mercy will be shown to the vanquished, or that no quarter will be given.
=Flag, Garrison.= In the U. S. army the garrison flag is the national
flag, and is 36 feet fly and 20 feet hoist. It is furnished only to very
important posts, or those having large garrisons, and is hoisted only on
gala days and great occasions.
=Flag of the Prophet= (_Sanjak-Sheriff_). Is the sacred banner of the
Mohammedans. It was originally of a white color, and was composed of the
turban of the Koreish, captured by Mohammed. A black flag was, however,
soon substituted in its place, consisting of the curtain that hung
before the door of Ayeshah, one of the prophet’s wives. This flag is
regarded by the Mohammedans as their most sacred relic; it was brought
into Europe by Amurath III. It was covered with forty wrappings of silk,
deposited in a costly casket, and preserved in a chapel in the interior
of the seraglio, where it is guarded by several emirs, with constant
prayers. The banner unfolded at the commencement of a war, and likewise
carefully preserved, is not the same, although it is believed by the
people to be so.
=Flag of Truce.= A white flag carried by an officer sent to communicate
with the enemy. The flag signifies his errand, but the enemy are not
bound to receive him, though it would be a violation of the rules of war
to injure the messenger, unless he persisted in his endeavor to
communicate after due warning given. The term is often extended to the
party which accompanies the flag, which consists generally of an
officer, a trumpeter or bugler, who sounds to attract attention, and
sometimes of an additional soldier who carries the flag.
=Flag, Post.= In the U. S. army, is the national flag, and is 20 feet
fly and 10 feet hoist; it is furnished to all posts garrisoned by
troops, and is hoisted only in pleasant weather.
=Flag, Red.= Is frequently used by revolutionists as an emblem of
defiance. It is used in the U. S. service as a danger-signal at target
practice, and on a man-of-war as a signal that the ship is receiving or
discharging her powder.
=Flags.= See COLORS, STANDARDS, etc.
=Flags.= The national flag of the United States consists of 13
horizontal stripes, alternately red and white; the union to consist of
20 stars, white, in a blue field; one star to be added to the union on
the admission of every new State; the addition to be made on the 4th day
of July succeeding such admission. There are flags which are symbols of
individual authority. Among such are royal standards, flag-officers’
flags, etc. An admiral’s flag is usually the flag of the country which
such admiral serves, with the exception of the union. The flag of the
admiral, vice-admiral, and rear-admirals of the United States is
rectangular and consists of 13 alternate red and white stripes. The
admiral hoists this at the main; the vice-admiral at the fore; the
rear-admiral at the mizzen. Should there be two rear-admirals present,
the junior hoists a flag at the mizzen similar to the one described,
with the addition of two stars in the upper left-hand corner. The
commodore’s flag differs from that of the admiral’s in form alone, it
being a swallow-tail instead of a rectangular. Should the President go
afloat, the American flag is carried in the bows of his barge or hoisted
at the main of the vessel on board of which he may be. In foreign
countries the royal standard is worn at ceremonies in honor of the
sovereign or at which the sovereign may be present. The highest flag in
the British navy is the anchor and cable, the next is the union, and the
lowest the blue. Flags are said to be at half-mast when they are hoisted
but half the height at which they are ordinarily worn, and in this
position designate mourning. _To strike or lower the flag_, to pull it
down upon the cap, in token of respect, submission, or, in an
engagement, of surrender. _Dipping the flag_ is a salute to a fort or
passing vessel by lowering it slightly and hoisting it again.
=Flag-staff.= The staff on which a flag is fixed.
=Flag, Storm.= In the U. S. army, is the national flag, and is 8 feet
fly and 4 feet 2 inches hoist; it is furnished to all occupied military
posts and national cemeteries, and will be hoisted in stormy or windy
weather. It is also to be used as a recruiting flag.
=Flam.= A peculiar tap upon a drum. This word was formerly made use of
in the British service, signifying a particular tap or beat upon the
drum, according to which each battalion went through its firings or
evolutions.
=Flambeau.= A kind of torch made of thick wicks, covered with wax, and
used in the streets at night, at illuminations and in processions.
=Flanchière= (_Fr._). A part of horse armor which covered the flanks and
croup as far as the houghs.
=Flanconade.= In fencing, a thrust in the side.
=Flanders.= The principal part of the ancient Belgium, which was
conquered by Julius Cæsar, 51 B.C. It became part of the kingdom of
France in 843, and was governed by counts subject to the king, from 862
till 1369. Flanders was subjected successively to Burgundy (1384),
Austria (1477), and Spain (1555). In 1580 it declared its independence,
but afterwards returned to its allegiance to the house of Austria. In
1792 the French invaded imperial Flanders, and occupied it till 1814. In
1814 a portion of Flanders was given to the king of the Netherlands.
Since the revolution of 1831, it has belonged to Belgium.
=Flank.= A word of very extensive application in military matters. It
literally means sides or ends of any fortification, or encampment, or
body of troops. Thus a writer has described flanks as “certain
proportions of offensive or defensive forces extended to the right and
left of a main body.” In fortification the term means any part of the
work defending another by a fire along the outside of its parapet.
=Flank Casemate Carriage.= Is a gun-carriage which is especially adapted
to the mounting of the 24-pound iron howitzer in the flanks of
casemate-batteries, for defending the ditch.
=Flank Company.= A certain number of men drawn up on the right or left
of a battalion. Thus when there are grenadiers they compose the right,
and the light infantry the left flank company. Grenadiers and light
infantry are generally called flank companies, whether attached or not
to their battalions; rifle corps are always flankers.
=Flank, Concave.= Is that which is made in the arc of a semicircle
bending outwards.
=Flank, Covered.= The platform of the casemate, which lies hid in the
bastion. These retired flanks were a great defense to the opposite
bastion and passage of the ditch; because the besiegers could not see
nor easily dismount their guns.
=Flank Defense Carriage.= See ORDNANCE, CARRIAGES FOR, SEA-COAST
CARRIAGES.
=Flank, Directing.= In drill, that by which companies march,--_i.e._,
that at which is placed the guide, who directs and regulates the march.
=Flank En Potence.= Is any part of the right or left wing formed at a
projecting angle with the line. See POTENCE.
=Flank Files.= Are the two first men on the right and the two last men
on the left of a battalion, company, etc. When a battalion is drawn up
three deep, its flank files consist of three men, or, as the French call
it, file and demi-file. When four deep, the flank files are termed
double files; so that a column formed from any of these alignments will
have all its relative flank files, be the depth of formation what it
may.
=Flank, Inner.= That which is nearest the point on which a line rests,
or which is farthest from the enemy. In drill, it is that nearest the
point from which the line is dressed.
=Flank, Leading.= When the line breaks into column in order to attack an
enemy, it is the flank which must always preserve the line of _appui_ in
all movements in front. The first battalion, or company of every column
which conducts, is called the head or leading flank of that column.
=Flank, Oblique.= Or second flank, in fortification; that part of the
curtain from whence the face of the opposite bastion may be discovered,
and is the distance between the lines _rasant_ and _fichant_, which are
rejected by some engineers, as being liable to be ruined at the
beginning of a siege, especially when made of sandy earth. This second
flank defends very obliquely the opposite face, and is to be used only
in a place attacked by an army without artillery.
=Flank of a Bastion.= In fortification, that part which joins the face
to the curtain, comprehended between the angle of the curtain and that
of the shoulder, and is the principal defense of a place. Its use is to
defend the curtain, the flank, and the face of the opposite bastion, as
well as the passage of the ditch; and to batter the salient angles of
the counterscarp and glacis, from whence the besiegers generally ruin
the flanks with their artillery.
=Flank, Outward.= Of a line or battalion, the extreme file on the right
or left of a division, subdivision, or section, according to the given
front, when the battalion is at close or open column, and which is the
farthest wheeling point from line into column, or from column into line.
It is likewise called the _reverse_ flank.
=Flank, Prolonged.= In fortification, is the extending of the flank from
the angle of the epaule to the exterior side, when the angle of the
flank is a right one.
=Flank, Second.= See FLANK, OBLIQUE.
=Flank, To.= In fortification, is to erect a battery which may play upon
an enemy’s works on the right or left without being exposed to his line
of fire. In evolutions, to take such a position in action as either to
assist your own troops, or to annoy those of your enemy by attacking
either of his flanks, without exposing yourself to all of his fire. To
_outflank_, a manœuvre by which an army, battalion, troop, or company
outstretches another, and gets upon both or either of his flanks. In an
extensive acceptation of the term, when applied to locality, it means to
possess any range or opposite parts, or territory, whence you might
invade your neighbors.
=Flanker.= A fortification jutting out so as to command the side or
flank of an enemy marching to the assault or attack. Riflemen and all
light troops are also called flankers, from the fact of their acting on
the flanks.
=Flanker, To= (Fr. _flanquer_). In fortification, to fortify the walls
of a city with bulwarks or countermines.
=Flanking.= Is the same in fortification as defending.
=Flanking Angle.= In fortification, that composed of the two lines of
defense, and pointing toward the curtain. See TENAILLE.
=Flanking Party.= Any body of men detached from the main army to act
upon the flanks of an enemy. See FLANKER.
=Flanks of a Frontier.= Are certain salient points in a national
boundary, strong by nature and art, and ordinarily projecting somewhat
beyond the general line. The effect of these flanks is to protect the
whole frontier against an enemy, as he dare not penetrate between, with
the risk of their garrisons, reinforced from their own territories,
attacking his rear, and cutting off communication between him and his
base.
=Flash.= The flame which issues from any fire-arm or piece of ordnance
on its being fired.
=Flash in the Pan.= An explosion of gunpowder without any communication
beyond the vent. When a piece is loaded, and, upon the trigger being
drawn, nothing but the priming takes fire, that piece is said to flash
in the pan.
=Flask, Powder-.= A measure formerly made of horn, used to carry powder
in, with the measure of the charge of the piece on the top of it.
=Flathead Indians.= A tribe of aborigines, so called from the practice
which prevailed among them of binding some solid substance on the
foreheads of their children so as to cause a depression of the skull.
They are located on an agency in Montana. See INDIANS AND THEIR
AGENCIES.
=Flaw.= A crack or small opening in a gun or its carriage is so called.
=Fleau d’Armes= (_Fr._). An ancient offensive weapon; the part used for
striking was armed with sharp iron spikes.
=Flèche.= Literally an arrow; but applied in fortification to a work
resembling a redan, except that it is raised upon the terre-plein
without a ditch. It is in short a field-work, having faces and small
flanks hastily run up to shelter a small number of men, and form an
outwork to some more powerful fortification.
=Fleece, Order of the Golden.= One of the most eminent orders of
knighthood in Europe, was founded in 1430 by Philip III., duke of
Burgundy. By its foundation his successors were declared hereditary
grand-masters; and thus the title passed to the imperial house of
Austria with the Burgundian inheritance, and thence to the Spanish line
of the same house after the death of the emperor Charles V. When the
Spanish Netherlands, however, became Austrian, and the Bourbons became
monarchs of Spain, the grand-mastership was claimed by the archdukes of
Austria. Hence at present the Spanish and Austrian sovereigns alike
confer the order, and at both courts it gives the highest rank.
=Fletch, To.= To feather an arrow.
=Fletcher.= The man who made or repaired the military bows was so
called. Also called _bowyer_.
=Fleur-de-lis= (_Fr._). This celebrated emblem is derived from the white
lily of the garden, or from the flag or iris. The Franks of old had a
custom at the proclamation of their king, to elevate him upon a shield
or target, and place in his hand a reed or flag in blossom, instead of
a sceptre; and from that time the kings of the first and second race in
France are represented with sceptres in their hands like the flag with
its flowers, these flowers subsequently becoming the armorial bearings
of France. In later times their arms were azure, three fleur-de-lis
_or_. Many English and Scotch families bear the fleur-de-lis in some
portion of their arms, and generally with some reference to France.
=Fleurus.= A small town in Belgium, in the province of Hainault. It has
been the scene of several conflicts, the last and most important being
the battle fought June 26, 1794, between the army of the French republic
under Jourdan and the allies under the Prince of Saxe-Coburg. The allied
forces were compelled for a time to evacuate Flanders.
=Flight.= Is used figuratively for the swift retreat of an army or any
party from a victorious enemy. It is likewise applicable to missile
weapons or shot; as, a flight of arrows, a flight of bombs, etc.
=Flight, Time of.= In gunnery, the flight of a shot or shell is the time
during which it is passing through the air from the piece to the first
graze.
=Flight, To Put to.= To force your enemy to quit the field.
=Flint.= In the flint-lock musket, the stone which was fixed to the cock
or gun-lock by which the sparks were elicited that discharged the piece.
=Flint-lock.= A musket lock with a flint fixed in the hammer for
striking on the cap of the pan; also the musket itself.
=Flint Weapons.= Believed to have been used by the primitive
inhabitants, have from time to time, in more or less number, been turned
up with the plow and the spade, and dug out from ancient graves,
fortifications, and dwelling-places. They do not differ in any material
respect from the flint weapons still in use among uncivilized tribes in
Asia, Africa, America, etc. The weapons of most frequent occurrence are
arrow-heads, spear-points, dagger-blades, and axe-heads, or celts.
=Flo.= An arrow was formerly so called.
=Floating Batteries.= These are used in defending harbors, or in attacks
on marine fortresses. The most remarkable instance of their employment
was by the French and Spaniards against Gibraltar, in the memorable
siege which lasted from July, 1779, to February, 1783. During the
Russian war, 1854-55, they rendered good service before Kinburn. Now
they are only used for defensive purposes.
=Floating-bridge.= A kind of double bridge, the upper one projecting
beyond the lower one, and capable of being moved forward by pulleys,
used for carrying troops over narrow moats in attacking the outworks of
a fort. See BRIDGE, FLYING.
=Flodden Field.= The last point of the Cheviots, the place where King
James IV. of Scotland, after crossing the border on August 22, 1513,
with an army of over 30,000 men, took up his position, and where, on
September 9, the bloody battle was fought in which the king was killed,
and the Scottish army destroyed.
=Flogging.= A barbarous punishment formerly inflicted in the British
army and navy. It was generally administered with a whip, or
“cat-of-nine-tails,” on the bare back. This mode of punishment formerly
existed in the American army and navy.
=Flood-gate.= In fortified towns, is composed of 2 or 4 gates, so that
the besieged by opening the gates may inundate the environs so as to
keep the enemy out of gunshot.
=Florent, St.= A fortified seaport town of Corsica, on the gulf of the
same name, 6 miles west from Bastia. This town was taken by the British
in 1793.
=Florida.= One of the United States of America, which was discovered by
Sebastian Cabot, in the year 1497. Its conquest was accomplished by the
Spaniards in 1539. It was plundered by Sir Francis Drake in 1585; and by
Davis, a buccaneer, in 1665. It was invaded by the British in 1702; and
again by Gen. Oglethorpe in 1740. In 1763 it was ceded to Britain, but
in 1781 was recovered by Spain, and confirmed to her by the peace of
1783. In 1821 it was purchased from Spain by the United States. A war
with the Seminole Indians commenced in 1835. After great trouble and
expense they were subdued and emigrated to the Indian Territory in 1842.
In 1839 its constitution was formed, and in 1845 it was admitted into
the Union. Florida seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861, and was
one of the first to return to the Union, October 25, 1865.
=Flourish.= The waving of a weapon or other thing; a brandishing; as,
the flourish of a sword.
=Flourish.= To execute an irregular or fanciful strain of music, by way
of ornament or prelude, as, a flourish of trumpets.
=Flugelman.= The leader of a file; one who stands in front of a body of
soldiers, and whose motions in the manual exercise they all
simultaneously follow; a fugelman.
=Flushed.= A term frequently applied when men have been successful; as,
flushed with victory, etc.
=Flushing.= An important seaport of the Netherlands, in the island of
Walcheren, on the north side of the Scheldt, where that river enters the
North Sea. It was the first town which declared against the Spaniards in
1572. In 1585 the Prince of Orange pledged it to Queen Elizabeth as
security for a loan which she made to the people of the Netherlands in
their struggle against Philip II. of Spain. The English held it till
1616. At the commencement of the 19th century it came into the
possession of the French, and in 1809 was bombarded by the British
composing the Walcheren expedition, under Lord Chatham, when it suffered
severely. Admiral Ruyter was born here in 1607.
=Flute.= A wind instrument which is sometimes used in military bands,
but never in service.
=Fly.= The length of a flag. The dimension at right angles to the staff.
The other dimension is called the _hoist_.
=Flying Army.= A strong body of cavalry and infantry which is always in
motion, both to cover its own garrisons and to keep the enemy in
continual alarm.
=Flying Artillery.= Artillery trained to very rapid evolutions. In
passing from one part of the field to another, the men spring upon their
horses in horse artillery, or on the ammunition-chests in light
artillery.
=Flying Bridges.= See PONTONS.
=Flying Camp.= A camp or body of troops formed for rapid motion from one
place to another.
=Flying Colors.= Colors unfurled and left to wave in the air. Hence to
return or come off with flying colors is to be victorious, to get the
better.
=Flying Party.= A detachment of men employed to hover about an enemy.
=Flying Sap.= See SAP.
=Flying Shot.= A shot fired at something in motion, as a bird on the
wing, a ship under sail, etc.; also, one who fires thus.
=Flying Torch.= The torch used on a staff in signaling.
=Fodder.= See FORAGE.
=Foe.= An enemy in war; a national enemy; a hostile army; an adversary.
=Foeman.= An enemy in war.
=Fogey.= An old-fashioned or singular person; an invalid soldier or
sailor.
=Foil.= A long piece of steel of an elastic temper, mounted somewhat
like a sword, which is used to learn to fence with; it is without a
point, or any sharpness, having a button at the extremity covered with
leather.
=Foil.= To render vain or nugatory as an effort or attempt; to
frustrate; to defeat; to baffle; to balk; as, the enemy attempted to
pass the river, but was _foiled_; he _foiled_ his adversaries.
=Foin.= A thrust with a pike or sword.
=Foissonnement.= A term used in fortification to signify the increase in
bulk of earth after its excavation. This increase varies from one-eighth
to one-twelfth generally.
=Folding Boat.= A boat of a jointed framework covered with canvas, used
in campaigning and by voyageurs.
=Followers, Camp-.= See CAMP-FOLLOWERS.
=Follow Up.= To pursue with additional vigor some advantage which has
already been gained; as, to follow up a victory.
=Fone.= Formerly the plural of Foe. Now obsolete.
=Fontainebleau.= A town and parish of France, in the department of the
Seine and Marne, 37 miles southeast from Paris. There is a celebrated
royal palace here encompassed by parks and gardens, mentioned in
history, ever since the 13th century, as the residence of the monarchs
of France. This place was entered by the Austrians, February 17, 1814.
Here Napoleon resigned his dignity, April 4, and bade farewell to his
army, April 20, 1814.
=Fontenoy.= A village in Belgium, in the province of Hainaut, 5 miles
southwest of Tournay. Here was fought the most famous contest in the War
of the Austrian Succession, on May 11, 1745, between the French under
Marshal Saxe and the allies (English, Dutch, and Austrians) under the
Duke of Cumberland. After a hard-fought battle the allies were forced to
retreat. The loss on both sides was stated at about 7000 men.
=Food.= Food has two functions, building up the body, and supplying it
with force. Substances used as food may be divided into elements which
are oxidizable and those conducive to chemical changes. Milk contains
all the necessary elements in the best form. The nourishing elements of
foods are usually classed under the heads of albuminates, fats,
carbo-hydrates, and salts. In regard to the part played by the
condiments used in flavoring and seasoning, and such things as tea,
coffee, chocolate, alcohol, etc., little is positively known beyond the
fact that some of them are useful in exciting the salivary and
alimentary secretions. The amount of food necessary to health and vigor
varies with the kind and amount of occupation, the character of the
climate, and specifically with the individual. Playfair and Parkes give
the following as the average daily allowance of anhydrous food for an
adult, in avoirdupois ounces:
_In quietude._
Albuminates 2.5
Fats 1.
Carbo-hydrates 12.
Salts .5
----
Total 16.
_Hard labor or campaigning._
Albuminates 6. to 7.
Fats 3.5 to 4.5
Carbo-hydrates 16. to 18.
Salts 1.2 to 1.5
------------
Total 26.7 to 31.0
_European standard, for moderate work._
Albuminates 4.587
Fats 2.964
Carbo-hydrates 14.257
Salts 1.058
------
Total 22.866
From 70 to 90 ounces of water in addition to this are usually consumed
per day.
The ration of the U. S. army resolved into anhydrous elements gives the
following:
_Soft bread, with ²⁄₃ fresh beef, ¹⁄₃ salt pork and beans._
Albuminates 3.93
Fats 4.15
Carbo-hydrates 12.37
Salts 1.19
-----
Total 21.64 and .26 coffee.
_Same with rice instead of beans._
Albuminates 3.47
Fats 4.11
Carbo-hydrates 12.50
Salts 1.14
-----
Total 21.22 and .26 coffee.
_Hard bread, ²⁄₃ fresh beef, ¹⁄₃ salt pork and beans._
Albuminates 4.99
Fats 4.09
Carbo-hydrates 15.26
Salts 1.23
-----
Total 25.57 and .26 coffee.
_Hard bread, bacon and beans._
Albuminates 4.10
Fats 9.06
Carbo-hydrates 15.26
Salts 1.29
-----
Total 29.71 and .26 coffee.
The following table, compiled from standard authorities, gives an
alimentary analysis of 100 parts of various substances used as food, by
means of which the nutritive value of all ordinary diets may be
calculated: