Laws of War. The recognized rules for the conduct of civilized warfare. These rules relate to the treatment of prisoners, non-combatants, spies, traitors, etc.; the disposition of private property, the rights of capture, occupation and conquest, the establishment of blockades, the rights and obligations of neutrals, etc.
Lay. To quit; to surrender the use of; as, lay down one’s arms. To lay for, is to attempt something by ambuscade.
Lay. To point or aim; as, to lay a gun. See [Pointing].
Lay About, To. To strike, or throw the arms on all sides; to act with vigor.
Layette (Fr.). Three-sided tray or box without a cover, used to carry powder from one mortar to another in powder-mills.
Lazarus. A military order instituted at Jerusalem by the Christians of the West, when they were masters of the Holy Land. They received pilgrims under their care, and guarded them on the roads from the insults of the Mohammedans. This order was instituted in the year 1119, and was confirmed by a bull of Pope Alexander IV. in 1255, who gave it the rule of St. Augustine.
Lazzaro, St. In Northern Italy, where the king of Sardinia and the Imperialists defeated the French and Spaniards after a long and severe conflict, June 4, 1746.
Lead. To conduct as a chief or commander; as, let the troops follow where their general leads.
Lead Balls. Are now generally made by compression, by means of machinery, either at arsenals or at private establishments.
Lead Out. A command in the mounted service to cause the horses to be taken from the stable or picket line preparatory to mounting or harnessing.