PASS, All’s Well, a term used by a British sentry after he has challenged a person that comes near his post, and has given him the proper parole, watchword, or countersign. See [Rounds].
PASSADE, Fr. See [Pass].
Passade, in the manege, is a horse’s walking or trotting in such a manner, that he raises the outward hind-leg and the inward fore-leg together; and, setting these two on the ground, raises the other two alternately, never gaining above a foot of ground at a time.
Demander la Passade, Fr. This term is used among the French to express the act of soliciting charity out of the usual way of persons begging, or who have not been accustomed to ask alms. Donner la passade a un pauvre soldat; to give alms to a poor soldier. Il y avoit sur le chemin beaucoup de soldats qui demandoient la passade; there were many soldiers on the road who asked charity.
PASSAGE, (passage, Fr.) This word, as to its general import, does not require explanation. It is familiar to everybody. In a military sense it may be variously understood for passages made over rivers or through defiles, which should always be secured when an army is on its march. Dragoons or light cavalry are generally employed upon this service, being, by the celerity of their motions, better calculated to get the start of an enemy. Passes through mountainous countries, and passages over rivers, may likewise be secured by means of light field pieces and flying artillery. The latter are particularly calculated for defiles. Intrenching tools, &c. must be carried with them.
If it be found expedient to cross a river, a sufficient number of pontoons, must accompany the detachment. Should the river be fordable, and a body of infantry have been brought up in time to act with the cavalry, the former must instantly make good its footing on the opposite side, carrying intrenching tools, &c. for the purpose of fortifying the tête du pont, and thereby securing the passage of the river. Rivers are crossed either by surprise, or by main force.
When the passage is to be effected by surprise, such movements and feints must be resorted to, as may induce the enemy to direct his means of opposition to a distant quarter from the one you have in contemplation. Every precaution must be taken to prevent him from getting the least intelligence respecting your boats of pontoons; and on this account you must frequently countermarch different bodies of troops to divert his attention. When the passage is to be effected by main force, you must take such a position as will enable you to command the one occupied by the enemy, and you must select that part of the river where there are small islands or creeks, under cover of which the boats and barges may ply.
Those spots upon the banks of a river are best calculated for this enterprise, where the stream forms a rentrant angle, because it is more easy, in cases of that sort, to plant your batteries in such a manner as to afford a cross fire against the opposite bank. The instant you have dislodged the enemy, by means of a superior force of artillery (which you must always provide for the purpose in question) a strong detachment composed of grenadiers, and other chosen troops, must cross in boats or barges, in order to stand the first shock of the enemy, under a well supported fire of artillery.
When this detachment has made good its footing, the boats or barges must instantly row back for fresh troops, whilst the pioneers, artificers, and workmen, who accompanied the grenadiers, throw up temporary redoubts, and are protected by the fire of the troops that have landed. As soon as the works are sufficiently advanced, and an adequate number of men has been distributed in them to secure the post, the bridge must be undertaken. Its head or tete must be made as strong as possible, to keep the enemy in check should he return, and endeavor to dislodge the advanced guard.
The main body must be put in motion shortly after the departure of the first detachment, in order to support the latter, should the enemy succeed in making a bold push to defeat it, and thereby prevent the numberless disadvantages which must ensue, if the army were permitted to cross the river, or to pass the defile without opposition.