Long Island. An island about 115 miles long, which is separated from New York by the East River, a strait about half a mile wide. Its capital is [Brooklyn] (which see), where was fought in 1776 the first pitched battle of the Revolutionary war, the result being the defeat of the Americans. The island suffered considerably at the hands of the English during this war. During the civil war (1861-65) Long Island took an active part in aid of the cause of the Union.
Long Roll. See [Roll, Long].
Long-bow. A bow of the height of the archer, formerly used in England for war and sport.
Long-jawed. The state of a rope when its strands are straightened by being much strained and untwisted, and from its pliability will coil both ways.
Longitudinal Strain. The strain on a cannon or fire-arm which tends to part it with a ring fracture. See [Ordnance, Strains upon].
Longwy. A strongly fortified town of France, in the department of the Moselle, 33 miles northwest from Metz. This is called the “iron gate of France,” and was in 1792 taken by the Prussians, and again by the allies in 1815.
Looking-glass Signaling. A method of signaling invented and extensively used by the North American Indians, both on the Plains and in the regions west of the Rocky Mountains. The reflection of the sun is flashed from a small piece of a mirror held in the hand. Indians have been known to communicate over a distance of several miles by this means. It is also extensively used in their drills,—the chief often directing the movements of his warriors with the greatest ease and certainty from a distant point overlooking the field. This method of signaling, modified by the resources of science, has been lately introduced into the English service, and used both in India and Southern Africa. A concave mirror is used, and an artificial light replaces the sun when he is absent. The method has been called heliography.
Loop-holed Galleries. Are vaulted passages or casemates, usually placed behind the counterscarp revetment, and behind the gorges of detached works, having holes pierced through the walls, to enable the defenders to bring a musketry fire from unseen positions upon the assailants in the ditch. Loop-holes, however, are not confined to galleries. In modern fortifications, the revetments, both scarp and counterscarp, are very generally pierced for musketry fire.
Loop-holes. Apertures in a wall or stockade, through which a fire of musketry may be directed on the exterior ground.
Loose. Not close or compact. “With horse and chariots ranked in loose array.”