A military dictionary

by William Duane

S.

SABLE, Fr. Sand.

SABLONIERE ou SABLIERE. Any spot from which sand is drawn. It likewise means a sand-pit.

SABORD, Fr. a port-hole.

SABRE, (Sabre, Fr.) a kind of sword, or scimetar, with a very broad and heavy blade, thick at the back, and of a shape falcated, or curved, but sharp at the point. It is generally worn by heavy cavalry and dragoons. The grenadiers, belonging to the whole of the French infantry, are likewise armed with sabres. The blade is not so long as that of a small sword, but it is nearly twice as broad. French hussars wear the curved sabres somewhat longer than those of the grenadiers. The broad straight sword is best adapted for infantry of every kind.

Sabre-Tasche. From the German sabel, sabre, and tasche, pocket. An appointment or part of accoutrement of hussars, which consists of a pocket which is suspended from the sword-belt on the left side, by three slings to correspond with the belt. It is usually of an oblong shape, scolloped at the bottom, with a device in the centre, and a broad lace round the edge. The color of it always corresponds with that of the uniform.

SABRER, Fr. To cut to pieces.

SAC d’une ville, Fr. The storming and plunder of a town.

Mettre une ville à Sac, Fr. To give a town up to the plunder of the soldiers.

Sac, Fr. a bag

Sac à poudre, Fr. A bag of gunpowder. These bags are frequently used in war, for the purpose of intimidating an enemy, and of setting fire to places. They are of different sizes and dimensions; some to be thrown by the hand, and others out of a mortar. A French work, intituled le Bombardier Francois, gives a full account of both.

Sac à terre, Fr. Sand-bags, or bags filled with earth.

Sac à amorce, Fr. A small leathern bag which is used for the purpose of carrying gunpowder to the different batteries to prime the pieces.

Sac à laine, Fr. A bag made of or stuffed with wool and other soft materials. It is larger than a sand-bag. Every army should be provided with a certain quantity of these bags, in order to supply the want of soil on critical occasions.

Un havre Sac. A knapsack. See [Havresack].

Cul de Sac, Fr. A street or passage that has no outlet.

SACCADE, Fr. In the manege, a violent check or jirk, which the horseman gives his horse by drawing both the reins very suddenly. This is practised when the horse bears too heavy on the hand; but it ought to be done with great caution, as the frequency of it must eventually spoil the horse’s mouth.

SACHET, Fr. A pouch. It likewise signifies a bag in the diminutive sense. A satchel.

Sachets de mitrailles, Fr. Small bags filled with grape-shot, which are afterwards fired from cannon, or thrown out of mortars.

Sachets de balles de plomb, Fr. Bags of bullets.

SACKS. See [Bags].

SACKERS. They who sack a town.

SACRE ou Sacret, Fr. A name formerly given to pieces of ordnance that carried balls of 4 to 5lb. weight. Each piece weighed from two thousand five hundred to two thousand eight hundred pounds. The same as Saker.

SADDLE. The seat which is put upon a horse for the accommodation of the rider.

SAFE-guard, in military affairs, a protection granted by a general, for some of the enemy’s lands, houses, persons, &c. to preserve them from being insulted or plundered. See [Guard].

SAFYNAMA, Ind. A certificate or writing, specifying any matter of dispute, which it is found necessary to have settled or cleared up.

SAGITTAL, belonging to an arrow.

SAGITTARIUS, or SAGITTARY. See [Archer], [Bowman].

SAGO, Ind. A tree of the palm species. A flour is made from this tree, which formed into bread and fresh baked, eats like hot rolls; when it grows stale it becomes hard, and requires to be soaked in water before it can be used. Three of the trees are found sufficient to give sustenance for one man during a whole year; and an acre properly planted, will supply food for one hundred for that period.

SAGUM. A woollen garment, which was formerly worn by the Roman soldiers when they took the field. It is said that the Gauls adopted the use of it.

SAH, Ind. A banker.

SAHEB, Ind. (pronounced Saib.) Master, sir.

SAHOOKER, Ind. A merchant.

SAIGNEE du fossé, Fr. The act of drawing off the water which is in the ditch or fosse of a town or fortified place. When this has been executed, clays or hurdles covered with earth, or bridges made with reeds, must be thrown upon the mud, to establish a firm footing.

Saignee de saucisson, Fr. The act of cutting off a part of a linen saucisson, which is filled with gunpowder, for the purpose of introducing the moine or cylindrical tube, in order to set fire to a mine.

SAIGNER une piéce, Fr. An expression used in artillery when a piece of ordnance, which is mounted on a carriage, has its breech carried away by the violence of the explosion. This sometimes happens when the discharge is made directly downwards, or from top to bottom.

Saigner une Riviére, Fr. To turn the current of a river, by partially drawing off some of its water.

SAILLANT, Fr. Salient. See [Salient Angle]. This word, as well as Saillie, signifies generally any part of a building that does not run up perpendicularly from its base, but projects or slopes out.

St. GEORGE’s Guard, a guard of the broadsword or sabre, used in warding off blows directed against the head. See [Broadsword].

La SAINTE barbe, Fr. The gunner’s room.

SAKER, an old word for cannon. It carried a shot of five pounds and a quarter weight: the diameter of the bore was three inches and ⁹⁄₁₆ths; the length eight or nine feet. See [Cannon].

SALADE, Fr. This word literally means sallad. It likewise signifies a head piece. The French use it frequently in a figurative sense, viz.

Donner une Salade à quelqu’un, Fr. To give any one a good dressing.

Régiment de Salade, Fr. A term of ridicule which the French frequently applied to small new-raised corps; such as independent companies which were levied for rank only.

SALE. State of being venal; price.

Sale of Commissions. The sale and purchase of commissions is of general usage in the British service. Commissions in the British army are sold for various purposes; sometimes to indemnify individuals for their original purchase; sometimes, as was shewn in 1809, as the fund for paying princely prostitutes.

SALIENT angle, in fortification, that whose points turn from the centre of the place. See [Fortification].

SALLE d’armes, Fr. A fencing school.

Salle d’armes dans un magazin, Fr. An armory or particular room where fire-arms, &c. are regularly disposed. Of this description is the armory in the Tower.

SALLESEE, Ind. Arbitration.

SALLIS, Ind. An arbitrator.

SALLY. See [Siege].

Sally-ports, or postern-gates, as they are sometimes called, are those underground passages, which lead from the inner to the outward works; such as from the higher flank to the lower, to the tenailles, or the communication from the middle of the curtain to the ravelin. When they are constructed for the passage of men only, they are made with steps at the entrance and outlet. They are about six feet wide, and 8¹⁄₂ feet high. There is also a gutter or sewer made under the sally-ports that are in the middle of the curtains, in order that the water which runs down the streets may pass into the ditch; but this can only be done when they are wet ditches. When sally-ports serve to carry guns through them for the out-works, instead of making them with steps, they must have a gradual slope, and be eight feet wide.

SALA-MA-NAZEER, Ind. The salutation of victory.

SALOOTER, Ind. A farrier.

SALOOTEREE, Ind. The business of a farrier.

SALTING-boxes, in artillery, are boxes of about four inches high, and 2¹⁄₂ in diameter, for holding mealed powder, to sprinkle the fuzes of shells, that they may take fire from the blast of the powder in the chamber; but it has been found that the fuze takes fire as well without this operation, so that these boxes are now laid aside.

SALTPETRE, Fr. See [Nitre].

SALTPETRE, or nitre, the principal ingredient for making gunpowder; it is found in great plenty in some of the East-India provinces, and in some parts of Europe. The necessities of the French revolution, when attacked by all Europe, forced the French to have recourse to their chemists, to supply nitre which could not be obtained from abroad; they scraped the walls and floors of their cellars and vaults, and out of the washed earth extracted nitre; they also extracted nitre from vegetable substances, such as the horse chesnut. In some natural caves discovered in Kentucky, vast quantities, sufficient for every demand of war and commerce can be procured. See [Gunpowder], [Nitre], &c.

SALPETRIERE, Fr. A particular spot in an arsenal where there are pits, &c. for the purpose of making saltpetre.

SALPETRIERS, Fr. Men employed in making saltpetre.

SALVE, Fr. A salute, a volley. It generally means a discharge of heavy ordnance and other firearms in concert.

Saluer de la mousqueterie, Fr. To fire a volley, or discharge of musquetry only.

Saluer du canon, Fr. To salute by the discharge of ordnance.

Saluer de la voix, Fr. To huzza. To cry out, as vive le roi! God save the king! vive la république! long live the republic! This manner of saluting generally appertains to the mob of a country, which lavishes its applause upon every man that happens to be in power. It has, however, been customary, both in Rome, Greece, France, and other countries, for whole battalions of soldiers to salute à vive voix; in which case they generally take off their hats, and give three huzzas.

Saluer du pavillon, Fr. To salute with the colors.

Saluer à boulet, Fr. To salute with ball.

SALUT, Fr. The salute.

Salut du sponton, Fr. The spontoon salute.

Salut de l’épée, Fr. The sword salute.

Salut de mer, Fr. The deference and respect which are shewn at sea by ships of inferior force to those of superior rate. This is done by lowering the flag. The British flag claims to be paramount to all others, and requires to be saluted by foreign ships at sea. This salute has been made the subject of clauses in treaties.

SALUTE, a discharge of artillery, or small arms, or both, in honor of some person; the men presenting their arms. The colors salute chief magistrates, and generals commanding in chief; which is done by lowering the point within one inch of the ground. In the field, when a regiment is to be reviewed by a general, the drums beat a march as he passes along the line, and the officers salute one after another, pointing their swords downwards. The ensigns salute together, by lowering their colors. When the word of command to shoulder, is given, the officers recover their swords, and the ensigns raise the colors.

SAMBUCUS, (Sambuque, Fr.) An ancient musical instrument of the wind kind, resembling a flute. It probably derives its name from Sambucus, the Elder tree; being made of that wood.

Sambucus was also the name of an ancient engine of war used by Marcellus in besieging Syracuse. Plutarch relates that two ships were required to carry it. A minute description of this engine may be seen in Polybius.

SAMPODAR, Ind. A treasurer or cashkeeper.

SAND, in military architecture. The best sand for good mortar, is that whose grain is not too small, and must be clear of the earthy particles. Sand found in rivers is esteemed the best, as having a coarse grain, and being free from earth and mud. See [Mortar].

SAND bags. See [Bags].

Sand bags are made about 27 inches long, and 15 diameter; 250 of these are required for each fathom of battery, or about 1680 for two guns or mortars. See [Tonnage].

SANGIAC. A situation or appointment of dignity in Turkey. The Sangiacs are governors of towns or cantons, and take rank immediately after the Beglerbeys, who are viceroys in that country, and give the name of Beglerbat or Beglerbey to a militia which they support at their own expence.

SANS-Culotte, Fr. A revolutionary term which was first given by the French to the national guards; it was an unfortunate effusion of contempt expressed by the queen as the militia passed along; it soon became known, and was calculated to increase popular antipathy against her. It means, literally, a man without breeches.

SAP, (Sappe, Fr.) in sieges, is a trench, or an approach made under cover, ten or twelve feet broad, when the besiegers come near the place, and the fire from the garrison grows so dangerous, that they are not able to approach uncovered.

There are several sorts of saps: the single, which has only a single parapet; the double, having one on each side; and the flying, made with gabions, &c. In all saps, traverses are left to cover the men.

The sap generally commences about the second parallel, and sometimes sooner; and if the fire of the besieged is much slackened, may proceed both day and night. The sappers are usually divided into brigades of 8, and sub-divided into divisions of 4 each; being the greatest number that can work at the sap at the same time. The leading sapper excavates 18 inches deep, and as much wide; the second, third, and fourth deepen the trench, each in succession 6 inches, and widen it as much; so that the four make a trench of 3 feet wide and three feet deep; after which the common workmen follow, and increase it in breadth and depth equal to the other trenches. The sap may proceed at the rate of 80 fathoms in 14 hours. As this work is very hard, the half brigades relieve each other every hour, and each sapper in his turn takes the lead. The whole brigade is relieved at the end of 6 hours. It is always customary in this dangerous work, to give the pay of those that are killed to the survivors. Sappers are generally armed with a helmet and breast plate. See [Trenches], [Parallels].

SAPPERS, (Sappeurs, Fr.) are soldiers belonging to the artificers or engineers, whose business it is to work at the saps, and for which they have an extraordinary pay. A brigade of sappers generally consists of eight men, divided equally into two parties. Whilst one of these parties is advancing the sap, the other is furnishing the gabions, fascines, and other necessary implements; they relieve each other alternately.

SARISSA, the Pike.

SAROT, Fr. A sort of frock which was worn by the drivers of mules, and other persons employed in the French armies.

SARRAZINE, Fr. See [Herse].

SARDAR, Ind. A chief, a leader.

SARAT. The breaking up or ending of the rains, is so called in India.

SASCE, Ind. The moon.

SASH. A mark of distinction, generally made of crimson silk for the officers, and of crimson mixed with white cotton for the serjeants. It is worn round the waist. Sashes are erroneously said to have been invented for the convenience and ease of wounded officers, in case any of them were so badly wounded, as to render them incapable of remaining at their posts, they might be carried off with the assistance of two men; but though they may have been so used, they are only an ancient remnant of military ornament, and correspond with the kummerbaund, worn by all Asiatics even to this day; they are of considerable use to the soldier during fatigues or marches; and the “girding up the loins,” as noted in scripture, would be found now not an unwise practice for the soldier in action. The American cavalry tie the sash on the left; the infantry on the right side. The sashes for the Austrian army are of crimson and gold; the Prussian army, black silk and silver; the Hanoverian were yellow silk; the Portugueze, crimson silk, with blue tassels. The modern French have their sashes made of three colors, viz. white, pink, and light blue, to correspond with the national flag.

SATELLITE, (Satellite, Fr.) A person who attends on another, either for his safety, or to be ready to execute his pleasure.

SATELLITES, Fr. Certain armed men, of whom mention is made in the history of Philip Augustus, king of France. The word satellite itself, which we frequently find in ancient historians, signifies a guard or attendant about the person of a prince. It is derived from the Latin word satelles, which comes from the Syriac term for a companion. The Satellites of Philip Augustus were men selected from the militia of the country, who fought on foot and horseback. The servants or batmen who attended the military knights when they went into action, were likewise called satellites, and fought in their defence mounted or on foot.

SATISFACTION. When an officer or other person goes out to fight a duel with one whom he has offended, or by whom he has been offended, he is said to give or take satisfaction!

SAUCISSE,		-
SAUCISSON,

in mining, is a long pipe or bag, made of cloth well pitched, or sometimes of leather, of about 1¹⁄₂ inch diameter, filled with powder, going from the chamber of the mine to the entrance of the gallery. It is generally placed in a wooden pipe, called an auget, to prevent its growing damp. It serves to give fire to mines, caissons, bomb chests, &c.

Saucisson, is likewise a kind of fascine, longer than the common ones; it serves to raise batteries, and to repair breaches. Saucissons are also used in making epaulements, in stopping passages, and in making traverses over a wet ditch, &c.

Saucisson de brulot, Fr. A machine made use of to set fire to the different compartments in a fire-ship.

Saucissons d’artifice, Fr. Saucissons used in artificial fireworks.

Saucissons volans, Fr. Flying saucissons; a species of sky-rocket.

SAUF-conduit. A pass.

SAUT, Ind. An hour.

Saut, Fr. This word is used in hydraulics to signify a considerable fall of water, such as the falls of Niagara, &c.

SAUTER, Fr. To leap.

Sauter a l’arbordage, Fr. To leap upon the deck, or on any part of an enemy’s ship, for the purpose of boarding her.

Sauter en selle, Fr. To get on horseback. To jump upon your saddle.

SAUVE-garde, Fr. Safe-guard. Protection.

Accorder des Sauve-gardes, Fr. To grant protections.

Envoyer une garde en Sauve-garde, Fr. To send out a party for the purpose of escorting persons, or of protecting any particular quarter.

Sauve qui peut! Fr. Let those escape that can. This expression is familiar to the French, it was employed in an early part of the revolution, by the royalists to produce panic in the ranks of the revolutionary army; and was used with success particularly in the corps under gen. Dillon in Flanders.

SAVAN, Ind. The name of an Indian month, which corresponds with July.

SAW. A dentated steel instrument with which wood or metal is cut by attrition. Each pioneer is provided with one.

SAYON, Fr. A kind of coarse habit in which soldiers were formerly clothed among the French.

SCABBARD, (Fourreau, Fr.) A case commonly made of black leather, with a ferrel at the end, in which a sword, sabre, &c. may be sheathed.

Bayonet Scabbard. A leathern sheath made in a triangular form to correspond with the shape of the bayonet.

Scabbard-button. A brass button or hook by which the scabbard is attached to the frog of the belt.

The word scabbard has been sometimes used in a figurative sense to distinguish those persons who have obtained rank and promotion in the army without seeing much hard service, from those who have fought their way through all the obstacles of superior interest, &c. Hence the favourite expression of the late sir William Erskine—Some rise by the scabbard, and some by the sword! Which means more than we are at liberty to illustrate, but which may be easily applied to cases in point.

SCALADE, from the French Escalade, a furious attack upon a wall or rampart, contrary to form, and with no regularity, frequently carried on with ladders, to insult the wall by open force.

SCALE, a right line divided into equal parts, representing miles, fathoms, paces, feet, inches, &c. used in making plans upon paper; giving each line its true length, &c. See also [Balance], [Escalade], &c.

SCALENE, Fr. A term used in geometry to express a triangle whose three sides and three angles are unequal to one another.

SCALING-ladder. See [Ladders].

SCALLOP, any segment of a circle.

To SCALP. To deprive the scull of its integuments. A barbarous custom in practice amongst the Indian warriors, of taking off the tops of the scalps of the enemies sculls with their hair on. They preserve them as trophies of their victories, and are rewarded by their chiefs, according to the number they bring in.

To SCAMPER, (Escamper, Fr.) To run away precipitately.

SCARF, See [Sash].

SCARLET, the national color for the dress of the British. The British artillery, cavalry, and some of the light infantry, are clothed in blue; rifle corps in green; and the cavalry for foreign service in light blue. See [Uniform].

SCARPE. See [Escarpe].

SCENOGRAPHY, (Scenographe, Fr.) The representation of a building, town, &c. as it appears in prospective or from without, with all its dimensions and shadows.

SCHEDULE, an inventory, a list; also something referred to by numbers or letters; as the oaths of the recruit and magistrate, marked A and B at the end of the mutiny act.

SCHOOL, (école, Fr.) A house of discipline and instruction; a place of literary education; an university. It is a more general and comprehensive term than college or academy. The French have made a great distinction on this head with respect to their military institutions. Thus the great receptacle for military genius was called L’école Militaire de Paris; the military school of Paris; whereas the subordinate places of instructions and the preparatory houses, were termed colleges, viz. colleges de Soreze, Brienne, Tivon, Rebais, Beaumont, Pont-le-roy, Vendome, Effiat, Pont-a-Mousson, Tournon.

British Royal Military School or College.

A new institution under the direction of the commander in chief, for the time being.

This establishment consists of two departments:—

The first, or senior department, is calculated to instruct officers, who have already acquired a sufficient knowlege of regimental duties, &c. in the higher branches of their profession. Their attention is particularly directed to those functions which relate to the quarter-master-general’s department in the field.

The second, or junior department, is meant for the education of young men, who have not yet received any commissions in the army, but who are intended from early life for the profession of arms.

The following particulars constitute the general outline of this praise-worthy institution:—

The commander in chief for the time being is always to be considered as the chief governor of the establishment. He is president of the supreme board of the college; the members of which are the secretary at war, and such general and staff officers as the king may, from time to time, nominate. It is their peculiar province to see, that the regulations of the institution be duly observed, and unequivocally fulfilled, and that the whole be conducted with economy and credit to the country.

There is constantly resident in the college a governor and a lieutenant-governor, who must both be military officers. The former not under the rank of major-general, and the latter not under that of lieutenant-colonel in the line. These are the immediate functionaries of the place, and to them is intrusted the entire direction of the establishment; subject only to the instructions and orders that may occasionally be issued from the supreme board of the college.

At the head of each department are placed a commandant and a director of instruction. These must likewise be military men, and bear the king’s commission. They are at all times accountable for their respective departments, being under the immediate control of the governor and lieutenant-governor of the college.

The commandants of departments, in conjunction with the directors of instruction, form a collegiate board, at which the resident governor, or, in his absence, the lieutenant-governor constantly presides.

Public examinations are made, at stated periods, by this board, in order to ascertain the progress of learning, and the degrees of improvement. The president and members of it likewise enter into the interior economy of the place, control the expenditure of the establishment, and maintain the statutes of the college; subject nevertheless to the control and occasional direction of the supreme board, to which the collegiate one is in every respect subordinate.

The staff and other officers of each department are under the immediate orders of their respective commandants, who are enjoined to conduct their departments in strict conformity to the existing rules and discipline.

The establishment is founded upon principles of the strictest economy; and the expence of being at the institution, with all the advantages of theoretical instruction and practical improvement, does not exceed the necessary charges and disbursements to which every officer is subject when he lives with his regiment.

It is a standing order of the institution, that officers must constantly appear in uniform; and they must in all respects conform to the rules and regulations.

Leave of absence is granted, during the months of December and January, to officers studying in the senior department of the college; but at no other season of the year, except for a few days, and then only under circumstances and in cases of urgent necessity.

Senior department.

The number of officers which can be admitted, at a time, to the studies of the senior department, is limited to 30; and it is required, as indispensibly necessary, that they should be perfectly conversant in all the details of regimental duty.

They must likewise have made themselves masters of the French language, be versed in mathematics, and in the science of field fortification and castrametation; and be well instructed in the drawing of military plans, &c.

Every thing which relates to the different branches belonging to the senior department, is conveyed in French, in order that officers may be enabled to improve the knowlege they acquire at the establishment, by reading with facility, the military writers that are most in estimation. The majority of such authors being found among the French, that language is, of course, most cultivated; by which means the first object of acquirement will not only be obtained, but will ensure to the general staff of the army a disposable body of intelligent officers, that are conversant in a continental tongue.

The instruction is not elementary or given upon first principles only. The attention of the officers is directed to higher branches, and the lessons they receive are exemplified by practice in the field; by taking ground, &c.

The particular and more immediate duties, appertaining to the general staff, to which the faculties of the mind are principally applied, consist in taking (à coup d’œil, or at sight) military surveys of ground without any mechanical process, or aid of instruments; and to express the same on paper with the most accurate perspicuity.

It is, therefore, necessary that the officers of the senior department should be able to judge of the advantages and disadvantages of ground relative to offensive and defensive operations; to employ geometrical and trigonometrical operations on the ground; to chuse the scite or position of entrenchments and batteries, by which every part of a camp may be defended, and its leading avenues, &c. put à l’abri de surprises. They must likewise be masters of a theory which may be adapted to every case in which field fortification can be employed: to trace camps on the ground, and to prick out the lines of entrenchments, &c. with dispatch and accuracy, in conformity to the strict rules of castrametation: to be thoroughly conversant in the theory of camp out-duties, and of the grand guards of armies: to know how to reconnoitre ground for a given number of columns moving in route of march, and to place or distribute the same with attention to the conveniences of forage and water, and to the security of the magazines.

To reconnoitre the route of a column in advancing, to estimate the labor of opening the several communications, to calculate the number of artificers that are requisite, and the time that is necessary to clear the route for the march of a column, and to detail the same in an accurate manner upon paper.

To reconnoitre the route of a column in retreat, specifying, in a clear and succinct manner upon paper, the several points in retreat that are favorable to each arm composing the rear guard, when they may halt, and act as covering parties to the retreating column.

To reconnoitre and take up ground for a given number of troops on a defensive position, and to place the same; to establish a chain of posts, to construct batteries, throw up abbatis, and other means of defence, adapted to the particular circumstances of the ground made choice of for the position.

To reconnoitre the ground upon which any given number of troops might be encamped under circumstances of aggression. In taking this position for the purpose of acting offensively, particular attention must be paid to the future movements of the army, by providing the readiest means of directing and supporting its operations.

Marches and movements constitute so essential a branch in military tactics, that on them almost wholly depends the issue of a campaign. It is consequently expected, that every officer belonging to the senior department, should be able to calculate the march of a column under all the various and desultory circumstances which are attendant on the movements of troops. He must accurately ascertain the ground, the defiles, the width of roads, &c. the length of the several columns. The hours occupied in marching, defiling, passing obstacles, &c. must come within this calculation.

It must be remarked, that this is a route of march which has in view only to convey a body of troops from one position to another, without being connected with military operations relative to the enemy.

To calculate the march of several columns with respect to each other.

To reconnoitre routes for the march of several columns in advancing; to form the columns of march so as to correspond with the field of battle which they are to occupy, and to point out the routes by which they are severally to arrive. The remark which we have already made applies to this part likewise.

To regulate an order of march, and to ascertain the arrival of several columns on the field, with regard to the appropriate manner of deploying, and their relative dispositions, whether with a view to their encamping, or to forming in order of battle.

To reconnoitre routes for the march of several columns in retreat, for the purpose of forming columns of march according to the circumstances of the retreat, and in conformity to the ground to which they retire.

To regulate the retreat and relative support of the rear guards attached to the several columns.

In order to add practical knowlege to theory, and to adapt the observations of established military writers to local experience, every survey or reconnoitring of country, for the retreat or advance of columns; for offensive or defensive positions; for encampments, or the construction and erection of batteries, &c. is made upon spots that are actually in the neighborhood of the establishment; and every object of instruction is applied to the local circumstance of the ground as it actually exists. It is required, that plans of these different surveys, &c. should at all times accompany and be given in with the lesson of instruction.

Officers of the senior department must not only be well acquainted with these particulars, but they must further know how to regulate the cantonments of an army.

To estimate the resources of a country, in green and dry forage, in cattle, grain, horses, and carriages, together with the population.

To draw out plans of resources, general plans of operations and subordinate ones of position, and of cantonments.

According to the season of the year, and the state of the weather, officers are employed in acquiring the theory, or applying in practice on the ground, the several points of instruction to which their attention has been directed.

It is required of them, individually, to reconnoitre a given tract or line of country.

The military positions they take up, as well as the disposition they make of troops, whether in camp or in order of march, are invariably represented by plans in drawing, and all instruction is exemplified by applications which are made in the field, and are adapted to the local circumstances of ground. In order to render the different lessons familiar to the mind, and to make them practically easy, imaginary marches are made from one supposed camp to another, and the various orders which relate to the movements of troops are given out and explained, as if they were to be actually carried into effect. Points of attack or defence are taken up, ambuscades are laid, and all the chicane of what the French so justly call le petite guerre, is entered into with as much promptitude and caution, as if the enemy were in the neighborhood of the college. The manœuvres of light troops are particularly practised; and the different instructions which have been published in French on that branch of military tactics by Mons. Jarry, are practically taught, as time and circumstances permit.

The elements of field fortification, and the higher branches of attack and defence, are not only inculcated with the greatest perspicuity, but they are reduced to practice by imaginary lines of circumvallation and contravallation; by posts and positions suddenly taken, and quickly fortified; whilst the manifold feints and stratagems of war which have been practised by the best generals, are locally attempted, for the double purpose of applying practice to established facts, and of seizing some new idea that may grow out of ancient practice.

Whenever an officer has completed his studies, he is reported to the commander in chief, as having qualified himself for the quarter-master-general’s department; and returns to his regiment, having had his name previously registered at the college, in order that he may be employed on the general staff of the army when his services are required.

When an officer wishes to be admitted to the military college, his application must be addressed to the commander in chief, for the time being, through the medium of the colonel or commanding officer of his regiment, who sends it, under cover, to the official or public secretary at the Horse Guards, with his own certificate of the good conduct of the applicant.

When an officer, thus admitted, is found deficient in any of the branches of elementary knowlege, which he is expected to have acquired previous to his entrance into the senior department, he may have the advantage of instruction from the professors and masters of the junior department. It would, however, be more gratifying to all parties, were such officers to qualify themselves before they quit their corps.

The same allowances which are established for troops in barracks, are made to officers who attend the instructions of the senior department.

Every officer admitted to this department is required to have a horse to attend his duty in the field, and regular rations of forage, &c. are issued to him for his keeping.

The officers of the senior department mess together, and their table is regulated by specific statutes of the college.

Junior department.

This department is calculated to receive three hundred students from the age of fourteen to sixteen. Fifty out of this number may be cadets of the hon. East India company’s service; one hundred the sons of noblemen and gentlemen who are intended for the army; one hundred the sons of officers actually in the service; and fifty the sons of officers who have died, or have been disabled in his majesty’s service, and are left in pecuniary distress.

The students are formed into four companies; and proper persons are appointed for their care and superintendance.

They are to wear an established uniform, and to be conducted as a military body; regard being had to their youth, and certain instructions adapted for its government.

The course of study which is arranged for this department is of a preparatory nature, leading gradually to branches of a higher class that are fitted for the staff; and adding to classical knowlege, every accomplishment that is required to form the character of a perfect gentleman and officer.

The students are taught the several branches of mathematics, field fortification, together with the general principles of gunnery and artillery service. They are instructed in drawing military plans, military movements, and perspective. They are also made acquainted with the first rudiments of war, the science of military manœuvre, with geography and history, as well as with the German and French languages. Professors and masters are appointed to teach the Hindoo and Persian tongues, as being immediately necessary to the service of India. Masters are likewise provided to instruct cadets in the geography of India, and to make them familiarly acquainted with the local knowlege of the settlement for which they are severally intended.

The directors of instruction are made particularly responsible for the proper management of the studies, and different elementary branches which constitute an essential part of the establishment.

The professors and masters are employed generally to instruct in both departments, under the control of the chief director.

The whole establishment, which has military knowlege and improvement for its basis, is conducted upon strict military principles, and in scrupulous conformity to the rules and discipline which are issued by authority for the government of the army at large.

A sufficient number of masters are constantly resident in the college, for the instruction of such students as may wish to continue their classical studies. Frequent lessons are given them on moral and natural philosophy.

They are likewise taught riding, swimming, fencing, and the sabre and sword exercise.

The instruction of the department is divided into two parts, forming a junior and senior division of study.

Public examinations are held in this department, in order to remove students from the lower to the higher division of study; and also for the purpose of granting certificates to such as are qualified to act as commissioned officers in the service, at an age under what is required by the present regulations of the army.

From this department students will join the regiments into which they severally enter; and after having obtained some experience, by going through the different duties of a regimental officer, they will be qualified to return to the college, and to enter into the senior department, if they are disposed to study the service of the general staff.

The public examinations are held in presence of one or more visitors or inspectors, nominated by the commander in chief; and it is required, that they should be members of the supreme board of the college.

The expence attending the education of a young gentleman in this department, is according to the foundation on which he is admitted to the college.

The sons of noblemen and gentlemen pay 80l. per annum.

The sons of officers in service pay 40l. per annum; and orphans, who are the sons of officers that have died in the service, or the sons of those that have been disabled and are straitened in circumstances, are educated, clothed, and maintained free of all expence.

The board, clothing, and accommodation, are included in the several sums above specified.

There are two vacations in the course of twelve months, viz.—At Christmas and Midsummer, for a term not exceeding one month each vacation.

The administration of the funds of the establishment, is under the direction of the collegiate board.

The accounts are balanced at the expiration of six months in every year, and are laid before the supreme board; at which periods, reports of progress made in the several branches of literature and technical science, and of the public examinations, are made before the committee. These documents, accompanied by well digested remarks and seasonable suggestions, for the preservation of good order, &c. and the improvement of the institution, are laid before the king by the commander in chief, as president and governor of the college.

The supreme board of the college is composed in the following manner:

The commander in chief for the time being, president.

Secretary at war.

Governor.

Master-general of the ordnance.

Governor of Chelsea college.

Quarter-master-general.

And two honorary members.

Barrack-master general.

Lieutenant colonel Le Marchant, as lieutenant governor.

General Jarry as commandant of the senior department.

These are the members of the supreme board, and such others may, from time to time, be named.

A secretary to the supreme board.

A president to the college.

The military SCHOOL at Paris, (école royale militaire de Paris, Fr.) This celebrated establishment, which for so many years supplied France with superior talents, and to which Bonaparte is indebted for the solid groundwork of that military knowlege that has astonished and conquered Europe, owes its origin to Henry IV. who first erected a public building in Anjou, for the free education of the children of poor noblemen; it was called the college of La Fléche, wherein one hundred young boys of the above description were supported, &c. at the king’s expence. They were there taught Latin and the liberal arts by the Jesuits, whose learning, and aptitude at teaching others to learn, have been so deservedly admired in every quarter of the globe. This order, however, having been banished out of France in 1770, by Louis XV. because the members interfered with the government (whilst all their crimes consisted in being too virtuous to countenance the debaucheries of that weak monarch); the direction of the college was entrusted to the secular priests, and the number of students was increased to 350. On this occasion it was distinguished by a particular mark of royal favor, and was called the royal college.

In addition to this provincial establishment, Louis XV. instituted the royal military school in the neighborhood of Paris, where 250 young lads received a regular education under the most able masters; particularly in those branches which contributed to military knowlege. During their vacations, and at periods of intermission from classical pursuits, they were attended and instructed by experienced officers. They generally remained until the age of 18, and were after that distributed among the different regiments with appropriate commissions. They were then distinguished by being permitted to wear a cross, which was tied to a crimson piece of riband, and hung from a button-hole in their coat. The cross, on one side, represented the figure of the Virgin Mary; and on the other, there was a trophy adorned with three fleurs de lis. They had likewise an annual pension of 200 livres, (about 40 dollars) which was paid them without deduction, until they obtained the rank of captain, provided they had a certificate of good behaviour from the staff or état major of their corps. They received, moreover, when they quitted the school, a small kitt of linen, a hat, sword, and an uniform coat. They were replaced in the military school by an equal number of youths who came from the college of La Fléche, for that purpose, at the age of 13 or 14.

Both these establishments underwent a considerable alteration during the administration of the count de St. Germain, in April 1776. This minister persuaded Louis XVI. that great public benefit might be derived from increasing the number of these colleges, and admitting youths from every class of his subjects. When these alterations took place in the royal military school, all the young men that were 18 years old were incorporated with the regiments of gentlemen cadets. These enjoyed all the advantages which their predecessors had possessed; with this exception, that they did not wear the uniform of their corps, nor the cross. Those lads who had not reached the period in question, were placed in different corps, and several remained in the military school who were afterwards provided for on another footing. The number of young men was gradually increased, not only by fresh arrivals from La Fléche, but by the admission of several others for whom a yearly pension was paid by their parents. The latter, were not, however, entitled to any advantage or indulgence beyond what was generally allowed.

On the 28th of March 1776, the king gave directions, that ten colleges should be established, over the gates of each of which was written—Collége Royale Militaire; royal military college. These colleges were under the immediate care and instruction of the Benedictine monks, and other religious persons.

The secretary of state held the same jurisdiction over these colleges that he possessed over La Fléche, and the military school at Paris.

There were always 50 at least, and never more than 60 young men placed for education in each of these colleges, at the expence of the king; amounting annually per head to 700 livres, about 150 dollars. For this sum each student was supplied with a blue coat with red cuffs, and white buttons, a blue surtout or great coat, two white waistcoats, two pairs of black breeches, twelve shirts, twelve handkerchiefs, six cravats, six nightcaps, two dressing-gowns, two hats, two pairs of shoes, combs, and powder-bag. These articles were, in the first instance, to be provided by the young man’s parents or friends, and when he quitted, he was furnished with the same articles at the expence of the college. Travelling expences, postage of letters, &c. were defrayed by the parents or friends of the different students. The secretary of state’s letter, conveying the king’s approbation, was the voucher for admission; but no child could be received unless he had previously learned to write and read. Candidates for admission, underwent a close examination on the very day they arrived, and if they were found deficient in any of the necessary qualifications, they were sent back to their friends with directions not to return until the year following, provided they got properly instructed during that period. No person could be admitted who was lame, or otherwise deformed; and certain proofs of nobility were to be established and given in, as well as proofs of property, vouched for by two gentlemen who lived in the neighborhood of the applicant, and confirmed by the intendant of the province, or by the governor. And in order to afford the parents ample time to collect the necessary vouchers, the preliminary consent of the king was forwarded to them six months before July, announcing that their children might be presented to the college on the 7th of September next following.

The king’s students, or those young lads for whom 700 livres (150 dolls.) were annually paid out of his privy purse, were taught in the subordinate colleges, as in the military school at Paris, every thing that could be useful to a military character, besides music and other accomplishments. They were, moreover, regularly supplied with foils for fencing, and with mathematical and musical instruments. In order to excite emulation, prizes and rewards were distributed according to merit; and an allowance for pocket money was made in the following manner:—20 sols, or 10d. English per month, to each boy under twelve; and 40 sols, or 20d. to all above that age. The royal pensions and allowances were paid every quarter, commencing on the 1st of April 1776. These payments were regulated by specific returns, which were regularly forwarded on the 15th of each month preceding the expiration of the quarter, to the secretary at war, and were signed by the heads or superiors of each college, accompanied by an exact muster-roll of all the students. By direction of the secretary at war, every species of necessary furniture and utensil that was found for La Fléche, and the military school at Paris, was distributed, in equal proportions, among the subordinate colleges; a preference, however, was uniformly given to the calls and necessities of those two establishments. The colleges that were appointed to pass the final examination of students received a double quantity of each article.

Every student who was admitted into any of the subordinate colleges at eight or nine years old, was obliged to remain there six years before he could appear at the final examinations; that period being thought necessary to complete his education. With respect to those who were entering into their tenth or eleventh year, and even those who were orphans, they were not forced to fill the term of six years instruction, provided they had already acquired sufficient knowlege to entitle them to a favorable report from their superiors.

The king directed that the pensions for 50 students upon the establishment, should be paid three months in advance to the several colleges, for the purpose of enabling them to complete the necessary buildings, &c. Each of those students was allowed a small separate apartment, with a key to the door. They were distributed in a particular quarter of the building, that they might be more easily attended to; having no other communication with the honorary pensioners, or those who had an allowance from their parents, than what was absolutely necessary to carry on the public instruction and discipline of the place.

The college of Brienne, a small town in Champagne, was fixed upon for the admission of the young lads whose pensions were paid by their parents. The latter likewise defrayed the expences of the journey; but they were entitled to the same indemnification that was afterwards granted to the king’s students. The same rules and method of instruction were pursued by the different colleges, in order that all the candidates might be brought together at the same time for examination. This examination was made in the presence of the principal, and under inspector of the schools, and of other literary men, who were appointed by the secretary of state for that purpose, and received 1200 livres, or 250 dollars, as a gratification for their attendance, besides board and lodging at the king’s expence. The concours, or meeting for examination, took place every year, and lasted from the 1st to the 15th of September; the original one commencing in September 1778. The young men that passed the examination to the full satisfaction of these gentlemen, were placed in different regiments, and received commissions accordingly.

The four best informed and most able of the young candidates, received pensions or temporary allowances in the following manner:—The two first got 150 livres, between 6l. and 7l. sterling; and the two next 100 livres, equal to 4l. odd per annum, until they were promoted to companies. They were further entitled to wear the ancient cross of the military school. If any of them quitted the service before they had obtained the above rank of captain, the pension ceased. They likewise received, (in common with all the other students that left the establishment) 200 livres, between 8l. and 9l. on their becoming lieutenants in the army.

The young men that were not found sufficiently instructed to join a regular corps, as gentlemen cadets, remained at the Collége de Concours, or college of examination, until the following year, when they were again questioned as to every particular which regarded a military education. But, let their success on this occasion be what it might, they ceased to be entitled to those marks of distinction and temporary allowances which were given to the first successful candidates. Those boys, who were brought by their parents, and for whom a pension was to be paid, lost all pretensions to the notice of government if they failed to give satisfaction at this final hearing. Proper representations of their incapacity were made by the inspector of military schools to the secretary of state, which representations were formally attested and corroborated by the opinion and judgment of the superior of the college of Brienne, in order that an accurate account might be given to his majesty, and that the parents might be officially directed to send or come for their children.

The superior or head of each subordinate college was directed, from the 1st of July 1778, to send, under cover to the secretary at war, an effective return of those students that had finished their course of education, and were prepared for examination. An order was then issued from the war-office for their attendance at the college of Brienne.

The heads of colleges were enjoined to transmit, annually, to the secretary of the war department, an analysis of the various elementary tracts which they had perused, accompanied by comments and observations thereon, together with original suggestions of their own. 6000 livres, or 1250 dollars, were allowed out of the annual revenue of the military school at Paris, for the specific purpose of rewarding those writers who should publish the best treatises relative to the military education of youth; and when this intent was fulfilled, the surplus or the sum entire was appropriated to the purchase of books, which were equally distributed among the different colleges, each of which had a separate library for the convenience and improvement of the students.

The king left it to the discretion of the different religious orders, to select such persons, as were best calculated to undertake the direction of the colleges, and to chuse the different masters and professors. He reserved, however, to himself the power of displacing any of them, if, upon mature and correct representation they were found inadequate to the trust.

The four professors, belonging to the colleges in which the four successful candidates at the general examination had been educated, received four golden medals, each worth 150 livres, 25 dollars, as a testimony of his majesty’s approbation. The king’s likeness was on one side of the medal, and on the other was engraved, Prix de bon Instructeur; the good teacher’s prize. With the laudable view of collecting the best and most able masters, various rewards were imagined, and occasionally distributed among the different persons employed in the instruction of young beginners.

The different vacancies which occurred in consequence of the public examination that took place once a year, were regularly filled up at that period.

The secretary of state transmitted to the heads of colleges a list, containing the names of the young men that were to succeed.

Louis XVI. exclusively of the 600 students who were placed in the different colleges pursuant to the new regulations, restored the ancient foundation of La Fléche, which had originally been established by Henry IV. for the benefit of 100 poor boys, who were of noble families, and whose parents had rendered some service to the state in the civil, military, or ecclesiastical line. They were educated according to the bent of their talents and disposition, and fitted to any of those professions; provisions and regulations having been made in the college of La Fléche for these purposes, which differed from the general system pursued in the other military colleges.

Those boys, who at 13 or 14 years old, discovered a partiality to civil or ecclesiastical functions, left the subordinate colleges, and repaired to La Fléche. Their number was limited to five, who might annually be admitted in consequence of an order for that purpose from the secretary at war; which order was obtained by their parents, on a representation being made to him of their talents and dispositions, confirmed and vouched for by the inspector general, and by the heads and superiors of each college.

An extraordinary allowance was made by the king to enable these students to acquire a knowlege of law, and to become acquainted with every species of theological learning.

These students were never permitted to leave college under a pretext of seeing their friends or parents, however near the residence of the latter might be.

The heads or superiors of each college transmitted every quarter to the secretary of state for the war department, and to the inspector general of schools, a minute account of the actual state of the college, and of the progress which each student had made in the several branches of education. If any extraordinary occurrence happened, these communications were to be made forthwith, and at broken periods, without waiting for the regular expiration of three months. They were likewise instructed to communicate with the parents of such children, as were paid for by them, giving an account of their progress in education, and stating what they had written on that subject to the secretary of state.

The inspector and under inspector-general went every year to the different colleges, to examine personally into every thing that concerned the management of each institution, and to report accordingly to his majesty.

The secretary of state for the war department was directed by the king to be present at the annual distribution of prizes, which were given in each college, in order to give every aid and consequence to these public marks of royal attention. In case of the secretary’s death or sickness, the inspector-general of the schools attended for the same well judged purpose.

On the 26th of July 1783, an order appeared, by which the king directed, that the young gentlemen who, by a former regulation could only be admitted into the royal colleges between the ages of eight and eleven, should be received from the age of seven to that of ten. Orphans alone could be admitted as late as the full completion of twelve years. The parents of such children as had been approved of by his majesty, were, without delay, to send in proofs and certificates of their nobility; in failure whereof one year after their nomination, they were deprived of the situation which had been destined for them.

No family could solicit a letter of admission for more than one child at a time; and when it was granted, no application could be made in favor of another child until the first had completed his education, and was provided for in a regiment, or elsewhere.

The wisdom of this regulation is manifest. It was calculated to prevent every species of partiality and undue influence, and it kept the door open for many a meritorious youth, that might otherwise be deprived of the advantages of this useful institution. Like every other system, however, of that ill-fated monarchy, the principles were gradually perverted; and what was intended as a general good, became subservient to the intrigues of Versailles, the secret views of inspectors and commissaries, and the venal pliancy of individuals that acted under them. This evil was not confined to France. It has existed, and does still exist in other nations: the transactions in the case of the duke of York, in England, shews the profligate venality with which the sale of military offices was conducted. So strict was the regulation in France to prevent any monopoly of interest or patronage, that particular instructions were issued to commissaries to repair into the different provinces in which the several colleges stood, and to see that no students were sent to the general examination at Brienne, who had any brother or brothers under the same establishment.

On the 21st of January 1779, the following regulation appeared for the better management and advantage of the students belonging to the French royal military school:—

It was ordained, that the privilege of being received as members of the military orders of Notre Dame, of Mont-Carmel, and St. Lazarus, of Jerusalem, which had been hitherto given, without distinction, to all the students of the different colleges, should in future be considered as the reward of peculiar merit, and be rendered the means of exciting emulation among the gentlemen cadets of the royal military school only.

To this end the secretary of the war department was instructed to give in a list of six students who should have passed an examination before the inspector-general, with a minute account of their progress in the different arts and sciences, as well as of their general good conduct, natural disposition, &c. From this number three were selected by the grand master, and were made knights of the order, with permission to wear the cross according to prescribed rules and regulations. All the students that were so distinguished received from the revenue or funds of the order an annual allowance of 100 livres, equal to about twenty dollars; which sum was paid them exclusively of the 200 livres or forty dollars, which they got from the royal military school. They continued to receive the annual pension as long as they remained in the service; and if they were under the necessity of retiring through sickness, or wounds, it was continued to them during their natural lives.

Whenever a student who had been placed in a regiment, and was entitled to wear the cross of the royal military school, distinguished himself on service by some brilliant action, or gave an extraordinary proof of military knowlege, he was recommended to the grand-master, and on the attestation of the general commanding the army, countersigned by the secretary at war, he was instantly invested with the order of St. Lazarus. Thus the re-union of these two crosses, (which could only happen in cases of singular merit, and under the circumstances already stated) would always bear undeniable testimony of the service rendered by the individual. The pension, in fact, would neither incur the suspicion of partiality, by having been a mere sinecure, nor the honorary mark, the imputation of undue influence, and ill-applied patronage.

In consequence of the king’s approbation, the following specific regulation, relative to the orders of Mont-Carmel, and St. Lazarus, of Jerusalem, was issued on the 21st of January 1779, by Louis Stanislaus Xavier de Franks, brother to his majesty, and grand master of those orders, (the present head of the Bourbons, who uses the title of Louis XVIII.)

It was therein stated, that, in future, the order of Notre Dame du Mont-Carmel, should be reserved for such students belonging to the royal military school, as had been approved of in every respect, conformably to the prescribed instructions on that head, for the purpose of being admitted knights of the order. The mark by which they were distinguished consisted of a small cross similar to the one, already described, which was formerly worn by the students.—The candidates were obliged to prove four degrees of nobility on the father’s side, and to produce the certificates required by the different colleges. Three out of the six received the cross, and became entitled from the day of their admission to an annual allowance of 100 livres, or twenty dollars, which they continued to enjoy as long as they remained in the service, and after they quitted it, provided they retired from the causes already stated. If a knight of the order of Notre Dame du St. Carmel, did any singular act of bravery, or discovered talents of superior military knowlege, on a proper attestation being produced of the same, signed by the general under whom he served, and countersigned by the minister of war, he became knight of the order of St. Lazarus, and by thus uniting the two orders, preserved an uncontestable proof of the service he had rendered.

This regulation, however, did not interfere with the ancient forms and rules of the royal military school, as far as they concerned those students who had already been received into two orders. It only went to restrict the number of such as might lay claim to the particular marks of distinction, &c. which were thereby granted to the newly admitted.

In these schools, and in those of the artillery noted below, is to be found the true foundation of the military triumphs of France from 1792 to 1810.

The great military school of France is now established at Fontainbleau by Bonaparte.

The French had likewise a marine school, (école de marine), which was kept at the expence of government, and was regularly attended to, in one of the departments. There was also a ship, distinguished by the name of school, (école) which was regularly manned and equipped for the instruction of young marines.

There were several schools of artillery, écoles d’artillerie, distributed in different parts of the kingdom, and supported at the public charge. The five principal ones were at La Fêre, Metz, Grenoble, Strasburgh, and Perpignan.

They were under the direction of an inspector-general, who had the rank of a lieutenant-general in the army. Each school was superintended by three commandants, and was composed of ordinary and extraordinary commissaries belonging to the artillery, of officers who had the immediate direction of the levelling and pointing pieces of ordnance, and of volunteer cadets.

These schools were open throughout the year; advantage being taken of occasional fine weather during the winter months to practise and exercise. They were divided into schools of theory, écoles de théorie, and into schools of practice, écoles de pratique.

The theoretical establishments were for the immediate instruction of all officers belonging to the engineer and the artillery departments.

The practical schools were open indiscriminately to all officers and soldiers. There was also a particular school for the information of those persons who directed their attention to mining and sapping; this school was called L’école des Sappeurs. The miner’s school. There was likewise a school established at La Fére, to which none but artillery officers could be admitted. The students consisted of one company, whose number never exceeded 50. They had the rank of sub-lieutenants, and received a monthly subsistence, amounting to forty French livres, a little more than seven dollars.

The school at Méziéres, which was established before the additional one at La Fére, for the exclusive use and advantage of the artillery, was calculated to receive 30 officers; and those who went from La Fére had the rank of second lieutenants, with 60 livres, something more than ten dollars, as monthly subsistence.

It will naturally strike every observer, from these several establishments, which were all supported by government, and warmly patronised by the different reigning monarchs in France, that military science constituted one of the chief objects of French policy; and it is only bare justice to say, that their encouragement was not fruitlessly bestowed. All Europe has testified to the effect; the neglect of military science in other nations is equally striking, and ought to produce more wise precautions. The Turks have a military school, called the school for the Agemolans, or young men attached to the corps of Janizaries. This institution was created by Amurat, for the purpose of enuring a certain number of persons to every possible hardship of military service.

Fencing School, (école d’armes, Fr.) Every French regiment, when in barracks or otherwise conveniently quartered, has a room allotted for the exercise of the small sword, the spadroon, &c. Some active clever serjeant or soldier is authorised to teach his comrades, and to derive what benefit he can from giving lessons abroad. We need scarcely add, that some internal regulation of the kind would be highly advantageous to officers every where.

SCIAGE, (Bois de Sciage, Fr.) Sawing. Wood that is proper to be sawed in planks, or to be made fit for any use in carpentry.

SCIAGRAPHY, (Sciagraphe, Fr.) The profile or section of a building to shew the inside thereof.

SCIE, Fr. a saw.

SCIENCE. Any art or species of knowlege; as military science, &c.

Science de la guerre, Fr. Military knowlege, or the science of war.

SCITIE, or SETIE, Fr. a small decked barge with Levant sails.

SCORPION, (Scorpion, Fr.) a sort of long thick javelin or arrow, which was used among the ancients. For a specific description, see Vegetius and Justus Lipsius. The Cretans are supposed to have invented the scorpion.

SCIMITAR, a short crooked sword, more or less incurvated.

To SCOUR, (Battre à toute volée, Fr.) This term is frequently used to express the act of firing a quick and heavy discharge of ordnance or musquetry, for the purpose of dislodging an enemy.—Hence to scour the rampart or the covert way. It likewise signifies to clear, to drive away, viz. To scour the seas: Ecumer les mers, Fr.—To scour the streets: Ecumer les rues; also to run about in a loose desultory manner, as to scour the country.

To SCOUR a line, is to flank it, so as to see directly along it, that a musquet ball, entering at one end, may fly to the other, leaving no place of security.

SCOUTS, are generally horsemen sent out before, and on the wings of an army, at the distance of a mile or two, to discover the enemy, and give the general an account of what they see. See [Videttes].

SCREW, (Escrou, Fr.) One of the mechanical powers, which is defined a right cylinder cut into a furrowed spiral. Wilkins calls it a kind of wedge, that is multiplied or continued by a helical revolution about a cylinder, receiving its motion not from any stroke, but from a vectis at one end of it.

Screws, in gunnery, are fastened to the cascable of light guns and howitzers, by means of an iron bolt, which goes through a socket fixed upon the centre transom, to elevate or depress the piece with, instead of wedges.

Screw of direction, (Vis de Pointage, Fr.) The screw of direction, used in the artillery, is formed of a brass horizontal roller, placed between the two cheeks of the carriage. The trunnions of the roller move upon two vertical iron pivots, which are fixed against the interior sides of the cheeks. By means of this screw the direction of pieces is either raised or lowered with a regular movement, and in the smallest space.

The screw of direction, or Vis de Pointage, is equally used for howitzers as well as for heavy pieces of ordnance. It has been invented by the French, and serves in lieu of the Coins à Cremaillère, or indented coins. So little progress has military science made in the United States, that there are many old officers in the U. States’ service who know nothing even of this little but important particular.

Lock Screws. Small screws which are attached to the lock of a musquet.

SCULLCAP. See [Helmet].

SCURVY, (Scorbut, Fr.) A disease to which soldiers and seamen are peculiarly exposed, from idleness, inattention to cleanliness of person and food, eating salted meat and drinking bad water, &c.

SCUTE or Canot, Fr. In Dutch Schoot, and Canot, is pronounced with us as if written cannoo. Any small boat which is used in navigation for the accommodation of a ship.

SEARCHER, an instrument used by the founders to discover any flaws in the bore of cannon, &c. See [Proof].

To SEASON. In a military sense, to accustom, to enure. Soldiers are frequently sent to Gibraltar in order to be seasoned for a hot climate.

Seasoned Troops. Troops that have been accustomed to climate, and are not so liable to become the victims of any endemical disorder, as raw men must unavoidably be. The French use the word acclimater; to get accustomed to a change of climate. Hence Troupes acclimatees; troops that have been seasoned.

SEAT of war. The country in which war is carrying on.

SECANT, (Secante, Fr.) A line which cuts another, or divides it into two parts. See [table] at the end of the word [Gunnery].

Secant of an arch. In trigonometry, is a right line drawn from the centre of the circle to the extremity of the tangent.

Secant of an angle. Supposing an angle to be terminated by a base that is perpendicular to one of the sides, and that the smallest side of the angle be taken for the radius or whole sinus, the greatest of the two sides of that angle will be its secant.

SECOND, (Second, Fr.) The next in order to the first. The ordinal of two. The next in dignity, place, or station. The French use the word Second in military matters, somewhat differently from the English, viz.

Compagnie en Second, Fr. This literally means second company, but according to the old French regulations it signifies a company which consists of half the number of men that other companies are composed of. This was however, applied to the cavalry only.

Capitaine en Second ou reformé en pied, or Lieutenant en Second, ditto, Fr. are officers whose companies have been reduced, but who do duty in others, and are destined to fill up the first vacancies. We have borrowed the expression and say, to be seconded. When an officer is seconded, he remains upon full pay, in the British service, his rank goes on, and he may purchase the next vacant step, without being obliged to memorial in the manner that a half-pay officer must. Should the latter have taken a difference, he will find much difficulty in getting upon full pay, and he can only avail himself of his standing in the army when the last object is accomplished. So that a seconded officer stands in a more favorable light. He is besides likely to be appointed to the vacant commission of the regiment in which he is seconded.

Prendre pour son Second, Fr. To take for a second.

Les SECONDS de côté et d’autre se sont tués, Fr. Both the seconds were killed; or the seconds on each side killed one another. It was very usual among the French for the seconds to make common cause with their principals, and to fight upon the decease of the former. The practice is reprobated and out of date.

To SECOND, (seconder, Fr.) To aid or assist, to support.

Second covert way, that beyond the second ditch. See [Fortification].

Second ditch, that made on the outside of the glacis, when the ground is low, and there is plenty of water. See [Fortification].

Second Flanc, Fr. See [Flank oblique] in [Fortification].

SECOURIR une place, Fr. To throw succours into a besieged town or place. It sometimes signifies to force an investing or attacking army to raise the siege.

SECRECY. In a military economy this quality is peculiarly requisite. It signifies fidelity to a secret; taciturnity inviolate; close silence. Officers, in particular, should be well aware of the importance of it, as the divulging of what has been confidentially entrusted to them, especially on expeditions, might render the whole project abortive. The slightest deviation from it is very justly considered as a breach of honor, as scandalous conduct, unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. In official matters the person so offending is liable to the severest punishment and penalty.

SECRET, (Secret, Fr.) Under this word may be considered the caution and circumspection which every good general should observe during a campaign; the feints he may think proper to make for the purpose of covering a projected attack; and the various stratagems to which he may resort to keep his own intentions concealed, and to get at those of others.

Secret. Kept hidden, not revealed. Hence secret expedition, secret enterprise, &c. Secret articles of a treaty, being the correlative words to public articles.

Secret, Fr. The spot chosen by the captain of a fire-ship to apply the saucisson of communication.

Secret expedition. Those are often called such, which in fact are known to the enemy before they are put in execution; they should never be communicated to any other than the commander of the troops, and the first naval officer, until they are in absolute readiness to act, and but a few hours before the enterprize is put in execution: no officer being allowed to open his instructions until he is either at his destination, or at sea. See [Expedition].

SECRETAIRE, Fr. The clerk belonging to the Swiss regiments in the old French service, was so called. He acted likewise as quarter master serjeant, and was styled Musterschreiber.

Secretaire général d’artillerie, Fr. A place of trust, which, during the French monarchy, was in the nomination of the grand master.

SECRETARY at war, (Secrétaire de guerre, Fr.) The first officer of the war department.

Secretary of state. (Secrétaire d’etat, Fr.) The secretary who has charge of the foreign relations.

To Secrete, to hide; to keep private; to harbor; to conceal, &c. By the articles of war it is provided, that if any person shall harbor, conceal, or assist any deserter from his majesty’s service, knowing him to be such, the person so offending shall forfeit, for every such offence, the sum of five pounds.

SECTION. (Section, Fr.) from the Latin word sectio, which is derived from seco, to cut, a part of a thing divided, or the division itself. Such particularly are the subdivisions of a chapter, called also paragraphs and articles. Sometimes we find the term section divided into articles; as in the articles of war.

SECTION. (Section, Fr.) A certain proportion of a battalion or company, when it is told off for military movements and evolutions. A section may consist of four or any other number of files. This relates to the infantry; the cavalry into ranks by three’s, and after that in any number of files or sections. The French use the word section for the same purpose; and form their companies into platoons, and divide their platoons into any number of sections.

SECTOR, (Secteur, Fr.) A mathematical instrument of great use in finding the proportion between quantities of the same kind, as between lines and lines, surfaces and surfaces, &c. for which reason the French call it the compass of proportion.

The great advantage of the sector, above common scales, &c. is, that it is adapted to all radii, and all scales. The sector is founded on the fourth proposition of the sixth book of Euclid. The sector consists of two equal legs, or rules of brass, &c. riveted together, but so as to move easily on the rivet; on the faces of the instrument are placed several lines; the principal of which are: the line of equal parts, line of chords, line of sines, line of tangents, line of secants, and line of polygons.

To SECURE, in a military sense, to preserve, to keep, to make certain. As to secure a place, to secure a conquest. In the management of the firelock, it signifies to bring it to a certain position, by which the locks are secured against rain. Hence

SECURE arms! a word of command which is given to troops who are under arms in wet weather. To bring your firelock to the secure; 1st, throw your right hand briskly up, and place it under the cock, keeping the piece steady in the same position.

2d. Quit the butt with the left hand, and seize the firelock with it at the swell, bringing the elbow close down upon the lock: the right hand kept fast in this motion, and the piece still upright.

3d. Quit the right hand, and bring it down to your right side, throwing the firelock nimbly down to the secure; the left hand in a line with the waist-belt. In order to shoulder from the secure, you must 1st, bring the firelock up to a perpendicular line, seizing it with the right hand under the cock.

2d. Quit the left hand, and place it strong upon the butt.

3d. Quit the right hand, and bring it smartly down the right side.

SEDITION, in a military sense is to disobey orders; to cabal or form factions against the officer or officers in command; to loosen confidence; to resist or oppose orders, or to stir up mutiny. It is an offence in military law of the most fatal character and always punished in a most exemplary manner. See [Mutiny].

SEER, Ind. A weight nearly equal to a pound.

SEESAR, Ind. the dewey season.

SEEARISH, Ind. A recommendation.

SEEPEEYA, Ind. A triangle to which culprits are tied to be punished.

SEFFY, Ind. A dynasty of Persia.

SEGBANS. Horsemen among the Turks, who have care of the baggage belonging to cavalry regiments.

SEGMENT, a figure contained between a chord and an arch of the circle, or so much of the circle as is cut off by that chord.

SEJA, Ind. A fenced terrace.

SEILLURE, (Sillage, eau, bouage ou ouiache, Fr.) terms used among the French to express the way a ship makes: it corresponds with our naval word Wake, which is also called Eaux.

SEJOUR, Fr. In a military sense signifies a halting day. In a naval one, the time that a ship remains in port.

SCION, Fr. A sand-crack in a horse’s hoof.

SEIN, Fr. In the midst. The French say figuratively, porter la guerre dans le sein d’un royaume. To carry a war into the heart of a kingdom. Au sein de ses soldats. In the midst of his soldiers.

SEL, Fr. Salt. Before the revolution of 1789, the French troops were allowed a specific quantity of salt, which was regularly accounted for at the back of the muster-rolls.

Sel, Fr. The salt used in the artillery is lixivial, and of a fixed quality. It is extracted from saltpetre, and must be thoroughly washed, as no saltpetre can be good which has the least saline or greasy particle about it.

SELICTAR. A Turkish sabre.

To SELL, to give for a price; the word correlative to buy. Hence to buy and sell commissions.

SELLE, Fr. A saddle. See [Boute-selle].

Selle rase, Fr. A saddle without a bow.

Selle à arcon, Fr. A bow-saddle.

SEMBLABLES, Fr. In geometry, similar, alike, equal. This term is applied to any two figures, the sides of one of which correspond with the sides of the other, and are always in the same ratio. So that semblable or alike, only means in this sense equal. Two circles, though unequal in their sizes, may still be alike; that is, their several parts may agree according to a certain ratio.

Les SEMELLES, Fr. The axle-trees belonging to the carriage of a gun.

SEMESTRE, Fr. This word literally signifies a term of six months; but it is generally understood to express any term of leave of absence which is granted to officers or soldiers. With respect to the latter, it means furlough.

SEMICIRCLE, part of a circle divided by the diameter.

SEMIDIAMETER, half of the line which divides a circle into two equal parts.

SEMIORDINATE, a line drawn at right angles to be bisected by the axis, and extending from one side of the section to the other.

SENAU, Fr. A small skiff or tender calculated for quick sailing.

SENECHALE, Fr. The seneschal’s wife or lady.

SENESCHAL, (Senéchal, Fr.) One who had in great houses the care of feasts, or domestic ceremonies.

SENS-dessus-dessous, Fr. Topsy-turvy.

Sens-devant-derriére, Fr. Wrong way.

SENIORITY, in military matters, is the difference of number in two regiments, whereby the one is said to be so much senior to the other. All regiments take place according to seniority.

SENTENCE. Decision; determination, final judgment. There is an appeal allowed from the sentence of a regimental court-martial to the opinion of a general one.

SENTINEL,		-
SENTRY,

is a private soldier, placed in some post, to watch the approach of the enemy, to prevent surprises, to stop such as would pass without order, or discovering who they are. Sentries are placed before the arms of all guards, at the tents and doors of general officers, colonels of regiments, &c.

All sentries are to be vigilant on their posts; they are not, on any account to sing, smoke tobacco, nor suffer any noise to be made near them. They are to have a watchful eye over the things committed to their charge. They are not to suffer any light to remain, or any fire to be made near their posts in the night-time; neither is any sentry to be relieved, or removed from his post, but by the corporal of the guard. They are not to suffer any one to touch or handle their arms, or in the night-time to come within 10 yards of their post.

No person is to strike or abuse a sentry on his post; but when he has committed a crime, he is to be relieved, and then punished according to the rules and articles of war.

A sentinel, on his post in the night, is not to know any body, but by the countersign: when he challenges, and is answered, relief, he calls out stand, relief! advance, corporal! upon which the corporal halts his men, and advances alone within a yard of the sentry’s fire-lock (first ordering his party to port arms, on which the sentry does the same) and gives him the same countersign, taking care that no one hears it. See [Rounds].

SENTINELLE, Fr. Sentinel; sentry. This word is likewise used to express the duty done by a sentinel. Faire sentinelle. To stand sentry.

Sentinelle perdue, Fr. A sentry posted in a very advanced situation, so as to be in continual danger of surprise from the enemy.

SEPTANGULAR, having seven angles.

SEPTILATERAL, having seven sides.

SEPTUPLE. Seven-fold.

SERASKIER, (Serasquier, Fr.) Among the Turks, the next in rank to the Vizier, in whose absence he commands, but to whose orders he is constantly subservient.

SERGENT d’armes, Fr. During the old monarchy of France, particularly in the reign of Philip Augustus, a guard was composed of firm trusty men for the safety of the king. This guard was called Sergens d’armes, from the Latin words servientes armorum. The company of the Sergens d’armes was composed of one hundred and fifty, or two hundred men. The number was reduced by Philip de Valois to one hundred. Charles V. during the regency broke the company, keeping only six men of that description round his person; and Charles VI. had only eight, half of whom did duty alternately every month. With us the serjeant at arms is a person appointed to attend a public body, arrest traitors, and persons offending.

SEPADAR, Ind. An officer of the rank of brigadier-general.

SEPAHI, Ind. A feudatory chief, or military tenant; a soldier. See [Sepoys].

SEPHARRY, Ind. Afternoon.

SEPOYS, Ind. derived from the Persian Spahi. Natives who have inlisted themselves into the service of the East India Company, and are attached to the infantry. These troops have both native and European commissioned and non-commissioned officers; but the Europeans at all times command. The Sepahis make excellent soldiers, are remarkably clean, and feel a natural predilection for arms. See [Spahi].

SERAKHUR, Ind.		-
SERANG,

Native non-commissioned officers who are employed in the artillery, and on board ships of war. In the artillery the title answers to that of serjeant; in the naval service to that of boatswain.

SERASKUR, Ind. This word is sometimes written Seraskier, and signifies the commander in chief of a Turkish army.

SERDANS. Colonels in the Turkish Service are so called.

SERGENT, Fr. See [Sergeant or Serjeant].

Sergent noble, Fr. A post of honor which existed during the first periods of the French monarchy. The French compiler, from whose work we have occasionally translated much matter relative to the military history, &c. of France, has the following passage concerning the term itself. We shall give his meaning literally:—“This term does not come from serviens, as I have imagined in common with many other etymologists. Monsieur Beneton, in his Histoire de la Guerre, says, that the serjeant who seemed to think he could trace the origin of his title in the Latin word Serviens, was a gentleman by birth, who during the prevalence of military fiefs, was liable to do military service, in consequence of the feodal tenure, called Fief de Sergenterie, by which he held his land. His superior officer was called Suzerain, the functions of whose situation corresponded with those of a modern adjutant. It was the business of the Sergent Noble, or gentleman serjeant, to assemble all the vassals of the Suzerain, for the purpose of incorporating them under one standard, and of rendering them fit for war.

Sergent de bande, Fr. Serjeant in the common acceptation of the term. The etymology of this word is different from that of Sergent Noble. It evidently comes from the French Serregens, or men that close or lock up, the same as serrefiles; shewing that this non-commissioned officer was placed to take charge of the rear files, whilst the commissioned one was in the front. It was his business to see that the rear conformed itself to the orders which were given in the front; to make the files lock up and dress, &c.

Sergent de bataille, Fr. Field Serjeant. This was an appointment of considerable trust in the old French armies. The sergens de bataille held commands, and did the duty of modern inspectors. They ranked next to a field marshal, or marechal de bataille. The sergens de bataille, or field serjeants, existed under Francis the First. But these field serjeants were only at that time sergens de bandes, or train serjeants. There were likewise, under the same king, sergens generaux de bataille, general field serjeants. These were officers of rank, and did the duty of a modern major general.

There were also officers of the same description in the reign of Henry IV. This appointment appears to have been dropped after the peace of the Pyrenees. The author of the Histoire de la Milice Francaise, observes, that the appointment and duty of the different officers, called marshals, or field serjeants, varied according to the will and pleasure of the French kings, and their war-ministers. He agrees with us, that the situation of field serjeant was originally of great consequence, but that it gradually declined, and was eventually made subservient to a superior officer, who was called Marechal de bataille, or field-marshal, whose duties corresponded with those of the French adjutant-general in the present times.

There have been officers of the same denomination both in Spain and Germany, who did the duty of Maréchaux de Camp; another term, we presume, for field marshal. But the general field serjeants in those countries were divided into two classes; one class was confined, in its functions, to the infantry, and the other to the cavalry; and both acted independently of one another; whereas in France they acted together.

According to the present establishment of the French army, there is a serjeant major belonging to each company. The sergens majors d’un régiment, or d’une place of the old French service, were what are now simply called majors, majors of regiments, or town majors. The senior serjeant of every company is called serjeant major in the French army at this time. In the British army the serjeant major is the head of the non-commissioned officers, and though sometimes attached to a company, is generally a detached staff officer. See [Serjeant Major].

SERGENTER, Fr. A word frequently used by the French in a figurative sense, signifying to press, to importune. On n’aime pointe à être sergenté; one does not like to be pressed; or as we familiarly say, to be dragooned into a thing.

SERHUD, Ind. A boundary, or frontier.

SERGEANT,		-
SERJEANT,
SERGENT, Fr.

in war, is a non-commissioned or inferior officer in a company or troop, and appointed to see discipline observed; to teach the private men their exercise; and to order, and form ranks, files, &c. He receives the orders from the serjeant-major, which he communicates to his officers. Each company has generally four serjeants.

SERJEANT-Major. The serjeant-major is the first non-commissioned officer in the regiment after the quarter-master in the English army. He is, in fact, an assistant to the adjutant.

It is his peculiar duty to be perfect master of every thing which relates to drills; and it is always expected, that he should set an example to the rest of the non-commissioned officers, by his manly, soldier-like, and zealous activity.

He must be thoroughly acquainted with all the details which regard the interior management and the discipline of a regiment. For this purpose he must be a good penman, and must keep regular returns of the serjeants and corporals, with the dates of their appointments, as well as the roster for their duties, and rosters of privates orderly duty and commands, as far as relates to the number which each troop or company is to furnish. He is in every respect responsible for the accuracy of these details. He must look well to the appearance of the men, and order such to drill as he sees awkward, slovenly, or in any way irregular. If it be meant as a punishment, he specifies the time for which they are sent to drill: if only for awkwardness, they remain there until their faults are removed.

When he has occasion to put a non-commissioned officer in arrest, he must report him to the adjutant.

It is the duty of the serjeant-major, under the direction of the adjutant, to drill every young officer who comes into the regiment in the manual and marching exercises: he is likewise to instruct him in the slow and quick marches, in wheeling, &c.

He reports regularly to the adjutant the exact state of the awkward drill, &c.

It is scarcely necessary to observe in this place, that the good or bad appearance of a regiment, with or without arms, depends greatly upon the skill and activity of the serjeant major; and that he has every inducement to look forward to promotion.

Quarter-master Serjeant. A non-commissioned officer who acts under the quarter-master of a regiment; he ought to be a steady man, a good accountant, and to be well acquainted with the resources of a country town or village.

Pay-Serjeant. An honest, steady, non-commissioned officer, (who is a good accountant, and writes well) that is selected by the captain of a company in the infantry, to pay the men, give out rations, and to account weekly to him, or to his subaltern, (as the case may be) for all disbursements. He likewise keeps a regular state of the necessaries of the men, and assists in making up the monthly abstract for pay, allowances, &c.

Covering Serjeant. A non-commissioned officer who during the exercise of a battalion, regularly stands or moves behind each officer, commanding or acting with a platoon or company. When the ranks take open order, and the officers move in front, the covering serjeants replace their leaders; and when the ranks are closed, they fall back in their rear.

Drill Serjeant. An expert and active non-commissioned officer, who, under the immediate direction of the serjeant major, instructs the raw recruits of a regiment in the first principles of military exercise. When awkward or ill-behaved men are sent to drill, they are usually placed under the care of the drill serjeant. This non-commissioned officer will do well to bear constantly in mind the following observations from page 135, Vol I. of the Règlemens pour l’Infanterie Prusienne.

“In teaching young recruits their first duties, the greatest caution must be observed not to give them a disgust to the service, by harsh treatment, angry and impatient words, and much less by blows. The utmost mildness must, on the contrary, be shewn, in order to endear the service to them; and the several parts of exercise must be taught them by degrees; so that they become insensibly acquainted with the whole of the discipline, without having been disgusted in the acquirement. Rustics and strangers must be used with extreme lenity.”

The principle of kind conduct is not less worthy of the officers of a free nation like the United States; a generous but firm conduct is always better calculated to assure good discipline, than violence or brutality. Men learn sooner, learn better, and like what they learn when treated as men, not as brutes. There yet prevails too much of the barbarity of the British and German systems in the American army.

Lance Serjeant. A corporal who acts as serjeant in a company, but only receives the pay of corporal.

White Serjeant. A term of just ridicule, which is applied to those ladies who, taking advantage of the uxoriousness of their husbands, and neglect their household concerns, to interfere in military matters.

SERMENT, Fr. Oath.

Prêter Serment, Fr. To take an oath.

SERPE, Fr. A billhook.

Serpe d’armes, Fr. An offensive weapon; so called from its resemblance to a hedging bill.

SERPENTEAU, Fr. A round iron circle, with small spikes, and squibs attached to them. It is frequently used in the attack and defence of a breach. It likewise means a fusee, which is filled with gunpowder, and is bent in such a manner, that when it takes fire, it obtains a circular rapid motion, and throws out sparks of light in various directions.

Serpenteaux et serpenteaux brochettes, Fr. A species of lardon or fusee, which is garnished or loaded upon a stick or spit that is a third of the length of the cartridge.

SERPENTIN, Fr. The cock of a musquet or firelock.

SERRE-File, Fr. The last rank of a battalion, by which its depth is ascertained, and which always forms its rear. When ranks are doubled, the battalion resumes its natural formation by means of the serre-files. Serre-file literally signifies a bringer up.

Serre demi File, Fr. That rank in a battalion which determines the half of its depth, and which marches before the demi-file. Thus a battalion standing six deep, has its serre-demi file in the third rank, which determines its depth.

Capitaine de Serre-File, Fr. The officer who commands a rear guard when a regiment is on its march.

SERRER, Fr. To close up. Serrez vos rangs. Take close order.

Serrer la bride, Fr. To pull in the bridle.

SERRURE, Fr. A lock.

SERRURIER, Fr. A locksmith.

SERVANS d’armes, or Chevaliers Servans, Fr. Persons belonging to the third class of the order of Malta are so called. They are not noblemen, although they wear the sword and the cross.

To Serve, (Servir, Fr.) In a military sense, to do duty as an officer or soldier.

To SERVE a piece. In the artillery, to load and fire with promptitude and correctness. The French use the term in the same sense, viz. L’artillerie fut bien servie à ce siege. The artillery was well served at this siege.

SERVICE, (Service, Fr.) In a general sense of the word, as far as it relates to war, every species of military duty which is done by an inferior under the influence and command of a superior. It likewise means exploit, achievement. It also points out the particular profession to which a man belongs, as land service, sea service, and the degree of knowlege which he may have acquired by practice, viz. He has seen a great deal of service.

Service likewise means the period during which a man has done duty, or followed the military profession in an active manner.

To see Service. To be in actual contact with an enemy.

To be on Service. To be doing actual duty with a corps or detachment.

To enter into the Service. To receive a commission in the army. The individual must be recommended to the commander in chief, or to the secretary at war, (as the case may be) stating him to be fully qualified to hold that situation.

To retire from the Service. To quit the army, or resign.

No officer can resign his commission, or retire from the service, without having previously obtained permission through the commander in chief, or the secretary at war, as the case may be.

To retire from the Service, keeping one’s rank. It has sometimes happened, that an officer has obtained permission to quit the army, keeping his rank. By which means he has been enabled to return into the service, and to take advantage of his original standing. A very meritorious officer, of high rank at present, was permitted to retire in this manner. There have been instances of officers retiring not only with their rank, but with a certain allowance from the regiment.

Infantry Service. Service done by foot soldiers.

Cavalry Service. Service done by soldiers on horseback.

Faire son Service, Fr. To do one’s duty.

Etre de Service, Fr. To be on duty.

Etre de Service, chez le roi. To do duty at the palace.

Service likewise means tour of duty, or routine of service.

Service de l’infanterie en marche, Fr. The regular duties, or routine of service which an infantry regiment goes through when it receives orders to march. These are, the general, la génêrale ou le premier. The assembly, l’assemblée. The troop, le drapeau ou le dernier.

Service des places, Fr. The regular duty, or routine of service, which is performed in fortified towns or places. Of this description are garrison duties. See l’Essai sur la science de la guerre par Mons. le baron D’Espagnac, tom. iii. p. 355, and les Elémens Militaires, tom. ii. p. 116, where specific regulations on this head may be seen. We likewise recommend to the perusal of every engineer and artillery officer, a late valuable publication, entitled Essai Générale de Fortification et d’Attaque et Defence des places.

Service de campagne, Fr. Field duties: This subject has been ably treated by several French writers, and among others by the author of les Elemens Militaires, tom. ii. p. 1, &c. and in tom. iv. p. 68, &c.

A letter of Service. See [Letter].

Home Service. In a military sense, the duty which is done within the limits of the United States. This term is frequently used to distinguish such troops as are not liable to serve beyond specified limits, from those that have been raised for general service; as the militia in the several stares of the union.

Foreign Service. Military duty, or service done abroad.

Secret Service. Any service performed by an individual, in a clandestine secret manner. It likewise means intelligence, or information given by spies when countries are engaged in war, for which they receive pecuniary compensation.

Secret Service money. The reward, or compensation which is given for secret intelligence.

SERVICEABLE, capable of performing all necessary military duty.

Services. Pecuniary disbursements, or payments which are made for military purposes.

Servir le canon, Fr. To serve the cannon.

Servir l’artillerie, Fr. To serve the artillery.

To SET a sentry, (Poser une sentinelle, Fr.) To place a soldier at any particular spot for its security.

To Set on, (Attaquer, Fr.) To attack.

To Set at defiance, (defier, Fr.) To defy; to dare to combat, &c.

To Set up. To make a man fit for military movements and parade, according to the old and ridiculous method of military instruction; by which a man was placed in stiff and awkward attitudes, with the notion of making him supple and active! 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. By the new principles nature is consulted, and instead of teaching one man awkward positions, fifty or an hundred are taught at once to move in an easy and natural manner.

SETENDY, Ind. The militia.

SETTER, in gunnery, a round stick to drive fuzes, or any other compositions, into cases made of paper.

SHAFT-rings. See [Rings].

SEUIL, Fr. A threshold.

Seuil d’ecluse, Fr. A thick piece of wood which is laid cross-ways between two stakes at the bottom of the water, for the purpose of supporting the flood-gate.

Seuil de pont levis. A thick piece of wood with a groove, which is fixed on the edge of the counterscarp of a fosse or ditch, in order to bear the weight or pressure of the draw-bridge, when it is lowered. It is likewise called sommier, a summer or principal beam.

SEWER. In military architecture, a drain, conduit, or conveyance, for carrying off water, foliage, &c. It is necessary that every building have conveniencies for discharging its refuse water, and other useless and offensive matters. These are obtained by digging and laying sewers and drains at proper depths, and with the necessary outlets: the great care is, that they be large enough; that they be placed sufficiently deep, and have a proper descent; that they be well arched over, and have so free a passage, that there be no danger of their choaking up; the cleaning them being a work of trouble and expence.

Instead of making the bottom of the sewer a flat floor, it should be in the form of an inverted arch, answering in part to the sweep of the arch above. Every one knows that the freest passage is through circular channels; and these might easily be constructed so as to wear that form; they would resemble so many water-pipes of a circular base, and there would be no danger of their filling up. The perpendicular walls would not retain any thing, because there are no angles in their joining; and the bottom being round and free, all would run off. These circular sewers are with us called culverts.

SEX-angled, having six angles.

SEXTANT, (Sextant, Fr.) In mathematics, an instrument which serves to measure angles. It is the segment of a circle, or an arch of 60 degrees, which makes the sixth part of a circle.

SEYMAR-Bassy, or first lieutenant general of the Janizaries. An officer among the Turks who not only commands the Janizaries that are called Seymenis, but when the Aga, (which signifies chief guardian, and Aga-si, chief or guardian of) takes the field, who further takes the title of Kaymekan, or his lieutenant at Constantinople. He is authorised to put his own seal upon the different dispatches which he sends, and takes rank of all the sardars or colonels in his jurisdiction. He is likewise entrusted with the entire direction and management of all that concerns or relates to the interior government of the Janizaries.

SHAKEE, Ind. A small coin, of the value of about three-pence.

SHAKER, Ind. A city.

SHAIT, Ind. Bridge, embankment.

SHAFT, an arrow; a missive weapon.

Shaft, in mining; a narrow, deep perpendicular pit.

Shafts of a carriage, are two poles joined together with cross bars, by which the hind horse guides the carriage, and supports the fore part of the shafts; the hind part turning round an iron bolt.

Shaft-bars, are two pieces of wood to fasten the hind ends of the shafts together, into which they are pinned with wooden pins.

SHALLIE, Ind. The same as batty, which signifies rice in the husk.

SHAMROCK. The Irish word for trefoil, clover, or three leafed grass. It is worn by the Irish in their hats on the 17th of March, St. Patrick’s day.

SHANK. The long part of any instrument.

SHAROCK, Ind. A silver coin, equal in value to about one shilling.

SHAUMIARIS, Ind. A canopy of cotton cloth.

SHAW, Ind. A king.

SHAWZADA, Ind. The king’s son.

SHEED, Ind. A witness.

SHEICK. A chief of a tribe among the Arabs. Mr. Morier, in his account of a campaign with the Ottoman army, relates that in 1800, a fanatic sheick, who pretended to be inspired, headed the Fellahs, (the lowest class of inhabitants are so called among the Arabs) of the district of Demanhour, and caused a detachment of 80 Frenchmen to be put to death in the night; this was effected by first securing the sentinel.

SHELLS, in gunnery, are hollow iron balls to throw out of mortars or howitzers with a fuze hole of about an inch diameter, to load them with powder, and to receive the fuze: the bottom, or part opposite the fuze, is made heavier than the rest, that the fuze may fall uppermost; but in small elevations this is not always the case, nor is it necessary; for, let it fall as it will, the fuze sets fire to the powder within, which bursts the shell, and causes great devastation. The shells had much better be made of an equal thickness, for then they burst into more pieces.

The following shells may also be fired from guns.

Hand grenades	from	6 Prs.
4²⁄₅ shells	——	12 Prs.
5¹⁄₂ shells	——	24 Prs.
8 inch	——	68 Pr. carronades.

Shells may likewise be thrown from guns to short distances, in case of necessity, though the bore be not of a diameter sufficient to admit the shell. For this purpose the gun may be elevated to any degree that will retain the shell upon its muzzle, which may be assisted by a small line going from the ears of the shell round the neck of the gun. To produce a greater effect, the space between the shell and the charge may be filled with wads or other substance.

Shells for Mortars and Howitzers—Their Dimensions, Weight, &c.

Kind.						Weight.					Diam- eter.		Powder con- tained in Shells.		Powder for bursting.		Diameter of Fuze Hole.				Thick- ness of Metal.
																	Out- side.		In- side.
						Ct.	qr.	lbs.		oz.	Inches.		lbs.	oz.	lbs.	oz.	Inches.		Inches.		Inches.
13		inch.				1	3	2			12	³⁄₄	10	4	6	12	1	·837	1	·696	2	·05
10		——					3	9			9	³⁄₄	4	5	2	10	1	·57	1	·45	1	·575
8		——					1	11	¹⁄₂		7	³⁄₄	2	12	1	14	1	·219	1	·127	1	·2
5	¹⁄₂	——						15	¹⁄₄		5	¹⁄₄	1			12	0	·894		·826	0	·822
4	²⁄₅	——						8			4	¹⁄₅		7		5	0	·832		·769	0	·653
H. Gren.			-					3		11	3	·49				1
								1		13	2	·77

To find the weight of a shell of iron.

Take ⁹⁄₆₄ of the difference of the cubes of the external and internal diameters for the weight of the shell.

To find how much powder will fill a shell.

Divide the cube of the internal diameter of the shell in inches by 57·3, for the pounds of powder.

To find the size of a shell to contain a given weight of powder.

Multiply the pounds of powder by 3.75, and the cube root of the product will be the diameter in inches.

To find the weight of a Shell. Rule.

Double the difference of diameters of the shell and hollow sphere, and 7 times the result gives the weight in pounds, cutting off the two right hand figures of whole numbers.

Example. Let the diameter of the shell be 13 inches, and that of the hollow sphere 9·5. Then the cube of 13 is 2197, and that of 9·5, is 857·357; the difference is 1339·625, its double is 2679·25, which multiplied by 7, gives 18754·625; and cutting off two places in whole numbers, the result is 187 lb. or 1 cwt. 2 qrs. 21 lb. the weight of the shell.

French Shells, in French weights and measures.

Kind.		Weight.	Diam- eter.	Powder con- tained in Shells.		Powder for bursting.		Diameter of Fuze Hole.				Thick- ness of Metal.
								Out- side.		In- side.
		lbs.	Inches.	lbs.	oz.	lbs.	oz.	Lines	Po.	Lines	Po.	Lines.
12	inch	150	12	17		5		15	9	15		16
10	——	100	10	10		3		15	9	15		16
8	——	43	8	4	1	1		12		11		10
6	——	23	6	2	8		12	11		10	6	10

Dimensions of shells for guns and carronades made with an equal thickness of metal.

Kind.							42 Pr.		32		24		18		12
							Inches.		Inches.		Inches.		Inches.		Inches.
Guns.	-		Diameter of the shell	-		Exterior	6	·684	6	·105	5	·547	5	·04	4	·4
						Interior	4	·404	4	·005	3	·767	3	·4	2	·8
			Thickness of metal				1	·14	1	·05	0	·89	0	·82	0	·8
			Diameter of fuze hole	-		Exterior	0	·892	0	·894	0	·894	0	·832	0	·832
						Interior	0	·826	0	·826	0	·826		·769		·769
			Powder for bursting	oz.			14		11		12		9		5	¹⁄₂
Carronades.	-		Diameter of shell	-		Exterior	6	·64	6	·05	5	·48	4	·935	4	·295
						Interior	4	·36	3	·95	3	·48	3	·235	2	·695
			Thickness of metal				1	·14	1	·05	1	·		·85	0	·8
			Shell’s weight			lbs.				22			12
			Contains powder			oz.				12¹⁄₂			9
			Powder for bursting			oz.				10			7

Shells are likewise sometimes quilted into grape. See the word [Shot].

For the method of proving shells, see [Proof].

The Germans do not name their shells from the diameter of the bore which receives them, but from the weight of a stone ball that fits the same bore as the shell. Thus, a 7lb. howitzer admits a stone ball of that weight; the shell for this weighs 15 lb. and answers to the English 5¹⁄₂ inch. The 30 lb. howitzer shell weighs 60 lb. and is rather more than 8 inches in diameter.

Shells were, till lately, made thicker at the bottom than at the fuze hole; but are now cast of the same thickness throughout, and are found to burst into a greater number of pieces in consequence.

Message-Shells, are nothing more than howitz shells, in the inside of which a letter, or other papers, are put; the fuze hole is stopt up with wood or cork, and the shells are fired out of a royal or howitz, either into a garrison or camp. It is supposed that the person to whom the letter is sent, knows the time, and accordingly appoints a guard to look out for its arrival.

Shell. A particular part of a sword, which serves as a shield to the hand when it grasps the hilt. The British regulation sword, which is directed to be worn in a cross belt, has its shell so constructed that one side can fall down, by which means the hilt hangs more conveniently.

Shell. A short jacket without arms, which was worn by light dragoons, and in some instances by the infantry, before the new regulations took place, respecting the clothing of the British army. At the commencement of the present war, some militia colonels derived no inconsiderable emolument from this mode of dress.

SHERISCHER-war, Ind. A word which corresponds with Saturday.

SHERISTA, Ind. An office; a registry; serishtadar, a linguist or secretary.

To SHIFT. In a military sense, to change place or station. Hence, to shift quarters. In the exercise, &c. of a battalion, officers commanding divisions are, upon particular occasions, such as marching past, &c. to shift from the right to the left, to conduct the heads of files, or the pivot flanks, in column or echellon. Whenever officers shift, they must pass briskly by the rear, and never along the front of the division. The covering serjeants always move with them.

The SHILLINGS. A phrase in familiar use among British army brokers, to express a certain profit or per centage which they gain in the sale, purchase, and exchange of commissions. The regulated price of a company in any regiment of foot being 1500l. only, that sum can be lodged at an agent’s, or a banker’s; but if the company be what is called in the market, the broker who transacts the business, receives one shilling in the pound, and in order to produce this premium, the purchaser gives 1500 guineas, out of which the shillings amounting to 75l. are paid to the broker, leaving the nett regulation untouched.

Head-quarter SHIP. The ship on which the commander in chief of an expedition is embarked, and from which signals are made for the commanding officers, adjutants, &c. of corps, to attend.

Hospital SHIP. The ship in which the sick and wounded soldiers, &c. are taken care of on expeditions, and during sea voyages.

Prison SHIP. A ship appropriated for the reception of prisoners of war, &c.

SHOCCA, Ind. Any letter written by the king.

SNOOKREWAR, Ind. A word which corresponds with Friday.

SHOOTING. See [Gunnery] and [Projectile].

SHORTEN your bridle. A word of command used in cavalry, viz.

1st. Seize the upper end of the reins of the bridle, which is to lie on the right side of the horse, with the right hand.

2d. Bring it up as high as your chin, keeping your right elbow on a level with the shoulder.

3d. Slip your left hand along the reins of the bridle, and take hold of the loop or button, which is near the upper end of the reins.

4th. Slip the loop down with the left hand as low as the pommel of the saddle.

5th. Bring the right hand down with life on the right holster-cap, quitting the reins of the bridle with both hands.

SHORT-roll. See [Signals].

SHOT. A denomination given to all kinds of balls used for artillery and fire-arms; those for cannon being of iron, and those for guns and pistols, &c. of lead.

[Grape]		-
[Chain]
[Case]

Shot. See [Laboratory].

To find the weight of an iron Shot whose diameter is given; and the contrary. Rule. Double the cube of the diameter in inches, and multiply it by 7; so will the product (rejecting the 2 last or right hand figures) be the weight in pounds.

Example. What is the weight of an iron shot of 7 inches diameter. The cube of 7 is 343, which doubled is 686, and this multiplied by 7 produces 4802, which with the right hand figures rejected, gives 48 pounds, the weight required.

N. B. This rule is sufficiently exact for practical uses.

To find the diameter of the Shot, when the weight is given. Rule. Multiply the cube root of the weight in pounds by 1.923, and the product is the diameter in inches.

Example. What is the diameter of an iron shot of 52 pounds? The cube root of 52 is 3.732, which multiplied by 1.923 gives 7.177 inches, the diameter required.

Rule by logarithms.

To ¹⁄₃d of the log. of 52	0.572001
Add the constant log.	0.283979
And the sum is the log. of the diameter 7.177	0.855980

To find the diameter of a Shot, from the impression or cavity it makes by striking a brass gun, or other object. Rule. Divide the square of the radius of the cavity by the depth of it, and add the quotient to the depth; so will the sum be the diameter of the shot required.

Example. A shot having struck upon a brass gun, made a cavity of 1.49 inches deep, and 4.94 inches diameter; what was the size of the shot? The radius of the cavity is 2.47, and its square is 6.1009, which divided by the depth 1.49, the quotient is 4.1, to which adding 1.49, the sum 5.59 inches is the diameter required, answering to a 24 pounder.

Shot.—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 3 times the difference between the length and breadth of the base, added to twice the breadth + 1, and divide by 6.

Incomplete piles.

Incomplete piles being only frustrums, 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.

Rules for finding the dimensions and weight of shot.

The weight and dimensions of shot or shells might be found by means of their specific gravities; (see the word [Gravity],) but they may be found still easier, by means of the experimented weight of a ball of a given size, from the known proportion of similar figures, namely, as the cubes of their diameters.

1st. To find the weight of an iron ball from its diameter.—An iron ball of 4 inches diameter weighs 9 lb. and the weights being as the cubes of their diameters, it will be as 64, (the cube of 4,) is to 9, so is the cube of the diameter of any other ball to its weight.

2d. To find the weight of a leaden ball. A leaden ball of 4¹⁄₄ inches diameter weighs 17 lb. therefore, as the cube of 4¹⁄₄ is to 17, (as 9 to 2 nearly,) so is the cube of the diameter of any leaden ball to its weight.

3d. To find the diameter of an iron ball. Multiply the weight by 7¹⁄₉ and the cube root of the product will be the diameter.

4th. To find the diameter of a leaden ball. Multiply the weight by 9, and divide the product by 2; and take the cube root of the quotient for the diameter.

Table of diameters of English iron round shot.

Kind	68	42	32	24	18	12	9	6	3	1
Inches	8·	6·684	6·105	5·547	5·040	4·403	4·000	3·498	2·775	1·92

Diameter of French iron round shot in English inches.

Kind	36	24	16	12	8	4
Inches	6·648	5·808	5·074	4·610	4·027	3·196

Table of grape shot, for sea and land service.

Kind.		Weight of each shot.				Total weight of the grape complete.
		lbs.	oz.			lbs.	oz.
42	pounders	4	0			46	6
32	——	3	0			34	1
24	——	2	0			25	5
18	——	1	8			19	15	¹⁄₂
12	——	1	0			10	15
9	——	0	13			7	6
6	——	0	8			5	8	¹⁄₂
4	——	0	6			3	14	¹⁄₂
3	——	0	0			2	10	¹⁄₂
¹⁄₂	——	0		³⁄₄	lead		8	³⁄₄

Table of English case shot for different services.

Sea service.							Carronades.
Kind.	Weight of each shot.		Number in each case.	Weight of each case filled.			Kind.				Weight of each shot.		Number in each case.	Weight of each case filled.
Pr.	oz.		No.	lbs.	oz.		Pr.				oz.		No.	lbs.	oz.
32	8		70	33	8		68				8		90	46	2
24	8		42	22	15		42				8		66	32	8
18	6		42	15	8		32				8		40	21	4
12	4		42	11	5		24				8		32	16	1
9	3		44	8	9		18				6		31	12	2
6	2		40	5	2		12				4		32	8	2
4	2		28	4	—		Tier shot for field service.
3	2		20	2	15
1	1	¹⁄₄	12	1	2	¹⁄₄
Common land service.							Pr.				oz.		No.	lbs.	oz.
							12 pr.		-		18		15	18	8
							Med.				6	¹⁄₂	42	17	11
							6 pr.		-		8	-	15	9	—
Pr.	oz.		No.	lbs.	oz.		Med.				3	-	42	8	14
24	4		84	21	11		3 Pr.		-		4	-	15	4	10
12	2		84	12	1		Med.				1	-	42	4	6
6	1	¹⁄₂	55	5	10	¹⁄₂	12 pr.		-		14		12	14	14
3	1	¹⁄₄	52	2	14		light				6		34	14	11
							6 pr.		-		8	-	12	7	3
							light				3	-	34	7	7
							3 pr.		-		4	-	12	3	10
							light				1	-	34	3	11

Table of case shot.—Continued.

Kind.		For mortars.				Howitzers.
		Weight of each shot.	No. of shot in each.	Weight of case filled.		Weight of each shot.	No. of shot in each.	Weight of case filled.
In.		oz.	No.	lbs.	oz.	oz.	No.	lbs.	oz.
10		8	170	91	8	—	—	—	—
8		6	90	38	4	6	90	38	8
5	¹⁄₂	3	55	12	6	3	55	12	8
4		2	55	8	1	2	55	8	2

Small shells, as 4²⁄₅ inches, and hand grenades were quilted into grape for 13 inch mortars at Gibraltar. The fuzes were turned inwards next the iron tompion, and leaders of quick match for communicating fire to the fuzes were introduced through holes made in the wooden bottom, and placed as near the fuzes as possible in the centre of the grape. These answered very well for short ranges.

Hot Shot.—The powder for firing with hot shot must be in strong flannel cartridges, without any holes, lest some grains should remain in the bore, in putting the cartridge home. Over the powder must be rammed a good dry wad, then a damp one, and then the hot shot; and if the gun lays at a depression, there must be a wad over the shot, which may be rammed home. If the above precautions be attended to, the gun may be pointed after being loaded, without the smallest danger, as it is well known that the shot will grow cold in the gun, without burning more than a few threads of the wads next it. This is not the mode usually taught of loading with hot shot, but is that which was practised during the siege of Gibraltar. Mr. Durtubie proposes putting the shot when heated, into a tin cannister, as an effectual method of preventing accidents.

The grates usually made for heating shot will generally make them red hot in three-fourths of an hour.

SHOULDER. The upper part of the blade of a sword is so called. The shoulders of regimental sword-blades, for the infantry, should be one inch broad at least.

Shoulder of a bastion. In fortification. See [Epaule].

Shoulder-belt, so called because it hangs over the shoulder, to carry the bayonet or sword: it is made of strong leather.

To SHOULDER. In a military sense; to lay on the shoulder, or to rest any thing against it. Hence to shoulder a musquet.

Shoulder arms. A word of command which is used in the manual exercise. See [Manual].

Right Shoulders forward.		-
Left Shoulders forward.

Two terms of command in the British service, when a column of march (in order to follow the windings of its route) changes its direction in general, less than the quarter of the circle. This is a clumsy translation of the line of science, or oblique facing of the French system; the proper word of command is half or quarter face to the right or left.

SHROF, Ind. A banker; a moneychanger, or one who keeps a shop for the accommodation of the public in pecuniary matters, and who derives considerable advantage from the circulating medium of other people’s property.

SHROFFING, Ind. The act of examining and sorting money.

SHUMSERTREEPUT, Ind. Avowal, acknowlegement, confession.

To SHUT. To close; to make not open.

SHUT pans. A word of command used in the inspection of arms. Place the inside of your fingers against the back part of the hammer, and bring it briskly to in one motion. In opening pans, you place the thumb against the inside of the hammer.

SHUTERNAUL, Ind. A sort of arquebuss, which is fixed upon the back of a camel.

SICK and hurt. A board so called, to which the agents, commissaries, &c. belonging to the several military hospitals in Great Britain, are responsible.

SIDE-pieces, of gun-carriages. See [Carriages.]

Side-straps, in a field carriage, are flat iron bands which go round the side-pieces, in those places where the wood is cut across the grain, to strengthen them near the centre and the trail.

SIEGE, (Siege, Fr.) The position which an army takes, or its encampment before a fortified town, or place, for the purpose of reducing it. The term comes from siege, which signifies seat, chair, &c. Hence; to sit down before a place, signifies in a military sense, to chuse a position from which you may commence the necessary operations to attack and get possession of it. The French use the word generally as we do.

To undertake the Siege of a town. Entreprendre le siege d’une Ville. To invest it, to form lines of circumvallation, to open trenches, &c.

To lay Siege to a town, (faire le siége d’une ville, Fr.) To draw your forces round a town, for the purpose of attacking it.

To carry on a Siege, (continuer un siége, Fr.) To persevere by regular approaches, &c. in gaining ground upon the garrison.

To lay close Siege, (presser le siége, Fr.) To approach close to the walls for the purpose of making a breach and storming, or of starving out the garrison. For a full and scientific explanation of the different methods, which are adapted in modern times, for the attack or defence of places, particularly of sieges, see Essai General de Fortification, d’attaque et defense de places, tom. 1, page 61, &c. &c.

Siege brusque, Fr. An expression used among the French, to signify the prompt and immediate movement of a besieging army, against a fortified town or place, without waiting for the regular formation of lines, &c. In this case the troops make a vigorous attack upon all the outworks, and endeavour to make a lodgment upon the counterscarp. When they have succeeded, they instantly throw up temporary lines, &c. behind them, in order to secure a retreat, should the garrison force them to quit their ground.

SIEGE, in the art of war, is to surround a fortified place with an army, and approach it by passages made in the ground, so as to be covered against the fire of the place.

The first operation of a siege is investing. The body of troops investing a town should, at least, be as strong again as the garrison: so as to be able to divide itself into several parties, in order to take possession of all the avenues leading to the place. By day they should keep themselves out of cannon shot: but as soon as it is dusk they must approach much nearer, the better to be able to support each other, and to straiten the town.

General phrases and terms used at a Siege are, viz.

To besiege a place. See [Siege].

To accelerate the Siege, (Presser le Siege, Fr.) is when an army can approach so near the place as the covert-way, without breaking ground, under favor of some hollow roads, rising grounds, or cavities, and there begin their work.

An attack, is when the besieging army can approach the town so near as to take it, without making any considerable works.

To form the Siege, or lay siege to a place, (Mettre le Siege à une place, Fr.) there must be an army sufficient to furnish five or six reliefs for the trenches, pioneers, guards, convoys, escorts, &c. and artillery, with all the apparatus thereto belonging; magazines furnished with a sufficient quantity of all kinds of warlike stores; and a general hospital, with physicians, surgeons, medicines, &c.

To raise a Siege, (Lever le Siege, Fr.) is to give over the attack of a place, quit the works thrown up against it, and the posts formed about it. If there be no reason to fear a sally from the place, the siege may be raised in the day-time. The artillery and ammunition must have a strong rear guard, lest the besieged should attempt to charge the rear: if there be any fear of an enemy in front, this order must be altered discretionally, as safety and the nature of the country will admit.

To turn a Siege into a blockade, (Convertir le Siege en blocus, Fr.) is to give over the attack, and endeavor to take it by famine; for which purpose all the avenues, gates, and streams, leading into the place, are so well guarded, that no succor can get in to its relief.

To insult a work, to attack it in a sudden and unexpected manner, with small arms, or sword in hand.

Surprise, is the taking a place by stratagem or treason.

To escalade a place, is to approach it secretly, then to place ladders against the wall, or rampart, for the troops to mount and get into it that way.

To petard a place, is privately to approach the gate and fix a petard to it, so as to break it open for the troops to enter.

Line of circumvallation, is a kind of fortification, consisting of a parapet, or breast-work, and a ditch before it, to cover the besiegers against any attempt of the enemy in the field.

Line of countervallation, is a breast-work, with a ditch before it, to cover the besiegers against any sally from the garrison, in the same manner that the line of circumvallation serves to protect them in the field.

Lines, are works made to cover an army, so as to command a part of the country, with a breast-work and a ditch before it.

Retrenchment, a work made round the camp of an army, to cover it against any surprise.

Line of counter-approach, a trench which the besieged make from the covert-way to the right and left of the besiegers attacks, in order to scour their works. This line must be perfectly enfiladed from the covert-way and the half-moon, &c. that it may be of no service to the enemy, in case he gets possession of it.

Batteries at a siege, cannot be erected till the trench is advanced within reach of the cannon of the place; that is, within what is generally understood to be a point-blank range, which is reckoned about 300 toises, or 1800 feet.

Cannon is made use of at a siege for two different purposes; the first to drive away the enemy from their defences; and the second, to dismount their guns. To produce these two effects, the batteries should not be above the mean reach of cannon-shot from the place: therefore there is no possibility of constructing them, till the first parallel is formed; and as the distance of the first parallel from the second is generally 300 toises, the batteries must be on this line, or beyond it, nearer the town.

The construction of batteries belongs to the officers of the royal artillery, who generally consult with the engineer that has the direction of the siege, as well about their situation as about the number of their guns and mortars. They must be parallel to the works of the town which they are to batter. It is customary to place the mortar-batteries and gun-batteries side by side, and in the same line, to the end that they may batter the same parts. The use of both is to demolish the enemy’s works, to dismount their guns, to penetrate into their powder magazines, and to drive the besieged from their works and defences; as also to ruin and destroy the principal buildings, by setting fire to the town; and to fatigue and distress the inhabitants in such a manner, that they shall press the garrison to surrender.

To sally at a siege, is to go privately out of a besieged town, fall suddenly upon the besiegers, and destroy part of their works, spike their cannon, and do every other possible damage.

A sally, a secret movement which is made out of a besieged town or place, by a chosen body of troops, for the purpose of destroying an enemy’s out-works, &c. Sallies are seldom made when the garrison is weak; for although they molest the enemy, and keep him on the alert, yet the chance of losing men renders it prudent to keep within the works.

Saps in a siege, are trenches made under cover from the fire of the place, behind a mantlet or stuffed gabion: they are generally ten or twelve feet broad.—This work differs from the trenches, in as much as the latter are made uncovered. The sap has also less breadth; but when it is as wide as the trench, it bears the same name. There are various sorts of saps, viz.

Single sap, is that which is made on one side only, or, which is the same thing, has only one parapet.

Double Sap, has a parapet on each side, and is carried on wherever its two sides are seen from the place.

Flying sap, is that in which the besiegers do not give themselves the trouble of filling the gabions with earth: it is made where the workmen are not much exposed, and in order to accelerate the approaches.

Sap-faggots, are a kind of fascines, but only three feet long, and about six inches in diameter.

Saucissons, are another species of fascines, from 12 to 19 feet long, and from 8 to 10 inches in diameter, and are used in making batteries, and repairing the breaches.

Sortie. See [Sally].

Tail, or rear of the trench, (Queue de la tranche, Fr.) is the first work the besiegers make when they open the trenches.

Tambour, is a kind of traverse, at the upper end of the trench or opening made in the glacis to communicate with the arrows. This work hinders the besiegers from being masters of the arrow, or discovering the inside of the place of arms belonging to the covert-way.

Traverse, in a siege, a kind of retrenchment which is made in the dry ditch, to defend the passage over it.

Trenches, are passages or turnings dug in the earth, in order to approach a place without being seen from its defences.

Wool-packs, used in a siege, differ from sand-bags, in this only, that they are much larger, and, instead of earth, they are filled with wool. They are used in making lodgments in places where there is but little earth, and for other similar purposes. They are about five feet high, and 15 inches in diameter.

Rear of an attack, is the place where the attack begins.

Front, or head of an attack, that part next to the place.

Mantlets, are wooden fences, rolling upon wheels, of two feet diameter; the body of the axle-tree is about four or five inches square, and four or five feet long; to which is fixed a pole of eight or ten feet long, by two spars; upon the axle-tree is fixed a wooden parapet, three feet high made of three-inch planks, and four feet long, joined with dowel-pins, and two cross-bars: this parapet leans somewhat towards the pole, and is supported by a brace, one end of which is fixed to the pole, and the other to the upper part of the parapet. Mantlets are used to cover the sappers in front against musquet shot.

Maxims in Sieges are, 1st. The approaches should be made without being seen from the town, either directly, obliquely, or in the flank.

2. No more works should be made than are necessary for approaching the place without being seen; i. e. the besiegers should carry on their approaches the shortest way possible, consistent with being covered against the enemy’s fire.

3. All the parts of the trenches should mutually support each other; and those which are farthest advanced, should be distant from those that defend them above 120 or 130 toises, that is, within musquet shot.

4. The parallels, or places of arms the most distant from the town, should have a greater extent than those which are the nearest, that the besiegers may be able to take the enemy in flank, should he resolve to attack the nearest parallels.

5. The trench should be opened or begun as near as possible to the place, without exposing the troops too much, in order to accelerate and diminish the operations of the siege.

6. Care should be taken to join the attacks; that is, they should have communications, to the end that they may be able to support each other.

7. Never to advance a work, unless it be well supported; and for this reason, in the interval between the 2d and 3d place of arms, the besiegers should make, on both sides of the trenches, smaller places of arms, extending 40 or 50 toises in length, parallel to the others, and constructed in the same manner, which will serve to lodge the soldiers in, who are to protect the works designed to reach the third place of arms.

8. Take care to place the batteries of cannon in the continuation of the faces of the parts attacked, in order to silence their fire; and to the end that the approaches, being protected, may advance with great safety and expedition.

9. For this reason the besiegers shall always embrace the whole front attacked, in order to have as much space as is requisite to place the batteries on the produced faces of the works attacked.

10. Do not begin the attack with works that lie close to one another, or with rentrant angles, which would expose the attack to the cross fire of the enemy.

Stores required for a month’s Siege are as follows:

Powder, as the garrison is more or less strong							8 or 900,000 lb.
Shot	-		for battering pieces				6000
			of a lesser sort				20,000
Battering cannon							80
Cannons of a lesser sort							40
Small field-pieces for defending the lines							20
Mortars for throwing				-		shells	24
						stones	12
Shells for mortars							15 or 16,000
Hand-grenades							40,000
Leaden bullets							180,000
Matches in braces							10,000
Flints for musquets, best sort							100,000
Platforms complete for guns							100
Platforms for mortars							60
Spare	-		carriages for guns				60
			mortar-beds				60
			spunges, rammers, and ladles, in sets				20
Tools to work in trenches							40,000

Several hand-jacks, gins, sling-carts, travelling forges, and other engines proper to raise and carry heavy burdens; spare timber, and all sorts of miner’s tools, mantlets, stuffed gabions, fascines, pickets, and gabions.

SIENS, Fr. The plural of sien, his, her’s or one’s own. This word is used among the French, to signify the same as gens, men, people, soldiers; viz. ce général fut abandonné par les siens. That general was abandoned by his own soldiers.

SIEVE, an instrument, which by means of hair, lawn, or wire, is capable of separating the fine from the coarse parts of any powder. See [Gunpowder], [Laboratory], &c.

SIFFLEMENT, Fr. Literally means the noise of a whistle. It is used to express the sound which a ball or bullet makes when it cuts the air; as sifflement des armes à feu. The whistling or whizzing noise of fire arms.

SIES or SHIAS, Ind. A tribe of people in the N. West of India.

SIFFLET, Fr. A whistle. The French make use of the whistle on board their ships in the same manner as we do. It answers the same purpose at sea, that the drum and trumpet do on shore. The boatswain’s whistle pipes all hands up, as occasion requires in a ship: and the drum and trumpet collect troops together, in camp, garrison, or elsewhere.

SIG, an old Saxon word, importing victory.

SIGHT, (La Mire, Fr.) a small piece of brass or iron which is fixed near to the muzzle of a musquet or pistol, to serve as a point of direction, and to assist the eye in levelling.

SIGN, a sensible mark or character, denoting something absent or invisible. As the trace of a foot, the hand-writing or mark of a man; also the subscription of one’s name.

Sign Manual. The king’s signature is so called. All commissions in the regular army of Great Britain, army warrants, &c. bear the sign manual. The appointments of officers in the volunteers have been so distinguished during the present war. Adjutants only in the militia have their commissions signed by the king; those of the field officers, captains, and subalterns, &c. are signed by the lords lieutenants of counties, or by their deputies for the time being, sanctioned by a previous intimation from the secretary of state, that the king does not disapprove of the names which have been laid before him.

SIGNAL, (Signal, Fr.) Any sign made by sea or land, for sailing, marching, fighting, &c. Signals are likewise given by the short and long rolls of the drum, during the exercise of a battalion.

SIGNAL, in the art of war, a certain sign agreed upon for the conveying intelligence, where the voice cannot reach. Signals are frequently given for the beginning of a battle, or an attack, usually with drums and trumpets, and sometimes with sky-rockets, &c.

Signal of attack or assault, (Signal d’une attaque, ou d’un assaut, Fr.) This signal may be given in various ways. By the discharge of a lighted shell, by sky-rockets, by colors displayed from a conspicuous spot, &c. In 1747 marshal Lowendal made use of lighted shells or bombs, when he laid siege to the town of Bergen-op-zoom. During the consternation of the inhabitants, which was excited by a continual discharge of these signal shells, the grenadiers entered a practicable breach, and took the town by storm.

Signal-flags in ancient military history, was a gilded shield hung out of the admiral’s gallery; it was sometimes a red garment or banner. During the elevation of this the fight continues, and by its depression or inclination towards the right or left, the rest of the ships were directed how to attack their enemies, or retreat from them.

Signals made by the colors of an army, (Signaux des enseignes, Fr.) The ancients had recourse to all the various methods which could be used by signals, to express the particular situation of affairs, and to indicate measures that should be adopted. If, during an engagement, victory seemed inclined more to one side than another, the colors belonging to the victorious party were instantly bent towards its yielding antagonist. This signal was conspicuous to the men, and excited them to fresh efforts. They imbibed the most lively hopes of success, and eagerly pressed forward to reap the advantages of bravery and good conduct.

When an army was hard pressed by its enemy, the colors of the former were raised high in the air, and were kept in a perpetual flutter and agitation, for the purpose of conveying to the soldiers, that the issue of the battle was still doubtful, and that nothing but courage and perseverance could determine the victory. If, in the heat of action, any particular regiment seemed to waver and give way, so as to cause an apprehension that it might finally be broken, its colors were instantly snatched out of the bearer’s hands by the general or commanding officer, and thrown into the thickest of the enemy. It frequently happened that the men who were upon the point of yielding ground and flying, received a fresh impulse from this act, rallied, and by a desperate effort of courage recovered the colors, and restored the day. This method of re-animating their legions was generally resorted to by the Romans. We have had instances in modern times, where the fortune of the day has been wholly decided by some sudden and unexpected act of an individual. In the reign of Louis XIV. a private soldier threw his hat into the midst of the enemy during a hard fought and doubtful battle, expressing thereby that fresh succours were arrived to strengthen the French army. This circumstance, so apparently trifling, produced the desired effect. It threw the enemy into confusion, gave the French fresh spirits, and finally determined the victory in their favor. We read of various instances in which signals have been used to express the personal danger of a king or general, who was fighting at the head of a select body of men. The knowlege of the critical position in which their leader stood, excited fresh courage in the rest of the troops, and drove them to acts of the greatest intrepidity. In the course of the present war some examples of the same sort might be adduced, both on the side of Austria, and on that of France. The bridge of Lodi, the passage of the Tagliamento, &c. would illustrate any observations we could make upon the subject.

Nor are the advantages which arise from the use of signals confined to these particular cases. Various circumstances grow out of the desultory nature of military operations, to render flags of communication indispensibly necessary. The vast scope which is given to modern tactics, makes it impossible that the human eye or voice should take in all the critical manœuvres or evolutions which occur, when an extended line is actually engaged. The right wing may be giving way while the left is gaining ground, and the centre might be in danger while the two flanks were rapidly advancing with apparent security against the enemy. Under these circumstances a general, by means of communicating signals, might be enabled to provide for every contingency, without losing time by sending his orders verbally. Although signal flags, in modern engagements, have been generally laid aside, their use has been acknowleged in the adoption of warlike instruments, which, by the variety of their sounds, convey the necessary directions to an engaging army.

The ancients had signals which they called mute signals, (signaux muets.) These consisted in certain actions or signs that were made by a general; such as waving the hand, brandishing a stick or sword, or by exhibiting to view any part of his dress, accoutrements, &c. Instances of the same kind have occurred among the moderns. Under this denomination may likewise be classed the different signals which are made for the movement, marching, and manœuvring of troops in and out of quarters. When troops are scattered or separated from one another, it is usual to communicate by means of fires lighted upon eminences during the night, and by smoke during the day.

In former times large pieces of wood were hung above the towers of cities or castles, which, by being drawn up or lowered, gave intelligence of what passed. This method has been succeeded by the invention of telegraphs, which answer every purpose of communication, when they can be established through an extent of country. At the battle of Fleurus, the French employed balloons, to which cords were attached, able officers elevated in the air sent down, by the cords, an account of the movements of the Austrians, a signal thus conveyed enabled Jourdan to direct a tremendous battalion fire, and a heavy charge of cavalry, by which the battle was decided. Besides those signals, there are others which may be called vocal and demi-vocal. The vocal signals are those of the human voice, which consist in the necessary precautions that are adopted to prevent a guard or post from being surprised, to enounce words of command in action, &c. Of the first description are paroles and countersigns, which are exchanged between those to whom they are intrusted, and which are frequently altered, during the day and night, to prevent the enemy from receiving any information by means of spies. The demi-vocal signals are conveyed by military instruments; the different soundings of which indicate, instantaneously, whether an army is to halt or to advance, whether troops are to continue in the pursuit of an enemy, or to retreat.

The demi-vocal signals, directed to be observed in the British service, as far as regards the manœuvring of corps, &c. consist of signals for the government of light infantry, and of cavalry regiments, squadrons, or troops: the latter are properly called soundings. Rifle or light infantry signals are to give notice—to advance; to retreat; to halt; to cease firing; to assemble, or call in all parties. Those signals should be always considered as fixed and determined ones, and are never to be changed. The bugle horn of each company should make himself perfect master of them. All signals are to be repeated; and all those signals which are made from the line or column, are to convey the intention of the commanding officer of the line to the officer commanding the light infantry, who will communicate them to the several companies or detachments either by word or signal.

Signal-staff. In matters of military parade it is usual to fix a flag, somewhat larger than a camp color, to point out the spot where the general or officer commanding takes his station in front or a line. This is called the signal staff.

SIGURGHAL, Ind. A feudal tenure.

SIGUETTE, Fr. The same as cavesson, a sort of noseband, sometimes made of iron, and sometimes of leather, or wood; sometimes flat, and sometimes hollow or twisted; which is put upon the nose of a horse, to forward the suppling and breaking of him.

SILENCE, (Silence, Fr.) This word is used by the French as a caution to soldiers to prepare for any part of the military duty or exercise. The French have likewise another term which corresponds with our word attention. See [Garde]. We use Attention in both instances.

SILHATARIS, Fr. See [Spahis].

SILLAGE, Fr. The wake of a ship; the trace which a vessel leaves astern when she moves forward.

SILLON, in fortification, is a work raised in the middle of a ditch, to defend it when it is too wide. It has no particular form, and is sometimes made with little bastions, half-moons, and redans, which are lower than the works of the place, but higher than the covert way. It is more frequently called [envelope], which see.

SIMILAR polygons, are such as have their angles severally equal, and the sides about those angles proportional.

To SIMPLIFY. This word has been adopted amongst men of business and arrangement, from the French simplifier, which means to relate the bare matter of fact. This signification likewise reaches every species of analysis, &c. Thus the advantage of the new manual over the old, is owing to the reduction of the latter into fewer motions and words of command, by which that exercise has been considerably simplified. The oblique facings, under the denomination of quarter facings, half facings, of single files; the half wheelings, quarter wheelings, and half quarter wheelings of sections, platoons, divisions, and battalions, are all more simple in the new discipline than the methods of the old.

SINE. In geometry, a right sine, is a right line drawn from one end of an arch perpendicularly upon the diameter drawn from the other end of the arch.

Sines. See [table of Natural Sines], at the end of the word [Gunnery].

SINGE, Fr. An instrument so called. See [Pentagraph].

SINGLE combat, a contest in which not more than two are engaged.

SINUS, Fr. See [Line] for its geometrical acceptation.

Sinus, in English, signifies a bay of the sea, an opening of the land; any fold or opening.

SINUSOIDE, Fr. A geometrical curve, which has been imagined by Monsieur Belidor, for the purpose of balancing or preserving the equipoise of a drawbridge. See Science des Ingénieurs, liv. iv. See likewise the specific construction of this curve as explained by the marquis de l’Hopital, in a book intitled, Acta Eruditorum, published at Leipsic in 1695; and demonstrated by M. Bernouilli, who discovered that this curve was nothing more than the [epicycloid], which see.

SIPHON, (Syphon, likewise Ciphon, Fr.) In hydraulics, a crooked tube, one leg or branch whereof is longer than the other. It is used in the raising of fluids, emptying of vessels, and in various hydrostatical experiments.

SIRKAR, Ind. The government.

SIROC. From Sirius, the dog-star. The wind, which we call south-east, is so called in Italy.

To SIT. In a military sense, to take a stationary position; as, To sit before a fortified place; to lie encamped for the purpose of besieging it. The French use the word asseoir as an active verb with respect to military matters, viz. asseoir un camp, to pitch a camp. Il assit son camp hors de la portée du canon de la ville; he pitched his camp out of the range of the town’s cannon.

SIXAIN. Sixth, Sexagena, in war, an ancient order of battle, wherein six battalions being ranged in one line, the second and fifth were made to advance, to form the van guard; the first and sixth to retire to form the rear guard; the third and fourth remaining to form the main corps. The word is derived from the French, which signifies the same thing. The sixain order of battle may be formed with all the battalions whose number is produced by the number six. Twelve battalions, for instance, may be ranged in order of battle, by forming two sixains, and eighteen battalions, ditto by forming three sixains, and so on progressively.

To SIZE. In a military sense to take the height of men for the purpose of placing them in military array, and of rendering their relative statures more effective. In all infantry regiments the sizing begins from flanks to centre, the tallest men being placed upon the right and left of the several companies in the front rank, and the shortest in the centre and rear ranks. By the old cavalry discipline the flank troops of a squadron must be sized in the following manner: That of the right flank, from right to left; that of the left flank, from left to right; the centre one from centre to flanks; the tallest man must, of course, be always in the part where the sizing begins, excepting the corporals, one of whom must be on each flank of the front rank of the troop, covered by a clever soldier in the rear rank. If there be only two troops in a squadron, they size the right from the left, and the left from the right flank. The modern practice now is to size all troops from the centre, beginning by sizing from the right, doubling and countermarching a rank.

SKEAN, Celtic. A knife. This word is sometimes written skeen, or skeine. It signifies a weapon, in the shape of a small sword or knife, which was anciently worn by the Irish.

SKELETON. This word is frequently applied to regiments that are extremely reduced in their number of men. Thus a British regiment that went out to St. Domingo 1000 strong, and returned to England with 20 or 30 men only, was called a skeleton regiment.

Skeleton plan. See [Outline].

SKETCH. See [ditto].

SKILL. Knowlege in any particular art. As

Military Skill. M. Belleisle, the French general, after the example of Xenophon, the Greek, undertook in the month of December 1742, to withdraw the French army from Prague, where it was at that time shut up, and to march over the enemy’s country, through a road of 38 leagues, upwards of 124 English miles, covered with ice, and over mountains whose precipices were concealed under the snow, having, besides, an army of between eighteen and twenty thousand men, under the command of prince Lobkowitz, to fight with. For the particulars of this famous retreat, which in count Turpin’s words, deserves to be written by Xenophon himself. See page 2, vol. I. of his Art of War.

SKINS. Sheep skins are made use of to cover the mortars or howitzers between firing, to prevent any wet or dampness getting into them.

SKIRMISH, in war, a loose, desultory kind of combat, or encounter, in presence of two armies, between small parties who advance from the main body for that purpose, and invite to a general fight.

Skirmishers. Detached parties of light troops sent out in front of a battalion, &c. riflemen.

SKIRT. In a general acceptation, edge, border, extreme part. As the skirt of a country, the skirts of a wood.

SKY-ROCKET. See [Rocket].

SLASH, a cut; a wound; also a cut in cloth. It is used to express the pieces of tape or worsted lace which are upon the arms of non-commissioned officers and corporals, to distinguish them from the privates.

SLASHED, cut in stripes or lines. Hence slashed sleeves and pockets, which are peculiar to the British cavalry, when the officers or men wear long coats.

Slashers. A nickname which was given during the American war to the British 28th regiment of foot, and which took its origin from the following circumstance: One Walker, a magistrate in Canada, having, during a severe winter, with great inhumanity, refused to give comfortable billets to the women belonging to the 28th, and some of them having perished in consequence of the inclemency of the season, so great was the resentment of the corps, that some officers dressed themselves like savages, entered his house whilst he was sitting with his family, danced round the table, and suddenly pulling him back upon his chair, cut off both his ears. They instantly disappeared. The deed was not discovered until after their departure. From this circumstance, and in consequence of various intrepid actions which the 28th performed during the course of the war, the men obtained the name of slashers.

SLATE, in military architecture, a kind of bluish fossile stone, very soft when dug out of the quarry, and therefore easily slit or sawed into thin long squares, to serve instead of tiles for the covering of all kinds of military buildings, &c.

SLAUGHTER, destruction by the sword, bayonet, and firearms.

SLEDGE, or sledge-hammer, a large iron-headed hammer.

SLEEPERS, the undermost timbers of a gun or mortar-battery. See [Platform].

SLEETS, are the parts of a mortar going from the chamber to the trunnions, to strengthen that part.

SLING, a leathern strap which is attached to a musquet, and serves to hang it across the soldier’s back as occasion may require.

Gun-Sling, or Belt. Although this useful article owes its invention to the ingenuity of an individual for the convenience of sportsmen, it may nevertheless be adapted with so much facility to military purposes, that a description of it cannot be thought superfluous.

The gun sling or belt is made in the following manner:—

The sling consists of three straps of leather, viz. one four feet six inches long, with the breadth agreeable to order. It is pointed and punched at one end, and has a buckle and loop at the other, which serve to shorten or lengthen it as the size of the person may require; another about twelve inches long, and three quarters of an inch wide, with a hook fixed at one end, the first being sewed ten inches from the pointed end of the belt. This strap being hooked up to either of the hooks in the main sling, forms a loop or bearing strap for the barrel of the musquet; and a third three quarters of an inch wide, and about six inches long, with an inch ring at one end, through which the belt is passed. This ring runs conveniently up and down the belt, and fully answers every purpose for which it was designed. A hook is sewed at the other end of this strap; the strap being lapped round the small part of the stock of the musquet, and the hook, fastened to the ring, they together form a loop or bearing strap for the butt. By these means, in addition to the strap round the barrel as already mentioned, the musquet or rifle can be conveniently carried, on foot or horseback, without the assistance of either hand. The musquet being released from these restraints, and the hook fixed to the strap, with the ring, being hooked to a small eye that is fixed just before the guard, the whole is carried with very little assistance from either hand, and is instantly brought to a firing position. The next position is by hooking the same hook to an eye that is fixed to the stock, about seven inches behind the guard; the barrel being at the same time supported by the strap, which is hooked to the main belt. The musquet is thus carried without the assistance of either hand; and if there be occasion to fire at a moment’s notice, you have only to draw out the top hook.

Sling. A missive weapon made by a strap and two strings; the stone is lodged in the strap, and thrown by loosing one of the strings.

Sling likewise means a kind of hanging bandage, in which a wounded limb is sustained.

To Sling, to hang loosely by means of the strap belonging to a firelock.

Sling your firelocks. A word of command formerly used in the exercise of British grenadiers.

1st. Bring the sling with the left hand opposite to the right shoulder, and the firelock with the right hand opposite the left shoulder, by crossing both hands at the same time, bringing the left hand within the right, keeping the muzzle upright, the barrel to the left, and the right hand just under the left elbow.

2d. Bend the firelock back, and bring the sling over your head, placing it just above your right shoulder.

3d. Draw the sling with your left hand, and let go the firelock with the right at the same time, that it may hang by the sling on the right shoulder, the muzzle upwards, dropping both hands down by your sides at the same time.

Handle your Slings. 1st. Seize the sling with both hands at the same time, taking hold of it with the right hand about the middle, and as low as you can reach, without bending your body.

2d. With the left hand bring the butt forwards, slipping your left elbow under the firelock, by bringing it between the firelock and the sling; taking hold of the firelock at the same time with the left hand, letting the stock lie between the thumb and fore finger, the butt end pointing a little to the left with the barrel upwards.

3d. Bring the firelock to lie on the left shoulder, and the sling on the right, the barrel upwards, and the butt end pointing directly to the front, keeping the firelock to a true level.

SLOPE Arms, a word of command by which the musquet rests upon the shoulder with the butt advanced. In long marches soldiers are sometimes permitted to slope arms. In all other instances it is strictly forbidden.

SLOPING Swords, a position of the sword among cavalry, when the back of the blade rests on the hollow of the right shoulder, the hilt advanced.

SLOPS. See [Necessaries].

SLOW time. See the time of [slow marching].

SLUGS. Cylindric, or cubical pieces of metal, used as shot for guns.

SLUICE-gate, a water-gate, by which a place may be inundated, or the water excluded at pleasure.

SLUICES, in military architecture, are made for various purposes; such as to make rivers navigable; to join one river to another, which is higher or lower, by means of a canal; to form inundations upon particular occasions, or to drain spots of ground that are overflowed by high tides; they are also made in fortresses, to keep up the water in one part of the ditches, whilst the other is dry; and to raise an inundation about the place when there is any apprehension of being attacked.

Sluices are made different ways, according to the uses for which they are intended: when they serve for navigation, they are shut with two gates presenting an angle towards the stream; when they are made near the sea, two pair of gates are made, the one pair to keep the water out, and the other in, as occasion may require: in this case, the gates towards the sea present an angle that way, and the others the contrary way. The space inclosed by these gates is called chamber.

When sluices are made in the ditches of a fortress to keep up the water in some parts, instead of gates, shutters are made, so as to slide up and down in grooves; and when they are made to raise an inundation, they are then shut by means of square timbers let down into cullises, so as to lie close and firm. Particular care must be taken in the building of a sluice, to lay the foundation in the securest manner; that is, to lay the timber, grates, and floors, in such a form, that the weather cannot penetrate through any part, otherwise it will undermine the work, and blow it up, as it has sometimes happened: lastly, to make the gates of a proper strength in order to support the pressure of the water, and yet to use no more timber than what is necessary. Those who wish to be thoroughly acquainted with this kind of work, may meet with satisfaction in L’Architecture Hydraulique, par M. Belidor; or in Mr. Millar’s Practical Fortification.

SMALL arms, musquets, fusils, carabines, pistols, &c.

SNAFFLE, a bridle without a curb bit.

SNICK and SNEE, a combat with knives, such as the Dutch carry.

SOBRIETY. General temperance. In a military consideration, abstinence from an inordinate use of strong liquors. However frequent the deviations from this great and uncommon virtue may be found among soldiers, nothing can excuse or exculpate an officer who should so far forget himself, especially upon service, as to give the least countenance to such excesses, even by an occasional, much less by an habitual dereliction of this estimable quality. Sobriety keeps the head cool, strengthens the nerves, and renders moderate abilities equal to great exertions. Drunkenness, on the contrary, unfits the man for the common functions of life, and makes an officer not only contemptible to his soldiers, and dangerous to the cause he has engaged to fight for, but an indirect spur to the enterprise of an enemy, who will soon know how to take advantage of his vice and weakness.

SOC, Fr. A machine made of leather, which is fixed near the stirrup, to receive the end of the standard staff in cavalry regiments. It is likewise called braïer, and is used by the persons who carry the colors either in infantry or cavalry regiments. In the former instance it is fixed to a leathern belt that comes over the shoulder or that is fixed to the waist.

SOCKET, generally means any hollow pipe that receives something inserted.

Socket of a bayonet. The round hollow part near the bent or heel of a bayonet, into which the muzzle of a firearm is received when the bayonet is fixed.

SODS, pieces of turf with which works are faced.

SOVAN, or Savan, Ind. The seventh month. It in some degree corresponds with July and August.

SOL, Fr. Soil; ground.

SOLAKS. Bowmen or archers belonging to the personal guard of the grand signor. They are always selected from the most expert bowmen that are among the janizaries. Their only arms are, the sabre, bow, and arrows.

SOLBATU, Fr. In farriery, surbated.

SOLDAN. This word is pronounced Soudan. It was formerly given to a general who commanded the califf’s army. Saladin, a general under Naradin, king of Damas, having killed the califf Kaym, usurped the throne, and assumed the title in 1146; so that he became the first Soldan of Egypt.

SOLDAT, Fr. See [Soldier].

Soldat d’ordonnance à l’armée, Fr. An orderly man.

SOLDATESQUE, Fr. A substantive of the collective feminine gender, which signifies private soldiers, viz.

La Bourgeoisie était exposée aux insultes de la soldatesque; the citizens were exposed to the insults of the soldiery. La soldatesque s’est révoltée contre les officiers; the soldiers revolted or mutinied against the officers.

Soldatesque is likewise used as an adjective, viz. Des mœurs soldatesque; the ways or manners of a private soldier. Une dispute soldatesque; a military broil or a dispute among private soldiers. We have an adjective which is derived from the same source, namely, soldier-like, but which is only taken in a good sense with us, as soldier-like conduct, soldier-like behaviour; unsoldier-like being the opposite.

SOLDATS étrangers ou Mercénaires, Fr. Foreign or mercenary troops.

Soldats de Marine, Fr. Marines, or soldiers, who do duty on board ships of war.

Soldats Gardiens, Fr. A description of invalid soldiers, so called during the French monarchy. They were stationed at the sea-ports. There were 300 at Toulon, ditto at Rochefort and Brest, and fifty at Havre-de-Grace. There were besides 300 in each of the first three ports, who received half-pay.

SOLDE, Fr. The pay and subsistence, &c. which are issued to officers and soldiers are so called.

Demie SOLDE, Fr. Half pay. The French likewise say—à demie paye—On half-pay.

SOLDIER, A piece of money; the pay of a soldier. Dr. Johnson derives the word from solidarius, low Latin of solidus. We conceive it to be immediately taken from the French soldat, which comes from the Latin solidarius Veget. A soldier in pay—a solido quem meretur. Some again trace both the English and French word to the Italian Soldato, and others to the German Soldat. Sola in German signifies pay. So that originally soldier meant only one who listed himself to serve a prince or state, in consideration of certain daily pay.

Soldier now generally signifies any military man.

Private Soldier, a man in the ranks; one under the degree of a corporal; as distinct from the commanders.

A real Soldier, a term among military men to mark out one who knows and does his duty.

No SOLDIER. An expression of familiar currency in the British service. It is sometimes used as a term of reproach, and sometimes of harmless irony; as “you are a dirty fellow and no soldier.”

Citizen SOLDIER, (Soldat citoyen, Fr.) In a general acceptation of the term, a citizen soldier signifies any man who is armed for the support and vindication of his country’s rights.

A Brother Soldier. A term of affection which is commonly used in the British service by one who serves under the same banners, and fights for the same cause with another. In a more extensive signification, it means any military man with respect to another.

Soldier of Fortune, (Soldat de Fortune, Fr.) During the frequent wars which occurred in Italy, before the military profession became so generally prevalent in Europe, it was usual for men of enterprise and reputation to offer their services to the different states that were engaged. They were originally called Condottieri, or leaders of reputation. They afterwards extended their services, and under the title of soldiers of fortune sought for employment in every country or state that would pay them.

Soldier’s Friend. A term in the military service which is generally applied to such officers as pay the strictest attention to their men; granting them seasonable indulgences without injuring the service; seeing their wants relieved; and, above all things, having them punctually paid and regularly settled with. There is much confidence in the multitude when they are justly dealt by, and every soldier fights well under the guidance of a soldier’s friend!

Soldier Officer. A term generally used among naval men to signify any officer belonging to the land service.

SOLDIERSHIP, (Metier de soldat, Fr.) The profession, character, and qualities of a military man.

SOLDIERY. Body of military men; soldiers collectively. Soldiers are properly the land forces of a nation or state. It is in the power of the legislature to fix the establishment according to the exigency of the times.

SOLDURIERS, Fr. A term anciently used among the French, to signify those persons who attached themselves to some particular general or military knight, whose fortunes they followed, in consequence of being paid and supported by him.

SOLEIL, Fr. Sun.

Soleil fixe, Fr. An artificial fire-work, so disposed, that when it takes fire, it emits a brilliant light from a fixed centre, and resembles the sun at mid day.

Soleil tournant et courant sur une corde, Fr. An artificial fire-work made in the shape of the sun, which is so contrived, that it moves in full illumination, either backward or forward, along a rope.

SOLEIL montant, Fr. An artificial fire-work, so called from its ascending in full illumination, and scattering fire in various directions by a desultory movement. It is likewise called tourbillon de feu; a whirlwind of fire.

SOLEIL tournant et girandole, Fr. An artificial fire-work, which, when set fire to, resembles a sun moving round its axis, and exhibiting the figure of a girandole.

SOLID, (Solide, Fr.) that body which has all the geometrical dimensions.

Solid Bastion. See [Fortification].

SOLIDAIRE, Fr. Consolidated.—An old French legal term, but now generally used to signify a concentration of good qualities, &c. Thus the French convention declared—Que les armées étoient solidaires de gloire; that the armies had consolidated their glory; meaning thereby, that the victories of one part of the army had been added to the account of the rest.

SOLIDITY, (Solidite, Fr.) Firmness; density; compactness.

SOLIVE, Fr. A joist.

Solive likewise signifies a measure in carpentry. It is supposed to be equal to three cubic feet. So that the solive in France is to the measure of wood-work, what the cubic toise is to the measure of earth, or brick-work. The solive is divided into six French feet which are called pieds de solive. The foot into 12 inches, called pouces de solive; and the inch into 12 lines, which are called lignes de solive. In order to form a correct idea of the solive, with regard to all parts or proportions, it must be considered as a parallelepipede, whose base is a rectangle containing 12 inches in breadth, to six in height, and a toise in length, the solive being equal to 3 cubic feet.

SOLIVEAU, Fr. A small joist; a rafter.

SOLSTICE, (Solstice, Fr.) The point beyond which the sun does not go; the tropical point, the point at which the day is longest in summer, or shortest in winter. It is taken of itself commonly for the summer solstice.

The Summer Solstice, (le Solstice d’ete, Fr.) Is when the sun is in the tropic of cancer, and gives us the longest day.

The Winter Solstice, is when the sun is in the tropic of capricorn, and gives us the shortest day. There is not any solstice under the equator, there being, in that quarter, without variation, equal day and equal night.

SOLUTION, (Solution, Fr.) Resolution of a doubt; removal of any intellectual difficulty.

SOMACHE, Fr. Brackish, salt. The mixture of sea and river water is so called, as eau somache.

SOME-war, Ind. Monday.

SOMMERS, in an ammunition waggon, are the upper sides, supported by the staves entered into them with one of their ends, and the other into the side pieces.

SOMMIER d’un Port levis, Fr. See [Seuil de Pont levis].

SONAILLER, Fr. A term used among the drivers of mules, to signify the leading animal that has a bell tied to his neck, which they call sonaille.

SONDE, Fr. Sounding lead, probe, any instrument used to ascertain the nature of soil, &c.

SONDER, Fr. To sound, to throw out the lead.

SONNANT, Fr. A participle which is frequently used by the French, to express a specific period of time, or the nature of any thing.

A five heures SONNANTES, Fr. At five o’clock precisely, or as the clock strikes five.

Argent Sonnant, Fr. Hard cash. This term was in familiar use at the commencement of the French revolution, when it was found expedient to pay a select body of troops, called the gendarmes, in ready money, whilst the aggregate of the nation took paper currency or assignats.

SOODER, Ind. The fourth or lowest of the original tribes of Hindoos, as they come from the feet of Brama, which signifies subjection. They are obliged to labor, and to serve when called upon.

SOOKRBAR, Ind. Friday.

SOORETHAUL, Ind. Statement of a case.

SORDET,		-
SORDINE,

The small pipe or mouth piece of a trumpet.

SORN, a servile tenure in Scotland, by which a chieftain might, with his followers, live upon his tenants at free quarters.

SORTIES, in a siege, parties that sally out of a town secretly to annoy the besiegers, and retard their operations.

SOUDOYES, Fr. From Soudoyer. To keep in pay. This name was originally given to a body of men who inlisted themselves under Philip Augustus of France, on condition that they should receive a certain daily pay in the way of subsistence. Froissart calls all soldiers, who are paid for doing duty, or for going to war, soudoyes,

SOUFLE, Fr. The wind of a cannon.

SOUFLER les canons, Fr. To scale pieces of ordnance. This is done by means of a moderate charge of gunpowder, for the purpose of cleaning them.

SOUFLURE, Fr. A cavity or hole, which is frequently occasioned when pieces of metal have been forged in too intense a fire. Cannon balls lose their required weight by flaws of this sort.

SOUFRE, Fr. See [Sulphur].

SOUGARDE, Fr. Guard, throat-band of a gun. A semi-circular piece of brass which ts fixed beneath the trigger of a musquet, to prevent it from going off by accident.

Sougardes. See [Dechargeurs].

SOUGORGE, Fr. Throat-band of a bridle.

SOUKARS, Ind. A general name for bankers.

SOULEVEMENT, Fr. Insurrection, revolt.

SOULEVER, Fr. To stir up, to excite to insurrection.

Se Soulever, Fr. To rise, to revolt, to mutiny; l’armee s’est soulevee contre son general; the army rose, or mutinied against its general.

SOUMETTRE, Fr. (As an active verb) to subdue, to overcome, to reduce to subjection.

Se SOUMETTRE, Fr. To submit oneself. To yield.

SOUMISSION, Fr. Submission.

SOUMIS, ise, Fr. In fortification; to lie under, to be commanded. Thus one work is said to be commanded, ou être soumis, when it is lower than another. The same signification holds good with respect to heights or elevations.

SOUND. Any thing audible; noise; that which is perceived by the ear. The experiments are numerous by which it has been found, that sound is audible to the distance of 50, 60, or 80 miles; but Dr. Hearne, physician to the king of Sweden, tells us, that at the bombardment of Holmia, in 1658, the sound was heard 30 Swedish miles, which make 180 of ours: and in the fight between England and Holland in 1672, the noise of the guns was heard even in Wales, which cannot be less than 200 miles.

The velocity of sound is 380 yards, or 1142 feet in a second of time, as found by very accurate experiment. The exactness of measuring distances by sound, has been sufficiently proved by measuring the same distances by trigonometry.

The medium velocity of sound is nearly at the rate of a mile, or 5280 feet in 4²⁄₃ seconds; or a league in 14 seconds; or 13 miles in one minute. But sea miles are to land miles nearly as 7 to 6: therefore sound moves over a sea mile in 5³⁄₄ seconds nearly; or a sea league in 16 seconds.

Sound flies 1142 feet in one second.

It is a common observation, that persons in good health have about 75 pulsations at the wrist in a minute, consequently in 75 pulsations sound flies about 13 land miles, or 11¹⁄₇ sea miles, which is about 1 land mile in 6 pulsations, and 1 sea mile in 7 pulses, or a league in 20 pulses.

The velocity of sound does not very much vary, whether it goes with the wind or against it. As sound moves vastly swifter than the wind, the acceleration it can thereby receive can be but inconsiderable; and the chief effect we can perceive from the wind is, that the sound will be carried to a greater distance by it. Sound will be louder in proportion to the condension of the air. Water is one of the greatest conductors of sound; it can be heard nearly twice as far as on land.

SOUND, (Sonde, Fr.) An instrument used by surgeons in probing.

To SOUND. To betoken or direct by a sound; as to sound the retreat. Hence

SOUNDINGS. Signals made by any kind of instruments.

Trumpet Soundings, practised by cavalry regiments, viz. for duty.

1. Revillé.

2. Stable call. For stable duties.

3. Boots and saddles.		-
4. To horse.

When to turn out on horseback for a march, exercise, or other duty.

5. Draw swords.		-
6. Return swords.

These soundings begin at the instants of drawing the sword from, and returning it to the scabbard.

7. Parade march.

8. Parade call. For assembling on foot.

9. Officers call.

10. Serjeants call.

11. Trumpeters call.

12. Orders.

13. Dinner call. For men, and for officers.

14. Watering call. To turn out in watering order.

15. Setting the watch.

These duty soundings, according to situation, are given by one trumpet, or by the whole of the quarter, regiment, or camp.

For exercise.

16. March. The squadron, regiment, or line being halted, the trumpet of the commander will accompany the word, the —— will advance; and at the word march, the whole will move at a walk.

17. Trot.		-
18. Gallop.
19. Charge.

When the body is marching at a walk, on the signal to trot, the whole instantly receive the word trot, and change pace immediately. The same is to be observed from the trot to the light gallop, and from the gallop to the charge. During the charge itself, the trumpets of all the squadrons that are charging, may sound.

20. Halt. The whole halt on the word of command. After the halt of a retreating body, the proper command will bring it to its proper front.

21. Retreat. The signal of retreat, (which will be often preceded by that of halt) is a general caution for the several words of execution to be given.

22. Rally. The signal to rally, may be continued as long as it is necessary, and be repeated by the trumpets of such parts of the body, as are concerned in the operation, till the end is answered.

These signals are given by the chief commander only of the whole body that is exercised, whether of a squadron, regiment, brigade, or a line: they are not repeated by other commanders; they are addressed as cautions to the commanding officers of the parts of such body, not to the men; nor is any movement, or alteration of movement, to take place, but in consequence of the words, march, trot, gallop, &c. &c. rapidly and loudly repeated, the instant the trumpet caution is given.

The signals of movement are so short, that the words of execution may nearly coincide with them.

These signals for quick movement, may in regular exercise be given by a person who at the instant of giving them is stationary; but if he leads the body in motion, it is evident that in the gallop, the charge, and the halt, the voice and the eye, can only determine, and regulate.

23. Turn out skirmishers. This signal is made by the commander of the whole, if the whole is concerned, otherwise by the commander of such part only as is to execute; if one, or two squadrons only, the voice will suffice. It may be a signal for pursuers after a charge.

24. Call in skirmishers. This signal is made by the commander of the whole, and repeated by the commander of the detachments; is for the skirmishers to join their detachments; or it may originally come from the commander of the detachments. On the signal to rally, the whole join the bodies they were detached from.

25. Skirmishers cease firing. This signal is made by the commander of the whole, and repeated (or originally made) by the commander of the supporting detachments, from which the skirmishers are advanced.

Bugle Horn Soundings, are different calls which are made by the bugle horn for duty and exercise. The following constitute the principal ones. See Am. Mil. Lib.

1st. For duty.
1.	Revillé.	-		These soundings are different in their notes fromthose of the trumpet, but may be used under the same circumstances.
2.	Rouse, or turn out.
3.	Dinner call.
4.	Setting the watch.
2d. For exercise.
5.	March.		-	These soundings exactly the same as those of the trumpet,in the place of which the bugle horn may be occasionally substituted.
6.	Trot.
7.	Gallop.
8.	Charge.
9.	Halt.
10.	Retreat.
11.	Rally.
12.	Turn out skirmishers.
13.	Skirmishers cease firing.
14.	Call in skirmishers.

These signals, of the trumpet, and bugle horn, are meant in aid of the voice, but are by no means to be substituted for, or prevent the ordered words of execution.

The trumpet is always to be considered as the principal military instrument for these soundings, and particularly belongs to the line; the bugle horn to riflemen and detached parties.

SOUPAPE, Fr. Sucker of a pump.

SOURA, Ind. A division; as that of chapter.

SOURD, e. Fr. Literally means deaf, dull. It is variously applied by the French—viz.

Lanterne Sourde, Fr. A dark lantern.

Lime Sourde, Fr. A file which is made in such a manner, that you may separate pieces of iron without making any noise in the operation. It is likewise used in a figurative sense—to signify a person who says little, but is always meditating something mischievous or injurious to others.

The French likewise say, sourdes pratiques, pratiques sourdes; secret or underhand practices; sourdes menees, menees sourdes, secret or underhand ways. These terms are always used in a bad sense. In mathematics, the French call those quantities, quantites sourdes, which are incommensurable, that is, which cannot be exactly expressed, either by whole numbers or by fractions. Thus the square root, or racine carree, of two is a quantite sourde.

SOURDINE, Fr. A little pipe, a mute. It likewise means a small spring, which is fixed in a dumb repeater. The French make use of this word in a figurative sense, to signify, literally, without noise. Les ennemis ont délogé à la sourdine, the enemy decamped privately, and without noise.

SOURIS, Fr. Literally a mouse. For its application in fortification, see [Pas de souris]. It is likewise used to express a want of expedients or resources in critical moments, and the consequent danger of being caught in the snare one is endeavoring to avoid—La souris qui n’a qu’un trou est bientôt prise, the mouse that has only one hole to run to, is soon caught.

SOUS, Fr. A proposition which is used to denote the state or condition of one thing with respect to another which is above it, viz.

SOUS-tangente, Fr. Sub-tangent.

SOUS-lieutenant, Fr. Sub-lieutenant.

SOUSIGNER, Fr. To undersign.

Sousigne, ée, Fr. The undersigned.

La SOUTE, Fr. The powder or bread room.

SOUTENIR, Fr. In exercise and evolution to turn upon the left foot in proportion as any given line bears towards the fixed point upon which it is directed to rest; The point on which the soldier turns is called the pivot, Le pivot.

Soutenir, Fr. To maintain; as soutenir le combat, to maintain the fight.

Soutenir le feu de l’ennemi, Fr. To stand the enemy’s fire.

Soutenir le siege, Fr. To hold out in a besieged place.

SOUTERRAINS, Fr. Subterraneous passages, lodgments, &c. that are bomb-proof.

SOUVERAIN, Fr. Sovereign. The person in whom sovereignty is vested.

SOUVERAINETE. Sovereignty; supremacy; highest place; supreme power.

SOW, in ancient military history, a kind of covered shed, fixed on wheels, under which the besiegers filled up and passed the ditch, sapped or mined the wall, and sometimes worked a kind of ram. It had its name from its being used for rooting up the earth like a swine, or because the soldiers therein were like pigs under a sow.

SOWAR, Ind. A horseman.

SOWARRY, Ind. A retinue, cavalcade; the English residents in India say, such a man travels with a large sowarry, meaning a great number of followers.

SOWGUND, Ind. An oath.

SPADE, (Beche, Fr.) an instrument for digging. See Intrenching Tools, [Mining], &c.

SPADROON, a sword much lighter than a broadsword, and made both to cut and thrust.

Spadroon Guard, a guard sometimes used with the cut and thrust sword, and also with the broadsword. It consists in dropping the point towards the right from the outside guard, till it comes under your adversary’s blade, the edge being upwards, and your wrist at the same time raised.

SPAHI, Persian. A soldier or military man, whence the common Hindustan term Sepahi, corrupted by the English into Sepcy.

Spahi. An upper garment made of blue cloth, which is worn by the Janizaries, in the same manner that we wear a loose great coat or surtout.

SPAHIS. A corps of Turkish cavalry, which is kept in pay by the grand signor. The Spahis do not possess any lands as the Zaims and Timariots are allowed to do. This corps is composed of twelve or fifteen thousand men, and consists of the Silbataris, whose standard or cornet is yellow, and of the Spahis-Glanis, who have a red one. When the troops were first formed, the latter acted as servants or batmen to the former: they became a separate class or troop in consequence of their superior conduct on service, and were distinguished in this manner:—They are armed with a sabre and a lance, which they call Misra. They likewise make use of a long dart or javelin, called a Gerie, with an iron ferrel at one end, which they throw at the enemy with surprising skill; and if they should happen to miss their aim, they can instantly bend from their saddles, and catch it up, whilst the horse is on full gallop. Others again are armed with bows and arrows, and some have pistols and carbines. When the grand signor takes the field in person, he generally makes a present of five thousand aspres to each Spahi. This bounty is called Sadach akchiasi, or gift to enable each man to purchase bows and arrows.

When the Spahis take the field, they march in rear of their standard; but they do not observe any particular order of route. They divide themselves, on the contrary, into small bodies, and advance in the most desultory manner.

Besides these two troops of Spahis, there are four others in the Turkish service, which are only called upon under circumstances of extreme pressure and emergency. The first is called Sag-Vlesigi; the standard is red and white. The second is named Sol-Vlesigi; the standard is white and yellow. The third is styled Sag-Gureba, the standard is green: and the fourth, Sol-Gureba; the standard is white. All these Spahis receive a daily pay of twelve to twenty aspres; and they are subject to every species of duty. Those are Spahis, called Timars, or Timariots. See [Timariots].

SPANNER, the lock of a fusil or carabine.

SPATTERDASHES, a kind of covering for the legs of soldiers, made of cloth, or coarse linen waxed over, and buttoned tight: by which the wet is kept off, now called long gaiters.

SPATTS, a small sort of spatterdashes, that reach only a little above the ancle, called also half gaiters.

SPEAKING Trumpet, a trumpet by which the voice may be carried to a great distance. It was formerly used in large armies; and even so late as the siege of Gibraltar, when general Elliot, (afterwards Lord Heathfield) caused the brigade words of command to be given by means of this instrument.

SPEAR, a lance, or long weapon with a sharp point, formerly used as a manual, or missive weapon. See [Lance].

To SPEND. This term is used at sea of a mast of a ship; when it is broken down by foul weather, it is said to be spent. It is sometimes used in military matters to express the consumption of any thing: as to spend all your ammunition.

SPENT Ball, (Boulet mort, Balle morte, Fr.) A cannon or musquet ball, &c. is said to be spent, when it reaches an object without sufficient force to pass through it, or otherwise wound, than by a contusion. Spent balls, however, are frequently fatal in their effects, especially when they hit any of the noble parts. It is on occasions of this sort, that the activity and skill of a field or ambulating surgeon, are indispensibly necessary; for which reason a sufficient number of these useful attendants upon an army, ought always to accompany the different battalions that go into action. The French pay the strictest attention to this branch of the service. Their flying hospitals are not only well supplied with all the requisites for so important an establishment, but every dependent part is equally well provided.

SPHERE,		-
SPHERICAL,

a round body of which the centre is at the same distance from every point of the circumference; as is the case with Shots, Shells, &c.

SPHERES d’artifice, Fr. Iron hoops with matches, steeped in combustible matter, fixed round them. When there is only one hoop it is called Circle d’artifice; when there are two or three, one within the other, the assemblage of them is called sphere d’artifice, from its resemblance to that figure.

SPHERICAL. Round.

SPHEROID, an oblong body, approaching the form of a sphere.

SPIES,		-
SPIALS,

in war, are persons employed to give intelligence of what the enemy is doing. They should be well paid: who pays them ill, is never well served. They should never be known to any but the general who employs them, nor should they know one another. When they propose any thing very material, their persons, or their wives and children, should be secured and kept as hostages for their fidelity. If they are apprehended, they immediately suffer death.

Spies are found in the cabinets of princes, in the closets of ministers, amongst the officers of an army, and in the councils of generals; in towns belonging to the enemy, and in monasteries. The greatest generals strongly recommend them, whatever expence they may occasion; and indeed a commander had better be in want of many particulars, however necessary, than be destitute of spies. Nothing should be spared to procure them; and even the promises made to them should be observed with the most inviolable integrity. By making a proper use of these necessary creatures, the most secret designs of an enemy may be discovered, the positions his armies are to take, the stations of his fleets, and even the manner in which the former is to be secured by masked batteries, or the latter be kept firm with chain moorings; as was the case off Boulogne in 1800.

To SPIKE a gun. This term is chiefly used at sea, and signifies to fasten a quoin with spikes to the deck, close to the breech of the carriages of the great guns, so that they may keep firm and close to the sides of the ship, and not break loose when the ship rolls. It is likewise used in military matters to signify the choaking up the touch-hole of a piece of ordnance, so as to render it useless. See [To Nail].

SPIKES, in gunnery. See [Hand-Spikes].

SPIN, or to spin hay, is to twist it up in ropes, very hard, for an expedition; by which means it is less bulky, and less troublesome for the cavalry to carry behind them. An expert horseman can spin five days forage into a very narrow compass.

SPIRAL, (Spirale, Fr.) In architecture, a curve that ascends winding about a cone or spire, so that all the points thereof continually approach the axis.

Spiral Line, (Ligne spirale, Fr.) A curve line, which makes a circular movement like a screw, perpetually diverging or going off from its centre.

SPIRAL,		-
SPIRE,

a line drawn progressively round the same axis, with a distance between each circle; as the thread of a screw. See [Screw].

SPOKES, the bars of a wheel that pass from the nave to the felly.

SPONTOON, is a spear formerly used instead of a half-pike, by officers of infantry; when the spontoon was planted, the regiment halted; when pointed forwards, the regiment marched; and when pointed backwards, the regiment retreated.

To SPRAWL, to widen out in an irregular and unsoldier-like manner. This term is chiefly applicable to the cavalry.

SPRAWLING. Loose, unconnected, wide of each other.

A SPRAWLING charge, a loose and irregular movement of cavalry, instead of a close, compact, forward attack.

To SPRING. To give vent to any combustible matter upon which gunpowder principally acts by the power of explosion. Hence to spring globes of compression, &c. The latter are frequently used for the same purposes that skyrockets, &c. are, viz. to serve as signals when any sudden attack is to be made.

Spring, in a general acceptation, an elastic body; a body which when bent, or distorted, has the power of restoring itself to its former state. It is in general a piece of tempered metal, which by means of its elastic force, is useful in several machines to give them motion. In a gun lock the springs are distinguished by various appellations according to their several uses, viz.

Cear and Cear Spring. The cear is a piece of hardened iron or steel in a gun lock, which moves on a pivot, and the point of which is received in a notch cut in the tumbler, and the other end is acted upon by the trigger.

The cear spring is a small spring, which throws the cear into the notch cut in the tumbler of a gun-cock, when the piece is at half cock or full cock.

Feather Spring. The spring of a gun lock beneath the foot of the hammer; called likewise hammer-spring.

Main Spring. The spring in a gun lock which operates on the tumbler, and gives force to the cock.

To Spring, in a military sense, to step forward with a certain degree of elasticity.

Spring up. A word of command, which has been occasionally used when sections double up. It signifies, indeed, the same as double up, and is sometimes used singly, as Spring! particularly to light infantry men.

To Spring the firelock. To bring it briskly up to any ordered position; to the recover, for instance.

SPUNGE, (ecouvillon, arroussement, griffon, Fr.) A long staff with a roll at one end, covered with a sheep’s skin, of the bigness of the bore of a gun, to scour it after firing; and to prevent any sparks from remaining. It is sometimes called Merkin, from its artificial texture of hair at the end of the staff.

Pyrotechnical Spunges. Spunges which constitute the black match or tinder that is brought from Germany, for striking fire with a flint and steel. These spunges are made of the large mushroom, or fungous excrescences which grow upon old oaks, ash trees, firs, &c. These are steeped in water, boiled and beaten, and then put in a strong lye made of saltpetre, and afterwards dried in an oven.

To Spunge the gun, (écouvillonner le canon, Fr.) To cool and cleanse the bore of a piece of ordnance by means of a wet spunge which is fixed to the end of a long pole.

SPURS, in old fortifications, are walls that cross a part of the rampart, and join to the town wall.

Spurs, instruments fixed to the heels of horsemen, with which they can at pleasure, goad the horse to action.

SQUAD. A diminutive of squadron. It is used in military matters to express any small number of men, horse or foot, that are collected together for the purposes of drill, &c.

To Squad. To divide a troop or company into certain parts, in order to drill the men separately, or in small bodies, or to put them under the direction and care of some steady corporal, or lance corporal. In every well regulated troop or company, the men are squadded in such a manner, that the most minute concern with respect to the interior economy can be instantly accounted for. The following distinct instructions have appeared in print. We quote them the more readily because they not only coincide with our own ideas on the subject, but seem perfectly calculated to preserve good order and discipline. They relate chiefly to the cavalry, but are equally applicable to infantry corps.

Each troop, it is observed, ought to be divided into two squads when under forty. Into three or four when above, according to the number, with an equal proportion of non-commissioned officers in each; and when the eldest is on duty, the charge of the squad falls on the next in the squad, and so on. First the stables must be divided as equally as possible into these divisions, and the men must belong to the same squad that their horses do: so that the foot and horse billets, and those for the married men’s rooms of a squad, go together. The squads must be as distinct and separate as possible; in short as much so as two troops are, never crossing each other. The stables must likewise be squadded entire; that is, no one stable should be allotted to two separate squads; for which reason, the proportion of numbers in each squad cannot always be exactly equal. The squad is entirely in charge of its own serjeant, or, in his absence, of the corporal who commands it, with relation to every quarter and stable duty, parades on foot and horseback. The quarter-master, in the cavalry, has, of course, the general inspection of the whole.

When a corporal has charge of a squad, he must not look after his own horse at such times as interfere with his squad duty: he can generally manage to do it at the morning stable, and in the evening he can get him done before the regular hour. On a march, or after a field day, he cannot do it so conveniently, and of course orders another man to do it. When a detachment of an absent troop is in a quarter, it must be attached to a particular troop, whichever may be judged most convenient. It must be considered as a separate and distinct squad, quartered by itself, (as far as it can be, consistent with the proper quartering of its recruits) and under the command of its own non-commissioned officer, unless the troop to which it belongs cannot spare a non-commissioned officer with it; in which case it must be given in charge to a non-commissioned officer of the troop to which it is attached.

The same rules for squadding hold good on a march, and in all situations whatever; and the list of quarters must be made out accordingly.

The non-commissioned officers must always be kept to the same squad, as nearly as they can be. The policy of this instruction is obvious, as they will thereby be made acquainted with the character of every man in the squad.

Recruits should always be quartered and squadded with old soldiers who are known to be steady and well behaved; and those men that are at all irregular in their conduct, must be separated and distributed in squads which are composed of good old soldiers.

Awkward Squad. The awkward squad consists not only of recruits at drill, but of formed soldiers that are ordered to exercise with them, in consequence of some irregularity under arms.

SQUADRON. A body of cavalry, composed of two troops. The number is not fixed, but is generally from 100 to 250 men.

SQUARE, (Carré, Fr.) A figure with right angles, and equal sides.

The SQUARE. A particular formation into which troops are thrown on critical occasions; particularly to resist the charge of cavalry.

Solid SQUARE, is a body of foot, where both ranks and files are equal. It was formerly held in great esteem; but when the prince of Nassau introduced the hollow square, this was soon neglected.

Hollow SQUARE, is a body of foot drawn up, with an empty space in the centre, for the colors, drums, and baggage, facing every way to resist the charge of the horse.

Oblong SQUARE. A square which is not at right angles, but represents the figure of an oblong, whose sides are unequal. Thus, as eight companies of equal numbers would form a perfect square, ten make an oblong.

Perfect SQUARE. A square whose sides are equal and at right angles.

The perfect square, in the formation of troops, seems best calculated for military movements and arrangements. Battalions, for instance, which are composed of eight companies, with one hundred rank and file in each, are equal to every species of disposition. It is upon this principle, we presume, that the French have distributed their infantry. British regiments, on the contrary, consist of eight companies, one of which is grenadiers and the other of light infantry, and are so composed that no square of this kind can be formed. This is manifestly a defect in their system. It is, indeed, remedied by the grenadier and light infantry companies being occasionally detached, or cast into separate battalions; so that the remaining companies, by being told off, may be brought to eight equal parts. Tacticians will perhaps agree with us, that it would be better to have every regiment composed of ten companies, flanked by a subdivision of grenadiers, the whole being so equalized as to produce four equal sides. In this case, the light companies should be formed into separate bodies of chasseurs or riflemen, after the manner of the French.

Shakspeare uses the word square to signify squadrons; but it is now obsolete.

SQUARE root. In geometry, the square root of any number is that which multiplied by itself, produces the square; thus 4 is the square root of 16.

Square number. In arithmetic, is when another number, called its root, can be found, which multiplied by itself produces the square; thus 16 is the square number of 4, and 9 the square of 3.

SQUELETTE, Fr. literally means a skeleton. It is used by the French, as by us, to signify the remnant, or incomplete state of a regiment, viz. La squelette d’un regiment; The skeleton of a regiment.

Squelette, Fr. likewise means the skeleton state of a ship, or a ship upon the stocks, and which has only her ribs and first timbers laid in. So that squelette among the French will apply either to the first organization or arrangement of parts belonging to a work or establishment, before it is completed, or to the remnant of such a work or establishment, after it has been completed. In the first sense of the word cadre, frame, outline, &c. bears the construction of squelette among the French, as, cadre d’un corps. When the British expedition to Quiberon was planned, there were several cadres of this description. They consisted of French noblemen and gentlemen who were to organize the Chouans, and receive appointments according to their several ranks, &c. &c.

SQUIRE. An attendant on a warrior was formerly so called. See [Armiger].

STABLE horse, Ind. That part of the late Tippoo Sultaun’s cavalry, which was best armed, accoutred, and most regularly disciplined.

STADIUM, (Stadion, Fr.) An ancient Greek long measure, containing 125 geometrical paces, or 625 Roman feet, corresponding to our furlong. This word is formed from the Greek term, which signifies station. It is said that Hercules after running that distance at one breath, stood still. The Greeks measured all their distances by stadia. The Romans had, likewise, their stadia, derived from the Greek, by which they measured distances. The stadium of Rome contained 620 geometrical paces. Eight stadia make one Italian mile.

STADION, among the Greeks signified also a space of enclosed or open ground, containing that measure, where the public races were run.

STAFF, in military affairs, consists of a quarter-master general, adjutant-general, majors of brigade, aids-de-camp, &c. The general staff properly exists only in time of war. See [Quarter-master general], &c.

Regimental Staff, are, the adjutant, quarter-master, chaplain, and surgeon, &c.

Staff of command. See [Battoon].

The Staff, on British home service, consists in general of

One general commanding a district.

One lieutenant-general.

One major-general.

One adjutant general.

One quarter-master general.

One deputy adjutant, and quarter-master general.

One engineer.

One assistant adjutant, and quarter-master general.

The regulated number of aids-de-camp and brigade majors:

One commissary general.

Deputy commissaries general, assistant commissaries general, according to circumstances.

One inspector general of hospitals.

Physicians, surgeon and apothecary, mates.

The British staff in India consists of a general staff, station staff, cantonment, and garrison staff; and an hospital staff. The staff in Great Britain is comprehended under general staff, garrison staff, district staff, and staff belonging to the cavalry depot at Maidstone, and the general infantry one in the Isle of Wight. There is likewise an hospital staff. For an account of staffs in general see Am. Mil. Lib.

The staff of the French has been the main spring of their tactics, and no army can be effective without a good staff.

Staff, the same as baton; from whence those officers in the suite of generals, and not attached to regiments, are called the staff, a baton being formerly the insignia of office; which is now supplied by other devices, as facings, feathers, and so forth.

Hammer STALL. A piece of leather, which is made to cover the upper part of the lock belonging to a musquet. It is useful in wet weather.

STAMP duties. Imposts laid upon paper in England, that is used for legal or commercial purposes. Proceedings of courts-martial, whether copies or originals, are not chargeable with stamp-duties; nor are the receipts given by officers for their respective pay or allowances.

STAND. The act of opposing; thus troops that do not yield or give way are said to make a stand.

To STAND the enemy’s fire; to remain with steady firmness in orderly array, without being discomposed by the shot, &c. of an opposing enemy.

To STAND. To have an erect position. Every recruit should be taught to hold his body in such a manner, that he feels himself firm and steady upon whatever ground he may be placed for the purposes of exercise or parade. See [Position without arms].

To STAND well under arms. To be so perfectly master of the firelock as not to be embarrassed, or to be rendered unsteady by its weight, but to be able to preserve a correct relative position of the body through all the changes of the manual and platoon, &c. and during the prescribed movements in parade and field exercises. See [Position with arms].

To STAND at ease. To be allowed a certain indulgence with regard to bodily position, with or without arms. See [Ease]. It is likewise a word of command, as Stand at—Ease.

Stand fast. This term is frequently used as a caution to some particular part of a line or column. In the first of the nineteen manœuvres, for instance, the grenadiers are directed to stand fast, while the remaining companies march from their alignement to form close column behind them. When a battalion, drawn up in line, is to move forward in front of its original position from the right, left, or centre, the named division, subdivision, or section, stands fast, and the remaining ones, which have been wheeled backward into column, march towards the inward flank of the standing division, subdivision, or section. On the first of the moving bodies arriving at the inward pivot of the standing one, the latter receives the word march, and the former wheels into the ground. The rest successively do the same. By this method the leading division is spared the trouble of wheeling back and returning again to its original ground.

STANDARD, that which is the test or criterion of other things.

STANDARD. A measure by which men enlisted into the British service have the regulated height ascertained.

According to the British regulations and orders published in 1799, the standard for men raised for the heavy cavalry shall be five feet seven inches, and for the light cavalry and infantry five feet five inches; but no recruits are to be taken, even of those sizes, who exceed 35 years of age, or who are not stout and well made. Lads between 16 and 18 years of age, who are well limbed, and likely to grow, may be taken as low as five feet six inches for the heavy cavalry, and as low as five feet four inches for the light cavalry and infantry. In those regiments which are specially authorised to enlist boys, healthy lads, under 16 years of age, who are likely to grow, may be taken as low as five feet one inch. It will be recollected, that this standard is for men inlisted during a war; when regiments are put upon the peace establishment a higher standard is resorted to. Thus by a letter dated 28th January, 1802, it is directed, that the standard for the infantry of the line shall be five feet seven inches; that no man shall be inlisted who is above 25 years of age; but growing lads from 17 to 19 years of age, shall be taken as low as five feet five inches.

STANDARD, in war, a sort of banner or flag, borne as a signal for the joining together of the several troops belonging to the same body.

The standard is usually a piece of silk 1¹⁄₂ feet square, on which is embroidered arms, device, or cypher, of the country. It is fixed on a lance eight or nine feet long, and carried in the centre of the first rank of a squadron of horse, by the coronet.

Standards belonging to the cavalry. Standards are posted in the following manner:

The first with the right squadron.

The second with the left; and the third with the centre.

In advancing to the front on foot, the advanced standards and their serjeants must not slacken their pace, or deviate from right to left, as the lieutenant-colonel or leading officer may happen to do, but if he be in their way, they must call to him, because they alone regulate the march.

The standards must always be brought to the parade by a troop, viz. by that which has its private parade nearest to head-quarters. They must be accompanied by as many trumpeters as can conveniently assemble with that troop. Swords must be drawn, and the march sounded. The cornets parade, of course, with that troop to receive the standards. The standards are received by the regiment or squadron at open ranks, with swords drawn, officers saluting, and the march sounding by the remaining trumpets. They must march off from head-quarters, and be lodged with the same form.

STANDARD bearer, he who carries the standard; a cornet, ensign, &c.

Standard-Hill, a hill in England so called because William the conqueror set up his standard on it, before he joined battle with Harold.

STANDING. Settled, established, not temporary.

Standing army. An army which is quartered upon a country, and is liable to every species of duty, without any limitation being fixed to its service. The life and foot guards form a part of the standing army of Great Britain. The militia, but not the volunteers, may be partially considered as such: the adjutant, non-commissioned officers, and drummers being in constant pay, and a third of the quota of men, together with all the officers, being called out once a year to be exercised for 28 days.

Standing. Rank; condition. It likewise signifies length of time. As, such an officer is of very old standing in the army.

STAPLES, are loops of iron, or bars pointed and bent so as to be driven in at both ends.

STAR-chamber. A chamber in Westminster so called from its roof being painted with gilt stars. It has been rendered proverbially odious to the English nation, on account of the encroachments which were made upon the constitution of the country during the reign of Charles the first.

STAR-fort, in fortification. See [Fort] and [Fortification].

STATE. Condition of any thing; as a weekly state of a regiment, &c.

State of a detachment. The difference between the state of a corps or detachment, and a mere return of the same, consists in this, that the former comprehends the specific casualties, &c. that have occurred; whereas the latter gives an abstract account of the officers and men in a more general and comprehensive manner. The word state is likewise used to express the condition of every thing belonging to the equipment of a regiment; as, state of arms, accoutrements, &c.

STATICS, (Statique, Fr.) A branch of mathematics, which considers weight or gravity, and the motion of bodies arising therefrom. Those who define mechanics to be the science of motion make statics a member thereof, viz. That part which considers the motions of bodies arising from gravity. Others again say, that statics should be the doctrine or theory of motion, and mechanics the application thereof to machines.

STATION, in geometry, a place pitched upon to make an observation, take an angle, or the like.

STATION. See [Post].

STATIQUE, Fr. See [Statics].

STATISTICS. According to the author of a late work, statistics are that comprehensive part of municipal philosophy, which states and defines the situation, strength, and resources of a nation. They constitute a kind of political abstract, by which the statesman may be enabled to calculate his finances, as well as guide the economy of his government; and they are equally useful in ascertaining the military resources of a country.

STAVES, round and flat, used in ammunition and other waggons or carts, are round and flat sticks between the sommers and side-pieces, also in common and scaling ladders.

STAYS, in truck carriages, are the irons which are fixed one end under the fore axle-tree, and the other to the side-pieces, in the form of an S.

STEED. A horse either for state or war.

STEEL, particularly applied, it means weapon or armor.

STEGANOGRAPHY, the art of secret writing, or of writing in cyphers, known only to persons corresponding, and much used in war.

STENOGRAPHY, (Sténographie, Fr.) See [Stereography].

STEP, (Pas, Fr.) Progression by one removal of the foot. It likewise signifies pace.

To STEP. To move forward or backward, by a single change of the place of the foot.

To STEP out. To lengthen your pace.

To STEP short, is to diminish or slacken your pace. On the word, step short, the foot advancing will finish its pace, and afterwards each man will step as far as the ball of his toe, and no further, until the word forward be given, when the usual pace of 24 inches is to be taken. This step is useful when a momentary retardment of either a battalion in line, or of a division in column, shall be required. See Am. Mil. Lib.

To STEP out, is to lengthen the step to 30 inches, by leaning forward a little, but without altering the cadence. It is also called the charging step, or accelerated pace. This step is necessary when a temporary exertion in line and to the front, is required; and is applied both to ordinary and quick time.

These phrases are frequently used in military movements, when it is found necessary to gain ground in front, or to give the rear of a column &c. time to acquire its proper distance. The officer who leads a head division should be particularly attentive, when he is ordered to step out or step short, especially in the different wheelings, not to lose the precise moment when either may be thought expedient; and in marching in open column, every successive officer should watch the seasonable moment, after a wheel, of preserving his relative distance.

To STEP off, in a military sense, to take a prescribed pace from a halted position, in ordinary or quick time, in conformity to some given word of command or signal.

Stepping off to music. In stepping off to music, or to the tap of the drum, it will be recollected, that the word of command is the signal to lift up the left foot, and that it comes down, or is planted, the instant the tap is given, or the music completes its first bar, so that the time must be invariably marked with the left foot, and not by the right, as has been practised by the British guards and the artillery, until a recent regulation.

Balancing STEP. A step so called from the body being balanced upon one leg, in order to render it firm and steady in military movements, &c. Men at the drill should be frequently exercised in this step. The manner in which it is executed is as follows:

At the word march, the left foot is advanced firmly, but without a jirk, the body is kept perfectly erect, the knee straight, the toe pointed out, the shoulders square to the front, and the whole weight of the body bearing on the right foot. Great care must be taken that the foot is thrown straight forwards, and that the shoulders do not go with it. When the men have remained in this position just long enough to make them perfectly steady, the word right, must be given. Upon which the left foot is planted firm, the body quite steady, and whole weight rests à plomb upon the left foot; the right foot is of course advanced as the left foot was before, and so on, the feet being thrown forward, alternately, at the words Right, Left. The drill serjeant or corporal must see, that the toe of each man comes rather first to the ground, that he rests on the flat of the foot that is planted, and by no means on the heel, that both knees are straight, and that his arms are kept close to his side without constraint.

When a recruit has been rendered tolerably steady in this step, he must be made to stand on one leg, and move the other to front and rear gently; he must then bring that leg to the ground, and do the same with the other. He must be frequently practised in this until he becomes quite steady on his legs, and has acquired a free motion from his hips without working his body.

Lock Step. See [Lock].

The side or closing Step. A step which is taken in order to gain ground to the right or left, without altering the front of the battalion, or of closing it to its centre, whenever a chasm occurs in the line after it has wheeled from column, &c. This step is performed from the halt, in ordinary time, by the following words of command:—

Mark time.

Side step to the right—March.

Side step to the left—March.

Back Step, (Pas en arriére, Fr.) A step taken to the rear from any position without any change of aspect. The back step is performed in the ordinary time and six inches pace, from the halt, on a given word of command. It will be generally recollected, that a few paces only of the back step can be necessary at a time.

Step Back, March, (En arriére, Marche, Fr.) A word of command which is given when one or more men are ordered to take the back step according to regulation.

Quick Step, a military step, consisting of 24 inches, (of which 108 are to be taken in a minute, making 216 feet in a minute) which constitutes what is now called common time in marching. The command quick march being given with a pause between them, the word mark time, is to be considered as a caution, and the whole are to remain on the ground dressed in ranks, with the feet in motion at quick time; on the word march, they step off with the left feet, keeping the body in the same posture, and the shoulders square to the front; the foot to be lifted off the ground, that it may clear any stones, or other impediments in the way, and to be thrown forward, and placed firm; the whole of the sole to touch the ground, and not the heel alone: the knees are not to be bent, neither are they to be stiffened, so as to occasion fatigue or constraint. These instructions can only be complied with by means of a sedulous attention not only in the instructor at the drill, but by a constant application of that solid principle which directs, that all movements of the legs should come from the haunches. The knees, indeed, must bend, and the fore parts of the feet must unavoidably be lifted up, but both these natural actions may be done in so correct and quick a manner, that they will scarcely be perceptible. The elasticity of the instep, if properly managed, will always give a firmness to the tread. The arms are to hang with ease down the outside of the thigh; and a very small motion may be occasionally permitted, to prevent constraint. The head is to be kept to the front, the body to be well up, and the utmost steadiness to be preserved. The quick step is the pace to be used in all filings of divisions from line into column, or from column into line; and by battalion columns of manœuvre, when they change position, independently of each other. It must always be used in the column of march of small bodies, when the route is smooth, or the ground unembarrassed, and no obstacles occur; but in a long march in line of a considerable body, it is not to be required; otherwise fatigue must arise to the soldier, and more time will be lost by hurry, and inaccuracy (the natural consequence of hurry) than is attempted to be gained by quickness.

Quickest Step, (Pas accelere, Fr.) A step measuring 24 inches, which indicates quickest time, or wheeling march, and of which 130, making 260 feet, should be taken in a minute.

This step is applied chiefly to the purpose of wheeling, and is the rate at which all bodies accomplish their wheels; the outward file stepping 24 inches, whether the wheel is from line into column, during the march in column, or from column into line. In this time also, and by this step, should divisions double, and move up, when they pass obstacles in line; or when in the column of march, the front of divisions is increased, or diminished.

To Step between. To interfere.

To Step forth or forward. To take an active part in any thing. Thus, when the circle was formed, the grenadiers stepped forward to beg off their comrade, &c. The officers stepped forward, and remonstrated against their colonel.

Step is likewise figuratively used to signify promotion. As the next step from a lieutenancy is a troop or company, and from that to a majority; except in the British guards, who have the exclusive privilege of going over this intermediate rank, and stepping into a lieutenant-colonelcy at once.

To Step over. To rise above another. This term is generally used in a bad sense. As, young men of interest and connection frequently step over old soldiers.

STEWARD. One who manages the affairs of others. In all well conducted messes belonging to military corps, certain officers are named to act as stewards, for some specific period. These act conjointly with the treasurer and pay master for the good of the whole.

STERE, Fr. A measure for firewood, which has been adopted by the French, since the revolution. The stere is equal to the cubic metre. It is used instead of the voie, and is about half of that measure. The Corde, in decimals, answers 3,335 steres.

STEREOGRAPHY. The art of drawing the forms of solids upon a plane.

STEREOMETRY. The art of measuring all sorts of solid bodies.

STICK. The same as Baton, an instrument of dignity, which is occasionally carried by persons and officers in high situations, particularly by such as are in waiting near the royal person.

STICKLER. A sidesman to fencers: or second to a duellist.

STILETTO. A small dagger, with a round blade, and sharp point.

STINKPOT. A firework made of offensive combustibles, which is used at sieges, &c. See [Laboratory].

STIRRUPS. Iron hoops suspended by straps to each side of the saddle, in which the horseman sets his feet in mounting or riding.

STOCCADO. A push or thrust with a rapier.

STOLE. See [Order of the Stole].

STOCK. The wooden part of a musquet or pistol.

Stock. A part of an officer’s dress, which consists generally of black silk or velvet, and is worn round the neck instead of a neckcloth. The soldier’s stock is of black ribbed leather, and is part of his small mounting. Red stocks were formerly worn in the British guards; they are still so in some Prussian regiments.

Stock Purse. A certain saving which is made in a corps, and which is applied to regimental purposes. In some corps this fund is so honestly managed, that, without encroaching upon the public, the most beneficial effects are produced: in others again, it is so mysteriously handled between commanding officers and paymasters, that it becomes a perpetual source of discontent and jealousy.

STOMPER, Fr. To sketch out a design, or to draw with colors that have been pounded into dust. Instead of the pencil or crayon, a roll of paper which is dipped into the colored dust, serves to put on the different colors.

STONES, in military architecture, may be distinguished into two sorts; that is, into hard and soft: hard stone is that which is exposed to the open air, such as rocks, and which lie loose upon the surface of the earth: the soft stone is that which is found in quarries, and underground. It is undoubtedly true that the hardest stones make the most durable works; but as there is seldom a sufficient quantity to build the whole fortification, the best serve in the facings of the work, in the foundations, and where the works are exposed to the violence of the waves.

The stones of some quarries are very soft, and easily worked, when first cut out; but, when exposed for some time to the open air, become very hard and durable.

As there is undoubtedly a kind of sap in stones as well as in timber, by which the same sort of stone, taken out of the same quarry, at one season, will moulder away in a few winters, but, when dug out in another season, will resist the weather for many ages: stones should always be dug in the spring, that they may have time to dry before the cold weather comes in; for the heat of the sun will extract the greatest part of the moisture, which otherwise expands in frosty weather, and causes the stone to splinter, although it be otherwise hard and good.

As stones lie in the quarries in horizontal beds or strata, (that is, they cleave in that direction) and have likewise a breaking vein, which is perpendicular to the former; both these directions must be observed in cleaving, as well as in raising them out of their beds. Stones that will not easily cleave must be blown up by gunpowder.

Marble, is of various sorts and colors; the most beautiful of which is exported from Italy. The marble found in England is mostly blackish, and so very hard and difficult to polish, that very little use is made of it, except to burn and make lime. The American marbles are various, and every day produces new discoveries of marbles of the most beautiful colors.

Fire-Stone, or Soap Stone, serves chiefly for chimneys, hearths, ovens, furnaces, and stoves; being a dry, porous, gritty stone, which bears the heat without breaking: on account of this quality, it is called fire-stone.

Purbeck-Stone, is a hard, greyish stone, and serves chiefly for paving, coping of walls, and for all such other uses where strength is required, it being the most hard and durable stone.

Rag-Stone, is of a bluish color, and commonly used in paving: but there is a stone called Kentish rag, that is very useful in building: it splits very easily, and yet is very hard.

Free-Stone, more generally called Portland stone: it is a fine whitish stone, without any veins. This stone is very soft when it comes out of the quarry, is easy to be worked, and becomes very hard in time. Hence it is very fit for military works.

Gypsum, is a clear whitish stone, not unlike coarse marble. It is plentiful in some parts of Italy; in France; and very abundant in Nova Scotia, whence it has been lately imported to a vast amount to be pulverised for manure; it is to be had in great abundance in Scotland, and makes the very best lime.

Whin, or Aberdeen whin, is of a greyish color, intermixed with veins, not unlike coarse marble. This stone is the fittest of any for military works: because it withstands the weather, and the violence of the waves, better than any stone found in England.

STOPPAGES, in the British service, deductions from a soldier’s pay, the better to provide him with necessaries, &c. A soldier should never be put under a greater weekly stoppage from his pay, than what will afterwards leave him a sufficiency for messing.

There shall be stopped out of the pay of an artillery soldier, (beer money included) the sum of 5 shillings and one penny per week, to be applied towards the expence of his mess, (including vegetables &c.) A sum not exceeding one shilling and six pence per week shall be retained for necessaries, to be accounted for, as usual, monthly. The remainder, amounting to 3s. 10³⁄₄d. per week, shall be paid to the soldier, subject to the accustomed deduction for washing, &c. or articles for cleaning his clothes and appointments. Stoppages for rations for man and horse. See the word Ration.

Stoppage, for the subsistence of the sick in the British army. In the regulations for the better management of the sick in regimental hospitals, it is particularly laid down, under the head subsistence, page 16, that sufficient funds should be established for the support of the sick without any additional charge to government; and at the same time, that the sick soldier should be provided with every reasonable comfort and indulgence that can be afforded. The sum of four shillings per week from the pay of each soldier will, under proper regulations, and with strict economy, be sufficient for this purpose; which sum is to be retained by the paymaster of the regiment.

The sick are to be furnished with bread made of the finest wheat flour, and fresh meat, perfectly good and wholesome.

That the greatest economy may be used in laying out the money for the sick, every article ought to be purchased by the surgeon, who is required to keep a book, in which he is to enter the amount of the weekly consumption of each man according to the diet table; and this book, with the diet table, is to be laid before the commanding officer and paymaster every week to be examined and signed by each; and it is of the utmost importance to the welfare of the service, that every commanding officer, and every regimental paymaster, should superintend the expenditure.

STOPPER. A piece of wood or cork, made to fit the bore of a musquet barrel, which soldiers use in wet weather; and on other occasions, when the piece is not loaded, to prevent moisture and dust from getting into the barrel.

STORE-keeper, in war time, must take care of the stores in the magazines, such as the provisions, forage, &c. receive the same from contractors, and deliver them out to the troops. He has several clerks under him, appointed to the different departments, of provisions, hay, straw, oats, &c. In time of peace he has charge of all the public stores, belonging both to land and sea service.

STOREHOUSE. See [Magazine].

STORES, Military, are provisions, forage, arms, clothing, ammunition, &c.

Medical Stores on board transports.—Certain articles of diet which are put on board each transport, are so called. These are to be considered as intended solely for the use of the sick, or convalescents; they are to remain in the charge of the master of the transport, and only to be issued upon demand in writing made by the surgeon from time to time as he shall judge proper; or, when there is no surgeon, upon demand of the commanding officer. And the surgeon or commanding officer is to give the master at the end of the voyage, a certificate that his demands for the said medical stores have been made only upon proper occasions, and have not been expended for any other use, than that of the sick, or convalescent.

To STORM, in military matters, to make a violent assault on any fortified place, or works.

Storming party. A select body of men, consisting generally of the grenadiers, who first enter the breach, &c.

STRAGGLERS. Men who wander from the line of march. It is the business of the rear guard to pick up all stragglers, &c.

STRAPONTIN, Fr. A sort of hammock which is used in hot countries, &c. See [Hammock].

STRATAGEM, in war, any scheme or plan for the deceiving and surprising an army, or any body of men. See [Surprise].

Stratagems in war, (Stratagêmes de guerre, Fr.) Certain feints which are resorted to by able generals, &c. to cover their real designs during the operations of a campaign. It is impossible to lay down any specific rules on this head, as every general, according to the capacity and activity of his mind, makes use of the various means and expedients which grow out of times, circumstances, and occasions. It has been asserted by some writers, that all sorts of stratagems, even those which are connected with treachery may be adopted for the accomplishment of any design. This maxim is, however, strongly combated against by those who have written upon the law of nations. Probity, in fact, and elevation of mind, (which are superior to the pitiful measures of treacherous affiliation or intercourse,) should always bear the ascendancy in human actions. There are stratagems which may be practised and carried on, without the least deviation from honor and good faith. Many distinguished generals have had recourse to these; but none ever succeeded so well as Hannibal. Wishing to cross the river Rhone, and being in want of almost every article that was necessary to effect the passage in the presence of an enemy who was diligently watching his motions, he caused him to imagine that it was his intention to keep the ground he occupied. He ordered large fires to be lighted up in different quarters of his camp, and directed some of his troops to shout and make loud noises, as if they were perfectly stationary. During this apparent state of inactivity, he broke up his camp, marched up the river side, and crossed it at a place where it was least expected he would make the attempt.

General Washington executed a similar stratagem with success on the British at Trenton; and a very memorable stratagem in baking bread at King’s bridge and amusing the British at New York, while he made forced marches with his army for Yorktown, to capture Cornwallis.

Among other good qualities which are indispensibly necessary in an able general, that of knowing how to conceal a projected march, and to anticipate the motions of an enemy, is not the least important.

The army under the command of the duke of Saxe-Weimar, having laid siege to Brisac in 1638, the imperialists went to the relief of that place. The duke, on receiving intelligence of their approach, instantly marched against them, with a body of forces composed of Swedes and French allies. The imperialists, who had advanced by rapid marches, had gained possession of an eminence by means of which they would have enjoyed all the advantages of local superiority, had not the count de Guebriant, who was then a lieutenant-general in the Swedish service, suggested a stratagem to dislodge the enemy. The plan was adopted, and it succeeded to the full extent of his design.

The drums and trumpets of the different corps were collected together, and stationed in a neighboring wood, so as to draw the whole of the enemy’s attention away from the quarter proposed to be carried. The imperialists being naturally led to believe, from the noise and concurrence of so many military instruments, that they were going to be attacked from that quarter, beat to arms, and left their position in complete order of battle. They had scarcely quitted the eminence, before the duke of Saxe-Weimar appeared in their rear, took possession of the ground which they had so imprudently abandoned, and became master of all the advantages which his enemy would otherwise have enjoyed. An interesting account of this ingenious manœuvre may be found in the History of Le Marechal de Guebriant.

Stratagems of this description have been frequently used by the French during the present war, particularly in Italy. Stratagems, in fact, constitute one of the principal branches in the art of war. They have been practised in all ages by the most able generals, and have contributed in a great degree, to their military reputation. Virgil, in his Æneid, book II. says—

Dolus an virtus, quis in hoste requirat.

The history of France abounds with instances in which stratagems of every kind have been successfully practised.—It seems the peculiar talent of the inhabitants of that country to derive advantages from well concerted feints, &c. in war, and to secure their victories more by science than by downright hardihood.

It has been wisely observed, by a French writer, under the article of Stratagêmes de guerre, that a general who is defeated in a general action, may attribute his failure to fortune, although it is universally acknowleged, that chance or fortune has a very trifling share indeed in pitched battles, while art and science regulate the different movements, and finally determine their issue. Whoever, therefore, suffers himself to be surprised by his enemy, cannot be said to stand wholly exculpated from ignorance or neglect, since it must have been in his power to have avoided the snares laid for him, by means of vigilant spies, and unremitting attention. This remark appears to us not only to be generally correct, but it seems more immediately applicable to all generals that have secret service money at command. The influence of that commodity, (upon which no embargo can be laid) will be felt in every garrison, town, or sea-port; and those who have the management of it must be dull indeed, if they do not feel their way into the secret preparations of an enemy, before they hazard an attack against him.

Besides the different stratagems which may be used by an able general, to bring about the overthrow of the whole or part of an army, by leading it into an ambuscade, there are various ones which may be practised against a fortified place. To effect the latter purpose, you may contrive to get soldiers in disguise through the gates at unguarded hours; to introduce them through subterraneous passages, or by any other means that may offer. Before any attempt of this sort is made, every part of the fortifications should be narrowly reconnoitred, and as much knowlege be obtained of the interior situation of the place as can be procured by means of good spies, or from deserters. You must, above all things, be well assured, that the garrison does not strict duty; that the different guards are negligently attended to; that the soldiers who compose them are in the habits of drinking or gaming; that their officers miss their rounds, or go them without system or regularity; that the gates are ill guarded, and the avenues to them ill watched; and that there are certain places or entrances which are not watched at all; for it would be impossible to surprize any place that has been regularly fortified, while the garrison did its duty.

If it should appear practicable to surprise a town by taking advantage of the negligence of the sentries, &c. at some particular gate, previous means must be taken to introduce some soldiers dressed like market women, or in the garb of some religious order. You may then contrive to get a waggon or cart, seemingly loaded with hay or straw, but with soldiers concealed beneath it, so placed in the entrance of the gate that it will serve as an obstacle when it may be found necessary to shut it. In order to do this effectually, let a pin be taken out, so that the wheel comes off, or the axle tree gets broken. The instant this is done, the soldiers who had entered the town in disguise must join the drivers, the men that have been concealed in the waggon get out, and the whole must rush upon the port-guard. While this happens, the troops that have been placed in ambush round the fortifications, will advance with promptitude and firmness, and endeavor to get possession of the town before a sufficient force can be collected to repel the attack. In the year 1789, a rabble from Courtray took advantage of the carelessness of the imperial troops who were in garrison at Gand, in Flanders, and by seizing upon the gate and port-guard, brought about a temporary rebellion in the country. This indeed was done without stratagem; but the circumstance proves, that when the centries of a fortified place are negligent in their duty, a surprise is always practicable. We are precluded by the limits of our undertaking from going more fully into this important branch of military science. Several treatises have been written on the subject. Among others one appeared in 1756, intitled Stratagêmes de Guerre, illustrating from history the various stratagems which had been practised by some of the ablest generals during a long period of time down to the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. It was published by M. Carlet de la Rousiere, an officer in the French service, and acting engineer in the isles of France and Bourbon. It contains much curious matter. See Am. Mil. Lib.

Stratagem and force united. Count Turpin, page 43, vol. I. in his essay on the Art of War, judiciously remarks, that when an enemy, superior in force, is in possession of a pass, from which he cannot be dislodged but by art, stratagem and force should be blended together as often as possible. Onosander, the Greek general, set fire to a wood which was at the foot of a mountain in the enemy’s possession, and which he wanted to go over; the flames and smoke forced the enemy to abandon it, and leave the passage free for him.

STRATARITHMOMETRY. In war, the art of drawing up an army, or any part of it, in any given geometrical figure; and of expressing the number of men contained in such a figure, as they stand in order of battle, either at hand, or at any distance assigned.

STRAW. According to the British regulations, published by authority in 1799, relative to the forage, &c. which troops are to receive in the home encampments, it is directed, that straw is to be allowed at the rate of one truss of 36 pounds to each paillasse for two men, being a full bedding; at the expiration of sixteen days to be refreshed with half a truss to each paillasse; at the expiration of 32 days to be removed, and a fresh bedding of one truss is to be given, and so on every succeeding period of sixteen and thirty-two days.

For the sick, in the hospital, the straw is to be changed as often as it may be deemed necessary.

Two trusses per troop or company are to be allowed for batmen, or servants, not soldiers; and three trusses per troop or company for the washerwomen, to be changed every sixteen days, not having paillasses.

Thirty trusses of straw per troop or company are allowed on first taking the field for thatching the women’s huts.

Regiments, not having paillasses, are allowed straw at the following rates:

On taking the field, two trusses of 36 pounds each to every five men, at the end of eight days to be refreshed by one truss, and at the end of eight days more to be refreshed again by the same quantity. At the end of twenty-four days the whole to be removed, and an entire new bedding to be given, and refreshed as before, viz. two trusses for every five men.

Four pounds of straw are to be added to the ration forage for the cavalry and artillery horses only.

Six pounds of straw are to be allowed to the general officers and staff, in addition to the prescribed ration of forage. See [Regulations].

STRAW. For straw! is a word of command in the British service, to dismiss the soldiers when they have stacked their arms, so that they may be ready on the first signal given.

STREAKS, are the iron bands on the outside of the wheel to bind the fellies strongly together.

Streak-nails, are those driven through the streaks into the fellies.

STREET. See [Encampment].

Street-firing. See [Firing].

STRELITZ. A Russian word, whose plural number is strelitzy, derived from strelai, an arrow, in the same language. An ancient militia, which was formerly kept in pay among the Muscovites both in time of peace and in time of war, was so called. The men who composed it always served on foot, and were originally armed, as their name indicates, with bows and arrows. They afterwards received musquets or firelocks, and laid aside the bow and arrow. The rest of the Russian army, which was only called together in cases of emergency, retained the bows, arrows, and lances; with which each soldier armed himself according to his own particular whim or notion.

In the remote periods of the Russian empire, the strelitzy were the only regular body of troops that formed any part of the standing army of that country. It consisted of twenty or twenty-four thousand men, who enjoyed a multiplicity of privileges and immunities, and were quartered in one of the suburbs of Moscow, which is still called Strelitzkaia Slaboda. From the latitude allowed them, and the peculiar indulgencies which these soldiers enjoyed, they might be well compared to the Prætorian bands under the first Roman emperors, and, in some degree, to the Janizaries of Constantinople. They frequently mutinied like the latter, and interfered in the management of public affairs. Their last revolt, however, was fatal to them. It happened in 1698, during the absence of the Czar Peter the first, who on his return into Russia, broke the whole corps, erased its name from the list of military establishments, and put his troops upon the same footing that those of the rest of Europe were.

The established pay of a strelitz was seven rubles, and twelve combs and bushels of grain every year.

Grain, even in these days, is given as a necessary ration to a Russian soldier, which he bakes or roasts upon thin plates of iron, and then reduces to meal, making therewith a sort of dough, called Toloqueno. Every man always carries a good portion of this subsistence about him, to which he adds a small cruet of vinegar. By soaking this meal in water mixed with a little vinegar, he contrives to make a sort of soup or broth, which the Russians, who are fond of acids, find extremely palatable; and by giving it the consistency of dough, it serves for bread and meat. When the Russian soldier can procure a few greens, such as cabbage, &c. to mix with his toloqueno, he makes a complete meal, which he calls Chety. A tcharotcheka, or small glass of brandy, makes up the measure of a full repast. It must be acknowleged, that where soldiers can be brought to satisfy the cravings of nature in this economical manner, great advantages must be derived, especially in long marches through an uncultivated or desert country. We cannot, however, recommend its adoption except in cases of urgent necessity, and on services where there might be a possibility of absolute want, from the destruction or poverty of a country into which an army marches. The fare itself is not calculated to add vigor and activity to the body, or to keep alive that promptitude and fire which are required in military operations.

STRENGTH. This word may be variously understood in military matters, viz.

Strength. Fortification; fortress; stronghold. It likewise signifies armament; power; force. In all returns which are made of corps, strength implies the number of men that are borne upon the establishment, in contradistinction to effective force, which means the number fit for service. Hence, the strength of a battalion, troop, or company, &c. The allowance for the repair of arms, &c. is issued according to the return which is made, not of the effective force, but of the established strength of a troop or company.

STRICT. Exact, severe, rigorous; the contrary to mild, indulgent. Hence, a strict officer. It is sometimes used in a bad sense, to signify a petulant, troublesome commander.

To STRIKE. This word is variously used in military phraseology, viz.

To STRIKE at. To attack; to endeavor to destroy, directly or indirectly.

To STRIKE off. To erase; to blot out; as to strike off the list of the army. This can only be done by the order of the president of the United States.

To STRIKE a tent. In castrametation, to loosen the cords of a tent which has been regularly pitched, and to have it ready, in a few minutes, to throw upon a bat-horse or baggage waggon.

To STRIKE terror into an enemy. To cause alarm and apprehension in him; to make him dread the effects of superior skill and valor.

To STRIKE a blow. To make some decisive effort.

To STRIKE the colors. This is properly a naval term, but it may be applied to military matters on some occasions. Thus at the battle of Fontenoy, when the British had driven the French out of the field, Louis XV. who was upon an eminence in the neighborhood with his guards, &c. ordered the royal standard to be struck, from a full persuasion that the day was lost.

STRIPE. Dr. Johnson calls a stripe a lineary variation of color. Regimental sword knots are directed to be made of blue with silver or gold in stripes.

STRUCTURE, (Structure, Fr.) The manner in which any thing is built. Une édifice de belle structure. An edifice which is built in a handsome manner.

To STRUGGLE with or against. To make extraordinary exertion in direct contest with an enemy, or against superior forces.

STUC, Fr. Stucco, gypsum or plaster of Paris.

STUCCO. A sort of fine white mortar or composition, which is made of lime mixed with gypsum or lime. It is used for the outward covering of all sorts of works, and when it is perfectly dry, it has the appearance of the finest polished stone.

STUCATEURS, Fr. The men employed at stucco work.

SUB. A familiar abbreviation which is used in the British army to signify subaltern.

SUB-brigadier. An officer in the British horse-guards, who ranks as cornet.

Sub-lieutenant. An officer in the British regiments of artillery and fuzileers, where they have no ensigns; and is the same as second lieutenant.

SUBA, or Soobah, Ind. A province.

SUBADAR, Ind. The governor of a province. It likewise signifies a black officer, who ranks as captain in the English East India company’s troops; but ceases to have any command when an European officer is present.

SUBADARY, Ind. The appointment or office of a subadar.

SUBALTERNS, (Officiers subalternes, Fr.) Subaltern officers. This word is used among the French, as with us, to signify all officers of a certain inferior degree, viz. Les subalternes, the subalterns. The term is commonly applied in a regiment to the officers below the rank of captain, in relation to that officer; but, strictly, every officer is subaltern to the grades above him, as the captain is subaltern to the major, and so upward.

SUBDIVISION. The half of a division. Thus if a company forms a division, divided it forms two subdivisions. In the British organization, two companies added together make a grand division; except the flank companies, which constitute grand divisions of themselves; but in actual service, according to the best modern principles, the division is not limited to any given number, but must depend on the strength of the force, and the skill and discretion of the officer.

Division, in the French system, is also applied in the same manner as the term brigade in the English; the French division consists of several regiments, three or more, up to seven or eight; the general of division is of the same rank as the major general in the British establishment.

SUBDUR, Ind. Chief.

SUBJECT, (Sujet, Fr.) One who lives under the dominion of another. It is only used in the first instance, as no one can be the subject of a secondary power, although he is bound to obey his orders. Thus soldiers are obliged to submit to the orders of a general, but they are not his subjects. The French make the same distinction.

SUBORDINATION. A perfect submission to the orders of superiors; a perfect dependence, regulated by the rights and duties of every military man, from the soldier to the general. Subordination should shew the spirit of the chief in all the members; and this single idea, which is manifest to the dullest apprehension, suffices to shew its importance. Without subordination it is impossible that a corps can support itself; that its motions can be directed, order established, or the service carried on. In effect, it is subordination that gives a soul and harmony to the service: it adds strength to authority, and merit to obedience; and while it secures the efficacy of command, reflects honor upon its execution. It is subordination which prevents every disorder, and procures every advantage to an army.

SUBSIDIARY troops. Troops of one nation assisting those of another for a given sum or subsidy.

To SUBSIST. In a military sense, to give pay or allowance, &c. to soldiers; as a captain of the light company will subsist 20 men belonging to other companies, for so many days during the march. The French do not use the term in the same sense.

SUBSISTANCE des piéces, Fr. This term is used among the French to signify the pay or allowance which is given to the officer, bombardier, and men belonging to the train of artillery who serve the batteries.

SUBSISTENCE, (Subsistance, Fr.) in a military sense of the word may be divided into two sorts, viz. That species of subsistence which is found in the adjacent country: such as forage, and frequently corn that is distributed in parcels; and that which is provided at a distance, and regularly supplied by means of a well-conducted commissariat. The latter consists chiefly of meat, bread, beer, &c. To these may be added wood or coals, and straw, which are always wanted in an army. Every general will take proper precautions to have his men well supplied with these first necessaries in life. Baron d’Espagnac has written at large upon this important subject. See Elemens Militaires, tom. i. page 162; and that writer’s Suite de l’essai sur la science de la Guerre, tom. i. page 246.

Subsistence likewise means pay or allowance.

SUBSTITUTE in the militia. A person who voluntarily serves in the room of another.

SUBSTITUTION, Fr. An algebraical term used by the French, signifying to substitute in an equation any quantity in the room of another, which is equal to it, but which is differently expressed.

SUBTANGENT, in any curve, is the line which determines the intersection of the tangent in the axis prolonged.

SUBTENSE, (Soutendante, Fr.) A geometrical term signifying the base of an angle, that is to say, a strait line opposite to an angle, which is supposed to be drawn from the two extremes of the section that measures it. Likewise the chord of an arch; that which is extended under any thing.

SUBURBS, (Fauxbourgs, Fr.) Buildings without the walls of a city.

SUCCESSION of rank. Relative gradation according to the dates of commissions, or the regulations established.

SUCCOUR, in war. Assistance in men, stores, or ammunition.

SUD, Fr. This word is variously used by the French. It signifies in the sea language the south wind and the southern regions; and it signifies in an absolute sense, one of the four cardinal winds which blows from the south. Hence Le Sud, the south wind. Sud est ou sud ouest, south east or south west.

SUISSES, Fr. The Swiss soldiers who were in the pay of France previous to the 10th of August 1792, were generally so called. It was also a general term to signify stipendiary troops. Hence point d’argent, point de suisses! which agrees with our cant phrase—No pay, no soldier.

SUITE, or SERIES, Fr. This term signifies generally any regular collection and successive distribution of things.

Officiers à la SUITE, Fr. Supernumerary officers attached to a regiment, &c. during the monarchy of France, who were not required to do duty with it.

SULPHUR, or brimstone, a volcanic mineral essential in making gunpowder and artificial fire-works.

SULTAN or SULTAUN, Ind. King. The title which was assumed by Tippoo Saib, chief of the Mysore country. Hence called Tippoo Sultaun.

SULTAN shirki, Ind. King of the east.

SULTAUNUT, Ind. The decorations or appendages annexed to royalty.

SUMMONS. The act of demanding the surrender of a place, or body of men.

SUMNUTCHEER, Ind. A word, among others, which signifies Saturday.

SUMOODER, Ind. The sea or main ocean.

SUMPTER. See [Bat-horse].

SUN, Ind. The year.

SUNAUT, Ind. Old rupees on which a discount is allowed. Hence Sunaut Rupees.

SUNEEBAR, Ind. Another word for Saturday.

SUNEECHUR, Ind. A word likewise meaning Saturday.

SUNNUD, Ind. A charter, grant, or patent, from any man in authority. When it was given by the mogul, it obtained the appellation of Firmaun.

Sunnud dewauny, Ind. A grant or instrument in writing, which entitles a person to hold land in India.

SUNSET. See [Retreat beating].

Sunset. The time at which the evening gun fires, and the retreat is beat in camp, or quarters, &c. When troops are embarked on board transports, the men parade at half an hour before sunset, quite clean as to their persons.

SUPERANNUATED, (Suranné-ée, Fr.) In a military sense, rendered unfit for service through old age.

SUPERFICIES, (Superficie, Fr.) Outline; exterior surface; extent without depth. The curved superficies are divided into two sorts, viz. the convex and concave.

SUPERINTENDANT, (Surintendant, Fr.) A person appointed to take charge of any particular district or department. Hence, military superintendant.

SUPERIOR officer. Any officer of higher rank, or who has priority in the same rank, by the date of his commission, &c.

SUPERNUMERARY, (Surnumeraire, Fr.) Beyond a fixed or stated number. In a strict military sense it means the officers and non-commissioned officers that are attached to a regiment or battalion for the purpose of supplying the places of such as fall in action, and for the better management of the rear ranks when the front is advancing or engaged.

Supernumerary officers and non-commissioned officers must always divide their ground equally in the rear of the division they belong to, and pay the strictest attention to the orders which are issued for its exercise or movement.

If an officer is killed or wounded in action, the first supernumerary officer of the division takes the command, and so on to the quarter-master and serjeants.

To SUPERSEDE, (Remplacer, Fr.) See [To Respite].

To be SUPERSEDED, (Etre remplacé, Fr.) Both these terms are used by the French in the same military sense that we employ them, viz. to be deprived of rank and pay for some offence, and to have others put in one’s stead.

SUPPLEANT, Fr. A substitute. Any person named to do the functions of another.

SUPPLEMENT. Addition; augmentation, in case of deficiency.

Supplement of an arch. In geometry or trigonometry, the number of degrees which it wants of being an entire semicircle; as complement signifies what an arch wants of being a quadrant.

Supplement d’un angle, Fr. Supplement of an angle. The number of degrees which are wanting in an angle to constitute or make up two angles.

Supplement, Fr. A certain pecuniary allowance, over and above the ordinary pay or subsistence, which was given by the king to officers belonging to the old French service.

SUPPLEMENTAL,		-
SUPPLEMENTARY,

(Supplementaire, Fr.) Additional; such as fills up what is wanting.

SUPPLY. Relief of want; making up of deficiencies. A fresh supply of troops, ammunition, &c.

To SUPPLY. To makeup deficiencies. To aid; to assist; to relieve with something wanted. To fill any room made vacant. Thus, covering serjeants supply the places of officers when they step out of the ranks, or are killed in action.

To SUPPORT. To aid, to assist; it likewise signifies to preserve untarnished, viz. To support the ancient character of the corps.

Well Supported. Well aided, well assisted. It likewise signifies well kept up, as a well supported fire from the batteries; a well supported fire of musquetry.

SURAPAN, Ind. An honorary dress, which is given to an inferior by a superior.

SURAT Haal, Ind. A state or representation of the case.

SURCINGLE. A girth with which the saddle or any other burden is bound upon a horse.

SURFACE, in fortification, is that part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion: the double of this line with the curtain is equal to the exterior side.

SURGEON, (Chirurgien, Fr.) A staff officer, who is chief of the medical department in each regiment or hospital, &c.

Surgeon-general. The first or senior surgeon of an army.

Particular instructions to the regimental surgeons of the line in the British service.

Each regimental surgeon of the line, when provided with a chest of medicines, is required half yearly to make a return to the inspector of regimental hospitals, (under cover to the secretary at war,) of the medicines used by him during the preceding six months, and what remain; and this return must be accompanied by an affidavit taken before a magistrate, that none of the medicines have, to his knowlege, been converted to private purposes, or applied to any use but that of the regiment, or some other military service; for which he must produce the special orders of the commanding officer, or of the inspector of regimental hospitals.

Should a regiment of the line be placed in an unhealthy situation; or, from any prevailing disease, should the surgeon’s stock of a particular medicine be exhausted before the next yearly supply becomes due, he is to apply to the inspector of regimental hospitals, (under cover to the secretary at war) for a fresh supply; the existence of such cause for the extraordinary consumption of the medicines to be certified by the commanding officer.

If a medical officer of the line desires to use a medicine not in the dispensatory, he must procure it at his own expence.

Whenever wine is necessary for the sick of a regiment of the line, a return of the consumption thereof is to be made weekly to the inspector of regimental hospitals.

The medical and hospital expences of regiments of the line, and of their respective detachments, are to be inserted in the public accounts of the respective corps.

Every regimental surgeon is to make a report to the inspector of regimental hospitals, of the situation, size, rent, &c. of the hospital he proposes to hire; and unless on very pressing emergencies, no engagement is to be entered into without the permission of that officer, to whom is to be transmitted half yearly, viz. June 24th and December 24th, an abstract of the regimental hospital contingent expences, approved by the commanding officer of the regiment, accompanied with regular vouchers signed and certified by the paymaster.

When a soldier is punished, it is the duty of the regimental surgeon to attend at the execution of the sentence, and to see that the life of the culprit is not endangered by excessive rigor. He is, in fact, paramount to the commanding officer on this occasion, and ought to interfere whenever his judgment dictates. If any commanding officer should be hardy enough to continue the chastisement in spite of the surgeon’s interposition, the responsibility will then rest with him.

Assistant Surgeon. The person who acts immediately under the regimental surgeon. In the regulations for improving the situation of British regimental surgeons and mates, which took place in 1796, it is expressed, that surgeon’s mates in future are to be stiled assistant surgeons, and to be appointed by commission from the king, or by generals authorised by him. For further particulars respecting surgeons and assistant surgeons, see Military Finance, page 46.

Veterinary Surgeon. See [Veterinary].

SURINTENDANT des Fortifications, Fr. A place of great trust and considerable importance during the old French government. It was his duty to submit plans of places that were to be fortified, or of others that wanted repairing, to give in estimates of the expences that would attend the works, and to state to the directors the degrees of skill and activity which he had discovered in the different engineers who acted under him. He likewise communicated with the king on every weighty branch of ordnance. His allowance was fifty thousand livres per annum, out of which he gave six thousand livres, or 1200 dolls. to a first clerk, who received the like sum from the king for under-clerks and stationary.

Surintendant général des poudres et salpêtres de France, Fr. Superintendant general of powder and saltpetre magazines of France. An appointment in the old French artillery, which was created in 1634, and paid the Paulette.

SURMENER, Fr. To founder. A term in the French manege, signifying to over-ride or over-work a horse. Hence, un chéval surmené. A jaded horse, or one spoiled by too much work.

Les SURPENTES, Fr. The slings or straps used in the artillery.

To SURPRISE, (Surprendre, Fr.) in war, to fall on an enemy unexpectedly, in marching through narrow and difficult passes, when one part has passed, so as not easily to come to the succour of the other; as in the passage of rivers, woods, enclosures, &c. A place is surprised by drains, casemates, or the issues of rivers or canals; by the encumbering the bridge or gate, by waggons meeting and stopping each other; sending soldiers into the place, under pretence of being deserters, who, on entering, surprise the guard; being sustained by troops in ambush near the place, to whom they give entrance, and thereby seize it. Soldiers dressed like peasants, merchants, Jews, priests, or women, are sometimes employed for this purpose. The enemy sometimes send in their soldiers, as if they were yours coming from the hospitals, &c. they also dress their soldiers in your regimentals, who, presenting themselves at your gate as such, are immediately admitted, seize the guard, and become masters of the place. Sometimes houses are set on fire, and whilst the garrison comes out to extinguish it, troops who lay in ambush march in, and surprise the place. Officers commanding guards at the principal gates are lured out under various pretences; matters being so contrived that a party seize the gate in coming in with them. Sometimes an alarm is given at one side of the garrison, whilst you enter secretly at the other, which at that time is too often neglected.

Surprises, (Surprises, Fr.) In a military sense, may apply either to those measures which are adopted by one army in the field to surprise another, or to those which are followed in the attack of fortified places. The French make a distinction between surprises de campagne, and surprises des places, or the surprises which are practised against an army in the field, and those which are executed against fortified towns or places. What has been said under the article [Stratagems of War], will equally apply to the latter system.

When it is found expedient to attempt a surprise in the field, a sufficient number of men must be collected for the purpose, not only of advancing with confidence against the enemy, but of being able to make good a retreat, should he prove stronger than was suspected. The troops that are selected for this duty should be remarkable for their fidelity, and be able to undergo the greatest fatigue. Intelligent and faithful guides must be distributed among the different troops and companies, in order to keep up the continuity of the march, and put those of the rear in the right paths, should they have deviated from the direct route or line of march.

If the detachment or corps, that is entrusted with the secret expedition or surprise, be marched out of an entrenched camp, proper precautions must be taken, to prevent any intercourse between the enemy and persons employed to send or give intelligence. To do this effectually, the instant the rear guard has left the camp, the gates must be shut, and the strictest orders be issued to prevent spies or deserters from stealing out. Small parties of cavalry and riflemen must likewise be sent forward, to scour the roads, and to pick up stragglers. Care is taken to have it understood by the people of the country, that these parties are detached, for no other purpose than to escort some waggons, which are expected for the use of the army, to parley, or apparently to execute some business that can neither create jealousy, nor give uneasiness.

About an hour after, it must be proclaimed, in and about the camp and adjacent country, that no officer, soldier, sutler, or inhabitant of the villages, &c. shall on any account go more than one quarter of a league from the army. Small scouring parties, with the provost marshal’s field patroles, must be distributed beyond these limits, in order to pick up stragglers, and to search their persons lest they should be the bearers of letters, &c. A great number of small ambuscades must be laid along the leading avenues between the enemy’s camp and your own. If, notwithstanding all these precautions, you should learn, that the enemy has gained some information respecting your movement, a report must be instantly spread to make him imagine, that you have some other design in contemplation.

If, during the night, or in the course of the day, small reconnoitring parties, belonging to the enemy, should be discovered upon the road, or about it, one half of your patrole or scouring detachment, must be placed in ambush along one side of the road, in order to take them in the rear, whilst the other half attacks them in front, and by thus surrounding them, prevents any intelligence from being carried to the enemy.

When such parties consist of a regular advanced detachment from the enemy’s forces, that challenges you on your approach, your out-scouts must instantly give the name of the power or general against whose troops you are marching, or make them imagine, that you are returning from some secret expedition which had been undertaken in his favor, or that you came out of a neighboring state. As you draw near, proper measures must be adopted to get upon its flanks, so as ultimately to surround the whole guard, and to prevent any information from being forwarded to the main body of the enemy. This operation cannot fail of success, if you act with promptitude; and most especially if you can get possession of the enemy’s watchword or countersign.

Such are the leading precautions to be observed at the first outset of an army, whose design is to surprise its enemy. But these are not all. A perfect knowlege of his position must have been likewise acquired; correct descriptions of all the posts and stations, local as well as artificial advantages, must likewise have been given in, with a special account of the bridges, fords, &c. the state of his provisions, and of the general’s head-quarters.

If it be your design to surprise any strong holds, or particular posts, to fall suddenly upon some detached generals, or to carry the head-quarters themselves, you must be made thoroughly acquainted with all the intricacies of ground about them, with the number of men which may be opposed against you; and, when you have gained the necessary information respecting these matters, particularly the latter, you must assemble a body of active and zealous troops, whose number shall be one third at least greater than that of the enemy, to execute your plan.

When your project has been completed, you must call your men together. For in all expeditions of this sort, desultory operations are unavoidably necessary, and the troops employed upon them, must be dispersed. Should any be found absent at the roll-calling of the different companies or detachments, it may reasonably be presumed, that they are engaged in pillaging the place they entered. In which case you must set fire to the houses, if you cannot withdraw the free-booters by any other method. Strict orders should be given out, that no soldier or follower of the army shall move before the detachment returns to the main body, after having effected the surprise, or remain behind when it marches off. It frequently happens, that a few irregular soldiers, &c. will avail themselves of the confusion of the moment, to conceal the property that may have fallen into the hands of the detachment, and thereby to avoid sharing it with their comrades. Patroles must be sent out of the camp, and be posted along the road or roads that lead to the place which has been surprised, with strict injunctions to stop all stragglers; and the quarter and rear-guards of the camp itself must see, that none enter before the detachment is regularly marched in. When any are found guilty of this unmilitary practice, they must not only be stripped of their booty, but they must also be severely punished for the sake of example. If there should not be a sufficient number of waggons to bring off the wounded, the cavalry must dismount, and the wounded be put upon their horses. But if it be found expedient to make use of the horse, you must then convey the disabled in the best manner you can, by taking all the horses, &c. which may have been found in the place you have surprised.

After a surprise has been accomplished, the troops employed upon that service, must, if possible, be marched back to head-quarters, by a different road to the one they took in advancing against the enemy. For it would be extremely impolitic to expose them even though their number were a third greater than that of the enemy, to a second action; under the manifest disadvantages of being fatigued with the march, and the attack they had just made, and of being encumbered with the booty, &c. of the place they had surprised. Their retreat must be effected through the shortest way back. But if there should be the least ground to apprehend, that any attempt might be made by the enemy to cut them off, the first movement must be upon the same road they came, and when the night approaches, the troops must be suddenly countermarched, in order to take a different road, and to avoid any ambush that might be laid by the enemy.

Under these circumstances, every measure must be embraced to deceive the enemy. Some prisoners may be suffered to escape, before the troops have been countermarched, in order to give false information; some mules or horses may be left on the road, and small parties of drummers, &c. be detached forward to keep beating along the first road, as if the whole body were marching that way. Fires may also be lighted by patroles sent forward for the purpose. Among other means, which may be resorted to, to induce the enemy to believe that the original line of march has been continued, that of sending horses and men forward to mislead them by their footsteps is not the worst imagined.

It is more than probable, that if the retreat be made during the night, and through an enclosed or intersected country, the enemy will scarcely run the risk of pursuing, lest ambuscades should be formed to surprise him on his march.

If, notwithstanding all your precautions, the enemy should get intelligence of what has happened, and in consequence thereof he should have time to collect his forces together in order to attack you in your retreat; under these circumstances a position must be taken that is best suited to the kind of troops you have with you, and to their effective number.

If there be a ford, a bridge, or a defile, near to the ground you have taken up, which the enemy must unavoidably pass, the greatest expedition must be made to get beyond the obstacle, so as to have it securely in your rear. Should the obstacle be upon either of your flanks, a detachment must be posted there to keep the enemy in check, while your main body continues on its march. If you cannot conveniently send forward your booty, for fear of weakening your forces, it must be placed in such a manner as not to be in the way when you find it necessary to engage the enemy.

As soon as the enemy approaches, the whole body must be halted, and the proper dispositions be made for battle. The guard that is entrusted with the care of the prisoners, must instantly strip them of their swords, bayonets, and of every offensive weapon, (supposing them to have had permission to wear them) and must order them to sit down, threatening to shoot or cut down the first man that should presume to stir. On this account, the men who compose the guard, should always be ready to do their duty upon the least symptom of irregularity. A small cavalry detachment is usually employed upon this service, as it would not be in the power of the infantry to act with so much promptitude and activity. Before the troops are ranged in order of battle, directions must be given for every soldier to take off his knapsack, or havre-sack; for if the men were allowed to retain this load of baggage and booty, it would not be in their power to act.

History furnishes us with various instances in which fortified places, strong holds, and gates, have been surprised. There are others again in which surprises have been practised with success by means of spies, and of secret intercourse with one or more of the party against whom you are engaged. In 1707 several Miquelets disguised themselves as peasants, entered Balvastro, and remained concealed in the houses of some of the inhabitants, who supplied them with arms to enable them to attack the gate of Monsons, in order to co-operate with a detachment which was advancing towards that quarter for the purpose of surprising the place. But they did not succeed; for two regiments which lay in the town to guard the hospitals and magazines belonging to the army, instantly flew to arms, marched against the detachment, and forced them to retreat. Had the latter been superior in force, it is more than probable, that the stratagem used by the Miquelets, and seconded by the treachery of the inhabitants, would have amply succeeded. In 1580, count Egmont surprised Courtray, by ordering a number of determined good soldiers to get into the town à la débandade, and to remain concealed in the houses of the Roman catholics. See Stratagemes de Guerre, page 164, &c. &c. For various interesting particulars that regard the article we have been cursorily discussing, we refer our reader to La Suite de l’essai sur la science de la guerre, tom. iii. page 259; and tom. iv. page 87. Likewise Les Œuvres Militaires, tom. ii. page 69; and to the Stratagemes de Guerre, page 173.

To prevent a Surprise. Turpin in his Art of War, observes, that it is not sufficient for the security of the quarters, that they are well distributed, that the guards of horse are posted on the outside, and guards of foot on the inside, and that patroles also are added to them; detachments must be sent out in advance of the guards, in order to make discoveries.

A quarter should never be imagined to be totally secure, whilst there are only guards before it: it would not be difficult for the enemy to come close up to them, particularly if the country is enclosed, either during the day or night; and if it is an open country, in the night time only.

Detachments in advance of the quarters are absolutely necessary, even when there are guards; they should be increased according to the number of the troops, and in proportion to the extent of country to be guarded.

These detachments should march separately in the front, and they should occupy as much country as possible upon the flanks; they must march upon the roads leading to the enemy. In the day time, they must scour the hedges, thickets, and woods, the villages, the hollows, and every sort of place that may serve for an ambuscade: in the night time, they must draw near the quarter, and remain at the distance of at least four hundred paces, and even further if the country is open. In the night, detachments must march very leisurely, not advancing, but crossing each other; and beside the word given out in orders, they will have another particular one to recognize each other. Every now and then they must stop and listen, in order to discover, whether they can hear any thing. The officers commanding the detachments should avoid fighting till the last extremity; they should constantly bear in mind, that the sole purpose of their being ordered to advance, is to preserve the quarters from a surprise.

These detachments should not continue out above six or eight hours, and consequently should never dismount. If there are any hussars in the quarters, they should be employed in these detachments preferably to any other troops, as they are better calculated to scour a country than heavy cavalry, or even dragoons; their horses being more in wind and less liable to be fatigued. It is, besides, the sort of war which is natural to hussars.

As soon as these detachments are returned, others should be sent out for the same purpose, as the quarters should never be uncovered in front. If these detachments hear any thing in the night, the commanding officer should send to discover what it is, and must afterwards convince himself of the truth of it: if it should be occasioned by troops, he will directly send an hussar to the commanding officer of one of the guards, if there are any in the front of the quarters; but if not, then to the commandant of the first quarter, who will apprise the general. He must conceal himself in some place, from whence, without being discovered, he will with greater ease be able to form a judgment of what is marching towards him; and when he shall be more confirmed that they are enemies, he will send a second hussar to give notice to the first post, who will inform the general; and will always continue to observe their motions by marching either on their flank, or before them. See Am. Mil. Lib.

To SURRENDER, (Rendre, Fr.) To give up a town, post, or other fortification, agreeably to articles, &c.

To Surrender, (Se rendre, Fr.) To lay down your arms, and give yourself up as a prisoner of war.

Surrender, (Reddition, Fr.) The act of giving up. As the surrender of a town or garrison.

Surrender of general Burgoyne, 17th October, 1777, at Saratoga.

Surrender of general Cornwallis 19th October, 1779, at Yorktown.

To SURROUND. In fortification, to invest. In tactics, to outflank and cut off the means of retreating.

Surrounded. Inclosed; invested. A town is said to be surrounded when its principal outlets are blocked up; and an army, when its flanks are turned, and its retreat cut off.

SURSOLID. The fourth multiplication or power of any number whatever taken as the root.

SURVEILLANCE, Fr. Inspection; superintendance; the act of watching. The substantive is new among the French, and comes from Surveiller, to watch.

SURVEY. A survey is an examination of any place or stores, &c. to ascertain their fitness for the purposes of war, &c.

SURVEYING. In military mathematics, the art or act of measuring lands; that is, of taking the dimensions of any tract of ground, laying down the same in a map or drawing, and finding the content or area thereof.

Surveying, called also geodæsia, is a very ancient art; it is even held to have been the first or primitive part of geometry, and that which gave occasion to, and laid the foundation of all the rest.

Surveying consists of three parts: the first is the taking of the necessary measures, and making the most necessary observations, on the ground itself: the second is, the laying down of these measures and observations on paper: and the third, the finding the area or quantity of ground there laid down. The first is what we properly call surveying; the second we call plotting, protracting, or mapping; and the third casting up.

The first, again, consists of two parts, viz. the making of observations for the angles, and the taking of measures for the distances. The former of these is performed by someone or other of the following instruments, viz. the theodolite, circumferenter, semi-circle, plain table, or compass. The latter is performed by means either of the chain, or perambulator.

The second branch of surveying is performed by means of the protractor, and plotting scale. The third, by reducing the several divisions, inclosures, &c. into triangles, squares, trapeziums, parallelograms, &c. but especially triangles; and finding the areas or contents or these several figures. See American Mil. Lib.

SURVEYOR of the Ordnance. See [Ordnance].

SUSBANDE, Fr. The iron band or plate which covers the trunnion belonging to a piece of ordnance, or to a mortar, when either is fixed upon its carriage.

SUSPECT, Fr. A term adopted by the modern French to signify any person suspected of being an enemy, or indifferent to the cause of the revolution. Hence—Classe des suspects, Fr. The list of the suspected. Reputé suspect, Fr. Looked upon as a suspected person.

To SUSPEND, (Suspendre, Fr.) In a military sense to delay, to protract. Hence to suspend hostilities. It is likewise used to express the act of depriving an officer of rank and pay, in consequence of some offence. This sometimes happens by the sentence of a general court-martial, or by the summary order of the president through the secretary at war. In both cases it is usual for the commanding officer of the regiment to report him to the general of the district, by whom he is again reported to the commander in chief through the adjutant-general. He is then directed, by letter to the commanding officer of the regiment, to be suspended agreeably to the nature of the transgression. In a trifling case, he is only suspended from pay, and is respited accordingly upon the next muster roll for the government of the regimental agent. But when the offence is aggravated by palpable neglect, or obstinacy in not sending a satisfactory reason for his absence, (which can only be done by vouchers from the medical board, &c.) he is suspended from both rank and pay. So that to be suspended is either partially or generally to be deprived of the advantages of a military appointment.

To Suspend hostilities. To cease attacking one another.

SUSPENSION of Arms. A short truce that contending parties agree on, in order to bury their dead without danger or molestation; to wait for succours; or to receive instructions from a superior authority.

Suspension, as a military punishment, was probably intended to operate as pecuniary fining does in that of the common law; but (to use Mr. Sullivan’s words, in his treatise on martial law) it can neither be considered as deprivation or degradation. It does not divest an officer of his military character, though it puts him under a temporary incapacity to exercise the duties of his station: he still possesses his rank, though he does not reap any immediate advantage from it: It, in fact, may be looked upon and considered as borrowed from the ecclesiastical system of jurisdiction, which admitted suspension as a minor excommunication.

One stubborn difficulty, however, seems to present itself from suspension; and that is the article of pay and allowance. For if an officer shall have been suspended from the exercise of the authority annexed to his rank, and to have the pay of his allowance also suspended, he certainly seems warranted to plead such suspension in bar to the proceedings of a court-martial; there being always an implied contract between a soldier and his employer, that in consideration of certain pay and advantages granted by the one, the other shall submit to military discipline; and the obligation being mutual, when one fails in the performance of his part, he frees the other from the observance of his; therefore, when the pay and other advantages are suspended by the employer, the subjection to military discipline would seem also suspended. But this difficulty is easily removed, from the circumstances of the officer so suspended, still holding his commission; and from his submitting himself to the punishment which hath been inflicted on his transgression. The latitude of this principle hath even been seen to go farther, and under the sanction of such authority, that (since his majesty hath been graciously pleased to direct, in cases of doubt, members of a court-martial shall be guided by their consciences, the best of their understandings, and the custom of war in the like cases) it may be said to establish a precedent, which may with safety be appealed to. We here allude to the trial of lord George Sackville, who, at the time he was put upon the judgment of a general court-martial, had (so dear are the honor and reputation of a soldier) neither military employ nor commission under his majesty; and yet he was deemed entitled to an awful and solemn investigation of his conduct; application, indeed, having been previously made in his name, and he having declared himself willing to abide by the decision of the court. In a word, then, it may, without risking too much, be asserted, that an officer under suspension may be considered as strictly amenable to martial law for any trespass or transgression he shall commit. The same writer observes, in a preceding page, that suspension is a specific punishment, for a specific crime; but it is a punishment which does not free a man from his military obligations. On the contrary, he still is considered as in the service; he holds his commission, and at the expiration of the term of suspension, becomes a perfect man again. If therefore during the continuance of this chastisement, he should attempt to go over to the enemy, to desert, or hold treasonable correspondence, he certainly is, in such cases, to be dealt with according to martial law. Pages 86, 87, and 88, Thoughts on Martial Law.

The late Mr. Tytler, deputy judge advocate of North Britain, who has published an essay on military law, quotes the case of lord George Sackville, when he treats of officers under suspension, and agrees in every point with the author just referred to. Suspension, he observes, though it has the effect of depriving an officer for the time of his rank and pay, and putting a stop to the ordinary discharge of his military duties, does not void his commission, annihilate the military character, or dissolve that connection which exists between him and the sovereign, of whom he is a servant, He retains his commission, and is at all times liable to a call to duty, which would take off the suspension. See Essay on Military Law, pages 131, 132.

SUSTAIN. To sustain is to aid, succour, or support, any body of men in action, or defence.

SUTLER and Victualler maybe considered as synonimous terms as far as they relate to military matters; most especially when an army lies encamped, or rather takes the field. A sutler may be considered as one who follows the camp, and sells all sorts of provisions to the soldiers. There are also sutlers in garrison towns, who serve the soldiery, and are subject to military regulations.

Among the French, according to the present establishment of their army, a sutler is a soldier or inferior officer, who is authorised to follow head quarters, and to be constantly with the corps to which he is attached. He is permitted to sell the necessaries of life to the soldiers, and under certain restrictions, to deal in wines and spirituous liquors.

The sutlers are usually chosen from the regiments to which they belong, and are subordinate to the quarter-masters, after they have been appointed by the regimental committee or council of administration. They receive a licence enabling them to sell and buy, which licence must be approved of by the chief of the etat major, or staff of the division, in which the corps is stationed, or under which it acts.

The sutlers attending head-quarters are licensed by the quarter-master general. In order to distinguish them from adventitious travellers or pedlars, &c. it is wisely recommended by Paul Thiebault, author of a treatise upon the duties of an etat major, or staff in general, that they should have a particular number, which is to be engraved upon a tin plate, and constantly worn by them, as a mark of their being licensed by the quarter-master general.

When an army moves, the sutlers accompany the baggage. As many irregularities must naturally grow out of this necessary evil, the conduct of sutlers ought, at all times, to be narrowly watched, and severe penalties to be announced in general orders for every instance of unlawful depredation among the inhabitants, or of disorder in their booths. It is the duty of the piquet, at night, to be particularly watchful on this ground.

SUTURE. A manner of sewing or stitching, particularly of stitching wounds.

SWALLOW’S-tail. In fortification, an out-work, differing from a single tenaille, as its sides are not parallel, like those of a tenaille; but if prolonged, would meet and form an angle on the middle of the curtain; and its head or front composed of faces, forming a reentering angle. This work is extraordinarily well flanked, and defended by the works of the place, which discover all the length of its long sides, &c.

SWAMMIES, Ind. Pagan gods or idols.

SWAMP. See [Marsh].

SWAY. The swing or sweep of a weapon. Likewise power, as military sway.

SWEEP-bar, of a waggon, is that which is fixed on the hind part of the fore guide, and passes under the hind pole, which slides upon it.

SWEEPING. A word which is peculiarly attached to one of the sections or clauses in the articles of war. Hence, Sweeping Clause.

Sweeping Clause or Section. This comprehensive clause states, that all crimes not capital, and all disorders and neglects, which officers and soldiers may be guilty of, to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, though not specified in any of the foregoing rules and articles, are to be taken cognizance of by a general or regimental court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offence, and to be punished at their discretion.

This wisely imagined clause serves as a check to the paltry tricks and subterfuges, which are sometimes resorted to by men who are not thoroughly soldiers. It frequently happens, even among officers, that the service is hurt and embarrassed by the ingenuity of evasive characters, who think they are safe, provided they do not glaringly transgress specific rules and regulations. Another advantage is likewise derived from this clause: It enables officers at a court-martial, in cases where the offence is manifestly felt but cannot be brought under any specific article, to do justice to the service by punishing the delinquent under an indisputable clause.

To SWINDLE, (Escroquer, Fr.) A cant word signifying to cheat; to impose upon the credulity of mankind, and thereby defraud the unwary, by false pretences, fictitious assumptions, &c. This criminal and unmanly practice oftentimes proves successful under the garb of a military dress and character, and sometimes under that of holy orders. The records of Bow-street are filled with pseudo-majors, captains, parsons, &c.

SWINDLER, (Escroc, Fr.) A sharper; a cheat. This word is evidently taken from the German Schwindler, which, we presume, comes from Schwindel, giddiness of thought; giddy pate. See J. J. Eschenburg’s English and German Dictionary, Part II. page 197. With us, however, it signifies a person who is more than thoughtless or giddy. We affix to the term the character of premeditated imposition; so that a swindler comes under the criminal code, and may be prosecuted accordingly. Swindlers almost always assume a military name. Perhaps the army might, in some degree, be rescued from these pretenders, were it ordered that no officer shall appear with any military badge unless he be regimentally dressed; and that when so dressed, he shall have the number of his regiment marked upon the button of his hat, &c.

SWING-tree of a waggon. The bar placed across the foreguide, to which the traces are fastened.

SWIVEL, (Pierrier, Fr.) A small piece of ordnance which turns on a pivot or swivel.

SWIVELS, (Tourniquets de fer, Fr.) commonly called Loop and Swivel, and Guard and Swivel. Two iron rings attached to a musquet, through which the sling passes.

SWORD. A weapon used either in cutting or thrusting. The usual weapon of fights hand to hand. It also signifies, figuratively, destruction by war; as fire and sword; à feu et à sang, Fr.

Broad Sword. The Spanish and Scots kind, sometimes called a Back Sword, as having but one edge: it is basket handled, and three feet two inches long.

Regulation SWORD. The sword which is worn by British officers may be properly called a long cut and thrust. It is a manifest imitation of the Austrian sword, and has been introduced this war. It is not however, so conveniently used by the British as it is by the Austrians. The latter have it girded round their waists, so that it hangs without any embarrassment to the wearer close to the left hip or thigh; whereas with the British it is suspended in an awkward diagonal manner from a cross belt over the loins, and is scarcely visible in front, except occasionally, when it is drawn, or gets between the officer’s legs, and sometimes trips him up when off duty. We could exemplify our ideas upon this subject by various known occurrences, such as the sword being suspended so much out of the grasp of the wearer, that his right hand has appeared to run after the hilt, which has as constantly evaded its reach by the left side bearing it off, in proportion as the right turned towards it; by officers being reduced to the necessity of applying to their serjeants, &c. to draw their swords, &c. but it is not our wish to turn any regulation into ridicule. It is, however, our duty, and the duty of all men who write for the public, to point out practical inconveniences, &c. Perhaps it may not be thought superfluous on this occasion to remark, that the sword ought not to be considered as a mere weapon of offence or defence in an officer’s hand; for unless that officer should be singly engaged, which scarcely ever happens upon service, the very notion of personal safety will take his mind off the superior duty of attending to his men. Officers, in fact, should always bear in mind, that they are cardinal points which direct others. Their whole attention should consequently be paid to their men, and not the slightest idea must interfere with respect to themselves. We are therefore convinced, with due deference to the superior judgment of others, that the swords of infantry officers, and of the staff in general, should be for service, sufficiently long to dress the leading files, &c. and extremely portable. Every officer ought to know the use of his sword, and there should be a fencing-master, or drill swordsman, for every company in the service, who should be armed with sabres or good cut and thrusts.

Position of the Sword at open Order. When an officer stands or marches in front of his company, &c. the position of the sword is diagonal across the chest, with the edge upward. At close order, or when the officer is on the flank of his company, &c. the hilt is close to the right thigh, and the blade in the hollow of the right shoulder, with the edge to the front. When mounted, he carries it diagonally across the bridle hand.

When troops or squadrons of cavalry advance:—In the walk, the sword is carried with the blade resting on the right arm; in the trot and gallop, the right hand must be steadied on the right thigh, the point of the sword rather inclining forward; and in the charge, the hand is lifted, and the sword is carried rather forward, and crossways in front of the head, with the edge outwards. See Am. Mil. Lib.

SWORDSMAN, (Homme d’épée, Fr.); This word was formerly used to signify a soldier, a fighting man. But at present it generally means a person versed in the art of fencing. Hence a good swordsman. The French use the terms Bretteur and Bretailleur. The former is more immediately applicable to a man who wears a sword and piques himself upon the exercise of it: the latter means a person who frequents fencing schools, and often exercises himself in that art.

SWORDED. Girt with a sword.

Sword-player. A gladiator; one who fences publicly.

Sword-belt. A belt made of leather, which hangs over the right shoulder of an officer, by which his sword is suspended on the left side.

Sword-bearer, (Porte épée, Fr.) One who wears a sword. It also signifies a public officer.

Sword-cutler, (Fourbisseur, Fr.) One who makes swords.

Sword-knot, (Nœud d’épée, Fr.) A ribband tied to the hilt of a sword. All officers should wear sword-knots of a peculiar color and make. They are made of blue silk and gold or silver.

SYCOPHANT. A dirty, mean, groveling creature that sometimes finds its way into the army, and gets to the ear of a superior officer, for the purpose of undermining the good opinion which honest valor and open manhood may have obtained.

SYEF, Ind. A long sword.

SYEF-ul Mulk, Ind. The sword of the kingdom.

SYMBOL. In a military sense, badge. Every regiment in the British service has its peculiar badge.

SYMBOLE, Fr. The French make use of this word in the same sense that they apply Enseigne. Symbole means with them, in a military sense, what badge does with us.

SYMMETRY, (Symmetrie, Fr.) A word derived from the Greek. True symmetry consists in a due proportion, or in the relation of equality in the height, length, and breadth of the parts, which are required to make a beautiful whole, or in an uniformity of the parts with respect to the whole.

SYRTES or sables mouvans, Fr. Quicksands.

SYSTEM, (Systeme, Fr.) A scheme which reduces many things to regular dependence or co-operation. This word is frequently applied to some particular mode of drilling and exercising men to fit them for manœuvres and evolutions. Hence the Prussian system, the Austrian system, the new or mathematical system, &c.

Military System. Specific rules and regulations for the government of an army in the field, or in quarters, &c.

SYSTEMS, (Systemes, Fr.) In fortification, a particular arrangement or disposition of the different parts which compose the circumference of a town or fortified place, according to the original idea or invention of an engineer. The systems best known under this head, and most followed, are those of Vauban, Cohorn, De Ville, Pagan, &c. See [Fortification].