VANTAIL, Fr. Leaf of a folding door.
VANT-bras. Armor for the arm.
Droits de VARECH, Fr. The right to salvage. A term used in Normandy. Varech likewise signifies any vessel under water.
VARLOPE, Fr. A carpenter’s large plane.
VARSA, Ind. The rainy season.
VASANT, Ind. The mild season or spring.
VASSALS. They who in the feudal system were obliged to attend their lord in war, as a tenure by which they held their lands, &c.
VEDETTE, (Vedette, Fr.) in war, a centinel on horseback, with his horse’s head towards the place whence any danger is to be feared, and his carabine advanced, with the butt end against his right thigh. Vedettes are generally posted at the avenues, and on all the rising grounds, to guard the several passages when an enemy is encamped.
The Vedettes to the out-posts should always be double, for the following reasons: first, that whenever they make any discovery, one may be detached to the commanding officer of the out-posts; secondly, that they may keep each other watchful; and thirdly, that the vigilance of both may render it impossible for any thing to come near them without being seen. They should be at no greater distance from their detachments than 80 or 100 paces.
For particular instructions relative to the posting of Vedettes, see a treatise on the duties of an officer in the field, by baron Gross; Am. Mil. Lib.