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

Emery. A powder made by grinding a mineral,—corundum,—used by soldiers for cleaning their arms.

Eminence. A high or rising ground, which overlooks and commands the low places about it. Such places, within cannon-shot of any fortified place, are a great disadvantage, if the besiegers become masters of them.

Emir, or Emeer. An Arabic word, equivalent to “ruler,” is a title given to all independent chieftains, and also to all the actual or supposed descendants of Mohammed through his daughter Fatima. In former times, the title of Emir was borne by the leaders in the religious wars of the Mohammedans, and by several ruling families.

Emissary. A person sent by any power that is at war with another, for the purpose of creating disaffection among the people of the latter.

Emousser (Fr.). To blunt, to dull. In a military sense, it signifies to take off the four corners of a battalion, which has formed a square, and to give it, by those means, an octagon figure; from the different obtuse angles of which it may fire in all directions.

Emperor (Imperator). Among the ancient Romans, signified the general of an army, who, for some extraordinary success, had been complimented with this appellation. Subsequently it came to denominate an absolute monarch or supreme commander of an empire. In Europe, the first who bore the title was Charlemagne.

Empilement (Fr.). From empiler, to pile up. The act of disposing shot and shell in the most secure and convenient manner. This generally occurs in arsenals and citadels.

Emprise. A hazardous attempt upon the enemy.

Encamp. To form and occupy a camp; to halt on a march, spread tents, and remain for a night or for a longer time; as, an army or company.

Encampment. The pitching of a camp. The act of pitching huts or tents, as by an army, for temporary lodging, or rest; the place where an army or company is encamped. There are [intrenched] camps, where an army is intended to be kept some time, protected against the enemy; [flying] camps, for brief occupation; camps of [position], bearing relation to the strategy of the commander; and camps of [instruction], to habituate the troops to the duties and fatigues of war.