A military dictionary

by William Duane

To MOTION a thing, to propose it in a military or civil meeting.

Motion, Fr. This word has been adopted by the French to convey the same meaning that it does in English, namely, a proposition; hence appuyer la motion dans une assemblée; to support a motion in a public assembly or meeting. Déliberer sur la motion, to deliberate upon the motion. Retirer sa motion, to withdraw one’s motion. Rejeter la motion, to throw out the motion.

MOTS d’ordre et de ralliement, Fr. In a recent publication, written by Paul Thiébault, adjutant-general, on the French staff, the following explanation is given of paroles and countersigns, which may be considered as the free translation of mots, with this exception, that the mot de ralliement seems peculiarly used in the French service. The parole and countersign only are practised, and their distinct import seems so little understood, that we shall not hesitate to give the whole article from the French.

The MOTS d’ordre et de ralliement, consist of three distinct and separate words, which are chosen for the specific purpose of enabling the soldiers belonging to the same army, to be in perfect intelligence with one another, especially during the night.

These words are composed in the following manner, viz. Le MOT d’ordre, or what we call the parole, must be taken from the name of some deceased person, to which must be added that of some town or country.

The mot de ralliement, must consist of a substantive, which does not relate either to the name of a man, the name of a town, or the name of a country.

These three words are given out every morning from head quarters, and are delivered sealed up, to the officers of the different guards, and to those persons who are entrusted with the command of an outpost, or have the charge of a patrole.

The MOT d’ordre, or parole, must never be confided beyond officers and non-commissioned officers; the mot de ralliement may in some cases be given to centries that are stationed at some distance from the outposts; but these should invariably consist of old soldiers, whose fidelity and courage can be depended on.

The mot d’ordre, or parole, as well as the mot de ralliement, is always given out from head quarters; nor ought any general or commanding officer to take upon himself to alter either, except under circumstances so peculiarly urgent, that the good of the service would justify the change. Among these circumstances may be considered, the desertion of a centinel from the out post, and the strong presumption, that the enemy has been made acquainted with the words, &c. Whenever this necessity occurs, all the commanding officers who have any communication with that quarter from whence the parole was issued, should instantly be made acquainted with the alteration.

With respect to the manner in which these words are to be delivered out, and the frequency of their circulation, the whole must depend upon circumstances. When an army or body of troops lies at some distance from the enemy, they are usually forwarded to the different quarters, camps, or cantonments, for five, ten, or fifteen days together. When close to the enemy, they are given out, as we have already observed, every day. When there is no ground to apprehend a surprize or attack, one word will be sufficient for each day: but, in critical cases, the parole must be changed two or three times during the night. If several corps are cantoned together, the mot d’ordre, or parole, must be sent to the officer commanding in the cantonment. When the troops are encamped, it is generally sent to the commanding officer of each regiment, and seldom to the commandant of each brigade.