SAND bags. See [Bags].
Sand bags are made about 27 inches long, and 15 diameter; 250 of these are required for each fathom of battery, or about 1680 for two guns or mortars. See [Tonnage].
SANGIAC. A situation or appointment of dignity in Turkey. The Sangiacs are governors of towns or cantons, and take rank immediately after the Beglerbeys, who are viceroys in that country, and give the name of Beglerbat or Beglerbey to a militia which they support at their own expence.
SANS-Culotte, Fr. A revolutionary term which was first given by the French to the national guards; it was an unfortunate effusion of contempt expressed by the queen as the militia passed along; it soon became known, and was calculated to increase popular antipathy against her. It means, literally, a man without breeches.
SAP, (Sappe, Fr.) in sieges, is a trench, or an approach made under cover, ten or twelve feet broad, when the besiegers come near the place, and the fire from the garrison grows so dangerous, that they are not able to approach uncovered.
There are several sorts of saps: the single, which has only a single parapet; the double, having one on each side; and the flying, made with gabions, &c. In all saps, traverses are left to cover the men.
The sap generally commences about the second parallel, and sometimes sooner; and if the fire of the besieged is much slackened, may proceed both day and night. The sappers are usually divided into brigades of 8, and sub-divided into divisions of 4 each; being the greatest number that can work at the sap at the same time. The leading sapper excavates 18 inches deep, and as much wide; the second, third, and fourth deepen the trench, each in succession 6 inches, and widen it as much; so that the four make a trench of 3 feet wide and three feet deep; after which the common workmen follow, and increase it in breadth and depth equal to the other trenches. The sap may proceed at the rate of 80 fathoms in 14 hours. As this work is very hard, the half brigades relieve each other every hour, and each sapper in his turn takes the lead. The whole brigade is relieved at the end of 6 hours. It is always customary in this dangerous work, to give the pay of those that are killed to the survivors. Sappers are generally armed with a helmet and breast plate. See [Trenches], [Parallels].
SAPPERS, (Sappeurs, Fr.) are soldiers belonging to the artificers or engineers, whose business it is to work at the saps, and for which they have an extraordinary pay. A brigade of sappers generally consists of eight men, divided equally into two parties. Whilst one of these parties is advancing the sap, the other is furnishing the gabions, fascines, and other necessary implements; they relieve each other alternately.
SARISSA, the Pike.
SAROT, Fr. A sort of frock which was worn by the drivers of mules, and other persons employed in the French armies.