The MOT, or parole, must always be given out during the day, except in cases of emergency; and it must never be delivered to any person, unless the individual who is entrusted with it be fully convinced, that he is authorised to receive it. It ought indeed to be given personally to him only to whom it is addressed by name. See Am Mil. Lib. Art. Staff.
MOTTO. Any sentence, either with or without a badge by which any regiment is particularly distinguished, as for example, the English 3d foot, or old Buffs, have a griffin embossed as their badge, and the motto, Veteri frondescit honore. The colors taken from this regiment in the American revolution are in the war office at Washington.
MOUCHARD, Fr. a domestic spy, an informer. Among the French it more particularly means a person who is employed to watch the motions of any marked man. Creatures of this infamous, although perhaps necessary, class, were constantly attached to the police of France. The term is little known in the United States, unless it be those mouchards established in the American coffee house, to give information to the British consuls. These gentlemen have been called, humorously enough, reporters. In a military sense, neither the term nor the practice can be properly understood; at least we should hope so, as it is beneath the high mind of a soldier to fetch and carry.
MOVEABLE PIVOT. When the pivot flank of any body of men describe in the wheel a smaller circle than the wheeling flank, the wheel is said to be made on a moveable pivot.
MOVEMENT. Every inspecting general should notice minutely and comparatively on the performance by each battalion of the great leading points of movement. He is particularly to observe and specify
Whether or not
The original formation be according to order? The marches are made with accuracy, at the required times and length of step, and on such objects as are given.
The proper distances in column and echellon are at all times preserved.
The wheelings are made just, and in the manner prescribed.
The formations into line are made true, without false openings, or necessity of correction.