Pass of Arms. In ancient chivalry, a bridge, road, etc., which the knights undertook to defend, and which was not to be passed without fighting the person who kept it. He who was disposed to dispute the pass touched one of the armories of the other knight who held the pass, that were hung on pales, columns, etc., erected for the purpose; and this was a challenge which the other was obliged to accept. The vanquished gave the conqueror such prize as was agreed on.
Pass, To. Is to march in review by open order of columns, for the purpose of saluting.
Passable. Capable of being passed, traveled, traversed, or the like; as, the roads are not passable for troops.
Passade, or Passado. In fencing, a push or thrust; also, a sudden movement to the front.
Passage. A pass or encounter; as, a passage at arms.
Passage of Ditches. In siege operations the passage of a dry ditch consists in the [descent] (which is by a blindage, if the ditch is not too deep, or a blindage and gallery for deep ditches) and a full sap, which leads from the outlet of the [descent] to the bottom of the breach. The passage of a wet ditch is more difficult, and specially perilous if the besieged can produce sudden freshets by flood-gates or other contrivance. The method usually followed is to build a dike or bridge of fascines and hurdles across the ditch. The abutment for this bridge is formed by excavating a grand gallery behind the counterscarp and throwing the earth taken from it into the ditch through the outlet of the descent. The dike is carried forward from this abutment by sappers, who work on a raft carrying a musket-proof mask on the side of the enemy. A gabionade parapet on the exposed side of the dike serves to protect the men in bringing forward the fascines, hurdles, etc., to extend the dike.
Passage of Rivers. The passage is effected by surprise or by main force, and detachments are thrown by one means or the other upon the enemy’s bank of the river before proceeding to the construction of bridges. The passage by force ought always to be favored by diversions upon other points. Infantry cross bridges without keeping step. Cavalry dismount in crossing, leading their horses. Wagons heavily loaded pass at a gallop.
Passages. Are openings cut in the parapet of the covered way, close to the traverses, in order to continue the communication through all parts of the covered way. See [Traverses].
Passandeau (Fr.). An ancient 8-pounder gun, which was 15 feet long, and weighed about 3500 pounds.
Passant. A heraldic term, used to express the attitude of an animal in a walking position, with his head straight before him.