EMIGRANTS, persons who have quitted their native country.
EMINENCE, in military art, a high or rising ground, which overlooks and commands the low places about it: such places, within cannon shot of any fortified place, are a great disadvantage; for if the besiegers become masters of them, they can from thence fire into the place.
EMISSARY, a person sent by any power that is at war with another, for the purpose of creating disaffection among the people of the latter.
EMOUSSER, Fr. to blunt, to dull. In a military sense, it signifies to take off the four comers of a battalion, which has formed a square, and to give it, by those means, an octagon figure; from the different obtuse angles of which it may fire in all directions.
EMPALE. See [Fortify].
EMPATTEMENT, in fortification. See [Talus].
EMPILEMENT, Fr. from empiler, to pile up. The act of disposing balls, grenades, and shells, in the most secure and convenient manner. This generally occurs in arsenals and citadels.
EMPRIZE. See [Expedition].
EMULATION, in a military sense, is a noble jealousy, without the slightest tincture of envy, whereby gentlemen endeavor to surpass each other in the acquisition of military knowlege. Is not the want of encouragement to excite emulation, the great cause of misconduct among military men? An officer who is not protected, who is never sure of the least favor, neglects himself, and takes less trouble to acquire glory, rarely heard of, though merited by the bravest actions, than to enjoy the tranquillity of an ordinary reputation. Brave actions, by whomsoever accomplished, should never be buried in oblivion, as they excite to emulation, and are full of instruction.
ENAMBUSH. See [Ambush].