Ex Libris C. K. OGDEN I 1 i F 1 a - Q o CO t \ ^i r^ 5> O H IO to A MILITARY DICTIONARY. MILITAKY DICTIONAKY, COMPRISING TERMS, SCIENTIFIC AND OTHERWISE, CONNECTED WITH THE SCIENCE OF WAR. COMPILED BY MAJOB-GENEEAL G. E. VOYLE, RETIRED ROYAL (BENGAL) ARTILLERY, AUTHOR OF THE 'GUNNER'S AID.' ASSISTED BY CAPTAIN G. DE SAINT-CLAIR-STEVENSON, E.E.G.S. ANCIEN OFFICIER D'ETAT-MAJOR AUXILIAIRE. ' What is obvious is not always known, and what is known is not always present." JOHNSON. THIRD EDITION. DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE. LONDON: WILLIAM CLOWES & SONS, 13 CHAKING CEOSS. 1876. LONDON : PRINTED 15Y WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS. PEEFACE. IN bringing out a new edition of my Dictionary, I have kept in view the object I had originally in its compilation the production of a general work of reference and as such I now offer it to all who take an interest in military affairs. The number of expensive books to which the military student must have recourse, in order to obtain the varied information required in the different branches of the service, struck me some years ago as being a source of great inconvenience. To avoid this, I considered it advisable to bring out a work, by condensing into one volume all that is indispensable, as well as much with which it is desirable an officer should become acquainted. This Dictionary, which passed through two editions, was pub- lished in India some years ago.* But in these days of rapid and constant transition, not only in the materiel of an army, but also in drill, organisation, and tactics, when new inventions are con- tinually brought forward and introduced into the service, it is difficult without a work of this character to acquire the knowledge of these changes. A new edition of the Dictionary was therefore thought necessary, and that book, revised, corrected, and greatly enlarged, is now offered to the public. Matter foreign to the British army has been introduced in this edition, so as to enable the military student to compare the organisation, arms, &c. of continental armies with those of his own service. The Dictionary contains also descriptions of ancient armour, and of arms, lately in the service, which have become obsolete, as it may be of some interest to follow the changes which have taken place in the mode and means of fighting from the earliest period down to the present time. The insertion of veterinary terms and of remedies for the common * ' A Dictionary of Artillery and other Military and Scientific Terms,' compiled by Colonel Voyle, R.A., second edition. (Calcutta: Thacker, Spink, and Co.) a 2 PREFACE. complaints of horses will, I hope, be found useful under conditions where a veterinary surgeon is not available, as is often the case in detached parties of cavalry in India and elsewhere. A description of certain tools and machines found commonly in workshops may prove acceptable to departmental officers on their first joining government manufacturing establishments. The meaning of a few Hindustani words, not strictly military, is given for the use of officers on first going to India. In conclusion, I beg to acknowledge the valuable help obtained from the works of many authors, both military and scientific, and the assistance I have received from various friends, and especially from the officer whose name appears with mine on the title-page. To avoid crowding up the text, I have not inserted after each quotation the name of the author from whom my information has been derived ; but a list of all works which I have consulted, and from which I have extracted, will be found at the commencement of the work. It is intended, with the view of meeting the changes which are likely to take place in the materiel of the army, to issue a supple- ment yearly, containing all alterations and additions. G. E. V. Aide-Memoire to the Military Sciences. Aide-Me'moire de 1'Officier d'Etat-Major, par M. de Rouvre, Lieutenant-Colonel d'Etat-Major. Ammunition, Treatise on, 1874. Published by authority. Almanach de Gotha, 1876. Archives, German Military. Army Circulars. Published by the War Office. Art of War, by Lieutenant-Colonel Graham. Artillerist's Manual, llth edition, by Major Griffiths, R.A. Artillerist's Handbook of Reference, by Lieutenants G. Well, R.A., and J. C. Dalton, R.A. Artillery, Dictionary of, by General Cotty. Artillery Exercises, Field, Changes in, in 1873, by Major-General Phillpotts R.H.A. Artillery Institution Papers. Artillery, Lectures on, by Majors Owen and Dames, R.A. Artillery, Modern, by Lieutenant-Colonel Owen, R.A. Artillery, Treatise on, by Lieutenant-Colonel Boxer, R.A. Astronomical Atlas, by Milner. Baker's Elements of Mechanism. Balfour's Encyclopaedia of India. Blue Books (Parliamentary). Bourne on the Steam Engine. Brande and Cox's Dictionary of Science, Literature, and Art, 1875. Cape's Mathematics. Cavalry Manual, by Colonel Ainslie. Chambers's Encyclopaedia. Change of Materiel. Published by the War Office. Chemistry as applied to the Arts and Manufactures, by Dr. S. Muspratt. Chemistry, Handbook of, by Abel and Bloxam. Chemistry, Manual of, by Dr. O'Shaughnessy. Conferences du Ministre de la Guerre (France). Conferences Militaires Beiges. Construction of Dwelling-houses. Defence of Military Outposts, by Captain Jebb, R.E. Dictionary, Handy, of Military Terms, by Captain W. Knollys. Dictionary, Military and Naval, by Colonel Burn. Dictionary, Military and Naval, by James. viii LIST OF WORKS CONSULTED OR EXTRACTED FROM. Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, by E. Francis, F.L.S. IHctionarv of the English Language, by Johnson. Dictionary of the English Language, by Webster. Dictionary of the English Language, by Hyde Clark, LL.D. Dictionary of the English Language, by Smart. Dictionary of the English Language, by Nuttall. Dictionary of Military Science, by Lieutenant E. S. W. Campbell. Dictionary, Philosophical, by Button. Elementary Lectures on Military Law. by Captain Tulloch. Encyclopaedia Britanniea (1875). Field Exercise and Evolutions of the Army. Field Fortification, by Macaulay. Field Fortification, a Manual of Military Sketching and Reconnaissance. Pub- lished by authority. Fortification, by Arnetti. Fortification and other Military Subjects as carried on at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. Gunnery, by Hyde. Gunpowder', by Majors Badelev, Anderson, Goodenough, and Captains Smith and Morgan. Holtzapffel's Turning and Mechanical Manipulation. Handbook for Field Service, by General Lefroy, R.A. Handbook of the Mechanical Arts, by R. Scott Burns. Handbook for Military Artificers, 1875, by Sergeant-Major T. Armstrong, R.A. Handbook of Natural Philosophy, by Lardner. Heather on Mathematical Instruments. History of the Dress of the British Soldier, by Lieutenant-Colonel J. Luard. How we are to govern Ourselves, by Alban de Fonblanque. In Han and Burinan Timbers, by Conductor Skinner. Instructions in the Duties of Cavalry reconnoitring an Enemy, for the use of Auxiliary Cavalry. Instructions in Military Engineering. Published by authority. Journals of the Royal (United Service Institution. Manual of Artillery Exercises, 1875. Manual of Instructions for Testing the Defective Vision of Soldiers, by Surgeon- General J. Longmore, C.B. Manual of Military Law, by Colonel Pipon and .1. Collier, Esq. Manuel complet a 1'Usage des Candidate au Grade d'Officier d'Infanterie, par A. Turlin. Maunder's Treasury of Knowledge. Mayhew on the Horse. Mechanic's Magazine. Military Carriages, Treatise on, by Captain Kemmis. R.A. Military Law, by Clode. Mutiny Act aud Articles of War. Motion of Projectiles, by Lieutenant-Colonel Owen, R.A. Operations of War, by Colonel Hamley, 2nd and ord editions. Queen's Regulations, 1873. Regulations and Instructions for Encampments fur 1875. Kevue Militaire de 1'Etranger (Paris). Ruvue d'Artillerie. Rifle Exercises and Musketry Instructions. Royal Artillery, History of, by Captain Duncan, R.A. Sandhurst. Papers. Science, La, des Personnes de Cour, d'Epo'e et de Robe. Short Notes on Field Batteries, by Captain Gale Browne R.A. LIST OF WORKS CONSULTED OR EXTRACTED FROM. ix Simmons on Courts-martial. Small's Veterinary Tablet. Soldier's Pocket-book, by Major-General Sir G. Wolseley, K.C.B. Spectateur Militaire (Paris). Steam Engine, by Robert S. Burns. Tactics and Strategy, by General Twemlow, P..A. Text-book of the Construction and Manufacture of the Rifled Ordnance in the British Service, by Captain Stoney and Captain C. Jones, R.A. Text-book for School of Musketry at Hythe. Theory of War, by Colonel (now General) Macdougall. Tomlinson's Cyclopaedia of the Useful Arts and Manufactures. Weale's Series. Knglish and foreign newspapers. ABBBEVIATIONS. B.L. .. B.L.R. .. C.B. .. C.O. .. D.A.Q.M.G. F.G. . . F.S. G.C. .. G.C.B. .. G.S. .. G.S.W. K.C.B. L.G. .. L.L.R. .. L.S. . . M.L. .. M.L.R. .. M.T. .. N.C. .. N.C.O. .. N.P. .. N.W. .. O.P. .. P. R.A. .. R.C.D. .. R.E. .. R.F.G. .. R.G.F. .. R.L. .. R.L.G. .. R.M.A. S.A. . . Breech-loading. . . Breech-loading rifled. . . Companion of the Bath. .. Commanding officer. .. Deputy assistant quartermaster-general. (Fine grain. "\Field gun. .. Field service. .. Good conduct. . . Grand Cross of the Bath. .. General service. .. General service wagon. . . Knight Commander of the Bath. .. Large grain. .. Line of least resistance. . . Land service. .. Muzzle-loading. .. Muzzle-loading rifled. .. Mountain train. .. Non-commissioned. .. Non-commisioned officer. .. New pattern. . . North-west. . . Old pattern. .. Pebble. .. Royal artillery. . . Royal carriage department. .. Royal engineers. . . Rifle fine grain. .. Royal gun factory. . . Royal laboratory. .. Rifle large grain. .. Royal Military Academy. . . Small-arms. ABBREVIATIONS. S.A.A. .. .. .. Small-arm ammunition. S.B. .. .. .. Smooth-bore. S.C. .. .. .. Scrap carriage. S.O Staff officer. S.S. .. .. .. Sea service. V.C .. .. .. Victoria Cross. over a figure denotes degrees, minutes. CORRIGENDA. Page 61, line 18 from top of right colnmn,/or " 5 " read " 6." 5ft, 3 left for " former " read " latter." 59, 5 . f or " latter " read " former." 77, lines 3 & 4 right for " Non-commissioned officers of .'artillery wear,'' &c., read " All other non-commissioned officers wear," &c. 186, line 1 from bottom of right column,/or " 7 " read " 4." (Vide Addenda, Heavy Cavalry.) 305, 4 for " traversely " read " transversely." 351, 22 from top of left column, for "1-prs. and i-prs." read "1 lb.|and i Ib." 415, 12 right for " or'' read "and." 425, 1 left for ' of war " read " in warfare." 434, 16 right erase " and the Whitehead (fish)." NOTE. Any changes that have taken place in the book while it has been passing through the press, in the matter of the pay of the soldier, &c., will be found corrected either in the Addenda or Appendix. Where the word " reconnaissance " has been spelt " rcconnoissance," the reader is requested to make the alteration. MILITAEY DICTIONAEY. ABA ACC A. Abandon, To In a military sense to retire suddenly from a place, fortified or otherwise, thus leaving it and the in- habitants to the mercy of the enemy. Hence the saying, " to abandon a fortress, siege," &c. Abatis (French abattre, to fell) An abatis is one of the " obstacles " used in the defence of field works. It is formed of trees, or the limbs of trees, of a considerable size, 12 or 15 feet long, laid close together. The stems are firmly secured to the ground by being buried in the earth and fastened down by pickets, or by logs of wood laid across them. To be efficient, the larger branches must be pointed and spread towards the enemy, the smaller being cut away. Abatis should be so placed as not to be exposed to the fire of artillery. In intrenchments, they are usually placed in an upright position against the counterscarp, or at the foot of the glacis, the plane of which is broken so as to permit of their being laid out of sight of the enemy, and at the same time not to interfere with the musketry fire from the parapet in their rear. An ex- cellent mode of blocking up a road is to place an abatis across it, and when the branches are well and properly placed, and interwoven one within the other, the disentangling of them is extremely diffi- cult. An abatis should not be planted out of musketry range ; for this, and all other obstacles, are intended to break up the order of the enemy's advance ; to impede, and to keep him under musketry fire. Academy Takes its name from a villa situated about a mile from the city of Athens, where Plato and his followers assembled for conversing on philosophical subjects ; and hence they acquired the name of Academics. The term academy is commonly applied to any class of school which professes to communicate more than . the mere elements of instruction, and is frequently used now for a regular society or company of learned men, asso- ciated together for the cultivation and improvement of the arts and sciences. In England and on the continent there are several institutions termed academies for the promotion of scientific subjects and literature, which are doubtless well known to most people. The Military Academy at Woolwich, for the instruc- tion of the artillery and engineers of the army, was instituted by George II. in 1741, that is to say, the warrant found- ing the Academy was issued in that year, but the Cadet Company was not formed until four years later. For an interest- ing account of the early formation of the Academy, vide Captain Duncan's ' History of the Royal Artillery.' The regulations for the admission of candidates to the Academy will be found in the Appendix A. Accelerated Motion When a body continually increases its motion over successive portions of space, in equal times, it is called accelerated motion. And when the spaces described continually decrease, it is called retarded motion. Accelerating Force Force considered only with reference to velocity generated, and not with reference to the mass, moved. Accelerating force, if uniform, is measured by the velocity generated in ACC ACI a unit of time ; if variable, by the velo- city which would be generated in a unit of time if the force were continued con- stant during that unit. The best ex- ample of such uniform motion is that of a, falling body. Accessible -A position, fortified or otherwise, and capable of being ap- proached by land or water i.e. it may be entered on those sides. Accountant-General of the Army An officer who has the control of military linance. He includes in his office that of chief auditor, an amalgamation with that of accountant-general, which took place by order of the Secretary of State for War in 1870. Accounts, Public Form the systematic record of State Expenditure. The ac- counts should exhibit, methodically, under proper heads, all receipts and disburse- ments of public money, stores, &c. To secure efficiency in these matters, ac- counts should be promptly rendered in the simplest and most correct manner. The War Office " forms " show the method of keeping the accounts of all establishments under its orders. Accoutrements The belts, which sup- port the arms, pouch, or pouches, of a soldier. The belts in use in the British army are made, for the most part, of "buff" leather. Articles of regimental accoutrements and appointments are directed to be marked with the number of the regiment to which they belong. The marks are to be carefully and legibly placed on the inside of the belts, pouches, slings, &c. Acid, Nitiic (N0 5 ) Found in com- bination with potassa, soda, lime and magnesia; also in the pools and springs in the neighbourhood of populous towns; and in rain water after thunder storms ; but it has never been found in a separate state. Nitric acid is commonly prepared from sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) and nitre, by distillation. There are also other processes pursued in preparing nitric acid. The impure nitric acid of commerce is known by the name of ' aqua fortis." Nitric acid is one of the ingredients used in browning arms, and also in the preparation of fulminate of mercury. It is also used, in combination with sul- phuric acid, in the preparation of gun- cotton, and in solution, as a bath for galvanic batteries. It is a powerful oxidiser. and acts strongly on metals. A few drops poured into the vent of a spiked gun will facilitate the operation of extracting the spike. The common mode of testing nitric acid is to dilute half an ounce of it in a quarter of an ounce of distilled water, then to pour in, say, six or seven drops of nitrate of barytes ; should it retain its colour, it indicates that it is free from muriatic acid. As nitric acid may also contain sulphuric acid, it will be neces- sary, in order to detect it, to pour in a few drops of nitrate of silver, when, should it remain colourless, it proves that it is free from the above-mentioned acid. Acid, Sulphuric (S0 3 ) One of the most important acids known. Dr. O'Shaughnessy, in his ' Manual of Che- mistry,' thus describes its value: "It would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this acid, whether we con- sider it with reference to abstract science, to the condition of our manufactures, or the purposes of medicine. By the assist- ance of this acid we prepare almost all the others ; for instance, the nitric, muriatic, tartaric, citric, &c. We owe to it the cheapest mode of obtaining artificial soda, chlorine, and its bleaching components. It is essential to the processes of the dyer. In fact, from the time that sul- phuric acid was first prepared at a cheap price in Europe, may be dated the com- mencement of her greatness in all chemi- cal manufactures." In Southern India it has been prepared for many centuries. The process pursued in the preparation of sulphuric acid will be found in all chemical works. Sulphuric acid, in a diluted state, is made use of in percussion cap factories for the purpose of cleansing the sheets of copper of all oxide of copper which may collect on them. It is also used in the preparation of gun-cotton (sp. gr. 1 845). Acids Form a very numerous and important class of bodies in chemistry. The common idea of an acid is a soluble substance possessing the property of sourness. The chemist, however, disre- gards this property, and considers all ACQ ADJ those substances to be acids which im- part a red colour to blue litmus paper, and form stable, neutral, and crystallis- able compounds with bases, such as alkalies and earths, or metals or their oxides. Acquittance Roll A document in which is shown the monthly settlement of the accounts of a troop, battery, or company, and to which the signature of the soldier is attached, countersigned by the captain or officer in charge. Action An engagement or battle be- tween opposing forces ; or some memor- j able act done by an officer, soldier, or j detachment. The term is commonly used | in artillery exercise when guns are brought into or change position, with ! the view of attacking an opposing object, i Acts of Hostility Proceedings of a diplomatic, commercial, or military cha- racter, involving a state of war between two or more nations. This was ex- emplified in 1870 in the altercation between Count Benedetti, the French ambassador, at the Court of Berlin, and the King of Prussia at the Kursaal of Ems. This is an instance of the first- named act of hostility. The second is shown in the case of the embargo laid on ! British shipping by the first Napoleon after the peace of Amiens in 1803. The third consists in the invasion of a friendly territory or firing on armed vessels of a j friendly nation. A further act of hos- tility of a civil character is the forcible detention of the subjects of a friendly ' nation, which was exemplified in the seizing of non-belligerent British sub- : jects residing in France in 1803. Adapter A gun - metal bush, used when shells, having the obsolete Moor- j som gauge fuze-hole, are fired with fuzes ; which are not adapted to this fuze- hole. The pattern adapter now in use is known as the "G.S. adapter," which screws into the Moorsom fuze-hole. There are two distinct adapters, one for sphe- ' rical shell, the other for rifled shell. Up to the year 1867 all shells for the larger rifled ordnance down to the 40-pr. L.S. and the 20-pr. S.S. common shell were made with the Moorsom or naval fuze-hole. Since then all new shells have been tapped with what is termed the G S. gauge fuze-hole, and shells already in the service which have not this sized hole receive the G.S. adapter. The shape of the inside of the adapter is conical, the outside cylindrical. Adjutant (Latin adjuvare, to help) An officer appointed to each regiment, to assist the commanding officer m the execu- tion of all details of duty and discipline. An adjutant should be an officer of active habits, keen sight, a good rider, and, above all, a good "drill." Much of his time should be spent on the parade ground in the drilling of recruits and all duties tending to the discipline and setting up of his regiment. He inspects all escorts and guards, issues and receives orders from the commanding officer for the information of officers com- manding companies, and he promulgates to the regiment, in general, all orders he may receive. He is accountable to the commanding officer for the correctness of the regimental books, and is bound to bring to his notice all infraction of rules or orders. From the foregoing it will be seen that the duties of an adjutant are unremitting. Agreeably to the Queen's Regulations, no officer is eligible for the appointment of adjutant who has not obtained a first-class certificate at the School of Musketry, unless the regiment is on service abroad, and even then under certain restrictions. An adjutant, generally holding the rank of captain, is appointed to each brigade of artillery, to divisions of artillery of two or more batteries detached from their head-quarters, and as his duties are somewhat different to those of a line or cavalry regiment, it may not be out of place to detail them. The duties, then, of an artillery bri- gade adjutant are, to a great extent, confined to his office, as the several batteries composing his brigade are often stationed far from their head-quarters. In his office are kept the books and records of the brigade ; from it he circu- lates to detached batteries all orders received from the commanding officer and higher authority. He prepares cor- respondence on questions relating to the claims, services, enlistments, discharges, &c., of the men of his brigade ; and when acting as the staff, officer of the R.A. in the division, he has to prepare all local B 2 ADJ ADV returns which are submitted to the general officer commanding. He has, besides, to attend to the usual duties of the guards, prisoners, courts-martial, &c. As regards drill, commanding officers of batteries cany out or work their own drills independently, and recruits are trained at Woolwich, or at the centres of sub-divisions of districts. The adjutant is responsible to the commanding officer for the state of exactness with which the regimental books are kept, and for the correctness of the duty rosters. He is to give his attention to everything apper- taining to the discipline of his brigade, bringing to the notice of the commanding officer any irregularity or deviation from the established rules and regulations. In fact, nothing should escape his attention and observation. Adjutant-General One of the chief staff officers of the army, through whom all orders are promulgated, and to whom all reports are sent for the information of the commander-in-chief. The duties of the adjutant-general relate to the discipline, military training, and general efficiency of the army. In peace time, all correspondence regarding leave of ab- sence, discharges, recruiting, and a variety of other subjects (vide the ' Soldier's Pocket Book ') passes through his office. On a campaign, in subordination to the chief of the staff (should there be such an officer with the force), he regulates the daily duties of the force, and during a siege details the working parties on the requisition of the commanding engineer. He keeps an exact state of each division and brigade, with a roll of the general and field officers ; he distributes the orders of the day to the several assistant adjutants-general of divisions, and in- forms them of every detail which may concern the general of the division and those under his command. Communica- tions are made to him on the field by officers sent with or for orders in the absence of a chief of the staff. To his department at the Horse Guai-ds are attached a deputy, assistant, and de- puty assistant adjutant-general, to assist him in carrying out the duties of his office. The two first-named officers must be field officers. This rule in India, how- ever, is sometimes departed from in the rank of the officers appointed to some of the grades of the department. The Queen's Regulations lay down that the deputy assistant adjutant-general should not be under the rank of captain in the army without he isspecially recommended. Assistant Adjutant-General A field officer and a subordinate member of the adjutant-general's department. An officer of this rank is attached to each division of the army. His duties include the submission of reports on discipline, military duties, training, and efficiency, to the general officer commanding the division. Through his department the bulk of the correspondence on arms, accoutrements, ammunition, &c., passes before being sent on to the control de- partment. Special reports on articles issued ex- perimentally, suggestions or complaints as to regulation articles, and any differ- ences which may arise between com- manding officers and the control, all go through his office. In time of war the assistant adjutant- general of each division carries out, under instructions from the general of his division, the orders issued by the chief of the staff. Assistant Adjutant-General, Deputy A subordinate officer of the adjutant- general's department who performs simi- lar duties to those of an assistant adjutant-general. In the field, a deputy assistant adjutant-general is attached to each division. Administration, Military Relates to the system observed in all governments for the guidance of military affairs in each country. The Secretary of War directs the whole of the military adminis- tration, and has under him certain im- portant officials who are charged with superintending the discipline of the army and the national reserves, supplies, pay- ment of the forces, the military manu- factures and armament of the country. In his office (War Office) there is a section representing each civil department serv- ing with ihe army, and charged with the duty of directing and supplying those departments with all things required to maintain their efficiency. Advanced Guard A detachment or specially organised body of troops com- ADV ADZ posed oi* the three arms, which always precedes the march of the main body of an army for the purpose of facili- tating the march and guarding against surprise. Another object of an advanced guard is to procure information when an army is marching upon an enemy. This latter circumstance is remarked on in the Royal Institution prize essay of 1874, by Lieutenant S. C. Pratt, R.A., in the following terms : " An advanced guard has two opposite functions to per- form one, to be the eyes and feelers of an army ; the other, to arrest and con- tain the enemy. In order to perform the first, the troops should be of the lightest description, and chiefly cavalry. To attain the second, the main consti- tuent should be a powerful infantry and artillery. The endeavour to reconcile these conflicting functions is, without doubt, the reason of the great differences in the constitution of advanced guards as laid down by authorities on tactics. " The present tendency is to restrict them, more or less, to the latter duty ; fulfilling the former by the employment of independent bodies of cavalry, one or more days' march ahead of the army." The former mode was the custom of the first Napoleon, and the custom of the Prussians in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, and this is undoubtedly the proper method of " feeling one's way " in a hostile countrv. The duty of the advanced guard should be, while not allowing itself to be en- tangled with a superior force, it must not, as Colonel Hamley shows in his ' Operations of War,' " allow the march to be delayed by demonstrations made by insignificant bodies. The commander, therefore, has need of prudence and re- solution ; he must, according to circum- stances, dispute the ground, fall back towards the army, or promptly attack." The strength of the advanced guard, or the proportion to the main body, is laid down by some of the chief conti- nental powers to be from J to s of the main body. Sir G. Wolseley, the author of the 'Soldier's Pocket Book,' approves of from | to ^5 of the whole force. It may therefore be assumed, as stated by Lieu- tenant Pratt, that l will be the propor- tion. The order of march of an advanced guard Colonel Hamley explains as fol- lows : " A small party of horse pre- cedes the main body of the advanced guard to obtain and bring the earliest intelligence. Of the main body, a por- tion of the infantry march first ; for neither artillery nor cavalry should enter any defile which has not been first explored, and its flanks secured by infantry. " The artillery may, in general, pro- perly be placed next the leading bat- talion, or part of a battalion, of the advanced guard." The cavalry would cover the flanks of the column. The maximum distance of an advanced guard from the main column of a large army should not exceed five miles, with- out some overpowering advantage is to be gained, such as seizing on some point or position, the possession of which would be worth the risk. In the ' Soldier's Pocket Book,' it is laid down as a rule " that the ordinary distance of an ad- vanced guard from the head of the main body should be about equal to the depth of the column." Advanced Posts Positions taken up by a force in advance of the main body of an army, and in such a situation that they shall be within easy communication of it, and of one another ; but the distance depends greatly on the nature of the country. The object of advanced posts is to prevent a sudden rush of the enemy upon the main body, and to give it time to turn out : this being afforded, the advanced posts fall back on their sup- ports, and join the main body. The term advanced posts is also applied to picquets and such fortified posts or villages in advance of the main line of battle. Advanced Works In fortification, are those constructed beyond the glacis, but within musketry fire of the main works. Advancement In a military sense, signifies honour, promotion from a lower to a higher grade, or preferment, in an army, regiment, or company. Adze, Indian, or Bassoolah A small adze, which, in place of being circular like the European adze, is formed at a direct angle of about 45 or 50 degrees ; its handle is very short, and it is used AEE AIG with great precision by the nearly ex- clusive motion of the elbow-joint. Aeen ( Tenninalia glabra) A tree which grows in the Madras Presidency .. ( Quarter-company *~ >n \ Double company quarter-column. . 99-41 99-23 97-09 96-18 93-85 91-86 ( In line :0 mpany j Company quarter . co i umn . . 95-89 98-77 79-93 93-99 57-79 87-32 95-77 79-36 56-57 Half-company column 99-1 95-56 90-59 Column of sections 98-82 94-17 87-57 Regulation targets, 200 yds., 6 ft. X 4 ft. ; 500 1 yds., 6 ft. x 6 ft. ; 800 yds., 6 ft. X 8 ft. J 90- 61- 28- RANGES. ARM 18 ARM tory the superiority and rapidity of the Prussian fire was marked. From ; this period the value of breech-loaders j may be said to have been recognised. France produced her Chassepot, and i England the converted Enfield, known as , the Snider, ultimately the Martini-Henry; and now all the continental armies are armed with breech-loaders. Colonel Hamley, in his ' Operations of War,' i describes the change rifles and rifled ' guns have brought about in the tactics of armies. No longer is the old for- : mation of battalion-columns resorted to deep columns offering too good a mark ' for the enemy. The Prussians, there- fore, during the war of 1870, finding such formations no longer safe, diminished the size of their columns in order that ! the fire of the enemy might prove j less destructive both in front and depth, ' besides giving a better opportunity of taking advantage of the natural cover which average ground affords to small bodies. The tables at page 17 show the result of practice made with rifled field guns and rifled small-arms ; thus giving the reader an idea of the precision and disastrous effects of rifled arms. The j table on the fire of the Snider will be interesting to all branches of the service still equipped with that arm. The prac- | tice of the Martini-Henry rifle is given under that head. Arms, Under Troops are said to be " under arms " when they are assembled on parade with their arms in hand. Army An organised and disciplined force of armed men raised for military service, and employed for purposes o"f national defence; it is commanded by a chief or leader, with officers of all ranks iu subordination to him. Modern Euro- pean armies consist of the following arms: artillery, caralry, engineers, and infantry. I The relative proportion of each arm varies, within certain limits, in different armies. An army permanently maintained consti- tutes the standing army of a country, and is commanded by a general officer whose title is that of commander-in-chief. . In the field it is primarily divided into corps d'armee, comprising all arms, each under a marshal or general officer; each corps d'armee is subdivided into divisions, which may or may not com- i prise all arms ; and divisions into bri- gades. The strength of a corps d'armee depends on the capability of the nation to furnish men, and the nature of the operations. In th French and Prussian armies, the strength of a corps d'armee is from 30,000 to 40,000 men, or even more. The strength of a division varies similarly, according to circumstances. A brigade consists of two or more regi- ments of the same arm, and is sub- ordinate to a divisional command, and commanded by a brigadier-general. The foregoing, as explained, gives the divi- sions into which an army in the field is told oft', the aggregate forming the main army assembled for the operations in view. From the main army are detached such portions of the force as are necessary for operations in which the whole army would not be employed. An army in the field, to be effective, requires to be completely equipped with ordnance, commissariat, engineer, medical stores, and the means of transport. The supply of these concomitants of an army in the field demands the services of regularly organised departments, on the efficiency of which the success of the operations undertaken by the army greatly depends. The standing army of a country is supplemented by reserves, and in England by the militia and the volunteer forces as well. A question of great importance in the formation of an army, but which has 1 never been universally agreed upon by ' European nations, is the proportion of guns to men. The continental powers seem to have followed France in laying down the proportion of 3 to every 1000 men, but this number has constantly been changed, so that it is difficult to say what the proportion is. The number de- pends on several circumstances, such as ^the strength of the army, the country it has to pass through, whether a flat open coun- try or mountainous. Each nation appears to have its own idea as to what should be the proportion. From the works of recent writers, as shown in the 'R.A.Proceedings ' (vol. viii. No. 1) of 1872, it is laid down that if the theatre of war be favourable for the movement of large bodies of troops, the proportion of guns to men ARM 19 ARM may be from 3 to 5 guns per 1000 for an army of 30,000, 50,000, or 80,000 men. But with the larger armies, which we see collected now-a-days on the continent, amounting to a million and upwards, a diminution of guns may well take place, even below 3 per 1000, as a larger pro- portion of artillery is very cumbersome, and impedes the movement of an army. Moreover, any excess of what has usually been laid down would under most cir- cumstances be valueless; the guns in rear of the column of march being unable to be brought into action, at the time the head of the column is engaged, without the country admitted of large deploy- ments. A corps d'armee takes up on the line of march from twenty to thirty miles. It will therefore be readily un- derstood that it would be difficult to get the whole of the artillery into position to take advantage of an action going on ahead. Further, the artillery of an army is the branch that occupies so much ground on the march ; a battery of ar- tillery alone taking up 473 yards of ground in column of route, hence the great impediment to speedy or advan- tageous movement ; indeed an army is hampered by too large a force of artillery. Large armies move naturally very slowly ; if actually marching, the rate may be stated at from one to two miles an hour, and even this rate is dependent on the state of the roads and other circum- stances ; to be hampered therefore with a large number of guns would be to im- pede the column of march. As far as can be ascertained, the number of guns to men in the French army during the late Franco-Prussian War was under 3 to every 1000 men, and in the Confederated German army under 2 guns per 1000. ( Vide Appendix C.) Army Hospital Corps A body of men recruited from the ranks of the army for the purpose of looking after the sick and wounded, and for carrying out such instructions as may be given to them by the medical officers with reference to diet and treatment, and in administering of medicines ordered, and giving such necessary attendance as the sick require. The men act as bakers, cooks, and per- form all duties which render them useful to the patients. Army Hygiene Is a branch of the Medical Department having for its object the sanitary condition of the army, whether in quarters or in the field. Vide Medical Department. Army Reserve A force, under the present organisation of the British army, composed of men who have enlisted for twelve years, a portion of which service, viz., six, and not less than three years, must be passed with the colours, the residue being spent in the reserve. This condition of service is known as " short service." Other soldiers are eligible to enter the reserve force, viz. those who have exceeded the first term of their engagement, say men after thirteen or fourteen years' service, and who do not exceed thirty-four years in age. Under the system which now obtains, a consider- able reserve force may be expected to be formed, and it is estimated that with an army of 180,000 men, of whom three- fourths are to serve only six years with the colours, there will accrue by 1882 a large reserve of trained men, all under thirty-two years of age. The Army Enlistment Act of 1867 formed a body of men called the enrolled pensioners and others into two classes : 1st class, not exceeding 20,000 men, liable for service anywhere, and consist- ing of men who are serving or have served in the army, and whose service does not exceed first term of enlistment. 2nd class, not exceeding 30,000, liable for service in the United Kingdom only, consisting of persons already enrolled, out-pensioners. The Act of 1870 has modified the above, and the result has been that enrol- ment for 2nd class, except for pensioners, has been suspended. (2nd class therefore consists entirely of enrolled pensioners, who are called out for twelve days annu- ally, under S. 0. of Pensioners, and number about 15,000.) Enrolment in the 1st class is encouraged, and men are eligible to enter this class up to the age of thirty-four ; the retaining fee amounts to 6 per annum (but no claim to future pension), and all men enlisted under short service are to be passed into this class, who will ultimately be the reserve of the standing army. ( Vide Appendix E.) Army Schools or Colleges Establish- c 2 ARM 20 ARK ments of a military nature for furthering the education of officers and men in the acquirement of knowledge adapted to their profession. Such is the Royal Mili- tary College at Sandhurst, and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, the former, being now intended for young otlicers on obtaining their commissions ot sub-lieutenant, and before joining their regiments, and also for officers qualifying for the staft: the latter, for candidates for the artillery and engineers. Then there is the School of Instruction at Chatham, where officers of the line or cavalry have the opportunity of being instructed in army signalling, surveying, &c. ; the School of Artillery at Shoebury- ness ; the School of Musketry at Hythe ; and the Advanced Class of Artillery Officers at Woolwich ; as well as the School of Instruction at Aldershot. The institutions under the name of schools are intended for the men as well as the officers. For soldiers and their children there are garrison and regimental schools, which afford the usual elementary school tuition. The Royal Military Asylum is also an establishment for the instruction of soldiers' sons. Army Service Corps A branch of the Control Department, officered from the supply and transport sub-department. The officers of this corps rank as fol- lows: Commissary = major; deputy com- missary = captain ; assistant commissary = lieutenant. The corps consists of clerks, tradesmen, mechanics, skilled labourers, drivers, &c., who are required for the various duties connected with the supply, store, pay, and transport service. Army Signalling A system adopted in the army to enable out-posts to com- municate by signals with the main body; also to permit officers, &c., who may be patrolling or with reconnoitring parties to communicate readily and speedily to the general what they observe or is brought to their notice regarding the movements of the enemy. The ordinary means used to carry on communication by day is by coloured flags, revolving shutters, and flags waved by hand ; by night, coloured lamps and a combination of long and short flashes. In the English army the work is carried out partly by code, partly by the Morse alphabet. This mode of signalling is intended to supplement the electric telegraph, which now always accompanies an army, in case the telegraph should be interrupted. According to the Queen's Regulations, a certain number of officers, non- commissioned officers, and men, from each branch of the service, has to attend at the School of Military Engineering, Chatham, for the purpose of being in- structed in army signalling. Officers belonging to the Indian army are also permitted, if vacancies admit, to attend the classes. Arquebus An ancient hand-gun, which was cocked with a wheel. It was the first form of weapon which could fairly be compared with the modern musket. The design was taken from the old cross-bow, its name conveying the meaning of " bow with a mouth." In French, the name is arc-a-bmiche, or arc-a-bousa, corrupted into arquebus. On the formation of the English yeomen of the guard in 1485, one-half were armed with the arquebus, which had gunpowder for its motive power. Array Order of battle, as an army in battle array. Array, Commissioners of, vide Com- missioners of Array. Arrest In a military sense, implies the suspension of an officer or non-com- mission officer, for misconduct, from all military duty, until released by superior authoritv, or, if brought before a court- martial, until he shall have proved him- self innocent of the charge. It is directed in the Queen's Regulations that, before bringing an officer to trial, it is necessary that his conduct shall have been previously examined by superior authority, in order to ascertain that the charges are such as should be submitted to the cognizance of a court-martial, and that there is suffi- cient evidence to substantiate them. There are two kinds of arrests, close and open, the latter being also termed arrest at large. An officer in close arrest ! is not allowed to leave his quarters or j tent, and to prevent him doing so, if not ! obedient to orders, a sentry is placed at his door. If he be in arrest at large, he is permitted, with the sanction of autho- rity, to take exercise within defined ARS ART limits. Open arrest is only applicable to an officer. Arsenal A place of receipt and issue of guns, small arms, and all other warlike stores. Woolwich is the main arsenal of England, and possesses within its precincts several manufacturing establishments, such as the carnage, guu, and small-arm ammunition factories. In our great Indian dependency there are several arsenals in each of the pre- sidencies in which the sinews of war are stored, but beyond having a comparatively small workshop attached to each, the Indian arsenals are more places of receipt and issue of such arms, ammunition, and stores, which an army requires in peace or war, than manufacturing establish- ments. The gun, carriage, powder, small-arm ammunition, and harness fac- tories, are all separate establishments, but they are not situated far from each of the presidency capital towns. Arsenic A metal of a crystalline appearance, and imported into India from Burmah, China, and the Persian Gulf. It sublimes at 356, emitting a strong garlic smell during the sublimation. If thu process be performed with free access of air, arsenious acid is rapidly formed. The arsenic of commerce is of a white colour ; what is used in the laboratory is a sulphuret of arsenic, and is of two kinds the native vellowsesqui-sulphuret of arsenic, called " orpiment," and the red proto-sulphuret or " realgar." Of orpiment, there are many varieties, one in fine gold-coloured scales ; another in intense yellow stony lumps ; a third in earthy-looking masses, called the king's yellow, a familiar paint. For the use to which arsenic is put in the artillery ser- vice, vide Orpiment. Art, Military May be divided into two principal branches. The first relates to the order and arrangement which must be observed in the management of an army, when it is to fight, to march, or to be encamped. This branch is generally- known under the name of tactics, which signifies order. The second belongs to the other branch of -military art, and in- cludes the composition and application of warlike machines. Articles of War Rules and regulations for the better government of her Ma- jesty's forces at home and abroad, which the sovereign is empowered by the Mutiny Act to make and institute, under her sign-manual. This privilege has been annually re-enacted, and annually exercised by the crown since the reign of George III. to the present day. As the Articles of War are read at the head of every corps in the service, once in three months, no officer or soldier can plead ignorance of these articles as an extenuation of mis- conduct. Moreover, commanding officers of regiments are directed to see that officers are well acquainted with the Articles of War, by frequently examining the officers under their command, more particularly the subalterns. The Mutiny Act and Articles of War for the time being, tempered by the regulations issued from time to time by the sovereign, form together the code of laws which governs the British army. Artillery The name given to ordnance of all natures, and the arm of the service to which it is attached. The term artil- lery comprises also the art of manufac- turing every nature of gun-carriage and ammunition, as well as the mode of pre- serving and making use of them. Besides comprising the materiel, it includes also the personnel, of that arm. The origin of the word artillery is of very ancient date, and meant formerly a very different arm to what we are accus- tomed to associate that name with at the present day. Arrows were anciently called artillery ; thus we read in Holy Writ that Jonathan, when he had shot his arrows as a signal to aim, gave " his artillery unto his lad." Further, we ob- serve that, before the introduction of gunpowder, our ancestors used, under the name of artillery, machines termed the balista, catapult, and battering ram, which projected stones for battering dpwn the lofty walls and towers forming the defence of many of our old towns. On the introduction of gunpowder, guns termed " bombards " were manufactured rude specimens of the art as com- pared with later introductions they were at first principally hand arms, weighing from 25 to 30 Ibs., but were subsequently increased in size, and termed " cannons." The first guns were built up with ASP 22 ATM wrought-iron bars or plates, strengthened with rings of the same material ; they projected stones, and were fired from the ground, or from rough wooden beds, which served as carriages. By degrees, and after some centuries, the calibres of ordnance were enlarged, and brass guns intro- duced, as early as the fifteenth century, towards the close of which gun-carriages with wheels were manufactured in France, showing what great strides had already been made in all matters pertaining to ordnance. This progress continued through the following centuries, when, in the eighteenth century, a foundry was established at Carron, in Scotland, where carronades were first made, and which gaye the name to this nature of ordnance. At this foundry, as well as at Lowmoor, in Yorkshire, most of our cast- iron guns were manufactured. The days of cast-iron guns, at least in the British service, may be said now to have passed away, these arms being super- seded by rifled ordnance, though there are still a few heavy guns of this nature in use. The mat&riel of the British artillery is divided into three classes siege, gar- rison, and field ; comprising guns of all calibres, from the 38-ton 12^-inch rifled gun (700-pr.) to the 7-pr. mountain gun, including heavy rifled howitzers and mortars. The personnel of the regiment, since its amalgamation with the artilleries of India (which took place in February 1861), comprises a body of about 35,000 men of all grades, consisting of 31 brigades, viz. 6 of horse artillery and 25 of garrison and field, with a depot and a coast brigade. The field brigades consist in the aggre- gate of 114 batteries of 6 guns each; these include the total of light artillery, horse and foot, in the service at home and abroad. The brigades of horse artillery consist each of 5 batteries, and the field brigades of 7 batteries each. Asphaltum, or Asphalte Is described as a bituminous substance somewhat allied to coal in its* properties, and pro- bably in its origin and mode of formation. It is exceedingly inflammable, readily softened by heat, and more or less soluble in alcohol, ether, and oils. It is em. ployed in admixture with hard mineral substances, and with pitch as a material for paving and covering roofs and floors. A black enamel varnish is also made of asphalte. Assault An attack of a fortified work, either by escalade or on the breach being reported practicable. Previous to . as- saulting a place, all precautions must be taken to form " storming parties," " sup- ports," and " firing parties." In an esca- lade, ladders form the means of aiding the assaulting party in getting into the works attacked. The firing party, sup- ported, if possible, by artillery, is spread out in extended order, ready to keep down the fire of the besieged whenever a soldier shows his head above the parapet ; further, by its fire into the embrasures, to disable the artillerymen at their guns. The ladders used are 26 .and 14 feet, in two pieces, though ladders of 40 feet are used. ( Vide Appendix D.) Assault of Arms Military exercises, comprised in the use of the broadsword, small sword, bayonet exercise, and fencing. Assembly The second beating of the drum before a march, at which the men strike their tents, roll them up, and stand to their arms. Assize of Arms A law enacted in the reign of Henry II. which enjoined every able-bodied man in the realm to maintain arms, suitable to his rank and condition of life, at his own expense. Of this law our militia is the modern offspring, and there can be no doubt that it is incumbent on every British subject now, as it was in earlier times, to give his service when required in defence of his sovereign and country. The enforce- ment therefore of the ballot in the militia would be no hardship. Atlas Metal The metal used in the manufacture of the cases of Bale's rockets and Boxer's life-saving rockets. It is a mild steel produced by the Bessemer pro- cess. Atmosphere Is described as the general term applied to the whole gaseous portion of , the earth. Being much lighter than either land or water, it floats or rests upon either, and rises to the height of probably forty or fifty miles above the level of the sea. It ATM 23 AUS consists essentially of two gases, oxygen and nitrogen. One hundred parts by weight contain 77 parts nitrogen and 23 parts oxygen, or by measure 79'19 nitro- gen and 20'81 oxygen. The atmosphere is measured by a column of mercury , of 29'922 inches, which has been adopted in France as the mean height of the barometer at the surface of the sea. Atmosphere, Pressure of The weight of the atmosphere with a barometric pressure of 30 inches, which is equivalent to 14'09 Ibs. on the square inch. Attack In a military sense, means an assault upon an enemy, with the view of driving him from his position. An attack may be made either in the open field or against a fortress ; in the latter case, if the enemy holds out, a regular siege has toj.be carried on by means of trenches, saps, galleries, &c. In attacking a posi- tion, a false attack is sometimes made at the same moment with the real attack, to divert the attention of the enemy, and to make him divide his forces. Attention A cautionary word used in the British army, preparative to any particular exercise or manoeuvre. Auget A wooden trough for the saucisson of a mine. Austrian Army One of the four great continental armies of Europe. In December 1868, the imperial signa- ture was affixed to the law introducing the system of obligatory personal service for every male subject of the Austrian empire. At present, the military force of Austria is composed of The standing army, . The reserve, The Landwehr, And the Landsturm. The latter element means simply a lev&e en masse of the entire male popula- tion for the defence of the country in case of invasion. The total liability to military service extends over twelve years, this period being thus apportioned : 3 years to the standing army, 7 reserve, 2 Landwehr. 12 In countries that have adopted th compulsory service, exemptions are ob- tainable under the following social con- ditions: 1. Being the only son and support of a helpless father or widowed mother; 2. After the death of a father, being the only grandson and support of an infirm grandfather or widowed grand- mother ; 3. Being the only support of helpless relations. All service of a substitute, or exemp- tion by purchase, is abolished. As in Prussia and France, volunteers for one year are admitted. The effective numerical strength of the standing army, reserve, and Landwehr, amounts to about 1,100,000 men, of which about -^ are contributed by the first two classes, the standing army and reserve, to which Hungary furnishes a quota of nearly 330,000. Austria, inclusive of Hungary, is di- vided into 17 military districts. The standing army is composed of 24 di- visions, containing 52 brigades of infan- try and 19 of cavalry. The infantry of the line consists of 80 regiments; the cavalry of 41 regiments (14 of dragoons, 14 hussars, and 13 lancers) giving abo 36,000 cavalry men. The artillery consists of 12 regiments of field and 12 battalions of garrison artillery, each field artillery regiment consisting of 4 4-pr. foot batteries, 3 4-pr. horse batteries, 5 8-pr. foot batteries. In the Austrian army, to every 1000 combatant foot soldiers, there are 103 cavalry and 4 field guns. There are 2 regiments, of 5 battalions each, of engineers, with 4 active and 8 reserve companies, and one depot bat- talion of 5 companies. The transport service of Austria is conducted by a military transport corps, which consists of 36 field squadrons, 22 of which on mobilisation are assigned to the infantry divisions, 5 to the cavalry, 4 to army corps head-quarters, and 2 to general head-quarters. There are, be- sides, the intendance and a hospital corps. The emperor is the supreme head of the Austrian army, which he governs AUS AXL through a minister of war and an in- spector-general. The mode of officering the Austrian army is as follows : 1. By passing, as a cadet, through a military college ; 2. Rising from the ranks. 1. Cadets are trained at public cost, and remain ten years in active service from the date of their leaving the academy. After the aspirant has practically learnt every duty of the private and non-com- missioned officer, he attends the school which is established at the head-quarters of every division. He goes then through a course of eleven months, followed by an examination. If successful, he performs the duties of an officer, though still not commissioned, and receives his commis- sion when a vacancy occurs. 2. The preparation for promotion is also regimental, and in this manner non-com- missioned officers of good character and antecedents, and of sufficient attainments, may obtain a commission. Promotion goes right through, arm by arm, and rank by rank. It is by seniority and non-seniority. The former depends on the confidential reports giving testi- mony of the individual's efficiency, and the latter is followed every sixth step below field rank, and every fourth step nbove it. There is an examination twice a year for promotion. ( Vide Appendix C.) Austrian Field Gun A muzzle-load- ing rifled gun made of bronze. There are two sizes, the 4-pr. aud the 8-pr. ; the former for horse artillery, the latter for field batteries. The projectiles are iron-ribbed, not studded, for taking the rifling. The Austrians are about to change their bronze guns for steel of their own design ; the proof lately of one of their guns answered all that was re- quired of it. The gun experimented on was an 8'7-centimetre steel cannon, and is said to be an improvement on the Prussian field gun. Auxiliary Forces The militia, yeo- manry, and volunteers of Great Britain form what are termed the Auxiliary Forces. ( Vide Appendix E.) Axe, tide Battle-axe. Axe, Felling An implement used for felling trees and jungle, and attached to field batteries for clearing any impe- diments in their march. Axis In gunnery, the axis of a gun is an imaginary line drawn from the breech to the muzzle. It will be better under- stood by imagining a gun supported in the lathe at its two extreme points, when a line drawn between these points will represent the axis of the piece. Axle-tree A transverse beam sup- porting a carriage, and on the ends of which the wheels revolve. Lieut.-Colonel Owen, in his ' Modern Artillery,' states that '' axle-trees are, like wheels, divided into four classes, named, respectively, siege, field, general service, and natal ser- vice axle-trees ; each class contains several natures of axle-trees, but all those in a class have amis of Hie same size, and only dirt'er in the amount of metal be- tween the arms ; the similarity in the arms allows of an interchange of wheels when required." Axle-tree Arm That part of the axle- tree which enters into the nave of the wheel. It tapers from the shoulder to the end of the arm. For information on the friction of axle-tree arms, vide Fric- tion. Axle-tree Bed In an artillery carriage, the wooden or iron bed into which the axletree is firmly fitted. In the wooden gun carriage, the axle-tree bed is secured by bolts passing through the block trail. It is further fastened to the brackets of the carriage by the axle-tree band, which passes under it, and also by bolts passing through the brackets, two'of which have eye-pins, and fasten on the cap squares. A wrought iron axle-tree bed has been substituted for the wooden bed iu the 9-pr. and 16-pr. M.L.R. carriages, and it is likely to supersede the present service pattern in 'future manufacture, as will be seen from the following extract from Captain Kemmis's paper on the 'Con- struction of Field Artillery Carriages': ' The wooden axle-tree bed, hitherto used, served as a convenient means of securing the axle-tree to the carriage body, more particularly in wooden gun- carriages ; it also distributed the load in travelling, aud the strain in firing, more uniformly over the axle-tree, serving by this means, and by its own additional strength, to admit of the axle-tree being made lighter than it otherwise could be. ' In iron carriages, however, it gives AYE 25 BAG no additional facility of construction, and though it has the advantage of assisting the axle-tree to some extent, it is a ques- tionable advantage ; so that in this case it would appear to be a superfluous and it may even be said to be a faulty form of construction a compound axle-tree as ic were, being made of two substances differing so much in elasticity as wood and iron, and further, the material having the greatest elasticity placed to receive the pressure or blow ; in fact, the iron may be broken before the full strength of the wood has been called into play. For this reason it is probable that in iron carriages of the future it will be dis- pensed with, and the axle-tree modified." Ayenee (Artocarpus hirsuta) A tree which grows in the forests of Southern India, Godavery, and Burmah ; the wood is strong, tolerably close, even-grained, and of a light yellowish colour. It is a wood that may be used for gun-carriage purposes. B. Babool (Acacia arabica) A tree which is found in different parts of India. The wood is close-grained and tough, of a pale red colour, inclining to brown. It is used in the gun-carriage agencies of Madras and Bombay for naves and felloes of wheels. This tree, which grows in abundance in the north-west of India, forms the staple food of the camel. Badge An honorary distinction worn on the colours of a regiment. The Queen's Regulations direct that all regi- mental badges granted under special authority to different corps are to be strictly preserved. The term is also ap- plied to the royal arms mounted on pieces of ordnance. The good-conduct stripes worn on the arm by men of good behaviour are also called badges. ( Vide Good-conduct Badges.) Baggage In a military sense, in- cludes the clothes, camp equipage, and cooking apparatus of a regiment or army. The baggage of troops, if proceeding by sea, is divided into " light" and " heavy " baggage. This division of terms is neces- sary to express the nature of baggage to be embarked and the time of embarking it. "Light" baggage is anything that can be taken in the hand, such as clothing and light articles, and which can be taken on board on the day of embarkation ; whereas "heavy" baggage is sent on board the day before when feasible. On the movement of troops on home service, the baggage, if wagons are available, is carried by the army transport ; if not, then the commanding officer has power by the Mutiny Act to impress the carts of the country to convey the baggage to or from the barracks, to the railway or place of embarkation. In India, before the introduction of railways, the baggage of troops was con- veyed, and is even still, where there are no railways, by the native carts of the country, or on elephants and camels, sometimes on bullocks, according to the part of India in which the troops might be moving. In the north-west of India, elephants and camels (when off the line of railway) are almost exclusively used ; in other portions of the country, carts ; but along the line of railroad, advantage is taken of it for the transport both of troops and baggage, except for cavalry or batteries of artillery, which in time of peace invariably march. Carts vary in size in different districts, and are drawn by two, three, or four bullocks. A four- bullock hackery, which in the north- west of India is generally the size used, will carry 1600 Ibs., or 400 Ibs. to every bullock. An elephant can carry about 1200 or 1400 Ibs. in a flat country, and a camel 320 Ibs., without being distressed. Baggage-master An officer appointed to take charge of the baggage of each brigade and division of an army in the field. He is selected from the line if the senior officer of the Army Service Corps is not suited for the work. During the march he is the staff officer of the field officer of the day, who, commanding the rearguard, can give him orders if necessary. The Queen's Regulations of 1873, sect. 16, par. 24, state that each regiment on a march is to furnish its own baggage- guard, under the care of an officer of the regiment. Bagpipe A wind instrument, very- popular in the Highlands of Scotland. 26 BAK This instrument, the performers of which ; are called " pipers," is played by the j bandsmen of Highland regiments. Up to ; the eighteenth century, the bagpipe was a i very common instrument over the greater part of Europe. It is supposed to be of : Grecian origin, and the Romans in all probability took it from the Greeks. The natives of India have an instrument very similar to the bagpipe. The bagpipe has long been a favourite instrument with the Scots, inspiring them with great ! enthusiasm and valour in the day of battle. Bags In the military service, are used for a variety of purposes ; but their number is so infinite that space will not permit of their being all given in detail ita this work. Bags, Blowing Bags filled with a small charge of gunpowder and coal dust, and placed inside a common shell, when it is not intended to burst the shell. The charge is ignited by means of a fuze. Blowing bags are used at artillery prac- tice, to show where, if the shell had been a live shell, it would have burst. Bags, Bursting Bags for the bursting charges of common shell. In order to prevent the liability to occasional pre- mature bursts, when firing filled common shells from M.L.R. guns of 7-inch calibre and upwards, it has been found necessary to inclose the bursting charge in a serge bag. Bags, Calico This nature of bag is used in and attached to the interior of metal-lined and brass pentagon cases, for the preservation of loose powder in a damp climate when it cannot be pre- served in ordinary barrels. Bags, Cartridge Waterproof Are waterproof bags for holding small-arm cartridges ^when despatched to foreign stations. They are made of waterproof cloth. Cannon cartridges are packed in waterproof paper when specially asked for. Bags, Gunny Are bags made of coarse gunny cloth, and used in India with siege-trains for carrying charcoal, for the use of the artificers. Bags, Gunpowder Are bags made of serge or other cloth, and used for blowing open gates, stockades, &c. The size of the bags differs according to the charge intended to be placed in them ; they are fired generally by means of a Bickford fuze. The bags are either placed on the ground or fastened bv a hook to the gate. In Burm;ih. in 1852, experiments were made to test the value of powder bags in blowing down stockades, and the result proved most satisfactory ; bags containing about 50 Ibs. of powder causing a rent large enough to admit of a section of infantry entering within the enclosure. Experiments were also at the same time made with 8-iiich howitzers, which failed to make much impression on this mode of defence. The Indian water- carriers' mussuck, or water-bag, can be used as a powder-bag on an emergency. A late report on gun-cotton shows this material to be most effective in blowing down stockades, and indeed for many of the purposes for which gunpowder has hitherto been used. Bags, Sand Bags made of coarse can- vas, tarred or untarred ; they are filled with earth, and used for revetting the in- terior slopes of field works, and to give cover to riflemen firing over a parapet ; they are also used for other general pur- poses. Bags, Serge Bags made of serge cloth and used for the bursting charge of rifled M.L. common shells, and for the bursting charge of Falliser shells from 7 inches to 12 inches. Bags, Soldiers' Bags of two kinds, painted and unpaiuted, and made of can- vas or vitry cloth. The painted bag con- tains the soldier's kit for the march, and is carried with the baggage. The un- painted, or haversack, is slung over his shoulder, and is used by the soldier on the march to carry extra rations, or any spare articles he may have in his posses- sion. Bakeries, Military As the name im- plies, are means adopted for baking soldiers' bread. At Aldershot, military bakeries have been introduced for some years past, whereby a saving of expense has resulted. Not only at Aldershot, but at the Curragh, Dublin, Chatham, and Shornclift'e, bakeries are established, worked by soldiers, under the direction of the Control. At other stations the supply of bread is carried out by con- tractors. The training of bakers for the army in the field is organised at the BAL 27 BAL above-named places. The foregoing re- lates to permanent ovens in a standing camp. When troops are in the field, field ovens are used ; they are of three kinds, baking wagons, sheet-iron field ovens, and extemporised ovens of clay, stones, &c. All have been found to work admirably, and to afford large results, even more than is required of them. Of baking wagons, the smaller-sized one is that used with all flying columns, &c. ; it can bake eight batches of 210 Ibs. a day. Of iron field ovens, commonly carried in the field, there "are different patterns, and that termed the common pattern bakes 150 Ibs. at a time. The Aldershot pat- tern oven bakes over 200 Ibs. in a batch. During the Crimean War a bakery ship was fitted out which baked 18,000 Ibs. daily. Bread is usually baked in 1-lb. or o-lb. loaves for field service. The Prussians attach so much impor- tance to bakers being up with the force that they are attached to the advanced guard. The Austrians, in the war of 1866, were often greatly inconvenienced on account of their bakeries and ovens not being up with the troops. Baldric, vide Baudrick. Ealista A machine used by the an- cients before the invention or introduc- tion of gunpowder. It projected masses of stone to a distance of 90 yards. Darts and arrows were also thrown from the balista. Ball The collective name given to all kinds of shot and bullets. It is also ex- plained as any round substance of iron or lead discharged from cannon or small arms. The first balls for cannon were generally made of stone. Cast-iron was subsequently used, of a spherical form. Since the introduction of rifled cannon, oblong shot are projected from this nature of ordnance. Ball Cartridge Ammunition used with the several natures of small arms in the service ; for the Martini-Henry rifle the cartridge contains 80 grains of R.F.G. 2 powder, and the bullet weighs 410 grains. The Snider or converted Enfield rifle cartridge contains 2J drs. of R.F.G. powder, and the bullet weighs 480 grains. Ballistic Pendulum, This was for- merly the instrument used in testing the strength of gunpowder in order to ascertain the velocity of projectiles. It is unnecessary to describe it, as it has been superseded, advantageously, by Navez Leurs's ballistic apparatus. Ballistics The science of the motion of projectiles. By this science all pro- blems that can be imagined with refer- ence to the flight of spherical and oblong shot or shell are resolved. It is divided into two distinct parts, according as to whether the projectile is supposed to fly through empty space, or through the resisting medium of the air. The calcu- lations, based on the former hypothesis, are found to tally with the results of practice with shells of large calibre fired with small initial velocities, and conse- quently short ranges. The trajectory is supposed to be a parabola, and the curve of the actual trajectory of shells fired under such circumstances, or of the steel ball of the eprouvette mortar, differs but little therefrom ; when the velocity in- creases, on the other hand, the formula: of the parabolic system have to be altered by certain co-efficients, which have to be calculated, in each case, and this can be done with great ease, with the assistance of the published tables of the French artillery by General Didion. Problems worked out with these altered formulae give results approaching so closely to those of actual practice as to leave but little to be desired. The following is the method of cal- culating the path of a projectile in vacua : (i) The Putli. Let A be the initial position of the particle ; P its position at time t ; ) = 20 - 90 .-. AB = SA cos (2 - 90) = sin 2 V 2 and BS = cos 2

- r even earth-works. The simultaneous concussion of a number of balls has a most destructive effect in bringing down the mass to be breached. Breaking-down In the manufacture of gunpowder, is the process the mill- charges undergo on leaving the incor- porating mills, and again after the press-cake leaves the press. The machine to effect this operation consists of two or more pairs of toothed gun-metal rollers, a hopper to contain the mill-cake, and an endless band to convey the cake to the hopper. Breaking-down, after the powder leaves the incorporating mills, is necessary in order that the meal may sit well in the press trays, previous to being subjected to hydraulic pressure. The necessity, after it has been pressed, of breaking it down, is to admit of its passing easily through the granulating rollers. Breaking Ground In military opera- tions, the first excavation of the earth to form entrenchments, as at the com- mencement of a siege. It is applied also to the striking of tents, and quitting the ground on which troops have been en- camped. Breastplate As its name implies, is a plate of metal for covering the breast. It was commonly worn in ancient armour, either made of iron, steel, or other metal. It covered the back of the soldier as well as the front. ( Vide Cuirass.) Breast-work A hastily constructed parapet, thrown up as high as the breasts of the troops defending it. (Vide Intrenchment.) Breech of a Gun The mass of solid metal coiled round the end of the breech of a rifled gun, or cast at the end of a smooth-bored gun. The excess of metal at the breech is to enable the gun to withstand the shock occasioned by the explosion of the gunpowder. Small-arms have also an increase of metal at the breech. Breech-loading Guns As the name implies, are guns which are loaded at the breech instead of at the muzzle. They were introduced into the service some years ago by Sir W. Armstrong, but have been superseded, to a great extent, by the present muzzle-loading rifled gun, light and heavy. The principal conti- nental powers have however adopted the breech-loading system. Whether this system possesses all the advantages claimed for it remains yet to be BRE 49 BRI proved ; actual warfare and trial will enable us to judge as to its safety and the enduring qualities of the guns. The great disadvantage of the system ap- pears to be the want of a good time- fuze ; this will doubtless be remedied in the future. During the Franco-Prussian war the field artillery of the Prussians were chiefly breech-loaders. It is said that many of these guns were disabled ; but the manu- facture has since greatly improved, and the system of "building up" the gun with steel hoops instead of forming the gun out of a block of steel will alone doubtless add to the life of the gun. If the metal can be depended on, and a secure breech- closer be made, the breech-loader may again be introduced into the British ser- vice, though the present experience of our M.L.R. guns is against its reintroduction. Sir J. Whitworth has managed by hydraiilic pressure so to condense his steel that no air bubbles or flaws can possibly remain in the metal. Here then is a metal which will make a good gun, and the P. powder now in use for large charges would admit of the gun being loaded at the breech with great safety. Breech-loading is no new invention ; many of the ancient cannons appear to have been loaded by removing a breech- part or chamber, inserting the charge at the breech, replacing the chamber, and se- curing it by wedging it behind. Breech- loading has been universally applied to small-arms, and with great success, as the Snider, Martini-Henry, and other rifles have shown. Breeching Harness adapted to the wheel horses of gun carriages, near and off, for the purpose of facilitating the stopping of a gun in motion. Breechings, near and off, are strengthened with a lay of leather. Brevet (French brevet, commission, appointment) A rank in the army higher than that for which regimental pay is received, and is conferred upon in- dividual officers for special and long ser- vices. Brevet rank being rank in the army, an officer takes his position with the officers of the army according to the date of his commission. Bridges, Military Temporary con- structions to facilitate the passage of rivers by troops. There are several de- scriptions, viz. bridges of boats, pontoon bridges, bridges of casks, trestle bridges, raft bridges, spar and flying bridges, a description of which will be given under their respective heads. The three first natures of bridges are most commonly used. Trestle bridges are chiefly applicable to rivers in hilly countries, where the three first-named bridges cannot be used. The raft is the last expedient that should be adopted by an army in motion, as it has the lowest degree of buoyancy and general manageability. Its merits are that, at the expense of time, it can be constructed with less experienced workmen ; it saves carriage, as it can be made of any ma- terials on or near the spot. Spar bridges are used for crossing broken arches, rivers with steep banks, &c. ; flying bridges, when wishing to pass a river in the face of an enemy, either by stratagem or force, as they require but little pre- paration. A pontoon and cask bridge is similarly constructed. Bridge Head, vide Tete-de-pont. Brigade A body of troops, the unit of a division. Generally it consists of either of the three arms, or of the three arms combined, commanded by a briga- dier-general or brigadier. Two or more battalions of infantry, with a regiment of cavalry and a battery of artillery, under the command of one officer, commonly constitute a brigade. The term brigade is given also to the Brigade of Guards, which consists of the three regiments of Foot Guards ; to the Household Cavalry Brigade, which is composed of the two regiments of Life Guards, and the Royal Horse Guards. This word appears to have had some connection with the word "brigands," light armed soldiers in early Biblical days ; probably because they were broken off or detached from the main body, as a brigade may be at the present day from a division. The corslets of these brigands were styled " brigandines." Soldiers of this kind often marauded on their own account ; hence the sense which brigand has with us now. Brigade Depot The head-quarters of a sub-district of the army. Under the new localisation of the British army, the E BRI 50 BRI military districts of Great Britain and Ireland are divided into 12 districts, which are sub-divided into 70 * infantry and 12 artillery sub-districts, and 2 cavalry districts. The infantry sub-districts, as a rule, correspond with the several counties into which the United Kingdom is divided. In connection therewith the following arrangements have been made (vide Auxiliary and Reserve Forces Circular for 1873): To each infantry sub-district are assigned 2 battalions of infantry of the line, one of which is ordinarily at home, and the other abroad. The battalions are linked to- gether for the purposes of enlistment and service (see G. 0. 18 of 1873). In each infantry sub-district is located a brigade depot under the command of a lieutenant-colonel, composed of 2 com- panies from each of the line battalions assigned to the sub-district. The line battalions, militia battalions, the brigade depot, the rifle volunteer corps, and the infantry of the army reserve, constitute the infantrv sub-district brigade, and the whole, with the exception of the line battalion, are under the command of the officer commanding the brigade depot. A lieutenant-colonel is appointed to each artillery sub-district, and he is in- vested with the command of the auxili- ary and reserve forces of artillery of the sub-district. The cavalry of the auxiliary forces is divided, as before stated, into two dis- tricts. A lieutenant-colonel is appointed to each district, who is invested with the command of the yeomanry regiment; and of the corps of light horse and mounted rifle volunteers within his dis- trict. The regiments of guards, the 60th Rifles, and the Rifle Brigade, are outsid the sub-district organisation i.e. they have no special connection with any territorial sub-district. The depot of tht Guards continues as at present consti- tuted. The 60th Rifle Brigade have on consolidated depot at Winchester. * There are 4 brigade depots at Winchestei forming an united rifle depot, which belong to n* particular sub-district, and are outside th local organisation, only half of which are n