Rations des officiers du regiment des gardes Francoises, Fr. rations allowed in a regiment of French guards during the monarchy. These rations differed very considerably from those already stated. The particulars may be found in the third volume of the Dictionnaire Militaire, page 255.
RATISSOIRS, Fr. Graters used by the men employed in making saltpetre.
RAVAGES of War, the spoil, plunder, or waste, made by contending armies in the theatre of war.
RAVELIN, Fr. See [Fortification].
RAVELINS, in fortification, are works raised on the counterscarp before the curtain of the place, and serve to cover the gates of a town, and the bridges. They consist of two faces, forming a saliant angle, and are defended by the faces of the neighboring bastions. They are the most in use of all out-works, and are by the soldiers most commonly called half moons, or demi-lunes. They should be lower than the works of the place, that they may be under the fire of the besieged. Their parapets, as those of all other out-works, should be cannon proof; that is, about 18 feet thick.
RAVINE, in field fortification, a deep hollow, usually formed by a great flood, or long continued running of water; frequently turned to advantage in the field.
RAVITAILLER une place, Fr. To throw stores, ammunition, and provisions into a fortified place.
RAY See [Array].
RAYE, Fr. rifled.
Canon RAYE, Fr. rifle barrel.