View of a Place. A reconnoissance of a fortified town, its situation, the nature of the country about it, as hills, valleys, rivers, marshes, woods, hedges, etc.; taken in order to judge of the most convenient place for opening the trenches, and carrying out the approaches; to find out proper places for encamping the army, and for the park of artillery.
Vigne (Fr.). In ancient times, a shed, or gallery with a roof and sides, made of double hurdles, 18 or 20 feet long, and 7 or 8 feet wide, upon wheels. Vignes were used to establish a covered communication between the towers, testudos, etc., of the besiegers.
Vigo. A seaport town of Spain, in Galicia, situated on an inlet of the Atlantic called the Ria de Vigo, 78 miles southwest from Corunna. Vigo was attacked and burned by the English under Drake and Norris in 1589. Vigo was taken by Lord Cobham in 1719, but relinquished after raising contributions. It was again taken by the British, March 27, 1809.
Vikings. Scandinavian chiefs, Swedes, Danes, and Norsemen, who in the 4th century migrated eastward, to the countries beyond the Baltic, and westward and southward, chiefly to the British Isles.
Villafranca. A town of Austrian Italy, in the delegation and 9 miles southwest from Verona, on the Tartaro. This place is remarkable for the personal interview which took place here between the emperors of France and Austria, July 11, 1859, and the peace in consequence concluded, by which Lombardy was given to Sardinia.
Villages. Cavalry, the better to preserve their horses, should occupy villages whenever the distance of the enemy, and the time necessary to repair to its posts in battle, will permit. Their quarters should be preferably farm-houses or taverns having large stables. Posts are established by the colonel or commanding officer, and the squadrons conducted to their quarters by their respective captains. Where in an exceptional case regular distributions are not made, the resources which the household assigned as quarters presents are equally divided. About two hours after their arrival, the squadrons in succession water their horses and then give forage. Cavalry, and infantry also, should, wherever thus cantoned near an enemy, occupy, when it can be done, houses which will hold an entire company or some constituent fraction of a company, and at break of day stand to their arms. When in the same cantonment, cavalry should watch over the safety of the cantonment by day and the infantry by night; and in the presence of an enemy they should be protected by an advance guard and natural or artificial obstacles.
Villa Viciosa. A village of Spain, in New Castile, in the province of Guadalajara. Here, in 1710, was fought the battle which closed the War of Succession, and placed Philip V. upon the Spanish throne.
Villa Vicosa. A town of Portugal, province of Alemtejo. Here the Portuguese under the French general Schomberg defeated the Spaniards, 1665.
Villeta. In Paraguay, South America, where Lopez and the Paraguayans were totally defeated by the Brazilians and their allies, December 11, 1868.
Vimeira. A village of Portugal, in the province of Estremadura, 7 miles north from Torres Vedras. At this place the British under Sir Arthur Wellesley defeated the French and Spanish forces under Marshal Junot, August 21, 1808. The attack made by the French with great bravery was gallantly repulsed; it was repeated by Kellerman at the head of the French reserve, which was also repulsed, and the French being charged with the bayonet, withdrew on all points in confusion, leaving many prisoners.