Laufach. In Bavaria, Southwestern Germany; it was taken by the Prussians, under Wrangel, July, 1860, after a sharp action, in which the Hessians were defeated.
Launch. To throw as a spear or dart; to send forth. Written also [lanch].
Laundresses. Camp-women, usually the wives of soldiers, employed to wash soldiers’ clothing.
Laurel. An evergreen shrub, selected for the brows of heroes and conquerors, and emblematic of their unfading reputation.
Lauterburg. A town of France, in the department of the Lower Rhine, 33 miles northeast from Strasburg. In 1793 the French forced the famous lines of Lauterburg, and took this place.
Laval. A town of France, in the department of the Mayenne, situated on the Mayenne, 42 miles east from Rennes. This place suffered greatly in the Vendean war, towards the close of the last century.
La Vendée (West France). The French royalists of La Vendée took arms in March, 1793, and were successful in a number of hard-fought battles with the republicans, between July 12, 1793, and January 1, 1794, when they experienced a severe reverse. Their leader Henri, comte de Larochejaquelein, was killed March 4, 1794. A short peace was made at La Jaunay, February 17, 1795. The war was terminated by Gen. Hoche in 1796. A treaty of peace was signed at Luçon, January 17, 1800.
Lavure (Fr.). The grains, dust, or detached pieces of metal which fall in casting cannon.
Law, Martial. See [Martial Law].
Law, Military. A branch of the general municipal law, consisting of rules ordained for the government of the military forces of a state or government, and those voluntarily serving with them, equally in peace and war, and administered by tribunals of special and limited jurisdiction. See Appendix, [Articles of War].