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

Flank of a Bastion. In fortification, that part which joins the face to the curtain, comprehended between the angle of the curtain and that of the shoulder, and is the principal defense of a place. Its use is to defend the curtain, the flank, and the face of the opposite bastion, as well as the passage of the ditch; and to batter the salient angles of the counterscarp and glacis, from whence the besiegers generally ruin the flanks with their artillery.

Flank, Outward. Of a line or battalion, the extreme file on the right or left of a division, subdivision, or section, according to the given front, when the battalion is at close or open column, and which is the farthest wheeling point from line into column, or from column into line. It is likewise called the reverse flank.

Flank, Prolonged. In fortification, is the extending of the flank from the angle of the epaule to the exterior side, when the angle of the flank is a right one.

Flank, Second. See [Flank, Oblique].

Flank, To. In fortification, is to erect a battery which may play upon an enemy’s works on the right or left without being exposed to his line of fire. In evolutions, to take such a position in action as either to assist your own troops, or to annoy those of your enemy by attacking either of his flanks, without exposing yourself to all of his fire. To [outflank], a manœuvre by which an army, battalion, troop, or company outstretches another, and gets upon both or either of his flanks. In an extensive acceptation of the term, when applied to locality, it means to possess any range or opposite parts, or territory, whence you might invade your neighbors.

Flanker. A fortification jutting out so as to command the side or flank of an enemy marching to the assault or attack. Riflemen and all light troops are also called flankers, from the fact of their acting on the flanks.

Flanker, To (Fr. flanquer). In fortification, to fortify the walls of a city with bulwarks or countermines.

Flanking. Is the same in fortification as defending.

Flanking Angle. In fortification, that composed of the two lines of defense, and pointing toward the curtain. See [Tenaille].

Flanking Party. Any body of men detached from the main army to act upon the flanks of an enemy. See [Flanker].