T.
T. The form of a subterraneous arrangement in mining; so called from its resemblance to that letter.
TABAC, Fr. Tobacco. During the monarchy of France there was a specific allowance made of tobacco to the cavalry and infantry, when they were in camp, quarters, or garrison. They were likewise supplied by the captains of troops or companies, with a certain quantity whilst on the march from one province or quarter to another.
| TABARD, | - | |
| TABELD, |
A herald’s coat.
TABLE, in military affairs, a kind of register to set down the dimensions of carriages for guns, mortars, &c. also for the practice of artillery, charges of mines, &c.
Table des officiers généraux et principaux, Fr. Mess or table as directed to be kept for the general and other superior officers of the old French army.
The only military table which is regulated in Great Britain, is at the Horse Guards; and that is charged to the extraordinaries of the army. Good order and discipline are intimately connected with a system of messing. This truth holds good with respect to the soldier, and a regulation is the consequence of its propriety. With regard to the officers it is well known, that in corps where they do not mess, perpetual bickerings among themselves, and occasional obstacles to the service, occur.
The French regulation took place on the 1st of April 1705, and was again renewed, with additional clauses, on the 20th of January 1741, on the 1st of December 1746, on the 17th of February 1753, and on the 9th of March 1757. The curious are referred to a French publication, intitled Elemens Militaires.
Before the abolition of the French monarchy, it was usual for officers belonging to the line in that service, to mess together according to their several ranks; the colonel excepted, who had a private table to which he occasionally invited the officers of the corps. A regular roster was kept for this purpose. The lieutenant-colonel and major uniformly messed with the captains; the different tables were generally composed of eight or ten officers of the same rank. The lieutenants dined together; so did the sub-lieutenants; each paying towards the mess in proportion to the receipt of daily subsistence.
Table de capitaine de vaisseau, Fr. A mess or table which was regularly provided at the public expence, for the superior officers who served on board.
Table d’hote, Fr. An ordinary.
Tenir Table ouverte, Fr. To keep open house.
Table en saille, Fr. In architecture, a table which juts out of the facing of a wall, or of a pedestal.
Table fouillee, Fr. That which instead of being saliant is indented: it is commonly adorned with a border.
Table d’attente, Fr. See [Rusticated Table].
Crowned Table. In architecture, one which is covered with a cornice, and in which is cut a basso relievo; or a piece of black marble incrustated for an inscription.
Razed Table. In architecture, an embossment in a frontispiece for the putting an inscription, or other ornament in sculpture.
Rusticated Table. In architecture, one which is picked, whose surface appears rough, as in grottoes.
Table. In literature, an index, a repertory, at the beginning or end of a book to direct the reader to any passage in it.
The Round Table. A table to distinguish military merit, which was first invented by king Arthur, who succeeded his father Uther Pendragon, king of the Britons, who was brother to Aurelius Ambrosius, and third son of Constantine. Arthur was the 11th king of England, from the departure of the Romans, and was crowned about the year 516.
Having expelled the Saxons out of England, conquered Norway, Scotland, and the greatest part of France, (where at Paris he was crowned) this monarch returned to his native country, and lived in so great renown, that many princes and knights came from all parts to his court, to give proof of their valor in the exercise of arms. Upon this he erected a fraternity of knights, which consisted of twenty-four, of whom he was the chief; and for the avoiding controversies about precedency, he caused a round table to be made, from whence they were denominated Knights of the Round Table. This table, according to tradition, hangs up in the castle at Winchester, where they used to meet at Whitsuntide.
Table de marbre, Fr. A marble table. During the monarchy of France, there were two courts of jurisdictions, which were called Tables de Marbre, or marble tables; one was that of the constable, and the Maréchaussée or police of France; and the other that which gave directions for the general clearing of the forests, and the purifying of stagnant waters. They are so called from the meeting being held round a large marble table.
TABLEAU, Fr. A description, a catalogue. It likewise signifies a chimney-piece.
TABLETTE, Fr. A flat thin stone, which is used to cover the outside of a wall belonging to a terrace, or the border of a bason, &c.
TABLIER, Fr. Apron. It likewise signifies an outside cover made for ornament, or to prevent any thing from being damaged by the weather. In the old French army the kettle drums had two of these aprons or covers; one made of damask or sattin, on which were embroidered the arms of the king, or of the general to whom they belonged, and the other of black leather.
Tablier de pont levis, Fr. That part of a draw-bridge, which is raised for the purpose of shutting a gate, and to prevent access to it, and upon which persons pass when the bridge is let down.
TABLOUINS, Fr. A word used in the artillery. The thick boards or planks that constitute the platform upon which cannon is mounted in battery.
| TABOUR, | - | |
| TABOURET, | ||
| TABOURINE, | ||
| TABRET. |
A small drum, beat with one stick to accompany a pipe. It was anciently used in war.
TACHE, Fr. properly means job, or a regular rate for labor. Workmen are thus hired and paid by the day or by the lump.
TACKLE. The weapon or arrow shot from a bow, was so called by the ancient Welsh.
TACKLES are more particularly used for small ropes running in pullies, the better to manage all kinds of ordnance. See [Gin].
TACTICS. A word derived from the Greek, signifying order. Tactics consist of a knowlege of order, disposition, and formation, according to the exigency of circumstances in warlike operations. These dispositions are severally made, or one disposition follows another by means of manœuvres and evolutions. Hence the necessity of paying the greatest attention to the first principles of military art; and hence the absurdity and ignorance of some men, who would pass for great and able tacticians, without having grounded themselves in the elements of their professions. As well might a person assume the character of a complete arithmetician under a total ignorance of the first rules.
General tactics are a combination or union of first orders, out of which others grow of a more extensive and complicated nature, to suit the particular kind of contest or battle which is to be given, or supported. Let it not, however, be inferred from this, that evolutions or movements and tactics are one and the same. They are, but there is still a discernable difference between each of them.
Tactics (or as the French say, La Tactique, tactical art) may be comprehended under order and disposition: an evolution is the movement which is made by one corps among a larger number of corps, and eventually leads to order. Manœuvres consist of the various evolutions which several corps of a line pursue to accomplish the same object. The higher branches of tactics, or la grande tactique, should be thoroughly understood by all general officers; it is sufficient for inferior officers and soldiers to be acquainted with evolutions. Not that the latter are not to be known by general officers, but that having already acquired a full knowlege of them, they ought to direct their attention more immediately to the former; carefully retaining at the same time a clear apprehension of every species of military detail, and thereby obviating the many inconveniences and embarrassments which occur from orders being awkwardly expressed to the staff, and of course ill understood by the inferior officer. It may be laid down as a certain rule, that unless a general officer make himself acquainted with particular movements and dispositions, and preserve the necessary recollections, it is morally impossible for him to be clear and correct in his general arrangements. Of all mechanical operations, founded upon given principles, the art of war is certainly the most compendious, the most enlarged, and the most capable of infinite variety. Almost every other science and art are comprehended in it; and it should be the constant object, the chief study, and the ultimate end of a general’s reflections. He must not be satisfied with a limited conception of its various branches; he should go deeply into all its parts, be aware of its manifold changes, and know how to adapt movements and dispositions to circumstances and places.
It will be of little use to a general to have formed vast projects, if, when they are to be executed, there should be a deficiency of ground: if the general movements of the army should be embarrassed by the irregularity of some particular corps, by their overlapping each other, &c. and if through the tardiness of a manœuvre, an enemy should have time to render his plan abortive by more prompt evolutions. A good general must be aware of all these contingencies, by making himself thoroughly master of tactics.
The Prussian tactics under Frederic the Great, had for their principal object to concentrate forces, and thereby choose the most suitable points to attack an enemy, not at one and the same time, but one after another; the tactics which have been uniformly pursued by the French, since the commencement of their revolution, have been founded upon the same principles: as well as to apply the method to several points, and to attack all points with divided forces, at one and the same time.
Tactics of Europe. The following observations respecting the tactics of Europe, may be useful to those who have not the Am. Mil. Lib.
In the time of the Romans, the Gauls and other nations on the continent fought in the phalanx order; it is this order which still prevails through all Europe, except that it has been till lately deficient in the advantages and utility which Polybius ascribes to it, and is injured, by defects unknown in the ancient phalanx.
In Turenne’s days, troops were ranged 8 deep, both in France and Germany. Thirty years after, in the time of Puysegur, the ranks were reduced to 5: in the next Flanders war to 4; and immediately after to 3, which continues to be the order of the French armies; the ranks of light troops only are reduced to 2.
This part of the progression from 8 to 3 being known, we easily conceive how the files of the phalanx had been diminished from 16 to 8 in the ages preceding Turenne. It is to be presumed, that this depth was considered as superfluous, and it was judged necessary to diminish it, in order to extend the front. However, the motive is of very little consequence, since we are now reduced to three ranks; let us see what qualities of the phalanx have been preserved, and what might have been added thereto.
To shew that the defects of the phalanx were preferred in Europe, we suppose two bodies of troops, one of eight thousand men, ranged as a phalanx, sixteen deep; the other a regiment of three battalions, consisting only of fifteen hundred men, drawn up in three lines, after the same manner. Those two bodies shall be perfectly equal and alike in extent of front, and shall differ in nothing but in the depth of their files: the inconveniences and defects, therefore, occasioned by the length of the fronts are equal in both troops, though their numbers are very different; hence it follows, that, in Europe, the essential defects of the phalanx were preserved and its advantages lost.
Let the files of this body of eight thousand, be afterwards divided, and let it be reduced to three in depth, its front will then be found five times more extensive, and its depth five times less: we may, therefore, conclude, that the defects of the phalanx were evidently multiplied in the discipline of Europe, at the expence of its advantages, which consisted in the depth of its files.
The progress which has taken place in the artillery, has contributed greatly to this revolution. As cannon multiplied, it was necessary to avoid its effects; and the method of avoiding, or at least of lessening them, was to diminish the depth of the files.
The musquet, likewise, has a great share in the alteration; the half-pike was entirely laid aside for the bayonet; and in order to have no fire unemployed, it was thought necessary to put it in the power of every soldier to make use of his firelock.
Those are, we think, the two principal causes of the little solidity, or depth given to the battalion.
Thus the defects of the phalanx were multiplied in the European discipline, and its advantages and perfections injudiciously diminished. The system of Prussia, made some alterations, but with every other power until the French revived the principles of the phalanx in their columns of attack, the system was much inferior to the phalanx, and had nothing but the single effect of fire-arms to counterbalance all its advantages. The effect, however, of fire-arms is a partial power, and does not originally belong to the manner of disciplining troops, the sole aim of which, should be to employ man’s natural action. It is man, therefore, and not his fire, which is to be considered as the principal agent; and from hence the European systems before the French revolution were very much inferior to the phalanx, and still more to the Roman arrangement, which so far surpassed that of Greece.
The light troops of both those people were much heavier than modern battalions, and had more power and solidity for a shock or conflict. However, the Roman discipline, notwithstanding its superiority, is not calculated for our times; because, as we are obliged to engage first at a distance, ours, by its cannon, would destroy the Roman order of battle in a very short time, and would be exposed to a loss much less considerable itself, supposing even the artillery was equal on both sides; we should then, in order to perfect our arrangements, endeavor to procure them all the advantageous qualities of the legionary regulations, as the only means of giving them the superiority.
Many people are of opinion, that we now imitate the Romans, and that we give battle according to their system, because our troops are drawn up in lines, some of which are full, and others vacant. But it is shewn, that three battalions have the same front, and the same inconveniences that eight thousand men ranged in the phalanx order. Our lines are formed by brigades, regiments, or battalions, and the distance of one corps from the other is equal to the front of one of those corps: so that those lines, both full and vacant, are composed of detachments equal in front; each has a phalanx of six, eight, or twelve thousand men. This order of battle consequently, can be no more at most than a kind of medium between those of Greece and Rome.
Tactics of Bonaparte. It is well known that the greater part of the victories of Bonaparte may be imputed to the admirable system adopted by this general; a system which, however often repeated, has still been attended with the same success—a system, to which the established tactics have as yet applied no remedy, or rather, to which the confirmed habits of men, educated in the ancient system, are as unwilling as unable to accommodate themselves.
The minor discipline is his great secret; the simple methods of the first drills, are merely facings and wheelings in a discretionary order, all his rules, are like general principles, the results of which may be produced by a different process of the same elements. All his movements are at rapid time; and the rotation of evolutions, though laid down in regulation, is not pursued in practice, the soldier is taught not so much how to execute a set of movements, as how to perform any that the variety of ground and the incidents of action, never twice alike, call for. These are the elementary rules, on which the system is founded.
His system of action is comprehended in the following principles:
1st. To select some partial point of attack, most frequently the enemy’s centre, but occasionally one or other of the wings—and then, strengthening that part of his own army which is opposed to the point of attack, by drafts from the other divisions, to bear down upon the point of attack, with the advantage of numbers, and consequently of greater physical force.
2d. To counteract the effect of the weakness of the other divisions, by assigning them a defensive part only; a purpose which evidently requires a less power than is necessary to attack.
2. By some advantage of position. This is either natural, as a strong position properly so called, or relative, as where the weaker divisions are so placed as either to be protected by the stronger, or, in case of dispersion, to be enabled to fall in with the main body.
3d. The necessary, the inevitable effects of this system are—
That the part of the enemy, which is the point of attack, is almost invariably broken, driven back, in a word, defeated.
That, in the mean time, the weaker divisions of the army which attack, according to this system, are either enabled to maintain their ground, against the strongest wings of the enemy, or they are repulsed.
That, if the divisions maintain the ground, the defeat of their enemy is certain, complete, and irrecoverable.
The main body of the attacking army, having driven before it the point of attack, has now become the rear of those other divisions of the enemy which are contending with its own divisions. The divisions of the enemy are thus between two bodies. The divisions they are in the act of attacking, and the victorious main body, which, having accomplished its own part, is hastening to the relief of its divisions.
That, on the other hand, if the weaker divisions of the attacking army, (attacking according to the system) should happen to be dispersed; confident of their final victory, they exert themselves like conquerors, with the spirit of hope, and courage of assured victory. They dispute the ground, retreat inch by inch, and, if they cannot prevent, still protract their defeat, till the victorious main body shall come to their aid.
Finally, and indeed, most materially, though the weaker divisions of the attacking army should be absolutely defeated, the victorious main body cannot but necessarily recover every thing. The divisions of the enemy, which have succeeded in defeating the divisions of the attacking army, must be equally dispersed by pursuit, as the defeated divisions by defeat. It is, indeed, an essential part of this system, to contrive that they should so be dispersed, by the scattered flight of the divisions defeated. By this means the victorious main body, formed by the exactest discipline to keep their ranks, returning from their pursuit at the word of command, and in the very moment of opportunity have an easy conquest over scattered divisions, which are thus likewise under the circumstance of being placed between two fires.
Such is the celebrated system. Three singular inferences must be deduced from it:—
That, where an army attacks according to this system, the defeat of one part of the army of its enemy is the defeat of the whole.
That the defeat of the smaller divisions by the defending army, is no defeat at all; the defeat, or at least, repulse of these divisions, being one of the means of the victory of the attaching army.
That it is the event of the main attack, and not the repulse or even defeat of the subordinate and merely defensive divisions that should decide the victory.
Maritime Tactics, or manœuvres, &c. at sea. Like those practised on land may be considered under two heads. The first contains what the French term historique or detail, in which are included the orders and signals directed to be observed by fleets going into action; together with a specific account of the different manœuvres which have been executed in the principal engagements. The second comprehends a knowlege of the rates of ships, and of the method of constructing them.
The vessels of the ancients made their way by means of sails and oars. The rows of oars were proportioned to the different sizes, from what was called unus-ramus, which was the smallest, and had only one row; to the quinque-rami, which had five rows.
The particular method in which these ships were constructed, as well as of the arrangements that were made within, in order that a sufficient number of rowers might be commodiously placed to work them, is not perfectly known to the moderns; nor have the ancients left us documents sufficiently clear and accurate on that head.
With respect to naval tactics, or the art of fighting at sea, it is confessedly less ancient than tactics on shore, or what is generally called land service. Mankind were accustomed to contend for the possession of territory long before they determined on, or even dreamed of, making the sea a theatre of war and bloodshed.
Setting aside the many fabulous accounts which are extant concerning naval tactics, we shall remain satisfied with what has been transmitted to us by the Roman writers of the Vth and VIth centuries of that republic. We shall there find specific details of the different manœuvres which were practised at sea during the Punic war. In those times naval armaments began to be regularly fitted out; ships of different forms and sizes were constructed, and certain offensive and defensive machines, that served as a species of artillery, were placed upon them. They had already been drawn out according to system; being divided into certain proportions which were then called divisions, but are now named squadrons; and the persons who commanded them, exerted all their skill and genius to gain advantages over their enemies, by opportunely getting to windward, by seizing the favorable occurrence of the tide, or by mooring in advantageous situations.
At the battle of Actium, Augustus finding himself inferior to Mark Antony in the number of his ships, had the sagacity to draw up his line of battle along the entrance of the gulph of Ambracia, and thereby to make up for his deficiency. This naval manœuvre, as well as that of getting to windward of the enemy, in order to bear down upon him with more certainty and effect, exists to the present day.
We act precisely upon the same principles in both cases, by which the ancients were governed, with the additional advantage, in fighting to windward, of covering the enemy’s line with smoke from the discharge of ordnance and fire-arms. The French call this being in possession of the closest line—Occuper la ligne du plus prés.
In those times, ships were boarded much sooner than they are at present. Most engagements at sea are now determined by cannon shot. Among the ancients, when two ships endeavored to board each other, the rowers drew in their oars, to prevent them from being broken in the shock.
The manœuvre which was practised on this occasion, was for the ship that got to windward of its adversary, to run upon its side, with the prow, which being armed with a long sharp piece of iron, made so deep an impression in it, that the ship thus attacked, generally sunk. The voyages which were afterwards made on the ocean, rendered it necessary to construct ships that carried more sail, and were double decked; and since the invention of gunpowder, tiers of guns have been substituted in the room of rows of oars.
On the decline and fall of the Roman empire, the Saracens got the ascendancy in naval tactics. They took advantage of this superiority, and extended their conquests on all sides. The whole extent of coast belonging to the Mediterranean, together with the adjacent islands, fell under their dominion. Mankind are indebted to them for considerable improvements in naval tactics.
It was only under Charlemagne that the Europeans may be said to have first paid any great attention to their navy. That monarch kept up a regular intercourse with the caliphs of the East; and having just grounds to apprehend an invasion from the Normans, he constructed vessels for the defence of his coasts.
During the reign of the first French kings, belonging to the third race, naval tactics were little attended to, on account of the small extent of maritime coast which France possessed at that period. It was only in the days of Louis the Younger, and of Louis, surnamed the Saint, that we discover any traces of a considerable fleet; especially during the crusades.
Under Charles the Vth, and his successor Charles the VIth, the French got possession of several sea-ports, and had command of a long line of coast. Yet neither they nor the English, with whom they were frequently at war, had at that period any thing like the fleets which are fitted out now.
The discovery of America by Columbus, and the more lucrative possession of the East Indies, induced the principal states of Europe to encrease their naval establishments, for the purpose of settling colonies, and of bringing home, without the danger of molestation, or piracy, the wealth and produce of the Eastern and Western worlds.
The French marine was far from being contemptible under Francis the first; but it grew into considerable reputation during the administration of cardinal Richelieu, in the reign of Louis the XIIIth; and continued so until the battle of La Hogue. From that epoch it began to decline; while the English, on the other hand, not only kept up the reputation they had acquired under Cromwell and his predecessors, but rendered themselves so thoroughly skilled in naval tactics, that they have remained masters of the sea to this day. In corroboration of what we have advanced, we refer our readers to a history of the Sovereignty of the Ocean, by the American editor of this work.
TACTIQUE Maritime, Fr. Naval tactics, or sea manœuvres, &c. See [Naval Tactics].
TAGBEERE, Ind. Dismission.
TAIGAU, Ind. A sabre.
TAIL of the trenches. The post where the besiegers begin to break ground, and cover themselves from the fire of the place, in advancing the lines of approach.
TAILLE du soldat, Fr. The size, height, and stature most proper for a soldier.
TAILLER, Fr. To cut. Tailler en pièces, to cut to pieces.
TAILLOIR, Fr. Trencher. It likewise signifies in architecture a square piece of stone, or wood which is placed above the capital.
To TAKE. This verb, as Dr. Johnson observes, like prendre in French, is used with endless multiplicity of relations. Its uses are so numerous, that they cannot easily be exemplified; and its references to the words governed by it so general and lax, that they can hardly be explained by any succedaneous terms. But commonly that is hardest to explain which least wants explanation. We shall content ourselves with giving a few general terms, in which the verb take is used with respect to military matters.
To Take. To make prisoner.
To Take advantage of. To avail oneself of any peculiar event or opening, whereby an enemy may be overcome, viz.—He took advantage of the debaucheries which were daily committed in the enemy’s camp, to surprise the army.
To Take ground to the right or left. To extend a line towards either of those directions.
To Take up quarters. To occupy locally; to go into cantonments, barracks, &c. To become stationary for more or less time.
To Take up the gauntlet. The correlative to throw down the gauntlet. To accept a challenge.
To Take up arms. To embody and troop together for offensive or defensive purposes. We likewise say, to take arms.
To Take down. To minute; to commit to paper what is spoken or given orally. Hence to take down his words.
To Take the field. To encamp. It likewise means generally to move with troops in military order.
To Take in. A low phrase, signifying to cheat, to gull. Officers, especially the junior classes, are frequently taken in.
To Take oath. To swear.
To Take up. To seize; to catch; to arrest; as to take up a deserter.
To Take on. An expression in familiar use among soldiers that have enlisted for a limited period, to signify an extension of service by taking a fresh bounty.
To Take. To adopt any particular formation:
| Rear ranks take open order | - | |
| Rear ranks take close order |
Words of command which are used in the discipline of troops. For the manner in which they are executed see [Order].
To Take cognisance. To investigate with judicial authority.
TALC, (Talc, Fr.) In natural history, a shining, squamous, fissile species of stone, easily separable into thin lamina or scales, improperly called Isinglass.
There are two kinds of talc, viz. the white talc of Venice, and the red talc of Muscovy.
TALE. Information; disclosure of any thing secret.
Tale, Ind. An Indian coin equal to six shillings and eight pence.
TALEBEARER. One who gives officious or malignant intelligence. With respect to the interior economy of military life, a talebearer is the most dangerous creature that could insinuate itself among honorable men; and however acceptable domestic information may sometimes seem to narrow minds, it will be found even by those who countenance the thing, that such means of getting at the private sentiments of others, not only defeat their own ends, but ultimately destroy every species of regimental harmony. The only way to secure a corps from this insidious evil, is for commanding officers to treat those with contempt, who would endeavor to obtain their countenance by such base and unofficer-like conduct. For it is a known axiom, that if there were no listeners, there would be no reporters.
TALENT. Count Turpin, in his essay on the Art of War, makes the following distinction between genius and talent:—Talent remains hidden for want of occasions to shew itself; genius breaks through all obstacles: genius is the contriver, talent the workman in military affairs. Talent is properly that knowlege acquired by study and labor, and ability to apply it; genius takes, as by intuition, a glance of whatever it is occupied on, and comprehends at once without labor the true character of the subject; genius must however not be devoid of acquired knowlege.
TALK. The Indian tribes of the United States, on public occasions, such as treaties, depute persons to deliver discourses to those with whom they treat, and those discourses are called Talks: they often abound with eloquence.
To TALK. To make use of the powers of speech. Officers and soldiers are strictly forbidden to talk under arms.
TALLOW. A well known name for the fat of animals. It is used as a combustible in the composition of fireworks. See [Laboratory].
TALON, Fr. In architecture, an ornamental moulding, which is concave below and convex above.
Talon renversé, Fr. An ornamental moulding which is concave above. This word is likewise applied to many other things, as the upper part of a scythe, &c. the end of a pike, &c.
Talon d’un cheval, Fr. A horse’s heel, of the hind part of his hoof. Talon literally means heel.
TALOOK, Ind. A farm under rent; or a number of farms or villages let out to one chief.
TALOOKDAR, Ind. The head of a village under a superior.
TALPATCHES, Fr. A nickname which is given to the foot soldiers in Hungary. It is derived from Talp, which, in the Hungarian language, signifies sole of a shoe, and plainly proves, from the ridicule attached to it, that the Hungarians would rather serve on horseback than on foot. All persons are strictly forbidden to call them by this name.
TALUS, Fr. This word is sometimes written Talut. For its signification see [Fortification].
TALUTED, from taluter, is sloped or graduated from a given height to a less.
TALUTER, Fr. To give a slope to any thing in fortification.
TAMBOUR, in fortification, is a kind of work formed of pallisades, or pieces of wood, 10 feet long and 6 inches thick, planted close together, and driven 2 or 3 feet into the ground; so that when finished, it may have the appearance of a square redoubt cut in two. Loopholes are made 6 feet from the ground, and 3 feet asunder, about 8 inches long, 2 inches wide within and 6 without. Behind is a scaffold 2 feet high, for the soldiers to stand upon. They are frequently made in the place of arms of the covert-way, at the saliant angles, in the gorges, half-moons, and ravelins, &c.
Tambours, in fortification, solid pieces of earth which are made in that part of the covert way that is joined to the parapet, and lies close to the traverses, being only 3 feet distant from them. They serve to prevent the covert-way from being enfiladed, and obstruct the enemy’s view towards the traverses. When tambours are made in the covert-way, they answer the same purposes that works en cremaillére would.
Tambour likewise means, in fortification, a single or isolated traverse, which serves to close up that part of the covert-way where a communication might have been made in the glacis for the purpose of going to some detached work.
Tambour also signifies, both in French and English, a little box of timber-work covered with a cieling, within side the porch of certain churches, both to prevent the view of persons passing by, and to keep off the wind, &c. by means of folding doors. In many instances it is the same as porch.
Tambour, Fr. See [Drum].
Marcher TAMBOURS battans et drapeaux flottans. To march with drums beating and colors flying.
Tambour, Fr. See [Drummer]. We frequently use the word Drum in the same sense that the French do, viz. to signify drummer. We likewise say fife for fifer; as, one drum and one fife to each company.
Tambour major, Fr. Drum major.
Batteries de Tambour, Fr. The different beats of the drum. The principal beats among the French are—La générale, the general; L’assemblée, the assembly; Le dernier, the last beat; Le drapeau, the troop; Aux champs, to the field; La marche, the march; La diane, the reveille; L’alarme, to arms, or the alarm; La chamade, the parley; L’appel, the roll or call; La fascine ou brelogue, the workman’s call. Le ban et la rétraite.
Aux champs, ou le premier, is beat when any particular corps of infantry is ordered to march; but if the order should extend to a whole army, it is then called La générale, the general. They do not make this distinction in the British service, but omit the premier or first beat when one regiment, detachment, or company, marches out of a camp or garrison where there are other troops.
Le second, ou l’assemblée, is to give notice that the colors are to be sent for.
La marche is beat when troops march off their parade.
Battre la charge, ou battre la guerre. To beat the charge, or the point of war. This occurs when troops advance against an enemy. This beat may be conceived by repeating in seconds of time the sound—bom! bom! bom! bom! Battre la rétraite is to beat the retreat, to cease firing, or to withdraw after the battle. It is likewise used in garrisons to warn soldiers to retire to their quarters.
Battre la fricassée. To beat the long roll. A beat which is practised to call soldiers suddenly together.
Battre la diane. To beat the reveille. This is done in a camp or garrison at break of day. When an army besieges a town, the reveille is confined to those troops belonging to the infantry that have mounted guard, particularly in the trenches; and it is then followed by the discharge of those pieces of ordnance which had ceased firing on account of the darkness of the night, that prevented their being properly pointed against the enemy’s works.
Tambour de basque, Fr. A tabor.
Tambour battant, Fr. Drums beating.
Sortir Tambour battant, enseignes deployées, Fr. To go out drums beating and colors flying.
Tambour in architecture. A term applied to the Corinthian and composite capitals, as bearing some resemblance to a drum, which the French call Tambour.
Tambour likewise denotes a round course of stone, several whereof form the shaft of a column not so high as a diameter.
Un TAMBOURIN, Fr. A timbrel.
TAMBOURINE. A drum, somewhat resembling the tabor, but played in our military bands without either stick or pipe.
TAMIS, Fr. A sieve.
| TAMPIONS, or | - | |
| TOMBIONS, |
are wooden cylinders to put into the mouth of the guns, howitzers, and mortars, in travelling, to prevent the dust or wet from getting in. They are fastened round the muzzle of the guns, &c. by leather collars.
They are sometimes used to put into the chambers of mortars, over the powder, when the chamber is not full.
Tampions, in sea-service artillery, are the iron bottoms to which the grape-shot are fixed, the dimensions of which are as follows, viz.
Diameter.
| 42 | pounders, | 6⁶⁄₁₀ths inches. | |
| 32 | ditto | 6 | |
| 24 | ditto | 5⁴⁄₁₀ths | |
| 18 | ditto | 4⁹⁄₁₀ths | |
| 12 | ditto | 4³⁄₁₀ths | |
| 9 | ditto | 3⁹⁄₁₀ths | |
| 6 | ditto | 6³⁄₄ths | |
| 4 | ditto | 2⁹⁄₁₀ths | |
| 1 | ¹⁄₂ | ditto | 2¹⁄₁₀th |
| ¹⁄₂ | ditto | 1⁴⁄₁₀ths |
TAMPON, Fr. A wooden peg or instrument which is used to plug up cartridges, petards, &c. A stopper.
TAMPONS, Fr. In mason-work are wooden pegs by which beams and boards for floors are fastened together.
Tampons, Fr. Flat pieces of iron, copper, or wood, which are used by the French on board their men of war, to stop up holes that are made by cannon-balls during a naval engagement.
Tampons de canon, Fr. The apron made of cork or lead, which is put over the vent of any piece of ordnance.
TANGENT, (Tangente, Fr.) In trigonometry, is a right line raised perpendicularly on the extreme of the diameter, and continued to a point, where it is cut by a secant, that is, by a line drawn from the centre, through the extremity of the arch, whereof it is the tangent.
Tangent. See [Gunnery].
Tangent scale.—·21 of an inch is the tangent of 1 degree to every foot of a gun’s length, from the base ring to the swell of the muzzle: Therefore, if the distance in feet, between these two points be multiplied by ·21, the product will be the tangent of 1 degree; from which the dispart being subtracted, will give the length of the tangent scale above the base ring for one degree of elevation for that particular gun. If the scale is to be applied to the quarter sight of the gun, of course the dispart need not be subtracted.
Tangent of one degree to the following British ordnance.
| Length. | Tangent, 1°. | Dispart. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ft. | In. | In. | In. | ||||
| 12 pr. medium | 6 | 6 | 1 | ·365 | 1 | ·475 | |
| 12 pr. light | 5 | — | 1 | ·05 | 1 | · | |
| 6 pr. heavy | 7 | — | 1 | ·47 | 1 | ·32 | |
| 6 pr. light | 5 | — | 1 | ·05 | 1 | · | |
| 3 pr. heavy | 6 | — | 1 | ·26 | 1 | ·08 | |
| 10 inch howitzer | 3 | 11 | ¹⁄₂ | ·84 | — | ||
| 8 do. howitzer | 3 | 1 | ·64 | — | |||
| 5¹⁄₂ do. light | 2 | 2 | ³⁄₄ | ·47 | — | ||
| 4²⁄₅ do. | 1 | 10 | ·384 | — | |||
Tangent of one degree to the following French guns.
| Kind. | Siege. | Field. | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangent of 1°. | Dispart. | Tangent of 1°. | Dispart. | |||||||||
| in. | li. | p. | in. | li. | p. | in. | li. | p. | in. | li. | p. | |
| 24 pr. | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | — | — | ||||
| 16 — | 2 | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | — | — | ||||
| 12 — | 1 | 10 | 6 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 4 | - | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 8 — | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 2 | ¹⁄₂ | 1 | 2 | - |
| 4 — | — | — | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | - | ||||
| 6 in. how’r. | — | — | 0 | 5 | 6 | — | ||||||
As the French tangent scales are marked off in inches and lines, the above dimensions are given in the same, for the more ready turning the French elevations into degrees, and thereby comparing their ranges with the English.
TANK, Ind. A pond or pool of water. A reservoir to preserve the water that falls in the rainy season.
TANNADAR, Ind. A commander of a small fort, or custom house.
TAP. A gentle blow, as a tap of the drum.
TAPABORD, Fr. A sort of cap or slouched hat made in the English fashion which the French sailors wear. Its sides hang over the shoulders, and shield them from rain in wet weather. It likewise signifies a riding-cap, a montero.
TAPE-cul, Fr. That part of a swipe or swinging gate which serves to raise and let down a draw-bridge.
TAPE-cul, Fr. A falling gate.
En TAPINOIS, Fr. Slyly, secretly.
Se TAPIR, Fr. To lie squat.
TAPIS, Fr. This word literally means carpet, and is used by the French in a figurative sense, viz.
Amuser le Tapis, Fr. To trifle.
Mettre une affaire sur le Tapis, Fr. To open any particular transaction, to move a business.
La TAPE, le TAPON, ou TAMPON, Fr. The tampion.
TAPER ou TAMPONNER un Canon, Fr. To put in the tampion. Détaper un Canon, Fr. To take out the tampion.
TAPPEE, Ind. The post letter carrier on the coast of Coromandel. An express.
TAPROBANE, Ind. The ancient name for the island of Ceylon. It is derived from tapoo an island, and bany, a ferry.
| TAP-TOO. | - | |
| TAT-TOO. |
See [Drum].
TAR. A kind of liquid pitch used in the composition of some sorts of fireworks.
Tar and Feathers. A method of punishment invented in the American revolution, which consisted in pouring a bucket of tar over the head of the culprit, and loosing a bag of feathers over it. See the poem of M‘Fingal.
TARANTHE, Fr. A thick iron peg which is used to turn the screw in a press.
TARAU, Fr. An instrument which is used in making the nut of a screw. It is a round piece of steel with a spiral shape.
TARAUDER, Fr. To make a hole like that which is effected by the operation of the Tarau.
TARE, Fr. A word adopted by the French from the English term Tar.
TAREAU, Fr. A screw-tap.
TARGE, Fr. See [Target]. It is generally pronounced Targue, from whence is derived the figurative expression Se targuer, to plume one’s-self, or to be self-sufficient. Le poltron se targue du courage de son père—The coward plumes himself upon the courage which his father possessed.
TARGET, a sort of shield, being originally made of leather, wrought out of the back of an ox’s hide.
Target, is also a mark for the artillery, &c. to fire at in their practice.
TARIERE, Fr. Auger, wimble, gimlet. The French make a distinction with respect to the gender of this word. When they express a large sized auger or wimble, they say, Un gros Tarière, making it masculine, and when they mean a small sized one, they say, Une petite tarière, making it feminine.
Tariere, Fr. Likewise signifies a miner’s tool with which he bores into the earth. It is used to force a lighted match into the chamber of a countermine, and to make it explode.
TARPAULINGS, are made of strong canvas, thoroughly tarred and cut into different sizes, according to their several uses in the field; such as to cover the powder-waggons and tumbrels (carrying ammunition) from rain: each field-piece has likewise one to secure the ammunition-boxes.
To be TARRED. A cant word used among soldiers to signify the punishment which privates undergo among themselves, when they have been tried and sentenced by their own comrades.
TARTARES, Fr. A word used in the French army to distinguish officers’ servants and batmen from the soldiers that serve in the ranks. Tartare likewise means a groom.
TARTARS, (Tartares, Fr.) Asiatics, whose principal arms are the bow and arrow, and sabre or pike. Some few have firelocks and pistols.
Calmuc TARTARS. A free people inhabiting the borders of the Caspian Sea, and the banks of the river Wolga. They are under the immediate protection of Russia, and in consideration of the security they enjoy, they are obliged to serve when called upon. They consist of wandering hordes, live in tents, and are armed with bows and arrows. Some have rifle guns, with one or two pistols. But they are extremely cruel, and worse disciplined than the Cossacks.
TARTES, Fr. Bogs.
TAS, Fr. A heap. When the works of a fortification are lined with turf and fascines, &c. small beds of earth are previously prepared and laid one over another, till the necessary thickness is obtained; when completed it is called Tas de gazon ou de placage. A heap of turf or a [placage], which see. Tas is likewise used in a sense of contempt to signify a croud—Un tas de fainéans. A heap or croud of parasites.
Un Tas de mensonges. A heap of lies.
TASA, Ind. A kind of drum, formed from a semisphere of copper, hollowed out and covered with goat skin. It is hung before from the shoulders, and beat with two rattans.
TAS de charge, Fr. An arch made in a particular manner. It is generally found in Gothic buildings.
TASSEAU, Fr. A small anvil. It likewise signifies a bracket.
TASSES. Armor for the thighs, so called.
TASSETTE, Fr. A tass in armor.
TATTEE, Ind. A bamboo frame; which encloses an herb called jawassea or kuskus. Frames of this sort are made to put to the different openings of a room; they are shaped like a sash, and one being laid on a floor and covered with the kuskus grass, the other is laid upon it, and the two are tied together at the angles, which correspond with the panes; by throwing water against them, the hottest wind in passing through becomes cool, and the air is made fragrant by the kuskus.
TAUGOUR, Fr. A small lever which is used for various purposes.
TAUPINS, Francs-Taupins, Fr. A name which was formerly given to a body of free-archers, or Francs-archers, in France. This body consisting chiefly of countrymen and rustics, they were probably so called from taupe, a mole; of which there are great quantities in the fields. Taupin likewise signifies swarthy.
TAX. A tribute or duty rated on land, &c.
TE, Fr. A term used among miners to express a figure which greatly resembles the letter T, and which consists of a certain arrangement and disposition of the furnaces, chambers, or lodgments that are made under any particular part of a fortification, in order to blow it up. The Té has four lodgments; the double Té has eight; and the triple Té has twelve.
TECHNICAL, (Technique, Fr.) All terms, or words which have been invented for the purpose of expressing particular arts, are called technical.
Mots Techniques, Fr. Technical words.
TE DEUM. As far as it concerns military matters, is a religious hymn sung in thanksgiving for any victory obtained.
TEEP, Ind. A contract or note of hand.
TEFTERDAR Effendi. The commissary general is so called among the Turks.
TEINT, Teinte, Fr. In painting, an artificial or compound color, or the several colors which are used in a picture, considered as more or less, high or bright, or deep or thin, or weakened, &c.; to give the proper relievo, or softness, or distance, &c. of several objects.
Teint, which is used to draw a plan, Teinte dont on se sert pour lever un plan, Fr. Teint, in a general acceptation of the word, means any shade that is given to an object which is raised from the canvas, paper, &c. and placed in perspective.
TELAMONES. A term used in ancient architecture, to express the figures of men supporting entablatures, and other projections, the same as Cariatides.
TELESCOPE, (Télescope, Fr.) An optical instrument, composed of lenses, by means of which remote objects appear as if near at hand. The telescope was invented by Galilæo.
TELINGHI, Ind. The mountaineers on the Coromandel coast are denominated Telinghis; which is also the name of their nation, language or dialect.
To Tell off. A term used in military formations, to designate the relative proportions of any given body of men. Thus a battalion may be told off into wings, grand divisions, divisions, companies, platoons, half platoons, sub-divisions, and sections. It is the peculiar duty of every adjutant, and serjeant major to be particularly expert at telling off. Squadrons of horse are told off by half squadrons, divisions, sub-divisions, ranks of threes, and files right and left. But all troops, whether infantry or cavalry, should be accustomed to tell themselves off; that is to move off at the word of command, without delaying to be told off. The skilful officer will understand this, the unskilful cannot.
TEMOIN, Fr. A witness. It likewise signifies the second in a duel.
Temoins, Fr. In civil and military architecture, are pieces of earth left standing as marks or witnesses in the fosses of places which the workmen are emptying, that they may know exactly how many cubical fathoms of earth have been carried.
TEMPER. A state of steel or other metal, that best fits it for the use to which it is to be applied. Thus, the blade of a sword should be so tempered as to admit of considerable flexure without breaking, yet so elastic as to return to its shape, on the pressure being removed.
To Temper. In a military sense, to form metals to a proper degree of hardness.
TEMPEST, (Tempête, Fr.) According to Dr. Johnson, the utmost violence of the wind: the names by which the wind is called according to the gradual increase of its force seem to be, a breeze; a gust; a gale; a storm; a tempest.
TENABLE, (Tenable, Fr.) Such as may be maintained against opposition; such as may be held against attacks.
TENAILLE, Fr. (This word literally means shears.) A military evolution which was performed in the times of the ancients.
A phalanx, attacked by a lozenge or triangular wedge, bent its right and left forward by a half-quarter wheel each wing on their common centre; and when they found themselves opposite the sides of the enemy’s arrangement, they each marched on their own side, perpendicular to their line; by which means they both inclosed and attacked the enemy together, at the same time, while the head was engaged and at blows with the centre of the phalanx that had kept its ground. Such is the description authors have left us of the design and effects of this manœuvre.
The tenaille had considerable advantage over the triangular wedge; but, according to Chevalier Folard, it was not equally efficacious against the column. The latter could alter the direction of its march, and fall upon one of the wings, whether in motion or not, or detach the section of the tail or rear to take its wings in flank, while it was occupied in making the quarter conversion. The column and tenaille were formed for acting against each other, and could only be victorious over one another by the superior abilities of their commander. However, the column was always exposed to less danger than the tenaille, for the latter could not pursue the column without changing its order; whereas the column must destroy, and in a manner annihilate the tenaille, in case it should once break it.
The tenaille is unquestionably an excellent manœuvre, and strictly conformable to a very wise maxim, which directs us to multiply our strength and efforts as much as possible against one point. It is sometimes made use of in war without being sensible of its advantages; turning a flank with a longer line, is in fact the tenaille. This, however, does not hinder the manœuvre from being well performed; for the nature of ground not being level like a sheet of paper, the commander in ranging his troops, according to the advantages of the situation, does not form a perfect tenaille, such as may be drawn or sketched out, but one of an irregular kind, which produces the same effects; and this is what should be sought on all occasions. This order is also called a potence.
Tenailles, in fortification, are low works made in the ditch before the curtains. There are three sorts: viz. the first are the faces of the bastions produced till they meet, but much lower; the second have faces, flanks, and a curtain; and the third have only faces and flanks.
Single Tenaille, (Tenaille simple, Fr.) is a work whose front is advanced towards the country, having two faces, forming a re-entering angle: its two long sides terminate on the counterscarp, opposite to the angle of the shoulder.
Double Tenaille (Tenaille double, ou flanquée, Fr.) is a work whose front, having 4 faces, forms 2 re-entering, and 3 salient angles: its long sides are likewise parallel, and terminate on the counterscarp, opposite to the angle of the shoulder. Both the single and double tenailles have this fault, viz. that they are not flanked or defended at the re-entering angle, because the height of the parapet hinders the soldiers from discovering before that angle. Therefore tenailles should only be made when there is not room enough to make horn-works. The ramparts, parapets, ditches, covert-way, and glacis of tenailles, are the same with other out-works.
Tenaille of a place, is what is comprehended between the points of two neighboring bastions; as the faces, flanks, and curtains. Hence it is said, the enemy attacked the whole tenaille of a place, when they made two attacks on the faces of the two bastions.
Tenailles, Fr. Pincers, nippers, sheers, tenails.
TENAILLER, Fr. To tear off the flesh with red hot pincers. This punishment existed in civilized Europe, until the French revolution.
TENAILLON, Fr. This is sometimes called among the French grande lunette. It is a work composed of two parts, each of which covers the faces of the half-moon; in whose front the tenaillon is constructed.
Un Tenaillon, Fr. A little tenaille. See [Fortification].
TENDELET, Fr. An awning; such as is used on board of ship, and over carriages, in hot countries.
TENDRE, Fr. To stretch; to spread. This word has various significations in the French language. In military matters, it is common to say,
Tendre un piège à quelqu’un, Fr. To lay a snare for any body.
Tendre une marquise, une tente, Fr. To pitch a marquee, a tent.
TENIR, Fr. To hold, to keep, &c.
Tenir tête à quelqu’un, Fr. To cope with any body.
Se TENIR, Fr. To remain; to stay; to hold fast.
Se TENIR bien à cheval, Fr. To sit well on horseback, to have a good seat.
TENON, (Tenon, Fr.) Any thing that holds or keeps fast; that part of a frame work which is cut to fit a mortise.
Tenon d’arquebuse, Fr. Loop of a gun.
TENT, (Tente, Fr.) This word is originally derived from the Latin tendo, I stretch; whence tendre, to stretch. A soldier’s moveable lodging place, commonly made of canvas, and extended upon poles.
The sizes of the officers tents are not fixed; some regiments have them of one size, and some another. A captain’s tent and marquee should be 10¹⁄₂ feet broad, 14 deep, and 8 high: those of the subalterns are a foot less: the major’s and lieutenant-colonel’s, a foot larger; and the colonel’s 2 feet larger.
The subalterns lie two in a tent, those of engineers but one.
The tents of private men should be 6¹⁄₂ feet square, 6 feet high, and hold 5 soldiers each.
The tents for the horse seven feet broad, and 9 feet deep: they hold likewise 5 men and their horse accoutrements.
Common Infantry Tent. Length of ridge pole is 7 feet; length of standards 6 feet. They hold only 5 men each. Weight complete 27 lbs. Great alterations have taken place in tents since the French revolution.
Bell Tent. This was the name of a small tent that was formerly in use, also called a tent of arms, being used only for holding arms in the front of the line; the use of it is now exploded; and the form being given to those now used for infantry or cavalry; weight, complete with poles, 43 lbs. length of pole 9 feet, contain 12 men each, require 40 pegs.
Marquee. Weight complete, 1 cwt. 17 lbs. ridge pole 9 feet; standard 8 feet.
Round Tent. A circular tent which contains 12 men; the weight complete, with poles, 43 lbs. Length of pole 10 feet.
Hospital Tent. A large commodious tent, which is appropriated for the sick. It sometimes happens, that when a contagious disorder breaks out in a camp, or in barracks, the persons infected are removed from the hospital and lodged in a tent, which is pitched for that purpose in the neighborhood. It is usual for the commanding officer of the regiment to order one or more sentries to be furnished to the regimental hospital, and the same to the hospital tent, which sentries are directed to permit no person to enter but those concerned in the hospital, the staffs and officers of the regiment. They are to be particularly careful in preventing liquor, or any thing improper, from being carried into the hospital; nor are they to permit any patient to go out (to the necessary excepted) without a ticket of leave from the attending surgeon.
Laboratory Tent, in artillery, a large tent which is sometimes carried to the field for the convenience of fire-workers and bombardiers. The weight complete, with poles, pins, &c. 3 cwt. 24 lbs. length of ridge pole 18 feet, length of poles 14¹⁄₂ feet.
Tent bedstead. A small portable bedstead, so contrived as to correspond with the shape of an officer’s tent.
Tent-Pins, pieces of wood, which are indented at the top, and made sharp at the bottom, to keep the cords of a tent or marquee firm to the earth. There are four large ones which serve for the weather cords.
Tent-Poles. The poles upon which a tent or marquee is supported.
Tent walls. See [Wall].
Tent likewise means lint to put in a wound.
TENTED. Having tents pitched on it. Hence “the tented field.”
TERRAIN, Fr. This word is sometimes written terrein, and signifies, generally, any space or extent of ground.
Gagner du TERRAIN peu-à-peu, Fr. To gain ground little by little.
Perdre du TERRAIN, Fr. To lose ground.
Menager son TERRAIN, Fr. To make the most of your ground. It is likewise used in a figurative sense, viz. Un homme est fort quand il est sur son terrain, Fr. A man always speaks with great confidence when he is thoroughly master of the subject.
Terrain du camp, Fr. The ground within the lines of encampment.
Lever le Terrain, Fr. To reconnoitre, to take a survey of ground.
Chicaner le Terrain, Fr. To dispute the ground; to fight it inch by inch.
Tenir un grand Terrain, Fr. To take up much ground.
TERRASS. See [Mortar].
TERRASSE, Fr. Terrace, platform.
Contre-TERRASSE, Fr. A terrace that is raised above another.
TERRASSER, Fr. To throw down, to rout completely.
TERRASSIER, Fr. This word is used among the French not only to signify the person who undertakes to see heaps of earth removed, &c. for any specific purpose, but likewise the man who actually carries it.
TERRE, la TERRE, Fr. Earth, the earth.
TERRE-PLEIN, Fr. See [Fortification].
TERRER, se Terrer, Fr. To hide under ground. The French say, des gens de guerre se sont bien terres; meaning thereby, that they had thrown up entrenchments with earth, so as to be covered from the enemy’s fire. Terrer une artifice, to cover the head of any fire-work with earth.
TERRES-Amendees, Fr. Earths that have been used in the cleansing of saltpetre. Saltpetre-men call these earths Terres reanimees.
TERREUR, Fr. Fear, apprehension.
TERREUR panique, Fr. See [Panic].
TERTIATE, in gunnery, is to examine the thickness of the metal of a piece of artillery, in order to judge of its strength. This is usually done with a pair of calliper compasses.
TERTIATING a piece of ordnance, is to find whether it has its due thickness, at the vent, trunnions, and neck; if the trunnions and neck are in their due order, and the chase straight, &c.
TERTRE, Fr. A small rising ground that stands unconnected with any other.
TESSONS, Fr. Potsherds.
TESTAMENT Militaire, Fr. Among the French, a will which is made in the presence of two witnesses only, and is not committed to paper.
TESTIMONY. Verbal declaration given upon oath or honor before any court martial. The testimony of a witness should neither be influenced nor interrupted, and the precise words used by him should be written down in the proceedings without any alteration.
TESTUDO, in the military art of the ancients, was a kind of cover or screen, which the soldiers of each company made themselves of their bucklers, by holding them up over their heads, and standing close to each other. This expedient served to shelter them from darts, stones, &c. thrown upon them, especially those from above, when they went to the assault.
Testudo, was also a kind of large wooden tower, which moved on several wheels, and was covered with bullocks’ hides: it served to shelter the soldiers when they approached the walls to mine them, or to batter them with rams.
TETE, Fr. Head.
Tete du Camp, Fr. The head of the camp, or the front ground which looks towards the country; and where troops bivouac.
TETE de la Sappe, Fr. Head of the sap.
Tete de Chevalement, Fr. A cross beam which lies upon two upright stays, and supports any part of a wall, &c. whilst it is in repair.
Faire (ou tenir) Tete à quelqu’un, Fr. To oppose a person; to keep him at bay.
Avoir quelqu’un en tête, Fr. To have any person opposed to one, viz. Turenne avoit en Tête Montecuculli; Turenne was opposed by Montecuculli.
Tetes, Fr. In the plural number, are the same as men or lives, viz. La prise d’une place a coute bien des Tetes. The reduction or taking of a place has cost many lives or men.
Avoir la Tete de tout, Fr. To be the most advanced.
Tete de Pont, Fr. That part of a bridge which is on the enemy’s side. When the bridge is fortified on both sides, the French say, Les deux tetes de pont.
Tete de Porc, Fr. This word means literally a hog’s head. It is used to denote a military arrangement of the triangular kind. Those mentioned under the term [wedge], were composed of ranks, greater one than another, in a regular progression from the incisive angle to the base. The tete de porc was formed of small bodies ranged in lines in the same sense, and in the same progression as the ranks in the preceding wedges; that is to say, a small body (probably square) was placed at the head, another of the same size was posted behind it, having two others, one on its right, the other on its left, both extending the full length of their front beyond the wings of the first. Behind those three, five others were ranged in the same order, and so on successively until all were placed.
This arrangement is equal to the former (viz. that of the wedge) with regard to defects; as to advantages it has but one only, which will never be of weight enough to gain it any degree of reputation; it is this, that being composed of small bodies, each having its leader or commander, all the different parts are more or less capable of defence should they be attacked at the time they are forming or dividing; and if the enemy attempted to form the Tenaille, they might detach some of those small bodies to interrupt their motions, or to attack them in flank.
This disposition corresponds with the movement by echellons from the centre, or both wings thrown back; it is in the modern mode a most imposing and important disposition, where the force that uses it is inferior in number, and well disciplined to rapid evolution.
TETHER. A string by which horses are held from pasturing too wide. We say, figuratively, to go the length of one’s tether; to speak or act with as much freedom as circumstances will admit.
TETRAEDRON, (Tetraëdre, Fr.) In geometry, one of the five regular bodies. It is a pyramid which is terminated by four equilateral triangles, that are equal to each other; in the same manner that the tetragon is a recontilineal figure of four equal sides, which has four right angles.
TETRAGONAL. Square, having equal sides and angles.
TETRARCH. A Roman governor of the fourth part of a province.
TEUTONIC, (Teutonique, Fr.) See [Orders].
TEVEEL, Ind. The treasury.
TEVEELDAR, Ind. The treasurer.
THANE. An ancient military title of honor, now obsolete.
To THANK. In military matters, to make honorable mention of a person or persons for having behaved gallantly in an action, or otherwise rendered a public service.
To be Thanked. To receive a public testimony of good conduct. Officers, &c. are generally thanked in public orders.
Thanks. Public acknowlegements for gallant actions.
Vote of Thanks. It has been customary in all civilized countries for the legislature to pay a public tribute of applause to those warriors who have fought their country’s battles with success, and have otherwise distinguished themselves by particular feats of gallantry and good conduct. The French, during the progress of their revolution, have had frequent recourse to this mode of adding new zeal and fresh courage to their armies, and of expressing national gratitude.
THEATRE of war. Any extent of country in which war is carried on may be so called. The French say Théatre de la guerre. It signifies the same with us as seat of war. According to Turpin, page 21, in his essay on the Art of War, there are but three sorts of countries which may become the theatre of war; an open country divided by rivers, a woody, or a mountainous one. The dispositions for a march must of course be varied as the situation of places differ.
THEODOLITE. A mathematical instrument useful to engineers and artillerists, in taking heights and distances.
THEOREM, (Théoreme, Fr.) In mathematics, a proposition which is purely speculative and tends to the discovery of some hidden truth.
An universal Theorem, in mathematics, is one that extends universally to any quantity without restriction; as that the rectangle of the sum, and difference of any two quantities, is equal to the difference of their squares.
A particular Theorem is when it extends only to a particular quantity.
A negative Theorem is one that demonstrates the impossibilities of an assertion, as that the sum of two biquadrate numbers cannot make a square.
A local Theorem. That which relates to surface; as the triangles of the same base and altitude are equal.
THEORETICAL, (Théorique, Fr.) What appertains to theory.
THEORY, (Théorie, Fr.) The speculative part of any particular science, in which truths are demonstrated without being practically followed. Or more distinctly; a theory is an opinion formed in the mind, that certain effects must arise from certain combinations of matters or circumstances; the matters or circumstances being known, the result or consequence not yet demonstrated by experiment.
School of Theory. In order to secure to the army intelligent and well informed officers, it has been wisely suggested, that there should be a school of military theory in each regiment. The persons selected for this purpose are to pass an examination before competent persons, whenever the vicinity of regimental quarters will allow them to attend.
Order of Maria Theresa. A military order of knighthood, which was founded and established by the house of Austria on the 18th of June, 1757, and was distinguished by the name of the reigning queen and empress, being called the Imperial Military Order of Maria Theresa.
THERMES, Fr. Small barges or boats in which persons formerly bathed.
THERMOMETER, (Thermometre, Fr.) An instrument for measuring the heat of the air, or of any matter.
THERMOSCOPE, (Thermoscope, Fr.) An instrument by which the degrees of heat are discovered; a thermometer.
THIEF. Any person that robs another. The character of a thief is of so foul a cast in a military life, that the least imputation of dishonesty incapacitates either officer or soldier from remaining in the service.
Soldier’s THIGH. A well-known part of the human frame which takes its peculiar military application from the notorious poverty of army men in general. Hence, Soldier’s Thigh figuratively means an empty purse, or, speaking familiarly, a pair of breeches that fit close and look smooth, because the pockets have nothing in them.
THILL. The shafts of a waggon; hence, the horse which goes between the shafts is called the thill horse, or thiller.
To THIN. To make less numerous. As to thin the ranks by a heavy discharge of ordnance and firearms.
THIRTEEN. A shilling is so called in Ireland; thirteen pence of that country’s currency being only equal to twelve pence English.
THREE DEEP. Soldiers drawn up in three ranks, consisting of front, centre, and rear, are said to be three deep. It is the fundamental order of the infantry, in which they should always form and act in close order, and for which all their operations and movements are calculated.
THREES. A term used in the telling off in squadron, because the front of three horses in rank, is equal to the length of one horse from head to tail.
Ranks by threes. Each half squadron is told off by threes. See [Cavalry], Mil. Library.
To THROW. To force any thing from one place to another; thus artillerists say, to throw a shot or shell, or so many shot or shells were thrown.
THRUST. Hostile attack with any pointed weapon, as in fencing. When one party makes a push with his sword to wound his adversary with the point it is called a thrust.
THUMBSTALL. A piece of leather which every careful soldier carries with him to secure the lock of his musquet from moisture.
THUNDERING-legion, was a legion in the Roman army consisting of Christian soldiers, who, in the expedition of the emperor Marcus Aurelius against the Sarmatæ, Quadi, and Marcomanni, saved the whole army, then ready to perish from thirst, by procuring, by their prayers, a very plentiful shower thereon, and at the same time a furious storm of hail, mixed with lightning and thunderbolts, on the enemy.
This is the account commonly given by ecclesiastical historians, and the whole history is engraven in bass-relievos on the Antonine column.
TIDEGATE. See [Sluice-gate].
TIERCE. A thrust in fencing, delivered at the outside of the body over the arm.
| TILE, | - | |
| TYLE, |
in military building, a sort of thin, factitious, laminated brick, used on the roofs of houses; or more property a kind of clayey earth, kneaded and moulded of a just thickness, dried and burnt in a kiln, like a brick, and used in the covering and paving of different kinds of military and other buildings. The best brick earth should only be made into tiles.
The tiles for all sorts of uses may now be comprised under 7 heads, viz. 1. The plain-tile, for covering of houses, which is flat and thin. 2. The plain-tile, for paving, which is also flat, but thicker; and its size 9, 10, or 12 inches. 3. The pan-tile, which is also used for covering of buildings, and is hollow, and crooked, or bent, somewhat in the manner of an S. 4. The Dutch glazed pan-tile. 5. The English glazed pan-tile. 6. The gutter-tile, which is made with a kind of wings. 7. The hip, ridge, or corner-tile.
Plain-Tiles, are best when they are firmest, soundest, and strongest. Some are duskier, and others ruddier, in color. The dusky-colored are generally the strongest. These tiles are not laid in mortar, but pointed only in the inside.
Paving-Tiles, are made of a more sandy earth than the common or plain-tiles: the materials for these last must be absolutely clay, but for the others a kind of loam is used. These are made thicker and larger than the common roof-tiles; and, when care has been taken in the choice of the earth, and the management of the fire, they are very regular and beautiful.
Pan-Tiles, when of the best kind, are made of an earth not much unlike that of the paving-tiles, and often of the same; but the best sort of all is a pale-colored loam that is less sandy; they have about the same degree of fire given them in the baking, and they come out nearly of the same color. These tiles are laid in mortar, because the roof being very flat, and many of them warped in the burning, will not cover the building so well as that no water can pass between them.
Dutch glazed Pan-Tiles, get the addition of glazing in the fire. Many kinds of earthly matter running into a glassy substance in great heat, is a great advantage to them, preserving them much longer than the common pan-tiles, so that they are very well worth the additional charge that attends the using them.
English glazed Pan-Tiles, are in general not so good as the Dutch ones under that denomination; but the process is nearly the same.
Dutch Tiles, for chimnies, are of a kind very different from all the rest. They are made of a whitish earth, glazed and painted with various figures, such as birds, flowers, or landscapes, in blue or purple color; and sometimes quite white: they are about 6.5 inches each way, and three quarters or an inch thick. They are seldom used at present.
Gutter-Tiles, are made of the same earth as the common pan-tiles, and only differ from them in shape; but it is adviseable that particular care be taken in tempering and working the earth for these, for none are more liable to accidents. The edges of these tiles are turned up at the larger ends for about 4 inches. They are seldom used where lead is to be had.
Hip or Corner-Tiles, are at first made flat like pan-tiles of a quadrangular figure, whose two sides are right lines, and the ends arches of circles; the upper end concave, and the lower convex; the latter being about 7 times as broad as the other: they are about 10.5 inches long; but before they are burnt are bent upon a mould in the form of a ridge-tile, having a hole at the narrow end, to nail them on the hip corner of the roof.
Ridge-Tiles are used to cover the ridges of houses, and are made in the form of a semi-cylindrical surface, about 13 inches in length, and of the same thickness as plain-tiles; their breadth at the outside measures about 16 inches.
TILLAC, Fr. The same as pont, which signifies the deck of a ship.
Franc-TILLAC, Fr. The lower deck.
TILT, a thrust, or fight with rapiers; also an old military game. See [Tournament].
TILTER, one who fights or contests in a tournament.
TIMBALE, Fr. A brass kettle-drum, such as is used by European cavalry. French soldiers say figuratively, Faire bouillir la timbale; to make the pot boil.
TIMARIOT, a Turkish soldier who has a certain allowance made him, for which he is not only obliged to arm, clothe, and accoutre himself, but he must likewise provide a certain number of militia-men. The allowance is called Timar.
The Timariots are under the immediate command of the Sangiack or Bey, according to their particular distribution. When the Timariots belonging to Natolia, do not join the standard, they forfeit a whole year’s allowance, which is deposited in a chest or stock-purse called mankafat. But the Timariots in Europe or Turkey, are not liable to this fine. When they refuse to serve, they are suspended for two years. The income of a Timariot amounts to five thousand aspres, and the Timariots of Hungary have six thousand. When an Hungarian Timariot dies, the Bashaw of Buda has the power of dividing his property into two parts, which is placed to the account of the Ottoman government, and enables it to pay two soldiers.
There are different classes among the Timariots. Some are called Ikmalers, some Isels, and others Bernobets.
The Ikmalers are in possession of that species of Timar which cannot be divided for the benefit of government after the decease of the individual.
The Isels are subject to a division of property among two or three persons, at the will of the Porte.
The Bernobets are in possession of that kind of Timar which may become the property of three or four individuals who serve together, or relieve each other alternately, on condition that the one who takes the field enjoys the whole benefit of the Timar during his stay with the army. There are many of this kind in Natolia. Every thing which appertains to the Turkish cavalry, known by the name of Topachly, and which is regularly clothed, armed, accoutred, and paid by certain officers, belonging to the Ottoman empire, out of revenues called maly-mukata, may be ascertained and known under the several appellations of Timariots, Zaims, Begliers, and Beglierbeys.
TIMARS, certain revenues, in Turkey, growing out of lands which originally belonged to Christian clergy and nobility, and which the sultans seized, when they conquered the countries they inhabited.
By means of these Timars and Ziamets the Grand Signor is enabled to support the greatest part of his cavalry.
The Timars differ in value. The richest, however, do not exceed twenty thousand aspres annually, which may be considered as equal to about three hundred and fifty dollars; and the Ziamets receive full as much. Those who are entitled to Timars, are called Timariots, and those who have Ziamets are named Zaims.
TIMBER, in military architecture, includes all kinds of felled and seasoned wood used in the several parts of building, &c.
Oak, of all the different kinds of timber known for building, is preferred by the European nations; because, when well seasoned and dry, it is very tough and hard: it does not split so easy as other timber, and bears a much greater weight than any other. When it is used under cover, it never perishes, no more than in water; on the contrary, the older it grows the harder it becomes; and when it is exposed to the weather, it exceeds all other timbers for durability. English oak is said to be the best, American the next, then Norway, and lastly Germany. But there are various kinds of American oaks.
Elm, if felled between November and February, is all spine, or heart, and no sap, and is of singular use in places where it is always wet or dry. It is very tough and pliable; it is easily worked, and does not readily split: it bears driving of bolts and nails into it better than any other wood; for which reason it is prepared for artillery uses.
Beech is likewise a very useful wood; it is very tough and white when young, and of great strength, but liable to warp very much when exposed to the weather, and to be worm eaten when used within doors. It is frequently used for axle-trees, fellies, and all kinds of wheelwright work: but where it is kept constantly wet, and free from air, it will outlast oak.
Ash. Its use is almost universal. It serves in buildings, or for any other uses where it is skreened from the weather: hand-spikes and oars are chiefly made of it; and indeed it is the wood that is most fit for this, or any other purpose, which requires toughness and pliability.
Fir, commonly known by the name of pine is much used in building, especially within doors. It wants but little seasoning, and is much stronger while the resinous particles are not exhausted, than when it is very dry: it will last long under water.
Chesnut-tree, especially wild chesnut, is by many esteemed to be as good as oak.
But the best of all timber for shipbuilding is the Teak of Asia; it endures water four times as long as oak, is much more easily wrought; iron spikes drove into it do not rust.
There are many other kinds of wood, used in military works, not mentioned here.
Preserving of TIMBER. When boards, &c. are dried, seasoned, and fixed in their places, care is to be taken to defend and preserve them: to which the smearing them with linseed oil, tar, or the like oleaginous matter, contributes much.
The Dutch preserve their gates, portcullices, draw-bridges, sluices, &c. by coating them over with a mixture of pitch and tar, whereon they strew small pieces of cockle and other shells, beaten almost to powder, and mixed with sea sand, which incrusts and arms it wonderfully against wind and weather.
Seasoning of TIMBER. As soon as felled, it should be laid in some dry airy place, but out of reach of too much wind or sun, which, in excess, will subject it to crack and fly. It is not to be set upright, but laid along, one tree upon another, only with some short blocks between, to give it the better airing, and prevent it becoming mouldy, which will rot the surface and produce mushrooms on it. Some persons daub the trees all over with cow-dung, which occasions their drying equally, and prevents their cracking, as they are otherwise very apt to do.
Some recommend the burying timber in the earth, as the best method of seasoning it; and others have found it a fine preservative to bury their timber under the wheat in their granaries; but this cannot be made a general practice. In Norway they season their deal planks, by laying them in salt water for three or four days, when new sawed, and drying them in the sun: this is found a great advantage to them; but neither this, nor any thing else, can prevent their shrinking.
Timber should always be seasoned, when it is intended for piles and other pieces that are to stand under the earth or water. The Venetians first found out this method; and the way they do it is this: they put the piece to be seasoned in a strong and violent flame, turning it continually round by means of an engine, taking it out when it is every where covered with a black coaly crust: by this means the internal part of the wood is so hardened, that neither earth nor water can damage it for a long time after.
TIME. The measure of duration, by which soldiers regulate the cadence of a march: as [slow], [ordinary], or [quick], and [quickest] time or step, which see.
Time, in manœuvring. That necessary interval betwixt each motion in the manual exercise, as well as in every movement the army or any body of men make.
Time, in fencing. There are three kinds of time; that of the sword, that of the foot, and that of the whole body. All the times that are perceived out of their measure, are only to be considered as appels or feints to deceive and amuse the enemy.
Time thrust, in fencing. A thrust given upon any opening which may occur by an inaccurate or wide motion of your adversary, when changing his guard, &c.
TIMING, is the accurate and critical throwing in of a cut or thrust upon any opening that may occur as your adversary changes his position.
TIMON, Fr. Shafts of a cart, coach-pole.
TIMONIER, Fr. This word is frequently used as a sea term by the French, and signifies helmsman, or steersman, from Timon, which is applied to the part of the helm he holds.
TIN tubes. See [Tubes] and [Laboratory].
TINDALS, Ind. Native officers employed in the artillery, and in ships.
TIR, Fr. In artillery. A term used to express the explosion or discharge of any firearm in any given direction. Un bon, un mauvais tir, a good, a bad shot; or a shot well or ill directed.
La theorie du TIR, Fr. The theory or art of firing.
Tir perpendiculaire, Fr. A shot made in a perpendicular direction.
Tir oblique, Fr. An oblique shot.
Tir à ricochet, Fr. A ricochet shot.
Tir rasant, Fr. A grazing shot; or shot made rasant. See [Fortification].
Tir plongeant, Fr. A downward or plunging shot.
Tir fichant, Fr. A shot made fichant. See [Fortification].
La justesse du TIR, Fr. The true direction of a shot. The French say, ce fusil n’a pas le tir juste, this musquet has not a true direction, or its shot diverges from the point levelled at.
TIRAILLER, Fr. To pester, to annoy. Hence the word Tirailleur.
TIRAILLEUR. A soldier who fires as he pleases; a rifleman.
Tirailleurs are likewise skirmishers or marksmen, advanced in front to annoy the enemy, and draw off his attention; or they are left behind to amuse and stop his progress in the pursuit; a column of infantry is often ordered to act as tirailleurs.
TIRE, are great guns, shot, shells, &c. placed in a regular form. See [Piles].
Tire-balle, Fr. An instrument used by surgeons to extract musquet-balls.
Tire-bourre, Fr. In artillery, a wad-hook. It likewise signifies a worm to draw the charge out of a musquet.
Tire-fond, Fr. An instrument which is used among the French to fix a petard. It likewise means a surgeon’s tenebra or piercer.
Tire ligne, Fr. An instrument used in drawing lines.
Tire-ployer, Fr. To discharge; to unload.
TIRER, Fr. To shoot, to fire.
Tirer à boulets rouges, Fr. To fire with red hot shot.
Tirer des armes à feu. To fire any species of firearm. There is a curious and well written passage on this subject in the Supplement aux reveries de M. le Maréchal de Saxe, page 76.
Tirer le canon, Fr. To fire or discharge pieces of ordnance.
Tirer likewise means to move towards any place, viz. Après la battaille gagnee, l’armee tira vers un tel lieu; after the battle had been won, the army moved towards such a quarter.
Tirer dix ou douze pieds d’eau, Fr. To draw ten or twelve feet water.
Tirer à la mer, Fr. To put off to sea.
TIREUR, Fr. A game keeper, a shooter.
Tireur d’arc, Fr. A bowman, an archer.
Tireur d’armes, Fr. A fencing-master.
TYROLIANS. A body of sharp shooters in the Austrian service. They take their name from the Tyrol, a country formerly belonging to Germany, about 150 miles long, and 120 broad. It is wholly mountainous, and was part of the hereditary dominions of the house of Austria; but having been twice conquered by the French, part has been irrevocably ceded to Bavaria in 1809, the rest is incorporated with the kingdom of Italy.
TOCSIN, Fr. An alarm bell.
TOHIE, Ind. A canoe.
TOISE, in military mensuration, is a French measure, containing 6 feet, or a fathom: a square toise is 36 square feet, and a cubical toise is 216 feet.
These two measures correspond in the division of the feet; but these divisions being unequal, it is necessary to observe, that the proportion of the yard, as fixed by the Royal Society at London, to the half toise as fixed by the Royal Academy at Paris, is as 36 to 38.355.
Toise carree, Fr. Any square extent, having six feet in every sense.
Toise cube, Fr. Any substance having 6 feet in length, 6 ditto in breadth, and 6 in depth.
Toise, Fr. This word is used in the masculine gender, and signifies, in mathematics, the science or art of measuring surfaces and solids, and of reducing the measure by accurate calculation.
Une affaire TOISEE, Fr. A familiar phrase signifying, the thing is done, all over.
TOISER, Fr. To measure by the toise.
Toiser, Fr. In a military sense, to take the height of a man, as, toiser un soldat, to take the height of a soldier. The French likewise say in a figurative sense, toiser son homme, to examine one’s man with great attention, in order to find out his merits, or good qualities.
TOISEUR, Fr. A person employed among the French in the constructing and repairing of fortifications.
Toiseur, Fr. A measurer.
TOISON d’or. Fr. The golden fleece.
La Toison, Fr. The order of the Golden Fleece is so called.
TOKERY, Ind. A basket made with cane.
TOLE, Fr. Iron beat into thin plates.
TOMAN, Ind. Ten thousand men.
TOMAND, Ind. Equal to something more than three guineas.
TOMBER, Fr. To fall. Le vent tombe, the wind falls. Tomber entre les mains des ennemis, to fall into the hands of enemies.
TOMBIE, Ind. A wind instrument made in the shape of a globe.
TOMPION. See [Tampion].
TAMSOOK Hazin Zaminee, Ind. A security for personal appearance.
TOMTOM, Ind. A small drum made in the shape of a tambourine.
TONDIN, Fr. A term in architecture which is seldom used. It is the same as the astragal or fillet which goes round the base of pillars.
TONG. See [Tenaille].
Tongs of a waggon, a piece of wood fixed between the middle of the hind ends of the shafts, mortised into the fore cross-bar, and let into the hind cross-bar.
TONGUE of a sword. That part of the blade on which the gripe, shell, and pummel are fixed.
A triangular TONGUE. The bayonet figuratively so called from its shape.
TONNAGE, Fr. A word adopted from the English.
TONNAGE. A custom or impost due for merchandize brought or carried in tons from or to other nations after a certain rate in every ton.
Tonnage. The usual method of finding the tonnage of any ship is by the following rule:—Multiply the length of the keel by the breadth of the beam, and that product by half the breadth of the beam; and divide the last product by 94, and the quotient will be the tonnage.
Ship’s keel 72 feet: breadth of beam 24 feet.
72 × 24 × 1294 = 220·6 tonnage.
The tonnage of goods and stores is taken sometimes by weight and sometimes by measurement; and that method is allowed to the vessel which yields the most tonnage. In tonnage by weight 20 cwt. make 1 ton. In tonnage by measurement 40 cubic feet equal 1 ton. All carriages, or other stores to be measured for tonnage, are taken to pieces and packed in the manner which will occupy the least room on board ship. All ordnance, whether brass or iron, is taken in tonnage by its actual weight. Musquet cartridges in barrels or boxes, all ammunition in boxes, and other articles of great weight, are taken in tonnage according to their actual weight.
The following is the tonnage required for some of the most material ordnance stores by the British usage.
TONNAGE OF ORDNANCE.
| Kinds. | No. | T. | ct. | qr. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axes, complete with handles | - | Pole | 264 | — | 10 | 0 | ||||||
| Pick | 100 | — | 9 | 0 | ||||||||
| Felling | 176 | — | 14 | 0 | ||||||||
| Barrows— | Wheel, packed | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| Do. unpacked | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Hand, single | 20 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||||||||
| Budge barrels | 32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Bricks | 1000 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||
| Buckets of leather | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||
| Pontoon & carriage complete, with its appurtenances | 11 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Carbines.—A chest with 25 stand is 11 feet cubic | ||||||||||||
| Carriages.— | Standing | 42 prs. | 1 | 13 | 0 | |||||||
| 32 prs. | 1 | 10 | 0 | |||||||||
| Howitzer | 10 in. | 1 | 10 | 0 | ||||||||
| 24 prs. | 1 | 9 | 3 | |||||||||
| 18 prs. | - | 1 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||
| Howitzer | 8 inch. | |||||||||||
| 12 prs. | 1 | 4 | 0 | |||||||||
| 9 prs. | 1 | 3 | 0 | |||||||||
| 6 prs. | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 4 prs. | 0 | 17 | 0 | |||||||||
| Carriages.—Travelling, complete with limber boxes, ladles, sponges and rammers | - | 24 prs. | 5 | 10 | 0 | |||||||
| 12 prs. | 4 | 10 | 2 | |||||||||
| 9 prs. | 4 | 7 | 2 | |||||||||
| 6 prs. | 3 | 7 | 2 | |||||||||
| 3 prs. | 2 | 19 | 0 | |||||||||
| Medium | - | 24 prs. | - | 2 | 9 | 2 | ||||||
| 12 prs. | ||||||||||||
| 6 pr. light, with ammunition boxes | - | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||
| 5¹⁄₂ inch howitzer, Do. | ||||||||||||
| 5¹⁄₂ inch howitzer of 10 cwt. | - | Car- riages | - | 3 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| 8 inch howitzer | 3 | 7 | 2 | |||||||||
| Sling cart complete | 3 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||
| Forage cart, with limber | 4 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Ammunition waggon | 4 | 18 | 1 | |||||||||
| Gravel cart | 2 | 16 | 2 | |||||||||
| Duke of Richmond’s close bodied waggon | 5 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Road waggon, with upright sides | 7 | 10 | 0 | |||||||||
| Gin; triangle | 0 | 14 | 0 | |||||||||
| Grate for heating shot | 0 | 4 | 2 | |||||||||
| Handspikes | 120 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Handcrow levers, of 5 feet | 120 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Handscrews, large | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Handscrews, small | 17 | 1 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||
| Helves, pick or felling | 300 | 0 | 14 | 0 | ||||||||
| Do. sledge | 300 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Do. pinmaul | 360 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Junk | 20 cwt. | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||
| Linstocks, with cocks | 600 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Linstocks, without cocks | 1000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Musquets.—A chest with 25 is 16 feet. | ||||||||||||
| Do. with 20 is 11 feet. | ||||||||||||
| Match | 6 cwt. | 1 | 14 | 0 | ||||||||
| Powder | - | 11 whole barrels | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 22 half do. | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Pitch or tar.—1 barrel is 7 feet. | ||||||||||||
| Pistols.—A chest with 50 or 60 = 10 feet. | ||||||||||||
| Park pickets | 40 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||
| Pikes | 280 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Sheep skins | 12 dozen | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| Shovels | - | of iron | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Spades | 184 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Shovels, shod with iron | 138 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Sand bags Bales | - | Bushel | 500 | 0 | 12 | 0 | ||||||
| Half do. | 500 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||
| 2 bushel | 250 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||
The following is the tonnage allowed in the British service to the military officers of the ordnance embarked for foreign service, for their camp equipage and baggage:
| For a field officer | 5 | tons | |
| For a captain | 3 | do. | |
| For a subaltern | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | do. |
TONNE, Fr. A tun. It likewise signifies a large cask or vessel which is used for stores and ammunition.
TONNEAUX Meutriers, Fr. Casks which are bound together with ropes, or circled round by iron hoops, and are filled with gunpowder, pebbles, &c. The particular method in which these casks are prepared may be seen in Tom. II. page 218, Des Œuvres Militaires.
TOOKSOWARS, Ind. The vizir’s body of cavalry.
TOOLS, used in war, are of many denominations and uses, as [laboratory tools], [mining tools], [artificers tools], &c. which see.
TOPARCH, (Toparque, Fr.) The principal man in a place.
TOPARCHY, (Toparchie, Fr.) Superintendence; command in a district.
TOPAS, Ind. This name was originally given by the natives of India to a native Portuguese soldier, on account of his wearing a hat; contra-distinguished from the Hindus and Mahomedans who wear turbans.
TOPE, Ind. A small wood or grove.
Tope, Ind. A gun.
TOPEE, Ind. A hat.
Topee Walla, Ind. A person who wears a hat.
TOPEKHANA, Ind. The place where guns are kept; the arsenal.
TOPGI-Bachi. Grand master of the Turkish artillery. This appointment is one of the most important situations in the gift of the Porte. It is generally bestowed upon a relation to the Grand Signor, or upon a favorite to the Grand Visier.
The name is derived from tope, which, in the Turkish language, signifies cannon, and from Bach, which means lord, chief or commandant.
The person next in command to the Topgi-Bachi is called Dukigi-Bachi, or master of the Topgis, who are both cannonneers and founders. The latter are paid every month by a commissary of their own, whom they call Kiatib.
TOPGIS, sometimes written Topchis. A name generally used among the Turks to signify all persons employed in the casting of cannon, and who are afterwards appointed to the guns. It is here necessary to observe, that on account of the vast extent of the Ottoman empire, the Turks do not attach much heavy ordnance to their armies, especially when they carry on their operations from one frontier to another. This is owing to the scarcity of draught-horses, and to the natural obstacles of the country. So that they seldom carry into the field guns above eight or twelve-pounders.
But when it is their design to form any considerable siege, they load camels with all the materials requisite for casting cannon. A certain number of Topgis accompany them, and the instant the army takes up its quarters near to the spot where the attack is to be made, they set to work and cast pieces of ordnance of every species of calibre or bore.
The Turkish cannon is extremely beautiful and well cast. The ornamental parts consist of plants, fruits, &c. for it is expressly forbidden in the Koran to give the representation of any human figure upon fire-arms, particularly upon pieces of ordnance; the Turks being taught to believe that God would order the workman to give it life, or would condemn him to eternal punishment.
The Turks are very awkward in constructing platforms for their batteries, and are almost ignorant of the art of pointing their pieces. From a consciousness of their deficiency on this head, they encourage Christian artillerymen and engineers to come amongst them; but until the year 1798, they seldom viewed them but with a jealous eye, and always gave the preference to renegadoes. General Koehler, with a few British officers belonging to the train, joined their army in 1800 for the purpose of acting against Egypt.
TOPIKHANNAH, Ind. A house for keeping guns, an arsenal, armory.
TOPOGRAPHER. A person skilled in viewing, measuring, and describing ground.
Topographical Engineers. A body of military men which are now become essential in war.
Topographical Depot. The following short sketch of the only institution of this kind which is peculiar to France, will explain its nature and origin. Louvois minister of Louis XIV. in 1668 undertook to reform all the departments of government; and the war department among the rest. His death interrupted his design which was nevertheless afterwards pursued upon the peace of Utrecht in 1713: when all the military papers were classed, under different heads, and tables of contents to each prepared, amounting to 2700 volumes. These papers embraced all military subjects from 1631 to that time.
In 1696 a corps called “engineers of camps and armies” was instituted; who in 1726 were called “geographical engineers” employed with the staff in drawing plans, &c. But their drawings were used only in the camp, until 1744, when d’Argenson improved the corps and established them at Versailles. It was from this depot that Voltaire obtained all the materials which render his concise sketches of history more accurate and preferable to any other, who has not made use of his materials.
In the seven years war, the Hotel de la Guerre was erected at Versailles, it was completed in 1760. Berthier who was the intimate friend of marshal Saxe was appointed chief geographical engineer; and he collected a vast body of charts, drawings, and topographical sketches on the Rhine, Hesse, Westphalia, Hanover, &c.
But some idea of former insufficiency may be had from the following anecdote taken from memoirs of marshal Rochambeau (the same who served with Washington) published at Paris in 1809: the marshal was an officer under marshal Richelieu at the attack on Minorca during the seven years war, which he thus describes—“When the marshal left Versailles to proceed on the expedition, there could be found only one plan very old of Port Mahon, in the military depot, and this was merely a draft of Fort St. Philip. M. de Valliere, a minister of that day, who was much better adapted to be a man-midwife than a chief of the war depot, was consulted, and said that 24 pieces of heavy ordnance and 15 mortars would be sufficient to lay the place in ashes. At Toulon, Richelieu had some discourse with a captain of a merchant ship who had been prisoner at Port Mahon, who said the duke’s plan of St. Philip was no more like it than the Bastile. This intelligence induced the duke to take 14 pieces of artillery and 7 mortars more. But what was our astonishment when on the first sight of Fort St. Philip we discovered works bristled with arms and fortifications presenting 140 embrasures with their tompions out.”
There can be no greater ignorance than this in military affairs, excepting the ignorance of the British at Walcheren in 1809, who did not know that the channel which formerly made Cadsand an island, and separated it from the continent, had been filled up and become terra firma for 25 years preceding.
By an arret of 1769 the topographical board was again revived, but fell into neglect. St. Germain made them one corps with the engineers; but they were again separated in 1777. M. de Vault who had been the soul of the institution for 40 years, ever since 1750, died in 1790, he had digested all the materials of the wars down to the year 1763 in a military historical manner, they amounted to 125 volumes. It came under the care of his colleague M. Beaudoin, who died, and was succeeded by general Mathieu Dumas, until the revolution; when the war depot in 1791 was removed to Paris for safety and for use. Colon, Desdorides, Lacuer, and Carnot, were active in it; Carnot for his own advantage and convenience formed out of this a private topographical cabinet, to which may be attributed the developement of those grand combinations, which put fourteen armies in motion and maintained their co-operation in a manner which has astonished mankind, and laid the foundation for those congenial achievements which have since subverted all previous axioms in tactics and prostrated and encircled Europe.
But the want of topographers being so much felt in the early campaigns of the revolution no doubt stimulated Carnot to render it perfect. Accordingly the corps was new organized, three companies were formed, and each composed of 12 artists and a considerable number of pupils or assistants to each. These were employed on the topography of Bavaria, Suabia, &c. the materials collected in Italy, Piedmont, Spain, Naples, Egypt, and St. Domingo. The grand map of France by Cassini; the chart by Ferraris of the Netherlands, and Piedmont by Borgonio, were engraved under the inspection of this corps. During the war all topographical materials were collected with zeal. General Dupont (who has been since made prisoner in Spain) considerably improved and enriched it; Ernout who was lately commander of one of the French W. I. islands, was for a time at the head of this depot; its organization was completed in 1795. General Clarke, having been educated in this corps, was placed at the head of it in the year 1800. A library was established and 8000 volumes appropriate to the subject added by him. In 1801 it was enriched with all that the campaigns of Bonaparte procured.
But the most important of its works was a plan of France upon a combined projection of 4 points of view taken on the banks of the Rhine, 24 topographical engineers under Franchot the astronomer accomplished this. The organization was further improved on a project of general Clarke; general Andreossi afterwards succeeded, and under his care numerous charts were engraved and published.
The following is an abstract of the contents of the depot. 2700 volumes ancient archives; 8000 select additional volumes; 900 rolls of modern topographical plans; 131 volumes and 78 rolls modern narrative, each of which is composed of at least 50 individual memoirs; 4700 engraved maps; 7400 manuscript plans of battles, marches, encampments, &c.
It furnished to the army before 1804, engraved maps 7278; manuscript plans and drawings 207; 61 atlases, and upwards of 600 narrative memoirs.
In the early formation of this and other scientific establishments, in the talents which directed and the liberality that provided them, we see one of the real causes why France is superior in war to all other nations.
TOPOGRAPHY. In military history, a description or draught of some particular place, or small tract of land, as that of a fortification, city, manor or tenement, garden, house, castle, fort, or the like; such as engineers set out in their drawings, for the information of their prince or general. Hence a topographical chart—Carte Topographique.
TOPSYTURVY. Upsidedown, or, as our old authors more properly wrote it, (to use Mr. Tooke’s words in his Diversions of Purley,) Up so down; bottom upward. It corresponds with the French term, Sans dessus dessous; without top or bottom: i. e. a situation of confusion, in which you cannot discern the top from the bottom, or say which is the top and which the bottom. When a battalion is so awkwardly managed, either through the ignorance of the chief who gives the several words of command, or through the dullness of the officers and soldiers who are to execute them, that the grenadiers get where the light infantry should stand, and the rest of the companies out of their proper fronts and positions, such a battalion may be said to be topsyturvy. There is a sea-phrase in familiar use among the military, which means the same thing, viz. to capsize, renverser. Chavirer quelque chose, comme une embarcation, &c. To turn upside down, as to capsize a piece of ordnance. Hence, figuratively, to capsize a battalion, which means the same as to club a battalion. See [To Club].
TOQUE, Fr. A velvet cap with the sides turned up, and flat at the top. The Cent Suisses, or the French king’s Swiss body guard, wore the toque during the French monarchy.
TOR. A tower or turret.
TORCHES, (Torches, Fr.) In military matters, are lights used at sieges, &c. They are generally made of thick ropes, &c.
TORCHIS, Fr. Mud-clay, with which cottager’s huts, &c. are made in most countries.
TORE, Fr. See [Torus].
TORUS. In architecture, a large round moulding used in the bases of columns.
TORLAQUI. A sort of priest in Turkey.
TORNADO. A Portuguese word which is used on the southern coasts of Africa, to express furious whirlwinds that are often fatal to mariners and seamen. Dr. Johnson calls it generally, a hurricane; a whirlwind.
TORPEDO. A military machine for defence, invented by Mr. Robert Fulton, an American; there are various kinds adapted to positions and methods of defence or attack; the machine is a case of copper, oblong, and containing 100 lbs. or more of powder; to the end of the case is a kind of lock about the size of a parlor door brass lock, inside of which are clock works so formed as to be set to any number of seconds or minutes required, which being expired, the gunpowder in the case is exploded, and all above is torn to pieces by the explosion.
TORSE, Fr. This word means literally, twisted. In architecture it signifies a pillar, the body of which, or the part between the base and the capitals is surrounded with concave and convex circular lines.
TORTOISE. See [Testudo].
TORTS, Fr. See [Wrongs].
TORTUE, Fr. Literally means tortoise. It likewise signifies the testudo, or tortoise, a warlike machine which was used among the ancients.
TORTUE d’hommes, Fr. A particular formation which was formerly adopted by the besieged when they made a sortie.
TORTUE de Mer, Fr. A sort of vessel which has its deck raised in such a manner, that it resembles the roof of a house, beneath which soldiers and passengers may conveniently stand or sit with their baggage in bad weather.
TOSHA Khanna, Ind. Store-room, wardrobe.
TOSTE, Fr. A rowing bench in a boat. It is likewise called Toste de Chaloupe.
TOUCH-HOLE. The vent through which the fire is conveyed to the powder in the chamber of a gun.
TOUR, Fr. Turn. This word is likewise used by the English in military matters, as tour of duty.
TOUR à feu, Fr. A light house.
TOUR de bâton, Fr. By-profits. See [Baton].
TOURNAMENT. From the old French word tournoi, which is derived From tourner, to turn. An exercise of mock battle formerly practised, wherein princes and gentlemen afforded specimens of their dexterity and courage in public places, by entering the lists and encountering all opposers. They were well mounted on horseback, clad in armor, and accoutred with lance and sword; first tilted at one another, and then drew their swords and fought hand to hand.
These exercises being designed to make the persons, who practised them, expert in the art of war, and also to entertain the court, the arms were in a great measure rendered so far innocuous that they could not kill the combatants. For this purpose the points of the lances and swords were broken off; but notwithstanding this precaution, frequent mischief occurred. In consequence of which the Pope prohibited all sorts of tournaments, under pain of excommunication.
Tournaments had their origin from the ancient gladiatory combats, and not from the usage of the northern people, as is commonly believed. In Cicero’s time they were called by the Greek name Anabatis; because their helmet in a great measure obstructed their seeing.
TOURNEE, Fr. A circuitous journey made for the purpose of inspection, &c.
Le Général fit une TOURNEE pour examiner les avant postes. The general went round to examine the outposts.
Tourne à gauche, Fr. A tool used by carpenters, masons, and other artizans, in turning screws, saws, &c.
TOURNER, Fr. To turn. In military matters it signifies to get upon the flank or in the rear of any object you propose to attack.
Tourner un ouvrage, Fr. In fortification, to turn a work. This is effected by cutting off its communication with the main body of the place, and taking possession of the gorge. Tourner le flanc, to turn the flank. Tourner l’aile droite ou l’aile gauche, to turn the right or left wing. Tourner un poste, une montagne, to get into the rear of a post, mountain, &c.
TOURNIQUET, Fr. A turnstile. It likewise signifies a swivel or iron ring.
Tourniquet, Fr. Among artificers, a species of firework composed of two fusees, which, when set fire to, produces the same effect as the Soleil Tournant.
Tourniquet, (Tourniquet, Fr.) In surgery, an instrument made of rollers, compresses, screws, &c. for compressing any wounded part so as to stop hæmorrhages.
The common Tourniquet is very simple, consisting only of a roller, which, with the help of a small stick, serves to stop the effusion of blood from large arteries, in amputation, by forcibly tying up the limb. The things required in this operation are, a roller of a thumb’s breadth, and of an ell in length; a small cylindrical stick, a conglomerated bandage, two fingers thick and four long; some compresses of a good length, and about three or four fingers breadth, to surround the legs and arms, and a square piece of strong paper or leather, about four fingers wide. By the British regulations published in 1799, for the better management of the sick in regimental hospitals, every surgeon and assistant surgeon is directed to have, among other surgical instruments, a certain number of tourniquets; and serjeants, &c. are to be taught the method of using it.
In May, 1798, two tourniquets were directed to be sent to each English regiment, the rest are to be made by the men of the regiment; and besides one to each person who will be taught the use of it, it is necessary to have four for every hundred men.
The non-commissioned officers, band, and drummers of every regiment, are to be taught the manner of applying it according to instructions sent down from the surgeon general’s department.
TOURNOIS, Fr. Tournament.
TOURS Mobiles, Fr. Moveable towers. These were made use of in remote ages; and although the invention of them has been attributed by some to the Greeks and by others to the Romans, it does not belong to either; for we read of moveable towers in Ezekiel. The curious may derive much information on this head from the Chevalier Folard in his translation of Polybius, page 536, tom. ii. See [Moveable Towers].
TOURS bastionnees, Fr. See [Tower bastions].
Tours isolees, Fr. Detached towers; such as are made in forts, or stand upon the coast to serve for lighthouses.
Tours terrieres, Fr. Large pieces of wood which are used in mechanical operations to convey or remove heavy burthens.
La TOURBE menue, Fr. The common people, the rabble.
TOURBILLON, Fr. Whirlwind, vortex. The French likewise call a water-spout by this name.
Tourbillon de feu, Fr. See [Soleil Montant].
TOURELLE, Fr. A turret.
TOURILLON, Fr. A sort of pivot upon which several machines, such as draw-bridges, &c. are made to turn.
TOURILLONS. See [Trunnions].
TOURMENTE, Fr. A violent storm.
TOURTEAU Goudronné, Fr. Old rope which is untwisted, steeped in pitch or tar, and afterwards left to dry. It is used in fosses and other places during a siege. The French make the Tourteau Goudronné in the following manner.—Take 12 pounds of tar or pitch, 6 ditto of tallow or grease, which put to 3 pints of linseed oil, and boil the whole together. You then take old matches, or twisted pieces of rope of any length you want, and let them soak in the boiling liquor. If you wish to prevent them from burning too fast, add six pounds of rosin and two of turpentine.
TOUT le monde haute, Fr. A French word of command at sea which corresponds with our sea phrase, Pipe! all hands up.
TOUT le monde bas, Fr. A French word of command at sea which corresponds with Pipe! all hands down.
Toute volee, Fr. Random shot.
Tirer a toute volee. To fire at random.
TOWER, (Tour, Fr.) Any high building raised above another, consisting of several stories, usually of a round form, though sometimes square or polygonal; a fortress, a citadel. Towers are built for fortresses, prisons, &c. as the tower of the Bastille, which was destroyed by the inhabitants of Paris in 1789.
The Tower of London, commonly called the Tower. A building with five small turrets at different angles above it, situated on the banks of the river Thames.
The Tower of London is not only a citadel to defend and command the city, river, &c. but it is also a royal palace, where the kings of England with their courts have sometimes lodged; a royal arsenal, wherein are stored arms and ammunition for 60,000 soldiers; a treasury for the jewels and ornaments of the crown; a mint for coining money; the archives wherein are preserved all the ancient records of the courts of Westminster, &c. and the chief prison for state delinquents. The officers belonging to the Tower of London consist of
| per ann. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | constable and chief governor at | 1000 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | lieutenant governor, at | 700 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | deputy lieutenant, at | 365 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | major, at | 182 | 10 | 0 |
| 1 | chaplain, at | 121 | 13 | 4 |
| 1 | gentleman porter, at | 84 | 0 | 8 |
| 1 | gentleman gaoler, at | 70 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | physician, at | 182 | 10 | 0 |
| 1 | surgeon, at | 45 | 12 | 6 |
| 1 | apothecary, 1 yeoman porter | |||
Tower-bastions, in fortification, are small towers made in the form of bastions, by M. Vauban, in his second and third method; with rooms or cellars underneath to place men and guns in them.
Martello Tower. See [Tours Mobiles]
Moveable Towers, in ancient military history, were three stories high, built with large beams, each tower was placed on 4 wheels or trucks, and towards the town covered with boiled leather, to guard it from fire, and to resist the darts: on each story 100 archers were posted. They were pushed with the force of men to the city wall. From these the soldiers, placed in the different stages, made such vigorous discharges that none of the garrison dared to shew themselves on the rampart.
TOWN. Any walled collection of houses.
Town-Adjutant. An assistant to the town-major. See [Adjutant].
Town-Major. An officer constantly employed about the governor or officer commanding a garrison, &c. He issues the orders to the troops, and reads the common orders to fresh troops when they arrive. He commands according to the rank he had in the army; but if he never had any other commission than that of town or fort-major, he is to command as youngest captain. See [Major].
TRABAND. A trusty brave soldier in the Swiss infantry, whose particular duty was to guard the colors and the captain who led them. He was armed with a sword and a halbert, the blade of which was shaped like a pertuisan. He generally wore the colonel’s livery, and was excused all the duties of a centry. His pay was eight deniers more than the daily subsistence of the company.
TRABEA, Trabee, Fr. A white gown bordered with purple, and adorned with clavi or trabeæ of scarlet. See Kennett’s R. A. page 313.
TRACER, Fr. To trace.
TRACES. The harness by which beasts of draught are enabled to move bodies to which they are yoked.
TRAHISON, Fr. Treason.
Haute Trahison, Fr. High treason.
Tuer en Trahison, Fr. To kill in a treacherous manner.
TRAIL. In gunnery. The end of a travelling carriage, opposite to the wheels, and upon which the carriage slides when unlimbered or upon the battery. See [Carriages].
To Trail, literally means to draw along the ground. In military matters it signifies, to carry the firelock in an oblique forward position, with the butt just above the ground. Hence Trail Arms, a word of command for that purpose.
TRAINE, Fr. A term known among French sailors and soldiers at sea, to signify a thin rope or rather packthread, to which they tie their linen; leaving it to float or be dragged through the waves until it is clean.
TRAIN, (Train, Fr.) In a military sense, all the necessary apparatus, implements of war, such as cannon, &c. that are required at a siege or in the field.
Train of Artillery, (Traine d’artillerie, Fr.) in a general sense, means the regiment of artillery; it also includes the great guns and other pieces of ordnance belonging to an army in the field. See [Artillery].
Train, (Trainee, Fr.) In mining. A line of gunpowder laid to give fire to a quantity thereof, which has been lodged for the purpose of blowing up earth, works, buildings, &c.
Train, is also used to denote the attendants, of a prince or general, upon many occasions.
Train-bands, or trained bands, a name formerly given to the militia of England.
TRAINEAUX, Fr. Several pieces of wood made in the form of a large sledge upon which pieces of ordnance and stores, &c. are conveyed to the rampart, and brought from one place to another.
TRAINEURS, Fr. Men who on a march lag behind, and thereby occasion a loose and unconnected appearance in the line of march. It is the duty of the rear guard to pick up all stragglers, and to report them to head-quarters.
Traineur d’epee. A parasite; a man who has never done a day’s duty, but wears a sword and looks big.
TRAITS, Fr. Drag-ropes, &c. used in the artillery.
TRAJECTORY line, is the curved line formed by the shot after the explosion to the end of its career.
TRAJET. See [Ferry].
TRAMONTANE, Fr. The north wind in the Mediterranean is so termed by the French. It is so called, because it blows beyond the hills that are near Rome and Florence.
TRANCHANT, Fr. Cutting.
Une epee à deux TRANCHANS, Fr. A two-edged sword.
TRANCHEE, Fr. See [Trench].
Tranchee double, Fr. A double trench, one side of which serves as a traverse to the other; by which means they are mutually covered from a reverse or enfilade filing.
Tranchee a crochet, Fr. A bending trench, or one in the shape of a hook. This species of trench is found where the line turns, at the extremities of the places of arms, and at the ends of the cavaliers.
Tranchee directe, Fr. A trench which is carried, or run out in a strait forward direction, and which serves to shut up any spot from whence you might be enfiladed.
TRANSFERS. Soldiers taken out of one troop or company and placed in another are so called.
TRANSFIXED. An ancient term used to express the state of being desperately wounded by some pointed instrument, as being run through by a spear, javelin or bayonet; pierced through so that the weapon is fixed in another body.
TRANSOMS. In artillery. Pieces of wood which join the cheeks of gun-carriages; there is but one in a truck-carriage, placed under the trunnion-holes; and four in a wheel-carriage, the trail, the centre, the bed, and the breast transoms.
TRANSOM-plates, with hooks.—There is one on each side of the side-pieces, against each end of the transom, the bed-transom excepted, fastened by two transom-bolts.
Transom-bolt, with bars. They serve to tie the side-pieces to the transom.
TRANSPIRATION, Fr. This word is used by the French in hydraulics, to signify the oozing of water through the pores of the earth. It often happens, in digging a canal through sandy ground, that the transpirations or oozings, are so plentiful as not to leave water enough for the intended purposes of navigation. This occurred at New-Brisac, when a canal was dug in order to convey materials for its fortifications. The waters having been let in, the whole body was absorbed in the space of twenty-four hours. This evil or inconvenience can, however, be remedied; as may be seen in the fourth volume of Belidor’s Architecture Hydraulique.
TRANSPORT. A vessel in which soldiers are conveyed on the sea. See [Embarkation].
Transport-Board. An English office established in 1794, which has the entire arrangement of the transport service, and of prisoners of war, in conjunction with the sick and hurt board. It consists of five commissioners, who are captains in the navy, and a secretary.
TRANSPORTER, Fr. To transfer, to remove, to change the situation of any thing.
Transporter les files et les rangs d’un bataillon dans les evolutions, Fr. To change files or ranks in military evolutions. To countermarch any given number of men so as to place the right where the left stood, and make the front rank take the ground that was occupied by rear, with a different aspect. See [Countermarch].
When the countermarch is effected on the centre, or by a central conversion, the French distinguish, and use the phrase—Faire le moulinet; from the similarity of movement round a central point; moulinet signifying capstan, turn-stile, &c.
TRANSPOSER les files d’un bataillon dans les évolutions, Fr. To change the relative position of files in a battalion, that is, to countermarch the whole so as to make the natural front stand where the rear did, and to place those on the left that originally stood on the right.
TRAP. See [Ambush], [Stratagem], &c.
TRAPE, Fr. A falling door.
TRAPEZE, Fr. See [Trapezium].
TRAPEZOID, (Trapezoide, Fr.) A figure in geometry which is formed by the circumvolution of a trapezium, in the same manner that a cylinder is by that of a parallelogram.
TRAPEZIUM. A quadrilateral or square figure whose four sides and angles are unequal, and no sides are parallel.
TRAPPINGS. See [Housings].
TRATTES, Fr. The Several beams and long pieces of wood which support the body of a windmill.
TRAVADE, Fr. A whirlwind; violent squall accompanied by thunder and lightening.
TRAVAILLER, Fr. To work. In mechanics; to warp, to open, &c. The French say, Ce bois travaille; this wood warps—Ce mur travaille; this wall gives way, &c.
Travailler, a la journee, Fr. To work by the day—A la piece, by the piece:—à la tâche, by the measure:—En bloc et en tâche, by the great, by the lump.
Travailler à Toise, Fr. To work by the toise. Works in fortification are generally done by this measure.
Travailler par epaulees, Fr. To execute a work with intervals of labor.
Travailler les esprits des soldats. To work upon the minds of the soldiery. To excite them to insurrection.
Travailler un pays. To feel the pulse of a country by working upon the minds of the inhabitants; to excite them to support any particular cause.
TRAVAILLEURS, Fr. Literally, workmen. In military matters, pioneers and soldiers employed in fatigue duties.
Travailleurs, à la tranchee, Fr. A detachment, consisting of a given number of men from each battalion, which is employed in the trenches. The soldiers who are sent upon this duty have only spades and pick-axes, and the officers who command them wear their swords.
TRAVAISON, Fr. Entablature.
TRAVAUX Militaires, Fr. See [Military Works].
Travaux avances, Fr. Advanced works or outworks. The same as pieces detachees, or dehors. See [Dehors].
TRAVEE, Fr. A bay of joists. A scaffold.
TRAVELLING forge. See [Forge].
TRAVERS, Fr. A rope which is used to fasten cannon on their carriages, &c. and which serves for various other purposes.
TRAVERSEE, Fr. Passage; short trip by sea.
TRAVERSE. In fortification, is a parapet made across the covert-way, opposite to the salient angles of the works, near the place of arms, to prevent being enfiladed. Traverses are 18 feet thick, and as high as the ridge of the glacis. There are also traverses made by caponiers; but then they are called tambours.
To Traverse, a gun, or mortar, is to bring it about to right or left with hand-spikes, till it is pointed exact to the object.
TRAVERSIER, Fr. A passage boat, &c. It likewise means a wind that blows into port; also a pontoon.
TRAVERSINES, Fr. Pieces of wood which are laid cross-ways in a dyke.
TRAVERSING-plates, in gun carriages, are two thin iron plates, nailed on the hind part of a truck carriage of guns, where the hand-spike is used to traverse the gun.
Traversing, in fencing, is the change of ground made by moving to right or left round the circle of defence.
TRAVONS, Fr. The large main beams in a wooden bridge, which support the joists, &c. They are likewise called sommiers.
TRAVESTISEMENT, Fr. Disguise. In the old French service, it was ordained, that no dragoon or foot soldier should change his uniform or regimentals whilst in garrison, nor within the boundaries of it. Every infraction of this order was punished with three months imprisonment.
TRAUMATIC. Vulnerary; useful to wounds; as Traumatic decoction.
TREACHERY. Perfidy; breach of faith.
TREASON. Disloyalty; treachery; perfidious dealing.
High Treason. An offence against the security of the commonwealth, or of the sovereignty. It is a capital crime, and subjects the offender not only to loss of life, but also to forfeiture of all he may possess.
| TRECHETOR, | - | |
| TRECHEUR, |
One who betrays a place, or body of men. An obsolete word.
TREFLE, Fr. Trefoil. A term used in mining, from the similarity of the figure to trefoil. The simple trefle has only two lodgments; the double trefle four; and the triple one six.
TREILLAGE, Fr. Any assemblage of wood which is laid cross-ways. Of which description are the palisadoes, &c. in gardens
TREILLIS, Fr. A general term for iron grating, &c. Such as is used for prisons.
Treillis, Fr. The method that is used in copying plans, &c. It consists of a certain arrangement of strait lines, which being measured at equal distances from one another, and crossed from right to left, represents a quantity of small equal squares. This arrangement or disposition of lines is used by painters, engravers, and engineers, in taking accurate copies of plans, &c. and is called by the French Treillis.
TREILLISER. To trellis. To furnish with a trellis.
TREMEAU, Fr. An ancient term in fortification. See [Mortar].
TRENCHANT. Sharp or cutting.
TRENCHES, in a siege, are ditches made by the besiegers, that they may approach more securely to the place attacked; on which account they are also called lines of approach. The tail of the trench is the place where it was begun, and its head is the place where it ends.
Trenches are also made to guard an encampment.
The trenches are usually opened or begun in the night time, sometimes within musquet shot, and sometimes within half or whole cannon shot of the place; generally about 800 toises. They are carried on in winding lines, nearly parallel to the works, so as not to be in view of the enemy, nor exposed to the enemy’s shot.
The workmen employed in the trenches are always supported by a number of troops to defend them against the sallies of the besieged. The pioneers, and other workmen, sometimes work on their knees, and are usually covered with mantlets or saucissons; and the troops who support them lie flat on their faces, in order to avoid the enemy’s shot. On the angles or sides of the trench, there are lodgments, or epaulements, in form of traverses, the better to hinder the sallies of the garrison, and to favor the advancement of the trenches, and to sustain the workmen.
The platforms for the batteries are made behind the trenches; the first at a good distance, to be used only against the sallies of the garrison. As the approaches advance, the batteries are brought nearer, to ruin the defences of the place, and dismount the artillery of the besieged. The breach batteries are made when the trenches are advanced near the covert-way.
If there are two attacks, it will be necessary to have lines of communication, or boyaus, between the two, with places of arms at convenient distances. The trenches are 6 or 7 feet high with the parapet, which is 5 feet thick, with banquettes for the soldiers to mount upon.
The approaches at a siege are generally carried on upon the capitals of the works attacked; because the capitals produced are, of all other situations in the front of a work, the least exposed to the fire of either the cannon or musquetry; and are the least in the line of fire between the besieged and besieger’s batteries. But if, from particular circumstances, these or other advantages do not attend the approaches upon the capitals, they are by no means to be preferred to other positions.
The trenches of communication, or zig-zags, are 3 feet deep, 10 feet wide at bottom, and 13 feet at top, having a berm of one foot, beyond which the earth is thrown to form a parapet.
The parallels or places of arms of the trenches are 3 feet deep, 12 feet wide at bottom, and 17 or 18 feet wide at top, having a banquette of about 3 feet wide, with a slope of nearly as much. See [Sap].
The first night of opening the trenches, the greatest exertions are made to take advantage of the enemy’s ignorance as to the side of attack; and they are generally carried on as far in advance as the first parallel, and even sometimes to the completion of that work. The workmen set out on this duty, each with a fascine of 6 feet, a pick axe, and a shovel; and the fascines being laid so as to lap one foot over each other, leave 5 feet of trench for each man to dig.
The usual method of directing the trenches or zig-zags is, by observing during the day some near object in a line with the salient parts of the work, and which may serve as a direction in the night; or if the night be not very dark, the angles of the works may be seen above the horizon; but as both these methods are subject to uncertainty, the following is proposed to answer every case:—Having laid down the plan of attack, the exact positions of the flanked angles of the works of the front attacked, and particularly of those most extended to the right and left; marked on the plan the point of commencement for the first portions of zig-zag, the point where it crosses the capital, 2nd the point to which it extends on the other side of the capital: this last point will be the commencement of the second branch: then mark off the point where this branch crosses the capital, and its extent on the other side; and this will give the commencement of the third branch; and so on for the others. Thus provided with a plan ready marked off, it will be very easy, even in the darkest night, to lay down the points where the zig-zags are to cross the capital, and the points to which they are to be produced beyond them. The first parallel is generally run about 600 yards from the place, and of such extent as to embrace the prolongation of the faces of all the works which fire upon the trenches; and each end has a return of about 30 or 40 yards.
The second parallel is constructed upon the same principles, and of the same extent as the first, at the distance of about 300 yards from the salient angles of the covert-way. This parallel is usually formed of gabions; each workman carrying a gabion, a fascine, a shovel, and a pick axe. After this the trenches are carried on by sap.
The half parallels are about 140 or 150 yards from the covert-way, and extend sufficiently on each side to embrace the prolongation of the branches of the covert-way.
The third parallel must not be nearer than the foot of the glacis, or it will mask the ricochet batteries. It is generally made rather wider than the other parallels.
Cavaliers of the trenches must not be nearer than 28 yards from the covert-way, or they will be liable to be annoyed by hand grenades.
Returns of a Trench, are the elbows and turnings, which form the lines of approach, and are made, as near as can be, parallel to the place, to prevent their being enfiladed.
To mount the Trenches, is to mount guard in the trenches, which is generally done in the night.
To relieve the Trenches, is to relieve the guard of the trenches.
To scour the Trenches, is to make a vigorous sally upon the guard of the trenches, force them to give way, and quit their ground, drive away the workmen, break down the parapet, fill up the trench, and spike their cannon.
Counter-Trenches, are trenches made against the besiegers; which consequently have their parapets turned against the enemy’s approaches, and are enfiladed from the several parts of the place, on purpose to render them useless to the enemy, if they should chance to become masters of them; but they should not be enfiladed, or commanded by any height in the enemy’s possession.
To open the Trenches, is to break ground for the purpose of carrying on approaches towards a besieged place.
TRENTE-six mois, Fr. Thirty-six months. A sea phrase. By this term was understood among the French, before the revolution, Un Engagé, a person who hired himself for that period to another, on condition that the latter defrayed his passage to the East Indies; after the expiration of which term the former was at liberty to settle in that country.
TREPAN, Fr. An instrument which is used to find out the quality of any ground into which beams or sticks are to be driven. Also an instrument used in surgery.
TREPIGNER, Fr.. To clatter. In horsemanship it is used to describe the action of a horse who beats the dust with his fore-feet in managing, without embracing the vault; who makes his motions and time short and near the ground, without being put upon his haunches. This defect is usually occasioned by a weakness in the shoulders.
TRESOR, Fr. The military chest.
TRESORIER, Fr. Paymaster. There were formerly on the French military establishment two classes of paymasters, viz. Trésoriers de l’ordinaire, et trésoriers de l’extraordinaire, paymasters or treasurers for the ordinary expences of the service, and ditto for the extraordinary. The latter were accountable to government for a just distribution of stores and provisions, and gave in their estimates and vouchers to the comptroller general’s office in Paris. These were formerly called Clercs du trésor ou payeurs, clerks attached to the military chest or paymasters. They were partly the same as our paymasters and commissaries-general on service.
During the monarchy in France there were several treasurers or paymasters-general in ordinary belonging to the army, who had their several departments, viz.
Tresoriers de la gendarmerie et des troupes de la maison du roi, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters attached to the gens d’armes and the king’s household.
Tresoriers de l’extraordinaire des guerres, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of the extraordinaries of the army.
Tresoriers des Maréchaussées de France, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of the marshalsey or armed police of France.
Tresoriers payeurs des troupes, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters-general of the forces.
Tresoriers des gratifications, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of compensations, gratuities, &c.
Tresoriers de la prévôté de l’Hotel, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of the provost-marshal’s department at the hotel or town hall in Paris.
Le TRESORIER général de l’artillerie, Fr. The treasurer or paymaster-general of the artillery.
Le TRESORIER général des fortifications, Fr. The treasurer or paymaster-general of fortifications.
All these treasurers or paymasters were subject to their several comptrollers of accounts, and their issues, &c. were audited accordingly. There were likewise provincial or subordinate paymasters of the extraordinaries of the army. They were appointed by the treasurers or paymasters-general, and resided in the different departments and general districts of the kingdom. These appointments fell, of course, at the revolution, and they have since been replaced by a more simple and economical consolidation. The artillery has still its separate treasurer or paymaster. The district paymasters, which have been established in Great Britain, &c. during the present war, seem manifestly to have taken their origin from the old French arrangement.
TREVET. Any thing that stands upon three legs. An iron instrument to set a pot or saucepan on over the fire. It is likewise used in field-ovens.
TREUIL, Fr. A roll, an axle-tree, &c.
TRIAIRES, Fr. See [Triarii].
TRIAL. Test, examination, experiment. It is in the power of the president to dismiss an officer from the regular, militia, or volunteer service, without any species of investigation or trial. See [Courts Martial], &c.
TRIANGLE, (Triangle, Fr.) The triangle may be considered as the most simple of all figures. It is composed of three lines and three angles, and is either plain or spherical.
A plain TRIANGLE is one that is contained under three right lines.
A spherical TRIANGLE is a triangle that is contained under three arches of a great circle or sphere.
A right-angled TRIANGLE is one which has one right angle.
An acute-angled TRIANGLE is one that has all its angles acute.
An obtuse-angled TRIANGLE is that which has one obtuse angle.
An oblique-angled TRIANGLE is a triangle that is not right angled.
An equilated TRIANGLE is one whose sides are all equal.
| An isosceles TRIANGLE, | - | |
| An equilegged TRIANGLE, |
A triangle that has only two legs or sides equal.
A scalenus TRIANGLE. One that has not two sides equal.
Similar TRIANGLES are such as have all their three angles respectively equal to one another.
Triangle. The psaltery of the Scriptures. A small triangular piece of metal, which is used in military bands, emitting a sharp reverberating sound in concord with the rest of the music.
Triangle likewise means a wooden instrument consisting of three poles which are fastened at top in such a manner, that they may spread at bottom in a triangular form, and by means of spikes affixed to each pole, remain firm in the earth. An iron bar, breast high, goes across one side of the triangle. The triangles are used in the British army for the purpose of inflicting the barbarous and unmilitary punishment of whipping; a usage which is rendered the more odious by a comparison of the valor and discipline of the French, who do not allow of any such punishments. To the shame of the United States, the practice is tolerated even by law at this moment!
Shake the TRIANGLE. A phrase in the British army, applied to the condition of a man who is whipped with corded lashes on the bare back till he falls into convulsions; when he is said to shake the triangle. Where such barbarity is the costume it is not surprising that they are always beaten in the field.
TRIANON, Fr. A generical French term signifying any pavilion that stands in a park, and is unconnected with the castle or main building. Of this description was the French queen’s petit trianon in the neighborhood of Versailles.
TRIARII. Soldiers so called among the Romans. According to Kennett, the Triarii were commonly veterans, or hardy old soldiers, of long experience and approved valor. They had their name from their position, being marshalled in the third place, as the main strength and hopes of their party. They were armed with a pike, a shield, a helmet, and a cuirass. They are sometimes called Pilatii, from their weapon the Pila. See Kennett’s Roman Ant. p. 190. They were likewise stiled Tiertiarii. A certain number of these veterans was always distributed in each cohort.
Polybius, in his 6th book, classes the Roman troops under four different heads; the first he calls Pilati or Velites, light-armed men, selected from the lower order of the people, and generally composed of the youngest men in the army. The second class, consisting of pikemen, Hastati, were more advanced in age, and had more experience. The third class, called Principes, were still older, and more warlike than the second.
The fourth class consisted of the oldest, most experienced, and bravest soldiers. These were always posted in the third rank, as a reserve, to support the others in case they gave way. Hence their appellation of triarii or tiertiarii; and hence the Roman proverb, Ad triarium ventum est, signifying thereby, that the last efforts were being made. The triarii were likewise named post signani, from being posted in the rear of the princeps who carried the standard in a legion.
TRIBUNE, (Tribun, Fr.) A title which was originally given to certain Roman magistrates, who were established for the specific purpose of maintaining the rights of the tribes or mass of the people, in opposition to the possible encroachments of the aristocracy or patricians, on which account they were stiled the tribunes of the people, les tribuns du peuple. The number, at first, was limited to two; but they were subsequently augmented to ten. There were likewise military tribunes, tribuns militaires. These held commands of considerable extent in the Roman armies.
TRIBUNATE, (Tribunat, Fr.) The office of tribune.
| TRICKER, | - | |
| TRIGGER, |
(Deténte, Fr.) The catch, which being pulled, disengages the cock of a gun-lock, that it may strike fire.
Hair Trigger, (détente à cheveux, Fr.) The hair trigger is generally used for rifles, when there is a great nicety required in shooting. The difference between a hair-trigger and a common trigger is this—the hair-trigger, when set, lets off the cock by the slightest touch, whereas the common trigger requires a considerable degree of force, and consequently is longer in its operation.
TRICOISSES, Fr. Pincers used by farriers.
TRICOT, Fr. A cudgel.
TRICOLORE, Fr. Three-colored. Hence the tricolor-cockade, which was adopted by the French at the commencement of their revolution. It consists of sky-blue, pink, and white and was emblematical of the three estates, nobility, clergy, and people. The armies still wear the tricolor, although the first order, or the nobility, was abolished 10th of August, 1792; however, Bonaparte has re-established a new nobility, and a new device on his standards, which is an eagle; conformable to his peculiar interests or policy.
TRIER, Fr. To pick and chuse. Hence, trier les plus beaux soldats, to pick out the finest soldiers. Triage is used as the substantive, signifying the act of picking and chusing.
TRIGON, a triangle. Hence,
TRIGONOMETRY, (Trigonométrie, Fr.) The art of measuring triangles, or of calculating the sides of any triangle sought. This is either plain or spherical.
TRILATERAL. Having three sides.
TRIMESTRE, Fr. A space of three months.
TRINGLE. In architecture, a name common to several little square members or ornaments, as reglets, listels, and platbands. It is more particularly used for a little member fixed exactly over every triglyph, under the platband of the architrave; from whence hang down the guttæ or pendent drops.
Tringle, Fr. A wooden rule.
TRINGLER, Fr. To draw a strait line upon wood by means of a stretched piece of packthread, or cord that is chalked.
TRINOME, Fr. A word used among the French, in algebra, to express any quantity which is produced by the addition of three numbers or quantities that are incommensurable.
TRINOMIAL, or Trinomial root, in mathematics, is a root consisting of three parts, connected together by the signs + or -, as x + y + z, or x - y - z.
TRINQUET, Fr. A word used in the Levant to signify the mizen or foremast of a ship.
TRINQUETTE, Fr. A sail used on board the ships in the Levant, which is of a triangular shape.
TRIOMPHE, Fr. See [Triumph].
Arc de Triomphe, Fr. A triumphal arch.
TRIPASTE, Fr. A machine which consists of three pullies, and is used in raising of heavy weights.
TRIQUE, Fr. A large cudgel.
TRIQUE-BAL, Fr. A sling cart or machine which is used to convey pieces of ordnance from one quarter to another.
TRIREME, Fr. A galley with three benches for rowers.
TRISECTION, (Trisection, Fr.) The division of a thing into three. The term is chiefly used in geometry for the partition of an angle into three equal parts.
The trisection of an angle geometrically, is one of those great problems whose solution has been so much sought by mathematicians; being in this respect on a footing with the quadrature of the circle, and the duplicature of the cube angle.
TRIUMPH. A solemnity practised by the ancient Romans, to do honor to a victorious general.
There were two sorts of triumphs, the greater and the lesser, particularly called ovation; of these the triumph was by much the more splendid procession. None were capable of this honor but the dictator, consuls, and prætors; though there are examples to the contrary, as particularly in Pompey the Great, who had a triumph decreed him when he was only a Roman knight, and had not yet reached the senatorial age.
The triumph was the most pompous show among the ancients: authors usually attribute its invention to Bacchus, and tell us, that he first triumphed upon the conquest of the Indies; and yet this ceremony was only in use among the Romans. The Grecians had a custom which resembled the Roman triumph; for the conquerors used to make a procession through the middle of their city, crowned with garlands, repeating hymns and songs, and brandishing their spears: their captives were also led by them, and all their spoils exposed to public view. The order of a Roman triumph was chiefly thus: the senate having decreed the general a triumph, and appointed a day, they went out of the city gate and marched in order with him through the city. The cavalcade was led up by the musicians, who had crowns on their heads; and after them came several chariots with plans and maps of the cities and countries subdued, done in relievo: they were followed by the spoils taken from the enemy; their horses, arms, gold, silver, machines, tents, &c. After these came the kings, princes, or generals subdued, loaded with chains, and followed by mimics or buffoons, who exulted over their misfortunes. Next came the officers of the conquering troops, with crowns on their heads. Then appeared the triumphal chariot, in which was the conqueror, richly clad in a purple robe, embroidered with gold, setting forth his glorious atchievements. His buskins were beset with pearl, and he wore a crown, which at first was only laurel, but afterwards gold; one hand held a laurel branch, the other a truncheon. His children were sometimes at his feet, and sometimes on the chariot-horses. As the triumphal chariot passed along, the people strewed flowers before it. The music played in praise of the conqueror, amidst the loud acclamations of the people, crying, to triumph. The chariot was followed by the senate clad in white robes; and the senate by such citizens as had been set at liberty or ransomed. The procession was closed by the sacrifices, and their officers and utensils, with a white ox led along for the chief victim. In the mean time all the temples were open, and the altars were loaded with offerings and incense; games and combats were celebrated in the public places, and rejoicings appeared every where.
TRIUMVIRI, or Tresviri Capitales. Men employed among the ancient Romans to preserve the public peace, &c. For particulars, see Kennett’s Roman Antiquities, page 121. They likewise signify the three persons, Cæsar, Crassus, and Pompey, who seized on the government of the republic, and divided it among them. Hence,
TRIUMVIRATE (Triumvirat, Fr.) An absolute government administered by three persons with equal authority. There are two triumvirates particularly recorded in history: Pompey, Cæsar, and Crassus, who had all served the republic as generals of marked reputation, in the first instance; and Augustus, Mark Antony, and Lepidus, in the second.
TROCHLEA. One of the mechanical powers usually called a pulley.
TROCHOID, in mathematics. The same as cycloid.
TROCHOLIQUE, Fr. A name used among the French for that branch of mathematics which treats of circular movements.
TROMBE, Fr. A water-spout. It is likewise called Siphon or Syphon.
TROMPE, Fr. In architecture; an arch which grows wider towards the top.
Trompes, Fr. In artificial fireworks; a collection of pots à feu, or fire-pots so arranged, that upon the first being inflamed, a ready communication takes place with the rest, and the explosion is successively effected.
TROMPETTE, Fr. This word, which signifies trumpet, is applied by the French, not only to the instrument, but to the man who blows it; in the same manner that we say fifes and drums, for fifers and drummers; but we do not say trumpet for trumpeter. Trompette, when used in this sense, is of the masculine gender.
Trompette sonnante, Fr. With sound of trumpet, or trumpet sounding.
Trompette parlante, Fr. A speaking trumpet. This instrument is generally used at sea; and owes its invention to an Englishman.
Deloger sans TROMPETTE, Fr. To steal away, to take French leave.
TROMPILLON, Fr. The diminutive of trompe. A term used in architecture, which owes its origin to the resemblance that exists between the wide part of a trumpet, and the arch or vault so called.
TROOP, in cavalry. A certain number of men on horseback who form a component part of a squadron. It is the same, with respect to formation, as company in the infantry. When a troop dismounts and acts on foot, it is still called a troop.
Troop. A certain beat of the drum. See [Drum].
To TROOP the colors. See [Colors].
Troops. The same as copiæ in Latin. Any collective body of soldiers.
Heavy TROOPS. Soldiers armed and accoutred for the purpose of acting together, in line, &c.
Light TROOPS, (Troupes legères, Fr.) Hussars, light horse, mounted riflemen, light infantry are so called, in opposition to cavalry or heavy horse. Skirmishing is solely the business of light horse, who, according to count Turpin, should be constantly exposed as the forlorn hope of the army; or as troops whose duty it is to be continually watchful for its repose and security.
When the light horse compose an advanced camp, the men should keep their horses constantly saddled; it being only an indulgence to allow those off duty to have their horses unsaddled. It is very true, that a camp of cavalry cannot be managed after the same manner; but then cavalry is seldom so situated as to be attacked, or to attack every day, which is the real business of light horse. They should serve as vedets to the whole army, in order to prevent the enemy from approaching it; whereas cavalry should never be employed, but in the greatest operations; and on occasions which are to decide the fate of a campaign.
Light troops, according to the same writer, are employed to gain intelligence concerning the enemy, to learn whether he hath decamped, whether he hath built any bridges, and other things of the same nature, of which the general must necessarily be informed, and should have a day fixed for this return. There are other detachments, which should be sent out under intelligent officers, and which should never lose sight of the enemy, in order to send in daily intelligence, to attack small convoys and baggage, to pick up marauders, and harrass the advanced guards. There should not be any time fixed for the return of these detachments, neither should they be confined to particular places; they should, however, return to the camp at the expiration of eight or ten days at farthest. The inconvenience, arising from confining these detachments to a particular time, would perhaps be, that the very day appointed for their return, would be that on which they might have the fairest opportunity of learning intelligence of the enemy: consequently their being forced to return, would defeat the objects for which they were sent out. See page 122, vol. II. of Count Turpin’s Art of War. See Am. Mil. Lib.
Light TROOPS have been sometimes called irregulars, as they act in detached and loose bodies. The tirailleurs, Tyrolians, Yagers, sharp-shooters, and the Chasseurs a cheval et a pied, to which the French owe so much during the whole course of their stupendous revolution, were of this description. What was called advancing en masse, by the French, was nothing more than very large bodies of irregulars (or light troops), which covered the country, in the front of their armies, like an inundation. To their irregulars, and to their light artillery are the French indebted for most of the victories they have gained. The troops stiled in France chasseurs, are, more or less, to be met with in every service in Europe, except the British. The Austrians have many regiments of them; the Prussians have them attached, in a certain proportion, to each corps; but the French, seeing the good effect of these irregulars, have brought them more into the field than all the combined powers together.
The operations in the spring of 1794, were in an open country near Cambray; the French then felt the superiority of the enemy’s cavalry; and saw that the irregulars, with which the French army abounded, were useless, and would continue so, unless they could force the British to make war in an enclosed country; and this they effected by obliging them to return into Flanders, to protect their magazines, and cover their communication with them. That country is much inclosed; and there all the irregulars could act. From that hour the British constantly lost ground, holding only those points they thought proper to cover with works; and in the short space of a few weeks, it may be said in a few days, those armies which had been acting offensively, were actually obliged to act defensively. Was that army diminished by slaughter or sickness? No: but the French armies, it is said, were increased: true; and with what? Irregulars: requisition men or volunteers; first without discipline, but not without ardor to fight: and from the moment the British commenced their sad retreat from Tournay, till they arrived near Breda, nothing was to be seen but the French irregular troops, that is tirailleurs or riflemen.
TROOPER, (Cavalier, Fr.) A horse soldier. According to Dr. Johnson, a trooper fights only on horseback; a dragoon marches on horseback, but fights either as a horseman or footman. There is no such thing as a trooper in the British service. The Blues were the last corps that deserved that appellation; but they now act, like the rest of the cavalry, on foot.
TROPHEE, Fr. See [Trophy].
Faire TROPHEE, Fr. To glory in.
TROPHY. Something taken from an enemy, and shewn or treasured up in proof of victory. Among the ancients, it consisted of a pile or heap of arms of a vanquished enemy, raised by the conqueror in the most eminent part of the field of battle.
The trophies were usually dedicated to some of the gods, especially to Jupiter. The name of the deity to whom they were inscribed, was generally mentioned, as was that also of the conqueror. The spoils were first hung upon the trunk of a tree; but instead of trees, succeeding ages erected pillars of stone or brass, to perpetuate the memory of their victories. To demolish a trophy was looked upon as a sacrilege, because they were all consecrated to some deity.
Trophy-money. Certain money annually raised in several countries towards providing artillery harness, and maintaining the militia.
TROPIQUE, Fr. Tropic. It is likewise used as an adjective, and signifies tropical.
Baptême du TROPIQUE, Fr. The ceremony which is performed when a person crosses the line for the first time.
| TROSSERS, | - | |
| TROUSE, | ||
| TROWSERS, |
kind of breeches reaching down to the ankles, worn by some regiments of infantry and light cavalry. See [Pantaloon].
TROTTOIR, Fr. Footway. It more properly means a raised pavement on the sides of a street or bridge, for the convenience of foot passengers.
TROU, Fr. A hole.
Trou de mineur, Fr. A lodgement which is made for the safety and convenience of a miner, when he first begins his operation.
Trou de loup. A cone reversed. Diameter of the base 4 feet 6 inches: depth 6 feet; picket 6 feet long, and from 4 to 5 inches square; contain ³⁄₄ of a cubic fathom of earth, and are usually placed 2 in 3 fathoms.
TROUBLESOME, from the verb to trouble. Importunate, teazing, full of molestation. This word is frequently misapplied in military matters. Many officers who have the public service of their country at heart, are improperly called troublesome, because they will not add, by negligence or connivance, to the too frequent abuses which exist in the interior economy of military establishment.
TROUGH. A hollow wooden vessel to knead bread in. It is used among the utensils of field bakery.
TROUPES, Fr. Troops, forces.
Troupes legeres, Fr. Light troops.
TROUS-DE-LOUP, in field fortifications, are round holes, about 6 feet deep, and pointed at the bottom, with a stake placed in the middle. They are frequently dug round a redoubt, to obstruct the enemy’s approach. They are circular at the top, of about 4¹⁄₂ feet diameter.
TROUSSE, Fr. A quiver. It also signifies any bundle of things tied together, viz. Une trousse de foin, a bundle of hay. See [Truss].
TROUSSEAU, Fr. A long piece of wood in the shape of a cane, that is, having one end smaller than the other, which is used in foundries to make cannon-moulds.
TROUSSEPAS, Fr. A sort of iron spade which is used in cutting turf.
TRUCE, (Treve, Fr.) A suspension of arms, or a cessation of hostilities, between two armies, in order to settle articles of peace, bury the dead, &c.
TRUCK. Wooden wheels for the carriage of cannon, &c.
Trucks of a ship-carriage, are wheels made of one piece of wood, from 12 to 19 inches diameter; and their thickness is always equal to the calibre of the gun.
The trucks of garrison-carriages are sometimes made of cast iron.
A truck-carriage goes upon four trucks of 24 inches diameter; has two flat side pieces of ten inches broad, and serves to carry guns, ammunition boxes, or any other weights, from the store houses to the water side, or to any small distance.
To TRUCKLE. This word is adopted from the trucklebed, which is a low mean bed that can be pushed under another. Hence,
To TRUCKLE TO. To submit to; to allow the superiority of another.
TRUEBORN. According to Dr. Johnson, having a right by birth to any title.
TRUELLE, Fr. A trowel.
TRULL. A vagrant strumpet; or one that has promiscuous dealings upon the road or elsewhere, with men of all descriptions. Hence, a soldier’s trull. In every well regulated camp and garrison the utmost precaution should be taken, to prevent these wretches from having the least intercourse with the soldiery. Notwithstanding the presumed, or reputed immorality of the French nation, the strictest regard was paid to the character and health of their armies. During the monarchy, prostitutes were publicly exposed upon a wooden horse. See [Cheval de Bois].
TRUMEAU, Fr. In architecture, the space in a wall which is between two windows. It also signifies a pier-glass.
TRUMPET, or Trump. A wind instrument made of brass or silver, with a mouth piece to take out and put in at pleasure. Each troop of cavalry has one.
TRUMPETER. The soldier who sounds the trumpet.
TRUMPET Soundings. See [Soundings].
TRUNCHEON. A club; a cudgel; also a staff of command. The truncheon was for several ages the sign of office; generals were presented with the truncheon as the sign of investiture with command; and all those officers who belonged to the suite of the general, and were not attached to regiments, carried a truncheon or staff, whence the name of officers of the staff. See [Batoon].
To Truncheon. To beat with a truncheon. Dr. Johnson has quoted a passage out of Shakespeare, which is extremely apposite to those blustering imposing characters that sometimes annoy public places, and commit swindling acts of depredation under the assumed title of captain. Captain! thou abominable cheater! if captains were of my mind, they would truncheon you out of taking their names upon you before you earned them!
TRUNCHEONEER. One armed with a truncheon.
TRUNNIONS, in guns. Two cylindric pieces of metal in a gun, mortar, or howitzer, which project from pieces of ordnance, and by which they are supported upon their carriages. See [Cannon].
Trunnion-plates, are two plates in travelling carriages, mortars, and howitzers, which cover the upper parts of the side-pieces, and go under the trunnions. The French have made improvements on this article; they have two pair of trunnion plates; one pair, in which the gun is placed for action; the gun is removed into the other for travelling; and are so denominated. See Am. Mil. Lib.
TRUSQUINS, Fr. Tools made use of by carpenters and joiners. They are called trusquins d’assemblage, and trusquins à longue pointe.
TRUSS. A bundle; as a bundle of hay or straw. Any thing thrust close together. Trusses of this description have been sometimes used in military affairs. The men carrying them in front for the purpose of deadening shot.
Truss of forage, is as much as a trooper can carry on his horse’s crupper. See Spun Hay.
To TRUST. To give credit to, on promise of payment. No soldier shall be liable to be arrested for a sum under 20l. and then an oath of the debt must be made before a magistrate.
TRUSTY. Honest; faithful; true; fit to be trusted. This word is used in the preamble of military commissions, &c. viz. To our trusty and well beloved.
TUBE, Fr. A pipe, a siphon. It is particularly applied to optical instruments.
Tubes of tin plates are the best for service. Tubes must pass through a guage of ²⁄₁₀ of an inch diameter. The composition is mealed powder, mixt up stiff with spirits of wine. They are made up in bundles of 100 each.
Length of tin tubes.
| Length. | Kind of Ordnance. | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy. | Medium. | Light. | Howitzer. | Land Mortars. | Sea Mortars. | ||||||
| Inches. | Pr. | Pr. | Pr. | Inch. | Inch. | In. | |||||
| 12 | ·2 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | ||||
| 8 | ·8 | 24 | 24 | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 8 | ·2 | 18 | 18 | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 7 | ·75 | 12 | 12 | — | — | 13 | 10 | ||||
| 6 | ·8 | 9 | 9 | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 6 | ·5 | 6 | — | 24 | 8 | 10 | — | ||||
| 5 | ·9 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 5 | ¹⁄₂ | — | — | |||
| 5 | ·0 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | ||||
| 4 | ·75 | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | 6 | — | — | — | ||
| 4 | ·2 | — | — | — | 4 | ²⁄₅ | 5 | ¹⁄₂ | — | ||
| 3 | ·6 | — | — | — | — | 4 | ²⁄₅ | — | |||
If tin tubes get damaged by wet, the composition may be cleared out of them, and they may be fresh filled. If spirits of wine cannot be had, good rum or brandy will answer the purpose.
TUCDUMMA, Ind. An account which is closed, after it has been examined.
TUCK. A long narrow sword.
TUDESQUE, Fr. Teutonic; Germanic.
TUERIE, Fr. Slaughter; massacre.
TUF. A soft sandy stone which answers two purposes, either to build upon or to build with. It is likewise tufeau. The French say, figuratively, C’est un homme de tuf—He is a man of no depth or profound knowlege.
TUG, Fr. A Turkish term for tail; a sort of standard called so by the Turks. It consists of a horse’s tail which is fixed to a long pole or half pike, by means of a gold button. The origin of this standard is curious. It is said, that the Christians having given battle to the Turks, the latter were broken, and in the midst of their confusion lost their grand standard. The Turkish general, being extremely agitated at the untoward circumstances which happened, most especially by the loss of the great standard, cut off a horse’s tail with his sabre, fixed it to a half pike, and holding it in his hand, rode furiously towards the fugitives and exclaimed—Here is the great standard; let those who love me, follow into action! This produced the desired effect. The Turks rallied with redoubled courage, rushed into the thickest of the enemy, and not only gained the victory, but recovered their standard. Other writers assert, that six thousand Turks having been taken prisoners during a general engagement, contrived to escape from their guard or escort, and afterwards fought so gallantly, that they regained another battle; that in order to recognize one another, they cut off a horse’s tail which they carried as a standard; that when they joined the Ottoman army, they still made use of the tug or tail; that the Turks, in consequence of the victory which was obtained under this new standard, looked upon it as a happy omen; and that since that period they have always fought under it as their banner, and the signal of success.
Whatever may have been the origin, it is certain, that when the Grand Signor takes the field in person, seven of these tails are always carried before him; and when he is in camp, they are planted in front of his tent.
The Grand Visier is entitled to three of these tails.
The three principal bashaws of the empire, (viz. those of Bagdad, Grand Cairo, and Breda,) have the grand signor’s permission to use this mark of distinction, throughout the whole extent of their jurisdiction.
Those bashaws that are not visiers, have the privilege of having two tails.
The beys, who are subordinate to the bashaws, have only one.
In the bas-relievo which is under the tomb-stone of John Casimir, king of Poland, in the abbey church of St. Germain des Prés de Paris, that monarch is represented at the head of his cavalry, with a horse’s tail or tug for its standard.
TUGPINS, are the iron pins which pass through the fore end of the shafts of the army carts, to fasten the draught chains for the fore horses.
TUILE, Fr. A tile.
Tuile creuse, Fr. A gutter tile.
Tuile de petit moule, Fr. A tile measuring about ten inches in length, and six in breadth. About 300 cover a square toise.
Tuile de grand moule, Fr. A tile measuring about 13 inches in length, and about eight and a half in breadth. One thousand are sufficient to cover seven toises.
TUILEAU, Fr. Shard of a tile.
TUILERIE, Fr. Tile kiln.
TUILERIES, Fr. The gardens, belonging to the ci-devant royal palace in Paris, are so called, from the spot having originally been used for tile-kilns.
TUKKEKYAH, Ind. Carpenters.
TUKNAR JUMMA, Ind. Money brought more than once to account.
TULUBANA, Ind. A fee, taken by Peons when placed as guards over any person.
TULLUB, Ind. This word literally means a demand; but it also signifies wages, pay.
Tullub chitty, Ind. A summons for pay.
TULWAR, Ind. A sword.
TUMBRELS, (Tombereaux, Fr.) Covered carts, which carry ammunition for cannon, tools for the pioneers, miners, and artificers; and sometimes the money of the army.
TUMSOOK, Ind. A bond.
TUNKAW, Ind. An assignment.
TUNES, Fr. Small twigs which are inlaced, or twisted across, around several stakes planted in the earth, and which serve to keep the fascines together.
TUNIC, (Tunique, Fr.) A coat with short sleeves above the elbow; a tunic. It derives its name from the Latin word Tunica, a close coat, which was the common garment worn within doors by itself, and abroad under the gown. It was distinguished by different names among the Romans, corresponding with the several classes of the people that were clothed according to their rank in life. See Kennett’s Roman Antiquities, p. 311, &c.
This sort of clothing is still worn in the east, and was prevalent among the French after their return from the crusades to the Holy Land. They adopted it from the Saracens, and seemed ambitious of appearing in a garb which bore testimony to their feats of valor. These tunics, which were converted into a sort of uniform, obtained the name of Saladines among the French, in compliment to the emperor Saladin. Hence too the origin of Salade, which not only signified the armor that was worn beneath the tunic or saladine, but also the light helmet of that name.
TUNIQUE, Fr. Among the French signifies likewise a particular dress which was worn by the kings, under their robes of state at a coronation.
TUNTUNGI-Bashi. A Turkish term signifying master of the pipes, a situation under the pacha.
TUQUE, Fr. A tarpaulin.
| TURBAN, | - | |
| TURBANT, | ||
| TURBAND, |
(Turban, Fr.) A cover consisting of several folds of white muslin, &c. which was worn by the Turks and other oriental nations. The blacks belonging to the different bands that are attached to British regiments likewise wear turbans, ornamented with fictitious pearls and feathers. Those of the foot guards are particularly gorgeous. The French say familiarly Prendre le Turban, to turn Turk.
The great Turk bears over his arms a turban enriched with pearls and diamonds, under two coronets. The first, which is made of pyramidical points, is heightened up with large pearls, and the uppermost is surmounted with crescents.
Green Turban. A turban worn by the immediate descendants of Mahomed, and by the idiots or saints in Turkey.
White Turban. A turban generally worn by the inhabitants of the East.
Yellow Turban. A turban worn by the Polygars who are chiefs of mountainous or woodland districts in the East Indies. By the last accounts from India, this turban has been adopted by the revolted natives of that part of the globe, as a signal of national coincidence and national understanding. The Polygars are in possession of very extensive tracts of country, particularly among the woods and mountains, and are likely to be extremely troublesome to the British. For an interesting account of them see Orme’s History of the Carnatic, pages 386, 390, 396, 420, &c.
TURCIE, Fr. Mole; pier; dyke.
TURK, (Turc, Fr.) The following account of the Turks has been given by a modern French writer:—“The Turks are a nation that is naturally warlike, whose armies are commanded by experienced generals, and are composed of bold and executive soldiers. They owe their knowlege of war, and their experience in tactics to three national causes, two of which do credit to their intellects. In the first place, they become enured to arms, from being bred to the profession from their earliest infancy: in the second, they are promoted upon the sole ground of merit, and by an uninterrupted gradation of rank: and in the third, they possess all the opportunities of learning the military art that constant practice and habitual warfare can afford. They are naturally robust, and constitutionally courageous, full of activity, and not at all enervated by the debaucheries of Europe, or the effeminacy of the East. Their predilection for war and enterprise, grows out of the recollection of past victories, and is strengthened by the two most powerful incentives to human daring, viz. reward and punishment; the first of which is extremely attractive, because it is extremely great, and the other equally deterring, because it is rigorous in the extreme. Add to these the strong influence of a religion, which holds out everlasting happiness and seats near Mahomed in heaven, to all who die fighting for their country on the field of battle; and which further teaches them most implicitly to believe, that every Turk has written upon his forehead his fatal moment, with the kind of death he must submit to, and that nothing human can alter his destiny. When any thing is to be put into execution, the order they receive is absolute, free from every species of intervention or control, and emanating from one independent authority. The power which is entrusted to their generals (like that of the Romans to their dictators) is brief and comprehensive, viz.—“Promote the interests of your country or your sovereign.” See Essai sur la Science de la Guerre, tom. i. p. 207.
Such is the character of the Turks, as detailed by their old allies the French. How far it corresponds with reality, especially in regard to military knowlege, we must leave to future historians to determine; observing at the same time, that a few sparks of British valor and perseverance have contributed more to the preservation of the Ottoman empire, during the present war, than all the fantastic images, or well-devised hypocrisies of Mahomed could have done. Our brave countrymen, on their return from Egypt, will probably be enabled to give a more faithful and correct account of their characters as soldiers.
TURMA. A troop of cavalry among the ancient Romans. The horse required to every legion was three hundred, divided into ten turmæ or troops, thirty to a troop, every troop making three decuriæ, or squads. See Kennett, R. A. p. 192.
TURNCOAT. A renegade, a deserter; one who abandons his party.
TURNOVER. A piece of white linen which is worn by the soldiers belonging to the British cavalry over their stocks, about half an inch deep.
To TURN out. To bring forward, to exhibit; as, to turn out the guard; to turn out so many men for service.
To Turn in. To withdraw; to order under cover; as, to turn in the guard.
TURNPIKE, (Barriere, Fr.) An obstacle placed across a road to prevent travellers, waggons, &c. from passing without paying an established toll. British officers and soldiers regimentally dressed, and on duty, pass through turnpikes gratis.
Turnpike is also used in the military art, for a beam stuck full of spikes, to be placed in a gap, a breach, or at the entrance of a camp, to keep off the enemy. It may be considered as a sort of cheval de frize.
TURPENTINE. A very combustible resin, much used in the composition of fire-works. All resins are discriminated from gums, by being soluble in oil but not in water; gums the contrary.
TURRET. A small tower.
Moveable Turrets. See [Towers].
TUSSULDAR, Ind. The East India company’s collector of the kistybundy.
TUYAU, Fr. Any pipe, &c. of lead, or gutter, or canal, made of burnt clay, &c. which serves to carry off the water from the roof of a house.
Tuyau de cheminee, Fr. The cylindrical conduit which receives and lets out the smoke at the top of a chimney.
Tuyaux de descente, Fr. The pipes which convey the water downwards.
TYMPAN, (Tympan, Fr.) In architecture, the area of a pediment, being that part which is on a level with the naked part of the frize. Or it is the space included between the three cornices of a triangular pediment, or the two cornices of a circular one.
Tympan of an arch, is the triangular space or table in the corners or sides of the arch, usually hollowed and enriched, sometimes with branches of laurel, olive-tree, or oak, or with trophies, &c. Sometimes with flying figures, as fame, victory, &c. or sitting figures, as the cardinal virtues.
TYMPANUM. A drum, a musical instrument which the ancients used, and which consisted of a thin piece of leather or skin, stretched upon a circle of wood or iron, and beat with the hand. Hence the origin of our drum.
Tympanum. In mechanics, a kind of wheel placed round an axis or cylindrical beam, on the top of which are two levers, or fixed staves, for the more easy turning the axis about, in order to raise a weight required. It is also used for any hollow wheel, wherein one or more persons or animals, such as horses, dogs, &c. walk to turn it. This wheel is found in cranes, calenders, &c.