A Military Dictionary And Gazetteer - free ebook by Thomas Wilhelm

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A Military Dictionary And Gazetteer

Thomas Wilhelm

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49 chapters

A MILITARY DICTIONARY AND GAZETTEER.

A MILITARY DICTIONARY AND GAZETTEER.

COMPRISING ANCIENT AND MODERN MILITARY TECHNICAL TERMS, HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF ALL NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS, AS WELL AS ANCIENT WARLIKE TRIBES; ALSO NOTICES OF BATTLES FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME, WITH A CONCISE EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN HERALDRY AND THE OFFICES THEREOF. THE WORK ALSO GIVES VALUABLE GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION. COMPILED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES OF ALL NATIONS. WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING THE ARTICLES OF WAR, Etc. BY THOMAS WILHELM , CAPTAIN EIGHTH INFANTRY. RE VI

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PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

It is with no small degree of relief that the compiler of this work now turns from a self-imposed task, involving some years of the closest application, to write a brief preface, not as a necessity, but in justice to the work and the numerous friends who have taken the warmest interest in its progress and final completion. It is inevitable that in the vast amount of patient and persistent labor in a work of this kind, extending to 1386 pages, and containing 17,257 distinct articles, there should

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PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION.

PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION.

In submitting this volume to the public it is deemed proper to say that the design of the work is to bring together into one series, and in as compact a form as possible for ready reference, such information as the student of the science and art of war, persons interested in the local or reserve forces, libraries, as well as the editors of the daily press, should possess. In short, it is believed that the work will be useful to individuals of all ranks and conditions. The compiler has labored un

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ENGLISH AND AMERICAN WORKS.

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN WORKS.

Beeton’s Dictionary of Universal Biography. Beeton’s Dictionary of Universal Geography. Chambers’s Encyclopædia. Customs of Service for Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the Army —Kautz. Customs of Service for Officers of the Army —Kautz. Classical Dictionary —Smith. Digest of Opinions of the Judge-Advocate-General —Winthrop. Dictionary of the United States Army —Gardner. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities —Smith. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology —Smith. Dicti

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GERMAN WORKS.

GERMAN WORKS.

Dienst-Vorschriften der Königlich Preussischen Armee —Karl von Helldorff. Die Lehre vom neueren Festungskrieg —W. Rüstow. Grundzüge der Taktik der drei Waffen, Infanterie, Kavallerie, und Artillerie —Dr. H. v. Brandt. Heerwesen und Infanteriedienst der Königlich Preussischen Armee —A. v. Witzleben. Kriegsfeuerwerkerei zum Gebrauch für die Königlich Preussischen Artillerie —A. Bath. Kriegswörterbuch —Carl Ad. Loehr. Militair Conversations-Lexikon —Hans Eggert Willibald von der Lühe....

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FRENCH WORKS.

FRENCH WORKS.

Encyclopédie Militaire et Maritime. Géographie Phisique, Historique et Militaire —Théophile Lava. Législation et Administration Militaires —M. Léon Guillot. Sur la Formation des Troupes pour le Combat —Jomini....

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IMPORTANT MAXIMS.

IMPORTANT MAXIMS.

Misfortune will certainly fall upon the land where the wealth of the tax-gatherer or the greedy gambler in stocks stands, in public estimation, above the uniform of the brave man who sacrifices his life, health, or fortune in the defense of his country. Officers should feel a conviction that resignation, bravery, and faithful attention to duty are virtues without which no glory is possible, no army is respectable, and that firmness amid reverses is more honorable than enthusiasm in success. It i

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A.

A.

Aachen. See Aix-la-Chapelle . Aar. A river in Switzerland, flows into the Rhine opposite and near Waldshut, in Aargau. Prince Charles, while crossing the river, August 17, 1799, was repulsed by the French generals Ney and Heudelet. Aarau. A city in Switzerland. Peace was here declared, July 18, 1712, ending the war between the cantons Zurich and Berne on one side, and Luzerne, Uri, Schuyz, Unterwalden, and Zug on the other. Abad ( Abadides ). A line of Moorish kings who reigned in Seville from 1

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B.

B.

Baalbec. An ancient city of Syria. From the accounts of Oriental writers, it was a place of importance down to the time of the Moslem invasion of Syria. After the capture of Damascus, it was regularly invested by the Moslems, and after a courageous defense at length capitulated; sacked and dismantled by the caliph of Damascus, and the principal inhabitants put to the sword, 748; pillaged by Timour Bey, 1400; afterwards subjected to Turkish supremacy; pillaged August 8, 1860, and the Christian in

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C.

C.

Cabas ( Fr. ). A basket made of rushes, used in ancient Languedoc and Rousillon, for the purpose of conveying stores and ammunition. Cabasset , Cabacet , or Capacète . A kind of helmet, lighter than the morion, terminating in a rounded top. It was also called Cervelière , because it only covered the upper part of the head. Cabeira (Asia Minor). Here Mithridates, king of Pontus, was defeated by Lucullus, 71 B.C. Cabell Court-house. See Barboursville . Cabezon de la Sal. A town of Spain, in the pr

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D.

D.

Dacia. The land of the Daci or Getæ. It comprised the various countries now known as Eastern Hungary, Transylvania, Wallachia, and Moldavia. The Getæ came originally from Thrace, and were divided into various tribes, and seem to have been the most valiant of the Thracian barbarians. Curio, the first Roman general who ever penetrated as far north as the Danube, did not venture to assail them. Julius Cæsar, however, is said to have intended their subjugation. In 10 B.C. , Augustus sent an army up

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E.

E.

Eagle. In heraldry, is used as an emblem of magnanimity and fortitude. In the Roman armies the eagle was used as a military standard, and even previous to that time the Persians under Cyrus the Younger used the same military emblem. In modern times, France, Russia, Prussia, Austria, and the United States have adopted the eagle as a national military symbol. The Austrian eagle is represented as double-headed. Eagle, Black. A Prussian order of knighthood, founded in 1701; united with the order of

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F.

F.

Face. A term of varied application. In fortification, it is an appellation given to several parts of a fortress, as the face of the bastion , which is the two sides, reaching from the flanks to the salient angles. The prolonged or extended face is that part of the line of defense which is terminated by the curtain and the angle of the shoulder. Strictly taken, it is the line of defense rayant , diminished by the face of the bastion. Face. In tactics, is the turning of a soldier on his heels as a

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G.

G.

Gabion. A kind of basket made of osier twigs, of a cylindrical form, having different dimensions, according to the purpose for which it is used. Filled with earth, these gabions serve in sieges to carry on the approaches under cover, when the assailants come near the fortification. Batteries are often made of gabions, which likewise serve for revetments in constructing parapets of loose earth. Gabionage. Gabions when used for fortification. Gabionnade. A work hastily thrown up; especially, one f

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H.

H.

Haarlem , or Haerlem . A city of the Netherlands, in the province of Northern Holland, on the Spaarne. It is an ancient town, and was once the residence of the counts of Holland; was taken by the Duke of Alva in July, 1573, after a siege of seven months. He violated the capitulation by butchering half the inhabitants. Habeas Corpus. A writ of habeas corpus is an order in writing, signed by the judge who grants the same, sealed with the seal of the court of which he is a judge, and issued in the

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I.

I.

Iapydes. A warlike and barbarous people in the north of Illyricum, between the rivers Arsia and Tedanius; were a mixed race, partly Illyrian and partly Celtic, who tattooed their bodies. They were subdued by Augustus. Their country was called Iaiydia. Iazyges. A powerful Sarmatian people, who originally dwelt on the coast of the Pontus Euxinus and the Palus Mæotis; but in the reign of Claudius settled near the Quadi in Dacia, in the country bounded by the Danube, the Theiss, and the Sarmatian Mo

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J.

J.

Jaca , or Jacca . A fortified town of Spain, in the province of Aragon, situated at the foot of the Pyrenees, on the river Aragon. It is a town of great antiquity, and, from its position, has been the scene of many sanguinary contests. Its occupation was eagerly coveted by every invader of the Peninsula, from Cato and Julius Cæsar to the generals of Napoleon. Jack. See Implements . Jack (Fr. jacque ). A coat of defensive armor, quilted and covered with leather, worn particularly by horsemen; a b

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K.

K.

Kabbade ( Fr. ). Military clothing of the modern Greeks; Roman sagum . Kabyles. An aboriginal African people, inhabiting the mountains of the Atlas. They are an independent race, who mainly exist by plundering the people of the plains. They are divided into numerous tribes, each of which has its distinctive name, with the prefix Beni before it. See Beni-Abbes , Beni-Achour , etc. Kaffa. See Caffa . Kaffraria. An extensive country in Southern Africa, extending from the north of Cape Colony to the

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L.

L.

Labarum. A military standard of the Roman empire. It consisted of a long lance crossed at right angles near the top by a staff, from which hung a small flag or streamer of purple cloth inwrought with gold and precious stones, and bearing the effigy of the emperor. Constantine the Great, when he embraced Christianity, substituted for that device a crown, a cross, and the initial letters of the name of Christ, and made it the imperial standard. Labeates. A warlike people in Dalmatia, whose chief t

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M.

M.

McAllister, Fort. A formidable casemated earthwork, with bombproofs, mounting 9 guns, on Genesis Point, about 6 miles above the mouth of Great Ogeechee River, Georgia, which was erected by the Confederates during the civil war. On January 27, 1863, it was attacked by the ironclad “Montauk,” under the command of Capt. John L. Worden, three gunboats, and a mortar-schooner; but after a bombardment of many hours’ duration, they failed to reduce it. Another attack was made with like results on Februa

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N.

N.

Naas. A town of Ireland, in the county of Kildare, 18 miles southwest from Dublin. Here the insurgent Irish were defeated by a body of the king’s forces, May 24, 1798; the insurgents lost about 300 killed and many wounded. Nabatæi , or Nabathæ (in the Old Testament Nebaioth ). An Arabian people, descended from the eldest son of Ishmaël, had their original abodes in the northwestern part of the Arabian peninsula, east and southeast of the Moabites and Edomites. After the Babylonian conquest of Ju

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O.

O.

Oakum. A tangled mass of tarred hempen fibres, is made from old rope by untwisting the strands and rubbing the fibres free from each other. Its principal use is in calking the seams between planks, the space round rivets, bolts, etc., for the purpose of preventing water from penetrating. Oaths, Military. The taking of the oath of fidelity to government and obedience to superior officers, was, among ancient armies, a very solemn affair. A whole corps took the oath together, and sometimes an entir

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P.

P.

Pace (Lat. passus ). In its modern acceptation, is the distance, when the legs are extended in walking, between the heel of one foot and that of the other. Among disciplined men the pace becomes one of constant length, and as such is of the utmost value in determining military movements, the relative distances of corps and men being fixed by the number of paces marched, and so on. The pace varies in different countries; in the United States it is 28 inches direct step, and 33 double step; in Gre

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Q.

Q.

Quadi. A powerful and warlike German tribe, belonging to the Suevic race, whose territories were situated between the Danube, the Bohemian mountains, and the river Marus. They make their first appearance in history in the 1st century as formidable foes of the Romans. Their bodies were covered with mail, consisting of plates of horn; their weapons were long spears; and each man had three swift horses for his use in battle. Thus equipped, they commenced the practice of making rapid and sweeping ra

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R.

R.

Raab , or Nagy-Gyor . A town of Hungary, 67 miles west-northwest of Buda. A battle was fought under its walls in June, 1809, in which Napoleon totally defeated the disorderly force of the Hungarian nobles. Rabinet. A small piece of ordnance formerly in use. It weighed but 300 pounds, and fired a small ball of 1 3 ⁄ 8 inch diameter; with a very limited range. Rachat des Cloches ( Fr. ). Redemption of bells. Formerly in France when a fortified place was taken, the bells became the property of the

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S.

S.

Saalfeld. A town of Germany, in the duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, on the Saale, 23 miles south from Weimar. Here the Prussians under Prince Louis Frederick of Prussia were defeated and their leader slain by the French under Lannes, October 10, 1806. Saarbrück (anc. Augusti Mari , or Saræpons ). An open town on the left bank of the Saar, in Rhenish Prussia. It was founded in the 10th century, and was long subject to the bishops of Metz; it was afterwards ruled by counts (about 1237), and by the house

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T.

T.

Tab. The arming of an archer’s gauntlet or glove. Tabard. A military garment in general use in the latter half of the 15th, and beginning of the 16th century, which succeeded the jupon and cyclas . It fitted closely to the body, was open at the sides, had wide sleeves or flaps reaching to the elbow, and displayed the armorial ensigns of the wearer on the back and front, as well as on the sleeves. About the middle of the 16th century the tabard ceased to be used except by the officers-of-arms, wh

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U.

U.

Ucles. A fortified town of Spain, in the province of Cuenca, 40 miles southwest from the town of that name. It stands at the foot of a hill crowned by a famous monastery which belonged to the military order of Santiago or St. James of Spain. It was taken by the French in 1809. Uglitch. A town of European Russia, in the government and 60 miles west-southwest from Jaroslav, on the right bank of the Volga. It was destroyed by the Lithuanians in 1607. Uhlans (a Tartar word signifying “brave”). Light

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V.

V.

Vacancy. The state of an office or commission to which no one is appointed. Vacant Companies. Companies to the permanent command of which no person is appointed for the time being. Vacate. To annul; to make void; to deprive of force; to make of no authority or validity; as, to vacate a commission. Vacca , Vaga , or Vaba (now Beja ). A city of Zeugitana, in Northern Africa, on the borders of Numidia, a good day’s journey south of Utica. It was destroyed by Metellus in the Jugurthine war, but was

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W.

W.

Wad. To insert or crowd a wad into; as, to wad a gun. Wad. See Grommet , and Junk-wads . Wad-hook. A screw or hook to draw wadding out from a gun. Wage Battle, To. To give gage or security for joining in the duellum , or combat. Wager of Battle. In ancient law, the giving of gage or pledge for trying a cause by single combat, formerly allowed in military, criminal, and civil causes. In writs of right, where the trial was by champions, the tenant produced his champion, who, by throwing down his g

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X.

X.

Xanthica. A military festival observed by the Macedonians in the month called Xanthicus (our April), instituted about 392 B.C. Xanthus. The most famous city of Lycia, stood on the western bank of the river of the same name, 60 stadia from its mouth. Twice in the course of its history it sustained sieges, which terminated in the self-destruction of the inhabitants with their property, first against the Persians under Harpagus, and long afterward against the Romans under Brutus. The city was never

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Y.

Y.

Yager. One belonging to a body of light infantry armed with rifles. Written also jager . Yankton Indians. See Dakota Indians . Yataghan. A Turkish poniard having a Damascus blade, straight or crooked. It has a double edge, and sharp point, with a ridge in the middle of its whole length; the handle and scabbard are generally highly ornamented and costly. Yeomanry. A volunteer force of cavalry in Great Britain, numbering about 14,000 men, and costing the country annually about £85,000. It was orig

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Z.

Z.

Zabern, Rhein , or Rhein-Zabern . A town on the Erlenbach, in Rhenish Bavaria. It is noted for the two battles fought here and at the village of Jokgrin, about 2 miles farther south, between the Austrians and the French, June 29 and August 20, 1793. Zagaie. A long dart or lance in use among some African tribes, particularly the Moors, while fighting on horseback. It is armed with a sharp stone and thrown like a javelin. The savages of New Holland are still armed with it. Zaikany. A village of Au

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A.

A.

Acanzi. In military history, the name of the Turkish light-horse who formed the vanguard of the sultan’s army. Adoni , or Adonani . A city in Hindostan, formerly strongly fortified; captured by Tippoo Sahib in 1787; sold to England after his death in 1800. Afabuar ( Fr. ). Color-bearer of the ancient Icelanders. Every war-vessel had one of these officers aboard, who commanded the soldiers. These officers were selected for this duty for their bravery. Alains ( Fr. ). People of ancient Sarmatia; t

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B.

B.

Band, Military . [1] Consists of a body of musicians attached to each army regiment or battalion. The law provides for a band at the Military Academy at West Point. And for each artillery, cavalry, and infantry regiment a chief musician, who shall be instructor of music; and for each artillery and infantry regiment two principal musicians; each cavalry regiment to have one chief trumpeter. Musicians for regimental bands are enlisted as soldiers, and formed under the direction of the adjutant, bu

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C.

C.

Cabacle ( Fr. ). Military coat of the modern Grecians. Cabas ( Fr. ). A large shield or buckler, which served to protect the archers who attacked in intrenchments. Cage de la Bascule ( Fr. ). A space into which one part of a draw-bridge falls, whilst the other rises and conceals the gate. Calosiers. Soldiers of ancient Egypt, who with the Hermotybes composed the particular guard of the king. Calotte ( Fr. ). The back plate of a sword-handle; the cap of a pistol; species of skull-cap worn by Fren

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D.

D.

Davids Island. An island of 100 acres in Long Island Sound, within the township limits of New Rochelle, Westchester Co., N. Y. It was purchased in 1867 by the U. S. government, to be used for military purposes. Dinkelsbuhl. A town of Bavaria, surrounded with a high wall, flanked with towers and ditches. It suffered much during the Thirty Years’ War. Dorylæum ( Phrygia ). Soliman, the Turkish sultan of Iconium, having retired from the defense of Nicæa, his capital, was here defeated with great lo

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E.

E.

Egard ( Fr. ). An ancient tribunal of Malta which decided, by commission, suits among the knights. Eleasa. In Palestine; here Judas Maccabæus was defeated and slain by Bacchides and Alcimus, and the Syrians about 161 B.C. Entrenchments. The field-works which are hastily thrown up to cover a force in position. Erivan , Irvin , or Irivan . A fortified town of Russian Armenia, situated on the Zenghi. It was taken by the Turks in 1553 and 1582, but recovered by Abbas the Great, 1604; after being sev

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F.

F.

Fabian. Delaying; dilatory; avoiding battle, in imitation of Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, a Roman general who conducted military operations against Hannibal, by declining to risk a battle in the open field, but harassing the enemy by marches, countermarches, and ambuscades....

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G.

G.

Gad. The first-born of Zilpah, Leah’s maid, was the seventh son of Jacob. The tribe of Gad numbered in the wilderness of Sinai more than 40,000 fighting-men. Nomadic by nature, they preferred to remain on the east side of Jordan, and were reluctantly allowed to do so by Joshua, on condition of assisting their countrymen in the conquest and subjugation of Canaan. The men of Gad—if we may judge from the eleven warriors who joined David in his extremity—were a race of stalwart heroes; “men of might

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H.

H.

Half Merlons. The merlons at the ends of the parapet. Harrow. In a military sense, means to lay waste; to ravage; to destroy. Here. Is a word used by soldiers at a regimental roll-call, to intimate their presence....

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M.

M.

Magnano. In Northern Italy; here Scherer and a French army were defeated by the Austrians under Kray, April 5, 1799. Mars. The name of the Roman god of war, was a contraction of Mavors . He was supposed to be a son of Jupiter and Juno, and was identified with the Ares of Greek mythology. According to Ovid he was a son of Juno, but had no father. Homer and other poets relate that Mars fought for the Trojans at the siege of Troy, and was wounded by Diomede. Mars was believed to love war for its ow

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N.

N.

Nugent. The name of a noble family, originally from Normandy, who settled in Ireland in the 12th century. Richard Nugent was created by King James I. earl of Westmeath in 1621. George Thomas John Nugent, born in 1785, became marquis of Westmeath in 1822. Sir George Nugent, grandson of Viscount Clare, born in 1757, served in America and the Netherlands. He was successively appointed governor of Jamaica and commander-in-chief of the army in the West Indies, and in 1846 field-marshal. Died in 1849.

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P.

P.

Paneas , or Panius (Syria). Here Antiochus the Great defeated Scopas, the Egyptian general, and his Greek allies, 198 B.C. Percy. The name of an ancient and noble English family, descended from William de Percy, who, in the reign of William the Conqueror, possessed several manors in the counties of Lincoln and York. He was probably a Norman. In the reign of Edward I. a Henry de Percy acquired Alnwick and other estates in Northumberland. Another Henry de Percy, in the reign of Edward III., marrie

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R.

R.

Reichenbach (Prussia). Here was signed a subsidy treaty between Russia, Prussia, and England, whereby the last engaged to provide means for carrying on the war against Napoleon I. on certain conditions, June 14-15, 1813. Austria joined the alliance soon after. Here Duroc was killed during the conflicts between the French and the allies, May 22, 1813....

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S.

S.

Shako. A kind of military cap....

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T.

T.

Tesseræ Militares. Military watchwords, or countersigns, among the ancient Romans....

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V.

V.

Viana. A town of Portugal, in the province of Minho, situated on the Lima, 38 miles north from Oporto. This place surrendered to Admiral Sir Charles Napier in the civil war which deprived Don Miguel of the throne of Portugal....

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ARTICLES OF WAR.

ARTICLES OF WAR.

Section 1342. The armies of the United States shall be governed by the following rules and articles. The word officer, as used therein, shall be understood to designate commissioned officers; the word soldier shall be understood to include non-commissioned officers, musicians, artificers, and privates, and other enlisted men, and the convictions mentioned therein shall be understood to be convictions by court-martial. Article 1. Every officer now in the Army of the United States shall, within si

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