for the fuze-hole of the shell with which it is to be fired. The axis of
this plug is bored out cylindrically from the large, down to within a
short distance of the small end, which is left solid. At the large end a
cup is hollowed out, and the outside of the plug is divided into inches
and parts, generally tenths, commencing at the bottom of the cup. The
cylindrical space is filled with composition, pounded hard, and as
regularly as possible, and the cup filled with meal powder moistened
with whisky or alcohol. The rate of burning is determined by experiment,
and marked on a waterproof cap, which is tied over the cup. Knowing the
time any shell is to occupy in its flight, the fuze is cut off with a
saw at the proper division, and firmly set in the fuze-hole with a
fuze-set and mallet. The disadvantage of this fuze is its irregularity,
it being very difficult to pound the composition so that equal lengths
will burn equal times. The shell may either burst too soon, and a great
part of its effect lost, or it may burst after burying itself in the
ground, or it may burst after passing the proper point. This
irregularity of burning is common to all fuzes where the composition is
driven in successive layers in a column which burns in the same
direction. This fuze is used with mortar shells. The composition of
mortar-fuzes is, nitre 2 parts, sulphur 1 part, and meal powder 3 parts;
the quantities of meal powder vary in fuzes for mortars of different
calibers. Generally these fuzes are cut before being inserted in the
shell; but they are sometimes bored through at the proper positions
instead of being sawed. They are also cut obliquely, when the fuze is so
long as to render it likely that it will reach the bottom of the shell;
for by cutting it perpendicular to the axis, the whole base of the wood
might be driven in contact with the bottom of the shell, and prevent the
lighted composition from setting fire to the bursting charge.
The _paper time-fuze_ consists of a cylindrical column of burning
composition packed in a paper case, gradually increasing in thickness
from its lower to its upper or outer extremity; to insure ignition, it
is primed with rifle-powder at the larger end. It is inserted at the
time of loading the piece into a brass or wooden plug previously driven
into the fuze-hole of the shell. The composition has the same
ingredients as gunpowder, the proportions being varied to suit the
required rate of combustion; pure _meal_ powder gives the quickest
composition; by adding certain proportions of sulphur and nitre, the
composition burns more slowly. The rate of burning also depends upon the
density of the composition and the purity and thorough mixture of the
ingredients. These fuzes vary in length, burning from 4 to 40 seconds;
they are graduated in seconds on the outside of the case, and can be cut
to a length corresponding to any intermediate time of flight.
_Belgian_, or _Bormann-fuze_. See BORMANN-FUZE.
The _Wright-fuze_, a modification of the Bormann-fuze, extends the time
of burning to 12 or 14 seconds.
_United States sea-coast fuze._ The paper case fits in a fuze-plug of
bronze instead of wood. It fits the fuze-hole of the shell in the same
way as the wooden plug, and is retained by the force of friction. A
safety-cap and primer combined have been adopted to prevent ricochets,
especially over water, from extinguishing the fuze. A recess in the top,
filled with priming composition, is covered until the fuze is required
for use, with a disk of lead or paper fitting accurately the opening.
The fire is conveyed to the fuze composition through a crooked passage
which is filled with priming, and prevents water from entering in
sufficient quantity to extinguish the fuze. For security a small leaden
plug is placed in the inner end of the fuze-plug, where it remains until
it is driven out by the shock of the explosion. When the shell is placed
in the piece, nothing more is necessary than to remove the disk which
covers the recess in the top. _Paper-fuzes_ are inserted at the moment
of loading the gun, and into wooden or brass _fuze-plugs_ previously
driven into the shell.
_Port-fire_ consists of a small paper case, filled with a highly
inflammable but slow-burning composition, the flame of which is very
intense and penetrating, and cannot be extinguished by water, it is
principally used as an incendiary material in loading shells, and for
communicating fire to the priming of guns when proving them.
_Port-fire composition_ consists of nitre, sulphur, and meal powder, in
different proportions. One kind is composed of nitre, 65 parts; sulphur,
22.5 parts; and meal-powder, 12.5 parts. A port-fire case, 18 inches in
length, filled with this composition, burns 10 minutes.
_Priming-tubes_ are small pipes having a cup on one end, and filled with
a composition for firing cannon. The tube in general use in the U. S.
service is the _friction-primer_ (which see).
_Slow-match_ is a slow-burning match prepared from hemp or flax slightly
twisted, soaked in strong lye, or in water holding in solution sugar of
lead. Cotton rope well twisted forms a good match without any
preparation. Slow-match prepared from hemp or flax burns 4 to 5 inches
to the hour; it is used principally for the purpose of retaining fire in
the shape of a hard-pointed coal, to be used in firing cannon,
fireworks, etc. It was formerly used in field-batteries for lighting the
port-fires with which the pieces were discharged; but both are now
entirely superseded by the friction-primer.
_Quick-match_ is a match made of threads of cotton, or cotton-wick,
steeped in gummed brandy or whisky, then soaked in a paste of meal
powder and gummed spirits, and afterwards strewed over with meal powder;
one yard of it burns in the open air 13 seconds. The quick-match is used
to fire mortars, and sometimes in proving pieces. It is extensively used
in priming all kinds of fireworks, such as fire and light balls,
carcasses, rockets, priming-tubes, etc., and in conveying fire very
rapidly from one portion of a piece of firework to another. When used
for discharging cannon, the quick-match is set fire to by a slow-match,
port-fire, or any other convenient material. When used to prime
carcasses, etc., it is set on fire by the flame from the piece.
The _Valenciennes_ composition is a compound of 50 parts of nitre, 28 of
sulphur, 18 of antimony, and 6 of rosin; it is used as an incendiary
composition, in charging shells for the purpose of increasing their
destructive property, by setting fire to buildings, shipping, etc. For
manufacture of ammunition for small-arms, see “U. S. Ordnance
Memorandum,” No. 21, 1878.
=Laborer= (_Fr._). In a military sense, expresses any direct and
concentrated effort which is made to destroy a fortification. It
likewise applies to the working of a bomb or shell, which excavates,
plows up, and scatters the earth about wherever it bursts. _Laborer un
rampart_, signifies to bring several pieces of ordnance discharged from
two oblique directions to bear upon one centre. Shells are generally
used on these occasions, and the chief design is to second the
operations of the miner in some particular part from which the explosion
is to take place.
=Labuan Pulo.= An island of the Malay Archipelago, lying off the
northwest coast of Borneo. The British took possession of this island in
1846, and it was formally ceded to the British crown by the sultan of
Borneo in 1848.
=Lacandones.= A tribe of Indians in Central America, who for more than
three centuries maintained a hostile attitude to the Spaniards. They are
nominally subject to Guatemala, but are in reality quite independent.
=Lacay=, or =Laquet= (_Fr._). An old French militia was formerly so
called. The name is found among the public documents which were kept by
the treasurers belonging to the dukes of Brittany in the 15th century.
=Lacerne= (_Fr._). The short woolen military cloak of the Romans.
=Lacheté= (_Fr._). An opprobrious term which is frequently used among
the French, and is applied in all instances of cowardice, want of
spirit, or dishonorable conduct. _La trahison est une lacheté_; treason
is infamous in its nature.
=Lachish.= A city of Southern Palestine. It was taken after a two days’
siege by Joshua, and, in later times, is repeatedly mentioned as a place
strongly fortified. After a siege, conducted by Sennacherib in person,
it was taken and plundered, with the customary massacre of its
inhabitants. It was taken by Nebuchadnezzar at the downfall of the
kingdom of Judæa, and was reoccupied by the Jews after the Return.
=Lacker.= A composition made use of for preserving iron cannon,
carriages, shot, etc. The following are the proportional parts of
compositions made use of for preserving iron cannon: (1) Pulverized
black lead, 12; red lead, 12; litharge, 5; lampblack, 5; linseed oil,
66. This composition is to be boiled gently about twenty minutes, during
which time it must be constantly stirred. (2) Ground umber, 3.75;
pulverized gum shellac, 3.75; ivory-black, 3.75; litharge, 3.75; linseed
oil, 78; spirits of turpentine, 7.25. The oil must be first boiled half
an hour; the mixture is then boiled twenty-four hours, poured off from
the sediment, and put in jugs, corked. (3) Coal-tar (of good quality), 2
gallons, and spirits of turpentine, 1 pint. In applying lacker, the
surface of the iron must be first cleaned with a scraper and a wire
brush, if necessary, and the lacker applied hot, in two thin coats, with
a paint-brush. It is better to do it in summer. Old lacker should be
removed with a scraper, or by scouring, and not by heating the guns or
balls, by which the metal is injured. About 5 gallons of lacker are
required for 100 field-guns and 1000 shot; about one quart for a
sea-coast gun. Before the lacker is applied every particle of rust is
removed from the gun, and the vent cleaned out.
=Lacs d’Amour.= In heraldry, a cord of running knots used as an external
decoration to surround the arms of widows and unmarried women; the
_cordélier_, which differs but slightly from it, being used similarly
with the shields of married women.
=Lacunette= (_Fr._). A term in fortification. A small fosse or ditch was
formerly so called. The word _cunette_ (which see) has since been
adopted.
=Ladder Bridge.= Used for crossing streams, etc. It is formed by running
a cart or gun-limber into the stream and securing it there, with the
shafts in a vertical position, by ropes from both sides of the river;
one end of a ladder from each bank resting upon it, and covering the
steps or rungs with planks.
=Ladders, Scaling= (Fr. _eschelles de siege_). Are used in scaling when
a place is to be taken by surprise. They are made several ways;
sometimes of flat staves, so as to move about their pins and shut like a
parallel ruler, for conveniently carrying them. The French make them of
several pieces, so as to be joined together, and to be capable of any
necessary length. Sometimes they are made of single ropes, knotted at
proper distances, with iron hooks at each end, one to fasten them upon
the wall above, and the other in the ground; and sometimes they are made
of two ropes, with staves between them to keep the ropes at a proper
distance, and to tread upon. When they are used in the action of scaling
walls, they ought to be rather too long than too short, and to be given
in charge only to the stoutest of the detachment. The soldiers should
carry these ladders with the left arm passed through the second step,
taking care to hold them upright close to their sides, and very short
below, to prevent any accident in leaping into the ditch.
=Ladle.= See IMPLEMENTS.
=Lady of Mercy, Our.= A Spanish order of knighthood, founded in 1218 by
James I. of Aragon, in fulfillment of a vow made to the Virgin during
his captivity in France. The object for which the order was instituted
was the redemption of Christian captives from among the Moors, each
knight at his inauguration vowing that if necessary for their ransom he
would remain himself a captive in their stead. Within the first six
years of the existence of the order no fewer than 400 captives are said
to have been ransomed by its means. On the expulsion of the Moors from
Spain, the labors of the knights were transferred to Africa. The order
was extended to ladies in 1261. Their badge is a shield party per fess
gules and or, in chief a cross pattée argent, in base four pellets gules
for Aragon, the shield crowned with a ducal coronet.
=Lady of Montesa, Our.= An order of knighthood, founded in 1317 by King
James II. of Aragon, who, on the abrogation of the order of Templars,
urged Pope Clement V. to allow him to employ all their estates within
his territory in founding a new knightly order for the protection of the
Christians against the Moors. His request was acceded to by the
following pope, John XXII., who granted him for this purpose all the
estates of the Templars and of the knights of St. John situated in
Valencia. The order is now conferred merely as a mark of royal favor.
The badge is a red cross edged with gold, the costume a long white
woolen mantle, decorated with a cross on the left breast, and tied with
very long white cords.
=Lagos.= A city and seaport of Portugal, in the province of Algarve,
about 23 miles east-northeast from the extremity of Cape St. Vincent. In
the Bay of Lagos, Admiral Boscawen obtained a signal victory over the
French Toulon fleet, August 18, 1759.
=Lagos.= In the Bight of Benin, Africa; this place was assaulted and
taken by the boats of a British squadron, under Commodore Bruce,
December 26-27, 1851. In 1862 the place was ceded to the British
government, and created a settlement.
=Lahore.= The capital of the Punjab, in British India, standing on the
Ravee, 270 miles northwest from Delhi. It was taken by Baber about 1520,
and was long the capital of the Mongol empire. It fell into the power of
the Sikhs in 1798; was occupied by Sir Hugh Gough, February 22, 1846,
who in March concluded a treaty of peace.
=Laibach=, or =Laybach=. A town of Austria, capital of the duchy of
Carniola, 44 miles northeast from Trieste. This place was taken in 1799
by Bernadotte, and in 1809 by Macdonald. It is well known from the
congress which was held in it in 1821, the object of which was the
extinction of constitutional government, as established in Naples after
the insurrection in 1820.
=Laidley’s Practice Musket.= This gun is made out of an old smooth-bore
musket, reamed out for a length of 11 inches, for the reception of a
coil ribbon spring, on one end of which a closely-fitting piston is
placed, having a stem of about 5 inches attached to its centre; a hole
is bored through the breech-screw and a cut made on its under side to
receive a spring; a circular disk with a flaring hole through its centre
is secured in the barrel just in front of the end of the breech-screw; a
short lever crosses the end of the barrel just in front of this disk,
and is held in position by the spring already referred to; the hole in
the cone is enlarged and receives a small spindle with a collar at its
middle, which prevents it from coming out. About 12 inches from the
breech a horizontal cut is made through the top of the barrel, leaving
an opening of 2 inches in length; a cylindrical plug having a hole
through its axis is inserted in the barrel at this place, and a handle
screwed in. An inner barrel, having a bore of .22 inch and a length of
17 inches, its upper end counter-bored, is inserted in the barrel and
secured by a screw; the length of the block is such as to close the
space between the chambered recess and the end of the inner barrel. A
hole is bored through the side of the stock to communicate with the hole
through the breech-screw. A dart is fired from this musket, which when
fired into the target is extracted with a claw-tool. The men in firing
stand at a distance of 15 paces from the target; and two men use the
gun, firing alternately. This is a very useful musket to practice the
soldier in rifle-firing. The soldier can also be practiced at long
ranges with this gun in the following manner: Place a target at 500 or
600 yards distant, or as far off as convenient, so that it can be seen
through the open window; place a target (16 inches square, with a
bull’s-eye of .75 inch) 15 paces from the firing-stand, at such a height
that the distant target may be seen 4 or 5 inches below the middle of
its lower edge; mark on the floor the position for the feet of the man
when firing, raise the longer leaf of the sight, aim at the distant
bull’s-eye, and fire; the shots will strike the near target if correctly
placed, and the accuracy of aim will be shown by the score thus made.
The height of the target may have to be adjusted after the first few
shots.
=Laird.= A leader or captain.
=Laisches= (_Fr._). Were thin metal plates which the ancient Gauls
placed upon the buff-coats of infantry, between the buff and the lining.
=Lake Champlain.= See CHAMPLAIN, LAKE.
=Lake Ontario.= See ONTARIO, LAKE.
=Lake Regillus.= In Italy, where tradition states the Romans defeated
the Latin auxiliaries of the expelled Tarquins about 499 B.C.
=Lama.= See PACK AND DRAUGHT ANIMALS.
=Lambrequin.= Leathern strap or flap hanging from a cuirass, often
highly ornamented. Also ribbon of different colors for fastening a
helmet, twisted round its crest, the knot forming an ornament.
=Lamia= (now _Zeitun_, or _Zetuni_). A town in Phthiotis, in Thessaly,
situated on the small river Achelous. It has given its name to the war
which was carried on by the confederate Greeks against Antipater, after
the death of Alexander, 323 B.C. The confederates under the command of
Leosthenes, the Athenian, defeated Antipater, who took refuge in Lamia,
where he was besieged for some months. Leosthenes was killed during the
siege; and the confederates were obliged to raise it in the following
year (322), in consequence of the approach of Leomatus. The confederates
under the command of Antiphilus defeated Leomatus, who was slain in the
action. Soon afterwards Antipater was joined by Craterus; and thus
strengthened, he gained a decisive victory over the confederates at the
battle of Cranon (322), which put an end to the Lamian war.
=Lamian War.= See LAMIA.
=Lampion de Parapet= (_Fr._). A lamp generally used on a parapet or
elsewhere in a besieged place. It was a small iron vessel filled with
pitch and tar, which was lighted by the troops as occasion required.
=Lancaster.= The chief town of Lancashire, England, situated on the
river Lune. It is supposed to have been the _Ad Alaunam_ of the Romans.
It was granted by William I. or II. to Roger de Poitou, who erected a
castle upon its hill. It was taken by the Jacobites, November, 1715, and
November, 1745.
=Lancaster Gun.= See ORDNANCE, CONSTRUCTION OF.
=Lancaster Herald.= One of the six heralds of England, ranking second in
seniority. His office is said to have been instituted by Edward III.,
when he created his son, John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster. Henry IV.
raised Lancaster to the dignity of king-at-arms. Edward IV., after
reducing him back to the status of a herald, abolished his office, which
was revived by Henry VII.
=Lancaster Rifle.= See SMALL-ARMS.
=Lancastrians.= See ROSES, WARS OF THE.
=Lance.= A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle, and
metal point, now usually adorned with a small flag, and generally used
by horsemen to transfix an enemy, but formerly used sometimes as a
javelin. This offensive weapon was much used by the French in former
times, particularly by that class of military gentlemen called
chevaliers, and by the gendarmes. Before the reign of Philip de Valois,
the chevaliers and gendarmes fought on foot, armed with lances only,
both in battles and at sieges. On these occasions they shortened their
lances, which were then said to be _retaillees_, or cut again.
=Lance= (_Fr._). Means likewise an iron rod which is fixed across the
earthen mold of a shell, and which keeps it suspended in the air when it
is cast. As soon as the shell is formed, this rod must be broken, and
carefully taken out with instruments made for that purpose. Shells ought
to be scrupulously examined with respect to this article, as they could
not be charged were the lance or any part of it to remain within. This
is also the name of an instrument which conveys the charge of a piece of
ordnance and forces it home to the bore.
=Lance.= A soldier armed with a spear; a lancer.
=Lance.= To pierce with a lance, or any similar weapon; to throw in the
manner of a lance. See LANCH.
=Lance a Feu= (_Fr._). A squib. A species of artificial firework which
is made in the shape of a fuze, and is used for various purposes. The
composition of the _lance a feu_ consists of 3 parts of the best refined
saltpetre, 2 parts of flour of sulphur, and 2 of antimony; the whole
being pounded and mixed together. The chief use of the _lance a feu_ is
to throw occasional light across the platform, whilst artificial
fireworks are preparing. They likewise serve to set fire to fuzes, as
they can be taken hold of without danger.
=Lance a Feu Puant= (_Fr._). Stink-fire lances prepared in the same
manner that stink-pots are, and particularly useful to miners. When a
sapper or miner has so far penetrated towards the enemy as to hear the
voices of persons in any places contiguous to his own excavation, he
first of all bores a hole with his probe, then fires off several pistols
through the aperture, and lastly forces in a _lance a feu puant_, taking
care to close up the hole on his side to prevent the smoke from
returning towards himself. The exhalation and stinking hot vapor which
issue from the lance, and remain confined on the side of the enemy,
infest the air so much, that it is impossible to approach the quarter
for three or four days. Sometimes, indeed, they have had so
instantaneous an effect, that in order to save their lives, miners, who
would persevere, have been dragged out by the legs in an apparent state
of suffocation.
=Lance de Feu= (_Fr._). A species of squib, which is used by the
garrison of a besieged town against a scaling party.
=Lance, Free.= See FREE LANCE.
=Lance Socket.= A leather socket which supports the butt of the lance
when carried on horseback; called also lance bucket.
=Lance-Corporal.= An assistant to a corporal; a private performing the
duties of a corporal; a lance-pesade. See CORPORAL, LANCE-.
=Lance-gaye= (_Fr._). See ARCH-GAYE.
=Lance-head.= The head of a lance.
=Lance-knight.= A common or foot-soldier; a lansquenet. See LANSQUENET.
=Lance-pesade.= See ANSPESSADE.
=Lance-rest.= A projection like a bracket, on the right side of a
breastplate in armor, to aid in bearing a lance.
=Lancers.= A description of cavalry soldiers in different armies of
Europe, who are armed with lances. The type and perfection of lancers
are the Russian Cossacks, whose long lances enable them to combat with
enemies at a distance from which they themselves take little harm. The
lancers were brought into European notice by Napoleon, who greatly
relied upon some Polish regiments. After the peace of 1815, the arm was
adopted in the English service, but it is thought by many that the
British lancer has a weapon too short to enable him to charge an
infantry square with any chance of success.
=Lances Levées= (_Fr._). Uplifted lances, indicating that the enemy was
beaten, and that the chevaliers or gendarmes should close the day by
giving a final blow to the disordered ranks.
=Lanch.= To throw, as a lance; to dart; to let fly. To pierce with a
lance, or as with a lance; to wound. Written also _launch_.
=Land Batteries.= Batteries used on land, as distinguished from floating
batteries, etc., employed in the defense of harbors.
=Landau.= A strong town of Bavaria, in the Palatinate of the Rhine,
situated on the Queich, 18 miles from Carlsruhe. This place was held
alternately by the French and Austrians from 1680 to 1815, when it was
assigned to the Germanic Confederation, under the protection of Bavaria.
=Landen.= See NEERWINDEN.
=Land-force.= A military force, army, or body of troops serving on land,
as distinguished from a naval force.
=Landgrave.= A German nobleman of a rank corresponding to an English
earl.
=Landgravine.= The wife of a landgrave.
=Landing.= In fortification, is the portion of the floor of the gallery
between the frames that bound the entrance to a return. The landing is
in all cases horizontal.
=Landing of Troops.= See DISEMBARKATION.
=Landshut.= A town of Prussian Silesia. In June, 1760, the Austrians
gained a decisive victory over the Prussians in this place.
=Landsturm.= A local militia of Prussia, formed of men above forty
years of age, which never leaves its own district, and is only called
out in case of actual invasion.