Vervins. A town of France, in the department of the Aisne, 23 miles northeast from Laon. A treaty of peace was concluded here in 1598 between Philip II. of Spain and Henry IV. of France.
Veseronce. In Southeast France, near Vienne. Here Gondemar, king of the Burgundians, defeated and killed Clodomir, king of Orleans, and revenged the murder of his brother Sigismond and his family, 524. This conflict is also called the battle of Voiron.
Vespers, Sicilian. See [Sicilian Vespers].
Vestini. A Sabellian people in Central Italy, lying between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. They are mentioned in connection with the Marsi, Marrucini, and Peligni; but they subsequently separated from these tribes, and joined the Samnites in their war against Rome. They were conquered by the Romans, 328 B.C., and from this time appear as the allies of Rome. They joined the other allies in the Marsic war, and were conquered by Pompeius Strabo in 89.
Veteran. Long exercised in anything, especially in military life and the duties of a soldier; long practiced or experienced; as, a veteran officer or soldier.
Veteran. One who has been long exercised in any service or art, particularly in war; one who has grown old in service, and has had much experience.
Veteran Corps. Are among the military reserves of all nations. They consist of old soldiers past the prime of active manhood, and incapable of taking the field. Their discipline and steadiness, however, admirably fit them for garrisons or fortresses, and for the instruction of young troops. During the civil war in America (1861-65), a veteran reserve corps was established under the command of the provost-marshal-general. The men admitted into this corps were drawn from three sources, viz.: (1) By taking officers and men still in the field, who had been disabled by wounds or by disease contracted in the line of duty; (2) By taking officers and men who were absent sick in hospitals or convalescent camps; and (3) By accepting officers and men who had been honorably discharged on account of wounds or disease contracted in the line of duty, and who desired to re-enter the service. This corps was divided into companies, battalions, and regiments, and was employed to enforce the enrolling and drafting of men for active service, for arresting deserters, stragglers, etc., and as a garrison for permanent barracks, etc. Upon the reduction of the army in 1869, the corps was discontinued.
Veterinary. Of or pertaining to the art of healing or treating the diseases of domestic animals, as horses, etc. In England and some other European countries, a veterinary surgeon is a commissioned officer, who has medical charge of horses used in the military service. In the U. S. service there is one veterinary surgeon allowed to each of the regiments of cavalry, and the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th regiments of cavalry have an additional veterinary surgeon. These veterinary surgeons are recognized as civilians.
Vetterlin Rifle. See [Small-arms].
Vexilla. Flags or streamers, given to the Roman soldiers who distinguished themselves. They were embroidered in silk, and fixed on the top of a spear. Vexillum roseum was a red flag, which the general, on any sudden tumult or unforeseen danger, brought out of the Capitol, and encouraged the people to flock to it as recruits for infantry.