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

Inscribe. To mark with letters, characters, or words, as, to inscribe the name of the battle on their colors.

Insecure. Not effectually guarded or protected; unsafe; exposed to danger or loss.

Inspect. To view and examine officially; as, troops, arms, etc.

Inspection. A strict examination; a close survey. It is of various kinds, and embraces general, regimental, and troop or company duties. A general inspection is made from time to time by inspectors-general designated by the commanding generals of military divisions or departments. Every regiment on this occasion is minutely looked into, and a faithful account is delivered by each commanding officer of the actual state of his regiment. The interior economy of the corps is not only investigated, but the discipline of the men is likewise examined.

Inspection of Cannon, Instruments for. These are used to verify the dimensions of cannon, and to detect the presence and measure the size of cavities in the metal. The star-gauge is an instrument for measuring the diameter of the bore at any point. The cylinder-staff is used to measure the length of the bore. It is supported by a rest of a T-form at the muzzle, and the extremity inserted in the gun is armed with a measuring-point and a guide-plate. The cylinder-gauge is a cylinder of cast iron, turned to the exact or true diameter of the bore. When used it is attached to the end of the cylinder-staff. The searcher consists of four flat springs turned up at the end, and attached to a socket which is screwed on to the end of the cylinder-staff. It is used to feel for cavities in the surface of the bore. The trunnion-gauge verifies the diameters of the trunnions and rimbases. The trunnion-square is used to verify the position of the trunnions with regard to the bore. The trunnion-rule measures the distance of the trunnions from the rear of the base-ring. Calipers, for measuring exterior diameters. A standard-rule, for verifying other instruments. The vent-gauges are two pointed pieces of steel wire, 0.005 inch greater and less than the true diameter of the vent, to verify its size. The vent-searcher is a hooked wire, used to detect cavities in the vent. A rammer-head, shaped to the form of the bottom of the bore, and furnished with a staff, is used to ascertain the interior position of the vent. A wooden rule, to measure exterior lengths. A mirror, a wax taper, beeswax; rammer, sponge, and priming-wire. Figure and letter-stamps, to affix the required marks. The objects of inspecting cannon are to verify their dimensions, particularly those which affect the accuracy of the fire, and the relation of the piece to its carriage, and to detect any defects of metal and workmanship that would be likely to impair their strength and endurance.

Inspection of Projectiles. The principal points to be observed in inspecting shot and shells are, to see that they are of proper size in all their parts; that they are made of suitable metal; and that they have no defects, concealed or otherwise, which will endanger their use or impair the accuracy of their fire.

Inspection of Shot.—The instruments are one large and one small gauge, and one cylinder-gauge; the cylinder-gauge has the same diameter as the large gauge; it is made of cast iron, and is 5 calibers long. There are also, one hammer with a conical point, six steel punches, and one searcher made of wire. The shot should be inspected before they become rusty; after being well cleaned each shot is placed on a table and examined by the eye, to see that its surface is smooth and that the metal is sound and free from seams, flaws, and blisters. If cavities or small holes appear on the surface, strike the point of the hammer or punch into them, and ascertain their depth with the searcher; if the depth of the cavity exceeds 0.2 inch, the shot is rejected; and also if it appears that an attempt has been made to conceal such defects by filling them up with nails, cement, etc. The shot must pass in every direction through the large gauge, and not at all through the small one; the founder should endeavor to bring the shot up as near as possible to the large gauge, or to the true diameter. After having been thus examined the shot are passed through the cylinder-gauge, which is placed in an inclined position, and turned from time to time to prevent its being worn into furrows; shot which slide or stick in the cylinder are rejected. Shot are proved by dropping them from a height of 20 feet on a block of iron, or rolling them down an inclined plane of that height against another shot at the bottom of the plane. The average weight of the shot is deduced from that of three parcels of 20 to 50 each, taken indiscriminately from the pile; some of those which appear to be the smallest should also be weighed, and they are rejected if they fall short of the weight expressed by their caliber more than one-thirty-second part. They almost invariably exceed that weight.

Inspection of Grape- and Canister-shot.—The dimensions are verified by means of a large and small gauge attached to the same handle. The surface of the shot should be smooth and free from seams.

Inspection of Hollow Projectiles.—The inspecting instruments are a large and small gauge for each caliber, and a cylinder-gauge for shells of 8 inches and under. Calipers for measuring the thickness of shells at the sides. Calipers to measure the thickness at the bottom. Gauges to verify the dimensions of the fuze-hole and the thickness of the metal at the fuze-hole. A pair of hand-bellows; a wooden plug to fit the fuze-hole, and bored through to fit the nozzle of the bellows. A hammer, a searcher, a cold chisel, steel punches.

Inspection.—The surface of the shell and its exterior dimensions are examined as in the case of shot. The shell is next struck with the hammer, to judge by the sound whether it is free from cracks; the position and dimensions of the ears are verified; the thickness of the metal is then measured at several points on the great circle perpendicular to the axis of the fuze-hole. The diameter of the fuze-hole, which should be accurately reamed, is then verified, and the soundness of the metal about the inside of the hole is ascertained by inserting the finger. The shell is now placed on a trivet, in a tub containing water deep enough to cover it nearly to the fuze-hole; the bellows and plug are inserted into the fuze-hole, and the air forced into the shell; if there be any holes in the shell, the air will rise in bubbles through the water. This test gives another indication of the soundness of the metal, as the parts containing cavities will dry more slowly than other parts. The mean weight of shells is ascertained in the same manner as that of shot. Shot and shells rejected in the inspection are marked with an X made with a cold chisel,—on shot near the gate, and on shells near the fuze-hole.