Parts, Bridges By. See [Pontons].
Party. A small detachment of men, horse or foot, sent upon any kind of duty; as, into an enemy’s country, to pillage, to take prisoners, and oblige the country to come under contribution.
Party. In heraldry, parted or divided;—used with reference to any division of a field or charge.
Party, Firing. Are those who are selected to fire over the grave of any one interred with military honors.
Party, Recruiting. Is a certain number of men, under an officer or non-commissioned officer, detached from their respective regiments for the purpose of enlisting men.
Party, Working. See [Working Party].
Pas de Sours (Fr.). Steps leading from the bottom to the top of a ditch in permanent fortification.
Pasha, or Bashaw (from the Persian padishah, “powerful ruler”). A title applied in the Ottoman empire to governors of provinces, or military and naval commanders of high rank. The distinctive badge of a pasha is a horse-tail, waving from the end of a staff crowned with a gilt ball; in war, this badge is always carried before him when he goes abroad, and is at other times planted in front of his tent. There are three grades of pashas, which are distinguished by the number of horse-tails on their standards; those of the highest rank are pashas of three tails, and include, in general, the highest functionaries, civil and military. All pashas of this class have the title of vizier. The pashas of two tails are the governors of provinces, who are generally called by the simple title “pasha.” The pashas of one tail, the lowest rank of pashas, are provincial governors. See [Horse-tail].
Pass. A straight, difficult, and narrow passage, which, well defended, shuts up the entrance to a country.
Pass. A certificate of leave of absence given to a soldier for a short period.