Pride. In heraldry, a peacock or other bird, when the tail is spread out in a circular form, and the wings drooped, is said to be “in his pride.”
Priest-cap. In fortification, a work so named from its shape; called also [swallow-tail]. See [Redan].
Prime. To charge with the powder, percussion-cap, or other device for communicating fire to the charge, as a fire-arm.
Primer. A wafer, cap, tube, or other device for communicating fire to the charge of powder in a cannon. The cap or tube usually contains a friction- or percussion-powder. The friction-primer is generally used in the land service. (See [Friction-primer].) For service on shipboard, a quill filled with rifle-powder, having on the top a capsule of fulminate of mercury, is generally employed. The capsule is exploded by a blow from the lock-hammer. The tape-primer, used sometimes in blasting, is formed of long, flexible strips of paper or fabric containing fulminate or other quick-burning substance. The electric primer is used to fire simultaneous discharges, both in ordnance and blasting. In firing wet gun-cotton, the small charge of dry gun-cotton used in conjunction with the detonating exploder is called a primer. In [small-arms] the term is specially applied, at the present time, to the percussion-caps used in reloading metallic cartridge-cases. The cap is set in a recess in the head of the shell. When the firing-pin strikes the outside end of the cap, the fulminate is exploded by being driven against a perforated cone called the [anvil]. This anvil is usually a part of the shell. In the Winchester primer, recently invented, the anvil is a part of the primer itself, being inserted upon the fulminate. A shoulder in the recess holds the anvil when the cap is struck.
Priming. The powder, percussion-cap, or other device used to communicate fire to the charge in a fire-arm.
Priming-tubes. See [Laboratory Stores].
Priming-wire. A pointed wire, used to penetrate the vent of a piece, for examining the powder of the charge, or for piercing the cartridge.
Primipilarii, Primopilarii, or Primipilares. Among the Romans, were such as had formerly borne the office of primipulus of a legion. The banner was intrusted to his care. Among other privileges which the primipilarii enjoyed, they became heirs to what little property was left by the soldiers who died in the campaign.
Primipilus. The centurion belonging to the first cohort of a legion. He had charge of the Roman eagle.
Princeton. A town of Mercer Co., N. J., about 40 miles northeast of Philadelphia. This place was the scene of an important engagement during the Revolutionary struggle, although the numbers engaged were comparatively small. On hearing of the English reverse at [Trenton] (which see), Gen. Howe immediately ordered Cornwallis, who was in New York, to proceed with his forces to Princeton. Leaving a part of his troops at this place, he proceeded towards Trenton with the intention of giving battle to the Americans, and arrived with his vanguard on January 1, 1777. Washington, learning that only three regiments were left at Princeton, by a circuitous night march arrived there by daybreak of January 3, surprised and completely routed the enemy with a loss of 200 killed and wounded, and as many prisoners. The American loss did not exceed 30. This event greatly aroused the drooping spirits of the colonists, who had been previously disheartened by a series of reverses.