To stand at Ease, in a technical acceptation of the term, is to draw the right foot back about six inches, and to bring the greatest part of the weight of the body upon it. The left knee must be a little bent, and the hands brought together before the body, the right hand in front. But the shoulders must invariably be kept back and square, the head to the front, and the whole carriage of the person be unconstrained.
In cold weather, when standing at ease, the men are permitted by command, to move their limbs without quitting their ground.
Stand at Ease, (from the support) on this command the soldier retires his right foot 6 inches, bends his left knee, and carrying the right hand smartly across the body, seizes the firelock by the small of the butt, and raises it sufficiently to slope it over his left shoulder, and relieve the left arm from the pressure of the cock. In some corps, instead of seizing the small of the butt with the right hand, they only place the hollow of the hand below the left elbow.
Ease arms, a word of command, given immediately after the order, to handle arms, by which the soldier is directed to drop his right hand to the full extent of the arm, from the top of the ramrod on the front of the sling, with his fingers spread along it.
EAU, Fr. water, is a principal object to be considered, whenever an army advances, retreats, or encamps. It is the quarter master general’s business, through his subordinate deputies, to secure this indispensible necessary of life. Small running rivulets are preferable to large rivers, because the latter cannot be so easily turned for the convenience of the army; whereas the former may be always stopped, or diverted from their natural course.
Wells are never resorted to, but in case of absolute necessity. Stagnant or pond water is in general unwholesome, and rarely limpid or clear.
Haute Eau. High water.
Basse Eau. Low water.
Eaux Meres ou Ameres, Fr. The water which remains after the first boiling of saltpetre. It has a bitter salt taste, and is used to fill the tubs a second time.
Petites Eaux, Fr. The water which remains after the saltpetre has been boiled to a certain degree. See [Saltpetre].