Military Terms

Adranced Guará. - The dütaohmont of troops which precedes the main body of nn irmy or división. Base of Operations. - Th o lino ot country or fortresses occupied by troops from which military operations ad vanoe, from vvhieh munitions of war are supplicd, and to which retreatcan bo made in caso oí' necessity. Battalwn. - A body of infantr-y, of (rom two to ten coinp;uis. In most regiments of the line, battalinn and regiment are fynonyinous; but a regiment may consist of several butta'ions. Brigade.- Two or more bnttalions or reíments of infantry, urrited lor combined service under one officer. - A brigade of cavalry consisl's of two or more regiment. Artillerv is al.so brigaded, a bridgr.de consista usually of six pieces. A brigade of sappers consista of eight men. Canden. - The soldier's drinking vessel. Column. - A body or formation oí .roop.H, eonsisting of otie battalion or ïiore, drawn up with tho Severa] divisoiis beliind one another so as to presa nt n narrow iront. It is said to be close, or ojen column, t.ccording to thebreadths of the intervals betweon the corrtpanies ir bnttnliuns of whicli 't is composed. ■ Commi ssariat. - The department charged with supplying the artny with provisions, tenis, transporta, &c. Commupication ( Line of.) - The line of country, subdued or friendly, by rneans of which an artny in the field receives its supplies, and keeps up communication with its base of operations. Coup de Main. - An instantaneous and vigoro us attack, undertaken with the view of capturing aposition. Echelon. - The position of an nrmy or body of troops in the form of tho steps of a ladder, with one división more advanced than the other, so as to support or replace those in Iront. - Troops are said to-be en echelon when arranged in sucoessive linea parallel to each other, liko the steps of a ladder, so that they can support and replace sach other as exigency may require. Enfilaile - To sweep or rake with sanano and musketry a line of works :r body of troops, or doek of a ship Trom end to end ; to fire upon the flank f a line of troops. Esplanade. - A level ground within a fortified place, used lor exorcise, a walk, &c; properly, tho spaoe between the fortifications of the town and those of the citadel. Fatigue DiUy.- The labore in which soldiers are often engaged, distinct from tho uso of amis, each as carryiqg provisions, water, amrnunition, fuel, &c, cleansing barracks, &o , &c. Flank. - Tho extreme right or left ui au anny or of any body of troops ; a iso the extreme right or left of a mili;try position. To flank, is to attaok a body of troops on the side, or to distposo troops so as to attack them. Forlorn Hope - The body of pieked men gui'ded by engineer otficors, detaehod to lead the assault, or storm a íüftress, or to peribrm any ; aitended by great danger and peril. Haversack - A eoarse linon bag, in which soldier carry their provisions, when on a mareh or or. service. Honorsnf War . - Distinctions granted to a vanquished enemy, as of marching from a town, eatnp, or entronchment, with all the insignia of military etiquette. Jnvest - To post troops on every sido of a fortress'or town, so as to prevent the garrison from receiving supplics ol men, provisions, or ammunition, and from holding communication with any others. Knnpsack - A square loathern case, containing the soldier's regimental neuessaries; it is strapped on the soldier's back. Parale. - The promise on honor given bv a prisoner of war, when allowed to go at large, that he wil! re-appcar wheo required, or at an appointed time uulcss discharged. Tho pus9vord given out daily by the oommaridingofficer, in camp or grurison, by which to distinguish friends from foes. Pickefs (oitthjivg) are detachments of troops, cavalry and light infantiy, forming a chain oí outpos'.s, posted at some liltle distance trom tho camp in order to secure it from any surprise of the cnemy, as vvell as to keep reconnoitering partios at a dis: anee. Pickcts (inhjins) are detachments which remain in eimp ''ully equipped, nel ready to turn out on any aiarra. n Pioneers. - Soldier-i trained to work with pickaxe, spade, &c Tbey aro eniployed in repairing roads i'or the passage ot troops, clearing away ol strnctions, and vvorking at entrenchmenta. Pauch. - A strong leathern caso, lined with tin divisions in which a soldier kecps his ammunition. Ration - The allowance of provisión issued to troops. Reconnoitrc. - To examine an enemy's position and movemonts, the state oL his artny or camp. To examine or survcy the ground or line of. country intended for military operations. Regiment. - A body of troops divided into compames, each cotnmandod by a captain. A regiment averages frörn 800 to 1000 or 1200. Reveille. - The beat oí drums at break of day. The eentries after thffl do not challenge. Scouts. - Persons cmployod to observe the movements and gain intolligence of the number of an enemy. ShaJcm - The military cap. Stockade.-A lino oí stakes or posts, fixed in the ground, r,s a banier to the advanco of an enemy. Strategy.- The ïoience of conductin-;' complicated military " movements, einbraoiog Iho hole of a theatro o war. Taqtiat.- Pioparjy the art of arrang ingsoKliors, i. e., oí forming troops in order of bnttle, and of niaking such changes in thuir positions as circumstances or cxigenc'cs tnay require. Tumbrels ara covërod caria usod to convey tools, anunui'iition, &c, in a train of artillcry. Va. - The first lisio or front of -en army, in opposition to the rear or last line. Vi-lci'vs nre sentrioa monntod, st.itionod nt outpoets or eluvated points to observe tho i.iovements oí the enemy. Wingt - Tho extreme right and loft diviaions of an anny. OP Thcro are about iour lmndred slopps and tcbopnèré engjigod ia the oystei1 i '. 'V Vu."k.