FELLOW soldier one who fights under the same commander, a comrade. Dr. Johnson very properly calls this term an endearing appellation used by officers, to their soldiers. The French use an equivalent expression, camarade, or comrade; the officers also call the soldiers mes enfans, my boys or my children. The toils and perils, in fact of a military life, are so many, that an army fighting under the same banners may be truly called one family, and every officer should look upon himself as the father, the guardian, and the protector of his men.
FENCE, a guard, security, outwork, &c.
To Fence, to practice with foils; to fight with swords; to secure any place by pallisades, &c.
FENCIBLE, any thing capable of defence. Such regiments as are raised for limited service, and for a limited time, are called fencible regiments. They rank junior to the line.
FENCING, is the art or science of making a proper use of the sword, as well for attacking an enemy, as for defending one’s self. Fencing is a genteel exercise, of which no military gentleman should be ignorant. It is learned by practising with steel foils. See [Foils].
Fencing is either simple, or compound. Simple is that which is performed nimbly, and off hand, on the same line. In this the principal intention, in respect to the offensive part, should be to attack the enemy in the most unguarded quarter; and in the defensive, to parry or ward off the enemy’s thrusts or blows.
Attitude, in Fencing, the head upright, though the body hath a forward inclination on a longe; and all the weight resting on the left haunch when on guard. The feet, hand, body, arm, and sword, must be to the line.
Appel, in Fencing, is a sudden beat of your blade, on the contrary side to that you join your adversary on, and a quick disengagement to that side again.
Beating, in Fencing, is when you parry with a sudden short beat, to get a quick repost; or when you beat with your foot, to try if you are firm on it, or on both feet.
Battering, in Fencing, is to strike the feeble of your adversary’s blade on the side opposite to that you join, &c.