A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer / Comprising ancient and modern military technical terms, historical accounts of all North American Indians, as well as ancient warlike tribes; also notices of battles from the earliest period to the present time, with a concise explanation of terms used in heraldry and the offices thereof. The work also gives valuable geographical information. Compiled from the best authorities of all nations. With an appendix containing the Articles of war, etc.

by Thomas Wilhelm

Quoin. In gunnery, is a wedge used to lay under the breech of a gun to elevate or depress it.

Quota. A proportional part or share; or the share, part, or proportion assigned to each. “Quota of troops and money.”

R.

Raab, or Nagy-Gyor. A town of Hungary, 67 miles west-northwest of Buda. A battle was fought under its walls in June, 1809, in which Napoleon totally defeated the disorderly force of the Hungarian nobles.

Rabinet. A small piece of ordnance formerly in use. It weighed but 300 pounds, and fired a small ball of 1³⁄₈ inch diameter; with a very limited range.

Rachat des Cloches (Fr.). Redemption of bells. Formerly in France when a fortified place was taken, the bells became the property of the master-general of artillery, which were usually redeemed by the inhabitants at a certain price; it was necessary that the place should be attacked by artillery in order to secure this right over the bells.

Rack, Forage. See [Ordnance, Carriages for, Battery-wagon].

Rack-stick and Lashing. Consist of a piece of two-inch rope, about 6 feet long, fastened to a picket about 15 inches long, having a hole in its head to receive the rope. Rack lashings are used for securing the planks of a gun or mortar platform, between the ribbons and the sleepers.

Radius. In fortification, a term applied to a line drawn from the centre of the polygon to the extremity of the exterior side. There are the exterior, the [interior], and the right radii.