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

Lance (Fr.). Means likewise an iron rod which is fixed across the earthen mold of a shell, and which keeps it suspended in the air when it is cast. As soon as the shell is formed, this rod must be broken, and carefully taken out with instruments made for that purpose. Shells ought to be scrupulously examined with respect to this article, as they could not be charged were the lance or any part of it to remain within. This is also the name of an instrument which conveys the charge of a piece of ordnance and forces it home to the bore.

Lance. A soldier armed with a spear; a lancer.

Lance. To pierce with a lance, or any similar weapon; to throw in the manner of a lance. See [Lanch].

Lance a Feu (Fr.). A squib. A species of artificial firework which is made in the shape of a fuze, and is used for various purposes. The composition of the lance a feu consists of 3 parts of the best refined saltpetre, 2 parts of flour of sulphur, and 2 of antimony; the whole being pounded and mixed together. The chief use of the lance a feu is to throw occasional light across the platform, whilst artificial fireworks are preparing. They likewise serve to set fire to fuzes, as they can be taken hold of without danger.

Lance a Feu Puant (Fr.). Stink-fire lances prepared in the same manner that stink-pots are, and particularly useful to miners. When a sapper or miner has so far penetrated towards the enemy as to hear the voices of persons in any places contiguous to his own excavation, he first of all bores a hole with his probe, then fires off several pistols through the aperture, and lastly forces in a lance a feu puant, taking care to close up the hole on his side to prevent the smoke from returning towards himself. The exhalation and stinking hot vapor which issue from the lance, and remain confined on the side of the enemy, infest the air so much, that it is impossible to approach the quarter for three or four days. Sometimes, indeed, they have had so instantaneous an effect, that in order to save their lives, miners, who would persevere, have been dragged out by the legs in an apparent state of suffocation.

Lance de Feu (Fr.). A species of squib, which is used by the garrison of a besieged town against a scaling party.

Lance, Free. See [Free Lance].

Lance Socket. A leather socket which supports the butt of the lance when carried on horseback; called also lance bucket.

Lance-Corporal. An assistant to a corporal; a private performing the duties of a corporal; a lance-pesade. See [Corporal, Lance-].

Lance-gaye (Fr.). See [Arch-gaye].