Lisbon.The capital of Portugal, situated on the north bank of the Tagus, near its mouth in the Atlantic. In 1807 it was occupied by the French, and was afterwards the scene of important operations between the British and French armies, until the latter were finally driven from Portugal.
Lisburn.A town of Ireland, in the county of Antrim, on the Lagan, 8 miles southwest from Belfast. It was founded in 1627, and in 1641 was laid in ashes by the Irish insurgents. It was again burnt in 1707.
Lisieux.A town of France, in the department Calvados, situated near the confluence of the Orbec and the Tanque. The Normans pillaged it in the 8th century, and retained it for a considerable time. It has since been frequently besieged and captured, and was last taken by Henri Quatre in 1588.
Lisle, orLille. A city of France, formerly the capital of French Flanders, and now of the department of the North. It was founded in 1009 by Baudouin IV., count of Flanders. It fell into the power of Philip the Fair, after a siege of three months in 1297, and was taken again by Guy, count of Flanders, in 1302. The Protestants attempted in vain to surprise it in 1581, and the French besieged it without success in 1645. Wrested from the Spaniards by Louis XIV. in 1667, and retaken by the allies in 1708, after a long and obstinate siege, it was ceded to France by the treaty of Utrecht. The Austrians bombarded it from September 29 till October 6, 1792, but the garrison, admirably supported by the bravery of the inhabitants, compelled them to raise the siege.
Lissa.A town of Prussian Poland, near the borders of Silesia. This place was laid in ruins by the Russian army in the campaign of 1707.
Lissa.A mountainous island of Austria, in the Gulf of Venice, near the coast of Dalmatia, held by the British from 1810 to 1815. Near here the Italian fleet, commanded by Persano, was defeated with severe loss by the Austrian fleet, commanded by Tegethoff, July 20, 1866.
List.A roll or catalogue; as, the army-list, the pay list, etc.
List.A line inclosing or forming the extremity of a piece of ground, or field of combat; hence, in the plural (lists), the ground or field inclosed for a race or combat.To enter the lists, to accept a challenge, or engage in a contest.
List.To engage in the public service by enrolling one’s name, as soldiers; to inclose for combat; as, to list a field.
Litana Silva(nowSilva di Luge). A large forest on the Apennines, in Cisalpine Gaul, southeast of Mutina, in which the Romans were defeated by the Gauls, 216B.C.
Litter(Lat.lectica, fromlectus, “bed”). According to Rees’s Cyclopædia, a kind of vehicle borne upon shafts, anciently esteemed the most easy and genteel way of carriage. It was much in use among the Romans, among whom it was borne by slaves kept for that purpose, as it still continues to be in the East, where it is called apalanquin. The invention of litters, according to Cicero, was owing to the kings of Bithynia. In the timeof Tiberius they had become very frequent at Rome, as appears from Seneca. Horse-litters were much used in Europe prior to the introduction of coaches. In the military service the litter is a species of hurdle bed, on which the wounded are sometimes carried from the field of battle. What is known as the hand-litter or stretcher is used to carry men from where they fall in battle to field hospitals. The hand-litter or stretcher is generally constructed with canvas about 61⁄2feet long by 3 feet wide, the sides securely fastened to two hard-wood poles about 8 feet in length; the two cross-pieces should be constructed so that the litter can be rolled up. Small outlying bodies of troops, especially detachments of cavalry, are not always provided with them; for these the hand-litter, made with guns and blankets, has been extemporized; for this purpose the edges of the blanket are rolled over the guns, and tied firmly with twine, and two stout sticks are also tied across at the head and foot, serving as handles for the bearers. This being laid on the ground, the wounded man is placed upon it, with his knapsack under his head. The Indian litter is made by taking two stout saplings, and attaching to them three cross-pieces, about 21⁄2or 3 feet apart, by cords and notches; the sick or wounded man being placed on his blanket, this frame-work is placed over him, and the blanket knotted to it. By three bent twigs and an additional blanket, a kind of top can be made to this in case of a storm. Several kinds of horse or mule litters for frontier service have been invented, but none seem so well adapted for all purposes as the one invented by Surgeon J. C. Baily, U.S.A. Ambulance litters are so constructed as to be drawn from the ambulance and taken to the wounded man, who is by it conveyed to the vehicle. It is then slid into place on rollers, and steadied by loops and guys.
Little Fortification.The first division of the first system of Vauban, and is so called when the exterior side of a fortification does not exceed 350 yards. It is used in the construction of citadels, small forts, horn- and crown-works.
Living Force.Vis viva.That force of a body in motion which determines the work of which it is capable. Living force is measured by the product of the mass into the square of the velocity.
Livonia.A Russian province on the Baltic Sea, first visited by some Bremen merchants about 1158. It has belonged successively to Denmark, Sweden, Poland, and Russia. It was finally ceded to Peter the Great in 1721.
Liziere.The berme of a parapet. SeeBerme.
Llandeweyer.In Caermarthenshire, Wales. Here Llewellyn, prince of Wales, having descended into the plains, was surprised, defeated, and slain by the lords-marchers, December 11, 1282. This disaster led to the subjugation of Wales in 1283.
Llerena.An ancient town of Spain, in the province of Estremadura, 59 miles north from Seville. Near this place, the English under Combermere defeated the French under Drouet in 1812.
Load.The charge of a fire-arm; as, a load of powder.
Load.To place a charge in; to charge, as a gun, with powder, or with powder and shot, or ball.
Load.A word of command given when men are to charge their guns or rifles.
Loading.The process of loading field-shells is as follows: They are set up on their sabots, the charges measured out in the proper powder-measure, and poured in through a copper funnel. The fuze-plugs are then driven in with a mallet, allowing the tops to project about 0.1 inch, care being taken not to split them. The holes in the plugs are then carefully reamed out, and stopped with tow wads, which are pressed in firmly with a round stick.
Process of loading spherical case-shot: The shot having been cleaned, the balls are put in. A stick with a less diameter than the fuze-hole, and having a groove on each side of it, is inserted and pushed to the bottom of the cavity by working the balls aside. The shot is then placed in a sand-bath or oven, and brought to a proper temperature to receive the sulphur, which, in a melted state, is poured in to fill up the interstices between the balls; the shot is allowed to cool and the sulphur to harden, when the stick is withdrawn, and the sulphur adhering to the sides of the eye and the surface of the shot is removed. If a fuze-plug and paper fuze are to be used, the charge is poured in, and the plug inserted exactly as in case of a shell; but, if the Bormann-fuze is to be used, the charge is inserted, and the stopper and fuze screwed into their places, care being taken before placing the fuze in position to puncture the covering of the magazine, so that the fire can communicate with the charge. Spherical-case are now usually loaded by putting in the bullets and pouring melted sulphur or rosin in until the case is full. After the sulphur has cooled, the space for the powder is bored out by a cutter, which removes both the sulphur and portions of the bullets from the space. This is a quicker method, and gives a more compact projectile. Case-shot for rifle guns are filled in a similar manner. The object of the sulphur or rosin is to solidify the mass of bullets, and preventing them from striking by their inertia against the sides of the case, and cracking it, when the piece is fired. Coal-dust is sometimes used instead of sulphur or rosin. Round, leaden balls, seventeen to the pound, are used.
Process of filling mortar-shells: Having been inspected to see that they are clean, dry, and in good order, place them on a block made for the purpose, or on rings of rope, or in indentations in the floor of themagazine, or on the ground with the fuze-holes up. The charge measured out in a powder-measure is poured in through a funnel, and any incendiary composition, such as pieces of port-fire, rock-fire, etc., is inserted. In the mean time the fuze is cut to the proper length according to the range, by resting it in a groove made in the block, or inserting it in a hole made in a block or in a post, and sawing it across with the fuze-saw; or the fuze may be bored through with a gimlet perpendicularly to the axis at the proper point. The fuze is then tried in the fuze-hole, and should enter three-fourths of its length. If it does not, it may be reduced by rasping. The head of it is covered with tow to prevent the breaking of the composition, the fuze-setter placed on, and the fuze driven with the mallet until the head projects not more than 0.2 inch to 0.4 inch above the surface of the shell. These shells are generally filled and the fuzes driven in the battery magazines, as they are required. Shells for heavy guns are loaded in the same way as mortar-shells; but as paper fuzes inserted in wooden or bronze fuze-plugs are used instead of wooden fuzes, the plug only is driven into its place, and stopped with tow after the bursting charge has been poured through it into the shell.
Loading-bar.A bar used to carry shot. It is passed through the ring of the shell-hooks; also calledcarrying-bar.
Loading-tongs.A pair of tongs used with siege howitzers to set the shell home.
Loano.A town of Italy, in the province of Genoa, situated on the Gulf of Genoa. Here the Austrians and Sardinians were defeated by the French, under Masséna, November 23, 1795.
Lobau.An island of Lower Austria, in the Danube, 5 miles east-southeast of Vienna. Here the French, in 1809, remained intrenched for six weeks, between the battles of Gross-Aspern and Wagram.
Lobbes.A town of Belgium, 10 miles southwest from Charleroi, on the Sambre. This was the scene of an engagement between the Austrian and French troops in 1794.
Local Rank, orTemporary Rank. An officer who receives increased rank, for a limited period or during the performance of some specific duty, is said to have local rank. Also sometimes applied to the rank held by an officer who is assigned to duty by his brevet rank to a locality fixed by geographical limits, such as a military department or district. SeeBrevetRank.
Lochaber-axe.A formidable weapon of war, consisting of a pole bearing an axe at its upper end, formerly used by the Scotch Highlanders.
Lochage.In Greek antiquity, an officer who commanded a cohort.
Lochleven Castle.In Scotland, built on an isle in Loch Leven, it is said by the Picts. It was besieged by the English in 1301 and in 1334. The Earl of Northumberland was confined in it, 1569. It was the place of Queen Mary’s imprisonment in 1667.
Lock.That part of a fire-arm by which fire is produced for the discharge of a piece. The first form of the apparatus was thematch-lock, which consisted of a lever holding a lighted match, which by a simple mechanism was brought in contact with the priming. This was superseded by thewheel-lock, invented in Nuremburg, or Italy, according to different authorities, which made its appearance early in the 16th century. This consisted of a wheel wound up against a spring and released by a trigger. In its revolution it evolved sparks by friction against an alloy of iron and antimony, which fell upon and ignited the priming. This was replaced about 1680 by theflint-lock, consisting of a hammer, or cock, holding a flint, which in its descent struck a steel plate. This device gave way in its turn, about 1840, to thepercussion-lock, which, in one or another of its many forms, promises to endure indefinitely. The termsmatchlock,flintlock,firelock, etc., have also been used to designate the weapon itself.
Lock.In fencing, to seize, as the sword-arm of an antagonist, by turning the left arm around it, in order to disarm him.
Lock-chain Bridles.SeeOrdnance, Construction of, The Caisson.
Lock-chain Hooks.SeeOrdnance, Construction of, The Caisson.
Lock-chains.Are chains used to lock the wheels of field- and siege-carriages, or to prevent them from turning. For siege-carriages the chain has a shoe at the end, which goes under the wheel and lifts it from the ground. In field-carriages the chain is passed around one of the felloes and secured to itself by a key. In both carriages the chain is secured to the stock by an assembling-bolt.
Lock-chains.SeeOrdnance, Construction of, The Caisson.
Locket.The chape of a sword-scabbard.
Locking-plates.Are thin, flat pieces of iron on the sides of a field-carriage, where the wheels touch it in turning, to prevent the wearing of the wood in those places. These plates are commonly called wheel-guard plates.
Lock-plate.The plate in a small-arm which covers the lock and to which the mechanism is attached.
Lockspit.In field fortification, a small cut or trench made with a spade, about a foot wide, to mark out the first lines of a work.
Lock-step.A mode of marching by a body of men going one after another as closely as possible, in which the leg of each moves at the same time with and closely follows the corresponding leg of the person directly before him.
Locri, orLocri Epizephyrii(nowMotta di Burzano). A town of the Greek Locrians in Italy, on the southeast coast of the Bruttian peninsula. An important event in itshistory is the battle at the river Sagras, in which 10,000 Locrians and a few Rhegian auxiliaries defeated, with great carnage, an army of 130,000 Crotoniats. They were allies of the Romans against Pyrrhus; but after the battle of Cannæ, 210B.C., revolted to the Carthaginians, and did not resume the yoke of Rome until 205B.C.From this period Locri seems to have gradually declined in importance.
Lodge Arms.An old word of command, which was used on guards and pickets for the men to place their arms in front of the guard-house or quarter-guard.
Lodge, Indian.SeeWigwam.
Lodge-pole.Is a pole used by Indians in the construction of their teepes. It is generally of mountain pine or ash, about 30 feet long; 2 to 21⁄2inches at the butt, and 11⁄2inches at the other extremity. Lodge-poles are also used by the Indians to construct theirtravaux, to convey their wounded, camp equipments, etc. SeeTravois.
Lodging Allowance.In the British army, a money allowance given under certain circumstances to officers and men for whom there is no accommodation in barracks to provide lodgings for themselves. Married sergeants and private soldiers, who are married “with permission,” are entitled to lodging-money at various rates up to 8 shillings a week, when separate rooms in barracks cannot be spared for the accommodation of each couple.
Lodgment.Is a work made by the besiegers in some part of a fortification, after the besieged have been driven out, for the purpose of maintaining it, and to be covered from the enemy’s fire. It also means a footing obtained inside of an enemy’s works.
Lodgment.SeeInjuries to Cannon.
Lodi.A town of Italy, in the province of Lombardy, stands on the right bank of the Adda, 19 miles south of Milan. Lodi is celebrated for the victory of the French under Bonaparte over the Austrians, on May 10, 1796, when the long and narrow bridge was carried by the French column, notwithstanding a tremendous fire from the Austrian batteries.
Logement(Fr.). Means generally any place occupied by military men, for the time being, whether they are quartered upon the inhabitants of a town, or are distributed in barracks. When applied to soldiers that have taken the field, it is comprehended under the several heads of huts, tents, etc.
Logistics.Is properly that branch of the military art embracing all details for moving and supplying armies. It includes the operations of the ordnance, quartermaster’s, subsistence, medical, and pay departments. It also embraces the preparation and regulation of magazines for opening a campaign, and all orders of march and other orders from the general-in-chief relative to moving and supplying armies. Some writers have, however, extended its signification to embrace strategy.
Logrono.A town of Spain, the capital of a province of the same name, in Old Castile, situated on the Ebro. In 1808 and 1823 it was occupied by the French, being of importance as a military post.
Loigny.A village in France, department of Loiret, about 9 miles from Orleans. During the Franco-German war, the army of the Loire under Gen. Chanzy was defeated near here by the Germans under the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, December 2, 1870.
Lombard.A form or size of cannon formerly in use.
LombardsorLongobards. A German people of the Suevic family, not very numerous, but of distinguished valor, who played an important part in the early history of Europe. About the 4th century they seem to have begun to leave their original seats (on the Lower Elbe, where the Romans seem to have come first in contact with them about the beginning of the Christian era), and to have fought their way southward and eastward, till they came into close contact with the eastern Roman empire on the Danube, adopted an Arian form of Christianity, and after having been some time tributary to the Heruli, raised themselves upon the ruins of their power, and of that of the Gepidæ, shortly after the middle of the 6th century, to the position of masters of Pannonia, and became one of the most wealthy and powerful nations in that part of the world. Under their king Alboin they invaded and conquered the north and centre of Italy (568-569), and founded the kingdom of Lombardy. The nobles ravaged the greater part of Italy subsequent to 573, but in 584 they appointed Autharis their king, who greatly extended the empire, and formed a powerful kingdom. In the autumn of 773, Charlemagne invaded Italy; and in May of the following year Pavia was conquered and the Lombard kingdom, after an existence of 206 years, was overthrown. In 776, an insurrection of some of the Lombard nobles brought Charlemagne again into Italy, and their dukedoms were broken down into counties, and the Lombard system, as far as possible, supplanted by that of the Franks. In 803, a treaty between Charlemagne, the Western, and Nicephorus the Eastern emperor, confirmed the right of the former to the Lombard territory.
Lombardy.The name given to that part of Upper Italy which formed the nucleus of the kingdom of theLombards(which see). It consisted of the whole of Italy north of the peninsula, with the exceptions of Savoy and Venice, and after the fall of the Lombard kingdom, in 774, was incorporated in the Carlovingian empire. In 843 it was created a separate kingdom, but was not entirely severed from the Frankish monarchy till 888. From this time it was ruled by its own kings till 961, when it was annexed to the German empire. Out of the wrecks of the old independent kingdom nowarose a number of independent duchies, as Friuli, Mantua, Susa, Piedmont, etc., and soon afterwards the republics of Venice, Genoa, Milan, and Pavia, etc. The Lombard cities declared themselves independent towards the commencement of the 12th century, and in 1167 were joined by their less powerful neighbors in the “first Lombard league,” for the maintenance of their liberties against Frederic Barbarossa, whom they severely defeated in 1176. In 1225 they were compelled to form the “second Lombard league” against Frederick II., and with similar success. After this, petty tyrants rose in most of the cities, and foreign influence quickly followed. The Guelph and Ghibelline factions greatly distracted Lombardy; and from the 15th century to the present time it has been contended for by the German and French sovereigns. The house of Austria obtained it in 1748, and held it till 1797, when it was conquered by the French, who incorporated it into the Cisalpine republic, and in 1805 into the kingdom of Italy. On the breaking up of the French empire in 1815, the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom was established by the allied sovereigns and given to Austria, who had lost her Flemish possessions. In 1859 this union was dissolved by the Italian war; and also by the treaty of Villa Franca, ceded to the king of Sardinia.
Lomond, Loch.The largest and most celebrated of the Scottish lakes, separating the counties of Dumbarton and Stirling. In 1263 the Norsemen, under Angus, king of Man, after having ravaged the shores of the adjoining Loch Long, drew their boats over the neck of land which separates the two waters at Tarbet, massacred the inhabitants, and set fire to the numerous villages they found on the shores of the lake. After this expedition, the loch came into the hands of some of the chief Highland clans, who long carried on their feuds here.
Lomza.A district town in the government of Augustovo, in Poland, on the left of the Narev, a tributary of the Vistula. It played a prominent part in the history of Poland, but has never recovered from its sufferings during the Swedish wars.
Lonato.A town of Northern Italy, province of Brescia; it is surrounded by walls, and further defended by a citadel. It suffered greatly during the Middle Ages by pestilence. Here Bonaparte gained a victory over the Austrians in 1796.
London.The capital and chief city of the British empire, stands on both banks of the Thames, about 60 miles from the sea. It appears first in history under the reign of Claudius, and it was fortified under Constantine the Great. Boadicea, queen of the Iceni, reduced London to ashes, and put 70,000 Romans and strangers to the sword in 61; it was rebuilt and walled in by the Romans in 306; pillaged by the Danes in 839. In 1875 its population was 3,445,160.
London, New.A city of New London Co., Conn., situated 42 miles southeast from Hartford, on the Thames. This place was burned by the British in 1781.
Londonderry.The capital of a county of the same name in Ireland, on the Foyle. This town is of great antiquity, and has often suffered from the effects of war. It was besieged by James II., from December, 1688, till August, 1689, when the siege was raised.
Long Island.An island about 115 miles long, which is separated from New York by the East River, a strait about half a mile wide. Its capital isBrooklyn(which see), where was fought in 1776 the first pitched battle of the Revolutionary war, the result being the defeat of the Americans. The island suffered considerably at the hands of the English during this war. During the civil war (1861-65) Long Island took an active part in aid of the cause of the Union.
Long Roll.SeeRoll, Long.
Long-bow.A bow of the height of the archer, formerly used in England for war and sport.
Long-jawed.The state of a rope when its strands are straightened by being much strained and untwisted, and from its pliability will coil both ways.
Longitudinal Strain.The strain on a cannon or fire-arm which tends to part it with a ring fracture. SeeOrdnance, Strains upon.
Longwy.A strongly fortified town of France, in the department of the Moselle, 33 miles northwest from Metz. This is called the “iron gate of France,” and was in 1792 taken by the Prussians, and again by the allies in 1815.
Looking-glass Signaling.A method of signaling invented and extensively used by the North American Indians, both on the Plains and in the regions west of the Rocky Mountains. The reflection of the sun is flashed from a small piece of a mirror held in the hand. Indians have been known to communicate over a distance of several miles by this means. It is also extensively used in their drills,—the chief often directing the movements of his warriors with the greatest ease and certainty from a distant point overlooking the field. This method of signaling, modified by the resources of science, has been lately introduced into the English service, and used both in India and Southern Africa. A concave mirror is used, and an artificial light replaces the sun when he is absent. The method has been called heliography.
Loop-holed Galleries.Are vaulted passages or casemates, usually placed behind the counterscarp revetment, and behind the gorges of detached works, having holes pierced through the walls, to enable the defenders to bring a musketry fire from unseen positions upon the assailants in the ditch. Loop-holes, however, are not confined to galleries. In modern fortifications, the revetments, both scarp and counterscarp, are very generally pierced for musketry fire.
Loop-holes.Apertures in a wall or stockade, through which a fire of musketry may be directed on the exterior ground.
Loose.Not close or compact. “With horse and chariots ranked in loose array.”
Loosen, To.To open ranks or files from close order. To loosen is, in fact, to lose that firm continuity of line or perpendicular adherence, which constitutes the true basis of military operations. The lock-step was introduced for the purpose of counteracting the mischievous effects of loose marching, but it produced a greater inconvenience, and has therefore been laid aside; the equal pace and marked time correct both.
Loot.An East Indian term for plunder or pillage.
Looties, orLootees. An East Indian term for a body of irregular horsemen, who plunder and lay waste the country, and harass the enemy in their march.
Lootywallow.An East Indian term of the same import aslooties.
Lorarii.Among the Romans, officers whose business it was, with whips and scourges, to compel the gladiators to engage. The lorarii also punished slaves who disobeyed their masters.
Lorca.A town of Spain, in the province of Murcia, on the Cornera. This town is remarkable in history as having been the key of Murcia during the Moorish wars; being situated on the frontiers of Granada, it was often taken and retaken. It suffered greatly from military violence during the French occupation in 1810.
Lord-Lieutenant.In Great Britain the lord-lieutenant of a county is a permanent provincial governor appointed by the sovereign by patent under the great seal. He is the permanent local representative of the crown, who, on the occasion of an invasion or rebellion, has power to raise the militia, form regiments, troops, and companies, and give commissions to officers. He is also the head of the magistracy, the militia, and the yeomanry; he nominates officers of militia and volunteers, and is the chief executive authority.
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.The viceroy or deputy of the sovereign, to whom the government of Ireland is committed. The office has existed from a remote period, the appointment having been made under different designations. The lord-lieutenant is appointed under the great seal of the United Kingdom, and bears the sword of state as the symbol of his viceregal office. He has the control of the police, and may issue orders to the general commanding the troops for the support of the civil authority, the protection of the public, the defense of the kingdom, and the suppression of insurrection. He also has the power to confer knighthood.
Loreto, orLoretto. A fortified city of Italy, in the province of Macerate, situated 14 miles southeast from Ancona. This place was taken by the French in 1797.
Lorica.A cuirass, or coat of mail worn by the Roman soldiers, was made of various materials. The ordinary kind consisted of a skin, or a piece of strong linen covered with small plates of iron, which resembled both in their shape and in their manner of overlapping each other the scales of a serpent or fish. Sometimes cuirasses or hauberks, composed entirely of iron rings linked together, were worn by the Romanhastati. A less flexible but more impervious defense was the cuirass made of hard leather or of metal, and consisting of two parts (the one covering the breast and abdomen, and the other the back), united by hinges and leathern thongs.
Lorraine(Ger.Lothringen). A former extensive province of France, included in the departments of Vosges, Meurthe, Moselle, and Meuse. Under the Romans it formed part of the Belgic division of Gaul, and was afterwards united to the empire of Charlemagne. It subsequently became a duchy, and passed into possession of the dukes of the house of Austria. In 1836 it was ceded to Stanislas, ex-king of Poland, and after his death passed to the crown of France, from which it was wrested by the Germans at the close of the Franco-German war, May 10, 1871.
Los Angeles.A city, the capital of a county of the same name, in Southern California, about 350 miles southeast of San Francisco. It was captured from the Mexicans by the combined forces of Gen. Kearney and Commodore Stockton in 1846.
Loss.Killed, wounded, and captured persons, or captured property.
Losses.In the British army there is a regular provision made for indemnification for losses by fire, by shipwreck, in action with the enemy, by capture at sea, by destruction or capture of a public store-house, by the destruction of articles or horses, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, etc. In the United States, it would seem just that Congress should establish some general rule regulating such matters. The principle of settling all such claims by special legislation cannot but bear hardly on a number of individuals, and also probably in the end imposes greater burdens upon the treasury.
Loudon.A parish of Ayrshire, Scotland, 4 miles east from Kilmarnock. In the neighborhood, at Loudon Hall, Bruce, with his forces, encountered the troops of the Earl of Pembroke in 1307.
Loudon-hill.SeeDrumclog.
Louis, orKnights of St. Louis. The name of a military order in France, instituted by Louis XIV. in 1693. Their collars were of a flame color, and passed from left to right. The king was always grand master.
Louisburg.A famous fortress built by the French soon after the peace of Utrecht (1713) upon the eastern coast of Cape Breton Island. Since the existence of so strong aplace threatened the colonial and English fisheries, it was determined in 1745 by the Legislature of Massachusetts Bay (France and Great Britain being then at war) to strike a blow at the town. Accordingly, a force of colonists consisting of 3250 Massachusetts militia, aided by 516 men from Connecticut and 304 from New Hampshire, set sail in 100 vessels, and landed near the town, April 30, 1745. An active but irregular siege (though the men were without tents and the proper means of conducting such operations) was terminated June 17, 1745, by the capitulation of the French under Duchambon. But the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) gave back all Cape Breton to France. The town was invested in 1758 by Gen. Amherst with 14,000 British troops, 20 line ships, 18 frigates and other vessels. After a tremendous bombardment, which quite destroyed the town, and breached the walls badly, the garrison and French fleet surrendered July 26, 1758. The English overthrew the fortifications at an expense of $50,000. The first cost was one hundred times that sum.
Louisiana.One of the Southern or Gulf States of the United States, lying between Arkansas and Mississippi on the north and east, the Gulf of Mexico on the south, and Texas on the west. The country was visited by La Salle, and the mouth of the Mississippi discovered in 1691, and though Iberville attempted to found a colony in 1699, his efforts were not successful. The country was transferred to Spain by France in 1762; restored to France in 1800; and purchased by the United States in 1803. That part of the Territory now known as the State of that name was admitted into the Union in 1812, and was within three years afterwards the scene of the great battle of New Orleans, fought January 8, 1815, between the British troops under Gen. Pakenham, and the Americans under Gen. Jackson, in which the former were defeated with great loss. The State seceded, and was the theatre of many important events during the civil war (1861-65).
Loup des Anciens(Fr.). Was an iron instrument, made in the shape of a tenaille, by means of which they grappled the battering-rams, and broke them in the middle.
Louviers.A town of France, in the department of the Eure, situated on the Eure. It was sacked both by Edward III. and Henry V. of England.
Lover’s War.In French history, a name given to a civil war in the year 1580, during the reign of Henry IV. It was so called because it arose from the jealousies and rivalries of the leaders, who were invited to meet at the palace of the queen-mother.
Loyalist.A person who adheres to his sovereign, or to the constituted authority; especially one who maintains his allegiance to his prince or government, and defends his cause in times of revolt.
Lozenge.In heraldry, a charge generally enumerated among the sub-ordinaries, in the shape of a rhombus placed with the acute angles at top and bottom. The horizontal diameter must be at least equal to the sides, otherwise it is not a lozenge, but afusil. The termlozengyis applied to a field divided by diagonal lines crossing one another at regular intervals, so as to form a diamond pattern, the compartments being of alternate tinctures.
Lubeck.One of the three cities of the German empire, situated on the river Trave, about 14 miles from the Baltic. Lubeck has existed since the 11th century, and received important privileges from the German emperors in the 12th century, which were confirmed by the Danes, into whose power it fell in 1201. It was declared a free city of the empire in 1226, and thereafter maintained its independence against the Danes, and joined the other towns in the greatHanseatic League(which see). With the decline of the Hanseatic League, it lost its historic importance, but continued to flourish as an independent city, till it was taken and plundered by the French, November 6, 1806. In 1810 it was incorporated with the French empire, and in 1813 the Russians compelled the French to deliver it to its rightful owners; but the French again occupied it, until it was liberated by Sweden. In 1871 it was annexed to the German empire.
Lubny, orLubnu. A town of European Russia, government of Poltava, or Pultowa, on the Sulla. Charles XII. of Sweden besieged this place for a considerable time, but he did not succeed in taking it.
Lubricant.A greasy substance or mixture of substances placed on the surface or in the cannelures of bullets to lessen friction in the bore. Bayberry tallow, beeswax, Japan wax, stearine, graphite, soapstone, etc., are some of the substances used.
Lucanians.A warlike people of Southern Italy; defeated Alexander of Epirus at Pandosia, 332B.C.; were subdued by the Romans, 227; revolted after the battle of Cannæ, 216; were reduced by Scipio, 201; again revolted, 90; admitted as Roman citizens in 88.
Luceria(nowLucera). Sometimes called Nuceria, a town in Apulia, on the borders of Samnium. In the war between Rome and Samnium, it was taken by the Samnites, 321B.C., and next by the Romans, 319; but having revolted to the Samnites in 314, all the inhabitants were massacred by the Romans, and their place supplied by Roman colonists.
Lucknow(Hind.Laksmanavate). A city of British India, capital of Oude, situated on the right bank of the Goomty, 610 miles from Calcutta. In 1857, during the Indian mutiny, this place was besieged by the rebels, but was bravely defended by the troops under Sir Henry Lawrence, and afterwards by Gens. Outram and Havelock. The long-suffering troops and English residents were finally relieved by Sir Colin Campbell, whothen effected one of the most masterly retreats on record in the annals of Indian warfare. The British regained possession of it in 1858.
Lucon.A town of France, in the department of Vendée, situated on the edge of a marshy plain. The Republicans sustained a defeat under the walls of Lucon in 1703, and the insurgent Vendeans besieged the place some months afterwards, but without success.
Ludlow.A municipal and Parliamentary borough of England, in the county of Salop, at the confluence of the Corve and Teme. The castle, now a magnificent ruin, was at one time one of the most important strongholds against the Welsh.
Lugo.A town of Italy, in the province of Ravenna. It was sacked and nearly destroyed by the French in 1796.
Lugs.The ears of a bombshell, to which the hooks are applied in lifting it.
Luncarty.A village of Scotland, 4 miles north from Perth, where the Danes were defeated in 990 by Kenneth III.
Lundy’s Lane, Battle of.Called also the battle of Niagara, and of Bridgewater, was fought on the Canadian frontier within sight and hearing of the Falls, July 25, 1814. In this contest the American troops, numbering about 4500, commanded by Gen. Brown, succeeded, after a display of desperate valor and perseverance, in repulsing about midnight a body of 7000 British, and capturing one of their generals, Riall, and 7 pieces of cannon. The losses on both sides were nearly equal (about 850 killed, wounded, and missing). During the night the Americans fell back to Chippewa, being unable to convey their trophies with them for want of means of transportation, and in the morning when they advanced to Bridgewater Mills they found the enemy again occupying the battle-ground, in possession of their captured cannon, and having been reinforced too strong to be again dislodged. The Americans thus lost all the substantial fruits of the victory.
Lunge(a corruption ofallonge). A pass or thrust with a sword; a shove with a boarding-pike.
Lunette.A field-work consisting of two faces forming a salient angle, or one projecting towards the enemy, and two flanks parallel, or nearly so, to the capital or imaginary line bisecting the salient angle. In shape it is like the gable end of a house. It is intended for the defense of avenues, farm-houses, bridges, and the curtains of field-works.
Lunette.An iron ring at the end of the trail of a field-piece, which is placed over the pintle-hook of the limber in limbering up the gun. The term is also applied to the hole through an iron plate on the under side of the stock of a siege-piece, into which the pintle of the limber passes when the piece is limbered.
Lunettons.A smaller sort of lunettes.
Lunéville.A well-built town of France, in the department of the Meurthe. The palace was for many years the residence of Stanislas, king of Poland. The first treaty of Austria and the French republic was signed in this town in 1801.
Lunge.In fencing and bayonet exercise, an extended thrust.
Lunt.The match-cord used for firing cannon.
Lusitania.A district of ancient Hispania, considered in its original meaning as the country of the Lusitani. It now comprises Portugal south of the river Douro, and a large number of provinces in Spain. The Lusitanians, especially those that inhabited the mountains, were much addicted to plunder, were the bravest of all the Iberians, and offered most resistance to the Romans.
Lustration(Lat.lustratio). Sacrifices or ceremonies by which the ancients purified their cities, fields, armies, or people, defiled by any crime or impurity. There were several ways of performing lustration, viz., by fire, by sulphur, by water, and by air. The Roman people underwent a lustration in the Campus Martius, after the census, which was taken every five years (lustrum), had been completed. In the armies, some chosen soldiers, crowned with laurel, led the victims—a cow, a sheep, and a bull—thrice round the army ranged in battle-array in the field of Mars, to which deity the victims were subsequently sacrificed, after many imprecations had been invoked upon the enemies of the Romans. The Gothic kings abolished these ceremonies when they became masters of Rome.
Lutter.A town of Germany, 23 miles southwest from Brunswick, in the Hartz district. Christian IV., king of Denmark, was defeated near this town by Tilly in 1626.
Lutzen.A small town of Prussia, province of Saxony, famous for two great battles fought in its vicinity. The first took place on November 16, 1632, between the Swedish army under Gustavus Adolphus and the Imperialists under Wallenstein; Gustavus Adolphus was killed, but the victory was gained by the Swedes. The second great battle was fought on May 2, 1813, somewhat farther to the south, at the village of Groszgörschen. It was the first great conflict of the united Russian and Prussian armies with the army of Napoleon in that decisive campaign. The allies gained at first great successes; but the French were left in possession of the field at the close of the day.
Luxemburg.The capital of the grand duchy of Luxemburg, situated on the Else, or Alzette. The Spaniards, Austrians, French, and Dutch, who successively held possession of the town, so increased and strengthened its fortifications that in the beginning of the 19th century it was considered to be, with the exception of Gibraltar, the strongestfortress in Europe. In 1867 it was declared neutral ground.
Lycaniens(Fr.). Hungarian light infantry are so called.
Lydda.An ancient town of Palestine, which stood in the fertile plain of Sharon, about 9 miles from Joppa. It was rebuilt by Hadrian, and its name changed toDiosopolis, “the city of Zeus.” It was destroyed by a Mongol tribe in 1271. The modern village of Ludd occupies its site.
Lyers, Out-. SeeOut-lyers.
Lying.To be actually stationed or quartered in a given place.In-lyingandout-lyingpickets. SeePicket.
Lying Out of Quarters.SeeAppendix,Articles of War,31.
Lyman Gun.SeeMulti-charge Guns.
Lyon, orLord Lyon King-at-Arms. The chief heraldic officer for Scotland, whose title is derived from the lion rampant in the royal escutcheon. The Scottish king-at-arms has, unlike his brother-kings of England, from an early period exercised jurisdiction independently of the constable and marshal, holding office directly from the sovereign by commission under the Great Seal. In early times he was occasionally designated theLordLyon; but the now prevalent custom of so calling him seems to have arisen from the circumstance that, since 1796, the office has been held by a peer. According to Nesbet, the Lyon has precedence of all knights and gentlemen not being officers of state, or senators of the College of Justice. Since the Union, he has ranked next to Garter; Clarencieux and Norroy follow; then Ulster; but it has sometimes been maintained that within Ireland, Ulster has place next after Lyon. The Lyon is king-at-arms to the order of the Thistle.
Lyons, orLyon(anc.Lugdunum). A city of France, capital of the department of the Rhône, situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône. A Roman colony is said to have been established here in 43B.C.The city was destroyed by fire in the time of Seneca, but was shortly after restored by Nero to its former splendor. It was plundered and again burnt by the soldiers of Septimius Severus, after the defeat of Albinus near it in 197A.D.In 1793, the city having refused to submit to the Convention, sustained a memorable siege from August 8 to October 9, on which date it was taken, and suffered severely at the hands of the republicans.