Hospital (Military).—They are of three kinds, general, field, and convalescent. Cases of infectious nature are sent to a general hospital specially appointed for their reception. Field hospitals are temporary establishments for the care of sick and wounded in the vicinity of the field of battle. Serious cases, when practicable, are sent off to the nearest general hospital in the rear. Convalescent hospitals describe themselves.
Hospital Ships.—They serve either as stationary hospitals, or, if sick accumulate, can sail home or to the nearest station, discharge, and return to fill again. One of these, the Maine, was organised by Lady Randolph Churchill, and proved invaluable.
Howitzer.—Short siege gun throwing lyddite shells at a high angle, so that they can descend upon a fortress or besieged town. They have a range of over 8000 yards. There are also field howitzers.
Hussars.—Light cavalry. Derived from the Hungarian (huss) twenty and (ar) pay, because every twenty houses had to provide one horse soldier.
Imperial Light Horse.—See vol. iii. p. 165.
Infantry.—Foot soldiers. The words derived from the Spanish soldiery of the infanta, and the term infanteria was applied to them, in consequence of their being the troops of the Infanta of Spain. The British infantry was declared by Marshal Soult “the finest in the world.” There are 109 infantry regiments in the British army. The oldest of these, formed between 1660 and 1662, are the Guards, the 2nd Queen’s (raised for the defence of Tangiers), and the 3rd Buffs (the old London train-bands).
Intelligence Department.—A branch of the Quartermaster-General’s Department, which has for its object the collecting and sifting and arranging information useful to Government or army in peace or war.
Intrench or Entrench.—To secure a position or body of men against the attack of the enemy by digging a ditch or trench.
Invest.—To surround a place and prevent all communication with the outer country.
Irregular Troops.—Troops which do not belong to the regular forces. Until lately there were no such troops in the British Army, now it is almost impossible to enumerate them. In India there are several irregular forces of cavalry and infantry for the protection of Native States.