Bastion, Deformed, is when the irregularity of the lines and angles puts the bastion out of shape; as, when it wants a demi-gorge,one side of the interior polygon being too short.
Bastion, Demi, is that which has only one face and one flank, cut off by the capital,—like the extremities of horn- and crown-works.
Bastion, Double, is that which is raised on the plane of another bastion.
Bastion, Flat, is a bastion built in the middle of the curtain, when it is too long to be defended by the bastions at its extremes.
Bastions, Hollow, are those surrounded only with a rampart and parapet, having the space within unoccupied where the ground is so low that no retrenchment can be made in the centre in the event of the rampart being taken.
Bastion, Regular, is that which has true proportion of faces, flanks, and gorges.
Bastions, Solid, are those which have the void space within them filled entirely, and raised of an equal height with the rampart.
Bastioned Fort.A fort having bastions.
Baston.A staff or cudgel formerly used in tournaments. In heraldry, a staff or cudgel generally borne as a mark of bastardy, and properly containing one-eighth in breadth of the bend-sinister.
Bat de Mulet(Fr.). A pack-saddle used on service when mules are employed to carry stores. Aparejos in the United States service are used for a similar purpose. SeePack-saddles.
Batage(Fr.). The time employed in reducing gunpowder to its proper consistency. The French usually consumed 24 hours in pounding the materials to make good gunpowder. Supposing the mortar to contain 16 pounds of composition, it would require the application of the pestle 3500 times each hour. The labor required in this process is less in summer than in winter, because the water is softer.
Bataillon de la Salade(Fr.). A name formerly given in France to old corps which wore a peculiar kind of helmet called salade. SeeSalade.
Batardeau(Fr.). A wall built across a ditch or fortification, with a sluice-gate by which the height of the water in the ditch on both sides may be regulated. To prevent this wall being used as a passage across the ditch, it is built up to an angle at the top, and armed with iron spikes; and to render the attempt to cross still more difficult, a tower of masonry is built on it.
Batavia and Batavian Republic.SeeHolland.
Bateau(Fr.). A light boat.
Bateau-bridge.Is a floating bridge supported by bateaux or light boats. SeePontons.
Bateau d’Avant-garde(Fr.). A small light boat attached to the advance-guard of an army. It is 33 feet in length by 5 feet 6 inches in breadth.
Bate Isle.An island of Hindostan, belonging to the province of Guzerat, situated at the southwestern extremity of the Gulf of Cutch. It was formerly a rendezvous for pirates, who were the dread of all traders on the western coast of India. In 1803 a naval force, consisting of a British frigate and two Bombay cruisers, succeeded in destroying several of the pirate boats and vessels; but an attack upon the castle, though conducted under the fire of the ships, was repulsed with some loss. In 1807 a treaty was entered into with the chiefs of the island, whereby they consented to relinquish their piratical practices.
Bath, Knights of the.SeeOrder of Knights of the Bath.
Bat-horse.A baggage horse which bears the bat or pack.
Bat-man.A servant in charge of the bat-horses. The term is now applied in the English service to a soldier who acts as servant to an officer.
Baton.A truncheon borne by generals in the French army, and afterwards by the marshals of other nations. Henry III. of France before he ascended the throne was made generalissimo of the army of his brother Charles IX., and received the baton as the mark of the high command, 1569.
Baton.A staff used by drum-majors of foot regiments.
Baton Rouge.A city of Louisiana. It was captured by the Federals August 5, 1862, after a fierce conflict.
Batourin.A town of Russia, 63 miles east of Tcheringov, on the Seim. It was the residing place of the hetman of the Ukraine Cossacks from 1699 to 1708; captured and sacked by the Russians in 1708.
Batta.An allowance made to military officers in the service of the East India Company in addition to their pay. SeeHalf-batta.
Battalia.The order of battle; disposition or arrangement of troops, brigades, regiments, battalions, etc., as for action. Formerly the term applied to the main body of an army in array, as distinguished from the wings.
Battailant.Equipped for battle; warlike; a combatant. This word is now obsolete.
Battalion.A body of troops, so called from being originally a body of men arranged for battle; consisting in European armies of about 800 or 1000 men; in the U. S. service, an aggregation of from two to twelve companies.
Battard.An early cannon of small size.
Batten.The sloping of a wall which brings the perpendicular from the top inside the base.
Batter.A cannonade of heavy ordnance, from the first or second parallel of intrenchment, against any fortress or works. To batterin breachimplies a heavy cannonade of many pieces directed to one part of the revetment from the third parallel.
Batterie en Rouage(Fr.). Is an enfilading battery, when directed against another battery.
Battering.In military affairs, implies the firing with heavy artillery on some fortification or strong post possessed by an enemy, in order to demolish the works.
Battering Charge.The charge of powder used in battering. The heaviest charge used in a gun.
Battering-pieces.Are large pieces of ordnance, used in battering a fortified town or post.
Battering-ram.In antiquity, a military engine used to batter and beat down the walls of places besieged. There were two different kinds of battering-rams, one rude and plain, the other compound. The former seems to have been no more than a great beam, which the soldiers bore on their arms and shoulders, and with one end of it, by main force, assailed the walls. The compound ram was a large beam with a head of iron, which was sometimes made to resemble the head of a ram. It was suspended by ropes to a beam supported by posts, and balanced so as to swing backwards and forwards, and was impelled by men against the wall. These rams were sometimes 120 feet in length.
Battering-train.A train of artillery used solely for besieging a strong place, inclusive of mortars and howitzers. SeeSiege-train.
Battery.A battery consists of two or more pieces of artillery in the field. The term battery also implies the implacement of ordnance destined to act offensively or defensively. It also refers to the company charged with a certain number of pieces of ordnance. The ordnance constitutes the battery; men serve it; horses drag it, and epaulments may shelter it.
Ambulant Battery, heavy guns mounted on traveling carriages, and moved as occasion may require, either to positions on the coast or in besieged places.
Barbette Batteriesare those without embrasures, in which the guns are raised to fire over the parapet.
Battery d’Enfiladeis one that sweeps the whole length of a line, or the face or flank of any work.
Battery de Reverseis one which plays upon the rear of the troops appointed to defend a place.
Battery en Echarpeis that which plays obliquely.
Breaching Battery.SeeBreach.
Covered, orMasked Batteryis when the cannon and gunners are covered by a bank or breastwork, commonly made of brushwood, fagots, and earth.
Cross-batteriesare two batteries which play athwart each other upon the same object, forming there an angle, and battering with more effect, because what one battery shakes the other beats down.
FacineandGabion Batteriesare batteries constructed of those machines where sods are scarce, and the earth very loose and sandy.
Floating Batteriesare such as are erected either on rafts or on the hulls of ships.
Gun-batteryis a defense constructed of earth faced with green sods or fascines, sometimes of gabions filled with earth. It consists of a breastwork, epaulment, or parapet; the open spaces through which the muzzles of the cannon are pointed are calledembrasures, and the solid masses between the embrasures,merlons; thegenouilleresare those parts of the parapet which cover the carriage of the gun. The platforms are plank floors made to prevent the cannon from sinking into the ground; they are made with a slope to check the recoil of the guns, and to render it more easy to bring them forward again when loaded.
Half-sunken Battery.This term is applied to a battery in which the earth to form the parapet is derived partly from a ditch in front and partly from the excavation of the terre-plein. SeeArtillery, alsoCavalier.
Mortar-batteriesdiffer from gun-batteries in this, that the parapets have no embrasures, and the platforms have no slope, but are exactly horizontal; the shells being fired quite over the parapet, commonly at an elevation of 45°.
Open Batteryis a number of cannon, commonly field-pieces, ranged in a row abreast on some natural elevation of ground, or on an artificial bank raised for that purpose.
Raised Battery, one whose terre-plein is elevated considerably above the ground.
Redan Batteriesare such as flank each other at the salient and re-entrant angles of a fortification.
Ricochet Battery, so called by its inventor Vauban, was first used at the siege of Aeth in 1697. It is a method of discharging cannon with a very small charge of powder, and with just elevation enough to fire over the parapet. When properly managed its effects are most destructive; for the shot, rolling along the opposite rampart, dismounts the cannon and disperses or destroys the troops. Ricochet practice is not confined to cannon alone; small mortars and howitzers may be effectually employed for the same purpose.
Sunken Battery, where the sole of the embrasures is on a level with the ground, and the platforms are consequently sunk below it.
Battery-boxesare square chests or boxes, filled with earth or dung; used in making batteries, where gabions and earth are not to be had. They must not be too large, but of a size that is governable.
Battery-wagon.It consists, besides the limber, of a long-bodied cart with a round top, which is connected with the limber in the same way as all other field-carriages. The lid opens on hinges placed at the side; and in the rear is fixed a movable forage-rack for carrying along forage. One of these wagons accompanies each field battery, forthe purpose of transporting carriage-maker’s and saddler’s tools, spare parts of carriages, harness, and equipments, and rough materials for replacing different parts. Both it and the forge are made of equal mobility with the other field-carriages, in order to accompany them wherever they may be required to go. SeeOrdnance, Carriages for.
Battery, Electric.The apparatus used to generate a current of electricity.
Battery, orTraveling Forge. SeeOrdnance, Carriages for.
Battery Gun.A gun capable of firing continuously a great number of shots in a short time. Applied to guns mounted upon tripods, stands, swivels, or carriages. Amagazine cannonin contradistinction to a magazine small-arm. Also calledmachine gunandmitrailleur. Guns of this kind existed as early as the 14th century. From the arrangement of the barrels they were calledkilling organs. They have always been used in various forms, but were comparatively inefficient till recent times, when the introduction of the metallic cartridge gave the subject a new importance.
Puckle’s revolver, 1718, was ingeniously mounted upon a tripod with good elevating and traversing arrangements. It had one barrel and a movable rotating breech containing nine charges. These were fired in succession, and a new breech, ready charged, was slipped on. Two kinds of bullets were used,—round bullets against Christians and square ones for Turks.
Winans’s steam gun, invented about 1861 by the celebrated American inventor and engineer Thomas Winans, of Baltimore, was a battery gun of large calibre. The shot fell from a hopper into a breech-chamber, and were projected through the barrel by the sudden admission behind it of steam under enormous pressure.
Theinfernal machinewith which Fieschi killed Marshal Mortier and a large number of others in his attempt to assassinate Louis Philippe, in 1835, was a crude form of battery gun, consisting of a row of gun-barrels fired by a train of powder. Many battery guns are of this type.
TheRequa battery—American—used in the civil war, 1861-65, consisted of a row of 24 barrels on a wheel-carriage, so arranged as to give either parallel or divergent fire. It was breech-loading, the cartridges being forced into the barrels by a transverse bar worked by levers. It was capable of seven volleys a minute.
One of the forms ofmitrailleurused in the Franco-Prussian war was very much the same. The loading-bar was rotating, and had two sets of chambers. One set was fired while the other was being loaded.
TheAbbertini gunused in Europe has 10 barrels arranged as in the Requa battery. It is worked by a crank. The cartridges are conveyed by mechanical devices from a box magazine to the rear of the barrels.
The form in which acluster of barrelsis used was probably first introduced in France, and was made by inserting 25 gun-barrels into the bore of a brass field-piece, into the breech of which a slot was cut, the open rear ends of the barrels being flush with the front wall of the slot. A cylinder-case containing cartridges being placed in the slot, a set of plungers pushed the cartridges into the barrels. The case was then replaced by a firing-block containing a lock and pin for each cartridge.
This was improved by mounting the barrels (37) without the casing and replacing the cartridge-case by a steel block in which the cartridges were fired without being pushed into the barrels.
The first successful gun in which thecluster of barrelswas made to revolve was the Gatling. (SeeGatling Gun.) In this both the barrels and the locks revolve. The Gatling gun in its various forms is used by all the leading nations of Europe. It is used in a variety of ways for field service, mountain service, flank defense of fortifications, in the main-tops of ships, etc. It has been mounted upon the backs of camels, on tripods, swivels, and field-carriages. In Europe its principal rival is theNordenfelt, in which the barrels are stationary and the breech mechanism works horizontally. It is probably superior to the Gatling in the amount of metal thrown in a given time. In mechanism and accuracy it is inferior. Its principal claim to superiority is that it fires either volleys or single shots. The recoil, which is always great in volley-guns, requires a very heavy stand, making it clumsy and unwieldy compared to the Gatling. Accidents have also happened in its use from defective mechanism. Among other American battery or machine guns are theLowellandGardner, both of which have won enviable reputations. A late form of the Gardner consists of two barrels fixed in a brass casing, giving it the external appearance of an ordinary field-piece. It has less rapidity of fire (its maximum being about 357 shots a minute) than some other guns, but it is simple, strong, and efficient.
TheTaylor gunwas something like the Nordenfelt in principle, having a fixed cluster of barrels and a sliding breech mechanism, firing volleys or single shots at discretion. A later form of Taylor gun has the barrels in a horizontal row. The improvement consists in rapidity of loading. The cartridges are carried in the ordinary paper or wooden cases, exposing the heads. The gun has a number of upright pieces at the breech with grooves between them. By drawing the cartridge-case downward over these uprights the cartridges are caught in the grooves by their flanged heads. They fall by gravity, and are conducted by suitable devices in grooved channels to the barrels. This gun, it is believed, fires more shots a minute than any other, but its mechanismis not so perfect as several of its rivals.
TheHotchkiss revolving cannonhas the largest calibre of the modern machine guns. It differs from the Gatling in having but one lock for all the barrels. It is worked by a crank like the Gatling, but the mechanism is such that during a part of the revolution of the crank the barrels are stationary. It is during this time that one cartridge is fired and another case extracted. The rapidity of fire is much less than the Gatling and most others, but in perfection of mechanism, accuracy, and other qualities, it is unsurpassed. A peculiar form of brake is fitted to the wheels of the field-gun to prevent the recoil from moving the carriage. For the larger sizes both shells and canister are used. The metallic cartridge-case is of brass. This gun is the invention of B. B. Hotchkiss, an American, now residing in Paris. His guns are made at the Hotchkiss Works, near that city, and have been adopted for flank defense of fortifications and for naval use by several of the continental powers.
Battle.An action or engagement between the forces of two armies. A battle is either general or partial; general, where the whole or the greater part of each army is brought into action; and partial, where only brigades, divisions, orcorps d’arméeare engaged. But, however the numbers may vary, the great principles to be applied in delivering battle are in almost every case the same. Palamedes of Argos is said to have been the first who ranged an army in order of battle, placed sentinels round a camp, and excited the soldier’s vigilance by giving him a watch-word.
Battlesmay be arranged into three general classes,defensive,offensive, andmixedbattles. In a purelydefensivebattle, an army chooses a position in which to await the enemy, and there to give battle with no other end in view than to hold this position and repulse the enemy. In a purelyoffensivebattle, an army seeks the enemy and attacks him wherever he is to be found. Amixedbattle, is a combination of these two. The most common case of this last class is that in which a position is selected beforehand, where the army awaits the attack of the enemy, and, at a suitable moment, moves from it, and attacks the assaulting columns. This case is sometimes known as adefensive-offensivebattle. Details of particular battles and engagements are given under their respective headings in this work.
Battle-Abbey.In Sussex, England; founded by William I. 1067, on the plain where the battle of Hastings was fought, October 14, 1066. It was dedicated to St. Martin, and given to Benedictine monks, who were to pray for the souls of the slain. The original name of the plain was Hetheland. After the battle of Hastings, a list was taken of William’s chiefs, amounting to 629, and called theBattle-Roll; and among these chiefs the lands and distinctions of the followers of the defeated Harold were distributed.
Battle-array.Array or order of battle; the disposition of forces preparatory to a battle.
Battle-axe.A weapon much used by the early northern nations, Celtic and Scandinavian, requiring great strength in its use. Some were held with one hand, some with two; the former kind could be wielded equally by horse and foot, but the latter was for foot soldiers only. The battle-axe has a longer handle, and a broader, stronger, and sharper blade than the common axe. During the Middle Ages and somewhat earlier, it was much used in sorties, and to prevent the escalading of a besieged fortress. Thepole-axediffered but little from the battle-axe. Theblack-billandbrown-billwere a sort of halbert, having a cutting part like a woodman’s bill, with a spike projecting from the back, and another from the head. Theglaivewas a kind of pole-axe or bill used by the Welsh.
Battle-cries.SeeWar-cries.
Battle-ground.A village of Tippecanoe Co., Ind., where the battle of Tippecanoe was fought, November 7, 1811, between Gen. Harrison and the Indians under the chief Tecumseh and his brother the “Prophet.”
Battlements.The indentations in the top of old castles, or fortified walls, in the form of embrasures, for the greater convenience of firing or looking through.
Battle of the Giants.SeeMarignano.
Battle of the Herrings.A name given by historians to an engagement which took place February 12, 1429, in which Sir John Fastolfe, an English general at the head of 1500 men, gained a victory over 6000 Frenchmen near Orleans, and brought a convoy of stores in safety to the English camp before that place. The stores comprised a large quantity of herrings.
Battle of the Nations.SeeLeipsic.
Battle of the Spurs.A name given to the battle ofCourtrai(which see); also to that of Guinegate. SeeGuinegate.
Battle of the Standard.A name given to a battle between the English and Scotch atNorthallerton(which see).
Battle of the Thirty.A name given in English and French history to a celebrated engagement which took place at a spot known as Midway Oak, half-way between the castles of Josselin and Ploermel, in France, March 27, 1351. The French general Beaumanoir, commanding at the former place, being enraged at the English general Bemborough, occupying the latter position, challenged him to fight. Upon this it was agreed that 30 knights of each party should meet and decide the contest. At the first onset the English were successful, but Bemborough having been killed, the French renewed the struggle with redoubled courage, and finally won the victory.
Battle-range.The range correspondingto the maximum “dangerous space” for the trajectory of any fire-arm. This range is somewhat greater for such fire-arm employed against mounted troops than against foot troops. For instance, it is 262 yards for the Springfield rifle (calibre .45) when used against foot troops, and represents the extreme range for which the rear sight may be set so as to cover such foot troops continuously between that point and the firer. There is also a “dangerous space” of 75 yards behind that point for the foot soldier; hence the maximum “dangerous space” is 337 yards, and is a continuous one. For the same arm and against cavalry, the “battle-range” is 291 yards, corresponding to a maximum continuous “dangerous space,” front and rear, of (291 + 95 =) 386 yards. For the carbine (cal. .45) against infantry, this range is 204 yards, and the maximum “dangerous space” is 300 yards. Upon the latest model sights (1879) for these two fire-arms, the letter “B” is placed opposite the “battle-range” elevation, and indicates the most suitable one for firing at an enemy’s line of battle; with this elevation and the aim taken at the foot, the enemy will be hit wherever he may be within a range of about 400 yards. The most effective fire, and one covering the greatest zone of continuous “dangerous space,” can be secured by causing troops to lie down, to fire at the feet of the opposing line, and to use the “battle” elevation. The zone then swept will be round about 500 yards for troops armed with the service rifle. SeeDangerous Space.
Battle, The Fearless.An engagement between the Lacedæmonians under Archidamus III. and the Arcadians.
Battre(Fr.). To direct one or more pieces of ordnance in such a manner that any given object may be destroyed or broken into by the continued discharge of cannon-ball, or other warlike material; it likewise means to silence an enemy’s fire.
Battre de Front(Fr.). To throw cannon-balls in a perpendicular or almost perpendicular direction against any body or place which becomes an object of attack. This mode of attack is less effectual than any other unlessbattering in breach.
Baulois.A piece of punk stuff, used by miners for firing the saucision, or train.
Bavaria.A kingdom in South Germany; conquered from the Celtic Gauls by the Franks, between 630 and 660. The country was afterwards governed by dukes subject to the French monarchs. Tasillon II. was deposed by Charlemagne, who established margraves in 788. Henry the Lion, duke of Saxony, Bavaria, and Brunswick, was dispossessed in 1180 by the emperor Frederick Barbarossa (who had previously been his friend and benefactor.) Bavaria supported Austria in the contest with Prussia in June, 1866, and took part in the war; made peace with Prussia August 22. Took part with Prussia against the French in the Franco-Prussian war, 1870.
Bavier.The beaver of a helmet.
Bavin.The old word for fascine.
Bayberry Tallow.A product of the wax myrtle, used as lubricant for bullets.
Bayeux.A city in the department of Calvados, France, 17 miles west-northwest of Caen; captured and sacked by Henry I. of England in 1106; by Philip of Navarre in 1356; the English took possession of it, 1450; the Protestants in 1561; Lamoricière for the League in 1589, and the Duke of Montpensier in 1590.
Baylen.A town in Southern Spain, where on July 20, 1808, the French, commanded by Gens. Dupont and Wedel, were defeated by the Spaniards under Reding, Coupigny, and other generals, whose force amounted to 25,000.
Bayonet.A triangular dagger, made with a hollow handle and a shoulder, to fix on the muzzle of a rifle, so that its presence does not impede either the charging or firing of the piece. It is said to have been invented at Bayonne, in France, about 1647, 1670, or 1690. It was used at Killiecrankie in 1689, and at Marsaglia by the French in 1693, “with great success against the enemy, unprepared for the encounter with so formidable a novelty.” Bayonets are sometimes made in other shapes. SeeSword-bayonetandTrowel-bayonet.
Bayonet Exercise.A drill in fencing with the bayonet fixed on the gun.
Bayonet Scabbard.A leather or metallic case for carrying the bayonet suspended from the belt.
Bayonne.An ancient city in Southern France, at the confluence of the Adour and Nive; held by the British from 1295 till it was taken by Charles VII. The queens of Spain and France met here in 1565 the cruel Duke of Alva, it is supposed to arrange the massacre of St. Bartholomew. Charles IV. of Spain abdicated here in favor of his “friend and ally,” the emperor Napoleon, May 4, 1808. In the neighborhood of Bayonne was much desperate fighting between the French and English armies, December 10, 11, and 13, 1813; invested by the British January 14, 1814; on April 14, the French made a sally and attacked the English with success, but were at length driven back. The loss of the British was considerable, and Lieut.-Gen. Sir John Hope was wounded and taken prisoner.
Bayou.A long and narrow place; a branch of a trench in fortification; a hose or leathern pipe; the outlet of a lake; a channel for water.
Baza.A city in Andalusia, Spain; it was taken by the Spaniards under Ferdinand V. from the Moors in December, 1489, after a siege of nearly seven months; in 1810 the Spaniards under Gens. Blake and Freire were defeated by the French under Marshal Soult.
Bazar.The sutler establishment which accompanies a native regiment in the India service wherever it goes.
Bazeilles.A village in the Ardennes, Northeast France. During the dreadful battle of Sedan, September 1, 1870, Bazeilles was burnt by the Bavarians, and outrages committed. Of nearly 2000 inhabitants scarcely 50 remained alive, and these indignantly denied having given provocation. The cause of provocation appears to have been that an old woman whose husband and sons had been killed had fired upon and killed two Bavarians.
Bazoche-des-Hautes.Near Orleans, Central France. Here a part of the army of the Loire, under Gen. d’Aurelle de Paladines, was defeated after a severe action by the Germans under the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, December 2, 1870.
Beach-master.Formerly a superior officer, appointed to superintend the disembarkation of an attacking force, who holds plenary powers, and generally leads the storming-party. His acts when in the heat of action are unquestioned.
Beachy Head.A promontory, Southeast Sussex, England, near which the British and Dutch fleets, commanded by the earl of Torrington, were defeated by a superior French force under Admiral Tourville, June 30, 1690; the allies suffered very severely. The Dutch lost 2 admirals, 500 men, and several ships,—sunk to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy; the English lost 2 ships and 400 men. The admirals on both sides were blamed,—the English for not fighting, the French for not pursuing the victory.
Beacon.A signal-fire to notify the approach of an enemy.
Bear.In a military sense, a piece of ordnance is said tobear, orcometobear, or isbroughttobear, when pointed directly against the object; that is, pointed to hit the object.
Bear, Order of.Was a military order in Switzerland, instituted by the emperor Frederick II. in 1213, by way of acknowledgment for the service the Swiss had done him, and in favor of the abbey of St. Gall. To the collar of the order hung a medal, on which was represented a bear raised on an eminence of earth.
Beard.The reflected points of the head of an ancient arrow, particularly of such as were jagged.
Beat.In a military sense, to gain the day, to win the battle, etc.
Beating the Wind.Was a practice in use in the ancient method of trial by combat. If one of the combatants did not appear in the field at the time appointed, the other was to make so many flourishes with his weapon, by which he was entitled to all the advantages of a conqueror.
Beaucéant, orBeaucent(Fr.). Standard of the Knights Templar; it was white on one side and black on the other.
Beaugency.An ancient town of France, in the department of Loiret, and situated on the right bank of the Loire. It was at one time surrounded by walls, flanked with towers and bastions, and defended by a strong castle, now ruined. In the history of the wars of France Beaugency occupies a conspicuous place; it was successively in the hands of the Huns, Saxons, Normans, and English, but the town sustained most damage during the religious wars of the 16th century.
Beaumont.A town in the department of the Somme, France; here the French routed the allies, June 16, 1815.
Beaumont.A village near Sedan, department of Ardennes, Northeast France. Near here a part of the army of Marshal MacMahon, under De Failly, which, after vainly endeavoring to reach Metz, was retreating before the Germans under the crown prince of Prussia, was surprised, defeated, and driven across the Meuse at Mouzon, August 30, 1870. The French loss included about 7000 prisoners, many guns, and much camp equipage. The victory was chiefly gained by the Bavarians.
Beaune-la-Rolande.A village in the Loiret, France. Here the French army of the Loire under Gen. d’Aurelle de Paladines was defeated by the Germans under Prince Frederick Charles, in an attempt to march in the direction of Fontainebleau, to relieve Paris, November 28, 1870. The French loss was reported by the Germans to be 1000 dead and 4000 wounded, with more than 1700 prisoners. Their own loss was also heavy.
Beauvais(Northern France). The ancientBellovaci, formerly capital of Picardy. When besieged by Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, with 80,000 men, the women under Jeanne Fourquet or Lainé, also called de la Hachette, from her using that weapon, particularly distinguished themselves, and the duke raised the siege, July 10, 1472. In memory of this, the women of Beauvais walk first in the procession on the anniversary of their deliverance.
Bebra.A sort of javelin, used by the ancient Germans; it was an imitation of thepilumof the Romans.
Bec de Corbin(Fr.). A kind of halbert formerly used by the body-guards of the kings of France.
Bechlis.Light cavalry of the Turks, composed of picked men and horses.
Bedaines(Fr.). Stone bullets which were thrown from catapults during the Middle Ages.
Bednore, orNuggur. A large city of Mysore, India. In 1763 it was taken and pillaged by Hyder Ali, who subsequently made it the seat of his own government. It was taken by the British under Gen. Matthews in 1783, but was soon retaken by Tippoo, at the head of a vastly superior force, when Gen. Matthews and all the principal British officers were put to death.
Bedouins.Wandering tribes of Arabs, living on the plunder of travelers, etc. They profess a form of Mohammedanism, and aregoverned by sheikhs. They are said to be descendants of Ishmael.
Beds.Are receptacles for ordnance of large calibre,—mortar-bedsserve the same purpose as gun-carriages. They are made of solid timber, consisting generally of two pieces fastened together with strong iron bolts and bars. Their sizes depend on the kind of mortar they carry. The beds for the smaller mortars are made of one solid block only. The reason that a bed is used for a mortar instead of a wheel-carriage is on account of the high elevation at which a mortar is usually fired, when the recoil, instead of forcing the piece backwards, tends to force it downwards, and this tendency becomes so great at the higher angles that no wheel-carriage could long sustain the shock.
Beeren, Gross.A village of Prussia, 11 miles east-southeast of Potsdam, well known as the scene of a great victory gained by the Prussians over the French on August 22-23, 1813.
Beetles.In a military sense, are large wooden hammers for driving down palisades, and for other uses.
Beetlestock.The stock or handle of a beetle.
Befort, orBelfort. A fortified town in the department of Haut-Rhin, France; sustained several sieges; taken by the Austrians in 1814. Its citadel was constructed by Vauban.
Beg, orBey. A Turkish title, rather vague in its import, and commonly given to superior military officers, ship-captains, and distinguished foreigners. More strictly, it applies to the governor of a small district, who bears a horse-tail as a sign of his rank. Beglerbeg, or more correctly Beilerbegi (“lord of lords”), is the title given to the governor of a province who bears three horse-tails as his badge of honor, and has authority over several begs, agas, etc.
Begkos, orBeikos. A large village of Anatolia, on the Bosphorus, 8 miles north-northeast of Scutari, said to be the locality of the contest between Pollux and Amycus, in which the latter was killed. At the commencement of the Crimean war, the allied fleets anchored in Begkos Bay, prior to their entering the Black Sea, in January, 1854.
Behourd,Bihourt, orBohourt(Fr.). This name was given during the Middle Ages, to a combat on horseback, lance in hand; also a tilting of cavaliers, which took place at public amusements.
Beilan.A town and mountain-pass of Syria at its northern extremity, on the east side of the Gulf of Iskanderoon. Here the Egyptian troops totally defeated the Turks in 1882.
Belbeys, orBelbeis. A town of Lower Egypt, on the eastern arm of the Nile, 28 miles north-northeast of Cairo; it is inclosed by earthen ramparts, and is a station on the route from Egypt to Syria. During the expedition of the French into Egypt, Gen. Bonaparte had the ancient fortifications repaired.
Beleaguer.To invest a town or fortress, so as to preclude escape; to besiege; to blockade.
Belem.A town of Portugal, on the right bank of the Tagus, near Lisbon. It is historically interesting as the place from whence Vasco de Gama set sail on his voyage of oriental discovery; it was taken in November, 1807, by the French, the royal family of Portugal embarking from its quay for Brazil as they entered; in 1833, it was occupied by Don Pedro’s troops.
Belemnon.A dart used by the ancient Grecians.
Belfry, orBeffroi. Among military writers of the Middle Ages, a movable tower, often several stories high, erected by besiegers for purposes of attack and defense.
Belgian-fuze.SeeBormann-fuze.
Belgium.Late the southern portion of the kingdom of the Netherlands, and anciently the territory of the Belgæ, who were finally conquered by Julius Cæsar, 51B.C.; a revolution commenced at Brussels, August 25, 1830; Antwerp taken (except the citadel), December 23, 1830. The king of the Netherlands commenced war August 3, 1831, but France sent 50,000 troops to assist Belgium, which effected an armistice. Antwerp was taken by the French, December 23, 1832, and the French army returned to France immediately after. For previous history, seeFlanders.
Belgrade.An ancient city in Servia, on the right bank of the Danube. It was taken from the Greek emperor by Solomon, king of Hungary, in 1086; gallantly defended by John Huniades, against the Turks under Mahomet II., July to September, 1456, when the latter was defeated with the loss of 40,000 men; it was taken by Sultan Solyman, 1521, and retaken by the Imperialists in 1688, from whom it was again taken by the Turks, 1690; besieged in May, 1717, by Prince Eugene. On August 5, of that year, the Turkish army, 200,000 strong, approached to relieve it, and a sanguinary battle was fought at Peterwardein, in which the Turks lost 20,000 men; after this battle Belgrade surrendered. In 1739 it was ceded to the Turks, after its fine fortifications had been demolished; retaken in 1789, and restored at the peace of Reichenbach in 1790. The Servian insurgents had possession of it in 1806; in 1815, it was placed under Prince Milosch, subject to Turkey; the fortifications were restored in 1820; the fortress was surrendered by the Turks to the Servians about August, 1867.
Belier(Fr.). A battering-ram, invented by the Carthaginians about 441B.C.; used in ancient times for siege purposes. Also a wooden machine for driving wedges under a ship’s bottom.
Bellair.In North America; this townwas attacked by the British forces under Sir Peter Parker, who, after an obstinate engagement, were repulsed with considerable loss; their gallant commander was killed August 30, 1814.
Belle-Alliance.A farm-house on the field of Waterloo, Belgium; it is situated on the right side of the high-road to Brussels and about two miles from Mount-Saint-Jean. Here Napoleon marshaled his guards for their last effort at Waterloo; and here Wellington and Blücher met after the battle was gained by the allies.
Bellegarde.A hill fortress of France, in the department of the Pyrénées Orientales. Here the French under Philip III. were defeated by Peter III. of Aragon, in 1285; captured by the Spaniards in 1674, and again by the French under Marshal Schomberg, in 1675; blockaded and taken by the Spaniards under Ricardos, but was retaken by the French in the following year.
Belleisle.An isle on the southeast of Brittany, France, erected into a duchy for Marshal Belleisle in 1742, in reward of his military and diplomatic services, by Louis XV. Belleisle was taken by the British forces under Commodore Keppel and Gen. Hodgson, after a desperate resistance, June 7, 1761; restored to France in 1763.
Belley,Bellica,Bellicum, orBellicium. A town in the department of Ain, France, 39 miles east from Lyons, formerly fortified. Belley served as a place of arms to Cæsar against the Allobroges; burned by Alaric in 390; it was in the possession of the dukes of Savoy; it was ceded to France in 1601.
Belligerent.In a state of warfare. Hence any two or more nations at war are called belligerent powers.
Bellinzona.A town in the Swiss canton of Ticino, on the river Ticino. It has several castles, and was captured and recaptured several times by the Germans, Swiss, and French.
Bellipotent.Powerful or mighty in war.
Bell-metal.An alloy of about 78 parts copper and 22 of tin, used in making bells. It is harder and more sonorous than gun-metal, but much more brittle.
Bellovaci.The most powerful of the Belgæ, dwelt in the modernBeauvais, between the Seine, Oise, Somme, and Bresle. In Cæsar’s time they could bring 100,000 men into the field, but they were subdued by Cæsar with the other Belgæ.
Bellows-house.SeeOrdnance, Carriages for, Traveling Forge.
Bells of Arms.In the British service, are tents in front of the quarters of each company of infantry, in which the arms are piled. In Indian cantonments, the bells of arms are of masonry.
Beloochistan, Southern Asia. The ancientGedrosia. The capital, Kelat, was taken by the British in the Afghan war, in 1839; abandoned in 1840; taken and held for a short time in 1841.
Belt, Great.A strait forming the central communication between the Baltic and the Cattegat; it separates the island of Funen from that of Seeland. In the winter of 1658, while frozen, it was crossed by Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, and his army, on his way to besiege Copenhagen.
Belts.Leathern suspenders of different sorts and for various purposes, viz.:swordbelts, to which swords hang;shoulderorcrossbelts, broad leathern belts, crossing from the right shoulder, and to which the pouch is affixed; and leathern straps fixed round the waist, by which a sword or bayonet is suspended.
Benares.A holy city of the Hindoos in India; it was ceded by the nabob of Oude to the English in 1755; the scene of an insurrection in 1781, which nearly proved fatal to the British interests in Hindostan. In June, 1857, Col. Neil succeeded in suppressing attempts to join the Sepoy mutiny.
Ben-Azzedin.A place in Algiers, where the French fought the Kabyles, September 9, 1848.
Benburb.Near Armagh (Northern Ireland). Here O’Neill totally defeated the English under Monroe, June 5, 1646. Moore says that it was “the only great victory since the days of Brian Boru achieved by an Irish chieftain in the cause of Ireland.”
Bend.In heraldry, is one of the ordinaries, or more important figures. It is formed of two parallel lines drawn from the dexter to the sinister base, and consequently passing athwart the shield. It is supposed to represent a shoulder-belt, or scarf worn over the shoulder.
Bender(Bessarabia, European Russia). Was the asylum of Charles XII. of Sweden after his defeat at Pultowa by the czar Peter the Great, July 8, 1709. The peace of Bender was concluded in 1711; it was taken by storm, by the Russians, in September, 1770; again taken by Potemkin in 1789; and again stormed in 1809. It was restored at the peace of Jassy, but retained at the peace of 1812.
Benevente.A small town of the province of Alentejo, Portugal, where Lord Paget, afterwards Marquis of Anglesea, in 1808, greatly distinguished himself by a brilliant cavalry action, against the French under Marshal Soult; when Gen. Lefebre Desnouettes, who commanded the advanced guard of the French forces, was taken prisoner.
Benevento(anc.Beneventum). An ancient city in South Italy, said to have been founded by Diomedes the Greek, after the fall of Troy; Pyrrhus of Macedon, during his invasion of Italy, was totally defeated near Beneventum, 275B.C.At a battle fought here, February 26, 1266, Manfred, king of Sicily, was defeated and slain by Charles of Anjou, who thus became virtually master of Italy. It was seized by the king of Naples, but restored to the pope, 1773; it was taken by the French in 1798, and restored to the pope in 1814.
Bengal.Chief presidency of British India, containing Calcutta, the capital. Its governors were delegated by the sovereigns of Delhi till 1340, when it became independent. It was added to the Mogul empire by Baber about 1529.
Beni-Abbes.An Algerian tribe who fought the French, May 16, 1847.
Beni-Achour.An Algerian tribe who were defeated by the French, September 22, 1848.
Benicke.A kind of military fête among the Turks, similar to a tournament, but without the presence of ladies.
Beni-Mered.An Algerian tribe who were defeated by the French, May 27, 1836.
Beni-Yala.An Algerian tribe who were chastised by the French, May 31, 1847.
Ben-Nahr.A place in Algeria where the French defeated the Arabs, February 7, 1846.
Bennington.A post-township of Bennington Co., Vt., 117 miles southwest of Montpelier. Here a detachment of the English army under Gen. Burgoyne were defeated by the Americans under Gen. Stark, August 16, 1777, and 600 prisoners captured.
Ben-Tijour.A place in Algeria where the French engaged the Arabs, September 22, 1848.
Bentonville.A village in Johnston Co., N. C. Here part of the army of Gen. Sherman encountered a Confederate army (40,000 strong) under Gen. Johnston, March, 1865. The attack was made by Gen. Johnston on the left wing of the Federal army with the intention of overwhelming it before it could be relieved. Six assaults were gallantly sustained by the Federals against the combined forces of Gens. Hoke, Hardee, and Cheatham. During the night Gen. Slocum received reinforcements which rendered his position impregnable. On March 21, Gen. Sherman ordered a general attack by his skirmish-line, and the ensuing night Johnston retreated towards Smithfield, leaving his pickets to fall into Gen. Sherman’s hands. The Federal loss was 1646; the Confederate loss is unknown, but about 1300 prisoners were taken by the Union forces.
Beraun.A walled town of Bohemia, capital of a circle, on the Beraun River. Here the Austrians defeated the Prussians in 1744.
Berbers.The general name usually given to the tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions of Barbary and the northern portions of the Great Desert. They were conquered in succession by the Phœnicians, Romans, Vandals, and Arabs. They are of middle stature, sparely but strongly built; complexion varies from a red to a yellow brown; hair is, in general, dark, and eyes dark and piercing. Their manners are austere, and in disposition they are cruel, suspicious, and implacable. They are usually at war with their neighbors or among themselves.
Beresina, orBerezina. A river in Russia, crossed by the French main army after its defeat by the Russians, November 25-29, 1812. The French lost upwards of 20,000 men, and their retreat was attended by great calamity and suffering.
Bereung.A description of Swedish militia, consisting of every man in the kingdom, from 20 to 25 years of age, capable of bearing arms.
Bergamo.A fortified city of Lombardy, Italy; captured by the French in 1698. During the height of the Venetian power, Bergamo was a dependency on its territory; under Napoleon, it was the capital of the department of Serio.
Bergedorf.A town of North Germany; it was taken from the Duke of Saxe-Lauenberg in 1736 by the cities of Hamburg and Lubeck; recaptured in 1412; and again taken by the same two cities in 1720.
Bergen.A small town in Germany, about 5 miles from Frankfort. Here the French, under the Duke of Broglie, defeated the allies under the Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick, April 13, 1759. The allies lost 2500 killed and wounded, and the French lost about 1800.
Bergen.A town in Holland. Here the allies under the Duke of York were defeated by the French, under Gen. Brune, with great loss, September 19, 1799. In another battle fought October 2, the same year, the duke gained the victory over Brune; but on the 6th, the duke was defeated before Alkmaer, and on the 20th entered into a convention, by which his army was exchanged for 6000 French and Dutch prisoners in England.
Bergen-op-Zoom, orBerg-op-Zoom. A strongly-fortified town of Holland, in North Brabant, on the river Zoom. In 1586 it was unsuccessfully besieged by the famous Duke of Parma, and afterwards, in 1622, it defied the utmost attempts of Spinola, who was forced to abandon the enterprise after a siege of ten weeks, with the loss of 12,000 men. It was taken by the French under Count Lowendahl in 1747, and in 1795 was again occupied by them. An attempt made by the British under Gen. Sir T. Graham (afterwards Lord Lynedoch) to carry the fortress by storm was defeated; after forcing an entrance, their retreat was cut off, and a dreadful slaughter ensued; nearly all were cut to pieces or made prisoners, March 8, 1814.
Bergerac.A town in the department of Dordogne, France; it was formerly fortified, and sustained many sieges; taken by the English in 1345, and retaken by the Duke of Anjou in 1370. Its fortifications were razed by Louis XIII. in 1621.
Bergfried, Combat of.A combat which took place between the French and Russians, February 3, 1807, in which the latter were repulsed.
Bergues.A fortified town in the department of the North, France; it was captured and recaptured by the Spaniards and French; the last time by Turenne in 1658.
Berlin.Capital of Prussia, in the provinceof Brandenburg; alleged to have been founded by the margrave Albert the Bear, about 1163. It was taken by an army of Russians and Austrians in 1760, but they were obliged to retire in a few days. On October 26, 1806, after the battle of Jena (October 14), the French entered Berlin; and from this place Napoleon issued the famous “Berlin decree” or interdict against the commerce of England, November 20. On November 5, 1808, Napoleon entered into a convention with Prussia by which he remitted to Prussia the sum due on the war-debt and withdrew many of his troops to reinforce his army in Spain. An insurrection commenced here in March, 1848; a treaty of peace between Prussia and Saxony was signed on October 21, 1866.
Berme.A narrow path round fortifications between the parapet and the ditch, to prevent the earth from falling in.
Bermuda Hundred.In Chesterfield Co., Va., on the right bank of the James River, just above the mouth of the Appomattox. Here on May 16, 1864, the Federal forces under Gen. Butler were attacked by the Confederates under Beauregard, and after several hours’ severe fighting Butler was compelled to fall back to his first line of intrenchments, with a loss of about 2500.
Bermuda Islands, orBermudas. A group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, discovered by Juan Bermudez, a Spaniard, in 1527, but not inhabited until 1600, when Sir George Somers was cast away upon them. The Bermudas are garrisoned by British troops.
Bernard, The Great St.A famous mountain-pass of the Pennine Alps, so called from a monastery founded on it by Bernardine de Meuthon in 972. Velan, its highest peak, is about 8000 feet high, covered with perpetual snow. Hannibal, it is said, conducted the Carthaginians by this pass into Italy, 218B.C.; and by the same route, in May, 1800, Bonaparte led his troops to Italy before the battle of Marengo, June 14, 1800.
Berne.The sovereign canton of Switzerland; joined the Swiss League in 1352; the town of Berne was made a free city by the emperor Frederick, May, 1218; it successfully resisted Rudolph of Hapsburg, 1288. It surrendered to the French under Gen. Brune, April 12, 1798; the town was made capital of Switzerland in 1848.
Berry(anc.Biturigum regis), Central France; held by the Romans since the conquest by Cæsar, 58-50B.C., till it was subdued by the Visigoths; from whom it was taken by Clovis in 507.
Bersaglieri.The sharpshooters of the Sardinian army; first employed about 1848.
Berserker.A legendary Scandinavian hero of the 8th century, celebrated for his strength and valor. He fought without a coat of mail or helmet, whence his name. The name Berserkers was also applied to a class of warriors who, under the influence of a sort of demoniac possession, fought naked, performing marvelous feats of valor, unmindful or insusceptible of wounds.
Berwick-on-Tweed.A fortified town on the northeast extremity of England; the theatre of many bloody contests while England and Scotland were two kingdoms; it was claimed by the Scots because it stood on their side of the river; annexed to England in 1333; and after having been taken and retaken many times, was finally ceded to England in 1482; in 1651 it was made independent of both kingdoms; the town surrendered to Cromwell in 1648, and afterwards to Gen. Monk in 1659.
Besançon.A fortified city of France, capital of the department of Doubs; sacked by Attila; captured and ruined by the ancient Germans; rebuilt by the Burgundians; it was ceded to Spain by the peace of Westphalia; taken by Louis XIV. on May 15, 1670; united to France in 1678; in 1814 the Austrians besieged it without success.
Besiege.To lay siege to or invest any fortified place with armed forces.
Besieged.The garrison that defends the place against the army that lays siege to it.
Besiegers.The army that lays siege to a fortified place.
Bessarabia.A frontier province of European Russia, part of the ancient Dacia. After being possessed by the Goths, Huns, etc., it was conquered by the Turks in 1474, and ceded to Russia in 1812.
Bessemer Steel.SeeOrdnance, Metals for.
Bessi.A fierce and powerful Thracian people, who dwelt along the whole of Mount Hæmus as far as the Euxine. After the conquest of Macedonia by the Romans, 168B.C., the Bessi were attacked by the latter, and subdued after a severe struggle.
Bethoron.A village of Palestine. Near here Judas Maccabæus gained advantages on two different occasions over the generals of Antiochus.
Bethsur.An ancient city of Palestine, now extinct. The Syrian general Lysias captured it, 163B.C., after a severe combat in which Eleazar, a brother of Judas, perished.
Béton.French term for concrete. Much used in permanent fortifications. SeeConcrete.
Béton Aggloméré.A species of concrete invented by M. Coignet. Used in building arches, aqueducts, cellar walls, etc. It differs from ordinary béton, having much greater strength and hardness,—qualities derived from the ramming to which it is subjected.
Betray.To deliver perfidiously any place or body of troops into the hands of the enemy. To discover that which has been intrusted to secrecy.
Betty.A machine used for forcing open gates or doors. SeePetard.
Bey.SeeBeg.
Beyroot, orBeyrout(anc.Berytus). A seaport of Syria, colonized from Sidon; alternately possessed by the Christians andSaracens; and after many changes, fell into the power of Amurath IV., since when it remained with the Ottoman empire up to the revolt of Ibrahim Pasha in 1832. The total defeat of the Egyptian army by the allied British, Turkish, and Austrian forces, and evacuation of Beyroot (the Egyptians losing 7000 in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and 20 pieces of cannon), took place October 10, 1840. Sir C. Napier was the English admiral engaged. Beyroot suffered greatly in consequence of the massacres in Syria in May, 1860.
Béziers.A city of France, department of Hérault; sacked by the Vandals in the 5th century; by the Visigoths in the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries; by the Saracens in 720; by Charles Martel in 737; in 1209, this city was taken by the Catholics under Simon de Montfort and Arnaud, abbé of Citeaux, and was the scene of a barbarous massacre of the Albigenses; 60,000 inhabitants were slain without consideration of sex or age (7000 were found dead in the churchde la Magdeleine, where they sought refuge from their relentless slayers).
Bhootan.A country north of Lower Bengal. Invaded by the British in December, 1864, in consequence of injurious treatment of an envoy.
Bhurtpoor(India). Capital of Bhurtpoor, was besieged by the British, January 3, 1805, and attacked five times up to March 21, without success. The fortress was taken by Gen. Lake, after a desperate engagement with Holkar, the Mahratta chief, April 2, 1805; this led to a treaty on April 17. On the rajah’s death, during a revolt against his son, Bhurtpoor was taken by storm, by Lord Combermere, January 18, 1826.
Biacolytes.A military organization in the Grecian empire, whose duty was to prevent the committal of any excesses against life or property. Their service was analogous to that of the French gendarmes.
Biagrasso, orAbbiategrasso. A city on the Ticinella, in Lombardy; here, in 1524, the French were defeated by the Imperialists.
Bibans, orBibens. “The Gates of Iron.” A dangerous defile of the Atlas Mountains, between Algiers and Constantine; it is traversed by a number of currents. The French, led by the Duke of Orleans and Marshal Valée, passed through it in 1839.
Bibaux, orPetaux(Fr.). In ancient times, were soldiers who fought on foot, with cross-bow and lance.
Biberach(Würtemberg). Here Moreau twice defeated the Austrians,—under Latour, October 2, 1796, and under Kray, May 9, 1800.
Bicker.A word formerly used in the sense of to skirmish; to fight off and on; to make repeated attacks.
Bicocca(Northern Italy). Lautrec and the French were here defeated by Colonna and the Imperialists, April 29, 1522, and Francis thereby lost his conquests in Milan.
Bicoque(Fr.). A term used in France to signify a place ill fortified and incapable of much defense. It is derived from a place on the road between Lodi and Milan, which was originally a gentleman’s country-house surrounded by ditches. In 1522, a body of Imperial troops were stationed in it, and stood the attack of the whole French army, during the reign of Francis I. This engagement was called the battle of Bicoque.
Bicorneurs(Fr.). Name given to the militia of Valenciennes.
Bidarkee.A skin boat used by the Aleuts.