Half-companies. The same as subdivisions, and equal to a platoon.
Half-distance. Is half the regular interval or space between troops drawn up in ranks or standing column.
Half-face. Is to take half the usual distance between the right or left face, in order to give an oblique direction to the line, or to fill up a gap at the corner of a square.
Half-file Leader (Fr. chef de demi-file). The foremost man of a rank entire.
Half-files. Is half the given number of any body of men drawn up two deep. They are so called in cavalry when the men rank off singly.
Half-full Sap. When the sappers have only a flank fire (coming in a direction nearly perpendicular to that of the sap) to fear, the sap-roller may be dispensed with. The first sapper then covers himself with the last-filled gabion whilst placing and filling the new one. This species of sap is called the half-full sap.
Half-hitch. Pass the end of a rope round its standing part, and bring it up through the bight.
Half-moon (Fr. demi-lune). In fortification, is an outwork that has two faces which form a salient angle, the gorge of which resembles a crescent. It owes its original invention to the Dutch, who used it to cover the points of their bastions. This kind of fortification is, however, defective, because it is weak on its flanks. Half-moons are now called ravelins, which species of work is constructed in front of the curtain.
Half-pay. An allowance given in the British army and navy to commissioned officers not actively employed. It was first granted by William III. in 1698. In the U. S. service officers receive half-pay only when on leave of absence for a longer period than that for which full pay on leave is allowed, namely, thirty days in each year. See [Absence, Leave of].
Half-pike. A short pike, which was formerly carried by officers.