Alet, orAleth. A small city in the department of Ande, France; was taken by the Protestants in 1573.
Aleut.An inhabitant of the Aleutian Islands. These people differ both from the Indians of the neighboring continent and the Esquimaux farther north. They are expert hunters of the seal and other animals. They are industrious and peaceful, but addicted to drunkenness.
Aleutian Islands.A number of islands stretching from the peninsula of Alaska in North America to Kamtschatka in Asia. The greater number belong to the territory of Alaska.
Alfere, orAlferez. Standard-bearer; ensign; cornet. The old English term for ensign; it was in use in England till the civil wars of Charles I.
Alford(Northern Scotland),Battle of. Gen. Baillie, with a large body of Covenanters, was defeated by the Marquis of Montrose, July 2, 1645.
Alfuro.A city in Navarre, Spain. The British proceeded against the city in 1378, the garrison being absent; they found the women ranged on the ramparts disposed to defend the place. Capt. Tivet, commander of the English forces, would not attack the brave women, but retreated and did not molest the place.
Algebra.A peculiar kind of mathematical analysis allied to arithmetic and geometry.
Algidus.A mountain-range in Latium, Italy, where Cincinnatus defeated the Æqui in 458B.C.
Algiers(nowAlgeria, Northwest Africa). Part of the ancient Mauritania, which was conquered by the Romans, 46B.C.; by the Vandals, 439; recovered for the empire by Belisarius, 534, and subdued by the Arabs about 690. The city of Algiers was bombarded a number of times, and finally taken by the French in 1830. Algeria at present belongs to France.
Algonkins, orAlogonquins. One of the two great families of Indians who formerly peopled the country east of the Mississippi. The Chippewas are at present the most numerous race descended from this stock.
Alhama.A city in Spain, in the province of Granada. It was a most important fortress when the Moors ruled Granada, and its capture by the Christians in 1482 was the most decisive step in the reduction of their power.
Alhambra.The ancient fortress and residence of the Moorish monarchs of Granada; founded by Mohammed I. of Granada about 1253; surrendered to the Christians in November, 1491.
Ali Bey.Colonel of Turkish cavalry; also the rank of a district commander.
Alibi(Lat.“elsewhere”). An alibi is the best defense in law if a man is innocent; but if it turns out to be untrue, it is conclusive against those who resort to it.
Alicante.A fortified city and seaport in Spain, where the French defeated the Spaniards in a naval battle, April 1, 1688.
Alidade.The movable arm or rule carrying the sights of an angle-measuring instrument.
Alien.In law, implies a person born in a foreign country, in contradistinction to a natural born or naturalized person.
Alife(Alifa). A city in the kingdom of Naples, where Fabius defeated the Samnites in 307B.C.
Alighur.SeeAllyghur.
Align.To form in line as troops; to lay out the ground-plan, as of a road.
Alignment.A formation in straight lines, for instance, the alignment of a battalion means the situation of a body of men when drawn up in line. The alignment of a camp signifies the relative position of the tents, etc., so as to form a straight line from given points.
Aliwal.A village on the banks of the Sutlej, contiguous to the Punjab, where a British division, commanded by Maj.-Gen. Sir Henry Smith, on the 29th of January, 1846, encountered and defeated a superior body of Sikhs.
Aljubarrota(Portugal). Here John I. of Portugal defeated John I. of Castile, and secured his country’s independence, August 14, 1385.
Alkmaer.SeeBergen-op-Zoom.
Allahabad(Northwest Hindostan). The holy city of the Indian Mohammedans, situated at the junction of the rivers Jumna and Ganges; founded by Akbar, in 1583; incorporated with the British possessions in 1803. During the Indian mutiny several Sepoy regiments rose and massacred their officers, June 4, 1857; Col. Neil marched promptly from Benares and suppressed the insurrection. In November, 1861, Lord Canning made this the capital of the northwest provinces.
Allecrete.Light armor used by both cavalry and infantry in the 16th century, especially by the Swiss. It consisted of a breastplate and gussets, often reaching to the middle of the thigh, and sometimes below the knees.
Allecti Milites.A name given by theRomans to a body of men who were drafted for military service.
Allegiance.In law, implies the obedience which is due to the laws.Oath of Allegianceis that taken by an alien, by which he adopts America and renounces the authority of a foreign government. It is also applied to the oath taken by officers and soldiers in pledge of their fidelity to the state.
Allegiant.Loyal; faithful to the laws.
Allia(Italy). A small river flowing into the Tiber, where Brennus and the Gauls defeated the Romans, July 16, 390B.C.The Gauls sacked Rome and committed so much injury that the day was thereafter held to be unlucky (nefas), and no public business was permitted to be done on its anniversary.
Alliage(Fr.). A term used by the French to denote the composition of metals used for the fabrication of cannon, mortars, etc.
Alliance.In a military sense, signifies a treaty entered into by sovereign states for their mutual safety and defense. In this sense alliances may be divided into such as are offensive, where the contracting parties oblige themselves jointly to attack some other power; and into such as are defensive, whereby the contracting powers bind themselves to stand by and defend one another, in case of being attacked by any other power. Alliances are variously distinguished according to their object, the parties in them, etc. Hence we read of equal, unequal, triple, quadruple, grand, offensive, defensive alliances, etc.
Alligati.A name given by the Romans to prisoners of war and their captors. A chain was attached to the right wrist of the prisoner and the left wrist of the warrior who captured him.
Allobroges.A powerful race in ancient Gaul; inhabited a part of Savoy; vanquished by Fabius Maximus, 126B.C.
Allocutio.An oration addressed by a Roman general to his soldiers, to animate them to fight, to appease sedition, or to keep them to their duty.
Allodial.Independent; not feudal. The Allodii of the Romans were bodies of men embodied on any emergency, in a manner similar to our volunteer associations.
Allonge.A pass or thrust with a rapier or small sword, frequently contracted intolunge; also a long rein used in the exercising of horses.
Allowance.A sum paid periodically for services rendered. The French use the wordtraitmentin this sense. The allowances of an officer are distinct from his pay proper, and are applicable to a variety of circumstances.
Alloy.Is a composition by fusion of two or more metals. The alloy most used for gun-making isbronze(which see).
Allumelle.A thin and slender sword which was used in the Middle Ages, to pierce the weak parts or joints of armor.
Ally.In a military sense, implies any nation united to another,—under a treaty either offensive or defensive, or both.
Allyghur.A strong fortress on the northwest of India, which was captured, after a desperate conflict, by Lord Lake, in 1803. The French commander-in-chief, Gen. Perron, surrendered himself after the siege.
Alma.A river in the Crimea, near which was fought a great battle on September 20, 1854, between the Russian and Anglo-French armies; the Russians were defeated with great loss.
Almadie.A kind of military canoe or small vessel, about 24 feet long, made of the bark of a tree, and used by the negroes of Africa. Almadie is also the name of a long boat used at Calcutta, often from 80 to 100 feet long, and generally 6 or 7 broad; they are rowed with from 10 to 30 oars.
Alman-rivets,Almain-rivets, orAlmayne-rivets. A sort of light armor derived from Germany, characterized by overlapping plates which were arranged to slide on rivets, by means of which flexibility and ease of movement were promoted.
Almaraz, Bridge of.In Spain, which on the 18th of May, 1812, was captured by Lord Hill, when he defeated a large Frenchcorps d’armée, which was one of the most brilliant actions of the Peninsular war.
Almeida.A strong fortress of Portugal, in the province of Beira. The capture of it by the Duke of Wellington, in 1811, after it had fallen into the hands of the French, was deemed a very brilliant exploit.
Almenara, orAlmanara. City in Spain, in the province of Lerida, where, in 1710, Gen. Stanhope, with 4 regiments of dragoons and 20 companies of grenadiers, defeated a Spanish corps, composed of 4 battalions and 19 escadrons.
Almeria.City and seaport in Andalusia, Spain; captured from the Moors in 1147, by the united troops of Alfonso VII., king of Castile, Garcias, king of Navarre, and Raymond, count of Barcelona.
Almexial, Battle of.Between the Spaniards and Portuguese in 1663. The Portuguese were commanded by Sanctius Manuel, count of Vilaflor, and the celebrated Count Frederick von Schomberg, the latter being the veritable hero of the day. The Portuguese gained a great victory; the Spanish army was commanded by Don Juan of Austria, son of Philip IV.
Almissa(Dalminium). City in Dalmatia, Austria; it was the ancient capital of Dalmatia, but was ruined by Scipio Nasica in 156B.C.
Almogavares.SeeCatalans.
Almohades.Mohammedan partisans, followers of El-Mehedi in Africa, about 1120. They subdued Morocco, 1145; entered Spain and took Seville, Cordova, and Granada, 1146-56; ruled Spain until 1232, and Africa until 1278.
Almonacid-de-Zorita.A town in the province of Guadalaxara, Spain, where the French defeated the Spaniards in 1809.
Almora.City in Bengal, which the English captured in 1815, and still hold.
Almoravides.Mohammedan partisans in Africa, rose about 1050; entered Spain by invitation, 1086; were overcome by the Almohades in 1147.
Alney.An island in the Severn, Gloucestershire, England. Here a combat is asserted to have taken place between Edmund Ironside and Canute the Great, in the sight of their armies. The latter was wounded, and proposed a division of the kingdom, the south part falling to Edmund. Edmund was murdered at Oxford shortly after, it is said, by Aedric Streon, and Canute obtained possession of the whole kingdom, 1016.
Alnwick(Sax.Elnwix). On the river Alne in Northumberland, England, was given at the Conquest to Ivo de Vesco. It has belonged to the Percies since 1310. Malcolm, king of Scotland, besieged Alnwick in 1093, where he and his sons were killed. It was taken by David I. in 1136, and attacked in 1174, by William the Lion, who was defeated and taken prisoner. It was owned by King John in 1215, and by the Scots in 1448. Since 1854 the castle has been repaired and enlarged with great taste and at unsparing expense.
Alost.A city in Belgium, captured and dismantled by Turenne in 1667, then abandoned to the allies after the battle of Ramillies, in 1706.
Alps.European mountains. Those between France and Italy were passed by Hannibal, 218B.C.; by the Romans, 154B.C., and by Napoleon I., May, 1800.
Alsace.SeeElsass.
Altenheim.A village on the banks of the Rhine, grand duchy of Baden, where the French under Count de Lorges fought the Imperials, July 30, 1675, neither side being victorious; the French army retreated after the death of Turenne.
Altenkirchen.A town in the Prussian Rhine province, where several battles were fought during the war of the Republic, in one of which Gen. Marceau was killed, while protecting the retreat of Gen. Jourdan, September 20, 1796.
Altiscope.A device which enables a person to see an object in spite of intervening obstacles. In gunnery it is used to point a piece without exposing the person of the gunner. The simplest form consists of a small mirror set in the line of the sights, which reflects the sights and the object aimed at to the eye of the gunner. This form of reflecting sight is used with the Moncrieff counterpoise carriage, and has been recently proposed by Col. Laidley (U. S. Ordnance Corps) for small-arms.
Altitude.Height, or distance from the ground, measured upwards, and may be both accessible and inaccessible. Altitude of a shot or shell, is the perpendicular height of the vortex of the curve in which it moves above the horizon. Altitude of the eye, in perspective is a right line let fall from the eye, perpendicular to the geometrical plane.
Alumbagh.A palace with other buildings near Lucknow, Oude, India, taken from the rebels and heroically defended by the British under Sir James Outram, during the mutiny, September, 1857. He defeated an attack of 30,000 Sepoys on January 12, 1858, and of 20,000 on February 21.
Aluminium Bronze.An alloy of copper and aluminium, having great strength and hardness. SeeOrdnance, Metals for.
Alure.An old term for the gutter or drain along a battlement or parapet wall.
Alveda.An ancient city in Spain, where a battle was fought between Ramire I., king of the Austurias, and the Moors under the famous Abdolrahman, or Abd-el-Rahm; according to Spanish history, the Moors lost 60,000 men.
Amantea, orAmantia. City and seaport in Naples; sustained a siege against the French in 1806. It is believed that this city is the ancientNepetum.
Amazons.Female warriors. Tribes, either real or imaginary, belonging to Africa and Asia, among which the custom prevailed for the females to go to war; preparing themselves for that purpose by destroying the right breast, in order to use the bow with greater ease. According to Greek tradition, an Amazon tribe invaded Africa, and was repulsed by Theseus, who afterwards married their queen. Hence all female warriors have been called Amazons.
Amberg.A town in Bavaria, where the French were defeated by the Austrians in 1796.
Ambit.The compass or circuit of any work or place, as of a fortification or encampment, etc.
Ambition.In a military sense, signifies a desire of greater posts or honors. Every person in the army or navy ought to have a spirit of emulation to arrive at the very summit of the profession by his personal merit.
Amblef.Ancient residence of the kings of France on the river of the same name, in Germany. Here Charles Martel defeated Chilperic II. and Rangenfroi, mayor of the Neustrians, 716.
Ambulances.Are flying hospitals, so organized that they can follow an army in all its movements, and are intended to succor the wounded as soon as possible; a two- or four-wheeled vehicle for conveying the wounded from the field; called also an ambulance-cart.
Ambuscade.A snare set for an enemy either to surprise him when marching without precaution, or to draw him on by different stratagems to attack him with a superior force.
Ambush.A place of concealment where an enemy may be surprised by a sudden attack.
Ame.A French term, similar in its import to the wordchamber, as applied to cannon, etc.
Amende Honorable(Fr.). In the oldarmies, of France, signified an apology for some injury done to another, or satisfaction given for an offense committed against the rules of honor or military etiquette, and was also applied to an infamous kind of punishment inflicted upon traitors, parricides, or sacrilegious persons, in the following manner: The offender being delivered into the hands of the hangman, his shirt stripped off, a rope put about his neck, and a taper in his hand; then he was led into the court, where he begged pardon of God, the court, and his country. Sometimes the punishment ended there; but sometimes it was only a prelude to death, or banishment to the galleys. It prevails yet in some parts of Europe.
Amenebourg.A place in Hanover which was captured from the English by the French in 1762.
Amentatæ.A sort of lance used by the Romans, which had a leathern strap attached to the centre of it.
Amentum.A leathern strap used by the Romans, Greeks, and Galicians, to throw lances. It was fastened around the second and third fingers, a knot was tied on it, which at the throwing of the lance loosened itself.
America.One of the great divisions of the earth’s surface, so called from Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine navigator, who visited South America in 1499. It is composed of two vast peninsulas called North and South America, extending in a continuous line 9000 miles, connected by the Isthmus of Panama or Darien, which is only 28 miles wide at its narrowest part. The physical features of this large continent are on a most gigantic scale, comprising the greatest lakes, rivers, valleys, etc., in the world; and its discovery, which may be said to have doubled the habitable globe, is an event so grand and interesting that nothing parallel to it can be expected to occur again in the history of mankind. Upon its discovery, in the latter half of the 15th century, colonists, settlers, warriors, statesmen, and adventurers of all nations began to flock to its shores, until after a lapse of nearly four centuries of wars, struggles, civilization, progress, and amalgamation of the more powerful races, and weakness and decay of the effete, it ranks in wealth and enlightenment as the first of the great divisions of the earth. Of the different races, governments, etc., occupying its area, it is not necessary here to speak; events of importance in their histories will be found under appropriate headings in this work.
Ames Gun.The rifled guns made by Mr. Horatio Ames, of Falls Village, Conn., are made of wrought iron on the built-up principle. SeeOrdnance, Construction of.
Amiens.A city in Picardy (Northern France). It was taken by the Spaniards March 11, and retaken by the French September 25, 1587. The preliminary articles of the peace between Great Britain, Holland, France, and Spain were signed in London by Lord Hawkesbury and M. Otto, on the part of England and France, October 1, 1801, and the definitive treaty was subscribed at Amiens, March 27, 1802, by the Marquis of Cornwallis for England, Joseph Bonaparte for France, Azara for Spain, and Schimmelpennick for Holland. War was declared in 1803.
Amisus.A city in the ancient kingdom of Pontus, fortified by Mithridates, and captured by Lucullus in 71B.C.
Ammedera.An ancient city in Africa, where the rebel Gildon was defeated by Stilicho in 398.
Ammunition.Is a term which comprehends gunpowder, and all the various projectiles and pyrotechnical composition and stores used in the service. SeeOrdnance, Ammunition for.
Ammunition Bread.That which is for the supply of armies and garrisons.
Ammunition-chest.SeeOrdnance for Caisson.
Ammunition Shoes.Those made for soldiers and sailors in the British service are so called, and particularly for use by those frequenting the magazine, being soft and free from metal.
Ammunition, Stand of.The projectile, cartridge, and sabot connected together.
Amnesty.An act by which two belligerent powers at variance agree to bury past differences in oblivion; forgiveness of past offenses.
Amnias.A stream in Asia near which the army of Nicomedes, king of Bithynia, was defeated by the troops of Mithridates in 92B.C.
Amorce(Fr.). An old military word for fine-grained powder, such as was sometimes used for the priming of great guns, mortars, or howitzers; as also for small-arms, on account of its rapid inflammation. A port-fire or quick-match.
Amorcer(Fr.). To prime; to decoy, to make a feint in order to deceive the enemy and draw him into a snare; to bait, lure, allure.
Amorcoir(Fr.). An instrument used to prime a musket; also for a small copper box in which were placed the percussion-caps.
Amoy.A town and port in China, which was taken by the troops under Sir Hugh Gough, assisted by a naval force, in August, 1841.
Ampfing.A village in Bavaria, where Louis, king of Bavaria, defeated Frederick of Austria in 1322; here Gen. Moreau was attacked by a superior force of Austrians in 1800, and accomplished his celebrated retreat.
Amphea.A city of Messenia, captured by the Lacedæmonians in 743B.C.
Amphec.A city in Palestine where the Philistines defeated the Israelites in the year 1100B.C.
Amphictyonic Council.A celebrated congress of deputies of twelve confederated tribes of ancient Greece, which met twice every year. The objects of this council were to insure mutual protection and forbearanceamong the tribes, and for the protection of the temple of Delphi.
Amphipolis(nowEmboli). A city situated on the Strymon in Macedonia; was besieged in 422B.C., by the Athenians, where Cleon their chief was killed. Philip of Macedon captured the city in 363.
Amplitude.In gunnery, is the range of shot, or the horizontal right line, which measures the distance which it has run.
Ampoulette(Fr.). A wooden cylinder which contains the fuze of hollow projectiles.
Amsterdam.The capital of Holland. It was occupied by the French general Pichegru on January 19, 1795, and by the Prussians in 1813.
Amstetten.A village on the highway between Ems and Vienna, where the Russians were defeated by the French under Murat, November 5, 1805.
Amusette(Fr.). A brass gun, of 5 feet, carrying a half-pound leaden ball, loaded at the breech; invented by the celebrated Marshal Saxe. It is no longer used.
Amyclæ.An ancient town of Laconia, on the right bank of the Eurotas, famous as one of the most celebrated cities of the Peloponnesus in the heroic age. It is said to have been the abode of Castor and Pollux. This town was conquered by the Spartans about 775B.C.
Anabash.In antiquity, were expeditious couriers, who carried dispatches of great importance in the Roman wars.
Anacara.A sort of drum used by the Oriental cavalry.
Anacleticum.In the ancient art of war, a particular blast of the trumpet, whereby the fearful and flying soldiers were rallied to the combat.
Anah.A city in Asiatic Turkey, which was captured and devastated in 1807 by the Wahabites, who were a warlike Mohammedan reforming sect.
Anam, orAnnam, Empire of. Also called Cochin China, an empire in Southeastern Asia, which became involved in a war with France (1858-62), concluded by a treaty by which the emperor of Anam ceded the provinces of Cochin China, Saigon, Bienhoa, and Mytho to France. Subsequently three other provinces were annexed to France in 1867.
Anapa.A city in Circassia which was fortified by the Turks in 1784; stormed and taken by the Russians in 1791.
Anarchy.Want of government; the state of society where there is no law or supreme power, or where the laws are not efficient, and individuals do what they please with impunity; political confusion; hence, confusion in general.
Anatha.A fort on an island of the Euphrates; taken by Julian the Apostate in 363.
Anatolia,Nadoli, orNatolia. The modern name of Asia Minor, a peninsula in the most western territory of Asia, extending northward from the Mediterranean to the Euxine, or Black Sea, and eastward from the Grecian Archipelago to the banks of the Euphrates. It is a part of the Turkish dominions, and was in ancient times the seat of powerful kingdoms and famous cities.
Anazarba, orAnazarbus. A city in Asia Minor, where the Christians were defeated by the Saracens in 1130.
Anazehs.Nomadic Arabs, who infested the desert extending from Damas to Bagdad; they often laid under contribution the caravans on the way to Mecca.
Ancile.In antiquity, a kind of shield, which fell, as was pretended, from heaven, in the reign of Numa Pompilius; at which time, likewise, a voice was heard declaring that Rome would be mistress of the world as long as she should preserve this holy buckler.
Ancona.An ancient Roman port on the Adriatic. In 1790 it was taken by the French; but was retaken by the Austrians in 1799. It was occupied by the French in 1832; evacuated in 1838; after an insurrection it was bombarded and captured by the Austrians, June 18, 1849. The Marches (comprising this city) rebelled against the papal government in September, 1800. Lamoriciere, the papal general, fled to Ancona after his defeat at Castelfidardo, but was compelled to surrender himself, the city and the garrison, on September 28. The king of Sardinia entered soon after.
Ancyra.A town in ancient Galatia, nowAngora, orEngour, Asia Minor. Near this city, on July 28, 1402, Timur, or Tamerlane, defeated after a three days’ battle and took prisoner the sultan Bajazet, and is said to have conveyed him to Samarcand in a cage.
Andabatæ.In military antiquity, a kind of gladiators who fought hoodwinked, having a kind of helmet that covered the eyes and face. They fought mounted on horseback, or on chariots.
Andaman Islands.A group of small islands in the Bay of Bengal, which has been used by Great Britain as a penal colony for Hindoos. The Earl of Mayo, governor-general of India, was assassinated here by a convict, February 8, 1872.
Anderlecht.A town near Brussels, in Belgium, where the French under Gen. Dumouriez defeated the Austrians, November 13, 1792.
Andernach.A city in Rhenish Prussia; near here the emperor Charles I. was totally defeated by Louis of Saxony, on October 8, 876.
Andersonville.A post-village of Sumter Co., Ga., about 65 miles south-southwest of Macon. Here was located a Confederate military prison in which Union soldiers were confined during the civil war. So severe was the treatment which they received here (nearly 13,000 having died), that a general feeling of horror was excited against the superintendent, Capt. Henry Wirz; and after the close of the war he was tried for inhuman treatment of the prisoners, foundguilty, and executed November, 1865. The place is now the site of a national cemetery.
Andrew, St., orThe Thistle, Order of. A nominally military order of knighthood in Scotland. The principal ensign of this order is a gold collar, composed of thistles interlinked with amulets of gold, having pendent thereto the image of St. Andrew with his cross and the motto,Nemo me impune lacessit.
Andrew, St., Knights of.Is also a nominal military order instituted by Peter III. of Muscovy in 1698.
Andrussov, Peace of.This peace was ratified (January 30, 1667) between Russia and Poland for 13 years, with mutual concessions, although the latter power had been generally victorious.
Anelace, orAnlace. A kind of knife or dagger worn at the girdle by civilians till about the end of the 15th century.
Anemometer, orWind-gauge. An instrument wherewith to measure the direction and velocity of wind under its varying forces,—used in the Signal service.
Aneroid Barometer.A pocket instrument indicating variations in atmospheric pressure. Used in military surveys to obtain the height of mountains. It consists of a circular metallic box, hermetically sealed, from which the air has been extracted. The play of the thin, metallic cover under atmospheric pressure, is made to operate a hand pointing to a scale on the dial-face.
Angaria.According to ancient military writers, means a guard of soldiers posted in any place for the security of it. Angaria, in civil law, implies a service by compulsion; as, furnishing horses and carriages for conveying corn and other stores for the army.
Angeliaphori.Reconnoitring parties of the Grecian army.
Angel-shot.A kind of chain-shot. SeeChain-shot.
Angers.Principal city of the department of Maine-et-Loire, France. It was sacked by the Normans during the 9th century; taken and retaken several times by the Bretons, English, and French.
Anghiari.A city of Tuscany, where the Florentines under Berardino Ubaldini were defeated by the Milanese general Torello, in 1425, and in 1440 the Florentine general Orsini defeated the Milanese general Piccinino.
Angle.In geometry, is the inclination of two lines meeting one another in a point, or the portion of space lying between two lines, or between two or more surfaces meeting in a common point called thevertex. Angles are of various kinds according to the lines or sides which form them. Those most frequently referred to in fortification and gunnery are:
Angle, Diminished, is that formed by the exterior side and the line of defense.
Angle, Flanked, orSalient, is the projecting angle formed by the two faces of a bastion.
Angle, Interior Flanking, is that which is formed by the meeting of the line of defense and the curtain.
Angle of Arrival.The angle of arrival is the angle which the tangent to the trajectory at the crest of the parapet makes with the horizon.
Angle of Departure, orAngle of Projection, is the angle which the tangent makes with the horizontal at the muzzle.
Angle of Elevation, orAngle of Fire, in gunnery, is that which the axis of the barrel makes with the horizontal line.
Angle of Fall, in gunnery, is the angle made at the point of fall by the tangent to the trajectory with a horizontal line in the plane of fire.
Angle of Fire, in gunnery, is the angle included between the line of fire and horizon; on account of the balloting of the projectile, the angle of fire is not always equal to the angle of departure, or projection.
Angle of Incidenceis that which the line of direction of a ray of light, ball from a gun, etc., makes at the point where it first touches the body it strikes against, with a line drawn perpendicularly to the surface of that body.
Angle of Reflectionis the angle intercepted between the line of direction of a body rebounding after it has struck against another body, and a perpendicular erected at the point of contact.
Angle of Sight, in gunnery, is the angle included between the line of sight and line of fire. Angles of sight are divided into natural and artificial angles of sight, corresponding to the natural and artificial lines of sight, which inclose them. SeePointing.
Angle of the Centreis the angle formed at the centre of the polygon by lines drawn thence to the points of two adjacent bastions.
Angle of the Epaule, orShoulder, is formed by one face and one flank of the bastion.
Angle of the Faceis formed by the angle of the face and the line of defense produced till they intersect each other.
Angle of the Flankis that formed by the flank and curtain.
Angle of the Line of Defenseis that angle made by the flank and the line of defense.
Angle of the Polygonis that formed by the meeting of two of the sides of the polygon; it is likewise called thepolygon angle.
Angle of the Tenaille, orFlanking Angle, is made by two lines fichant,—that is, the faces of the two bastions extended until they meet in an angle towards the curtain, and is that which always carries its point towards the outworks.
Angle, Re-entering.An angle whose vertex points inward, or towards the place. A re-entering angle which is not defended by a flanking fire is said to bedead.
Angles.An ancient German tribe fromwhich England derives its name. They occupied a narrow district in the south of Sleswick, whence some of them passed over in the 5th century, in conjunction with other Saxon tribes, into Britain, where they conquered the native Britons, and established the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy. SeeHeptarchy.
Anglou.A place in Armenia where a Persian army 4000 strong defeated and cut to pieces a Roman army of 30,000, in 543.
Angon.In ancient military history, was a kind of a dart of modern length, having an iron beaded head and cheeks; in use about the 5th century. This sort of javelin was much used by the French. The iron head of it resembled afleur-de-lis.
Angora.SeeAncyra.
Angouleme.A city in the department of Charente, France. It was ruined by the Normans during the 9th century, and devastated several times during the 16th century.
Anguis.A flag adopted by the Romans, which was carried at the head of a cohort (the tenth part of a Roman legion, consisting of 600 men); this flag resembled a serpent in shape, and was more commonly calleddraco.
Angusticlave.A robe or tunic embroidered with purple studs or knobs, and withnarrowpurple stripes, worn by Roman knights, to distinguish them from members of the senatorian order, who wore a garment withbroadstripes, calledlatus clavus.
Anholt, Island of(Denmark). Was taken possession of by England, May 18, 1809, in the French war, on account of Danish cruisers injuring British commerce. The Danes made an attempt to regain it with a force which exceeded 1000 men, but were gallantly repulsed by the British force, not amounting to more than 150, March 27, 1811.
Animate, To.In a military sense, is to encourage, to incite, to add fresh impulse to any body of men who are advancing against an enemy, or to prevent them from shamefully abandoning their colors in critical situations.
Anime(Fr.). A sort of ancient cuirass, also calledbrigandine; was used in Italy until the 17th century, under the name ofanima, oranimetta.
Anio(nowTeverone). A river of ancient Italy, an affluent of the Tiber. On its banks the Romans gained two great battles over the Gauls, one by Camillus about 367B.C., and the other about sixty years afterwards.
Aniocrater.The highest military rank of the Lacedæmonians; one who commanded the whole army during the absence of the king.
Anippus.Name of the light cavalry of the Grecians.
Anisocycle.An ancient machine of a spiral form, like the spring of a watch, used for throwing arrows to a great distance.
Anitorgis.A city in Spain, near which Asdrubal, general of the Carthaginians, gained a memorable battle over the Romans under Scipio and his brother Publius, in 212B.C.
Anjou, orBeauge, Battle of. Between the English and French; the latter commanded by the Dauphin of France, March 22, 1421. The English were defeated; the Duke of Clarence was slain by Sir Allan Swinton, a Scotch knight, and 1500 men perished on the field; the Earls of Somerset, Dorset, and Huntingdon were taken prisoners. Beauge was the first battle that turned the tide of success against the English.
Annals.A species of military history, wherein events are related in the chronological order they happened. They differ from a perfect history, in being only a mere relation of what passes every year, as a journal is of what passes every day.
Annatinæ.Were transport-ships (so called by Julius Cæsar) in which were transported provisions, etc., to armies and fleets. Also calledCorbitæ.
Anneau d’Or(Fr.). A gold ring. In accordance with the example of the ancients, Francis I. of France instituted a military recompense in the shape of ananneau, for all who distinguished themselves in any military enterprise.
Annee de Corbie(Fr.). Name given to the year 1636, when the capture of Corbie (by the Austrians), a small city of the department of the Somme, France (during the war which Richelieu had decided to undertake against the Austrian house), nearly caused the overthrow of France.
Anne, St., Order of.An order of knighthood, originally established in Holstein, and carried with the princes of that country into Russia. It was made a Russian order in 1796, and is now widely diffused.
Annihilate.To reduce to nothing; to destroy the existence of; to cause or cease to be; as, the army was annihilated.
Annoy.To injure or disturb by continued or repeated acts; to incommode or molest; as, to annoy an army by impeding their march, or by a continued cannonade.
Annuity.A sum of money payable yearly, to continue for a given number of years, for life or forever; an annual allowance. The U. S. government furnishes annuities and annuity goods to certain tribes of Indians.
Annul.To make void, or of no effect; to abrogate; to rescind;—used of laws, decisions of courts, or other established rules, permanent usages, and the like, which are made void by competent authority.
Annunciada.An order of military knighthood in Savoy, first instituted by Amadeus I. in the year 1409; their collar was of fifteen links, interwoven one with another, and the motto “F. E. R. T.,” signifyingfortitudo ejus Rhodum tenuit. Amadeus VIII. changed the image of St. Maurice, patron of Savoy, which hung at the collar, for that of the Virgin Mary, and instead of the motto above mentioned, substituted thewords of the angel’s salutation. Now extinct.
Anse des Pieces(Fr.). A term for the handles of cannon. Those of brass have two, those of iron seldom any. These handles serve to pass cords, handspikes, or levers through, the more easily to move so heavy a body, and are made to represent dolphins, serpents, etc.
Antandros(nowSt. Dimitri). A city of Troas, inhabited by the Leleges, near which Æneas built his fleet after the destruction of Troy.
Antecessores, orAntecursores. Light cavalry of the Romans, which formed the advance-guard of an army while on the march.
Antemuraille.In ancient military art, denoted what now the moderns generally call the outworks.
Antepilani.Soldiers of a Roman legion who composed the first and second ranks in line of battle, and who were accordingly placed in front of the third rank. The first rank was calledhastati, the secondprincipes, and the thirdpilani, ortriarii.
Antequera.A city in Spain, formerly fortified; besieged and captured from the Moors by Ferdinand of Castile, September 16, 1410; he also defeated under the walls of this city the Moorish king of Toledo, who had an army of 100,000 men.
Antesignani.A name given to the soldiers of the Roman army who protected the colors, etc.; according to some authorities they were thehastatiorprincipes, and according to others they were a select detachment consisting of picked soldiers.
Antestature(Fr.). A small intrenchment or work formed of palisades or sacks of earth.
Anthony, St., Knights of.A military order instituted by Albert, Duke of Bavaria, Holland, and Zealand, when he designed to make war against the Turks in 1382. The knights wore a collar of gold made in the form of a hermit’s girdle, from which hung a stick like a crutch, with a little bell, as they are represented in St. Anthony’s pictures.
Antibes.A city in the department of Alpes Maritimes, France. It was ruined some time after the capture of Marseilles by Cæsar. This city was fortified by Francis I. and Henry IV.; besieged without success by the Imperials in 1746.
Anti-corrosion.A lacker applied to iron traversing platforms, gun-carriages, and the outside of guns. SeeLacker.
Antietam.A small, deep river in Maryland, which empties into the Potomac about 6 miles above Harper’s Ferry. Here was fought a terrible battle on September 17, 1862, between the Federals, under Gen. McClellan, and the Confederates, under Gen. Lee. After his victory at Bull Run, August 30, Lee invaded Maryland, and was immediately followed by McClellan. On September 16, Lee was joined by Jackson. The battle on which was staked “the invasion of Maryland,” in the view of the Federal government, but in reality the sovereignty of the Union, was near at hand. On the night of the 15th the greatest part of McClellan’s troops were in bivouac behind the heights on the left bank of the Antietam, sheltered from, but within range of, the enemy’s batteries. The morning of the 16th was occupied in reconnoissance of the enemy’s position, in rectifying the position of the Federal troops, and perfecting the arrangements for the attack. At about 3 o’clockP.M.Gen. Hooker crossed the Antietam by the bridge in the village on the Hagerstown road, and an adjacent ford, and soon gained the crest of the height on the right bank of the stream. He then turned to his left and followed down the ridge under a strong opposition, until brought to a standstill by the darkness. Gen. Mansfield was ordered to follow Gen. Hooker, so as to be in a position to support him at daybreak.
At daybreak on the 17th, Gen. Hooker attacked the forces in his front, and for a time drove them before him. The enemy, however, rallying, and strengthened from their supporting columns, repulsed him. Gen. Mansfield’s corps was then drawn to Hooker’s support, and the two masses repelled the enemy. Gen. Mansfield was killed and Gen. Hooker wounded at this crisis, and obliged to withdraw from the field. Gen. Sumner’s corps soon reached this portion of the field and became hotly engaged. This corps suffered greatly at this period of the contest, Gens. Sedgwick and Crawford being wounded, and portions of the line were compelled to fall back. The enemy, however, were checked by the Federal artillery. Sumner’s corps was soon reinforced, and the lost ground was recovered. The contest in the mean time on the right was most obstinate, and the losses in this part of the field were very heavy. Gen. Burnside’s corps, on the left, was ordered early in the day to carry the bridge across the Antietam and to attack the enemy’s right. The approaches to the bridge being in the nature of a defile, and being swept by batteries of the enemy, the opposite bank of the Antietam was only reached after a severe struggle. It was afternoon before the heights were in his possession. The enemy were driven back, and a portion of their line in disorder. By the most desperate efforts, however, the enemy rallied their retreating regiments, strengthened their lines with all their available fresh troops, and opened batteries on the hills.
Gen. Burnside could not maintain his advantage, and was obliged to withdraw from the extreme position which he had gained to one slightly in rear. He, however, held his bank of the river completely, and maintained much ground beyond it which he had taken from the enemy. During the advance on the left Gen. Rodman was wounded.
Notwithstanding substantial and decidedsuccesses of the day, the Federal forces had suffered so severely during the conflict, having lost 11,426 killed and wounded, and among them many general and superior officers, that it was deemed prudent by Gen. McClellan to reorganize and give rest and refreshment to the troops before renewing the attack. The 18th was accordingly devoted to those objects. On the night of the 18th, however, Gen. Lee withdrew his forces hastily across the Potomac, abandoning further contest with the Union forces, and yielding all hopes of further remaining on Maryland soil. The Confederate army is supposed to have lost nearly 30,000 men during its brief campaign in Maryland. The Federal forces captured 39 colors, 13 guns, more than 15,000 small-arms, and more than 6000 prisoners.—Extracts from D. Appleton’s “History of the Rebellion,” by Tenney, “Lippincott’s Gazetteer,” and Haydn’s “Dates.”
Antioch.A city in Syria, built by Seleucus 300B.C.; after the battle of Ipsus it acquired the name “Queen of the East.” Here the disciples were first called Christians,A.D.42. Antioch was taken by the Persians, 540; by the Saracens about 638; recovered from the Eastern emperor, 966; lost again in 1086; retaken by the Crusaders in 1098, and held by them till 1268, when it was captured by the sultan of Egypt. It was taken from the Turks in the Syrian war, Aug. 1, 1833, by Ibrahim Pasha, but restored at the peace.
Antium.A maritime city of Latium, nowPorto d’Anzio, near Rome; after a long struggle for independence it became a Roman colony at the end of the great Latin war, 340-38B.C.The treasures deposited in the Temple of Fortune here were taken by Octavius Cæsar during his war with Antony in 41B.C.
Antonia.A fortress in Jerusalem on the north side of the area of the temple, originally built by the Maccabees under the name of Baris, and afterwards rebuilt with great strength and splendor by the first Herod. The fortress communicated with the northern and western porticoes of the temple area, so that the garrison could at any time enter the courts of the temple and prevent tumults. Josephus describes it as standing on a rock 50 cubits high, and having everything necessary within itself.
Antustriones.A body-guard of the kings or chiefs of the ancient Germans, which was composed of volunteers.
Antwerp(Fr.Anvers). The principal port of Belgium; is mentioned in history in 517; it was pillaged and burnt by the Spaniards and the inhabitants massacred, November 4, 1576. This event has been termed the “Spanish Fury.” After Marlborough’s victory at Ramillies, Antwerp surrendered at once, June 6, 1706; the Barrier treaty concluded here, November 16, 1715; taken by Marshal Saxe, May 9, 1746; occupied by the French, 1792-94 and 1814. The Belgian troops, having entered Antwerp, were opposed by the Dutch garrison, who, after a dreadful conflict, being driven into their citadel, cannonaded the town with hot shot and shells, October 27, 1830; the citadel was bombarded by the French, December 4; surrendered by Gen. Chasse, December 23, 1832. The exchange burnt, archives, etc., destroyed, August 2, 1858; fortification completed, 1865.
Anvil.An archaism for the handle or hilt of a sword. Also, a little narrow flag at the end of a lance.
Anvil.The resisting cone, plate, or bar against which the fulminate in a metallic cartridge is exploded. SeePrimer.
Aosta.A town in Piedmont, which was captured by the Romans in 24B.C.
Aous, orAeas(now theVoyussa). A river in Epirus, Greece, which flows into the Adriatic Sea; on the banks of this river Philip of Macedon was twice defeated by the Romans.
Apaches.A warlike tribe of savage Indians who infest New Mexico and Arizona. Until within a few years they were hostile, making frequent raids into the neighboring Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua, and robbing and murdering the settlers. They are now peaceable, and settled on reservations (with the exception of a few renegades); but being entirely uncivilized, their peaceful condition is uncertain. SeeIndians and their Agencies.
Aparejo.A kind of pack-saddle used in the American military service. SeePack-saddles.
Apex.The tip, point, or summit of anything. The Romans so named the crest of a helmet, or the part whereon the horse-hair plume was attached.
Aphracti.In the ancient military art, open vessels, without decks or hatches, furnished only at head and stern with cross-planks, whereon the men stood to fight.
Apobates.A name given by the ancients to warriors who fought mounted on chariots; they were also calledAnabates, orParaebates; they were generally leaders who fought in this manner; their armor and arms consisted of helmet, breast-armor, lance, javelin, sword, and shield. These warriors occasionally alighted from the chariots to attack their adversaries on foot.
Apology.In a military sense, when made and accepted, debars the officer who accepts from bringing forward the matter as a substantive accusation. SeeAppendix,Articles of War,25.
Apomaque.This word, with the Grecians, signified those soldiers who were disqualified for military service from physical disability or other causes.
Appalachee Indians.A tribe of Indians once powerful in West Florida. In 1700 a part of them removed into what is now Alabama, and the tribe soon ceased to exist.
Apparatus.Ammunition and equipage for war.
Appareilles.Are those slopes that lead to the platform of the bastion.
Appastis, orPactis. A war-tax, which was levied in ancient times upon the inhabitants of conquered countries.
Appeal.SeeAppendix,Articles of War,29,30.
Appel(Fr.). A smart stroke with the blade by a fencer on the sword of his antagonist on the opposite side to that which he engaged, generally accompanied with a stamp of the foot, and used for the purpose of procuring an opening.
Appian Way.A Roman road, made by Appius Claudius Cæcus, while censor, 312B.C.
Appointe(Fr.). This word was applicable to French soldiers only, during the old monarchy of France, and meant a man who for his service and extraordinary bravery received more than common pay. There were likewise instances in which officers were distinguished by being styledofficers appointes.
Appointing Power.It has been contended by advocates of executive discretion, that army appointments are embraced in the power granted to the President in the 2d section of the Constitution, to nominate, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint “all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which may be established by law. But the Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.” If due regard, however, be paid to the words “whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for,” the pretension set up in favor of executive power will receive no support from the terms of the Constitution. The powers granted to Congress toraiseand support armies, and to make allrulesfor thegovernmentandregulationof the land and naval forces, are necessarily so comprehensive in character, as to embrace all means which Congress, according to circumstances, may deem proper and necessary in order to raise armies, or govern them when raised. Rules of appointment to office, rules of promotion,—another form of appointment,—and all rules whatever in relation to the land and naval forces, save the appointment of the commander-in-chief of those united forces, who is designated by the Constitution, are hence within the competency of Congress.
Appointment.Office, rank, or employment.
Appointment.The equipment, ordnance, furniture, and necessaries of an army.
Appointments, Military.The accoutrements of an officer.
Appointon(Fr.). A sort of poniard which was used in ancient times.
Apprehend.In a military sense, implies the seizing or confining of any person; as, to apprehend a deserter, etc.
Apprenti(Fr.). Apprentice. Formerly in the French service they had apprentices or soldiers among the artillery, who served for less pay than the regular artillerymen, until they became perfect in their profession, when they were admitted to such vacancies as occurred in their respective branches.
Approach.The route by which a fortified place or military position can be approached by an attacking force.
Approaches.The trenches or covered roads by which the besiegers convey ordnance, ammunition, and stores, and march troops to and from the parallels; also the trenches by means of which the successive parallels are established.
Appropriations.For the support of the U. S. army are made annually; the bill for the same must originate in the lower house of Congress. The English army is raised by the queen, and maintained by annual appropriations by Parliament; the system for the support of armies is much the same throughout Europe. In the United States, the term is also used by post and regimental councils of administration in the expenditure of funds.
Appui.SeePoint d’Appui.
Apri, orApros. A small town in Thrace, on the river Melas, where the daring leader of the Catalonians, Berengar de Rocafort, defeated the Greeks under the Emperor Michael, 1307.
Apron.A piece of sheet-lead used to cover the vent of a cannon.
Apulia.A province in Southeast Italy, conquered by the Normans, whose leader, Guiscard, received the title of Duke of Apulia from Pope Nicholas II. in 1059. After many changes of masters, it was absorbed into the kingdom of Naples in 1265.
Aqueduct.A channel to convey water from one place to another. Aqueducts in military architecture are generally made to bring water from a spring or river to a fortress, etc.; they are likewise used to carry canals over low ground, and over brooks or small rivers; they are built with arches like a bridge, only not so wide, and are covered by an arch, to prevent dust or dirt from being thrown into the water,—there are also subterranean aqueducts, such as pipes of wood, lead, or iron.
Aquila(Southern Italy). Near here the Aragonese, under the condottiere Braccio Fortebraccio, were defeated by the allied Papal, Neapolitan, and Milanese army under Jacob Caldora, June 2, 1424. Braccio, a wounded prisoner, refused to take food, and died, June 5.
Aquila.The principal standard of a Roman legion. The standard of Romulus is said to have consisted of a handful of hay, straw, or fern, affixed to a pole or spear; whence the company of soldiers who served under it was calledManipulus. This primitive standard was soon superseded by thefigures of animals. In 104B.C.the eagle was permanently adopted; it was made of silver or bronze, and was represented with expanded wings.
Aquilifer.A name given by the Romans to the officers who carried the eagles of the legions.
Aquitaine.A province in the southwest of France; conquered by the Romans in 28B.C.; by the Visigoths, 418; taken from them by Clovis in 507. Henry II. of England obtained it with his wife Eleanor, 1152. It was erected into a principality for Edward the Black Prince in 1362; but was annexed to France in 1370. The title of duke of Aquitaine was taken by the crown of England on the conquest of this duchy by Henry V. in 1418. The province was lost in the reign of Henry VI.
Arabia.A tract of land in Western Asia; the termsPetræa(stony),Felix(happy), andDesertaare said to have been applied to its divisions by Ptolemy, about 140. Arabia was unsuccessfully invaded by Gallus, the Roman governor of Egypt, 24B.C.In 622, the Arabians under the name ofSaracens(which see), followers of Mohammed, their general and prophet, commenced their course of conquest. The Arabs greatly favored literature and the sciences, especially mathematics, astronomy, and chemistry. To them we owe our ordinary (Arabic) numerals and arithmetical notation.
Aracillum.A city in Spain. The Cantabrians being besieged in this city by the Romans, killed each other rather than surrender.
Aradus(nowRuad). A city of Phœnicia; captured by the Roman general Ventidius, 38B.C.
Aragon.Part of the Roman Tarraconensis, a kingdom, Northeast Spain, was conquered by the Carthaginians, who were expelled by the Romans about 200B.C.It became an independent monarchy in 1035.
Aranjuez(Central Spain). Contains a fine royal palace, at which several important treaties were concluded. On March 17, 1808, an insurrection broke out here against Charles IV. and his favorite, Godoy, the Prince of Peace. The former was compelled to abdicate in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII., March 19.
Aransas.A small river of Texas, which empties into a bay of the same name, immediately north of Corpus Christi Bay. The Confederate works near this place were captured by the Federal troops November 20, 1864.
Arapahoe Indians.A tribe of Indians associated with the Cheyennes, who inhabit the country between the South Fork of the Platte River and the head-waters of the Arkansas. SeeIndians and their Agencies.
Arapiles.A village of Spain, 4 miles southeast of Salamanca. It was the scene of the sanguinary engagement called the battle of Salamanca, in which the allies under Wellington defeated the French under Marmont, July 22, 1812.
Arausio(nowOrange, Southeast France). Through jealousy of the Roman proconsul Q. Servilius Cæpio, who would not wait for the arrival of the army of the consul C. Manlius, both were here defeated by the Cimbri with much slaughter, 105B.C.