Interval between two battalions. The space which separates them when they are drawn up for action, or when they are encamped. This space is generally wide enough to admit the march of another battalion, that is to say, it is equal to the extent of its front when in line. When troops are encamped for the purpose of investing a town or fortified place, the interval is much greater, and seldom or ever less.
Interval between the line and the camp. This comprehends the space which lies between the camp and the line of entrenchments. It is generally from one hundred and eighty to two hundred toises in breadth; so that the different battalions and squadrons which are necessary for the security of the camp may have room to move in, while sufficient ground is left in the rear for troops to pass and repass as occasion may require. The same observation holds good with respect to contravallation.
INTERVALLE du Camp à la ligne, Fr. See [Interval between the line and the camp].
To INTRENCH, to secure against the attack of an enemy, by digging a ditch or trench.
To Intrench upon. To invade, to make incroachments upon the property or territories of another.
INTRENCHMENT, any work that fortifies a post against the attack of an enemy. The word is generally used to denote a ditch or trench with a parapet. Intrenchments are sometimes made of fascines, with earth thrown over them, of gabions, hogsheads, or bags filled with earth, to cover the men from the enemy’s fire. See [Retrenchment].
INTREPIDITE, Fr. See [Intrepidity].
INTREPIDITY. An unqualified contempt of death, and indifference to fortune, as far as it regards personal safety; a fearlessness of heart and a daring enterprize of mind. According to Rochefoucault, intrepidity, especially with regard to military daring, implies firmness of character, great confidence of mind, and extraordinary strength of soul. Buoyed up and supported by these qualities, (which are sometimes natural and sometimes acquired,) men become superior to every emotion of alarm, and are insensible of those perturbations of the heart which the prospect of imminent danger almost always engenders. Chevalier Folard defines it to be a settled contempt of death, a species of courage which so intoxicates the mind as to make it leap over the sober bounds of judgment and discretion; an enthusiastic impulse which urges us forward and renders danger imperceptible, or, if discovered, raises our sensations beyond the least impression of fear.
A general may be said to act with intrepidity, when with forces inferior to those of his enemy, and under all the disadvantages of ground, &c. he hazards a general action, attacks his whole front, and finally defeats him. This hardiness and enterprize of character not only surprize your enemy, but likewise create emotions of wonder. If, on the contrary, a general at the head of a small army should be known to act against another that is superior to him in every point, except that of talent and military skill, and if by means of these qualities, the former should by able manœuvres and well concerted measures, render all the designs and attempts of the latter fruitless and abortive (at a time and under circumstances, which might dishearten almost any other general,) it is then fair to conclude, that the conduct of such a general is the consequence of great military knowlege; but it cannot, with propriety be said to be the result of intrepidity; for it must be evident, that before any very dangerous step has been taken, most of the obstacles have been previously removed or rendered practicable.
An officer, who is not under the influence of that species of intrepidity which we have described, when he has once got upon equal ground, or finds it necessary to risk an action, will, without hesitation, advance against his enemy, depending wholly upon military skill and the superior disposition of his line of battle. Full of resources and with great presence of mind, he will march forward and obtain a victory, not by dint of courage or by the mere favor of fortune, but through judgment, military ingenuity, and great tactical knowlege. And yet it would be an injustice done to the character of such an officer, were it imagined, that he could act in this manner without possessing great intrepidity. We are rather of opinion that such a man must have the most undaunted courage, with the additional advantage of consummate prudence founded upon military knowlege. The intrepidity of his soul is calmed by the cooler judgment of his head; he is aware of difficulties, but is not disheartened by their appearance; he is, on the contrary, encouraged to surmount them by that self-possession, and by that unshaken presence of mind, which enable him to execute what might seem impracticable to others.