Lanyards.SeeImplements.
Laodicea ad Mare(nowLadikiyeh). A city on the coast of Syria, about 50 miles south from Antioch; was built by Seleucus I. on the site of an earlier city, called Ramitha. It was severely punished by Cassius for its adherence to Dolabella, and again suffered in the Parthian invasion of Syria. It was taken and destroyed by the Arabs in 1188.
Laon.A town of France, in the department of the Aisne, 75 miles northeast from Paris. It was besieged by the barbarians in 407; taken and sacked by Gelimer in 682; unsuccessfully besieged by the Normans in 882; taken by Eudes, count of Paris, in 892, by Charles the Simple in 895, and by Robert of France, who held it till 923. It was taken by the Duke of Burgundy in 1411; by the royal troops in 1414; surrendered in 1419 by Philip the Good to the English, who were dispossessed in 1429. It was unsuccessfully besieged by the Calvinists in 1567, and was taken by Henry IV. in 1594. On March 10, 1814, an indecisive battle was fought here between the French troops under Napoleon, and the Prussians under Blücher.
Lapelle, orLapel. The facings of uniform coats were formerly so termed. Until the introduction of epaulettes in 1812, the white lapelle was synonymous with a lieutenant’s commission in the British service.
Lapithæ.A wild race, inhabiting, in ancient times, the mountains of Thessaly. They derived their name from a mythical ancestor,Lapithes, a son of Apollo, and the brother of Centauros, the equally mythical ancestor of the Centaurs. A bloody war is said to have been waged between the kindred races in prehistoric times, which ended in the defeat of the Centaurs, but the Lapithæ were in their turn defeated by Hercules.
Laplander.An inhabitant of Lapland, a country of Northern Europe.
Lapse.To fall in, or belong to. This expression was formerly used in the British army to signify the reversion of any military property. Thus, upon the sale or purchase of one commission at the regulated difference, another (where there are two) is said to lapse to government. Commissions lapse, or fall into the patronage of government, when vacancies happen by death, by officers being superseded, or where officers apply to sell who have only purchased a part of their commissions, and have not served long enough to be entitled to sell the whole; in which case they are only permitted to sell what they actually purchased, and the remainder is in the gift of the government.
Lap-weld.A weld in which the welding edges are made thin, lapped one over the other and welded.
Laranda(nowLarenda, orCaraman). A considerable town in the south of Lycaonia. It was taken by storm by Perdiccas, but afterwards restored. It was used by the Isaurian robbers as one of their strongholds.
Largs.A seaport of Scotland, in Ayrshire, 23 miles southwest from Glasgow. Here, in 1263, Alexander III. of Scotland gained a victory over Haco, king of Norway.
Lariat.The lasso, a long cord or thong of leather with a noose, used in catching wild horses and other animals. The term is now applied to a rope 11⁄4inches in circumference and 30 feet long, made of Italian hemp, which is used in the U. S. cavalry service to picket horses while grazing.
La Roda.A town of Spain, in the province of Murcia, 22 miles northwest from Albacete. This place is famous for the defense it made against the Carlists in 1840.
La Rothière(France),Battle of. Took place between the French, commanded by Napoleon, and the Prussian and Russian armies, which were defeated with great loss after a desperate engagement, February 1, 1814. This was one of Napoleon’s last victories.
Lascar.In the East Indies, signifies properly a camp-follower, but is generally applied to native sailors on board of British ships. The Lascars make good seamen, but being of an excessively irritable and revengeful nature, are generally kept in the minority in a ship’s crew.
Lash.To tie or bind with a rope or cord; to secure or fasten by a string.
Lashes.Formerly a general court-martial could sentence a soldier to receive a certain number of lashes. This mode of punishment is prohibited in the U. S. service. SeeAppendix,Articles of War,98.
Lashing-rings.Are fixed on the sides of artillery traveling-carriages, to lash the tarpaulin, as also to tie the sponge, rammer, and ladle.
Lasso.A rope or cord with a running noose, used by men on horseback in Spanish America, Texas, and Southern California for catching cattle, wild horses, grizzly bears, etc. It is said that the lasso was used by the ancient Sarmatians and Parthians. Certain Patagonians use a lasso with a stone tied to the end,—instead of a noose.
Laswarree.A town of Hindostan, in Delhi, which was the scene of the defeat of the Mahrattas by Lord Lake, November, 1803.
Latham House.In Lancashire, England; it was heroically defended for three months against the Parliamentarians, by Charlotte, countess of Derby. She was relieved by Prince Rupert, May, 1644. The house was, however, surrendered December 4, 1645, and dismantled.
Lathe.In the manufacture of ordnance, lathes are machines for turning cannon, gun-barrels, etc.
Latrines.Conveniences for soldiers in camps and barracks. Much attention has of late been devoted to their construction; a large percentage of the army sickness having been traced to their defective and impure condition.
Lauenberg.A duchy of Northern Germany, but formerly united with the crown of Denmark; was conquered from the Wends by Henry the Lion of Saxony about 1152; ceded to Hanover, 1689, and seized along with Hanover by the French in 1803. It was afterwards, with some change of boundary, made over to Prussia, and by Prussia transferred to Denmark in 1815, with reservation of rights. In 1870 it was re-annexed to Prussia.
Laufach.In Bavaria, Southwestern Germany; it was taken by the Prussians, under Wrangel, July, 1860, after a sharp action, in which the Hessians were defeated.
Launch.To throw as a spear or dart; to send forth. Written alsolanch.
Laundresses.Camp-women, usually the wives of soldiers, employed to wash soldiers’ clothing.
Laurel.An evergreen shrub, selected for the brows of heroes and conquerors, and emblematic of their unfading reputation.
Lauterburg.A town of France, in the department of the Lower Rhine, 33 miles northeast from Strasburg. In 1793 the French forced the famous lines of Lauterburg, and took this place.
Laval.A town of France, in the department of the Mayenne, situated on the Mayenne, 42 miles east from Rennes. This place suffered greatly in the Vendean war, towards the close of the last century.
La Vendée(West France). The French royalists of La Vendée took arms in March, 1793, and were successful in a number of hard-fought battles with the republicans, between July 12, 1793, and January 1, 1794, when they experienced a severe reverse. Their leader Henri, comte de Larochejaquelein, was killed March 4, 1794. A short peace was made at La Jaunay, February 17, 1795. The war was terminated by Gen. Hoche in 1796. A treaty of peace was signed at Luçon, January 17, 1800.
Lavure(Fr.). The grains, dust, or detached pieces of metal which fall in casting cannon.
Law, Martial.SeeMartial Law.
Law, Military.A branch of the general municipal law, consisting of rules ordained for the government of the military forces of a state or government, and those voluntarily serving with them, equally in peace and war, and administered by tribunals of special and limited jurisdiction. SeeAppendix,Articles of War.
Law of Arms.Certain acknowledged rules, regulations, and precepts, which relate to war; and are observed by all civilized nations. The laws of arms also show how to proclaim war, to attack the enemy, and to punish offenders in the camp, etc.
Law of Nations.Such general rules as regard the embassies, reception and entertainment of strangers, intercourse of merchants, exchange of prisoners, suspension of arms, etc.
Laws, Execution of.On all occasions when the troops are employed in restoring or maintaining public order among their fellow-citizens, the use of arms, and particularly fire-arms, is obviously attended with loss of life or limb to private individuals; and for these consequences, a military man may be called to stand at the bar of a criminal court. A private soldier also may occasionally be detached on special duty, with the necessity of exercising discretion as to the use of his arms; and in such cases he is responsible, like an officer, for the right use or exercise of such discretion.
Some years ago, the public journals of London recorded the meritorious behavior of a private sentry, upon the occasion of a riotous mob assembled at the entrance of Downing-Street with the intention of attacking the government offices in that quarter of the town. This man standing alone presented his musket, and threatened to fire upon the crowd, if the slightest attempt were made to approach the particular office for the defense of which he was placed on duty, and succeeded by the terror thus created, though at a great risk of consequences to himself, in keeping the rioters at bay until a larger force arrived to assist him. The soldier’s conduct was publicly much approved. It was also clearly legal according to Macadam’s case (a soldier tried before the courts of Scotland in 1735); and if after the announcement of his intentions the mob had pressed forward to execute their purpose, he would have been held justified at law in firing at the rioters upon his own responsibility. The Duke of Wellington, as Constableof the Tower, testified his marked approbation of this man’s conduct, by promoting him at once to a wardership at that fortress.
The right of officers or soldiers to interfere in quelling afelonious riot, whether with or without superior military orders, or the direction of a civil magistrate, is quite clear, and beyond the possibility of mistake. This subject, however, was formerly little understood; and military men failed in their public duty through excess of caution.
But notwithstanding the existence of a clear right and duty on the part of military men voluntarily to aid in the suppression of a riot, it would be the height of imprudence to intrude with military force, except upon the requisition of the proper authority, unless in those cases where the civil power is obviously overcome, or on the point of being overcome, by the rioters.
When the civil officer may not deem it safe to wait for the orders of government, he should address his requisition for troops, not to any subordinate military officer, but to the highest authority, to whom he should communicate his object in making it, and all the information he may possess regarding the strength and designs of those by whom the public peace is menaced or disturbed. His duty is confined to these points.He has no authority in directing military operations.The officer commanding the troops has alone authority to determine the number and nature of those to be employed; the time and manner of making the attack, and every other operation for the reduction of the enemy.
Under no circumstances can U. S. troops be called into service at the “polls.”
In the United States, regular troops can be ordered only to serve against rioters, or other lawless bands of citizens, under the orders of the President to co-operate with the civil authorities.
It should ever be the aim of military men to attain the desired end by the exercise of passive interposition.
Laws of War.The recognized rules for the conduct of civilized warfare. These rules relate to the treatment of prisoners, non-combatants, spies, traitors, etc.; the disposition of private property, the rights of capture, occupation and conquest, the establishment of blockades, the rights and obligations of neutrals, etc.
Lay.To quit; to surrender the use of; as, lay down one’s arms.To lay for, is to attempt something by ambuscade.
Lay.To point or aim; as, to lay a gun. SeePointing.
Lay About, To.To strike, or throw the arms on all sides; to act with vigor.
Layette(Fr.). Three-sided tray or box without a cover, used to carry powder from one mortar to another in powder-mills.
Lazarus.A military order instituted at Jerusalem by the Christians of the West, when they were masters of the Holy Land. They received pilgrims under their care, and guarded them on the roads from the insults of the Mohammedans. This order was instituted in the year 1119, and was confirmed by a bull of Pope Alexander IV. in 1255, who gave it the rule of St. Augustine.
Lazzaro, St.In Northern Italy, where the king of Sardinia and the Imperialists defeated the French and Spaniards after a long and severe conflict, June 4, 1746.
Lead.To conduct as a chief or commander; as, let the troops follow where their general leads.
Lead Balls.Are now generally made by compression, by means of machinery, either at arsenals or at private establishments.
Lead Out.A command in the mounted service to cause the horses to be taken from the stable or picket line preparatory to mounting or harnessing.
Leader.A chief, a commander; a captain. Also the directing musician of a band.
Leadership.The state or condition of a leader.
Leading.The clogging of the grooves of a rifle with lead from the bullet,—one of the principal obstacles against continuous accurate shooting. It is obviated by covering the bullet with a paper patch or by using a lubricant in the canellures. SeeBullets.
Leading Column.The first column that advances from the right, left, or centre of any army or battalion.
Leading File.The first two men of a battalion or company that marches from right, left, or centre, by files. SeeFile-leader.
Leading Guide.The foremost guide of a column.
Leading Question.In the proceedings of military tribunals, is a question to a witness which suggests the desired answer. Such questions are objectionable except under certain conditions.
Leaf Sight.A form of elevating rear sights, consisting of several hinged leaves of different heights. SeeSight.
League.A measure of length or distance, equal, in England and the United States, to three geographical miles.
League.SeeHoly League.
League, Achæan.SeeAchæan League.
League, First Suabian.SeeSuabia.
League, Great Suabian.SeeSuabia.
League, Holy.SeeHoly League.
League of Marbach.SeeSuabia.
Leaguer.A camp, generally of an investing army.
Leaguer.One who unites in a league; a confederate.
Leaguerer.One who belongs to or is engaged in a league; a leaguer.
Leave of Absence.SeeAbsence, Leave of.
Lech.A river in Southern Germany, near which the cruel Gen. Tilly was defeated by the Swedes, under Gustavus Adolphus, April 18, 1632. Tilly died of his wounds soon after.
Leek.The Welsh emblem, in consequence of a command from Dewi, or David, afterwards archbishop of St. David’s, in 519. On the day that King Arthur won a great victory over the Saxons, Dewi is said to have ordered the soldiers to place a leek in their caps.
Leesburg.SeeBall’s Bluff.
Legatus.Among the Romans, an ambassador, or lieutenant-general. Legati were of three kinds: (1) Those sent by foreign nations on an embassy to Rome. (2) Those sent from Rome on an embassy to foreign countries or the provinces. (3) Those who served under Roman generals during war, or under the pro-consuls and prætors in the provinces. The latter kind was generally a person of high military skill, and was appointed by the consul, prætor, or dictator, under whom he was intended to serve. His nomination, however, was not legal until sanctioned by the senate. His duty was to aid his superior officer, by advising him in all great emergencies, by acting as his substitute, both in civil and military affairs, and by assuming his insignia as well as authority during his absence. In the last case, he was calledlegatus pro prætore. The number of legati under one superior differed in proportion to the importance of the war or the extent of the province.
Leghorn(It.Livarno). A large maritime town in Central Italy, in the province of Leghorn. It was entered by the French army July 27, 1796; evacuated by the French in 1799, and retaken in 1800. It was unsuccessfully attacked by the British and Italian forces in December, 1813. The Austrians took the city from the insurgents May 12 and 13, 1849, and quelled a slight insurrection, July, 1857.
Legion(Lat.legio). A corps of soldiers in the Roman armies, first formed by Romulus, about 750B.C., when it consisted of 3000 foot and 300 horse. When Hannibal was in Italy, 216B.C., the legion consisted of 5200 soldiers; and under Marius, in 88B.C., it was 6200 foot besides 700 horse. There were 10, and sometimes as many as 18 legions kept at Rome. Augustus had a standing army of 45 legions, together with 25,000 horse and 37,000 light-armed troops, about 5B.C.; and the peace establishment of Adrian was 30 of these formidable brigades. A legion was divided into 10 cohorts, and every cohort into 6 centuries, with a vexillum, or standard, guarded by 10 men. The peace of Britain was protected by 3 legions. The French army was divided into legions subsequent to the reign of Francis I. SeeThundering Legions.
Legion of Honor, Order of the.An order of merit instituted under the French republic in May, 1802, by the first consul, Napoleon Bonaparte. The order originally comprised three classes,—grand officers, commanders, and legionaries. The class of grand officers was, on the coronation of Napoleon I., divided into Knights of the Grand Eagle and grand officers. On the restoration of the Bourbons the Legion was remodeled so as to consist of four classes,—viz., grand officers, grand crosses, commanders, and knights, but the order lost much of its original character. The order confers its distinction for civil and military valor, but especially for the latter. The college of the Legion is in possession of considerable means, which have been augmented by the addition of property belonging to Louis Philippe. Out of this fund pensions are paid to certain members of the order who have been wounded or who have undergone the amputation of a limb in service. These pensions have sometimes amounted to as large a sum as 6,000,000 of francs annually.
Legionary.Relating to or consisting of a legion or of legions; as, a legionary force.
Legionary.One of a legion.
Legnago.A fortress on the Adige, Northern Italy, one of the quadrilateral. It was captured by the French in 1796; but reverted to the Austrians in 1815. It was surrendered to the Italians in October, 1866.
Legnano.A town in Northern Italy, in the province of Milan, where the emperor Barbarossa was defeated by the Milanese and their allies, May 29, 1176, which victory led to the treaty of Constance in 1183.
Leicester.A town of England, and the chief town of Leicestershire, situated on the Soar. During the civil war it was taken by Charles I., May 31, and by Fairfax, June 17, 1645.
Leinster.A province of Ireland, occupying the southeast part of that island. It was a kingdom in 1167. The abduction of Devorgilla, wife of O’Rourke, a lord of Connaught, by Dermot, king of Leinster, in 1152, is asserted to have led to the landing of the English, and the subsequent conquest. The province of Leinster gave the title of duke to Schomberg’s son in 1690. The title became extinct in 1719, and was conferred on the family of Fitzgerald in 1766.
Leipsic.A city of the kingdom of Saxony, situated about 65 miles west-northwest of Dresden, near the Prussian border, in a large and fertile plain. The Elster, the Pleisze, and the Parthe flow through or past the city, and unite about 3 miles below it. The city sprung up at the junction of the Pleisze and the Parthe, and is first mentioned as a town in 1015. It gradually increased in prosperity and importance. The famousLeipsic Conferencebetween Luther, Eck, and Carlstadt, in 1519, greatly tended to the promotion of the Reformation. It suffered greatly in the Thirty Years’ War, in which it was five times besieged and taken, and again in the Seven Years’ War; and although the commercial changes connected with the French revolution at first affected it very favorably, yet it suffered not a little amidst the terrible struggle of the years 1812 and 1813, when it was alternately in possession of the French andof the allies. The immediate neighborhood of Leipsic has been the scene of two battles of great importance in the history of Germany and of Europe,—the battle of Leipsic, or of Breitenfeld (seeBreitenfeld), on September 7, 1631, and the great battle called theBattle of the Nations, which continued for three days, October 16-18, 1813. The latter was one of the most bloody and decisive of those which effected the deliverance of Europe from French domination. The troops under Napoleon in this battle amounted to about 180,000 men, and those of the allies, commanded by Prince Schwarzenberg, Marshal Blücher, and Bernadotte, crown-prince of Sweden, to almost 300,000. About 2000 pieces of artillery were brought to the field. The loss of the French was reckoned at about 38,000 killed and wounded, and 30,000 prisoners; that of the allies to about 48,000. The victory of the allies was complete; the French being compelled to evacuate Leipsic, and to retreat.
Leith.A town of Scotland, 2 miles northeast from Edinburgh, of which it is the seaport. It was burned in 1541 by an English fleet, and in 1549 it was occupied by French troops, who came to the assistance of Mary of Guise.
Leleges.An ancient race which inhabited Greece before the Hellenes, and are mentioned along with the Pelasgians as the most ancient inhabitants. They were a warlike and migratory race, and piracy was their chief occupation. The Leleges must be regarded as a branch of the great Indo-Germanic race, who became incorporated with the Hellenes, and thus ceased to exist as an independent people.
Length of Cannon.Is the distance from the rear of the base-ring to the face of the piece, and theextreme lengthis from the rear of the cascabel to the face.
Lengthen.To extend in length; to make longer; to elongate; as, to lengthen a line of troops.To lengthen the step, to take more than the prescribed pace.
Lenni-Lenape.SeeDelawares.
Lens.A parish and town of France, in the department Pas-de-Calais, 9 miles from Arras. A battle was fought here in 1648, between the Spanish forces and those of the Prince of Condé, in which the latter gained the victory.
Lentini(Lat.Leontini). A city of Sicily, situated between Syracuse and Catania. In 427B.C., the Lentinians applied to the Athenians for support against Syracuse; they were sent twenty ships, under the command of Laches and Charœades. In 215B.C., they raised their standard of open war against Rome; but Marcellus hastened to attack the city, and made himself master of it without difficulty. Under the Roman government it was restored to the position of an independent town.
Leon.A province of Spain, subdivided into the smaller provinces of Salamanca, Zumor, and Leon. The kingdom of Leon was erected in 746, by Alfonso the Catholic, out of the provinces he had wrested from the Saracens and the older kingdom of Asturias, and in 1230 it was permanently united to Castile. During the Peninsular war it suffered greatly.
Lepanto(anc.Naupactus). Called by the Greek peasants Epakto, a seaport town of Greece, 12 miles northeast from Patras. The name Naupactus is said to have originated with the Heraclidæ, who are reported to have there built the fleet with which they invaded the Peloponnesus. After the Persian war it fell into the possession of the Athenians, who settled it with the expatriated Messenians. The Athenians made it their chief military station in Western Greece during the Peloponnesian war. At its close Lepanto was taken by the Locrians, and afterwards passed in succession through the hands of the Etolians, Macedonians, Achæans, and Romans. In 1475 it was invested by the Turks, who, after the loss of 30,000 men in four months, were forced to raise the siege. Within the Gulf of Lepanto, in 1571, was fought the great naval engagement between the Ottomans and the Christian powers of the Mediterranean, under Don John of Austria, in which the former lost about 200 galleys and 20,000 men.
Lerida.A town of Spain, in Catalonia, on the Segre, 80 miles northwest from Barcelona. In 1707 this place was stormed by the French, and in 1810 it was again taken by French troops under Suchet.
Lesse(Fr.). A machine covered with raw hides, used as a mantelet by the ancient Greeks for different purposes.
Let Off, To.To discharge; to let fly, as an arrow; or fire the charge of, as a gun.
Letter Stamp.SeeInspection of Cannon.
Letters Patent.The written instrument by which a government grants to an inventor the exclusive right and use of his invention for a term of years.
Lettre de Cachet(Fr.). An infamous state paper, which existed before the French revolution, which was sealed, and the person upon whom it was served carried into confinement without ever seeing the authority by which he was hurried off in so peremptory a manner, or being tried afterwards for any specific offense. It was always written by the king, countersigned by one of his principal secretaries of state, and sealed with the royal signet.
Lettre de Passe(Fr.). A paper which was formerly signed by the kings of France, authorizing an officer to exchange from one regiment into another.
Leuctra.A village of Bœotia, situated between Thespia and Platæa, in the territory of the former, celebrated as the scene of the great battle between the Spartans, commanded by Cleombrotus, and the Thebans, under Epaminondas, in which the former were defeated, and the supremacy of Sparta finally overthrown.
Leuthen.A village of Prussia, in Lower Silesia, 9 miles west of Breslau. It is celebrated for the victory won there December 6, 1757, by Frederick the Great, with 33,000 men, over the Austrians under Prince Charles of Lorraine at the head of 92,000.
Levee en Masse(Fr.). A general rising of the people of any country, either for the purpose of self-defense, or to answer the intention of its governing powers.
Level.In mining, is a horizontal passage or gallery.
Level, Gunner’s.SecGunner’s Level.
Level, Horizontal.Free from obstructions or declivities.
Level, James’s.An instrument to find the highest points of the breech and muzzle of a cannon, when the carriage-wheels stand on uneven ground.Plumb-level, one in which the horizontal arm is placed in true position by means of a plummet or plumb-line, to which it is at right angles.Spirit-level, one in which the adjustment to the horizon depends on the position of a bubble, or small vacant space, in the upper side of a glass tube, which is slightly curved and nearly filled with alcohol or ether.Surveyor’s level, orleveling instrument, a telescope with a spirit-level attached, and with suitable screws, etc., for accurate adjustment, the whole mounted on a tripod for use in leveling.
Levellers.A fanatical party in Germany, headed by Muncer and Storck in the 16th century, who taught that all distinctions of rank were usurpations on the rights of mankind. At the head of 40,000 men Muncer commanded the sovereign princes of Germany and the magistrates of cities to resign their authority; and on his march his followers ravaged the country. The landgrave of Hesse at last defeated him; 7000 of the enthusiasts fell in battle, and the rest fled; their leader was taken and beheaded at Mulhausen in 1525. The English “Levellers,” powerful in Parliament in 1647, were put down by Cromwell in 1649, and their leader, Lilburn, imprisoned.
Lever-jack.SeeImplements.
Levet.A blast of a trumpet,—probably that by which soldiers are called in the morning. This term is obsolete.
Levy(Fr.levée). Is the compulsory raising of a body of troops from any specified class in the community for purposes of general defense or offense. When a country is in danger of instant invasion, alevée en masseis sometimes made,—i.e., every man capable of bearing arms is required to contribute in person towards the common defense. On less urgent occasions, the levy may be restricted to a class, as to men between eighteen and forty years of age. At other times, a levy of so many thousand men of a certain age is decreed, and the districts concerned draw them by lot from among their eligible male population. In armies sustained by volunteering, the levy, which is a remnant of barbarous times, is unnecessary; but the system was frequently resorted to in France before the enactment of the conscription laws. In 1862-64 there were great levies in the United States of America; and in any country where great danger is apparent, and volunteers are not sufficiently numerous, recourse must at all times be had to a levy of the people. This term is also applied to the assessment of taxes, tolls, or contributions.
Levy.To raise or collect troops or funds by a levy. The word has also other meanings; as, tolevywar, to make war, to begin hostilities; tolevya siege, to desist from, to raise the siege. In this latter sense it is nearly obsolete.
Lewes.A town of England, in Sussex, on the Ouse, 7 miles northeast from Brighton. Near this town, in 1264, Henry III. was defeated by Simon de Montfort, and imprisoned in the castle.
Lewis.A device for lifting stones, consisting of two wedge-shaped pieces of iron, which are inserted butt foremost into a dovetail mortise in the stone, and keyed by inserting a piece between them. All three are then shackled to the lifting-chain by a bolt passing through them.
Lexington.A township of Middlesex Co., Mass., 11 miles northwest from Boston. The first battle in the war between Great Britain and her revolted colonies in North America was fought here on April 19, 1775, and ended disastrously for the British.
Lexington.A village of Lafayette township, Mo., on the right bank of the Missouri River. In September, 1861, a body of Federal troops under Col. Mulligan were here captured by the Confederate general Price. The town was retaken by the Federals in October following. In October, 1864, an indecisive engagement took place here between the armies of Gens. Price and Blunt.
Leydan(anc.Lugdunum Batavorum). An important city of the Netherlands, in the province of South Holland, on the Old Rhine, 6 miles from its outlet in the North Sea. It was once a strong fortress, and the siege which it sustained from the Spaniards in 1573-74 made it famous. For seven weeks there was no bread within its walls, but the burghers still resisted, though the hunger became almost unbearable. At last the Prince of Orange came to their rescue. The dykes were opened, and the waters, which drowned a great number of the besiegers, carried a fleet of 200 boats loaded with provisions to the city. As a reward for the valor the city evinced during this siege, the Prince of Orange founded a university here.
Liburnia.In ancient times was a portion of Northern Illyricum, in the neighborhood of the Sinus Flanaticus, now the present Croatia and Dalmatia. It was inhabited by the Pelasgic race, who were daring seamen and noted pirates. Their privateers, with large lateen-sails, were for centuries the terror of the seas, and during the second Macedonian war the Romans adopted them.
Libyans.The name formerly given to the inhabitants of the northern portion of Africa, with the exception of the delta of the Nile. They fell under the sway of the Romans, and subsequently relapsed into barbarism.
Licorne.SeeHowitzer.
Lictor.A Roman officer who bore an axe and fasces as insignia of his office. His duty was to attend the chief magistrates when they appeared in public, to clear the way and enforce respect for them. In addition, he performed constabulary duties.
Lid, orRoof. SeeOrdnance, Carriages for.
Lide(Fr.). A warlike machine which was formerly used to throw large stones against a fortified place, or upon an enemy.
Lie.To be situated; to occupy a fixed place; as, the troops lie encamped at Washington.To lie in ambush, to be posted in such a manner as to be able to surprise your enemy, should he presume to advance without having previously cleared the woods, hedges, etc.To lie in wait, to take a position unobserved by the enemy, and to remain under arms, in the expectation of suddenly falling upon his flanks or rear.To lie under cover, to be under the protection of a battery, or to be sheltered by a wood, etc.To lie under arms, to remain in a state ready for action.
Liebenau.A town of Bohemia. Here was fought the first action of the Seven Weeks’ War, June 26, 1866, when the Austrians were compelled to retreat by the Prussians under Gen. von Horne.
Liegnitz.A town of Prussian Silesia, at the conflux of the Katzbach, the Schwarzwasser, and the Neisse, 35 miles northwest from Breslau. The Austrian army was totally defeated before Liegnitz in 1760 by the Prussians under the command of Frederick the Great.
Lieutenancy.The office or commission of a lieutenant.
Lieutenant.From the French,lieu tenant, “holding the place,” in a general sense is an officer performing the duties of his superior. The rank was abolished by Charles IX. in the French army, and re-established by Henry IV. In company organizations the lieutenant comes next after the captain, and supplies his place during temporary absence. There are two grades of lieutenants, first and second. A lieutenant in the navy is an officer ranking with a captain in the army, holding rank above a master and below a lieutenant-commander.
Lieutenant de la Colonelle(Fr.). The second officer, or what was formerly styled the captain-lieutenant of the colonel’s company of every infantry regiment in France.
Lieutenant du Roi(Fr.). During the monarchy of France there was a deputy governor in every fortified place, or strong town, who commanded in the absence of the governor, and was a check upon his conduct when present. This person was calledlieutenant du roi.Lieutenants des Gardes Françoises et Suisses; lieutenants belonging to the French and Swiss guards. During the existence of the monarchy in France they bore the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and took precedence of all captains.Lieutenants Provinciaux d’Artilleriewere certain officers belonging to the old French service, and immediately attached to the artillery, who bore the title or name of the particular province in which they were stationed. Several of these lieutenants, who had military employment under the board of ordnance, received the rank of lieutenant-general in the army from the king, and could rise to the most exalted stations in common with other officers.
Lieutenant-Colonel.His rank corresponds with that of commanders in the navy. SeeColonel, Lieutenant-.
Lieutenant-General.His rank is equivalent to that of a vice-admiral. SeeGeneral, Lieutenant-.
Life-guard.A guard of the life or person; a guard that attends the person of a prince, or other high officer or dignitary; a body-guard. SeeGuards.
Light Battery.A mounted battery of field-guns.
Light Bobs.In the British service, a familiar term used for the light infantry.
Light Horse.All mounted soldiers that are lightly armed and accoutred for active and desultory service, may be considered under this term. Thus light dragoons, hussars, mounted riflemen, etc., are strictly speaking light horse.
Light Infantry.A body of armed men selected and trained for rapid evolutions; often employed to cover and assist other troops. SeeInfantry, Light.
Light Infantry Company.In the British service, a company of active, strong men, carefully selected from the rest of the regiment. It always occupies its place on the left of the battalion until called for. When the call sounds, the light company orders arms and unfixes bayonets without word of command, and remains in readiness to move.
Light Marching Order.A soldier paraded with arms, ammunition, canteen, and haversack, is said to be in light marching order.
Light Troops.By this term is generally meant all troops which are lightly accoutred for detached service.
Light, Velocity of.It has been proven by astronomers that light travels through space with the prodigious, though finite, velocity of 192,500, or nearly 200,000 miles in a second of time, and consequently would pass round the earth in the eighth part of a second. It is also proved, by the phenomena of aberration, that the light of the sun, planets, and all the fixed stars, travels with the same velocity.
Light-armed.Not heavily armed, or armed withlightweapons; as, light troops; a troop of light horse. SeeInfantry, Light-armed.
Light-ball.SeePyrotechny.
Light-barrel.SeePyrotechny.
Ligny.A village in Belgium, in the province of Namur, about 10 miles northeast of Charleroi, famous on account of the battle fought here by the French under Napoleon, and the Prussians under Blücher, June 16, 1815, in which the latter was defeated.
Liguria.In ancient geography, a region of Northern Italy, the land of the Ligurians It is first mentioned by the early Greek authors as extending as far westward as the mouths of the Rhone, while according to Polybius, its eastern boundary was Pisæ, and its northern the country of the Arretines. The Ligurians, so often praised by ancient authors for their hardihood and bravery, are generally understood to be those on the south side of the Apennines exclusively. In the time of Strabo these eked out the scanty produce of their stony and sterile soil by hunting and feeding flocks, and thus fostered that vigor of frame and ferocity of disposition which long rendered them the indomitable foes and plunderers of the Romans. They were renowned as slingers and light infantry in the armies of the Carthaginians, and afterwards in those of the Romans. They were conquered by the Romans in 125B.C.Liguria formed the first point of the Roman province of Gaul; in 1797, in consequence of the conquests of Bonaparte, it was formed into the republic of Liguria.
Limber.To attach to the limbers; as, to limber the gun; to limber up.
Limber-chest.The ammunition-chest placed on the limber of field-pieces.
Limbers.SeeOrdnance, Carriages for.
Limenarque(Fr.). An office of distinction, which existed in the Roman empire. The persons invested with it were directed to watch the frontiers of the empire, and they commanded the troops that were employed upon that service.
Limerick.A city of Ireland, chief town of a county of the same name, situated on the Shannon, about 60 miles from its mouth, and 106 miles south-southwest of Dublin. It has always been deemed a place of importance. It was taken by the English in 1174; in 1651 it was taken by Ireton, the son-in-law of Cromwell; in 1690 it was unsuccessfully besieged by King William III. in person; in 1691 it surrendered to Gen. Ginkel, afterwards earl of Athlone. Before the Conquest it was the seat of the kings of Thomond.
Limitary.A guard or superintendent, placed at the confines or boundaries of any kingdom or state.
Limitation of Time of Prosecution.SeeAppendix,Articles of War,103.
Limites Romani.The name of a continuous series of fortifications, consisting of castles, walls, earthen ramparts, and the like, which the Romans erected along the Rhine and the Danube, to protect their possessions from the attacks of the Germans.
Limits.In a military sense, is that which bounds or confines; as, the limits of a sentinel’s post; the limits of a garrison. An officer in arrest may have his limits extended.
Limoges.A town of France, in the department of the Upper Vienne, on the Vienne. It was besieged and taken by the English in 1370.
Limonite.Aniron ore(which see).
Lincelles.In Northern France, where the allied English and Dutch armies defeated the French, August 18, 1793.
Linch-pin.A pin through the end of an axle-arm of an artillery carriage to keep the wheel on. A hook attached to the head of the pin and embracing the axle-arm prevents the pin from being jolted out.
Linch-pin Washer.A ring against which the linch pin rubs.
Lincoln(anc.Lindum Colonia). A city of England, the capital of Lincolnshire, on the Witham. It was at the period of the Conquest rich and populous. It was taken several times by Saxons and Danes. Without Newport-gate, upon Lincoln plain, was fought the battle between the partisans of the empress Maud, commanded by the Earl of Gloucester, and the army of Stephen, in which the king was defeated and taken prisoner, February 2, 1141. Lincoln was the scene of important operations during the civil wars in the reign of King John; and here the party of the Dauphin was completely overthrown by the Earl of Pembroke during the minority of Henry III. During the great civil war the royalists obtained possession of the city, but it was stormed by the Parliamentary army under the Earl of Manchester, May 5, 1644.
Linden-tree.The wood used in artificial fireworks, etc.
Lindisfarne.SeeHoly Island.
Line.Various opinions have been given as to what portion of the military establishment should constitute thelineof the army, and in the absence of legislation, which should settle the question, it will continue to be a subject of controversy, and some difficulty has arisen from the vague and uncertain meaning of the words “line of the army,” which neither in the English service nor in the United States have a well-defined meaning. The opinion that the words are intended to distinguish the regular army from the militia, or discriminate between officers by brevet and those by ordinary commissions, as understood by some, would seem to be erroneous. Though the words “line of the army” may sometimes be used in a different sense, the opinion prevails that in the 122d Article of War they are used to designate those officers of the army who do not belong to the staff, in contradistinction to those who do. It is now generally conceded that the law contemplates that the fighting portion of the army; as cavalry, artillery, infantry, and engineers, or thatpart of the service organized or subdivided into units for command, as well as the commanders thereof, constitutes the “line of the army.” The four arms of the service above mentioned form the principal part of a mobilized army, and as they are always formed into a line of battle to resist the attack of an enemy, or to make an attack, they are generally known as the “line of the army,” or “troops of the line,” to distinguish them from other bodies of men who form parts of an army.
Line.In the British service, the regular infantry of an army, as distinguished from militia, volunteer corps, artillery, cavalry, etc.
Line.In tactics, a body of men in either one or two ranks; generally a body of troops drawn up with an extended front.To line, is to place troops in line (seeAlign); thus,to linehedges or walls, is to place troops behind them.To form the line, in land tactics, is to arrange the troops in order of battle, or battle array.To break the line, to change the direction from that of a straight line, in order to obtain a cross-fire, and for other purposes.To line a street or road, is to draw up any number of men on each side of the street or road, and to face them inwards. This is frequently practiced on days of ceremony, when some distinguished person is received with military honors on his way through places where troops are stationed. This is the usage also in funerals, when the corps under arms form a line facing inwards.
Line.In fencing, an imaginary line opposite to the fencer, wherein the shoulders, right arm, and the sword should always be found, and wherein are also to be placed the two feet at the distance of 18 inches apart. In which sense a man is said to be in hisline, or to go out of his line, etc.
Line.A cord or rope; as, apicket line, side lines (which see).
Line, Horizontal.A line parallel to the plane of the horizon; as, any line in the level surface of a plane.
Line, Inclined.Is a line which is oblique to the plane of the horizon.
Line, Magistral.SeeMagistral Line.
Line, Oblique.A straight line which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to another line; also a line of troops posted or marching obliquely.
Line of Battle.The position of troops drawn up in their usual order without any determined manœuvre.
Line of Counter-approach.A sort of trench which the besieged make, and push forward from the glacis, for the purpose of counteracting the enemy’s works.
Line of Defense.SeeDefense, Line of.
Line of Demarcation.A line which is drawn by consent, to ascertain the limits of lands or territories belonging to different powers.
Line of Direction.In gunnery, was a line formerly marked upon guns, by a short point upon the muzzle, and a cavity on the base-ring, to direct the eye in pointing the gun.
Line of Duty.An officer or soldier disabled while performing properly authorized duty is said to be injured in line of duty, and as such is entitled to the allowances fixed by law.
Line of Fire.In gunnery, the axis of the gun produced.
Line of Fire.In fortification, this term admits of two distinct acceptations: first, when it is found necessary to give an idea of the manner in which a rampart or an intrenchment covers any space of ground by the discharge of ordnance or musketry, lines must be drawn to express the distances traversed by the shot, etc. These lines are called lines of fire, being representations of the actual ranges; second, all that extent of a rampart or intrenchment from which the projectiles of ordnance or musketry are discharged, is understood to be the line of fire.
Line of Least Resistance.The shortest distance from the centre of the charge of a mine to the open air.
Line of March.Arrangement for marching. Course or direction taken by an army.
Line of Metal.Or natural line of sight, is a line drawn from the highest point of the base-ring or base-line to the highest point of the swell of the muzzle, or to the top of the sight, if there be one. The line of sight nearest to the axis of the piece is thenaturalline of sight, the others areartificiallines of sight. SeeArtificial Line of Sight.
Line of Sight.SeeLine of MetalandPointing.
Line of the Bastion, Capital.Is a line which bisects the salient angle of a bastion. SeeCapital.
Line, Retiring.A line of troops in orderly retreat.
Line, Tangent.A straight line, which meets a curve at one point and touches without cutting it.
Line, Vertical.A line which is perpendicular to the horizon. Of this description are all lines that express height or depth.
Lineal, or Linear.Pertaining to length; pertaining to the line of an army.
Lineal Rank.Is the rank of a line-officer in his arm of the service.
Linear Promotion.Is promotion of line-officers according to seniority in the arm of service, as opposed to promotion in the regiment.
Line-firings.This term is used when troops fire by line.
Lines.A series of field-works, either continuous or at intervals. The former are connected by means of curtains or straight walls. The rule in constructing the other is, that the works shall be within cannon- or musket-shot range of each other, according to their armament.
Lines, Close and Open.Formerly when troops were drawn up in order of battle with intervals between the battalions and squadrons, the lines were said to be close and open.
Lines, Continued.A continued line of field-works constructed for the defense of a position.
Lines Cremaillere.Are composed of alternate short and long faces at right angles to each other.
Lines, Full or Close.Are lines of men drawn up without leaving intervals between them.
Lines, Inside.Are a kind of ditches towards the place, to prevent sallies, etc.
Lines of Bastion.As the name indicates, are formed of a succession of bastion-shaped parapets, each consisting of two faces and two flanks, connected by a curtain.
Lines of Circumvallation.The defensive works by which a besieging army covers its rear and flanks against a relieving force.
Lines of Communication.Are trenches that unite one work to another, so that men may pass between them without being exposed to the enemy’s fire; hence, the whole intrenchment round any place is sometimes called a line of communication, because it leads to all the works.
Lines of Communication.This term is applied to all the practicable routes and roads connecting the different parts of an army occupying the theatre of war. Therefore, as the army moves from its base, the lines of operations become lines of communication, and since these “lines of operations” are generally the longest and most important lines of communication, it is to them that the simple term “communications” generally refers. All the routes used by the trains employed in provisioning an army, form a part of the communications. The most important, safest, and most convenient of these routes, all other things being equal, will be the central one, or the one leading from the centre of the army back to its base. This particular route is sometimes designated as the “line of supplies.”—Prof. J. B. Wheeler.
Lines of Contravallation.SeeContravallation.
Lines of Operations.The roads or routes by which an army moves from its base towards its objective-point have been designated by the term “lines of operations.” Lines of operations are classified from their number intosingle,double, ormultiplelines; from their positions with respect to the lines of operations of the enemy intointeriororexteriorlines; and from their position with respect to each other intoconvergentordivergentlines. Other classifications are sometimes used descriptive of the nature or other quality of the line.
Single Line of Operations.—An army moving in a given direction with all its parts united, or with those parts so situated that they can be readily joined when required, is said to use a “single line of operations.” Sometimes this line is called asimpleline. A single line of operations does not mean asingle road, but embraces all the roads or routes taken by the fractions of the army for the purpose of reaching a common point of concentration; the condition being imposed that these roads shall not be so far apart, or have intervening such obstacles, that the different parts of an army will be prevented from uniting at any given time which may be appointed.
Double and Multiple Lines of Operations.—When there are obstacles intervening between the roads or routes passed over by an army, or the roads are so far apart as to prevent the parts of the army from being readily united, the army is then said to employ “double” or “multiple” lines of operations.
Interior Lines of Operations.—If these lines are within those employed by the enemy, they are known as “interior” lines.
Exterior Lines of Operations.—If these lines are outside of the lines employed by the enemy, they are called “exterior” lines.
Convergent Lines of Operations.—If these lines of operations start from points some distance apart, approach each other, and meet at some point in advance, they are called “convergent.” Sometimes the term “concentric” is employed to designate them.
Divergent Lines of Operations.—These lines are the reverse of convergent lines, as they continue to separate, or the distance between them to widen, as the army advances. The term “eccentric” is also applied to them.
Accidental Lines of Operations.—Lines of operations are sometimes employed different from those proposed in the original plan of campaign. To these lines the term “accidental” is applied. It does not follow that their adoption is a matter of accident, as might be inferred from their name. They are frequently the result of a change in the original plan, which probable change was foreseen and provided for.
Temporary Lines of Operations.—Sometimes an army in making a movement employs a line which deviates from that adopted in the general plan of campaign. As soon as the movement is completed the original lines are resumed. Such line adopted for such movement is termed a “temporary line.” The term “manœuvre line” is also applied to it.—Prof. J. B. Wheeler.
Lines of Retreat.The roads passed over as the army advances are ordinarily the roads taken when the army retires or is driven back. In the latter case they are known as “lines of retreat,” and are “single,” “double,” “diverging,” etc., according to their number and position.—Prof. J. B. Wheeler.
Lines of Tenailles.Consist of parapets, forming a series of salient and re-entering angles.
Lines of Torres Vedras.SeeTorres Vedras.
Lines Outside.Are a kind of ditches towards the field, to hinder relief, etc.
Lines, Strategical.The lines followed by an army in making a strategical movement are called “strategical lines.” Temporarylines of operations, or manœuvre lines, therefore, are strategical lines. Lines of operations are important strategical lines. And in general, lines connecting two or more strategical points, which lines can be used by an army, and which allow of easy communication between these points, are “strategical lines.” A base of operations is therefore a strategical line.—Prof. J. B. Wheeler.
Lines with Intervals.One or more rows of field-works with large intervals between them, through which the offensive may be assumed.
Linesmen.In the British service, infantrymen of the regular army are so called.
Lingerer.One who pretends to be indisposed, in order to avoid his tour of duty,—a skulker. Hence the term malingerer, or a soldier who avoids duty in a disreputable manner.
Linlithgow-bridge.Near Edinburgh, Scotland, near which the forces of the Earl of Angus, who held James V. in their power, defeated the forces of the Earl of Lennox, who, after receiving promise of quarter, was killed by Sir James Hamilton, 1526.
Linstock.A short staff of wood, about 3 feet long, having at one end a piece of iron divided into two branches, each of which has a notch to hold a lighted match, and a screw to fasten it there, the other end being shod with iron to stick into the ground.
Linstock Socket.A socket attached to the piece in which the linstock was formerly carried.
Lipan Indians.A warlike tribe of aborigines residing in Texas and Mexico.
Lippe, orLippe Detmold. A small principality of Northwest Germany, the chief part of which is comprised between Prussian Westphalia, Hanover, and the principality Pyrmont. The surface is hilly, partly covered by the Teutoburger Wald, where Arminius exterminated the legions of Varus.
Lis(Fr.). A warlike machine was formerly so called. It consisted of a piece of wood or a stake, about the size of the human body, which was made smaller at the top than at the bottom, and resembled a lily not yet blown. Several of these were tied together with ozier or willow twigs, and were used for the security of a camp. They were not unlike the palisades of the present day.
Lisaine.A small river in France, rising in the Vosges Mountains, and flowing west of the fortress of Belfort. On January 15, 16, and 17, 1871, a terrible contest raged here between the French army under Bourbaki and the Germans under Von Werder, the French being finally compelled to retreat. The German loss was about 2000; the French about 6000.