THREE DEEP. Soldiers drawn up in three ranks, consisting of front, centre, and rear, are said to be three deep. It is the fundamental order of the infantry, in which they should always form and act in close order, and for which all their operations and movements are calculated.
THREES. A term used in the telling off in squadron, because the front of three horses in rank, is equal to the length of one horse from head to tail.
Ranks by threes. Each half squadron is told off by threes. See [Cavalry], Mil. Library.
To THROW. To force any thing from one place to another; thus artillerists say, to throw a shot or shell, or so many shot or shells were thrown.
THRUST. Hostile attack with any pointed weapon, as in fencing. When one party makes a push with his sword to wound his adversary with the point it is called a thrust.
THUMBSTALL. A piece of leather which every careful soldier carries with him to secure the lock of his musquet from moisture.
THUNDERING-legion, was a legion in the Roman army consisting of Christian soldiers, who, in the expedition of the emperor Marcus Aurelius against the Sarmatæ, Quadi, and Marcomanni, saved the whole army, then ready to perish from thirst, by procuring, by their prayers, a very plentiful shower thereon, and at the same time a furious storm of hail, mixed with lightning and thunderbolts, on the enemy.
This is the account commonly given by ecclesiastical historians, and the whole history is engraven in bass-relievos on the Antonine column.
TIDEGATE. See [Sluice-gate].
TIERCE. A thrust in fencing, delivered at the outside of the body over the arm.