Douglas. In the civil war the king’s troops, commanded by the Earl of
Derby, were defeated and driven out of the town in 1643 by the
Parliamentary forces under Sir John Smeaton. The earl was again defeated
by Ashton, who razed the fortifications of Wigan to the ground in the
same year; and once more by a greatly superior force commanded by Col.
Lilburne, 1651.
=Wight, Isle of= (anc. _Vecta_, or _Vectis_). An island in the English
Channel, lying off the coast of Hampshire, from which it is separated by
the Solent. It was originally peopled by the Celts, who were afterwards
expelled or subdued by the Belgæ and these, in their turn, were
compelled to submit, in 43, to the Roman legions under Vespasian. The
Saxon kings of Wessex conquered it about 530, after a sanguinary action
at Wiht-garasbyrig, supposed to be the modern Carisbrooke. In 661, it
was subdued by Wulfhere, son of Penda, king of Mercia. The Danes invaded
the Wight in 787, 897, 981, 998, and again in 1003, when they destroyed
the town of Waltham, supposed to be identical with the modern Werror.
The French landed on the island, but were repulsed in 1340. In 1377,
the French burnt the towns of Yarmouth, Newtown, and Newport, but were
defeated in an attack which they hazarded upon Carisbrooke Castle. In
1545, the French forces, which had assembled under Claude d’Annebault,
and fought an indecisive action with Lord Lisle at Spithead, threw
themselves upon the island in four detachments at Sea View, Bembridge,
Shanklin, and Bonchurch, but were repulsed with signal loss.
=Wigwam= (sometimes written _weekwam_). An Indian cabin or hut. The
wigwam, or Indian house, of a circular or oval shape, was made of bark
or mats laid over a framework of branches of trees stuck in the ground
in such a manner as to converge at the top, where was a central aperture
for the escape of smoke from the fire beneath. The better sort had also
a lining of mats. For entrance and egress two low openings were left on
opposite sides, one or the other of which was closed with bark or mats,
according to the direction of the wind.
=Wilderness, Battles of the.= Were fought between the Federal and
Confederate armies in Virginia, in May, 1864. They consisted of a series
of sanguinary battles, having for their object the capture of Richmond.
The plan of Gen. Grant, commander-in-chief of the Union forces, was to
follow a line nearly corresponding to the route of the Fredericksburg
and Richmond Railroad, making his base at Acquia Creek. For this purpose
he moved down the right of the position of Gen. Lee, who commanded the
Confederate army, and was prepared either to accept a battle from him on
the Rapidan, or to continue his march to Spottsylvania Court-house. Gen.
Lee would not consent to be outflanked, and thereby endanger his
railroad communication with Richmond. He therefore prepared to resist
the progress of Grant, and commenced a rapid movement of his forces
parallel with the course of the river. Gen. Hill’s and Ewell’s forces
arrived in front of Gen. Grant’s forces on Thursday, May 5, 1864.
Early on the morning of the 5th, Grant’s command began to move. The 5th
Corps (Warren’s) advanced from its position near Wilderness Tavern,
along the roads leading to Orange Court-house, 5 miles to Parker’s
store. This point is in Spottsylvania County, about 8 miles above
Chancellorsville. The whole face of the country in that neighborhood is
thickly covered with an undergrowth of field-pines, cedars, and
scrub-oaks, and therefore utterly unfit for the use of cavalry or
artillery. The 6th Corps (Sedgwick’s) was to follow, and the 2d Corps
(Hancock’s) was to stretch southwesterly from Chancellorsville toward
Shady Grove Church. Sheridan covered the extreme left, with the object
of finding the enemy’s cavalry under Stuart. This line extended nearly 5
miles, with the centre thrown forward, when the action commenced. The
5th Corps and the advance of the enemy under Ewell met, when a fierce
encounter ensued, the Federals losing about 1000 men. At different
periods during the afternoon other portions of the opposing armies came
in contact, and the contest became exceedingly bloody. Such was the
nature of the undergrowth that there was little opportunity to use
artillery. The fire of the enemy’s musketry was furious, and continued
until late in the night, but the Federal line was substantially as it
had been when the battle commenced; both armies were still face to face,
ready to attack at dawn on the morrow.
The battle of the Wilderness was renewed on May 6, and consisted of a
succession of fierce attacks made by each side. Both had more or less
intrenched their positions by felling timber and covering it with earth,
or slight earthworks. The interval of ground between the opposing lines
was fought over in some places as many as four or five times, the
combatants driving each other in turn from the opposite lines of
rifle-pits, and the battle continued with unabated fury until darkness
set in, each army holding substantially the same position that they had
on the evening of the 5th. After dark, the enemy made a feeble attempt
to turn our right flank, but the promptness of Gen. Sedgwick, who was
personally present and commanding that part of the line, frustrated
their object. During these two days, the total loss was estimated at
15,000. On the morning of the 7th, reconnoissances showed that the enemy
had fallen behind his intrenched lines, with pickets to the front,
covering a part of the battle-field. Gen. Grant determined to move by
his right flank, and put his whole force between Lee’s forces and
Richmond.
On the night of the 7th the march was commenced toward Spottsylvania
Courthouse, the 5th Corps moving on the most direct road. But Lee having
been apprised of the movement, and having the shorter line, was enabled
to reach there first, and the battles of Spottsylvania followed, which
are given below.
On the 8th, Gen. Warren met a force of the enemy, which had been sent
out to oppose and delay his advance, to gain time to fortify the line
taken up at Spottsylvania. This force was steadily driven back on the
main force, within the recently-constructed works, after considerable
fighting, resulting in severe loss to both sides. On the morning of the
9th Gen. Sheridan started on a raid against the enemy’s lines of
communication with Richmond.
The 9th, 10th, and 11th were spent in manœuvring and fighting without
decisive results. Among the killed on the 9th was that able and
distinguished soldier, Gen. Sedgwick, commander of the 6th Corps, of
which Gen. H. G. Wright succeeded to the command. Early on the morning
of the 12th a general attack was made on the enemy in position. The 2d
Corps (Hancock’s) carried a salient of his line, capturing most of
Johnston’s division of Ewell’s corps and 20 pieces of artillery. But the
resistance was so obstinate that the advantage gained did not prove
decisive.
From the 13th to the 18th was consumed in manœuvring and awaiting the
arrival of recruits from Washington. Deeming it impracticable to make
any further attack upon the enemy at Spottsylvania Courthouse, orders
were issued on the 18th with a view to a movement to the North Anna, to
commence on the 19th, but owing to an attack of the Confederates the
movement was delayed until the night of the 21st. The enemy again having
the short line, and being in possession of the main roads, was enabled
to reach North Anna in advance of the Federals, and took position behind
it, where the battles were again renewed.
_Battles of North Anna._--The 5th Corps reached the North Anna on the
afternoon of the 23d, closely followed by the 6th Corps; the 2d and 9th
got up about the same time. Gen. Warren effected a crossing the same
afternoon and got into position. Soon after getting into position he was
violently attacked, but repulsed the enemy with great slaughter. Hancock
also effected a crossing after some fighting. The 6th Corps crossed on
the 24th and took up a position. The attempt of the Federals on the
Confederate centre was repulsed, and finding the enemy’s position on the
North Anna stronger than either of his previous ones, Gen. Grant
withdrew on the night of the 26th to the north bank, and moved to turn
the enemy’s position by his right. The battle of Cold Harbor (which see)
was the next serious engagement. The loss of the Federals, not including
Burnside’s corps, from May 5 to 31 was about 41,400. The Confederate
loss is not known.
=Williamsburg.= A city, capital of James City Co., Va., 60 miles east of
Richmond, and 68 miles northwest of Norfolk. It is situated on a level
plain between James and York Rivers, 6 miles from each. It was first
settled in 1632, is the oldest incorporated town in the State, and was
the colonial and State capital till 1779. A battle was fought here
between Gen. McClellan and the Confederates on May 5, 1862, which
resulted in victory to the former.
=Wilmington.= A city and port of North Carolina, in New Hanover County,
and situated on the Cape Fear River. It was captured by the Union forces
in February, 1865, Fort Fisher, its principal defense, having been taken
by storm on the 15th of the month preceding.
=Wiltshire=, or =Wiltonshire=. An inland county of England. When Cæsar
invaded England, Wiltshire was occupied by the Belgæ; and the Wansdyke
is pointed to as a portion of the defenses which they constructed. It
was afterwards included in the province of Britannia Prima, and
important Roman stations were established, of which the chief was
placed at Sorbiodunum (Old Sarum). The Saxons under Cedric were defeated
by Arthur and his famous knights, but conquered the country when led by
Cynric, and annexed it to the kingdom of Wessex. It became the
battle-field between Saxon and Dane for many long years of warfare. A
great council was held at Sarum in 1086, by William the Conqueror, which
firmly fixed upon the conquered land the feudal system of the Normans.
During the civil war, many important engagements took place in various
parts of the county, and especially at Devizes and Malmesbury, between
Roundheads and Cavaliers.
=Winch.= An axle turned by a crank-handle for raising weights, as from
mines and the like; a windlass.
=Winchelsea.= A town of England, in Sussex, 37 miles northeast from
Brighton. It is a place of great antiquity, and was twice pillaged,
first by the French and again by the Spaniards, who landed near Farley
Head.
=Winchester= (Rom. _Venta Belgarum_). A town of England, capital of
Hampshire. It is a very ancient town, whose erection may reasonably be
ascribed to the Celtic Britons. It was taken by the Saxons in 495, and
by the Danes in 871-73; and was ravaged by Sweyn in 1013. Winchester was
several times taken and retaken between 1641 and 1643; it was taken by
Cromwell, and the castle dismantled in 1645.
=Winchester.= A city and capital of Frederick Co., Va., in the valley of
the Shenandoah, 150 miles north-northwest of Richmond, 71 miles west by
north from Washington. On March 12, 1862, it was occupied by the Federal
general Banks, and during the war was the scene of frequent conflicts,
and occupied in turn by the Federal and Confederate armies.
=Winchester Rifle.= See SMALL-ARMS, and MAGAZINE GUNS.
=Windage.= Is the space left between the bore of a piece and its
projectile, and is measured by the difference of their diameters. The
objects of windage are to facilitate loading, and to diminish the danger
of bursting the piece; it is rendered necessary by the mechanical
impossibility of making every projectile of the proper size and shape,
by the unyielding nature of the material of which large projectiles are
made, by the foulness which collects in the bore after each discharge,
and by the use of hot and strapped shot. The _true windaqe_, which is
the difference between the true diameters of the bore and projectile,
increases slightly with the size of the bore, and is greater for solid
shot, which are sometimes fired hot, than for hollow projectiles, which
are never heated.
_Loss of Force._--The ordinary windage of smooth-bore cannon, used in
the U. S. service, is about ¹⁄₄₀ of the diameter of the bore, and the
loss of force arising from the escape of gas through this windage
amounts to a very considerable portion of the entire charge. The amount
of loss in any case depends on: (1) The degree of windage; (2) The
caliber of the gun; (3) The length of the bore; (4) The kind of powder;
(5) The charge of powder; (6) The weight or density of the ball. It is
probable that the influence which some of these causes exert on the
force of the charge is very slight. It has been determined by
experiment, that the loss of velocity by windage is proportional to the
windage. It may be stated that the loss of velocity by a given windage
is directly as the windage, and inversely as the diameter of the bore,
very nearly.
=Wind-gauge.= In a military sense, is an attachment to the sight (either
front- or rear-sight) of a fire-arm by which an allowance for the effect
of wind on the projectile can be made in aiming. Though usually called
_wind-gauge_, it is also used to counteract _drift_ or any other
deviation which can be anticipated. In the old model target-rifles, the
front-sight is capable of a slight movement. Some of the more recent
military arms have a wind-gauge attached to the rear-sight. In the
_peep-sights_, the sight-piece is moved by a screw. In the present U. S.
service rifle the sight-piece is moved by hand. It has graduations to
guide the marksman. The wind-gauge is frequently attached to
breech-sights of cannon in Europe. In this country the Parrott gun is
similarly equipped.
=Wind-gun.= A gun discharged by the force of compressed air; an air-gun.
=Windlace.= Formerly an apparatus for bending the bow of an arblast or
cross-gun.
=Windlass.= An axis, or roller of wood, square at each end, through
which are either cross-holes for handspikes, or staves across, to turn
it round, by which operation it draws a rope, one end of which is
attached to a weight, which is thus raised from any depth.
=Windsor, Knights of.= See KNIGHTS, MILITARY.
=Wing.= The right or left division of an army, regiment, and the like.
The word is sometimes used to denote the large sides of horn-works,
tenailles, and other outworks.
=Wing.= An ornament worn on the shoulder;--a small imitation epaulette
or shoulder-knot.
=Winged.= In heraldry, represented with wings, or having wings, of a
different color from the body.
=Winnebagoes.= A tribe of Indians who lived around Lake Winnebago in
1639, and were engaged in the war of Pontiac against the English in
1762. In 1794 they were severely defeated by Gen. Wayne, and were
engaged in the Black Hawk war of 1831. They were removed to Minnesota in
1848, from thence to Dakota in 1863, and in the following year to
Nebraska. See INDIANS AND THEIR AGENCIES.
=Winter-quarters.= The quarters of an army during the winter; a winter
residence or station.
=Wire-cartridge.= A cartridge strengthened by wire ligaments.
=Wires, Pointing-.= See POINTING-WIRES.
=Wisby.= A once famous seaport of the Swedish island of Gothland,
capital of the island, and situated on its west coast, about 130 miles
south of Stockholm. In 1361, Valdemar III. of Denmark took this town by
storm, and, plundering it, obtained an immense booty.
=Wisconsin.= One of the Northwestern States of the United States of
America; it is 302 miles from north to south, and 258 from east to west.
Wisconsin is bounded on the north by Lake Superior and the State of
Michigan, east by Lake Michigan, south by Illinois, and west by Iowa and
Minnesota, from which it is separated by the Mississippi and St. Croix
Rivers. This State was explored by French missionaries in the latter
part of the 17th century, and Indian trading-posts were also
established. It was organized as a Territory in 1836, and admitted into
the Union as a State in 1848. During the late civil war it filled its
quotas cheerfully for the Union cause.
=Wissembourg=, or =Weissenbourg=. A small fortified town of Alsace, in
what was formerly the French department of Bas-Rhin, situated on the
Lauter. It was formerly an imperial city, was seized by Louis XIV. in
1673, and annexed to France by the treaty of Ryswick, 1697. The “lines”
of Wissembourg, erected by Villars, in 1705, were taken by the Austrians
and retaken by the French, 1793, after Hoche’s victory at Geisberg. On
August 4, 1870, the crown-prince of Prussia crossed the Lauter and
gained a brilliant but bloody victory over the French (a part of
MacMahon’s division), storming the lines and the Geisberg. Gen. Abel
Douay was mortally wounded, and about 500 prisoners were made. The
killed and wounded on both sides appear to have been nearly equal. The
German army, composed of Prussians, Bavarians, and Würtembergers, were,
it is said, about 40,000, against about 10,000 French, who fought with
desperate bravery.
=Witepsk=, or =Vitepsk=. A city of Russia in Europe, where a battle was
fought between the French under Marshal Victor, duke of Belluno, and the
Russians commanded by Gen. Wittgenstein. The French were defeated after
a desperate engagement, with the loss of 3000 men, November 14, 1812.
=Withstand.= To oppose; to resist; as, to withstand the attack of
troops.
=Witness.= One who testifies in a cause, or gives evidence before a
judicial tribunal; one who gives testimony. Every judge-advocate of a
court-martial or court of inquiry has power to issue the like process,
to compel witnesses to appear and testify, which courts of criminal
jurisdiction within the State, Territory, or District where such
military courts are ordered to sit may lawfully issue. For oath
administered to witnesses, depositions, etc., see APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF
WAR, 91, 92, and 118.
=Wittenberg.= A fortified town of Prussian Saxony, capital of a circle
of the same name in the government of Merseburg, on the Elbe. It has
suffered several times from sieges, particularly in 1756 and 1814,
having on the latter occasion been taken by storm from the French after
a siege of ten months.
=Wolf-hole.= See TROU DE LOUP.
=Wolgast.= A seaport of Prussia, in Pomerania, situated on the Peene,
about 10 miles from its entrance into the Baltic. It is a very old town,
and was strongly fortified as early as the 12th century. It was taken
and retaken five times between 1628 and 1675; the Russians plundered and
burned it in 1713, and the Swedes retook it in 1715.
=Women and Domestic Relations, Protection of.= See APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF
WAR, 58.
=Wood.= The most useful timbers in the United States are: the hickory,
which is very tough and inflexible; white oak, tough and pliable; white
ash, tough and elastic; black walnut, hard and fine-grained; white
poplar, soft, light, fine-grained wood; white pine and other pines, for
building; cypress, soft, light, straight-grained, and grows to a large
size; dogwood, hard and fine-grained. The timber growing in the centre
of a forest is best.
=Wooden Fuze.= See LABORATORY STORES.
=Woolwich.= A town of England, in Kent, and is the most ancient military
and naval arsenal in England. It is celebrated for its royal dock-yard,
where men of war have been built so early as the reign of Henry VIII.,
1512. The royal arsenal was formed about 1720; it contains vast
magazines of great guns, mortars, shells, powder, and other warlike
stores; a foundry with several furnaces for casting ordnance; and a
laboratory where fireworks, cartridges, grenades, etc., are made for
public service. There is also a royal artillery barracks here which can
accommodate nearly 4000 men. About 10,000 persons are employed in
Woolwich Arsenal.
=Woolwich Gun.= See ORDNANCE, CONSTRUCTION OF.
=Woordie-Major.= The native adjutant of an Indian irregular cavalry
regiment.
=Worcester.= The capital of Worcestershire, England, situated on the
left bank of the Severn. It is one of the most ancient cities of the
kingdom, and was formerly strongly fortified, as it had to resist
frequent attacks from the Welsh, and in turbulent periods of English
history was often the object of assault by contending parties. In the
civil war the final great battle between the Puritans and the cavaliers
took place here. This battle, which Cromwell called his “crowning
mercy,” was fought on September 3, 1651, between the Parliamentary
troops, commanded by Cromwell in person, and the Scotch army of Charles
II. The battle lasted several hours, and at its close the Scotch were
utterly routed, nearly all of them being killed or made prisoners.
=Worcestershire.= An inland county of England, forming part of the west
midland division. Its early history cannot be determined with accuracy.
Under the Saxons the county was included in the kingdom of Mercia. It
shared in all the great civil wars of England; it was frequently the
scene of contests between the Saxons and the Danes; the great battle
which decided the fate of Simon de Montfort was fought in the vale of
Evesham; and during the civil war Worcestershire was disturbed by
frequent skirmishes. The battle which settled Cromwell in possession of
the government was fought under the walls of the chief city. See
WORCESTER.
=Words of Command.= Are certain terms which have been adopted for the
exercise and movement of military bodies, according to the nature of
each particular service. Words of command are classed under two
principal heads, and consist of those which are given by the chief or
commander of a brigade, or division, and of those which are uttered by
the subordinate officers of troops or companies, etc. _Cautionary
words_, are certain leading instructions which are given to designate
any particular manœuvre. The cautionary words precede the words of
command. See COMMANDS.
=Working Party.= A body of soldiers told off, by command, to perform
certain work or labor foreign to their ordinary duties. The men
generally receive additional pay while performing this labor.
=Works.= Are the fortifications about the body of a place. This word is
also used to signify the approaches of the besiegers, and the several
lines, trenches, etc., made round a place, an army, or the like, for its
security.
=Works, Advanced.= See ADVANCED WORKS.
=Works, Detached.= See DETACHED WORKS.
=Works, Field-.= See FIELD-WORKS.
=Worm.= See IMPLEMENTS.
=Worm a Gun, To.= To take out the charge of a fire-arm by means of a
worm.
=Worms.= A city of Western Germany, grand duchy of Hesse, near the left
bank of the Rhine, 26 miles southeast of Mayence. This is one of the
oldest, and in the early history of Germany was one of the most
important, towns in the country. After its destruction by Attila the Hun
about the middle of the 5th century, it was rebuilt by Clovis in 496. It
afterwards became the seat of many Frankish and Carlovingian kings.
Worms was also the seat of many imperial diets, the best known of which
is that of 1521, when Luther appeared before the emperor Charles V. In
1689 it was burned by order of Louis XIV.; and was taken by the French
under Custine, October 4, 1792. Here, in 1743, an offensive and
defensive alliance was entered into by Great Britain and Austria with
Sardinia.
=Worst, To.= To defeat; to overthrow; to put to the rout.