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

Linden-tree. The wood used in artificial fireworks, etc.

Lindisfarne. See [Holy Island].

Line. Various opinions have been given as to what portion of the military establishment should constitute the line of the army, and in the absence of legislation, which should settle the question, it will continue to be a subject of controversy, and some difficulty has arisen from the vague and uncertain meaning of the words “line of the army,” which neither in the English service nor in the United States have a well-defined meaning. The opinion that the words are intended to distinguish the regular army from the militia, or discriminate between officers by brevet and those by ordinary commissions, as understood by some, would seem to be erroneous. Though the words “line of the army” may sometimes be used in a different sense, the opinion prevails that in the 122d Article of War they are used to designate those officers of the army who do not belong to the staff, in contradistinction to those who do. It is now generally conceded that the law contemplates that the fighting portion of the army; as cavalry, artillery, infantry, and engineers, or that part of the service organized or subdivided into units for command, as well as the commanders thereof, constitutes the “line of the army.” The four arms of the service above mentioned form the principal part of a mobilized army, and as they are always formed into a line of battle to resist the attack of an enemy, or to make an attack, they are generally known as the “line of the army,” or “troops of the line,” to distinguish them from other bodies of men who form parts of an army.

Line. In the British service, the regular infantry of an army, as distinguished from militia, volunteer corps, artillery, cavalry, etc.

Line. In tactics, a body of men in either one or two ranks; generally a body of troops drawn up with an extended front. To line, is to place troops in line (see Align); thus, to line hedges or walls, is to place troops behind them. To form the line, in land tactics, is to arrange the troops in order of battle, or battle array. To break the line, to change the direction from that of a straight line, in order to obtain a cross-fire, and for other purposes. To line a street or road, is to draw up any number of men on each side of the street or road, and to face them inwards. This is frequently practiced on days of ceremony, when some distinguished person is received with military honors on his way through places where troops are stationed. This is the usage also in funerals, when the corps under arms form a line facing inwards.

Line. In fencing, an imaginary line opposite to the fencer, wherein the shoulders, right arm, and the sword should always be found, and wherein are also to be placed the two feet at the distance of 18 inches apart. In which sense a man is said to be in his line, or to go out of his line, etc.

Line. A cord or rope; as, a [picket line], side lines (which see).

Line, Horizontal. A line parallel to the plane of the horizon; as, any line in the level surface of a plane.

Line, Inclined. Is a line which is oblique to the plane of the horizon.

Line, Magistral. See [Magistral Line].