Haddingtonshire, or East Lothian. It was burnt in 1216 by an invading
army under John, king of England. Having been rebuilt, it was again
burnt to the ground in 1244. In 1355 it was reduced to ashes for the
third time by Edward III. of England. The year after the battle of
Pinkie, 1548, Haddington was seized and strongly fortified by the
English. An allied army of Scotch and French laid siege to it, and,
after a memorable defense, it was evacuated by the English in October,
1549.
=Hadrumetum.= See ADRUMETUM.
=Hagbut=, or =Haguebut= (Fr. _haquebute_). An arquebuse, of which the
butt was bent or hooked, in order that it might be held more readily.
=Hagbutar.= The bearer of a fire-arm formerly used.
=Hagg.= An arquebuse with a bent butt.
=Hague.= A little hand-gun of former times.
=Haguebut=, or =Hague-but=. The same as hagbut (which see).
=Haguenau.= A town of France, in the department of Bas-Rhin, formerly a
free town of Germany and a strong fortress, situated on the Moder, 18
miles north-northeast of Strasburg. It was founded in 1164 by Frederick
Barbarossa. It successfully withstood many sieges, especially during the
Thirty Years’ War; but on its occupation in 1675 by the Imperialists,
its fortifications were destroyed. On October 17 and December 22, 1793,
bloody battles took place here between the French and Austrians, in
which the former were the victors.
=Haik.= A large piece of woolen or cotton cloth worn by the Arabs over
the tunic, being itself covered in foul weather by the burnoose. This
word is also written _hyke_.
=Hail.= To accost; to call; to salute. A sentinel hails any one
approaching his post with, “Who comes there?”
=Hail-shot.= Grape-shot.
=Hainburg.= A town of Austria, on the Danube, 28 miles southeast from
Vienna. The Magyars, or Hungarians, gained a great victory here over the
Germans in 907.
=Hair.= A spring or other contrivance in a rifle or pistol lock, which,
being unlocked by a slight pressure on the trigger, strikes the
tumbler-catch, and unlocks the tumbler.
=Hair-cloth.= A species of cloth made of horse-hair, laid upon the
floors of magazines and laboratories to prevent accidents. It is usually
made up in pieces 14 feet long and 11 feet wide, each weighing 36
pounds.
=Hair-line.= A line made of hair; a very fine line. This line is used in
military engineering.
=Hair-trigger.= A trigger so constructed as to discharge a fire-arm by a
very slight pressure, as by the touch of a hair. It is connected with
the tumbler-catch by a device called a _hair_.
=Hajduk=, =Haiduk=, or =Hayduk=. The Magyar inhabitants of the district
of Hajdu Kerulet, in Eastern Hungary. The Hajduk are direct descendants
of those warriors, who, during the long and bloody contest between the
house of Hapsburg and the Protestant insurgents of Hungary, formed the
nucleus of Prince Stephen Bocskay’s valiant armies. They formerly
enjoyed the privileges of the nobility, and were free from taxation.
=Hake.= An old term for a hand-gun.
=Halberd=, or =Halbert=. A weapon borne up to the close of the 18th
century by all sergeants of foot, artillery, and marines, and by
companies of halberdiers in the various regiments of the English army.
It consisted of a strong wooden shaft about 6 feet in length, surmounted
by an instrument much resembling a bill-hook, constructed alike for
cutting and thrusting, with a cross-piece of steel, less sharp, for the
purpose of pushing; one end of this cross-piece was turned down as a
hook for use in tearing down works against which an attack was made.
_Old Halberd_ is a familiar term formerly used in the British army, to
signify a person who had gone through the different gradations, and
risen to the rank of a commissioned officer.
=Halberdier.= One who is armed with a halberd.
=Hale’s Rocket.= See ROCKET.
=Half Bastion.= A demi-bastion. That half of a bastion cut off by the
capital, consisting of one base and one front.
=Half Caponniere.= A communication in a dry ditch with one side prepared
for defense.
=Half Merlens.= The merlens at the ends of a parapet.
=Half-batta.= An extra allowance which was granted to the whole of the
officers belonging to the British East Indian army, except Bengal, when
out of the company’s district in the province of Oude. In the upper
provinces double batta was allowed. All above full was paid by the
native princes, as the troops stationed in that quarter were considered
as auxiliaries. Batta is equal to full pay. See BATTA.
=Half-brigade.= A demi-brigade.
=Half-cock.= The position of the cock of a gun when retained by the
first notch. Also, to set the cock at the first notch.
=Half-companies.= The same as subdivisions, and equal to a platoon.
=Half-distance.= Is half the regular interval or space between troops
drawn up in ranks or standing column.
=Half-face.= Is to take half the usual distance between the right or
left face, in order to give an oblique direction to the line, or to fill
up a gap at the corner of a square.
=Half-file Leader= (Fr. _chef de demi-file_). The foremost man of a rank
entire.
=Half-files.= Is half the given number of any body of men drawn up two
deep. They are so called in cavalry when the men rank off singly.
=Half-full Sap.= When the sappers have only a flank fire (coming in a
direction nearly perpendicular to that of the sap) to fear, the
sap-roller may be dispensed with. The first sapper then covers himself
with the last-filled gabion whilst placing and filling the new one. This
species of sap is called the half-full sap.
=Half-hitch.= Pass the end of a rope round its standing part, and bring
it up through the bight.
=Half-moon= (Fr. _demi-lune_). In fortification, is an outwork that has
two faces which form a salient angle, the gorge of which resembles a
crescent. It owes its original invention to the Dutch, who used it to
cover the points of their bastions. This kind of fortification is,
however, defective, because it is weak on its flanks. Half-moons are now
called ravelins, which species of work is constructed in front of the
curtain.
=Half-pay.= An allowance given in the British army and navy to
commissioned officers not actively employed. It was first granted by
William III. in 1698. In the U. S. service officers receive half-pay
only when on leave of absence for a longer period than that for which
full pay on leave is allowed, namely, thirty days in each year. See
ABSENCE, LEAVE OF.
=Half-pike.= A short pike, which was formerly carried by officers.
=Half-sunken Battery.= See BATTERY.
=Half-sword.= A fight within half the length of a sword; a close fight.
=Haliartus= (now _Mazi_). An ancient town in Bœtia, on the south of the
Lake Copais. It was destroyed by Xerxes in his invasion of Greece, 480
B.C., but was rebuilt, and appears as an important place in the
Peloponnesian war. Under its walls Lysander lost his life, 395; it was
destroyed by the Romans (171) because it supported Perseus, king of
Macedonia, and its territory was given to the Athenians.
=Halicarnassus= (now _Boudroum_). A Greek city of Asia Minor, situated
on the Ceramian Gulf. It was founded by a colony from Trœzene, and was
one of the cities of the so-called Doric Hexapolis. During the Persian
conquests it readily yielded to the dominion of the conquerors, and
remained faithful to Persian interests. Alexander the Great, provoked by
the obstinacy with which the city held out against him, commanded that
it should be destroyed by fire; but the inhabitants took refuge in the
citadel, which successfully resisted his arms.
=Halidon Hill.= Is situated about a mile to the northwest of the town of
Berwick, England, in the fork formed by the Whitadder and the Tweed. It
was the scene of a bloody conflict between the English and Scots, July
19, 1333, when the latter were defeated, and lost upwards of 14,000
slain, among whom were the regent Douglas and a large number of the
nobility, while a comparatively small number of the English suffered.
=Hallecret.= See ALLECRETE.
=Halluc.= A small river in Northern France, which empties into the Somme
above Amiens. Near here, at Pont à Noyelles, a seven hours’ battle took
place December 23, 1870, between the German army under Gen. Manteuffel
and the French Army of the North under Gen. Faidherbe. Both parties
claimed the victory. Next day the French general retreated.
=Halt= (Fr. _halte_). The discontinuance of the march of any body of
men, armed or unarmed, under military direction. Frequent halts are
necessary for the purpose of resting troops during their progress
through a country, or to render them fresh and active previous to any
warlike undertaking. It is likewise a word of command in familiar use.
See MARCH.
=Halting Days.= Are the days in the week usually allotted for repose,
when troops are upon the march, and there is not any particular
necessity for exertion or dispatch.
=Halyard.= The rope for hoisting and lowering a flag. Written also
_halliard_.
=Halys.= A river in Asia Minor, near which a battle was fought between
the Lydians and Medes. It was interrupted by an almost total eclipse of
the sun, which led to peace May 28, 585 B.C. Others give the date 584,
603, and 610 B.C. This eclipse is said to have been predicted many years
before by Thales of Miletus.
=Ham.= A town and fortress of France, in the department of Somme,
situated on the river of that name, 36 miles east-southeast from Amiens.
It is of ancient origin, and was erected in 1407 into a duchy, which was
held by the families of Courcy, Orleans, Luxemburg, and Vendôme. Its old
fortress was built by Constable de St. Pol in 1470, and is now used as a
state prison. Its walls are 39 feet thick, and its principal tower is
108 feet in height, and the same in diameter. Louis Napoleon, late
emperor of the French, was confined here from 1840 till 1846.
=Hamburg.= A famous free city of Germany, and one of the most important
commercial ports in Europe, is situated on the right bank of the Elbe,
about 70 miles from its mouth. It is said to have been founded in the
8th century by Charlemagne. In the 13th century it joined Lubeck in the
formation of the Hanseatic League. It was occupied by the French from
1806 to 1809, and was annexed to France in 1810. The Russians became
masters of it in 1813, but the French regained possession of it in the
same year, and Marshal Davoust sustained a memorable siege here in
1813-14. In 1871 Hamburg became a member of the German empire.
=Hames.= The wooden or iron curved pieces fitting the collar of draught
harness to which the traces are attached.
=Hamlets, Tower.= A district in the county of Middlesex, England, under
the command of the constable of the Tower, or lieutenant of the Tower
Hamlets, for the service and preservation of the Tower of London.
=Hammer.= An instrument with an iron head, for driving nails, etc. The
term is also applicable to that part of a gun-lock which strikes the
percussion-cap or firing-pin.
=Hammering.= A heavy cannonade at close quarters.
=Hammer-spring.= The spring on which the hammer of a gun-lock works.
=Hammer-wrench.= A combination hammer and wrench; called also
_monkey-wrench_.
=Hampton.= A small village on the Chesapeake Bay, in Virginia, giving
its name to Hampton Roads, a southerly branch of Chesapeake Bay, and
mouth of James River, defended by Forts Monroe and Calhoun. These roads
were the scene of important events in the American Revolution, the war
of 1812, and the late civil war, especially the first naval battle
between ironclad vessels, the “Merrimac” and the “Monitor.”
=Hanapier=, or =Hanepier= (_Fr._). The front part of a cuirass, or iron
breastplate worn by light-armed soldiers.
=Hanau.= A town of Germany, the capital of a province of the same name,
in Hesse-Cassel, on the Kinzig, 12 miles from Frankfort-on-the-Main. In
1792, Hanau was attacked by the French, and occupied by them in 1796,
1797, and 1805.
=Hand.= A measure 4 inches in length. The height of a horse is computed
by so many hands and inches.
=Hand-barrow.= A frame which is carried around by two men, instead of
being rolled forward like a wheel-barrow. Those employed in the ordnance
department are very useful in the erection of fortifications, as well as
carrying shells and shot along the trenches. They generally weigh about
19 pounds.
=Hand-cart.= It consists of a light body with shafts, mounted on two
wheels. The shafts are joined together at the ends, and supported
immediately in front of the body by iron legs. It weighs 181 pounds, and
is used for the transportation of light stores in siege and garrison
service.
=Handcuff.= A fastening consisting of an iron ring around the wrist,
usually connected by a chain with one on the other wrist; a manacle. Men
who have deserted the service are usually manacled in this manner when
removed from place to place.
=Handful.= Used figuratively, in a military sense, to denote a
comparatively small number; as, “a handful of men.”
=Hand-gallop.= A slow and easy gallop, in which the hand presses the
bridle to hinder increase of speed.
=Hand-grenades.= Are small iron shells, from 2 to 3 inches in diameter,
filled with powder, which being lighted by means of a fuze, were
formerly thrown by the grenadiers among the enemy, in storming a
fortress. See GRENADES.
=Hand-gun.= An old term for a small-arm in the times of Henry VII. and
VIII.
=Handle Arms.= Formerly a word of command (when the men were at _ordered
arms_), by which the soldier was directed to bring his right hand
briskly up to the muzzle of his firelock, with his finger bent upwards.
=Handles.= Bronze guns were formerly furnished with handles placed over
the centre of gravity; from their shape they were called _dolphins_.
=Hand-mallet.= A wooden hammer with a handle, to drive fuzes, or
pickets, etc., in making fascines or gabion batteries.
=Hand Sling-cart.= Is a two-wheeled carriage made entirely of iron,
except the pole, which is of oak. The axle-tree is arched to make it
stronger, and connected with the pole by strong wrought-iron straps and
braces. In the rear of the axle a projection is welded, to receive the
end of a strong hook. The end of the pole terminates in a ferule and an
eye. The eye is for the purpose of attaching to the cart, when
necessary, a limber or a horse. The diameter of the wheel is 6 feet. The
_hand sling-cart_ is used in siege and garrison service for transporting
artillery short distances. It should not be used _habitually_ for
heavier weights than about 4000 pounds, but in case of necessity, a 24-
or 32-pounder gun may be transported on it. For heavier guns or
material, the large _sling-cart_ drawn by horses or oxen should be used.
_This_ cart is wooden throughout, and the diameter of the wheels 8 feet.
=Hand-spike.= Is a wooden or iron lever, flattened at one end and
tapering towards the other, used in raising heavy weights, or in moving
guns to their places after being reloaded.
_Manœuvring hand-spike_, for garrison and sea-coast carriages and for
gins, is 66 inches; for siege and other heavy work, it is made 84 inches
long and 12 pounds weight.
_Roller hand-spike_, for casemate carriages. The latter is made of iron
1 inch round, the point conical; whole length 34 inches.
_Shod hand-spike_ is particularly useful in the service of mortars, and
of casemate and barbette carriages.
_Trail hand-spike_, for field-carriages, is 53 inches in length.
_Truck hand-spike_, for casemate carriages (wrought iron).
=Hand-staff.= A javelin.
=Hand-to-hand.= A close fight; the situation of two persons closely
opposed to each other.
=Handy-fight.= A fight with the hands; boxing.
=Hang Fire.= Fire-arms and trains are said to hang fire when there is an
unwonted pause between the application of fire to the gunpowder and its
ignition.
=Hang Upon, To.= To hover; to impend. Thus, _to hang upon_ the flanks of
a retreating enemy, is to follow the movements of any body of men so
closely as to be a perpetual annoyance to them; to harass and perplex
him in a more desultory manner than what is generally practiced when
pressing upon his rear.
=Hanged, Drawn and Quartered.= In Great Britain, the description of the
capital sentence on a traitor, which consisted of drawing him on a
hurdle to the place of execution, and after hanging him, dividing the
body into quarters. This punishment was substituted by the stat. 54 Geo.
III. c. 146, for the ancient and more barbarous sentence of
disemboweling alive; but the crown has power to reduce the sentence to
simple hanging.
=Hanger.= That which hangs or is suspended; specifically, a short
broadsword, incurvated towards the point.
=Hangier.= A Turkish poniard, formerly worn by the Janissaries.
=Hango Head.= A promontory on the north coast of the Gulf of Finland. It
was at this place, during the war with Russia, in 1855, that the unarmed
crew of an English man-of-war’s boat, with a flag of truce flying, was
treacherously fired upon by Russian grenadiers, when all the British
sailors in the boat were either killed or wounded.
=Hanover.= A kingdom in the north of Germany, and since 1866 a province
of Prussia. It was originally peopled by the Cherusci, the Chauci, and
the Langobardi, afterwards known as Lombards. In the time of Charlemagne
it was occupied by Saxon tribes, and continued, even after its conquest
by that monarch, to be governed by Saxon dukes. From 1714 till 1837,
Hanover was governed by the kings of England, without, however, forming
part of that kingdom. The French occupied it in 1803; but, two years
afterwards, ceded it to Prussia. In 1807, however, they took possession
of it, and held it till 1813.
=Hanover Court-house.= A town in East Virginia. Here on May 27, 1862, a
severe action took place between the armies of the North and South,
which resulted in a victory for the former. The loss on the Northern
side was 54 killed and 194 wounded and missing; and on the Southern
side, between 200 and 300 killed and wounded, and about 500 taken
prisoners.
=Hanse Towns.= The Hanseatic League (from _hansa_, association), formed
by port towns in Germany against the piracies of the Swedes and Danes,
began about 1140, and was signed in 1241. At first it consisted only of
towns situated on the coasts of the Baltic Sea, but in 1370 it was
composed of 66 cities and 44 confederates. They proclaimed war against
Waldemar, king of Denmark, about the year 1348, and against Eric in
1428, with 40 ships and 12,000 regular troops, besides seamen. The
Thirty Years’ War in Germany (1618-48) broke up the strength of this
association. In 1630 the only towns retaining the name were Lubeck,
Hamburg, and Bremen.
=Hansy.= A town of Hindustan, in the British district of Hurreeana,
under the jurisdiction of the lieutenant-governor of the northwest
provinces. It is a very ancient town; was taken by the Mohammedans early
in 1035, and has experienced many revolutions.
=Hante= (_Fr._). An ornamental pike, having a banner attached.
=Haquebut.= See HAGBUT.
=Har.= A syllable used in composition usually as a prefix, and
signifying _army_;--occurring in various forms, as _hare_, _her_, and
_here_; as, harisvalt, leader of an army.
=Haranes= (_Fr._). Hungarian militia are so called.
=Harangue.= A speech addressed to a large public assembly; a popular
oration; aloud address to a multitude; as, a general makes a harangue to
his troops on the eve of a battle.
=Harass.= To annoy; to perplex, and incessantly turmoil any body of men;
to hang upon the rear and flunks of a retreating army, or to interrupt
operations at a siege by repeated attacks upon the besiegers.
=Harboring an Enemy.= See APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF WAR, 45.
=Harcarrah.= In India, a messenger employed to carry letters, and
otherwise intrusted with matters of consequence that require secrecy and
punctuality. They are very often Brahmins, well acquainted with the
neighboring countries; they are sent to gain intelligence, and are used
as guides in the field.
=Hard-fought.= Vigorously contested; as, a hard-fought battle.
=Hardihood.= Boldness, united with firmness and constancy of mind;
dauntless bravery; intrepidity; audaciousness.
=Hardiment.= Hardihood; courage; bold or energetic action; contest;
struggle.
=Hard-labor.= A military punishment frequently awarded by
courts-martial.
=Hard-tack.= Sea-bread. Hard-tack is also used by U. S. troops while
campaigning; large crackers.
=Harfleur.= A town of France, in the department of the Lower Seine,
situated at the confluence of the Seine and the Lezarde, a mile from the
sea, and 3 miles northeast from Havre. Harfleur was formerly fortified,
and an important place. It was besieged by the English under Henry V. in
1415, and this monarch succeeded in taking it, after being before it
forty days. It was again taken by the English in 1440.
=Harlaw.= A township of Scotland, in Aberdeenshire, situated 4 miles
southwest from old Meldrum, near the confluence of the Ury and Don,
memorable for a sanguinary battle fought in 1411 between the Highlanders
under Donald, the Lord of the Isles, and the royal forces under the Earl
of Mar.
=Harmostes.= A city governor or prefect appointed by the Spartans in the
cities subjugated by them.
=Harness.= The iron covering or dress which a soldier formerly wore, and
which was fastened to the body by straps and buckles; coat of mail;
also, the whole accoutrements, offensive and defensive; armor of a
knight or soldier; the armor of a horse. Also the equipments of a
draught-horse.
=Harness.= To dress in armor; to equip with armor for war, as a
horseman. To equip or furnish for defense.
=Harol.= An Indian term signifying the officer who commands the van of
an army. It sometimes means the van-guard itself.
=Harpe.= A species of drawbridge used among the ancients, and deriving
its name from its resemblance to the musical instrument. This bridge,
which consisted of a wooden frame, and hung in a perpendicular
direction against the turrets that were used in those times to carry on
the siege of a place, had a variety of ropes attached to it, and was let
down upon the wall of a town by means of pulleys. The instant it fell,
the soldiers left the turret, and rushed across the temporary platform
upon the rampart.
=Harper’s Ferry.= A town of Jefferson Co., W. Va., situated at the
junction of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, about 107 miles north
from Richmond. In October, 1859, John Brown, the leader of the
anti-slavery party, and his followers entered the town, and seized and
held for a short time the armory and arsenal located here. In April,
1861, the Federal troops evacuated the public buildings here, and they
were immediately taken possession of by the Confederates, who destroyed
them and evacuated the place in June, following. The town was again
taken by the Confederates in September, 1862, but was soon after
recaptured by the Federal forces, who from that time retained possession
of it.
=Harponully.= A district in the south of India. The rajah of this
district was tributary to the kings of Benjanagur and Bejapore, to the
Moguls, and the Mahrattas; in 1774 he became tributary to Hyder, and in
1786 he was completely subdued by Tippoo, and sent prisoner to
Seringapatam. On the capture of that city, Harponully was assigned to
the nizam as a portion of his division of Tippoo’s territory, and by him
assigned to the British in 1800.
=Harpy.= A fabulous creature in Greek mythology, considered as a
minister of the vengeance of the gods. In heraldry it is represented as
a vulture, with the head and breast of a woman.
=Harquebuse.= See ARQUEBUSE.
=Harquebusier.= See ARQUEBUSIER.
=Hartlepool.= A seaport of England, in the county Durham, a few miles
north of the mouth of the river Tees. It is mentioned as a harbor of
some consequence as early as 1171. In the 13th century it belonged to
the Bruces of Annandale, in Scotland. Hartlepool suffered severely from
the Scots in 1312, and again in 1315, a year after the battle of
Bannockburn. It was seized by the insurgents in the northern rebellion
under the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, in the time of
Elizabeth. During the civil war it was taken by the Scottish army in
1644, and retained by them till 1647.
=Hastaire= (_Fr._). Pikeman; spearman.