Flags.SeeColors,Standards, &c.
Flags, in the British navy, are either red, white, blue, or yellow, and they are hoisted either at the heads of the main-mast, fore-mast, or mizen-mast.
Flags, when displayed from the top of the main-mast, are the distinguishing marks of admirals; when from the fore-mast, of vice admirals; and when from the mizen-mast, of rear admirals.
The highest flag in the British navy, is theanchor and cable, which is only displayed when their lord high admiral, or lords commissioners of the admiralty are on board; the next is theunion, the distinction peculiar to the second officer, called admiral of the fleet; and the lowest flag is theblueat the mizen-mast.
FLAG-Officer, a naval officer commanding a squadron.
FLAG-STAFF, the staff on which the flag is fixed.
FLAM, a word formerly made use of in the British service, signifying a particular tap or beat upon the drum, according to which each battalion went through its firings or evolutions. The practice is laid aside, as only a matter of mere paradewithout any practical utility; too often employed by officers to cover their ignorance or incapacity, or to indulge their indolence; therefore it is the usage now wherever discipline is well understood and practised, for every battalion, troop or company to be exercised by specific words of command, delivered in a distinct and audible tone of voice.
FLAMME, orORIFLAMME,Fr.in the old French marine establishment, was a mark of distinction which exclusively belonged to the French king’s ships.
Flamme,ou pendant,Fr.Bolting cloth or ticking. It is a long streamer which generally hangs either from the topmast head, and serves for ornament, or to give signals.
FLAMBEAU, a torch.
FLANCdu bastion,Fr.Seeflank of the bastion.
Flanc-bas,-SeeRetiredFlanc.couvert,retiré,
FLANKS, in the art of war and in fortification, are of several denominations, according to their uses, viz.
Flanksof an army. Certain proportions of offensive or defensive forces which are extended to the right and left of a main body, and ought to be posted in such a manner, that it would be certain ruin to the enemy were he to attempt any impression between them. In a more confined sense, the troops which are stationed on the right and left of each line of encampment. SeeWings.
Flank-files, are the two first men on the right and the two last men on the left, telling downwards from the right, of a line, battalion, company, division, subdivision or section. When a battalion is drawn up three deep, its flank files consist of three men, or as the French call its file and demi-file. When four deep, the flank files are termed double files; so that a column formed from any of these alignements will have all its relative flank files, be the depth of formation what it will.
InwardFlankin manœuvring. The first file on the left of a division, subdivision, or section when the battalion stands at close or open column with theright in front. Upon this flank, which is called the proper flank, and on which the pivot rests, the division, &c. wheels backward from line into column, or forward from column into line. When the left is in front the right becomes the proper flank and pivot.
OutwardFlank, of a line or battalion, the extreme file on the right or left of a division, subdivision, or section, according to the given front, when the battalion is at close or open column, and which is the furthest wheeling point from line into column, or from column into line. It is likewise called thereverseflank. The general rule which directs, that leading officers shall march invariably on the inward flank, where the proper pivot rests, is in one instance dispensed with, when, after marching by the right in front, the wheeling of the column or guard is to the right. On this occasion, the officer who had shifted from the right to his proper flank, instead of being wheeled upon, wheels with the flank, and continues his march. It has been remarked in a late military publication, that the squareness of the division would certainly be preserved with greater ease, were the officer to remain upon the right, though the right be in front, until the wheel in that direction should be completed, when he might shift to his proper flank. Where the column or guard has only a few paces to proceed beyond the passing or saluting point, this certainly is advisable. The regulation of guides, that is, non-commissioned officers on both flanks of every subdivision of a line, renders it of less moment where the officer is posted; but the pivot is the most rational position.
Flankcompany, a certain number of men drawn up on the right or left of a battalion. Thus where there are grenadiers they compose the right, and the light infantry the left flank company. When these are detached, the two extreme battalion companies become such.
The grenadiers and light infantry are generally called flank companies, whether attached or not to their several battalions; rifle corps are always flankers.
Flankingparty, a select body of men on foot or on horseback, whose object is to harrass and perplex the enemy, to get upon his wings, or by any manœuvre to hang upon the flank of an opposing force.
Flanken potence, is any part of the right or left wing formed at a projecting angle with the line. SeePotence.
LeadingFlank, when the line breaks into column in order to attack an enemy, it is the flank which must almost always preserve the line ofappuiin all movements in front. The first battalion, division or company of every column which conducts is called the head or leading flank of that column. All the writhings and turnings to which it must unavoidably be subject, are followed by every other part of the body, and such head becomes a flank, right or left, when formed into line. The commander must therefore be on whichever flank directs the operations of the line, and by which he proposes to attack, or to counteract the attempts of the enemy.
Flankin fortification, ingeneral, is any part of a work that defends another work, along the outside of its parapet.
Flankof a bastion, in fortification, that part which joins the face to the curtain, comprehended between the angle of the curtain and that of the shoulder, and is the principal defence of the place. Its use is, to defend the curtain, theflank, and face of the opposite bastion, as well as the passage of the ditch; and to batter the salient angles of the counter-scarp and glacis, from whence the besieged generally ruin the flanks with their artillery; for the flanks of a fortification are those parts which the besiegers endeavor most to ruin, in order to take away the defence of the face of the opposite bastion.
Oblique-Flank,-Second
that part of the curtain from whence the face of the opposite bastion may be discovered, and is the distance between the lines rasant and fichant, which are rejected by most engineers, as being liable to be ruined at the beginning of a siege, especially when made of sandy earth. The second parapet, which may be raised behind the former, is of no use; for it neither discovers nor defends the face of the opposite bastion: besides, it shortens the flank, which is the true defence; and the continual fire of the besiegers’ cannon will never suffer the garrison to raise a second parapet. This second flank defends very obliquely the opposite face, and is to be used only in a place attacked by an army without artillery.
Retired-Flank,-LowCovered
the platform of the casemate, which lies hid in the bastion. These retired flanks are a great defence to the opposite bastion and passage of the ditch; because the besiegers cannot see, nor easily dismount their guns.
Flankprolonged, in fortification, is the extending of the flank from the angle of the epaule to the exterior side, when the angle of the flank is a right one.
ConcaveFlank, is that which is made in the arc of a semi-circle bending outwards.
Flanksof a frontier. Are the different salient points of a large extent of territory, between each of which it would be impolitic for any invading army to hazard an advanced position. The late celebrated gen. Lloyd (whose accuracy of observation and solidity of conclusion with respect to the iron frontier of old France have been universally acknowleged) has furnished military men with a full and succinct account of the relative positions upon it. This long line he begins at Basle in Switzerland, and runs into various directions from thence to Dunkirk in old French Flanders, he divides it into three parts, and considers each of them separately. The first part goes from Basle to Landau and covers old Alsace, near 130 miles in length. The second from Landau to Sedan on the Moselle, covers ancient Lorrain on the side of Treves, Deux-Ponts, Luxemburgh, and Limburg; 190 miles in length. From Sedan down the Meuse to Charlemont in old Flanders, and thence to Dunkirk, is the third part, and is about 150 miles; so that the whole natural frontier of old France was 470 miles. The greatest part, if not the whole of which, is in the shape of a horse shoe, and presents impregnable flanks. An anonymous writer, after referring the reader to general Lloyd for a specific account of the first and second lines of the French frontier, has made the following observations relative to the third and last which runs from Sedan down the Meuse to Charlemont, from thence to Dunkirk, and is 150 miles in length. His words are—While the duke of Brunswick and the king of Prussia were ruining the most formidable armies in Europe by endeavoring to penetrate a few miles into Lorrain and Champagne through the first and second line, (without having previously secured the two flanks,) the French with redoubled activity operated upon the third, and finally subdued all Flanders. Those very difficulties, in fact, which presented themselves to oppose the progress of the allied army into France, facilitated every excursion on her part, asthe direction of the line which goes from Sedan to Landau is concave towards that part of Germany.
The remainder of this line, (within which so many faults were committed, or rather could not be avoided, because the impression itself was founded in error,) runs to Dunkirk. It has been the scene of successive wars for near two centuries, the most expensive, bloody, and durable of any recorded in the annals of mankind. This line, continues general Lloyd, is stronger by art than nature, having a prodigious number of strong fortresses and posts upon it, moreover it projects in many places, so that an enemy can enter no where, without having some of them in front and on his flanks.
The United States are flanked by Canada and Florida.
Flanks, in farriery, a wrench, or any other grief in the back of a horse.
ToFlank, in fortification, is to erect a battery which may play upon an enemy’s works on the right or left without being exposed to his line of fire. Any fortification, which has no defence but right forward, is faulty; and to make it complete, one part ought to flank the other.
ToFlank, in evolutions, to take such a position in action as either to assist your own troops, or to annoy those of your enemy by attacking either of his flanks, without exposing yourself to all his fire.
ToOut-flank. A manœuvre by which an army, battalion, troop, or company outstretches another, and gets upon both or either of its flanks.
ToOut-Flank, in an extensive acceptation of the term, when applied to locality, means to possess any range of opposite parts, of territory, whence you might invade your neighbor. Thus France, by her present possessions along the Dutch and Flemish coasts, outflanks all the opposite shores of England, properly so called; resting her left flank atUshant in Finisterre, and her right at Schelling, in North Holland, in the Province of Friesland. By the conquest of Spain and Portugal, the French have extended their south western flank, and rendered the invasion of Ireland more easy. Ireland again is completely outflanked by Great Britain at Penzance, in Cornwall, and at the Hebrides or Western Isles, independent of the continental part of Scotland.
Flanker, a fortification jutting out so as to command the side or flank of an enemy marching to the assault or attack. Riflemen and all light troops are also called flankers.
Flankers, in cavalry manœuvres, the most active men and horses are selected to do the duty of flankers. The men of course must be perfect masters of their horses. One complete file of each four must be a file of flankers; it does not signify which file, but if it can conveniently be done, the centre file should be taken, as in that case neither the flank men, nor the telling off of the squadron or division will be affected.
When you manœuvre bywholesquadrons, six or eight flankers are sufficient in general for the whole squadron.
The word of command, when the flankers come out to the front, isflankers forward.
In flanking, a great deal depends upon the officer or serjeant; he must be extremely active, and not only attend to the movements of the division from which he is detached, but likewise to his flankers.
As horses frequently refuse to quit the ranks and hang back obstinately, the men indiscriminately should be often called out of the ranks one by one, and practised as flankers.
ToFlanker, in Frenchflanquer. To fortify the walls of a city with bulwarks or countermines.
Flanking, is the same in fortification as defending.
Flankingparty—Any body of men detached from the main army to get upon the flanks of an enemy. SeeFlankers.
Flankingangle, in fortification, that composed of the two lines of defence, and pointing towards the curtain. SeeTenaille.
Flankingline of defence. Seeline of defence.
Flanking-point. SeePoint.
FLASH.—The flame which issues from any piece of ordnance on its being fired.
Flashin the pan, an explosion of gunpowder without any communication beyond the touch hole. When a piece is loaded, and upon the trigger being drawn, nothing but the priming takes fire, that piece is said to flash in the pan.
FLASK, a measure made of horn, used to carry powder in, with the measure of the charge of the piece on the top of it.
Flasques,Fr.in the artillery, are the two cheeks of the carriage of a great gun. SeeAffut.
Flasquelikewise means a gun-powder flask.
FLAT-bottomed boats, inmilitary affairs, are made to swim in shallow water, and to carry a great number of troops, artillery, ammunition, &c. They are constructed in the following manner: a 12-pounder, bow chase, an 18 ditto, stern chase; 90 to 100 feet keel; 12 to 24 ditto beam; 1 mast, a large square main-sail; a jib-sail: they are rowed by 18 or 20 oars, and can each carry 400 men. The gun takes up one bow, and a bridge the other, over which the troops are to march. Those that carry horses have therefore parts of the boats made to open.
FLAW, any crack or small opening in a gun or its carriage is so called.
FLEAU,Fr.the beam, or balance of a pair of scales.
There are some fleaux or scales among the French, which hold 6000 lb. weight in one scale, and 6000 lb. weight of ammunition in the other, making together 12000 weight.
Fleaude fer, an iron instrument or weapon, that resembles in shape the flails with which corn is thrashed.
FLECHE, infield fortification, a work of two faces, usually raised in the field, to cover the quarter guards of a camp or advanced post.
FLETCHER. SeeBowyer.
FLIGHT, is used figuratively for the swift retreat of an army or any party from a victorious enemy.
To put toFlight, to force your enemy to quit the field of battle.
Flight, is likewise applicable to missile weapons or shot, as a flight of arrows, a flight of bombs, &c.
FLINT, a well known stone, used at present with every sort of fire arms. Every soldier ought to have one or two spare flints when on service.
Flints—are usually packed in half barrels.
The most transparent and free from veins are esteemed the best flints.
28 kegs of musquet flints take 18 cwt. in tonnage.
10 kegs of pistol flints take 3 cwt. 2 qrs. in tonnage.
ToFloat, a column is said to float when it loses its perpendicular line in march, and becomes unsteady in its movements.
FLOATING-batteries, vessels used as batteries, to cover troops in landing on an enemy’s coast.
FLOGGING, a barbarous punishment in general use among the British foot soldiers. It is inflicted with a whiphaving several lashes, and is calculated to degrade and render the man totally unfit for a soldier. It is not practised in any other army in Europe.
FLOOD-GATE, in fortified towns, is composed of 2 or 4 gates, so that the besieged by opening the gates may inundate the environs so as to keep the enemy out of gun shot.
FLOOR. SeePlatform.
ToFLOURISH, in a general musical acceptation of the term, is to play some prelude or preparatory air without any settled rule.
AFlourish, any vibration of sound that issues from a musical instrument.
The trumpetFlourishin drawing swords, is used regimentally by corps of cavalry on their own ground, and is the sounding used in receiving a general officer.
FLOWERde Luce,-Fleurde Lis,
The arms of France under the old monarchy. They consisted in three flowers de lisor, or gold, in a fieldazure, or blue. These arms were superceded by the three colored flag, when the bastile was taken and destroyed by the inhabitants of Paris.
FLUSHED, a term frequently applied when men have been successful, as, flushed with victory, &c.
FLUTE, a wind instrument which is sometimes used in military bands; but never on service.
FLUX, an extraordinary evacuation of the body, to which soldiers are frequently subject on service. Towards the fall of the year this disorder is particularly prevalent, especially in camps. It is of a contagious nature, and the greatest care should be taken to prevent the healthy men in a regiment from frequenting the privies to which those infected by this cruel disorder are permitted to resort. A centry should always be posted in the vicinity of every hospital for that specific purpose.
FLYING-army.SeeArmy.bridge.SeeBridge.
FlyingArtillery. SeeHorse Artillery.
FLYING-Camp. SeeCamp.
FOCUS, inmining. SeeMine.
FODDER. SeeForage.
FOE. SeeEnemy.
FOIL, infencing, a long piece of steel of an elastic temper, mounted somewhat like a sword, which is used to learn to fence with; it is without a point, or any sharpness, having a button at the extremity, covered with leather.
ToFoil, to defeat.
FOLLOWERSof a camp, Officers, servants, sutlers, &c. All followers of a camp are subject to the articles of war equally with the soldiery.
FOND, ground, properly means the surface of the earth which lies above the water.
FONDEMENS,Fr.foundation.
FONDERIE,Fr.forge,ou Fourneaux. SeeFoundery.
FONDSdestinés pour le payement des troupes.Fr.Monies issued for the service of the army.
FONTEdes pieces d’artillerie. The metal used in the casting of cannon which consists of three sorts well mixed together, viz. copper, tin, and brass.
FOOT, in amilitary sense, signifies all those bodies of men that serve on foot. SeeInfantry.
Footis also a long measure, consisting of 12 inches. Geometricians divide the foot into 10 digits, and the digits into 10 lines; but we after the manner of the English divide the foot into 12 inches, and an inch into 12 lines, and a line into 12 points. The French call the 12th part of a foot, aline.
A squareFoot, is the same measure, both in length and breadth, containing 12 × 12 = 144 square or superficial inches.
A cubicFoot, is the same measure in all the three dimensions, length, breadth, and thickness; containing 12 × 12 = 144 × 12 = 1728 cubic inches. The foot is of different length in different countries. The Paris royal foot exceeds the English by 9 lines; the ancient Roman foot of the capitol consisted of 4 palms = 11⁴⁄₁₀ English inches; and the Rhineland or Leyden foot, by which the northern nations go, is to the Roman foot as 950 to 1000. The proportions of the principal feet of several nations are as follow. The English foot divided into 1000 parts, or into 12 inches, the other feet will be as follow:
To be on theSAME FOOTINGwith another, is to be under the same circumstances in point of service; to have the same number of men, and the same pay, &c.
To gain or lose groundFOOTbyFOOT, is to do it regularly and resolutely; defending every thing to the utmost extremity, or forcing it by dint of art or labor.
Foot-bank, in fortification. SeeBanquette.
FORAGE, in the art of war, implies hay, straw, and oats, for the subsistence of the army horses. This forage is divided into rations, one of which is a day’s allowance for a horse, and contains 20 lb. of hay, 10 lb. of oats and 5 lb. of straw.
DryForage, oats, hay, &c. which are delivered out of magazines to a garrison, or to troops when they take the field, before the green forage is sufficiently grown to be cut or gathered.
GreenForage, oats, hay, &c. that have been recently cut. It likewise means meadow pasture, into which horses are turned.
When the British cavalry are stationed in barracks, the number of rations of forage to be issued to the horses of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers is not to exceed what follows, and is to be confined to those which are actually effective in the barracks.
For each of which rations a stoppage is to be made of 8¹⁄₂d.per diem.
On foreign service this article is governed by circumstances.
FORCE, an armament or warlike preparation.
FORCE, in a military sense, any body of troops collected together for warlike enterprize.
EffectiveForces. All the efficient parts of an army that may be brought into action are called effective, and generally consist of artillery, cavalry, and infantry, with their necessary appendages such as hospital staff, waggon-train, artificers and pioneers: the latter, though they cannot be considered as effective fighting men, constitute so far a part of effective forces, that no army could maintain the field without them.
EffectiveForcesof a country. All the disposable strength, vigour and activity of any armed proportion of native or territorial population. The navy of Great Britain must be looked upon as part of the effective force of England, to which is added the body of marines.
Distribution of the effectiveForcesof a country. Under this head may be considered, not only the effective forces which might engage an enemy, but likewise those included in the several returns that are made from home to foreign stations to the war office, and out of which a grand total is formed to correspond with the estimates that are annually laid before the government.
ToForceis to take by storm; also to man the works of a garrison.
ToForcean enemy to give battle. To render the situation of an enemy so hazardous, that whether he attempt to quit his position, or endeavor to keep it, his capture or destruction must be equally inevitable. In either of which desperate cases, a bold and determined general will not wait to be attacked, but resolutely advance and give battle; especially if circumstances should combine to deprive him of the means of honorable capitulation. This can only be safely effected, by having previously disposed your own forces so as to defy any impression on his part, and by subsequent able manœuvres to have it in your power to foil his attack.
ToForcea passage. To oblige your enemy to retire from his fastnesses, and to open a way into the country which he had occupied. This may be done either bycoup de main, or renewal of assaults. In either case, the advancing body should be well supported and its flanks be secured with the most jealous attention.
FORCINGan adversary’s guard or blade, a term used in the science of broadsword.
“If at any time your antagonist appears languid and weak on his guard, and barely covers his body on the side he is opposed; by stepping well forward, and striking the fort of your sword smartly on his blade, you may be enabled to deliver a cut without risk, even at the part he intends to secure, taking care to direct your blade in such a manner, that the plate or cross bar of your hilt shall prevent his sword from coming forward.”Art of defence on foot.
FORCEPS, an instrument used in chirurgery, to extract any thing out of wounds or to take hold of dead or corrupt flesh, to amputate. It is made somewhat in the shape of a pair of tongs or pincers, with grappling ends. Every regimental surgeon, or assistant surgeon, should have a pair among his set of instruments.
FORD. The shallow part of a river where soldiers may pass over without injuring their arms.
FORE-RANK, first rank, front.
FOREIGNservice, in a general sense, means every service but home. In a more confined and native acceptation of the term, it signifies any service done out of the limits of the United States, or the dependent territories.
Foreigntroops, in an English acceptation, regiments or companies which are composed of aliens, as the Hessians in the American revolution. Before the present war, no foreigner could bear a commission in the British service, or be enlisted as a soldier.
FORELAND, in fortification, called by the Frenchpas de souris,relais,retraite,bermorlizier, a confined space of ground between the rampart of a town or fortified place, and the moat. Whenever a fortification can be completed without having recourse to this substitute for stone, (with which the rampart ought to be faced) it certainly is advisable to go to the expence. For a bold enemy, who has once made his way over the moat, will derive considerable advantage from having this path to stand on. It is generally from 3 to 8 or 10 feet wide. This space serves to receive the demolished parts of the rampart, and prevents the ditch from being filled up. In Holland the foreland is planted with thickset, but it is generally faced with palisades. SeeBerm.
FORELAND,-orFORENESS,
any point of land which juts out into the sea.
FORGE, in thetrain of artillery, is generally called atravelling forge, and may not be improperly called a portable smith’s shop: at this forge all manner of smith’s work is made, and it can be used upon a march, as well as in camp. Formerly they were very ill contrived, with 2 wheels only, and wooden supporters to prop the forge for working when in the park. Of late years they are made with 4 wheels, which answers the purpose much better.
Forgefor red hot balls, is a place where the balls are made red-hot before they are fired off: it is built about 5 or 6 feet below the surface of the ground, of strong brick work, and an iron grate, upon which the balls are laid, with a very large fire under them. SeeRed-hot Balls.
FORKHEAD. SeeBarb.
FORLORN-hope, in the military art, signifies men detached from several regiments, or otherwise appointed to make the first attack in the day of battle; or at a siege, to storm the counterscarp, mount the breach, &c. They are so called from the great danger they are unavoidably exposed to; but the expression is old, and begins to be obsolete.
ToFORM, in a general acceptation of the term, is to assume or produce any shape or figure, extent or depth of line or column, by means of prescribed rules in military movements or dispositions.
ToFormfrom file, among cavalry. The front file halts at a given point: the rest, or remaining files successively ride up at a very smart gallop, taking care to halt in time, and not to over-run the ground. If the formation is by doubling round the front file, (in a formation, for instance, to the rear of the march, or to the right when marched from the right,) the files must double as close round as possible and with the utmost expedition. In forming from file, particular attention should be given to make the men put their horses quite straight as they come in. They must keep their bodies square, dress by a slight cast of the eye towards the point of formation, and close and dress in an instant. A dragoon, in fact, must no sooner get into the ranks, than his attention should be given to remain steady, well closed and dressed. It is generally required, that when the cavalry forms, each man must come up in file to his place, and by no means move up to his leader, till that leader has formed to which ever hand the file is forming to. The whole must follow the exact track of the first leader, and come up one by one into their respective places in squadron.
ToFormto the front. To move nimbly up from file into ranks, and close to your leader, whether on foot, or horseback.
ToFormto the rear. To double round your leaders, who have themselves turned and faced.
ToFormto a proper flank. To turn and close in to your leader.
ToFormto a reverse flank. To pass, turn and successively close to your leaders.
In all formations from file, the whole, till otherwise directed, dress to the hand to which the squadron, or division forms. SeeAm. Mil. Lib.
ToFormby moving in front, and successively arriving in line, is by divisions, or distinct bodies, to advance forward by word of command towards any given point of alignement. On these occasions the eyes of the whole are turned to the hand to which they are to form, and from which they preserve required distances. The leading officer must be on theinwardflank of his division; he conducts it to its point of junction in line, and from thence dresses and corrects it on the person, who is previously placed beyond him, and prolonging the general line. The outward flank of the last formed and halted body, is always considered as the point of conjunction (necessary intervals included) of the succeeding one. Thus the looking and lining of the soldier is always towards that point, and the flank of the line formed to; and the correction of dressing by the officer is always made from that point towards the other flank. Therefore on all occasions of moving up, forming and dressing in line, by the men lining themselves to one hand (inwards) and the officers correcting to the other (outwards) the most perfect line may be obtained. Commanding officers of regiments, when a considerable line is forming, must take every advantage from timeously throwing out intelligentguidesto give themtrue points in the general line. In the French service these persons are calledjalonneursfromjalonner, to fix any thing, by which any true direction, perpendicular or otherwise, may be obtained; the wordguideis the best translation of the wordjalonneur, and it is so used in the American Military Library.
ToFormline, is to wheel to the right or left from open column of divisions, subdivisions, or sections, according to prescribed rules, so as to present one continued front or straight line; or to deploy from close column for the same end, or to file to the front.
ToFormrank entire, is to extend the front of a battalion or company by reducing it to the least possible depth, from any existing number of ranks.
ToFormtwo deep, is from rank entire or from three deep to produce a regular line of files.
ToFormthree deep, is to add the depth of one half file to two deep, and to produce the natural formation of a battalion in line.
ToFormfour deep, is to diminish the natural extent of a battalion formed in line, by adding one half-file to its depth.
ToFormechellon, is, from line, or open column, to wheel a given number of paces forward or backward, so as to produce a diagonal or oblique direction in the different proportions of a line, the outward flank of each succeeding division, company or section, constantly preserving a perpendicular direction, at a regulated distance, from the inward flank of its leader, until it arrive at its point of junction.
ToFormline by echellon, is to advance in column towards any given object by a diagonal movement, so as eventually to produce a regular continuity of front. SeeEchellonorDiagonalmovement.
ToFormclose column, is to march by files in detached proportions of a line, till each proportion shall arrive in front or in rear of any given body.
ToFormopen column, is to wheel backwards or forwards, or to march out by files, so that the several proportions of a line may stand in a perpendicular direction to one another, with intervals between them equal to the extent of their front.
ToFormcircle, is to march a battalion or company standing in line from its two flanks; the leading files bringing their right and left shoulders forward, so as to unite the whole in a circular continuity of files. On the word of command—To the right and left, form circle, the two flank files bring their right and left shoulders forward; and on the wordquick, march, the whole advance. The centre marks time, each file from the direct central one gradually inclining to right and left till the junction of the two extremes has been completed.
The general use which is made of this formation is to punish offenders, or to convey public orders to the men in such a manner, that every individual may have an equal opportunity of hearing what is read, or delivered to the whole battalion.
ToFormon, is to advance forward, so as to connect yourself with any given object of formation, and to lengthen the line.
ToFormon a front division, is from close, or open column, or by the march in echellon, to arrive by a parallel movement at the right or left of any given division, by which means a prolongation of the line is produced. When this formation takes place with the right in front, the officer of the second, or leading division (the first standing fast, and all the rest facing to the left) having stepped out to the right at the wordsquick march!allows his division led by his serjeant to go on a space equal to its front, and then gives his wordfront,dress,halt; his serjeant still remaining on the left of his division. The officer being still on the right of his division, immediately gives the wordmarch!and the division proceeds at the ordinary step towards its place in the alignement. He steps nimbly forward, and obliques so as to be within the third file of the left flank of the preceding division, and is thus ready to give the words,dress,halt!at the instant his inward flank man joins that division. He then expeditiously corrects his men, (who have dressed upon the formed part of the line, on the distant given point) and resumes his proper post in line. Great care should be taken in these movements to prevent the outward flank of every advancing division from over-stepping its ground; as it is a general principle in dressing, to be rather behind the preceding formed division at the worddress, than before it; the wordhaltbeing the final and conclusive direction, and the dressing of ranks being more easily attained by a forward than a backward movement.
In this manner every other division proceeds; each officer advancing, with a firm, steady step, in a perpendicular direction towards his point of formation, while the flank serjeant remains at his point in the line, till the succeeding officer, who has dressed his division, arrives to replace him; after which the serjeant covers his own officer.
ToFormon a rear division, is to face all the preceding divisions which are in column to the right, (the point of forming having been previously taken in that direction, as far as the prolongation of the head division will extend, and just beyond where the right of the battalion is to come) and to uncover the rear one, so as to enable it to advance forward to a given point on the left, and take up its place in the alignement.
The leader of the front or head divisionhaving been shewn the distant point in the alignement on which he is to march, and having taken his intermediate points, if necessary, at the wordmarch, the faced divisions step off quick, heads of files are dressed to the left, the front one moves in the alignement with scrupulous exactitude, and the others continue in a parallel direction close on its right; each carefully preserving its relative points of prolongation, and being fronted by its officer the instant it gets upon the ground, which is perpendicular to its intended formation in line.
As soon as the rear division is uncovered, and has received the wordmarch, it proceeds forward, and when arrived within a few paces of its ground, the officer commanding steps nimbly up to the detached officer or serjeant, who has carefully marked its left in the new position, gives the wordsdress,halt, and quickly corrects his division on the distant point of formation; after which he replaces his serjeant on the right of his division. As the officer who conducts this division has necessarily the longest extent of ground to march on, he must take especial care to observe his perpendicular direction, constantly keeping the different points of formation in his eye, and preserving a perfect squareness of person. The intermediate divisions will successively proceed and advance as the ground opens before them.
ToFormon a central division. To execute this manœuvre, the front and rear divisions must deploy, or open, so as to uncover the named division, and enable it to move up to a given point of alignement. A forming point must be given to both flanks in the prolongation of the head division.
When the caution of forming on a central division has been given, the leading officers will shift to the heads of their several divisions, the instant they have been faced according to the hand which leads to their ground. The files during their deployment must be kept close, and well locked up; and when fronted, must instantly be corrected in their dressing before they march forward. The central division, when uncovered, moves up into line to its marked flank. Those that were in front of it proceed as in forming on a rear division; those that were in rear of it proceed as in forming on a front division. By means of those three formations, which are effected by the deployment, or flank march, every battalion in close column, may uncover and extend its several divisions. The previous formation of close column upon given proportions of a brigade, battalion, &c. is done by facing and movinginwards, and thus contracting the original line with any given division for the head; which line may again be restored by the different divisions facing and movingoutwards, as we have just described.
ToFormline on a rear company of the open column standing in echellon, that company remains placed; the others face about, wheel back on the pivot flanks of the column, as being those which afterwards first come into line. On the wordmarch, they move forward, and thenfront,halt,dress, successively, in the line of the rear company.
ToFormline on the rear company facing to the rear of the open column standing in echellon, the whole column must first countermarch, each company by files, and then proceed as in forming on a front company.
ToFormline on a central company of the open column, that company stands fast, or is wheeled on its own centre into a new required direction. Those in front, must be ordered tofaceabout. The whole, except the central company, must wheel back the named number of paces. Those in front, on the proper pivot flanks of the column, and those in its rear on the reverse flanks, such being the flanks that first arrive in line. The whole then marches in line with the central company. SeeAm. Mil. Lib.
ToFormline from close column on a rear company facing to the rear, the whole of the column changes front by countermarching each company by files. The rear company stands fast, and the remaining companies face to the right, deploy, successivelyfront,halt,dress, and move up into the alignement.
ToFormline from close column on a central company facing to the rear, the central company countermarches and stands fast; the other companies face outwards, countermarch, deploy, and successively march up to the alignement.
Whenever the column is a retiring one, and the line is to front to the rear, the divisions must each countermarch before the formation begins. In which case the head would be thrown back, and the rear forward.
ToFormen potence, to wheel the right or left flank of a body of men, or to march them forward by files, so as to make that proportion of a line face inwards, and resemble a potence or angle. A double potence may be formed by running out both flanks, so that they stand in a perpendicular direction facing towards each other like the letter Λ, or thus,\__/;these oblique lines are the potence, so named by the power of their cross fire. This formation is not only extremely useful on actual service, but it conduces greatly to the accommodation of any body of men which may be marched into a place that has not sufficient extent of ground to receive it in line.
FORMATION, in a military sense, the methodical arrangement, or drawing up of any given body of men mounted,or on foot, according to prescribed rules and regulations.
CavalryFormation, consists of the following proportions.
Squadrons of cavalry are composed each of two troops; regiments are composed of ten.
Formationof a troop, is the drawing out of a certain number of men on horseback on their troop parade, in a rank entire, fixed according to the size roll, the tallest men in the centre.
Formationof the squadron, is the military disposition of two troops that compose it closed into each, from their several troop parades. In this situation, the officers move out, and form in a rank advanced two horses length, fronting to their troops. The serjeants and covering corporals rein back, and dress with the quarter-master in the rear. When the formation of a squadron has been completed, and its component parts have been accurately told off, the commanding officer is advanced a horse’s length before the standard. Two officers are posted, one on each flank of the front rank, covered by a non-commissioned officer. One officer is posted in the centre of the front rank with the standard, and is covered by a corporal. The serjeants are placed, one on the right of the front of each of the four divisions, except the right one, and each is covered by a corporal or private dragoon. The serre-files or supernumerary officers and serjeants, the quarter-masters and trumpeters, are in the rear of their several troops, divided in a line, at two horses distance from the rear rank. Farriers are behind the serre-files a horse’s length. Allowance is always made for sick and absent officers and non-commissioned officers; and if a sufficient number of any rank is not present, then serjeants replace officers, corporals replace serjeants, and lance-corporals or intelligent men replace corporals.
Formation, considered as to general circumstances, admits of a few deviations from the strict letter of the term. In order to preserve each troop entire, it is not material, if one division be a file stronger than another. The flank divisions indeed, both in cavalry and infantry regiments, will be strongest from the addition of officers. Officers, in the formation of squadrons, are recommended to be posted with their troops. Corporals not wanted to mark the divisions, or to cover officers or serjeants, will be in the ranks according to their size, or be placed in the outward flank file of their troops. Farriers are considered as detached in all situations of manœuvre.
All these general circumstances of formation apply and take place, whether the squadron be composed of two, or more troops, and whether the troops be more or less strong.
General modes ofFormation, are when a regiment broken into and marching in open column, must arrive at and enter on the ground on which it is to form in line, either in thedirectionof that line,perpendicularto that line, or in a direction more or lessobliquebetwixt the other two.
InfantryFormation, is the arrangement or disposition of any given number of men on foot according to prescribed rules and regulations. When the companies join, which are generally ten in number, the battalion is formed; there is not to be any interval between the relative parts, but the whole front must present a continuity of points, and one compact regular line from one flank file to the other.
The formation or drawing up of the companies will be from right to left. There is much folly prevalent on the subject of positions of companies. Steuben’s work has endeavored to fix a plan of alternation; but failed. A simple principle would be to number the companies from right to left, and form the first battalion of 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and the second of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. Officers commanding companies or platoons are all on the right of their respective ones.
The eight battalion companies will compose four grand divisions—eight companies or platoons—sixteen subdivisions—thirty-two sections, when sufficiently strong to be so divided, otherwise twenty-four, for the purposes of march. The battalion is likewise divided into right and left wings. When the battalion is on a war establishment, each company will be divided into two equal parts. When the ten companies are with the battalion, they may then be divided into five grand divisions from right to left. This is done to render the firings more exact, and to facilitate deploy movements.
The battalion companies will be numbered from the right to the left 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The subdivisions will be numbered 1. 2. of each. The sections will be numbered 1. 2. 3. 4. of each. The files of companies will also be numbered 1. 2. 3. 4. &c. the grenadier and light companies will be numbered seperately in the same manner, and with the addition of those distinctions. No alteration is to be made in these appellations whether the battalion be faced to front or rear.
Formationat close order, is the arrangement of any given number of men in ranks at the distance of one pace, except where there is a fourth, or supernumerary rank, which has three paces. In firing order the ranks are more closely locked in.
When a battalion is formed in close order, the field officers and adjutant are mounted. The commanding officer is the only officer advanced in front for the general purpose of exercise, when the battalion is single; but in the march inline, and during the firings, he is in the rear of the colors. The lieutenant colonel is behind the colors, six paces from the rear rank. The major and adjutant are six paces in the rear of the third and sixth companies. One officer is on the right of the front rank of each company or platoon, and one on the left of the battalion. All these are covered in the rear by their respective serjeants, and the remaining officers and serjeants are in a fourth rank behind their companies. There are no coverers in the centre rank to officers or colors. The colors are placed between the fourth and fifth battalion companies, both in the front rank, and each covered by a non-commissioned officer, or steady man in the rear rank. One serjeant is in the front rank betwixt the colors; he is covered by a second serjeant in the rear rank, and by a third in the supernumerary rank. The sole business of these three serjeants is, when the battalion moves in line, to act as guides, and direct the march according to prescribed instructions. The place of the first of those serjeants, when they do move out, is preserved by a named officer or serjeant, who moves up from the supernumerary rank for that purpose. The pioneers are assembled behind the centre, formed two deep, and nine paces from the third rank. The drummers of the eight battalion companies are assembled in two divisions, six paces behind the third rank of their 2d and 7th companies. The music are three paces behind the pioneers, in a single rank, and at all times, as well as the drummers and pioneers, are formed at loose files only, occupying no more space than is necessary. The staff officers are three paces behind the music.
Formationat open order, is any open disposition, or arrangement of men by ranks, at straight lines parallel to each other.
When a battalion is directed to take open order, the rear ranks fall back one and two paces, each dressing by the right the instant it arrives on the ground. The officers in the front rank, as also the colors, move out three paces. Those in the rear, together with the music, advance through the intervals left open by the front rank officers, and divide themselves in the following manner: the captains covering the second file from the right, the lieutenants the second file from the left, and the ensigns opposite the centre of their respective companies. The music form between the colors and the front rank. The serjeant coverers move up to the front rank, to fill up the intervals left by the officers. The pioneers fall back to six paces distance behind the centre of the rear rank. The drummers take the same distance behind their divisions. The major moves to the right of the line of officers; the adjutant to the left of the front rank. The staff place themselves on the right of the front rank of the grenadiers. The colonel and lieutenant-colonel dismounted, advance before the colors four and two paces.
FORMERS, round pieces of wood that are fitted to the diameter of the bore of a gun, round which the cartridge paper, parchment, lead, or cotton is rolled before it is sewed.
Formerswere likewise used among officers and soldiers to reduce their clubs to an uniform shape, before the general introduction of tails.
Formationof guards. SeeGuards.
FORT, in the military art, a small fortified place, environed on all sides with a ditch, rampart, and parapet. Its use is to secure some high ground, or the passage of a river, or to make good an advantageous post, to defend the lines and quarters of a siege, &c.
Forts are made of different figures and extents, according to the exigency of the service, or the peculiar nature of the ground. Some are fortified with bastions, others with demi-bastions. Some are in form of a square, others of a pentagon. Some again are made in the form of a star, having 5 or 7 angles. A fort differs from a citadel, the last being built to command some town. SeeCitadel.
Royal-Fort, one whose line of defence is at least 26 toises long.
TriangularForts, are frequently made with half bastions; but they are very imperfect, because the faces are not seen or defended from any other part. If, instead of being terminated at the angle, they were directed to a point about 20 toises from it, they would be much better, as then they might be defended by that length of the rampart, though but very obliquely. The ditch ought to be from 8 to 10 toises. Sometimes instead of half bastions at the angles, whole ones are placed in the middle of the sides. The gorges of these bastions may be from 20 to 24 toises, when the sides are from 100 to 120; the flanks are perpendicular to the sides, from 10 to 12 toises long; and the capitals from 20 to 24. If the sides happen to be more or less, the parts of the bastions are likewise made more or less in proportion. The ditch round this fort may be 10 or 12 toises wide.