A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer / Comprising ancient and modern military technical terms, historical accounts of all North American Indians, as well as ancient warlike tribes; also notices of battles from the earliest period to the present time, with a concise explanation of terms used in heraldry and the offices thereof. The work also gives valuable geographical information. Compiled from the best authorities of all nations. With an appendix containing the Articles of war, etc.

by Thomas Wilhelm

Vair. In heraldry, tinctures are either of metal, color strictly so called, or fur. The furs were originally but two,—ermine and vair. Vair is said to have been taken from the fur of a squirrel, bluish-gray on the back, and white on the belly, is expressed by blue and white shields, or bells in horizontal rows, the bases of the white resting on the bases of the blue. If the vair is of any other colors than white and blue, they must be specified. Various modifications of these furs were afterwards introduced, among others: [counter-vair], or vair with the bells of one tincture placed base to base, and [potent counter-potent], vair with crutch-shaped figures instead of bells.

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.

Valais (Ger. Wallis). A frontier canton of Switzerland, bounded on the north by the cantons of Vaud and Bern, and on the south by Italy. At the period of the struggle of the Swiss with the Duke of Burgundy, the Upper Valais took possession of the Lower Valais, and reduced it to the position of a vassal state; and in this condition it remained until 1798, the period of the French conquest, when the distinction was set aside.

Valdivia. A town of Chili, capital of the province of the same name, on the river Valdivia, or Calle, 210 miles south from Concepcion. It was founded in 1551 by the conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. In 1590 it was taken and plundered by the Araucanians, the native inhabitants of the country.

Valencia (anc. Valentia). An ancient city of Spain, capital of the ancient kingdom and modern province of the same name, on the Turia, about 2 miles from the sea, and 190 miles east-southeast from Madrid. Valencia is a very ancient city. It was destroyed by Pompey, and rebuilt by Sertorius. It was taken by the Goths in 413, from whom it was captured by the Moors in 714. From the Moorish sway it was rescued in 1094 by the Cid, from whom it is sometimes called Valentia del Cid. The Moors once more got possession of it in 1101, but were compelled finally to relinquish it in 1238. It was taken by the Earl of Peterborough in 1705, but submitted to the Bourbons after the unfortunate battle of Almanza, in 1707. It resisted the attempts made on it by Marshal Moncey, but was taken from the Spaniards with a garrison of more than 16,000 men, and immense stores, by the French under Suchet, January 9, 1812; and held by them till 1813.

Valenciennes. A fortified town of France, in the department of the North, 27 miles southeast from Lille, at the confluence of the Rhonelle and the Scheldt. The town is defended by a citadel constructed by Vauban. The city was besieged from May 23 to July 28, 1793, when the French garrison surrendered to the allied English and Austrian armies, under the Duke of York. It was retaken by the French, August 27-30, 1794; on capitulation, the garrison and 1100 emigrants were made prisoners, with immense stores.

Valenciennes. See [Laboratory Stores].

Valenza (anc. Valentia Valentinum Forum). A city of Northern Italy, on an elevated plain on the right bank of the Po, 8 miles north of Alessandria. It is a very ancient town, belonged to the Liguri, and was conquered by Marcus Fulvius, the proconsul. In 1635 it was besieged for fifty days by the armies of France, Savoy, and Parma, and taken. In 1707 it came into the possession of Victor Amadeus II., Duke of Savoy; in 1805 the French destroyed its gates and fortifications; and in 1815, after the fall of Napoleon’s empire, it reverted to the king of Sardinia.

Valetta, or La Valetta. An important city and capital of the island of Malta, on the northeast side of which it is situated. The town and harbors are defended by a series of fortifications of great strength. They are mostly hewn out of the solid rock, and, mounted with the most powerful artillery, are considered impregnable. The city was founded by La Valette, grand master of the Knights of St. John, in 1566. Its history is identical with that of [Malta] (which see).

Valetudinarium. An infirmary or hospital for the sick. Among the Romans, valetudinarium, or hospital, was only established in time of war, when their armies marched beyond the boundaries of the republic.