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

Beacon. A signal-fire to notify the approach of an enemy.

Bear. In a military sense, a piece of ordnance is said to bear, or come to bear, or is brought to bear, when pointed directly against the object; that is, pointed to hit the object.

Bear, Order of. Was a military order in Switzerland, instituted by the emperor Frederick II. in 1213, by way of acknowledgment for the service the Swiss had done him, and in favor of the abbey of St. Gall. To the collar of the order hung a medal, on which was represented a bear raised on an eminence of earth.

Beard. The reflected points of the head of an ancient arrow, particularly of such as were jagged.

Beat. In a military sense, to gain the day, to win the battle, etc.

Beating the Wind. Was a practice in use in the ancient method of trial by combat. If one of the combatants did not appear in the field at the time appointed, the other was to make so many flourishes with his weapon, by which he was entitled to all the advantages of a conqueror.

Beaucéant, or Beaucent (Fr.). Standard of the Knights Templar; it was white on one side and black on the other.

Beaugency. An ancient town of France, in the department of Loiret, and situated on the right bank of the Loire. It was at one time surrounded by walls, flanked with towers and bastions, and defended by a strong castle, now ruined. In the history of the wars of France Beaugency occupies a conspicuous place; it was successively in the hands of the Huns, Saxons, Normans, and English, but the town sustained most damage during the religious wars of the 16th century.

Beaumont. A town in the department of the Somme, France; here the French routed the allies, June 16, 1815.

Beaumont. A village near Sedan, department of Ardennes, Northeast France. Near here a part of the army of Marshal MacMahon, under De Failly, which, after vainly endeavoring to reach Metz, was retreating before the Germans under the crown prince of Prussia, was surprised, defeated, and driven across the Meuse at Mouzon, August 30, 1870. The French loss included about 7000 prisoners, many guns, and much camp equipage. The victory was chiefly gained by the Bavarians.