MOURIR, Fr. To die.
Mourir d’un bel epée, Fr. A French phrase, which signifies to fall under the hands of an enemy of great skill and reputation.
MOURNE, that part of a lance or halbert to which the steel or blade is fixed.
MOUSER. An ironical term, which is sometimes used in military sport to distinguish battalion men from the flank companies. It is indeed generally applied to them by the grenadiers and light bobs, meaning that while the latter are detached, the former remain in quarters, like cats to watch the mice, &c.
MOUSQUET, Fr. Musquet. This word, which signifies an old weapon of offence that was formerly fired by means of a lighted match, has been variously used among the French, viz. gros mousquet, a heavy musquet; un petit mousquet, a short musquet; un mousquet leger, a light musquet.
Recevoir un coup de Mousquet, Fr. To receive a musquet shot.
Porter le Mousquet dans une compagnie d’infanterie, Fr. To stand in the ranks as a foot soldier.
MOUSQUETADE, Fr. a musquet shot. Il fut tué d’une mousquetade; he was killed by a musquet shot. This term is generally used to express a smart discharge of musquetry: On a entendu une vive Mousquetade; they have heard a brisk discharge of musquetry.
MOUSQUETAIRES, Musqueteers, Fr. A body of men so called during the old government of France. It consisted of two companies, selected from the young men of noble extraction. The first company was formed in 1622, by Louis XIII. out of another company, called his Majesty’s Carabineers. The king was captain, so that the person who commanded had only the rank of captain lieutenant. The company remained upon this footing until 1640, when it was reduced at the instigation of cardinal Mazarine, who from personal motives, had taken a decided aversion to it. But Louis XIV. restored it in 1657, by the same appellation, and increased the establishment to 150 musqueteers. They were commanded by one captain-lieutenant, one sub-lieutenant, two ensigns, and two quarter-masters.
The second company, when first created, was attached to cardinal Mazarine as his personal guard; but the officers received their commissions from the king. An alteration took place in the management of this company in 1660, the men being incorporated with the rest of the troops that were destined for the immediate protection of his majesty’s person. In consequence of this change they did duty on foot, but were again mounted, in order to accompany the expedition against Marsal, which took place that year.