AVENUE, in fortification, is any kind of opening or inlet into a fort, bastion, or out-work.
AUGET, or Augette, Fr. A wooden pipe which contains the powder by which a mine is set fire to.
AULNE de Paris, a French measure, containing 44 inches, used to measure sand-bags.
AUTHORITY, in a general acceptation of the term, signifies a right to command, and a consequent right to be obeyed. The appointment of officers in the army of the United States is in the nomination by the president, and approved by a majority of the Senate. The president may however dismiss at his discretion. The king of Great-Britain has the power to exercise military authority without controul, as far as regards the army; and may appoint or dismiss officers at his pleasure.
AUXILIARY. Foreign or subsidiary troops which are furnished to a belligerent power in consequence of a treaty of alliance, or for pecuniary considerations. Of the latter description may be considered the Hessians that were employed by Great-Britain to enslave America.
AWARD, the sentence or determination of a military court.
AXLE-TREE, a transverse beam supporting a carriage, and on the ends of which the wheels revolve. See [Carriages].
B.
BACK-Step, the retrograde movement of a man or body of men without changing front; it is half the forward step.
BACKWARDS, a technical word made use of in the British service to express the retrograde movement of troops from line into column, and vice versa. See [Wheel].