the left bank of the Cumberland River, about 200 miles from its mouth.
During the civil war, after the fall of Fort Donelson, it was occupied
by the Union forces, February 24, 1862. Within a few miles of the city
was fought the memorable battle which bears its name, between the
Confederate forces under Gen. Hood and the Union troops under Gen.
George H. Thomas, December 15-16, 1864. The battle commenced by a feint
on Hood’s right and a real attack on his left, which resulted in driving
it a distance of 8 miles, and the capture of over 1000 prisoners, 20
wagons, and 16 pieces of artillery. During the ensuing night, Gen. Hood
contracted his lines, and next day the battle was renewed with vigor,
towards the afternoon becoming close and obstinate. Near dusk the
Confederates gave way, and a total rout soon followed. Some 4000
prisoners were captured, over 50 pieces of artillery, and an immense
number of small-arms. On the 17th the pursuit of the enemy was continued
and many more prisoners captured. Hood escaped with a mere wreck of his
army, and was soon after relieved of command.
=Nasir-Jung= (_Ind._). Victorious, or triumphant in war.
=Nassau, House of.= A noble family of German origin, which produced many
great men, and derived its title from Nassau, on the Rhine. In the 16th
century the family acquired the principality of Orange, in the southeast
of France; after which the counts of Nassau took the title of Prince of
Orange.
=Natchez=, or =Natches=. A tribe of Indians who formerly occupied four
or five villages situated east of the Mississippi in a tract of country
which embraced the site of the city of that name. They were generally
friendly to the early French settlers; but in 1729, being enraged by the
brutal avarice of Chopart, the commander of the garrison, who demanded
as a plantation the very site of their principal village, they concerted
a general massacre of the French, which they effected November 28,
killing about 200 and holding the women and children captives. The
French took a bloody and terrible revenge. Under the leadership of Le
Sueur, a Frenchman, 700 Choctaws broke upon the slumbers of the Natchez
on the night of January 28, 1730, liberated the captives, and with a
loss of but two of their number, brought off 60 scalps and 18 prisoners.
On February 8 following the French under Loubois completed the ruin of
the tribe. Some fled to the neighboring tribes and some crossed the
Mississippi to the vicinity of the Natchitoches. They were pursued and
their places of refuge taken. Of the scattered remnants some remained
with the Chickasaws, others settled with the Muskogees, and about 400
were shipped to San Domingo and sold as slaves. Thus perished the
Natchez as an independent tribe.
=Natchitoches.= A tribe of Indians allied to the Caddos, who formerly
lived on Red River, La. They were dispossessed of their territory by the
fugitive Natchez in 1731, and settled permanently with the Caddos, with
which tribe a few still exist.
=National Armory.= See ARMORY, NATIONAL.
=National Cemeteries.= In the United States, are the burial-places for
soldiers. They are called national because they belong to and are cared
for by the general government.
=National Flag.= See FLAG.
=National Guards.= The militia organizations of several States of the
United States and of some foreign countries are so called. In the United
States they are authorized by State laws, and may be called into the
service of the general government. After the destruction of the Bastile,
a similar organization, called the _garde nationale_, was formed in
Paris from the bourgeois class in 1789, under Lafayette as
colonel-general. Napoleon subsequently defeated and dispersed it, but it
was again organized by him in 1814. The national guard was adopted as an
institution under the Restoration, and the Comte d’Artois appointed
colonel-general. By decree of 1852 the government reserved the right of
organizing or suppressing the national guard in _communes_, and also of
nominating all the officers, who up to this time had been elected. The
French national guard fought in the war of 1870-71, and also
participated in the Communist struggles.
=National Military Homes.= See SOLDIERS’ HOMES.
=National Salute.= In the United States, a salute of one gun for each
State in the Union.
=National Troops.= Are those raised under the authority of Congress, in
contradistinction to the militia, which may be called State troops,
being organized by the several States.
=Native Cavalry.= A body of natives in the East Indian army, formed into
light dragoons.
=Native Infantry.= A body of native troops in the East Indian army.
=Natural Angle of Sight.= The angle which the natural line of sight
makes with the axis of the piece.
=Natural Fortification.= See FORTIFICATION.
=Natural Line of Sight.= See LINE OF METAL.
=Natural Steel.= See ORDNANCE, METALS FOR, STEEL.
=Naumburg.= A town of Prussia, province of Saxony, 18 miles
south-southwest from Merseburg. It was besieged in 1482 by the Hussites
under Procopius; but they were induced to raise the siege by the
entreaties of the children of the town. Naumburg was a place of
importance in the Thirty Years’ War, as well as in the campaigns of 1806
and 1813.
=Nauplia.= A small fortified town and seaport in the Morea, Greece. At
an early period it was the port and arsenal of Argos; occupied by the
Venetians in the 13th century; taken by the Turks in 1540, and again in
1715. The Turks lost it on the outbreak of the Greek insurrection.
=Navajo Indians.= A numerous and warlike tribe of the Shoshone family,
who are located to the number of about 12,000 on a large reservation in
New Mexico. They were for a long time at war with the whites, but have
at length been thoroughly subdued, and are gradually adopting
semi-civilized habits. They are famous for the manufacture of a peculiar
blanket of excellent quality which bears their name.
=Naval Camp.= In military antiquities, a fortification, consisting of a
ditch and parapet on the land side, or a wall built in the form of a
semicircle, and extended from one point of the sea to the other. This
was beautified with gates, and sometimes defended with towers, through
which they issued forth to attack their enemies. Towards the sea, or
within it, they fixed great piles of wood, like those in their
artificial harbors; before these the vessels of burden were placed in
such order, that they might serve instead of a wall, and give protection
to those without; in this manner Nicias is reported by Thucydides to
have encamped himself. When their fortifications were thought strong
enough to defend them from the assaults of enemies, the ancients
frequently dragged their ships on shore. Around these ships the soldiers
disposed their tents, as appears everywhere in Homer. But this seems
only to have been practiced in winter, when their enemy’s fleet was laid
up, and could not assault them; or in long sieges, and when they lay in
no danger from their enemies by sea, as in the Trojan war, where the
defenders of Troy never once attempted to encounter the Grecians in a
sea-fight.
=Naval Crown.= In heraldry, a rim of gold, round which are placed
alternately prows of galleys and square-sails. A naval crown supporting
the crest in place of the wreath, occurs in various grants of arms in
the early part of the present century to naval heroes. The crest of the
Earl of St. Vincent, bestowed on him after his victory over the Spanish
fleet in 1797, is issuing out of a naval crown or, enwrapped by a wreath
of laurel vert, a demi-pegasus argent maned and hoofed of the first,
and winged azure, charged in the wing with a fleur-de-lis or.
=Navarre.= A province, and formerly a kingdom, of Spain, is bounded on
the north by France, on the south and east by Aragon, and on the west by
the Biscays. It was occupied in ancient times by the Vascones, who were
subdued by the Goths in the 5th century: After having become gradually
amalgamated with their conquerors, the people continued to enjoy a
species of turbulent independence under military leaders until the 8th
century, when they were almost annihilated by the hordes of Arabs who
were rapidly spreading their dominion to all parts of the peninsula.
Navarre was conquered from the Saracens by Charlemagne, 778. In 1076,
Sancho Ramorez of Aragon seized Navarre. During the war of independence
and the civil war, the province produced bands of formidable
guerrilleros.
=Nave.= In gun-carriages, that part of a wheel in which the arms of the
axle-tree move, and in which the spokes are driven and supported.
=Nave-boxes.= Are boxes which are placed in the naves; they were
formerly made of brass, but experience has shown that those of cast iron
cause less friction, and are much cheaper. There are two, one at each
end, to diminish the friction of the axle-tree against the nave.
=Nave-hoops.= Are flat iron rings to bind the nave; there are generally
three on each nave.
=Navel.= A lug with a hole through it on the under side of a carronade,
used to connect it with its carriage.
=Naxos=, or =Naxia=. An island in the Ægean Sea, and the largest of the
Cyclades; is situated nearly half-way between the coasts of Greece and
Asia Minor. It was conquered by Pisistratus, who established Lydamis as
tyrant of the island about 540 B.C. The Persians in 501 attempted, at
the suggestion of Aristagoras, to subdue Naxos, but failed; Aristagoras,
fearing punishment, induced the Ionian cities to revolt from Persia. In
490 the Persians, under Datis and Artaphernes, conquered Naxos, and
reduced the inhabitants to slavery. The Naxians recovered their
independence after the battle of Salamis (480). They were the first of
the allied states whom the Athenians reduced to subjection, 471. After
the capture of Constantinople by the Latins in 1204, the Ægean Sea fell
to the lot of the Venetians; and Marco Sanudo in 1207 took possession of
Nuxos, and founded there a powerful state under the title of duchy of
the Ægean Sea. His dynasty ruled over the greater part of the Cyclades
for 360 years, and was at length overthrown by the Turks in 1566. Naxos
now belongs to the kingdom of Greece.
=Naxos.= A Greek city on the eastern coast of Sicily, south of Mount
Taurus; was founded 735 B.C. by the Chalcidians of Eubœa, and was the
first Greek colony established in the island. It carried on a
successful war against Messina, and was subsequently an ally of the
Athenians against Syracuse. In 403 the town was taken by Dionysius of
Syracuse, and destroyed.
=Nebraska.= One of the Central States of the United States, lying west
of the Missouri River. Nebraska formed a part of the great grant of the
Mississippi Valley to Crozart in 1712, and was part of the territory
included in Law’s celebrated Mississippi scheme. It came into possession
of the United States in 1803, as a portion of the Louisiana purchase. In
1804, Lewis and Clarke explored the interior and western parts of the
State. In 1854 it was erected into a Territory, and in 1867 admitted as
a State.
=Necessaries.= The articles issued to the British soldier, such as
boots, shirts, stockings, razor, etc., which are requisite for his
comfort and cleanliness, are technically termed regimental necessaries.
Non-commissioned officers are not allowed to sell regimental necessaries
to the soldiers. Every article is directed by the regulations to be
marked with the owner’s name, the letter of his company, and the number
of his regiment; and the sale or injury of them renders him liable to be
tried by court-martial and punished.
=Neck.= The elbow or part connecting the blade and socket of a bayonet.
=Neck Line.= An old term in fortification signifying the gorge.
=Neck of a Cascabel.= The part joining the knob to the base of the
breech.
=Neck of a Gun.= The small part of the piece in front of the chase.
=Needle.= A slender bar of steel, usually pointed, and resting on a
vertical pivot, in a mariner’s, or other compass, so as to turn freely
towards the magnetic poles of the earth by virtue of the magnetic
polarity with which it has been artificially endued; called also the
_magnetic needle_.
=Needle-Gun= (Ger. _Zundnadelgewehr_). Is a breech-loading gun, so
constructed that by pulling the trigger a stout needle or wire is thrust
through the base of the cartridge, parallel with its axis, into the
detonating charge behind the ball, causing explosion and the ignition of
the cartridge. This gun was the regulation arm of the German infantry
until it was replaced by the Mauser, a gun somewhat similar. The gun was
invented by Nicolaus Dreyse, of Sömmerda, Prussia, where it is
manufactured. It was first used by the Prussians in 1848, and again in
the Italian war of 1866, when it proved a fearful instrument of
destruction, and to it may be ascribed in a great measure the success of
its employers.
=Neemuch.= In Hindostan, a town with a British cantonment, in the
territory of Gwalior, or possessions of Scindia. The native troops
stationed at this place participated in the general mutiny of the Bengal
army. The rising took place on the night of June 3, 1857, when a
general massacre of the Europeans took place. The work of slaughter was
commenced by the artillery, and all the native troops joined heartily in
it. A native officer opened the gate of the fort and gave entrance to
the rebels. Having committed the most frightful enormities, and outraged
every law of humanity, a large body of the miscreants marched in the
direction of Agra.
=Neerwinden.= A village of Belgium, in the province of Liège. William
III. of England was defeated by the Duke of Luxemburg between this place
and Landen in 1693; the French were also defeated here in 1793 by the
Austrians.
=Neeshungpat= (_Ind._). A violent assault without bloodshed.
=Negapatam.= A considerable seaport in the south of India, and province
of Tanjore. In 1660 it was taken from the Portuguese by the Dutch. It
was a very flourishing city in 1781, when it was besieged and taken by
the British with about 4000 troops, and finally ceded to them at the
peace of 1783.
=Negative.= This term is sometimes used to express the result of
measures or enterprises which, though not entirely successful, are not
productive of serious or mischievous consequences. Hence the British
expeditions to Spain and Walcheren may be considered as having had
negative success.
=Negative Penalty.= Deprived of command; a bar to indulgence; a
reprimand; etc.
=Neglect of Duty.= Is total omission or disregard of any prescribed
service, or unsoldier-like execution, which is punishable at the
discretion of a court-martial. See APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF WAR, 62.
=Negrais.= An island, harbor, and cape of the Eastern Peninsula,
situated on the southwest extremity of the kingdom of Pegu. In 1687 a
settlement was founded here by the British; it was soon after abandoned;
again occupied by the British in 1751; it was attacked by the Burmese in
1759, and nearly all the inhabitants were put to death.
=Negropont.= See CHALCIS.
=Nelli-Cotah.= A fort situated about 40 miles to the south of
Tinnevelly, East Indies. This fort has been rendered memorable by the
manner in which it was carried by the English in 1755, and the barbarity
with which the garrison was treated which had not killed a man and had
called for quarter, and yet men, women, and children, to the number of
about 400, were massacred.
=Nepaul=, or =Nipal=. An extensive country of Hindostan. It is said to
have been completely subdued in 1323 by Hurr Singh, one of the princes
of Oude, who was driven out of his own possessions by the Patans.
Runjeet Mull was the last of the Surya Bansi race that reigned in
Nepaul. He formed an alliance with Purthi Nirain, which ended in the
loss of his dominions, of which he was stripped by his ally in 1768. It
was in his reign that Capt. Kinloch with a British force endeavored to
penetrate into Nepaul, but from the sickness of the troops, and the
difficulty of the country, the enterprise was abandoned. In 1790 the
Nepaul government became involved in a war with the emperor of China,
who sent against them an army of 70,000 men, and defeated the Nepaulese
in repeated battles. A peace was at last concluded, though on terms
ignominious to the Nepaulese, who were compelled to become tributaries
to the Chinese. In the year 1814 the British commenced a war against the
Nepaulese, and, after a long and arduous struggle, during which the
British suffered a number of reverses, the Nepaulese were compelled to
sue for peace.
=Nervii.= A nation of Gallia Belgica, whose territory was situated north
of the Ambiani. On receiving intelligence that Cæsar was advancing into
their country, the inhabitants sent away their old men, women, and
children to a place of refuge among the marshes by the sea-shore, and
posted themselves in ambush on the banks of the Sabis (_Sambre_). The
invaders had approached to the place of concealment, and, unsuspicious
of any danger, were engaged in forming a camp, when they suddenly found
themselves attacked by 60,000 fierce barbarians. The Romans would have
been immediately routed, had not the invincible genius of Cæsar been
there to sway and turn the tide of battle. After a hard-fought contest,
the Nervian forces were almost annihilated; but the Nervii were not yet
subdued. In 54 B.C. they assisted the Eburones in the unsuccessful
attack upon the camp of Quintus Cicero; and it was not until the
following year that they finally submitted to the Romans.
=Neshaumburdar= (_Ind._). An ensign.
=Netherlands, Kingdom of the.= A country in the northwest of Europe. The
name of the Netherlands was, for several centuries, applied to the
countries which now form the kingdoms of Belgium and the Netherlands and
part of the north of France. The greater portion of this territory was
held by the Spaniards until Marlborough, the general in command of the
allied forces, gained the memorable victory of Ramilies in 1706. After
this, Brussels, the capital, and great part of these provinces
acknowledged Charles VI., afterwards emperor of Germany, for their
sovereign. They were held by the German house until the war of 1741,
when the French made an entire conquest of them, except part of the
province of Luxemburg. They were restored, however, by the peace of
Aix-la-Chapelle, in the year 1748. In 1794 Holland was overrun by the
troops of the French republic, and annexed to the French empire in 1810,
after having been formed into the Batavian republic, and subsequently
into a kingdom under Louis Bonaparte. In 1814 the royal family of
Holland was restored, and two years after Holland and Belgium were once
more reunited under the common title of the Netherlands; but in 1830
Belgium became a distinct kingdom. See BELGIUM, HOLLAND, and FLANDERS.
=Netley, Royal Victoria Hospital at.= Is a superb building on the shore
of Southampton Water, Hants, England, for the reception of invalids from
the army on foreign service, and from among the troops serving in the
adjoining military districts. In times of peace, it is only necessary to
use a portion of the vast structure; but in the event of a European war,
in which the British army should take part, the exigencies of the
service would probably tax its accommodation to the utmost. There is
provision for 1000 patients, with power to increase the number. The
establishment has a complete medical staff. Netley is also the
headquarters of the female nurses of the army, who are under the control
of a lady stationed here as superintendent-general. Complete
arrangements have been made for the landing of wounded men in front of
the hospital, and for conveying them thither with the least disturbance.
See MEDICAL SCHOOL.
=Nettoyer les Magazins= (_Fr._). In artillery, signifies to remove the
different pieces of ordnance, for the purpose of having them carefully
examined, etc., and to have the stores and ammunition so arranged as not
to receive damage.
=Nettoyer les Tranchées= (_Fr._). To scour or clear the trenches. This
is effected by means of a vigorous sally which the garrison of a
besieged place make upon the besiegers; when they beat in the guard,
drive off the workmen, level the parapet, break up and choke the line of
circumvallation, and spike or nail the cannon.
=Neusatz.= A town of Hungary, on the Danube, opposite Peterwardein. On
June 11, 1849, it was taken from the Hungarian insurgents by the
imperial troops, and was almost wholly destroyed.
=Neutral.= Not engaged on either side; not taking part with either of
contending parties; neuter.
=Neutral.= A person or nation that takes no part in a contest between
others.
=Neutral Powers.= By the treaty of Paris, signed by the representatives
of Great Britain, France, Austria, Russia, Prussia, Turkey, and
Sardinia, on April 16, 1856, it was determined that privateering should
be abolished; that neutrals might carry an enemy’s goods not contraband
of war; that neutral goods not contraband were free even under an
enemy’s flag; and that blockades to be binding must be effective. The
President of the United States acceded to these provisions in 1861.
=Neutrality.= In international law, the state of a nation which takes no
part between two or more other nations at war with each other.
Neutrality consists in the observance of a strict and honest
impartiality, so as not to afford advantage in the war to either party;
and particularly in so far restraining its trade to the accustomed
course, which is held in time of peace, as not to render assistance to
one of the belligerents in escaping the effects of the other’s
hostilities. Even a loan of money to one of the belligerent parties is
considered a violation of neutrality. A fraudulent neutrality is
considered as no neutrality.
=Neutrality, Armed.= See ARMED.
=Nevada.= One of the Pacific States of the United States. Nevada is a
part of the territory ceded to the United States by Mexico in 1848. It
was at first a part of California Territory; it was subsequently
attached to Utah; in March, 1861, was organized as a Territory; and on
October 31, 1864, was admitted as a State.
=Nevers.= A town of France, the capital of the department of Nièvre,
situated on the right bank of the Loire, 153 miles south-southeast from
Paris. The town is ancient, and is mentioned by Cæsar under the name of
Noviodunum. Here that general, in 52 B.C., fixed his headquarters, and
here he left his hostages, supplies, baggage, and military-chest. After
his defeat at Gergovia, the people of Noviodunum rose against the
Romans, massacred all of them who were in the town, and plundered the
stores.
=Neville’s Cross= (or Durham), =Battle of=. Fought between the Scots
under King David Bruce, and the English under Philippa, consort of
Edward III., and Lord Percy, October 12 or 17, 1346. More than 15,000 of
the Scots were slain, and their king taken prisoner.
=Nevis=, or =Nievis=. One of the West India Islands, belonging to Great
Britain, and separated from the south extremity of St. Christopher by a
channel about 2 miles in width. It was taken by the French February 14,
1782; restored to the English in 1783.
=Newark.= A town of England, in Nottinghamshire, on the Newark River, 16
miles northeast from Nottingham. Here, in the midst of troubles, died
King John, October 9, 1216; here the royal army under Prince Rupert
repulsed the army of the Parliament, besieging the town, March 21, 1644;
and here, May 5, 1646, Charles I., after his defeat at Naseby, put
himself into the hands of the Scotch army, who afterwards gave him up to
his enemies.
=Newbury.= A town of England, in Berkshire, on the Kennet, 15 miles
southwest from Reading. Near here were fought two desperate battles: (1)
On September 20, 1643, between the army of Charles I. and that of the
Parliament under Essex; it terminated somewhat favorably for the king.
(2) A second battle of dubious result was fought between the royalists
and the Parliamentarians, October 27, 1644.
=New Caledonia.= An island of the South Pacific Ocean, discovered by
Cook on September 4, 1774; seized by the French September 20, 1853. The
French government in December, 1864, redressed the outrages committed on
British missionaries at a station established here in 1854.