shoulders Forward, an absurd word of command, used in the British exercise. It is a gross misconception of the French line of science, which requires the whole body to face in the given inclination; every man must see that it is impossible for a soldier to march either with ease or grace in such a position. See [Line of Science].
FOSSE, in fortification. See [Ditch].
Fosses pleins d’eau, Fr. Wet Ditches. See [Fortification].
Fosses secs, Fr. Dry ditches.
Fosses revétus, Fr. Ditches that are lined.
Fosses non revétus, Fr. Ditches that are not lined.
FOUCADE, FOUGADE, a small mine.
FOUGASS, in mining, a small mine, from 6 to 8 feet under ground: It is generally placed under the glacis or dry ditches.
FOUGETTE. Fr. Indian sky-rocket, a species of fire-work which is frequently used by the Asiatics. The author of a late military production in France makes the following observations relative to advantages which might be derived from this weapon against cavalry, and for the defence of fortified places, or intrenchments. He observes, that the fougette, in shape, resembles a sky-rocket, whose flight is gradually brought to run along an horizontal direction. By throwing several fougettes into parks of artillery and upon the caissons, &c. considerable damage might be occasioned from the fire which would inevitably be communicated to some part. A fougette forces itself immediately forward, cuts as it penetrates, by the formation of its sides, which are filled with small spikes, becomes combustible and on fire at all its points; and possesses within itself a thousand various means by which it can adhere to whatever object it is destined to set on fire or to destroy. This weapon would be more effectual, because it might be more variously applied, to defend the mouth of a harbor against an enemy’s shipping, than red-hot balls can ever prove. Fougettes might be used on board ships of war, but there would certainly be some danger in the experiment; although, in my humble opinion, a little experience would effectually remove that difficulty; in which case ships might run along a coast, and easily destroy the wooden works that are sometimes erected upon it. They would in the first place occasion more havoc than red-hot balls; and in the next, they might be used whilst the vessel was in full sail; which cannot be done in the first instance. By means of their natural velocity they would do more execution in a less space of time, than the most active piece of ordnance could effect; and they would require fewer hands, as the only necessary operation would be to light and dart them forward. As a defensible weapon it must naturally be allowed, that, where a small body of men is attacked, the fougette might be adopted with considerable advantage.—The writer of this article, who, we find, is likewise the inventor of a fougette which has been submitted to the French government, continues to argue much in favor of its adoption. If, adds he, our enemies should imitate the invention, we must then have recourse, especially in sea-fights to those pieces of ordnance which are calculated to do more execution at a distance; and it will then be our business to contrive fougettes that shall reach their shipping, by means of a greater degree of force and velocity which might be given to them, than they would be capable of attaining. See [Rocket].
FOUILLER, Fr. To search. In a military sense, it signifies to detach small bodies of infantry round the flanks of a column that is marching through a wood, for the purpose of discovering an ambuscade, and of giving timely notice that it may be avoided. The same precaution is necessary when a body of men advances towards or enters a village.