WIND-GUN. See [Air-Gun].
WINDLASS, (Vindas, Fr.) Is a roller of wood, square at each end, through which are either cross holes for handspikes or staves across to turn it round: by this means it draws a cord, one end of which is fastened to some weight which it raises up. They are used in gins, and about Dutch mortars, to help to elevate them. The French say Vindas ou Cabestan horizontal, the latter being a sea term.
WINDSAILS, (Manches à vent, Fr.) Large pieces of canvas, which are used in ships at sea for the purposes of ventilation, &c. During voyages in hot climates, the most beneficial effects are derived from the use of windsails. The master of the vessel should be desired to have them made immediately as troops are embarked, if not already provided, and they should be constantly hung up.—These sails throw a stream of cold air between decks, and it is not an unusual practice among the men, at least among the unexperienced soldiers, to tie up the bottom of them, by which this salutary purpose is defeated. The serjeant of the watch must be responsible that this irregularity is never committed.
To WINDWARD, (Au Vent, Fr.) As St. Domingo is to the windward of Jamaica.
WINGS of an army. When drawn up in battle, are the right and left parts counting from the centre; when a battalion is drawn up, the divisions on the right and left of the centre are called the wings. The word wing is sometimes used to denote the large sides of horn-works, crown-works, tenailles, and other out-works, &c.
WINTER-Quarters. See [Quarters].
WITHERBAND. A piece of iron laid under a saddle, about three inches above the withers of the horse, to keep tight the two pieces of wood.
WITNESSES. In fortification. See [Temoins].
Witnesses. In a military judicial sense, persons summoned by the judge-advocate, or any of his deputies, to attend at a general court-martial, there to speak to facts which they know of their own knowlege, and to which they can bona fide swear, from having been present at the transaction, &c. See Macomb on Court-Martials.
According to the articles of war, witnesses attending courts-martial are to be privileged from arrests, and not attending are liable to be attached.