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

Track. In gunnery, by track is understood the distance between the furrows formed by the wheels of artillery carriages in the ground. It is important that the track should be the same for all carriages likely to travel the same road, in order that the wheels of one carriage may follow in the furrows formed by those of its predecessor, and thereby prevent a loss of tractile force. The track of artillery carriages is 5 feet, and the extreme length of the axle-tree is 6¹⁄₂ feet for field-, and 6³⁄₄ feet for siege-carriages.

Trail. In tactics, to carry, as a fire-arm, with the butt near the ground, and the muzzle inclined forward, the piece being held by the right hand near the middle.

Trail. In gunnery, the end of a traveling-carriage, opposite to the wheels, and upon which the carriage slides when unlimbered. See [Ordnance, Carriages for].

Trail Hand-spike. See [Hand-spike].

Trail-handles. See [Ordnance, Carriages for].

Trail-plate. See [Ordnance, Carriages for].

Trail-bridge. See [Pontons].

Train. To teach and form by practice; to exercise; to discipline; as, to train the militia to the manual exercise; to train soldiers to the use of arms.

Train. A line of gunpowder, laid to lead fire to a charge, or to a quantity intended for execution.

Train, Artillery-. See [Artillery-train].