P.
PAAT, Ind. A promissory note.
PACE. The common pace is of no determined length; though made use of as a measure by most military writers.
In Germany, and amongst most of the northern powers, the pace is considered equal to ²⁄₁₀ of a Rhinland rood.
In France the pace is commonly reckoned at 2¹⁄₂ feet. The military pace is 2 ft.
In England it is usually reckoned at 2¹⁄₂ feet.
The geometrical pace is equal to 5 French royal feet; 60,000 of which make a degree of the equator. This makes the geometrical pace equal to 6.102 English feet, and 5.6719 Rhinland feet.
For the military pace, see [Marching].
To PACE, as a horse does: aller à pas, Fr. There are four kinds of paces in the manége, the walk, trot, gallop, and amble. The last, more particularly, is called a pace, or easy motion, wherein the horse raises the two feet of the same side together.
PACHA. The captain pacha, among the Turks, is the chief admiral and superintendant general of the marine. He generally commands in person. The sailors and soldiers of the military marine were formerly called lavans or lavantis; the soldiers are now called galiondjis.—The sailors are Turks from the maritime towns, or Greeks from the Archipelago. They are in constant pay. The soldiers, or galiondjis, are all mussulmen, and only receive pay when they are in actual service. We recommend to our military readers an important work, which has lately been published at Paris, and from which they will derive considerable information respecting the Turks. It is intituled, Travels in the Ottoman Empire, Egypt, and Persia, by citizen Olivier, member of the French National Institute.
PACKET-Boats, small vessels that sail from the different sea ports and carry passengers, mails, &c. and keep up a regular intercourse with different places.
PADDY, Ind. Rice in the husk whether dry or green.
PADSHA, Ind. A king.
PAGEANT, in ancient military history, a triumphal car, chariot, arch, or other like pompous decoration, variously adorned with colors, flags, &c. carried about in public shows, processions, &c.
PAGES, mousses ou garcons, Fr. Young lads of the description of English cabin boys, who learn navigation, and do the menial offices on board a French ship.
PAGOD, Ind. a general name given by the Portuguese to the temples in the east. It also denotes a coin. See [Pagoda].
PAGODA, Ind. The place of worship among the Hindoos. It is likewise the name of a gold coin of the value of eight rupees. The English and Dutch coin pagodas. There are also silver pagodas struck, at Marsingua, &c. with the figure of some monstrous idol.
PAILS, made of wood, with iron hoops and handles, hold generally four gallons, and serve in the field to fetch water for the use of artillery works, &c.
PAILLASSES, Fr. Straw beds, commonly called paillasses. These are furnished by the barrack-department for the accommodation of sick soldiers.
PAILLE, Fr. Straw.
Les soldats vont à la Paille, Fr. The soldiers are going to the forge yard or depot. This term is likewise used to signify the indulgence occasionally granted to soldiers for exercise or necessary evacuations. Thus when a battalion has gone through its manual, &c. the commanding officer gives the word à la paille.
Rompre la Paille avec quelqu’un, Fr. a figurative term, signifying to quarrel or fall out with any body, in an open and unreserved manner.
Paille, Fr. likewise signifies any flaw in metals. Cette lame est fine, mais il y a quelques pailles; this blade is finely tempered, but there are some flaws in it. La lame de son épée se cassa à l’endroit ou il y avoit une paille. The blade of his sword broke where there was a flaw.
PAILLER, Fr. Palearius. An ancient body of French militia. The soldiers belonging to it were probably so called either from the circumstance of their wearing straw in their helmets, in order to know one another in action, or because they were accustomed to set fire to their enemy’s habitations, &c. with bundles of straw, which they always carried with them for that purpose. The inquisitive may be more fully satisfied on this subject by referring to Ducange’s Glossary.
PAIN de Munition, Fr. Ammunition bread. In the folio edition of marshal Saxe’s reveries, page 16, we find the following important observations on the subject of ammunition bread. He states that bread never should be given to soldiers on active service, but that they should be accustomed to eat biscuits, for the following reasons:—Biscuits will keep a considerable number of years, and every soldier can conveniently carry with him in his haversack a sufficient quantity for seven or eight days. Those officers who have served among the Venetians, will readily prove the justness of this remark. But there is a species of biscuit, or hard baked bread, that never crumbles, (called soukari by the Russians) which is preferable to any thing of the kind. It is square, and about the thickness of a nut, and takes up less room than either bread or biscuits.
Purveyors, who are interested in the business, maintain a different opinion. They tell you that bread is best for troops. Every man of experience knows the contrary; for it is notorious, that contract, or ammunition bread, is not only made of unwholesome ingredients, but that it is seldom more than half baked; which together with the water it contains, increases the weight, and consequently enhances the value. Add to this, that purveyors must unavoidably increase the expence of the army by being obliged to employ a great number of bakers, bakers’ men, waggons, and horses. Independent of the expence, it is evident, that the operations of an army must unavoidably be clogged by the necessity of providing quarters for these people, of having a quantity of hand-mills, and of employing a certain number of effective men to form detachments for their security.
It is impossible to calculate the train of robberies and inconveniences which grow out of this system, the embarrassments it occasions to a general; but above all the diseases, which bread, supplied in this manner, will always engender, and the fatigue that the troops must necessarily undergo to get their rations. Were all these mischiefs obviated, there is still another evil in reserve, which no precaution can set aside. This is the certainty that an enemy may be under, with respect to your intentions and motions, by narrowly watching the establishment and disposition of your ovens. Were I, continues the marshal, to adduce instances and facts to corroborate these observations, I might dwell considerably at large upon the subject. I do not hesitate to say, that much ill success, which is attributed to other causes, proceeds entirely from the provision and distribution of ammunition bread. He even goes farther, for he asserts unequivocally, that soldiers ought sometimes to be enured to almost every species of privation, and instead of being provided with biscuit, occasionally to receive grain, which they must be taught to bake upon iron pallets, after having bruised and made it into dough.—Marshal Turenne has observed upon the same subject in his Memoirs. Marshal Saxe, indeed, does not scruple to say, that although there might be plenty of bread, he would, in conformity to the opinion of many good officers, suffer his men to feel the want of it. I have, adds the latter, been eighteen months successively on service with troops who during the whole of that period never tasted bread, and yet never once complained or murmured. I have, on the contrary, been frequently with others that had never familiarized themselves to that privation, and who, on the first appearance of want, were disheartened. In consequence of which the very nerve of enterprise and hardihood was broken, and nothing great could be undertaken.
The modern French armies have carried this idea to an astonishing extent and with success; not only their troops in the field are supplied with biscuit, but their horses also.
PALADIN, Fr. A name given to those ancient knights who were either what the French call comtes du palais, counts of the palace, or were princes lineally descended from Charlemagne, and other old kings.
PALANKEEN, Ind. a vehicle carried on the shoulders of four men, by means of a bamboo pole extending from each end: it carries one person in a reclining posture: it has a canopy which is supported by a pole raised along the centre, from whence it is pendent on either side. The palankeens are of various kinds; some are shaped like a chair, in which the person carried sits: in others they recline or sleep, and frequently journies of 2000 miles are thus performed.
PALEAGAS, Ind. See [Polygars].
PALANQUE, Fr. a kind of fortification, so called in Hungary. It is made of stakes driven into the ground, interlaced with twigs, and covered with earth, and serves to stop the progress of an advancing enemy.
PALÆSTRA, in Grecian antiquity, a public building, where the youth exercised themselves in the military art, wrestling, running, playing at quoits, &c.
PALEE, Fr. The row of piles upon which a wooden bridge is constructed, is so called.
PALESTRE, Fr. a wrestling place, or exercising ground. It comes from the Latin, and was originally derived from the Greek.
PALIS, Fr. the rows of small pointed stakes, which serve for any species of inclosure, are so called. The term palissade is derived from it.
PALISADES, or PALISADOES, in fortification, stakes made of strong split wood, about nine feet long, six or seven inches square, three feet deep in the ground, in rows about 2¹⁄₂ or three inches asunder, placed in the covert-way, at three feet from and parallel to the parapet or side of the glacis, to secure it from surprise.
They are also used to fortify the avenues of open forts, gorges, half moons, the bottoms of ditches, and, in general, all posts liable to surprise. They are usually fixed perpendicularly, though some make an angle inclining towards the ground next the enemy, that the ropes cast over them, to tear them up, may slip off.
Turning Palisades, are an invention of Mr. Cohorn, in order to preserve the palisades of the parapet of the covert-way from the besiegers shot. They are so ordered, that as many of them as stand in the length of a rod, or about ten feet, turn up and down like traps, so as not to be in the sight of the enemy, till they just bring on their attack; and yet are always ready to do the proper service of palisades.
Palissades, Fr. See [Palisades].
Palissades de camp, Fr. several pieces of wood so arranged and tied together, that they may with great dispatch be fixed in the ground, which is marked out for the encampment of an army.
Palissades ferrèes, palisades that are shod with iron. They are used in shallow streams and marshes to prevent small craft from plying, or persons from crossing them on foot.
PALKEE, Ind. See [Palankeen].
PALL, a covering thrown over the dead. It is always used in military burials.
PALLAS, a name in the Heathen mythology, which is given to Minerva, who was looked upon as the goddess of war.
PALUDAMENTUM, (Chlamys) among the ancients, a garment worn in time of war by the principal men of Rome, especially the generals, who were called for that reason paludati. The soldiers, having only short coats, called a sagum, were denominated sagati.
The paludamentum was open on the sides, coming down no lower than the navel, and had short sleeves. It was either of a white, purple, or red color, and sometimes black. Kennett, in his Roman Antiquities, page 313, says, the old paludamentum of the generals was all scarlet, only bordered with purple; and the chlamydes of the emperors were all purple, commonly beautified with a golden or embroidered border.
PAN, the side of a rectangle or irregular figure.
Pan, likewise means the distance which is comprized between the angle of the epaule and the flanked angle in fortification. See [Face of a Bastion].
Pan, a name well known among the shepherds of antiquity, and frequently used by modern writers in their rural fictions. In military history it signifies a man who was lieutenant general to Bacchus in his Indian expedition. He is recorded to have been the first author of a general shout, which the Grecians practised in the beginning of their onset in battle. See [Panic].
Pan, that part of the lock of a musquet, pistol, &c. which holds the priming powder.
| PANACHE, | - | |
| PANNACHE, |
Fr. a plume, a bunch of feathers.
Panaches flottans, Fr. nodding plumes.
Pannaches likewise signifies in architecture, the triangular part of an arch that contributes towards the support of a turret or elevation which is raised above the dome of any particular edifice.
PANCARTE, Fr. an ancient exercise or tournament, which was performed in the Roman amphitheatre, when strong athletic men were opposed to all sorts of enraged animals.
PANDOURS, are Hungarian infantry. They wear a loose garment fixed tight to their bodies by a girdle, with great sleeves, and large breeches reaching down to their ankles. They use firearms, and are excellent marksmen: they also wear a kind of sabre, near four feet long, which they use with great dexterity.
| PANIC, | - | |
| PANIC fear, |
sudden consternation which seizes upon men’s fancies without any visible cause; a needless or ill grounded fright. The reason why these terrors are attributed to Pan, was, as some say, because when Osiris was bound by Typho, Pan and the satyrs appearing, cast him into a fright; or because he frightened all the giants that waged war against Jupiter: or as others say, that when Pan was Bacchus’s lieutenant general in his Indian expedition, being encompassed in a valley, with an army of enemies, far superior to them in number, he advised the god to order his men to give a general shout, which so surprised the opposite army, that they immediately fled from their camp. And hence it came to pass, that all sudden fears impressed upon men’s spirits, without any just reason, were, by the Greeks and Romans, called panic terrors. (See Polyænus Stratag. book I.) The custom of shouting seems to have been used by almost all nations, barbarous as well as civil; and is mentioned by all writers who treat of martial affairs. Homer has several elegant descriptions of it, particularly one in the fourth Iliad, where he resembles the military noise to torrents rolling with impetuous force from the mountains into the adjacent vallies. We have likewise had our war-hoops.
PANIER à mine, Fr. See [Bourriquet].
PANIERS, Fr. Baskets. Figuratively, un panier percé, a leaky vessel, or one who cannot keep a secret. A dangerous man in society: and in military concerns, one who ought to be particularly guarded against where discretion and confidence are necessary.
PANIQUE, Fr. See [Panic].
PANNE, Fr. literally means shag, plush, &c. and is properly a sea term, signifying to lie to, mettre en panne. It is likewise used in a military sense, to express the steady posture of troops who are drawn up for battle, and wait an enemy’s attack. La troupe est restée en panne. The squadron remained immoveable.
PANNEAU, Fr. Trap, snare.
Donner dans le Panneau, Fr. to be ensnared, or outwitted.
PANNELS, in artillery, are the carriages which carry mortars and their beds upon a march.
PANNONCEAU, Fr. an ancient term, which was used to signify ensign or banner.
PANOPLY, complete armor or harness.
PANSEMENT, Fr. The dressing of wounds.
PANSER, Fr. to dress a wound.
Panser, Fr. in farriery, signifies to rub down, and otherwise to take care of a horse.
PANTHEON, in architecture, a temple of a circular form, dedicated to all the gods. The name has been adopted among modern nations from the Pantheon of ancient Rome, built by Agrippa in his third consulate, and dedicated to Jupiter Ultor, or Jupiter the avenger. There is a chapel in the Escurial in Spain, called Pantheon, of marble and jasper inlaid: the whole inside is of black marble, excepting the luthern, and some ornaments of jasper and red marble. The Pantheon at Paris during the progress of the French revolution, has been appropriated to national purposes; the names and busts of the most distinguished statesmen and generals being preserved therein as marks of public gratitude, and objects of public emulation. There is a building in London that bears the name of Pantheon, but that is all. It is private property, and the only public use to which it has been appropriated, has been that of operatical speculation, masquerades, or frivolous entertainments.
PANTOGRAPHE, Fr. a mathematical instrument, which serves to copy all sorts of drawings. The French have paid great attention to the improvement of this instrument, of which a minute description may be found in Cours de Mathématiques, by Pere Deschalles. But the sieur Panglois brought it to such perfection in 1750, that it is become universally useful.
PANTOMETER, an instrument used, to take all sorts of angles, distances and elevations. It was invented by the ancients, but has been greatly improved since.
PANTOMETRE, Fr. See [Pantometer].
PAPIER de cartouche, Fr. Paper used for cartridges.
Papier gris, ou Papier brouillard, Fr. Whited brown paper.
Papiers et enseignemens, Fr. All the papers and manuscripts which are found on board a ship are so called.
PAQUEBOT, Fr. a modern French term, derived from [packet-boat], which see.
PARABOLA, in geometry, a figure arising from the section of the cone, when cut by a plane parallel to one of its sides.
From the same points of the cone, therefore, only one parabola can be drawn; all the other sections within these parallels being ellipses, and all without hyperbolas.
Properties of the Parabola. The square of an ordinate is equal to the rectangle of the abscissa, and four times the distance of the focus from the vertex.
The perpendicular on the tangent, from the focus, is a mean proportional between the distance from the vertex to the focus, and the distance of the focus from the point of contact.
All lines within the parabola, which are drawn parallel to the axis, are called diameters.
The parameter of any diameter is a right line, of such a nature that the product under the same, and the abscissa, are equal to the square of the semi-ordinate.
The squares of all ordinates to the same diameter, are to one another as their abscissas.
Cartesian Parabola, is a curve of the second order, expressed by the equation xy = ax³ + bx² + cx + d containing four infinite legs, being the 66th species of lines of the third order, according to sir Isaac Newton: and is made use of by Descartes, in the third book of his geometry, for finding the roots of equations of six dimensions by its intersections with a circle.
Diverging Parabola, a name given by sir Isaac Newton to five different lines of the third order, expressed by the equation yy = ax³ + bx² + cx + d.
PARABOLE, Fr. See [Parabola].
PARABOLOIDE, Fr. See Parabolic Conoid.
PARADE, originally consisted of a square court before cathedrals, surrounded with piazzas or porticoes for persons to walk under, being supported with pillars. It is now used in a military sense, to signify any place where troops assemble, and may be distinguished in the following manner:
General Parade, the place where soldiers belonging to different corps are drawn up, according to seniority, to mount guard, or to be exercised, &c.
Regimental Parade, the place where any particular regiment or corps is formed in line, &c.
Private Parade, any spot selected, in general by each captain of a troop or company, for the inspection of his men, previous to their being marched off to the regimental parade. This parade is likewise called company or troop parade. When troops are encamped, the general and regimental parades are usually in front of the line of tents; each regiment having its quarter-guard opposite, and the space between being sufficient to allow of the free exercise of the battalion. The companies have their private parades in the several streets of the camp.
Parade, in camp, is that spot of ground in the front of each encampment, between the camp colors, on the right and left wings.
Morning Parade. In every garrison town, fortified place and camp, as well as in every town through which soldiers pass, or occasionally halt, a certain hour in the morning is fixed for the assembling of the different corps, troops, or companies, in regular order.
Evening Parade. The hour generally fixed for the evening parade is at sunset. When troops are encamped, the signal for evening parade is given from the park of artillery, by the discharge of a piece of ordnance, which is called the evening gun.
To Parade, to assemble in a prescribed regular manner, for the purposes of being inspected, exercised, or mustered.
To Parade. This word is frequently used as an active verb, with respect to military matters, viz. to parade the guard, &c. It has likewise been adopted in Ireland to express the act of calling out a person in an affair of honor. The Irish familiarly say—I shall parade the gentleman to-morrow morning in the Phœnix Park.
Parade, Fr. The French make use of this term in various ways.
Parade, Fr. Show, ostentation.
Lit de Parade, Fr. Bed of state.
Cheval de Parade, Fr. a horse finely caparisoned, and kept for show.
Parade, Fr. in fencing, the act of parrying a thrust or blow.
Parade, Fr. the place or ground where soldiers parade.
Se mettre en Parade, Fr. to take one’s ground.
Faire la Parade, Fr. To do parade duty.
Monter la Parade, Fr. To take part in the regular line of parade.
Manquer sa Parade, Fr. in fencing, to miss one’s parry.
Etre hors de Parade, Fr. to parry wide, or stand exposed.
Paradis, Fr. that part of a harbor in which vessels may ride with the greatest safety.
PARALLELES, Fr. Parallel lines in fortification are so called. See [Parallels].
PARALLELS, at a siege, the trenches or lines made parallel to the defence of the place besieged: they are also called lines of communication, and boyeaus.
Parallels, or places of arms, are deep trenches 15 or 18 feet wide, joining the several attacks together. They serve to place the guard of the trenches in readiness to support the workmen when attacked. There are usually three in an attack; the first, about 300 toises, or 600 yards, from the covert-way: the 2d and 3d, nearer to the glacis.
PARALLELEPIPED, (Parallelepipede, Fr.) one of the regular bodies of solids, comprehended under six rectangular and parallel surfaces, the opposite ones whereof are equal.
Tirer une Parallele, Fr. verbatim, to draw a parallel. To make a direct communication between one trench and another.
PARALLELISM, the situation or quality whereby any thing is denominated parallel.
PARALLELISM of a march. In order to preserve the parallelism of a march in the movement of troops each battalion must be kept perpendicular to the direction it marches upon, the whole of the several battalions in one straight line, and their several marching directions parallel to each other. The first battalion or line becomes the regulating one, and must be regarded as infallible; and from the moment that its direction is ascertained, the commander of each other, and their directing serjeants, are to consider their movements as subordinate to it, and to conform accordingly. It is the helm which guides the line, and must not change cadence; nor will it increase or diminish its speed, but from unavoidable necessity, and by particular order.
The instant communication of the word march is particularly important, that the advanced guides of the whole may step off together, and thereby maintain their line parallel to the one they quitted, and which becomes the principal guide for their battalions; each preserves its six paces from its advanced guide; this distance is to be kept by, and depends on, the replacing officer next to the color, who covers the directing guide; and if these trained guides do step equally, and in parallel directions to each other, they must be dressed themselves in line, and of consequence the centres of their following battalions.
Parallelism and distance to be observed in the formation and movement of any considerable body of troops. It is laid down as a general maxim, that no considerable body should ever be formed without a proportion of it being placed in reserve or in second line, and more or less according to circumstances. The movements of such second line will always correspond with those of the first, and it will always preserve its parallelism and distance.
If the first line makes a flank or central change of position, the second must make a change also on such point as will bring it into its relative situation.
The march of the second line in front, is regulated by its own division or battalion of direction, which moves relatively to that of the first line. In forming in line it will march upon its own points which are parallel to, and ascertained in consequence of those of the first.
When the lines break into columns to the front, the second will generally follow those of the first. When the march is to the flanks, the second line will compose a separate column, or columns. When the march is to the rear, the second line will lead in columns.
The distance betwixt the lines, may be in general supposed equal to the front of one or two battalions, and an interval.
The second lines are seldom composed of as many battalions as the first: they are often divided into distinct bodies, covering separate parts of the first line, and consequently preserving a relative parallelism and distance.
Second lines should not always remain extended, they may often be formed in column of battalions, or of greater numbers, ready to be moved to any point where their assistance is necessary.
Whenever the first line breaks, and manœuvres by its right to face to the left, or by its left to face to the right: the movements of the second line are free and unembarrassed, and it may turn round the manœuvring flank of the first line, and take its new position behind it, by extending itself parallel to that direction, how oblique soever it may be.
The central movement generally required from the second line to conform to that of the first, is equivalent to that line marching in two columns of platoons, from near the centre obliquely to the front, and from that situation forming to both flanks.
The movements of the central columns being well understood, those of the battalions of the wings, are similar in two lines.
The officer commanding the second line, must always be properly informed of the nature of the change to be made by the first, that he may readily determine his corresponding movements.
It requires much attention to conduct heads of battalion columns of both lines nearly parallel to their lateral ones, and perpendicularly, or diagonally to front or rear, according to the nature of the movement. To determine with precision, and in due time, their points in the new line, that wavering and uncertainty of march may be avoided. In great movements to allow the soldier every facility of motion without increasing the distances of divisions, and to require the most exact attention on entering the new line, and in forming. To avoid obstacles in the course of marching, but as soon as possible to re-enter the proper path of the column, while out of that path, the colors of that battalion column may be lowered, (as a mark for the neighboring column, not to be then entirely regulated by it) and again advanced when it regains its proper situation.
All the battalions of a second line, must at the completion of every change of position, find themselves placed in the same relative situation with respect to the first, as they were in before the commencement of the movement.
All changes of position of a first line are made according to one of the modes already prescribed: in general, in critical situations, they are made on a fixed flank, or central point, and by the echellon march of platoons or echellons of smaller sections than platoons, where ground and other circumstances require it; and the echellons may upon occasion be each marched in file, but keeping its position: but the movements of a second line being protected, more complicated, and embracing more ground, are made by the march of battalion columns regulated by a certain determined division of the line.
In all cases where a change of position is made on a flank or central point of the first line, the movement of its corresponding point of the second line determines the new relative situation of that second line.
Movements Parallel with a line of fire. Movements are said to be parallel with a line of fire, when one or more lines march either in the rear of troops engaged with an enemy, or in face of an enemy, who is advancing to attack. The greatest accuracy and order are required on both occasions, particularly on the latter; for if the second line, which is the line of support, does not preserve its perpendicular direction with respect to every leading point, and its relative parallelism and distance with the line engaged, according to circumstances, it will not only run the risk of becoming useless itself, but will in all probability endanger the line it covers, should any sudden necessity occur for a change of position.
PARALLELOGRAM, (Parallelogramme, Fr.) a plain figure bounded by four right lines, whereof the opposite are parallel one to the other. It likewise means an instrument composed of five rulers of brass or wood, with sliding sockets, to be set to any proportion, for the enlarging or diminishing any map or draught.
PARALYSER, Fr. To paralyse. A term frequently used by the French since the revolution, to express the bad effects of a factious spirit, &c. Un seul factieux quelque fois paralyse toute une administration: one factious man will sometimes render the designs of a whole administration abortive.
PARAMETER. See [Gunnery] and [Projectiles].
PARAPET, in fortification, an elevation of earth, designed for covering the soldiers from the enemy’s cannon, or small shot; its thickness is from 18 to 20 feet; its height 6 on the inside, and 4 or 5 on that side next the country: it is raised on the rampart, and has a slope called the superior talus, or glacis of the parapets, on which the troops lay their arms to fire over. The slope renders it easy for the soldiers to fire into the ditch. It has a banquette or two on the inside for the troops who defend it, to mount upon, for better discovering the country, the ditch, and counterscarp, to fire as they find occasion.
Parapet of the covert-way, is what covers that way from the sight of the enemy; which renders it the most dangerous place for the besiegers, because of the neighborhood of the faces, flanks, and curtains of the place.
PARAPETS en forme de crémaillere, Fr. Parapets which are so constructed within, in the form of a saw, that one of the faces of the redans, or teeth, is perpendicular and the other parallel to the capital. The chevalier Clariac, in his Ingénieur de Campagne, has given a particular account of these parapets. But the merit of having invented them does not entirely rest with him, since the Marquis de la Fond, director of the fortified places upon the coast of French Flanders, and M. de Verville, chief engineer at Rocroi, have likewise mentioned them.
PARASANG, (Parasange, Fr.) an ancient Persian measure, being usually thirty, sometimes forty, and sometimes fifty stadia or furlongs.
PARC d’artillerie, Fr. See [Park of Artillery].
Parc, Fr. See Park.
Le Commissaire du Parc, Fr. The commissary belonging to the park.
Le Parc des munitions et des vivres, Fr. The park of stores and provisions.
Parc d’Hôpital. See [Hospital].
Parc des vivres ou quartier des vivres, Fr. [Park of provisions], which see.
PARCOURIR, Fr. in a military sense, to run over the ground during an action. This word is particularly applicable to those movements which are made by general officers, officers commanding brigades, &c. for the purpose of encouraging their soldiers in the heat of an engagement.
Parcourir de rang en rang, Fr. to run up and down the ranks, or from rank to rank.
PARDON, forgiveness, remission. In military matters this word must be understood in two senses, viz. in a limited one, when it affects a culprit who has been sentenced by a general court-martial, to receive punishment; and in a more extensive one, when the punishment is the consequence of a regimental decision. In the former case, the president only, through the war department, can pardon or remit the punishment; in the latter, the colonel, or commanding officer, has a discretionary power.
PARER, Fr. to parry,
Parer à toutes feintes, Fr. To parry to all feints.
PARK of artillery, should always be placed if possible within a short distance of water carriage; and have the most ready communication with every part of the line of the army. Its form must depend on its situation. Ten feet are usually allowed in front for one carriage and its interval, and near 50 feet from the hind wheels of the front row to the fore wheels of the second; this interval should allow sufficient room for putting the horses to the carriages, and for a free passage along the line. In parks not on immediate service, it is customary to arrange the guns with their muzzles to the front; but where the guns are likely to be wanted at a short notice, appearances must not be studied, and the gun carriages must be parked with their shafts to the front, ready to receive horses to them. A quarter guard is placed in front of the park, and the non-commissioned officers and gunners’ tents on the flanks, at about 20 paces distance; and 40 paces to the rear of the subaltern officers; at 10 more to the rear the captains, and 10 more the commanding officer. The mess tent is 15 in the rear of the officers. At a convenient distance, in the rear of the whole, are the horses, picketed in one or more lines, with the drivers on their flanks. The horses are sometimes picketed in lines perpendicular to the front, and on the flanks of the carriages, between the men and the carriages. See [Camp] and [Artillery in the Field]. Am. Mil. Lib.
Park of provisions, a place in a camp, on the rear of every regiment, which is taken up by the sutlers who follow the army with all sorts of provisions, and sell them to the soldiers.
PARLEMENTER, Fr. to parley. The French familiarly say, Ville qui parlemente est à demi rendue; a town whose governor parlies may be said to be half given up.
PARLEY, oral treaty, talk, conference, discussion by word of mouth.
To Parley, in military matters, to enter into conference with your enemy. This is done by means of a flag of truce. See [Truce].
To beat a Parley, is to give a signal for holding such a conference, by beat of drum, or sound of trumpet. See [Chamade].
PAROLE, in a military sense, the promise made by a prisoner of war, when he has leave to go any where, of returning at a time appointed, or not to take up arms, if not exchanged.
Parole, means also a word given out every day in orders by the commanding officer, both in camp and garrison, in order to know friends from enemies.
PARQUER, Fr. This word, which signifies to lodge and place any thing in a convenient and safe manner, is used by the French both in an active and passive sense.
On Parquera l’artillerie, ou l’artillerie fut parquée en tel endroit, Fr. you will park the artillery in such a quarter, or the artillery will be parked in such a quarter.
Les gens de l’artillerie se parquérent, ou furent parqués, du côté de la rivière, Fr. The train of artillery parked itself on the banks of the river, or was parked upon the banks of the river.
L’artillerie parquoit en tel lieu, Fr. The artillery parked on such ground.
PARRAIN, Fr. means, literally, a godfather. In a military sense, it formerly signified a second or witness who attended at single combats to see fair play. Les combattants se trouvérent dans le lieu du combat, chacun avec son parrain. The combattants met upon the ground, each attended by his second or witness.
Parrain, Fr. in military orders, the person who introduces, or presents a newly elected knight. The term is also used to signify the comrade who is selected by a soldier that has been condemned to be shot, to bind the handkerchief over his eyes.
PARRYING, the action of warding off the push or blow aimed at one by another.
Etre à la Part, Fr. a marine term among the French, signifying, to share in the prizes which are made against an enemy.
PARTHENIÆ,a word derived from the Greek, signifying virginity. In military history it refers to a particular circumstance which occurred among the ancients. The Spartans having been at war with the Messenians for 20 years, and having by that means very much depopulated their country, and apprehending that if this war continued, it might eventually strip Sparta of all its male inhabitants, they sent some of their young men from the army into the city, with licence to be familiar with as many unmarried women as they would; and the children begotten by them in this manner were called Partheniæ, on account of the uncertainty who were their fathers. At the end of the war this brood were deemed bastards, and were denied the bearing of any office in the government, &c. This unjust exclusion enraged them so much, that they conspired with the slaves to destroy all the nobility; but on the discovery of their plot, they were driven out of the city. After which, being headed by Phalantus, a bold and enterprising son of chance, they travelled into Magna Grecia in Italy, and built Tarentum.—Bailey’s Dict.
PARTI, Fr. See [Party].
Parti-Bleü, Fr. any party of armed men who infest a country, and have no regular permission to act offensively.
Prendre le Parti, Fr. to take a part.
Prendre son Parti, Fr. to come to a determination.
Prendre son Parti dans les troupes, Fr. To list in a regiment.
Tirer Parti, Fr. to take advantage.
Ne point prendre de Parti, Fr. to remain neuter, or not to take any part.
Esprit de Parti, Fr. party spirit.
Se declarer d’un Parti, Fr. openly to avow some particular party. The French say figuratively, Il faut être toujours du parti de la verité; we should always side with truth.
Parti, likewise signifies profession or employment, viz. Le parti de l’èpée, le parti des armes; the military profession.
Prendre Parti dans l’épée, Fr. to embrace a military life.
PARTIALITY. Unequal state of the judgment, and favor of one above the other, without just reason. If any member of a general court-martial expresses a previous judgment, in partiality either to the prisoner or prosecutor, before he is sworn, it is to be deemed a good cause of challenge; and he should not be allowed to sit in judgment on the case.
PARTISAN, has been applied to a halberd or pike, and to a marshal’s staff. See [Baton].
PARTISAN, in the art of war, a person dexterous in commanding a party; who, knowing the country well, is employed in getting intelligence, or surprising the enemy’s convoy, &c. The word also means an officer sent out upon a party, with the command of a body of light troops, generally under the appellation of a partisan corps. It is necessary that this corps should be composed of infantry, light-horse, and riflemen.
PARTY, in a military sense, a small number or detachment of men, horse, or foot, sent upon any kind of duty; as into an enemy’s country, to pillage, to take prisoners, and oblige the country to come under contribution. Parties are often sent out to view the roads and ways, get intelligence, seek forage, reconnoitre, or amuse the enemy upon a march; they are also frequently sent upon the flanks of an army, or regiment, to discover the enemy, if near, and prevent surprise or ambuscade.
Parties escorting deserters in the British service receive the following allowances, being the same as have been granted to those of other forces, in consideration of the unavoidable extraordinary wear of their clothing and necessaries on that duty, viz.
| Distances from quarters. | For each man | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £. | s. | d. | ||||||
| Between | 8 | and | 20 | miles | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 20 | 50 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 50 | 100 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||
| 100 | 150 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||
| 150 | 200 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||
| Above | 200 | 0 | 7 | 6 | ||||
In the like proportion, allowances are to be made for parties of four, five, and six men, but no higher. This is however to be understood as a regulation of allowance merely, it not being the intention of government thereby to restrain any commanding officer from employing larger parties on the escort duty, if he should think proper, but that whatever may be the actual number of the parties, the allowances are to be in the proportion of
| Three | men for an escort of | from | 5 | to | 8 | deserters |
| Four | ———— | from | 9 | to | 12 | |
| Five | ———— | from | 13 | to | 16 | |
| Six | ———— | from | 17 | to | 20 |
Exact returns of the said duty, as performed by each corps, are to be made up, agreeable to a form annexed, as soon as may be after every 24th of June and 24th of December, for the half years immediately preceding, and are to be transmitted to the office of the secretary at war, in order that the allowances thereon may be settled and directed.
Watering PARTY. See Watering.
Firing PARTY, those who are selected to fire over the grave of any one interred with military honors, if below the rank of brigadier-general; for the specific number of which the party is to consist, &c.—See [Burials].
Working Parties. These consist of small detachments of men under the immediate command and superintendance of officers who are employed on fatigues which are not purely of a military nature. They are generally called fatigue duties, being different from those of parade, or of exercise in the field. They principally consist in digging canals, repairing roads, working on fortifications, except such as may be constructed in the field, or upon actual service. An addition is made to their pay, as a reward for their labor, and a compensation for their extraordinary wear of necessaries: half of which should always be paid into the hands of the captains, and commanding officers of companies, for this latter purpose. It has been judiciously observed in a note to the treatise on Military Finance, that British troops might in time of peace, be employed much oftener than they are on works of this nature, with equal advantage to the public and to themselves. This remark becomes more forcibly apposite since the adoption of canals through the country.
PAS, Fr. Pace. A measure in fortification. The French divide their pas, or pace, into two kinds—pas commun, or ordinary pace, and pas geometrique, or geometrical pace. The ordinary pace consists of two feet; and the geometrical pace contains five royal feet, or five pieds du roi. The itinerary distance which the Italians call a mile, consists of one thousand geometrical paces; and three miles make a French league.
Pas oblique, Fr. Oblique step, now exploded.
Pas ordinaire, Fr. Ordinary time.
Pas ordinaire direct, Fr. Front step in ordinary time.
Pas precipite, Fr. Double quick time.
Pas de charge, Fr. Charging time.
Pas cadencé, Fr. Cadenced step.
Doubler le Pas, Fr. to double your step or pace: to go faster.
Forcer le Pas, Fr. to make a forced march.
Pas alongé, Fr. a lengthened step.
Alonger le Pas, Fr. to step out.
Diminuer le Pas, Fr. To step short.
Hâter le Pas, Fr. to slacken your pace; to go slower.
Marcher à grands Pas, Fr. To move rapidly.
Marcher à petits Pas, Fr. to step short, or move leisurely.
Retourner sur ses Pas, Fr. To go back.
Avoir le Pas, Fr. To have the precedency.
Pas de souris, Fr. Degrees or steps which are made in different parts of the circumference of the counterscarp. They serve to keep up a communication between works when the ditch is dry, and are generally made in the rentrant angles of the counterscarp, and in the rentrant angles of the outworks. There are likewise steps or degrees of this sort at some distance from the glacis.
Pas, Fr. Any strait or channel of water between two separate lands.
Pas de Calais, Fr. The straits between Calais and Dover.
Pas, likewise signifies any narrow pass. Le pas des Thermopyles. The pass of Thermopylæ.
Defendre le Pas, Fr. To defend the pass or strait.
Francher le Pas, Fr. To determine upon a thing after some hesitation.
Pas d’ane, Fr. A sword-guard, which covers the whole hand, or basket hilt. Une garde à pas d’ane.
Pas d’ane, Fr. This word likewise means a curb or snaffle.
PASS, in a military sense, a strait, difficult, and narrow passage, which shuts up the entrance into a country.
PASS, a voucher for the absence of a non-commissioned officer or soldier, in the following form:
By ———— commanding the —— regiment of U. S. Infantry, stationed at ————.
Permit the bearer hereof ———— in ———— company of the abovementioned regiment, to pass from hence to ———— and to return to quarters at or before —— o’clock.
Given under my hand at ———— this —— day of —— .
To all whom it may concern.
PASS, PASSADO, in fencing, a push or thrust upon your adversary.
Pass, (passade, Fr.) in fencing, a leap or advance upon the enemy.
To Pass, to march by open order of columns, for the purpose of saluting a reviewing general. Each division or company (on its march) will open its ranks at 20 paces distance from the general, and again close them, after it has passed 15 paces. The whole march in slow time, till the leading division arrives at the spot where the left of the battalion originally stood. The commanding officer then halts the regiment, the music ceases to play, and the different divisions with supported arms march in quick time until they have completed the third wheel from the ground of original formation; when arms are ordered to be carried, the music plays, and as each division completes the third wheel, the officers shift to the right, and the whole pass the general.
Pass of arms. In ancient chivalry, a bridge, road, &c. which the knights undertook to defend, and which was not to be passed without fighting the person who kept it. He, who was disposed to dispute the pass, touched one of the armories of the other knight who held the pass, that were hung on pales, columns, &c. erected for the purpose; and this was a challenge which the other was obliged to accept. The vanquished gave the conqueror such prize as was agreed on.
Pass-parole, a command or word which is given out at the head of an army, and from thence passed from mouth to mouth, till it reach the rear.
Pass-port, a letter of licence which is given by a government, granting safe conduct to travel, enter, and go out of its territories without molestation; this is properly given to friends and neutral persons; and the safe conduct to enemies.
PASS, All’s Well, a term used by a British sentry after he has challenged a person that comes near his post, and has given him the proper parole, watchword, or countersign. See [Rounds].
PASSADE, Fr. See [Pass].
Passade, in the manege, is a horse’s walking or trotting in such a manner, that he raises the outward hind-leg and the inward fore-leg together; and, setting these two on the ground, raises the other two alternately, never gaining above a foot of ground at a time.
Demander la Passade, Fr. This term is used among the French to express the act of soliciting charity out of the usual way of persons begging, or who have not been accustomed to ask alms. Donner la passade a un pauvre soldat; to give alms to a poor soldier. Il y avoit sur le chemin beaucoup de soldats qui demandoient la passade; there were many soldiers on the road who asked charity.
PASSAGE, (passage, Fr.) This word, as to its general import, does not require explanation. It is familiar to everybody. In a military sense it may be variously understood for passages made over rivers or through defiles, which should always be secured when an army is on its march. Dragoons or light cavalry are generally employed upon this service, being, by the celerity of their motions, better calculated to get the start of an enemy. Passes through mountainous countries, and passages over rivers, may likewise be secured by means of light field pieces and flying artillery. The latter are particularly calculated for defiles. Intrenching tools, &c. must be carried with them.
If it be found expedient to cross a river, a sufficient number of pontoons, must accompany the detachment. Should the river be fordable, and a body of infantry have been brought up in time to act with the cavalry, the former must instantly make good its footing on the opposite side, carrying intrenching tools, &c. for the purpose of fortifying the tête du pont, and thereby securing the passage of the river. Rivers are crossed either by surprise, or by main force.
When the passage is to be effected by surprise, such movements and feints must be resorted to, as may induce the enemy to direct his means of opposition to a distant quarter from the one you have in contemplation. Every precaution must be taken to prevent him from getting the least intelligence respecting your boats of pontoons; and on this account you must frequently countermarch different bodies of troops to divert his attention. When the passage is to be effected by main force, you must take such a position as will enable you to command the one occupied by the enemy, and you must select that part of the river where there are small islands or creeks, under cover of which the boats and barges may ply.
Those spots upon the banks of a river are best calculated for this enterprise, where the stream forms a rentrant angle, because it is more easy, in cases of that sort, to plant your batteries in such a manner as to afford a cross fire against the opposite bank. The instant you have dislodged the enemy, by means of a superior force of artillery (which you must always provide for the purpose in question) a strong detachment composed of grenadiers, and other chosen troops, must cross in boats or barges, in order to stand the first shock of the enemy, under a well supported fire of artillery.
When this detachment has made good its footing, the boats or barges must instantly row back for fresh troops, whilst the pioneers, artificers, and workmen, who accompanied the grenadiers, throw up temporary redoubts, and are protected by the fire of the troops that have landed. As soon as the works are sufficiently advanced, and an adequate number of men has been distributed in them to secure the post, the bridge must be undertaken. Its head or tete must be made as strong as possible, to keep the enemy in check should he return, and endeavor to dislodge the advanced guard.
The main body must be put in motion shortly after the departure of the first detachment, in order to support the latter, should the enemy succeed in making a bold push to defeat it, and thereby prevent the numberless disadvantages which must ensue, if the army were permitted to cross the river, or to pass the defile without opposition.
When the passage of a large river can be happily effected by means of a bridge, considerable advantages may be derived from it; most especially when the army is thereby enabled to reach a defile or pass, the possession of which enables a general to distribute his troops in desultory quarters. Marshal Turenne, in his famous passage over the Wesel in 1672, has afforded us a strong instance of this advantage. Marshal Saxe has written largely upon this important operation; and every general officer ought to be thoroughly versed in the ways and means of executing it under all the various circumstances that occur in the locality of ground, the peculiar nature of rivers, and the possible resources of an enemy, that is determined to dispute his passage. But the most memorable of all that is recorded in history are the passages of the Danube below Vienna, in 1809, which merit the study of every military man.
Soldiers should be frequently practised in the different evolutions which are required to pass a bridge in a safe and military manner. Bridges, defiles, &c. being obstacles that retard the movements of an army, whose object is to advance, we refer our readers for a full elucidation of the subject, under the article [Obstacle].
Passage, Fr.. a term which relates to the reception of a knight, in the order of Malta.
Passage of bridges or defiles when a battalion or line stands on narrow ground.
A battalion, standing in narrow ground, may sometimes be ordered to march in file for the purpose of forming open column; and passing a defile, either before or behind that flank, before or behind the other flank, or before or behind any central point of that line.
Received Rules.
1. If before the right flank—The right platoon will move on, the rest of the battalion will face to the right, and march in file, the divisions will successively front and follow the leading one, and each other.
2. If behind the right flank—The whole face to the right and march, the right division instantly countermarches to the rear, fronts, and moves forward, followed in the same manner by every other division, till the whole is in column.
But the following method of passing in open column, would save a great deal of time which is unnecessarily lost by countermarching each division separately, as they successively arrive on the ground where the right division stood before it marched off to the rear.
1st. Countermarch the whole of the divisions at the same time, and on the same ground which they severally occupy in the line.
2d. Face the whole (except the right division) to the left, which moves forward on the word march from the chief. The divisions as they successively arrive on the ground from which the first division marched, will halt and front, follow the leading one and each other, till the whole are in column.
Received Rules.
3. If before any central point, or the left flank—The battalion makes a successive countermarch from the right flank towards the left, and when the right division arrives at the point from whence it is to advance, it again countermarches to its right, a space equal to its front, then faces and moves on, and is thus successively followed by part of the battalion. The other part of the battalion beyond the point of advancing, faces inwards, when necessary, makes a progressive march in file, then fronts, and follows by divisions as it comes to the turn of each, till the whole are in column.
A different Method.
Instead of passing according to the above method, much time may be gained, by the divisions on the right of the defile facing to the left, (commencing with the right division) march in file till opposite, and in full front of the division which is opposite the defile, or where the column is to advance from, then front, march forward, followed by the other divisions; the divisions on the left of the defile will face inwards, and when necessary, make a progressive march in file, followed as before, till the whole are in column.
Received Rule.
4. If behind the centre or the left flank.—The right part of the battalion countermarches from the right by files successively by the rear; and the other part of the battalion, as is necessary, makes a progressive march by files from its right to the central point, and there begins to countermarch at that point, the leading and each other division, fronts into column, and moves on.
A different Method.
To avoid loss of time in countermarching the divisions on the left as they successively arrive at the point they march from. Countermarch those divisions first on the ground they severally stand on, then face to the left; and when it comes to their turn march in file, front, and following in column, as they progressively and successively arrive opposite the point where the right division entered the defile.
It must be observed that in all countermarches of divisions on the ground they severally stand on, when passing to the rear, the division which stands opposite the point from which they are to march, must countermarch at the same time with the other divisions. See Am. Mil. Lib.
PASSAGE of Lines. In narrow grounds, where there are redoubled lines, and in many other situations, it becomes necessary for one battalion to pass directly through another, in marching either to front or rear. This must particularly happen, when a first line, which has suffered in action, retires through, and makes place for a second line which has come forward to support it; or, the second line remaining posted, when the first falls back, and retires through it, and thus alternately, till a safe position is attained.
PASSAGE of the Traverse, an opening out in the parapet of the covert-way, close to the traverses, that there may be a ready communication with all parts of the covert-way.
Passage, in the manege, an action wherein the horse raises a hind and fore leg together; then setting these two on the ground, he raises the other two: and thus alternately, never gaining above a foot of ground at a time.
Passage, Fr.. to passage, a term used in the manege.
Passager un cheval, Fr. to make a horse passage. It is likewise used as a neutral verb, viz. un cheval passage, a horse passages.
PASSANDEAU, Fr.. an ancient piece of ordnance, which carried an eight pound ball, and weighed three thousand five hundred pounds.
Chemin PASSANT, Fr.. a thoroughfare.
PASSAVANT, Fr.. a pass. This term is not used in a military sense, but relates chiefly to commercial matters.
PASSE, Fr.. See [Pass].
PASSES-Balles, Fr. boards or machines made of iron or brass, used in disparting cannon, and fitted to every species of calibre.
PASSE-Mur, Fr. a piece of ordnance formerly so called, which carried a sixteen pound ball, and weighed four thousand two hundred pounds.
Passe-par-tout, Fr. a large saw, the teeth of which are irregularly made, for the purpose of cutting forest trees asunder.
Passe-par-tout, Fr. a master key.
Passe-vogue, Fr. Any extraordinary effort that is made in rowing is so called.
Passe-Parole, Fr. This expression is used among the French in an absolute sense, and signifies to give the parole, order, or countersign. When troops are on service, or upon duty, they have frequent occasion to adopt it, especially during the rounds. Avance passe-parole. Advance, and give the parole or countersign.
Passe-Volant, Fr. any man that is not really in the service, and who stands to be mustered for the purpose of completing the supposed number of effectives in a regiment, or on board a ship of war. They are likewise called soldats prêtés, Borrowed soldiers. During the existence of the old French government, the strictest regulations were made to prevent the gross impositions that were sometimes practised by means of passe-volans or faggots.
Passe-Volans likewise means those wooden pieces of ordnance which are made to resemble real artillery, and fill up the vacant places in a ship. They were first adopted by the French, in consequence of a regulation which was made by M. de Pontchartrain, when he became minister of the marine department. He gave orders, that no vessels, except such as carried 16 guns, should sail to and from America. In order to comply, at least in outward appearance, with this regulation, the merchants had recourse to pass-volans, or wooden substitutes, they are called by us quaker guns. More advantages than one are indeed derived from this invention, which has been adopted in every civilized country.
Passe-chevaux, Fr. ferry for horses.
PASSER, Fr. to pass. This word has various significations both in French and English, but chiefly in the former language.
Passer en revue, Fr. to muster.
Passer à compte, Fr. to allow in reckoning.
Passer au fil de l’épée, Fr. to put to the sword.
Passer par les baguettes, Fr. to run the gauntlet.
Passer par les armes, Fr. to be shot.
Passer à la montre, Fr. to pass muster.
Passer par la main du bourreau, Fr. to be flogged, or otherwise punished, by the public hangman.
Passer la riviére, passer la ligne, Fr. to cross the river, to cross the line.
Passer par les courroies, Fr. to be picketed.
Passer un homme à un officier, Fr. to allow an officer the pay and subsistence of a private soldier for the maintenance of a servant. The term is also used to express the receipt of any public allowance for sinecure places.
Passer sur le ventre à une armée, Fr. to defeat an army.
PASSEUR, Fr. a ferryman.
PATACHE, Fr. This word sometimes means an advice boat; but it more generally signifies an armed tender, or a revenue cutter.
PATE, Fr. in fortification, a sort of horse-shoe, that is, a platform, or terre-pleine, irregularly built, yet generally constructed in an oval form. It is surrounded by a parapet, without any thing to flank it, and having no other defence than what is front or fore-right. Pates are usually erected in marshy grounds to cover the gate of a fortified town or place.
PATERERO, a small cannon managed by a swivel.
PATIENCE, the power or faculty of suffering; indurance; the power of expecting long, without rage or discontent; the power of supporting faults or injuries, without revenge; long suffering. In military life patience is an essential requisite. Without patience half the toils of war would be insupportable; with patience there are scarcely any hardships but what coolness, courage, and ability may overcome. It is one of the greatest virtues, indeed, in an officer or soldier patiently to support, not only the rigor of discipline, but the keen and vexatious circumstances of disappointment. Rousseau says, La patience est amêre, mais son fruit est doux. Patience is a bitter root, but its fruit is sweet.
PATOMAR, Ind. a two mast vessel: each mast carries one sail of four unequal sides. It likewise means a messenger.
PATRICIAN, from the Latin Patricius, one descended from a noble family. The term was used among the Romans, to distinguish the higher class of the inhabitants of Rome from the lower, who were called plebeians. Romulus, as soon as the city of Rome was tolerably well filled with inhabitants, made a distinction of the people. The names Peter, Patrick, are from pater a father; the Roman senate were called Patres conscripti. See [Patron].
Order of St. PATRICK. There is only one order of knighthood which belongs to Ireland; it is that of St. Patrick, and was created by Geo. III. for corrupt purposes.
PATRIOT, a sincere and unbiassed friend to his country; an advocate for general civilization, uniting, in his conduct through life, moral rectitude with political integrity. Such a character is seldom found in any country; but the specious appearance of it is to be seen every where, most especially in Europe. It is difficult to say, how far the term can be used in a military sense, although it is not uncommon to read of a citizen soldier, and a patriot soldier. Individually considered the term may be just, but it is hardly to be understood collectively.
PATROL, any party or round of soldiers, to the number of five or six, with a serjeant to command them. These men are detached from the main guard, picquet, or quarter-guard, according to circumstances, to walk round the streets of a garrison town, &c. for the purpose of taking up disorderly persons, or such as cannot give an account of themselves. It is their duty to see, that the soldiers and inhabitants of the place repair to their quarters and dwelling-houses, (in conformity to specific directions which are given out to that effect) and that alehouses and sutlers’ booths are shut up at a seasonable hour. They are likewise to take up every person they meet without a light, and that cannot give the watchword or countersign when he is challenged. All such persons must be conducted to the guard-house, and a report made of them to the commandant or governor of the place, by the town-major.
Patroles are formed out of the infantry as well as the cavalry. When a weak place is besieged, and there is reason to apprehend an assault, strong patroles are ordered to do duty; these on foot keep a good look out from the ramparts, and those that are mounted take care of the outworks.
PATRON, one who countenances, supports, or protects. Every superior officer, from the commander in chief to the lowest non-commissioned officer, may, in a military sense, be called a patron; for it is the duty of all persons, in authority, to countenance, support, and protect every executive member in the service. Partialities on the other hand, (whatever may be their sources) are the bane of order and good discipline. In proportion as merit finds patrons among the good and great, indolence and inability should be discountenanced and degraded.
Kennett in his Roman Antiquities, page 97, has the following passage, on the origin of the word:—
Romulus, as soon as his city was tolerably well filled with inhabitants, made a distinction of the people according to honor and quality; giving the better sort the name of Patres or Patricii, and the rest the common title of Plebeii. To bind the two degrees more firmly together, he recommended to the patricians some of the plebians, to protect and countenance; the former being stiled Patroni, and the latter Clientes. The patrons were always their clients’ counsellors in difficult cases; their advocates in judgments; in short, their advisers and overseers in all affairs whatever. On the other side, the clients faithfully served their patrons, not only paying them all imaginable respect and deference, but if occasion required, assisting them with money towards the defraying of any extraordinary charges. But afterwards when the state grew rich and great, though all other good offices continued between them, yet it was thought a dishonorable thing for the better sort to take any money of their inferiors. (Vide Dionys. lib. 2, Liv. lib. 1. Plutarch in Romulo.) Hence the origin of patrons. But the case is altered in modern times with respect to pecuniary interest. Gold, or something more solid in the sale of liberty and good sense, buys a patron now.
PATRON, Fr. Among the French the captain of a trading vessel is so named. There were likewise sea-faring men called officiers mariniers, who served on board the French ships of war, and who were entrusted with the management of sloops and barges. These were generally called patrons.
PATRONS, (Galére patrons, Fr.) The galley which was second in rank at Marseilles, was so called. It was commanded by the lieutenant-general of the gallies, who took precedence in that line in the same manner that the vice-admiral of the French fleet did among ships of war.
PATROUILLE. See [Patrol].
PATTE, Fr. a term used in mining. When a well or excavation is made in loose or crumbling earth, and it becomes necessary to frame it in, the rafters must be laid horizontally to support the boards in proportion as the workmen gain depth. The ends of the rafters that are first laid, run ten or twelve inches beyond the borders of the well, for the purpose of sustaining the platform. These supports are called Oreilles; consequently, that every subsequent frame may be supported, the second is attached or made firm to the first by means of the ends of boards which are nailed together. In this manner the third is joined to the second, and the fourth to the third. These ends are called pattes or handles.
PATTE d’Oie, Fr. a term used in mining to describe three small branches which are practised, or run out at the extremity of a gallery. They are so called from their resemblance to the foot of a goose.
PATTERN, a part shewn as a sample for the rest. In a late regulation relative to the inspection of the clothing of the British army in general, it is particularly directed, that regular inspectors, or the inspectors for the time being, do view and compare with the sealed patterns the clothing of the several regiments of cavalry and infantry, as soon as the same shall have been prepared by the respective clothiers; and if the clothing appear to be conformable to the sealed patterns, the said inspectors are to grant two certificates of their view and approval thereof, one of which certificates is to be delivered to the clothier, to be sent with the clothing to the head quarters of the corps; and the other to be lodged with the clothing board, as the necessary voucher for passing the assignment of the allowance for the said clothing.
A Pattern Regiment, a phrase of distinction, which is applied to a corps of officers and soldiers, who are remarkable for their observance of good order and discipline.
PATURE, Fr. See [Forage].
Patureur, Fr. Forager, one who goes on a foraging party.
PAVALUNGE, Ind. the name of a year.
PAUDSHAU, Ind. King.
PAVESSADES, Fr. large portable hurdles, behind which the archers and bowmen were formerly posted. According to Froissart, these hurdles were used long before the reign of Philip Augustus, king of France. Father Daniel, the Jesuit, in his Histoire de la Milice Francoise, describes them as bearing the figure of a shield; but the chevalier Folard, in his Commentaire sur Polybe, informs us, that they were mantlets which were disposed in parallel or oblique lines, from the camp to the nearest works belonging to the Corps de Place, behind which the soldiers and artificers, &c. could in safety, make a small fosse or ditch that was sufficiently deep to preserve them strait and firm. Hurdles, constructed in this manner, were used during the operations of a regular siege; but when it was found expedient to insult a place, those of less dimension were adopted. Father Daniel describes the Retranchment Portatif, which was used many centuries before the days of Philip Augustus, under the latter head.
PAVILION, in military affairs. See [Tent].
PAVILLON, Fr. See [Tent].
Pavillon, Fr. Flag, standard, or colors.
Vaisser le PAVILLON, Fr. to strike, to yield.
Vaisseau Pavillon, Fr. Flag ship.
Pavillon, Fr. This word likewise signifies the swell or broad part of a speaking trumpet.
PAULETTE, Fr. a certain tax or pecuniary consideration which all persons who held public situations under the old government of France, were obliged to pay at the commencement of every year, to the king. This enabled them to sell or dispose of their appointments, and to leave the amount to their heirs, if they happened to die in the course of the year. It is so called from Paulet, the name of the person who first suggested the measure.
PAVOIS, Fr. an ancient weapon of defence. It was the Clypeus or broad shield of the Greeks and Romans.
PAUSE, a stop, cessation, or intermission. It is essentially necessary for all officers to accustom themselves to a most minute observance of the several pauses which are prescribed during the firings. Accordingly the pause betwixt each of the firing words, make ready—aim,—fire, is the same as the ordinary time, viz. the 75th part of a minute, and no other pause is to be made betwixt the words.
In firing by companies by wings, each wing carries on its fire independent, without regard to the other wing, whether it fires from the centre to the flanks, or from the flanks to the centre. If there are five companies in the wing, two pauses will be made betwixt the fire of each, and the make ready of the succeeding one. If there are four companies in the wing, three pauses will be made betwixt the fire of each, and the make ready of the succeeding one. This will allow sufficient time for the first company to have again loaded, and shouldered at the time the last company fires, and will establish proper intervals betwixt each.
In firing by grand divisions, three pauses will be made betwixt the fire of each division, and the make ready of the succeeding one.
In firing by wings, one wing will make ready the instant the other is shouldering. The commanding officer of the battalion fires the wings.
In firing companies by files each company fires independent. When the right file presents, the next makes ready, and so on. After the first fire, each man as he loads comes to the recover, and the file again fires without waiting for any other; the rear rank men are to have their eyes on their front rank-men, and be guided by, and present with them.
When troops march to music, a pause in the mind before the latter strikes off, will contribute greatly to that uniformity of step, without which no line can move correctly. In some regiments the music does not play until one step has been taken. See [Step off].
PAY, or pay of the army, is the stipend or salary allowed for each individual serving in the army; first established by the British government in the year 1660.
FULL PAY
Of the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Privates in the British army.
| Rank. | Life Guards. | Cavalry. | Foot Guards. | Infantry of the line. | Artillery. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horse. | Foot. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| £. | s. | d. | £. | s. | d. | £. | s. | d. | £. | s. | d. | £. | s. | d. | £. | s. | d. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Colonel | 1 | 16 | — | 1 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 19 | — | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Colonel en Second | — | — | — | — | 1 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st. Lieut. Colonel | 1 | 11 | — | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 15 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 8 | — | 19 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2d. Lieut. Colonel | — | — | — | 0 | 15 | 11 | — | — | 16 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st. Major | 1 | 6 | — | — | 19 | 3 | 1 | 4 | — | - | 0 | 14 | 1 | - | 1 | — | 9 | — | 14 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2d. Major | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Captain | — | 16 | — | — | 14 | 7 | — | 16 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 5 | — | 15 | 4 | — | 9 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Captain Lieutenant | - | 0 | 11 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 7 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 8 | - | 0 | 10 | — | — | 7 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1st. Lieutenant | 0 | 9 | — | — | 6 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2d. Lieutenant | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 5 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cornets | — | 8 | 6 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ensigns | — | — | — | 5 | 10 | — | 4 | 8 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pay-Master | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter-Master | — | 6 | — | 5 | 6 | — | 5 | 8 | — | 5 | 8 | — | 6 | — | — | 6 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjutant | — | 11 | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 5 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Surgeon | — | 12 | — | — | 12 | — | — | 12 | — | — | 9 | 5 | — | 11 | 10 | — | 9 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assistant Surgeon | — | — | 5 | — | — | 7 | 6 | — | 5 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 5 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Veterinary do. | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serjeant-Major | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter-Master do. | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 10 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serjeant | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 10 | ³⁄₄ | — | 1 | 6 | ³⁄₄ | — | 2 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporal | — | 2 | 6 | ¹⁄₄ | — | 1 | 7 | ¹⁄₄ | — | 1 | 4 | ³⁄₄ | — | 1 | 2 | ¹⁄₄ | — | 2 | 2 | ¹⁄₄ | — | 2 | ¹⁄₄ | |||||||||||||
| Bombardier | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | ¹⁄₄ | — | 1 | 10 | ¹⁄₄ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st. Gunner | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2d. Gunner | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | ¹⁄₄ | — | 1 | 3 | ¹⁄₄ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private | — | 1 | 11 | ¹⁄₄ | — | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Farrier and Smith | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | ³⁄₄ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collar Maker | - | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | ³⁄₄ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wheeler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trumpeter | - | — | 2 | 6 | — | 1 | 7 | — | 1 | 2 | ¹⁄₄ | — | 1 | 1 | ¹⁄₄ | — | 2 | 1 | ³⁄₄ | — | 1 | 3 | ¹⁄₄ | |||||||||||||
| Drummer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Full PAY. The pecuniary allowance which is made to officers and non-commissioned officers, without any deduction whatsoever. Since the abolition of arrears in the British service, which took place in 1797, commissioned and warrant officers, &c. receive their full pay, or daily subsistence. The private soldiers are subject to temporary deductions, for the purpose of appropriating part of their pay and allowances to the expence of their messes, including vegetables, &c. and to a stoppage not exceeding 1s. 6d. per week, for necessaries; which stoppage is to be accounted for monthly, as stated in their regulations of 1st September, 1795, and the remainder being 1s. 6d. must be paid, weekly to each soldier, subject to the accustomed deduction for washing, and for articles to clean his clothing and appointments.
The full pay of the British army is given in advance on the 25th of every month, and accounted for to government by the several district and regimental paymasters, through army agents appointed for that purpose. For further particulars, see Military Finance, page 48, &c. Non-commissioned officers and private soldiers serving as marines, are not liable to any deduction whatsoever from their full pay, on account of provisions. It will be further observed, that although the British army is now paid its full pay, in consequence of the abolition of the distinction between subsistence and arrears, that pay is nevertheless subject to the usual deductions on account of poundage, hospital, and agency. This will explain the mutilated appearance of the different rates of pay. Thus a captain of infantry, who is nominally supposed to receive 10s. per diem, gets only 9s. 5d. the 7d. going for the above deductions. The full pay of the subaltern officers has been very judiciously increased, but that of the captains, &c. remains as it was in the reign of Queen Anne. For the several rates of full pay, see Military Finance, page 66, &c.
Half Pay, (Demi solde, Fr.) a compensation or retaining fee which is given to officers who have retired from the service through age, inability, &c. or who have been placed upon that list in consequence of a general reduction of the forces, or a partial drafting, &c. of the particular corps to which they belonged. The half pay becomes due on the 25th of June, and on the 25th of December in each year, but it is seldom issued until three months after the expiration of each of those periods. The only deduction from the half pay is the poundage, two and an half per cent. See Military Finance, page 113.
Irish HALF-PAY. Every officer upon the Irish establishment, when reduced to half pay, must swear to, and sign the following certificate:
| County of | - | |
———-——— of foot, came this day before me, and made oath, that he is no otherwise provided for by any commission or employment, civil or military, in his majesty’s service, than by half pay on the establishment of Ireland, and is on no other establishment of half pay.
| Officer’s | - | Sworn before me this | |
| Name. | day of |
N. B. To be sworn in January, April, July, and October, in every year.
PAY-MASTER, is he who is intrusted with the money, and has the charge of paying the regiment. He has no other commission in the line. His pay is 15s. per day.
District Pay-Master, an officer appointed for the better management of the interior concerns of the army, when the corps are detached in garrisons on duty, in several districts.
Pay-Bills. in the British army these bills are distinguished according to the nature of the service for which they are given. Every captain of a troop or company receives a regular weekly account from his Serjeant, of money to be advanced for the effectives of such troop or company; and on the 24th day in each month he makes out a monthly one for the paymaster, who makes out a general abstract for the agent. The paymaster-general’s estimate is likewise called the pay bill.
Pay-Lists. The monthly accounts, which are transmitted by the several regimental and district paymasters to their agents on the 25th of each month, are so termed.
Pay-Rolls, the same as pay-lists.
Pay-Serjeant. See [Serjeant].
PAYE, Fr. the pay of the troops.
PAYEN-Ghaut, Ind. the lower mountain Ghaut is the general term for mountain.
PAYS, Fr. This word is variously applied by the French in a figurative sense: Parler, ou juger a vue de Pays. To speak or decide at random.
Gagner Pays, (vuider le pays, Fr.) To leave a country. To go voluntarily into exile. Gagner pays likewise means to gain ground. Avancer pays may be used in the same sense.
Battre-Pays, Fr. to speak wide of the subject.
Tirer-Pays, Fr. a familiar phrase among the French, signifying to escape.
Pays, Fr. country, locality, ground.
Pays-conquis, Fr. This term was applied by the French to those countries and tracts of territory which had been ceded to France by treaty; as Lorraine; or had been conquered by force of arms; as Ypres, Tournay, Ghent, Ostend, and several other towns, from the reign of Louis XIII.
Pays-coupés, Fr. Confined, inclosed, or intersected countries. Marshal Saxe has observed, that it is impossible to lay down any specific rule relative to the management of troops in countries of this description. An intelligent and able officer will be governed by the nature of the ground in which he is to act; and as under these circumstances, the contest will consist chiefly of a war of posts, and of desultory engagements, in which the most obstinate will be generally the most successful, it will be incumbent upon every military man to recollect, that he must never advance, without having previously secured means for a retreat, should that be judged expedient, and being constantly guarded on his flanks to prevent the fatal consequences of surprise and ambuscade. Although the latter precautions are principally attended to by the general of an army, every partisan or officer commanding a detachment, should be more or less alive to the many mischiefs which must ensue from carelessness and inattention. It would be superfluous to point out what troops are best calculated to act in a close or intersected country. Every military man must know, that mountainous and close countries, or intersected lands, are best adapted to light infantry manœuvres, and that cavalry can only act, with safety and effect, in an open country. The solidity of this observation has probably been the cause of so much improvement in light artillery, and in rifle corps. The latter, indeed, by the use which has been made of their particular weapon, and the desultory execution of it on service, have sufficiently shewn, that no army ought to move without them.
PAYSANS. Fr. Peasants.
PEACE, has been represented allegorically as a beautiful female, holding in her hand a wand or rod towards the earth, over a hideous serpent, and keeping her other hand over her face, as unwilling to behold strife or war. By some painters she has been represented holding in one hand an olive branch, and leading a lamb and a wolf yoked by their necks, in the other; others again have delineated her with an olive branch in her right hand, and a cornucopia, or horn of plenty, in her left.
A very celebrated temple was erected for the goddess of peace at Rome, which was furnished with most of the rich vases and curiosities taken out of the temple of the Jews at Jerusalem. In this temple she was represented as a fine lady, endowed with a great deal of sweetness and good-nature, crowned with laurel interwoven, holding a caduceus in one hand, and a nosegay of roses and ears of corn, in the other.
The temple of peace, built by Vespasian, was 300 feet long, and 200 broad. Josephus says, that all the rarities which men travel through the world to see, were deposited in this temple.
Peace, (Paix, Fr.) rest, silence, quietness; the direct opposite to war; and when the latter prevails, the ultimate object of every contest. This word is frequently prefixed to the term establishment, to signify the reduced number of effective men, in the British army, according to the various formations of corps. Thus one regiment may be 1200 strong in time of war, and only 600 in time of peace. A regiment may also consist of several battalions, the 60th regiment for example has six battalions each of the strength of a regiment; that is from 1000 to 1200 men each. Whence arises the distinction between war and peace establishments. The standing army of Great Britain, according to law, consists of that force only which is kept up in time of peace, and which is confined to a specific number of regiments. Every regiment, beyond the regulated number, during a war is liable to be reduced; and all within it are said to be out of the break.
PEADA, Ind. a footman who carries a staff.
PECHE, Fr. Fishery.
PECTORAL, (Pectoral, Fr.) a breast plate. This word is derived from the Latin, Pectorale. Among the Romans the poorer soldiers, who were rated under a thousand drachms, instead of the lorica or brigantine, (a leathern coat of mail) wore a pectorale, or breast-plate of thin brass, about 12 fingers square. Some modern troops, such as the cuirassiers, &c. wear pectorals for the direct purposes of defence and bodily protection; but in general small ornamental plates with clasps, have been substituted.
PECULAT, Fr. See [Peculation].
PECULATE, PECULATION, the crime of pilfering any thing, either sacred or public, particularly public money, by a person who has the management or custody thereof. This crime is punishable in the heirs of the original delinquent. Under peculation may be considered not only the monies which are embezzled or misapplied by commissioned, non-commissioned, and warrant officers, but the public stores, provisions, aims, and ammunition, &c. which may be sold for private emolument. Occasional examples have been made by government, of a crime that cannot be too scrupulously watched, or too heavily punished, ought to deter individuals from sacrificing public integrity to private views. They ought to remember, that like the sword of Damocles, public scorn hangs over the head of every man whose accounts have not been finally audited and passed.
PECUNIA. Money. A deity in the heathen mythology; (though not a goddess personified among them) the most powerful ascendant the moderns know. The Romans held that she presided over riches, and that she had a son named Argentinus, whom they adored in the hopes of growing rich.
PECUNIUS, a deity of the ancient Prussians, in honor of whom they kept a fire of oak perpetually burning. A priest constantly attended, and if the fire happened to go out by his neglect, he was instantly put to death. When it thundered, they imagined that their grand priest conversed with their god, and for that reason they fell prostrate on the earth, praying for seasonable weather.
PEDERERO, PATTARERO, a Portuguese term, signifying a small sort of cannon, which is particularly used on the quarter deck of ships, to fire or throw forth stones, or broken iron, upon hoarding parties. This word has been adopted both by the French and English.
PEDOMETER, (Pedometre, Fr.) a mathematical instrument, composed of various wheels with teeth, which by means of a chain fastened to a man’s foot, or to the wheel of a chariot, advance a notch each step, or each revolution of the wheel, and the number being marked at the edge of each wheel, the paces may be numbered, or the distance from one place to another be exactly measured.
PEGS, pointed pieces of wood, used to fasten the cords of a tent.
PEIADAK, Ind. a guard to accompany a prisoner at large.
PEISA, Ind. Cash; or copper money.
PEER, Ind. Monday.
PELE-MELE, Fr. a French adverb, from which is derived the English term pellmell, signifying, confusedly, in disorder, in heaps, &c.
PELICAN, Fr. an ancient piece of artillery which carried a six pound weight of ball, and weighed two thousand four hundred pounds.
PELLE de bois simple, Fr. a wooden shovel.
PELOTE à feu, Fr. Pelote literally means the bottom of a pincushion, a ball, &c. It is here used to signify a species of combustible ball, which serves to throw light into a fosse or elsewhere. The composition is pitch one part, sulphur three parts, to one pound of saltpetre. The whole is well mixed together, and incorporated with tow, from which the pelotes are made.
PELOTON, Fr. Platoon.
Rompre le Peloton, Fr. A platoon being generally considered as a subdivision, rompre le peloton signifies to break into sections.
Former le Peloton, Fr. to double up or form subdivision.
Pelotonne, ée, Fr. formed into a platoon.
Pelotonner, Fr. to gather together, to get into groupes.
Se Pelotonner, Fr. to form into a platoon.
PELTA, in antiquity, a kind of buckler, small, light, and more manageable than the Parma which was used by the Amazons, according to Virgil, and resembled the moon in his first quarter, according to Servius.
PENAL, (Pénal, ale, Fr.) any decree or law which subjects individuals, &c. to penalties. Hence code pénal. Les loix pénales. The penal code, the penal laws. Thus in England a person professing the Catholic religion is not permitted to exercise his religion if a soldier; and a catholic cannot be a commissioned officer.
PENALTY. In a military sense, signifies forfeiture for non-performance, likewise punishment for embezzlement, &c. An officer found guilty of embezzling stores is cashiered; any person who harbors, conceals, or assists any deserter from the United States’ service, is liable to a heavy penalty.
PENDULUM, in mechanics, any heavy body suspended in such a manner that it may vibrate backwards, and forwards, about some fixed point, by the force of gravity.
A pendulum is any body suspended upon, and moving about, a point as a centre. The nature of a pendulum consists in the following particulars. 1. The times of the vibrations of a pendulum, in very small arches, are all equal. 2. The velocity of the bob in the lowest point, will be nearly as the length of the cord of the arch which it describes in the descent. 3. The times of vibrations in different pendulums, are the square roots of the times of their vibrations. 4. The time of one vibration is to the time of descent, through half the length of the pendulum as the circumference of a circle is to its diameter. 5. Whence the length of a pendulum vibrating seconds in the latitude of London, is found to be 39 inches and ²⁄₁₀ths; and of one half-second pendulum 9.8 inches. 6. An uniform homogeneous body, as a rod, staff, &c. which is ¹⁄₃d part longer than a pendulum, will vibrate in the same time with it.
From these properties of the pendulum we may discern its use as an universal chronometer, or regulator of time. By this instrument, also, we can measure the distance of a ship, of a battery, &c. by measuring the interval of time between the fire and report of the gun; also the distance of a cloud, by counting the seconds or half-seconds, between the lightning and the thunder. Thus, suppose between the lightning and thunder we count ten seconds; then, because sound passes through 1142 feet in one second, we get the distance of the cloud = 11420 feet. Again, the height of any room, or other object, may be measured by a pendulum vibrating from the top thereof. Thus, suppose a pendulum from the height of a room, or other object, vibrates once in three seconds; then say, as 1 is to the square of 3, viz. 9, so is 39.2 to 352.8 feet, the height required. Lastly, by the pendulum we discover the different force of gravity on divers parts of the earth’s surface, and thence the true figure of the earth.
PENDULUMS. Pendulums for military purposes are best made with a musquet ball, and a piece of silk, or other small line. Their length must be measured from the centre of the ball to the end of the loop on which they are to swing. In a cylinder, or other uniform prism or rod, the centre of oscillation, from whence they must be measured, is at the distance of one-third from the bottom, or two-thirds below the centre of motion.
Pendulum’s length in latitude of London, to swing
| Seconds | 39 | ¹⁄₈th. | |
| ¹⁄₂ | Seconds | 9 | ·8 |
| ¹⁄₄ | Seconds | 2 | ·45 |
Length of Pendulums to vibrate Seconds at every fifth degree of latitude.
| Degrees of Latitude. | Length of Pendulum. |
|---|---|
| Inches. | |
| 39,027 | |
| 5 | 39,029 |
| 10 | 39,032 |
| 15 | 39,036 |
| 20 | 39,044 |
| 25 | 39,057 |
| 30 | 39,070 |
| 35 | 39,084 |
| 40 | 39,097 |
| 45 | 39,111 |
| 50 | 39,126 |
| 55 | 39,142 |
| 60 | 39,158 |
| 65 | 39,168 |
| 70 | 39,177 |
| 75 | 39,185 |
| 80 | 39,191 |
| 85 | 39,195 |
| 90 | 39,197 |
Rule.—To find the length of a pendulum to make any number of vibrations, and vice versa.
Call the pendulum making 60 vibrations the standard length; then say, as the square of the given number of vibrations is to the square of 60; so is the length of the standard to the length sought. If the length of the pendulum be given and the number of vibrations it makes in a minute be required; say, as the given length, is to the standard length, so is the square of 60, its vibrations in a minute, to the square of the number required. The square root of which will be the number of vibrations made in a minute.
PENNANT, PENNON, a small flag or color.
Gentlemen PENSIONERS, (Gentilshommes Pensionnaires, Fr.) a band of gentlemen, who guard the British king’s person in his own house, and for that end wait in the presence chamber. They were first instituted by Henry VII. They are usually forty in number. Their officers are, a captain, lieutenant, standard-bearer, and clerk of the cheque. Their ordinary arms are guilt pole-axes. Their pension is 100l. per annum; they are usually called beef-eaters, from their usually fat appearance and indolent habits.
PENTACAPSULAR, having five cavities.
PENTAEDROUS, having five sides.
PENTAGON, in fortification, a figure bounded by five sides, or polygons, which form so many angles, capable of being fortified with an equal number of bastions. It also denotes a fort with five bastions.
PENTAGRAPH, (Pentagraphe, Fr.), An instrument whereby designs, &c. may be copied in any proportion, without the person, who uses it, being skilled in drawing.
PENTANGLE, A figure having five angles.
PENTANGULAR. See [Pentagon].
PENTAPOLIS, in geography, a country consisting of five cities. This name was given, particularly, to the valley wherein stood the five infamous cities destroyed by fire and brimstone in Abraham’s time. The most celebrated Pentapolis was the Pentapolis Cyrenica in Egypt, whose cities were Berenice, Arsinoe, Ptolemais, Cyrene, and Apollonia
PENTASPAST, (Pentapaste, Fr.) An engine that has five pullies.
PENTATHLON. The five exercises performed in the Grecian games, viz. leaping, running, quoiting, darting, and wrestling.
PENTHOUSE, a shed hanging forward in a sloping direction from the main wall of a place.
PEONS, Ind. municipal foot soldiers. These men are chiefly employed to assist in collecting the revenues, and carry a pike or staff. Most persons in India keep servants, who wear a belt with the master’s name. These are likewise called Peadahs.
PEOPLE, of color. Blacks, Mulattoes, so called. They form part of the British territorial army, and are distributed, in corps, among the West India islands.
PERAMBULATOR. See [Pedometer].
PERCH, in mensuration, is ten feet long. See [Measure].
PERCUSSION. The impression which a body makes in falling or striking upon another, or the shock of two moving bodies. It is either direct or oblique.
Direct Percussion, is where the impulse is given in the direction of a right line perpendicular to the point of contact.
Oblique Percussion. When it is given in the direction of a line oblique to the point of contact.
Centre of Percussion. That point wherein the shock of the percutient bodies is the greatest.
PERCUTIENT, striking against or upon.
PERDU, a word adopted from the French, signifying to lie flat and closely in wait. It likewise means the forlorn hope.
A corps Perdu, Fr. Desperately.
A coup Perdu, Fr. At random.
Coup Perdu, Fr. Random shot.
PEREMPTORY. Whatever is absolute and final, not to be altered, renewed, or restrained. Peremptory execution, what takes place immediately.
PERE, Ind. See [Peer].
PERFIDIOUS. Treacherous, false to trust, guilty of violated faith. Hence a perfidious foe. War, however melancholy in its effects, and frequently unjustifiable in its cause and progress, is nevertheless, among civilized nations, so far governed by certain principles of honor, as to render the observance of established laws and customs an object of general acquiescence. When two or more countries are engaged in a hostile contest, whatever belligerent party grossly deviates from those rules, is deservedly stamped with infamy, and justly called “a perfidious foe.”
Perfidiously, treacherously, falsely, without faith.
Perfidy, want of faith, treachery.
PERGUNNA, Ind. A district.
PERIMETER, in geometry, the extent that bounds any figure or body. The perimeters of figures or surfaces, are lines; those of bodies are surfaces. In circular figures, &c. we use circumference or periphery instead of perimeter.
PERIOD. This word is frequently used in military accounts to express the intermediate time for which money has been issued to officers and soldiers.
Broken Period, a term used in the returns and financial statements of the British army, when the regular distribution of pay is interrupted, or the effective force is lessened by the absence of one or more individuals, or by any other cause. A correct and faithful statement of broken periods is essentially necessary in every well regulated regiment, as not only the service but the public purse may be materially injured by the neglect, or embezzlement of individuals. Adjutants and pay-masters cannot be too scrupulously minute on this important head.
PERIPHERY, the circumference—as of a circle.
PERISTYLE, a circular range of pillars for the support or ornament of any building, &c. used in the ancient amphitheatres.
PERKERNUCKA, Ind. Petty officers are so called in India.
PERMANENT Fortification, is defined to be the art of fortifying towns, &c. so as to resist the attacks of an enemy, that makes regular approaches.
PERMANENT rank, a rank in the army, which does not cease with any particular service, or locality of circumstances; in opposition to local or temporary rank. See [Rank].
PERPENDICULAR, (Perpendiculaire, Fr.) According to Vauban’s system, it is a line raised in a perpendicular direction on the centre of the exterior side of any given polygon. In mean fortification, which prevails more than any other system, the perpendicular contains 30 toises in the exagon, and in polygons that have a greater number of sides; but it contains fewer when the polygons have a less number. The perpendicular is used by this engineer to determine the other lines and angles belonging to a fortification. In proportion as the perpendicular is increased, the extent of the flanks is augmented.
Perpendicular fortification, is that in which all the component parts flank each other at straight angles. Pagan, and other engineers, made the flanks perpendicular to the lines of defence. This is also the denomination of the improved system of Montalembert, which has superceded in a great measure all others; the distinction between this and the old, would require a treatise to exemplify it.
Perpendicular, (Perpendiculaire, Fr.) When any star is vertical, it is said, in astronomy, to be perpendicular, because its beams fall directly upon us.
Perpendicular, in geometry, when any right line is perpendicular to all the lines it meets with in a plane, it is said to be perpendicular to that plane.
Perpendicular direction, in marching, is the regular and straight progress of one or more men over given points. Without the strictest attention is paid to this essential principal in all movements, the greatest irregularity, and, ultimately, the greatest confusion must ensue. Perpendicular and parallel movements, constitute, indeed, the whole system of good marching. When several columns, divisions, or companies, advance, the different pivots must be strictly perpendicular and parallel to each other, otherwise the distance will be lost, and the ultimate object of forming a correct line must be defeated.
PERPETUAL screw, a screw which is acted upon by the teeth of a wheel, and which continues its action for an indefinite length of time; or so long as the teeth of the wheel continue to act upon it.
PERQUISITES, all manner of profits arising from an office or place, independent of the actual salary or revenue. In a military sense no perquisites, advantages, or emoluments are allowed to persons in responsible situations.
PERSIAN Language, Ind. There are two sorts; the ancient, called Zebane-Pehlavy; the modern, called Zebaunedery.
PERSPECTIVE, is the art of drawing the resemblances or pictures of objects on a plane surface, as the objects themselves appear to the eye, &c.
PERSPECTIVE Elevation. See [Scenography].
PERUST, Ind. A small weight or measure, equal to four koodups or puls.
PERWANNA, Ind. An order, warrant, or letter, signed by a Nawaub or Nabob, a passport; a custom-house permit, as in the case of the Neyau and vizier.
PESHWA, or PAISHWA, Ind. Prime minister; the acting head of the Mahrattah states. Paishwa became the title of a sovereign, the head of the Mahrattahs.
PESTLE, an instrument used in the fabrication of gunpowder. See [Gunpowder Mill].
PETARDEAUX, Fr. Pieces of wood, covered with wool and pitch, which are used to stop the holes that are made in the sides of a ship by cannonball, during an engagement.
PETARD, or PETARDO, an engine to burst open the gates of small fortresses: it is made of gun-metal, fixed upon a board two inches thick, and about 2¹⁄₂ feet square, to which it is screwed, and holds from 9 to 20 pounds of powder, with a hole at the end opposite to the plank to fill it, into which the vent is screwed: the petard thus prepared is hung against the gate by means of a hook, or supported by three staves fastened to the plank: when fired it bursts open the gate. Its invention is ascribed to the French Huguenots in 1579, who, with them, took Cahors in the same year.
Petards are of four different sizes: the first contains 12lbs. 13oz. second 10lbs. 11oz. third 1lb. 10oz. fourth 1lb. The blind fuze composition for them is of mealed powder, 7lb. wood ashes 3oz.
Stores for one Petard.
| Hooks to hang the petard | 2 |
| Gimblets | 2 |
| Brass fuze | 1 |
| Wrench to screw the fuze | 1 |
| Blue paper portfires | 6 |
| Slow match yards | 4 |
| Props or forks | 2 |
| Copper funnels | 1 |
| Tallow ounces | 8 |
| Cartridges | 1 |
PETARDER, Fr.. to fire petards.
PETARDIER. The man who loads, fixes, and fires the petard. It likewise signifies among the French, the man who makes or throws a petard.
PETEL, Ind.. The head of a village.
PETER, Fr.. in a military sense, to explode, to make a loud noise.
PETEROLLES, Fr.. Squibs, such as children make and use in the streets for their diversion.
PETITE-Guerre, Fr. See [Guerre], for its definition.
Petite-Guerre, is carried on by a light party, commanded by an expert partisan, and which should be from 1000 to 2000 men, separated from the army, to secure the camp or cover a march; to reconnoitre the enemy or the country; to seize their posts, convoys, and escorts; to plant ambuscades, and to put in practice every stratagem for surprising or disturbing the enemy; which is called carrying on the Petite-guerre. The genius of these days, and the operations of the American war, have placed the service of such a corps in a most respectable light, as it is more fatiguing, more dangerous, and more desultory than any other.
To form a corps capable of carrying on the Petite-guerre to advantage, prudence requires that it should consist of 1000 men at least, without which a partisan cannot expect to support the fatigues of a campaign, and seize the most important occasions that every where offer, and which a too great inferiority must make him forego.
It is no less important that this corps should be composed of light infantry and cavalry; and as it is most incontestible that the cavalry should be the most active in carrying on the Petite-guerre, it were to be wished that they were likewise the strongest, so as to have 600 cavalry and 400 infantry in a corps of 1000 men, making four companies of light infantry, and twelve troops of cavalry. Each company of infantry to consist of 1 captain, 1 first and 2 second lieutenants, 6 serjeants, and 100 men, including 6 corporals, 4 lance-corporals, and 2 drummers. Each troop of cavalry to consist of 1 captain, 1 first and 1 second lieutenant, 1 ensign, a quarter-master, 6 serjeants, and 100 horsemen; including 6 corporals, a trumpeter and 2 farriers.
The commanding officer should have the naming of the officers of this corps, or at least the liberty to reject such as he is convinced are not qualified for such service. To support the honor of this corps upon a solid and respectable footing, the strictest subordination must extend from the chief to all the officers, and the most rigid discipline, vigilance, patience, bravery, and love of glory, ought to pervade the whole corps.
PETITION. See [Memorial].
PETRE. See [Nitre], [Saltpetre].
PETRINAL, or Poitrinal, Fr. a species of firearms between the arquebus and the pistol, which was used among the French, during the reign of Francis I. There is mention made of it in an account of the siege of Rouen, which was undertaken by Henry IV. in 1592. Being shorter than the musquet but of a heavier calibre, and not unlike our blunderbuss; it was slung in a cross belt, so as to rest upon the chest of the person who discharged it. From this circumstance it obtained the name of Poitrinal.
PETRONEL. See [Pistol].
PETTAH, Ind. the suburbs, or a town adjoining to a fort, which is in general surrounded by a stockade or fence of bamboos, a wall, and a ditch.
PEUPLER, Fr. literally means to people. This expression is used, in a military sense, by Belaire, author of Elémens de Fortification, in the following manner:—Il faut peupler la surface d’un glacis de Pierriers. The surface of a glacis ought to be well covered with [pedereros]. See page 388.
PHALANGE, Fr. See [Phalanx].
PHALANX, a word taken from the Greek, signifying the same as legion. In antiquity, a huge, square, compact battalion, formed of infantry, set close with their shields joined, and pikes turned across. It consisted of 8000 men, and Livy says, it was invented by the Macedonians; and hence called the Macedonian phalanx.
PHAROS, (Phare, Fr.) a light-house or pile raised near a port, where a fire is kept burning in the night to direct vessels near at hand. The Pharos of Alexandria, built at the mouth of the Nile, was anciently very famous; whence the name was derived to all the rest. Ozanam says, Pharos anciently denoted a streight, as the Pharos or Pharo of Messina.
PHARSALIA, so called from Pharsalus, anciently a town in Thessaly, now Turkey in Europe, which lies a little to the south of Larissa. This spot was rendered memorable in history by the battle that was fought between Pompey and Cæsar, when they contended for the empire of the world. Plutarch has given the following account of the engagement:—
“Both armies were now arrived at the fields of Pharsalia, conducted by the two greatest generals alive; Pompey at the head of all the Roman nobility, the flower of Italy and Asia, all armed in the cause of liberty. Cæsar at the head of a body of troops firmly attached to his interests, men who had faced every appearance of danger, were long inured to hardships, and had grown from youth to age in the practice of arms. Both camps lay in sight of each other. In this manner they spent the night; when next morning, Cæsar’s army was going to decamp, word was brought him, that a tumult and murmur were heard in Pompey’s camp, as of men preparing for battle. Another messenger came soon after with tidings that the first ranks were already drawn out. Cæsar now seemed to enjoy the object of his wishes. Now, cried he to his soldiers, the wished for day is come, when you shall fight with men, not with want and hunger. His soldiers, with joy in their looks went each to his rank, like dancers on a stage; while Cæsar himself at the head of his tenth legion, a body of men that had never yet been broken, with silence and intrepidity waited for the onset. While Cæsar was thus employed, Pompey on horseback viewed both armies; and seeing the steady order of the enemy, with the impatience of his own soldiers, he gave strict orders, that the vanguard should make a stand, and keeping close in their ranks receive the enemy. Pompey’s army consisted of 45,000 men, Cæsar’s not quite half that number. And now the trumpet sounded the signal for battle on both sides, and both armies approached each other.
“While but yet a little space remained between either army, Caius Crastinus, a devoted Roman, issued from Cæsar’s army at the head of 120 men, and began the engagement. They cut through the opposite ranks with their swords, and made a great slaughter; but Crastinus still pressing forward, a soldier run him through the mouth, and the weapon came out at the back of his neck. In the mean time Pompey, designed to surround Cæsar, and to force his horse, which amounted to only one thousand, to fall back upon his infantry, gave orders that his own cavalry, consisting of 7000 men, should extend itself, and then attack the enemy. Cæsar expecting this, had placed 3000 foot in reserve, who rushed out fiercely, and attacked Pompey’s horse, letting fly their javelins in the faces of the young delicate Romans, who, careful of their beauty, turned their backs and were shamefully put to flight. Cæsar’s men, without pursuing them flanked the enemy, now unprotected by their horse, and soon a total rout began to ensue. Pompey, by the dust he saw flying in the air, quickly conjectured that his cavalry was overthrown, and overpowered by the event retired to his camp in agony and silence. In this condition he sat pondering in his tent, till roused by the shouts of the enemy breaking into his camp, he cried out: What, into the very camp! and without uttering any thing more, but putting on a mean habit, to disguise his flight, he departed secretly.” During the seven years war Frederick the great, king of Prussia, was much in the same situation. He had retired to his tent, and had given up every thing for lost, when the daring enterprise of Ziethen, who commanded the Death Hussars, turned the fortune of the day; and though he lost an incalculable number of Prussians, he secured the victory, and thereby restored to his master both his kingdom and his crown.
PHATUK, Ind. a gaol or prison. It likewise means a gate.
PHAUGUN, Ind. a month, which in some degree agrees with February and March.
PHILEBEG, or Kilt, from the Gaelic, Filleadh beg, which signifies a little plaid. This part of the Highland dress corresponds with the lower part of a belted plaid, and is frequently worn as an undress by Highland officers and soldiers. The philebeg or kilt may be considered as a very good substitute for the belted plaid, as it is not, at present, thought necessary for the Highlander to carry his clothing for the night, as well as by day, about his person. This was the case in ancient times, when the breachcan answered both purposes. The philebeg is a modern invention, and is the garment which some, who have endeavored to establish the antiquity of Truis, confound with the breachcan filleadh.
PHIRMAUND, Ind. This word is sometimes written Firmaun, and signifies a royal commission, mandate, charter, proclamation, or decree.
PHOUSDAR, Ind. The same as Fousdar, the superintendant of a large district. It more immediately signifies the officer in charge of the revenue.
PHOUS-DAN, Ind. The commander of a large body of forces.
PIAN, Fr. a term used in the West Indies, to signify a venereal taint.
PIANISTE, Fr. a person infected with the venereal disorder.
A PIC, Fr. perpendicularly.
PICE, Ind. a copper coin, used in most parts of India, the value of which four pices make an anna, sixteen anna, a rupee; and a rupee is half of our dollar; so that there are 64 pices to a rupee or half a dollar.
PICAROON, a pillager, one who plunders; a smuggler, one who violates the laws.
PICKETS, in fortification, stakes sharp at one end, and sometimes shod with iron, used in laying out the ground, of about three feet long; but, when used for pinning the fascines of a battery, they are from 3 to 5 feet long.
Pickets, in artillery, are about 5 or 6 feet long, shod with iron, to pin the park lines, and to lay out the boundaries of the park.
Pickets, in the camp, are also stakes of about 6 or 8 inches long, to fasten the tent cords, in pitching the tents; also, of about 4 or 5 feet long, driven into the ground near the tents of the horsemen, to tie their horses to.
Picket, an out-guard posted before an army, to give notice of an enemy approaching. See [Guard].
Picket, a barbarian kind of punishment so called, where a soldier stood with one foot upon a sharp pointed stake: the time of his standing was limited according to the offence.
| PICK, | - | |
| PICK-AXE, | ||
| PICKER, |
A sharp pointed iron tool, used in trenching,
&c. to loosen the ground.
Picker likewise means a small pointed piece of brass or iron wire, which every soldier carries to clear the touch-hole of his musquet. The brass pickers are the best, because they are not liable to snap or break off.
PICOREE, Fr. an obsolete French term, signifying a party of soldiers who go out in search of plunder.
PICORER, Fr. to go out in search of plunder. Obsolete.
PICOREUR, Fr. a marauder.
PICQUEERING, PICKERING, PICKEROONING, a little flying skirmish, which maurauders make, when detached for pillage, or before a main battle begins.
PICS-Hoyaux, Fr. Different sorts of pick-axes used by the pioneers.
PIECE, (Piéce, Fr.) This word is variously used, in a military sense, by the French and English, viz.
Un homme armé de toutes PIECES, Fr. a man armed at all points, or cap-a-pied.
Pieces d’honneur, Fr. the insignia or marks of honor. These consist of the crown, sceptre, and sword.
PIECES of Ordnance are all sorts of great guns and mortars.
Battering Pieces are the large guns which serve at sieges to make breaches, such as the 24-pounder, and the culverin, which carries 18lb. ball.
Garrison-Pieces, are mostly heavy 12, 18, 24, 36, and 42-pounders, besides wall guns.
Field-Pieces are twelve pounders, demi-culverins, six pounders, sakers, minions, and three pounders, which move with an army, and are parked behind the second line when it encamps, but are advanced in front, in the intervals of battalions, &c. and on the flanks in the day of battle.
Regimental Pieces, are light 6 pounders: each regiment has generally two of these pieces. See Am. Mil. Lib.
PIECE is likewise used to express a soldier’s musquet.
Piece Goods, in India, the various fabrics which manufacture cotton and silk, are distinguished by this term.
Une Piece d’artillerie, une Piece de canon, Fr. These terms are used by the French to signify cannon in general.
Pieces de Battierie, Fr. See [Battering Pieces].
Pieces de campagne, Fr. See [Field Pieces].
Pieces de vingt-quatre, Fr. 24 pounders.
Pieces de trente-six, Fr. 36 pounders. When pieces are not specifically named the term is used in the same general sense by the English, as, one hundred pieces of cannon, or artillery: cent piéces d’artillerie; but when the calibre is mentioned, it is usual in English to substitute the word pounder for piece, as une piéce de vingt quatre; four and twenty pounder.
Démonter les Pieces, Fr. to dismount cannon.
Enclouer les Pieces, Fr. to spike cannon.
Rafraichir les Pieces, Fr. to spunge or clean out cannon.
Piece de canon brisé, Fr. The French formerly made use of cannon that could be taken to pieces, and so rendered more portable. This species of ordnance was distinguished as above.
Piece versée en panier ou en cage, Fr. a piece of ordnance is said to be in this situation, when it is so completely overturned, as to have the wheels of its carriage in the air. Various methods have been proposed by able engineers to raise cannon that have been overturned. See Saint Remi, Manuel de l’artilleur, and a late publication, intituled, Aide Mémoire a l’usage des Officiers d’Artillerie de France, by Gassendi.
Pieces légeres, Fr. light pieces. See [Field Pieces].
Pieces à la Suédoise, Fr. field pieces originally invented, and since used among the Swedes.
Pieces Nettes, Fr. Artillery pieces that have no defect whatever.
Pieces de Chasse, Fr. a marine term, signifying the cannon that is placed on the stern and forecastle of a ship. We call them chase-guns.
Pieces détachées, Travaux avancés en dehors, Fr. Those works which cover the body of a fortified place, towards the country; of this description are ravelins, demi-lunes, hornworks, tenailles, crown works, queues d’hironde, enveloppes, &c.
To be cut to Pieces, (Etre écharpê, Fr.) The French say, Un tel régiment, a éte écharpé. Such a regiment was cut to pieces.
PIED de Roi, Fr. a measure containing twelve French inches, or one hundred and forty lines.
Pied Quarré, Fr. The French square foot contains the same dimensions in length and breadth, giving one hundred and forty inches of surface.
Pied de toise quarrée, Fr. the sixth part of a square toise. The square toise contains 36 feet, the square foot consequently comprehends six feet, and must be considered as a rectangle.
Pied Cube, Fr. the same measure according to three dimensions. It contains 1728 cubic inches.
Pied Rhenan or Rhinlandique, Fr. the German foot. See [Measure].
Pied courant, Fr. the extent of a foot considered as to length only.
Pied Marin, Fr. literally, sea-leg. See [Marin].
Pied de mur ou de muraille, Fr. that lower part of a wall which is otherwise called Escarpe, and is contained between its base and top.
Pied de rampart, Fr. that extent of ground which lies between the fosse and the houses in a fortified town or place.
A Pied, Fr. On foot.
Pied à pied, Fr. foot by foot, gradually. Faire un logement pied à pied; to establish a lodgement foot by foot. Forcer les ouvrages pied à pied; to make regular approaches, or to besiege a town by opening trenches, &c. instead of insulting it by a direct attack.
Troupes retenues sur PIED, Fr. troops kept upon full pay.
Etre en PIED, Fr. to be kept upon full pay, in contradistinction to reformé, or being reduced.
PIEDROIT, Fr. Pier.
PIEGE, Fr. Snare.
PIERRE, Fr. A stone.
Pierre à feu, Fr. Flint.
Pierre à fusil, Fr. A flint.
PIERREE, Fr. A drain, water-course.
PIERRIER, Fr. A swivel, a pederero.
PIERRIERE, Fr. A quarry.
PIERRIERES, Fr. Heaps of stones, which are designedly collected round fortified places to interrupt besiegers in their approaches. These heaps are covered over with earth to conceal the stratagem; and the spots on which they lie are frequently fortified with palisadoes, in the form of bonnets or saliant angles; so that when the besieger attempts to carry them, the artillery from the ramparts or neighboring places, may be fired amongst the heaps of stones, and considerable damage be done by the fragments that must necessarily fly about.
PIERS. The columns on which the arch of a bridge is raised.
PIES, Fr. Knights that were created by Pope Pius IV. in 1560, with the titles of counts Palatines. They took precedence, at Rome, of the knights of the Teutonic order, and of those of Malta.
PIETINER, Fr. to move the feet with great quickness. It likewise signifies to mark time, but not technically so.
PIETON, Fr. a foot soldier.
PIEU, Fr. a large beam, or stake.
PIEUX, Fr. This word is sometimes used in the plural number to signify palisades.
PIGNON, Fr. the gable end of a building.
PIKE, in war, an offensive weapon, consisting of a wooden shaft, from 6 to 20 feet long, with a flat steel head, pointed, called the spear. This instrument was long in use among the infantry; but now the bayonet, which is fixed on the muzzle of the firelock, is substituted in its stead. The Macedonian phalanx was a battalion of pikemen.
PIKEMEN, soldiers armed with pikes.
The utility of the Pike was pointed out by marshal Saxe, but until the French being destitute of firearms for their national guards, were forced to resort to it, the great value of the weapon was not well understood; although the bayonet, which is only a pike on the end of a firelock, was in general use. On an emergency, where arms are scarce, the pike may always be relied on against infantry or cavalry. See Am. Mil. Lib.
PIKESTAFF, the wooden pole or handle of a pike.
PILE, Fr. A species of javelin which was used by the Romans. They darted these weapons with so much force, that, according to tradition, two men have been pierced through, together with their shields or bucklers.
Piles, strong pieces of wood, driven into the ground to make a firm foundation for any kind of work.
To PILE or stack arms, to place three musquets with six bayonets in such a relative position, that the butts shall remain firm upon the ground, and the muzzles be close together in an oblique direction. This method has been adopted to prevent the injury which was formerly done to musquetry, when the practice of grounding the firelock prevailed. Every recruit should be taught how to pile or stack arms before he is dismissed the drill.
PILE, any heap; as a pile of balls, shells, &c.
Piles of shot or shells, are generally piled up in the magazines, in three different manners: the base is either a triangular square, or a rectangle; and from thence the piles are called triangular, square, and oblong.
Table, of Triangular Piles of Shot.
| Side. | Con- tent. | Side. | Con- tent. | Side. | Con- tent. | Side. | Con- tent. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 | 13 | 473 | 24 | 437 | 35 | 7486 |
| 3 | 10 | 14 | 574 | 25 | 751 | 36 | 8184 |
| 4 | 20 | 15 | 696 | 26 | 3091 | 37 | 9322 |
| 5 | 35 | 16 | 731 | 27 | 3458 | 38 | 10131 |
| 6 | 56 | 17 | 883 | 28 | 3853 | 39 | 10981 |
| 7 | 84 | 18 | 1043 | 29 | 4277 | 40 | 11871 |
| 8 | 120 | 19 | 1222 | 30 | 4731 | 41 | 12807 |
| 9 | 165 | 20 | 1540 | 31 | 5216 | 42 | 13730 |
| 10 | 220 | 21 | 1641 | 32 | 5733 | 43 | 14659 |
| 11 | 296 | 22 | 1883 | 33 | 6283 | 44 | 15585 |
| 12 | 384 | 23 | 2148 | 34 | 6867 | 45 | 16511 |
Explanation. The numbers in the 1st, 3d, 5th, and 7th vertical columns, express the number of shot in the base or side of each triangular pile; and the numbers in the 2d, 4th, 6th, and 8th vertical columns, express the number of shot in each pile.
Rules for finding the number in any Pile.
Triangular Pile.
Multiply the base by the base + 1, this product by the base + 2, and divide by 6.
Square Pile.
Multiply the bottom row by the bottom row + 1, and this product by twice the bottom row + 2, and divide by 6.
Rectangular Piles.
Multiply the breadth of the base by itself + 1, and this product by three times the difference between the length and the breadth of the base, added to twice the breadth + 1, and divide by 6.
Incomplete Piles.
Incomplete piles being only frustums, wanting a similar small pile on the top, compute first the whole pile as if complete, and also the small pile wanting at top; and then subtract the one number from the other.
Table, of square Piles of Shot.
| side | con- tent | side | con- tent | side | cont’t | side | cont’t | side | cont’t |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 5 | 20 | 2871 | 38 | 19019 | 56 | 60116 | 74 | 137825 |
| 3 | 14 | 21 | 3311 | 39 | 20540 | 57 | 63365 | 75 | 143450 |
| 4 | 30 | 22 | 3795 | 40 | 22140 | 58 | 66729 | 76 | 149226 |
| 5 | 55 | 23 | 4324 | 41 | 23821 | 59 | 70210 | 77 | 155155 |
| 6 | 91 | 24 | 4900 | 42 | 25585 | 60 | 73810 | 78 | 161239 |
| 7 | 140 | 25 | 5525 | 43 | 27434 | 61 | 77531 | 79 | 167480 |
| 8 | 204 | 26 | 6201 | 44 | 29370 | 62 | 81375 | 80 | 173880 |
| 9 | 285 | 27 | 6930 | 45 | 31395 | 63 | 85344 | 81 | 180441 |
| 10 | 385 | 28 | 7714 | 46 | 33511 | 64 | 89440 | 82 | 187165 |
| 11 | 506 | 29 | 8555 | 47 | 35720 | 65 | 93665 | 83 | 194054 |
| 12 | 650 | 30 | 9455 | 48 | 38024 | 66 | 98021 | 84 | 201110 |
| 13 | 819 | 31 | 10416 | 49 | 40425 | 67 | 102510 | 85 | 208335 |
| 14 | 1015 | 32 | 11440 | 50 | 42925 | 68 | 107134 | 86 | 215731 |
| 15 | 1240 | 33 | 12529 | 51 | 45526 | 69 | 111895 | 87 | 223300 |
| 16 | 1496 | 34 | 13685 | 52 | 48230 | 70 | 116795 | 88 | 231044 |
| 17 | 1785 | 35 | 14910 | 53 | 51039 | 71 | 121836 | 89 | 238965 |
| 18 | 2109 | 36 | 16206 | 54 | 53955 | 72 | 127020 | 90 | 247065 |
| 19 | 2470 | 37 | 17575 | 55 | 56980 | 73 | 132349 | 91 | 255346 |
Explanation. The numbers gradually increasing, from 2 to 91, express the number of shot at the base of each square pile; and the numbers opposite, the quantity of shot in each complete square pile. Example. No. 20 gives 2871, and No 30 gives 9455; and so of the rest.
PILIER, Fr. a buttress.
PILLAGE, (pillage, Fr.) The act of plundering.
To PILLAGE, to spoil, to waste, to plunder.
Pillager, a plunderer; one who gets a thing by violent or illegal means.
PILLAR, in a figurative sense, support. A well disciplined army may be called the pillar of the state; an ill disciplined one, the reverse.
PILLARS, and ARCHES. It was customary among the ancients, particularly among the Romans, to erect public buildings, such as arches and pillars, for the reward and encouragement of noble enterprise. These marks were conferred upon such eminent persons as had either won a victory of extraordinary consequence abroad, or had rescued the commonwealth from any considerable danger. The greatest actions of the heroes they stood to honor, were curiously expressed, or the whole procession of a triumph cut out on the sides. The arches built by Romulus were only of brick, those of Camillus of plain square stones; but those of Cæsar, Drusus, Titus, Trajan, Gordian, &c. were all entirely marble. As to their figure, they were at first semicircular; whence probably they took their names. Afterwards they were built four square, with a spacious arched gate in the middle, and little ones on each side. Upon the vaulted part of the middle gate, hung little winged images, representing victory, with crowns in their hands, which when they were let down, they put upon the conqueror’s head as he passed under the triumph.—Fabricii Roma, cap. 15.
The columns or pillars were converted to the same design as the arches, for the honorable memorial of some noble victory or exploit, after they had been a long time in use for the chief ornaments of the sepulchres of great men, as may be gathered from Homer, Iliad 16.
The pillars of the emperors Trajan and Antoninus, have been extremely admired for their beauty and curious work. We find them thus particular described in page 53, of Kennett’s Roman Antiquities.
The former was set up in the middle of Trajan’s forum, being composed of 24 great stones of marble, but so curiously cemented, as to seem one entire natural stone. The height was 144 feet, according to Eutropius, (Hist. lib. 8.) though Martian (lib. iii. cap. 13.) seems to make them but 128. It is ascended by 185 winding stairs, and has 40 little windows for the admission of light. The whole pillar is incrusted with marble, in which are expressed all the noble actions of the emperor, and particularly the Dacian war. One may see all over it the several figures of forts, bulwarks, bridges, ships, &c. and all manner of arms, as shields, helmets, targets, swords, spears, daggers; belts, &c. together with the several offices and employments of the soldiers; some digging trenches, some measuring out a place for the tents, and others making a triumphal procession. (Fabricus, cap. 7.) But the noblest ornament of this pillar, was the statute of Trajan on the top, of a gigantic bigness, being no less than 20 feet high. He was represented in a coat of armor proper to the general, holding in his left hand a sceptre, in his right a hollow globe of gold, in which his own ashes were deposited after his death, (Casalius, par. I. c. 2.)
The column or pillar of Antoninus, was raised in imitation of this, which it exceeded only in one respect, that it was 176 feet high; (Martian, lib. vi. cap. 13.) for the work was much inferior to the former, as being undertaken in the declining age of the empire. The ascent on the inside was 106 stairs, and the windows in the inside 56. The sculpture and the other ornaments were of the same nature as those of the first; and on the top stood a colossus of the emperor naked, as appears from some of his coins. See Martian idem.
Both these columns are still standing at Rome, the former most entire. But Pope Sixtus I. instead of the two statues of the emperors, set up St. Peter’s on the column of Trajan, and St. Paul’s on that of Antoninus. Casal, part I. c. 11.
Among the columns and pillars we must not pass by, (to use Mr. Kennett’s words) the Milliarium aureum, a gilded pillar in the forum, erected by Augustus Cæsar, at which all the highways of Italy met, and were concluded. (Martian, lib. iii. cap. 18.) From this they counted their miles, at the end of every mile setting up a stone; whence came the phrase Primus ab urbe lapis, and the like. This pillar, as Mr. Lassels informs us, is still to be seen.
PILON, Fr. a weapon, the use of which has been recommended by marshal Saxe, in his plan forming several battalions four deep. The two first ranks are to be armed with musquets, the third and fourth with large half pikes or pilons, having their musquets slung across their shoulders.
PILUM. The head of an arrow was so called by the Romans.
PINASSE, Fr. a pinnace.
PINDAREES, Ind. plunderers and marauders, who accompany a Mahrattah army. The name is properly that of persons who travel with grain and merchandize; but war affording so many opportunities and creating so many necessities, the merchants as it is all over the world, became plunderers and the worst of enemies.
To PINION, to bind the hands or arms of a person so as to prevent his having the free use of them.
PINK, a sort of small ship, masted and ribbed like other ships, except that she is built with a round stern, the bends and ribs compassing, so that her sides bulge out very much.
PIN, an iron nail or bolt, with a round head, and generally with a hole at the end to receive a key: there are many sorts, as axle-tree pins, or bolts, bolster pins, pole-pins, swing-tree pins, &c.
There are likewise musquet pins, which are small pieces of iron or wire that fasten the stock. Soldiers are very apt to take out these pins in order to make their pieces ring; but they should not on any account, be permitted so to do.
PINTLE in artillery, a long iron bolt, fixed upon the middle of the limber-bolster, to go through the hole made in the trail-transom of a field-carriage, when it is to be transported from one place to another.
Pintle-plate, is a flat iron, through which the pintle passes, and nailed to both sides of the bolster, with 8 diamond headed nails.
Pintle-washer, an iron ring through which the pintle passes, placed close to the bolster for the trail to move upon.
Pintle-hole, is of an oval figure, made in the trail-transom of a field-carriage, wider above than below, to leave room for the pintle to play in.
PIOBRACH, the Gaelic word for a piper; also an air played upon the bagpipe. It is now more strictly applied to the ancient Highland martial music.
Piobrachs, are either simple or compound; some of them consist of a march, &c. and are beautifully varied, and highly characteristic.
PIOCHE, Fr. a mattock, pickaxe.
PIOCHER, Fr. to dig.
PIONEERS, in war-time, are such as are commanded in from the country, to march with an army, for mending the ways, for working on entrenchments and fortifications, and for making mines and approaches: the soldiers are likewise employed in all these things.
Most of the European artillery corps have a company of pioneers, well instructed in that important branch of duty. The regiments of infantry and cavalry have 3 or 4 pioneers each, provided with aprons, hatchets, saws, spades, and pick-axes. The French sappers are the same kind of soldiers.
PIONIERS, Fr. pioneers.
PIPE, a tube; a musical instrument; a liquid measure, containing two hogsheads.
Pipe, from the Gaelic piob mohr, which signifies great pipe. The Highland bagpipe is so called, and is an instrument well calculated for the field of battle. When the bagpipe is skilfully performed, its martial music has a wonderful effect upon the native Scotch, particularly the Highlanders, who are naturally warlike.
TAIL-Pipe, a small brass pipe fixed at the swell of the British musquet, which receives the ramrod.
Trumpet PIPE, a small brass pipe near the muzzle of the British firelock, through which the ramrod is let down. It is called trumpet-pipe, from its resemblance to the mouth of a trumpet. The Prussians have no pipes to their musquets; the ramrod being received into a cylinder which runs parallel with the barrel; nor is there any pipe of this kind to the American or the French musquet; the ramrod passing within the three straps of iron or plate rings which bind the barrel to the stock.
Pipe-Clay and Whiting, a composition which soldiers use for the purpose of keeping their cross-belts, &c. clean.
PIQUE, Fr. See [Pike].
PIQUICHINS, Fr. irregular and ill-armed soldiers, of which mention is made in the history of the reign of Philippe Augustus. They were attached to the infantry.
PIQUIER, Fr. a pikeman, or one who is armed with a pike.
PIRAMIDE, Fr. See [Pyramid].
PIRAMIDES de feu, Fr. See Jets de Feu.
PIRATE, Fr. a pirate.
PISTE, Fr. the track or tread a horseman makes upon the ground he goes over.
PISTOL, a species of small fire-arms, of which there are various sorts and sizes, viz.
Highland PISTOL. The old Highland pistol appears singular enough in the present day. Some that have been preserved, exhibit marks of excellent workmanship. The stock is metal, and the but end so shaped, that when fired off, the pistol can be used as a very serious weapon at close quarters. The Highland pistol, though never used by any of the British regiments, is still worn by every person who wishes to be considered as fully dressed and accoutred in the ancient garb. It is suspended from the left side of the waistbelt.
Horse-Pistol, so called from being used on horseback, and of a large size.
Management of the Pistol on horseback for military purposes. Every recruit when he joins the horse-drill should be made perfectly acquainted with the handling of his pistols according to rule, and of firing correctly at a mark. To this end he must be taught to draw, load, fire, and return his pistol, by word of command, viz.
1st. The right glove is to be taken off, and the goat-skin thrown back.
Draw right Pistol. This is done at two motions; 1st, the man must seize the handle of the pistol with his right hand, the back towards the body. 2d, Draw it out of the holster with a brisk motion, dropping the butt of the pistol on the right holster, and keeping the muzzle upwards.
Load Pistol. The pistol is to be dropped smartly into the left hand; open the pan, prime, cast about, and load; as soon as loaded, seize the pistol by the butt, and come to the same position as in the second motion in drawing; the bridle hand must be kept as steady as possible. In loading the pistol, the barrel is to be kept to the front.
Return Pistol. This is done in two motions: 1st, turn the muzzle into the holster, with the back of the hand towards the body, and press home the pistol. 2d, Quit the right hand briskly.
Cock Pistol. Drop the pistol into the left hand, cocking with the thumb of the right, and as soon as done come to the second position, viz. muzzle upwards.
To the right aim. Come smartly to an aim, looking well along the barrel to the object you are aiming at, and turning your body as much as is necessary to aim well, but taking care not to displace your bridle hand.
Fire! pull briskly at the word, and as soon as fired go on with the loading motions; when loaded come to the position as in the first direction, viz. muzzle upwards.
Cock Pistol, as already explained.
To the left aim. This requires particular attention, as the men will be apt to bring their right shoulders too forward, and by that means displace their bodies and the bridle hand.
Fire! as already explained.
Cock Pistol. To the front aim. You must raise yourself in your stirrups, in order to take a proper aim; you must then look well along the pistol, and wait for the word fire.
Fire! As soon as you have fired, you must drop into your seat, and go on with the loading motions, as before directed.
Return Pistol, as already explained.
Draw left Pistol, See [Draw your right Pistol].
Pocket Pistol, a small pistol, which may be conveniently carried in the pocket.
PISTOLETS, Fr. See [Pistols].
PITANS, Patan, Ind. according to Mr. Orme, in his History of the Carnatic, the Pitans are supposed to be the descendants of the northern Indians, who were early converted to Mahomedanism. They have been reckoned the best troops. They are habitually fierce.
Pitan Nabobs. Certain chiefs in India so called, viz. of Cudapa, Canoul, and Savanore.
PITAUX, Fr. This word is sometimes written petaux, and was formerly used to distinguish those peasants that were pressed into the service, from soldiers who were regularly inlisted.
To PITCH, (asseoir, Fr.)
To PITCH a camp, (asseoir un camp, Fr.) to take a position, and to encamp troops upon it according to the principles of castrametation. See Am. Mil. Lib.
To PITCH a tent, to place a certain regulated quantity of canvas upon poles, so as to afford a temporary cover, against the inclemencies of the weather for one or more, officers or private soldiers. In order that the men may become expert in pitching and striking tents, they ought to be practised whilst in camp to do either.
PITCHANDAH, Ind. a fortified pagoda on the north bank of the Coleroon, one mile east of Seringham.
PITONS, Fr. nails with round eyes. They likewise signify pins with iron rings.
Pitons d’affut, Fr. iron pins which are used to keep the plate-bands of the carriage of a cannon tight and compact.
PIVOT, (Pivot, Fr.) in a military sense, that officer, serjeant, corporal, or soldier, upon whom the different wheelings are made in military evolutions. There are two sorts of pivots distinguished according to the position of the troops who are governed by them, viz. standing pivot and moveable pivot. When a battalion, for instance, stands in open column of companies, the right in front, the last man upon the left of the front rank of each company, is called the inner, or standing pivot; and the first man upon the right ditto, is called the outer pivot, or wheeling flank. So much depends upon the accurate position of the different pivots, that no movement can be thoroughly correct unless the most scrupulous attention be paid to them. Officers, in particular, ought to recollect that when they are posted upon the flanks, they become essentially necessary to the preservation of that perpendicular and parallelism of a march, without which direction the best digested manœuvres must be ultimately rendered useless. They must constantly bear in mind, that it belongs to the mounted field officers to watch the aggregate, and that they themselves, being incorporated parts of the different divisions, are to move successively forward, with no other object in view than the perpendicular point before them. For if they once turn to the right or left, or become anxious about the movements of others, instead of being the means of insensibly correcting any errors that might casually occur, they will deviate themselves, and at every step increase the irregularity. On this account, the instant an officer has wheeled his division, he must resume his perpendicular position, look stedfastly on his leading pivot, preserve his relative distance, and keep his person perfectly square. He ought likewise to be particularly correct in stepping off when the wheel is completed.
Moveable Pivot, one which during the wheel of its division advances in a circular direction, instead of turning on the spot where it originally stood. Thus when divisions, &c. are successively wheeled, without being first halted, the pivot upon which they wheel is said to be moveable.
In the drill, single ranks are frequently wheeled on a moveable pivot. In which case, both flanks are moveable, and describe concentring circles round a point which is a few paces from what would otherwise be the standing flank; and eyes are all turned towards the outer pivot or flank man, whether he is on the outward flank, or on the flank wheeled to.
Pivot-Flanks, the flanks upon which a line is formed from column. When the right of the battalion is in front, the pivot flanks are on the left of its several companies, platoons, &c. and vice versâ, when the left is in front.
Pivot-flank officer, the officer who is on the first flank. In all wheelings during the march in column the officer on that flank upon which the wheel is made must attend himself to the correctness of the pivot.
Platoon Pivots, the men upon whom a battalion marches in column of platoons, is wheeled up into line, or into column, when the line has been formed according to a given front.
It is in the modern improved tactics determined that commissioned officers shall not themselves be the pivots, but that they shall consist of the non-commissioned officers, or rank and file on each flank only; and not the officers on those flanks; but the officers are strictly required to see that the pivots perform their duty correctly, and are responsible for it.
PLACAGE, Fr.. in fortification, a kind of revetement, which is made of thick plastic earth, laid along the talus of such parapets as have no mason-work, and which is covered with turf.
| PLACARD, | - | |
| PLACART, |
or, as it is in the original Dutch language Placaat, a term used abroad for a proclamation, edict, &c. put up in all public places, by government authority; whereby their subjects are ordered to do, or forbear, something expressed therein. See [Manifesto].
PLACARD, Fr. any bill, or public paper, that is posted up; same as [Bulletin]. It likewise means a libel.
Placarder, Fr. to post up, to libel.
PLACE, emplacement, Fr. any spot or scite which suits the plans of an architect to build upon.
Place, in fortification, signifies, in general terms, a fortified town, a fortress: hence we say it is a strong place. See Pocket Encyclopedia, vol. V. Place.
Place of arms, (Place d’armes, Fr.) This term has various significations, although it uniformly means a place which is calculated for the rendezvous of men in arms, &c.
1st. When an army takes the field, every strong hold or fortress which supports its operations by affording a safe retreat to its depots, heavy artillery, magazines, hospitals, &c. is called a place of arms.
2dly. In offensive fortification, those lines are called places of arms, or parallels, which unite the different means of attack, secure the regular approaches, &c. and contain bodies of troops who either do duty in the trenches, protect the workmen, or are destined to make an impression upon the enemy’s outworks.
There are demi-places of arms between the places of arms. These are more or less numerous in proportion to the resistance made by the besieged.
Places of arms belonging to the covert-way. These are divided into two sorts, viz. saliant and rentrant places of arms. There are likewise places of arms composed of traverses, which are practised or made in the dry ditches of military towns, in a perpendicular direction to the faces of the half-moons and the tenaillons.
Place of arms in a town, a place left near its centre, where generally the grand guard is placed. In towns regularly fortified, the place of arms should be in the centre. In this place the soldiers of the garrison parade, form, and mount guard, &c.
Place of arms of an attack, or of a trench, are deep trenches 15 or 18 feet wide, joining the several attacks together: they serve for a rendezvous and station to the guard of the trenches, to be at hand to support the workmen when attacked. It is customary to make 3 places of arms, when the ground will permit: the first, and most distant from the place, is about 300 toises, or 600 yards, from the glacis of the covert-way; the second is within 140 toises, or 280 yards; and the third at the foot or the glacis. See [Parallels].
Place of arms of a camp, was, strictly speaking, the bell-tents, at the head of each company, where the arms were formerly lodged; likewise a place chosen at the head of the camp for the army to form in line of battle, for a review, or the like.
Place of arms of the covert-way, is a part of it, opposite to the re-entering angle of the counterscarp, projecting outwards in an angle.
Place marécageuse, Fr. a marshy place. A place of this description may be easily fortified, and at little expence; nor does it require many troops for defence. Among other advantages, that of not being exposed to an enemy’s mines, is by no means the least considerable. On the other hand, piles must be sunk in almost every direction: and should it be invested, it is almost impossible to succour it. Add to these inconveniences, the danger to which the garrison must be constantly exposed of being visited by some contagious disorder.
Place elevée dans un plat pays, Fr. Places that are put in a state of defence in a flat open country. These places are almost always secured by regular fortifications: the soil is good, and there is always plenty of earth adapted to every species of military work: there is abundance of water; and should an enemy attempt to carry them by insuring the works, entrenchments may be easily thrown up to check him. Add to this, that it would require two or three armies, at least, to cut off the various supplies which can be procured from the country round. On the other hand, the goodness and abundance of the soil are equally beneficial to the besieging army. For the troops are thereby enabled to throw up entrenchments, to build redoubts, erect batteries, and by thus securing their approaches, to annoy the besieged at all hours, and in all ways.
Place située sur le penchant d’une montagne, Fr. a place situated or built upon the declivity of a hill. It is very difficult to fortify a spot of this sort. Whatever is erected upon it, must be commanded by the higher ground, and the body of the place be, of course, exposed to every attack.
Place située dans une vallée, Fr. a town, fortress, or hold that is built in a valley. Places so situated must be in constant jeopardy, as by getting possession of the heights, the enemy can always command them.
Place située sur les bords d’une grand riviére, Fr. a place, &c. built upon the banks, or borders of a large river. Places, constructed in a situation of this sort, are preferable to all others, provided they have a free and uninterrupted communication with the principal quarter from whence stores, provisions, and ammunition may be drawn. They may be regularly fortified towards the interior of the country, and it will require little or no artificial means to secure them on the side of the river.
Place de guerre, Fr. any town or place that is regularly, or irregularly fortified.
Place basse, Fr. In fortification the lower flanks according to certain systems are so called.
Place forte, Fr. a strong hold or place which presents at all points so many difficult obstacles against a besieging army, that it cannot be carried (except by surprize) unless the regular means of reducing it be resorted to.
Places contreminées, Fr. all fortresses, &c. are called places contreminées, or countermined, which, independent of their open and visible means of defence, &c. have subterraneous fortifications that are alongside the revetements of the works, under the glacis, or beneath the neighboring ground, to interrupt the approaches, and destroy the works of a besieging enemy.
Place haute, Fr. According to the systems of some engineers (which have not been followed of late years) the place haute, or high place, is that which stands the highest of three platforms that were constructed in the shape of an amphitheatre along the flanks of the bastions. Pagan, Blondel, and others, who have copied from these systems, did so from an idea, that considerable advantages might be derived from a powerful and concentrated discharge of artillery and musquetry. Not conceiving that it was possible to construct casemated flanks free of smoke, they built three or four open flanks one above the other. But they were soon rendered useless and untenable by the shells that fell, and the fragments that flew about in consequence of the demolition of the mason-work. Casemated ramparts, on the contrary, have been known to stand proof against the heaviest discharge of bombs, &c. to take up little room, and to afford ample space for a wide range of artillery, that is kept under cover.
Places non revêtues, Fr. all fortified towns or places are so called, when the ramparts that surround them are only lined with placage or simple turf. In this case the ramparts, so lined or covered, ought to be fraised and palisadoed above the berme or foot-path, to prevent surprizes. Hedges made of good quickset, well interwoven with other wood, and carefully attended to, will save the expence of palisadoes, which in marshy soils soon rot, and require to be replaced.
Places revêtues, Fr. All fortified towns or places are so called, whose ramparts are lined or covered with brick or stone. It frequently happens, that the revetement does not reach the terre-pleine of the rampart, especially when the parapets are thick and solid; in which case the revetement is more easily covered by the glacis. Parapets are no longer lined.
Place, Fr. This word is frequently used by the French, in a military sense, to signify ration, viz.
Une PLACE de bouche, Fr. one ration of provisions.
Deux PLACES de fourrage, Fr. Two rations of forage.
To be PLACED. This expression is frequently used in naval and military matters, to signify the appointment or reduction of officers. Hence to be placed upon full or half-pay. It is more generally applicable to the latter case.
PLACER, Fr. to fix, to settle. This word is used among the French, as with us, to express the act of providing for a person by appointing him to a desirable situation, viz. Placer un jeune homme dans un regiment; to get a young man a commission in a regiment.
Un cheval bien PLACE, Fr. A horse is said, among the French, to be well placed, when his forehead runs perpendicularly down between the nostrils.
PLAFOND, Fr. The ceiling.
PLAFONNER, Fr. to ceil or adorn the upper part of a room, &c.
PLAGE, Fr. flat shore, or extent of coast, where there are no creeks, &c. for vessels to ride in.
PLAIE, Fr. a wound or scar.
PLAN, ground plot, or ichnography, in fortification, is the representation of the first or fundamental tract of a work, showing the length of its lines, the quantity of its angles, the breadth of the ditches, thickness of the rampart, parapets, and the distance of one part from another: so that a plan represents a work, such as it would appear if cut equal with the level of the horizon, or cut off at the foundation: but it marks neither the heights nor depths of the several parts of the works: that is properly profile, which expresses only the heights, breadths, and depths, without taking notice of the lengths. As architects, before they lay the foundation of their edifice make their design on paper, by which means they find out their faults, so an engineer, before tracing his works on the ground, should make plans of his designs upon paper, that he may do nothing without serious deliberation.
Exact plans are very useful for generals or governors, in either attacking or defending a place, in chusing a camp, determining attacks, conducting the approaches, or in examining the strength and weakness of a place; especially such plans as represent a place with the country about it, shewing the rivers, fountains, marshes, ditches, valleys, mountains, woods, houses, churches, defiles, roads, and other particulars, which appertain to it.
PLAN of comparison, a geometrical sketch of any fortress and adjacent country within cannon shot, in which the different levels of every principal point are expressed.
PLAN, Fr. See [Plan].
Lever le PLAN de quelque place de guerre, Fr. to draw the plan of a fortified town or place.
PLANCHETTE, Fr. a small board or copper-plate, which is used in practical geometry.
PLANCHES, Fr. Boards, planks.
Planches d’entrevoux, Fr. Boards or planks that are laid between the joists or posts of a building.
PLANCHEYER, Fr. to board or floor.
PLANCONS, Fr. literally twigs, or small round pieces of wood. A term used in hydraulics. See Belidor.
PLANIMETRY, (planimetrie, Fr.) that part of geometry which considers lines and plane figures, without any reference to heights or depths, in opposition to stenometry, or the mensuration of solids.
PLANISPHERE, (planisphere, Fr.) a representation of the globe or sphere on paper, for geometrical and astronomical purposes.
To PLANT, in a military sense, to place, to fix; as to plant a standard. It likewise signifies to arrange different pieces of ordnance for the purpose of doing execution against an enemy or his works. Hence to plant a battery. Johnson applies it to the act of directing a cannon properly. The French use the word generally as we do, except in the last mentioned sense. They say, metre le canon en batterie. In others the term bears the same signification, with occasional deviations when they apply it figuratively, viz.
Planter le piquet chez quelqu’un, Fr. To quarter one-self upon any body.
Planter là quelqu’un, Fr. To leave a person abruptly, or, as we familiarly say, to leave another in the lurch.
Planter quelque chose au nez de quelqu’un, Fr. To reproach a person with any thing, or, as we familiarly say, to throw it in his teeth. Il lui planter sa poltronnerie au nez; he reproached him openly for his cowardice, or he threw his cowardice in his teeth.
Plante, Fr. To be fixed, to be stationary. Un soldat bien plante sur ses pieds, Fr. A soldier that is well set up.
Planter un bâtiment, Fr. To lay the first stones, or the foundations of a building.
PLAQUE, Fr. The shell of a sword. See [Placage].
PLAQUES de Plomb, Fr. Sheets of lead. These are used for various purposes. In the artillery, to cover the vent of a cannon; and on board ships of war, to stop the holes, &c. that are made by cannon shot.
PLAQUER, Fr. to lay one plank over another. To cover any space with earth or turf, &c.
PLASM. See [Mould].
PLASTER, a piece of greased leather or rag used by riflemen, &c. to make the ball fit the bore of the piece.
Plaster, in building, a substance made of water and some absorbent matter, such as chalk or lime, well pulverised, with which walls are overlaid.
PLASTRON, a piece of leather stuffed, used by fencing-masters, to receive thereon the pushes made at them by their pupils.
Plastron, Fr. A breast plate or half cuirass. In the old French service the gens d’armes, the heavy cavalry, the light horse, &c. were obliged to wear breast-plates on all occasions at reviews, &c. The hussars were an exception to this order which took place on the 28th of May, 1733. In the original order, dated the 1st of February, 1703, it was particularly specified, that in order to be accustomed to their weight, the above-mentioned corps should wear half cuirasses in time of peace. The captains of troops were obliged to keep the half cuirasses belonging to their men in constant repair.
PLAT, ate, Fr. Flat, level, low. The flat side of any thing; as, Plat de Sabre.
Plat pays. A flat or low country. It is generally used among the French to signify that extent, or space of country, on which scattered houses and villages are built, in contradistinction to towns and fortified places. It is likewise used in opposition to a mountainous country. Les soldats de la garnison vivoient aux dépens du plat pays. The soldiers of the garrison lived upon the adjacent villages or country.
Punir à PLAT de Sabre. To punish a man by striking him with the flat side of a sabre blade. The French likewise say, des coups de plat d’epée. Blows given with the flat side of a sword. This mode of punishing is frequently adopted in foreign services, particularly among the Germans. M. de St. Germain, minister of the war department under Louis XVI. attempted to introduce it in France, but it was resisted by the army at large.
Battre à PLATE couture, Fr. To gain a complete and decided victory, or to beat an enemy so as to kill or take almost every man he had to oppose. Hence, une armée battue à plate couture, Fr. An army completely routed and undone.
Plat de l’équipage d’un vaisseau, Fr. A dish or mess, consisting of seven rations or portions put together, and served out for the subsistence of seven men, on board French ships of war.
Etre mis au PLAT des malades sur mer, Fr. To be put upon the sick list on board a king’s ship; or to receive such rations as were ordered to be served out to the sick.
PLATAIN, Fr. Flat coast. A spot near the sea which is well calculated for a descent. As Le Platain de d’Angoulin, and the Platain de Chatelaillon, near Rochelle.
PLATES, or prise plates, in artillery, two plates of iron on the cheeks of a gun-carriage, from the cap-square to the centre, through which the prise bolts go, and on which the handspike rest, when used in raising the breech of the gun, &c.
Breast Plates, the two plates, on the face of the carriage, on the other cheek.
Breast Plates, the clasps, with ornamented heads, by which the cross belts in the army are attached.
Train Plates, the two plates on the cheeks at the train of the carriage.
Dulidge Plates, the six plates on the wheel of a gun carriage, where the fellies are joined together.
PLATEAU, Fr. A flat piece of wood, which is sometimes used to place mortars on, &c.
PLATEBANDES, Fr. Capsquares. A particular part of a piece of ordnance, which, though of a flat form or figure, rises beyond the rest of the metal, and is always cast before the moulding. There are three sorts of platbands upon a regular piece of ordnance, viz. capsquare and moulding at the breech; capsquare and moulding of the first reinforce; capsquare and moulding of the second reinforce.
Platebandes d’affuts, Fr. Iron capsquares, which serve to keep the trunnions fast between the cheeks of a piece of ordnance.
PLATFORM, (Platforme, Fr.) The upper part of every brick or stone building which is arched and has more floors than one, is so called. Hence the platform of a tower, or of a redoubt. All pieces of ordnance that are planted on a rampart, or are disposed along the lines of a besieging army, &c. have their platforms.
PLATFORM, in gunnery, is a bed of wood on a battery, upon which the guns stand; each consisting of 18 planks of oak or elm, a foot broad, 2¹⁄₂ inches thick, and from 8 to 15 feet long, nailed or pinned on 4, 5, or 6 beams, from 4 to 7 inches square, called sleeper. They must be made higher behind than before by 6 or 9 inches, to prevent too great a recoil, and to advance the gun easily when loaded. They are from 18 to 20 feet long, 8 feet before and 14 or 15 feet behind.
Permanent batteries, if good stone is not to be had, should be made of brick placed on the edge.
PLATFORMS. The common platforms for gun batteries require the following materials for each: 5 sleepers or joists, 6 inches square, 14 feet long.—1 hunter, 8 or 10 inches square, 8 feet long, 14 planks, 1 foot wide, 11 feet long, 2¹⁄₂ inches thick.—20 pickets.
The usual slope of platforms for guns is one inch to every yard.
The platforms for mortar batteries are made with 3 sleepers 8 inches square, and covered with about 11 timbers of the same thickness. They are laid perfectly horizontal, about 15 feet asunder, and 12 feet from the epaulement. This is the distance commonly practised for firing only at 15 degrees elevation; but if the platforms be placed at the undermentioned distances from the epaulement, the mortars may be fired at the angles corresponding.
| At | 13 | feet | distance for firing | at | 30 | degrees. |
| 21 | feet | at | 20 | |||
| 30 | feet | at | 15 | |||
| 40 | feet | at | 10 |
over an epaulement of 8 feet high. See [Battery].
PLATINE de lumiere, Fr. The same as Plaques de Plomb, as far as it regards cannon. With respect to musquets and other firearms, it means that part of the hammer which covers the pan.
PLATOON, in military affairs, was formerly a small body of men, in a battalion of foot, &c. that fired alternately. A battalion was then generally divided into 16 platoons, exclusive of the grenadiers, which formed 2 or 4 platoons more, as occasion required. At present a battalion is generally divided into wings, grand divisions, divisions, (platoons or companies) subdivisions, and sections; and the word platoon is generally used, to denote a number (from 10 to 20) of recruits assembled for the purpose of instruction, in which case it may be considered as synonimous with company; but a platoon may consist of any number under a battalion.
PLATRAS, Fr. Rubbish, such as ashes, pieces of broken brick, mortar, &c. It is used by refiners, for the purpose of distilling saltpetre into proper vessels.
PLATRER, Fr. to plaster, to patch, to daub over.
PLAY, is occasionally applied to a military action; as the cannon play upon the enemy, &c.
PLEBEIAN. From the Latin Plebius, a distinction made between the poor and rich, in a very early period of Rome; which tended to its ultimate destruction. The term is chiefly used in speaking of the ancient Romans, who were divided into senators, knights, plebians, and common.
PLEDGET, the same as bolster, compress, in surgery, a kind of flat tent, which is laid over a wound, to imbibe the superfluous humors that ooze out, and to keep it clean.
PLEIN du Mur, Fr. The main part or body of a wall.
PLEIN fouet, direct shot; or firing so as to hit the mark by the trajectory line.
PLIER, Fr. To give way.
Une aile qui PLIE, Fr. in a military sense, the wing of an army, which gives way. When this occurs, it behoves a wise and executive general, to send immediate support, for the whole army is endangered by the least impression on that quarter.
PLINTH, the square member which serves as a foundation to the base of a pillar.
PLOMB, Fr. literally means lead. It is sometimes used in a military sense, to signify musquet shot, &c.
A Plomb, Fr. The perpendicular position of any body or substance. Une muraille est à plomb. A wall built in a straight perpendicular direction.
Donner à plomb, Fr. To fall vertically, as the rays of the sun do in certain latitudes
Etre à plomb, Fr. To stand upright.
Marcher à plomb, Fr. To march with a firm, steady pace.
This word is sometimes used as a substantive, viz. Perdre son a plomb. To lose one’s balance.
Manquer d’a plomb, Fr. To be unsteady.
PLONGEE, Fr. A term used in artillery to express the action of a bomb, &c. which from the highest point of the curve it describes, takes a downward direction to strike its object.
Plongee du Rampart, Fr. The slope of the upper part of the parapet, belonging to the rampart, is so called. The slope is likewise named talus supérieur, or upper talus.
PLONGEONS, Fr. Artificial fireworks, which are shot into water and rise again without being extinguished.
Plongeons, Fr. Plungers or divers. Men of this description ought always to accompany an army, for the purpose of swimming under bridges of boats, &c. and making apertures in their bottoms.
PLONGER, Fr. To plunge any thing into the water. This word is likewise used to express the discharge of ordnance from top to bottom, as canon plongé.
PLUIE de feu, Fr. literally a shower or rain of fire. It signifies a certain quantity of artificial fireworks, whose discharge falls in regular sparks, without ever deviating into a serpentine direction.
PLUMB, PLUMMET, a leaden or other weight let down at the end of a string, or piece of catgut, to regulate any work in a line perpendicular to the horizon, or sound the depth of any thing. It is of great use to the artillerist, as well as to the engineer.
PLUME, feathers worn by soldiers in the hat or helmet.
PLUMET, Fr. plume, feather. An ornament which is worn by military men in their hats. It succeeded the pannache or bunch of feathers, that formerly adorned the helmets.
PLUMMET. This word is derived from the Latin Plumbum, lead, as a piece thereof is fastened to the end of a thread. The instrument itself is used by masons, &c. to draw perpendiculars with, in order to judge whether walls, &c. be upright planes, horizontal, &c. Pilots, at sea, likewise ascertain their soundings by it. In the forming of recruits it is used to fix lines.
Plummets which vibrate the required times of march in the minute, are of great utility, and can alone prevent, or correct uncertainty of movement; they must be in the possession of, and be constantly referred to by each instructor of a squad.
A musquet ball suspended by a string which is not subject to stretch, (and must of course be kept constantly dry) and on which are marked the different required lengths, will answer the above purpose, may be easily acquired, and should be frequently compared with an accurate standard in the adjutant’s, or serjeant-major’s possession. The length of the plummet is to be measured from the point of suspension to the centre of the ball.
Accurate distances or steps of 24 inches must also be marked out on the ground, along which the soldier should be practised to march, and thereby acquire the just length of pace.
PLUNDER, hostile pillage, or spoils taken in war.
PLUS, in algebra, commonly denotes majus, more, or addition: its character is +. Thus 5 + 7 is read 5 plus 7, or 5 added to 7 is equal to 12.
PLUTEUS, a defensive machine, which was used by the ancient Romans. It was composed of wicker hurdles laid for a roof on the top of posts, which the soldiers, who went under it for shelter, bore up with their hands. Kennett, in page 238, of his Roman Antiquities, observes, that some will have them, as well as the vineæ, to have been contrived with a double roof; the first and lower roof of planks, and the upper roof of hurdles, to break the force of any blow, without disordering the machine. The plutei, however, were of a different figure from the vineæ, being shaped like an arched sort of waggon; some having three wheels, so conveniently placed, that the machine would move either way, with equal ease. They were put much to the same use as the musculi. Father Daniel, the Jesuit, in his history of the French militia, makes mention of this machine. He quotes a passage out of a poem, intituled the Siege of Paris, by Abbon, the Monk; the meaning of which is, that the Normans brought up a large quantity of machines, that were called plutei by the Romans, and that seven or eight soldiers could be put under cover beneath them. He further adds, that these machines were covered with bull hides.
The moderns have imitated these plutei by adopting mantelets. The chevalier Folard mentions having seen one at the siege of Phillipeville, of a triangular figure, made of cork, interlaced between two boards, and supported by three wheels that turned upon a pivot.
PLUSH, a kind of stuff with a sort of velvet nap or shag on one side, consisting of a woof of a single woollen thread, and a double warp; the one of two woollen threads twisted, the other goat’s or camel’s hair; though there are plushes entirely of worsted, others of hair, and others again of silk, cotton, &c. White plush breeches have been often worn by dragoons. They resist moisture, and are easily cleaned.
PNEUMATICS. The doctrine of the air, or the laws whereby it is condensed, rarefied, gravitated, &c.
Pneumatic Engine, denotes the air pump.
PNEUMATIQUE, Fr. Pneumatics.
POIDS, Fr. Weights.
Poids de Marc, Fr. Avoirdupois weight.
Poids Romain, Fr. Troy weight.
Poids à peser l’eau, Fr. Waterpoise.
Etre de POIDS, Fr. To weigh.
Avec POIDS et mesure, Fr. With care and circumspection.
POIGNARD, Fr. Dagger, poniard.
Coup de POIGNARD, Fr. A stab.
Poignarder, Fr. To stab.
POIGNEE, Fr. Handful. Poignée d’hommes; a handful of men; a small number.
Poignee, Fr. Handle of a sword.
La Poignee, Fr. The handle.
POIL, Fr. Hair. Monter un cheval à POIL. To ride a horse without a saddle.
Un brave à trois POILS, Fr. A figurative expression to describe a bully, or gasconading fellow.
POINCON, Fr. A puncheon, bodkin. It is likewise an instrument which is used in the making of artificial fireworks, being called poincon à arrêt, from a piece of iron running cross-ways near the point, to prevent it from entering too far.
POINT, in geometry, according to Euclid, is a quantity which has no parts, being indivisible; and according to others, that which terminates itself on every side, or which has no boundaries distinct from itself. This is a mathematical point, and is only conceived by the imagination; yet herein all magnitude begins and ends, its flux generating a line, that of a line a surface, &c. A line can only cut another in a point.
Point, in perspective, denotes various places with regard to the perspective plane, viz. point of sight, or of the eye, or principal point, is a point in the axis of the eye, or in the central ray, where the same is intersected by the horizon.
Point, or points of distance, in perspective, is a point or points, for there are sometimes two of them placed at equal distances from the point of sight.
Accidental POINTS, or Contingent POINTS, in perspective, are certain points wherein such objects as may be thrown negligently, and without order, under the plan, do tend to terminate. For this reason they are not drawn to the point of sight, nor the points of distance, but meet accidentally, or at random in the horizon.
Point of the front, in perspective, is when we have the object directly before us, and not more on one side than the other, in which case it only shews the foreside; and if it be below the horizon, a little of the top too, but nothing of the side, unless the object be polygonous.
Third POINT, is a point taken at discretion in the line of distance, wherein all the diagonals drawn from the divisions of the geometrical plane concur.
Objective POINT, a point on a geometrical plane, whose representation is required on the perspective plane.
Point of concourse, in optics, is that wherein converging rays meet, more commonly called the focus.
Point of dispersion, is that wherein the rays begin to diverge, usually called the virtual focus.
Point. This term is frequently used in a military sense. As point of intersection, intermediate point, &c. The several applications of which may be seen in the general rules and regulations.
Covering POINT, a point which in changes of position materially concerns the movement of one line with another.
When a change of position is made on a flank or central point of the first line, the movement of its coveting point of the second line, determines the new relative situation of that second line.
To find this point, it is necessary to premise, that if a circle is described from any point (A) of a first line (AE) with a radius equal to the distance betwixt the two lines; then its covering point (a) at that time in the second line will be always in the circumference of that circle, at such place as the second line becomes a tangent to the circle. Should the first line, therefore, make a change of position (AR) either on a flank or central point (A); its covering point (a) will move so as still to preserve and halt in its relative situation (a 2) and by the movement and halt of that point preceded by the one (d) of intersection, every other part of the second line, either by following them, or by yielding from them, is regulated and directed. Betwixt the old and new situation of the covering point (a) and equidistant from each, lies the point (d) where the old and new positions of the second line intersect, and which is a most material one in the movement of that line.
Point of honor. See [Honor].
Point of Appui, the point upon which a line of troops is formed. When the right stands in front, and the column is marching to form, the first halted company, division, &c. is the point of appui. Thus when the right is in front the distant point of formation is the left.
Point of Intersection, the point where two lines intersect each other.
Intermediate Point. In marching forward that is called an intermediate point which lies between the spot marched from, and the spot towards which you are advancing. In forming line, the centre point between the right and left is the intermediate point. It is of the utmost consequence to every body of troops, advancing or retreating, but especially in advancing towards the enemy, to find an intermediate point between two given, and, perhaps, inaccessible objects. The line of march is preserved by these means in its perpendicular direction, and every column may be enabled to ascertain its relative point of entry in the same line.
Point of Alignment, (Point d’alignement, Fr.) The point which troops form upon and dress by.
Point of Formation, a point taken, upon which troops are formed in military order.
Perpendicular Point, the point upon which troops march in a straight forward direction.
Relative Points, the points by which the parallelism of a march is preserved.
Point of passing, the ground on which one or more bodies of armed men march by a reviewing general.
Point to salute at, the spot on which the reviewing general stands. This, however, is not to be understood literally, as every infantry officer when he arrives within six paces of the general, recovers his sword and drops it, keeping it in that situation until he shall have passed him a prescribed number of paces. The cavalry salute within the breadth of the horse’s neck, the instant the object is uncovered.
Point of War, a loud and impressive beat of the drum, the perfect execution of which requires great skill and activity. The point of war is beat when a battalion charges.
Point du jour, Fr. break of day; dawn.
Point de vue, Fr. prospect, sight, aim.
De POINT en blanc, Fr. point blank.
A POINT, Fr. in time.
A POINT nommée, Fr. seasonably.
La POINTE, Fr. the point of the sword.
Point is also a steel instrument of various use in several arts. Engravers, etchers, wood-cutters, stone-cutters, &c. use points to trace their designs on copper, wood, or stone.
Point blank, (But en blanc, Fr.) in gunnery, denotes the shot of a piece levelled horizontally, without either mounting or sinking the muzzle. In shooting thus, the bullet is supposed to go in a direct line, and not to move in a curve, as bombs and highly elevated random shots do. We say supposed to go in a direct line, because it is certain, and easily proved, that a shot cannot fly any part of its range in a right line strictly taken; but the greater the velocity, the nearer it approaches to a right line; or the less crooked its range.
For the point blank ranges of different pieces of ordnance, see the different natures.
The French point blank or but en blanc, is what the English artillery call the line of metal elevation; in most guns between one and two degrees.
Pointer, Fr. to point; as, pointer un canon. To point a cannon.
POINTEURS, Fr. Levellers. Officers in the old French artillery, who were subordinate to the extraordinary commissaries; but who were never employed except upon field service.
Points d’appui, Fr. Basis, support. The general signification of this term expresses the different advantageous posts, such as castles, fortified villages, &c. which the general of an army takes possession of in order to secure his natural position. In a more limited sense, they mean those points which are taken up in movements and evolutions. See Point d’appui. Am. Mil. Lib.
POINTING of a gun or mortar, is the placing either one or other, so as to hit the object, or to come as near it as possible.
To POISON a Piece, (Enclouer une piéce, Fr.) in gunnery, to clog or nail it up.
POISSON, Fr. literally means fish.
POITREL, armor for the breast of a horse.
POIX, Fr. pitch.
Poix résine, Fr. Rosin.
POLACRE, Fr. A lappel coat.
POLACRE, or Polaque, Fr. a Levantine vessel, which carries a smack sail on the mizen and mizen mast, and square sails on the main mast and bowsprit.
POLAIRE, Fr. Polar.
POLE, in a four wheel carriage, is fastened to the middle of the hind axle-tree, and passes between the fore axle-tree and its bolster, fastened with the pole-pin, so as to move about it; keeping the fore and hind carriages together. It is also called the tongue.
POLES, in castrametation, long round pieces of wood, by which a marquee or tent is supported. There are three sorts, viz.
Ridge Pole, a long round piece of wood, which runs along the top of an officer’s tent or marquee, and is supported by two other poles, viz.
Front Pole, a strong pole, which is fixed in the front part of an officer’s tent or marquee, and is kept in a perpendicular position by means of two strong cords, called weather cords, that run obliquely from each other, across two other cords from the rear pole, and are kept fast to the earth by wooden pegs.
Rear Pole, a strong pole, which is fixed in the back part of an officer’s marquee or tent, and is kept in the same relative position as has been described above.
Fire POLES, or Rods, artificial fireworks. They are generally of the length of ten or twelve feet, and of the thickness of two inches at most. One of the ends of the fire pole is hollowed out with three or four flutes to the length of two or three feet. Into one of these flutes are fixed rockets or squibs. Paper crackers are fixed in the others. After holes have been bored through the body of the pole, in order that the rockets may have communication with the crackers, they must be neatly wrapped in paper, the more effectually to deceive the spectators.
POLEAXE, an axe fixed to the end of a long pole. See [Battle Axe].
POLICE, Fr. in a military sense, among the French, this term comprehends the inspectors, the treasurers, the paymasters, the commissaries, the provost marshal, &c.
Police d’assurance, Fr. a policy of Insurance.
POLICY in war. See [Stratagem].
POLITICAL, relating to policy, or civil government.
POLITICS, (Politique, Fr.) a part of ethics which consists in the governing of states, for the maintenance of the public safety, order, and good morals.
POLK, Fr. a Polish term, signifying a regiment, from whence is derived polkowink, colonel.
POLLAM, Ind., a measure equal to twenty ounces: forty make a viz in weight in Madras.
POLL Money, commonly called poll-tax, or capitation.
POLTROON, (Poltron, Fr.) a coward, a dastard, who has no courage to perform any thing noble. The etymology of poltron or poltroon, as it is usually pronounced, is curious. Both in ancient and modern times frequent instances have occurred of men, who had been forcibly enlisted, having rendered themselves unfit for service by cutting off their thumbs or fingers. When this happened among the Romans, they were called Pollice trunci. The French, (as they do in most of their words that are derived from the Latin) contract these two, and by an elision make poltron or poltroon, from whence we have adopted the term. Another, and in our opinion a more correct derivation, comes from the Italian Poltrone, which takes its derivation from Poltro, a colt; because of that animal’s readiness to run away; or Poltro a bed, as pusillanimous people take a pleasure in lying in bed. This last word is derived from the high Dutch Polster, which signifies a bolster or cushion. This contemptible character is so little calculated for a military life, that the slightest imputation of cowardice is sufficient to render an individual unworthy of serving among real soldiers. Poltroon and coward stand, in fact, foremost in the black catalogue of military incapacities. Every young man, therefore, ought well to weigh, examine, and digest the necessary qualifications for a profession, which, above all others, exacts a daring spirit, and an unqualified contempt of death.
POLIGARCHY, (Polygarchie, Fr.) a government composed of many chiefs or leaders.
POLYGARS, Ind. Chiefs of mountainous and woody districts in the peninsula, who pay only a temporary homage.
POLYGON, (Polygone, Fr.) is a figure of more than four sides, and is either regular or irregular, exterior or interior.
Regular Polygon, is that whose angles and sides are equal. It has an angle of the centre, and an angle of the polygon. The centre of a regular polygon, is the centre of a circle, which circumscribes the polygon; that is, whose circumference passes through all the angles of the figure.
Irregular Polygon, is that whose sides and angles are unequal.
Exterior Polygon, that whose lines touch the points of the flanked angles, when a place is fortified inwards.
Interior Polygon, that outward fortification which makes the angles of the gorget; so that the whole bastion is without the polygon.
POLYEDRE, Fr. See [Polyedron].
Lunettes Polyedres, Fr. Magnifying glasses.
| POLYEDRICAL, | - | |
| POLYEDROUS, |
having many sides.
POLYEDRON, a solid figure or body consisting of many sides.
POLYGRAPHIE, Fr. See Polygraphy.
POLYNOMIAL, (Polynôme, Fr.) an algebraical term, signifying a quantity made up of many others by means of the sign + or more, and the sign - or less.
POLYORCETE, Fr. a term used among the french to distinguish great warriors. It literally signifies the taking of strong towns. Marshals Saxe and Lowendalh, les grands Polyorcetes of the last century.
| POLYTECHNIQUE, | - | |
| Ecole Polytechnique, |
a word derived from the Greek, and used by the French to distinguish an establishment in which all sciences are taught. The military school, which existed during the French monarchy, is comprised in this institution. See [Military School].
POMADA, an exercise of vaulting the wooden horse, by laying one hand over the pommel of the saddle.
POMERIUM, in ancient architecture, that space of ground which lay between the walls of a fortified town and the inhabitants’ houses. The term is still used among modern architects, particularly by the Italians, as Peter Cataneo, and Alghiri, to describe the breadth of the terre pleine of rampart, its inward talus, and the vacant space which is usually left between this talus and the houses of the town.
POMMEL, (Pommeau, Fr.) a piece of brass or other substance, at top, and in the middle of the saddle bow, to which are fastened the holsters, stirrip leathers, &c.
POMMEL, the knob at the extremity of the handle that balances the blade of the sword; also the protuberance on the fore part of a saddle.
POMMES, Fr. round pieces of wood which are variously used for ornament, &c.
Pommes de Pavillon et d’enseigne, Fr. the piece of wood which is fixed at the top of the color staff, &c.
POMPE, Fr. See [Pump].
Pompe de mer, Fr. a sea pump, or a pump used on board a ship.
Pomper, Fr. to pump.
PONANT, Fr. the west. In the French sea-service, ponant signifies that part of the ocean which is separated from the seas in the Levant by the streights of Gibraltar.
Officier Ponantin, Fr. one who serves upon the ocean.
Armée Ponantine, Fr. the army of the west.
PONCEAU, Fr. a small bridge of one arch, which is thrown across a canal or rivulet.
PONCER, Fr. to rub, or pounce upon any thing.
PONIARD, a little pointed dagger, very sharp edged.
PONT d’or, Fr. a figurative expression which the French use, when they suffer an enemy, whom they have defeated, to retire without molestation. Hence faire un pont d’or à son ennemi. To suffer your enemy to escape.
PONTE, Fr. covered in, as a vessel is which has a deck.
PONTON, Fr. A bridge; a machine made like a batteau or boat, of copper or tin, upon which planks are laid over which troops pass as on a bridge. See [Pontoon].
Pontonier, Fr. Lighterman.
PONTS flottans, Fr. See [Floating Bridge].
Pont levis, Fr. See [Drawbridge].
Pont tournant, Fr. a moveable bridge. It is of the nature of a drawbridge, with this difference, that it turns upon a pivot, and goes entirely round.
Pont de bois, Fr. a wooden bridge.
Pont de corde, Fr. a bridge of ropes.
Pont de jonc, Fr. a bridge of rushes.
Pont suspendu, Fr. a hanging bridge.
Pont de sortie, Fr. a sally bridge.
Pont dormant, Fr. a wooden bridge, which is generally laid upon the fosse of a fortified town, for the purpose of maintaining a constant communication between the main body of the place and the outworks and country round. These bridges are not thrown entirely across the fosses, but terminate within twelve or fifteen feet of the revetement; the space from thence is supplied by drawbridges. When the ponts dormans are very long, a swing bridge is constructed in the centre of it. When the ditches are wet, and so constantly supplied with water that the depth of it is generally the same, bridges of boats may be used instead of ponts dormans. And in cases of attack, floating bridges may be substituted in lieu of both.
PONTON, or PONTOON, a kind of flat bottomed boat, whose carcass of wood is lined within and without with tin: they serve to lay bridges over rivers for the artillery and army to march over. The French pontoons, and those of most other powers, are made of copper on the outside: though they cost more at first, yet they last much longer than those of tin; and, when worn out, the copper sells nearly for as much as it cost at first; but when that of tin are rendered useless, they sell for nothing. The British pontoons are 21 feet long, 5 feet broad, and depth within 2 feet 3 inches.
PONTOONS. Length at top, 21 feet 6 inches. Length at bottom, 17 feet 2 inches. Width, 4 feet 9 inches, or 5 feet. Depth, 2 feet 3 inches.
Equipage of one Pontoon.
| ft. | in. | ft. | in. | in. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Baulks | 22 | 8 | long | 1 | 0 | wide | 4 | thick. | ||
| 1 | Gang-board. | 22 | 0 | —— | 1 | 0 | —— | 2 | ¹⁄₂ | —— | |
| 6 | Cheeses, | 11 | 6 | —— | 2 | 4 | —— | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | —— | |
| 2 | Oars. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Anchor. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Graplin. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Setter. | ||||||||||
| 4 | Iron bolts, with keys. | ||||||||||
| 2 | mounting bars. | ||||||||||
| 4 | Binding sticks. | ||||||||||
| 4 | Spring lines. | ||||||||||
| 4 | Faukes. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Cable. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Sheer-line. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Boat hook. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Maul. | ||||||||||
| 4 | Pickets. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Small pump. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Windlass. | ||||||||||
| 1 | Pontoon carriage, complete. | ||||||||||
Dimensions of colonel Congreve’s Wooden Pontoons.
| Length | at top | 26 | feet. | |
| —— | at bottom | 23 | —— | |
| Depth | 2 | 8 | inches. | |
| Width | 2 | 3 | —— | |
The common pontoons will support a weight of 4 or 5000 pounds. They are generally placed, in forming a bridge, about their own width asunder. See [Bridge].
Pontoon carriage, was made with two wheels only, and two long side pieces, whose fore-ends are supported by a limber; and served to carry the pontoon, boards, cross timbers, anchors, and every other thing necessary for making a bridge; but better experience places them on four wheels.
Pontoon bridge, is made of pontoons, slipped into the water, and placed about five or six feet asunder; each fastened with an anchor, when the river has a strong current, or to a strong rope that goes across the river, running through the rings of the pontoons. Each boat has an anchor, cable, baulks, and chests. The baulks are about 5 or 6 inches square, and 21 feet long. The chests are boards joined together by wooden bars, about 3 feet broad, and 21 feet long. The baulks are laid across the pontoons at some distance from one another, and the chests upon them joined close; which makes a bridge, in a very short time, capable of supporting any weight.
POOLBUNDY, Ind. a dam to prevent inundations; an embankment; a dyke.
POONA, Ind. a day fixed for the Zemindars to bring in their balances for the year.
POONEA, Ind. the Indian name of a month.
POOR, indigent, necessitous, oppressed with want.
Poor in resources and expedients, of a limited conception; of a narrow understanding; unequal to an arduous enterprise.
POOR or PORE, Ind. when it terminates a word, means town, or city; as Viziapore, &c.
POOSE, Ind. the name of a month following Aughun: it in some degree accords with December and January.
POOSHTAY Bundee, Ind. embankments of rivers. It likewise means bridges thrown over rivers.
POOSKUT, Ind. a small weight, measuring eight koonchys, or sixty four handfuls; one koonchy being equal to eight handfuls.
PORSTICK method, in mathematics, is that which determines when, by what means, and how many different ways, any problem may be resolved.
PORPHYRE, Fr. porphyry. A fine red marble.
PORT, Fr. a harbor.
Fermer les PORTS, Fr. to lay a general embargo upon shipping. During the French monarchy this practice frequently occurred for the purpose of securing able bodied seamen.
Port, Fr. This word is likewise used to express the tonnage of a vessel.
PORTAL, (portail, Fr.) the front or facade of a large building, where the principal gate stands.
To Port, to carry.
Port arms, a word of command which has been adopted during the present war, and is practised in the British army. It consists in bringing the firelock diagonally across the chest from the carry. This position of the musquet affords a great facility to the person who inspects the touch-hole, &c. In dismissing guards, preparing to charge, &c. soldiers are ordered to port arms. The French do not practise this method. Their word of command, haut les armes, corresponds with our recover.
PORTCLUSE, or PORT cullice, in fortification, is an assemblage of several large pieces of wood, joined across one another like a harrow, and each pointed with iron at the bottom. They are sometimes hung over the gate-way of old fortified towns, ready to let down in case of a surprise, when the gates could not be shut.
Port-fire, in artillery, a composition put in a paper case to fire guns and mortars, instead of a lint-stock and match. See [Laboratory Works].
PORTGLAVE, Fr. See [Porte-Epee].
Port de l’arme, Fr. the carriage of the firelock.
| Porte drapeau, | - | |
| Porte enseigne, |
Fr. the person who carries the colors.
Port étendard, Fr. the standard bearer.
Porte feu, Fr. a machine made of wood or copper, by which fire is communicated to gunpowder in a shell, fuse, or piece of ordnance. It is sometimes made of pasteboard. Where there is any ground to apprehend that a cannon will burst, the priming made of a certain composition is put into the pasteboard case, by which means the cannoneer has time to retire before any accident can happen.
Porte feu, Fr. is likewise used among artificers to signify all sorts of fusees or matches, by which fire is communicated to many quarters at once. They last according to the nature of the composition with which they are made up.
Porte feu brisé, Fr. in artificial fireworks, a species of carriage which is bent into a curve by means of a sloping piece of wood.
Porte voix, Fr. a speaking trumpet.
Porte mousqueton, Fr. a swivel.
Porte arquebuse, Fr. the king’s gunbearer.
Porte epée, Fr. a sword bearer; It likewise means a sword belt.
Porte, Fr. a gate. Portes d’une ville. The gates of a fortified town.
Porte d’ecluse, Fr. a flood gate.
Porte de secours, Fr. the gate in a citadel, which has an outlet towards the country, is so called. By means of this gate the garrison can always receive succors or reinforcements, in cases of civil insurrection, or under circumstances of surprise.
PORTEE du fusil, Fr. by this expression the French generally understand the distance which a musquet-shot goes to its ultimate destination. It is supposed to vary from 120 to 150 toises.
Portee des piéces, Fr. the flight, range, or reach of cannon.
Portee à toute volée. Fr. the flight of a cannon shot when it makes an angle of something under 45 degrees with the horizon, or level of the country. In this manner it completes the greatest possible range.
Portee de but en blanc, Fr. the forward direction and flight of a ball, constituting a straight line, which it describes from the mouth of the piece to its ultimate object. It has been generally found, by experience that the distance so described, could not exceed 300 toises. Beyond that, the ball has been known to deviate. According to Belidor, pieces of ordnance will carry farther in the morning and at night, when the weather is cool and rarefied, than in the middle of the day, or at noon, when the heat of the sun prevails. This circumstance is amply discussed in his Bombardier Francois; and his observations were proved to be correct by experiments made in June, 1744, at Essonne. These experiments commenced at seven o’clock in the morning, and lasted till twelve. It was remarked, that the shells, which were thrown out of three mortars, gradually fell short of their original range. Besides the portée a toute volée, and the portée de but en blanc, or the full range and the point blank shot, there is the ricochet, which marshal Vauban invented. See [Ricochet].
PORTER, Fr. to carry. It is a marine term; as porter toutes ses voiles. To carry all her sails. It is likewise used as a word of command, viz. Portez vos armes. Carry arms.
Porter une botte, Fr. to make a thrust or pass.
PORTES d’une ville du guerre, Fr. openings which cross the ramparts of a fortified town or place, and are generally arched over. These openings are usually made in the middle of the curtain, between two bastions. They are from nine to ten feet broad, and from thirteen to fourteen feet high. The gates are mostly decorated with trophies of war: and in some instances a very superfluous magnificence is exhibited.
PORTEURS d’eau, Fr. Water carriers. In India they are called Beestees. Amongst the Turks the Sakkas, or water-carriers, are taken from the lowest rank of soldiers belonging to the Capikuly infantry. The number of these men depends upon the nature of the service on which the turks are employed. They are under the orders of the officers who command companies; and although their situation is not only the most degrading, but the most laborious in the army, they may nevertheless become soldiers. Their dress consists of brown leather; and from the continual fatigue which they undergo, their appearance is wretched in the extreme.
PORTFIRE, a composition of meal powder, sulphur, and saltpetre, driven into a case of paper to serve instead of a match to fire guns.
Portfire composition. Saltpetre, 60 parts; sulphur, 40 parts; mealed powder, 20 parts. Length of each, 16¹⁄₂ inches.
One will burn from 12 to 15 minutes.
Weight of one dozen, 3 lbs. 12 oz.
Portfires were made at Gibraltar in the following manner; two ounces of nitre was dissolved in a gallon of water, and sheets of soft brown paper dipped in the solution: these when dry were rolled up to about the size of common portfires. See English New Annual Register, 1807, for an article on wooden portfires.
PORT-FOLIO, in a general acceptation of the term amongst us, is a species of large leathern case, made like a pocket book, and calculated to carry papers of any size. Among the French it not only signifies the same thing, but likewise a box, made of pasteboard, in which are contained the several papers that relate to any particular department. The adjutants, quarter-masters, &c. belonging to the staff, should be provided with port folios for the purpose of keeping their reports, &c. in regular order.
PORT-GLAIVE, from the French porteur and glaive. One who carries the sword before a prince or magistrate.
PORT-HOLES, in a ship, are the embrasures or holes in the sides of a ship, through which the muzzels of cannon are run.
PORTIERES, Fr. Two pieces or folds of wood which are placed in the embrasure of a battery, and which close the instant the piece has been fired. They serve to cover the cannoneers from the aim of the enemy, and to resist the discharge of musquetry. They are, however, seldom or ever used except when the batteries stand close to the counterscarp.
PORTICO, (portique, Fr.) in architecture, a kind of ground gallery, or piazza, encompassed with arches supported by columns, without any immediate relation to doors or gates, where people walk under cover. The roof is commonly vaulted, sometimes flat. The ancients called it Lacunar.
PORTMANTEAU, (Valise, Fr.) a cloak bag to carry necessaries in a journey. It is sometimes made of leather.
PORTMOTE, a court held in port towns, as swanimote was in the forest.
PORT ropes, in a ship, such ropes as serve to haul up and let down the ports on the port holes.
POSE, (grandepose, Fr.) a French military term, signifying the extraordinary centinels or guards, which after retreat beating are posted in a fortified town or place, for the safety of certain specific quarters. The corporals who post the centinels are directed to instruct them, not to suffer any person to go upon the ramparts, unless he belong to the night patrole or rounds, &c. These extraordinary guards are relieved at daybreak.
POSER, Fr. to lay down. It is used as a word of command in the French artillery, &c. viz. Poser vos leviers; lay down your levers.
POSER une sentinelle, Fr. to post a centry.
POSES, Fr. the centries that are posted.
Priming POSITION, in the old manual exercise. In firing three deep the priming position for the front rank is the height of the waistband of the breeches; for the centre rank about the middle of the stomach; and for the rear rank close to the breast. The firelock in all the positions is kept perfectly horizontal.
But in the modern exercise, the rear rank does not fire; but loads for the centre rank, whenever they form in three ranks, the whole are quarter faced to the left, so that the firelock of each has an interval; and all the firelocks are held equally high on the right hip.
Position, (Position, Fr.) This word is variously used in a military sense, both by the French and English. It is applicable to locality; as the army took an excellent position; or drew up upon very advantageous ground, and in a very advantageous manner. Frederic the great, of Prussia, has laid it down as a maxim, that no army should take up a position in rear of a forest, since it is thereby prevented from observing the movements of the enemy, and from counteracting their plans.
Position of the soldier without arms. The equal squareness of the shoulders and body to the front is the first and great principle of the position of the soldier: the heels must be in a line, and two inches apart; the knees straight, without stiffness; the toes turned out, so that the feet may form an angle of about 60 degrees; the arms hang near the body, but not stiff; the flat of the hand, and middle finger, touching the seams of the pantaloons; the elbows and shoulders are to be kept back: The belly rather drawn in; and the breast advanced, but without constraint; the body to be upright, but inclining rather forwards, so that the weight may not bear so much on the heels as on the fore part of the feet: the head to be erect; and neither turned to the right nor to the left; the eyes alone will be glanced to the right.
Position of the soldier with arms. The body of the soldier being in the position above described, the firelock is to be placed in his left hand, against the shoulder; the thumb alone to appear in front; the four fingers to be under the butt; and the left elbow a very little bent inwards, so as not to be separated from the body, or to be more backward or forward than the right one: the firelock must rest full on the hand, not on the end of the fingers; the knuckles of the middle finger to press so against the hip joint, as that on raising the left foot from the ground the motion of the joint be felt with the knuckles, and be carried in such manner as not to raise, advance, or keep back, one shoulder more than the other; the butt must therefore be forward, and as low as can be permitted without constraint; the fore part a very little before the front of the thigh; and the hind part of it pressed with the knuckles against the joint. It must be kept steady and firm before the hollow of the shoulder; should it be drawn back, or carried too high, the one shoulder would be advanced, the other kept back, and the upper part of the body would be distorted and not square with respect to the limbs.
The position in which a soldier should move, determines that in which he should stand still. Too many methods cannot be used to supple the recruit, and banish the air of the rustic. But that excess of setting up, which stiffens the person, and tends to throw the body backward instead of forward, is contrary to every true principle of movement, and must therefore be most carefully avoided. If the firelock be carried well in the hand, and against the hip joint, the barrel of the firelock will stand perpendicular, and this will guide the body which should be thrown against the uptight firelock, and will be found to agree with the balance of the body upon the fore part of the foot; and conduce to opening the chest and keeping an erect front.
Position in marching. In marching, the soldier must maintain, as much as possible, the same position of the body. See [March].
Change of Position, the positive or relative movement of a body of troops on any given point.
New Positions that a regiment or line can take with respect to the old one, are:
Parallel Positions, or nearly so to the old one.
Intersecting Positions by themselves, or their prolongation, some part of the old line or its prolongation.
New parallel Positions being necessarily to the front, or rear of the old one, the regiment will, according to circumstances, take them up by the diagonal march; the flank match of divisions after wheeling into column; or the movement in open column to the new line, and its subsequent formation in it.
New intersecting Positions, which themselves cut the regiment, will, in cavalry movements, be taken up by the diagonal march; or the flank march ranks by three’s of divisions. All other new positions, which themselves, or their prolongation, intersect the old line, or its prolongation, will in general be taken up by the march in open column, and its subsequent formations, when it arrives at the line; some such positions will, however, allow of, and require being made by the echellon march, or by the flank march of divisions. In general the regiment will break to the hand which is nearest to the new position, be conducted to its nearest point in the new line, and form on it as directed.
Position of the officer. See [Sword].
Position du soldat sans armes, Fr. position of the soldier without arms.
Position du soldat avec les armes, Fr. position of the soldier with arms.
Position de l’extension, Fr. in fencing, position of extension.
POSSEDER, Fr. to possess, to be in possession of.
POSSE, an armed power, called out on any particular emergency; as the posse comitatus; who may be called out by the sheriff, or marshal, to suppress outrages of the peace.
POSSESSION, to take possession, is the act of occupying any post, camp, fortress, &c. which might facilitate the operations of any army, or which previously belonged to the enemy.
POST, in war, a military station; any sort of ground fortified or not, where a body of men can be in a condition of resisting the enemy.
Advanced Post, a spot of ground, seized by a party to secure their front, and the post behind them.
Post of honor. The advanced guard is a post of honor: the right of the two lines is the post of honor, and is generally given to the eldest corps: the left is the next post, and is given to the next eldest, and so on. But the laws of military discipline forbid an inconvenient accordance with this practice, as the circumstances of the case may require a very different arrangement, which it would be wanton to oppose. The station of a centinel before the colors, and the door of a commanding officer, is a post of honor.
Advantageous POST. Every situation is so called which an enemy occupies in such a manner, that not only mere force of arms, but great military skill, and many stratagems, are required to dislodge him. We have various instances in history of how much may be done on both sides, when one army has taken up an advantageous post, and another finds it necessary to drive him from it. This subject has been amply discussed in a French work intituled, Stratagéms de Guerre, page 71, &c.
Posts of exercise in the rear, the relative situations which officers take in the rear; when the ranks of a battalion are opened for the purpose of going through the manual and platoon exercises. It is likewise a cautionary word of command, viz. The officers will take post in the rear.
To Post. In the disposition of troops, to place the officers, music, drummers, fifers, and pioneers, according to their several ranks and appointments, either for inspection, or exercise in the field.
To Post, to station, as, a sentry, &c.
To be POSTED, in military tactics, to be formed ready for action. Thus when troops are brought up in column, and ordered to deploy, it frequently happens, that some part of the line is refused, in order to flank an enemy, or to cover a weak position, the part that is aligned is said to be posted.
To POST up, (afficher, Fr.) To hold up to public censure or ridicule.
To be POSTED, in a familiar sense, signifies to be publicly announced as an infamous or degraded character. Hence to post a man as a coward is to stick his name up in a coffee-house or elsewhere, and to accuse him of want of spirit, &c. The French use the phrase afficher in the same sense. They likewise say figuratively afficher sa bonte; to publish or post up one’s own disgrace; meaning thereby, that some persons are so totally regardless of decency and decorum, as to express sentiments which are unbecoming the character of an officer, or a gentleman.
POSTAGE of Letters. In the British service, non-commissioned officers and private soldiers are privileged to send or receive letters, from any part of that country on payment of one penny only for the postage.
In the instructions to postmasters, (Feb. 4th, 1799,) concerning the exemptions granted to seamen in the navy, and privates in the army, in respect to the postage of their letters, it is specified, that
“No single letter, sent by the post from any seaman or private employed in his majesty’s navy, army, militia, fencible regiments, artillery, or marines, shall, whilst such seamen or private shall be employed on his majesty’s service, and not otherwise, be charged with an higher rate of postage than the sum of one penny for the conveyance of each such letter; such postage to be paid at the time of putting the same into the post office of the town, or place from whence such letter is intended to be sent by the post.
“Provided, that no such letter shall be exempted from postage, unless there shall be written thereon, in the hand-writing of, and signed by the commanding officer, for the time being, of the ship or vessel, or of the corps, regiment, or detachment to which such seamen or private shall belong, the name of such commanding officer, and of the ship, vessel, corps, regiment, or detachment commanded by him.
“No single letter, directed to any such seamen, or private, upon his own private concerns, only whilst such seaman, or private, shall be employed on his majesty’s service, and not otherwise, shall be charged with a higher rate of postage than one penny for each such letter, which penny shall be paid at the time of the delivery thereof.
“Provided, that no such letter shall be exempted from the rates of postage chargeable upon letters, unless any such letter shall be directed to such seaman, or private, specifying the ship, vessel, regiment, troop, corps, company, or detachment to which he may belong: and provided also, that it shall not be lawful for the deputy postmaster of the town or place to which such letter shall be sent to be delivered, to deliver such letter to any person except to the seamen or private to whom such letter shall be directed, or to any person appointed to receive the same by the commanding officer of the ship, &c. to which the seaman, or private to whom such letter shall be directed, shall belong.
“The exemptions do not extend to letters sent to or received from countries independent of England: they do extend to the West India Islands and British America.
“All postmasters are desired to take particular notice that double letters to and from soldiers and sailors and their families, are liable to the full double rates, the same as letters in general; and some postmasters having conceived that letters containing money orders might pass under the exemptions of the act, they are desired to understand, that such letters are chargeable with full double rates also.
“Recruiting serjeants, who may carry on a correspondence with their officers on the recruiting service, cannot send or receive their letters on that service under the exemptions granted by this act.
“The above exemptions granted by the legislature do not extend in the navy to any other than seaman, and not to officers of any description whatever; and in the army, only the privates, with serjeants and serjeant-majors are included. Many officers, both in the army and navy, having construed the act to extend to their own correspondence, it is hereby publicly stated that such a construction is altogether inapplicable.”
The act in its literal meaning includes in this indulgence all non-commissioned officers, although they are excluded by this official interpretation.
According to a letter issued from the post office, dated the 18th Sept, 1799, to all postmasters, in addition to the rates above-mentioned, these letters are chargeable with inland postage to and from London, excepting single letters to and from soldiers and sailors, and it is to be left to the opinion of the writers to pay the postage or not on putting them into any post office.
POSTE, Fr. a word generally used in the plural number to signify small shot, viz. Son fusil étoit chargé de douze ou quinze postes; his gun or musquet was loaded with twelve or fifteen shot.
Poste, Fr. This word is always used in the masculine gender when it relates to war, or to any specific appointments; as, poste avancé, an advanced post. Poste avantageux, an advantageous post. Mauvais poste, an unfavorable post. The French say figuratively, un poste est jaloux; thereby meaning, that a post is extremely open to an attack, and that the troops in it may be easily surprised.
Postes de campagne, Fr. Every construction or groupe of buildings that will admit of being defended, and is consequently tenable, is called a poste de campagne, or field work. Of this description are churches, houses, country houses, farm houses, villages, redoubts, &c. in which a sufficient number of men may be stationed for the purpose of holding out against an enemy, until succours can arrive. Chevalier Folard has written upon this subject; and since him, F. Gaudi, with comments and illustrations by A. P. J. Belair, chief of brigade in the French army. We recommend the latter production, which appeared in 1793, to the perusal of every officer. The work is intituled, Instruction addressée aux officiers d’Infanterie pour tracer et construire toutes sortes d’ouvrages de Campagne. See likewise, Aide Mémoire pour les officiers d’artillerie. A late work, intituled, Duties of an Officer in the Field, &c. by Baron Gross, of the Dutch brigade, is very useful; the whole of this tract is incorporated in the American Military Library.
Post avantageux, Fr. See [Advantageous Post].
Petits POSTES separés, Fr. small detached posts.
Postes intermédiaires, Fr. intermediate posts, or men so stationed between different corps, that, in case of urgency, they may with ease advance to the support of that which is more immediately threatened by the enemy.
POSTERN, more frequent a sally-port, is a small door in the flank of a bastion, or other part of a garrison, to march in and out unperceived by an enemy, either to relieve the works, or make sallies.
POSTICHE, Fr. any thing fictitious put in room of something that has been real and natural. In military matters, among the French, it serves to distinguish supernumerary or auxiliary soldiers that are taken from one, or more companies; to strengthen any particular body of men.
POSTILION, Fr. an express boat which is kept in French seaports for the purpose of carrying and bringing intelligence.
POT, Fr. a vessel used in the making of artificial fireworks, &c.
Stink Pot, a vessel filled with combustible matter, which is thrown on various occasions, when men come into close action. The consequences of its explosion are sometimes fatal, and always dangerous.
Pot à brai, Fr. an iron pot in which pitch or tar is melted.
Pot d’une fusée volante, Fr. the carcase of a fusee.
Pot à feu, Fr. a fire pot; a hand grenado.
Pot à aigrette, Fr. an artificial firework, the centre of which contains a certain quantity of powder, which upon being inflamed, communicates itself to several other branches, and exhibits the appearance of an aigrette, or cluster of rays, such as issue from diamonds arranged in a particular manner. The aigrette takes its name from a bird so called, whose feathers serve to make up an ornament for the head.
Pot en téte, Fr. a headpiece made of iron, which is proof against musquet shot. This headpiece is sometimes placed in the crown of the hat, and is otherwise used by sappers.
POTEAU, Fr. a stake, post.
POTEE, Fr. Putty.
POTENCE, Fr. Troops are ranged en potence by breaking a straight line, and throwing a certain proportion of it, either forward or backward, from the right or left, according to circumstances, for the purpose of securing that line. An army may be posted en potence by means of a village, a river, or a wood. The derivation of the word may be variously explained, viz. From Potence, a gibbet. Potences, crutches or supports. Potence likewise means a piece of wood which is thrown across two uprights; also a cross table, as table en potence; and a measure to ascertain the height of a horse or man.
POTENTAT, Fr. See [Potentate].
POTENTATE, a sovereign prince, whose power is rendered formidable by the various means of authority which are vested in him.
POTERNE, Fr. a postern gate, a sally port.
Poterne, Fr. Likewise signifies a secret gate. Gates of this description are made behind the orillons at the extremities of the curtain, in the angle of the flank, and in the middle of those curtains where there are no gates. The sewers generally run under the poternes. Belidor, in his Art of Engineering, recommends small arched magazines to be constructed on the right and left of the paths that lead to these gates.
POUCH, a case of black stout leather with a flap over it, worn by the infantry for the purpose of carrying their ammunition. The pouches in use among the cavalry are smaller.
Pouch flap, the outside covering of the pouch. It is made of the stoutest blackened leather and ought always to be substantial enough to turn the severest weather.
POUCE, Fr. An inch.
POUDRE, Fr. See [Gunpowder].
Poudre muette, poudre sourde, Fr. A species of gunpowder which is free from noise or detonation.
Poudre fulminante, Fr. A species of gunpowder which makes a greater noise than the common sort.
Poudre à gros grains, Fr. Gunpowder which is used for artillery pieces. It is likewise called Poudre à Canon.
Poudre à musquet, Fr. Gunpowder used for musquets, and other firearms.
POUDRIER, Fr. a gunpowder maker. It also signifies an hour glass.
POVERTY, a goddess adored by the Pagans, and familiar to Christians. She was reverenced, as a deity, by the heathens, because they feared her, and was very justly considered as the mother of industry and the fine arts. Among military men, poverty is seldom felt whilst the active duties of the profession are executed with zeal and good sense, and the individuals entrusted with them, are not only paid with punctuality, but are secured in their honest hopes of promotion. Economy is the basis on which every soldier should build his views of personal comfort and security; and if he attend to the perpetual calls of service, he will not fail to realise them. For a life of real service affords no scope for extravagance; and when a good soldier becomes unequal to the hardships it imposes, the nation should provide for him.
POUF, Ind. a word used among the blacks to describe the explosion of firearms.
POULEVRIN, Fr. Pounded gunpowder.
POULIE, Fr. A pulley.
A POUND sterling, a money in account, value 20s. in England, marked £.
POUNDAGE, a rate which is allowed for collecting money. Army agents, &c. are entitled to poundage, which consists in a certain deduction from the pay of officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers. Agents are not allowed any poundage on the pay of the privates in the militia.
POUNDER, a great gun or piece of ordnance, denominated according to the weight of the ball it carries, as a 6, 12, 24 pounder.
POWDER Horn, a horn flask, in which powder is kept for priming guns. Light infantry and riflemen have frequently a powder horn for carrying spare powder.
POURIE, Ind. a wooden sandal which is used in India during the wet season.
POURSUITE, Fr. Pursuit.
Poursuivans d’armes, Fr. See [Pursuivants at arms].
POURSUIVRE, Fr. to pursue.
Poursuivre l’épée dans les reins, Fr. To pursue with unrelenting activity.
POURTOUR, Fr. in architecture, the circumference of any place.
POURVOIR, Fr. to provide, to lay in store, &c.
POURVEYEURS des vivres, Fr. Purveyors.
POUSSER, Fr. to push, to press upon, to drive before you, viz. Pousser aux ennemis; to advance rapidly against the enemy. This expression is used in a neutral sense, and relates chiefly to the operations of cavalry.
Pousser un cheval, Fr. To make a horse go full speed.
POUSSIER, Fr. the dust which remains after the formation of gunpowder into grains.
POUTRE, Fr. a beam.
POUTRELLE, Fr. a small beam.
POWDER. See [Gunpowder].
Powder-magazine, a bomb-proof arched building to hold the powder in fortified places, &c. containing several rows of barrels laid one over another. See [Magazine].
Powder-cart, a two wheeled carriage, covered with an angular roof of boards. To prevent the powder from getting damp, a tarred canvas is put over the roof; and on each side are lockers to hold shot, in proportion to the quantity of powder, which is generally four barrels.
Powder-mill, a building in which the materials are beat, mixed together, and grained: they are placed near rivers, and as far from any house as can be, for fear of accidents, which often happen. See [Mill].
POWER, a natural faculty of doing or suffering any thing. Mr. Locke, in his Essay on the Human Understanding, considers power under two heads. One he calls active and the other passive power.
Power, in military affairs as well as in all others, is knowlege—of human passions—of arms—of distances—of the skill and numbers of an enemy.
To be in the POWER of any body, in a figurative sense, to have committed yourself in such a manner, as to be under the necessity of keeping upon good terms with a person who might injure you by a disclosure of your secrets. To avoid putting yourself in the power of any man, hear much, say little, and write less. These are maxims which every public character ought to attend to; and every general should cautiously follow during an active campaign, when there are frequent occasions to communicate with spies, &c. and he is not unfrequently obliged to hold intercourse with suspected persons.
To be in the POWER of an enemy. To have taken up, injudiciously, such a position as to expose you to a defeat whenever the enemy may think proper to attack you.
Powers of lines and quantities, are their squares, cubes, &c. or other multiplications of the parts into the whole, or of one part into another.
Small POX. A disease to which most infants, adults, &c. are exposed; and which has been rendered less malignant by inoculation. The introduction of a humor, called the Cow Pox, or Vaccine Matter, into the human system, has lately been found extremely beneficial. When recruits join a regiment they should be examined respecting this disease; and no time should be lost to vaccinate them.
Great Pox, commonly called the venereal disease. Few men are more likely to catch this cruel disorder than soldiers; and in no case ought the attention of the regimental surgeon to be more imperiously engaged than in the speedy cure of it. In the navy, where the disease is often prevalent, the surgeons are entitled to receive a certain sum of money, which is stopped out of the pay of their venereal patients, for extraordinary trouble and attendance. In the army of the U. States the soldiers are treated in this as in all other diseases. The soldier should be liable to stoppages. Every officer of a company, who has the welfare of his soldiers at heart, should examine their linen at the weekly inspections, as the disorder generally manifests itself, particularly in its first stages, in stains upon the shirt.
PRACTICABLE. A word frequently used in military matters to express the possible accomplishment of any object. Hence, “a practicable breach.”
PRACTICE, or gun-practice. In the spring, as soon as the weather permits, the exercise of the great guns begins, for the purpose of shewing the gentlemen cadets at the British military academy at Woolwich, and the private men, the manner of laying, loading, pointing, and firing the guns. Sometimes instruments are used to find the centre line, or two points, one at the breech, the other at the muzzle, which are marked with chalk, and whereby the piece is directed to the target: then a quadrant is put into the mouth, to give the gun the required elevation, which at first is guessed at, according to the distance the target is from the piece. When the piece has been fired, it is sponged, to clear it from any dust or sparks of fire that may remain in the bore, and loaded: then the centre line is found, as before; and if the shot went too high or too low, to the right or to the left, the elevation and trail are altered accordingly. This practice continues morning and evening for about six weeks, more or less, according as there are a greater or less number of recruits. In the mean time others are shown the motions of quick firing with field-pieces. There is no practice in the army of the U. States, in which there are officers of ten or twelve years standing who never saw a mortar loaded; but this is the effect of a total want of system.
Mortar Practice, generally thus: a line of 1500 or 2000 yards is measured in an open spot of ground, from the place where the mortars stand, and a flag fixed at about 300 or 500 yards: this being done, the ground where the mortars are to be placed is prepared and levelled with sand, so that they may lie at an elevation of 45, or any required number of degrees; then they are loaded with a small quantity of powder at first, which is increased afterwards, by an ounce every time, till they are loaded with a full charge: the times of the flights of the shells are observed, to determine the length of the fuzes. The intention of this practice is, when a mortar-battery is raised in a siege, to know what quantity of powder is required to throw the shells in to the works at a given distance, and at what elevation, and to cut the fuzes of a just length, that the shell may burst as soon as it touches the ground.
PRACTICE-Book. See [Book].
To PRACTICE. In a military sense, to go through the manual and platoon exercises, or through the various manœuvres, &c. for the purpose of becoming thoroughly master of military movements. Practice is likewise used, in imitation of the French, to signify the act of effecting or executing any military operation, viz. to practise a mine beneath the covert way, &c.
PRAME, Fr. A sort of boat or barge which is used on the canals in France.
PRAME, in military history, a kind of floating battery, being a flat bottomed vessel, which draws little water, mounts several guns, and is very useful in covering the disembarkation of troops. They are generally made use of in transporting the troops over the lakes in America. These vessels are well calculated for the defence of large havens and seaports. Belair, in his Elements de Fortification, page 397, strongly recommends the use of Prames in cases of inundation, &c. See the improvements proposed by him in page 316, where he speaks of “Bateaux insubmersibles.”
Di PRATICA, Ital. Free intercourse; admitted to pratique. Persons who, having performed quarantine, are permitted to land in Italy, and mix with the inhabitants.
PRACTICABLE, Fr. See [Practicable]. This word is in general use among the French, viz.
Les chemins ne sont pas Practicables. The roads are not passable.
Le gué n’est pas Practicable dans se moment-ci. The river is not fordable at this moment; verbatim, the ford is not practicable at this moment.
PRATIQUE, Fr. Practice. The term likewise signifies, among the French, commerce, intercourse, traffic, &c.
Avoir Pratique avec des insulaires, Fr. To trade, or have intercourse with the inhabitants of islands.
Une Pratique eclairée, Fr. A project undertaken and put into execution upon solid principles.
Une Pratique aveugle, Fr. A plan ill digested, and executed without discernment or ability.
Pratiques, Fr. In the plural, this term signifies the same as mal-practices, or secret intelligence with an enemy, viz.
Entrétenir des Pratiques avec le commandant d’une place. To hold communication, or keep up a secret correspondence with the commandant of a fortified place.
Pratiquer des intelligences, Fr. To collect, to gather useful information.
Il avoit Pratique dans cette place des intelligences qui lui ont donné le moyen de la surprendre, Fr. He had gathered such information, by holding secret intelligence with the inhabitants, as to be able to surprise the place.
Pratiquer, Fr. In architecture, to contrive, to make, to render convenient.
Donner Pratique à un vaisseau, Fr. To allow a vessel to enter into port and unload. This expression is used in the Mediterranean under circumstances of quarantine, and comes from Pratica.
Pratiquer, Fr. To practice. Pratiquer une homme; to try a man; to put his abilities to the test. It likewise signifies to gain over, to suborn.
PRECEDENCE. Priority. Priority in rank or precedence in military life, arises from rank, or the date of an officer’s commission.
PRECEDENT. Any act which can be interpreted into an example for future times, is called a precedent. Persons in high official situations are extremely scrupulous with respect to precedence, especially in military matters.
PRECIPITER, Fr. To precipitate; to urge or hasten on; to do every thing prematurely. This word appears to be used by the French in almost all the senses to which we attach it, especially in military matters.
Precipiter sa retraite, Fr. Literally signifies, to precipitate one’s retreat. It may be taken in a good or bad sense, to signify the act of flying away blindly or rashly, without judgment or discretion; or of urging your retreat under circumstances of imperious necessity, yet with proper caution and foresight. So that to precipitate, both in French and English, signifies, Faire trés promptement ou trop promptement; to do any thing very promptly, or too promptly.
PRECISION, exact limitation, scrupulous observance of certain given rules.
Precision of march. On the leading platoon officer of the column, much of the precision of march depends; he must lead at an equal, steady pace; he must lead on two objects either given to him, or which he himself takes up on every alteration of position; this demands his utmost attention; nor must he allow it to be diverted by looking at his platoon, the care of whose regularity depends on the other officers and non-commissioned officers, belonging to it. The second platoon officer must also be shewn, and be made acquainted with the points on which the first leads; he is always to keep the first officer and those points in a line, and those two officers, together with the guide mounted officers, thus become a direction for the other pivot officers to cover. In marching in open column, the covering serjeants or guides are placed behind the second file from the pivot officers, that the officers may the more correctly see and cover each other in column.
| PREDAL, or, | - | |
| PREDATORY, |
War, a war carried on by plunder and rapine; such as the British navy and the Algerines; the Buccaneers, also carried on a predal war, against all persons on the high seas.
PREDESTINARIAN. A person who believes in predestination. Every Turk, may be considered as a predestinarian. A Turkish soldier is taught to believe that it he falls in battle he will instantly go to heaven. This is a comfortable idea even for christian soldiers. How far it ought to be encouraged, doctors and able casuists must agree.
PREFECT, (Préfet, Fr.) a governor or commander of any place or body of men. Among the Romans this was a title of great importance, both in civil and military situations. During the existence of the republic the Præfectus Legio has had a considerable command. The two Alæ, wings, or great divisions of the allies, had each a præfect appointed them by the Roman consul, who governed in the same manner as the legionary tribunes. For a specific account see pages 193, 194, 195, of Kennett’s Roman Antiquities. There was likewise, during the time of the Roman emperors, an officer called the præfect of the pretorian band, or body guards. The French have adopted the word in their government. The functions of a modern French prefect correspond almost wholly with those of a governor of a province under the old regime or system.
PREFERMENT, the state of being advanced to a higher post.
PREJUDICE, PREJUGE, Fr. Prepossession, judgment formed beforehand, without examination. A celebrated French writer calls it an opinion taken up without judgment, Le préjuge est une opinion sans jugement. Voltaire. It is used in two instances, viz. for and against a person.
PRELIMINARY, (Préliminaire, Fr.) Previous, introductory, &c. Preliminary, as a substantive, signifies an introductory measure, a previous arrangement. Hence the “preliminaries of peace.”
PRENDRE, Fr. A French military term. It is variously used, and accords generally with our word to take, viz.
Prendre une ville d’assaut; par famine, &c. To take a town by assault; by famine, &c.
Prendre à droite, ou à gauche, Fr. To go to the right or left.
Prendre à travers, Fr. To run across.
Prendre les devants, Fr. To anticipate, to get the start of any body.
Prendre le pas, Fr. To take precedence.
Prendre la droite, Fr. To take the right.
Prendre terre, Fr. To land.
Prendre le large, Fr. A term used figuratively to signify the act of running away.
Prendre la clef des champs, Fr. Literally, to take the key of the country, or to run over it.
Prendre son êlan, Fr. To dart forth, to spring forward.
Prendre un rat, Fr. A figurative expression used among the French when a musquet or pistol misses fire, Il voulut tirer, mais son pistolet ne prit qu’un rat. Literally, he would have fired, but his pistol only caught a rat.
Prendre langue, Fr. To seek for information, to obtain intelligence.
Prendre du temps, Fr. To take time in executing a thing.
Prendre son temps, Fr. To do a thing with perfect convenience to one’s self.
Prendre la parole, Fr. To speak first.
Prendre sa revanche, Fr. To make up for any past loss or disadvantage. We familiarly say, to take one’s revenge.
Prendre à partie, Fr. An expression peculiar to the French, in judicial matters, which signifies to attack a judge, for having prevaricated and taken the part of one side against another, without any regard to justice. It likewise means to impute misconduct or criminality, and to make a person responsible for it.
Se Prendre de vin, Fr. To get drunk. Excess of drinking was so little known among the French officers and soldiers, that the greatest disgrace was affixed to the habit. It is recorded, that when marshal Richelieu had determined to storm a place in the Mediterranean, he gave out the following order—“any soldier who shall appear the least intoxicated, shall be excluded from the honor and glory of mounting the assault to-morrow morning.” Every man was at his post, and not a single instance of intoxication occurred. Such was the esprit de corps and the amour propre which prevailed in all ranks, that the dread of corporeal punishment had less effect than the being deprived of an opportunity to shew courage and resolution.
Vaisseau PRENEUR, Fr. A term peculiarly applicable to a ship that has taken a prize.
PREPARATIFS de guerre, Fr. Warlike preparations. A French writer, under this article, very judiciously observes, that the necessary arrangements which must be made before an army takes the field, and sometimes before an open declaration of war takes place, ought to be managed with extreme caution and great secrecy; although it is impossible to prevent the neighboring powers from being totally ignorant of what is going forward. It is recorded that Henry the IVth of France, having conceived a vast military project, kept it a profound secret for several years, and made the necessary preparations with extreme caution, before he put it into execution.
When Louis the XIVth resolved to invade Italy, in 1663, he dispatched commissaries, purveyors, &c. the preceding year, under various pretences, to buy up corn, to secure forage for his cavalry, and to provide every thing that might be wanted in the train of artillery; and in 1667, when he formed the plan of entering Belgium in person, he arranged all matters relative to the interior government of France during his absence, examined into the state of the finances, filled his treasury with money, augmented, by insensible degrees, the different regiments of his army, and by means of these and other sage precautions, secured the conquest of his object. In fact, well digested plans and cautious arrangements previous to the execution of a military project, however apparently tedious, are the sure forerunners of a prompt and decisive victory. It was a maxim among the Romans, and it is still one among the Turks, De faire de grosses et courtes guerres. To make war upon a scale previously vast and heavy, that its issue may be ultimately short and effectual.
PREPARATIVE, having the power of preparing, qualifying, or fitting. This word is used in a military sense to give notice of any thing about to be done. Hence
PREPARATIVE. A beat of the drum by which officers are warned to step out of the ranks when the firings are to commence.
When the preparative is beat, for the firings, the officers in the front rank step out nimbly two paces from the vacancies between the divisions, platoons, companies, or sub divisions, face to the left without word of command, and look right of companies, &c. When the preparative has ceased, they severally commence the firing. When the general is beat they fall back into the front rank.
To PREPARE. To take previous measures.
Prepare for action. A word of command used in the artillery. To battery, is a command of the same import.
PREPARATORY, antecedently necessary; giving that knowlege in any art or science which is necessary to qualify individuals for a superior class or branch. Hence preparatory schools.
Preparatory Academies. The junior department of the British military college, is preparatory to the senior. The first elements of military science are taught in the former, and officers get qualified in the higher branches of the profession when they enter the latter.
PRESENCE of mind. Ready conception of expedients, producing promptitude of action under difficult and alarming circumstances.
There is a very remarkable instance of that species of presence of mind which gives a sudden turn to public opinion, and, as it were, electrifies the human mind. When a dangerous mutiny broke out among the Roman legions, on a proposed expedition against the Germans, Cæsar suddenly exclaimed, “Let the whole army return ignominiously home if it think proper, the tenth legion and myself will remain and combat for the republic.” Having, as Plutarch observes, excited his troops to fresh ardor, he led them against the Germans; and being informed that the enemy had been warned by their soothsayers not to engage before the next moon, he took an immediate occasion to force them to battle, in which he as usual obtained victory. On a subsequent occasion this great man discovered a promptitude of conception and a presence of mind which have since been imitated on various occasions by a modern general, but have never been surpassed in ancient or modern history.
Having led his army against the Nervii, the most uncivilized, and the most fierce of all the nations bordering upon the Roman territory, he met a resistance, which as it was not expected, somewhat shook the firmness of his troops. The Nervii, by a sudden onset, at first routed his cavalry, but perceiving the danger to which his army was exposed, Cæsar himself snatched up a buckler, and forcing his way through his own men, he, with the assistance of his tenth legion, changed the fortune of the day, and cut the enemy almost entirely off. For, as Plutarch states, out of 60,000 soldiers, not above 500 survived the battle. The instances of presence of mind in modern wars are numerous, for several see Memoirs of Bonaparte’s first campaign: and several subsequent occasions.
En Presence, Fr. In sight.
All PRESENT. A term used when an officer takes his serjeant’s report, and makes the necessary enquiry respecting the state of his troops or company.
To Present, Presenter, Fr. This word is used in various senses. Those which are more immediately applicable to military usage are as follow:
To Present. To offer openly. To exhibit. To give in ceremony; as to present the colors.
To Present arms. To bring the firelock to a certain prescribed position, for the purpose of paying a military compliment. See [Manual].
Presenter les armes, Fr. To present arms, to bring the firelock to any position that may be prescribed in military exercise. In the firings it signifies make ready, viz. Presentez les armes, make ready; Joue, aim; feu, fire. In the manual and other exercises of the piece, it corresponds with our term.
Presenter la baïonette, Fr. To charge bayonet.
PRESIDENCY. The seat of government, so distinguished in India. There are four presidencies, viz. Bombay, Calcutta, Fort St. David, and Madras.
PRESIDENT of the United States.
President of the old congress.
President of a general or regimental court martial. The officer, oldest in rank, who sits in conjunction with other officers, for the trial of military offences is so called. The court, consisting of an odd number of members, when their opinions are equal, the president has the casting vote.
PRESIDIAL, relating to a garrison or fortress.
PRESS-money, money given to the soldier when taken or pressed into the service: but as the entrance into the American army is a voluntary act, it is more properly called bounty or enlisting money.
PRESTATION de serment, Fr. The taking an oath.
PRET, Fr. The subsistence or daily pay which is given to soldiers. The French say,
Payer le Pret. To pay subsistence.
Recevoir le Pret. To receive subsistence.
Toucher le Pret. To touch subsistence or daily pay.
PRETENDER, one who pretends to any thing whether it be his own or the property of another.
PRETER, Fr. In military tactics, to expose, as
Preter son flanc à l’ennemi. To expose one’s flank to the enemy; to march in so unguarded a manner, or to take up one’s ground so disadvantageously as to stand in continual danger of being outflanked.
The French likewise say, figuratively,
Preter le flanc. To put one’s self in the power of another.
PRETOR, (Préteur, Fr.) Among the Romans, the governor of a province, who had served the office of pretor, or chief minister of justice in ancient Rome. The provinces so governed were called pretorian.
PRETORIAN, (Pretorien, ne, Fr.) appertaining to pretor; as Pretorian Band, the general’s guard among the ancient Romans.
PRETORIUM, (Prétoire, Fr.) The hall or court wherein the pretor lived and administered justice. It also denoted the tent of the Roman general, in which councils of war were held. The place where the pretorian guards were quartered or lodged, was likewise called pretorium.
PREVARICATION. According to the laws of England is, where a lawyer pleads booty, or acts by collusion, &c. It also denotes a secret abuse committed in the exercise of a public office, or of a commission given by a private person. The word is unknown in military phraseology, and is only explained in this place to stand as a land mark to the open ingenuous character of a soldier.
PREVOST, Fr. Provost.
Prevost d’une armée, Fr. Provost-marshal belonging to an army.
PRICES of commissions. See [Regulations].
PRICKER. A light horseman was formerly so called.
To PRICK out. An expression used among engineers, &c. signifying to mark out the ground where a camp, &c. is to be formed.
To Prick out the line of circumvallation. This is done by the chief engineer and chief of the staff, whenever an army entrenches itself before a town, or takes possession of any given lot of ground, and begins to hut.
PRICKING. Among marines, to make a point on the plan or chart, near about where the ship then is, or is to be at such a time, in order to find the course they are to steer.
PRIEST’s-cap. See [Fortification] and [Bonnet].
PRIME, a word of command used in the platoon exercise. See [Manual].
Prime and load, a word of command used in the exercise of a battalion, company, or squad. See [Manual].
PRIME parade, in fencing, is formed by dropping the point of your sword to the right, bending your elbow, and drawing the back of your sword hand to within a foot of your forehead, in a line with your left temple, so that your blade shall carry the thrust of your antagonist clear of the inside or left of your position.
Prime thrust, a thrust applicable after forming the above parade, and delivered at the inside of the antagonist. To obtain an opening for this thrust, it is necessary to step out of the line to the right as you parry, or else to oppose the sword of your antagonist with your left hand. The first method is most eligible.
Prime Hanging Guard, with the broadsword, a position in which the hand is brought somewhat to the left, in order to secure that side of the face and body. See [Broadsword].
PRIMING, in Gunnery, the train of powder that is laid, from the opening of the vent, along the gutter or channel, on the upper part of the breech of the gun, which, when fired, conveys the flame to the vent, by which it is further communicated to the charge, in order to discharge the piece. This operation is only used on ship-board, at the proof, and sometimes in garrison; for on all other occasions, tubes are used for that purpose.
Priming, or prime of a gun, is the gunpowder put in the pan or touch-hole of a piece, to give it fire thereby.
Priming-case, a small tin case, about the size and shape of a cartridge, for the purpose of keeping a certain quantity of gunpowder, for priming, constantly ready and dry. This rational and econonomical invention, should be universally adopted.
Priming position. See [Platoon exercise] under [Manual].
Priming-wire, in gunnery, a sort of iron needle employed to penetrate the vent or touch-hole of a piece of ordnance, when it is loaded, in order to discover whether the powder contained therein is thoroughly dry, and fit for immediate service; as likewise to search the vent and penetrate the cartridge, when the guns are not loaded with loose powder.
PRIMIPILARII, PRIMOPILARII, or PRIMIPILARES, among the Romans were such as had formerly borne the office of primipulus of a legion. The banner was entrusted to his care. Among other privileges which the primipilarii enjoyed, they became heirs to what little property was left by the soldiers who died in the campaign.
Primipilaire, Fr. See [Primipilarii].
PRIMIPULUS, the centurion belonging to the first cohort of a legion. He had charge of the Roman eagle.
PRIMITIVES, Fr. Primitive colors are distinguished by this term among the French. They are, the yellow, the red, and the blue; white and black being the extremes.
PRINCIPES, (Princes, Fr.) Roman soldiers. They consisted of the strongest and most active men in the infantry, and were armed like the Hastati, with this difference, that the former had half-pikes instead of whole ones.
PRINCIPLE, according to the schools, is that from which any thing is done or known.
Principle also denotes the foundations of arts and sciences.
Military Principles, the basis or ground work upon which every military movement is made, and by which every operation is conducted.
PRISAGE, that share which belongs to the king or admiral out of such merchandises, &c. as are lawfully taken at sea.
PRIS, Fr. This word is variously used by the French, in a figurative and proverbial sense. C’est autant de pris sur l’ennemi. An expression signifying that some advantage, at least, has been gained.
Une Ville PRISE, Fr. a town which has been taken.
Prise des dehors d’une place, Fr. The taking possession of an enemy’s outworks.
PRISES, Fr. Prizes.
Prises sur l’ennemi, Fr. Every thing taken from the enemy is so called.
PRISONNIERS de guerre, Fr. prisoners of war.
PRISONERS of war, those of the enemy who are taken in or after a battle, siege, &c. They are deprived of their liberty at large, until exchanged, or sent on parole.
PRIVILEGE, is any kind of right or advantage which is attached to a person or employment exclusive of others.
Privileges. Among the different privileges which prevail in the British army, the life guards receive their promotions direct from the king, without passing through the commander in chief as all other corps do. The appointment of colonel in the life guards gives the honorary title of gold stick, and the field officer of the day is the silver stick, through whom all reports, &c. are conveyed to the king. Although there is a lieutenant general of the London district, the foot guards have the privilege of reporting to head quarters direct. The foot guards enjoy the privilege of ranking, from the ensign, one step higher than the line. A lieutenant, for instance, ranks as captain, and can purchase as such into any marching regiment without having waited the regulated period; and a captain, having the brevet rank of lieutenant colonel, may leap over all the majors of the line, by getting appointed to a marching regiment. The promotions of the guards, among themselves, are, however, extremely slow; and the only indemnification they have must beat the expence of the line. This preposterous pre-eminence which is not founded on any military principles or personal merit, has tended to destroy military emulation in England; and will every where when merit only is not the criterion of honor and promotion.
Privileges des régimens, Fr. Certain privileges attached to regiments, which are always abused, when not the reward of distinguished merit.
PRIVY Council, a council of state held by a king, with his counsellors, to concert matters for the public service; also called the cabinet.
PRIX des emplois ou charges militaires, Fr. The price of commissions, or military employments. During the monarchy of France, a company in the French guards sold for 80,000 livres!
A company in the six first regiments of infantry, went for 75,000 livres. The six following, exclusive of the régiment du roi, went for 55,000 livres. One in the regiment of Poitou, and as far down as the Penthievre, 40,000 livres; in the Penthievre, and from that to the last regiment inclusive, 30,000 livres!
A company in the Scotch gendarmes cost 180,000 livres; in the Irish, the Bourguignon, and Flanders, 150,000 livres. The other companies of gendarmerie went for 135,000!
The sub-lieutenants in the gendarmerie paid 100,000 livres, and those in the light horse, 95,000 livres. The ensigns and first cornets, including the guidon belonging to the Scotch gendarmes, gave 62,000 livres!
The guidons, and second cornets, 30,000 livres!
There was no specific regulation for the purchase of a regiment of heavy cavalry or dragoons. Appointments in the état major or staff belonging to the cavalry and the royal regiments (les royaux) sold for 100,000l. in the dragoons, from 100,000 to 120,000 livres.
The troops or companies in cavalry regiments, in the royal corps, and in the état major or staff, were fixed at 10,000 livres, and the rest at 8000.
A troop of dragoons sold for 7000 livres. No company or other appointment in the infantry, was allowed to be bought or sold. It will strike the military reader, that although the purchase of commissions was, in some degree, sanctioned by the old French government, it was nevertheless extremely limited, and confined to the upper ranks. The efficient part of the army, which is certainly the infantry, received its commissions gratis.
PRIZE-FIGHTER. See [Gladiator].
PRIZE-money, officers and soldiers of the line doing duty on board ships of war, are entitled to prize-money as marines.
PROA, Ind. A sailing vessel is so called in India.
PROBABILITY, (Probabilité, Fr.) is nothing but the appearance of the agreement or disagreement of two ideas by the intervention of proofs, whose connection is not constant and immutable, or is not perceived to be so; but is, or appears for the most part to be so, and is sufficient to induce the mind to judge the proposition to be true or false, rather than the contrary.
PROBLEM, (Probléme, Fr.) In the general acceptation of the term, a doubtful proposition, which will admit of several solutions.
PROCEDURES militaires, Fr. Military process. It consists in the investigation of all crimes and offences committed by soldiers which come under the cognizance of a military tribunal; in contradistinction to the authority which is vested in the civil magistrates.
To PROCLAIM, (Proclamer, Fr.) to promulgate or denounce by a solemn or legal publication. Hence, to proclaim peace, which is used in contradistinction to the term to declare, which denounces war. Both French and English say, Declarer la guerre, to declare war; proclamer la paix, to proclaim peace.
PROCLAMATION. An instrument which is published by the constituted authority of government, whereby the country at large is advertised of something, and whereby the people are sometimes required to do, or not to do certain things. A proclamation has all the efficacy of law, because it must be in concord with or founded upon the law already in being.
PROCLAMATION of peace, a declaration of the cessation of war.
PROCONSUL, among the Romans, a magistrate who was sent to govern a province with consular authority.
PRODITION. See [Treachery].
| PRODUCE, | - | |
| PRODUCT, |
(Produit, Fr.) Effect, fruit. In arithmetic it is the quantity which grows out of the multiplication of two or more numbers or lines one by another: 5 for instance multiplied by 4, will give the produce 20; and the produce of two lines, multiplied one by the other, is called the rectangle of these lines.
PROFILE, in drawing, side-ways or side-view. A picture in profile represents a head or face set side-ways.
Profiler, Fr. the act of profiling, or designing with rule and compass.
Profile, (Profil, Fr.) in architecture, the draught of a building, fortification, &c. wherein are expressed the several heights, widths, and thicknesses, such as they would appear were the building cut down perpendicularly from the roof to the foundation. It serves to show those dimensions which cannot be represented in plans, but are yet necessary in the building of a fortification: they are best constructed on a scale of 30 feet to an inch. It is also called section, orthographical section, and by Vitruvius, sciagraphy. It is sometimes used in opposition to ichnography.
PROGRAM, (Programme, Fr.) a word derived from the Greek, signifying any public edict, notice, or declaration. The French make use or the word on occasions of national ceremony.
PROJECTILES, are such bodies as, being put in motion by any great force, are then cast off, or let go from the place where they received their quantity of motion; as a shell or shot from a piece of artillery, a stone thrown from a sling, or an arrow from a bow, &c. This line is commonly taken for a parabola, and the ranges are computed from the properties of the curves. The assumption would be just, in case the ball, in its motion, met with no resistance: but, the resistance of the air to swift motions being very great, the curve described by the shot is neither a parabola, nor near it: and by reason of the resistance, the angle which gives the greatest amplitude is not 45 degrees, as commonly supposed, but something less, probably 43¹⁄₂. Hence the sublime mathematics are absolutely necessary in the investigation of the track of a shell or shot in the air, known by the name of military projectiles.
Gallileo having discovered that bodies projected in vacuo, and in an oblique direction to the horizon, do always describe a parabola, he concluded that this doctrine was not sufficient to determine the real motion of a military projectile: for, since shells and shot move with a great velocity, the resistance of the air becomes so great with respect to the weight of the projectile, that its effect turns the body very considerably from the parabolic tract; so that all calculations, grounded on the nature of this curve, are of little use on these occasions. This is not to be wondered at, since Gallileo, in his enquiry, paid no regard to any other force acting on bodies, than the force of gravity only, without considering the resistance of the air.
Every body, moving in a fluid, suffers the action of two forces: the one is the force of gravity, or the weight of the body; and it is to be observed, that this weight is less than the natural weight of the body, that being diminished by an equal bulk of the fluid in which the body moves. The other force is that of the resistance, which is known to be proportional to the squares of the velocity of the body; and when the body is a globe, as is commonly supposed, the direction of this force is diametrically opposite to that of the motion of the body. This force changes continually, both in quantity and direction; but the first force remains constantly the same. Hence, the point in question is, to determine the curve which a body projected obliquely, must describe when acted upon by the two forces just now mentioned.
Although this question is easily reduced to a problem purely analytical, the great Newton, notwithstanding his ingenious endeavors, did not arrive at a complete solution of it. He was the first who attempted it, and having succeeded so well in the supposition, that the resistance is proportional to the velocity, it is almost inconceivable that he did not succeed, when the resistance is supposed proportional to the squares of the velocity, after solving a number of questions incomparably more difficult. The late Mr. John Bernoulli gave the first solution of this problem, from which he drew a construction of the curve, by means of the quadratures of some transcendent curves, whose description is not very difficult.
This great problem was, therefore, very well solved long ago; yet the solution, however good in theory, is such as has hitherto been of no use in practice, nor in correcting the false theory grounded on the parabola, to which the artillerist is still obliged to adhere, notwithstanding he knows it to be insufficient. It is certain, that that solution has been of no real advantage towards improving the art of gunnery: it has only served to convince the student in that art, of the error of his principles, drawn from the nature of the parabola, although he is still to abide by them. It is indeed something to know, that the common rules are erroneous; but unless we know how much they err in any case, the advantage is very little.
One may think it a work of infinite labor to establish rules for the flight of cannon shot, agreeable to the real curve which a body describes in the air: for although, according to the hypothesis of Gallileo, we want only the elevation of the piece, and the initial velocity, and it is therefore not difficult to calculate tables to show the greatest height of the projectile, and the point where it must fall in any proposed case; yet in order to calculate similar tables according to the true hypothesis, care must be taken, besides the two particulars already mentioned, to have respect as well to the diameter of the projectile as to its weight: therefore the practitioner will be reduced to the necessity of calculating tables, as well for the diameter of each projectile, as for its weight; and the execution of such a work would be almost impracticable. We therefore refer the curious to Mr. Euler’s True Principles of Gunnery, translated, with many necessary explanations and remarks, by the very learned and ingenious Hugh Brown.
PROJECTION, (Projection, Fr.) in mathematics, the action of giving a projectile its motion. It is also used to signify a scheme, plan, or delineation.
PROJECT, (Projet, Fr.) a term generally used among French engineers, to express what works are required to be made for the inward or outward defence of a fortified town or place. It likewise signifies, in diplomacy, a plan or statement of terms and conditions which one country makes to another for a final adjustment of differences.
Contre-Projet, Fr. a receipt or answer to terms proposed, accompanied by a project from the other side.
PROLONGE, Fr. A long thick rope, which is used to drag artillery; but different from the bricole and drag rope; it is coiled round pins under the gun carriage travelling, it is loosed in action, and one end being attached to the limber, is of great use in moving the gun in action or in a retreat. See Am. Mil. Lib.
PROMOTION, (Promotion, Fr.) This word signifies, in military matters, the elevation of an individual to some appointment of greater rank and trust than the one he holds.
PROMOUVOIR, Fr. to promote.
PROMU, Fr. promoted.
PROOF, in arithmetic, an operation whereby the truth and justness of a calculation are examined and ascertained.
PROOF of artillery and small arms, is a trial whether they will stand the quantity of powder allotted for that purpose.
The British government allow 11 bullets of lead in the pound for the proof of musquets, and 29 in two pounds, for service; 17 in the pound for the proof of carabines, and 20 for service; 28 in the pound for the proof of pistols, and 34 for service.
When guns of a new metal, or of lighter construction, are proved, then besides the common proof, they are fired 2 or 300 times, as quick as they can be, loaded with the common charge given in actual service. British light 6 pounders were fired 300 times in three hours, 27 minutes, loaded with 1lb. 4oz. without receiving any damage.
Proof of ordnance. All natures of ordnance undergo several kinds of proof before they are received into the British service; viz. 1st, they are guaged as to their several dimensions, internal and external, as to the justness of the position of the bore, the chamber, the vent, the trunnions, &c.
2d, They are fired with a regulated charge of powder and shot, and afterwards searched to discover irregularities or holes produced by the firing.
3d, By means of engines an endeavor is made to force water through them; and,
4th, They are examined internally, by means of light reflected from a mirror.
Iron guns. The guns are first examined as to their proper dimensions, in which, in no case more than ³⁄₁₀ of an inch variation is allowed; and in the diameter of the bore only ¹⁄₃₀ from 42 to 18 pounders, and ¹⁄₄₀ from 12 to 4 pounders; but in the position of the bore ¹⁄₂ an inch out of the axis of a piece from a 42 to an 18 pounder, and ¹⁄₃ of an inch from a 12 to a 4 pounder is allowed. They are then fired twice with the charge in the following table, with one shot and two high junk wads; and examined with a searcher after each round. In this examination they must not have any hole or cavity in the bore of ²⁄₁₀ of an inch in depth, behind the first reinforce ring, or ¹⁄₄ of an inch in depth before this ring.
| Nature. | Proof charge. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Prs. | lbs. | oz. | |
| 42 | 25 | — | |
| 32 | 21 | 8 | |
| 24 | 18 | — | |
| 18 | 15 | — | |
| 12 | 12 | — | |
| 9 | 9 | — | |
| 6 | 6 | — | |
| 4 | 4 | — | |
| 3 | 3 | — | |
| 2 | 2 | — | |
| 1 | ¹⁄₂ | 1 | 8 |
| 1 | 1 | — | |
Iron guns are scaled with ¹⁄₁₂ the weight of the shot.
Brass guns. From 1 pounders to 12 pounders the diameter of the bore must not vary more than ¹⁄₄₀ of an inch, and in no dimensions more than ²⁄₁₀. The following are the established charges for their proof. The heavy and medium guns with a charge equal to the weight of the shot, except the medium 12 pounder, which is proved with only 9lbs. The light guns with half the weight of the shot. The brass ordnance have not however been proved of late with such heavy charges, but with the following:
3 Prs. light, 3 times, with 1 lb. each round.
6 Prs. light, 3 times, with 2 lbs. each.
12 Prs. light, 2 times, with 4 lbs. each.
12 Prs. med., 2 times, with 5 lbs. each.
Any hole ·15 of an inch deep upwards or sideways in the bore, or ·1 in the bottom, between the breach and first reinforce; or ·2 of an inch upwards or sideways, or ·15 in the bottom of the bore, before the first reinforce ring, will be sufficient to condemn them.
Brass Mortars and Howitzers. The exterior dimensions are in no respect to deviate more than ¹⁄₁₀ of an inch in an 8 inch howitzer, and ¹⁄₂₀ in the Cohorn mortars and howitzers. Their bores and chambers not to deviate from their true diameters or positions more than ¹⁄₄₀ of an inch.
The brass mortars and howitzers are fired twice with their chambers full of powder, and an iron shell. The mortars on their own beds, at about 75 degrees elevation; and the howitzers on their carriages, at about 12 degrees. Iron mortars are proved on their iron beds, with a charge equal to the full chamber, and an iron shot equal in diameter to the shell.
Cohorn mortars, having a hole ·1 of an inch in depth in the chamber, or ·15 in the chase, are rejected: royal howitzers the same. 8 inch howitzers having a hole ·15 of an inch in depth in the chamber, or ·2 in the chase, will be rejected.
Carronades. The diameter and position of their bore and chamber must not deviate ¹⁄₂₀ of an inch. They are proved with two rounds, with their chambers full of powder and 1 shot and 1 wad. A hole of ²⁄₁₀ of an inch in depth in the bore, or ¹⁄₁₀ in the chamber condemns the piece.
Proof Charges.
| 68 | Prs. | 42 | 32 | 24 | 18 | 12 |
| 13 | lbs. | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
All ordnance, after having undergone this proof, and the subsequent searching, are subject to the water proof: this is done by means of a forcing pump, having a pipe or hose fixed to the mouth of the piece: after two or three efforts to force the water through any honeycombs or flaws which may be in the bore, they are left to dry; and generally the next day examined by the reflected light from a mirror. If the bore contains any small holes or flaws which have not been discovered by the former proofs, they are very readily found by this; the water will continue to weep, or run from the holes, when the solid parts of the bore are perfectly dry. Ordnance suspected of being bad are often subject to a more severe proof: that of firing 30 rounds quick, with the service charge and a shot; and in doubtful cases, where the purity of the metal is suspected, recourse has been had to chemical trials and analysis. A quantity of clean filings taken from a part of an iron gun free from rust, are dissolved in diluted sulphuric acid, and the quantity of gas disengaged during the solution accurately ascertained. The plumbago which remains after solution is also separated by filtration, and carefully weighed. Now it is well known that the purer the iron, the greater the quantity of inflammable gas obtained, and the less the proportion of plumbago which remains after the solution; from these two parts therefore a tolerable judgment may be formed of the quality of the metal. When the plumbago exceeds 4¹⁄₂ per cent. the iron will always be found deficient in strength; and there has been no instance of a gun bursting where the plumbago did not exceed 3 per cent.; that is, where 100 grains of the metal did not leave more than 3 grains of plumbago. The color of the plumbago is also to be attended to; when it is brown or reddish, it is an indication of hard metal, and when in quantities and mixed with coals, there can be no doubt but that the iron is too soft for cannon.
Proof of Iron Shells. After the shells are guaged and examined as to their dimensions and weight, they must be well scraped out, and the iron pin at the bottom of the inside must be driven down or broken off. They are then to be hammered all over, to knock off the scales, and discover flaws, and no hole, in the large shells is allowed, of more than ³⁄₄ of an inch deep. An empty fuze is then driven into the fuze hole, and the shell is suspended in a tub of water, in such manner that the shell be covered by the water, but that it does not run into the fuze: in this situation the nose of a pair of bellows is put in at the fuze hole, and several strong puffs given with the bellows; and if no bubbles rise in the water, the shell is concluded to be serviceable.
Ordnance condemned as unserviceable for any of the foregoing reasons, are marked as follows: ╳ D, or ╳ S, or ╳ W. The first signifies that they are found to be faulty in their dimensions, by Desagulier’s instrument; the second, by the searcher; and the third, by the water proof.
Proof of powder, is in order to try its goodness and strength. There have been different inventions proposed and put in practice heretofore, for the proof of powder. See [Gunpowder], and [Eprouvette].
Proof of cannon, is made to ascertain their being well cast, their having no cavities in their metal, and, in a word, their being fit to resist the effort of their charge of powder. In making this proof, the piece is laid upon the ground, supported only by a piece of wood in the middle, of about five or six inches thick, to raise the muzzle a little; and then the piece is fired against a solid butt of earth.
Tools to PROVE cannon are as follow, viz. Searcher, an iron socket with branches, from four to eight in number, bending outward a little, with small points at their ends: to this socket is fixed a wooden handle, from eight to twelve feet long, and 1¹⁄₂ inch in diameter. This searcher is introduced into the gun after each firing, and turned gently round to discover the cavities within: if any are found, they are marked on the outside with chalk; and then the searcher with one point is introduced, about which point a mixture of wax and tallow is put, to take the impression of the holes; and if any are found of ¹⁄₉th of an inch deep, or of any considerable length, the gun is rejected as unserviceable to government.
Reliever, an iron ring fixed to a handle, by means of a socket, so as to be at right angles: it serves to disengage the first searcher, when any of its points are retained in a hole, and cannot otherwise be got out. When guns are rejected by the proof masters, they order them to be marked ╳ which the contractors generally alter to W P, and after such alteration, dispose of them to foreign powers for Woolwich proof.
A most curious instrument for finding the principal defects in pieces of artillery, has been invented by lieutenant general Desaguliers, of the royal regiment of artillery. This instrument, grounded on the truest mechanical principles, is no sooner introduced into the hollow cylinder of the gun, than it discovers its defects, and more particularly that of the piece not being truly bored, which is a very important one, and to which most of the disasters happening to pieces of artillery, are in a great measure to be imputed; for, when a gun is not properly bored, the most expert artillerist will not be able to make a good shot.
Proof of mortars and howitzers, is made to ascertain their being well cast, and of strength to resist the effort of their charge. For this purpose the mortar or howitzer is placed upon the ground, with some part of their trunnions or breech sunk below the surface, and resting on wooden billets, at an elevation of about 70 degrees.
The mirror is generally the only instrument to discover the defects in mortars and howitzers. In order to use it, the sun must shine; the breech must be placed towards the sun, and the glass over against the mouth of the piece: it illuminates the bore and chamber sufficiently to discover the flaws in it.
PROOF armor, armor hardened so as to resist the force of an arrow, a sword or other weapons in use before the discovery of gunpowder.
Proof charge, the quantity of gunpowder which is used in trying the several pieces of ordnance.
PROPER, in military matters, stands as a reduplicative, serving to mark out a thing more expressly and formally, viz.
Proper front of a battalion. The usual continuity of line which is given to the formation of a battalion, and which remains unaltered by the countermarch or wheelings of its divisions; or if altered is restored by the same operation.
Proper right, the right of a battalion, company, or subdivision, when it is drawn up according to its natural formation.
Proper pivot flank in column, is that which, when wheeled up to, preserves the divisions of the line in the natural order, and to their proper front. The other may be called the reverse flank. In column, divisions cover and dress to the proper pivot flank; to the left when the right is in front; and to the right when the left is in front.
PROPLASM. See [Mould].
PROPORTION, (Proportion, Fr.) The relation which parts have among themselves, and to the whole.
PROPOSER une personne pour une charge, Fr. To recommend a person for a situation.
PROPOSITION, (Proposition, Fr.) in geometry, the declaration of a truth which is proved by demonstration. Such are the propositions in Euclid’s Elements. Propositions are divided into Problems and Theorems.
PROPREFECT, among the Romans, the prefect’s lieutenant, whom he commissioned to do any part of his duty in his place.
PROPRETE des soldats, Fr. Cleanliness required in soldiers. See [Serjeant].
PROPRETOR, the same in his relative capacity as proconsul among the Romans. He was a magistrate who, after having discharged the office of pretor at home, was sent into a province to act in the same capacity.
PROQUESTOR, among the Romans, the questor’s lieutenant, who discharged his office in his stead.
To PROSECUTE, to carry on. Hence to prosecute the war.
PROSPECTIVE, appertaining to viewing.
PROSTYLE, any building having pillars in the front only.
PROTECTOR. This word sometimes denotes the regent of a kingdom. Oliver Cromwell assumed this title on the death of Charles I. of England; Bonaparte exercises the power of emperor over a great part of Germany, under the title of Protector of the confederation of the Rhine.
PROTESTANT, an appellation first given in Germany to all who adhered to the doctrine published by Luther.
PROVEDITOR, (Provediteur, Fr.) The Venetians had two appointments of this description before the revolution. One gave the supreme command of the armies on shore, the other that of the fleets.
Of these proveditors, there were three who had the direction of matters relating to policy throughout the signory.
Proveditor-general of the sea, an officer in Italy, whose authority extended over the fleet, when the captain-general was absent. He had particularly the disposal of the cash.
PROVET, an artillery machine used with howitzers. See [Eprouvette].
PROVISIONS, are properly those articles of food and sustenance which soldiers receive from the public, and which in the British service are payed for by deductions from their pay. There is taken a deduction of six pence a day from the full pay of every Serjeant, corporal, trumpeter, drummer, fifer, private man of the life guards, horse guards, dragoon guards, dragoons, foot guards, infantry of the line, militia, fencible infantry, and companies of invalids, when serving out of Great Britain, on stations at which provisions are supplied by the public; also when embarked in transports, or other vessels; (except while serving as marines, or during their passage to and from India at the expence of the East-India company;) also when prisoners of war, and maintained at the expence of Great Britain; and likewise when in general hospitals, either at home or abroad. A deduction of three pence halfpenny is likewise to be made from the full pay of each serjeant, &c. when stationed in Jamaica, in New South Wales, at Gibraltar, (the loss by exchange at the latter place continuing as before) and while on their passage to and from India at the expence of the East-India company.
These deductions commenced, in regard to the troops in Europe, on the 25th of February, 1799; and in regard to the troops abroad, on the 25th of April, 1799.
Provisions. See [Ration].
PROVISIONAL, (Provisionel, Fr.) Temporarily established.
PROVISIONALLY, (Provisoirement, Fr.) by way of provision, or temporary arrangement. This adverb is frequently used both in French and English to distinguish the exercise of temporary functions from that of permanent appointments.
PROVOST-Marshal, of an army, is an officer appointed to secure deserters, and all other criminals: he is often to go round the army, hinder the soldiers from pillaging, indict offenders, execute the sentence pronounced, and regulate the weights and measures used in the army when in the field. He is attended by a lieutenant’s guard, has a clerk, and an executioner.
PROWESS, valor, bravery in the field, military gallantry.
PSILOI, light armed men among the Greeks, who fought with arrows and darts, or stones and slings, but were unfit for close fight. They were in honor and dignity inferior to the heavy armed. Next to these were the peltasti, a middle sort of foot soldiers between the hoplitai and the psiloi, being armed with spears, but far inferior in bigness to those of the heavy armed; their name is taken from their narrow shields, called Peltæ. Potter’s Greek Antiquities, vol. II. chap. 3.
PUBLICANS, persons who keep alehouses, &c. for the accommodation of travelers. In England, troops upon the march, or in quarters, may be billeted on them.
PUCKA fever, Ind. a putrid fever. The bilious fever of tropical climates.
PUCKALLIES, Ind. leathern bags for carrying water. They are placed on the backs of oxen. The word is also used for water-carriers.
PUDLAYS, pieces of stuff to do the office of levers or hand spikes.
PUHUR Din, Ind. Watches kept in the day; of which there are four; a similar number is kept in the night, called Puhurraat.
PUISANT, Fr. a well built of dry stones, or made in a wall to serve as a reservoir for water.
PUISSANCE, Fr. in algebra and geometry, powers of lines and quantities.
PUISOIR, Fr. a copper vessel which is used in making saltpetre.
PUITS, Fr. A well.
PUITS de mineur, Fr. a perpendicular opening, about four feet square, which is made in the earth for miners to let themselves down, as deep as may be judged expedient, in order to push the subterraneous galleries beneath the covert way, or under any other works constructed by the besieged or besieger.
PULK, a tribe, a particular body of men. This word is chiefly used in Russia; as a Pulk of cossacks.
PULVERIN, Fr. priming powder.
PULVIS fulminans, the thundering powder, a mixture of three parts of saltpetre, two of tartar, and one of brimstone; all finely powdered. A small part, even a single dram of this being put into a shovel over a gentle fire, till it melts by degrees and changes color, will go off or explode as loud as a musquet. But it will not do any injury, because its force tends chiefly downward.
PULLEY, in military mechanics. See [Mechanics].
PULWAR, Ind. a light boat for dispatches.
PUMICE-stone, a spongy, light crumbling stone which is cast out of mount Ætna, and other burning mountains. It is used in graving, polishing, &c.
PUMMEL. See [Pommel].
PUMP, (Pompe, Fr.) a well known engine used in the elevation of water.
PUNCH, (Poincon, Fr.) an instrument for making holes. Every serjeant of a company, at least, and indeed every corporal of a squad, should be provided with a punch, as there is frequent occasion to fit on the cross belts, &c.
PUNCTO. The point in fencing.
PUNISHMENT, in the army, in general, signifies the execution of a sentence pronounced by a court martial upon any delinquent. There are various methods in different countries which have been adopted for the punishment of officers and soldiers, without ultimately depriving the public of their services. Those in the British are simple, and in general very summary, especially with regard to officers. In some foreign services it is usual to send an officer from his regiment to do duty in a garrison town, during which period he loses all the advantages of promotion. Hence être envoyé en garnison, to be sent into garrison, implies a species of military chastisement. Perhaps the method which is adopted in the British navy, of putting an officer at the bottom of the list of his own rank, might be beneficial in the army. The barbarous and self-defeating punishment or whipping remains a disgrace to the British code, and we lament to say to the American also.
PUNITIONS corporelles, Fr. corporeal punishment. In the old French service, military punishments or chastisements, which were not of a capital nature, were of two kinds. The picket was for the cavalry, and the gauntelope, or passing through the rods, for the infantry. The rods, or baguettes, which properly means small sticks, or switches, were generally osier or willow twigs. Previous to the execution of the sentence, a corporal with two privates of the company, to which the culprit belonged, were sent to get the rods. These they brought in a bundle to the guard-house, or to any place of security which was near the spot where the punishment was to be inflicted. The criminal, under an escort of two serjeants and four grenadiers, with fixed bayonets, went for the bundle, and as he passed through the interval of the line which was faced inwards, each soldier drew out one twig. The grenadiers at the head of the line took off their slings, which they used instead of rods. When the culprit reached the end of the line, he undressed himself naked to the waist. The right and left openings of the double line faced inwards were closed by the grenadiers that had escorted the prisoner, viz. two with one serjeant at the head of the right, and two with ditto at the head of the left. It sometimes happened, that a serjeant or corporal marched backwards in ordinary time; keeping the point of his pike directed at the chest of the man who received the lashes. The culprit was, however, generally allowed to make the most of his legs. Whilst he was receiving his punishment, the drummers of the regiment, who were equally divided and stationed behind the grenadiers that had formed the escort, beat the charge. If a French soldier was convicted of theft, or any flagrant dishonorable practice that injured the military character, he not only underwent this punishment, but he was conducted in the most ignominious manner, to the outward gate of a frontier town; there expelled the country, and cautioned, never to be found within its limits under pain of suffering death. The nicety of military honor and reputation, among French soldiers, is proverbial. They never survive a blow, even among themselves, nor would a private soldier exist under the disgrace of having been struck by an officer.
When a girl of the town, or a notorious prostitute, was taken up, and ordered to be punished in a camp or garrison, she went through the same process; the drums beating the marionnetes, a sort of rogue’s march, during the execution of the sentence.
In offering a Military Dictionary to the American public, the editor cannot withhold his protest against the barbarous method of whipping, as not only inconsistent with every maxim adapted to military institution, but incompatible with the republican institutions of America, as well as those of ancient Rome. The subjection to such odious punishment is a fatal blow to the American militia, and one of the greatest obstacles to its respectability and efficiency; since in service the punishments must necessarily be and ought to be uniformly the same. A man who has been once punished by whipping, as practised in the military service in England, must be totally lost to every sentiment of feeling reconcilable with military spirit, or that sense of honor which can never exist but where there is self-respect. There can be no confidence between officers that flog and men that are flogged, and thus the fundamental spirit of all military institution is undermined, that is confidence reciprocal and earnest through every grade. It is sometimes said that discipline cannot be enforced without it; all Europe conquered at this moment, by an army in which even blows are not permitted, is a melancholy lesson contrasted with the brutal discipline of the cane and other ignominious practices, in the armies of Prussia, Austria, Russia, and England. Those who cannot enforce discipline without treating their fellow men as brutes, should distrust their own faculties or fitness, and examine into their own false pride, their petulance, perhaps too often their unacquaintance with the first principle of military discipline, that is a knowlege of mankind, or of the human mind; the springs by which the human character is most easily and effectually led on to acts of voluntary heroism and intrepidity, are never produced by the lash; but always to be commanded by generosity, by a kindness that costs nothing, and which if it were to cost something, if done with discrimination, is always repaid ten thousand fold by the affection, the gratitude, the attachment, and the devotion of the soldier. It is said that there are men who are not to be overcome by generosity, nor subdued even by the lash; then such men should be held up as an example for better men; they should not be suffered to mess, nor to associate with men of better temper; the good men should be noticed and those neglected, and if these courses failed, the public service would be benefitted by their discharge, more than by their continuance.
PURCHASE. The sale and purchase of commissions is countenanced by government, and the prices of those commissions are regulated by authority, yet there are various ways through which young men of fortune and connexions get over the heads of veteran officers in the British army. In 1809, the detection of a system of purchase from the concubines of the British commander in chief excited astonishment.
Purchase and sale are terms unknown in the British navy.
PURSE, (with the grand signor,) a gift, or gratification of 500 crowns.
Purse of money, (in the Levant) about 112l. sterling. It is so called, because all the grand signor’s money is kept in leather purses or bags of this value in the seraglio.
PURSEVANT, from the French poursuivant, a sort of serjeant at arms, who is ready to go upon any special occasion, or to carry any special message. His general office is to apprehend a person who has been guilty of an offence.
PURSUIT, the act of following with hostile intention.
PURVEYOR of Public Supplies, a civil officer whose duty it is to purchase what is required for public service, as military clothing, medicine, equipments; the troops of the United States have for a few years became worse clad than formerly, owing to the scandalous abuse of economy in the purveyor; and overlooked in the military department; a few years since no troops in the world were better provided for.
Purveyor, a person employed in the quarter-master or commissary general’s department in the British service. Likewise one belonging to a military hospital, whose duty it is to provide food and necessaries for the sick.
To PUSH, to make a thrust.
To PUSH back, to force an enemy to retreat.
A Push, a force impressed. As a push of the bayonet. This word is peculiarly applicable to the use that ought to be made of this formidable weapon.
PUSILLANIMOUS, cowardly, wanting spirit.
To PUT a horse, in horsemanship, signifies to break or manage him.
To PUT a horse upon his haunches, to force him to bend them in galloping in the manege, or upon a stop.
PUTTING-STONE, a great stone, which formerly was laid at the gate of a laird in Scotland, and by which he tried the bodily strength of each man in his clan.
PYKE, Ind. a person employed as a guard at night.
PYRAMID, (Pyramide, Fr.) This word is originally derived from the Greek, and takes its name from a resemblance to the spiral ascendancy of fire. It is the same as obelisk.
Geometrical Pyramid, a solid standing on a square basis, and terminating at the top in a point; or a body whose base is a polygon, and whose sides are plain triangles, their several tops meeting together in one point.
Pyramid, (in architecture,) a solid, massy edifice, which from a square, triangular, or other base, arises in gradual dimension to a vertex or point.
PYRAMIDAL numbers, (in arithmetic,) the sums of polygonal numbers, collected after the same manner as the polygon numbers themselves are extracted from arithmetical progression.
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Appertaining to, like to a pyramid.
PYRAMIDOID, from the Greek, is what is sometimes called a parabolic spindle, and is a solid figure formed by the revolution of a parabola round its base, or greatest ordinate.
Pyramids, of Egypt, are enormous piles of building, within three leagues of Grand Cairo, and are ranked among the seven wonders of the world.
The pyramids of Giza, the largest of which was originally built by Cheops, are supposed to have been erected about 14 years after the building of Solomon’s temple, about 2665 years ago. The pyramids are known by various names, viz.
Pyramids of Giza, (five in number) which are those already mentioned, and near which the French established a camp in 1799.
Pyramids of Saccara, (three in number.) These stand in the plain of Mummies, and are about 600 feet high.
Dashour Pyramids, (six in number,) stand in the same plain, and appear somewhat lower. The French general Friant, in 1799, pursued Murad Bey across this plain, leaving the pyramids on his left.
The Southern, or Great Pyramid. This pyramid has been called by Bruce, the traveller, the false pyramid. It stands in the plain of Mummies, and appears to be about 600 feet high.
Pyramids, in ruins. Two pyramids of smaller size, which stand near the Fiume mountains, close to Joseph’s canal.
Battle of the Pyramids, so called from having taken place close to the large pyramids in the plain of Mummies, at Waardam, within a few miles of Grand Cairo. A previous engagement had been fought on the 15th of July, 1799, between the Mamalukes under Murad Bey, and the French army, commanded by Bonaparte in person. The second battle, called the battle of the pyramids, put the French in possession of lower Egypt. The following short extract from the Epitome of Military Events, may not be uninteresting.
“The French army, which during its last marches had suffered excessive fatigue, halted at Waardam, in order to recruit its strength, remount the artillery, and clean the musquets that were so subject to take rust from the moist vapors of the Nile. On the 21st of July, 1799, the second battle called the battle of the pyramids, was fought. General Desaix, with his advanced guard, at first made a corps of Mamalukes fall back; the order of battle of the other divisions was nearly the same as on the 13th, being drawn up by echellons of square columns, so as to flank themselves between each other; and the line of battle, which was itself flanked by two villages. Each division was concentrated into a compact body, and formed a square having its baggage in the centre, and the artillery in the intervals of the battalions. This formidable disposition presented a double fire in flank and in front, and opposed an invincible obstacle to the impetuous, but unconnected charges of Murad Bey’s cavalry. To return to the action of the 21st, general Desaix’s advanced guard, and Regnier’s division, formed the right wing of the army, and were at first charged with the greatest impetuosity, by one half of the Mamaluke cavalry; the other half having remained to support the intrenchments of the village of Embabé.
“Notwithstanding this determination to anticipate the attack of the French columns, the rash valor of the Mamalukes again failed against those compact bodies, bristling with bayonets, and keeping up, within half musquet shot a most galling fire. While these charges were taking place against his right, and the Mamalukes were retreating in disorder, Bonaparte directing the two divisions of his centre against the intrenchments, ordered the village of Embabé to be turned by means of a ditch which masked this movement, and thus cut to pieces, or rather drove into the Nile, 1500 of the enemy’s cavalry.” In a map lately published by Heathes, the number is stated to have been 2000. The attack, which was extremely warm, was conducted by general Marmont. Forty pieces of cannon, the camp of the Mamalukes, their rich spoils, together with upwards of 400 camels, fell into the hands of the conquerors. See pages 119 and 120, of the Epitome of Military Events.
In the year 1801, a large army of Turks with a detachment of the British forces in Egypt, defeated the French close to the pyramids, and took possession of Grand Cairo. This battle eventually decided the fate of Egypt.
PYROBOLY, the art of gunnery, &c.
PYROBOLIST, (Pyroboliste, Fr.) a maker of fire-balls, &c.
PYROETS, in horsemanship, are motions either of one tread or pist, or of two treads or pists.
Pyroets of one tread, or what the French call de la tête à la queue, from the head to the tail, are entire and very narrow turns made by a horse upon one tread, and almost at one time, so that his head is placed where his tail was, without putting out his haunches.
Pyroets of two pists, are turns of two treads upon a small compass of ground almost of the length of the horse.
PYROTECHNIE, Fr. See [Pyrotechny].
PYROTECHNY, in military matters, the doctrine of artificial fireworks, and firearms, teaching the structure and service, both of those used in war, for the attacking of fortifications, &c. as cannons, bombs, grenadoes, gunpowder, wildfire, &c. and those made for diversion, as serpents, St. Catherine’s wheel, rockets, &c.
PYROTECHNIC, of or appertaining to pyrotechny.