GRENADES,-GRANADESorGRENADOES,
in the art of war, are hollow balls or shells of iron or other metal, about 2¹⁄₂ inches diameter, which being filled with fine powder, are set on fire by means of a small fuse, driven into the fuse-hole, made of well seasoned beech wood, and formerly thrown by thegrenadiersinto places where men stood thick, and particularly into the trenches and other lodgments made by the enemy. As soon as the composition within the fuse gets to the powder in the grenade, it bursts into many pieces, greatly to the injury of all who happen to be in its way. Grenades were first made about the timeshellswere invented (which see) and first used in 1594. Grenades have much sunk into disuse; but nothing is more effectual than grenades thrown into the midst of the enemy, who have jumped into the ditch. During the siege of Cassel, under the Count de Lippe, in the campaign of 1762, a young engineer undertook to carry one of the outworks, with a much smaller detachment than had before attempted it without success. He gained his object with ease, from the use of grenades; which is a proof that they should not be neglected, either in the attack or defence of posts.
Grenade,grenade,Fr.There is asort of grenade which is thrown out of a mortar.
It is sometimes used for the purpose of annoying the besieging enemy; in which case quantities are rolled down the rampart into the fossé, or ditch, upon the workmen or miners.
A grenade resembles a bomb or shell, with this only difference, that the grenade has not any handles to it.
There are some grenades, calledgrenades à mainhand-grenades, whose calibre is equal to that of a four pounder. The charge is from five to six ounces of gunpowder, or thereabouts. They are extremely serviceable on many occasions: but particularly so to throw among the men that are working in the trenches; numbers of whom they must inevitably wound. The vent of a hand-grenade contains about six lines, or half an inch.
The following proportions belonged to grenades, according to their several diameters in former times; they have been much improved.
Grenades whose calibre is equal to that of a 33 pounder, contain about 6 French inches or more diameter, 8 lines in thickness, and 16 pounds in weight.
Grenades whose calibre is equal to that of a 24 pounder, contain 5 French inches 5 lines diameter, six lines in thickness, and 12 pounds in weight.
Grenades whose calibre is equal to that of a 16 pounder, contain 4 French inches 9 lines diameter, 5 lines in thickness and 8 pounds in weight.
Those that weigh 6 pounds, have 3 French inches 5 lines diameter, and are 5 lines thick.
Those that weigh 5 pounds, have 3 French inches 2¹⁄₄ lines diameter, and are 5 lines thick.
Those that weigh 3 pounds, have 2 French inches 8 lines diameter, and are 4¹⁄₂ lines thick.
Those that weigh 2 pounds, have 2 French inches 4 lines diameter, and are 4 lines thick.
Those that weigh 1 pound, have 1 French inch ten lines diameter, and are 3 lines thick.
Those that weigh three quarters of a pound, have 1 French inch 8 lines diameter, and are 3 lines thick.
Those that weigh half a pound, have 1 French inch 8 lines diameter, and are 3 lines thick.
Those that weigh a quarter of a pound, have 1 French inch 6 lines diameter, and are 2¹⁄₂ lines thick.
These proportions were formerly attended to in the old French service, with occasional deviations from the strict measurement of the lines; as it was supposed to be of little consequence whether the grenades fitted the mortars exactly. It was, indeed, generally thought advisable to adapt their sizes, so that they might be thrown out without the least resistance or compression.
Grenades were directed to be thicker at the breech than elsewhere, in proportion to their several diameters.
Durtubie, in hisManuel de l’Artilleur, gives the following succinct account of grenades. That writer observes, “that besides bombs or shells, and howitzers, hollow vessels made of iron in globular shapes, which are called grenades, are frequently used; gunpowder is poured in through the cavity or vent, called in Frenchlumiere, into which a fuse loaded with a composition of combustible materials is introduced.”
There are two sorts of grenades. Those distinguished by the name ofgrenades de rampart, are rolled from the top of the parapet into the ditch; they are equal in calibre to that of a 33 and a 16 pounder; and they weigh 16, 11, and 8 ounces.
The other species is calledgrenades à main. These are thrown into the covert way, and the trenches, &c. Their calibre is that of a 4 pounder, and they weigh 2 pounds. The ordinary thickness of grenades is four lines throughout.
It will occur to our military readers, that by this account a considerable alteration has taken place in the casting of grenades, as the intermediate differences have been consolidated; hand-grenades, instead of being thicker at the breach, are uniformly of the same consistency. It cannot, however, be thought superfluous to preserve an account of the original dimensions.
GRENADES—Hand grenades may be thrown to the distance of 13 fathoms. For their dimensions see the wordShell.
GrenadesTurques.Fr.Turkish grenades. A sort of grenade which is made by the Turks. Their grenades are extremely defective, and do little execution.
GRENADIER,-GRANADIER,
a foot soldier armed with firelock, bayonet, and in some services with a hanger; grenadiers carry, besides their arms, a cartridge box that will hold 36 rounds. They are always the tallest and stoutest men, consequently the first upon all attacks. Every battalion of foot in the British army has generally a company of grenadiers belonging to it, which takes the right of the battalion. Grenadiers were first instituted in France in 1667, by having 4 or 5 to each company; but in the year 1670, they were formed into companies, and in 1685, were first known in the British service.
HorseGrenadiers, called by the Frenchgrenadiers volans, or flying grenadiers, are such as are mounted on horseback, but fight both on foot and horseback. They were first established in France by Lewis XIV. in 1676, and formed into squadrons.
Grenadiersauxiliaries,Fr.Auxiliary grenadiers. During a siege, and when a place was closely invested, a certain number of grenadiers were chosenout of the battalions belonging to the trenches, for the purpose of making head against the besieged, whenever they might risk a sally, or insult the works. It was the peculiar duty of these men to stand forward on every occasion, to set fire to the gabions attached to the batteries, and to crush every attempt which might be made by the garrison to annoy the men that were posted in the trenches, &c.
It was customary among the French to increase the number of those grenadiers, who went first into danger and did the duty of the trenches. These were calledgrenadiers postiches, orextra grenadiers.
Grenadieres,ouGibernes, the bags or haversacks which hold the grenades. They were worn like powder-flasks.
GRENIER,Fr.(mettre en grenier.) To stow any thing loosely.
GRENOIR.Fr.(Une espece de crible.) A sort of sieve through which gunpowder was passed, and formed into grains of different sizes.
GREVE,Fr.Any flat space of ground on the bank of a river, or near the sea. A place in Paris is so called, where during the old government of France, all criminals were executed.Greveis also used to signify the gallows.
Greve,Fr.armor, or covers for the legs. They were anciently worn by the French; and generally consisted of a piece of steel or stiff leather, which protected the front part of the leg.
GRIFFE,Fr.means literally a claw, but in a military sense, as accepted by the French, it signifies an iron instrument which is made like a hook, and is used by miners to pick out the small stones that are incorporated with cement, &c.
GRIGNON,Fr.broken biscuit.
GRISONS, a people formerly in alliance with the British but since annexed to Swisserland. They inhabit the mountainous parts of the Alps in Italy, and supported a well organised army, called the army of the Grisons, under general Macdonald during the war.
GROS,Fr.A body of soldiers; a detachment. The French frequently say—Un gros de cavalerie, a body of cavalry;un gros d’infanterie, a body of infantry.
GROUND. The field or place of action.
Ground-work, in military architecture. SeeFoundation.
Groundarms, an old word of command on which the soldiers laid down their arms upon the ground.
This word of command has been exploded since the introduction of the new exercise. Soldiers are now ordered topileorstack arms.
To takeGround. A battalion or company is said to take ground when it extends in any given direction. This term is likewise used in duelling, as—They took their ground at eight or ten paces from one another.
GRUE,Fr.A crane. It is frequently used in the embarkation and debarkation of cannon, &c.
GUARANTEE. Any person or power who undertakes for the performance of any stipulations agreed on between two other powers or parties.
GUARD, in the military art, is a duty performed by a body of men to secure an army or place from being surprised by an enemy. In garrison the guards are relieved every day; hence it comes that every soldier mounts guard once every three or four days in time of peace, and much oftener in time of war. SeeHonors.
Guards, also imply the troops kept to guard generals and other public officers, and sometimes consist of both horse and foot.
Horse-grenadierGuards. The first troop was raised in the year 1693 in England; the second in 1702. Each troop had a colonel, lieutenant colonel, 1 guidon or major, three exempts and captains, 3 lieutenants, 1 adjutant, 3 cornets, and 60 private men, they have been abolished.
British lifeGuards. In consequence of the reduction of the horse grenadier guards, two regiments have been raised for the specific purpose of guarding the metropolis, and of royal escorts. They are generally called the first and second life-guards. Each regiment consists of six troops of 53 men and 1 kettle drum.
Royal Regiment of HorseGuards. This regiment which is commonly called the Oxford Blues, from having originally been raised by the earl of Oxford, consists of nine troops.
Yeomen of theGuards, a kind of foot guards to the British king’s person, and are generally called by a nick-name—thebeefeaters. They were first raised by Henry VII. in the year 1485, consisting of 250 men of the first rank, under gentry, and of a larger stature than ordinary, each being required to be 6 feet high. At present there are but 100 on constant duty, and 70 more not on duty; and when any one of the 100 dies, his place is supplied out of the 70. They go dressed after the manner of Henry VIII.’s time. Their pay is 2 shillings and 6 pence per day.
FootGuards, are regiments of foot appointed for the guard of the British king and his palace, and for general service. There are three regiments of them, called the 1st, 2d, and 3d regiment of foot-guards. They were raised in the year 1660. The first regiment is at present commanded by 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant colonel, 3 majors, 27 captains, 1 captain-lieutenant, 62 lieutenants, 24 ensigns, and 3 adjutants, and consists of 3 battalions. The second regiment, or Coldstream, has 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant colonel, 2 majors, 16 captains, 1 captain lieutenant, 42 lieutenants, 14 ensigns, and 2 adjutants,and consists of two battalions. The third regiment is the same as the second. The first regiment of French guards was raised in the reign of Charles IX. in the year 1563.
ImperialGuards, the name of a body of select troops organised by the French emperor, which greatly distinguished themselves at the battle of Austerlitz.
TrenchGuardonly mounts in the time of a siege, and consists sometimes of 3, 4, or 6 battalions, according to the importance of the siege. This guard must oppose the besieged when they sally out, protect the workmen, &c.
ProvostGuard, is always an officer’s guard that attends the provost in his rounds, to prevent desertion, marauding, rioting, &c. SeeProvost.
Guard-magazine. SeeStore-Keeper.
AdvancedGuard, is a party of either horse or foot, or both, that marches before a more considerable body, to give notice of any approaching danger. These guards are either made stronger or weaker, according to the situation or danger that may be apprehended from the enemy, or the country you are to march through.
VanGuard. SeeAdvanced Guard.
ArtilleryGuard, is a detachment from the army to secure the artillery when in the field. Theircorps de gardeis in the front of the artillery park, and their sentries distributed round it. This is generally a 48-hours guard; and upon a march this guard marches in the front and rear of the artillery, and must be sure to leave nothing behind. If a gun or waggon breaks down, the officer that commands the guard is to leave a sufficient number of men to assist the gunners and aids in getting it up again.
Artillery quarter-Guard, is frequently a non-commissioned officer’s guard from the regiment of artillery, whosecorps de gardeis always in the front of their encampment.
Artillery rear-Guard, consists in a corporal and 6 men, posted in the rear of the park.
Corps deGuard, are soldiers entrusted with the guard of a post, under the command of one or more officers. This word also signifies the place where the guard mounts.
CounterGuard. SeeFortification.
GrandGuard. A guard composed of three or four squadrons of horse, commanded by a field officer, posted about a mile, or a mile and a half from the camp, on the right and left wings, towards the enemy, for the better security of the camp.
ForageGuard, a detachment sent out to secure the foragers, who are posted at all places, where either the enemy’s party may come to disturb the foragers, or where they may be spread too near the enemy, so as to be in danger of being taken. This guard consists both of horse and foot, who must remain on their posts till the foragers are all come off the ground.
MainGuard, is that from whence all other guards are detached. Those who are for mounting guard assemble at their respective private parades, and march from thence to the general parade in good order, where, after the whole guard is drawn up, the small guards are detached to their respective posts: then the subalterns cast lots for their guards, who are all under the command of the captain of the main guard. This guard mounts in garrison at different hours, according to the pleasure of the governor.
PicquetGuard, a good number of horse and foot, always in readiness in case of an alarm: the horses are generally saddled all the time, and the riders booted.
The foot draw up at the head of the battalion, frequently at the beating of the tat-too; but afterwards return to their tents, where they hold themselves in readiness to march upon any sudden alarm. This guard is to make resistance, in case of an attack, until the army can get ready.
BaggageGuard, is always an officer’s guard, who has the care of the baggage on a march. The waggons should be numbered by companies, and follow one another regularly; vigilance and attention in the passage of hollow-ways, woods, and thickets, must be strictly observed by this guard.
OrdinaryGuards, such as are fixed during the campaign, or in garrison towns, and which are relieved daily.
ExtraordinaryGuards, or detachments, such as are only commanded on particular occasions; either for the further security of the camp, to cover the foragers, or for convoys, escorts, or expeditions.
Soldiers are sometimes ordered to take extraordinary guards, as a punishment for slight misconduct.
QuarterGuard, is a small guard commanded by a subaltern officer, posted in the front of each battalion, at 200 feet or more before the front of the regiment.
RearGuard, that part of the army which brings up the rear on a march, generally composed of all the old grand-guards of the camp.
The rear guardof a party is frequently 8 or 10 horse, about 500 paces behind the party. Hence the advanced guard going out upon a party forms the rear guard in a retreat.
RearGuard, is also a corporal’s guard placed in the rear of a regiment, to keep good order in that part of the camp.
StandardGuard, a small guard under a corporal, which is taken out of each regiment of horse, and mounts on foot in front of each regiment, at the distance of 20 feet from the streets, opposite to the main street.
To be uponGuard. SeeMountingGuard.
To relieveGuard. SeeRelieve.
Turn out theGuard. A phrase usedwhen it is necessary for the guard to form for the purpose of receiving a general or commanding officer; on the approach of an armed party; on the beat of drum or sound of trumpet, or any alarm.
PortGuard. A guard detached from the main guard. All officers on port or detached guards are to send a report, night and morning, to the captain of the main guard, and at all other times, when any thing extraordinary occurs. Those who command at the ports are to draw up the bridges, or shut the barriers, on the approach of any body of armed men, of which they are to give notice to the officer of the main guard, and not to suffer any of them to come into the garrison, without leave from the governor or commander.
OutGuards. Under this head may not improperly be consideredoutposts,advanced picquets, anddetachments. The duties of outposts are so various as usually to require detailed instructions according to circumstances. The following directions are generally applicable, and must be strictly attended to should there be any occasion for it to act upon home-service. The duty of outposts, &c. is chiefly confined to light troops, who are occasionally assisted and relieved by the line. They are always, in that case, under the immediate direction of some general. But when circumstances render it necessary, that this duty should be done from the line, the outposts fall under the command of the officers of the day, unless some particular officer be put in orders for that specific command.
All outguards march off without trumpets sounding, or drums beating. They pay no compliments of any kind; neither do their sentries take any complimentary notice of officers passing near their posts. No guards are to presume to stop any persons coming to camp with provisions (unless they be particularly ordered so to do,) and are on no account to exact or receive any thing for their free passage.
Any officer, trumpeter, or other person, who comes from an enemy’s camp, is to be secured by the first guard he arrives at, till the commander in chief’s, or the general’s pleasure is known. When a deserter comes in from the enemy, the officer commanding a post, or guard, at which he arrives, is immediately to send him under a proper escort, (without permitting him to be delayed or examined, or any questions asked him) to the officer commanding the outposts, who, after inquiring whether he brings any intelligence immediately relating to his own post, will forward him to head-quarters.
The sentries on the outposts are always to be doubled. No officers, soldiers, or followers of the camp, are on any account to be suffered to pass the outposts, without they are on duty, or present a regular pass from head-quarters.
The men on advanced picquets are to carry their provisions with them, ready cooked, when circumstances will permit. The cavalry to carry sufficient forage for the time they are to be out.
It is the duty of officers on all guards to inspect every relief of sentries, both when they go on, and come off their posts; to call the rolls frequently, and by every means in their power to keep the men under their command in the most perfect state of vigilance and preparation.
Officers commanding outposts are to send guides, or orderly men, to the major of brigade of the day, or to the brigade-major of their own brigades, as circumstances require, in order to conduct the new guards, and to carry such orders as may be necessary.
When the army is on a march, the officers must apprize the brigade-majors of the situation of their posts, as soon as they arrive at them. All detachments of brigades, which are ordered to marchimmediately, are to be taken from the picquets, and replaced directly from the line.
Whenever detachments exceed 200 men, or upwards, a surgeon or surgeon’s mate is to be sent from the corps of the officer who commands. On particular duties, the attendance of a surgeon or mate may be requisite with smaller detachments. Detachments of cavalry, of 50 or upwards, will be attended by a farrier.
As soon as an officer commanding an outpost, or advanced picquet, (whether of cavalry or infantry) arrives on his ground, he must endeavor to make himself master of his situation, by carefully examining, not only the space he actually occupies, but the heights within musquet-shot; the roads and paths leading to or near his post, ascertaining their breadth and practicability for cavalry and cannon. He should examine the hollow ways that cover the approach of an enemy; and, in short, consider all the points from which he is most likely to be attacked, either by cavalry or infantry. He will, by these means, be enabled to take measures to prevent the possibility of being surprized; and should he be attacked during the night, from the previous knowlege he has obtained of the ground, he will at once form a just estimate of the nature of the attack, and make his arrangements for defence with promptitude and decision. In order to convey the same alacrity to his men, and to prepare the most inexperienced for sudden and unexpected attacks, an officer upon an outpost will do well to put them upon the alert, by skilfully occasioning false alarms. But these must not be often repeated, nor when practised be made known to his men as having proceeded from himself; since supineness and inactivity might by degrees be the consequence of such a discovery.
An intelligent officer upon an outpost, even unprovided with entrenching tools,will materially strengthen his post, when the unobserver would remain inactive.
A tree felled with judgment; brushwood cut to a certain distance; pointed stakes, about breast high, placed on the points most assailable by an enemy, may be attended with the greatest advantages, and can be effected with the common hatchets, which the men carry to cut fire-wood. In short, every impediment which an officer, acting on the defensive, can throw in an enemy’s way, ought to be scrupulously attended to. Independently, therefore, of the means which he adopts for the immediate protection of his posts, he must look beyond that point; and as nothing checks the ardour of troops more than an unexpected obstacle, within an hundred yards, more or less, of the place attacked, he must, on his arrival at the outpost, throw up some temporary impediment at that distance. SeeAm. Mil. Library.
MountingGuards. It is indispensibly necessary, that every officer should know how to mount and come off guard.
All guards parade with ordered arms, and unfixed bayonets, without any intervals between them, the ranks open. The officer brings the guard to a shoulder; and the officers with their swords drawn, and non-commissioned officers commanding guards, are formed about forty paces in front of the centre, in two ranks, facing the line, where they are to receive the old parole and such orders as may be given them.
The major or commanding officer gives the word of command.
“Officers and non-commissioned officers—Take post in front of your respective guards!—Outward face—March!”
As soon as they have taken post, fronting their respective guards, the word of command will begiven—
“Officers and non-commissioned officers—to your guards—March!—Front!—Halt!”
“Officers and non-commissioned officers, inspect your guards!”
The several officers and non-commissioned officers then inspect their guard as quick as possible. When there is a captain’s guard, each officer is to take a rank, the serjeants accompanying them.
As soon as the inspection is over, the adjutant goes down the line and receives the report of each guard; the officers return to their posts; and the major, or commanding officer, commands—“Fix bayonets!—Shoulder!”
When the colours are brought on the parade, the drum is beat; and the drummer’s call on the right.
The captain will face inwards, and the lieutenant and ensign will face to the right, and march,quick time, to the head of the grenadiers. The captain goes to the head of the right of his remaining men. The field officer then orders the grenadiers to close their ranks, and to march off inquick time, the lieutenant being three paces advanced in front of his men, and the ensign one. The colours are received as usual. And the color party on their arrival on the left flank of the guards, will file at theslow time, through the ranks: the lieutenant, and the colors, in front of the front rank. The guards are to march off at theslow time, and by divisions, taking care, that when they open their ranks, the front rank of each keeps its exact distance from the front rank preceding it. When there are more officers than one belonging to the same guard, the second in rank is to take post, and to march past the commanding officer on the parade, at the head of the last division, instead of being in the rear of it. When there is an officer, senior to the field officer of the day, on the parade, the guards are to march by and salute him: the field officer of the day, in that case, marching at their head.
Guard-rooms. The following articles should properly come under the heads of furniture and utensils.
Cavalry and infantryGuard-roomsare allowed a water bucket, candlestick, tin can for drink, and drinking cups; they are also allowed fire irons, and coal tray.
The rooms of the quarter-masters and serjeants of cavalry, and the serjeant-major and quarter-master serjeant of infantry, to be furnished with the necessary bedding and utensils in the same manner as is allowed to the soldiers’ rooms.
Guard,in fencing, implies a posture proper to defend the body from the sword of the antagonist.
The wordguardis seldom applied among small swordsmen to any position but those of carte and tierce, the other motions of defence are stiled parades. SeeFencing.
Guardsof the broad sword. The positions of defence adopted with that weapon are generally termed guards, and may be comprised under the inside guard, half-circle guard, hanging guard, half-hanging guard, medium guard, outside guard, St. George’s guard, and spadroon guard. SeeBroad-sword.
Prepare toGuard, in the cavalry sword exercise, is performed by bringing the extremity of the sword-hilt up to the pit of the stomach, with the back of the hand outwards; the blade of the sword to be carried perpendicularly, with the flat in front of the left eye. From this position theguardis taken by darting the sword hand smartly forward towards the left ear of the antagonist.
Guard,in the cavalry sword exercise, is used to denote one particular position, which consists in homing the sabre nearly horizontal across the face, the point rather higher than the hilt, the sword-hand directed towards the left ear of the antagonist. Although this be peculiarly denominatedguard, yet it is not to be considered as a position calculated to meetevery sort of attack, or an eligible position to charge an enemy; but as the central point from which the requisite change for attack or defence may be effected. The other position of defence in the cavalry exercise are stiledProtects.
GUASTADOURS,Fr.Turkish pioneers. Armenians and Greeks are generally employed in the Turkish armies, to do the fatigue-work that is necessary for the formation of a camp, or for conducting a siege.
GUDDA, an Indian term for a fool, a small fort erected upon a hill or eminence; it means literally an ass, metaphorically a fool.
GUDGE, an Indian measure 24 inches long.
GUERITE,Fr.Centry box, small turret. In fortified towns there are several small turrets of this denomination, which are sometimes made of wood and sometimes built with stone. They are generally fixed on the acute points of bastions and centinels are posted within them, for the purpose of watching the ditch, and of preventing any surprize in that quarter.
Those used upon the continent of Europe, particularly in France, contain from 3 to 4 French feet diameter within, and are 7 or 8 feet high. Their general shape or figure is round, pentagonal, hexagonal, &c.
There are apertures made on every side, through which the centinel can observe every thing that passes in the ditch. A path about 2 or 3 feet broad is cut through the parapet and the banquette, up to the entrance of the guerite. Wooden guerites are generally used where the rampart is lined with turf only.
The spots best adapted for guerites, are at the flanked angles of bastions, and at the angles of epaulements. Sometimes indeed, they are placed in the centre of the curtains. They must jut out at the point of the angle, and the ground floor should be upon a line with the cordon, which is a sort of fillet or trace that marks the separation of the rampart from the parapet. They must likewise project far enough to afford the centinel who is within, a full view of the faces, the flanks and the curtains, and, if possible, a thorough command of all the ditches.
Gagner laGuerite,Fr.A familiar phrase to express the escape of a person.
Enfiler laGuerite,Fr.To avoid the pursuit of another.
GUERRE,Fr.War; which see.
The wordguerreis indeed so frequently used among the French, that we shall not be thought too minute in specifying some general terms under that head. The principal ones are,
Guerrecivile,Fr.SeeCivil War.
Homme deGuerre,Fr.a military man.
Nom deGuerre,Fr.a war name; a borrowed name; it was formerly common to assume anom de guerreon entering the French army.
PetiteGuerre,Fr.a harrassing species of warfare. A contest for plunder.
Place deGuerre,Fr.a fortified town or place.
Faire laGuerreà l’œil, in a figurative sense, signifies to watch stedfastly, and without taking off the eye from a particular object.
A la guerre comme á laGuerre. A familiar expression among the French, which implies, that things must be taken as they come.
On ne fait laGuerreque pour faire enfin la paix. War, after all, must end in peace.
La guerre nourrit laGuerre, figuratively means, that an army always subsists at the expence of the country in which it lies.
GUERREde Secours,Fr.war of alliance or confederacy. This term is more especially applicable to that species of contest in which neighboring princes or countries embark to defend those with whom they are in alliance, against the aggression or exorbitant demands of a conqueror.
If such a contest or war be entered into upon the faith of settled treaties, the parties are bound not only to supply the stipulated number of soldiers, but even to augment their quota, if necessity should require, and sometimes to march in person against the common enemy.
If the object be to prevent any adjacent country from falling into the hands of a conqueror, who might afterwards molest the contracting party, the latter should observe many precautions before he withdraws from the contest; the principal one is to demand the possession of some strong places upon the frontiers, to prevent the inhabitants of the country that is attacked from making a separate peace.
The general selected to command an auxiliary army must be endued with wisdom and foresight. He must be wise and intelligent in order to preserve discipline and good order among his troops: and have foresight to provide for the wants of his army in a strange country, and to see that the men are not sent more into action than they ought, and that nothing is done contrary to the interest of his country.
Guerrede montagne,Fr.a war which is chiefly carried on in a mountainous part of the country. This species of warfare is extremely hazardous, as it cannot be pursued without a thorough knowlege of the country, and by means of able stratagems. Marshal Saxe, in his Reveries, lays it down as a rule, that no army or detachment must venture into passes or narrow ways, without having first secured the eminences round them; and if the enemy should defend the gorges or outlets, false attacks must be resorted to, in order to divert his attention from a real one which is made against a weak quarter. It frequently happens that bye-ways arefound out, which have escaped the enemy’s observation, and through which detached bodies may penetrate for the purpose of turning his flanks. In aguerre de montagne, or mountain-contest, it is essentially necessary, that the advancing body should keep up a regular and safe communication with its rear, as well to secure a retreat if necessary, as to have a free intercourse with its convoys. SeeAm. Mil. Lib.
Guerrede chicane,Fr.SeeWarof chicane or stratagem.
GuerreSainte,Fr.a romantic expedition which was made by the Christians, against the Infidels in Palestine, for the purpose of re-conquering the Holy Land, from whence it was called holy war, orguerre sainte. SeeCrusade.
Foudre deGuerre, a figurative expression among the French, to mark the character of a man who has distinguished himself in battle, and is acknowleged to possess a superior degree of valor.
Flambeau de laGuerre,Fr.the torch of war. Any person who causes war to be carried on with violence and animosity is so called.
Aller à la petiteGuerre,Fr.to go out in detached parties for the direct purpose of plundering an enemy’s country.
Faire bonneGuerre,Fr.to carry on hostilities with as much humanity as the laws of war will permit.
Faire bonneGuerre,à quelqu’un,Fr.to treat with a man decently, but vigorously, on matters that require explanation and final arrangement.
Guerreet pitié ne s’accordent pas ensemble,Fr.a French proverb, signifying war and commiseration seldom go hand in hand.
Guerrejuste,Fr.a just and necessary war, that is a war of defence, such as the war of resistance against the British, from 1775 to 1783; the war of the French against the first coalition, in 1792.
Guerreinjuste,Fr.an unjust war.
LongueGuerre,Fr.a long war.
Guerreétrangère,Fr.a foreign war.
Guerred’outre mer,Fr.a war beyond the seas.
Gens deGuerre. SeeGens.
Le metier de laGuerre,Fr.the profession of arms. Hence it is figuratively said,les Francois sont au fait du métier de la guerre de terre, et les Anglois sont au fait du métier de la guerre de mer. Frenchmen are at the top of the profession of arms on land, and Englishmen are unrivalled at sea.
Les lois de laGuerre,Fr.The laws of war.
Le droit de laGuerre,Fr.the rights of war.
Ruse deGuerre,Fr.a warlike stratagem.
En temps deGuerre,Fr.in time of war.
Munitions de laGuerreet de bouche,Fr.warlike stores, and provisions.
Préparatifs deGuerre,Fr.warlike preparations.
Place deGuerre,Fr.a fortified place.
Machine deGuerre,Fr.a warlike instrument or machine.
Conseil deGuerre,Fr.a council of war. It likewise means a court martial.
Vaisseau deGuerre,Fr.A ship of war.
Vaisseau armé enGuerre,Fr.an armed vessel.
C’est un grand homme deGuerre,Fr.he is a warlike character.
Les malheurs de laGuerre,Fr.the misfortunes of war.
AvoirGuerre,Fr.to commence hostilities.
Avoir laGuerre.Fr.to be in a state of warfare.
Les fruits de laGuerre,Fr.the fruits, or consequences of war.
Entreprendre laGuerre,Fr.to enter into a war.
Déclarer laGuerre,Fr.to declare war.
Soutenir laGuerre,Fr.to maintain the war.
Entretenir laGuerre,Fr.to support the war.
Ces deux princes sont enGuerre,Fr.these two potentates are at war.
Etre enGuerreouverte,Fr.to be at open war.
Se faire laGuerre,Fr.to make war with one another.
Aller à laGuerre,Fr.to go to war.
Allumer laGuerredans un ètat,Fr.to light up a war, or excite troubles in any state or country.
Porter laGuerredans le cœur d’un pays,Fr.to carry war into the heart of a country.
Guerreentre les puissances egales,Fr.war between two powers which are nearly equal in point of strength, and do not act with auxiliary troops.
Qui terre aGuerrea,Fr.a French proverb, signifying, every man who has landed property is exposed to feuds and litigation.
GUERRIER,Fr.Warrior.
Un grandGuerrier,Fr.a great warrior.
Les plus fameuxGuerriers, the most celebrated warriors.
It is also used as a substantive in the feminine gender, when speaking of an amazon; as,la vaillante guerriere.
Guerrier,Fr.as an adjective is variously used, viz. warlike, any thing appertaining to war.
ActionsGuerrieres,Fr.warlike actions.
TravauxGuerriers,Fr.works of a military or warlike nature.
ExploitsGuerriers,Fr.warlike exploits.
CourageGuerrier,Fr.a warlike disposition.
HumeurGuerriere,Fr.a warlike spirit or temper.
NationGuerriere,Fr.a warlike nation.
Il a l’airGuerrier,Fr.he has a warlike look or appearance.
Il a la mineGuerriere,Fr.he has a warlike aspect.
GUERROYER,Fr.to make war.
GUERROYEUR,Fr.a warrior.
GUET,Fr.This term was particularly attached to those persons belonging to the French body-guards, that did duty during the night.
Guetde la mer,Fr.the watch which the inhabitants belonging to parishes, towns, or fortified places, situated on the sea coast, were bound to keep for its security. On occasions of this sort, the signal of alarm was made during the day by smoke, and during the night by lighted combustibles.
GUET,Fr.in a military sense, signifies rounds, or those duties of a soldier, or patroling party, which are prescribed for the security of a town, &c. and to prevent surprises.
Faire leGuetau haut du belfroi,Fr.to be put upon duty, or stand watch at the top of a church belfry.
Asseoir leGuet,Fr.to set the watch.
Poser leGuet, to post the watch.
Etre auGuet,Fr.to be upon the watch.
Guetà pied,Fr.foot patrole.
Guetà cheval,Fr.horse patrole.
Ce sont les bourgeois qui font leGuet,Fr.the inhabitants of the place go the rounds.
Cri auGuet,Fr.the hue and cry.
LeGuetvient de passer, the patrole has just passed.
Avoir l’œil auGuet,Fr.to be minutely watchful and observing.
Avoir l’oreille auGuet,Fr.to be listening for the direct purpose of acquiring information.
Maison deGuet,Fr.round-house.
Mot duGuet,Fr.watch-word.
Donner le mot deGuet, to give the watch-word.
Se donner le mot deGuet,Fr.to understand one another. In familiar intercourse it means likewise to play booty together.
Guetapens,Fr.Ambush; any premeditated design to injure another in a clandestine manner. The French frequently use this expression; as
Ce n’est point un rencontre ni un duel, c’est unGuetapens,Fr.it is neither an accidental meeting, nor a duel, it is a downright plot to murder him.
Droit duGuetet garde,Fr.a right which was formerly enjoyed in feudal France, by some lords of the manor, and by which they were authorised to call upon their vassals to watch and patrole for the security of their castles, and to silence the frogs.
GUETRE. SeeGaiter.
Tirer vosGuetres,Fr.Go about your business: a familiar phrase which is used among the french, when a person is discarded, or turned away in a summary manner.
Il y a laissé sesGuetres,Fr.a figurative expression among French soldiers, signifying that a person died in such a place.
GUETRER,Fr.to put on gaiters.
GUETTE,Fr.a name given by the French carpenters to a stake that is fixed sideways and which serves for various purposes.
GUETTER,Fr.a familiar phrase, signifying to watch the motions of any body, for the purpose of circumvention or surprize.
Guetterlikewise means to watch for a fit opportunity to get access to any person.
Il y a des sergens qui leGuettent,Fr.he is closely watched by some serjeants.
Le soldatGuettoitsou colonel pour lui presenter un placet,Fr.the soldier watched his colonel, in order to lay his petition before him.
GUEUSE,Fr.a rough piece of iron, which has been melted, and has not gone through any further process or purification.
GUICHET,Fr.a small door or outlet, which is made in the gates of fortified towns. It is generally four feet high, and two broad; so that a man must stoop to get through. In 1669, the high town of the city of Albuquerque, in Spain, escaped being surprized by means of one of these outlets. In garrison towns, the guichet is left open for the space of one quarter of an hour after the retreat, in order to give the inhabitants time to enter.
Guichetd’une porte d’écluse, an opening which is made in the gate of a sluice, and which closes by means of a flood-gate. It serves to let in water when wanted.
GUIDES, (guides,Fr.) are generally the country people in the neighborhood where an army encamps: they are to give you intelligence concerning the country, the roads by which you are to march, and the route by which the enemy may approach you. Guides should be faithful, because, in giving you false intelligence, or guiding you wrong, they may greatly endanger the army. Several guides are requisite, as every corps that marches by night should have one at least. There is sometimes a captain, or chief of the guides, who should be a man of intelligence, active, and attentive to the diligence and fidelity of his people. He should always have a sufficient number with him, and who are well acquainted with the country.
In time of war, particularly in the seat of it, the guides invariably accompany head-quarters, and a certain number is allotted not only to general officers, but to all detachments made from the main body, either for the purpose of combating the advanced posts of an enemy, of protecting escorts, or securing convoys. Guides, in an army, may be justly calledits principal outsets. They are to a body of men what the eyes are to the human frame. They cannot, however, be too jealously watched.
Guides, the name given to the non-commissioned officers who take positions to mark the pivots, marches, formations, and alignements in modern discipline; it is expressed in French by the wordjaloneur, fromjalona post. SeeJalon.
Guidesof manœuvre, the name given to those which the French calljaloneur, and the British markers. The use of guides, is perhaps one of the best conceived and ingenious methods which could be devised to perfect the art of manœuvring troops; and one of its happiest advantages is its fitness for raw or undisciplined troops, which by the aid ofguidesof manœuvre, may be brought to comprehend and execute every species of movement in company, platoons, divisions, or battalions, in one third of the time formerly required; and in a manner much more perfect than was formerly considered as the utmost excellence. SeeAm. Mil. Lib.
GUIDES, corps of, under the new French dynasty have a new organization of which we hear only by some decisive effects.
Corps desGuides,Fr.The corps of guides. This body was originally formed in France in the year 1756, and consisted of one captain, one 1st lieutenant, one 2d lieutenant, two serjeants, two corporals, one anspessade, and twenty privates, calledfusiliers-guides.—Twelve out of the twenty-five (which was the effective number) were mounted. These consisted of one Serjeant, one corporal, and ten fusiliers. Their particular duty was to carry orders that required dispatch; and on this account they were always attached to head-quarters. The twelve fusiliers were mounted on small active horses, about four French feet, five or six inches high. They were supplied with a saddle, blue saddle-cloth trimmed with white, holster-caps the same; and they were armed with a fusil and cut-and-thrust bayonet, a pistol, sabre, with a cartouch-box, containing 20 rounds. They wore half-boots, or bottines.—Each man carried, moreover, one field utensil out of the twelve belonging to the company. These utensils consisted of four hatchets, four shovels, and four pick-axes. The thirteenfusilier guideson foot were armed with a fusil six inches shorter than the regular musquet, with a blade-bayonet and a cartouch-box, holding twenty rounds of ball cartridges. Their uniform was a blue coat, waistcoat, and breeches, with flat white metal buttons. The hat was bordered with common white lace for the soldiers, and of a superior quality for the serjeants; which latter had three silver brandenburgs hanging from each shoulder. The corporals had three made of white worsted, and the anspessade two ditto. The daily pay of the captain was 4 livres, or 6s. 8d., the 1st lieutenant 1 livre, 7 sols and 6 deniers, equal to 2s. 4d., the 2d lieutenant 1 livre, or 10d., each serjeant 13 sols, or 6¹⁄₂d., each corporal 10 sols, or 6d., each anspessade 8 sols, 6 deniers, or 4¹⁄₂d. and each private 6 sols, 6 deniers, or 3¹⁄₂d.
GUIDON,Fr.SeeSight.
Guidon, in ancient military history, the name of a sort of standard broad at one extreme and almost pointed at the other, and slit or divided into two.
Guidonalso implies the officer who carries the guidon or standard.
Guidons, in the French service, were exclusively attached to the Gendarmerie; and among them the word formerly meant not only the standard but likewise the officer who carried it.
GUIGNEAU,Fr.This word means the same thing aschevétre. It is a piece of wood which joins the joists of a floor, that are cut to make room for the hearth of a chimney-piece.
GUILLAUME,Fr.a tool somewhat like a plane which is used by carpenters, and of which there are several sorts according to the nature of the work.
GUINDAS,Fr.All machines which by means of a wheel and its axis serve to raise heavy loads, are so called by the French.
GUINDER,Fr.to draw up any weight. Hence the termguindage, which is applied to the movement of loads that are raised and let down.
GUISARMIERS,Fr.a body of free archers, or bowmen, who took their name from an offensive weapon calledguisarme, orjusarme, somewhat similar to thevoulgue, a sort of javelin, which was used in hunting the wild boar. Its length was equal to that of the halbert, and it had a broad piece of sharp iron fixed to one end.
GULLY. Any hollow which has been made by running water. Ambuscades are frequently laid in such places.
GUN, a fire-arm, or weapon of offence, which forcibly discharges a bullet through a cylindrical barrel by means of gunpowder. The term is chiefly applied to cannon.
Somnerus derives gun frommangon, a warlike machine, which was used before the invention of guns. He establishes his derivation by taking away the first syllable.
CurricleGUNSare small pieces of ordnance, mounted upon carriages of two wheels, and drawn by two horses. The artillery-man is seated on a box, and the whole can be moved forward into action with astonishing rapidity. The tumbrils belonging to curricle guns carry 60 rounds of ball cartridges. Great improvements are daily making in this machine on account of its acknowleged utility.
GreatGun. SeeCannon.