irregularly fortified.
PLACE _basse_, _Fr._ In fortification the lower flanks according to
certain systems are so called.
PLACE _forte_, _Fr._ a strong hold or place which presents at all
points so many difficult obstacles against a besieging army, that it
cannot be carried (except by surprize) unless the regular means of
reducing it be resorted to.
PLACES _contreminées_, _Fr._ all fortresses, &c. are called _places
contreminées_, or _countermined_, which, independent of their open
and visible means of defence, &c. have subterraneous fortifications
that are alongside the revetements of the works, under the glacis,
or beneath the neighboring ground, to interrupt the approaches, and
destroy the works of a besieging enemy.
PLACE _haute_, _Fr._ According to the systems of some engineers
(which have not been followed of late years) the _place haute_, or
high place, is that which stands the highest of three platforms that
were constructed in the shape of an amphitheatre along the flanks of
the bastions. Pagan, Blondel, and others, who have copied from these
systems, did so from an idea, that considerable advantages might be
derived from a powerful and concentrated discharge of artillery and
musquetry. Not conceiving that it was possible to construct casemated
flanks free of smoke, they built three or four open flanks one above
the other. But they were soon rendered useless and untenable by the
shells that fell, and the fragments that flew about in consequence of
the demolition of the mason-work. Casemated ramparts, on the contrary,
have been known to stand proof against the heaviest discharge of bombs,
&c. to take up little room, and to afford ample space for a wide range
of artillery, that is kept under cover.
PLACES _non revêtues_, _Fr._ all fortified towns or places are so
called, when the ramparts that surround them are only lined with
placage or simple turf. In this case the ramparts, so lined or covered,
ought to be fraised and palisadoed above the berme or foot-path, to
prevent surprizes. Hedges made of good quickset, well interwoven
with other wood, and carefully attended to, will save the expence of
palisadoes, which in marshy soils soon rot, and require to be replaced.
PLACES _revêtues_, _Fr._ All fortified towns or places are so called,
whose ramparts are lined or covered with brick or stone. It frequently
happens, that the revetement does not reach the terre-pleine of the
rampart, especially when the parapets are thick and solid; in which
case the revetement is more easily covered by the glacis. Parapets are
no longer lined.
PLACE, _Fr._ This word is frequently used by the French, in a military
sense, to signify ration, viz.
_Une_ PLACE _de bouche_, _Fr._ one ration of provisions.
_Deux_ PLACES _de fourrage_, _Fr._ Two rations of forage.
_To be_ PLACED. This expression is frequently used in naval and
military matters, to signify the appointment or reduction of officers.
Hence to be placed upon full or half-pay. It is more generally
applicable to the latter case.
PLACER, _Fr._ to fix, to settle. This word is used among the French,
as with us, to express the act of providing for a person by appointing
him to a desirable situation, viz. _Placer un jeune homme dans un
regiment_; to get a young man a commission in a regiment.
_Un cheval bien_ PLACE, _Fr._ A horse is said, among the French, to be
well placed, when his forehead runs perpendicularly down between the
nostrils.
PLAFOND, _Fr._ The ceiling.
PLAFONNER, _Fr._ to ceil or adorn the upper part of a room, &c.
PLAGE, _Fr._ flat shore, or extent of coast, where there are no creeks,
&c. for vessels to ride in.
PLAIE, _Fr._ a wound or scar.
PLAN, _ground plot_, or _ichnography_, in _fortification_, is the
representation of the first or fundamental tract of a work, showing
the length of its lines, the quantity of its angles, the breadth of
the ditches, thickness of the rampart, parapets, and the distance of
one part from another: so that a plan represents a work, such as it
would appear if cut equal with the level of the horizon, or cut off
at the foundation: but it marks neither the heights nor depths of the
several parts of the works: that is properly _profile_, which expresses
only the heights, breadths, and depths, without taking notice of the
lengths. As architects, before they lay the foundation of their edifice
make their design on paper, by which means they find out their faults,
so an engineer, before tracing his works on the ground, should make
_plans_ of his designs upon paper, that he may do nothing without
serious deliberation.
Exact plans are very useful for generals or governors, in either
attacking or defending a place, in chusing a camp, determining attacks,
conducting the approaches, or in examining the strength and weakness
of a place; especially such plans as represent a place with the
country about it, shewing the rivers, fountains, marshes, ditches,
valleys, mountains, woods, houses, churches, defiles, roads, and other
particulars, which appertain to it.
PLAN _of comparison_, a geometrical sketch of any fortress and adjacent
country within cannon shot, in which the different levels of every
principal point are expressed.
PLAN, _Fr._ See PLAN.
_Lever le_ PLAN _de quelque place de guerre_, _Fr._ to draw the plan of
a fortified town or place.
PLANCHETTE, _Fr._ a small board or copper-plate, which is used in
practical geometry.
PLANCHES, _Fr._ Boards, planks.
PLANCHES _d’entrevoux_, _Fr._ Boards or planks that are laid between
the joists or posts of a building.
PLANCHEYER, _Fr._ to board or floor.
PLANCONS, _Fr._ literally twigs, or small round pieces of wood. A term
used in hydraulics. See _Belidor_.
PLANIMETRY, (_planimetrie_, _Fr._) that part of geometry which
considers lines and plane figures, without any reference to heights or
depths, in opposition to stenometry, or the mensuration of solids.
PLANISPHERE, (_planisphere_, _Fr._) a representation of the globe or
sphere on paper, for geometrical and astronomical purposes.
_To_ PLANT, in a military sense, to place, to fix; as to plant a
standard. It likewise signifies to arrange different pieces of ordnance
for the purpose of doing execution against an enemy or his works. Hence
to plant a battery. Johnson applies it to the act of directing a cannon
properly. The French use the word generally as we do, except in the
last mentioned sense. They say, _metre le canon en batterie_. In others
the term bears the same signification, with occasional deviations when
they apply it figuratively, viz.
PLANTER _le piquet chez quelqu’un_, _Fr._ To quarter one-self upon any
body.
PLANTER _là quelqu’un_, _Fr._ To leave a person abruptly, or, as we
familiarly say, to leave another in the lurch.
PLANTER _quelque chose au nez de quelqu’un_, _Fr._ To reproach a person
with any thing, or, as we familiarly say, to throw it in his teeth. _Il
lui planter sa poltronnerie au nez_; he reproached him openly for his
cowardice, or he threw his cowardice in his teeth.
PLANTE, _Fr._ To be fixed, to be stationary. _Un soldat bien plante sur
ses pieds_, _Fr._ A soldier that is well set up.
PLANTER _un bâtiment_, _Fr._ To lay the first stones, or the
foundations of a building.
PLAQUE, _Fr._ The shell of a sword. See PLACAGE.
PLAQUES _de Plomb_, _Fr._ Sheets of lead. These are used for various
purposes. In the artillery, to cover the vent of a cannon; and on board
ships of war, to stop the holes, &c. that are made by cannon shot.
PLAQUER, _Fr._ to lay one plank over another. To cover any space with
earth or turf, &c.
PLASM. See MOULD.
PLASTER, a piece of greased leather or rag used by riflemen, &c. to
make the ball fit the bore of the piece.
PLASTER, in building, a substance made of water and some absorbent
matter, such as chalk or lime, well pulverised, with which walls are
overlaid.
PLASTRON, a piece of leather stuffed, used by fencing-masters, to
receive thereon the pushes made at them by their pupils.
PLASTRON, _Fr._ A breast plate or half cuirass. In the old French
service the gens d’armes, the heavy cavalry, the light horse, &c. were
obliged to wear breast-plates on all occasions at reviews, &c. The
hussars were an exception to this order which took place on the 28th
of May, 1733. In the original order, dated the 1st of February, 1703,
it was particularly specified, that in order to be accustomed to their
weight, the above-mentioned corps should wear half cuirasses in time of
peace. The captains of troops were obliged to keep the half cuirasses
belonging to their men in constant repair.
PLAT, _ate_, _Fr._ Flat, level, low. The flat side of any thing; as,
_Plat de Sabre_.
PLAT _pays_. A flat or low country. It is generally used among the
French to signify that extent, or space of country, on which scattered
houses and villages are built, in contradistinction to towns and
fortified places. It is likewise used in opposition to a mountainous
country. _Les soldats de la garnison vivoient aux dépens du plat pays._
The soldiers of the garrison lived upon the adjacent villages or
country.
_Punir à_ PLAT _de Sabre_. To punish a man by striking him with the
flat side of a sabre blade. The French likewise say, _des coups de
plat d’epée_. Blows given with the flat side of a sword. This mode of
punishing is frequently adopted in foreign services, particularly among
the Germans. M. de St. Germain, minister of the war department under
Louis XVI. attempted to introduce it in France, but it was resisted by
the army at large.
_Battre à_ PLATE _couture_, _Fr._ To gain a complete and decided
victory, or to beat an enemy so as to kill or take almost every man he
had to oppose. Hence, _une armée battue à plate couture_, _Fr._ An army
completely routed and undone.
PLAT _de l’équipage d’un vaisseau_, _Fr._ A dish or mess, consisting
of seven rations or portions put together, and served out for the
subsistence of seven men, on board French ships of war.
_Etre mis au_ PLAT _des malades sur mer_, _Fr._ To be put upon the sick
list on board a king’s ship; or to receive such rations as were ordered
to be served out to the sick.
PLATAIN, _Fr._ Flat coast. A spot near the sea which is well
calculated for a descent. As _Le Platain de d’Angoulin_, and the
_Platain de Chatelaillon_, near Rochelle.
PLATES, or _prise plates_, in artillery, two plates of iron on the
cheeks of a gun-carriage, from the cap-square to the centre, through
which the prise bolts go, and on which the handspike rest, when used in
raising the breech of the gun, &c.
_Breast_ PLATES, the two plates, on the face of the carriage, on the
other cheek.
_Breast_ PLATES, the clasps, with ornamented heads, by which the cross
belts in the army are attached.
_Train_ PLATES, the two plates on the cheeks at the train of the
carriage.
_Dulidge_ PLATES, the six plates on the wheel of a gun carriage, where
the fellies are joined together.
PLATEAU, _Fr._ A flat piece of wood, which is sometimes used to place
mortars on, &c.
PLATEBANDES, _Fr._ Capsquares. A particular part of a piece of
ordnance, which, though of a flat form or figure, rises beyond the rest
of the metal, and is always cast before the moulding. There are three
sorts of platbands upon a regular piece of ordnance, viz. capsquare and
moulding at the breech; capsquare and moulding of the first reinforce;
capsquare and moulding of the second reinforce.
PLATEBANDES _d’affuts_, _Fr._ Iron capsquares, which serve to keep the
trunnions fast between the cheeks of a piece of ordnance.
PLATFORM, (_Platforme_, _Fr._) The upper part of every brick or stone
building which is arched and has more floors than one, is so called.
Hence the platform of a tower, or of a redoubt. All pieces of ordnance
that are planted on a rampart, or are disposed along the lines of a
besieging army, &c. have their platforms.
PLATFORM, in _gunnery_, is a bed of wood on a battery, upon which the
guns stand; each consisting of 18 planks of oak or elm, a foot broad,
2¹⁄₂ inches thick, and from 8 to 15 feet long, nailed or pinned on 4,
5, or 6 beams, from 4 to 7 inches square, called sleeper. They must be
made higher behind than before by 6 or 9 inches, to prevent too great a
recoil, and to advance the gun easily when loaded. They are from 18 to
20 feet long, 8 feet before and 14 or 15 feet behind.
Permanent batteries, if good stone is not to be had, should be made of
brick placed on the edge.
PLATFORMS. The common platforms for gun batteries require the following
materials for each: 5 sleepers or joists, 6 inches square, 14 feet
long.--1 hunter, 8 or 10 inches square, 8 feet long, 14 planks, 1 foot
wide, 11 feet long, 2¹⁄₂ inches thick.--20 pickets.
The usual slope of platforms for guns is one inch to every yard.
The platforms for mortar batteries are made with 3 sleepers 8 inches
square, and covered with about 11 timbers of the same thickness. They
are laid perfectly horizontal, about 15 feet asunder, and 12 feet from
the epaulement. This is the distance commonly practised for firing
only at 15 degrees elevation; but if the platforms be placed at the
undermentioned distances from the epaulement, the mortars may be fired
at the angles corresponding.
At 13 feet distance for firing at 30 degrees.
21 feet at 20
30 feet at 15
40 feet at 10
over an epaulement of 8 feet high. See BATTERY.
PLATINE _de lumiere_, _Fr._ The same as _Plaques de Plomb_, as far as
it regards cannon. With respect to musquets and other firearms, it
means that part of the hammer which covers the pan.
PLATOON, in _military affairs_, was formerly a small body of men,
in a battalion of foot, &c. that fired alternately. A battalion was
then generally divided into 16 platoons, exclusive of the grenadiers,
which formed 2 or 4 platoons more, as occasion required. At present a
battalion is generally divided into wings, grand divisions, divisions,
(platoons or companies) subdivisions, and sections; and the word
platoon is generally used, to denote a number (from 10 to 20) of
recruits assembled for the purpose of instruction, in which case it may
be considered as synonimous with company; but a platoon may consist of
any number under a battalion.
PLATRAS, _Fr._ Rubbish, such as ashes, pieces of broken brick, mortar,
&c. It is used by refiners, for the purpose of distilling saltpetre
into proper vessels.
PLATRER, _Fr._ to plaster, to patch, to daub over.
PLAY, is occasionally applied to a military action; as the cannon
_play_ upon the enemy, &c.
PLEBEIAN. From the Latin _Plebius_, a distinction made between the poor
and rich, in a very early period of Rome; which tended to its ultimate
destruction. The term is chiefly used in speaking of the ancient
Romans, who were divided into senators, knights, plebians, and common.
PLEDGET, the same as _bolster_, _compress_, in surgery, a kind of flat
tent, which is laid over a wound, to imbibe the superfluous humors that
ooze out, and to keep it clean.
PLEIN _du Mur_, _Fr._ The main part or body of a wall.
PLEIN _fouet_, direct shot; or firing so as to hit the mark by the
trajectory line.
PLIER, _Fr._ To give way.
_Une aile qui_ PLIE, _Fr._ in a military sense, the wing of an army,
which gives way. When this occurs, it behoves a wise and executive
general, to send immediate support, for the whole army is endangered by
the least impression on that quarter.
PLINTH, the square member which serves as a foundation to the base of a
pillar.
PLOMB, _Fr._ literally means lead. It is sometimes used in a military
sense, to signify musquet shot, &c.
_A_ PLOMB, _Fr._ The perpendicular position of any body or substance.
_Une muraille est à plomb._ A wall built in a straight perpendicular
direction.
_Donner à plomb_, _Fr._ To fall vertically, as the rays of the sun do
in certain latitudes
_Etre à plomb_, _Fr._ To stand upright.
_Marcher à plomb_, _Fr._ To march with a firm, steady pace.
This word is sometimes used as a substantive, viz. _Perdre son a
plomb._ To lose one’s balance.
_Manquer d’a plomb_, _Fr._ To be unsteady.
PLONGEE, _Fr._ A term used in artillery to express the action of a
bomb, &c. which from the highest point of the curve it describes, takes
a downward direction to strike its object.
PLONGEE _du Rampart_, _Fr._ The slope of the upper part of the parapet,
belonging to the rampart, is so called. The slope is likewise named
_talus supérieur_, or upper talus.
PLONGEONS, _Fr._ Artificial fireworks, which are shot into water and
rise again without being extinguished.
PLONGEONS, _Fr._ Plungers or divers. Men of this description ought
always to accompany an army, for the purpose of swimming under bridges
of boats, &c. and making apertures in their bottoms.
PLONGER, _Fr._ To plunge any thing into the water. This word is
likewise used to express the discharge of ordnance from top to bottom,
as _canon plongé_.
PLUIE _de feu_, _Fr._ literally a shower or rain of fire. It signifies
a certain quantity of artificial fireworks, whose discharge falls in
regular sparks, without ever deviating into a serpentine direction.
PLUMB, PLUMMET, a leaden or other weight let down at the end of
a string, or piece of catgut, to regulate any work in a line
perpendicular to the horizon, or sound the depth of any thing. It is of
great use to the artillerist, as well as to the engineer.
PLUME, feathers worn by soldiers in the hat or helmet.
PLUMET, _Fr._ plume, feather. An ornament which is worn by military men
in their hats. It succeeded the pannache or bunch of feathers, that
formerly adorned the helmets.
PLUMMET. This word is derived from the Latin _Plumbum_, lead, as a
piece thereof is fastened to the end of a thread. The instrument itself
is used by masons, &c. to draw perpendiculars with, in order to judge
whether walls, &c. be upright planes, horizontal, &c. Pilots, at sea,
likewise ascertain their soundings by it. In the forming of recruits it
is used to fix lines.
Plummets which vibrate the required times of march in the minute, are
of great utility, and can alone prevent, or correct uncertainty of
movement; they must be in the possession of, and be constantly referred
to by each instructor of a squad.
A musquet ball suspended by a string which is not subject to stretch,
(and must of course be kept constantly dry) and on which are marked
the different required lengths, will answer the above purpose, may be
easily acquired, and should be frequently compared with an accurate
standard in the adjutant’s, or serjeant-major’s possession. The length
of the plummet is to be measured from the point of suspension to the
centre of the ball.
Accurate distances or steps of 24 inches must also be marked out on
the ground, along which the soldier should be practised to march, and
thereby acquire the just length of pace.
PLUNDER, hostile pillage, or spoils taken in war.
PLUS, in algebra, commonly denotes majus, more, or addition: its
character is +. Thus 5 + 7 is read 5 _plus_ 7, or 5 added to 7 is equal
to 12.
PLUTEUS, a defensive machine, which was used by the ancient Romans. It
was composed of wicker hurdles laid for a roof on the top of posts,
which the soldiers, who went under it for shelter, bore up with their
hands. Kennett, in page 238, of his Roman Antiquities, observes, that
some will have them, as well as the vineæ, to have been contrived
with a double roof; the first and lower roof of planks, and the upper
roof of hurdles, to break the force of any blow, without disordering
the machine. The plutei, however, were of a different figure from the
vineæ, being shaped like an arched sort of waggon; some having three
wheels, so conveniently placed, that the machine would move either way,
with equal ease. They were put much to the same use as the _musculi_.
Father Daniel, the Jesuit, in his history of the French militia, makes
mention of this machine. He quotes a passage out of a poem, intituled
the Siege of Paris, by Abbon, the Monk; the meaning of which is, that
the Normans brought up a large quantity of machines, that were called
_plutei_ by the Romans, and that seven or eight soldiers could be put
under cover beneath them. He further adds, that these machines were
covered with bull hides.
The moderns have imitated these plutei by adopting mantelets.
The chevalier Folard mentions having seen one at the siege of
Phillipeville, of a triangular figure, made of cork, interlaced between
two boards, and supported by three wheels that turned upon a pivot.
PLUSH, a kind of stuff with a sort of velvet nap or shag on one side,
consisting of a woof of a single woollen thread, and a double warp;
the one of two woollen threads twisted, the other goat’s or camel’s
hair; though there are plushes entirely of worsted, others of hair, and
others again of silk, cotton, &c. White plush breeches have been often
worn by dragoons. They resist moisture, and are easily cleaned.
PNEUMATICS. The doctrine of the air, or the laws whereby it is
condensed, rarefied, gravitated, &c.
PNEUMATIC _Engine_, denotes the air pump.
PNEUMATIQUE, _Fr._ Pneumatics.
POIDS, _Fr._ Weights.
POIDS _de Marc_, _Fr._ Avoirdupois weight.
POIDS _Romain_, _Fr._ Troy weight.
POIDS _à peser l’eau_, _Fr._ Waterpoise.
_Etre de_ POIDS, _Fr._ To weigh.
_Avec_ POIDS _et mesure_, _Fr._ With care and circumspection.
POIGNARD, _Fr._ Dagger, poniard.
_Coup de_ POIGNARD, _Fr._ A stab.
POIGNARDER, _Fr._ To stab.
POIGNEE, _Fr._ Handful. _Poignée d’hommes_; a handful of men; a small
number.
POIGNEE, _Fr._ Handle of a sword.
_La_ POIGNEE, _Fr._ The handle.
POIL, _Fr._ Hair. _Monter un cheval à_ POIL. To ride a horse without a
saddle.
_Un brave à trois_ POILS, _Fr._ A figurative expression to describe a
bully, or gasconading fellow.
POINCON, _Fr._ A puncheon, bodkin. It is likewise an instrument which
is used in the making of artificial fireworks, being called _poincon
à arrêt_, from a piece of iron running cross-ways near the point, to
prevent it from entering too far.
POINT, in geometry, according to Euclid, is a quantity which has
no parts, being indivisible; and according to others, that which
terminates itself on every side, or which has no boundaries distinct
from itself. This is a mathematical point, and is only conceived by
the imagination; yet herein all magnitude begins and ends, its flux
generating a line, that of a line a surface, &c. A line can only cut
another in a point.
POINT, _in perspective_, denotes various places with regard to
the perspective plane, viz. _point of sight_, or _of the eye_, or
_principal point_, is a point in the axis of the eye, or in the
central ray, where the same is intersected by the horizon.
POINT, or points of distance, in perspective, is a point or points,
for there are sometimes two of them placed at equal distances from the
point of sight.
_Accidental_ POINTS, or _Contingent_ POINTS, in perspective, are
certain points wherein such objects as may be thrown negligently, and
without order, under the plan, do tend to terminate. For this reason
they are not drawn to the point of sight, nor the points of distance,
but meet accidentally, or at random in the horizon.
POINT _of the front_, in perspective, is when we have the object
directly before us, and not more on one side than the other, in which
case it only shews the foreside; and if it be below the horizon, a
little of the top too, but nothing of the side, unless the object be
polygonous.
_Third_ POINT, is a point taken at discretion in the line of distance,
wherein all the diagonals drawn from the divisions of the geometrical
plane concur.
_Objective_ POINT, a point on a geometrical plane, whose representation
is required on the perspective plane.
POINT _of concourse_, in optics, is that wherein converging rays meet,
more commonly called the focus.
POINT _of dispersion_, is that wherein the rays begin to diverge,
usually called the virtual focus.
POINT. This term is frequently used in a military sense. _As point of
intersection, intermediate point, &c._ The several applications of
which may be seen in the general rules and regulations.
_Covering_ POINT, a point which in changes of position materially
concerns the movement of one line with another.
When a change of position is made on a flank or central point of the
first line, the movement of its _coveting point_ of the second line,
determines the new relative situation of that second line.
To find this point, it is necessary to premise, that if a circle is
described from any point (A) of a first line (AE) with a radius equal
to the distance betwixt the two lines; then its covering point (a)
at that time in the second line will be always in the circumference
of that circle, at such place as the second line becomes a tangent
to the circle. Should the first line, therefore, make a change of
position (AR) either on a flank or central point (A); its covering
point (a) will move so as still to preserve and halt in its relative
situation (a 2) and by the movement and halt of that point preceded by
the one (d) of _intersection_, every other part of the second line,
either by following them, or by yielding from them, is regulated and
directed. Betwixt the old and new situation of the covering point (a)
and equidistant from each, lies the _point_ (d) where the old and new
positions of the second line _intersect_, and which is a most material
one in the movement of that line.
POINT _of honor_. See HONOR.
POINT _of Appui_, the point upon which a line of troops is formed. When
the right stands in front, and the column is marching to form, the
first halted company, division, &c. is the point of appui. Thus when
the right is in front the distant point of formation is the left.
POINT _of Intersection_, the point where two lines intersect each other.
_Intermediate_ POINT. In marching forward that is called an
intermediate point which lies between the spot marched from, and the
spot towards which you are advancing. In forming line, the centre point
between the right and left is the intermediate point. It is of the
utmost consequence to every body of troops, advancing or retreating,
but especially in advancing towards the enemy, to find an intermediate
point between two given, and, perhaps, inaccessible objects. The line
of march is preserved by these means in its perpendicular direction,
and every column may be enabled to ascertain its relative point of
entry in the same line.
POINT _of Alignment_, (_Point d’alignement_, _Fr._) The point which
troops form upon and dress by.
POINT _of Formation_, a point taken, upon which troops are formed in
military order.
_Perpendicular_ POINT, the point upon which troops march in a straight
forward direction.
_Relative_ POINTS, the points by which the parallelism of a march is
preserved.
POINT _of passing_, the ground on which one or more bodies of armed men
march by a reviewing general.
POINT _to salute at_, the spot on which the reviewing general stands.
This, however, is not to be understood literally, as every infantry
officer when he arrives within six paces of the general, recovers his
sword and drops it, keeping it in that situation until he shall have
passed him a prescribed number of paces. The cavalry salute within the
breadth of the horse’s neck, the instant the object is uncovered.
POINT _of War_, a loud and impressive beat of the drum, the perfect
execution of which requires great skill and activity. The point of war
is beat when a battalion charges.
POINT _du jour_, _Fr._ break of day; dawn.
POINT _de vue_, _Fr._ prospect, sight, aim.
_De_ POINT _en blanc_, _Fr._ point blank.
_A_ POINT, _Fr._ in time.
_A_ POINT _nommée_, _Fr._ seasonably.
_La_ POINTE, _Fr._ the point of the sword.
POINT is also a steel instrument of various use in several arts.
Engravers, etchers, wood-cutters, stone-cutters, &c. use points to
trace their designs on copper, wood, or stone.
POINT _blank_, (_But en blanc_, _Fr._) in gunnery, denotes the shot
of a piece levelled horizontally, without either mounting or sinking
the muzzle. In shooting thus, the bullet is supposed to go in a
direct line, and not to move in a curve, as bombs and highly elevated
random shots do. We say supposed to go in a direct line, because it
is certain, and easily proved, that a shot cannot fly any part of its
range in a right line strictly taken; but the greater the velocity, the
nearer it approaches to a right line; or the less crooked its range.
For the point blank ranges of different pieces of ordnance, see the
different natures.
The French _point blank_ or _but en blanc_, is what the English
artillery call the _line of metal elevation_; in most guns between one
and two degrees.
POINTER, _Fr._ to point; as, _pointer un canon_. To point a cannon.
POINTEURS, _Fr._ Levellers. Officers in the old French artillery, who
were subordinate to the extraordinary commissaries; but who were never
employed except upon field service.
POINTS _d’appui_, _Fr._ Basis, support. The general signification of
this term expresses the different advantageous posts, such as castles,
fortified villages, &c. which the general of an army takes possession
of in order to secure his natural position. In a more limited sense,
they mean those points which are taken up in movements and evolutions.
See POINT D’APPUI. _Am. Mil. Lib._
POINTING _of a gun or mortar_, is the placing either one or other, so
as to hit the object, or to come as near it as possible.
_To_ POISON _a Piece_, (_Enclouer une piéce_, _Fr._) in gunnery, to
clog or nail it up.
POISSON, _Fr._ literally means fish.
POITREL, armor for the breast of a horse.
POIX, _Fr._ pitch.
POIX _résine_, _Fr._ Rosin.
POLACRE, _Fr._ A lappel coat.
POLACRE, or _Polaque_, _Fr._ a Levantine vessel, which carries a smack
sail on the mizen and mizen mast, and square sails on the main mast and
bowsprit.
POLAIRE, _Fr._ Polar.
POLE, in a four wheel carriage, is fastened to the middle of the hind
axle-tree, and passes between the fore axle-tree and its bolster,
fastened with the pole-pin, so as to move about it; keeping the fore
and hind carriages together. It is also called the _tongue_.
POLES, in castrametation, long round pieces of wood, by which a marquee
or tent is supported. There are three sorts, viz.
_Ridge_ POLE, a long round piece of wood, which runs along the top of
an officer’s tent or marquee, and is supported by two other poles, viz.
_Front_ POLE, a strong pole, which is fixed in the front part of an
officer’s tent or marquee, and is kept in a perpendicular position by
means of two strong cords, called weather cords, that run obliquely
from each other, across two other cords from the rear pole, and are
kept fast to the earth by wooden pegs.
_Rear_ POLE, a strong pole, which is fixed in the back part of an
officer’s marquee or tent, and is kept in the same relative position as
has been described above.
_Fire_ POLES, or _Rods_, artificial fireworks. They are generally of
the length of ten or twelve feet, and of the thickness of two inches
at most. One of the ends of the fire pole is hollowed out with three
or four flutes to the length of two or three feet. Into one of these
flutes are fixed rockets or squibs. Paper crackers are fixed in the
others. After holes have been bored through the body of the pole, in
order that the rockets may have communication with the crackers, they
must be neatly wrapped in paper, the more effectually to deceive the
spectators.
POLEAXE, an axe fixed to the end of a long pole. See BATTLE AXE.
POLICE, _Fr._ in a military sense, among the French, this term
comprehends the inspectors, the treasurers, the paymasters, the
commissaries, the provost marshal, &c.
POLICE _d’assurance_, _Fr._ a policy of Insurance.
POLICY _in war_. See STRATAGEM.
POLITICAL, relating to policy, or civil government.
POLITICS, (_Politique_, _Fr._) a part of ethics which consists in the
governing of states, for the maintenance of the public safety, order,
and good morals.
POLK, _Fr._ a Polish term, signifying a regiment, from whence is
derived polkowink, colonel.
POLLAM, _Ind._, a measure equal to twenty ounces: forty make a viz in
weight in Madras.
POLL _Money_, commonly called poll-tax, or capitation.
POLTROON, (_Poltron_, _Fr._) a coward, a dastard, who has no courage
to perform any thing noble. The etymology of poltron or poltroon,
as it is usually pronounced, is curious. Both in ancient and modern
times frequent instances have occurred of men, who had been forcibly
enlisted, having rendered themselves unfit for service by cutting off
their thumbs or fingers. When this happened among the Romans, they
were called _Pollice trunci_. The French, (as they do in most of their
words that are derived from the Latin) contract these two, and by an
elision make poltron or poltroon, from whence we have adopted the term.
Another, and in our opinion a more correct derivation, comes from the
Italian _Poltrone_, which takes its derivation from _Poltro_, a colt;
because of that animal’s readiness to run away; or _Poltro_ a bed, as
pusillanimous people take a pleasure in lying in bed. This last word
is derived from the high Dutch _Polster_, which signifies a bolster
or cushion. This contemptible character is so little calculated for a
military life, that the slightest imputation of cowardice is sufficient
to render an individual unworthy of serving among _real_ soldiers.
Poltroon and coward stand, in fact, foremost in the black catalogue of
military incapacities. Every young man, therefore, ought well to weigh,
examine, and digest the necessary qualifications for a profession,
which, above all others, exacts a daring spirit, and an unqualified
contempt of death.
POLIGARCHY, (_Polygarchie_, _Fr._) a government composed of many chiefs
or leaders.
POLYGARS, _Ind._ Chiefs of mountainous and woody districts in the
peninsula, who pay only a temporary homage.
POLYGON, (_Polygone_, _Fr._) is a figure of more than four sides, and
is either regular or irregular, exterior or interior.
_Regular_ POLYGON, is that whose angles and sides are equal. It has
an angle of the centre, and an angle of the polygon. The centre of a
regular polygon, is the centre of a circle, which circumscribes the
polygon; that is, whose circumference passes through all the angles of
the figure.
_Irregular_ POLYGON, is that whose sides and angles are unequal.
_Exterior_ POLYGON, that whose lines touch the points of the flanked
angles, when a place is fortified inwards.
_Interior_ POLYGON, that outward fortification which makes the angles
of the gorget; so that the whole bastion is without the polygon.
POLYEDRE, _Fr._ See POLYEDRON.
_Lunettes_ POLYEDRES, _Fr._ Magnifying glasses.
POLYEDRICAL, POLYEDROUS, having many sides.
POLYEDRON, a solid figure or body consisting of many sides.
POLYGRAPHIE, _Fr._ See POLYGRAPHY.
POLYNOMIAL, (_Polynôme_, _Fr._) an algebraical term, signifying a
quantity made up of many others by means of the sign + or _more_, and
the sign - or _less_.
POLYORCETE, _Fr._ a term used among the french to distinguish great
warriors. It literally signifies the taking of strong towns. Marshals
Saxe and Lowendalh, _les grands Polyorcetes_ of the last century.
POLYTECHNIQUE, _Ecole_ POLYTECHNIQUE, a word derived from the Greek,
and used by the French to distinguish an establishment in which all
sciences are taught. The military school, which existed during the
French monarchy, is comprised in this institution. See MILITARY SCHOOL.
POMADA, an exercise of vaulting the wooden horse, by laying one hand
over the pommel of the saddle.
POMERIUM, in ancient architecture, that space of ground which lay
between the walls of a fortified town and the inhabitants’ houses.
The term is still used among modern architects, particularly by the
Italians, as Peter Cataneo, and Alghiri, to describe the breadth of the
terre pleine of rampart, its inward talus, and the vacant space which
is usually left between this talus and the houses of the town.
POMMEL, (_Pommeau_, _Fr._) a piece of brass or other substance, at
top, and in the middle of the saddle bow, to which are fastened the
holsters, stirrip leathers, &c.
POMMEL, the knob at the extremity of the handle that balances the blade
of the sword; also the protuberance on the fore part of a saddle.
POMMES, _Fr._ round pieces of wood which are variously used for
ornament, &c.
POMMES _de Pavillon et d’enseigne_, _Fr._ the piece of wood which is
fixed at the top of the color staff, &c.
POMPE, _Fr._ See PUMP.
POMPE _de mer_, _Fr._ a sea pump, or a pump used on board a ship.
POMPER, _Fr._ to pump.
PONANT, _Fr._ the west. In the French sea-service, _ponant_ signifies
that part of the ocean which is separated from the seas in the Levant
by the streights of Gibraltar.
_Officier_ PONANTIN, _Fr._ one who serves upon the ocean.
_Armée_ PONANTINE, _Fr._ the army of the west.
PONCEAU, _Fr._ a small bridge of one arch, which is thrown across a
canal or rivulet.
PONCER, _Fr._ to rub, or pounce upon any thing.
PONIARD, a little pointed dagger, very sharp edged.
PONT _d’or_, _Fr._ a figurative expression which the French use, when
they suffer an enemy, whom they have defeated, to retire without
molestation. Hence _faire un pont d’or à son ennemi_. To suffer your
enemy to escape.
PONTE, _Fr._ covered in, as a vessel is which has a deck.
PONTON, _Fr._ A bridge; a machine made like a batteau or boat, of
copper or tin, upon which planks are laid over which troops pass as on
a bridge. See PONTOON.
PONTONIER, _Fr._ Lighterman.
PONTS _flottans_, _Fr._ See FLOATING BRIDGE.
PONT _levis_, _Fr._ See DRAWBRIDGE.
PONT _tournant_, _Fr._ a moveable bridge. It is of the nature of a
drawbridge, with this difference, that it turns upon a pivot, and goes
entirely round.
PONT _de bois_, _Fr._ a wooden bridge.
PONT _de corde_, _Fr._ a bridge of ropes.
PONT _de jonc_, _Fr._ a bridge of rushes.
PONT _suspendu_, _Fr._ a hanging bridge.
PONT _de sortie_, _Fr._ a sally bridge.
PONT _dormant_, _Fr._ a wooden bridge, which is generally laid upon the
fosse of a fortified town, for the purpose of maintaining a constant
communication between the main body of the place and the outworks and
country round. These bridges are not thrown entirely across the fosses,
but terminate within twelve or fifteen feet of the revetement; the
space from thence is supplied by drawbridges. When the _ponts dormans_
are very long, a swing bridge is constructed in the centre of it. When
the ditches are wet, and so constantly supplied with water that the
depth of it is generally the same, bridges of boats may be used instead
of _ponts dormans_. And in cases of attack, floating bridges may be
substituted in lieu of both.
PONTON, _or_ PONTOON, a kind of flat bottomed boat, whose carcass of
wood is lined within and without with tin: they serve to lay bridges
over rivers for the artillery and army to march over. The French
pontoons, and those of most other powers, are made of copper on the
outside: though they cost more at first, yet they last much longer than
those of tin; and, when worn out, the copper sells nearly for as much
as it cost at first; but when that of tin are rendered useless, they
sell for nothing. The British pontoons are 21 feet long, 5 feet broad,
and depth within 2 feet 3 inches.
PONTOONS. Length at top, 21 feet 6 inches. Length at bottom, 17 feet 2
inches. Width, 4 feet 9 inches, or 5 feet. Depth, 2 feet 3 inches.
_Equipage of one Pontoon._
ft. in. ft. in. in.
4 Baulks 22 8 long 1 0 wide 4 thick.
1 Gang-board. 22 0 ---- 1 0 ---- 2¹⁄₂ ----
6 Cheeses, 11 6 ---- 2 4 ---- 1¹⁄₂ ----
2 Oars.
1 Anchor.
1 Graplin.
1 Setter.
4 Iron bolts, with keys.
2 mounting bars.
4 Binding sticks.
4 Spring lines.
4 Faukes.
1 Cable.
1 Sheer-line.
1 Boat hook.
1 Maul.
4 Pickets.
1 Small pump.
1 Windlass.
1 Pontoon carriage, complete.
_Dimensions of colonel Congreve’s Wooden Pontoons._
Length at top 26 feet.
---- at bottom 23 ----
Depth 2 8 inches.
Width 2 3 ----
The common pontoons will support a weight of 4 or 5000 pounds. They are
generally placed, in forming a bridge, about their own width asunder.
See BRIDGE.
PONTOON _carriage_, was made with two wheels only, and two long side
pieces, whose fore-ends are supported by a limber; and served to carry
the pontoon, boards, cross timbers, anchors, and every other thing
necessary for making a bridge; but better experience places them on
four wheels.
PONTOON _bridge_, is made of pontoons, slipped into the water, and
placed about five or six feet asunder; each fastened with an anchor,
when the river has a strong current, or to a strong rope that goes
across the river, running through the rings of the pontoons. Each boat
has an anchor, cable, baulks, and chests. The baulks are about 5 or 6
inches square, and 21 feet long. The chests are boards joined together
by wooden bars, about 3 feet broad, and 21 feet long. The baulks are
laid across the pontoons at some distance from one another, and the
chests upon them joined close; which makes a bridge, in a very short
time, capable of supporting any weight.
POOLBUNDY, _Ind._ a dam to prevent inundations; an embankment; a dyke.
POONA, _Ind._ a day fixed for the Zemindars to bring in their balances
for the year.
POONEA, _Ind._ the Indian name of a month.
POOR, indigent, necessitous, oppressed with want.
POOR _in resources and expedients_, of a limited conception; of a
narrow understanding; unequal to an arduous enterprise.
POOR _or_ PORE, _Ind._ when it terminates a word, means town, or city;
as Viziapore, &c.
POOSE, _Ind._ the name of a month following _Aughun_: it in some degree
accords with December and January.
POOSHTAY _Bundee_, _Ind._ embankments of rivers. It likewise means
bridges thrown over rivers.
POOSKUT, _Ind._ a small weight, measuring eight koonchys, or sixty four
handfuls; one koonchy being equal to eight handfuls.
PORSTICK _method_, in mathematics, is that which determines when, by
what means, and how many different ways, any problem may be resolved.
PORPHYRE, _Fr._ porphyry. A fine red marble.
PORT, _Fr._ a harbor.
_Fermer les_ PORTS, _Fr._ to lay a general embargo upon shipping.
During the French monarchy this practice frequently occurred for the
purpose of securing able bodied seamen.
PORT, _Fr._ This word is likewise used to express the tonnage of a
vessel.
PORTAL, (_portail_, _Fr._) the front or facade of a large building,
where the principal gate stands.
_To_ PORT, to carry.
PORT _arms_, a word of command which has been adopted during the
present war, and is practised in the British army. It consists in
bringing the firelock diagonally across the chest from the _carry_.
This position of the musquet affords a great facility to the person who
inspects the touch-hole, &c. In dismissing guards, preparing to charge,
&c. soldiers are ordered to _port arms_. The French do not practise
this method. Their word of command, _haut les armes_, corresponds with
our _recover_.
PORTCLUSE, _or_ PORT _cullice_, in _fortification_, is an assemblage of
several large pieces of wood, joined across one another like a harrow,
and each pointed with iron at the bottom. They are sometimes hung over
the gate-way of old fortified towns, ready to let down in case of a
surprise, when the gates could not be shut.
PORT-_fire_, in _artillery_, a composition put in a paper case to fire
guns and mortars, instead of a lint-stock and match. See LABORATORY
WORKS.
PORTGLAVE, _Fr._ See PORTE-EPEE.
PORT _de l’arme_, _Fr._ the carriage of the firelock.
PORTE _drapeau_, PORTE _enseigne_, _Fr._ the person who carries the
colors.
PORT _étendard_, _Fr._ the standard bearer.
PORTE _feu_, _Fr._ a machine made of wood or copper, by which fire is
communicated to gunpowder in a shell, fuse, or piece of ordnance. It is
sometimes made of pasteboard. Where there is any ground to apprehend
that a cannon will burst, the priming made of a certain composition is
put into the pasteboard case, by which means the cannoneer has time to
retire before any accident can happen.
PORTE _feu_, _Fr._ is likewise used among artificers to signify all
sorts of fusees or matches, by which fire is communicated to many
quarters at once. They last according to the nature of the composition
with which they are made up.
PORTE _feu brisé_, _Fr._ in artificial fireworks, a species of carriage
which is bent into a curve by means of a sloping piece of wood.
PORTE _voix_, _Fr._ a speaking trumpet.
PORTE _mousqueton_, _Fr._ a swivel.
PORTE _arquebuse_, _Fr._ the king’s gunbearer.
PORTE _epée_, _Fr._ a sword bearer; It likewise means a sword belt.
PORTE, _Fr._ a gate. _Portes d’une ville._ The gates of a fortified
town.
PORTE _d’ecluse_, _Fr._ a flood gate.
PORTE _de secours_, _Fr._ the gate in a citadel, which has an outlet
towards the country, is so called. By means of this gate the garrison
can always receive succors or reinforcements, in cases of civil
insurrection, or under circumstances of surprise.
PORTEE _du fusil_, _Fr._ by this expression the French generally
understand the distance which a musquet-shot goes to its ultimate
destination. It is supposed to vary from 120 to 150 toises.
PORTEE _des piéces_, _Fr._ the flight, range, or reach of cannon.
PORTEE _à toute volée_. _Fr._ the flight of a cannon shot when it makes
an angle of something under 45 degrees with the horizon, or level of
the country. In this manner it completes the greatest possible range.
PORTEE _de but en blanc_, _Fr._ the forward direction and flight of a
ball, constituting a straight line, which it describes from the mouth
of the piece to its ultimate object. It has been generally found, by
experience that the distance so described, could not exceed 300 toises.
Beyond that, the ball has been known to deviate. According to Belidor,
pieces of ordnance will carry farther in the morning and at night,
when the weather is cool and rarefied, than in the middle of the day,
or at noon, when the heat of the sun prevails. This circumstance is
amply discussed in his _Bombardier Francois_; and his observations were
proved to be correct by experiments made in June, 1744, at Essonne.
These experiments commenced at seven o’clock in the morning, and lasted
till twelve. It was remarked, that the shells, which were thrown out of
three mortars, gradually fell short of their original range. Besides
the _portée a toute volée_, and the _portée de but en blanc_, or the
full range and the point blank shot, there is the _ricochet_, which
marshal Vauban invented. See RICOCHET.
PORTER, _Fr._ to carry. It is a marine term; as _porter toutes ses
voiles_. To carry all her sails. It is likewise used as a word of
command, viz. _Portez vos armes._ Carry arms.
PORTER _une botte_, _Fr._ to make a thrust or pass.
PORTES _d’une ville du guerre_, _Fr._ openings which cross the ramparts
of a fortified town or place, and are generally arched over. These
openings are usually made in the middle of the curtain, between two
bastions. They are from nine to ten feet broad, and from thirteen to
fourteen feet high. The gates are mostly decorated with trophies of
war: and in some instances a very superfluous magnificence is exhibited.
PORTEURS _d’eau_, _Fr._ _Water carriers._ In India they are called
_Beestees_. Amongst the Turks the Sakkas, or water-carriers, are taken
from the lowest rank of soldiers belonging to the Capikuly infantry.
The number of these men depends upon the nature of the service on which
the turks are employed. They are under the orders of the officers who
command companies; and although their situation is not only the most
degrading, but the most laborious in the army, they may nevertheless
become soldiers. Their dress consists of brown leather; and from the
continual fatigue which they undergo, their appearance is wretched in
the extreme.
PORTFIRE, a composition of meal powder, sulphur, and saltpetre, driven
into a case of paper to serve instead of a match to fire guns.
PORTFIRE _composition_. Saltpetre, 60 parts; sulphur, 40 parts; mealed
powder, 20 parts. Length of each, 16¹⁄₂ inches.
One will burn from 12 to 15 minutes.
Weight of one dozen, 3 lbs. 12 oz.
Portfires were made at Gibraltar in the following manner; two ounces
of nitre was dissolved in a gallon of water, and sheets of soft brown
paper dipped in the solution: these when dry were rolled up to about
the size of common portfires. See English _New Annual Register_, 1807,
for an article on wooden portfires.
PORT-FOLIO, in a general acceptation of the term amongst us, is a
species of large leathern case, made like a pocket book, and calculated
to carry papers of any size. Among the French it not only signifies
the same thing, but likewise a box, made of pasteboard, in which are
contained the several papers that relate to any particular department.
The adjutants, quarter-masters, &c. belonging to the staff, should be
provided with port folios for the purpose of keeping their reports, &c.
in regular order.
PORT-GLAIVE, from the French _porteur_ and _glaive_. One who carries
the sword before a prince or magistrate.
PORT-HOLES, in a ship, are the embrasures or holes in the sides of a
ship, through which the muzzels of cannon are run.
PORTIERES, _Fr._ Two pieces or folds of wood which are placed in the
embrasure of a battery, and which close the instant the piece has been
fired. They serve to cover the cannoneers from the aim of the enemy,
and to resist the discharge of musquetry. They are, however, seldom or
ever used except when the batteries stand close to the counterscarp.
PORTICO, (_portique_, _Fr._) in architecture, a kind of ground gallery,
or piazza, encompassed with arches supported by columns, without any
immediate relation to doors or gates, where people walk under cover.
The roof is commonly vaulted, sometimes flat. The ancients called it
_Lacunar_.
PORTMANTEAU, (_Valise_, _Fr._) a cloak bag to carry necessaries in a
journey. It is sometimes made of leather.
PORTMOTE, a court held in port towns, as swanimote was in the forest.
PORT _ropes_, in a ship, such ropes as serve to haul up and let down
the ports on the port holes.
POSE, (_grandepose_, _Fr._) a French military term, signifying the
extraordinary centinels or guards, which after retreat beating are
posted in a fortified town or place, for the safety of certain specific
quarters. The corporals who post the centinels are directed to instruct
them, not to suffer any person to go upon the ramparts, unless he
belong to the night patrole or rounds, &c. These extraordinary guards
are relieved at daybreak.
POSER, _Fr._ to lay down. It is used as a word of command in the French
artillery, &c. viz. _Poser vos leviers_; lay down your levers.
POSER _une sentinelle_, _Fr._ to post a centry.
POSES, _Fr._ the centries that are posted.
_Priming_ POSITION, in the old manual exercise. In firing three deep
the priming position for the front rank is the height of the waistband
of the breeches; for the centre rank about the middle of the stomach;
and for the rear rank close to the breast. The firelock in all the
positions is kept perfectly horizontal.
But in the modern exercise, the rear rank does not fire; but loads
for the centre rank, whenever they form in three ranks, the whole
are quarter faced to the left, so that the firelock of each has an
interval; and all the firelocks are held equally high on the right hip.
POSITION, (_Position_, _Fr._) This word is variously used in a military
sense, both by the French and English. It is applicable to locality;
as the _army took an excellent position_; or drew up upon very
advantageous ground, and in a very advantageous manner. Frederic the
great, of Prussia, has laid it down as a maxim, that no army should
take up a position in rear of a forest, since it is thereby prevented
from observing the movements of the enemy, and from counteracting their
plans.
POSITION _of the soldier without arms_. The equal squareness of the
shoulders and body to the front is the first and great principle of the
position of the soldier: the heels must be in a line, and two inches
apart; the knees straight, without stiffness; the toes turned out, so
that the feet may form an angle of about 60 degrees; the arms hang
near the body, but not stiff; the flat of the hand, and middle finger,
touching the seams of the pantaloons; the elbows and shoulders are
to be kept back: The belly rather drawn in; and the breast advanced,
but without constraint; the body to be upright, but inclining rather
forwards, so that the weight may not bear so much on the heels as on
the fore part of the feet: the head to be erect; and neither turned to
the right nor to the left; the eyes alone will be glanced to the right.
POSITION _of the soldier with arms_. The body of the soldier being in
the position above described, the firelock is to be placed in his left
hand, against the shoulder; the thumb alone to appear in front; the
four fingers to be under the butt; and the left elbow a very little
bent inwards, so as not to be separated from the body, or to be more
backward or forward than the right one: the firelock must rest full on
the hand, not on the end of the fingers; the knuckles of the middle
finger to press so against the hip joint, as that on raising the left
foot from the ground the motion of the joint be felt with the knuckles,
and be carried in such manner as not to raise, advance, or keep back,
one shoulder more than the other; the butt must therefore be forward,
and as low as can be permitted without constraint; the fore part a very
little before the front of the thigh; and the hind part of it pressed
with the knuckles against the joint. It must be kept steady and firm
before the hollow of the shoulder; should it be drawn back, or carried
too high, the one shoulder would be advanced, the other kept back,
and the upper part of the body would be distorted and not square with
respect to the limbs.
The position in which a soldier should move, determines that in which
he should stand still. Too many methods cannot be used to supple the
recruit, and banish the air of the rustic. But that excess of setting
up, which stiffens the person, and tends to throw the body backward
instead of forward, is contrary to every true principle of movement,
and must therefore be most carefully avoided. If the firelock be
carried well in the hand, and against the hip joint, the barrel of the
firelock will stand perpendicular, and this will guide the body which
should be thrown against the uptight firelock, and will be found to
agree with the balance of the body upon the fore part of the foot; and
conduce to opening the chest and keeping an erect front.
POSITION _in marching_. In marching, the soldier must maintain, as much
as possible, the same position of the body. See MARCH.
_Change of_ POSITION, the positive or relative movement of a body of
troops on any given point.
_New_ POSITIONS _that a regiment or line can take with respect to the
old one_, are:
_Parallel_ POSITIONS, or nearly so to the old one.
_Intersecting_ POSITIONS by themselves, or their prolongation, some
part of the old line or its prolongation.
_New parallel_ POSITIONS being necessarily to the front, or rear of
the old one, the regiment will, according to circumstances, take them
up by the diagonal march; the flank match of divisions after wheeling
into column; or the movement in open column to the new line, and its
subsequent formation in it.
_New intersecting_ POSITIONS, which themselves cut the regiment,
will, in cavalry movements, be taken up by the diagonal march; or the
flank march ranks by three’s of divisions. All other new positions,
which themselves, or their prolongation, intersect the old line, or
its prolongation, will in general be taken up by the march in open
column, and its subsequent formations, when it arrives at the line;
some such positions will, however, allow of, and require being made by
the echellon march, or by the flank march of divisions. In general the
regiment will break to the hand which is nearest to the new position,
be conducted to its nearest point in the new line, and form on it as
directed.
POSITION _of the officer_. See SWORD.
POSITION _du soldat sans armes_, _Fr._ position of the soldier without
arms.
POSITION _du soldat avec les armes_, _Fr._ position of the soldier with
arms.
POSITION _de l’extension_, _Fr._ in fencing, position of extension.
POSSEDER, _Fr._ to possess, to be in possession of.
POSSE, an armed power, called out on any particular emergency; as the
_posse comitatus_; who may be called out by the sheriff, or marshal, to
suppress outrages of the peace.
POSSESSION, to take possession, is the act of occupying any post, camp,
fortress, &c. which might facilitate the operations of any army, or
which previously belonged to the enemy.
POST, in _war_, a military station; any sort of ground fortified or
not, where a body of men can be in a condition of resisting the enemy.
_Advanced_ POST, a spot of ground, seized by a party to secure their
front, and the post behind them.
POST _of honor_. The advanced guard is a post of honor: the right of
the two lines is the post of honor, and is generally given to the
eldest corps: the left is the next post, and is given to the next
eldest, and so on. But the laws of military discipline forbid an
inconvenient accordance with this practice, as the circumstances of the
case may require a very different arrangement, which it would be wanton
to oppose. The station of a centinel before the colors, and the door of
a commanding officer, is a post of honor.
_Advantageous_ POST. Every situation is so called which an enemy
occupies in such a manner, that not only mere force of arms, but great
military skill, and many stratagems, are required to dislodge him.
We have various instances in history of how much may be done on both
sides, when one army has taken up an advantageous post, and another
finds it necessary to drive him from it. This subject has been amply
discussed in a French work intituled, _Stratagéms de Guerre_, page 71,
&c.
POSTS _of exercise in the rear_, the relative situations which officers
take in the rear; when the ranks of a battalion are opened for the
purpose of going through the manual and platoon exercises. It is
likewise a cautionary word of command, viz. _The officers will take
post in the rear._
_To_ POST. In the disposition of troops, to place the officers, music,
drummers, fifers, and pioneers, according to their several ranks and
appointments, either for inspection, or exercise in the field.
_To_ POST, to station, as, a sentry, &c.
_To be_ POSTED, in military tactics, to be formed ready for action.
Thus when troops are brought up in column, and ordered to deploy, it
frequently happens, that some part of the line is refused, in order to
flank an enemy, or to cover a weak position, the part that is aligned
is said to be posted.
_To_ POST _up_, (_afficher_, _Fr._) To hold up to public censure or
ridicule.
_To be_ POSTED, in a familiar sense, signifies to be publicly announced
as an infamous or degraded character. Hence to post a man as a coward
is to stick his name up in a coffee-house or elsewhere, and to accuse
him of want of spirit, &c. The French use the phrase _afficher_ in
the same sense. They likewise say figuratively _afficher sa bonte_;
to publish or post up one’s own disgrace; meaning thereby, that some
persons are so totally regardless of decency and decorum, as to express
sentiments which are unbecoming the character of an officer, or a
gentleman.
POSTAGE _of Letters_. In the British service, non-commissioned officers
and private soldiers are privileged to send or receive letters, from
any part of that country on payment of one penny only for the postage.
In the instructions to postmasters, (Feb. 4th, 1799,) concerning the
exemptions granted to seamen in the navy, and privates in the army, in
respect to the postage of their letters, it is specified, that
“No single letter, sent by the post from any seaman or private employed
in his majesty’s navy, army, militia, fencible regiments, artillery,
or marines, shall, whilst such seamen or private shall be employed on
his majesty’s service, and not otherwise, be charged with an higher
rate of postage than the sum of one penny for the conveyance of each
such letter; such postage to be paid at the time of putting the same
into the post office of the town, or place from whence such letter is
intended to be sent by the post.
“Provided, that no such letter shall be exempted from postage, unless
there shall be written thereon, in the hand-writing of, and signed by
the commanding officer, for the time being, of the ship or vessel, or
of the corps, regiment, or detachment to which such seamen or private
shall belong, the name of such commanding officer, and of the ship,
vessel, corps, regiment, or detachment commanded by him.
“No single letter, directed to any such seamen, or private, upon his
own private concerns, only whilst such seaman, or private, shall be
employed on his majesty’s service, and not otherwise, shall be charged
with a higher rate of postage than one penny for each such letter,
which penny shall be paid at the time of the delivery thereof.
“Provided, that no such letter shall be exempted from the rates of
postage chargeable upon letters, unless any such letter shall be
directed to such seaman, or private, specifying the ship, vessel,
regiment, troop, corps, company, or detachment to which he may
belong: and provided also, that it shall not be lawful for the deputy
postmaster of the town or place to which such letter shall be sent
to be delivered, to deliver such letter to any person except to the
seamen or private to whom such letter shall be directed, or to any
person appointed to receive the same by the commanding officer of the
ship, &c. to which the seaman, or private to whom such letter shall be
directed, shall belong.
“The exemptions do not extend to letters sent to or received from
countries independent of England: they do extend to the West India
Islands and British America.
“All postmasters are desired to take particular notice that double
letters to and from soldiers and sailors and their families, are liable
to the full double rates, the same as letters in general; and some
postmasters having conceived that letters containing money orders might
pass under the exemptions of the act, they are desired to understand,
that such letters are chargeable with full double rates also.
“Recruiting serjeants, who may carry on a correspondence with their
officers on the recruiting service, cannot send or receive their
letters on that service under the exemptions granted by this act.
“The above exemptions granted by the legislature do not extend in the
navy to any other than seaman, and not to officers of any description
whatever; and in the army, only the privates, with serjeants and
serjeant-majors are included. Many officers, both in the army and
navy, having construed the act to extend to their own correspondence,
it is hereby publicly stated that such a construction is altogether
inapplicable.”
The act in its literal meaning includes in this indulgence all
non-commissioned officers, although they are excluded by this official
interpretation.
According to a letter issued from the post office, dated the 18th Sept,
1799, to all postmasters, in addition to the rates above-mentioned,
these letters are chargeable with inland postage to and from London,
excepting single letters to and from soldiers and sailors, and it is
to be left to the opinion of the writers to pay the postage or not on
putting them into any post office.
POSTE, _Fr._ a word generally used in the plural number to signify
small shot, viz. _Son fusil étoit chargé de douze ou quinze postes_;
his gun or musquet was loaded with twelve or fifteen shot.
POSTE, _Fr._ This word is always used in the masculine gender when it
relates to war, or to any specific appointments; as, _poste avancé_,
an advanced post. _Poste avantageux_, an advantageous post. _Mauvais
poste_, an unfavorable post. The French say figuratively, _un poste est
jaloux_; thereby meaning, that a post is extremely open to an attack,
and that the troops in it may be easily surprised.
POSTES _de campagne_, _Fr._ Every construction or groupe of buildings
that will admit of being defended, and is consequently tenable, is
called a _poste de campagne_, or field work. Of this description are
churches, houses, country houses, farm houses, villages, redoubts, &c.
in which a sufficient number of men may be stationed for the purpose
of holding out against an enemy, until succours can arrive. Chevalier
Folard has written upon this subject; and since him, F. Gaudi, with
comments and illustrations by A. P. J. Belair, chief of brigade in
the French army. We recommend the latter production, which appeared
in 1793, to the perusal of every officer. The work is intituled,
_Instruction addressée aux officiers d’Infanterie pour tracer et
construire toutes sortes d’ouvrages de Campagne_. See likewise, _Aide
Mémoire pour les officiers d’artillerie_. A late work, intituled,
_Duties of an Officer in the Field_, &c. by Baron Gross, of the Dutch
brigade, is very useful; the whole of this tract is incorporated in the
_American Military Library_.
POST _avantageux_, _Fr._ See ADVANTAGEOUS POST.
_Petits_ POSTES _separés_, _Fr._ small detached posts.
POSTES _intermédiaires_, _Fr._ intermediate posts, or men so stationed
between different corps, that, in case of urgency, they may with ease
advance to the support of that which is more immediately threatened by
the enemy.
POSTERN, more frequent a sally-port, is a small door in the flank of a
bastion, or other part of a garrison, to march in and out unperceived
by an enemy, either to relieve the works, or make sallies.
POSTICHE, _Fr._ any thing fictitious put in room of something that has
been real and natural. In military matters, among the French, it serves
to distinguish supernumerary or auxiliary soldiers that are taken from
one, or more companies; to strengthen any particular body of men.
POSTILION, _Fr._ an express boat which is kept in French seaports for
the purpose of carrying and bringing intelligence.
POT, _Fr._ a vessel used in the making of artificial fireworks, &c.
_Stink_ POT, a vessel filled with combustible matter, which is thrown
on various occasions, when men come into close action. The consequences
of its explosion are sometimes fatal, and always dangerous.
POT _à brai_, _Fr._ an iron pot in which pitch or tar is melted.
POT _d’une fusée volante_, _Fr._ the carcase of a fusee.
POT _à feu_, _Fr._ a fire pot; a hand grenado.
POT _à aigrette_, _Fr._ an artificial firework, the centre of which
contains a certain quantity of powder, which upon being inflamed,
communicates itself to several other branches, and exhibits the
appearance of an aigrette, or cluster of rays, such as issue from
diamonds arranged in a particular manner. The aigrette takes its name
from a bird so called, whose feathers serve to make up an ornament for
the head.
POT _en téte_, _Fr._ a headpiece made of iron, which is proof against
musquet shot. This headpiece is sometimes placed in the crown of the
hat, and is otherwise used by sappers.
POTEAU, _Fr._ a stake, post.
POTEE, _Fr._ Putty.
POTENCE, _Fr._ Troops are ranged _en potence_ by breaking a straight
line, and throwing a certain proportion of it, either forward or
backward, from the right or left, according to circumstances, for the
purpose of securing that line. An army may be posted _en potence_ by
means of a village, a river, or a wood. The derivation of the word may
be variously explained, viz. From _Potence_, a gibbet. _Potences_,
crutches or supports. _Potence_ likewise means a piece of wood which is
thrown across two uprights; also a cross table, as _table en potence_;
and a measure to ascertain the height of a horse or man.
POTENTAT, _Fr._ See POTENTATE.
POTENTATE, a sovereign prince, whose power is rendered formidable by
the various means of authority which are vested in him.
POTERNE, _Fr._ a postern gate, a sally port.
POTERNE, _Fr._ Likewise signifies a secret gate. Gates of this
description are made behind the orillons at the extremities of the
curtain, in the angle of the flank, and in the middle of those curtains
where there are no gates. The sewers generally run under the poternes.
Belidor, in his Art of Engineering, recommends small arched magazines
to be constructed on the right and left of the paths that lead to these
gates.
POUCH, a case of black stout leather with a flap over it, worn by the
infantry for the purpose of carrying their ammunition. The pouches in
use among the cavalry are smaller.
POUCH _flap_, the outside covering of the pouch. It is made of the
stoutest blackened leather and ought always to be substantial enough to
turn the severest weather.
POUCE, _Fr._ An inch.
POUDRE, _Fr._ See GUNPOWDER.
POUDRE _muette_, _poudre sourde_, _Fr._ A species of gunpowder which is
free from noise or detonation.
POUDRE _fulminante_, _Fr._ A species of gunpowder which makes a greater
noise than the common sort.
POUDRE _à gros grains_, _Fr._ Gunpowder which is used for artillery
pieces. It is likewise called _Poudre à Canon_.
POUDRE _à musquet_, _Fr._ Gunpowder used for musquets, and other
firearms.
POUDRIER, _Fr._ a gunpowder maker. It also signifies an hour glass.
POVERTY, a goddess adored by the Pagans, and familiar to Christians.
She was reverenced, as a deity, by the heathens, because they feared
her, and was very justly considered as the mother of industry and the
fine arts. Among military men, poverty is seldom felt whilst the active
duties of the profession are executed with zeal and good sense, and the
individuals entrusted with them, are not only paid with punctuality,
but are secured in their honest hopes of promotion. Economy is the
basis on which every soldier should build his views of personal comfort
and security; and if he attend to the perpetual calls of service, he
will not fail to realise them. For a life of real service affords no
scope for extravagance; and when a good soldier becomes unequal to the
hardships it imposes, the nation should provide for him.
POUF, _Ind._ a word used among the blacks to describe the explosion of
firearms.
POULEVRIN, _Fr._ Pounded gunpowder.
POULIE, _Fr._ A pulley.
_A_ POUND _sterling_, a money in account, value 20_s_. in England,
marked £.
POUNDAGE, a rate which is allowed for collecting money. Army agents,
&c. are entitled to poundage, which consists in a certain deduction
from the pay of officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers.
Agents are not allowed any poundage on the pay of the privates in the
militia.
POUNDER, a great gun or piece of ordnance, denominated according to the
weight of the ball it carries, as a 6, 12, 24 pounder.
POWDER _Horn_, a horn flask, in which powder is kept for priming guns.
Light infantry and riflemen have frequently a powder horn for carrying
spare powder.
POURIE, _Ind._ a wooden sandal which is used in India during the wet
season.
POURSUITE, _Fr._ Pursuit.
Poursuivans _d’armes_, _Fr._ See PURSUIVANTS AT ARMS.
POURSUIVRE, _Fr._ to pursue.
POURSUIVRE _l’épée dans les reins_, _Fr._ To pursue with unrelenting
activity.
POURTOUR, _Fr._ in architecture, the circumference of any place.
POURVOIR, _Fr._ to provide, to lay in store, &c.
POURVEYEURS _des vivres_, _Fr._ Purveyors.
POUSSER, _Fr._ to push, to press upon, to drive before you, viz.
_Pousser aux ennemis_; to advance rapidly against the enemy. This
expression is used in a neutral sense, and relates chiefly to the
operations of cavalry.
POUSSER _un cheval_, _Fr._ To make a horse go full speed.
POUSSIER, _Fr._ the dust which remains after the formation of gunpowder
into grains.
POUTRE, _Fr._ a beam.
POUTRELLE, _Fr._ a small beam.
POWDER. See GUNPOWDER.
POWDER-_magazine_, a bomb-proof arched building to hold the powder in
fortified places, &c. containing several rows of barrels laid one over
another. See MAGAZINE.
POWDER-_cart_, a two wheeled carriage, covered with an angular roof of
boards. To prevent the powder from getting damp, a tarred canvas is put
over the roof; and on each side are lockers to hold shot, in proportion
to the quantity of powder, which is generally four barrels.
POWDER-_mill_, a building in which the materials are beat, mixed
together, and grained: they are placed near rivers, and as far from any
house as can be, for fear of accidents, which often happen. See MILL.
POWER, a natural faculty of doing or suffering any thing. Mr. Locke, in
his Essay on the Human Understanding, considers power under two heads.
One he calls active and the other passive power.
POWER, in military affairs as well as in all others, is _knowlege_--of
human passions--of arms--of distances--of the skill and numbers of an
enemy.
_To be in the_ POWER _of any body_, in a figurative sense, to have
committed yourself in such a manner, as to be under the necessity
of keeping upon good terms with a person who might injure you by a
disclosure of your secrets. To avoid putting yourself in the power
of any man, _hear much_, _say little_, and _write less_. These are
maxims which every public character ought to attend to; and every
general should cautiously follow during an active campaign, when there
are frequent occasions to communicate with spies, &c. and he is not
unfrequently obliged to hold intercourse with suspected persons.
_To be in the_ POWER _of an enemy_. To have taken up, injudiciously,
such a position as to expose you to a defeat whenever the enemy may
think proper to attack you.
POWERS _of lines and quantities_, are their squares, cubes, &c. or
other multiplications of the parts into the whole, or of one part into
another.
_Small_ POX. A disease to which most infants, adults, &c. are exposed;
and which has been rendered less malignant by inoculation. The
introduction of a humor, called the _Cow Pox_, or _Vaccine Matter_,
into the human system, has lately been found extremely beneficial.
When recruits join a regiment they should be examined respecting this
disease; and no time should be lost to _vaccinate_ them.
_Great_ POX, commonly called the venereal disease. Few men are more
likely to catch this cruel disorder than soldiers; and in no case
ought the attention of the regimental surgeon to be more imperiously
engaged than in the speedy cure of it. In the navy, where the disease
is often prevalent, the surgeons are entitled to receive a certain sum
of money, which is stopped out of the pay of their venereal patients,
for extraordinary trouble and attendance. In the army of the U. States
the soldiers are treated in this as in all other diseases. The soldier
should be liable to stoppages. Every officer of a company, who has
the welfare of his soldiers at heart, should examine their linen at
the weekly inspections, as the disorder generally manifests itself,
particularly in its first stages, in stains upon the shirt.
PRACTICABLE. A word frequently used in military matters to express the
possible accomplishment of any object. Hence, “a practicable breach.”
PRACTICE, or _gun-practice_. In the spring, as soon as the weather
permits, the exercise of the great guns begins, for the purpose of
shewing the gentlemen cadets at the British military academy at
Woolwich, and the private men, the manner of laying, loading, pointing,
and firing the guns. Sometimes instruments are used to find the centre
line, or two points, one at the breech, the other at the muzzle, which
are marked with chalk, and whereby the piece is directed to the target:
then a quadrant is put into the mouth, to give the gun the required
elevation, which at first is guessed at, according to the distance
the target is from the piece. When the piece has been fired, it is
sponged, to clear it from any dust or sparks of fire that may remain
in the bore, and loaded: then the centre line is found, as before; and
if the shot went too high or too low, to the right or to the left, the
elevation and trail are altered accordingly. This practice continues
morning and evening for about six weeks, more or less, according as
there are a greater or less number of recruits. In the mean time others
are shown the motions of quick firing with field-pieces. There is no
practice in the army of the U. States, in which there are officers of
ten or twelve years standing who never saw a mortar loaded; but this
is the effect of a total want of system.
_Mortar_ PRACTICE, generally thus: a line of 1500 or 2000 yards is
measured in an open spot of ground, from the place where the mortars
stand, and a flag fixed at about 300 or 500 yards: this being done,
the ground where the mortars are to be placed is prepared and levelled
with sand, so that they may lie at an elevation of 45, or any required
number of degrees; then they are loaded with a small quantity of powder
at first, which is increased afterwards, by an ounce every time,
till they are loaded with a full charge: the times of the flights of
the shells are observed, to determine the length of the fuzes. The
intention of this practice is, when a mortar-battery is raised in a
siege, to know what quantity of powder is required to throw the shells
in to the works at a given distance, and at what elevation, and to cut
the fuzes of a just length, that the shell may burst as soon as it
touches the ground.
PRACTICE-_Book_. See BOOK.
_To_ PRACTICE. In a military sense, to go through the manual and
platoon exercises, or through the various manœuvres, &c. for the
purpose of becoming thoroughly master of military movements. Practice
is likewise used, in imitation of the French, to signify the act of
effecting or executing any military operation, viz. to practise a mine
beneath the covert way, &c.
PRAME, _Fr._ A sort of boat or barge which is used on the canals in
France.
PRAME, in _military history_, a kind of floating battery, being a
flat bottomed vessel, which draws little water, mounts several guns,
and is very useful in covering the disembarkation of troops. They are
generally made use of in transporting the troops over the lakes in
America. These vessels are well calculated for the defence of large
havens and seaports. Belair, in his Elements de Fortification, page
397, strongly recommends the use of Prames in cases of inundation, &c.
See the improvements proposed by him in page 316, where he speaks of
“_Bateaux insubmersibles_.”
_Di_ PRATICA, _Ital._ Free intercourse; admitted to pratique. Persons
who, having performed quarantine, are permitted to land in Italy, and
mix with the inhabitants.
PRACTICABLE, _Fr._ See PRACTICABLE. This word is in general use among
the French, viz.
_Les chemins ne sont pas_ PRACTICABLES. The roads are not passable.
_Le gué n’est pas_ PRACTICABLE _dans se moment-ci_. The river is not
fordable at this moment; verbatim, the ford is not practicable at this
moment.
PRATIQUE, _Fr._ Practice. The term likewise signifies, among the
French, commerce, intercourse, traffic, &c.
_Avoir_ PRATIQUE _avec des insulaires_, _Fr._ To trade, or have
intercourse with the inhabitants of islands.
_Une_ PRATIQUE _eclairée_, _Fr._ A project undertaken and put into
execution upon solid principles.
_Une_ PRATIQUE _aveugle_, _Fr._ A plan ill digested, and executed
without discernment or ability.
PRATIQUES, _Fr._ In the plural, this term signifies the same as
mal-practices, or secret intelligence with an enemy, viz.
_Entrétenir des_ PRATIQUES _avec le commandant d’une place_. To hold
communication, or keep up a secret correspondence with the commandant
of a fortified place.
PRATIQUER _des intelligences_, _Fr._ To collect, to gather useful
information.
_Il avoit_ PRATIQUE _dans cette place des intelligences qui lui
ont donné le moyen de la surprendre_, _Fr._ He had gathered such
information, by holding secret intelligence with the inhabitants, as to
be able to surprise the place.
PRATIQUER, _Fr._ In architecture, to contrive, to make, to render
convenient.
_Donner_ PRATIQUE _à un vaisseau_, _Fr._ To allow a vessel to enter
into port and unload. This expression is used in the Mediterranean
under circumstances of quarantine, and comes from _Pratica_.
PRATIQUER, _Fr._ To practice. _Pratiquer une homme_; to try a man; to
put his abilities to the test. It likewise signifies to gain over, to
suborn.
PRECEDENCE. Priority. Priority in rank or precedence in military life,
arises from rank, or the date of an officer’s commission.
PRECEDENT. Any act which can be interpreted into an example for future
times, is called a precedent. Persons in high official situations are
extremely scrupulous with respect to precedence, especially in military
matters.
PRECIPITER, _Fr._ To precipitate; to urge or hasten on; to do every
thing prematurely. This word appears to be used by the French in almost
all the senses to which we attach it, especially in military matters.
PRECIPITER _sa retraite_, _Fr._ Literally signifies, to precipitate
one’s retreat. It may be taken in a good or bad sense, to signify the
act of flying away blindly or rashly, without judgment or discretion;
or of urging your retreat under circumstances of imperious necessity,
yet with proper caution and foresight. So that to precipitate, both
in French and English, signifies, Faire _trés_ promptement ou _trop_
promptement; to do any thing _very_ promptly, or _too_ promptly.
PRECISION, exact limitation, scrupulous observance of certain given
rules.
PRECISION _of march_. On the leading platoon officer of the column,
much of the precision of march depends; he must lead at an equal,
steady pace; he must lead on two objects either given to him, or which
he himself takes up on every alteration of position; this demands his
utmost attention; nor must he allow it to be diverted by looking at his
platoon, the care of whose regularity depends on the other officers
and non-commissioned officers, belonging to it. The second platoon
officer must also be shewn, and be made acquainted with the points
on which the first leads; he is always to keep the first officer and
those points in a line, and those two officers, together with the guide
mounted officers, thus become a direction for the other pivot officers
to cover. In marching in open column, the covering serjeants or guides
are placed behind the second file from the pivot officers, that the
officers may the more correctly see and cover each other in column.
PREDAL, _or_, PREDATORY, _War_, a war carried on by plunder and rapine;
such as the British navy and the Algerines; the Buccaneers, also
carried on a predal war, against all persons on the high seas.
PREDESTINARIAN. A person who believes in predestination. Every Turk,
may be considered as a predestinarian. A Turkish soldier is taught to
believe that it he falls in battle he will instantly go to heaven. This
is a comfortable idea even for christian soldiers. How far it ought to
be encouraged, doctors and able casuists must agree.
PREFECT, (_Préfet_, _Fr._) a governor or commander of any place or body
of men. Among the Romans this was a title of great importance, both in
civil and military situations. During the existence of the republic the
Præfectus Legio has had a considerable command. The two Alæ, wings,
or great divisions of the allies, had each a præfect appointed them
by the Roman consul, who governed in the same manner as the legionary
tribunes. For a specific account see pages 193, 194, 195, of Kennett’s
Roman Antiquities. There was likewise, during the time of the Roman
emperors, an officer called the præfect of the pretorian band, or body
guards. The French have adopted the word in their government. The
functions of a modern French prefect correspond almost wholly with
those of a governor of a province under the old regime or system.
PREFERMENT, the state of being advanced to a higher post.
PREJUDICE, PREJUGE, _Fr._ Prepossession, judgment formed beforehand,
without examination. A celebrated French writer calls it an opinion
taken up without judgment, _Le préjuge est une opinion sans jugement_.
_Voltaire._ It is used in two instances, viz. for and against a person.
PRELIMINARY, (_Préliminaire_, _Fr._) Previous, introductory, &c.
Preliminary, as a substantive, signifies an introductory measure, a
previous arrangement. Hence the “preliminaries of peace.”
PRENDRE, _Fr._ A French military term. It is variously used, and
accords generally with our word _to take_, viz.
PRENDRE _une ville d’assaut_; _par famine_, &c. To take a town by
assault; by famine, &c.
PRENDRE _à droite, ou à gauche_, _Fr._ To go to the right or left.
PRENDRE _à travers_, _Fr._ To run across.
PRENDRE _les devants_, _Fr._ To anticipate, to get the start of any
body.
PRENDRE _le pas_, _Fr._ To take precedence.
PRENDRE _la droite_, _Fr._ To take the right.
PRENDRE _terre_, _Fr._ To land.
PRENDRE _le large_, _Fr._ A term used figuratively to signify the act
of running away.
PRENDRE _la clef des champs_, _Fr._ Literally, to take the key of the
country, or to run over it.
PRENDRE _son êlan_, _Fr._ To dart forth, to spring forward.
PRENDRE _un rat_, _Fr._ A figurative expression used among the French
when a musquet or pistol misses fire, _Il voulut tirer, mais son
pistolet ne prit qu’un rat_. Literally, he would have fired, but his
pistol only caught a rat.
PRENDRE _langue_, _Fr._ To seek for information, to obtain intelligence.
PRENDRE _du temps_, _Fr._ To take time in executing a thing.
PRENDRE _son temps_, _Fr._ To do a thing with perfect convenience to
one’s self.
PRENDRE _la parole_, _Fr._ To speak first.
PRENDRE _sa revanche_, _Fr._ To make up for any past loss or
disadvantage. We familiarly say, to take one’s revenge.
PRENDRE _à partie_, _Fr._ An expression peculiar to the French, in
judicial matters, which signifies to attack a judge, for having
prevaricated and taken the part of one side against another, without
any regard to justice. It likewise means to impute misconduct or
criminality, and to make a person responsible for it.
_Se_ PRENDRE _de vin_, _Fr._ To get drunk. Excess of drinking was so
little known among the French officers and soldiers, that the greatest
disgrace was affixed to the habit. It is recorded, that when marshal
Richelieu had determined to storm a place in the Mediterranean, he
gave out the following order--“any soldier who shall appear the least
intoxicated, shall be excluded from the honor and glory of mounting the
assault to-morrow morning.” Every man was at his post, and not a single
instance of intoxication occurred. Such was the _esprit de corps_ and
the _amour propre_ which prevailed in all ranks, that the dread of
corporeal punishment had less effect than the being deprived of an
opportunity to shew courage and resolution.
_Vaisseau_ PRENEUR, _Fr._ A term peculiarly applicable to a ship that
has taken a prize.
PREPARATIFS _de guerre_, _Fr._ Warlike preparations. A French writer,
under this article, very judiciously observes, that the necessary
arrangements which must be made before an army takes the field,
and sometimes before an open declaration of war takes place, ought
to be managed with extreme caution and great secrecy; although it
is impossible to prevent the neighboring powers from being totally
ignorant of what is going forward. It is recorded that Henry the IVth
of France, having conceived a vast military project, kept it a profound
secret for several years, and made the necessary preparations with
extreme caution, before he put it into execution.
When Louis the XIVth resolved to invade Italy, in 1663, he dispatched
commissaries, purveyors, &c. the preceding year, under various
pretences, to buy up corn, to secure forage for his cavalry, and to
provide every thing that might be wanted in the train of artillery;
and in 1667, when he formed the plan of entering Belgium in person,
he arranged all matters relative to the interior government of France
during his absence, examined into the state of the finances, filled
his treasury with money, augmented, by insensible degrees, the
different regiments of his army, and by means of these and other sage
precautions, secured the conquest of his object. In fact, well digested
plans and cautious arrangements previous to the execution of a military
project, however apparently tedious, are the sure forerunners of a
prompt and decisive victory. It was a maxim among the Romans, and it is
still one among the Turks, _De faire de grosses et courtes guerres_. To
make war upon a scale previously vast and heavy, that its issue may be
ultimately short and effectual.
PREPARATIVE, having the power of preparing, qualifying, or fitting.
This word is used in a military sense to give notice of any thing about
to be done. Hence
PREPARATIVE. A beat of the drum by which officers are warned to step
out of the ranks when the firings are to commence.
When the preparative is beat, for the firings, the officers in the
front rank step out nimbly two paces from the vacancies between the
divisions, platoons, companies, or sub divisions, face to the left
without word of command, and look right of companies, &c. When the
preparative has ceased, they severally commence the firing. When the
general is beat they fall back into the front rank.
_To_ PREPARE. To take previous measures.
PREPARE _for action_. A word of command used in the artillery. _To
battery_, is a command of the same import.
PREPARATORY, antecedently necessary; giving that knowlege in any art
or science which is necessary to qualify individuals for a superior
class or branch. Hence _preparatory_ schools.
PREPARATORY _Academies_. The junior department of the British military
college, is _preparatory_ to the senior. The first elements of military
science are taught in the former, and officers get qualified in the
higher branches of the profession when they enter the latter.
PRESENCE _of mind_. Ready conception of expedients, producing
promptitude of action under difficult and alarming circumstances.
There is a very remarkable instance of that species of presence of
mind which gives a sudden turn to public opinion, and, as it were,
electrifies the human mind. When a dangerous mutiny broke out among
the Roman legions, on a proposed expedition against the Germans, Cæsar
suddenly exclaimed, “Let the whole army return ignominiously home if
it think proper, the tenth legion and myself will remain and combat
for the republic.” Having, as Plutarch observes, excited his troops to
fresh ardor, he led them against the Germans; and being informed that
the enemy had been warned by their soothsayers not to engage before the
next moon, he took an immediate occasion to force them to battle, in
which he as usual obtained victory. On a subsequent occasion this great
man discovered a promptitude of conception and a presence of mind which
have since been imitated on various occasions by a modern general, but
have never been surpassed in ancient or modern history.
Having led his army against the Nervii, the most uncivilized, and the
most fierce of all the nations bordering upon the Roman territory, he
met a resistance, which as it was not expected, somewhat shook the
firmness of his troops. The Nervii, by a sudden onset, at first routed
his cavalry, but perceiving the danger to which his army was exposed,
Cæsar himself snatched up a buckler, and forcing his way through his
own men, he, with the assistance of his tenth legion, changed the
fortune of the day, and cut the enemy almost entirely off. For, as
Plutarch states, out of 60,000 soldiers, not above 500 survived the
battle. The instances of presence of mind in modern wars are numerous,
for several see Memoirs of Bonaparte’s first campaign: and several
subsequent occasions.
_En_ PRESENCE, _Fr._ In sight.
_All_ PRESENT. A term used when an officer takes his serjeant’s report,
and makes the necessary enquiry respecting the state of his troops or
company.
_To_ PRESENT, PRESENTER, _Fr._ This word is used in various senses.
Those which are more immediately applicable to military usage are as
follow:
_To_ PRESENT. To offer openly. To exhibit. To give in ceremony; as to
present the colors.
_To_ PRESENT _arms_. To bring the firelock to a certain prescribed
position, for the purpose of paying a military compliment. See MANUAL.
PRESENTER _les armes_, _Fr._ To present arms, to bring the firelock
to any position that may be prescribed in military exercise. In the
firings it signifies _make ready_, viz. _Presentez les armes_, make
ready; _Joue_, aim; _feu_, fire. In the manual and other exercises of
the piece, it corresponds with our term.
PRESENTER _la baïonette_, _Fr._ To charge bayonet.
PRESIDENCY. The seat of government, so distinguished in India. There
are four presidencies, viz. Bombay, Calcutta, Fort St. David, and
Madras.
PRESIDENT _of the United States_.
PRESIDENT _of the old congress_.
PRESIDENT _of a general or regimental court martial_. The officer,
oldest in rank, who sits in conjunction with other officers, for the
trial of military offences is so called. The court, consisting of an
odd number of members, when their opinions are equal, the president has
the casting vote.
PRESIDIAL, relating to a garrison or fortress.
PRESS-_money_, money given to the soldier when taken or pressed into
the service: but as the entrance into the American army is a voluntary
act, it is more properly called bounty or enlisting money.
PRESTATION _de serment_, _Fr._ The taking an oath.
PRET, _Fr._ The subsistence or daily pay which is given to soldiers.
The French say,
_Payer le_ PRET. To pay subsistence.
_Recevoir le_ PRET. To receive subsistence.
_Toucher le_ PRET. To touch subsistence or daily pay.
PRETENDER, one who pretends to any thing whether it be his own or the
property of another.
PRETER, _Fr._ In military tactics, to expose, as
PRETER _son flanc à l’ennemi_. To expose one’s flank to the enemy;
to march in so unguarded a manner, or to take up one’s ground so
disadvantageously as to stand in continual danger of being outflanked.
The French likewise say, figuratively,
PRETER _le flanc_. To put one’s self in the power of another.
PRETOR, (_Préteur_, _Fr._) Among the Romans, the governor of a
province, who had served the office of pretor, or chief minister
of justice in ancient Rome. The provinces so governed were called
pretorian.
PRETORIAN, (_Pretorien_, _ne_, _Fr._) appertaining to pretor; as
_Pretorian Band_, the general’s guard among the ancient Romans.
PRETORIUM, (_Prétoire_, _Fr._) The hall or court wherein the pretor
lived and administered justice. It also denoted the tent of the
Roman general, in which councils of war were held. The place where
the pretorian guards were quartered or lodged, was likewise called
pretorium.
PREVARICATION. According to the laws of England is, where a lawyer
pleads booty, or acts by collusion, &c. It also denotes a secret abuse
committed in the exercise of a public office, or of a commission given
by a private person. The word is unknown in military phraseology, and
is only explained in this place to stand as a land mark to the open
ingenuous character of a soldier.
PREVOST, _Fr._ Provost.
PREVOST _d’une armée_, _Fr._ Provost-marshal belonging to an army.
PRICES _of commissions_. See REGULATIONS.
PRICKER. A light horseman was formerly so called.
_To_ PRICK _out_. An expression used among engineers, &c. signifying to
mark out the ground where a camp, &c. is to be formed.
_To_ PRICK _out the line of circumvallation_. This is done by the chief
engineer and chief of the staff, whenever an army entrenches itself
before a town, or takes possession of any given lot of ground, and
begins to hut.
PRICKING. Among marines, to make a point on the plan or chart, near
about where the ship then is, or is to be at such a time, in order to
find the course they are to steer.
PRIEST’s-_cap_. See FORTIFICATION and BONNET.
PRIME, a word of command used in the platoon exercise. See MANUAL.
PRIME _and load_, a word of command used in the exercise of a
battalion, company, or squad. See MANUAL.
PRIME _parade_, in fencing, is formed by dropping the point of your
sword to the right, bending your elbow, and drawing the back of your
sword hand to within a foot of your forehead, in a line with your left
temple, so that your blade shall carry the thrust of your antagonist
clear of the inside or left of your position.
PRIME _thrust_, a thrust applicable after forming the above parade,
and delivered at the inside of the antagonist. To obtain an opening
for this thrust, it is necessary to step out of the line to the right
as you parry, or else to oppose the sword of your antagonist with your
left hand. The first method is most eligible.
PRIME _Hanging Guard_, with the broadsword, a position in which the
hand is brought somewhat to the left, in order to secure that side of
the face and body. See BROADSWORD.
PRIMING, in _Gunnery_, the train of powder that is laid, from the
opening of the vent, along the gutter or channel, on the upper part
of the breech of the gun, which, when fired, conveys the flame to the
vent, by which it is further communicated to the charge, in order to
discharge the piece. This operation is only used on ship-board, at the
proof, and sometimes in garrison; for on all other occasions, tubes are
used for that purpose.
PRIMING, or _prime of a gun_, is the gunpowder put in the pan or
touch-hole of a piece, to give it fire thereby.
PRIMING-_case_, a small tin case, about the size and shape of a
cartridge, for the purpose of keeping a certain quantity of gunpowder,
for priming, constantly ready and dry. This rational and econonomical
invention, should be universally adopted.
PRIMING _position_. See _Platoon exercise_ under MANUAL.
PRIMING-_wire_, in _gunnery_, a sort of iron needle employed to
penetrate the vent or touch-hole of a piece of ordnance, when it is
loaded, in order to discover whether the powder contained therein is
thoroughly dry, and fit for immediate service; as likewise to search
the vent and penetrate the cartridge, when the guns are not loaded with
loose powder.
PRIMIPILARII, PRIMOPILARII, _or_ PRIMIPILARES, among the Romans were
such as had formerly borne the office of primipulus of a legion. The
banner was entrusted to his care. Among other privileges which the
primipilarii enjoyed, they became heirs to what little property was
left by the soldiers who died in the campaign.
PRIMIPILAIRE, _Fr._ See PRIMIPILARII.
PRIMIPULUS, the centurion belonging to the first cohort of a legion. He
had charge of the Roman eagle.
PRIMITIVES, _Fr._ Primitive colors are distinguished by this term among
the French. They are, the yellow, the red, and the blue; white and
black being the extremes.
PRINCIPES, (_Princes_, _Fr._) Roman soldiers. They consisted of the
strongest and most active men in the infantry, and were armed like the
Hastati, with this difference, that the former had half-pikes instead
of whole ones.
PRINCIPLE, according to the schools, is that from which any thing is
done or known.
PRINCIPLE also denotes the foundations of arts and sciences.
_Military_ PRINCIPLES, the basis or ground work upon which every
military movement is made, and by which every operation is conducted.
PRISAGE, that share which belongs to the king or admiral out of such
merchandises, &c. as are lawfully taken at sea.
PRIS, _Fr._ This word is variously used by the French, in a figurative
and proverbial sense. _C’est autant de pris sur l’ennemi_. An
expression signifying that some advantage, at least, has been gained.
_Une Ville_ PRISE, _Fr._ a town which has been taken.
PRISE _des dehors d’une place_, _Fr._ The taking possession of an
enemy’s outworks.
PRISES, _Fr._ Prizes.
PRISES _sur l’ennemi_, _Fr._ Every thing taken from the enemy is so
called.
PRISONNIERS _de guerre_, _Fr._ prisoners of war.
PRISONERS _of war_, those of the enemy who are taken in or after a
battle, siege, &c. They are deprived of their liberty at large, until
exchanged, or sent on parole.
PRIVILEGE, is any kind of right or advantage which is attached to a
person or employment exclusive of others.
PRIVILEGES. Among the different privileges which prevail in the British
army, the life guards receive their promotions direct from the king,
without passing through the commander in chief as all other corps do.
The appointment of colonel in the life guards gives the honorary title
of gold stick, and the field officer of the day is the silver stick,
through whom all reports, &c. are conveyed to the king. Although there
is a lieutenant general of the London district, the foot guards have
the privilege of reporting to head quarters direct. The foot guards
enjoy the privilege of ranking, from the ensign, one step higher
than the line. A lieutenant, for instance, ranks as captain, and can
purchase as such into any marching regiment without having waited the
regulated period; and a captain, having the brevet rank of lieutenant
colonel, may leap over all the majors of the line, by getting
appointed to a marching regiment. The promotions of the guards, _among
themselves_, are, however, extremely slow; and the only indemnification
they have must beat the expence of the line. This preposterous
pre-eminence which is not founded on any military principles or
personal merit, has tended to destroy military emulation in England;
and will every where when merit only is not the criterion of honor and
promotion.
PRIVILEGES _des régimens_, _Fr._ Certain privileges attached
to regiments, which are always abused, when not the reward of
distinguished merit.
PRIVY _Council_, a council of state held by a king, with his
counsellors, to concert matters for the public service; also called the
_cabinet_.
PRIX _des emplois ou charges militaires_, _Fr._ The price of
commissions, or military employments. During the monarchy of France, a
company in the French guards sold for 80,000 livres!
A company in the six first regiments of infantry, went for 75,000
livres. The six following, exclusive of the _régiment du roi_, went for
55,000 livres. One in the regiment of Poitou, and as far down as the
Penthievre, 40,000 livres; in the Penthievre, and from that to the
last regiment inclusive, 30,000 livres!
A company in the Scotch gendarmes cost 180,000 livres; in the Irish,
the Bourguignon, and Flanders, 150,000 livres. The other companies of
gendarmerie went for 135,000!
The sub-lieutenants in the gendarmerie paid 100,000 livres, and those
in the light horse, 95,000 livres. The ensigns and first cornets,
including the guidon belonging to the Scotch gendarmes, gave 62,000
livres!
The guidons, and second cornets, 30,000 livres!
There was no specific regulation for the purchase of a regiment of
heavy cavalry or dragoons. Appointments in the état major or staff
belonging to the cavalry and the royal regiments (_les royaux_) sold
for 100,000_l._ in the dragoons, from 100,000 to 120,000 livres.
The troops or companies in cavalry regiments, in the royal corps, and
in the état major or staff, were fixed at 10,000 livres, and the rest
at 8000.
A troop of dragoons sold for 7000 livres. No company or other
appointment in the infantry, was allowed to be bought or sold. It will
strike the military reader, that although the purchase of commissions
was, in some degree, sanctioned by the old French government, it was
nevertheless extremely limited, and confined to the upper ranks. The
efficient part of the army, which is certainly the infantry, received
its commissions gratis.
PRIZE-FIGHTER. See GLADIATOR.
PRIZE-_money_, officers and soldiers of the line doing duty on board
ships of war, are entitled to prize-money as marines.
PROA, _Ind._ A sailing vessel is so called in India.
PROBABILITY, (_Probabilité_, _Fr._) is nothing but the appearance of
the agreement or disagreement of two ideas by the intervention of
proofs, whose connection is not constant and immutable, or is not
perceived to be so; but is, or appears for the most part to be so, and
is sufficient to induce the mind to judge the proposition to be true or
false, rather than the contrary.
PROBLEM, (_Probléme_, _Fr._) In the general acceptation of the term, a
doubtful proposition, which will admit of several solutions.
PROCEDURES _militaires_, _Fr._ Military process. It consists in the
investigation of all crimes and offences committed by soldiers which
come under the cognizance of a military tribunal; in contradistinction
to the authority which is vested in the civil magistrates.
_To_ PROCLAIM, (_Proclamer_, _Fr._) to promulgate or denounce by a
solemn or legal publication. Hence, to proclaim peace, which is used
in contradistinction to the term _to declare_, which denounces war.
Both French and English say, _Declarer la guerre_, to declare war;
_proclamer la paix_, to proclaim peace.
PROCLAMATION. An instrument which is published by the constituted
authority of government, whereby the country at large is advertised
of something, and whereby the people are sometimes required to do, or
not to do certain things. A proclamation has all the efficacy of law,
because it must be in concord with or founded upon the law already in
being.
PROCLAMATION _of peace_, a declaration of the cessation of war.
PROCONSUL, among the Romans, a magistrate who was sent to govern a
province with consular authority.
PRODITION. See TREACHERY.
PRODUCE, PRODUCT, (_Produit_, _Fr._) Effect, fruit. In arithmetic it
is the quantity which grows out of the multiplication of two or more
numbers or lines one by another: 5 for instance multiplied by 4, will
give the produce 20; and the produce of two lines, multiplied one by
the other, is called the rectangle of these lines.
PROFILE, in drawing, side-ways or side-view. A picture in profile
represents a head or face set side-ways.
PROFILER, _Fr._ the act of profiling, or designing with rule and
compass.
PROFILE, (_Profil_, _Fr._) in architecture, the draught of a building,
fortification, &c. wherein are expressed the several heights, widths,
and thicknesses, such as they would appear were the building cut down
perpendicularly from the roof to the foundation. It serves to show
those dimensions which cannot be represented in plans, but are yet
necessary in the building of a fortification: they are best constructed
on a scale of 30 feet to an inch. It is also called section,
orthographical section, and by Vitruvius, sciagraphy. It is sometimes
used in opposition to ichnography.
PROGRAM, (_Programme_, _Fr._) a word derived from the Greek, signifying
any public edict, notice, or declaration. The French make use or the
word on occasions of national ceremony.
PROJECTILES, are such bodies as, being put in motion by any great
force, are then cast off, or let go from the place where they received
their quantity of motion; as a shell or shot from a piece of artillery,
a stone thrown from a sling, or an arrow from a bow, &c. This line is
commonly taken for a parabola, and the ranges are computed from the
properties of the curves. The assumption would be just, in case the
ball, in its motion, met with no resistance: but, the resistance of the
air to swift motions being very great, the curve described by the shot
is neither a parabola, nor near it: and by reason of the resistance,
the angle which gives the greatest amplitude is not 45 degrees, as
commonly supposed, but something less, probably 43¹⁄₂. Hence the
sublime mathematics are absolutely necessary in the investigation of
the track of a shell or shot in the air, known by the name of _military
projectiles_.
Gallileo having discovered that bodies projected in vacuo, and in an
oblique direction to the horizon, do always describe a parabola, he
concluded that this doctrine was not sufficient to determine the real
motion of a military projectile: for, since shells and shot move with
a great velocity, the resistance of the air becomes so great with
respect to the weight of the projectile, that its effect turns the body
very considerably from the parabolic tract; so that all calculations,
grounded on the nature of this curve, are of little use on these
occasions. This is not to be wondered at, since Gallileo, in his
enquiry, paid no regard to any other force acting on bodies, than the
force of gravity only, without considering the resistance of the air.
Every body, moving in a fluid, suffers the action of two forces: the
one is the force of gravity, or the weight of the body; and it is to be
observed, that this weight is less than the natural weight of the body,
that being diminished by an equal bulk of the fluid in which the body
moves. The other force is that of the resistance, which is known to be
proportional to the squares of the velocity of the body; and when the
body is a globe, as is commonly supposed, the direction of this force
is diametrically opposite to that of the motion of the body. This force
changes continually, both in quantity and direction; but the first
force remains constantly the same. Hence, the point in question is, to
determine the curve which a body projected obliquely, must describe
when acted upon by the two forces just now mentioned.
Although this question is easily reduced to a problem purely
analytical, the great Newton, notwithstanding his ingenious endeavors,
did not arrive at a complete solution of it. He was the first who
attempted it, and having succeeded so well in the supposition, that the
resistance is proportional to the velocity, it is almost inconceivable
that he did not succeed, when the resistance is supposed proportional
to the squares of the velocity, after solving a number of questions
incomparably more difficult. The late Mr. John Bernoulli gave the first
solution of this problem, from which he drew a construction of the
curve, by means of the quadratures of some transcendent curves, whose
description is not very difficult.