It must be generally remarked, that as soon as a fuse is fixed to a grenade, which is not intended for immediate use, you must melt some pitch and immerse the head of the fuse, instantly dipping it into cold water, by which precaution the composition will remain unaltered; unless the wood be rotten.
FUSEE, FUSIL, or FUZEE, a light musquet.
FUSILS à l’épée, Fr. fusils with long bayonets, shaped like a cut and thrust sword. These weapons have been proposed by the writer of Melanges Militaires, as being extremely useful in the rear rank of a battalion, or in detached bodies that are stationed for the defence of baggage, &c.
Something similar to this invention has been adopted by the dismounted light horse volunteers in London, who have in addition temporary sword hilts made to fit the sockets of their bayonets.
Fusils, mousquets, Fr. a sort of fusil which was invented by Marshal Vauban, and which was so contrived, that in case the flint did not strike fire, the powder might be inflamed by means of a small match which was fixed to the breech.
Fusils à chevalets, a species of fusils upon rests, which is recommended by Marshal Vauban, to be used at the commencement of a siege, about 50 or 100 toises in front of the glacis, at the entrances of narrow passes, &c.
FUSILEERS, are soldiers armed like the infantry, with this difference only, that their musquets are shorter and lighter than those of the battalion and the grenadiers. They wear caps which are somewhat less in point of height, than common grenadier caps. There are three regiments in the English service: the royal regiment of Scotch Fusileers, raised in 1678; the royal regiment of Welch Fusileers, raised in 1685; and the royal regiment of Welch Fusileers, raised in 1688-9.
It is always presumed, that these corps, like the guards, possess an esprit de corps, which is peculiar to themselves.
As the fusileer regiments upon the British establishment are distinguished from other corps by some peculiarities, we shall briefly state what has occurred to us on the subject. In former times the officers of these regiments did not carry spontoons, but had fusils like the officers of flank companies throughout the line. At present they wear swords. It is necessary to remark, that there are not any ensigns in fusileer regiments; their junior officers rank as second lieutenants, taking precedence of all ensigns, and those of the 7th or Royal Fusileers, have no second lieutenants; so that they rank, with the rest of the army according to the dates of their several commissions, as lieutenants. On account of this difference, the first commission in the fusileers was, by a regulation issued from the War Office in 1773, rated fifty pounds higher than that of an ensign; whilst the first commission in the 7th having the pay of lieutenant attached to it, was rated at 500l. that of the other two, having only the pay of ensign annexed, was 450l.
When the estimates of the British army were made out for the year 1755, the extra sum of 164l. 5s. per annum was charged against the 7th regiment. This surplus, however, was easily explained when it came to be understood, that that regiment, being a fusileer corps, had 20 lieutenants, instead of 11 lieutenants and 9 ensigns. The difference between these commissions amounted to 9s. per diem, and the sum total to 164l. 5s. per annum. The 23d, or royal regiment of Welch fusileers, wear helmets; and all officers belonging to fusileer corps have two epaulettes.