Pea-rifle. A rifle of small bore carrying a ball of the size of a pea.
Peasants’ War. In German history, the name given to that great insurrection of the peasantry which broke out in the beginning of the year 1525. The oppression of the peasants had gradually increased in severity, as the nobility became more extravagant and the clergy more sensual and degenerate. The example of Switzerland encouraged the hope of success, and from 1476 to 1517 there were risings here and there among the peasants of the south of Germany. A peasant rebellion, called from its cognizance, the Bundschuh (laced shoe), took place in the Rhine countries in 1502, and another called the “League of Poor Conrad,” in Würtemberg, in 1514, both of which were put down without any abatement of the grievances which occasioned them. The Reformation, by the mental awakening which it produced, and the diffusion of sentiments favorable to freedom, must be reckoned among the causes of the great insurrection itself. The Anabaptists, and in particular Münzer, encouraged and excited them, and a peasant insurrection took place in the Hegau in 1522. Another known as the “Latin War” arose in 1523 in Salzburg, against an unpopular archbishop, but these were quickly suppressed. On January 1, 1525, the peasantry of the abbacy of Kempten, along with the towns-people, suddenly assailed and plundered the convent; this event proved the signal for a general rising of the peasantry on all sides throughout the south of Germany. They organized themselves into bands of from 9000 to 30,000, and destroyed convents and castles, murdered, pillaged, and were guilty of the greatest excesses, which must indeed be regarded as partly in revenge for the cruelties practiced against them. In May and June, 1525, they sustained a number of severe defeats from the regular forces under Truchsess von Waldburg, in which large bodies of them were destroyed. The landgraf Philip of Hesse was also successful against them in the north of Germany. The peasants after they had been subjugated were everywhere treated with terrible cruelty; a great body of them were massacred; multitudes were hanged in the streets, and many were put to death with the greatest tortures. It is supposed that more than 150,000 persons lost their lives in this war. The lot of the defeated insurgents became harder than ever.
Pebble Powder. See [Gunpowder].
Pecq, Le. A village of France, on the right bank of the Seine, about half a mile east from St. Germain en Laye. The allied forces crossed the Seine at this spot in 1815.
Pectoral (Fr. pectorale). A breastplate. Among the Romans the poorer soldiers, who were rated under 1000 drachmas, instead of the [lorica], or brigantine (a leathern coat of mail) wore a pectoral, or breastplate of thin brass, about twelve fingers square. Some modern troops, such as the cuirassiers, etc., wear pectorals for the direct purposes of defense and bodily protection; but in general small ornamental plates with clasps have been substituted.
Peculation. A term used in a military sense for embezzling public moneys, stores, arms, or ammunition. See Appendix, [Articles of War], [60].
Pedro. An early gun of large caliber for throwing stone balls.
Peel. To strip; to plunder; to pillage; as, to peel a province or conquered people.
Peel. A small tower or fort.
Peel-house. A small fortified place.