Rompre en colonne, Fr. To break into column.
RONDACHE, Fr. A sort of shield which the French formerly used, and which is still carried by the Spaniards.
RONDEL, in fortification, a round tower, sometimes erected at the foot of a bastion.
RONDES, Fr. See [Rounds].
Ronde Major, Fr. Town-majors round. So called from the town-major visiting the different quarters of a garrison during the night. This round, in some degree, corresponds with our grand round.
Rondes roulantes, Fr. Rounds that are made by officers, serjeants, or corporals, over a certain part of the ramparts. These agree with our visiting rounds. The French say, qui va la? Who goes there? technically with us, Who comes there?
Ronde d’officier. Officer’s round.
Chemin des Rondes, Fr. A path marked out for the convenience of the rounds.
Ronde de gouverneur, Fr. The governor’s rounds.
The French method of ascertaining the nature of the several rounds is by challenging in the same manner that we do, viz. qui va la? Who comes there? This must be said sufficiently loud for the main guard to hear. He is instantly answered: ronde de gouverneur, governor’s rounds; ronde major, major’s round, or grand round, and so on, according to the nature of the rounds. The sentry, who stands posted near the guard-house, after having cried out—Demure là; stop there: or as we say, stop round; cries out again, Caporal hors de la garde, corporal turn out the guard. The corporal or officer of the guard with his sword drawn, according to the French custom, repeats, qui va la? Who comes there? He is answered ronde, round. He then says, avance qui a l’ordre; let him advance who has the parole or countersign; or, as we say, advance one, and give the countersign.