to march out, with drums beating, to a given spot, there pile their arms, face to the right about, and march back to their works. In the instance quoted, the officers retained their side arms and baggage, with such horses as they had lawfully obtained by purchase, &c. A sloop of war was allowed to proceed to New York with dispatches from the British general to sir Henry Clinton, who was commander in chief of the forces acting against America: which vessel passed and repassed without being searched. This indulgence proved extremely fortunate to a small number of American refugees, who were peaceably transported into the British lines, instead of being sacrificed to the just fury of their countrymen in arms.
When the town of Valenciennes surrendered to the coalition army, the garrison under the orders of general Ferrand was permitted to march out by the gate of Cambray with the honors of war. It was, however, specifically stated, that the troops should lay down their arms at a named spot, viz. at a house called le Briquet, where they were to leave their colors and field-pieces without damaging them in the least. They were likewise directed to leave their troop horses, artillery, provisions, and other military effects. Those belonging to the officers were restored to them, with their swords. It was further agreed, that the garrison should march out on the 1st of August, in the manner mentioned; and as the troops were prisoners of war, their route to return into France was to be communicated to them 24 hours previous to their departure, in order to receive their parole of honor. The officers and soldiers engaged not to serve during the whole course of the present war against the armies of his majesty the emperor, and of his allies, without having been exchanged conformably to the cartels, under pain of military punishment.
General Ferrand had demanded that the garrison should march out from the place on the 6th day after the signature of the capitulation, to repair to such part of the French republic as he should judge proper, with arms and baggage, horses, drums beating, matches lighted at both ends, colors flying, and with all the cannon they could carry away. These articles were refused by the duke of York; and on the 28th of July, 1793, Valenciennes surrendered to the British arms, in trust for the emperor of Germany.
As soon as the capitulation was signed, hostages were sent into the town, namely, a colonel, a major, and a captain, who were exchanged against officers of an equal rank of the garrison; which hostages were restored immediately after the execution of the articles of capitulation.
When Mantua surrendered to Bonaparte, the veteran general Wurmser, in consideration of his brave defence of the place, was allowed to leave the place with all the honors of war.
Several emigrants on this occasion, escaped in the covered waggons.
When Saragossa was taken by marshal Lannes in 1809, it was refused the honors of a capitulation, but ordered to surrender peremptorily at a given hour on several points, which was obeyed.
HONORABLE, noble, high spirited, full of rectitude, and beyond the least approach of meanness or corruption. This term is frequently attached to surnames from false and vain courtesy.
HOOKS. Pieces of bent iron fixed to the transom plates of a field-carriage are so called. They serve to fix the bricoles or ropes for drawing it occasionally backwards or forwards.
Hooks and Eyes. It is directed in all well-disciplined corps, that every officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier, when regimentally dressed, should have the uniform coat hooked across the chest. This regulation has, in some degree, been dispensed with during the winter months, as far as it regards the officers who have been permitted to button their coats. In some corps the indulgence is rendered nugatory, as the facings are sewed to the coat. The dressing of a line is certainly rendered more perfect by the use of the hooks and eyes, as they prevent any intermediate obstacle along the line of sight. This nicety is indispensible in parade business, and the propriety of some general rule being established is manifest, since every soldier knows, that the slightest deviation from the laudable system of uniformity almost always leads to gross neglect.
HOOKUM, an Indian word, signifying order or command.
HOOKUMNAUMEH, in India, signifies a letter of instructions, or the paper that contains orders.
HOOP of iron, a circular iron band. Several sorts of hoops are used in the construction of artillery carriages, as nave and axle tree hoops, &c.
HOPITAL, Fr. hospital. During the old French government, there existed 80 military hospitals under the immediate sanction of the king. These hospitals were subject to the war-minister, from whom they received instructions, and they were all originally built for the benefit of sick and disabled soldiers. The chief appointments in each hospital consisted of a comptroller of accounts, a physician, a surgeon major, and a contractor, whose sole duty was to provide for the wants and necessities of the invalid troops. These were permanent establishments. In time of war, every army had a certain number of hospitals attached to its component parts. There were likewise other hospitals, which were under the care of the intendant of each province. They chiefly consisted in those erected on the frontier and in garrison towns.
Hopital sur mer, Fr. hospital-ship. A particular vessel, which is always attached to a naval armament, and is provided with the necessary accommodations for the sick and wounded belonging to the ships of war. The same precautions (indeed greater if possible) are indispensably necessary to prevent the dreadful consequences of contagion, that are directed to be observed in the fumigation, &c. of transports. During the old government of France, hospital-ships were of a particular construction. Independently of the equipage, tackle, &c. belonging to every other navigable ship, these vessels were directed to have their decks extremely high, to have large port-holes, and to have the space between the decks constantly clear, so that the cots and bedding of the sick might be conveniently placed, and a constant circulation of free air be preserved.
HOPLITAI, foot soldiers among the Greeks, who bore heavy armor, and engaged with broad shields and long spears. These took precedence of all other foot soldiers.—Potter’s Greek Ant. vol. ii. c. 3.
HOQUETON, Fr. a sort of garment, which was worn during the old government of France by gentlemen belonging to the king’s body guard, who were called gardes de la manche. It sometimes signifies a serjeant; but the term is obsolete.
HORD, (horde, Fr.) a crowd or assemblage of people, who have not any fixed or certain habitation. The term was originally applied to a body of Tartars, who followed a roving life, encamped in different countries, and chiefly lived with their flocks.
HORION, Fr. a term which formerly signified a helmet, and which in the vulgar acceptation of it now, among the French, means a blow upon the head.
HORIZONTAL, parallel to the horizon; on a level.
Horizontal superficies, the plain field lying upon a level, without any rising or falling.
Horizontal plane, that which is parallel to the horizon of the place.
In levelling, the chief object to be considered is, whether two points be in the horizontal plane; or whether they deviate; and in what degree?
Horizontal range, or level range of a piece of ordnance, is the line it describes, when directed parallel to the horizon.
The following useful theorems come from the pen of the ingenious Dr. Halley:
1. A shot being made on an inclined plane, having the horizontal distance of the object it strikes with the elevation of the piece, and the angle at the gun between the object and the perpendicular, to find the greatest horizontal range of that piece loaded with the same charge of powder, that is, half the latus rectum of all the parabolas made with the same impetus.—Take half the angle contained between the object and the nadir, and the difference of the given angle of elevation from that half; subtract the versed sine of that difference from the versed sine of the angle made by the object and zenith. The difference of those versed sines will be to the sine of the angle last mentioned, as the horizontal distance of the object struck to the greatest range at 45 degrees.
2. Having the horizontal range of a gun, the horizontal distance and angle of inclination of an object to the perpendicular, to find the two elevations necessary to strike that object.—Take half the angle contained between the object and nadir; this half is equal to half the sum of the two angles of elevation sought. Then say, as the horizontal range is to the horizontal distance of the object, so is the sine of the angle of inclination to a fourth proportional; which fourth, being subtracted from the versed sine of the angle formed by the object and zenith, leaves the versed sine of half the difference of the angles of elevation, whose half sum was before obtained; therefore, by adding and subtracting half the difference of the angles of elevation to and from the said half sum the elevations themselves will be found.
HORN. See [Bugle] horn.
Horn-work. See [Fortification].
HORS de Combat, a French military phrase, signifying that an individual or body of men, are so completely beat by superior skill, &c. as not to be able to maintain the field of battle; thus a wounded man is hors de combat.
Mettre Hors de Combat, to drive your opponent before you; to press him so closely that he cannot make a stand against you—To put him out of the lists of contest.
Hors de portée, Fr. (in fencing,) out of distance.
Hors de mesure, Fr. (in fencing,) out of measure.
HORSE, in a military sense, a body of horse. See [Cavalry].
Associated Horse—a body of cavalry so called in the days of Cromwell. At the famous battle of Nasbie (fought on the 14th of June, 1645) which decided the fate of Charles the First, the associated horse were posted in the rear of the right wing of the Republican army, and formed part of the reserve—There were troops of the association stationed in the rear of the left. Oliver Cromwell commanded the cavalry on the right of the whole, and the associated horse were under his immediate orders.
Horse near-side protect, a guard used in the cavalry sword exercise. See Sword Exercise.
Horse off-side protect. See Sword Exercise.
Horses—An allowance of 3 feet is generally made for the breadth of each horse standing at picket; and about 9 feet for the length of a horse.
A light dragoon horse, mounted and accoutred complete, carries about 2 cwt. 1 qr. and 14 lbs. without forage.
Horses in the service of artillery should not be made to draw above 3 cwt. each, besides the weight of the carriage.
Horses for this service should never be lower than 14³⁄₄ hands. The contractor is obliged to furnish them of this height for government.—A horse is generally supposed equal to five men.
Military horses walk about 400 yards in 4¹⁄₂ minutes.
Trot the same distance in 2 minutes 3 seconds, and gallop it in about 1 minute.
With great burthens, less weight must be allowed for each horse to draw, than with medium burthens; as it cannot be supposed that, of a team of 8 horses, the leaders can draw so much as the horses nearer the carriage; and this disadvantage must increase as the team lengthens. A team of
| 4 | horses | may | draw | 6 | cwt. | each. | Tot. | 24 | cwt. | |
| 6 | Do. | — | — | 5 | do. | do. | — | 30 | do. | |
| 8 | Do. | — | — | 4 | ¹⁄₂ | do. | do. | — | 36 | do. |
| 12 | Do. | — | — | 4 | do. | do. | — | 48 | do. |
including the carriages. See also the word [Load].
It is usual in heavy carriages to reckon all their weight exceeding 12 cwt. as part of the load.
Horses allowed for drawing Field Artillery Carriages.
All the horse artillery carriages are drawn by 4 horses each, except 12 prs. which have 6 each. Park Carriages.—12 pr. medium, and 6 pr. heavy, 6 horses each—6 pr. light, and 5¹⁄₂ howitzer, upon the new construction, are allowed each 4 horses, but upon the old only 3 each.
| Ammunition waggon, | com. pat. | 3 | horses. |
| Do. | Flanders pat. | 4 | do. |
| Forge cart, | 2 | do. | |
| Am. cart, | 2 | do. | |
Horses falsely mustered are by the 27th section of the British mutiny act to be forfeited, if belonging to the person who lent them for that purpose, if not, the person lending them to forfeit 20l. When officers belonging to the cavalry regiments purchase horses for public service, they are to make the best bargain they can for government, and to account for every saving which has been made, within a limited sum.
Horse, a wooden machine, which soldiers ride by way of punishment. See [Cheval de Bois].
Horse. See [Portcullis].
HORSEMAN. See [Cavalry].
HORSE SHOE. See [Fortification].
HOSE, breeches or stockings. It is generally taken in the latter sense when mentioned as part of a soldier’s necessaries.
Over-Hose, mens breeches and stockings together, or leggings. Dragoons generally wear them when they appear in their watering dresses.
HOSPITAL, a place appointed for the sick and wounded men, provided with physicians, surgeons, nurses, servants, medicines, beds, &c.
HOSPITALS with military superintendants—There are four British general hospitals of this description, viz. at Plymouth, Deal, Gosport, and Portsmouth, and Chelsea.
The surgeons at Portsmouth and Deal have not any rank attached to the situation, but they receive five shillings per-day extra allowance in addition to their nett pay of ten shillings. At Plymouth a physician has charge of the hospital; he receives twenty shillings per day, but has no extra allowance. York hospital at Chelsea is attended by an assistant surgeon, being under the immediate direction of the surgeon general.
The military superintendants have five shillings over and above their nett pay, according to the rank they hold in the army.
At Gosport the military superintendant has one guinea allowed per week for lodging money, together with coals, candles, &c.
A fifth military superintendant was appointed in 1800 to take charge of the temporary hospital at Colchester.
The cause of humanity has lately been espoused by the belligerent powers of Europe in a manner which reflects credit on the enlightened age we live in. The following two articles which have been agreed upon between the Austrians and the French are illustrative of our observations.
Hospitals ought to be considered as inviolable.
Art. 1. The military hospitals shall be considered as so many inviolable asyla, where valor shall be respected, shall be assisted, and shall be free, whatever the army may be to which these hospitals belong, and upon whatever ground they may be established.
Art. 2. These hospitals shall be marked out by writings placed on the adjacent roads, in order that the troops may not approach, and that in passing they may observe silence and cease beating the drums, or sounding the trumpets.
Camp-Hospitals are either general or regimental. The general hospitals are of two kinds, viz.
| Flying-Hospital, | - | |
| Stationary Hospital. |
The first attends the camp at some convenient distance, and the latter is fixed at one place. In the choice of both Dr. Pringle thinks it better to have them in towns than villages, as the former will afford larger wards, besides more of other conveniencies. These wards should be as airy as possible.
Regimental-Hospitals, are frequently in barns, stables, granaries, and other outhouses; but above all, churches make the best hospitals from the beginning of June to October; these hospitals are solely for the use of the regiments they belong to.
Every regiment on the British establishment has an hospital for the reception of the sick belonging to it. This hospital is under the immediate care of the regimental surgeon, who is subordinate to the general medical board.
Officers commanding brigades are enjoined frequently to visit the hospitals of the regiments composing their brigades, and minutely to investigate the economy and order therein established; to enquire into the state of the patients, their diet, and attendance of every kind, and to enforce the strictest observance of the hospital regulations.
These attentions are required still more in detail, from commanding officers of regiments, who from personal observation have opportunities of checking every abuse, and whose duty it is to extend to the hospitals the same system of order, regularity, and discipline, which should prevail in their regiments.
The captain and subaltern of the day of each regiment are to visit the hospital at different and uncertain hours, to observe the cleanliness of the wards, the regularity of messing and the appearance of the men, who while they are in the hospital, are by no means to be permitted to contract habits of slovenliness in their dress, but are expected to appear perfectly clean in every particular.
Every species of gaming is strictly forbidden. Any patient convicted of swearing, disorderly behaviour, insolent and provoking conduct towards the attendants, or of any deviation from the hospital regulations, will be severely punished.
The captain of the day is to report any irregularities, he may observe, to the commanding officer of the regiment.
The surgeon is to make a daily report of the sick to the commanding officer, who will make a weekly report to the officer commanding the brigade, who will make a general report of the sick of his brigade once a week to head quarters.
Regimental hospitals are under the immediate direction of their respective surgeons, subject to the general instructions and superintendance of the inspector of regimental hospitals, or other professional persons, having authority for that purpose, from the war department, or the commander in chief. It is the duty of the inspector of regimental hospitals, and of such other officers of the medical staff as shall be ordered for that purpose to visit regimental hospitals from time to time; to observe whether the hospital regulations are strictly adhered to, to enquire whether any causes of complaint exist among the patients, and to submit to the generals commanding in districts, such local observations as he conceives may tend to the benefit of the sick.
When a regiment is stationed in a barrack, where no detached building is appropriated for the hospital, or in camp and cantonments, it is the business of the surgeon to procure an airy, and commodious hospital, taking particular care, that it is amply supplied with wholesome water.
In camp, a tent will be allowed, which must be pitched upon the best dry piece of ground in the vicinity of the regimental hospital, to which it is granted as an aid, but must not, except in cases of absolute necessity, be itself considered as the hospital.
The responsibility for the order, regularity, and cleanliness of the regimental hospital, for the diet and care of the patients, and for the general conduct and economy of the whole establishment, rests entirely with the surgeon; but commanding officers are enjoined to furnish such military assistance, as may be necessary for the attainment of those objects, and all non-commissioned officers and others placed in the hospital, in aid of the surgeon, are commanded to yield the most implicit obedience to the instructions they may receive from him, and to enforce in every instance, the most minute observance of the hospital regulations, which are to be fairly written, and fixt on a board in the most conspicuous part of the entrance of the regimental hospital.
The surgeon should be consulted in the selection of the serjeant to be appointed to assist him in the hospital; and it will tend materially to the benefit of the sick, that this non-commissioned officer, and the orderly men acting in the hospital, should be considered as being in a permanent situation, and not liable to be removed except in case of misdemeanor.
A guard is to be constantly furnished to the hospital, and the surgeon must signify to the commanding officer of the regiment, the particular orders which he wishes to be given to the non-commissioned officer commanding it, and to the sentries.
When a soldier comes into the hospital, his arms and accoutrements are to be taken in charge by the non-commissioned officer attending the hospital, but his ammunition is to be left with his troop or company, and is in no instance to be taken with him to the hospital.
Regimental surgeons are enjoined to take under their care any non-commissioned officers and soldiers of other regiments, (upon the commanding officer’s authority for so doing being obtained) who from the absence of the corps to which they belong, from there being no general hospital in the neighborhood, or from other unavoidable circumstances, are under the necessity of applying to them for relief and assistance.
It cannot be superfluous to remark in this place, that in the French service there was, and we believe there still is, a specific regulation, which directs, that all soldiers who have contracted a venereal disorder should be received into one of the public hospitals, without exception or distinction. They are attended to in a particular quarter or ward without expence to themselves or to their corps. Particular care is taken not to mix their linen or clothes with others, and they are always washed apart. No soldier, whose disorder has been pronounced incurable was or is received into any of the public hospitals. The physician or surgeon only gives the incurables a certificate of their state and condition.
It is very desirable that in every regimental hospital, there should be an apartment appropriated to convalescents, whose diet and mode of living must remain under the direction of the surgeon, and who must themselves be in every respect, subject to the hospital regulations. A trusty non-commissioned officer must be appointed to the superintendance of the messing, and conduct of this particular ward.
Convalescents, on coming out of the hospital are not to be put on duty, till the surgeon certifies to the adjutant, that they are perfectly recovered; for which purpose the surgeon, or assistant surgeon, must make a particular inspection of these men, at morning parade, to prevent any remaining longer exempted from duty, than the state of their health renders absolutely necessary. On a march, when circumstances will permit, the packs of such convalescents, as have not yet received certificates of their being fit for duty, should be carried for them.
Convalescents, when discharged from the hospitals should not be put immediately on public duties, but should be employed for a certain time, on regimental guards only, where they are not liable to be so much exposed to the weather, or to fatigue.
It is most positively ordered that the surgeon or assistant surgeon shall attend all parades and field days. No punishment is to be inflicted, but in the presence of the surgeon or assistant surgeon.
In cantonments and barracks the quarters of the surgeon must be near the hospital; and the assistant surgeon’s tent must be pitched in its vicinity when a regiment is in camp.
The instructions for the economy and management of regimental hospitals, are framed by the war office.
Chelsea Hospital. See [Chelsea].
Greenwich Hospital. A magnificent building originally instituted by king Charles II. for decayed seamen and mariners. It stands upon the banks of the river Thames, has a delightful park annexed to it, with an astronomical observatory. It is situated five miles east of London, in the county of Kent.
Hospital-mate, in recruiting districts. An hospital mate should be placed under the orders of each field officer, to examine the recruits when brought for inspection, and to give such medical assistance as may be in his power, to the several recruiting parties in the district he belongs to. The actual disbursements of the said mate for medicines, when not supplied from the public stores, will be reimbursed to him by the district military agent upon a certified account thereof, vouched by the approving signature of the inspector of the district.
Hospital-fever, a name given to the malignant catarrhal fever, as being the most frequent in hospitals.
HOSPODAR, a dignitary title which is given to the prince of Walachia, who is tributary to the Grand Seignor, and from whom he receives the investure.
HOST, an army; any large body of men assembled together in arms.
HOSTAGE, in the art of war, a person given up to an enemy, as a security for the performance of the articles of a treaty. When two enemies enter into a treaty or capitulation, it is common for them mutually to give hostages as a security for their reciprocally performing the engagement they have entered into. An hostage becomes either an accessary, or principal according to the state of things. Thus, for example, he is accessary when a prince promises fidelity to another prince, and gives either his son or some great lord, as a security for his performance, without any further capitulation; for then these hostages are only an additional engagement of the prince; and if he violates his word, they are not in any manner responsible. An hostage becomes a principal when it is stipulated that he shall be answerable for the event of things. For instance, if a city promise to surrender within a certain time, in case it is not succoured, and, for the security of this article, give hostages (which are in the same nature as bail given to a creditor to secure a debt); so that if the succour arrives in time, the promise becomes void, and the hostages are discharged; but if the succours do not arrive, and the city is guilty of a breach of faith by refusing to surrender, then the hostages become principal, and may be punished for a breach of faith.
HOSTILE, inimical; suitable to an enemy.
HOSTILITES, Fr. See [Hostilities].
HOSTILITIES, in a military sense, may imply a rupture between the inhabitants of the same country, town, or place, and the first outrage that is committed by either party, as in general matters of warfare, is considered to be the first commencement of hostilities. Between nations, the first act of hostility is taken as a declaration of war. There are, however, certain established laws and regulations by which acts of hostility formerly were governed; without the intervention of these restrictions, war is conducted upon the most brutal and ferocious principles. Every wise and good general will exert his influence and authority to soften the fury of his victorious men, let the contest be ever so obstinate and bloody. Self-preservation, indeed, suggests this natural precaution; for if soldiers were permitted to ill-treat their prisoners, the sanguinary system of retaliation must prevail.
HOSTILITY, denotes a state of war or enmity between two nations. During a truce all acts of hostility are to cease on both sides.
HOSTING. An obsolete term, formerly signifying the mustering of men in arms.
HOTEL des invalides, Fr. a spacious building which was erected by Louis XIV. in Paris, at the extremity of the Fauxbourgh, St. Germain, upon the river Seine, as a public monument of his charity and magnificence. All disabled, infirm, and wounded officers and soldiers were received, lodged, and subsisted, during the remainder of their lives within its walls. The established number upon the foundation was 4000, including officers and soldiers. All exceeding that number, and who were less incapable of bearing arms, were distributed among the different garrison towns upon the frontiers of the kingdom, in detached and separate companies.
During the old government of France, a particular staff was appointed to superintend the duty at the Invalides, and a guard was regularly mounted every morning. Officers and soldiers, entitled to this charity, were first received in 1670. M. de Louvois, minister and secretary at war, was the first director and administrator general, and M. Dormoy was the first governor commandant.
The staff consisted of one director and administrator general, one governor commandant, one lieutenant du Roi, one major, two adjutants, one garcon major, one director and superintendant of the hospital, and one inspector and comptroller general, who did the duty of commissary at the different inspections.
No person could be admitted into the royal hospital of invalids unless he had served twenty years successively and without interruption, or had been dangerously wounded in the service of his country. The necessary certificates were signed by the commanding officers and majors of regiments, which were afterwards examined by the directors or inspectors.
No officer was received with the rank of officer, unless he had served two years in that capacity, and had been dangerously wounded, or was otherwise rendered incapable of doing duty.
The persons belonging to the Hotel des-Invalides were divided into three classes:
The first class was composed of officers belonging to the king’s troops, to the body-guards, gens d’armes, light-horsemen, musqueteers, serjeants of companies in the horse grenadiers, after having served five years in that capacity; of serjeants of the French and Swiss guards, after ten years service in that capacity; of officers attached to the constable’s jurisdiction, exempts and maréchaussés, after having been ten years with the rank of officers; and of gens d’armes and light horsemen belonging to established companies; of quarter-masters from cavalry and dragoon corps, and of infantry serjeants, who bore the brevet rank of lieutenant, after having served five years in the last capacity.
The second class was composed of gens d’armes, light horsemen belonging to established companies, quarter-masters belonging to cavalry and dragoon corps, and of serjeants from the infantry, after having served ten years in that capacity; of those likewise who, having left the cavalry to enter into the body-guards, had again returned to the cavalry. Within this class were also comprehended the gardes magasins, the captains and conductors of artillery, after thirty years service, ten of which were to be in the last mentioned capacities. All belonging to this class wore an uniform distinguished from the dress of the soldier, and were permitted to wear a sword. They received at the commencement of every month 15 sols, or 7¹⁄₂d. English, for ordinary expences; they were lodged in a particular quarter of the building, which was allotted to their use; they had a separate room to mess in; and they were fed like the common soldier, with this only exception, that each of them was allowed every morning a demi-septier, or an English pint, of wine. Those belonging to established garrisons in forts or citadels composed companies which were called compagnies de bas-officiers, companies of non-commissioned officers.
The third class was composed of private soldiers, heavy horsemen, and dragoons archers attached to the constable’s jurisdiction and marèchaussées, or patroles belonging to the police, masters or common workmen and artillery drivers.
HOTTE, Fr. a sort of hand-basket, which is often made use of in the construction of batteries and other works, and serves to carry earth from one part to another. Hence the word hod a well known machine for carrying bricks.
HOTTENTOTS, the Aborigines, or native inhabitants of our present settlement at the Cape of Good Hope.
HOULLIER, Fr. an obsolete French term, which meant what is now expressed by Picoreur des armées, or a free-booter.
HOUN, a gold coin of the Mysore country, value about four rupees, or two dollars.
HOURDEYS, Fr. an old French term which signified, first, hurdles with which the tops of the walls belonging to a fortified town were covered, in order to shield them against the concussion of warlike machines; and secondly, a machine formerly used, which was called in Latin hordacium.
HOUSEHOLD troops. The Life-Guards, Royal Regiment of Horse-Guards, and the three regiments of Foot-Guards are so stiled. It is a ridiculous privilege of these regiments, in the British service, that no officer of the line, fencibles or militia, can sit upon a court martial which may be assembled for the trial of any person belonging to them.
HOUSING, or saddle-HOUSING, cloth, skin, or other ornaments added to saddles, by way of distinction; frequently embroidered with gold or silver, or edged with gold or silver lace.
HOUSS. See [Housing].
HOWITZ, a kind of mortar, mounted upon a field-carriage like a gun: the difference between a mortar and a howitz is, that the trunnions of the first are at the end, and of the other in the middle. The invention of howitzes is of much later date than mortars, as from them they had their origin.
The constructions of howitzes are as various and uncertain as those of mortars, excepting the chambers, which are all cylindric. They are distinguished by the diameter of the bore; for instance, a 10 inch howitz is that, the diameter of which is 10 inches; and so of the larger or smaller ones.
Howitz battery is made the same as a gun battery, only the embrasures are made at least a foot wider, on account of the shortness of the howitz. See [Battery].
Field Howitzer. The modern French use 6-inch howitzers in the field, which can throw a grenade at 6 degrees elevation, to a distance of 600 toises. The 6-inch howitzer can likewise throw to a smaller distance, a cartridge with 61 balls, of seventeen lines diameter. In both instances the effects are extremely fatal. The cavalry, in particular, can be annoyed by the former, in so galling a manner, as to be rendered almost useless.
These howitz are used very numerously by the light or horse artillery; for which their form and weight admirably fit them.
Howitzers.—Dimensions and weight of brass Howitzers.
| Kind. | Length. | Weight. | Length of bore. | Chamber. | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length. | Diameter. | Powder con- tained in. | |||||||||||||||
| at top. | bottom. | ||||||||||||||||
| Inch. diam. | Ft. | Inch. | cwt. | qrs. | lbs. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | lbs. | oz. | ||||||
| 10 | 3 | 11 | ¹⁄₂ | 25 | 3 | 14 | 29 | .9 | 12 | .6 | 5 | .776 | 4.12 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 8 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 12 | 24 | .7 | 8 | .61 | 4 | .6 | 3.40 | 3 | 8 | |||
| 5 | ¹⁄₂ | Heavy | 10 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 5 | ¹⁄₂ | Light | 2 | 2 | ³⁄₄ | 4 | 0 | 2 | 18 | .47 | 6 | .02 | 3 | .2 | 2.45 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | ²⁄₅ | 1 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 15 | .21 | 4 | .52 | 2 | .73 | 2.24 | 0 | 8 | ||
French Howitzers, in their own old weights and measures.
| Ft. | In. | lbs. | lbs. | oz. | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 inches | - | diameter. | - | length. | 1110 | - | weight. | 1 | 12 | - | charge. | ||||||
| 6 inches | 2 | 3 | 670 | 1 | 12 | full. | |||||||||||
Table containing the kinds of Howitzers used by different powers in Europe.
| Nations. | Kinds. | Shells. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wt. | ||||||
| Prussian | - | 25 | Pr.[11] | 62 | lbs. | |
| 10 | — | 27 | ||||
| 7 | — | 14 | ||||
| Danish | - | 18 | — | 36 | ||
| 10 | — | 20 | ||||
| Saxon | - | 16 | — | 32 | ||
| 8 | — | 16 | ||||
| Hanover | - | 30 | — | 61 | ||
| 16 | — | 33 | ||||
| English | - | 4²⁄₅ | inch or 4 Pr. | 8 | lb. | |
| 5¹⁄₂ | inch or 8 Pr. | 16 | ||||
| 8 | inch or 23 Pr. | 46 | ||||
| French | - | 6 | inch or 12 Pr. | 23 | ||
| 8 | inch or 22 Pr. | 43 | ||||
[11] See the word [Shell] for the principle on which the Germans class them in pounders.
Ranges with a light 5¹⁄₂ inch Howitzer. 1798.
| Eleva- tion. | 4 Ounces. | 8 Ounces. | 12 Ounces. | 1 Pound. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight. | Range to first graze. | Ex- treme range. | Flight. | Range to first graze. | Ex- treme range. | Flight. | Range to first graze. | Ex- treme range. | Flight. | Range to first graze. | Ex- treme range. | |||||
| Deg. | Sec. | Yards. | Sec. | Yards. | Sec. | Yards. | Sec. | Yards. | ||||||||
| P B | From 400 to 600 yards. | 1 | 96 | From 700 to 1000 yards. | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | 140 | From 1000 to 1350 yards. | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | 159 | From 1100 to 1400 yards. | ||||
| 1 | 1 | 66 | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | 143 | 2 | 334 | 1 | 325 | |||||||
| 2 | 1 | 85 | 1 | - | 184 | 2 | 351 | 2 | 490 | |||||||
| 3 | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | 100 | 2 | 258 | 2 | - | 506 | 3 | 668 | ||||||
| 4 | 1 | - | 110 | 2 | - | 307 | 3 | 500 | 4 | 728 | ||||||
| 5 | 2 | 115 | 2 | - | 376 | 3 | 509 | 5 | - | 918 | ||||||
| 6 | 2 | 168 | 3 | 408 | 3 | - | 581 | 5 | 823 | |||||||
| 7 | 2 | 194 | 3 | - | 529 | 5 | 872 | 6 | 975 | |||||||
| 8 | 2 | - | 226 | 4 | - | 630 | 6 | - | 975 | 7 | 1044 | |||||
| 9 | 2 | - | 282 | 5 | 645 | 7 | 911 | 8 | 1049 | |||||||
| 10 | 2 | - | 279 | 5 | 642 | 7 | 1021 | 8 | 1104 | |||||||
| 11 | 2 | - | 260 | 5 | - | 797 | 7 | - | 1177 | 8 | 1173 | |||||
| 12 | 3 | 315 | 5 | - | 715 | |||||||||||
Ranges with a heavy 5¹⁄₂ inch Howitzer. 1793.
| Eleva- tion. | 2 Pounds. | 3 Pounds. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight. | First Graze. | Extreme range. | Flight. | First Graze. | Extreme range. | |
| Deg. | Sec. | Y’ds. | Yards. | Sec. | Y’ds. | Yards. |
| 1 | 2 | 453 | From 1400 to 1900 | 3 | 479 | From 1400 to 2000 |
| 2 | 4 | 595 | 5 | 722 | ||
| 3 | 4 | 666 | 5 | 921 | ||
| 4 | 5 | 847 | 5 | 1000 | ||
| 5 | 5 | 957 | 7 | 1325 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 1173 | 8 | 1530 | ||
| 7 | 9 | 1449 | 9 | 1577 | ||
| 8 | 8 | 1355 | 9 | 1721 | ||
| 9 | 8 | 1585 | 9 | 1801 | ||
| 10 | 10 | 1853 | 9 | 1791 | ||
| 11 | 9 | 1793 | 12 | 1013 | ||
| 12 | 10 | 1686 | ||||
HUE AND CRY, an English official Gazette so called, which is published at the expiration of every third week in the year, and serves to advertise deserters. That part which immediately relates to desertions is divided into seventeen columns, viz names, corps, age, size, coat, waistcoat, breeches, hair, complexion, eyes, marks, and remarks, trade, &c., parish born, county born, time, from whence, agent’s names, agent’s abode.
HUGHLY WACCA, Ind. a newspaper or chronicle which is kept by the officers of the native governments in India.
HUISSIER d’armes, Fr. tipstaff; an officer formerly so called in France, who was attached to the royal household. They were at first distinguished by the name of Sergens d’armes, or serjeants at arms. Some were directed to bear the mace before the king during the day, and obtained on that account the appellation of Huissiers d’armes; in later times while the monarchy subsisted, they were called the Huissiers, or tipstaffs of the king’s chamber. Others kept watch in the king’s bed-chamber during the night, and were sworn to expose their lives for the safety of his person, whence they obtained the name of archers de la garde, which term was changed into gardes-du-corps, or body-guards.
Death HUNTERS, followers of an army, who, after the engagement look for dead bodies, in order to strip them. They generally consist of soldiers’ wives, &c.
HUNGARIAN battalion, a body of men belonging to the Austrian army, whose dress consists in a white jacket, the buttons straight down to the waist, with blue colored collar, cuffs and skirts before and behind, like the rest of the Austrian infantry, with this difference, that the latter have white breeches and long black gaiters, and the former wear light blue pantaloons and half-boots.
HUNS, GOTHS, and VANDALS, barbarous tribes that inhabited the various provinces of Germany which had never been subdued by the Romans, or were scattered over those vast countries in the north of Europe, and north west of Asia which are now occupied by the Danes, the Swedes, the Poles, the subjects of the Russian empire, and the Tartars.
HURDLES, in fortification, are made of twigs of willows or osiers, interwoven close together, sustained by long stakes. They are made in the figure of a long square; the length being 5 or 6 feet, and breadth 3 or 3¹⁄₂. The closer they are wattled together, the better. They serve to render batteries firm, or to consolidate the passage over muddy ditches; or to cover traverses and lodgments for the defence of the workmen against the fireworks, or the stones, that may be thrown against them.
Hurdle Battery. See [Battery]. These are the invention of colonel Congreve of the British Artillery, and are admirably adapted for temporary fortifications. They consist of hurdles fixed in the ground in a triangular form, the intermediate space being filled with sand or earth, &c. are constructed in a few minutes, and in any figure.
HURTER, a flatted iron fixed against the body of an axle-tree, with straps to take off the friction of the naves of wheels against the body.
HURTOIR, a piece of timber about 6 inches square, placed before the wheels of a carriage, against the parapet of a battery, to prevent the wheels from doing damage to the parapet.
HURTLE. See [Skirmish].
HUSB ul hookum, or HASSAB ul hookum, Ind. a patent or order, under the seal of the Vizier, with these initial words, which signify, always to command.
HUSSARDS, Fr. hussars. They were first introduced into the French service in 1692, and owed their origin to the Hungarian cavalry which was subsidized by France before the reign of Louis XIII.
Hussars, are the national cavalry of Hungary and Croatia, they never encamp, consequently are not burthened with any kind of camp equipage, saving a kettle and a hatchet to every six men. They always lie in the woods, out-houses, or villages, in the front of the army. The emperor of Austria and the king of Prussia, had many troops under this name in their service. See [Cavalry].
Death’s-Head Hussars, a regiment of Hussars in the Prussian service, so called from the emblems of death being exhibited on their caps. They were dressed in black, faced with yellow, and rode small active horses.
In the seven years war they obtained considerable reputation under the command of the brave and intrepid general Ziethen.
HUT. The ancient mode of encamping was in little huts. In the American war, hutted camps were not uncommon. The French armies have encamped in huts from 1793, as in that years campaign they lost all their tents.
Hutte, Fr. Hut.
HUZZOOR NAVEIS, Ind. a secretary who resides at an Indian court, and keeps copies of all firmauns, records, or letters. Huzzoor, is the court, Naveis, a writer.
HYDER, the Arabic term for lion. This title is often given to men of rank in India.
Hyder Ali, the sultan of Mysore; was known under the name of Hyder Naik; his son Tippoo succeeded him, and was killed at the storming of Seringapatam by the British forces.
Hyder Cooly, a term of subjection used in India, meaning literally the slave; but not so understood; it is a proud assertion of humility, such as the pope used, in calling himself the fisherman.
HYDERABAD, HYDRABAD, a city in Asia, which arose from the desertion of Golconda. This name is often used in Indostan when Hyderabad is meant. Hyderabad became the principal rendezvous of the Mahomedans opposed to the Marattahs whose country lies between Guzzerat and Golconda. See [Marattahs].
HYDRAULIC, (Hydraulique, Fr.) the name of a particular science, which points out the method of conducting and raising bodies of water.
Colonnes Hydrauliques, Fr. columns ornamented by sheets of water or water spouts.
HYDROMETER (Hydrometre, Fr.) the name of an instrument which serves to ascertain the dryness or moisture of the atmosphere.
HYDROSTATIC, (Hydrostatique, Fr.) the name of a science whose principal object is to ascertain the weight of fluids, particularly of water, and of all bodies that are either borne upon the surface or immersed beneath it.
HYPERBOLA, the section of a cone made by a plane, so that the axis of the section shall incline to the opposite leg of the cone.
HYPOTHENUSE, that line which subtends the right angle of a right angled triangle.