A military dictionary

by William Duane

Echellon movements by half battalions or less, are made by their directing flank, which is always the one advanced from, or wheeled to. Echellon movements by whole battalions, are governed by their advanced serjeants. Echellon movements by several battalions are made in line, each by its own centre, and the whole by the directing flank.

Movements that are made in face of an enemy. (Mouvemens devant l’ennemi Fr.) There is no operation in war which requires so much nicety, precision, and judgement, as that of retreating in the presence of an enemy. Every movement from the direct line of battle is more or less critical; but when a regiment is obliged to retire under the eye, and perhaps the fire of a pursuing foe, the utmost presence of mind is required in the officers who command, and the greatest steadiness in the men. In a situation of this sort it becomes the peculiar duty of the field officers, to see that every change of manœuvre, and every movement, be made with promptitude and accuracy. For although they be subordinate to others, and must of course, follow superior directions, yet so much of the executive duty rests with them that their character and abilities, as officers, will be more conspicuous on these occasions than in any other. The movements of a corps which retreats, consist in retrograde marches, in line, by alternate companies, in column, by wings, or in square.

Eventail or Fan Movement. This movement is performed on the march, and must be begun at a distance behind the line, proportionate to the body which is to oblique and form. It may be applied to one battalion, but hardly to a more considerable body, which would find great difficulty in the execution. It gives a gradual increase of front during a progressive movement. With justness it can be made on a front division only, not on a central or rear one: in proportion as the leading platoon shortens its step, will the one behind it, and successively each other come up into line with it. As soon as the colors of the battalion come up, they become the leading point. Although it is an operation of more difficulty, yet if the leading division continues the ordinary, and the obliquing ones take the quick step, till they successively are up with it, a battalion column which is placed behind the flank of a line, may, in this manner, during the march, and when near to the enemy, gradually lengthen out that line.

Vourff or quick Movement. This movement is frequently resorted to when the head of a considerable open column in march arrives at, or near the point from which it is to take an oblique position facing to its then rear, and at which points its third, fourth, or any other named battalion, is to be placed.

The justness of the movement depends on the points in the new direction being taken up quickly, and with precision. On the previous determination that a certain battalion, or division of a battalion, shall pass or halt at the point of intersection; and that every part of the column which is behind that battalion, shall throw itself into open column on the new line behind the point of intersection, ready to prolong or to form the line whenever it comes to its turn.

This movement will often take place in the change of position of a second line, and is performed by all those that are behind the division, which is to stop at the point where the old and new lines intersect. And at all times when the open column changes into a direction on which it is to form, and that the division which is to be placed at the point of entry can be determined, it much facilitates the operation to make every thing behind that division gain the new line as quick as possible, without waiting till the head of the column halts.

MOUFLE, Fr. a sort of stuffed glove. It is common among the French to say, Il ne faut pas y aller sans moufles; figuratively meaning, that no dangerous enterprise ought to be undertaken without sufficient force to carry it into execution.

MOUILLAGE, Fr. Anchorage.

MOUILLER, Fr. To anchor. To let go the anchor.

MOULDS, for casting shot for guns, musquets, rifles, and pistols: the first are of iron, used by the founders, and the others by the artillery in the field, and in garrison.