Moveable Towers, in ancient military history, were three stories high, built with large beams, each tower was placed on 4 wheels or trucks, and towards the town covered with boiled leather, to guard it from fire, and to resist the darts: on each story 100 archers were posted. They were pushed with the force of men to the city wall. From these the soldiers, placed in the different stages, made such vigorous discharges that none of the garrison dared to shew themselves on the rampart.
TOWN. Any walled collection of houses.
Town-Adjutant. An assistant to the town-major. See [Adjutant].
Town-Major. An officer constantly employed about the governor or officer commanding a garrison, &c. He issues the orders to the troops, and reads the common orders to fresh troops when they arrive. He commands according to the rank he had in the army; but if he never had any other commission than that of town or fort-major, he is to command as youngest captain. See [Major].
TRABAND. A trusty brave soldier in the Swiss infantry, whose particular duty was to guard the colors and the captain who led them. He was armed with a sword and a halbert, the blade of which was shaped like a pertuisan. He generally wore the colonel’s livery, and was excused all the duties of a centry. His pay was eight deniers more than the daily subsistence of the company.
TRABEA, Trabee, Fr. A white gown bordered with purple, and adorned with clavi or trabeæ of scarlet. See Kennett’s R. A. page 313.
TRACER, Fr. To trace.
TRACES. The harness by which beasts of draught are enabled to move bodies to which they are yoked.
TRAHISON, Fr. Treason.
Haute Trahison, Fr. High treason.