Virole. In heraldry, the hoop, ring, or mouth-piece of a bugle or hunting-horn.
Viroled. In heraldry, furnished with a virole or viroles.
Visigoths. See [Goths].
Visit, To. To go to any place, as guard quarters, barracks, hospital, etc., for the purpose of noticing whether the orders or regulations which have been issued respecting it are observed.
Visiting Officer. He whose duty it is to visit the guards, barracks, messes, hospital, etc. The same as orderly officer.
Visor. That part of the helmet which covers the face.
Vitrified Forts. The name given to certain remarkable stone inclosures bearing traces of the action of fire, about 50 of which exist in various parts of Scotland. They are generally situated on a small hill, overlooking a considerable valley, and consist of a wall, which may have originally been about 12 feet in height, inclosing a level area on the summit of a hill. The most remarkable feature of these structures is, that the wall is always more or less consolidated by the action of fire,—in some cases only giving a glassy coating to its inner side, while in other instances the vitrification has been most complete, the ruins assuming the character of vast masses of coarse glass.
Vittoria. A town of Spain, the chief town of the province of Alava, 30 miles southeast from Bilboa. This place is the site of a brilliant victory obtained by Wellington over the French army commanded by Joseph Bonaparte, king of Spain, and Marshal Jourdan, June 21, 1813. The hostile armies were nearly equal, from 70,000 to 75,000 each. After a long and fearful battle, the French were driven, towards evening, through the town of Vittoria, and in their retreat were thrown into irretrievable confusion. The British loss was 22 officers and 479 men killed; 167 officers and 2640 men wounded. Marshal Jourdan lost 151 pieces of cannon, 451 wagons of ammunition, all his baggage, provisions, cattle, and treasure, with his baton as marshal of France. Continuing the pursuit on the 25th, Wellington took Jourdan’s only remaining gun.
Vivandière. In continental armies, and especially that of France, a female attendant in a regiment, who sells spirits and other comforts, ministers to the sick, marches with the corps, and contrives to be a universal favorite. Although a familiar friend to all, these women contrive to maintain themselves respectable, and generally respected; and a corps is usually extremely jealous of the slightest discourtesy being shown to its vivandière. The woman wears the uniform of the regiment, short petticoats taking the place of the man’s tunic.
Vlissingen, or Flushing. See [Flushing].