V.
VACANCY, (vacance, Fr.) State of an office or commission to which no one is appointed.
VACANT, (Vacant, e. Fr.) Empty; not filled.
Vacant Companies, (Compagnies vacantes, Fr.) Companies to the permanent command of which no person is appointed.
Emplois-Vacans, Fr. During the French monarchy, seniority of rank or standing did not give the right of promotion. It belonged solely to the king to appoint and nominate all persons to vacant commissions or employments. No other rule can be consistent with the efficiency of a military institution; rotation should be considered only as a contingency, which is only admitted, not permanently established; as no institution so much calls for merit and application to study, as the military profession; merit alone should be the foundation of promotion; then all would endeavor to acquire knowlege; where rotation exists there is no incitement. In the American army, no attention is paid to merit; there is, therefore, very little study.
VACCINE pock, a disease which has been found to affect the cow on the teat or udder, which arises in pustules resembling small pox; it has been found that this is a perfect preventive of small pox and is now growing into use against prejudice among all civilized nations. All armies should undergo the vaccine inoculation, to prevent the ravages of small pox; one half of the American army that went against Quebec in 1775 was swept off by small pox.
VAGUE-Mestre, Fr. See Waggon-Master.
VAISSEAU, Fr. Ship.
Vaisseau du premier rang, Fr. A first rate.
Vaisseau du second rang, Fr. A second rate.
Vaisseau de guerre, Fr. A man of war.
Vaisseau Marchand, Fr. A merchant-man.
VAISSELLE d’Argent, Fr. Silver utensils; plate. We have already remarked under [Table d’Officiers], that during the old government of France, it was strictly forbidden to use any other plate than silver goblets, spoons, and forks.
VAIVODE, Fr. An old Sclavonian word, which signifies prince or general. This title was formerly given to the sovereign princes of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania.
VAJIB ul Arzee, Ind. A petition, memorial, or proposal to a superior.
VAKEEL, Ind. An agent—deputy—attorney—a subordinate envoy or ambassador.
VAKIAS, Ind. A weight nearly equal to a pound. It also signifies a measure.
VAKILIT, Ind. The first office in the empire.
VALET, Fr. An instrument which is used by carpenters to keep boards, that have been glued, close together.
VALETS de l’Armee, Fr. Officers’ servants; they are likewise called by the French, Tartares. In the American army, waiters.
Valets d’Artillerie, Fr. Men attached to the guns on board ships of war, for the purpose of assisting the regular cannoneers. In the American service they are classed by numbers and called, first, second, or third AIDS.
Valet à Patin, Fr. An instrument which is used by surgeons—A small pincer to rake up the arteries when it is found necessary to make a ligature.
| VALIANT, | - | |
| VALOROUS, |
personally brave, fearless of danger in war, &c.
VALLEY, (Val, Fr.) A hollow space of ground, generally between hills.
VALOR, (Valeur, Fr.) Courage, bravery, intrepidity. A generous quality, which, far from assuming brutality and violence, with-holds the fury of the soldier, protects helpless women, innocent infants, and hoary age. Nothing which is incapable of resistance, can ever be the object whereon true valor would exercise its prowess. Courage is that grandeur of soul, which prompts us to sacrifice all personal advantages, and even the preservation of our beings, to a love of our country and its liberty. The exercise of this determined courage in the profession of arms, is called valor. It is composed of bravery, reason, and force: by bravery we understand that lively ardor which fires us for the combat; reason points out to us the method of conducting it with justice and prudence; and force is necessary for the execution. It is bravery which animates the heart, reason springs from the soul, and force depends upon the body; without bravery we fear obstacles, danger, and death; without reason, courage would have no legitimate view; and without force it would be useless: these three qualities should concur to form the true military valor.
Dr. Johnson defines valor, bravery, and courage almost as synonymous terms. Mr. Addison distinguishes between that sort of courage which springs, by instinct, from the soul, and from that which originates in a sense of duty, and is strengthened by reflexion. Count Turpin, on the other hand, establishes a wide difference between bravery and courage, which he makes two terms. In page 5, of the preliminary discourse to his Essay on the Art of War, he has the following passage:
“Is the officer—speaking of the requisite qualifications in a general—who loves his duty, and who would make himself master of it, under no obligation to ascertain what qualifications his station requires? That he ought to have such or such a quality, under such or such a circumstance? That here only bravery is necessary, there only courage? And that he is not always obliged to have both at the same time?”
These two qualities, which are often confounded in the same subject, merit a particular distinction; they are not so closely united, but that one may be found without the other. Courage seems fittest for a general, and for all those who command; bravery more necessary for a soldier, and for all those who receive orders; bravery is in the blood; courage in the soul; the first is a kind of instinct, the second a virtue; the one is an impulse almost mechanical, the other a noble and a sublime conception. A man is brave at a particular time, and according to circumstances; but he has a courage at all times, and upon all occasions: bravery is impetuous, in as much as it is less the result of reflexion; courage, on the contrary, in proportion as it grows out of reason, becomes more or less intrepid. Bravery is inspired by the force of example, by insensibility of danger, and by the mingled fury of conflict and action; courage is infused by the love of our duty, the desire of glory, and by the zeal we feel to serve our country: courage depends on reason, but bravery on the constitution. Achilles, such as Horace describes him from Homer, implacable, cruel, despising every law except that of the strongest! presents nothing to the idea, but the hardiness of a gladiator. But the Roman general, whose death would have occasioned the ruin of the army, the great Scipio, when covered by the bucklers of three soldiers, to avoid a shower of arrows, which the enemy directed against him, approaches in safety the walls he besieged, and standing only a spectator of the action, exhibits the picture of true courage, whilst he contents himself with giving the necessary orders. Bravery again, is involuntary, and does not depend wholly upon ourselves; whereas courage (as Seneca observes) may be acquired by education; provided nature has sown the first seeds of it. Cicero, sheltering himself from the hatred of Cataline, undoubtedly wanted bravery; but certainly he possessed an elevated firmness of mind (which is in reality courage) when he disclosed the conspiracy of that traitor to the senate, and pointed out all his accomplices; or when he pleaded for Deiotarus against Cæsar, his friend and his judge.
Coolness is the effect of courage, which knows its danger, but makes no other use of that knowlege, than to give directions with greater certainty; courage is always master of itself, provided against all accidents, and regulated by existing circumstances; never confounded by any danger, so as to lose sight of the motions of the enemy, or of the means by which he may be most effectually opposed:
The chevalier Folard makes the following remarks upon this quality of the mind and heart. He says, in his notes on Polybius, there are various kinds of that species of courage, intrepidity, or strength of soul, which no circumstances can vanquish, and no events can shake. I do not know whether a quality, so diversified in its nature, can be found united in the same person to the full extent of its activity. We generally, discover that some men possess a larger proportion of it than others.
In order to form a correct opinion of its existence in the human character, we should find out some individual who had acted through all the vicissitudes of life, and had uniformly discovered the same firmness of mind and intrepidity of heart. But where shall we pick out a character of this sort? Life is too short for the full exercise of its various powers, and were it of a longer date, the circumscribed faculties of man render the research useless. I do not believe it possible to point out an individual who, free from the natural weaknesses that are attached to our constitution, has in adversity as well as prosperity been equally firm, and equally determined throughout all the changes to which military operations are unavoidably subject.
This intrepidity and strength of mind, have been peculiarly visible on manifold occasions in some extraordinary characters, who have been equally remarkable on others for weakness and pusillanimity. We have seen them bold to the full extent of hardihood during a succession of triumphs; we have then beheld them shamefully agitated under a temporary reverse of fortune, and we have again seen them recover their wonted energy on the first favorable opportunity. These opposite qualities succeed one another; and we see boldness and timidity occupy by turns the same man, so as to produce, according to circumstances, the utmost solicitude and caution in some instances, and the greatest courage, firmness, and decision in others, during the prosecution of a war.
These fluctuations of the human character may be traced, almost every day, in a certain description of generals. When they are reduced to defensive operations, their understanding becomes perplexed; they know not how to act, and not only omit to make use of favorable opportunities themselves, but unwittingly afford them to their enemies; whilst, on the other hand, in offensive war, their genius expands itself into a variety of expedients; they create occasions that did not seem to exist, turn them to account, and finally succeed. Thus we see united in the same men, promptitude, vigor, and enterprize in one species of warfare; and timidity, doubt, and consternation in another.
I have known, says Folard, generals of marked intrepidity, (who in trifling matters have discovered a solicitude that approaches to a want of manliness) conceive projects of vast extent, that were full of intricate developements, and chequered by incertitude; and I have seen them conquer the greatest obstacles by their courage and good conduct.
Human nature is so strangely constituted, that whilst one man will rush into danger, as if attracted by blood and devastation, another will not have firmness enough to stand his ground, and face the coming evil. He, who in the hour of battle would give fresh courage to his troops, by being the foremost to advance, has been known to turn pale in the very trench where a soldier’s boy or woman has sat undisturbed selling spirits and provisions, or has been discovered to tremble when the signal for storming was given. The very man that would courageously lead his troop into action, or would prove the most expert marksman in the world, were he directed to practise in the front of a whole line, has been known to shrink at a single combat, and would rather rush headlong into a guarded breach, than measure swords or point a pistol with an antagonist. Another again, whom no danger could affect in public contests or in private feuds, when visited by sickness is full of apprehension, has recourse to physic, and in proportion as his malady increases, grows timid, scrupulous, and unhappy. It sometimes happens, on the other hand, though rarely, that the rankest coward will he peaceably in bed amidst all the surrounding terrors of dissolution, and will even smile as his agony approaches.
I have seen, continues the same author, (and daily experience confirms his observation) one of the bravest officers in the world, suddenly turn pale in a thunderstorm, and even so far give way to his fears, as to hide himself in a cellar. One man possesses what the French so forcibly stile une valeur journalière, a sort of ephemeral courage, or what depends upon the influence of the moment; to-day he is as bold as Achilles; to-morrow he sinks into the degraded character of Thersites.
It is related of general Cadwallader, a man of unconquerable intrepidity in the field, that he trembled at the sight of a cat. The editor of this work had a friend, a lieutenant Muloch, in the Bengal army, a man of tried valor whose antipathy was of this singular kind, that he could not eat if there was a shoulder of mutton on the table; at a card party at Lady Oakley’s, at Madras, a shoulder of mutton was, without his knowlege, placed under his chair, the effect was, he fell from his chair in a state of convulsion from which he did not recover for several hours. The great Condé laughed at a man who said he never felt the sensation of fear, by asking him “have you never snuffed a candle with your naked fingers?” Going into action one of his friends observed to him, “My prince you tremble.” He replied, “My body trembles for the danger into which my soul will lead me.” The peculiarities of this celebrated hero were, that he was always affected in his nerves by any surprize, but never lost his presence of mind; some of his friends attempted to surprize him in his tent, and in Austrian uniform made their way to his bed side and awoke him with their noise; he turned round and observed, “If you had excited an emotion of fear in me I should instantly put you to death.” Count Turpin, in his Art of War, appears to think that valor which unites deliberation and prudence is preferable to mere muscular bravery. The French pay more attention to the former than the latter, they always reward bravery but prefer valor. Mere animal courage is not sufficient for them, and speaking of those who possess bravery without discretion, they treat it as if mere animal bravery was common to all men, but valor or discrimination rare; hence they say of a merely brave man—Il est brave comme mon épée, mais general ****—namely a brainless part of the body.
These changes in the character and constitution which are so visible in individuals, may be traced in their influence over whole nations, with little or no deviation. The Persian cavalry still maintains its ancient reputation for valor, and is still dreaded by the Turks. Tacitus relates, that the Sarmatian horse was invincible, but when the men were dismounted, nothing could be more miserably defective in all the requisites of war. Their whole dependence was on their cavalry, and, as far as we are enabled to judge, the same partial quality exists to this day.
The French, until the present revolution, seemed to have preserved the character and disposition of the ancient Gauls. They went with more alacrity into action, and met death, at first sight, with more valor, than they discovered firmness and resolution to wait patiently for its approach. Hurry and agitation appeared more congenial to their minds, than calmness and composure.
In order to conquer, it was found necessary, by their ablest generals, to make them attack and insult their enemy. They grew impatient in slow operations, and gradually became less capable of meeting their antagonists in proportion to the time they were restrained from coming to action. Their whole history, indeed, is a continued proof of the justness of this observation; and although their character seems to have undergone considerable changes since their revolution, they have still retained so much of the original cast, as to shew more promptitude in offensive, than steadiness and perseverance in defensive operations. Not that they are deficient in the latter, but that the former quality has been more brilliantly successful. To the first they owe their stupendous triumphs under Bonaparte; but they have again been rendered almost equally conspicuous by their conduct in the second under general Moreau, in his celebrated retreat from the Black Forest. But, alas! of what avail is the courage of the multitude, if the generality of their leaders are deficient in those indispensible qualities by which French officers have acquired the greatest reputation. It is like a torch in the hands of a fool or madman, who would as soon lead an enthusiast to a precipice, as he would shew him the paths he ought to tread.
VALUE, in a general acceptation of the term, signifies the rate at which any thing is estimated.
VAN. The front of an army, the first line; or leading column.
Van-guard. That part of the army which marches in the front. See [Guard].
VANCOURIER. See Avant courier.
VANNE, Fr. A floodgate.
VANTAIL, Fr. Leaf of a folding door.
VANT-bras. Armor for the arm.
Droits de VARECH, Fr. The right to salvage. A term used in Normandy. Varech likewise signifies any vessel under water.
VARLOPE, Fr. A carpenter’s large plane.
VARSA, Ind. The rainy season.
VASANT, Ind. The mild season or spring.
VASSALS. They who in the feudal system were obliged to attend their lord in war, as a tenure by which they held their lands, &c.
VEDETTE, (Vedette, Fr.) in war, a centinel on horseback, with his horse’s head towards the place whence any danger is to be feared, and his carabine advanced, with the butt end against his right thigh. Vedettes are generally posted at the avenues, and on all the rising grounds, to guard the several passages when an enemy is encamped.
The Vedettes to the out-posts should always be double, for the following reasons: first, that whenever they make any discovery, one may be detached to the commanding officer of the out-posts; secondly, that they may keep each other watchful; and thirdly, that the vigilance of both may render it impossible for any thing to come near them without being seen. They should be at no greater distance from their detachments than 80 or 100 paces.
For particular instructions relative to the posting of Vedettes, see a treatise on the duties of an officer in the field, by baron Gross; Am. Mil. Lib.
VEKILCHARES. A word used among the Turks, which signifies the same as Fourrier in the French, and corresponds with quartermaster.
VELITES. Roman soldiers, who were commonly some of the Tiros, or young soldiers of mean condition, and lightly armed. They had their name, a volando, from flying, or a velocitate, from swiftness. They seem not to have acted in distinct bodies or companies, but to have hovered in loose order before the army. Kennett’s R. A. page 190. Their arms consisted of a sword and javelin, and they had a shield or buckler which was sufficiently large to cover its man, being round and measuring three feet and a half in diameter.
They generally wore wolf’s skins, or some other indifferent ornament upon their heads, to distinguish them during an action. Their javelins were a sort of dart, the wood of which measured three cubits in length, and was about the thickness of a finger. The point was about a hand’s full breadth in length, and was so thin and brittle, that it snapped off the instant it reached or penetrated its object, so that the enemy could not return it. It was distinguished in this particular from other darts and javelins.
VELOCITY. The quickness of motion with which bodies are moved from one place to another.
Initial velocity of military projectiles, as ascertained by the experiments with the Ballistic pendulum at Woolwich, in 1788, 1789, and 1790. These experiments were made with shot of equal diameters, powder of equal strength, and under a mean height of the barometer; and shew,
1. That there is very little difference in the velocities of shot fired from guns of the same length, but of unequal weights; the advantage being sometimes in favor of one and sometimes of the other.
2. That velocities arising from firing with different quantities of powder, are nearly in the proportion of the square roots of the quantities or weights of powder.
3. That the velocities decrease as the distances increase, arising from the resistance of the air, which opposes the progress of the shot, in a proportion somewhat higher than the squares of the velocities throughout; and only to a small variation.
4. That very little advantage is gained in point of range, by increasing the charge more than is necessary to attain the object, the velocities given by large charges being very soon reduced to those by moderate charges: those for instance given by half the shot’s weight are reduced to an equality with those by one third, after passing through a space of only 200 feet.
5. That very little advantage is also gained by increasing the length of guns; the velocity given by long guns of 22 calibres length of bore, being reduced to an equality with those of the short guns of 15¹⁄₂ calibres with similar charges, after passing through the spaces as follows:
| With | ¹⁄₂ | the shot’s | weight | 285 | feet |
| ¹⁄₃ | Do. | 200 | |||
| ¹⁄₄ | Do. | 150 | |||
| ¹⁄₆ | Do. | 115 |
6. That the resistance of the air against balls of different diameters with equal velocities, is very nearly in the proportion of the square of their diameters; or as their surfaces.
7. That the velocity is not affected by compressing the charge more or less; or by heating the piece in different degrees.
8. That a very great increase of velocity arises from a decrease of windage; it appearing, that with the established windage of ¹⁄₂₀ between ¹⁄₃ and ¹⁄₄ of the force is lost.
9. It also appeared, that by firing the charge in different parts; by varying the weight of the gun to lessen the recoil; or even by stopping the recoil entirely, no sensible change is produced in the velocity of the ball.
10. That though the velocity of the shot is increased only to a certain point peculiar to each gun, (a further increase of powder, producing a diminished velocity) yet the recoil of the gun is always increased by the increase of charge.
11. Velocity of a light 6 Pr.—length, 4 feet 8 inches; charge, ¹⁄₃ the weight of the shot; 1558 feet per second.—6 Prs. heavy; 6 feet 8 inches; charge ¹⁄₃ = 1673 feet.
Velocity of a light 3 Pr. length, 3 feet 4 inches, charge ¹⁄₂—1371 feet per second.
Do. Heavy 3 Pr. length, 5 feet 9¹⁄₂ inches, charge ¹⁄₃ the shot—1584 feet.
Velocity of French Ordnance.
24 Pr. charge 8 lbs. the eprovette mortar giving 125 fathoms, the initial velocity is 1425 feet per second; with the eprovette at 90 = 1209 feet; with a charge of 12 lbs. and the eprovette at 125° the initial velocity will be 1530.
| Charge. | Eprovette. | Velocity. | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | pr. | 5 | lbs. | 125 | 1415 | |||||||
| 16 | pr. | 8 | do. | 1510 | ||||||||
| 12 | pr. | 4 | do. | - | long guns | - | 1520 | |||||
| 8 | pr. | 2 | ¹⁄₂ | do. | 1418 | |||||||
| 8 | pr. | 3 | do. | 1460 | ||||||||
| 4 | pr. | 1 | do. | 1335 | ||||||||
| 4 | pr. | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | do. | 1508 | |||||||
| 12 | pr. | 4 | do. | - | field guns | - | 1442 | |||||
| 8 | pr. | 2 | ¹⁄₂ | do. | 1422 | |||||||
| 4 | pr. | 1 | ¹⁄₂ | do. | 1446 | |||||||
| 8 | inch how’r. | 1 | do. | 390 | ||||||||
| 8 | inch how’r. | 1 | 2 | oz. | do. | 516 | ||||||
| 6 | inch how’r. | 1 | do. | 532 | ||||||||
| 6 | inch how’r. | 1 | 12 | oz. | do. | 704 | ||||||
VENT, (Lumière, Fr.) in artillery, or, as it is vulgarly called, the touch-hole, is the opening through which the fire is conveyed to the powder that composes the charge.
As the placing the vents in mortars, howitzers, and guns in the best manner, is so very delicate a point, and about which both authors and practitioners differ, we will advance what the result of experiments has demonstrated. The most common method is to place the vent about a quarter of an inch from the bottom of the chamber or bore; though we have seen many half an inch, and some an inch from the bottom. It has always been imagined, that if the vent was to come out in the middle of the charge, the powder would be inflamed in less time than in any other case, and consequently produce the greatest range; because, if a tube be filled with powder, and lighted in the centre, the powder will be burnt in half the time it would be, were it lighted at one end. This gave a grounded supposition, that the greater the quantity of powder which burnt before the shot or shell was sensibly moved from its place, the greater force it would receive. To determine this, the king of Prussia, in 1765, ordered that a light three pounder should be cast, with three shifting vents, one at the centre of the charge, one at the bottom, and the other at an equal distance from the bottom and centre one; so that when one was used, the others were effectually stopped. The gun weighed 2 cwt. 1 qr. 20 lb.; its length was 3 feet 3 inches, and the bottom of the bore quite flat. It was loaded each time with one fourth of the shot’s weight; and it was found, that when the lowest or bottom vent was used, the shot went farthest, and the ranges of the others diminished in proportion as they were distant from the bottom. The piece was elevated to 1 degree 30 minutes.
In 1766 the same monarch caused several experiments to be tried with three small mortars of equal size and dimensions, but of different forms in their chambers; each of which held seven ounces and a half of powder. From these experiments it appeared, that the concave chamber produced the greatest ranges, and that the bottom of the chamber is the best place for vents, having in that place the greatest effect.
The vents of English guns are all ²⁄₁₀ of an inch diameter. See [remark 9] of the article [Velocity].
Vent-field, is the part of a gun or howitz between the breech mouldings and the astragal.
Vent-astragal, that part of a gun or howitzer which determines the vent-field.
Vent, Fr. That vacancy which is occasioned by the difference between the calibre of a piece of ordnance, and the diameter of its ball. See [Windage].
Vent, Fr. Wind. The French use this word in various senses.
Vent d’un boulet de canon, Fr. The wind of a cannon ball.
Coup de VENT, Fr. Heavy weather; a squall.
Vent reglé, Fr. A regular wind; such as the trade-wind.
Avoir du VENT, Fr. In farriery; to be pursy.
Vents alizes, Fr. Trade winds.
VENTAIL. That part of a helmet which is made to lift up.
VENTOUSES, Fr. Air-holes, ventilators.
VENTRE, Fr. Belly; womb. When a piece of ordnance is off its carriage, and lies on the ground, it is said, among the French, to be upon its belly—etre sur le ventre.
Se coucher VENTRE à terre. To lie down flat on your face. Le capitaine ordonna à ses soldats de se coucher ventre à terre. The captain ordered his men to lie on their bellies. This frequently occurs in action, when any part of the line or detached body is so posted as to be within reach of the enemy’s cannon, and not sufficiently near to make use of its own musquetry.
Demander pardon VENTRE à terre. To ask pardon in the most abject position.
VERANDA, Ind. The covering of houses, being extended beyond the main wall of building, by means of a slanting roof, forming external rooms or passages; a colonade; balcony; gallery.
VERBAL orders. Instructions given by word of mouth, which, when communicated through an official channel, are to be considered as equally binding with written ones.
Verbal, Fr. Verbal; given by word of mouth.
Procès VERBAL, Fr. A verbal deposition.
VERD, Fr. Green. This word is sometimes used in a figurative sense by the French, viz.
Homme VERD or VERT, Fr. A resolute man.
Tête VERTE, Fr. A giddy thoughtless fellow.
Verd pour les chevaux, Fr. Green forage or grass. In the ancien regime of France, the cavalry and dragoon horses, when quartered in a flat country, were allowed to be thirty days at grass; the particular period was left to the discretion of the commanding officers. The term was sometimes extended to forty days, without any deduction being made for the ten days; by means of which an emolument accrued to the captains of troops, not only from the horses which were actually sent to grass, but likewise for those that were returned as such.
VERDIGREASE, (Verd-de-Gris, Fr.) A kind of rust of copper, which is of great use among painters. It is also taken medicinally.
VERGE, Fr. A yard; a measure; a switch, &c.
Verge Rhinlandique, Fr. The Rhinland rod; a measure which is equal to two French toises, or to 12 French feet. It is often used by Dutch engineers, in the measuring of works in a fortification.
Verge d’or, Fr. The same as arbalete, arbalestrille, or Jacob’s staff; in astronomy, a beam of light.
Verges, Fr. Rods.
Passer par les VERGES, Fr. A punishment which was formerly practised among the French. The same as running the gauntlet. See [Punitions corporelles].
Verges, Fr. Twigs or branches measuring from ten to twelve feet in length, which are used in making fascines.
VERNIS, Fr. Varnish.
VEROLE, Fr. [Great pox], which see. Notwithstanding the prevalence of this disorder in France, and throughout Europe, it is reckoned so dreadful a visitation, that the French have a familiar proverb which says, Si tu ne crains pas Dieu, au moins crains la verole; if thou art not afraid of God, dread, at least, the pox. Vaccine should be introduced in all armies.
VERRE pour prendre hauteur, Fr. A thick colored glass, through which an observation is taken of the sun.
Verre pilé, Fr. Broken pieces of glass, which are sometimes used in artificial fire-works.
VERRIN, Fr. A machine which is used to raise large weights; such as cannon, &c.
VERROU, Fr. A bolt.
VERSER, Fr. To spill, to shed.
Verser son sang pour la patrie, Fr. To shed one’s blood for the country.
VERTICAL, (vertical, Fr.) Perpendicular.
Vertical point, (point vertical, Fr.) A term used in astronomy, to express an imaginary point in the heavens, which is supposed to fall perpendicularly upon our heads.
VESTIBULE, Fr. Porch; entry; hall.
Vestibule, (vestibule, Fr.) In fortification, is that space or covered ground which is in front of guard houses, and is generally supported by pillars. In a more general sense, any large open space before the door or entrance of a house. Daviler derives the word from vestes and ambulo, by reason people there begin to let their trains fall. It is properly the outer hall in which persons were accustomed to take off their outer garments or great coats.
VETERAN, (veteran, Fr.) This word comes from the Latin veteranus, a soldier in the Roman militia, who was grown old in the service, or who had made a certain number of campaigns, and on that account was entitled to certain benefits and privileges.
Twenty years service were sufficient to entitle a man to the benefit of a veteran. These privileges consisted in being absolved from the military oath, in being excused all the duties and functions of a soldier, and in being allowed a certain salary or appointment.
A French soldier is entitled to the honorable name of veteran, after he has served twenty-four years, without any break in his service,
VETERANCE, Fr. The state, condition of an old soldier.
Lettre de VETERANCE, Fr. The document or letter which enables an old soldier to claim the rights and privileges of a veteran.
VETERINAIRE, Fr. See [Veterinary].
Ecole VETERINAIRE, Fr. Veterinary school.
VETERINARIAN, (Veterinarius, Lat.) One skilled in the diseases of cattle; a farrier, or horse doctor.
VETERINARY, Appertaining to the science of taking care of cattle.
VETERINARY surgeon. The surgeon appointed to take care of the horses in a cavalry or dragoon regiment is so called. He is subordinate and accountable to the veterinary college.
VETILLES, Fr. This word literally signifies trifles. In artificial fire-works they are small serpentine compositions, confined within a single roll of paper. They have generally three lines in diameter.
VEXATIOUS and groundless. Charges of accusation, and appeals for redress of wrongs are so called, when the persons who make them cannot substantiate their subject matter. Officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers are liable to be punished at the discretion of a general court martial for vexatious conduct. Charges are sometimes peremptorily dismissed, without permitting them to stand the investigation of a court martial, when they appear vexatious and frivolous.
UGHUN, or Aughun, Ind. A month which partly corresponds with November; it follows Katik.
VIANDE, Fr. Meat; animal food. In the old regime every French soldier was allowed half a pound of meat per day.
M. de Louvois, who was minister of war under the old government of France, formed a plan, recommending, that a quantity of dried meat, reduced to powder, should be distributed to troops on service. He took the idea from a custom which is prevalent in the East. He did not, however, live to fulfil his intentions, although he had already constructed copper ovens that were large enough to contain eight bullocks. Very excellent broth can be made of this powder; one ounce of which boiled in water, will supply a sufficient quantity for four men; and one pound of fresh meat gives one ounce of powder; so that, according to the inventor’s assertion, there is a saving of one pound. The portable soup-balls which are sold for sea use, are of the same nature.
VIBRATION. See [Pendulum].
VICE-ADMIRAL, (vice-amiral, Fr.) A naval officer of the second rank; who takes rank with generals of horse. Louis XIV. who endeavored to establish a French navy in 1669, created two vice-admirals of the fleet, whom he called vice-admiral of the east, and vice-admiral of the west.
VICTOR. A conqueror; generally applied to the chief officer of a successful army.
VICTORY, (victoire, Fr.) The overthrow or defeat of an enemy in war, combat, duel, or the like.
VICTUAILLES, Fr. The provisions which are embarked on board ships of war are so called by the French.
VICTUAILLEUR, Fr. Victualler.
VICTUALS. Food or sustenance allowed to the troops, under certain regulations, whether on shore or embarked in transports.
VICTUALLERS. See [Sutlers].
VIEUX corps, Fr. A term used among the French before the revolution, to distinguish certain old regiments. There were six of this description, viz. Picardy, Piedmont, Navarre, Champagne, Normandy, and the marine corps. The three first were formed in 1562, and that of Champagne in 1575. They were then called Les vieilles bandes; the ancient or old bands; and before that period, each was known by the name of its colonel.
Les petits Vieux corps, Fr. La Tour du Pin, Bourbonnois, Auvergne, Belsunce, Meilly, and the regiment du Roi, or the king’s own, were so called during the French monarchy. All the other regiments ranked according to the several dates of their creation, and the officers took precedence in consequence of it.
VIEW of a place. The view of a place is said to be taken when the general, accompanied by an engineer, reconnoitres it, that is, rides round the place, observing its situation, with the nature of the country about it; as hills, valleys, rivers, marshes, woods, hedges, &c.; thence to judge of the most convenient place for opening the trenches and carrying on the approaches; to find out proper places for encamping the army, and for the park of artillery.
To View. See [To Reconnoitre]. See Am. Mil. Lib.
VIF, Fr. This word is frequently used among the French to signify the core, or inside of any thing—viz:
Vif d’un arbre, Fr. The inside of a tree.
Vif d’une pierre, Fr. The inside of a stone.
Vif de l’eau, Fr. High water.
VIGIER, Fr. To keep watch.
Vigier une flotte de vaisseaux marchands, Fr. To convoy a fleet of merchantmen.
VIGIES, Fr. A term given to certain rocks under water near the Azores. Vigie likewise signifies a watch, or centinel on board a ship; but it is chiefly used among the Spaniards in South America.
VIGILANT, (vigilant, Fr.) Watchful, attentive.
VIGOROUS, (vigoreux, Fr.) Strong, brisk, active, resolute.
VIGOTE, Fr. A model by which the calibres of pieces of ordnance are ascertained, in order to pick out appropriate bullets. This model consists of a plate of sheet iron in which there are holes of different sizes, according to the several calibres of cannon.
VILBREQUIN, Fr. A wimble.
VILLE, Fr. See [Town].
VIN, Fr. Wine.
VINCIBLE. Conquerable; in a state to be defeated.
VINDAS, Fr. See [Windlass].
VINEGAR, (Vinaigre, Fr.) Vinegar is frequently used in the artillery to cool pieces of ordnance. Two pints of vinegar to four of water is the usual mixture for this purpose.
VINTAINE, Fr. A small rope which masons use to prevent stones from hitting against a wall when they draw them up.
VIOLENCE. Force, attack, assault.
VIRAGO. A female warrior; a scold.
VIRER, Fr. To change, to turn round. This word is used figuratively by the French, viz. Tourner et virer; to beat about the bush; as Tourner et virer quel-qu’un, in an active sense, to pump another.
VIREVAU, Fr. A draw-beam, a capstan.
VIRE-VOLTE, Fr. A quick turning about. It is a term of the manege.
VIROLE, Fr. A ferrule; verrel.
VIS, Fr. Screw, vice, spindle-tree.
| VISIER, | - | |
| VIZIER, | ||
| VIZIR, |
(Visir, Fr.) An officer or dignity in the Ottoman Empire; whereof there are two kinds, the first called by the Turks Vizir Azem, or grand Vizir, first created in 1370 by Amurath the First, in order to ease himself of the chief and weightier affairs of the government. The grand Vizir possesses great powers, especially with regard to military affairs. The orders he issues are so thoroughly discretional, that when he quits Constantinople to join the army, he does not even communicate his intentions to the sultan. This system entirely differs from that which is followed by European generals. When the latter take the field, they proceed upon plans that have been previously digested; and although they may occasionally change their dispositions, yet they never deviate from the essential and governing principles.
The grand Vizir, on the contrary, not only makes the arrangements according to his own judgment, but he even changes an operation that has been previously ordered by the sultan, if, on his arrival at the spot, he should think it expedient to employ the troops in a different way. This absolute power is not, however, without its risk; for if the grand Vizir should fail in his enterprize, it is more than probable that the sultan will cause him to be beheaded: a punishment which has long been familiar to the Turks, from the arbitrary manner in which it is practised, and the frequency of its occurrence.
When the Turks engage an enemy, the grand Vizir generally remains with the reserve, and seldom mingles with the main body, which is soon converted into a mob of desperate combatants. The war which had been carried into Egypt, bid fair to change the whole system of Turkish tactics.
VIZIER Nawab of Oude, the prime minister of the Mogul empire; he became sovereign of Oude and Lucknow; he was deposed by the British in 1795, and the sovereignty assumed by the British government.
VISIERE, Fr. The sight, which is fixed on the barrel of a musquet or firelock.
To VISIT, (Visiter, Fr.) To go to any place, as quarters, barracks, hospital, &c. for the purpose of noticing whether the orders or regulations which have been issued respecting it, are observed.
Visite des Postes, Fr. The act of visiting posts, &c.
Faire la Visite, Fr. To visit, to inspect.
Visiteur, Fr. The person who visits or goes the rounds.
Visiting Officer. He whose duty it is to visit the guards, barracks, messes, hospital, &c. See [Orderly Officer].
| VISOR, | - | |
| VIZARD, |
That part of the helmet which covered the face.
VITAL AIR, or azote and oxygene, now properly called nitrogene gas; the cause of the rapid ignition of gunpowder, is the expansion of the air or oxygene which it contains.
VITCHOURA, Fr. A furred coat.
VITESSE, Fr. Dispatch; promptitude of action.
VITONIERES, Fr. Limber holes.
VIVANDIERS, Fr. Victuallers, sutlers, &c.
VIVAT, Fr. A familiar exclamation, which is used not only by the French, but by the Dutch, Germans—it comes from the Latin, and signifies literally, May he live!
Vive le Roi! Fr. Long live the king!
Vive la Republique! Fr. Long live the republic!
Qui vive? Fr. A military phrase which is used in challenging—Who comes there?
VIVRE, vivres, Fr. Food, provisions, subsistence. In the Dictionnaire Militaire, vol. iii. page 525, is an interesting account of the manner in which troops were subsisted during the first years of the French monarchy.
Vivres et leur distribution chez les Turcs, Fr. The kind of provisions, &c. and the manner in which they are distributed among the Turks. The food or provisions for the Turkish soldiery form an immediate part of the military baggage.
The government supplies flour, bread, biscuit, rice, bulgur or peeled barley, butter, mutton, and beef, and grain for the horses, which is almost wholly barley.
The bread is generally moist, not having been leavened, and is almost always ready to mould. On which account the Armenians, who are the bakers, bake every day in ovens that have been constructed under ground for the use of the army. When there is not sufficient time to bake bread, biscuit is distributed among the men.
The ration of bread for each soldier consists of one hundred drams per day, or fifty drams of biscuit, sixty of beef or mutton, twenty-five of butter to bake the peeled barley in, and fifty of rice. The rice is given on Friday every week, on which day they likewise receive a ration of fifty drams of bulgur mixed with butter, as an extraordinary allowance, making a kind of water-gruel.
These provisions are distributed in two different quarters. The meat is given out at the government butchery, where a certain number of Armenians, Greeks, and Jews regularly attend. Each company sends a head cook, who goes with a cart and receives the allowance from a sort of quarter-master serjeant, who is in waiting with a regular return of what is wanted for each oda.
This person is stiled among the Turks Meidan Chiaous. He stands upon a spot of ground which is more elevated than the rest, and receives the allowance due to his district.
The distribution of bread, &c. is made within the precincts of the Tefterdar-Bascy, where the Vekil-karet attends as director or superintendant of stores and provisions, and by whose order they are delivered.
When the allowance is brought to the oda or company, the Vekil-karet, a sort of quarter-master, sees it regularly measured out, and if any portions be deficient, he takes note of the same, in order to have them replaced for the benefit of the company. The remainder is then given to the head cook, who divides it into two meals, one for eleven o’clock in the morning, and the other for seven in the evening.
These two meals consist of boiled or stewed meat, mixed with rice, and seasoned with pepper and salt; water-gruel being regularly made for each man on Friday.
There are six kitchen boys or quateri attached to each oda, by which they are paid a certain subsistence. On solemn occasions, and on festival days, the quateri are dressed in long gowns made of skins, with borders to them; they likewise wear a large knife with an encrusted silver handle, which hangs at their side. They serve up the victuals in two copper vessels, that are laid upon a table covered with a skin, round which seven or eight persons may be seated.
VIVRIERS, Fr. Clerks and other persons employed by the commissary-general, or contractor for stores and provisions.
Mons. Dupré D’Aulnay, in a work entitled Traité des Subsistances Militaires, has suggested the establishment of a regular corps of Vivriers or persons whose sole duty should be to attend to the subsistence of an army, in the field as well as in garrison. His reasoning upon this subject is very acute, full of good sense, and seems calculated to produce that system of economy and wholesome distribution, that, to this day, are so manifestly wanted in all military arrangements.
VIZ, Ind. A small coin; it is also a weight equal to about three pounds; but differs much in value according to place.
VIZARUT, Ind. The office of Vizier.
VIZIER, Ind. Prime minister.
ULANS, Fr. This word is sometimes written Hulans. A certain description of militia among the modern Tartars was so called. They formerly did duty in Poland and Lithuania, and served as light cavalry.
It is not exactly known at what epoch the Tartars first came into Poland and Lithuania. Dlugossus, in his history of Poland, book XI. page 243, relates, that there were troops or companies of Tartars attached to the army which was under the command of Alexander Witholde, grand duke of Lithuania. Heidenstein, in his account of Poland, Rer. Polonic., page 152, makes mention of a corps of Tartars belonging to the army which Stephen Bathori, king of Poland, carried into the field when he fought the Russians. This corps, according to the same author, was headed by one Ulan, who said he was descended from the princes of Tartary.
Although the origin of the word Ulan, as far as it regards the modern militia so called, does not appear to be indisputably ascertained, it is nevertheless well proved, that besides the Tartar chief under Stephen Bathori, the person, who in the reign of Augustus the II. formed the first pulk, or regiment of that description, was not only called Ulan himself, but likewise gave the name to the whole body under his command. This chief is mentioned in the records of the military institution of Poland in 1717. He was then colonel or commandant of the first pulk, or king’s regiment, and there were three captains under him of the same name, viz:—Joseph Ulan, David Ulan, and Cimbey Ulan. In 1744, one of these was captain of a company of Ulans in Bohemia, and was afterwards colonel of a corps of the same description in Poland. He is likewise said to have been descended from the Tartar princes. It is, however, left undecided, whether Ulan be the name of a particular family, or a term given to distinguish some post of honor; or again, whether it barely signify a certain class of turbulent haughty soldiers, such as the Streletz of Russia, or the Janizaries of Constantinople.
If there be any thing which can make us question the authenticity or probability of this account, it is the passage we find in the book already quoted—viz: Dlugossus, where he says liv. XIII. page 403, that in 1467 an ambassador from Tartary had arrived at Petrigkow to announce to king Casimir, that, after the death of Ecziger his son Nordowlad, had ascended the throne of Tartary with the unanimous consent and concurrence of all the princes and Ulans. Quitting the etymology of the word, and leaving the original name to the determination of wise and scientific men, we shall confine our present researches to the modern establishment of the Ulans; which, by the best accounts, we find to have happened in 1717.
It is acknowleged by all writers, that the Ulans are a militia, and not a particular nation or class of people; their origin, in this particular, resembles that of the Cossacks. When Augustus II. in 1717 altered the military establishment of Poland, he formed two regiments of Ulans; one consisting of six hundred men, which had already existed, and was called the king’s pulk, and the other of four hundred men, which was given to the great general of the republic.
Augustus III. on his accession to the throne, took both these regiments into his own immediate pay, and afterwards augmented the establishment by raising several other pulks or corps of this description. The Ulans are mounted on Polish or Tartar horses, and do the same duty that is allotted to hussars; with this essential difference, that they are better armed and accoutred, and that their horses excel those of the hussars in strength and swiftness, although they are mostly of the same size. The Ulans have frequently distinguished themselves on service, particularly in Bohemia.
Their principal weapon is a lance five feet long, at the end of which hangs a silk streamer, that serves to frighten the horse of the Ulan’s opponent, by its fluttering and noise. The lance is suspended on his right side, by means of a belt that is worn across the Ulan’s shoulders, or by a small leather thong which goes round his right arm, the end of the lance resting in a sort of stay that is attached to the stirrup. Before the Ulan takes his aim, he plants his lance upon his foot and throws it with so much dexterity, that he seldom misses his object.
The dress of the Ulan consists of a short jacket, trowsers or pantaloons made like those of the Turks, which reach to the ancle bone, and button above the hips. He wears a belt across his waist. The upper garment is a sort of Turkish robe with small facings, which reaches to the calf of the leg; his head is covered with a Polish cap. The color of the streamer which is fixed to the end of the lance, as well as that of the facings, varies according to the different pulks or regiments which it is meant to distinguish. The Ulan is likewise armed with a sabre, and a brace of pistols which hang from his waistbelt.
As the Ulans consider themselves in the light of free and independent gentlemen, every individual amongst them has one servant, if not two, called pocztowy or pacholeks, whose sole business is to attend to their baggage and horses. When the Ulans take the field, these servants or batmen form a second or detached line, and fight separately from their masters. They are armed with a carbine, which weapon is looked upon with contempt by their masters, and they clothe themselves in the best manner they can.
The Ulans generally engage the enemy in small platoons or squads, after the manner of the hussars; occasionally breaking into the most desultory order. They rally with the greatest skill, and frequently affect to run away for the purpose of inducing their opponents to pursue them loosely: a circumstance which seldom fails to be fatal to the latter, as the instant the pursuers have quitted their main body, the Ulan wheels to the right about, gets the start of him through the activity of his horse, and obtains that advantage, hand to hand, which the other possessed whilst he acted in close order.
The instant the Ulans charge an enemy, their servants or batmen form and stand in squadrons or platoons, in order to afford them, under circumstances of repulse, a temporary shelter behind, and to check the enemy. The batmen belonging to the Ulans are extremely clever in laying ambushes.
The pay of the Ulans in time of peace is very moderate. Poland, before its infamous dismemberment and partition by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, kept a regular establishment of four squadrons and ten companies on foot. These troops were annually supplied with a thousand rations of bread and forage, which quantity was paid them at the rate of 272 florins, Polish money, per ration. The grand duchy of Lithuania subsisted, in the same manner, fifteen other companies of Ulans. The other pulks were paid by the king. The annual pay of the captains was five rations, and that of the subalterns two; that is 1360 florins to the former, and 544 florins to the latter.
In 1743 marshal Saxe, with the approbation and concurrence of the French court, raised a regiment of Ulans, which was attached to the military establishment of that country. This corps consisted of one thousand men, divided into six squadrons, each squadron composed of one hundred and sixty men, eighty of whom were Ulans, and eighty dragoons. So that the regiment consisted of five hundred Ulans, properly so called, armed and accoutred like those in Poland, and the other five hundred were dragoons, without being considered as the servants or batmen of the Ulans; in which instance they differed from the pacholeks of the Polish Ulans. These dragoons were paid by the king; whereas in Poland each Ulan paid his own servant or batman, who looked to him only for clothing, arms, and subsistence. On the death of marshal Saxe, the Ulans in France were reduced; and the dragoons only kept upon the establishment. They were considered as a regiment; being at first given to count de Frise, who was a major-general in the service, and became their colonel, and they remained on that footing until the revolution.
The uniform of the French Ulans consisted of a green coat or cloak, with green breeches, Hungarian half-boots, pinchbeck helmet with a turban twisted round it of Russian leather; the tail or mane of the helmet consisted of horse-hair, which was colored according to the facings of the brigade; their arms were a lance nine feet long, with a floating streamer at the top, a sabre, and a pistol in the waistbelt.
The dragoons were clothed like other regular troops. Their coat was green, with cream-colored facings and scarlet linings; plain brass buttons, and aiguillette or tagged point, made of red worsted; a fawn colored waistcoat, edged round with scarlet; leather breeches; half-boots that were laced up to the calf of the leg; pinchbeck helmet, with a seal skin turban round it, and two rosettes made of pinchbeck; the top was adorned with horse-hair, which hung behind. Their arms consisted of a fusil with a bayonet, which was always fixed; two pistols and a sabre; the horse was covered with a wolf’s skin. The Ulans rode horses which were somewhat lower than those of the dragoons, and were more active.
At the commencement of the French revolution, particularly in 1792 and 1793, the Ulans belonging to the Imperial army that endeavored to penetrate into France, were the terror of the inhabitants all along the frontiers. The excesses which they committed, and the desolation they occasioned, rendered their very name a signal of alarm. They seldom gave quarter, and they never received it.
ULTIMATUM. A term used in negociations to signify the last condition or conditions upon which propositions, that have been mutually exchanged, can be finally ratified.
ULTRAMARINE. From beyond the sea—foreign. It is also the name of a very delicate sky blue powder made from lapis lazuli, and used in the drawing of plans, &c.
ULTRAMONTANE. Derived from the Latin Ultra, beyond, and Mons, mountain. This term is principally used in relation to Italy and France, which are separated by the Alps. According to Bayley, Ultramontanus is a name given by the Italians to all people who live beyond the Alps.
UMBO. The pointed boss or prominent part in the centre of a shield or buckler
UMBRIERE. The visor of a helmet.
UMPIRE. An arbitrator, or a power which interferes for the adjustment of a dispute or contest.
UNARMED. The state of being without armor or weapons.
To UNCASE. In a military sense to display, to exhibit—As to uncase the colors. It is opposed to the word, To Case, which signifies to put up—to enclose.
To UNCOVER. When troops deploy, the different leading companies or divisions, &c. successively uncover those in their rear, by marching out from the light or left of the column.
UNCONDITIONAL. At discretion; not limited by any terms or stipulations.
UNCONQUERED. Not subdued or defeated; in opposition to conquered or defeated.
UNDAUNTED. Not appalled by fear; valiant.
UNDECAGON. A regular polygon of eleven sides or angles.
UNDER. This preposition is variously used in military matters, viz.
Under Command, (Sous Ordre, Fr.) In subjection to; liable to be ordered to do any particular duty.
Under Cover, (à couvert, à l’abri, Fr.) Shielded, protected, &c. See [Cover].
Under Arms, (Sous Armes, Fr.) A battalion, troop, or company is said to be under arms when the men are drawn up regularly armed and accoutred, &c.
To UNDERMINE. To dig cavities under any thing, so that it may fall, or be blown up; to excavate.
To Undermine. In a figurative sense, to injure by clandestine means. The discipline of the army may be undermined by secret practices and cabals; the want of a fit capacity at the head of the war office, will operate like the want of brains in the human head; and the most enterprizing officer may be undermined by the insinuations of a cowardly parasite and reporter.
UNDERMINER. A sapper, one who digs a mine.
Under-officer. An inferior officer; one in a subordinate situation.
UNDISCIPLINED. Not yet trained to regularity or order; not perfect in exercise or manœuvres.
To UNFIX. In a military sense, to take off, as Unfix Bayonet, on which the soldier disengages the bayonet from his piece, and returns it to the scabbard. The word return, as we have already observed, is sometimes used instead of unfix.—But it is improperly used, although it more immediately corresponds with the French term Remettre.
UNFORTIFIED. Not strengthened or secured by any walls, bulwarks, or fortifications.
UNFURLED. A standard or colors, when expanded and displayed, is said to be unfurled.
| UNGENTLEMANLIKE, | - | |
| UNOFFICERLIKE, |
(Malhonnête, Grossier, Fr.) Not like a gentleman or officer. Conduct unbecoming the character of either is so called. This clause which will be always found to depend on the state of morals and manners, affords a vast latitude to a military court, which, after all, is not more free from prejudice or influence than any other tribunal, though they are both jurors and judges. Officers convicted thereof are to be discharged from the service. See [Articles of War].
UNHARNESSED. Disarmed; divested of armor or weapons of offence.
UNHORSED. Thrown from the saddle; dismounted.
UNHOSTILE. Not inimical, or belonging to an enemy.
UNIFORM, (Uniforme, Fr.) This word, though in a military sense it signifies the same as regimental, which is used both as a substantive and an adjective, may nevertheless be considered in a more extensive light. Uniform is applied to the different sorts of clothing by which whole armies are distinguished from one another; whereas regimental means properly the dress of the component parts of some national force. Thus the national uniform of the American army is blue, as is that of the modern French, white of the Austrian, green of the Russian, and red of the British, &c. But in each of these armies there are particular corps which are clothed in other colors, and whose clothing is made in a shape peculiar to themselves. Though generally speaking each has an uniform within itself, yet this uniform, strictly considered, is a regimental.
With respect to the origin of military uniforms, we should make useless enquiries were we to direct our attention to those periods in which the Romans fought covered with metal armor, or with leather which was so dressed and fitted to the body, that the human shape appeared in all its natural formation; nor to those in which the French, almost naked, or at least very lightly clad in thin leather, conquered the ancient Gauls. Better information will be acquired by recurring to the Crusades which were made into Palestine and Constantinople by the Europeans. We shall there find, that the western nations, France, England, &c. first adopted the use of rich garments, which they wore over their armors, and adorned their dresses with furs from Tartary and Russia.
We may then fix the origin of colored dresses to distinguish military corps, &c. in the eleventh century. The Saracens generally wore tunics or close garments under their armor. These garments were made of plain or striped stuffs, and were adopted by the Crusaders under the denomination of coats of arms, Cottes d’armes. We refer our readers for further particulars to the author of a French work, entitled, Traité des marques rationales, and to page 533, tom. iii. du Dictionnaire Militaire; observing, that the uniforms of the French army were not completely settled under the reign of Louis the XIVth, and that the whole has undergone considerable alterations since the present revolution.
Uniforme des charretiers des vivres, Fr. Uniform of the old French Waggon Corps. It consisted of white sackcloth edged round with blue worsted, with brass buttons, two in front and three upon each sleeve. They wore a dragoon watering cap, with W upon the front fold, and a tuft at the end. The W and the tuft were made of white worsted.
UNIFORMS.—Principal color of the military uniforms of the different powers.
| NATIONS. | CAVALRY. | INFANTRY. | ARTILLERY. | REMARKS. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| America | Blue | Blue | Blue | Black cockades. |
| Ancient Poland | Blue | Blue | Blue | |
| Anspach | Blue | Blue | Blue | |
| Austria | White | White | Grey | |
| Baden | — | Blue | — | |
| Bavaria | — | White | Grey | |
| Berne | Red | Blue | Blue | Black and red cockades. |
| Brunswick | — | Blue | — | |
| Denmark | — | Red | — | Black cockades. |
| England | Blue | Red | Blue | |
| France | Blue | Blue | Blue | Blue, red, and white. |
| Hanover | Blue | Red | Mixt Blue | Green cockades. |
| Hesse | White | Blue | Blue | |
| Holland | White | Blue | Blue | |
| Mayence | — | White | Mixt Blue | |
| Mecklenburg | Blue | Blue | Blue | |
| Nassau | — | Blue | — | |
| Palatine | Crimson | Clear Blue | — | |
| Prussia | White | Blue | Blue | Orag. light blue. |
| Russia | Blue | Green | Green | Black cockades. |
| Sardinia | Blue | Blue | Blue | |
| Saxe Cobourg | — | Blue | — | |
| Saxe Gotha | Blue | Blue | Blue | |
| Saxe Heidelberg | — | Blue | — | |
| Saxe Memingen | — | Blue | — | |
| Saxe Weimer | Blue | Blue | Green | |
| Saxony | White | White | Green | Dragoons red; White cockades. |
| Spain | Grey | White | Blue | Red and yellow. |
| Sweden | — | Blue | — | Yellow cockades. |
| Wurtemburg | — | Blue | Blue |
UNIFORMITY. Conformity to one pattern; resemblance of one thing to another.
UNION. The national colors are called the union. When there is a blue field with white stripes, quartered in the angle of the American colors, that is of the colors composed of red and white stripes; that blue field is called the Union; and a small colors of blue with white stars is called an Union Jack.
UNIVERSITY. In a general acceptation of the word, any nursery where youth is instructed in languages, arts, and sciences. It likewise means the whole in general, generality.
To UNSPRING. A word of command formerly used in the exercise of cavalry, now obsolete.
Unspring your carbine. Quit the reins of your bridle, and take hold of the swivel with the left hand, placing the thumb on the spring, and opening it; at the same time take it out of the ring.
UNTENABLE. Not to be held in possession; incapable of being defended.
UNTRAINED. Not disciplined to exercise or manœuvre.
UNVANQUISHED. Not conquered or defeated.
UNWALLED. Being without walls of defence.
UNWARLIKE. Not fit for or used to war.
UNWEAPONED. Not provided with arms of offence.
VOGUE, Fr. The course or way which a galley or ship makes when it is rowed forward.
VOGUER, Fr. To make way upon water either by means of sailing or by oars. It also signifies generally to row.
VOIE, Fr. Way, means, course of communication.
VOILE, Fr. A sail. This word is frequently used by the French to signify the ship itself; as we say, a sail in sight.
Voile quarrée ou à trait quarrée, Fr. A square sail, such as the main-sail.
Voile Latine, Voile à tiers-point, ou a Oreille de Liévre, Fr. A triangular-shaped sail, such as is used in the Mediterranean.
Jet de Voiles, Fr. The complete complement of sails for a ship.
Faire Voile, Fr. To go to sea.
VOITURES, Fr. Carriages, waggons, &c.
VOL, Fr. Theft. The military regulations on this head during the existence of the French monarchy, were extremely rigid and severe.
Whosoever was convicted of having stolen any of the public stores, was sentenced to be strangled; and if any soldier was discovered to have robbed his comrade, either of his necessaries, bread, or subsistence money, he was condemned to death, or to the gallies for life. So nice, indeed, were the French with respect to the honesty of the soldiery in general, that the slightest deviation from it rendered an individual incapable of ever serving again. When the French troops marched through the United States during the revolution so exact was their discipline, that in marching through an orchard loaded with fruit not an apple was touched.
VOLEE, Fr. The vacant cylinder of a cannon, which may be considered to reach from the trunnions to the mouth.
Volee et culasse d’une piece, Fr. This term signifies the same as tête et queue d’une piece. The mouth or head and breech of a piece of ordnance.
Volee, Fr. Also signifies a cannon shot, as Tirer une volee, to fire a cannon shot.
Volee, Fr. See Sonnette.
VOLET, Fr. A shutter. It likewise means a small sea compass.
VOLLEY. The discharging of a great number of firearms at the same time.
VOLONTAIRES, Fr. See [Volunteers].
VOLONTE, Fr. Will, &c. It likewise signifies readiness to do any thing. Officier, soldat de bonne volonte. An officer, a soldier that is ready to do any sort of duty.
Dernieres Volontes, Fr. The last will and testament of a man.
VOLT, (Volte, Fr.) In horsemanship, a bounding turn. It is derived from the Italian word Volta; and according to the Farrier’s Dictionary, is a round or a circular tread; a gate of two treads made by a horse going sideways round a centre; so that these two treads make parallel tracks; the one which is made by the fore feet larger, and the other by the hinder feet smaller; the shoulders bearing outwards, and the croupe approaching towards the centre.
Mettre un cheval sur les VOLTES, Fr. To make a horse turn round, or perform the volts. They likewise say in the manege, demi-volte, half-turn or volt.
Volte, Fr. In fencing, a sudden movement or leap, which is made to avoid the thrust of an antagonist.
Volte-face, Fr. Right about.
Faire VOLTE-face, Fr. To come to the right about. It is chiefly applicable to a cavalry movement; and sometimes generally used to express any species of facing about, viz. Les ennemis fuirent jusqu’à un certain endroit, ou ils firent volte face; the enemy fled to a certain spot, where they faced about.
Volte, is also used as a sea phrase among the French to express the track which a vessel sails; likewise the different movements and tacks that a ship makes in preparing for action.
VOLTER, Fr. In fencing, to volt; to change ground in order to avoid the thrust of an antagonist.
VOLTIGER, Fr. To float; to stream out; to hover about; La cavalrie voltige autour du camp; the cavalry hovers about the camp. It also means, in the manege, to ride a wooden horse for the purpose of acquiring a good seat.
VOLTIGUER, Fr. A vaulter; a jumper; a hoverer; the French have trained their light troops to run, vault, and bear fatigues; these troops act as riflemen on foot or horseback; swim rivers with their arms; and vault behind horsemen to be transported rapidly to some point where it is necessary to make an impression. These corps were formed from an observance of the hardiness and intrepidity of American riflemen, by general Berthier, who served in America with Rochambeau.
VOLUNTEER. In a general acceptation of the word, any one who enters into the service of his own accord. The signification of it is more or less extensive, according to the conditions on which a man voluntarily engages to bear arms.
Volunteers are also bodies of men who assemble in time of war to defend their respective districts, and this generally without pay.
To Volunteer. To engage in any affair of one’s own accord. Officers and soldiers often volunteer their services on the most desperate occasions; sometimes specifically, and sometimes generally. Hence to volunteer for any particular enterprize, or to volunteer for general service. In some instances soldiers volunteer for a limited period, and within certain boundaries.
Volunteers approach nearer to the regular establishment than the militia.
VOUGE, Fr. A sort of hedging bill. It likewise signifies an axe, which the ancient bowmen of France had fixed to their halberts. It is also called a hunter’s staff.
VOUSSOIR or VOUSSURE, Fr. The bending of a vault.
VOUTE, Fr. A vault; an arch.
VOYAGE sur Mer, Fr. A sea voyage. The French call a voyage to the East Indies, Un voyage de long cours.
UP. An adverb frequently used in military phraseology, viz. Up in arms; in a state of insurrection.
To draw UP. To put in regular array, as to draw up a regiment.
VRILLE, Fr. A wimble.
VRILLER, Fr. Among fireworkers, to rise in a spiral manner, as sky-rockets do.
USAAR, Ind. The name of a month, which partly corresponds with June; it follows Jeyt.
To USE. To employ to any particular purpose; to bring into action; as he his choicest troops on that decisive day.
USTENSILES, Fr. The necessary articles which a soldier has a right to be supplied with.
Ustensiles de magazins, Fr. Under this word are comprehended all the various tools, implements, &c. which are required in military magazines and storehouses.
Ustensiles d’un vaisseau, Fr. Every thing which is necessary in the navigation of a ship.
Ustensiles de canon, Fr. Every thing which is required to load and unload a piece of ordnance, viz. the rammer, spunge, priming horn, wedges, &c.
UTENSILS. In a military sense, are necessaries due to every soldier.
In the British service it is directed to be provided for the use of regimental hospitals, that each hospital ought to be furnished with a slipper bath, or bathing tub, two water buckets, one dozen of Osnaburgh towels, one dozen of flannel cloths, half a dozen of large sponges, combs, razors, and soap; two large kettles capable of making soup for 30 men, two large tea kettles, two large tea pots, two sauce pans, 40 tin cans of one pint each, 40 spoons, one dozen of knives and forks, two close stools, two bed-pans, and two urinals.
A regiment, consisting of 1000 men, and provided with three medical persons, ought to be furnished with hospital necessaries and utensils for at least 40 patients. It should be provided with 40 cotton night caps, 40 sets of bedding, in the proportion of four for every hundred men; each set consisting of one paillasse, one straw mattrass, one bolster, three sheets, two blankets, and one rug.
For regiments of a smaller number, the quantity of hospital necessaries will of course be proportionally reduced.
Bakery Utensils. The following list of bakery utensils, being the proportion requisite for an army of 36,000 men, has been extracted from the British commissary, to which useful treatise we refer the military reader for a specific description of field ovens, &c. and field bakery, page 16, &c.
12 double iron ovens, 11 feet long, 9 feet diameter, and 3 feet high; 28 troughs and their covers, 16 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet deep, to kneed the dough.
12 large canvas tents (having double coverings) 32 feet long, and 24 feet wide, to make the bread in.
4 ditto, to cool and deposit the bread in.
2 ditto, to deposit the meal and empty sacks in.
200 boards, 8 feet long, and 1¹⁄₂ feet wide, to carry the bread to the oven and back when baked; 24 small scales to weigh the dough, with weights from half an ounce to 6 lbs.; 24 small lamps for night work; 24 small hatchets; 24 scrapers, to scrape the dough from the troughs; 12 copper kettles, containing each from 10 to 12 pails of water; 12 trevets for ditto; 12 barrels with handles, to carry water, containing each from 6 to 7 pails.
12 pails, to draw water; 24 yokes and hooks, to carry the barrels by hand; 24 iron peles, to shove and draw the bread from the ovens; 24 iron pitchforks, to turn and move the firewood and coals in the ovens; 24 spare handles, 14 feet long, for the peles and pitchforks; 24 rakes, with handles of the same length, to clear away the coals and cinders from the ovens; 4 large scales, to weigh the sacks and barrels of meal, and capable of weighing 500 lb.; 4 triangles for the said scales; to each must be added 500 lb. of weights, 3 of 100 lb. each, 2 of 50 lb. each, and downwards to half a pound.
VULNERABLE. Susceptive of wounds; liable to external injuries; capable of being taken; as, the town is extremely vulnerable in such a quarter. It is also applied to military dispositions, viz. the army was vulnerable in the centre or on the left wing.
An assemblage of men without arms, or with arms but without discipline, or having discipline and arms, without officers are vulnerable.