the commissions of officers after they had been duly examined. The ratification of military appointments in this manner was attended with a trifling expence to each individual, which became the perquisite of the colonel's secretary. ATTACK, any general assault, or onset, that is given to gain a post, or break a body of troops. ATTACK of a siege, is a furious assault made by the besiegers by means of trenches, galleries, saps, breaches, or mines, &c. by storming any part of the front attack. Sometimes two attacks are carried on at the same time, between which a communication must be made. See SIEGE. False ATTACKS are never carried on with that vigour and briskness that the others are; the design of them being to favour the true attack, by amusing the enemy, and by obliging the garrison to do a greater duty in dividing their forces, that the true attack may be more successful. Regular ATTACK, is that which is carried on in form, according to the rules of art. See SIEGE. To ATTACK in front or flank, in fortification, means to attack the saliant angle, or both sides of the bastion. This phrase is familiarly used with respect to bodies of men which attack each other in a military way. ATTACK and Defence. A part of the drill for recruits learning the sword exercise, which is commenced with the recruit stationary on horseback, the teacher riding round him, striking at different parts as openings appear, and instructing the recruit how to ward his several attacks; it is next executed in a walk, and, as the learner becomes more perfect, in speed; in the latter under the idea of a pursuit. The attack and defence in line and in speed form the concluding part of the sword exercise when practised at a review of cavalry. It is to be observed, that although denominated in speed, yet when practising, or at a review, the pace of the horse ought not to exceed three quarters speed. ATTENTION! a cautionary word used in the British service as a preparative to any particular exercise or ma nœuvre. Garde-a-vous, which is pro nounced Gar-a-vous, has the same sig→ nification in the French service. ATTESTATION, a certificate made by some justice of the peace within four days after the enlistinent of a recruit. This certificate is to bear testimony, that the said recruit has been brought before him in conformity to the 55th clause of the mutiny act, and has declared his assent or dissent to such enlistment; and, if according to the said act he shall have been, and is duly enlisted, that the proper oaths have been administered to him by the said magistrate, and that the 2d and 6th sections of the articles of war against mutiny and desertion have been read to the said recruit. ATILT, in the attitude of thrusting with a spear, &c. as was formerly the case in tournaments, &c. AVANT, Fr. foremost, most advanced toward the enemy, as AVANT-chemin-couvert, Fr. the advanced covert-way which is made at the foot of the glacis to oppose the approaches of an enemy. AVANT-duc, Fr. the pile-work which is formed by a number of young trees on the edge or entrance of a river. They are driven into the ground with battering rams or strong pieces of iron, to form a level floor, by means of strong planks being nailed upon it, which serve for the foundation of a bridge. Boats are placed wherever the avant-duc terminates. The avant-duc is had recourse to when the river is so broad that there are not boats sufficient to make a bridge across. Avant-ducs are made on each side of the river. AVANT-fossé, Fr. the ditch of the counterscarpe next to the country. It is dug at the foot of the glacis. See FORTIFICATION. AVANT-garde. See VAN GUARD. AVANT-train, Fr. The limbers of a field piece, on which are placed two boxes containing ammunition enough for immediate service. AUDITOR, the person who audits regimental or other military accounts. He is generally a field officer. AVENUE, in fortification, is any kind of opening or inlet into a fort, bastion, or out-work. AUGET, or AUGETTE, Fr. a wooden pipe which contains the powder by which a mine is set fire to. AULNE ANE de Paris, a French measure, 44 шches, used to measure AUTHORITY, in a general accep the term, signifies a right to ad, and a consequent right to be The King of Great Britain the constitution of the land, a pinberent right to exercise miCority without controul, as far s the army. His Majesty nt or dismiss officers at his ACMILIARY. Foreign or subsidi ary troops which are furnished to a belligerent power in consequence of a treaty of alliance, or for pecuniary considerations. Of the latter description may be considered the Swiss soldiers who formerly served in France, and the Hessians who were employed by GreatBritain. AWARD, the sentence or determination of a military court. AXLE-TREE, a transverse beam supporting a carriage, and on the ends of which the wheels revolve. B B ACK-Step, the retrograde movet of a man or body of men wt changing front. BYKWARDS, a technical word se of in the British service to expres the retrograde movement of troops I une into column, and vice versa. See WHEEL. BAGGAGE, in military affairs, sig-posed after signal victories. es the clothes, tents, utensils of diters sorts, and provisions, &c. belong and is well suited to the warlike genius of that people. It formerly roused their courage to battle, alarnied them when secure, and collected them when scattered; solaced them in their long and painful marches, and in times of peace kept up the memory of the gallantry of their ancestors, by tunes com BAGS, in military employments, are used on many occasions: as, Sand-BAGS, generally 16 inches diameter, and 30 high, filled with earth or BACKAGE-Wagons. See WAGONS. BAGPIPE, the name of a well-sand to repair breaches, and the embrakzowa warlike instrument, of the wind And greatly used by the Scotch regiBe and sometimes by the Irish. Bes are supposed to have been introduced by the Danes: but we are on that they are much older, as theres in Rome a most beautiful basmuero, a piece of Grecian sculpture of terhest antiquity, which represents a piper playing on his instrument eractiv like a modern highlander. The Gres had also an instrument compeed of a pipe and blown-up skin. The Romans, in all probability, borred it from them. The Italians still eit under the names of piva and -ms. The bagpipe has been a favourite instrument among the Scots, d has two varieties: the one with ang pipes, and sounded with the ; the other with short pipes, psed on with the fingers: the first is re loudest and most ear-piercing of all , is the genuine highland pipe, Il sures of batteries, when damaged by the enemies fire, or by the blast of the guns. Sometimes they are made less, and placed three together, upon the parapets, for the men to fire through. Earth-BAGS, containing about a cubical foot of earth, are used to raise a parapet in haste, or to repair one that is beaten down. They are only used when the ground is rocky, and does not afford earth enough to carry on the approaches. BAGUETTES, Fr. drumsticks; they also signify the switches with which soldiers were formerly punished in the French service; as passer en baguettes, to run the gauntlet. BALANCE, Fr. a term used in the French artillery to express a machine in which stores and ammunition are weighed. BALL, in the military art, comprehends all sorts of balls and bullets for fire-arms, from the cannon to the pistol. Can 2 1 1,923 Fire-BALLS, of which there are Light-BALLS, various sorts, used for various purposes. Their composition is mealed powder 2, saltpetre 14, sulphur 1, rosin 1, turpentine 21. Sometimes they are made of an iron shell, sometimes a stone, filled and covered with various coats of the above composition, till it conglomerates to a proper size, the last coat being of grained powder. But the best sort in our opinion, is to take thick brown paper, and make a shell the size of the mortar, and fill it with a composition of an equal quantity of sulphur, pitch, rosin, and mealed powder, which being well mixed, and put in warin, will give a clear fire, and burn a considerable time. When they are intended to set fire to magazines, buildings, &c. the composition must be mealed powder 10, saltpetre 2, sulphur 4, and rosin 1; or rather,|| mealed powder 48, saltpetre 32, sulphur 16, rosin 4, steel or iron filings 2, fir-tree saw-dust boiled in saltpetre ley 2, birch-wood charcoal 1, well rammed into a shell for that purpose, having various holes filled with small barrels, loaded with musquet-balls; and lastly, the whole immerged in melted pitch, rosin, and turpentine oil. Smoke-BALLS are prepared as above, with this difference, that they contain 5 to 1 of pitch, rosin, and saw-dust. This composition is put into shells made for that purpose, having 4 holes to let out the smoke. Smoke-balls are thrown out of mortars, and continue to smoke from 25 to 30 minutes. Stink-BALLS are prepared by a composition of mealed powder, rosin, saltpetre, pitch, sulphur, rasped horses and asses hoofs, burnt in the fire, assa-fatida, seraphim-gum or ferula, and bug or stinking herbs, made up into balls, as mentioned in Light-BALLS, agreeable to the size of the mortar out of which you intend to throw them. Poisoned-BALLS. We are not sure that they have ever been used in Europe; but the Indians and Africans have always been very ingenious at poisoning several sorts of warlike stores and instruments. Their composition is mealed powder 4, pitch 6, rosin 3, sulphur 5, assa-foetida 8, extract of toads poison 12, other poisonous substances 12, made into balls as above directed. At the commencement of the French Revolution poisoned balls were exhibited to the people, pretended to have been fired by the Austrians, particularly at the siege of Lisle. We have seen some of this sort ourselves. They contained glass, small pieces of iron, &c. and were said to be concocted together by means of a greasy composition, which was impregnated with poisonous matter. In 1792 they were deposited in the archives of Paris. Red-hot BALLS are fired out of mortars, howitzers, or cannon. Use which you will, the ball must be made red-hot, which is done upon a large coal fire in a square hole made in the ground, 6 feet every way, and 4 or 5 feet deep. Some make the fire under an iron grate, on which the shell or ball is laid; but the best way is to put the ball into the middle of a clear burning fire, and when red-hot, all the fiery particles must be swept off. Whatever machine you use to throw the red-hot ball out of, it must be elevated according to the distance you intend it shall range, and the charge of powder must be put into a flannel cartridge, and a good wad upon that; then a piece of wood of the exact diameter of the piece, and about 34 inches thick, to prevent the ball from setting fire to the powder; then place the ball on the edge of the mortar, &c. with an instrument for that purpose, and let it roll of itself against the wood, and instantly fire it off. Should there be a ditch or parallel before such a battery, with soldiers, the wood must not be used, as the blast of powder will break it to pieces, and its own clasticity prevent it from flying far; it would in that case either kill or wound your own people. For this deficiency the wad must be double. Chain Con-SALLS are two balls linked || toge by a chain of 8 or 10 inches be some have been made with a 3 or 4 feet long; they are used #stroy the pallisadoes, wooden as, and chevaux-de-friezes of a fortata. They are also very destrucLay to the rigging of a ship. MA-BALLS are by sonie called balls ads; they are sometimes made -balls joined together by a hart on from 8 to 14 inches long; Dare ukewise made of two entire bey are for the same purpose as be before mentioned. A-BALLS are made in the same was the fight-balls, and filled with the same composition, only with this ad that these are made with an iron bart-thirds of the ball's diameter in gh, and 3 or 4 inches square. One hatted within the ball, and the her had remains without; the extefor end is made with a grapple-hook. Very useful to set fire to wooden bridges, or any thang made of wood, or even the nening of ships, &c. for the pile end beg the heaviest, flies foremost, derever it touches, fastens, and sali on fire about it. Meeze-BALLS. See SHELLS. BALLE, Fr. a round substance, rade of lead or iron, which is put into tery ordnance or fire-arms, for the purpose of killing, wounding, or mak alreach. fenced with pallisades, and sometimes to masonry, covering the suburbs; but in castles it was the space immediately within the outer wall. BALLON, Fr. Balloon. BALLON à bombes, Fr. a bag in which are placed beds of smaller bombs, that are charged and interlaid with gunpowder. This bag is put into another covering, that is pitched and tarred, with the neck closely tied up with packthread, in which a fuse is fixed, as in ordinary bombs. These balloons, or bags containing bombs, are thrown out of mortars, and are frequently used in the attack and defence of fortified places. Major Shrapnel's invention of the case-shot is of a superior kind. BALLON à cailloux, Fr. a balloon, or bag filled with stones or pebbles in the same manner as the above mentioned. BALLON à grenades, Fr. a balloon or bag, impregnated with pitch, containing several beds of grenades, with a fuse attached to each. BALLOON, a hollow vessel of silk, varnished over and filled with inflammable air, by which means it ascends in the atmosphere. It has during the present war been used by the French in reconnoitering. BALLOTS, Fr. sacks or bales of wool, made use of, in cases of great emergency, to form parapets or places of arms. They are likewise adapted for the defence of trenches, to cover the workmen in saps, and in all instances where promptitude is required. BAN, or BANN, a sort of proclamation made at the head of a body of troops, or in the several quarters or cantonments of an army, by sound of trumpet, or beat of drum; either for observing martial discipline, or for declaring a new officer, or punishing a soldier, or the like. At present such kind of proclamations are given out in the written orders of the day. BAN and ARRIERE BAN, a French military phrase, signifying the convocation of vassals under the feudal system. Ménage, a French writer, derives the term from the German word Ban,which means publication. Nicod derives it from another German term, which signifies field. Borel from the Greek wav, which means all, because the convocation was general. In the reign of Charles VII. the ban and arrière ban had BANDIERE, Fr. Une armée rangie en front de bandiere, signifies an army in battle array. This disposition of the army is opposed to that in which it is cantoned and divided into several || bodies. had different significations. Formerly it BAN likewise signified, during the ancient monarchy of France, a proclamation made by the sound of drums, trumpets, and tambourines, either at the head of a body of troops, or in quarters. Sometimes to prevent the men from quitting camp, at others to enforce the rigour of military discipline; sometimes for the purpose of receiving a new commanding officer, and at others to degrade and punish a military character. BANDER, Fr. to bind, to bend, to cock. Bander les yeux à une trompette; to cover the eyes of a trumpeter. Bander un pistolet; to cock a pistol. BANDER also signifies to unite, to intrigue together for the purposes of insurrection. BANDERET, Fr. in military history, implies the commander in chief of the troops of the canton of Bern, in Switzerland. BANDES, Fr. bands, bodies of infantry. BANDES Francoise, Fr. The French infantry was anciently so called. The term, however, has of late become less general, and been confined to the Prévôt des Bandes, or the Judge or Provost Marshal that tried the men belonging to the French guards. BANDES, Fr. iron hoops or rings. Sous-BANDES, Fr. flat iron hoops, || which are placed in the lower parts of á piece of ordnance, between the trunnions. Sus-BANDES, Fr. flat iron hoops, which are placed in the upper parts of a piece of ordnance, to keep the trunnions together. || Une armée campée front de BANDIERE, Fr. An army which has encamped with the regular stand of colours in front. Hence la ligne bandiere. The camp-colour line. The sentries should not, on any account, permit persons out of regimentals to pass this line. BANDOLEER, in ancient military history, a large leathern belt worn over the right shoulder, and hanging under the left arm, to carry some kind of warlike weapon. BANDOLEERS are likewise little wooden cases covered with leather, of which every musketeer used to wear 12 hanging on a shoulder-belt; each of them contained the charge of powder for a musket. They are now no more in use, but are still to be seen in the small armoury in the Tower. BANDROLS. See CAMP COLOURS. BANDS, properly bodies of foot, though almost out of date. Train-BANDS. In England the militia of the City of London were generally so called. The third regiment of Foot, or the Old Buffs, were originally recruited from the Train Bands, which circumstance has given that corps the exclusive privilege of marching through London with drums beating and colours flying. BAND of Pensioners, a company of gentlemen so called, who attend the King's person upon all solemn occasions. They are 120 in number, and receive a yearly allowance of 100l. The term band is also applied to the body of musicians attached to any regiment or battalion. BAND is also the denomination of a military order in Spain, instituted by Alphonsus XI. king of Castile, for the younger sons of the nobility, who, before their admission, must serve 10 years, at least, either in the army or during a war; and are bound to take up arms in defence of the Catholic faith, against the infidels. BANDIERE, Fr. This term is fre- BANERET, Fr. a term derived from quently used in the same sense with Baniére. This appellation was attachBannire, Banner; especially on boarded to any lord of a fief who had vassals a ship. suf |