Susa (in the Old Testament Shushan; ruins at Shus). The winter residence of the Persian kings, stood in the district Cissia of the province of Susiana, on the eastern bank of the river Choaspes. It was conquered by Antigonus in 315 B.C. It was once more attacked by Molo in his rebellion against Antiochus the Great; and during the Arabian conquest of Persia it held out bravely for a long time, defended by Hormuzan.
Suspend. To delay, to protract; hence, to suspend hostilities. It is likewise used to express the act of temporarily depriving an officer of rank and pay, in consequence of some offense. See Appendix, [Articles of War], [101].
Suspension of Arms. A short truce which contending parties agree upon, in order to bury their dead without danger or molestation, to wait for succors, or to receive instructions from a superior authority. Suspension of hostilities, to cease attacking one another.
Sussex. A maritime county in the south of England. Ælla and his sons were the first Saxons who landed on the Sussex coast, 477. They assaulted and captured Wittering, near Chichester, spreading afterwards through the vast Andredsleas with fire and sword, and finally establishing the South-Sexe, or Sussex kingdom. The sea-board of Sussex suffered terribly from the ravages of the Danish jarls. Within its limits was fought (October 14, 1066) the memorable battle which overthrew the Saxon dynasty, and eventually resulted in that union of Saxon solidity and Norman enterprise now recognized as distinctive of the English character. See [Lewes] for important battle in 1264. The French fleet, under D’Annebaut, made an attack on Brighton in 1545, and landed a body of troops, who were stoutly resisted by the natives, and compelled to retire. In 1643, the Parliamentarian forces, under Sir William Waller, besieged Chichester, which after ten days surrendered. The same leader, later in the year, beleaguered Arundel Castle for seventeen days, and reduced it to a heap of ruins. For naval combat off the Sussex coast, see [Beachy Head].
Sustain. To sustain is to aid, succor, or support, any body of men in action or defense.
Sutherland. A county in the extreme north of Scotland. Sutherland received its name from the Northmen, who frequently descended upon and pillaged it prior to the 12th century, and called it the Southern Land, as being the limit on the south of their settlements.
Sutler. A camp-follower, who sells drink and provisions to the troops. See [Canteen], and [Post-trader].
Swad, or Swadkin. A newly-raised soldier.
Swaddie. A discharged soldier.
Swallow’s-tail. In fortification, an outwork, differing from a single tenaille, as its sides are not parallel, like those of a tenaille; but if prolonged, would meet and form an angle on the middle of the curtain; and its head, or front, composed of faces, forming a re-entering angle.