F.
FACADE, in military fortification. SeeFace.
FACE, in fortification, is an appellation given to several parts of a fortress; as the
Faceof a bastion, the two sides, reaching from the flanks to the saliant angle. These in a siege are commonly the first undermined, because they extend most outwards, and are the least flanked; consequently the weakest.
Faceprolonged,-Faceextended,
that part of the line of defence razant, which is terminated by the curtain and the angle of the shoulder, that is, it is, strictly taken, the line of defence razant, diminished by the face of the bastion.
Faceof a place, is the front comprehended between the flanked angles of two neighboring bastions, composed of a curtain, two flanks, and two faces; and is sometimes called theTenaille of the place.
Faceof a gun, is the superficies of the metal at the extremities of the muzzle of the piece.
Face, (to the right, left, &c.) a word of command on which the soldiers individually turn to the side directed; in performing which, the left heel should never quit the ground, the knees must be kept straight, and the body turned smoothly and gracefully. The moving of the right foot forward or backward, is wholly exploded; all the facings are now made upon the left heel as a pivot. The following are the old methods.
To the right,Face. 2 motions.—1st, Place the hollow of the right foot smartly against the left heel; 2d, Raise the toes, and turn (a quarter of the circle) to the right on both heels.
To the right about,Face, 3 motions.—1st, Place the ball of the right toe against the left heel; 2d, Raise the toes, and turn (half of a circle) to the right about on both heels; 3d, Bring the right foot smartly back in a line with the left.
To the left,Face. 2 motions.—1st, Place the right heel against the hollow of the left foot; 2d, Turn (a quarter of the circle) to the left on both heels.
To the left about,Face. 3 motions.—1st, Place the right heel against the ball of the left foot; 2d, Raise the toes, andturn (half of a circle) to the left about on both heels; 3d, Bring up the right foot smartly in a line with the left.
QuarterFaceto the right or left, is now substituted for the old and awkward mode of oblique marching, the quarter facing being referred to the positions of action being all on the face of a semicircle; half of which is facing to therightorleft; that is the side of the soldier is thrown to the previous front; in quarter facing the side is thrown diagonally between the front and flanks; marching quarter face is called marching by theline of science.
Great precision must be observed in these facings; otherwise the dressing will be lost in every movement.
Facesof a square. The different sides of a battalion, &c. when formed into a square are all denominated faces, viz. thefront face, theright face, theleft face, and therear face. SeeSquare.
Faceou pan de bastion,Fr.SeeFaceof a bastion.
Faced’une place,Fr.SeeTenaille.
FACINGS, are the different movements of a battalion, or of any other body of men, to the right, to the left, or right and left about. All facings must be executed with a straight knee; and the body must be kept firm, and turn steadily, without drooping forward or jerking. The plant of the foot, after facing about, must be sharp.
Facings, likewise signify the lappels, cuffs, and collar of a military uniform, and are generally different from the color of the coat or jacket.
FACTION,Fr.the duty done by a private soldier when he patroles, goes the rounds, &c. but most especially when he stands centry. The French usually say,entrer en faction, to come upon duty;être en faction, to be upon duty;sortir de faction, to come off duty.
FACTIONNAIRE,Fr.Soldat factionnaire, a soldier that does every species of detail duty.
The termfactionnaire, was likewise applicable to the duty done by officers in the old French service.Premier factionnaire du regimentimplied, that the officer, so called, was the fourth captain of a battalion; as the colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, and the captain of grenadiers did not mount the ordinary guards.
FAGOTS, in the military history were men hired to muster by officers whose companies are not complete; by which means they cheated the public of the men’s pay, and deprive the country of its regular establishment. SeeFalse return.
A British general in the East Indies made an immense fortune bybullockfagots. Artillery are all drawn by oxen in Asia, as well as all baggage; upon aninspectionof bullocks, the inspector counted 12,000: it appeared there were only 4,000, they were drawn up in front of a wood, and as soon as the bullocks on the right were inspected; they were drawn off successively by the rear, and appeared again in ranks on the left; so that every bullock was three times inspected, and the round number returned.
Fagots.SeeFascines.
FAILER. SeeDeserter.
FAILURE, an unsuccessful attempt, as the failure of an expedition.
FAIREfaux feu,Fr.to miss fire; to flash in the pan.
FALAISE,Fr.Any part of the sea-coast is so called by the French, when it is extremely steep, and broken into precipices.
FALAISER,Fr.to break upon.La mer falaisesignifies, the sea breaks upon the shore.
FALCHION, a short crooked sword.
FALCON, orFaucon, an ancient name given to a 3-pounder. SeeCannon.
FALCONET, an ancient name given to a 1¹⁄₂-pounder. SeeCannon.
FALL. The fall of a place after it has been besieged. SeeSurrender.
ToFallback, to recede from any situation in which you are placed. This phrase is frequently, indeed, always made use of in the drill, or exercise of soldiers; particularly during the formation of a line, when individuals, or whole divisions are apt to overstep their ground and get beyond the dressing point.
FALLin, a word of command for men to form in ranks, as in parade, line, or division &c.
To fall inlikewise means the minute arrangement of a battalion, company, guard or squad, by which every man is ordered to take his proper post. The long roll, a peculiar beat of the drum, is the usual signal for soldiers to assemble and fall in.
ToFallinto, to become the property of another, as, we fell in with a large convoy of the enemy, which after a short resistance made by the escort,fell into our hands.
ToFallin with. A military technical phrase, signified any sudden or unlooked for rencontre of any enemy. As our light cavalry patroles fell in with a party of foragers belonging to the enemy’s army.
ToFalloff, to desert; to fail; to relax in exertion.
ToFallout, to quit the rank or file in which you were first posted. Dirty soldiers on a parade are frequently ordered to fall out, and remain in the rear of their companies. The phrase is applicable in a variety of other instances:
ToFallupon. To attack abruptly, as,weno sooner came in sight of the enemy, but our advanced guard instantly fell upon his out-posts and beat them in. According to the celebrated General Monk it is very fit, that a general should often command his horse and dragoons to fall upon his enemy’s outermost horsequarters; which mode, he says is one of the easiest, readiest, and securest ways to break an enemy’s army.
FALOTS,Fr.small lanthorns fixed upon the end of a stick or pole. Small lamps are likewise used, attached in the same manner, for the purpose of carrying them readily about to light a camp, or besieged towns, as occasion may require.
FALSEalarms, an alarm or apprehension which is either designedly or unintentionally created by noise, report, or signals without being dangerous.
Falseattack, an approach which is made as a feint for the purpose of diverting your enemy from the real object of attack.
Falsefires, any fire or light which is made use of for the purpose of deceiving an enemy. False fires or lights are frequently resorted to when an army finds it necessary to retreat from an advanced position. On this occasion large fires are lighted in different parts of the camp and round the lines, previous to the departure of the troops, which generally happens in the night.
Falselights, in debarkations under cover of the night, may likewise be used as signals of deception, when it is found expedient to attract the attention of the invaded country towards one part of the coast or territory, whilst a real attack is meditated against another.
Falsemuster, an incorrect statement of the effective number of men or horses, by which government is defrauded. By the articles of war every officer, paymaster, or commissary, found guilty of false mustering, is ordered to be cashiered.
Falsereport. A false report in military matters, may be truly said to be the ground work of a false return and a false muster, and consequently the primary cause of imposition upon the public. The strictest attention should, therefore, be paid to the most trifling report which is made in a troop or company respecting the presence or absence of men or horses, the state of clothing, accoutrements, or necessaries. This can only be done by the commanding officer of such troop or company having constantly the general good of the service at heart in preference to his own convenience, or to that of others. Every serjeant or corporal of a squad should be severely punished when detected in making a false report.
Falsereturn, a wilful report of the actual state of a brigade, regiment, troop, or company, by which the commander in chief or the war-office is deceived, as to the effective force of such regiment, troop or company.
FANION,Fr.corrupted from the Italian wordgonfanone, a particular standard which was carried in the front of the ordinary baggage belonging to a brigade in the old French service. It was made of serge, and resembled in color the uniform or livery of the brigadier, or of the commandant of any particular corps.
FANTASSIN,Fr.A foot soldier. The term is derived from the Italianfante, aboy, the light troops in the 14th and 15th centuries being formed of boys who followed the armies, that were formed into corps with light arms, hence the origin of the wordinfantry; the French still use the wordsmes enfans.
FARAILLON,Fr.a light house.
FARIAL,Fr.a light house; also a watch light.
FARRIER, in a general acceptation of the term, any person who shoes horses, or professes to cure their diseases. In a practical military sense a man appointed to do the duty of farriery in a troop of cavalry. Troop farriers should be under the immediate superintendance and controul of a veterinary surgeon, to whom they ought to apply whenever a horse is ill or lame, that he may report the same to the officer commanding the troop. No farrier should presume to do any thing without having first received directions from his superior.
When the farrier goes round, after riding out, or exercise on horseback, he must carry his hammer, pincers, and some nails to fasten any shoe that may be loose.
When horses at out quarters fall particularly ill, or contract an obstinate lameness, the case must be reported to the head quarters of the regiment; and if the veterinary surgeon cannot prescribe for him at a distance, he must, if time and distance will permit, be personally sent to examine the horse.
No farrier should make up any medicine or any external application contrary to the receipt given him by the veterinary surgeon.
If any farrier, through carelessness or inattention, lames a horse belonging to another troop, he ought to be at all the expence in curing the horse so lamed. In some well regulated cavalry corps this forms one of the standing regimental orders.
Farriers are in every respect liable to be tried according to the articles of war. They may be ordered to inflict punishments; and they must constantly recollect, that the circumstance of being a farrier is no extenuation for dirty appearance, or excuse for drunkenness. The guilt of the latter vice, indeed, is aggravated by the responsibility of their situation.
Farrier-Major, a person who was formerly appointed by the colonel of a dragoon regiment to superintend the farriers of troops, who are named by the several commanding officers of them. He has since been superceded or replaced by a veterinary surgeon, who, as the farrier-major was formerly directed, is to have free access to every stable of the regiment whenever he chuses. It is his duty togo frequently into the cantonments of the different troops, and examine the horses feet; and if he finds a shoe contrary to the regimental pattern, or discovers any thing amiss in the management of the troop horses, he is to report it immediately to the officer commanding the regiment. In all his duty he is to receive the utmost support from every officer and quarter master; and any farrier that dares to act contrary to his instructions, should be punished. There ought, in fact, to be a chain of mutual support and co-operation from the veterinary surgeon, up to the commanding officer of every cavalry regiment, each farrier looking to the veterinary surgeon for correct instructions relative to the preservation of every horse’s health.
FASCINES, in fortification, are a kind of fagots, made of small branches of trees or brush wood, tied in 3, 4, 5, or 6 places, and are of various dimensions, according to the purposes intended. Those that are to be pitched over, for burning lodgments, galleries, or any other works of the enemy, should be 1¹⁄₂ or two feet long. Those that are for making epaulements or chandeliers, or to raise works, or fill up ditches, are 10 feet long, and 1 or 1¹⁄₂ feet in diameter. They are made as follows: six small pickets are struck into the ground, 2 and 2, forming little crosses, well fastened in the middle with willow bindings. On these tressels the branches are laid, and are bound round with withes at the distance of every 2 feet. Six men are employed in making a fascine; 2 cut the boughs, 2 gather them, and the remaining 2 bind them. These six men can make 20 fascines every hour. Each fascine requires five pickets to fasten it.
FASTNESSES, strong places not easily forced.
FATHOM, in fortification, originally denoted that space which a man could reach when both his arms were extended; but it now means a measure of 6 feet or 2 yards, equivalent to the French word toise. SeeToise.
FAUCON. SeeFalcon.
FauconouFauconneau,Fr.a small piece of ordnance, carrying from 1 to 1¹⁄₄ pound ball.
FAUCHION. SeeFalchion.
FAUCONET. SeeFalconet.
FAULX,Fr.an instrument nearly resembling a scythe. It is often used to defend a breach, or to prevent an enemy from scaling the walls of a fortified place. This weapon was first resorted to with some success, when Louis the XIV. besieged Mons. On the surrender of that town, the besiegers found large quantities of faulx, or scythes in the garrison.
FAUSSE-BRAIE. SeeFausse Braye.
FAUSSE-BRAYE, in fortification, is a low rampart encircling the body of the place; its height is about 3 feet above the level ground, and its parapet about three or four toises from that of the body of the place. These works have been entirely rejected by the modern engineers, excepting M. Vauban, who makes them only before the curtains; and then they are called more properly tenailles.
FEATHERS, are ornamental marks worn by officers and soldiers in their caps or hats. The following distinctions are made, and directed by authority to be observed in the British service. In the royal artillery, both officers and men, have white feathers. The cavalry and battalion corps scarlet and white; the grenadiers all white, and the light-infantry all green.
FEDERATE. SeeConfederate.
FEES, are sums of money claimed by persons in office, and to the payment of which every British officer is subject. Fees are paid at the British war office for different commissions, and are charged to their respective owners by the army agents.
FEINT, a mock attack, or assault, often made to conceal the true one.
FELLOES, orFellies, in artillery, are the parts of a wheel which form its circumference. The dimensions of fellies of British wheels are as follow: for a 24-pounder, 5 inches thick, and 6.5 inches broad; for a 12-pounder, 4.5 inches thick, and 6 inches broad; for a 6-pounder, 4 inches thick, and 5.5 inches broad, &c. made of dry elm. There are generally 6 in each wheel. SeeWheel.
FELLOWsoldierone who fights under the same commander, a comrade. Dr. Johnson very properly calls this term an endearing appellation used by officers, to their soldiers. The French use an equivalent expression,camarade, or comrade; the officers also call the soldiersmes enfans, myboysor mychildren. The toils and perils, in fact of a military life, are so many, that an army fighting under the same banners may be truly called one family, and every officer should look upon himself as the father, the guardian, and the protector of his men.
FENCE, a guard, security, outwork, &c.
ToFence, to practice with foils; to fight with swords; to secure any place by pallisades, &c.
FENCIBLE, any thing capable of defence. Such regiments as are raised for limited service, and for a limited time, are called fencible regiments. They rank junior to the line.
FENCING, is the art or science of making a proper use of the sword, as well for attacking an enemy, as for defending one’s self. Fencing is a genteel exercise, of which no military gentleman should be ignorant. It is learned by practising with steel foils. SeeFoils.
Fencing is either simple, or compound. Simple is that which is performed nimbly, and off hand, on the same line. In this the principal intention, in respect to the offensive part, should be to attack the enemy in the most unguarded quarter; and in the defensive, to parry or ward off the enemy’s thrusts or blows.
Attitude, inFencing, the head upright, though the body hath a forward inclination on a longe; and all the weight resting on the left haunch when on guard. The feet, hand, body, arm, and sword, must be to the line.
Appel, inFencing, is a sudden beat of your blade, on the contrary side to that you join your adversary on, and a quick disengagement to that side again.
Beating, inFencing, is when you parry with a sudden short beat, to get a quick repost; or when you beat with your foot, to try if you are firm on it, or on both feet.
Battering, inFencing, is to strike the feeble of your adversary’s blade on the side opposite to that you join, &c.
Back-quarte, is a parade of a late invention, and is a round quarte over the arm.
Cave, inFencing, is a tierce on a quarte side, also the thrust of a prime, or a seconde, at the low quarte side.
Darting, inFencing, to defend a blow with some contraction of your arm, and to dart a thrust right forward.
Feint forward, inFencing, made by advancing your point a little from its line and coming to it again.
Guard, inFencing, is any of the parades you stand on.
On guard, is being placed properly on your feet, and well covered with your weapon.
Lurching, inFencing, to make an opening, to invite your adversary to thrust at you, when you, being ready, may find a favorable repost at him.
Locking, inFencing, is to seize your adversary’s sword arm by twining your left arm round it, after you close your parade, shell to shell, in order to disarm him.
Guards in-carte,-tierce,
implies the putting of the body and sword in such a state of defence, as to prevent the antagonist from wounding you, by either of the thrusts so denominated. These are the principal positions on which to engage. The others,viz.prime, seconde, quinte, half-circle, &c. are termed parades, when used with the small sword.
Hanging-guard, one of the broad-sword guards. SeeBroad-sword.
Thrustsare of various denominations, according to the direction of the point, and position of the wrist.
The thrusts directed at the inside of the body, are called prime, carte, and low-carte; those at the outside, are seconde, tierce, carte over the arm, quinte and flanconade.
In teaching, the thrusts are not arranged according to the above order; it is usual to begin with carte (or quarte) and tierce, the names of which prove them to have been originally the 4th and 3d positions in the art; but which are now justly considered as the chief and most elegant.
Parrying inFencing, the action of warding off the blows aimed at each other.
Flanconade, inFencing, is the action of dropping the point of your sword under your adversary’s hilt, in seizing with force the feeble of his blade; which binding, without quitting it, form the parade in octave and then throw in your thrust. SeeArt of defence with swords by the author of Am. Military Library.
Glissade, inFencing, is performed by dexterously making your sword slip along your adversary’s blade, and forming at the same time your extension, &c.
FER,Fr.Iron. Figuratively, this word is used for a sword or dagger; asmanier le fer, to wear the sword, to follow the profession of arms,Battre le fer, to fence.
Ferà cheval,Fr.In fortification, ahorse-shoe, which see. It further means according to the French acceptation of the term, a work constructed for the purpose of covering a gate, by having within it a guard-house, to prevent the town from being surprised.
FERDWIT, in ancient military history, a term formerly used to denote a freedom from serving upon any military expedition; or according to some, the being quit of manslaughter committed in the army.
FERRIES, water conveyances, made use of to cross rivers, or branches of the sea.
FERTHorFORTH. SeeArmy.
FEU,Fr.Fire.Faire feu, to discharge any sort of firearms.
Feu,fire, is also understood to mean any light combustible, which is kept up in the front of a camp, and at each post during the night to keep the soldiers alert, and to prevent them from being surprised.
Every species of fire, or light is, however, strictly forbidden on a march, when the object is to surprize an enemy. Soldiers on these occasions are not permitted to smoke. Bundles, and large wisps of lighted straw, which are hung out from the tops of steeples, or from any other elevation, frequently serve to give the alarm when an enemy is discovered in the act of passing a river.
Lights are likewise resorted to on various other occasions. SeeLights.
Feude joie. SeeRunning-Fire.
Feurasant,Fr.a grazing fire, or a discharge of ordnance or musquetry so directed that the shot shall run parallelwith the ground they fly over, within 3 or 4 feet of the surface.
That is likewise called afeu rasant, or grazing fire, which is sent in parallel directions with the faces of the different works belonging to a fortification.
FICHANT. SeeLine of Defence,Fortification.
FIELD. The ground of battle. A battle, campaign, or the action of an army while it keeps the field.
Field-bed, a folding bed used by officers in their tents.
Field--Colors,-See-Camp colors.Officers,Officers.Pieces,Cannon.Staff,Lintstock.Works,Field fortification.
Field-Fort. SeeFort.
Field-marshal, a military rank superior to all others, except the captain general.
This rank formerly existed and has been again revived in England. The French in their modern system, have given it an effective character, it being the superior rank of distinguished generals; the number of which have a temporary limitation. Their corps d’armée or legions of 25,000 men, are each commanded by a marshal.
FIFE, a military instrument of the wind kind, generally used as an accompaniment to the drum.
FIFRE,Fr.Fife. In French, this word likewise means fifer.
FIGHT. SeeBattle.
FIGHTING-men, such as are effective, and able to bear arms.
Running-Fight, that in which the enemy is continually chased.
FIGURE, in fortification, the plan of any fortified place, or the interior polygon. Of this there are two sorts, regular, and irregular; a regular figure is that where the sides and angles are equal; an irregular one where they are unequal.
FILE, in the art of war, is an unlimited term, comprehending any number of men, drawn up in a direct line behind each other; as a rank on the other hand, includes any number drawn up beside each other; whether in either respect, they be in close or open order. Or rather, byfileis meant the line of soldiers standing one behind another, which makes the depth of the battalion; and is thus distinguished from the rank, which is a line of soldiers drawn up side by side, forming the length of the battalion. A file is 2 or 3 deep; hence a battalion or regiment drawn up, consists of 2 or 3 ranks, and of as many files as there are men in a rank.
The files of a battalion of foot were formerly 12 and 6 deep, but now only 3, which is its natural formation. Those of the cavalry are but 2 deep.
AFileon horseback, in marching order, occupies in the ranks 3 feet; thus 3 file 9 feet. A file on foot occupies in the ranks 22 inches.
CloseFilesin cavalry, are at the distance which was taken before dismounting, when each man’s boot-top touches, but does not press that of his neighbor.
LooseFiles, in cavalry movements, are 6 inches distant from boot top to boot top being calculated for the gallop as well as the walk of a squadron.
OpenFilesin cavalry are the full breadth of a horse from boot-top to boot-top. They contain the distance which is left, when from close files the left files rein back to dismount. Recruits and horses must be frequently exercised at this distance. SeeAmerican Military Library.
FlankFile, the extreme file on the right or left of a squadron or troop, battalion or company, &c.
Forming fromFile, is when the front file halts, and the rest ride up at a very smart gallop, taking care to halt in time, and not to over-run the front. If the formation is by doubling round the front file (for instance, when a formation is made to the rear of the march, or to the right, when marched from the right) the files must double round as close and as expeditious as possible.
In all formings from file, the leaders of ranks instantly cover each other, take the ordered front and halt. SeeAmerican Military Library.
In the covering of files on horseback, the same directions hold good as on foot. In addition, it must be scrupulously observed that every man’s horse stands exactly straight to the same front as that of the man before him. Both in the horse and foot drill, the men should be often practised in covering. The former are thereby taught to place their horses straight under them.
CloseFilesof infantry, are soldiers standing in rank, contiguous to one another, upon any given depth of line or column. Whenever a regiment marches in front, every man should feel the arm of his next man which ever way he dresses; but he must not lean on him, nor must he move his arm from the body to feel him. So that close files mean nothing more than that soldiers in the ranks should lightly touch each other, without crowding or pressing.
OpenFiles, are soldiers standing in rank at given distances without touching one another. The formation at open files is only practised as a preparatory drill for forming at close files, (which is the order for action) so that every man may be taught to stand and move in a proper position, without acquiring a habit of leaning upon his neighbor. On this account every intelligent officer who has the management of recruits, will form them sometimes at open files, and march them in that order. Soldiers that have been regularly drilled, should likewisebe occasionally practised in advancing by open tiles.
DoubleFilesare formed by the left files in each rank stepping to the rear of the right files; or the contrary.
IndianFiles, a line of men advancing or retreating from either of the flanks, from the centre or from any proportion of a line in succession to one another. They are sometimes called goose files; but the term is only familiarly, or rather vulgarly used among soldiers, and derives its appellation from a flock of geese, generally following a leader, one by one. The Prince de Ligne, says, that men march forward in file, oren ordré mince, par une instinct moutonnier, meaning, that they follow each other like so many sheep, who move by instinct.
File-leader, is the soldier placed in the front of any file, or the man who is to cover all those that stand directly in the rear of him, and by whom they are to be guided in all their movements.
File leaders must be particularly careful to preserve their proper distances from which ever hand they are to dress, and the followers of each file must only be attentive to cover, and be regulated by their proper file leaders. In file the rear rank invariably dresses by, and is regulated by the front rank.
To double theFiles, is to put 2 files into one, making the depth of the battalion double to what it was, in number of men. Thus four deep are double files.
Filemarching on foot, all recruits must be taught first to face, and then to cover each other exactly in file, so that the head of the man immediately in front may conceal the heads of all the others behind him. The principal points to be attended to are, that the men move in equal time an equal pace of 2 feet, that the front rank men cover exactly, and that the rear rank men keep closed and dressed to the front rank.
File marching may be practised to the front, to the rear, and to either flank; in all which cases the men must be taught to cover well. When recruits are at drill, on the wordmarch, the whole are to step off with the left foot together, gaining at the very first step 24 inches, and so continuing each step, without increasing the distance betwixt each recruit, every man placing his advanced foot on the ground, before the spot from whence his preceding man had taken up his. SeeAmer. Mil. Lib.
Marching in open order to the front, is when any body of men advances by ranks at open order, and dress to some given object without touching one another. The flank man of the flank the soldiers dress to, must be a non-commissioned officer, and he must take especial care not to incline to one hand or the other. His head must be kept quite straight to the front, his body must be erect, and he must advance without deviating in the most trifling manner to the right or left. In order to execute this essential part of the drill with any degree of accuracy, two persons should be present, one in the front, and the other on the flank, to observe the dressing. Young officers should be exercised themselves in the presence of a superior officer; for upon them thereafter will greatly depend the movement of the battalion in line or column.
Marching to the front in close order, is when any number of men advance by ranks at close order, and dress to some given objects each man lightly touching his next man, without crowding or pressing. The march in front by closed files is much easier than that at open files, because every man feels his next man, which ever way the rank dresses, and into whatever direction the line or column moves.
ToFILE, is to advance to, or move from any given point by files; as to file to the front, to file to the rear, to file from the right or left flank, or to file from any given company. In some of which cases, the leading files must disengage themselves according to the directions given.
ToFileoff,-To defile,
to wheel off from marching in a spacious front, and march in length by files. When a regiment is marching in full front, or by divisions or platoons, and comes to a defile or narrow pass, it may file off to the right or left, as the ground requires, &c.
Filings, are movements to the front, rear, or flank by files. These movements must be executed with great quickness. The files must go off at a smart gallop, and continue so till all are in file, the rear rank men dressing well to their front rank; the front rank covering well, and keeping close to the croup. If the filings are to be made from a flank to the front or rear, the whole must keep passaging up to the ground from whence the first file went, before they go off; if to a flank, the horses must be turned as soon as there is room. If the filings are from a flank to march along the front or rear, past the other flank, every file must come off from its own ground as the next gets into file.
General and necessaryFilings, are from either, or both flanks of the squadron to front, flank or rear; filing from the centre of the squadron to the front, or to the flank. Filing single men by ranks, or by front or rear rank men alternately from either flank of the squadron.
In the filings of the squadron, theserre-filestake their places in the rear of the files unless the ground will allow them to remain on the flanks of the rear rank; but their general and proper position is in the rear of the files.
In cavalry filing, the greatest attention must be paid to keep the squadron as compact together as the nature of the movement will permit. It is a situationin which horses move free, and without confinement, but in which the parts of a squadron are apt to lengthen out, and take up much more ground than what they stand upon in line, and is therefore to be adopted only from necessity, in broken or embarrassed ground. When the wordfile, has been given, and the heads of the horses have been turned ready to move off without loss of distance, the leaders of files must go off short and quick in their ordered direction. They are followed close by each man as it comes to his turn, so as to leave no unnecessary interval from one to another, and instantly to put off the ground. After being once in file, a distance of a yard from head to tail may be taken so as to trot or gallop the easier if required. Every alteration of pace ought to be made as much as possible by the whole file at once: if this is not observed, a crowding and stop in the rear will always attend such alteration.
FIRE, in the art of war, a word of command to soldiers of all denominations, to discharge their fire arms, grenades, cannon, &c.
Fire, is also used to denote the discharge of all sorts of fire arms against the enemy. The fire of the infantry is by a regular discharge of their fire-locks, in platoons, divisions, &c. that of the cavalry, with their pistols; and that of a place besieged with their artillery.
Fireof the curtain or second flank, is from that part of the curtain comprehended between the face of the bastion prolonged and the angle of the flank; frequently called the line of defence fichant.
Firerasant, is produced by firing the artillery and small arms in a line parallel with the horizon, or parallel with those parts of the works you are defending.
Fire-arms, are all kinds of arms charged with powder and ball; every one of which is mentioned under its respective head.
Running-Fire, is when a rank or ranks of men, drawn up, fire one after another; or when the lines of an army are drawn out to fire on account of a victory; when each squadron or battalion takes it from that on its right, from the right of the first line to the left, and from the left to the right of the second line; also calledfeu de joie.
Fire-balls. SeeBalls.
Fire-cross, an ancient token in Scotland for the nation to take up arms.
Fire-ship, a ship filled with a variety of combustibles to set fire to the vessels of the enemy.
Fire-ship.Proportion of combustible stores for a fire-ship of 150 tons.
The fire barrels are about 2 feet 4 inches high, and 1 foot 6 inches diameter. Each barrel must have four holes of about 6 inches square cut in its sides; and these holes must have a square piece of canvass nailed over them quite close. They are then filled with the same composition as for carcasses, and 4 plugs of about 1 inch diameter and 3 inches long, and well greased are thrust into the top, and then left to dry. When dry, these plugs are taken out and the holes driven with fuze composition and quick match at the top; which goes from one hole to the other: after this the top is smeared over with mealed powder mixed up with spirits of wine. When dry again a sheet or two of brown paper is laid over the top, and then one of the canvass covers, which is made secure by the upper hoop of the barrel.
Composition for dipping Reeds, Bavins, and Curtains.
This proportion will dip about 100 reeds and 25 bavins.
Each curtain contains 1 square yard of barras.
Each cover for fire barrels 1 do. of sacking.
Immediately that the curtains, covers, &c. are dipped, they are to be strewed over with fine brimstone, before the composition grows cold.
The iron chambers, for blowing open the ports, hold from 9 to 11 ounces of powder. They are fixed in such a manner as to prevent their recoil, and to ensure the ports being blown open. The vents are generally corked up, and covered with a piece of barras, till required to be primed.
To fit out a fire ship.The whole breadth of the fire room is to be divided into 9 parts, and troughs laid the whole length of the room. Cross troughs of communication are laid between them, about 20 in each row, perpendicular to the long troughs. These troughs are usually 4 inches wide, and 4 deep. There are two fire trunks and two fire scuttles on each side, under which the eight fire barrels are to be placed.
The reeds and bavins are to be tied down in the troughs. The curtains are to be nailed up to the beams, equally through the fire room. The ship is not to be primed when fitted out, but only when intended to be fired.
To Prime.Composition for priming,
All the reeds and bavins are to be taken up, and a little of the above composition sprinkled in the bottom of the troughs; the reeds, &c. to be then gently tied down again. Quick match of 6 or 8 threads doubled must be laid along on the tops of all the reeds, &c. and priming composition strewed over it, and over all the fire room. The covers of all the fire barrels must be cut open, and made to hang down on the sides of the barrels. Leaders of strong quick match must be laid from the reeds to the barrels and to the chambers; and must be tied down to the vents to ensure its not falling off. Strong leaders of quick match, 4 or 5 times doubled, must be laid from the reeds to the sally ports; and the sally ports must be connected by quick match, that the whole may take fire at once.
The following method is now adopted of producing an external fire, in addition to the internal fire, before gained by the fire room.
Fireboxes filled with the carcass composition, are distributed in the following manner, in a ship of three masts:
The boxes are suspended by chains and hooks, and those slung across the bowsprit and outriggers, are fixed by staples. The two inner ones are laid with leaders of quick match, which fire instantly, or with portfires, which burn a given time; they communicate with the outer ones by reeds, which are tied down on the bowsprit and outriggers. The boxes hanging from the dead-eyes and shrouds, are fired by curtains suspended from the shrouds, the lower one of which hangs immediately over one of the large fire barrels. The two boxes on each yard-arm are hung one over the other; the upper one having a leader of quick match carried along the yard from the shrouds; and in burning will no doubt fire the lower one. Besides the boxes, there are fire barrels arranged as follows; 2 half barrels on the forecastle; 2 abaft the main deck, and 4 on the main deck; 2 in each roundtop, placed against the masts; and 4 large fire barrels under fire trunks, to convey fire to the curtains on the shrouds. All these fire barrels and boxes are to be fired by separate leaders of quick match or portfire, in order that any part of the ship may be fired, to cover its approach by the smoke; and the remaining part instantaneously upon quitting the ship. It has been found by experiment, that two men with lighted portfires can set fire to the whole of the leaders on the deck, bowsprit, catheads, outriggers, &c. in less than a minute; therefore the risk of trusting to one main leader to the whole may be avoided.
The leaders are laid in painted canvass hose made for the purpose.
Fire-master, in the artillery, gives the directions and proportions of all ingredients for each composition required in fire-works, whether for the service of war, or for rejoicings and recreations.
Fire-masters-mate. His duty is, to aid and assist the chief fire-master, and he should be skilled in every kind of laboratory works.
Fire-pan of a gun, is the receptacle for the priming powder.
Fire-pot, in the military art, a small earthen pot, into which is put a charged grenade, and over that, powder enough to cover the grenade; the whole covered with a piece of parchment, and two pieces of quick match across lighted: it breaks and fires the powder, as also the powder in the grenade, which has no fuze, that its operations may be quicker: it burns all that is near it.
Fire-works, are particular compositions of different sorts, made with sulphur, salt-petre, and charcoal. They are used in war, and on rejoicing days.
Fire-workers, were formerly subordinate to the fire-master and his mate; had afterwards the rank of youngest lieutenants to the regiment of artillery; but now that rank is abolished, and they are all second lieutenants. They were supposed to be well skilled in every kind of laboratory-work, which knowlege is an essential qualification in every officer of that regiment.
Fire-locks, so called from their producing fire of themselves, by the action of the flint and steel; the arms carried by a foot-soldier: they were formerly 3 feet 8 inches in the barrel, and weighed 14lb.; at present the length of the barrel is from 3 feet 3 inches to 3 feet 6 inches and the weight of the piece from 9 to 12lb. British fire-locks carry a leaden bullet of which 29 make 2lb. Its diameter is .550 of an inch, and that of the barrel ¹⁄₅₀th part of the shot. Fire-locks were first made use of in 1690, when matchlocks were universally disused; but when invented we cannot ascertain. A fire-lock is called, by writers of about the middle of the last century, asnaphaan, which being a low Dutch word, seemsto indicate its being a Dutch invention. Formerly, both in the manual and platoon exercises, the term fire-lock was always adopted—as shoulder your fire-lock, present your fire-lock—At present a more simple and brief mode of expression prevails as,shoulder arms,carry arms, &c.
FIRINGin line. According to regulations, the following principal heads constitute firing in line.
The object of fire against cavalry is to keep them at a distance, and to deter them from the attack; as their movements are rapid, a reserve is always kept up. But when the fire commences against infantry, it cannot be too heavy, nor too quick while it lasts; and should be continued till the enemy is beaten or repulsed. This may not improperly be called offensive fire.
Defensive fire, belongs principally to infantry, when posted on heights, which are to be defended by musquetry. As soldiers generallyaim too high, and as fire is of the greatest consequence to troops that are on the defensive, the habitual mode of firing should therefore be rather at a low level of three or four feet than a high one.
On these occasions the men are generally drawn up 3 deep; in which case the front rank may kneel when it can be safely and usefully done; but this is now generally rejected, and the third rank loads for the centre rank, which fires the guns of both centre and rear rank.
Firingby half battalions, the line advancing. The left wingshalt, and the right ones continue to march 15 paces, at which instant the wordmarchbeing given to the left wings, the right at the same time are ordered tohalt,fire, andload; during which the left march on and pass them, till the right wings, being loaded and shouldered, receive the wordmarch, on which the left oneshalt,fire, &c. and thus, they alternately proceed.
Firingby half battalions, the line retiring. The right wings come to the right about and march 15 paces, are ordered tohalt,front, and when the left wings have gained 15 paces, and have received the wordhalt,front, the right wings are instantly ordered tofire,load,about, and march 15 paces beyond the left ones, where they receive the wordhalt,front, on which the left wingsfire, &c. and thus alternately proceed.
In manœuvring many battalions there should be a regulating battalion named, by the half battalions of which each line may move, halt, and fire: the commander of each line to be with such half battalion and in giving his several commands, to have an attention to the general readiness of the line, especially after loading, that the whole be prepared to step off together at the wordmarch. The firing of the advanced wing succeeds themarch, or thehalt,front, of the retired wing instantly; and each half battalion fire independent and quick, so that no unnecessary pauses being made betwixt the firing words, the fire of the line should be that of a volley as much as possible; and the whole being thereby loaded together, to be ready for the next command of movement. In these firings of the line advancing or retiring, the two first ranks fire standing, and the rear rank support their arms, and may change places at the second fire with the centre rank.
In this manner also may the alternate battalions of a line advance or retire, and when the whole are to form, and that the last line moves up to the first, every previous help of advancedguideswill be given to ensure its correctness.
Fire in line advancing, is when the infantry marches in line to attack the enemy and in advancing makes use of its fire. On these occasions it is better to fire the two first ranks only standing, reserving the third, than to make the front rank kneel, (as was formerly the practice) and to fire the whole; but when it is necessary to fire a considerable distance, or on a retiring enemy, vollies may be given by the three ranks, the front one kneeling.
Firingby platoonsis practised when a line is posted, or arrives at a fixed situation, in this position battalions fire independent of one another, and the fire generally commences from the centre of each. The first fire of each battalion must be regular, and at established pauses and intervals; after which each platoon may continue to fire as soon as it is loaded independent and as quick as possible. The use of this is to acquire the habit of obedience to command; for in close action platoon firing is both absurd and impracticable.
Firingby files, is generally used behind a parapet, hedge, or abbatis. In this situation the two first ranks only can fire, and that must be by the 2 men of the same file always firing together, with coolness and deliberation. When however, the parapet, hedge, or abbatis is but a little raised, platoon firing may be resorted to.
ObliqueFiringby battalions, or otherwise, according to the ground, is extremely advantageous when it is found expedient to give an oblique direction to part of a line, or when it is discovered that their fire can in this manner be thrown against the opening of a defile, the flanks of a column, or against cavalry or infantry that direct their attack on some particular battalion or portion of the line. SeeAm. Mil. Lib.
Oblique firing, is either to the right and left, or from the right and left to the centre, depending entirely on the situation of the object to be fired against. The Prussians have a particular contrivance for this purpose: If they are to level to the right, the rear ranks of every platoon are to make two quick but smallpaces to the left, and the body of each soldier to quarter face or turn ¹⁄₈th of a circle; and are to take the same distance to the right if they are to level to the left.
When a line halts at its points of firing, no time is to be lost in scrupulous dressing, and the firing is instantly to commence. But when a line halts, and is not to fire, the usual dressings must be attended to; and every thing will depend upon the coolness and attention of the officers and non-commissioned officers.
It should be observed with respect to firings in general, that after the march in front, and halt of the battalion, company, or platoon, firing ought invariably to begin from the centre, and not from the flank. In other cases, and in successive formations, it may begin from whatever division first arrives, and halts on its own ground.
SquareFiring, is that method of firing where either a regiment or any body of men are drawn up in a square, each front of which is generally divided into divisions or firings, and the flanks of the square, as being the weakest part, are sometimes covered by platoons of grenadiers who flank the angles. The first fire is from the right division of each face; the second fire from the left division of each face, and so on; the grenadiers making the last fire.
StreetFiring, is the method of firing adopted to defend or scour a street, lane, or narrow pass of any kind; in the execution of which the platoon must be formed according to the width of the place, leaving sufficient room on the flanks for the platoons which have fired, successively to file round to the rear of the others.
StreetFiringadvancing. When the column has arrived at the spot where the firing is to commence, the commanding officer from the rear gives the wordhalt!and the officer commanding the platoon, orders it tomake ready,aim,fire;recover arms,load; he then orders the rear platoon of the columnoutward face, (by half platoons)quick march.
At the instant the men in the first platoon recover their arms after firing, the rear platoonmakes ready, and moves up the flank to the front of the first platoon having filed round the flanks towards the front, when the second from the rear advances, with recovered arms, until it receives the wordshalt,ready,aim,fire.
The platoon which has fired, primes and loads in its ground immediately, without moving; the rear platoons only advancing.
StreetFiringretiring, is conducted on the same principles, except that the platoons fire without advancing, on the front being cleared by the former platoon filing round the flank.
Another method ofstreet firing,advancing, generally esteemed more eligible, is, after firing, to wheel out by subdivisions, (the pivots having taken a side step to right and left outwards) prime and load, and as soon as the last platoon has passed, file inwards and form.
FISSURE, a narrow chasm where a small breach has been made.
FIT. Qualified, proper; adapted to any purpose or undertaking.
Fitfor servicestrong, healthy men, from 18 to 45 years of age, of a certain height, and not subject to fits; are considered fit objects for service, and may be enlisted into the United States regiments. The principal heads under which every recruit should be rejected, consist of rupture, venereal lues, or incurable pox, habitual ulcers, sore legs, scurvy, scald head, and fits.
Fit, a paroxysm. Any violent affection of the body, by which a man is suddenly rendered incapable of going through the necessary functions of life.
Fits, habitual affections of the body to which men and women are subject, and by which they may be frequently attacked without any other immediate consequence, than a temporary suspension of the mental powers, accompanied by a disordered and painful action of the frame.
Fix-Bayonets, a word of command in the manual exercise. SeeManual.
FLAGSin the United States navy, are the colors of the Union, red and white alternate stripes, equal to the number of states; with a square in the upper angle of blue, upon which are wrought white stars equal in number to the states of the Union. A custom has grown up among commanders of ships of appropriating a peculiar flag for each state, but as this is not a settled regulation requires no further notice.