Post, To. In a military sense, means to station; as, to post a sentinel. To be posted, in military tactics signifies to be formed ready for action. Thus, when troops are brought up in column, and ordered to deploy, it frequently happens that some part of the line is refused, in order to flank an enemy, or to cover a weak position; the part that is aligned is said to be posted. To be posted also means, in a familiar sense, to be publicly announced as an infamous or degraded character. Hence, to post a man as a coward is to stick his name up in a conspicuous place, and to accuse him of want of spirit, etc.
Postern, or Sally-port. Is a passage usually vaulted, and constructed under the rampart, to afford a communication from the interior into the ditch. The passages from the covered way into the country are likewise called sally-ports, as they afford free egress and ingress to troops engaged in making a sally or sortie.
Post-traders. Traders are allowed in the American army at the rate of one to each military camp or post, who have the exclusive privilege to trade upon the military reserve to which they are appointed, and no other person will be allowed to trade or sell goods by sample or otherwise, within the limits of the reserve, except producers of fresh fruit and vegetables, by permission of the post commander. Post-traders are selected for the appointment by a council of administration, consisting of the three senior officers, next to the commanding officer, on duty at the post, and upon the recommendation of these officers, approved by the post commander, are appointed by the Secretary of War. The trader is authorized to keep on hand for sales to the troops, articles of wholesome food, such clothing as soldiers may be permitted to purchase, tobacco, blacking, etc., the prices to be regulated by the council of administration. At remote military posts in the United States, traders are authorized to keep on hand the necessary supplies for sales to miners, settlers, and emigrants. See [Canteen], and [Sutler].
Pot. The paper cylinder forming the head of a signal-rocket and containing the decorations. To diminish the resistance of the air the pot is surmounted by a paper cone.
Pot, Stink-. See [Stink-pot].
Potence (Fr.). Troops are ranged en potence by breaking a straight line, and throwing a certain proportion of it, either forward or backward, from the right or left, according to circumstances, for the purpose of securing that line. An army may be posted en potence by means of a village, a river, or a wood.
Potent Counter-potent. In heraldry, one of the heraldic furs, in which the field is filled with crutch-shaped figures alternately of metal and color, those of opposite tinctures being placed base against base, and point against point. The metal and colors are understood to be argent and azure, unless they be specifically blazoned otherwise. Potent counter-potent is sometimes blazoned Vairycuppy.
Potent, Cross. In heraldry, a cross crutch-shaped at each extremity. It is also called a Jerusalem cross, from its occurrence in the insignia of the Christian kingdom of Jerusalem, which are, argent a cross potent between four crosslets or. This coat is remarkable as being a departure from the usual heraldic rule which prohibits the placing of metal upon metal.
Potentee. A heraldic line of division which takes the form of the outline of a succession of crutch-shaped figures.
Potgun. Formerly a short, wide cannon, formed like a pot.