its terminations expanding like early vegetation or an opening blossom.
=Patoo-patoo.= A formidable weapon with sharp edges, used by the
Polynesian Islanders and New Zealanders as a sort of battle-axe to
cleave the skulls of their enemies.
=Patræ= (now _Patras_). One of the twelve cities of Achaia, was situated
west of Rhium, near the opening of the Corinthian Gulf. The town was
chiefly of importance as the place from which the Peloponnesians
directed their attacks against the opposite coast of Ætolia. Patræ was
one of the four towns which took the leading part in founding the second
Achæan League. Patræ assisted the Ætolians against the Gauls in 279 B.C.
=Patriarchal Cross.= A cross which, like the patriarchal crosier, has
its upright part crossed by two horizontal bars, the upper shorter than
the lower. A cross patriarchal fimbriated or was a badge of the Knights
Templar.
=Patrick, St., Order of.= A national order of knighthood for Ireland,
established by George III. on February 5, 1783, and enlarged in 1833. As
originally constituted, it consisted of the sovereign, the grand master
(who was always the lord-lieutenant of Ireland for the time being), and
15 knights. By the statutes of 1833 the number of knights was increased
to 22. The collar of the order (of gold) is composed of roses
alternating with harps, tied together with a knot of gold, the roses
being enameled alternately white within red, and red within white, and
in the centre is an imperial crown surmounting a harp of gold, from
which the badge is suspended. The _badge_ or _jewel_ is of gold, and
oval; surrounding it is a wreath of shamrock proper on a gold field;
within this is a band of sky-blue enamel charged with the motto of the
order, _Quis Separabit_ MDCCLXXXIII. in gold letters; and within this
hand a saltire gules (the cross of St. Patrick) surmounted by a shamrock
or trefoil slipped vert, having on each of its leaves an imperial crown
or. The field of the cross is either argent or pierced, and left open. A
sky-blue _ribbon_, worn over the right shoulder, sustains the badge when
the collar is not worn. The _star_, worn on the left side, differs from
the badge only in being circular in place of oval, and in substituting
for the exterior wreath of shamrocks eight rays of silver, four rays of
which are larger than the other four. The _mantle_ is of rich sky-blue
tabinet, lined with white silk, and fastened by a cordon of blue silk
and gold with tassels. On the right shoulder is the _hood_, of the same
materials as the _mantle_. The order is indicated by the initials K.P.
=Patriot.= A sincere and unbiased friend to his country; an advocate for
general civilization, uniting in his conduct through life, moral
rectitude with political integrity. Such a character is seldom found in
any country; but the specious appearance of it is to be seen everywhere,
most especially in Europe. It is difficult to say how far the term can
be used in a military sense, although it is not uncommon to read of a
citizen soldier, and a _patriot_ soldier. Individually considered the
term may be just, but it is hardly to be understood collectively.
=Patrol.= To go the rounds in a camp or garrison; to march about and
observe what passes as a guard. To pass round as a sentinel; as, to
patrol the city.
=Patrolling.= Performing the duties of a patrol.
=Patrols.= A patrol is a detachment which is employed to obtain
information respecting the enemy’s movements and position, and relating
to the nature of the country over which the army has to move, and to
keep open the communications between the different portions of a
command. Patrols are generally composed entirely of cavalry, although
they are sometimes composed of infantry and cavalry; and in very much
broken and obstructed ground, it might be necessary that they contain
only infantry.
=Patte= (_Fr._). A term used in mining; when a well or excavation is
made in loose or crumbling earth, and it becomes necessary to frame it
in, the rafters must be laid horizontally to support the boards in
proportion as the workmen gain depth. The ends of the rafters that are
first laid run 10 or 12 inches beyond the border of the well, for the
purpose of sustaining the platform. These supports are called
_oreilles_; consequently, that every frame may be supported the second
is attached or made firm to the first by means of the ends of boards
which are nailed together. In this manner the third is joined to the
second, and the fourth to the third. These ends are called _pattes_, or
handles.
=Pattée, Cross=, or =Cross Formeé= (Lat. _patulus_, “spreading”). In
heraldry, a cross with its arms expanding towards the ends, and flat at
their outer edges.
=Patte d’Oie= (_Fr._). A term used in mining to describe three small
branches which are run out at the extremity of a gallery. They are so
called from their resemblance to the foot of a goose.
=Pattern Regiment.= A phrase of distinction which is applied to a corps
of officers and soldiers who are remarkable for their observance of good
order and discipline.
=Paulus Hook.= A point on the Jersey shore which ran into the Hudson
River near where the Pavonia ferries now are. The first settlement was
made here in 1633. A British fort erected at this point was taken on the
morning of August 19, 1779, by the Americans under Maj. Harry Lee, who
made a descent on it by way of the Point of Rocks, and captured 179
prisoners, a number of guns, and a quantity of stores.
=Pavade.= Formerly a short dagger was so called in Scotland.
=Pavecheur=, or =Pavesier=. An ancient militia who carried the
(_pavois_) shield.
=Pavia= (anc. _Ticinum_). A city of Northern Italy, capital of the
province of the same name, on the left bank of the Ticino, 20 miles
south of Milan, and 3 miles above the confluence of the Ticino and the
Po. Pavia was founded by the Ligurii; it was sacked by Brennus and by
Hannibal; burned by the Huns; conquered by the Romans, and became a
place of considerable importance at the end of the Roman empire. Then it
came into the possession of the Goths and Lombards, and the kings of the
latter made it the capital of the kingdom of Italy. It became
independent in the 12th century, then, weakened by civil wars, it was
conquered by Matthew Visconti in 1345. Since that period, its history is
merged in that of the conquerors of Lombardy. Here, in 1525, the French
were defeated by the Imperialists, and their king taken prisoner; but in
1527, and again in the following year it was taken and laid waste by the
French. It was stormed and pillaged by Napoleon in 1796, and came into
the possession of Austria by the peace of 1814. Since 1859 it has been
included within the reorganized kingdom of Italy.
=Pavilion.= A tent raised on posts; a flag, colors, ensign, or banner;
in heraldry, a covering in form of a tent, investing the armories of
kings.
=Pavilion, To.= To furnish or cover with tents; to shelter with a tent.
=Pavise= (written also _Pavais_, _Pavese_, and _Pavesse_). A large
shield covering the whole body, having an inward curve, managed by a
pavisor, who with it screened an archer.
=Pavisor.= In military antiquity, a soldier who managed a pavise.
=Pavon.= An ancient military flag shaped like a right-angled triangle.
=Pawnees.= A warlike tribe of Indians who formerly resided in Nebraska,
but are now located in Indian Territory. Their numbers have been greatly
reduced, owing to their wars with the Sioux, with whom they maintained a
hereditary warfare. They now number about 2000 souls, and are divided in
four bands.
=Pay.= Is the stipend or salary allowed for each individual serving in
the army.
=Pay Bills.= In the British service, accounts regularly tendered by
captains of troops or companies of the money required by them for the
effectives of such troop or company.
=Pay, Colonial.= In the British service is a certain allowance which is
made to troops serving in the colonies.
=Pay Department.= Is that department of a government which takes charge
of all matters relating to the pay of the army. In the U. S. army the
pay department consists of 1 paymaster-general, with the rank, pay, and
emoluments of a brigadier-general; 2 assistant paymaster-generals, with
the rank, pay, and emoluments of colonels of cavalry; 2 deputy
paymaster-generals, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of
lieutenant-colonels of cavalry; and 50 paymasters, with the rank, pay,
and emoluments of majors of cavalry.
=Pay, Half-.= Sec HALF-PAY.
=Pay, Full.= See FULL PAY.
=Pay, Staff.= Is the pay and allowances which are made to officers
serving on the staff of an army, or in any particular division or
department.
=Paymaster-General.= In the U. S. army, is the chief officer of the pay
department, with the rank of brigadier-general. Under the direction of
the Secretary of War, the paymaster-general assigns paymasters to
districts; he receives from the treasurer all the moneys which are
intrusted to him for the purpose of paying the pay, the arrears of pay,
etc., appertaining to the army. He is also charged with all necessary
instructions to his subordinates in reference to the supply and
distribution of funds for the payment of the army, and all other things
appertaining to the financial duties of his department and the
accountability of its officers. In these and all other matters having
relation specially to the internal administration of the pay department,
the correspondence and orders is direct between the paymaster-general
and his subordinates, and between the department and district chiefs and
their subordinates.
=Paymasters.= Are officers appointed in the army for the purpose of
keeping its pay accounts, and the disbursing of moneys in payment of
troops. In the U. S. service it is the duty of paymasters to pay all the
regular and other troops; and to insure punctuality and responsibility,
correct reports shall be made to the paymaster-general once in two
months, showing the disposition of the funds previously transmitted,
with accurate estimates for the next payment of such regiment, garrison,
or department, as may be assigned to each. In the British service a
paymaster is attached to each regiment.
=Paymaster-Sergeant.= In the English army, a non-commissioned officer
who assists the paymaster.
=Pay-roll.= A roll or list of persons entitled to payment, with the sums
which are to be paid on them. In the U. S. army, commanders of
companies are required to prepare at each regular muster, beside one
muster-roll, three copies of the “muster- and pay-roll,” two for the
paymaster, and one to be retained in the company files. When the
paymaster’s rolls have been computed and returned to the company for
examination and signature, the calculations thereon will be transcribed
on the triplicate muster- and pay-roll, under the direction of or by the
company commander, who is responsible for the correct performance of
this duty.
=Pay-Sergeant.= In the British service, a sergeant who, on the
responsibility of the captain of a troop, battery, or company, keeps the
men’s accounts. He is generally, but not invariably, the color-sergeant
in the infantry, or the troop or battery sergeant-major in the cavalry
or artillery.
=Pea Ridge.= A range of hills in Benton Co., Ark., which gives its name
to the battle fought here March 6-8, 1862, between the Union forces
under Gen. Curtis and the Confederates under Van Dorn, in which the
latter were defeated with loss of over 2500 killed, wounded, and
captured.
=Peabody-Martini Rifle.= A breech-loading rifle invented by an
American--Peabody--and improved by a Swiss. It is called _Martini-Henry_
in England, in which country it is the official arm. More than half a
million of these rifles were manufactured for the Turkish government
during the late Russo-Turkish war by the Providence Tool Company of
Rhode Island. The gun has a great reputation on account of its long
range.
=Peace.= Freedom from war, exemption from, or cessation of, hostilities.
This condition of affairs is effected and maintained by treaties between
independent powers.
=Peace Establishment.= The reduced number of effective men in the army
during a period of peace.
=Peal.= A long sound, or a succession of long sounds, as of cannon, etc.
=Pean= (Old Fr. _pannes_, “furs”). One of the furs borne in heraldry,
differing from ermine only in the tinctures,--the ground being sable and
the spots of gold.
=Pea-rifle.= A rifle of small bore carrying a ball of the size of a pea.
=Peasants’ War.= In German history, the name given to that great
insurrection of the peasantry which broke out in the beginning of the
year 1525. The oppression of the peasants had gradually increased in
severity, as the nobility became more extravagant and the clergy more
sensual and degenerate. The example of Switzerland encouraged the hope
of success, and from 1476 to 1517 there were risings here and there
among the peasants of the south of Germany. A peasant rebellion, called
from its cognizance, the _Bundschuh_ (laced shoe), took place in the
Rhine countries in 1502, and another called the “League of Poor Conrad,”
in Würtemberg, in 1514, both of which were put down without any
abatement of the grievances which occasioned them. The Reformation, by
the mental awakening which it produced, and the diffusion of sentiments
favorable to freedom, must be reckoned among the causes of the great
insurrection itself. The Anabaptists, and in particular Münzer,
encouraged and excited them, and a peasant insurrection took place in
the Hegau in 1522. Another known as the “Latin War” arose in 1523 in
Salzburg, against an unpopular archbishop, but these were quickly
suppressed. On January 1, 1525, the peasantry of the abbacy of Kempten,
along with the towns-people, suddenly assailed and plundered the
convent; this event proved the signal for a general rising of the
peasantry on all sides throughout the south of Germany. They organized
themselves into bands of from 9000 to 30,000, and destroyed convents and
castles, murdered, pillaged, and were guilty of the greatest excesses,
which must indeed be regarded as partly in revenge for the cruelties
practiced against them. In May and June, 1525, they sustained a number
of severe defeats from the regular forces under Truchsess von Waldburg,
in which large bodies of them were destroyed. The landgraf Philip of
Hesse was also successful against them in the north of Germany. The
peasants after they had been subjugated were everywhere treated with
terrible cruelty; a great body of them were massacred; multitudes were
hanged in the streets, and many were put to death with the greatest
tortures. It is supposed that more than 150,000 persons lost their lives
in this war. The lot of the defeated insurgents became harder than ever.
=Pebble Powder.= See GUNPOWDER.
=Pecq, Le.= A village of France, on the right bank of the Seine, about
half a mile east from St. Germain en Laye. The allied forces crossed the
Seine at this spot in 1815.
=Pectoral= (Fr. _pectorale_). A breastplate. Among the Romans the poorer
soldiers, who were rated under 1000 drachmas, instead of the _lorica_,
or brigantine (a leathern coat of mail) wore a pectoral, or breastplate
of thin brass, about twelve fingers square. Some modern troops, such as
the cuirassiers, etc., wear pectorals for the direct purposes of defense
and bodily protection; but in general small ornamental plates with
clasps have been substituted.
=Peculation.= A term used in a military sense for embezzling public
moneys, stores, arms, or ammunition. See APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF WAR, 60.
=Pedro.= An early gun of large caliber for throwing stone balls.
=Peel.= To strip; to plunder; to pillage; as, to peel a province or
conquered people.
=Peel.= A small tower or fort.
=Peel-house.= A small fortified place.
=Peel-towers.= The name given to the towers erected on the Scottish
borders for defense. They are square, with turrets at the angles, and
the door is sometimes at a height from the ground. The lower story is
usually vaulted, and forms a stable for horses, cattle, etc.
=Peep o’ Day Boys.= Were insurgents in Ireland, who visited the houses
of their antagonists at break of day, in search of arms. They first
appeared July 4, 1784, and for a long period were the terror of the
country.
=Pegu.= A British province of Eastern India, is bounded on the north by
the Burmese empire, east by the Tenasserim provinces, south by the Gulf
of Martaban, and west by the Bay of Bengal and the province of Arracan.
It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1520. The early history of Pegu
consists of little more than a narrative of barbarous and cruel contests
between that country and the kingdom of Ava, in which the latter was
finally successful, and reduced Pegu to a province of that kingdom, or,
as it is generally called, the Burman empire. Pegu, the capital, was
taken by Maj. Cotton, with 300 men, in June, 1852, without loss; and
afterwards abandoned. It was again occupied by the Burmese and strongly
fortified, with a garrison of 4000 men. It was recaptured by Gen. Godwin
with 1200 men and 2 guns, in two hours, with the loss of 6 killed and 32
wounded. The province was annexed to the British possessions, by
proclamation, December 20, 1852, and has since prospered. In February,
1862, it was united with Arracan and Tenasserim as British Burmah.
=Pei-ho.= A river of China, which rising on the confines of Tartary,
traverses the northern part of the province of Chih-le or Pe-chih-le,
and falls into the Gulf of Pe-chih-le, in about 38° 30′ N. lat. The
attack on the escort of the British and French ambassadors whilst
ascending the Pei-ho to Pekin (June, 1859), led to the war with China of
1860, in which year the Taku forts on this river were taken by the
British.
=Peishwa.= The title of the military governor of the Mahrattas, whose
office became hereditary in the family of Balajee Biswanath, its first
possessor, who fixed his residence at Poonah.
=Peking=, or =Pekin=. The capital of the Chinese empire, situated
between the Pei-ho and Hoen-ho, 100 miles northwest from the mouth of
the Pei-ho River. About 5 miles north from the city the famous
Yuen-ming-yuen palaces are situated, which were sacked and destroyed by
the allies in October, 1860; these were 30 in number. Here had been
heaped up for centuries all the movable riches and presents of the
emperors of China. At the approach of the allies Hien-fung fled in
haste; and when Lord Elgin learned that it was in those grounds that the
British and French prisoners, captured by treachery, had been tortured,
he gave the order to sack and destroy this favorite residence of the
emperor’s, as it could not fail to be a blow to his pride as well as his
feelings; and it became a solemn act of retribution. Peking has thus
been rendered memorable by this march of the British and French forces
(1860) to the walls of the city, on which the British and French flags
were raised. The provisions of the treaty of Tien-tsin (1858) were
subsequently ratified and supplemented by the convention of Peking,
which was signed in the English and French languages at Peking, October
24, 1860.
=Pelican.= An ancient name for a 6-pounder culverin, 9 feet long and
weighing 2400 pounds.
=Pelican.= In heraldry, the pelican is drawn with her wings endorsed,
and wounding her breast with her beak. When represented in her nest
feeding her young with her blood, she is called a pelican in _her
piety_.
=Peligni.= A brave and warlike people of Sabine origin, in Central
Italy, bounded southeast by the Marsi, north by the Marrucini, south by
Samium and the Frentani, and east by the Frentani likewise. They offered
a brave resistance to the Romans, but concluded a peace with the
republic along with their neighbors the Marsi, Marrucini, and Frentani,
in 304 B.C. They took an active part in the Social war (90, 89). They
were subdued by Pompeius Strabo, after which time they are rarely
mentioned.
=Pelinna=, or more commonly =Pelinnæum= (now _Gardhiki_). A town of
Thessaly, in Hestiæotis, on the left bank of the Peneus, was taken by
the Romans in their war with Antiochus.
=Pellene.= A city in Achaia, bordering on Sicyonia, the most easterly of
the twelve Achæan cities, was situated on a hill 60 stadia from the sea,
and was strongly fortified. Its port-town was Aristonautæ. In the
Peloponnesian war Pellene sided with Sparta. In the later wars of Greece
between the Achæan and Ætolian leagues, the town was several times taken
by the contending parties.
=Pellet.= An old word for shot or bullet.
=Pellet=, or =Ogress=. In English heraldry, a roundle sable.
=Pell-mell.= In utter confusion; with disorderly mixture; with confused
violence; as, the battle was a confused heap, the ground unequal, men,
horses, chariots, crowded pell-mell.
=Peloponnesian War.= One of the most celebrated and important of the
wars carried on between the different states of Greece; the particulars
of which are related in the writings of Xenophon and Thucydides. It
existed for twenty-seven years, during which time the Athenians and the
inhabitants of the Peloponnesus, the most southern peninsula of Greece,
were the principal belligerents. After the Athenians had sustained
immense losses, it was at best agreed that to establish the peace the
fortifications of the Athenian harbors should be demolished, and all
their ships, except twelve, be surrendered to the enemy. They were to
resign every pretension to their dominions abroad; to follow the
Spartans in war, and in time of peace to frame their constitutions
according to the will and prescription of their Peloponnesian
conquerors. Their walls and fortifications were instantly leveled to the
ground; and the conquerors observed that in the demolition of Athens,
succeeding ages would fix the era of Grecian freedom. This memorable
event happened about 404 years before the Christian era; and thirty
“tyrants” were appointed by Lysander over the government of the city.
=Pelta.= A small light shield, sometimes attributed to the Amazons, but
used by numerous nations of antiquity, such as the inhabitants of
Thrace, Spain, and Mauritania, before its general introduction among the
Greeks. It consisted mainly of a frame of wood or wicker-work covered
with skin or leather, without the metallic rim, and of a great variety
of shapes. It was sometimes round, as in the special case of the
_cetra_, sometimes elliptical, sometimes variously situated round the
rim, sometimes even quadrangular, but most commonly crescent-shaped or
lunated, as alluded to in the “_Amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis_” of
Virgil. Soldiers bearing the _pelta_ were called _peltastæ_.
=Pelusium.= The Greek name of an ancient Egyptian city situated on the
northeastern angle of the Delta, and important as the key of Egypt on
the Asiatic side. Pelusium is called _Sin_ in the Old Testament. It
first figures in semi-authentic history as the scene of Sennacherib’s
defeat, when (according to the Egyptian tradition, as reported by
Herodotus) the camp of the Assyrians was invaded at night by a host of
field-mice, who gnawed their bow-strings and shield-straps, so that in
the morning, when the Egyptians fell upon them, they were defenseless.
In 525 B.C., Cambyses overthrew, near Pelusium, the forces of
Pharaoh-Psammetichus. It surrendered to Alexander in 333 B.C. The city
was also taken by the Persians in 309 B.C.; and in 173 B.C., it was the
scene of the defeat of Ptolemy Philometor by Antiochus Epiphanes. Mark
Antony captured it 55 B.C., and it opened its gates to Octavian after
his victory at Actium, 31 B.C. It was taken after a protracted
resistance by Amrou, the Saracen, in 618.
=Pembroke.= A seaport town of South Wales, on a navigable creek of
Milford Haven, 210 miles west of London. In 1648 its castle was
beleaguered by Cromwell, and taken after a siege of six weeks.
=Penalba=, or =Penalva=. A village of Spain, province of Huesca, 18
miles northwest of Mequinenza. During the War of the Succession the
troops of Philip V. were here defeated in a bloody battle by the army of
the Archduke Charles, August 15, 1710.