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

Exterior Crest. The crest of the exterior slope of a parapet.

Exterior Form of Cannon. See [Ordnance, Exterior Form].

Exterior Side. In fortification, is the side of the polygon, upon which a front of fortification is formed.

Exterior Slope. In fortification, is the slope given to the outside of a parapet. It is found by experience that earth of common quality will naturally acquire a slope of 45°, even when battered by cannon. This inclination is therefore given to the slope.

External Injuries to Cannon. See [Injuries to Cannon].

Extortion. Under the modern laws of war, honorable men no longer permit the use of any violence against prisoners in order to extort information or to punish them for having given false information.

Extrados (Fr.). The exterior surface of a regular arch, used in the construction of powder-magazines.

Extraordinaries of the Army. In the English service, the allowances to troops beyond the gross pay in the pay office, come under this head. Such are the expenses for barracks, marches, encampments, staff, etc.

Extraordinarii. In the ancient Roman army, a select body of men consisting of the third part of the foreign cavalry and a fifth of the infantry. These were carefully separated from the other forces borrowed from the confederate states, in order to prevent any treacherous coalition between them. From among the extraordinarii a more choice body of men were drawn, under the name of ablecti. See [Ablecti].

Eylau, or Eilau. Usually called Prussian Eylau, a town in the government of Königsberg, celebrated for the battle fought here between Napoleon and the allies—Russians and Prussians—under Bennigsen, February 8, 1807. The French force amounted to about 80,000, and the allies numbered 58,000, but were superior in artillery. The French claimed the victory, chiefly because the allied forces, unable to recruit their strength, were ordered to retreat from the field on the night of the battle, and to retire upon Königsberg. The loss of the allies is estimated at about 20,000, while that of the French must have been considerably greater.