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

Line-firings. This term is used when troops fire by line.

Lines. A series of field-works, either continuous or at intervals. The former are connected by means of curtains or straight walls. The rule in constructing the other is, that the works shall be within cannon- or musket-shot range of each other, according to their armament.

Lines, Close and Open. Formerly when troops were drawn up in order of battle with intervals between the battalions and squadrons, the lines were said to be close and open.

Lines, Continued. A continued line of field-works constructed for the defense of a position.

Lines Cremaillere. Are composed of alternate short and long faces at right angles to each other.

Lines, Full or Close. Are lines of men drawn up without leaving intervals between them.

Lines, Inside. Are a kind of ditches towards the place, to prevent sallies, etc.

Lines of Bastion. As the name indicates, are formed of a succession of bastion-shaped parapets, each consisting of two faces and two flanks, connected by a curtain.

Lines of Circumvallation. The defensive works by which a besieging army covers its rear and flanks against a relieving force.

Lines of Communication. Are trenches that unite one work to another, so that men may pass between them without being exposed to the enemy’s fire; hence, the whole intrenchment round any place is sometimes called a line of communication, because it leads to all the works.