VIEUX corps, Fr. A term used among the French before the revolution, to distinguish certain old regiments. There were six of this description, viz. Picardy, Piedmont, Navarre, Champagne, Normandy, and the marine corps. The three first were formed in 1562, and that of Champagne in 1575. They were then called Les vieilles bandes; the ancient or old bands; and before that period, each was known by the name of its colonel.
Les petits Vieux corps, Fr. La Tour du Pin, Bourbonnois, Auvergne, Belsunce, Meilly, and the regiment du Roi, or the king’s own, were so called during the French monarchy. All the other regiments ranked according to the several dates of their creation, and the officers took precedence in consequence of it.
VIEW of a place. The view of a place is said to be taken when the general, accompanied by an engineer, reconnoitres it, that is, rides round the place, observing its situation, with the nature of the country about it; as hills, valleys, rivers, marshes, woods, hedges, &c.; thence to judge of the most convenient place for opening the trenches and carrying on the approaches; to find out proper places for encamping the army, and for the park of artillery.
To View. See [To Reconnoitre]. See Am. Mil. Lib.
VIF, Fr. This word is frequently used among the French to signify the core, or inside of any thing—viz:
Vif d’un arbre, Fr. The inside of a tree.
Vif d’une pierre, Fr. The inside of a stone.
Vif de l’eau, Fr. High water.
VIGIER, Fr. To keep watch.
Vigier une flotte de vaisseaux marchands, Fr. To convoy a fleet of merchantmen.