PICK,-PICK-AXE,PICKER,
A sharp pointed iron tool, used in trenching,&c. to loosen the ground.
Pickerlikewise means a small pointed piece of brass or iron wire, which every soldier carries to clear the touch-hole of his musquet. The brass pickers are the best, because they are not liable to snap or break off.
PICOREE,Fr.an obsolete French term, signifying a party of soldiers who go out in search of plunder.
PICORER,Fr.to go out in search of plunder. Obsolete.
PICOREUR,Fr.a marauder.
PICQUEERING,PICKERING,PICKEROONING, a little flying skirmish, which maurauders make, when detached for pillage, or before a main battle begins.
PICS-Hoyaux,Fr.Different sorts of pick-axes used by the pioneers.
PIECE, (Piéce,Fr.) This word is variously used, in a military sense, by the French and English, viz.
Un homme armé de toutesPIECES,Fr.a man armed at all points, or cap-a-pied.
Piecesd’honneur,Fr.the insignia or marks of honor. These consist of the crown, sceptre, and sword.
PIECESof Ordnanceare all sorts of great guns and mortars.
BatteringPiecesare the large guns which serve at sieges to make breaches, such as the 24-pounder, and the culverin, which carries 18lb. ball.
Garrison-Pieces, are mostly heavy 12, 18, 24, 36, and 42-pounders, besides wall guns.
Field-Piecesare twelve pounders, demi-culverins, six pounders, sakers, minions, and three pounders, which move with an army, and are parked behind the second line when it encamps, but are advanced in front, in the intervals of battalions, &c. and on the flanks in the day of battle.
RegimentalPieces, are light 6 pounders: each regiment has generally two of these pieces. SeeAm. Mil. Lib.
PIECEis likewise used to express a soldier’s musquet.
PieceGoods, in India, the various fabrics which manufacture cotton and silk, are distinguished by this term.
UnePieced’artillerie,unePiecede canon,Fr.These terms are used by the French to signify cannon in general.
Piecesde Battierie,Fr.SeeBattering Pieces.
Piecesde campagne,Fr.SeeField Pieces.
Piecesde vingt-quatre,Fr.24 pounders.
Piecesde trente-six,Fr.36 pounders. When pieces are not specifically named the term is used in the same general sense by the English, as, one hundred pieces of cannon, or artillery:cent piéces d’artillerie; but when the calibre is mentioned, it is usual in English to substitute the word pounder for piece, asune piéce de vingt quatre; four and twenty pounder.
Démonter lesPieces,Fr.to dismount cannon.
Enclouer lesPieces,Fr.to spike cannon.
Rafraichir lesPieces,Fr.to spunge or clean out cannon.
Piecede canon brisé,Fr.The French formerly made use of cannon that could be taken to pieces, and so rendered more portable. This species of ordnance was distinguished as above.
Pieceversée en panier ou en cage,Fr.a piece of ordnance is said to be in this situation, when it is so completely overturned, as to have the wheels of its carriage in the air. Various methods have been proposed by able engineers to raise cannon that have been overturned. SeeSaint Remi,Manuel de l’artilleur, and a late publication, intituled,Aide Mémoire a l’usage des Officiers d’Artillerie de France, by Gassendi.
Pieceslégeres,Fr.light pieces. SeeField Pieces.
Piecesà la Suédoise,Fr.field pieces originally invented, and since used among the Swedes.
PiecesNettes,Fr.Artillery pieces that have no defect whatever.
Piecesde Chasse,Fr.a marine term, signifying the cannon that is placed on the stern and forecastle of a ship. We call them chase-guns.
Piecesdétachées,Travaux avancés en dehors,Fr.Those works which cover the body of a fortified place, towards the country; of this description are ravelins, demi-lunes, hornworks, tenailles, crown works, queues d’hironde, enveloppes, &c.
To be cut toPieces, (Etre écharpê,Fr.) The French say,Un tel régiment, a éte écharpé. Such a regiment was cut to pieces.
PIEDde Roi,Fr.a measure containing twelve French inches, or one hundred and forty lines.
PiedQuarré,Fr.The French square foot contains the same dimensions in length and breadth, giving one hundred and forty inches of surface.
Piedde toise quarrée,Fr.the sixth part of a square toise. The square toise contains 36 feet, the square foot consequently comprehends six feet, and must be considered as a rectangle.
PiedCube,Fr.the same measure according to three dimensions. It contains 1728 cubic inches.
PiedRhenanorRhinlandique,Fr.the German foot. SeeMeasure.
Piedcourant,Fr.the extent of a foot considered as to length only.
PiedMarin,Fr.literally, sea-leg. SeeMarin.
Piedde mur ou de muraille,Fr.that lower part of a wall which is otherwise calledEscarpe, and is contained between its base and top.
Piedde rampart,Fr.that extent of ground which lies between the fosse and the houses in a fortified town or place.
A Pied,Fr.On foot.
Piedà pied,Fr.foot by foot, gradually.Faire un logement pied à pied; to establish a lodgement foot by foot.Forcer les ouvrages pied à pied; to make regular approaches, or to besiege a town by opening trenches, &c. instead of insulting it by a direct attack.
Troupes retenues surPIED,Fr.troops kept upon full pay.
Etre enPIED,Fr.to be kept upon full pay, in contradistinction toreformé, or being reduced.
PIEDROIT,Fr.Pier.
PIEGE,Fr.Snare.
PIERRE,Fr.A stone.
Pierreà feu,Fr.Flint.
Pierreà fusil,Fr.A flint.
PIERREE,Fr.A drain, water-course.
PIERRIER,Fr.A swivel, a pederero.
PIERRIERE,Fr.A quarry.
PIERRIERES,Fr.Heaps of stones, which are designedly collected round fortified places to interrupt besiegers in their approaches. These heaps are covered over with earth to conceal the stratagem;and the spots on which they lie are frequently fortified with palisadoes, in the form of bonnets or saliant angles; so that when the besieger attempts to carry them, the artillery from the ramparts or neighboring places, may be fired amongst the heaps of stones, and considerable damage be done by the fragments that must necessarily fly about.
PIERS. The columns on which the arch of a bridge is raised.
PIES,Fr.Knights that were created by Pope Pius IV. in 1560, with the titles of counts Palatines. They took precedence, at Rome, of the knights of the Teutonic order, and of those of Malta.
PIETINER,Fr.to move the feet with great quickness. It likewise signifies tomark time, but not technically so.
PIETON,Fr.a foot soldier.
PIEU,Fr.a large beam, or stake.
PIEUX,Fr.This word is sometimes used in the plural number to signify palisades.
PIGNON,Fr.the gable end of a building.
PIKE, inwar, an offensive weapon, consisting of a wooden shaft, from 6 to 20 feet long, with a flat steel head, pointed, called the spear. This instrument was long in use among the infantry; but now the bayonet, which is fixed on the muzzle of the firelock, is substituted in its stead. The Macedonian phalanx was a battalion of pikemen.
PIKEMEN, soldiers armed with pikes.
The utility of the Pike was pointed out by marshal Saxe, but until the French being destitute of firearms for their national guards, were forced to resort to it, the great value of the weapon was not well understood; although the bayonet, which is only a pike on the end of a firelock, was in general use. On an emergency, where arms are scarce, the pike may always be relied on against infantry or cavalry. SeeAm. Mil. Lib.
PIKESTAFF, the wooden pole or handle of a pike.
PILE,Fr.A species of javelin which was used by the Romans. They darted these weapons with so much force, that, according to tradition, two men have been pierced through, together with their shields or bucklers.
Piles, strong pieces of wood, driven into the ground to make a firm foundation for any kind of work.
ToPILEorstack arms, to place three musquets with six bayonets in such a relative position, that the butts shall remain firm upon the ground, and the muzzles be close together in an oblique direction. This method has been adopted to prevent the injury which was formerly done to musquetry, when the practice of grounding the firelock prevailed. Every recruit should be taught how to pile or stack arms before he is dismissed the drill.
PILE, any heap; as a pile of balls, shells, &c.
Pilesof shot or shells, are generally piled up in the magazines, in three different manners: the base is either a triangular square, or a rectangle; and from thence the piles are called triangular, square, and oblong.
Table,of Triangular Piles of Shot.
Explanation.The numbers in the 1st, 3d, 5th, and 7th vertical columns, express the number of shot in the base or side of each triangular pile; and the numbers in the 2d, 4th, 6th, and 8th vertical columns, express the number of shot in each pile.
Rules for finding the number in anyPile.
TriangularPile.
Multiply the base by the base + 1, this product by the base + 2, and divide by 6.
SquarePile.
Multiply the bottom row by the bottom row + 1, and this product by twice the bottom row + 2, and divide by 6.
RectangularPiles.
Multiply the breadth of the base by itself + 1, and this product by three times the difference between the length and the breadth of the base, added to twice the breadth + 1, and divide by 6.
IncompletePiles.
Incomplete piles being only frustums, wanting a similar small pile on the top, compute first the whole pile as if complete, and also the small pile wanting at top; and then subtract the one number from the other.
Table,of square Piles of Shot.
Explanation.The numbers gradually increasing, from 2 to 91, express the number of shot at the base of each square pile; and the numbers opposite, the quantity of shot in each complete square pile.Example.No. 20 gives 2871, and No 30 gives 9455; and so of the rest.
PILIER,Fr.a buttress.
PILLAGE, (pillage,Fr.) The act of plundering.
ToPILLAGE, to spoil, to waste, to plunder.
Pillager, a plunderer; one who gets a thing by violent or illegal means.
PILLAR, in a figurative sense, support. A well disciplined army may be called the pillar of the state; an ill disciplined one, the reverse.
PILLARS,andARCHES. It was customary among the ancients, particularly among the Romans, to erect public buildings, such as arches and pillars, for the reward and encouragement of noble enterprise. These marks were conferred upon such eminent persons as had either won a victory of extraordinary consequence abroad, or had rescued the commonwealth from any considerable danger. The greatest actions of the heroes they stood to honor, were curiously expressed, or the whole procession of a triumph cut out on the sides. The arches built by Romulus were only of brick, those of Camillus of plain square stones; but those of Cæsar, Drusus, Titus, Trajan, Gordian, &c. were all entirely marble. As to their figure, they were at first semicircular; whence probably they took their names. Afterwards they were built four square, with a spacious arched gate in the middle, and little ones on each side. Upon the vaulted part of the middle gate, hung little winged images, representing victory, with crowns in their hands, which when they were let down, they put upon the conqueror’s head as he passed under the triumph.—Fabricii Roma, cap. 15.
The columns or pillars were converted to the same design as the arches, for the honorable memorial of some noble victory or exploit, after they had been a long time in use for the chief ornaments of the sepulchres of great men, as may be gathered from Homer, Iliad 16.
The pillars of the emperors Trajan and Antoninus, have been extremely admiredfor their beauty and curious work. We find them thus particular described in page 53, of Kennett’s Roman Antiquities.
The former was set up in the middle of Trajan’s forum, being composed of 24 great stones of marble, but so curiously cemented, as to seem one entire natural stone. The height was 144 feet, according to Eutropius, (Hist. lib. 8.) though Martian (lib. iii. cap. 13.) seems to make them but 128. It is ascended by 185 winding stairs, and has 40 little windows for the admission of light. The whole pillar is incrusted with marble, in which are expressed all the noble actions of the emperor, and particularly the Dacian war. One may see all over it the several figures of forts, bulwarks, bridges, ships, &c. and all manner of arms, as shields, helmets, targets, swords, spears, daggers; belts, &c. together with the several offices and employments of the soldiers; some digging trenches, some measuring out a place for the tents, and others making a triumphal procession. (Fabricus, cap. 7.) But the noblest ornament of this pillar, was the statute of Trajan on the top, of a gigantic bigness, being no less than 20 feet high. He was represented in a coat of armor proper to the general, holding in his left hand a sceptre, in his right a hollow globe of gold, in which his own ashes were deposited after his death, (Casalius, par. I. c. 2.)
The column or pillar of Antoninus, was raised in imitation of this, which it exceeded only in one respect, that it was 176 feet high; (Martian, lib. vi. cap. 13.) for the work was much inferior to the former, as being undertaken in the declining age of the empire. The ascent on the inside was 106 stairs, and the windows in the inside 56. The sculpture and the other ornaments were of the same nature as those of the first; and on the top stood a colossus of the emperor naked, as appears from some of his coins. See Martian idem.
Both these columns are still standing at Rome, the former most entire. But Pope Sixtus I. instead of the two statues of the emperors, set up St. Peter’s on the column of Trajan, and St. Paul’s on that of Antoninus. Casal, part I. c. 11.
Among the columns and pillars we must not pass by, (to use Mr. Kennett’s words) theMilliarium aureum, a gilded pillar in the forum, erected by Augustus Cæsar, at which all the highways of Italy met, and were concluded. (Martian, lib. iii. cap. 18.) From this they counted their miles, at the end of every mile setting up a stone; whence came the phrasePrimus ab urbe lapis, and the like. This pillar, as Mr. Lassels informs us, is still to be seen.
PILON,Fr.a weapon, the use of which has been recommended by marshal Saxe, in his plan forming several battalions four deep. The two first ranks are to be armed with musquets, the third and fourth with large half pikes or pilons, having their musquets slung across their shoulders.
PILUM. The head of an arrow was so called by the Romans.
PINASSE,Fr.a pinnace.
PINDAREES,Ind.plunderers and marauders, who accompany a Mahrattah army. The name is properly that of persons who travel with grain and merchandize; but war affording so many opportunities and creating so many necessities, the merchants as it is all over the world, became plunderers and the worst of enemies.
ToPINION, to bind the hands or arms of a person so as to prevent his having the free use of them.
PINK, a sort of small ship, masted and ribbed like other ships, except that she is built with a round stern, the bends and ribs compassing, so that her sides bulge out very much.
PIN, an iron nail or bolt, with a round head, and generally with a hole at the end to receive a key: there are many sorts, as axle-tree pins, or bolts, bolster pins, pole-pins, swing-tree pins, &c.
There are likewisemusquet pins, which are small pieces of iron or wire that fasten the stock. Soldiers are very apt to take out these pins in order to make their pieces ring; but they should not on any account, be permitted so to do.
PINTLEinartillery, a long iron bolt, fixed upon the middle of the limber-bolster, to go through the hole made in the trail-transom of a field-carriage, when it is to be transported from one place to another.
Pintle-plate, is a flat iron, through which the pintle passes, and nailed to both sides of the bolster, with 8 diamond headed nails.
Pintle-washer, an iron ring through which the pintle passes, placed close to the bolster for the trail to move upon.
Pintle-hole, is of an oval figure, made in the trail-transom of a field-carriage, wider above than below, to leave room for the pintle to play in.
PIOBRACH, the Gaelic word for apiper; also an air played upon the bagpipe. It is now more strictly applied to the ancient Highland martial music.
Piobrachs, are either simple or compound; some of them consist of a march, &c. and are beautifully varied, and highly characteristic.
PIOCHE,Fr.a mattock, pickaxe.
PIOCHER,Fr.to dig.
PIONEERS, inwar-time, are such as are commanded in from the country, to march with an army, for mending the ways, for working on entrenchments and fortifications, and for making mines and approaches: the soldiers are likewise employed in all these things.
Most of the European artillery corps havea company of pioneers, well instructed in that important branch of duty. The regiments of infantry and cavalry have 3 or 4 pioneers each, provided with aprons, hatchets, saws, spades, and pick-axes. The Frenchsappersare the same kind of soldiers.
PIONIERS,Fr.pioneers.
PIPE, a tube; a musical instrument; a liquid measure, containing two hogsheads.
Pipe, from the Gaelicpiob mohr, which signifies great pipe. The Highland bagpipe is so called, and is an instrument well calculated for the field of battle. When the bagpipe is skilfully performed, its martial music has a wonderful effect upon the native Scotch, particularly the Highlanders, who are naturally warlike.
TAIL-Pipe, a small brass pipe fixed at the swell of the British musquet, which receives the ramrod.
TrumpetPIPE, a small brass pipe near the muzzle of the British firelock, through which the ramrod is let down. It is called trumpet-pipe, from its resemblance to the mouth of a trumpet. The Prussians have no pipes to their musquets; the ramrod being received into a cylinder which runs parallel with the barrel; nor is there any pipe of this kind to the American or the French musquet; the ramrod passing within the three straps of iron or plate rings which bind the barrel to the stock.
Pipe-ClayandWhiting, a composition which soldiers use for the purpose of keeping their cross-belts, &c. clean.
PIQUE,Fr.SeePike.
PIQUICHINS,Fr.irregular and ill-armed soldiers, of which mention is made in the history of the reign of Philippe Augustus. They were attached to the infantry.
PIQUIER,Fr.a pikeman, or one who is armed with a pike.
PIRAMIDE,Fr.SeePyramid.
PIRAMIDESde feu,Fr.SeeJets de Feu.
PIRATE,Fr.a pirate.
PISTE,Fr.the track or tread a horseman makes upon the ground he goes over.
PISTOL, a species of small fire-arms, of which there are various sorts and sizes, viz.
HighlandPISTOL. The old Highland pistol appears singular enough in the present day. Some that have been preserved, exhibit marks of excellent workmanship. The stock is metal, and the but end so shaped, that when fired off, the pistol can be used as a very serious weapon at close quarters. The Highland pistol, though never used by any of the British regiments, is still worn by every person who wishes to be considered as fully dressed and accoutred in the ancient garb. It is suspended from the left side of the waistbelt.
Horse-Pistol, so called from being used on horseback, and of a large size.
Management of thePistolon horseback for military purposes. Every recruit when he joins the horse-drill should be made perfectly acquainted with the handling of his pistols according to rule, and of firing correctly at a mark. To this end he must be taught to draw, load, fire, and return his pistol, by word of command, viz.
1st. The right glove is to be taken off, and the goat-skin thrown back.
Draw rightPistol. This is done at two motions; 1st, the man must seize the handle of the pistol with his right hand, the back towards the body. 2d,Drawit out of the holster with a brisk motion, dropping the butt of the pistol on the right holster, and keeping the muzzle upwards.
LoadPistol. The pistol is to be dropped smartly into the left hand; open the pan, prime, cast about, and load; as soon as loaded, seize the pistol by the butt, and come to the same position as in the second motion in drawing; the bridle hand must be kept as steady as possible. In loading the pistol, the barrel is to be kept to the front.
ReturnPistol. This is done in two motions: 1st, turn the muzzle into the holster, with the back of the hand towards the body, and press home the pistol. 2d, Quit the right hand briskly.
CockPistol. Drop the pistol into the left hand, cocking with the thumb of the right, and as soon as done come to the second position, viz. muzzle upwards.
To the right aim.Come smartly to an aim, looking well along the barrel to the object you are aiming at, and turning your body as much as is necessary to aim well, but taking care not to displace your bridle hand.
Fire!pull briskly at the word, and as soon as fired go on with the loading motions; when loaded come to the position as in the first direction, viz.muzzle upwards.
Cock Pistol, as already explained.
To the left aim.This requires particular attention, as the men will be apt to bring their right shoulders too forward, and by that means displace their bodies and the bridle hand.
Fire!as already explained.
CockPistol.To the front aim.You must raise yourself in your stirrups, in order to take a proper aim; you must then look well along the pistol, and wait for the wordfire.
Fire!As soon as you have fired, you must drop into your seat, and go on with the loading motions, as before directed.
Return Pistol, as already explained.
Draw leftPistol, SeeDraw your right Pistol.
PocketPistol, a small pistol, which may be conveniently carried in the pocket.
PISTOLETS,Fr.SeePistols.
PITANS,Patan,Ind.according to Mr. Orme, in his History of the Carnatic, the Pitans are supposed to be the descendants of the northern Indians, who were early converted to Mahomedanism. They have been reckoned the best troops. They are habitually fierce.
PitanNabobs. Certain chiefs in India so called, viz. of Cudapa, Canoul, and Savanore.
PITAUX,Fr.This word is sometimes written petaux, and was formerly used to distinguish those peasants that were pressed into the service, from soldiers who were regularly inlisted.
ToPITCH, (asseoir,Fr.)
ToPITCHa camp, (asseoir un camp,Fr.) to take a position, and to encamp troops upon it according to the principles of castrametation. SeeAm. Mil. Lib.
ToPITCHa tent, to place a certain regulated quantity of canvas upon poles, so as to afford a temporary cover, against the inclemencies of the weather for one or more, officers or private soldiers. In order that the men may become expert in pitching and striking tents, they ought to be practised whilst in camp to do either.
PITCHANDAH,Ind.a fortified pagoda on the north bank of the Coleroon, one mile east of Seringham.
PITONS,Fr.nails with round eyes. They likewise signify pins with iron rings.
Pitonsd’affut,Fr.iron pins which are used to keep the plate-bands of the carriage of a cannon tight and compact.
PIVOT, (Pivot,Fr.) in a military sense, that officer, serjeant, corporal, or soldier, upon whom the different wheelings are made in military evolutions. There are two sorts ofpivotsdistinguished according to the position of the troops who are governed by them, viz.standingpivot andmoveablepivot. When a battalion, for instance, stands in open column of companies, theright in front, the last man upon the left of the front rank of each company, is called theinner, orstanding pivot; and the first man upon the right ditto, is called theouter pivot, orwheeling flank. So much depends upon the accurate position of the different pivots, that no movement can be thoroughly correct unless the most scrupulous attention be paid to them. Officers, in particular, ought to recollect that when they are posted upon the flanks, they become essentially necessary to the preservation of that perpendicular and parallelism of a march, without which direction the best digested manœuvres must be ultimately rendered useless. They must constantly bear in mind, that it belongs to the mounted field officers to watch the aggregate, and that they themselves, being incorporated parts of the different divisions, are to move successively forward, with no other object in view than the perpendicular point before them. For if they once turn to the right or left, or become anxious about the movements of others, instead of being the means of insensibly correcting any errors that might casually occur, they will deviate themselves, and at every step increase the irregularity. On this account, the instant an officer has wheeled his division, he must resume his perpendicular position, look stedfastly on his leading pivot, preserve his relative distance, and keep his person perfectly square. He ought likewise to be particularly correct in stepping off when the wheel is completed.
MoveablePivot, one which during the wheel of its division advances in a circular direction, instead of turning on the spot where it originally stood. Thus when divisions, &c. are successively wheeled, without being first halted, the pivot upon which they wheel is said to bemoveable.
In the drill, single ranks are frequently wheeled on a moveable pivot. In which case, both flanks are moveable, and describe concentring circles round a point which is a few paces from what would otherwise be the standing flank; and eyes are all turned towards the outer pivot or flank man, whether he is on the outward flank, or on the flank wheeled to.
Pivot-Flanks, the flanks upon which a line is formed from column. When the right of the battalion is in front, the pivot flanks are on the left of its several companies, platoons, &c. andvice versâ, when the left is in front.
Pivot-flank officer, the officer who is on the first flank. In all wheelings during the march in column the officer on that flank upon which the wheel is made must attend himself to the correctness of the pivot.
PlatoonPivots, the men upon whom a battalion marches in column of platoons, is wheeled up into line, or into column, when the line has been formed according to a given front.
It is in the modern improved tactics determined that commissioned officers shall not themselves be thepivots, but that they shall consist of the non-commissioned officers, or rank and file on each flank only; and not the officers on those flanks; but the officers are strictly required to see that thepivotsperform their duty correctly, and are responsible for it.
PLACAGE,Fr.. in fortification, a kind of revetement, which is made of thick plastic earth, laid along the talus of such parapets as have no mason-work, and which is covered with turf.