Depth. A technical word, peculiarly applicable to bodies of men drawn up in line or column. The depth of a battalion or squadron is the number of men in rank and file from front to rear.
Deputy-Marshal. In the British service, is the senior sergeant-major of each regiment of Foot Guards, who sees after and makes out the routes of deserters, and receives an allowance for so doing.
Deraser (Fr.). To cut off the superfluous clay from a gun-mold previous to its being placed in the pit.
Derayeh, El. A town of Arabia, nearly in the centre of the district called El Nedjed. It is tolerably well fortified, but after a siege of seven months, in 1819, it was nearly destroyed by the troops of Ibrahim Pasha.
Derbend, or Derbent. A town of Russia, the capital of the province of Daghestan. It is surrounded by strong walls and flanked and strengthened by massive bastions. It was taken from Persia by Russia in 1722, restored to the former power in 1735, and retaken by the Muscovites in 1795.
Derivation (Fr.). Drift of rifle projectiles. See [Projectiles].
Descend. In a military sense, means to make an attack or incursion as if from a vantage-ground.
Descents. In fortification, are the holes, vaults, and hollow places made by undermining the ground.
Descents into the Ditch. Cuts and excavations made by means of saps in the counterscarp, beneath the covert way. They are covered with thick boards and hurdles; and a certain quantity of earth is thrown upon the top in order to obviate the bad effects which might arise from shells, etc.
Descriptive Book. A book in which descriptive lists of the soldiers belonging to a company are kept.