Un hommeRibaud,-Une femmeRibaude,
Fr.A licentious man; a licentious woman.
RIBAUDEQUIN,Fr.A warlike machine or instrument, which the French anciently used. It was made in the form of a bow, containing twelve or fifteen feet in its curve, and was fixed upon the wall of a fortified town, for the purpose of casting out a prodigious javelin, which sometimes killed several men at once.
According to Monstrelet, a French writer,ribaudequin, orribauderin, signified a sort of garment which was worn by the soldiers when they took the field.
RIBLEURS,Fr.Vagabonds, debauched fellows that run about the streets, or spend their nights in disorderly houses. Soldiers who give themselves up to pillage &c. in war time, are likewise calledribleurs, by way of reproach.
RIBLER,Fr.To ramble, &c. was formerly the verb, andriblerie, the act of rambling, &c. the substantive. Both terms are now obsolete, except among the lower orders.
RICOCHER,Fr.To ricochet, to batter or fire at a place with ricochet shots. The author of a very valuable work entitled,Essai Général de Fortification, et d’Attaque et Defense des places, observes in a note to page 89, vol. I, that in strict analogy, we should sayricocheter; but use, which is above all rules, has madericochera technical term, whenever we speak of the ricochets of cannon shot.
Une faceRICOCHEE,Fr.The face of a fortification, which is fired at with ricochet shots.
RICOCHET, literally means a bound, a leap, such as a flat piece of stone or slate makes when it is thrown obliquely along the surface of a pool.
Ricochet, (ricochet,Fr.) ingunnery, is when guns, howitzers, or mortars, are loaded with small charges, and elevated from five to twelve degrees, so that when fired over the parapet, the shot or shell rolls along the opposite rampart. It is calledricochet-firing, and the batteries are likewise calledricochet-batteries. This method of firing out of mortars, was first tried in 1723, at the military school of Strasburgh, and with success. At the battle of Rosbach in 1757, the king of Prussia had several 6-inch mortars made with trunnions, and mounted on travelling carriages, which fired obliquely on the enemy’s lines, and amongst their horse, loaded with eight ounces of powder, and at an elevation of one degree fifteen minutes, which did great execution; for the shells rolling along the lines, with burning fuzes, made the stoutest of the enemy not wait for their bursting. SeeBattery.
Ricochetfiring is not confined to any particular charge or elevation; each must vary according to the distance and difference of level of the object to be fired at; and particularly of the spot on which it is intended the shot shall make the first bound. The smaller the angle is under which a shot is made to ricochet, the longer it will preserve its force and have effect, as it will sink so much the less in the ground on which it bounds; and whose tenacity will of course present so much less resistance to its progress. In the ricochet of a fortification of any kind, the angle of elevation should seldom be less than 10°, to throw the shot over a parapet a little higher than the level of the battery. If the works should be of an extraordinary height, the piece must be removed to such situation, and have such charge, that it can attain its object at this elevation, or at least under that of 13° or 14°, otherwise the shot will not ricochet, and the carriages will suffer very much. The first gun in a ricochet battery should be so placed as to sweep the whole length of the rampart of the enemy’s work, at 3 or 4 feet from the parapet, and the rest should form as small an angle with the parapet as possible. For this purpose the guns should be pointed about 4 fathoms from the face of the work towards the interior. In the ricochet of ordnance in the field, the objects to be fired at being principally infantry and cavalry, the guns should seldom be elevated above 3 degrees; as with greater angles the ball would be apt to bound too high, and defeat the object intended. For ricochet practice, see the different pieces of ordnance, asGun,Mortar, andHowitzer.
Battre enRicochet,Fr.To put a sufficient quantity of gunpowder in a piece of ordnance to carry the ball, with effect, into the works that are enfiladed. This sort of firing is generally practised along the whole extent of a face or flank. The celebrated marshal Vauban first invented the mode of firingricochet-shots. He tried the experiment at the siege of Ath, in 1679.
Battre un rempart àRICOCHET,Fr.To batter a rampart with ricochet shots.
RIDEAUis a rising ground, or eminence, commanding a plain, sometimes almost parallel to the works of a place: it is a great disadvantage to have rideaus near a fortification, which terminate on the counterscarp, especially when the enemy fire from afar: they not only command the place, but facilitate the enemy’s approaches.
RIDER, inartillery carriages, a piece of wood somewhat higher than broad, the length equal to that of the body of the axle-tree, upon which the side pieces rest, in a four-wheel carriage, such as the ammunition waggon, block carriage, and sling waggon.
RoughRider. SeeRough.
RIDING-Master. In the cavalry, an officer whose duty it is to instruct the officers and soldiers in the management of their horses.
ToRIFLE, to plunder; to rob.
Rifle, the thread, ray, or line made in a rifled barrel.
Rifledgun,-Rifledpiece,Rifledbarrel,
Arquebuse rayée,Fr.a fire arm which has lines or exiguous canals within its barrel that run in a vermicular direction, and are more or less numerous, or more indented, according to the fancy of the artificer. With respect to the word itself, it does not appear to bear any other analogy to our common acceptation of the verb, than what may be vulgarly applied to the common practices of riflemen. It is, on the contrary, more immediately connected in sense and signification with an old obsolete wordto ray; to streak: which comes from the Frenchrayer. The rifled barrel possesses many advantages over the common one; which advantages are attributed to the threads or rays with which it is indented. These threads are sometimes cut in such a manner, that the line which commences on the right side at the breech, terminates on the left at the muzzle; by which means the ball acquires a rotary movement, revolving once and a half round its own axis before it quits the piece, and then boring through the air with a spiral motion. It is well known, that cannon balls and shot out of common barrels are impelled in a line formed by the centre of the ball, and a compound of the projectile force of the explosion acted upon by the air and by gravitation in its course; the ball has a tendency to rise upward to a certain extent after leaving the muzzle of the gun; its particular motion is as if the ball had a transverse axis, and rolled forward in that axis, in the manner that the wheels of a carriage roll; and at the same time continue their progression forward. SeeAmer. Mil. Lib.
The rifled barrels of America, during the revolution, contained from 10 to 16 rays or threads; some had as few as four. Some persons have imagined, that those of 16 rays were the best, from a supposition that by the air collapsing in the several grooves, the ball obtained more velocity. Mr. Robins, however, seems to differ in opinion, particularly with respect to the depth of the grooves. He observes, page 339 and 340, in his Tracts on Gunnery, that whatever tends to diminish the friction of these pieces, tends at the same time to render them more complete; and consequently it is a deduction from hence, that the less the rifles are indented, the better they are; provided they are just sufficient to keep the bullet from turning round the piece. It likewise follows, that the bullet ought to be no larger than to be just pressed by the rifles, for the easier the bullet moves in the piece, supposing it not to shift its position, the more violent and accurate will its flight be. It is necessary, that the sweep of the rifles should be in each part exactly parallel to each other. SeeRobins on Gunnery, page 328.
Paradés, a gunsmith at Aix-le-Chapelle, who was reputed to be very ingenious in the construction of rifled barrels, used to compress his barrels in the centre.
RIFLEMEN, experienced marksmen, armed withrifles. They formed the most formidable force of the United States in the revolution, being posted along the American ranks, and behind hedges, &c. for the purpose of picking off the British officers. They have proved equally fatal in the hands of the French during their revolution. Considerable improvements are daily made; and light infantry battalions, like the chasseurs of the French, should form a considerable portion of every army, and all infantry and cavalry should be taught to act as riflemen, as well as artillerists.
MountedRiflemen, are no other than good riflemen, accustomed to horsemanship, mounted.
RIGHT, that which is ordered; that which justly belongs to one.
Rights, certain unalienable claims and privileges, which every individual, civil as well as military, possesses in regulated community. SeeWrongs.
RIGOL. SeeCircle.
RING. A circle, an orbicular line.
Ringof an Anchor. That part of the anchor to which the cable is fastened.
RINGS, inartillery, are of various uses; such as the lashing-rings in travelling-carriages, to lash the sponge, rammer, and ladle, as well as the tarpauling that covers the guns; the rings fastened to the breeching-bolts in ship-carriages; and the shaft-rings to fasten the harness of the shaft-horse by means of a pin.
RINGSof a Gun. Circles of metal, of which there are five, viz.
Base-ring,reinforce-ring,trunnion-ring,cornice-ring, andmuzzle-ring. SeeAm. Mil. Lib.
RINGLEADER. The head of any particular body of men acting in a riotous or mutinous manner.
ToRing. To make a sharp reverberating noise.
RingRamrod!A word of command which is sometimes used at private inspections, to try the bottom of the barrel of a musquet.
RINGROD,Fr.A strong iron bar which is used in forges. It likewise means a thick pole with an iron ferrel.
RINGRAVE,Fr.Pantaloon breeches.
RIOTandTumult. Sedition, civil insurrection, disturbance, &c. A breach of the peace committed by an assembled multitude.
RIOTERS. Disturbers of the public peace; persons acting in open violation ofgood order; raising or creating sedition, &c.
RIPOSTE,Fr.A parry and thrust. It likewise signifies in a figurative sense, a keen reply, a close retort.
RIPOSTER,orRISPOSTER,Fr.In fencing, to parry and thrust,
RISBAN,Fr.In fortification, a flat piece of ground upon which a fort is constructed for the defence and security of a port or harbor. It likewise means the fort itself. The famousRisban, of Dunkirk, was built entirely of brick and stone; having within its walls excellent barracks, a large cistern well supplied with water, magazines for stores, provisions, and ammunition. A ready communication was kept up with the town by means of the jetée, which corresponded with the wooden bridge that joined the entrance into the fort. The rampart was capable of receiving forty-six pieces of ordnance, which were disposed in three different alignements or tiers, owing to the triangular figure of the fort; so that a fire could be kept up on all sides.
ToRISE. To break into commotions; to make insurrections.
ToRISE. In a military sense, to make hostile attack: as the military rose against their government.
ToRISE. To obtain promotion.
ToRISEfrom the ranks. To obtain promotion by degrees after having been in the ranks as a private soldier; a circumstance which has happened to some of the best generals in the world.
RISE. Increase of price; as the rise of commissions in the army upon the prospect of peace.
RISSALA,orRASSAULA,Ind.An independent corps of cavalry.
RISSALDAR,Ind.The commander of an independent corps of cavalry.
RIVAL, one who is in pursuit of the same thing which another pursues. A competitor.
RivalPowers. Nations are so called when their relative situation and resources in men and money, &c. enable them to oppose each other.
RIVERAINS,Fr.Persons who inhabit the banks of rivers. By a regulation which was in force during the French monarchy, all persons, so situated, were obliged to leave a space 20 feet broad at least, between their houses or huts, and the bank, for the convenience of navigation. A set of men, calledbaliseurs, were paid to see this regulation strictly complied with.
RIVER, (Riviére,Fr.) a land current of water bigger than a brook.
FordableRIVER. A river which may be passed without the assistance of any floating machines. In order to sound the ford, and to ascertain the state of it, men on horseback are first ordered to cross. By that means you will be able to know whether any obstacles have been thrown in the way by the enemy; for nothing is more easily effected. The passage of a ford may be rendered impracticable by throwing whole trees in, by tables or platforms covered with nails, and by stakes. The two latter impediments are the most dangerous. But stakes are not easily fixed, and are consequently seldom used. When fords are embarrassed by them, it requires some time and trouble to clear the river; and it is equally difficult to get rid of the inconvenience that arises when wells have been sunk. Whenever there is reason to apprehend such obstacles, it is always best to reach the ford at dusk. A good resource in such cases, is to collect a great number of empty casks or hogsheads, and lay over them either platforms of boards or faggots of underwood and boards over them, upon which either cavalry or artillery may pass. Intervals sufficient for the passage of the water must be left. The banks should be lined with riflemen to cover the passage; light guns and grape might be employed upon suitable ground.
When the prince of Condé in 1567, resolved to cross the river Seine, the royalists who were on the opposite side, endeavored to prevent his passage by throwing quantities of madriers or thick planks that were nailed together, iron hoops and water-cats into the ford. The Hugonots or Protestants, however, were not diverted from their purpose. Aubigné, a French writer, says, that on that occasion they placed 400 arquebusiers upon the bank to protect the men that raked the ford.
This was certainly a singular method which was used to clear a ford, nor could it be done without much difficulty, and no inconsiderable share of danger. The chevalier Folard has proposed a much safer, and a much easier way, by means of grappling hooks, tied to long ropes, which might be thrown into the ford. Yet even in this case, observes the writer, the object could not be accomplished if the river were broad, unless the persons employed in the undertaking, be under the cover of so heavy a discharge of ordnance and musquetry, that the enemy would not be able to interrupt them, even from an intrenched position on the opposite bank.
With respect to caltrops, the removal of them, when properly distributed at the bottom of a ford, must be attended with great difficulty; for they must render the passage absolutely impracticable, unless they were to sink very deep into the mud and sand, and thus become useless. The men that first enter are in this case the only persons incommoded, but the rest may follow without much hazard.
It sometimes happens, that the bottom of a stream or rivulet is firm and gravelly; when this occurs, the greatest precautions must be taken to escape the effects of caltrops, which would be extremely hurtful to any persons that might attempt to cross.In order to obviate their mischievous consequences, and to render them in a manner useless, a good stock of hurdles must be provided. The soldiers will hand these to one another, force them into the water, and then cover them with stones.
When one or two fords in a river are so situated, that several battalions cannot cross them upon one front, it is then highly prudent to throw a bridge over, either above or below the ford; for a swell may intervene and render it otherwise impassable; and to which, you have the advantage of getting a greater number of troops over at once.
In order to effect a passage for his army over the river Segre, Cæsar gave directions that ditches, thirty feet broad, should be dug in such parts of the banks as might with ease receive the water out of the stream, and render it fordable. Having accomplished this object, he found no difficulty in reaching Petréius, who, being in the daily fear of wanting provisions and forage for his men, was on the eve of quitting his position and marching forwards.
The passage of the Granicus by Alexander the great, is likewise mentioned in history, as an instance of bold enterprise. But however celebrated that act may be in ancient records, we shall not be thought partial to the moderns when we state, that the passage of the river Holowitz by Charles XII. of Sweden, was equally bold and well managed.
The passage of the Tagliamento by Bonaparte during his campaign in Italy, would be the most celebrated of modern times, had not the passage of the Danube in 1809, eclipsed all similar achievements by the magnitude of the difficulties to be overcome, and the astonishing success of the means by which they were overcome.
RIVET, a fastening pin clenched at both ends, so as to hold an intermediate substance with more firmness.
RIVETING-plates, ingun carriages, small square thin pieces of iron, through which the ends of the bolts pass, and are riveted upon them.
RIZAMEDAR,Ind.An officer commanding a small body of horse.
RO,Ind.In Indian music means quick.
ROBE-courte,Fr.literally means a short gown. Provost-marshals, under-bailiffs, vice-seneschals, then lieutenants, and various other persons, occasionally employed in camps and garrisons, to assist the military in maintaining internal good order and discipline, were formerly called in Franceofficiers de robe-courte.
ROC,Fr.A rock.
Rocde lance,Fr.In tournaments the wooden part of a lance is so called.
ROCHER,Fr.a large rock; derived fromroc, and generally bearing the same import.
ROCHEà feu,Fr.a solid composition, which gradually consumes when it has been lighted, but which emits a very broad and lively flame, and is not extinguished by water.
ROCKETS.Composition.
Composition for the Stars.
Composition for rain to head sky rockets, is the same as the above for the rockets.
General Table of Sky Rockets.
Copper Ladles for filling Sky Rockets.
Length, 1¹⁄₂ the exterior diameter of the case.
Diameter, equals the interior diameter of case.
Circumference, ³⁄₄ the interior calibre of the case.
Sky rockets are driven with composition up to 4¹⁄₂ exterior diameters of the case from the choke; and ¹⁄₅ of a diameter above the composition with good clay. They are bored and reamed up to 3¹⁄₂ diameters.
Dimensions of Sticks for Rockets.General rules.
For rockets from ¹⁄₂ an ounce to one pound, the stick must be 60 diameters of the rocket in length: for rockets from onepound and upwards fifty or fifty-two diameters. Their thickness at top about ¹⁄₂ a diameter, and their breadth very little more. Their square at bottom equal to ¹⁄₂ the thickness at top.
Rockets of between 3 and 4 inches diameter have been observed to ascend as high as 1000 or 1200 yards; but the height of common rockets is between 450 and 600 yards; and their flight usually short of 7 seconds.
Rocketas used in India. A most formidable weapon against cavalry; they are made of the hollow tube of the bamboo, of a very large size, filled with the usual composition of rockets. The rod is only a part of the same bamboo, the six eighths or seven eighths of which is cut away, leaving the rod. SeeFougette.
Rockets.SeeLaboratory.
ROD. SeeMeasuring.
RODS, orrammers, either of iron or wood, to drive home the charges of musquets, carabines, and pistols.
Rods, orsticks, fastened to sky-rockets, to make them rise in a straight line.
RODOMONT,Fr.A bully. An unmilitary character.
Raire leRodomont,Fr.To bully, to talk loudly without possessing the real spirit of a man or soldier.
RODOMONTADE,Fr.Rodomontade. The act of bullying, vain boasting or arrogating to ourselves qualities which we do not possess. A French writer has very justly observed, that there cannot be a greater defect in the character of an officer than an overweening display of real or fictitious talents. The word is derived from one Rodomont, the hero or principal character in an old romance, who makes himself conspicuously ridiculous in this way. Sir John Falstaff and Bobadil in English comedy, are specimens of this character.
ROGUE’SMarch. SeeMarch.
ROHILLAS,Ind.A tribe of Afghans inhabiting the country north of the Ganges, as tar as Oude to the eastward.
ROI,Fr.King.
ROId’armes,Fr.SeeKing at arms.
ROKER,Ind.Cash.
ROLE,Fr.A muster roll, state, or return. The wordRoleis used among the French indiscriminately, to signify either the effective force of an army, or the actual quantify of stores and ammunition which the magazines contain.
ToROLLin duty, is when officers of the same rank take their turns upon duty pursuant to some established roster, as captains with captains, and subalterns with subalterns, and command according to the seniority of their commissions.
ToROLL. To continue one uniform beat of the drum, without variations, for a certain length of time. When a line is advancing in full front, or in echellons, for any considerable distance, the music of one regulating battalion may, at intervals, be permitted to play for a few seconds at a time, and the drums of the other battalions may be allowed occasionally toroll; drums, likewiserollwhen troops are advancing to the charge.
LongROLL. A beat of drum by which troops are assembled at any particular spot of rendezvous or parade.
Muster-Roll, is a return, given by the muster-master, on which are written the names of both officers and soldiers of the regiment, troop, or company, with their country, age, and service.
SquadRoll. A list containing the names of each particular squad. Every non-commissioned officer and corporal, who is entrusted with the care and management of a squad, must have a roll of this kind.
Size-Roll. A list containing the names of all the men belonging to a troop or company, with the height or stature of each specifically marked. Every serjeant keeps a regular size-roll, and every captain of a troop or company ought to have one likewise.
Roll-Call. The calling over the names of the several men who compose any part of a military body. This necessary duty is done by the serjeants of companies morning and evening, in every well regulated corps. Hencemorning roll-call, andevening roll-call. On critical occasions, and in services that require promptitude and exertion, frequent roll-calls should be made.
ROLLER. A small wheel placed at the foot of the hammer of a gun, or pistol lock, in order to lessen the friction of it against the hammer or feather spring.
Rollerlikewise means a long piece of wood which is rounded and made taper to suit the regulated size of a military trail.
Roller.In surgery, a long and broadligature, usually made of linen cloth, for binding, surrounding, and containing the parts of the human body, and keeping them in their proper situation, thereby disposing them to a state of health and redintregation.
ROLLERS, are round pieces of wood of about nine inches diameter, and four feet long, used in moving pieces of artillery from one place to another.
ROMAINE,Fr.A steelyard or balance for weighing things of various weights by one single weight, as from one single pound to 112 pounds.
ROMPRE,Fr.To break.
Rompreun battaillon,Fr.In military evolutions to break a battalion into a given number of parts for the purpose of defiles, &c.
Rompreen colonne,Fr.To break into column.
RONDACHE,Fr.A sort of shield which the French formerly used, and which is still carried by the Spaniards.
RONDEL, infortification, a round tower, sometimes erected at the foot of a bastion.
RONDES,Fr.SeeRounds.
RondeMajor,Fr.Town-majors round. So called from the town-major visiting the different quarters of a garrison during the night. This round, in some degree, corresponds with our grand round.
Rondesroulantes,Fr.Rounds that are made by officers, serjeants, or corporals, over a certain part of the ramparts. These agree with our visiting rounds. The French say,qui va la?Who goes there? technically with us, Who comes there?
Ronded’officier. Officer’s round.
Chemin desRondes,Fr.A path marked out for the convenience of the rounds.
Rondede gouverneur,Fr.The governor’s rounds.
The French method of ascertaining the nature of the several rounds is by challenging in the same manner that we do, viz.qui va la?Who comes there? This must be said sufficiently loud for the main guard to hear. He is instantly answered:ronde de gouverneur, governor’s rounds;ronde major, major’s round, or grand round, and so on, according to the nature of the rounds. The sentry, who stands posted near the guard-house, after having cried out—Demure là; stop there: or as we say, stop round; cries out again,Caporal hors de la garde, corporal turn out the guard. The corporal or officer of the guard with his sword drawn, according to the French custom, repeats,qui va la?Who comes there? He is answered ronde, round. He then says,avance qui a l’ordre; let him advance who has the parole or countersign; or, as we say, advance one, and give the countersign.
Rondedes officiers de picquet,Fr.Piquet rounds.
Rondeschez les Turcs,Fr.SeeTurkish rounds.
RONDELLE,Fr.a small round shield, which was formerly used by light armed infantry. It likewise means a part of the carriage of a gun.
RONDELIERS,Fr.Soldiers who were armed with rondelles, or small wooden shields, covered with leather, were anciently so called.
ROPE. A cord; a string; a halter; a cable; a haulser.
Rope is always distinguished by its circumference: thus a two inch rope means a rope of 2 inches in circumference.
Rule for finding the weight of Ropes.
Multiply the square of the circumference in inches, by the length in fathoms; and divide the product by 480 for the weight in cwt. See alsoDrag ropes.
Ropeof sand. A phrase in familiar use to signify disunion, want of adhesion and continuity. Thus the colonel and the captains of a regiment disagreeing may be called arope of sand.
ROPES, of various lengths and thickness, according to the uses they are made for; such as drags for the gin, for the sling cart and waggon, &c.
Drag-Ropes, according to the old practice in theartillery, by which the soldiers pulled the guns backwards or forwards, both at practice and in an engagement, were of the following dimensions, viz.—For a 24-pounder, 54 feet long, with the loop-holes for the pegs included, and 5³⁄₄ inches in circumference; for 18 and 12-pounders, 48 feet long, and four inches in circumference; for 6 and 3-pounders, 39 feet long, and 1⁷⁄₈ inches in circumference. For 13 and 10-inch howitzers, 45 feet long, and 6³⁄₄ inches in circumference; for 8-inch howitzers, 48 feet long, and four inches in circumference; for all other howitzers, 35 feet long, and two inches in circumference. These awkward and cumbersome ropes are now superceded by the more improved and powerful method, of thebricoles, which instead of drag ropes held each by several; there is attached a single bricole or rope with a hook and belt to each of several artillerists; the number of bricoles is in proportion to the calibre. SeeBricolesandProlonge, SeeAmer. Mil. Lib.
ROSETTE, an ornamental bunch of ribands, or cut leather, which was worn both by officers and soldiers in the British service, on the upper part of their cues.
Rosettes.Two small bunches of ribands that are attached to the loops by which the gorget of an officer is suspended upon his chest. The color of the riband must correspond with the facing of the uniform. The French use the same word.
ROSE-buds. SeeNails.
ROSTER, inmilitary affairs, is a plan or table, by which the duty of officers, entire battalions, squadrons, or parts of a company are regulated.
ROOM. Space; extent of space, greator small. Any part of a building for the accommodation of individuals; as barrack room, orderly room; viz. the orderly room, mess room, guard room, soldier’s rooms, and store-room, for the duty of the regiment.
ROOMS. In a military sense are those parts of a building or barrack which by specific instructions, the different barrack masters must provide, and furnish for the accommodation of the troops. A schedule as published by authority describes the number of rooms allowed in barracks for the commissioned, warrant, and non-commissioned officers, and private men, in the British service, to be as follows:
Cavalry rooms.Field officers, each two rooms; captains, each one ditto; subalterns, staff and quarter-masters, each one ditto; the serjeants of each troop of dragoons, and the corporals of each troop of horse, one ditto; eight rank and file, one ditto; officer’s mess, two ditto.
Infantry rooms.Field officers, each two ditto; captains, each one ditto; two subalterns, one ditto; staff, each one ditto; twelve non-commissioned officers, and private men, one ditto; officer’s mess, two ditto; serjeant-major, and quarter-master serjeant, one ditto. When there are a sufficient number of rooms in a barrack, one may be allowed to each subaltern of infantry. SeeRegulations.
ROSTRALCrown,Couronne Rostrale,Fr.A crown which was bestowed upon that Roman sailor who should first leap on board an enemy’s ship.
ROSTRUM. A Latin word which literally means the beak or bill of a bird, and figuratively the prow of a vessel. There was in a public place in ancient Rome, a tribunal ornamented with various prows of ships, which the Romans had taken from the Antiati. The orators who harangued the people in public, mounted thisrostrum. Hence the Roman phrase: To speak from above the rostra or prows.
ROUAGE,Fr.The wheel-work of a carriage, &c.
Bois deRouage,Fr.Timber to make wheels with.
ROUANNE,Fr.A concave iron instrument, which is used for the purpose of enlarging the hollow of a pump. It likewise signifies a mark. An auger.
ROUANNER,Fr.To bore; also to make casks.
ROUE,Fr.a licensed libertine. One whose principles of morality are considerably relaxed, but who is not sufficiently vitiated in his manners to be excluded from society. The French make a familiar use of the term, and do not affix any degree of stigma to it. They say, on the contrary,c’est un aimable roué, he is an agreeable gay fellow.
ROUE,Fr.Wheel.
Rouede feu,Fr.An artificial firework. SeeSoleil Tournant.
Rouet,Fr.A small solid wheel made of steel, which was formerly fixed to the pans of blunderbusses and pistols, for the purpose of firing them off.
Arquebuses et Pistolets àRouet,Fr.Blunderbusses and pistols to which a small wheel was attached. These firearms are very little known; some, however, are still to be found in European arsenals, kept merely for curiosity.
ROUGES,boulets Rouges,Fr.Red-hot balls.
ROUGHRider. A person who is indispensably necessary in every cavalry regiment. He is a sort of non-commissioned officer, and should always associate with the serjeants in preference to the private men.
Rough Ridersare the assistants of the riding master, and one should always be appointed to each troop. The necessary qualifications, for everyRough Rider(independently of a thorough knowlege of horsemanship) are activity, zeal, and good conduct.
Everyrough ridermust provide himself with a proper jacket for the riding school business, according to the pattern fixed upon in the regiment.
ToROUGHhorses, a word in familiar use among the dragoons to signify the act of breaking in horses, so as to adapt them to military purposes.
ToROUGHit, a cant word used among military men, signifying to face every sort of hardship.
ROULEAU,Fr.A cylindrical piece of wood with iron ferrels at both ends, and with mortises fitted to the end of the lever.
Rouleaude cartouche,Fr.A cylindrical solid piece of wood, which is used in making cartridges; by us called aFormer, as it give the form to the cartridge.
ROULEAUX,Fr.Round bundles of fascines which are tied together. They serve to cover men, when the works are pushed close to a besieged town, or to mask the head of a work.
ROULEMENTS,Fr.The several rolls which are beat upon a drum, as preparations for exercise, &c.
ROULER,Fr.To be subject to a fixed roster according to rank and precedence.
ROUND. From the Frenchronde. Inmilitary matters, a visitation; a personal attendance through a certain circuit of ground, to see that all is well. A round consists, in the ordinary way, of a detachment from the main-guard, of an officer or a non-commissioned officer and 6 men, who go round the rampart of a garrison, to listen if any thing be stirring without the place, and to see that the sentinels be diligent upon their duty, and all in order. In strict garrisons the rounds go every half hour. The sentinels are to challenge at a distance, and to port their arms as theroundpasses. All guards turn out, challenge, exchange the parole, and present arms, &c.
Rounds, are ordinary and extraordinary. The ordinary rounds are three: thetown major’s round, thegrand round, and thevisiting round.
Manner of going theRounds. When the town major goes hisround, he comes to the main-guard, and demands a serjeant and four or six men to escort him to the next guard; and when it is dark, one of the men is to carry a light.
As soon as the sentry at the guard perceives theroundcoming, he shall give notice to the guard, that they may be ready to turn out when ordered; and when the round is advanced within about 20 or 30 paces of the guard, he is to challenge briskly; and when he is answered by the serjeant who attends the round,town major’s round, he is to say,stand, round!and port his arms: after which he is to call out immediately,serjeant, turn out the guard! town major’s round. Upon the sentry calling the serjeant to turn out the guard, he immediately draws up the men in good order with shouldered arms, and the officer places himself at the head of it, with his sword drawn. He then orders the serjeant and four or six men to advance towards theround, and challenge: the serjeant of theroundis to answer,town major’s round; upon which the serjeant of the guard replies,advance, serjeant, with the parole!at the same time ordering his men to rest their arms. The serjeant of theroundadvances alone, and gives the serjeant of the guard the parole in his ear, that none else may hear it; during which period, the serjeant of the guard holds the point of his bayonet or sword at the other’s breast. The serjeant of theroundthen returns to his post, whilst the serjeant of the guard, leaving his men to keep theroundfrom advancing, gives the parole to his officer. This being found right, the officer orders his serjeant to return to his men; says,advance, town major’s round!and orders the guard to port their arms; upon which the serjeant of the guard orders his men to wheel back from the centre, and form a lane, through which the town major is to pass (the escort remaining where it was) and go up to the officer and give him the parole, laying his mouth to his ear. The officer holds the point of his sword at the town major’s breast while he gives him the parole.
GrandRounds. The rounds which are gone by general officers, governors, commandants, or field officers. When there are no officers of the day on piquet, the officer of the main guard in garrison may go the grand rounds.
VisitingRounds. Rounds gone by captains, subalterns, and the town majors of garrisons.
The grand rounds generally go at midnight; the visiting rounds at intermediate periods, between sunset and the reveille. The grand rounds receive the parole, and all other rounds give it to the guards.
There is also a species of subordinate rounds which are performed by a corporal and a file of men; and which are in reality nothing more than apatrole. When challenged they answerpatrole rounds.
The governor of a garrison can order the rounds to go as often as he may judge expedient. Extraordinary rounds are resorted to when any particular event or occurrence is expected, and in cases of tumult, &c.
The going the rounds, though generally considered among the inferior duties of military discipline, ought to be most scrupulously attended to.
TurkishRounds. The Turks are in the habit of going the rounds like other nations, for the purpose of ascertaining, whether sentries are alert and vigilant on their posts. They call the roundsrol. They start from the guard-house, and the person who goes them has no other weapon of defence than a stick in his hand. He is accompanied by a corporal who carries a lantern. He observes whether at his approach the sentry instantly cries out,jedger Allah, which signifiesgood God!If any sentry should be found asleep, or be backward in crying outjedger Allah, good God, he is put in prison, and there severely bastinadoed. The Turks never give a parole or countersign, in camp or in garrison.
The design ofroundsis not only to visit the guards, and keep the sentinels alert, but likewise to discover what passes in the outworks, and beyond them.
ROUNDRobbin. The term is a corruption ofruban rond, which signifies a round riband. It was usual among French officers, when they signed a remonstrance, to write their names in a circular form, so that it was impossible to ascertain who signed first. Hence to sign around robbinagainst any person, is for any specific number of men to sign, one and all, a remonstrance against him. This usage has been perverted to the most seditious purposes of insubordination; and of itself should cause the immediate dismission of every officer concerned.
RoundParade. SeeParades.
ROURA,Ind.A term used to express lord, sir, master, worship.
ROUSE. One of the bugle horn soundings for duty. It is derived from the German word which signifiesto turn out.
ROUT. Confusion of an army or body of men defeated or dispersed.
ToRout,to put to theRout. To defeat, to throw into confusion, &c.
ROUTE, (Route,Fr.) inmilitary matters, an order to direct troops to march, the road they are to take, and an authority to the magistrates to provide quarters for them.
Pas deRoute,Fr.Stepping at ease, or marching with the least possible restraint.
MarcheRoute,Fr.Route of march. The French use this term in contradistinction tomarche manœuvre; march in manœuvring.
ROUTIER,Fr.A ruttier. The French say figurativelyc’est un vieux routier; he is an old stager.
ROUTINE,Fr.This word has been adopted by us in the same sense that it is familiarly used by the French. It signifies capacity, or the faculty of arranging; a certain method in business, civil or military, which is as much acquired by habit and practice as by regular study and rule. We say familiarly the routine of business.
ROUVERIN,Fr.Brittle iron, such as easily breaks when it is committed to the forge.
ROWANNA,Ind.A passport or certificate from the collector of the customs; or any other passport.
ROWEL. The pointed part of a horseman’s spur, which is made in a circular form, with rays or points like a star.
ROXANA,Ind.An Indian term expressive of great magnificence, resplendence.
ROY,Ind.A Hindoo name for an officer of the finances.
ROYALparapet, infortification, a bank about three toises broad, and six feet high, placed upon the brink of the rampart, towards the enemy: its use is to cover those who defend the rampart.
Royalacademy. SeeAcademy.
RoyalMilitary College. SeeSchool.
ROYALS, inartillery, are a kind of small mortars, which carry a shell whose diameter is 5.5 inches. They are mounted on beds the same as other mortars.
ROZEENDAR,Ind.A person holding a yearly pension.
ROZENADAR,Ind.One who receives an allowance daily.
ROZENAMA,Ind.A day-book.
RUBBY,Ind.A division of the year, containing the months ofChaiteor 3d month, from the 11th of March to the 10th of April.Bysacor 4th month, from the 11th of April to the 11th of May.Jeetor 5th month.Assafor 6th month, from the 12th of June to the 13th of July.Savanor 7th month, in some manner, agrees with July and August.Baudhoon, or the same asJeet, from the 11th of May to the 12th of June. The other half of the year is calledKureef.
RUDIMENTS. The first principles, the elements of any particular science.Hence—
Rudimentsof War. The first principles or elements of war; as marching, facing, wheeling; the drill, manual, and platoon exercises, manœuvres, &c. &c.
RUE,Fr.Street.
RUFFLE. A term used among the drummers to signify a sort of vibrating sound, which is made upon a drum, and is less loud than the roll.
To beat aRuffle. To make a low vibrating noise upon the drum. It is generally practised in paying a military compliment to a general officer, and at military funerals.
In the British army a lieutenant-general is entitled to three ruffles.
A major-general to two ruffles.
A brigadier-general to one ruffle.
RUG, (couverture velue,Fr.) A coarse nappy coverlet used for mean beds. Each set of bedding which is provided for regimental hospitals has one rug.
RUILLER,Fr.To establish marks for the purpose of rendering surfaces and places correct.
RUINE,Fr.Literally signifies ruin. It is used by the French in a warlike sense.
Battre enRuine,Fr.To defeat an enemy in such a manner as to destroy all means of taking the field again.
RUINES,Fr.Ruins.
RULE, in a general sense, government, sway, empire. In a more confined one, canon, precept, direction. Hence rules and regulations for the government of the army.
ToRule. To govern, to command.