Works, Field-. See [Field-works].
Worm. See [Implements].
Worm a Gun, To. To take out the charge of a fire-arm by means of a worm.
Worms. A city of Western Germany, grand duchy of Hesse, near the left bank of the Rhine, 26 miles southeast of Mayence. This is one of the oldest, and in the early history of Germany was one of the most important, towns in the country. After its destruction by Attila the Hun about the middle of the 5th century, it was rebuilt by Clovis in 496. It afterwards became the seat of many Frankish and Carlovingian kings. Worms was also the seat of many imperial diets, the best known of which is that of 1521, when Luther appeared before the emperor Charles V. In 1689 it was burned by order of Louis XIV.; and was taken by the French under Custine, October 4, 1792. Here, in 1743, an offensive and defensive alliance was entered into by Great Britain and Austria with Sardinia.
Worst, To. To defeat; to overthrow; to put to the rout.
Wörth. A village of Alsace, at the junction of the Sulzbach und the Sauerbach, is noted as the point where the first decisive encounter took place between the French and German armies, August 6, 1870. After storming Wissenbourg on August 4, 1870, the crown-prince of Prussia with the 3d army (about 120,000) marched rapidly forward and surprised part of the French army under Marshal MacMahon, including the corps of Canrobert and Failly (about 47,000), and defeated it in a long, desperate, and sanguinary engagement near this place. The battle lasted from 7 A.M. till 4 P.M. The chief struggles occurred in the country around Reichshoffen and in the village of Frœschweiller; the French are said to have charged the German line eleven times, each time breaking it, but always finding a fresh mass behind. The ridge on which Wörth stands was not captured until the French were taken in flank by the Bavarians and Würtembergers. Nearly all MacMahon’s staff were killed, and the marshal himself unhorsed, fell fainting into a ditch, from which he was rescued by a soldier. He then, on foot, directed the retreat towards Saverne, to cover the passes of the Vosges. The victory is attributed to the very great numerical superiority of the Germans (about 130,000) as well as to their excellent strategy. The French loss has been estimated at 20,000 killed and wounded, and about 6000 prisoners, 2 eagles, 6 mitrailleures, 30 cannon, and much baggage. The Germans are stated to have had above 8000 men put [hors de combat]. It was admitted that MacMahon had acted as an able and brave commander.
Wounded, The. All the individuals belonging to an army who may have been maimed, or otherwise hurt in battle.
Wreath, Wreathed. In heraldry, a wreath is a twisted garland of silk of different colors, otherwise called a torce, on which it has, since the 14th century, been usual to place the crest. The side-view of a wreath exhibits six divisions, which are generally tinctured with the living colors,—that is, the principal metal and color of the shield. Every crest is now understood to be placed upon a wreath, except when it is expressly stated to issue out of a chapeau or coronet. A wreath, when represented alone, shows its circular form. A Moor’s head is sometimes encircled with a heraldic wreath. A wreath is always understood to be the twisted garland of silk above explained, unless otherwise specified; but wreaths of laurel, oak, ivy, etc., sometimes occur, and savages used as supporters are often wreathed about the head and middle with laurel. Ordinaries are occasionally wreathed, otherwise called tortille, in which case they are represented as if composed of two colors, twisted as in the heraldic wreath; as in the coat of Carmichael, argent, a fess wreathed azure and gules.
Wright-fuze. See [Laboratory Stores].
Wrong. To guard against injustice and oppression in the army, the Articles of War (see Appendix, [Articles of War]) clearly point out the mode of redress to every individual in the service, who considers himself wronged by his superiors.