All other captains commanding post ships, are to have rank as lieutenant-colonels.
Captains of his majesty’s ships or vessels, not taking post, are to have rank as majors.
Lieutenants of his majesty’s ships are to have rank as captains.
The rank and precedence of sea officers, in the classes above-mentioned, are to take place according to the seniority of their respective commissions.
Post captains commanding ships or vessels that do not give post, rank only as majors during their commanding such vessels.
No land officer is to command on board any of his majesty’s squadrons or ships, nor any sea officer to command on land; nor shall either have a right to demand military honors due to their respective ranks, unless they are upon actual service.
All guards and centinels are to pay the same compliments to the officers of the navy, as are directed to be paid to the officers of the army, according to their relative ranks.
The compliments above directed are to be paid by the troops, to officers in the service of any power in alliance with the British king, according to their respective ranks.
Turning out of the line.The line turns out without arms, whenever the general commanding in chief comes along the front of the camp.
When the line turns out, the private men are to be drawn up in a line with the colors and standards; the corporals on the right and left of their respective companies, the picquet forms behind the colors, accoutred, but without arms.
The officers and non-commissioned officers are to be drawn up with their respective companies. The field officers in their proper posts in battalion, two ensigns taking hold of the colors.
When the commander in chief comes along the line, the camp colors on the flanks of the parade are to be struck, and planted opposite to the bells of arms, and the drums piled up behind the colors; the halberts are to be planted between, and on each side of the bells of arms, the hatchets turned from the colors.
Honorsof war, in one sense are stipulated terms which are granted to a vanquished enemy, and by which he is permitted to march out of a town, from a camp or line of entrenchments, with all the insignia of military etiquette. In another sense they signify the compliments which are paid to great personages, military characters, &c. when they appear before any armed body of men; or such as are given to the remains of a deceased officer. The particular circumstances attending the latter are well known, and depend greatly upon the usages of different countries; those which regard our own service may be seen underBurials.
With respect to the former we think it necessary to observe, that it is extremely difficult, and much beyond the limits of this work, to describe them specifically; as much, indeed almost every thing, depends upon the disposition of the general who grants the capitulation. In some instances, the troops of a besieged garrison are permitted to march out with drums beating, colors flying, &c. others are only allowed to advance silently in front of their works, ground or pile their arms, face to the right and return within their line of entrenchments. Others again (as was the case with earl Cornwallis, at York Town, in Virginia) are permitted to march out, with drums beating, to a given spot, there pile their arms, face to the right about, and march back to their works. In the instance quoted, the officers retained their side arms and baggage, with such horses as they had lawfully obtained by purchase, &c. A sloop of war was allowed to proceed to New York with dispatches from the British general to sir Henry Clinton, who was commander in chief of the forces acting against America: which vessel passed and repassed without being searched. This indulgence proved extremely fortunate to a small number of American refugees, who were peaceably transported into the British lines, instead of being sacrificed to the just fury of their countrymen in arms.
When the town of Valenciennes surrendered to the coalition army, the garrison under the orders of general Ferrand was permitted to march out by the gate of Cambray with the honors of war. It was, however, specifically stated, that the troops should lay down their arms at a named spot, viz. at a house calledle Briquet, where they were to leave their colors and field-pieces without damaging them in the least. They were likewise directed to leave their troop horses, artillery, provisions, and other military effects. Those belonging to the officers were restored to them, with their swords. It was further agreed, that the garrison should march out on the 1st of August, in the manner mentioned; and as the troops were prisoners of war, their route to return into France was to be communicated to them 24 hours previous to their departure, in order to receive their parole of honor. The officers and soldiers engaged not to serve during the whole course of the present war against the armies of his majesty the emperor, and of his allies, without having been exchanged conformably to the cartels, under pain of military punishment.
General Ferrand had demanded that the garrison should march out from the place on the 6th day after the signature of the capitulation, to repair to such part of the French republic as he should judge proper, with arms and baggage, horses, drums beating, matches lighted at both ends,colors flying, and with all the cannon they could carry away. These articles were refused by the duke of York; and on the 28th of July, 1793, Valenciennes surrendered to the British arms, in trust for the emperor of Germany.
As soon as the capitulation was signed, hostages were sent into the town, namely, a colonel, a major, and a captain, who were exchanged against officers of an equal rank of the garrison; which hostages were restored immediately after the execution of the articles of capitulation.
When Mantua surrendered to Bonaparte, the veteran general Wurmser, in consideration of his brave defence of the place, was allowed to leave the place with all the honors of war.
Several emigrants on this occasion, escaped in the covered waggons.
When Saragossa was taken by marshal Lannes in 1809, it was refused the honors of a capitulation, but ordered to surrender peremptorily at a given hour on several points, which was obeyed.
HONORABLE, noble, high spirited, full of rectitude, and beyond the least approach of meanness or corruption. This term is frequently attached to surnames from false and vain courtesy.
HOOKS. Pieces of bent iron fixed to the transom plates of a field-carriage are so called. They serve to fix the bricoles or ropes for drawing it occasionally backwards or forwards.
HooksandEyes. It is directed in all well-disciplined corps, that every officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier, when regimentally dressed, should have the uniform coat hooked across the chest. This regulation has, in some degree, been dispensed with during the winter months, as far as it regards the officers who have been permitted to button their coats. In some corps the indulgence is rendered nugatory, as the facings are sewed to the coat. The dressing of a line is certainly rendered more perfect by the use of the hooks and eyes, as they prevent any intermediate obstacle along the line of sight. This nicety is indispensible in parade business, and the propriety of some general rule being established is manifest, since every soldier knows, that the slightest deviation from the laudable system of uniformity almost always leads to gross neglect.
HOOKUM, an Indian word, signifying order or command.
HOOKUMNAUMEH, in India, signifies a letter of instructions, or the paper that contains orders.
HOOPof iron, a circular iron band. Several sorts of hoops are used in the construction of artillery carriages, as nave and axle tree hoops, &c.
HOPITAL,Fr.hospital. During the old French government, there existed 80 military hospitals under the immediate sanction of the king. These hospitals were subject to the war-minister, from whom they received instructions, and they were all originally built for the benefit of sick and disabled soldiers. The chief appointments in each hospital consisted of a comptroller of accounts, a physician, a surgeon major, and a contractor, whose sole duty was to provide for the wants and necessities of the invalid troops. These were permanent establishments. In time of war, every army had a certain number of hospitals attached to its component parts. There were likewise other hospitals, which were under the care of the intendant of each province. They chiefly consisted in those erected on the frontier and in garrison towns.
Hopitalsur mer,Fr.hospital-ship. A particular vessel, which is always attached to a naval armament, and is provided with the necessary accommodations for the sick and wounded belonging to the ships of war. The same precautions (indeed greater if possible) are indispensably necessary to prevent the dreadful consequences of contagion, that are directed to be observed in the fumigation, &c. of transports. During the old government of France, hospital-ships were of a particular construction. Independently of the equipage, tackle, &c. belonging to every other navigable ship, these vessels were directed to have their decks extremely high, to have large port-holes, and to have the space between the decks constantly clear, so that the cots and bedding of the sick might be conveniently placed, and a constant circulation of free air be preserved.
HOPLITAI, foot soldiers among the Greeks, who bore heavy armor, and engaged with broad shields and long spears. These took precedence of all other foot soldiers.—Potter’s Greek Ant. vol. ii. c. 3.
HOQUETON,Fr.a sort of garment, which was worn during the old government of France by gentlemen belonging to the king’s body guard, who were calledgardes de la manche. It sometimes signifies a serjeant; but the term is obsolete.
HORD, (horde,Fr.) a crowd or assemblage of people, who have not any fixed or certain habitation. The term was originally applied to a body of Tartars, who followed a roving life, encamped in different countries, and chiefly lived with their flocks.
HORION,Fr.a term which formerly signified a helmet, and which in the vulgar acceptation of it now, among the French, means a blow upon the head.
HORIZONTAL, parallel to the horizon; on a level.
Horizontalsuperficies, the plain field lying upon a level, without any rising or falling.
Horizontalplane, that which is parallel to the horizon of the place.
In levelling, the chief object to be considered is, whether two points be in the horizontal plane; or whether they deviate; and in what degree?
Horizontalrange, orlevel range of a piece of ordnance, is the line it describes, when directed parallel to the horizon.
The following useful theorems come from the pen of the ingenious Dr. Halley:
1. A shot being made on an inclined plane, having the horizontal distance of the object it strikes with the elevation of the piece, and the angle at the gun between the object and the perpendicular, to find the greatest horizontal range of that piece loaded with the same charge of powder, that is, half the latus rectum of all the parabolas made with the same impetus.—Take half the angle contained between the object and the nadir, and the difference of the given angle of elevation from that half; subtract the versed sine of that difference from the versed sine of the angle made by the object and zenith. The difference of those versed sines will be to the sine of the angle last mentioned, as the horizontal distance of the object struck to the greatest range at 45 degrees.
2. Having the horizontal range of a gun, the horizontal distance and angle of inclination of an object to the perpendicular, to find the two elevations necessary to strike that object.—Take half the angle contained between the object and nadir; this half is equal to half the sum of the two angles of elevation sought. Then say, as the horizontal range is to the horizontal distance of the object, so is the sine of the angle of inclination to a fourth proportional; which fourth, being subtracted from the versed sine of the angle formed by the object and zenith, leaves the versed sine of half the difference of the angles of elevation, whose half sum was before obtained; therefore, by adding and subtracting half the difference of the angles of elevation to and from the said half sum the elevations themselves will be found.
HORN. SeeBuglehorn.
Horn-work. SeeFortification.
HORSde Combat, a French military phrase, signifying that an individual or body of men, are so completely beat by superior skill, &c. as not to be able to maintain the field of battle; thus a wounded man ishors de combat.
MettreHorsde Combat, to drive your opponent before you; to press him so closely that he cannot make a stand against you—To put him out of the lists of contest.
Horsde portée,Fr.(in fencing,) out of distance.
Horsde mesure,Fr.(in fencing,) out of measure.
HORSE, in a military sense, a body of horse. SeeCavalry.
Associated Horse—a body of cavalry so called in the days of Cromwell. At the famous battle of Nasbie (fought on the 14th of June, 1645) which decided the fate of Charles the First, the associated horse were posted in the rear of the right wing of the Republican army, and formed part of the reserve—There were troops of the association stationed in the rear of the left. Oliver Cromwell commanded the cavalry on the right of the whole, and the associated horse were under his immediate orders.
Horsenear-side protect, a guard used in the cavalry sword exercise. SeeSwordExercise.
Horseoff-side protect. SeeSwordExercise.
Horses—An allowance of 3 feet is generally made for the breadth of each horse standing at picket; and about 9 feet for the length of a horse.
A light dragoon horse, mounted and accoutred complete, carries about 2 cwt. 1 qr. and 14 lbs. without forage.
Horses in the service of artillery should not be made to draw above 3 cwt. each, besides the weight of the carriage.
Horses for this service should never be lower than 14³⁄₄ hands. The contractor is obliged to furnish them of this height for government.—A horse is generally supposed equal to five men.
Military horseswalkabout 400 yards in 4¹⁄₂ minutes.
Trotthe same distance in 2 minutes 3 seconds, andgallopit in about 1 minute.
With great burthens, less weight must be allowed for each horse to draw, than with medium burthens; as it cannot be supposed that, of a team of 8 horses, the leaders can draw so much as the horses nearer the carriage; and this disadvantage must increase as the team lengthens. A team of
including the carriages. See also the wordLoad.
It is usual in heavy carriages to reckon all their weight exceeding 12 cwt. as part of the load.
Horses allowed for drawing Field Artillery Carriages.
All the horse artillery carriages are drawn by 4 horses each, except 12 prs. which have 6 each.Park Carriages.—12 pr. medium, and 6 pr. heavy, 6 horses each—6 pr. light, and 5¹⁄₂ howitzer, upon the new construction, are allowed each 4 horses, but upon the old only 3 each.
Horsesfalsely musteredare by the 27th section of the British mutiny act to be forfeited, if belonging to the person who lent them for that purpose, if not, the person lending them to forfeit 20l.When officers belonging to the cavalry regiments purchase horses for public service, they are to make the best bargain they can for government, and to account for every saving which has been made, within a limited sum.
Horse, a wooden machine, which soldiers ride by way of punishment. SeeCheval de Bois.
Horse.SeePortcullis.
HORSEMAN. SeeCavalry.
HORSE SHOE. SeeFortification.
HOSE, breeches or stockings. It is generally taken in the latter sense when mentioned as part of a soldier’s necessaries.
Over-Hose, mens breeches and stockings together, or leggings. Dragoons generally wear them when they appear in their watering dresses.
HOSPITAL, a place appointed for the sick and wounded men, provided with physicians, surgeons, nurses, servants, medicines, beds, &c.
HOSPITALSwith military superintendants—There are four British general hospitals of this description, viz. at Plymouth, Deal, Gosport, and Portsmouth, and Chelsea.
The surgeons at Portsmouth and Deal have not any rank attached to the situation, but they receive five shillings per-day extra allowance in addition to their nett pay of ten shillings. At Plymouth a physician has charge of the hospital; he receives twenty shillings per day, but has no extra allowance. York hospital at Chelsea is attended by an assistant surgeon, being under the immediate direction of the surgeon general.
The military superintendants have five shillings over and above their nett pay, according to the rank they hold in the army.
At Gosport the military superintendant has one guinea allowed per week for lodging money, together with coals, candles, &c.
A fifth military superintendant was appointed in 1800 to take charge of the temporary hospital at Colchester.
The cause of humanity has lately been espoused by the belligerent powers of Europe in a manner which reflects credit on the enlightened age we live in. The following two articles which have been agreed upon between the Austrians and the French are illustrative of our observations.
Hospitals ought to be considered as inviolable.
Art. 1. The military hospitals shall be considered as so many inviolable asyla, where valor shall be respected, shall be assisted, and shall be free, whatever the army may be to which these hospitals belong, and upon whatever ground they may be established.
Art. 2. These hospitals shall be marked out by writings placed on the adjacent roads, in order that the troops may not approach, and that in passing they may observe silence and cease beating the drums, or sounding the trumpets.
Camp-Hospitalsare either general or regimental. The general hospitals are of two kinds, viz.
Flying-Hospital,-StationaryHospital.
The first attends the camp at some convenient distance, and the latter is fixed at one place. In the choice of both Dr. Pringle thinks it better to have them in towns than villages, as the former will afford larger wards, besides more of other conveniencies. These wards should be as airy as possible.
Regimental-Hospitals, are frequently in barns, stables, granaries, and other outhouses; but above all, churches make the best hospitals from the beginning of June to October; these hospitals are solely for the use of the regiments they belong to.
Every regiment on the British establishment has an hospital for the reception of the sick belonging to it. This hospital is under the immediate care of the regimental surgeon, who is subordinate to the general medical board.
Officers commanding brigades are enjoined frequently to visit the hospitals of the regiments composing their brigades, and minutely to investigate the economy and order therein established; to enquire into the state of the patients, their diet, and attendance of every kind, and to enforce the strictest observance of the hospital regulations.
These attentions are required still more in detail, from commanding officers of regiments, who from personal observation have opportunities of checking every abuse, and whose duty it is to extend to the hospitals the same system of order, regularity, and discipline, which should prevail in their regiments.
The captain and subaltern of the day of each regiment are to visit the hospital at different and uncertain hours, to observe the cleanliness of the wards, the regularity of messing and the appearance of the men, who while they are in the hospital, are by no means to be permitted to contract habits of slovenliness in their dress, but are expected to appear perfectly clean in every particular.
Every species of gaming is strictly forbidden. Any patient convicted of swearing, disorderly behaviour, insolent and provoking conduct towards the attendants, or of any deviation from the hospital regulations, will be severely punished.
The captain of the day is to report any irregularities, he may observe, to the commanding officer of the regiment.
The surgeon is to make a daily report of the sick to the commanding officer, who will make a weekly report to the officer commanding the brigade, who will make a general report of the sick of his brigade once a week to head quarters.
Regimental hospitals are under the immediate direction of their respective surgeons, subject to the general instructions and superintendance of the inspector of regimental hospitals, or other professionalpersons, having authority for that purpose, from the war department, or the commander in chief. It is the duty of the inspector of regimental hospitals, and of such other officers of the medical staff as shall be ordered for that purpose to visit regimental hospitals from time to time; to observe whether the hospital regulations are strictly adhered to, to enquire whether any causes of complaint exist among the patients, and to submit to the generals commanding in districts, such local observations as he conceives may tend to the benefit of the sick.
When a regiment is stationed in a barrack, where no detached building is appropriated for the hospital, or in camp and cantonments, it is the business of the surgeon to procure an airy, and commodious hospital, taking particular care, that it is amply supplied with wholesome water.
In camp, a tent will be allowed, which must be pitched upon the best dry piece of ground in the vicinity of the regimental hospital, to which it is granted as an aid, but must not, except in cases of absolute necessity, be itself considered as the hospital.
The responsibility for the order, regularity, and cleanliness of the regimental hospital, for the diet and care of the patients, and for the general conduct and economy of the whole establishment, rests entirely with the surgeon; but commanding officers are enjoined to furnish such military assistance, as may be necessary for the attainment of those objects, and all non-commissioned officers and others placed in the hospital, in aid of the surgeon, are commanded to yield the most implicit obedience to the instructions they may receive from him, and to enforce in every instance, the most minute observance of the hospital regulations, which are to be fairly written, and fixt on a board in the most conspicuous part of the entrance of the regimental hospital.
The surgeon should be consulted in the selection of the serjeant to be appointed to assist him in the hospital; and it will tend materially to the benefit of the sick, that this non-commissioned officer, and the orderly men acting in the hospital, should be considered as being in a permanent situation, and not liable to be removed except in case of misdemeanor.
A guard is to be constantly furnished to the hospital, and the surgeon must signify to the commanding officer of the regiment, the particular orders which he wishes to be given to the non-commissioned officer commanding it, and to the sentries.
When a soldier comes into the hospital, his arms and accoutrements are to be taken in charge by the non-commissioned officer attending the hospital, but his ammunition is to be left with his troop or company, and is in no instance to be taken with him to the hospital.
Regimental surgeons are enjoined to take under their care any non-commissioned officers and soldiers of other regiments, (upon the commanding officer’s authority for so doing being obtained) who from the absence of the corps to which they belong, from there being no general hospital in the neighborhood, or from other unavoidable circumstances, are under the necessity of applying to them for relief and assistance.
It cannot be superfluous to remark in this place, that in the French service there was, and we believe there still is, a specific regulation, which directs, that all soldiers who have contracted a venereal disorder should be received into one of the public hospitals, without exception or distinction. They are attended to in a particular quarter or ward without expence to themselves or to their corps. Particular care is taken not to mix their linen or clothes with others, and they are always washed apart. No soldier, whose disorder has been pronounced incurable was or is received into any of the public hospitals. The physician or surgeon only gives the incurables a certificate of their state and condition.
It is very desirable that in every regimental hospital, there should be an apartment appropriated to convalescents, whose diet and mode of living must remain under the direction of the surgeon, and who must themselves be in every respect, subject to the hospital regulations. A trusty non-commissioned officer must be appointed to the superintendance of the messing, and conduct of this particular ward.
Convalescents, on coming out of the hospital are not to be put on duty, till the surgeon certifies to the adjutant, that they are perfectly recovered; for which purpose the surgeon, or assistant surgeon, must make a particular inspection of these men, at morning parade, to prevent any remaining longer exempted from duty, than the state of their health renders absolutely necessary. On a march, when circumstances will permit, the packs of such convalescents, as have not yet received certificates of their being fit for duty, should be carried for them.
Convalescents, when discharged from the hospitals should not be put immediately on public duties, but should be employed for a certain time, on regimental guards only, where they are not liable to be so much exposed to the weather, or to fatigue.
It is most positively ordered that the surgeon or assistant surgeon shall attend all parades and field days. No punishment is to be inflicted, but in the presence of the surgeon or assistant surgeon.
In cantonments and barracks the quarters of the surgeon must be near the hospital; and the assistant surgeon’s tentmust be pitched in its vicinity when a regiment is in camp.
The instructions for the economy and management of regimental hospitals, are framed by the war office.
ChelseaHospital. SeeChelsea.
GreenwichHospital. A magnificent building originally instituted by king Charles II. for decayed seamen and mariners. It stands upon the banks of the river Thames, has a delightful park annexed to it, with an astronomical observatory. It is situated five miles east of London, in the county of Kent.
Hospital-mate, in recruiting districts. An hospital mate should be placed under the orders of each field officer, to examine the recruits when brought for inspection, and to give such medical assistance as may be in his power, to the several recruiting parties in the district he belongs to. The actual disbursements of the said mate for medicines, when not supplied from the public stores, will be reimbursed to him by the district military agent upon a certified account thereof, vouched by the approving signature of the inspector of the district.
Hospital-fever, a name given to the malignant catarrhal fever, as being the most frequent in hospitals.
HOSPODAR, a dignitary title which is given to the prince of Walachia, who is tributary to the Grand Seignor, and from whom he receives the investure.
HOST, an army; any large body of men assembled together in arms.
HOSTAGE, in the art of war, a person given up to an enemy, as a security for the performance of the articles of a treaty. When two enemies enter into a treaty or capitulation, it is common for them mutually to give hostages as a security for their reciprocally performing the engagement they have entered into. An hostage becomes either an accessary, or principal according to the state of things. Thus, for example, he is accessary when a prince promises fidelity to another prince, and gives either his son or some great lord, as a security for his performance, without any further capitulation; for then these hostages are only an additional engagement of the prince; and if he violates his word, they are not in any manner responsible. An hostage becomes a principal when it is stipulated that he shall be answerable for the event of things. For instance, if a city promise to surrender within a certain time, in case it is not succoured, and, for the security of this article, give hostages (which are in the same nature as bail given to a creditor to secure a debt); so that if the succour arrives in time, the promise becomes void, and the hostages are discharged; but if the succours do not arrive, and the city is guilty of a breach of faith by refusing to surrender, then the hostages become principal, and may be punished for a breach of faith.
HOSTILE, inimical; suitable to an enemy.
HOSTILITES,Fr.SeeHostilities.
HOSTILITIES, in a military sense, may imply a rupture between the inhabitants of the same country, town, or place, and the first outrage that is committed by either party, as in general matters of warfare, is considered to be the first commencement of hostilities. Between nations, the first act of hostility is taken as a declaration of war. There are, however, certain established laws and regulations by which acts of hostility formerly were governed; without the intervention of these restrictions, war is conducted upon the most brutal and ferocious principles. Every wise and good general will exert his influence and authority to soften the fury of his victorious men, let the contest be ever so obstinate and bloody. Self-preservation, indeed, suggests this natural precaution; for if soldiers were permitted to ill-treat their prisoners, the sanguinary system of retaliation must prevail.
HOSTILITY, denotes a state of war or enmity between two nations. During a truce all acts of hostility are to cease on both sides.
HOSTING. An obsolete term, formerly signifying the mustering of men in arms.
HOTELdes invalides,Fr.a spacious building which was erected by Louis XIV. in Paris, at the extremity of the Fauxbourgh, St. Germain, upon the river Seine, as a public monument of his charity and magnificence. All disabled, infirm, and wounded officers and soldiers were received, lodged, and subsisted, during the remainder of their lives within its walls. The established number upon the foundation was 4000, including officers and soldiers. All exceeding that number, and who were less incapable of bearing arms, were distributed among the different garrison towns upon the frontiers of the kingdom, in detached and separate companies.
During the old government of France, a particular staff was appointed to superintend the duty at theInvalides, and a guard was regularly mounted every morning. Officers and soldiers, entitled to this charity, were first received in 1670. M. de Louvois, minister and secretary at war, was the first director and administrator general, and M. Dormoy was the first governor commandant.
The staff consisted of one director and administrator general, one governor commandant, onelieutenant du Roi, one major, two adjutants, onegarcon major, one director and superintendant of the hospital, and one inspector and comptroller general, who did the duty of commissary at the different inspections.
No person could be admitted into the royal hospital of invalids unless he had servedtwenty years successively and without interruption, or had been dangerously wounded in the service of his country. The necessary certificates were signed by the commanding officers and majors of regiments, which were afterwards examined by the directors or inspectors.
No officer was received with the rank of officer, unless he had served two years in that capacity, and had been dangerously wounded, or was otherwise rendered incapable of doing duty.
The persons belonging to theHotel des-Invalideswere divided into three classes:
The first class was composed of officers belonging to the king’s troops, to the body-guards, gens d’armes, light-horsemen, musqueteers, serjeants of companies in the horse grenadiers, after having served five years in that capacity; of serjeants of the French and Swiss guards, after ten years service in that capacity; of officers attached to the constable’s jurisdiction, exempts and maréchaussés, after having been ten years with the rank of officers; and of gens d’armes and light horsemen belonging to established companies; of quarter-masters from cavalry and dragoon corps, and of infantry serjeants, who bore the brevet rank of lieutenant, after having served five years in the last capacity.
The second class was composed of gens d’armes, light horsemen belonging to established companies, quarter-masters belonging to cavalry and dragoon corps, and of serjeants from the infantry, after having served ten years in that capacity; of those likewise who, having left the cavalry to enter into the body-guards, had again returned to the cavalry. Within this class were also comprehended thegardes magasins, the captains and conductors of artillery, after thirty years service, ten of which were to be in the last mentioned capacities. All belonging to this class wore an uniform distinguished from the dress of the soldier, and were permitted to wear a sword. They received at the commencement of every month 15 sols, or 7¹⁄₂d. English, for ordinary expences; they were lodged in a particular quarter of the building, which was allotted to their use; they had a separate room to mess in; and they were fed like the common soldier, with this only exception, that each of them was allowed every morning ademi-septier, or an English pint, of wine. Those belonging to established garrisons in forts or citadels composed companies which were calledcompagnies de bas-officiers, companies of non-commissioned officers.
The third class was composed of private soldiers, heavy horsemen, and dragoons archers attached to the constable’s jurisdiction and marèchaussées, or patroles belonging to the police, masters or common workmen and artillery drivers.
HOTTE,Fr.a sort of hand-basket, which is often made use of in the construction of batteries and other works, and serves to carry earth from one part to another. Hence the wordhoda well known machine for carrying bricks.
HOTTENTOTS, the Aborigines, or native inhabitants of our present settlement at the Cape of Good Hope.
HOULLIER,Fr.an obsolete French term, which meant what is now expressed byPicoreur des armées, or a free-booter.
HOUN, a gold coin of the Mysore country, value about four rupees, or two dollars.
HOURDEYS,Fr.an old French term which signified, first, hurdles with which the tops of the walls belonging to a fortified town were covered, in order to shield them against the concussion of warlike machines; and secondly, a machine formerly used, which was called in Latinhordacium.
HOUSEHOLDtroops. The Life-Guards, Royal Regiment of Horse-Guards, and the three regiments of Foot-Guards are so stiled. It is a ridiculous privilege of these regiments, in the British service, that no officer of the line, fencibles or militia, can sit upon a court martial which may be assembled for the trial of any person belonging to them.
HOUSING, orsaddle-HOUSING, cloth, skin, or other ornaments added to saddles, by way of distinction; frequently embroidered with gold or silver, or edged with gold or silver lace.
HOUSS. SeeHousing.
HOWITZ, a kind of mortar, mounted upon a field-carriage like a gun: the difference between a mortar and a howitz is, that the trunnions of the first are at the end, and of the other in the middle. The invention of howitzes is of much later date than mortars, as from them they had their origin.
The constructions of howitzes are as various and uncertain as those of mortars, excepting the chambers, which are all cylindric. They are distinguished by the diameter of the bore; for instance, a 10 inch howitz is that, the diameter of which is 10 inches; and so of the larger or smaller ones.
Howitzbatteryis made the same as a gun battery, only the embrasures are made at least a foot wider, on account of the shortness of the howitz. SeeBattery.
FieldHowitzer. The modern French use 6-inch howitzers in the field, which can throw a grenade at 6 degrees elevation, to a distance of 600 toises. The 6-inch howitzer can likewise throw to a smaller distance, a cartridge with 61 balls, of seventeen lines diameter. In both instances the effects are extremely fatal. The cavalry, in particular, can be annoyed by the former, in so galling a manner, as to be rendered almost useless.
These howitz are used very numerously by the light or horse artillery; for which their form and weight admirably fit them.
Howitzers.—Dimensions and weight of brass Howitzers.