substitution of different numbers of equivalents of hyponitric acid, but
the names are specially given to the most highly nitrated forms.
_Picric acid_, the salts of which form the well-known _picrates_, is
made by the action of the acids on carbolic acid.
To heighten the effect of the lower forms of nitro-substitution
compounds they are usually mixed with an oxidizing agent, such as
_nitrate_ or _chlorate_, which supplies the deficient oxygen. This is
exemplified in Schultz’s wood powder (which see), and Reeve’s gun felt.
The picrates are similarly treated. Ammonium picrate mixed with nitre
forms Abel’s _picric_ powder (Burgess’s powder). This has been used as a
bursting charge for shells.
Mixtures of two high explosives have also been used, as in glyoxiline,
invented by Prof. Abel, which is gun-cotton saturated with
nitro-glycerine.
Explosive effect depends upon three elements,--1st, the volume of the
gases produced taken at a standard temperature; 2d, the heat evolved in
the chemical reaction; 3d, the time consumed in the development of the
gases. Explosive effect is directly proportional to the first two of
these elements, and inversely proportional to the third. According to
Bertholet, nitro-glycerine gives out twice as much heat and three and a
half times as much gas as an equal weight of gunpowder, but this gives
no idea of their relative explosive effects, as the element of time in
the detonating explosives is so short that it cannot be calculated. So
nearly is this element absent that we may consider these explosions as
almost perfect Impulsive Forces. To secure _ballistic effect_ requires
the gradual application of force. When motion is imparted to a body the
inertia developed is inversely proportional to the time consumed in
imparting it. This resistance to motion becomes enormously great when
the detonating explosives are used. For this reason their ballistic
effect is small. The force which should give the projectile motion is
expended in producing molecular changes in both projectile and gun. The
same quality, however, fits them especially for blasting and torpedoes,
where shattering effect is desirable.
=Express Rifle.= A modern sporting rifle of great killing power, used in
hunting large or dangerous animals. They were first introduced in
England, and have become celebrated in the hands of African travelers
and explorers. The principle consists in using large charges of powder
and a light bullet, which gives a very high initial velocity and a
trajectory practically a right line for 150 or 200 yards, hence the term
“Express.” To increase the killing power of the bullet it is made of
pure lead and has a hollow point. Upon striking game the bullet spreads
outwardly, giving a fearful death-wound. Moreover, for specially ugly
game a small explosive cartridge can be dropped into the cavity in the
point, making it an explosive bullet. (See BULLETS, EXPRESS.) In England
a caliber as large as .57 is used for some Express rifles. In the United
States a caliber of .45 or .50 is considered sufficient.
=Expugn.= To conquer; to take by assault.
=Expugnable.= Capable of being expugned, forced or conquered.
=Expugnation.= The act of taking by assault; conquest.
=Expugner.= One who expugns or conquers.
=Extend.= A term peculiarly applicable to light infantry movements, when
the files are frequently loosened, and the front of the line extended
for the purpose of skirmishing. When the divisions of a column are made
to occupy a greater space of ground, they are said to extend their
front.
=Exterior Crest.= The crest of the exterior slope of a parapet.
=Exterior Form of Cannon.= See ORDNANCE, EXTERIOR FORM.
=Exterior Side.= In fortification, is the side of the polygon, upon
which a front of fortification is formed.
=Exterior Slope.= In fortification, is the slope given to the outside of
a parapet. It is found by experience that earth of common quality will
naturally acquire a slope of 45°, even when battered by cannon. This
inclination is therefore given to the slope.
=External Injuries to Cannon.= See INJURIES TO CANNON.
=Extortion.= Under the modern laws of war, honorable men no longer
permit the use of any violence against prisoners in order to extort
information or to punish them for having given false information.
=Extrados= (_Fr._). The exterior surface of a regular arch, used in the
construction of powder-magazines.
=Extraordinaries of the Army.= In the English service, the allowances to
troops beyond the gross pay in the pay office, come under this head.
Such are the expenses for barracks, marches, encampments, staff, etc.
=Extraordinarii.= In the ancient Roman army, a select body of men
consisting of the third part of the foreign cavalry and a fifth of the
infantry. These were carefully separated from the other forces borrowed
from the confederate states, in order to prevent any treacherous
coalition between them. From among the extraordinarii a more choice body
of men were drawn, under the name of _ablecti_. See ABLECTI.
=Eylau=, or =Eilau=. Usually called Prussian Eylau, a town in the
government of Königsberg, celebrated for the battle fought here between
Napoleon and the allies--Russians and Prussians--under Bennigsen,
February 8, 1807. The French force amounted to about 80,000, and the
allies numbered 58,000, but were superior in artillery. The French
claimed the victory, chiefly because the allied forces, unable to
recruit their strength, were ordered to retreat from the field on the
night of the battle, and to retire upon Königsberg. The loss of the
allies is estimated at about 20,000, while that of the French must have
been considerably greater.
F.
=Face.= A term of varied application. In fortification, it is an
appellation given to several parts of a fortress, as the _face of the
bastion_, which is the two sides, reaching from the flanks to the
salient angles. The _prolonged or extended face_ is that part of the
line of defense which is terminated by the curtain and the angle of the
shoulder. Strictly taken, it is the line of defense _rayant_, diminished
by the face of the bastion.
=Face.= In tactics, is the turning of a soldier on his heels as a “right
face”; also the word of command for the movement. _To face_ is to turn
on the heels.
=Face of a Piece.= In gunnery, is the terminating plane perpendicular to
the axis of the bore.
=Face of a Place.= In fortification, 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 the _tenaille of the
place_.
=Faces of a Square.= The sides of a battalion when formed in square.
=Fachon.= An Anglo-Norman term for a sword or falchion.
=Facing.= A covering, a plating.
=Facings.= The movements of soldiers by turning on their heels to the
right, left, right-about, left-about, etc. _To put one through one’s
facings_, is to examine into his elementary knowledge, to test his
pretensions.
=Facings.= Are also the cuffs and collars of a military coat, and are
generally of a different color from that of the coat.
=Faction.= In ancient history, one of the troops or bodies of combatants
in the games of the circus, especially of the horse-races.
=Faction.= A term applied in an ill sense to any party in a state that
offers uncompromising opposition to the measures of the government, or
that endeavors to excite public discontent upon unreasonable grounds.
=Faction= (_Fr._). The duty done by a private soldier when he patrols,
goes the round, etc., but most especially when he does duty as a
sentinel. The French usually say, _entrer en faction_, to come upon
duty; _etre 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 term _factionnaire_ was likewise applicable
to the duty done by officers in the old French service.
=Faenza= (anc. _Faventia_). A town in Central Italy, 19 miles southwest
of Ravenna. Faventia is noted in history as the place where Carbo and
Norbanus were defeated with great loss by Metillus, the general of
Sulla, in 82 B.C.
=Fæsulæ.= See FIESOLE.
=Fag-end.= Is the end of any rope. This term is also applied to the end
of a rope when it has become untwisted. _To fag out_, to wear out the
end of a rope or a piece of canvas.
=Fagnano.= A village of Italy, 12 miles from Verona. In 1799 a battle
was fought here between the Austrians and French.
=Fagots.= See FASCINES.
=Fagots.= In military history, were men hired to muster by officers
whose companies were not complete; by which means they cheated the
public of the men’s pay, and deprived the country of its regular
establishment.
=Failure.= An unsuccessful attempt; as, the failure of an expedition.
=Faint.= To lose courage or spirit; to become depressed or despondent.
=Faint-hearted.= Wanting in courage; depressed by fear, easily
discouraged or frightened; cowardly, timorous.
=Fairfax=, or =Culpeper Court-house=. A village, the capital of Culpeper
Co., Va., on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. This place was an
important strategic point during the civil war (1861-65).
=Fairfield.= A village of Fairfield Co., Conn., situated on Long Island
Sound. It was settled in 1659; it was burned in 1779 by order of Gov.
Tryon.
=Fair Haven.= A village of Bristol Co., Mass., on Buzzard’s Bay. The
town was attacked by the British on September 7, 1788, but they were
repulsed without loss.
=Fair Oaks.= A locality in Henrico Co., Va., on the Richmond and York
River Railroad, about 7 miles east of Richmond. Here a severe battle
took place between the Federals under Gen. McClellan and the Confederate
army under Gen. Johnston, May 31-June 1, 1862, in which the latter were
defeated, although the former obtained no decisive results from their
success. The Union loss was estimated at 5500; the Confederate was
somewhat greater.
=Fakir.= A word derived from the Arabic _fakhar_, and designating a
member of an order of mendicants or penitents, chiefly in India and the
neighboring countries. They live either separately as hermits or
solitary mendicants, or unite in large gangs, carrying arms and a
banner, beating drums, and sounding horns, whenever they approach a town
or village.
=Falarique= (_Fr._) Falarica; combustible darts or arrows of various
thicknesses, generally about 3 feet long; close behind the head was
lodged the combustible matter by which shipping, etc., was set on fire;
it was projected from a bow or catapult.
=Falcair= (_Fr._). A soldier who was armed with a falcarius or short
crooked sword.
=Falchion.= A curved sword, or small cimeter.
=Falcon.= An ancient form of cannon, 7 feet in length, carrying a ball
of 4 pounds in weight.
=Falconet.= A small cannon anciently used, a little exceeding 6 feet in
length, and carrying a ball of 2 pounds in weight.
=Falczi, Peace of.= Concluded between Russia and Turkey, July 2, 1711,
the Russians giving up Azof and all their possessions on the Black Sea
to the Turks. The Russians were saved from imminent destruction by the
address of Catharine, the empress. In 1712 the war was renewed, and
terminated by the peace of Constantinople, April 16, 1712.
=Falerii.= A city of ancient Etruria, which was situated west of the
Tiber. The inhabitants, who were called Falisci, joined with those of
Veii in assisting the Fidenates against the Romans, and were among the
most dangerous enemies of Rome. In 241 B.C. the city was destroyed, and
a Roman colony was settled in the time of the triumvirs.
=Falkirk.= A town of Scotland, in Stirlingshire. Sir William Wallace was
defeated in a battle near Falkirk by Edward I., and here, also, the
royal army was defeated by the adherents of the house of Stuart in 1746.
=Falkoping.= A town of Sweden, near which, in 1338, Margaret, queen of
Denmark, defeated Albert, king of Sweden, and took him prisoner.
=Fall.= The surrender or capture of a place after it has been besieged.
=Fall.= The rope rove through blocks, used with gins and shears for
raising weights, and with the crab for moving them.
=Fall.= The descent of a body by the attraction of the earth.
=Fall Foul, To.= To attack; to make an assault.
=Fall In.= A word of command for men to form in ranks, as in parade,
line, or division, etc.
=Falling Bodies, Laws of.= When a body falls freely _in vacuo_ it is
actuated by a force which may be taken as constant, consequently its
velocity will be uniformly accelerated. The constant increment to the
velocity in one second is called the _acceleration_, and is a measure
of the force. (See FORCE OF GRAVITY.) The velocity acquired at the end
of a certain time will be found by multiplying the force of gravity by
the number of seconds. The laws of falling bodies are given by the
following equations:
_v_ = _gt_
_v_ = √(2_gh_)
_v_²
_h_ = -----
2_g_
In which _v_ is the velocity acquired, _h_ the height fallen through,
_g_ the force of gravity, and _t_ the time in seconds. These laws are
approximately true for dense or heavy bodies falling for a few seconds
in the atmosphere. For longer periods, _v_ is less than that due to _h_
under the above laws. For full discussion, see FINAL VELOCITY.
=Falling Branch.= That part of the trajectory of a projectile in which
it approaches the earth.
=Fall Out, To.= 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.
=Fall Upon, To.= To attack abruptly.
=Falots= (_Fr._). Small lanterns fixed upon the end of a stick or pole.
Small lamps 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.
=False Alarm.= An alarm or apprehension which is either designedly or
unintentionally created by noise, report, or signals, without being
dangerous.
=False Attack.= An approach which is made as a feint for the purpose of
diverting an enemy from the real object of attack.
=False Fires.= Lights or fires employed for the purpose of deceiving an
enemy. When an army is about to retire from a position during the night
false fires are lighted in different parts of the encampment to impose
upon the enemy’s vigilance.
=False Lights.= 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.
=False Muster.= An incorrect statement of the number of effective
soldiers and horses. See APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF WAR, 14.
=False Return.= A willful report of the actual state of a brigade,
regiment, troop, or company, by which the commander-in-chief of the war
department is deceived as to the effective force of such regiment or
company. See APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF WAR, 8.
=Famagosta=, or =Famagusta=. A seaport town of the island of Cyprus, on
the east coast, built on the ruins of the ancient Arsinoe. In 1571
Famagosta was taken by the Turks, and the town was almost entirely
destroyed by an earthquake in 1735.
=Fanfare=. The French name of a short and lively military air or call,
executed on brass instruments.
=Fang, To.= To pour water into a pump in order to fetch it, when
otherwise the boxes do not hold the water left on them.
=Fanion= (_Fr._). A small flag which was sometimes carried at the head
of the baggage of a brigade. It was made of serge, and resembled in
color the uniform livery of the brigadier, or of the commandant of any
particular corps.
=Fantassin= (_Fr._). A foot-soldier. This term is derived from the
Italian _fante_, a _boy_, the light troops in the 14th and 15th
centuries being formed of boys who followed the armies and were formed
into corps with light arms, hence the origin of the word _infantry_.
=Fantee=, or =Fanti=. A maritime country of Guinea, inhabited by a tribe
of the same name, who are now under English protection.
=Farcy.= A horse disease of the absorbents, affecting the skin and its
blood-vessels; is of the nature of mange, and allied to glanders.
=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 superintendence and control
of a veterinary surgeon. There is one farrier allowed to each troop of
cavalry in the U. S. army.
=Farrier-Major.= A person who was formerly appointed by the colonel of a
dragoon regiment to superintend the farriers of troops. He has since
been superseded or replaced by a veterinary surgeon.
=Fasces.= Bundles of rods usually made of birch, but sometimes of elm,
with an axe projecting from the middle of them, which were carried
before the chief magistrates of ancient Rome, as symbols of their power
over life and limb. They were borne by the lictors, at first before the
kings; in the time of the republic, before consuls and prætors; and
afterwards before the emperors.
=Fascine.= A long cylindrical fagot of brushwood, used to revet the
interior of batteries and embrasures, and for many other purposes of
military engineering.
=Fascines, Covering.= See COVERING-FASCINES.
=Fastness.= A fast place; a stronghold; a fortress or fort; a place
fortified; a castle, etc.
=Fatigue.= The cause of weariness; labor; toil; as, the fatigues of war.
=Fatigue.= The labors of military men, distinct from the use of arms.
=Fatigue Call.= A particular military call, sounded on the bugle or
drum, by which soldiers are called upon to perform fatigue duties.
=Fatigue Dress.= The working dress of soldiers.
=Fatigue Party.= A party of soldiers on fatigue.
=Faulcon.= A small cannon.
=Faulx= (_Fr._). An instrument nearly resembling a scythe. It was 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 XIV. besieged Mons. On the surrender of that town,
large quantities of faulx, or scythes, were found in the garrison.
=Fausse Braye.= In fortification, was a parapet constructed at a lower
elevation than the main parapet, and between the foot of the parapet and
the edge of the ditch. It was used only in permanent fortification, and
has long been obsolete.
=Fayetteville.= A small town, capital of Washington Co., Ark. On April
18, 1863, this place, which was garrisoned by two regiments of Federal
troops under Col. Harrison, was attacked by the Confederate general
Cabell, with about 2000 men; and after six hours’ severe fighting the
Confederates were repulsed.
=Fayetteville.= A town of Cumberland Co., N. C., on the left bank of the
Cape Fear River. On April 22, 1861, the arsenal at this place
surrendered to the Confederates, and about 35,000 stand of arms, besides
some cannon and a considerable quantity of ammunition, fell into their
hands. The town was taken by Gen. Sherman in March, 1865.
=Fecial.= Pertaining to heralds, and the denunciation of war to an
enemy; as, fecial war.
=Federal States.= Are those united by treaty as one state, without
giving up self-government,--as in Switzerland or the United States of
North America. The Federals were the people of the Northern of the
United States of America during the great conflict in 1861-65; their
opponents were styled the Confederates.
=Fehrbellin.= A town of Prussia, 22 miles northwest from Potsdam. The
elector of Brandenburg defeated the Swedish army near this town in 1675.
=Feint.= In military or naval matters, a mock attack or assault, usually
made to throw an enemy off his guard against some real design upon his
position.
=Feint.= In fencing, a seeming aim at one part when another is intended
to be struck.
=Felloes.= In artillery, the parts of the wheel which form its
circumference. There are generally seven in each wheel.
=Feltre= (_Fr._). A Roman cuirass made of strong woolen cloth.
=Fence.= Self-defense by the use of the sword; fencing; the art and
practice of fencing or sword-play.
=Fencer.= One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of
fencing with sword or foil.
=Fence-roof.= A covering of defense.
=Fencible.= Capable of being defended, or of making or affording
defense.
=Fencible.= A soldier enlisted for the defense of the country, and not
liable to be sent abroad.
=Fencible Light Dragoons.= A body of cavalry raised voluntarily in
various counties of England and Scotland in 1794, to serve during the
war in any part of Great Britain. This force was disbanded in 1800.
=Fencibles.= In England, regiments raised for a limited service, and for
a definite period. The officers rank with the militia.
=Fencing.= The art of using skillfully a sword or foil in attack or
defense; the art or practice of self-defense with the sword.
=Fenian.= A name formerly applied among the Celts to bodies of troops
somewhat similar to our modern militia. They derived their name from
Finn McCumhail, a famous Celtic chief. In modern times the name was
assumed by an association formed for the liberation of Ireland, whose
principal headquarters was in the United States, but ramifications of
which extended through Great Britain, Ireland, and the colonies. In 1866
the Fenians attempted to invade Canada, and succeeded in crossing the
frontier; but they were soon dispersed, and their leaders arrested by
the U. S. authorities for violation of the neutrality laws. In 1867
there were several demonstrations made by them in England and Ireland,
but their leaders were promptly arrested, and after some were executed,
and others sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, the movement was
crushed.
=Fer= (_Fr._). Iron. Figuratively, this word is used for a sword or
dagger; as, _manier le fer_, to wear the sword, to follow the profession
of arms.
=Fer à Cheval= (_Fr._). In fortification, a horseshoe, a small round or
oval work, with a parapet, generally made in a ditch or in a marsh. 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 taken by surprise.
=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 acquitted of manslaughter committed in the army.
=Fere Champenoise, La.= A town of France, in the department of the
Marne, 20 miles from Epernay. In 1814 the French were defeated here by
the allies.
=Fere, La.= A fortified town of France, in the department of the Aisne,
on an island in the Oise. It has an arsenal and a school of artillery.
This town was taken by the Spaniards in 1530; and by the allies in 1814.
=Ferentarii.= Among the Romans, were auxiliary troops lightly armed;
their weapons being a sword, arrows, and a sling. We have also mention
of another sort of Ferentarii, whose business was to carry arms after
the army, and to be ready to supply the soldiers therewith in battle.
=Ferozeshah.= A village in Hindostan, situated a few miles from the left
bank of the river Sutlej. Here the British, commanded by Sir Hugh Gough,
attacked the intrenchments of the Sikhs, and carried their first line of
works, December 21, 1845; but night coming on, the operations were
suspended till daybreak next day, when their second line was stormed by
Gen. Gilbert, and 74 guns captured. The Sikhs advanced to retake their
guns, but were repulsed with great loss, and retreated toward the
Sutlej, December 22; and recrossed that river unmolested, December 27.
The loss of the British was reckoned at 2415.