EQUITES, an order of equestrian knights introduced among the Romans by Romulus.
ESCADRON, Fr. Squadron. This term is derived from the Italian scara or scadra, corrupted from the Latin quadrum. Froissart was the first French writer that made use of the word escadron to signify a troop of horse drawn out in order of battle. The term escadron is more ancient than battalion. See [Squadron].
ESCALADE. See [Scalade].
Escalade d’un soldat was used in the old French service to express the act of a soldier who got into a town, camp, or quarters, by scaling the ramparts, &c. When discovered in the act of so doing, the centinels had orders to fire at him; and if apprehended, he was tried and condemned to death.
ESCALE, Fr. a machine used to apply the petard.
ESCARMOUCHE, Fr. See [Skirmish].
ESCARPE, is the outward slope or talus of the rampart.
ESCARPMENT. See [Declivity].
ESCORT, in the art of war. See [Convoy].
ESCORTS, Fr. See [Convoy].