The going the rounds, though generally considered among the inferior duties of military discipline, ought to be most scrupulously attended to.
Turkish Rounds. The Turks are in the habit of going the rounds like other nations, for the purpose of ascertaining, whether sentries are alert and vigilant on their posts. They call the rounds rol. They start from the guard-house, and the person who goes them has no other weapon of defence than a stick in his hand. He is accompanied by a corporal who carries a lantern. He observes whether at his approach the sentry instantly cries out, jedger Allah, which signifies good God! If any sentry should be found asleep, or be backward in crying out jedger Allah, good God, he is put in prison, and there severely bastinadoed. The Turks never give a parole or countersign, in camp or in garrison.
The design of rounds is not only to visit the guards, and keep the sentinels alert, but likewise to discover what passes in the outworks, and beyond them.
ROUND Robbin. The term is a corruption of ruban rond, which signifies a round riband. It was usual among French officers, when they signed a remonstrance, to write their names in a circular form, so that it was impossible to ascertain who signed first. Hence to sign a round robbin against any person, is for any specific number of men to sign, one and all, a remonstrance against him. This usage has been perverted to the most seditious purposes of insubordination; and of itself should cause the immediate dismission of every officer concerned.
Round Parade. See [Parades].
ROURA, Ind. A term used to express lord, sir, master, worship.
ROUSE. One of the bugle horn soundings for duty. It is derived from the German word which signifies to turn out.
ROUT. Confusion of an army or body of men defeated or dispersed.
To Rout, to put to the Rout. To defeat, to throw into confusion, &c.
ROUTE, (Route, Fr.) in military matters, an order to direct troops to march, the road they are to take, and an authority to the magistrates to provide quarters for them.