G. (continued 2)

Mille Gens, cent mille gens, Fr. signifies any considerable number of men.

Gens, Fr. this word is likewise used to distinguish bodies of men that are in opposition to each other, viz.

Nos Gens ont battu les ennemis, Fr. our men, or people have overcome the enemy.

Nos Gens ont été battus, Fr. our men or people have been beaten.

Je craignois que ce ne fussent des ennemis, et c’étoient de nos Gens, Fr. I was apprehensive that they were our enemies, but they proved to be our own people.

Nos Gens battirent les vôtres, Fr., our men beat your’s.

Gens, Fr. when followed by the preposition de, and by a substantive, which points out any particular profession, trade, &c. signifies all those persons that belong to one nation, one town, &c. or who are of one specific profession or calling, as

Les Gens d’église, Fr. churchmen.

Les Gens de robe, Fr. lawyers or gentlemen of the long robe.

Les Gens de finance, Fr. men concerned in the distribution of public money.

Les Gens de loi, Fr. means generally all persons who have any connection with the law in the way of profession.

Les Gens du roi, Fr. Crown lawyers.

GENTILHOMMES de la garde, commonly called Au bec de corbin, or the battle axe. This company went through many alterations during the monarchy of France. During the last years of that government, it consisted of 200 guards under the command of a captain, a lieutenant, and an ensign. The captain had the power of giving away the subaltern commissions, and had moreover the entire management of the rest; every vacancy being in his gift. They marched in file, each holding his battle-axe, before the king on days of public ceremony. These were chiefly at the coronation, and the marriage of the king, or at the reception of the knights of the Holy Ghost.

When the company was first raised, its particular duty was to attend the king’s person, and to be constantly near him on the day of battle.

GENTILHOMME à drapeau établie dans chaque compagnie des gardes Francoises, Fr. under the old French government, this person ranked as officier en second. He did duty in common with the ensigns of the French guards, and took precedence immediately under them. His name always stood upon the muster roll, but his appointment was purely honorary, as he did not receive any pay; his tour of duty in mounting guards, went with that of the ensigns, he was obliged to be present at all field days, and could not absent himself without leave.

Gentilshommes pensionnaires, Fr. Gentlemen pensioners. See Pensioners.

GEODOESIA, GEODESIE, Fr. that part of practical geometry, which contains the doctrine or art of measuring surfaces and finding the contents of all plain figures. Among the French géodesie means likewise the division of lands. See Surveying.

GEOGRAPHY is the doctrine or knowledge of the terrestrial globe; or the science that teaches and explains the state of the earth, and parts thereof that depend upon quantity; or it is rather that part of mixed mathematics, which explains the state of the earth, and of its parts depending on quantity, viz. its figure, magnitude, place, and motion, with the celestial appearances, &c. In consequence of this definition, geography should be divided into general and special, or universal and particular.

By universal Geography, is understood that part of the science which considers the whole earth in general, and explains its properties without regard to particular countries. This division is again distinguished into three parts, absolute, relative, and comparative. The absolute part respects the body of the earth itself, its parts and peculiar properties; as its figure, magnitude, and motion; its lands, seas, and rivers, &c. The relative part accounts for the appearances and accidents that happen to it from celestial causes; and lastly, the comparative contains an explanation of those properties which arise from comparing different parts of the earth together.

Special or particular Geography is that division of the science which describes the constitution and situation of each single country by itself; and is twofold, viz. chorographical, which describes countries of a considerable extent; or topographical, which gives a view of some place, or small tract of land. Hence the object or subject of geography is the earth, especially its superficies and exterior parts.

The properties of Geography are of three kinds, viz. celestial, terrestrial, and human. The celestial properties are such as affect us by reason of the apparent motion of the sun and stars. These are 8 in number.

1. The elevation of the pole, or the distance of a place from the equator.

2. The obliquity of the diurnal motion of the stars above the horizon of the place.

3. The time of the longest and shortest day.

4. The climate and zone.

5. Heat, cold, and the seasons of the year; with rain, snow, wind, and other meteors.

6. The rising, appearance, and continuance of stars above the horizon.

7. The stars that pass through the zenith of a place.

8. The celerity of the motion with which, according to the Copernican hypothesis, every place constantly revolves.

The terrestrial properties are those observed in the face of the country, and are 10 in number.

1. The limits and bounds of each country.

2. - Its - figure;

3. magnitude;

4. mountains;

5. waters, viz. springs, rivers, lakes, and bays;

6. woods and deserts.

7. The fruitfulness and barrenness of the country, with its various kinds of fruits.

8. - The - minerals and fossils;

9. living creatures there;

10. longitude and latitude of the place.

The third kind of observations to be made in every country is called human, because it chiefly regards the inhabitants of the place. It consists of 10 specific branches.

1. The stature, shape, color, and the length of their lives; their origin, meat and drink.

2. Their arts, and the profits which arise from them, with the merchandize they barter one with another.

3. Their virtues and vices, learning, capacities, and schools.

4. Their ceremonies at births, marriages, and funerals.

5. The language which the inhabitants use.

6. - Their - political government.

7. religion and church government.

8. cities and famous places.

9. remarkable histories and antiquities.

10. Their famous men, artificers, and inventions of the natives.

These are the three kinds of occurrences to be explained in special geography.

The principles of Geography, or those from which arguments are drawn for the proving of propositions in that science, are, according to the best authors, of three sorts.

1. Geometrical, arithmetical, and trigonometrical propositions.

2. Astronomical precepts and theorems.

3. Experience, being that upon which the greatest part of geography, and chiefly the special is founded.

In proving geographical propositions, we are to observe, that several properties, and chiefly the celestial, are confirmed by proper demonstrations; being either grounded on experience and observation, or on the testimony of our senses: nor can they be proved by any other means. There are also several propositions proved, or rather exposed to view, by the terrestrial globe, or by geographical maps.

Other propositions cannot be so well proved, yet are received as apparent truths. Thus, though we suppose all places on the globe, and in maps, to be laid down in the same order as they are really on the earth; nevertheless, in these matters, we rather follow the descriptions that are given by geographical writers.

Geography is very ancient, at least the special part thereof; for the ancients scarce went beyond the description of countries. It was a constant custom among the Romans, after they had conquered or subdued any province, to have a map or printed representation thereof, carried in triumph and exposed to the view of the spectators. Historians relate that the Roman senate, about 100 years before Christ, sent geographers into divers parts to make an exact survey and mensuration of the whole globe; but they scarcely ever saw the 20th part of it.

Before them, Necho, king of Egypt, ordered the Phœnicians to make a survey of the whole coast of Africa, which they accomplished in 3 years. Darius procured the Ethiopic sea, and the mouth of the Indus, to be surveyed; and Pliny relates, that Alexander, in his expedition into Asia, took two geographers to measure and describe the roads; and that from their itineraries, the writers of the following ages took many particulars. Indeed this may be observed, that whereas most other arts and sciences are sufferers by war, geography, artillery, mining, and fortification, alone have been improved thereby. Geography, however, must have been exceedingly defective, as a great part of the globe was then unknown, particularly all America, the northern parts of Europe and Asia, with the Australasia, and Magellanica; and they were also ignorant of the earth’s being capable to be sailed round, and of the torrid zone being habitable, &c.

The honor of reducing geography to art and system, was reserved for Ptolemy; who, by adding mathematical advantages to the historical method in which it had been treated of before, has described the world in a much more intelligible manner: he has delineated it under more certain rules, and by fixing the bounds of places from longitude and latitude, has discovered other mistakes, and has left us a method of discovering his own.

GEOLIER des prisons militaires, Fr. the superintendant or head jailor of military prisons. Under the old French government, this person had a right to visit all prisoners that were not confined in dungeons. He could order provisions, wood, and coal to be conveyed to them; but he had not the power of permitting women to visit or have any intercourse with the soldiers; and when their period of imprisonment expired, he could not detain them on account of debts contracted for food, lodging, or fees, &c. Half of the prisoner’s subsistence for one day, according to his rank, was given on his release.

GEOMETRICAL elevations, just dimensions of ascent proportionate to a given scale, &c. See Orthography.

GEOMETRIE, Fr. Geometry.

Geometrie composée, Fr. compound geometry, which consists in the knowlege of curved lines, and of the different bodies produced by them. The immediate object or intent of compound geometry is confined to conic sections, and to lines of that species.

Geometrie sublime et transcendante, Fr. these terms have been applied by the French to the new system of geometry, which was produced by Leibnitz, and Newton, when they found out the method of calculating ad infinitum.

GEOMETRY, originally signified no more than the art of measuring the earth, or any distance or dimensions in it; but at present it denotes the science of magnitude in general; comprehending the doctrine and relations of whatever is susceptible of augmentation or diminution, considered in that light. Hence, to geometry may be referred the consideration not only of lines, surfaces, and solids; but also of time, velocity, number, weight, &c.

Plato thought the word geometry an improper name for this science, and accordingly substituted in its place the more extensive one of mensuration; and after him, others gave it the name of pantometry, as demonstrating not only the quantities of all manner of magnitudes, but also their qualities, ratios, positions, transformations, relations, &c. and Proclus calls it the knowlege of magnitudes and figures, and their limitations; also of their motions and affections of every kind.

Origin and progress of Geometry. This science had its rise in Asia, the invention, which at first consisted only in measuring the lands, that every person might have what belonged to him, was called geometry, or the art of measuring land; and it is probable, that the draughts and schemes which they were annually compelled to make, helped them to discover many excellent properties of these figures; which speculation has continued gradually to improve to this day.

From Asia it passed into Egypt, and thence into Greece, where it continued to receive improvement from Thales, Pythagoras, Archimedes, Euclid, &c. The elements of geometry, written by Euclid in 15 books, are a most convincing proof to what perfection this science was carried among the ancients. However, it must be acknowleged, that it fell short of modern geometry, the bounds of which, by the inventions of fluxions, and the discovery of the almost infinite order of curves are greatly enlarged.

Division of Geometry. This science is usually distinguished into elementary, and higher or sublime geometry. The first, or elementary geometry, treats of the properties of right lines, and of the circle, together with the figures and solids formed by them. The doctrine of lines comes first, then that of surfaces, and lastly that of solids. The higher geometry comprehends the doctrine of conic sections, and numerous other curves.

Speculative and practical Geometry. The former treats of the properties of lines and figures, as Euclid’s Elements, Apollonius’s Conic Sections, &c. and the latter shews how to apply these speculations to the use of mensuration, navigation, surveying, taking heights and distances, gauging, fortification, gunnery, &c.

Usefulness of Geometry. Its usefulness extends to almost every art and science. By the help of it, astronomers turn their observations to advantage: regulate the duration of times, seasons, years, cycles, and epochs; and measure the distance, motion, and magnitudes of the heavenly bodies. By it geographers determine the figure and magnitude of the whole earth; and delineate the extent and bearings of kingdoms, provinces, harbors, &c. It is from this science also that architects derive their just measure and construction of public edifices, as well as of private houses.

It is by the assistance of geometry that engineers conduct all their works, take the situation and plans of towns, the distances of places, and the measure of such things as are only accessible to the sight. It is not only an introduction to fortification, but highly necessary to mechanics. On geometry likewise depends the theory of gunnery, mining, music, optics, perspective, drawing, mechanics, hydraulics, pneumatics, &c.

We may distinguish the progress of geometry into three ages; the first of which was in its meridian glory at the time when Euclid’s Elements appeared; the second beginning with Archimedes, reaches to the time of Descartes; who by applying algebra to the elements of geometry, gave a new turn to this science, which has been carried to its utmost perfection by our learned countryman Sir Isaac Newton, and by the German philosopher Leibnitz.

GEORGE, or knight of St. George, has been the denomination of several military orders. See Garter.

GERBE, Fr. means literally a sheaf, but it here signifies a sort of artificial firework, which is placed in a perpendicular manner, and resembles a sheaf. See Jets de feu.

Gerbe likewise means the tithe which was formerly paid to the French curates.

Faire Gerbe de foarre à dieu, Fr. a figurative expression, signifying, that the farmer made up the worst sheaf he could for the parson; filling it principally with straw instead of good ears of corn.

GERMS, small coasting vessels employed by the French, to keep up an intercourse with Egypt.

GESE, Fr. a weapon used in former times.

Geses and Materes were adopted by the Allobroges (a body of ancient Gauls so called) independently of the broad cut and thrust sword, which the Swiss still wear. These instruments were only one cubit long; half the blade was nearly square, but it terminated in a round point that was exceedingly sharp. Virgil in his Æneid calls this species of blade, alpin, meaning, no doubt, to convey, that it was in general use among the neighboring inhabitants of the Alps. Not only the Romans, but the Greeks received it into their armies. The former retained the full appellation and called it gése, but the latter corrupted it into ysse. This is the only weapon with which those soldiers were armed that escorted malefactors, who were condemned to death, to the place of execution. The term gese was also applied to a sort of a javelin.

GESSATES, a people of whom Polybius speaks in his history of the ancient Gauls, and who inhabited the countries lying adjacent to the alps, and to the river Rhone. According to some writers, they were so called because they constantly wore geses. The gese is said to have been a dart which the ancient Gauls exclusively used, and which some authors since confounded with the pertuisane or partisan, a sort of halbert, called by others a javelin. This word was used in Provence, as late as the year 1300; for in the inventory which was taken of the goods, furniture, &c. appertaining to the Templars, we find gessus or gesus particularly specified in the list of weapons and iron instruments, which was understood to mean gese, and under that appellation was deposited in the king’s archives at Aix. See Boucher, Hist. Prov. Liv. ii. c. 4. p. 82. This same author further asserts, that the Gési, and the Gessates took their names from that weapon. He quotes Julius Cæsar’s account of the word gesi in confirmation of his own opinion. Many authors have mentioned the same term: among others, Justus, Lipsus, Hugo, Cheves, Vossius, &c.

Gessate ou Gesate, Fr. a knight among the ancient Gauls, who took delight in war, and frequently volunteered his services beyond the boundaries of his native country. Whenever a neighboring country made a levy of men, it was usual for the gessates to accompany the troops, from a conviction that it would be dishonorable in them to remain inactive at home. These adventurers, or knights-errant, were called gessates, either on account of the gessus or large dart, which they carried, or, as Polybius imagines, on account of the subsistence which was paid them, and was called by that name.

GESTURE, a motion of the body intended to signify some idea, or passion of the mind. All officers and soldiers who make use of any menacing gesture before a commanding or superior officer, or before a court-martial, are liable to be punished by the laws of war.

GEZE, Fr. a rentrant angle, which is made with slate or lead, and forms a gutter between two roofs. It is likewise called noue, or pantile.

GHERIAH, a port on the Malabar Mahrattah coast of Hindustan, the capital part of Angria’s dominions, which consisted of an extent of coast, from whence this warlike state was a perpetual source of uneasiness to the trading ships of all the European nations in India. It cost the English East-India company 50,000l. annually to protect their own ships. Eight or ten grabs, and forty or fifty gallivats, crowded with men, generally composed Angria’s principal fleet in 1754, destined to attack ships of force or burthen. The vessel no sooner came in sight of the port or bay where the fleet was lying, than they slipped their cables and put out to sea. If the wind blew, their construction enabled them to sail almost as fast as the wind; and if it was calm, the gallivats rowing towed the grabs: when within cannon shot of the chace, they generally assembled in her wake, and the grabs attacked her at a distance with their prow guns, firing first only at the masts, and taking aim when the three masts of the vessel just opened all together to their view; by which means the shot would probably strike one or other of the three. As soon as the chase was dismasted, they came nearer, and battered her on all sides until she struck: and if the defence was obstinate, they sent a number of gallivats, with two or three hundred men in each, who boarded sword in hand from all quarters in the same instant.

The English trusting to the report of the natives, had until the year 1756, believed Gheriah to be at least as strong as Gibraltar, and like that situated on a mountain which was inaccessible from the sea, for this reason it was resolved to send vessels to reconnoitre it; which service commodore James, in the Protector, with two other ships, performed. He found the enemy’s fleet at anchor in the harbor, notwithstanding which, he approached within cannon shot of the fort, and having attentively considered it, returned at the end of December to Bombay, and described the place, such as it truly was, very strong indeed, but far from being inaccessible or impregnable. This place was taken by the English troops under the command of colonel Clive. There were found in it 200 pieces of cannon, six brass mortars, and a great quantity of ammunition, and military and naval stores of all kinds; the money and effects of other kinds, amounted to 1,200,000l. sterling. All this booty was divided amongst the captors, without any reserve either for the nation, or the company. In less than a month the English, with their allies the Mahrattas got possession of all the territories wrested from the latter by Angria’s predecessors, and which they had for seventy years despaired of ever being able to recover.

GIBERNE, Fr. a sort of bag in which the grenadiers held their hand-grenades. It was worn like a powder flask. They likewise carried, independent of this bag, a cartouch box containing 18 or 20 charges.

GIBRALTAR, a strong fortress of Andalusia, in Spain. Gibraltar was formerly thought to be impregnable; but it was taken by Sir George Rooke in 1704, and has remained in the hands of the English ever since. It has been several times attacked by the Spaniards, who have always been unsuccessful. Their last effort to recover it was made September 13th, 1782, with floating batteries, in which were mounted 212 brass cannon and mortars. The French united with the Spaniards on this memorable occasion; and the brother to the last king of the French, (then Count D’Artois) commanded the camp of St. Roche, from whence the offensive operations were directed. General Elliot, (afterwards called lord Heathfield) had prepared a great number of red-hot balls against the attack; and these so effectually destroyed the floating batteries, that the Spaniards were greatly annoyed, and relinquished the enterprize. For particulars, see Drinkwater’s siege of Gibraltar.

GIN, in military mechanics, is a machine for raising great weights: it is composed of 3 long legs, 2 of which are kept at a proper distance by means of 2 iron bars fixed on one of the legs by a staple passing through a hole at one end: the other end has a hook which enters into a staple fixed into the other leg so as to be taken off or put on at pleasure.

At 3 feet from the bottom is a roller, upon which the cable was wound; and the 3 legs are joined together with an iron bolt, about which they move: to this bolt, is also fixed an iron half-ring to hook on a windlass: when the gin stands upright, so as the legs stand at a proper distance, one end of the cable is fastened to a gun, mortar, or other weight; and the other passes through the pullies and about the roller, which is turned round by means of hand-spikes passing through the holes in the ends of the roller: whilst a man holds the cable tight, the gun is raised to the height required, so that the carriage may be put under it.

Gin Triangle—Length of arms of the gin 16 feet 4¹⁄₂ inches. Roller, 6 feet long. Tackle fall, 78 feet of 3 inch white rope. Sling, 6 inch white rope.

The newly constructed gin, by having one half of the roller of a greater diameter than the other, gives a new power, that of elevating or lowering the object in a greater or lesser proportion, according to the end of the cylinder upon which the cable is fixed.

For the different exercises of the gin, see the word Exercise.

GINCE, a place in India, situated 35 miles N. W. of Pondicherry.

GINJAULS or GINGAULS, an East Indian name, signifying large musquets used with a rest, somewhat similar to those invented by Marshal Vauban, for the defence of forts.

GIRANDE, Fr. the chief cluster, or assemblage of an artificial firework, with which a shew or illumination is generally concluded.

A girande may be made by uniting several chests or clusters together, and securing with a match of communication, a regular inflammation.

GIRANDOLE, Fr. literally, a chandelier; a cluster of diamonds.

Girandoles, Fr. circles ornamented with fusees. They are used in fireworks. See Soleils tournans.

GIROUETTES, Fr. Weathercocks, vanes. They are seldom or ever used on shore, except as weathercocks on tops of church-steeples, &c.

Girouette in the singular number, likewise means figuratively light, inconstant, not to be depended upon. As ce jeune officier est aussi girouette que ce coutume. This young officer is as light as usual.

GISTES, pieces of wood which are made use of in the construction of platforms to batteries, and upon which the madriers or broad planks are placed.

GLACIS. See Fortification.

Glacis d’une corniche, Fr. a waterfall, or insensible slope which is made upon the cymatium (a member of architecture, whereof one half is convex, and the other concave) of a cornish.

GLADIATOR, GLADIATEUR, Fr. a sword player, a prize fighter. The old Romans were accustomed to make their slaves fight with one another at their public festivals, and the only weapon they used, was a gladine or sword. This barbarous usage was abolished by the emperor Theodoric in the year of Christ 500; but it prevailed among the ancient Britons, and in England to a much later date.

GLAIS militaire, Fr. a military compliment which was paid to the remains of a deceased general. It consisted in a discharge of ordnance. In a civil sense, it means the chiming of bells at the death of a parish priest.

GLAISE, Fr. clay, or potter’s earth.

GLAISER, Fr. to do over with potter’s earth, or clay.

GLAIVE, a broad sword, or falchion, anciently so called.

Le Glaive de la justice, the sword of justice.

GLAIZE, a kind of halbert, so called by the Saxons.

GLAS, Fr. knell.

GLIB act, a very ancient act of parliament which directed that the Irish nobility and gentry who were of English or Norman extraction, should forfeit the privileges of their original country, if they did not shave the upper lip. This act took place when Ireland was first conquered, and its object was to distinguish the descendants of the invaders; from the old Irish nobility that traced its origin to Milesius, who wore their hair and their beards very long; hence glib, means loose, flowing.

GLIPHE ou GLYPHE, Fr. signifies generally every species of canal, or hollow, which constitutes any part of ornamental architecture.

Globes ou ballons d’artifices, Fr. globes or balloons, which are filled with artificial fire. They are used to set fire to an enemy’s town or works, &c.

Globes de feu, Fr. a cartouch made of mashed paper, which is laid upon a wooden bowl and made perfectly round. It is afterward perforated in several places, and filled with the inflammable composition that is used in the making up of lances à feu. The instant it catches, a very bright and lively fire issues out of the several holes.

GLOBE. See Geography.

GLOIRE, Fr. an artificial fire-work, which resembles a large sun. It is made by means of an iron wheel containing four circles, each circle diminishing towards the centre, and kept at equal distances from one another. Forty eight jets de feu, or fire spouts, are tied to these circles; each jet is twenty French inches long, and there are twelve of them fixed to each of the four circles. The gloire or soleil is placed in the middle of the principal fire-work.

Military GLORY, honor, reputation and fame, acquired by military atchievements. That precarious splendor, which plays round the brows of a warrior, and has been collected by hard service, extraordinary genius, and unblemished integrity; but which may desert the greatest hero through one unfortunate failure.

GO. The verb to go is variously used in a military sense, as to march in a hostile, or warlike manner.

To Go off, implies to depart from any post.

To Go on, to make an attack.

To Go over, to revolt.

To Go out, to go upon any expedition, &c.

To Go out is likewise frequently used to signify the act of fighting a duel, as he went out with a brother officer, and was slightly wounded.

GOA, a strong town on the Malabar coast, belonging to the Portuguese. The chief trade is in arrack. This fort was taken by the English April 2d, 1756.

GOLADAR or GOLDAR, an East Indian term, signifying a store-keeper, or store-house-keeper.

GOLANDAAZEE, the Indian term for an artillery man.

GOLCONDA, a province in India, formerly comprehending the nabobships of Arcot, Canoul, Cudapa, Rajamandry, and Chicacole.

Golconda, formerly a city and the capital of the province. It stood at the foot of the rock and fortress of the same name; but the city has long since been deserted; and its inhabitants removed to Hyderabad: nevertheless its name is still frequently used in Indostan, when in reality the city of Hyderabad is meant.

GOLDEN Rock, a spot near Tritchinopoly in East India, which has been renowned by the victory that was gained by the British troops over the French and their allies in 1753.

GONDECAMA, Gondegama, a river in India, which makes the northern boundary of the province of Arcot; Condavir extends between this and the river Kristna.

GONDOLA, Gondole, Fr. this word may be taken in two senses, viz. to signify a cup; or a small barge which is flat and long in its construction, and is only moved, or worked by oars. Gondolas are much used upon the canals in Venice; they are extremely remarkable for their shape, and the great swiftness with which they glide through the water. The middle sized ones are about thirty feet long, and are only four feet broad across the middle, gradually tapering towards each end, and rising in two sharp and narrow points to the ordinary height of a man. Upon the prow is fixed an iron of uncommon length, which does not exceed half a finger’s breadth in thickness; but which is four fingers broad, and is so disposed as to cut the air. The upper part of this iron which is flatter than the rest, stretches out in the shape of a large hatchet a full foot in length: so that when the gondola is on her way, it seems to menace every thing before it, and to force its passage.

GONDOLIERS, Gondoliers, Fr. the men who have the management of the gondolas at Venice, are so called. The equipment of a gondola seldom exceeds two persons, even on board of those barges that belong to the foreign ambassadors.

It sometimes happens that there are four, when persons of distinction go to their country houses. The gondoliers never sit down but row the barge standing upright and push forward. One man always plies in the fore part of the gondola, and the other is at the poop.

GONFALON, -

GONFANON,

an ensign or standard.

GONG, the Persian word for a village.

GONG WALLAS, villagers, the militia in India so called; from gong, a village, and wallas, a man.

GORGE. See Fortification.

Gorge, Fr. likewise means any hollow between a chain of mountains, that affords a passage into an open country.

Gorge, Fr. a sort of concave moulding belonging to ornamental architecture.

GORGERIN, Fr. in ancient times, that part of the armor which covered the neck of a man. Hence our word gorget.

GORGONS, in military antiquity, a warlike female nation of Libya, in Africa, who had frequent quarrels with another nation of the same sex, called Amazons.

GOTHIC, (Gothique Fr.) any thing constructed after the manner of the Goths. Various works and buildings that appear to have been constructed without any particular regard to the rules of art, are so called. All the old cathedrals are in the Gothic taste.

Monsieur de Fenelon has said, that gothic architecture can support an immense vault upon the slightest pillars. The elevation of it is so wonderful, that although it seems ready to tumble, is perforated and full of windows in every part, and stands as it were suspended in the skies, it nevertheless lasts out centuries, and almost always proves more durable than the most regular buildings.

Fronton GOTHIQUE, Fr. a gothic pediment. In modern architecture, all circular or triangular gable ends are so called, when they are sculptured, or three leaved.

GOUDRON ou GOUDRAN, Fr. pitch and tar.

GOUDRONS, Fr. small fascines, or faggots which are well steeped in wax, pitch, and glue, and then are lighted for the purpose of setting fire to beams, planks, traverses, galleries, pontoons, &c. They are likewise used in various shapes and ways, to convey light into the ditches, or upon the ramparts.

GOVERNOR of a fortification, is, or should be, a person of great military knowlege; and is a very considerable officer, whose authority extends not only over the inhabitants and garrison, but over all troops that may be there in winter quarters, cantonments, or quarters of refreshment.

Duty of a Governor in time of peace, is to order the guards, the rounds, and the patroles; to give the parole and countersign every night after the gates are shut; to visit the posts, to see that both officers and soldiers do their duty, and that every thing goes on regularly and in good order.

Duty of a Governor in time of war. He should consider the place in such a manner, as if the enemy were going to besiege him, not omitting the least thing that may contribute to a long and obstinate defence; he should therefore take particular care to keep the fortifications in good repair; clearing the country round of all hedges, ditches, trees, hollow roads, caverns, and rising grounds, within the reach of cannon shot; not suffering any houses to be built within that distance, nor in general any thing to be done that may favor the approach of an enemy.

He should consider well with himself every minute circumstance that may be of advantage to him during the siege: he should thoroughly examine the several works, and canvas all the different stratagems that may be used, either to defend them, or to give way upon occasion, when overpowered, with an intent to return and dislodge the enemy, after he has got possession of them; in short, how to defend the place entrusted to his care, inch by inch, with the best advantage.

He should consider how, and in what manner, the works defend each other; whether their communications are safe, or liable to be interrupted by the besiegers; how to incommode the enemy when he is at a distance, or to dislodge him when near; whether the ground be proper for mines, and where they should be made; whether any part of the country may not be laid under water, by means of dykes or sluices: if there are any already made, how to keep them in constant repair, or to make new ones if they are wanted; taking care to construct them so that the enemy may not have it in his power to destroy them, either with his cannon or mortars.

If the governor be not sufficiently skilled in the systems of attack and defence, he should frequently converse with the officers of engineers and artillery who understand them; examine the works together, see what may be done to render the defence of the place as long as the circumstances and nature of the works will admit of; and to make it familiar to himself, he should set down a project of defence on paper, and have it canvassed by the most skilful officers of artillery and engineers about him. This must be done in private; that spies or deserters may not discover the weak parts to the enemy. In short, nothing should be neglected on the part of the governor.

He should see that the place be well supplied with ammunition, and wholesome provisions; that the hospitals are in good order, and provided with able physicians and surgeons, as likewise with every thing wholesome and necessary, that the sick and wounded may be well taken care of.

The powder magazines above all things, require his most special care: for though they are built bomb-proof, yet, when a great number of shells fall upon them, they seldom resist their shock; for which reason they should be covered 8 or 10 feet thick with earth, and a layer of fascines, dung and strong planks, laid over them.

GOUJAT, Fr. A soldier’s boy. It likewise signifies an ignorant good-for-nothing fellow.

GOUINE, a woman of infamous character.

GOURDIN, Fr. a flat stick, two fingers in breadth, which was used by the french to punish galley slaves.

GOURGANDINE, Fr. a strumpet of the lowest species, a soldier’s trull.

GOUVERNAIL, Fr. a rudder.

GOUVERNEMENT, Fr. anciently meant a certain specific allotment of provinces, towns, &c. under the superintendence and government of one person who received his powers from the king, and had subordinate officers under him. There were twelve governments in France, at the first institution of monarchy, called grands gouvernemens généraux, which were specifically noticed in all the general sittings of the kingdom. They were first formed by Hugues Capet, in 987. Previous to the revolution in 1789, they were subdivided into 39 general provincial governments with inferior officers, subject to their jurisdiction; such as governors of towns, and commandants of fortified places. Each governor general was entitled to a guard of cavalry, a certain number of halberdiers and armed men on foot.

GOUVERNEUR d’une place de guerre, Fr. the governor of a fortified town or place. See governor of a Fortification.

GOWA. A witness is so called in India.

GRABS. Vessels peculiar to the Malabar coast. They have rarely more than two masts, although some have three; those of three are about 300 tons burthen; but the others are not more than 150 tons; they are built to draw very little water, being very broad in proportion to their length, narrowing from the middle to the end, where instead of bows they have a prow, projecting like that of a Mediterranean galley, and covered with a strong deck level with the main deck of the vessel, from which, however, it is separated by a bulk head, which terminates the forecastle. As this construction subjects the grab to pitch violently when sailing against a head sea; the deck of the prow is not enclosed with sides as the rest of the vessel is, but remains bare, that the water which dashes upon it may pass off without interruption. On the main deck under the forecastle are mounted two pieces of cannon nine or twelve pounders, which point forwards through the port holes cut in the bulk head, and fire over the prow; the cannon of the broadside are from six to nine pounders.

GRAFF. See Ditch or Moat.

GRAIN, Fr. A word used in the repairing of damaged cannon.

Mettre un Grain a une piece, to fill up the touch-hole of a piece of ordnance, the heating it in such a manner, that the metal which is poured in may assimilate and mix. When it becomes cold, a fresh aperture is made or bored.

GRAIS, Fr. large stones resembling Scotch pebbles. They are used to pave the high-roads, and streets.

GRAM, the grey peas are called by this name in Hindustan, and is the common food of horses, for which purpose it is previously steept in water.

GRAMEN, grass, in botany.

GRAMINE, couronne gramine, Fr. a grass or gramineous crown, which was made among the Romans. See Obsidional.

GRANADE. False orthography. See Grenade.

GRANADIER, false orthography. See Grenadier.

GRAND. This word is frequently used both in French and English as a word of title or distinction; it means great. In French it also means large.

Grand division. The battalion being told off by two companies to each division, is said to be told off in grand divisions; hence grand division firing is, when the battalion fires by 2 companies at the same time, and is commanded by 1 officer only.

Grand maitre d’artillerie, Fr. grand master of the ordnance, &c. &c. &c.

Grand soleil brillant, Fr. a sun exhibited in artificial fireworks. See Gloire.

Grand Vizir. See Vizir.

GRANITE, (granit, Fr.) a sort of hard stone which is variegated by spots and streaks, and is rather encrusted. It is very common in Egypt. There is a species of granite, that is of a white and violet color; and another which is green mixed with white. The most ordinary kind has grey and green spots scattered over a greyish white.

Columns 40 feet high have been seen in Egypt which consisted wholly of one piece of granite. The Egyptian Pyramids are made of that marble; such indeed is the quantity said to exist about the country, that some authors imagine the whole extent of its foundation to be a solid rock of granite. The French distinguish this sort of stone by calling it marbre granit and marbre granitelle. In natural history it is generally called granita, being a distinct genus of stones composed of separate and very large concretions rudely compacted together, of great hardness and capable of receiving a very fine and beautiful polish.

GRANOIR, Fr. a term used in the French artillery, to signify a sort of sieve, in which there are small round holes for moist powder to be passed through, in order to make the grains perfectly round.

GRAPE shot. See Shot.

GRAPHOMETER, (graphometre, Fr.) among surveyors, an instrument for taking angles, and generally called a semi-circle. In mathematics it serves to measure heights and elevations, to raise plans, &c.

GRAPPLING. The French call it grapin, herisson, risson, or harpeau; it is a sort of small anchor, with four or five flukes or arms, commonly used to ride a boat.

Grappling-irons, in the art of war, are composed of 4, 5, or 6 branches, bent round and pointed, with a ring at the root, to which is fastened a rope to hold by, when the grapple is thrown at any thing, in order to bring it near, so as to lay hold of it.

Fire Grappling, an instrument which nearly resembles the above, only that it is fitted with strong barbs instead of flukes, and is fixed at the yard arms of a fire-ship to grapple her adversary, and set her on fire. The French call this instrument grapin de brulôt.

GRAS-bois, Fr. in carpentry, a term to signify any piece of wood which is too large to fit the place it was intended to fill, and which must necessarily be diminished. Hence the expression dêmaigrir, to thin.

GRASS, (gramen,) in botany a general name for most of the herbaceous plants used in feeding cattle.

Grass plats, green walks which for the most part are made by laying turfs or green sods.

GRATICULER, Fr. to divide with a pencil on a sheet of paper, any design or drawing into small equal squares, in order to reduce the original sketch or picture, or to enlarge it by the same process. This word is derived from the Italian, graticola, a gridiron.

GRATIFICATION, Fr. In a general acceptation of the term, this word meant, among the French, certain rewards which generals gave to the troops, after a severe engagement, in testimony of their valor and good conduct. These rewards were distributed according to rank. This custom was prevalent in the most ancient times. According to Vegetius, all monies distributed by the Romans, as military gratifications or rewards, were deposited in the ensign or standard-bearer’s hands, to be occasionally given to the soldiers. Sometimes the generals gave directions, that a certain proportion should be sequestered or put apart. By degree, a fund was collected; and the temptations to desert lost their influence in the superior attachment which every soldier felt to his standard, whose bearer was the trustee of his little property, and to whom he was consequently bound by one of the most powerful ties of the human heart—self interest.

By gratification was likewise meant the accumulation of a certain sum, which was deposited for the specific purpose of burying a deceased soldier.

Gratification signified, among the French, in a more extended sense of the word, a public reward given to a body of soldiers on the recommendation of a general, for some signal act of bravery in the day of battle. When this happened the soldiers had a certain sum of money distributed amongst them, and the officers received annual pensions.

Gratification likewise means a certain allowance in money which is made to prisoners of war. The British officers in France have been allowed 6d. per day, and the non-commissioned and soldiers 1¹⁄₂d. the officers have also 1s. 6d. in lieu of rations.

GRATTER un Vaisseau, Fr. to clean or careen a ship.

Gratter en maconnerie, Fr. to restore the original appearance of a wall or building by grating the superficies with a trowel, or any other iron instrument.

GRAVEURS, Fr. Persons employed and paid by the founders of cannon for repairing damaged pieces of artillery. Some individual, however, was distinguished by the name of Graveur de l’Artillerie, Engraver to the Artillery, and was permitted, by the Grand Master of the Ordnance, to exhibit over his shop-door the arms of the royal artillery.

GRAVITY.—Table of the Specific gravity of several Solid and Fluid bodies.

Platina 23400

Fine gold 19640

Standard gold 18888

Quick silver 11325

Fine silver 11091

Standard silver 10535

Copper 9000

Copper halfpence 8915

Gun metal 8784

Cast brass 8000

Steel 7850

Iron 7645

Cast iron 7425

Tin 7320

Crystal glass 3150

Marble 2700

Common green glass 2600

Flint 2570

Common stone 2520

Clay 2160

Brick 2000

Common earth 1984

Nitre 1900

Ivory 1825

Brimstone 1810

Solid gunpowder 1745

Sand 1520

Coal 1250

Boxwood 1030

Sea water 1030

Common water 1000

Oak 925

Gunpowder, close stacken 937

Do. in loose heap 836

Ash 800

Maple 755

Elm 600

Fir 550

Charcoal

Cork 240

Air 1.232

The several sorts of wood are supposed dry.

This table also contains the weight of a cubic foot of each body in avoirdupois ounces; from whence results the following rules:

1. To find the magnitude of any body from its Weight.

As the tabular specific gravity of the body,

Is to its weight in avoirdupois ounces.

So is one cubic foot, or 1728 cubic inches,

To its contents in feet or inches respectively.

2. To find the weight of a body from its magnitude.

As one cubic foot, or 1728 cubic inches,

Is to the content of the body,

So is the tabular specific gravity

To the weight of the body.

GRAVOIS, Fr. rubbish.

GREAT fortification. One of the divisions of the first system of M. de Vauban.—It consists in a fortification whose exterior side is from 185 to 260 toises, or from 370 to 520 yards, and is seldom adopted but towards a river or a marsh.

Great radius. The whole oblique radius. See Fortification.

GRECIAN fire, feu Gregeois, Fr. a sort of artificial fire, which insinuates itself beyond the surface of the sea, and which burns with increased violence when it mixes with that element. Its directions are contrary to the course of natural fire; for the flames will spread themselves downwards, to the right or left, agreeably to the movement that is given. It is composed or made up of naphtha, sulphur, bitumen, gum and pitch; and it can only be extinguished by vinegar mixed with urine and sand, or with undressed leather or green hides. Some writers assert, that it was invented by an engineer (belonging to Heliopolis, a town in Syria,) whose name was Gallinicus, and who used it with so much skill and effect during a naval engagement, that he destroyed a whole fleet belonging to the enemy, upon which were embarked 30,000 men. This combustible matter has retained the name of Grecian fire, because the Greeks first practised the invention. It is asserted indeed, that the secret of making Grecian fire, which should be unextinguishable, has been long since lost; we say unextinguishable, because the ancients did nor know, as we do, how to repress or put out the flame.

According to the author of Oeuvres Militaires, a powerful composition, which could only be extinguished by strong vinegar (a secret unknown to the ancients) might be made of the following combustible materials: viz. pitch, rosin, tallow, camphor, turpentine, salt of nitre, liquid varnish, oil of sulphur, linseed, rock oil, flax, charcoal finely pulverized; the whole of which being boiled together, and before it grows cold, mixed with quick lime: a consistence is formed that will be susceptible of the most subtle and destructive fire.

GRENADES, -

GRANADES or

GRENADOES,

in the art of war, are hollow balls or shells of iron or other metal, about 2¹⁄₂ inches diameter, which being filled with fine powder, are set on fire by means of a small fuse, driven into the fuse-hole, made of well seasoned beech wood, and formerly thrown by the grenadiers into places where men stood thick, and particularly into the trenches and other lodgments made by the enemy. As soon as the composition within the fuse gets to the powder in the grenade, it bursts into many pieces, greatly to the injury of all who happen to be in its way. Grenades were first made about the time shells were invented (which see) and first used in 1594. Grenades have much sunk into disuse; but nothing is more effectual than grenades thrown into the midst of the enemy, who have jumped into the ditch. During the siege of Cassel, under the Count de Lippe, in the campaign of 1762, a young engineer undertook to carry one of the outworks, with a much smaller detachment than had before attempted it without success. He gained his object with ease, from the use of grenades; which is a proof that they should not be neglected, either in the attack or defence of posts.

Grenade, grenade, Fr. There is a sort of grenade which is thrown out of a mortar.

It is sometimes used for the purpose of annoying the besieging enemy; in which case quantities are rolled down the rampart into the fossé, or ditch, upon the workmen or miners.

A grenade resembles a bomb or shell, with this only difference, that the grenade has not any handles to it.

There are some grenades, called grenades à main hand-grenades, whose calibre is equal to that of a four pounder. The charge is from five to six ounces of gunpowder, or thereabouts. They are extremely serviceable on many occasions: but particularly so to throw among the men that are working in the trenches; numbers of whom they must inevitably wound. The vent of a hand-grenade contains about six lines, or half an inch.

The following proportions belonged to grenades, according to their several diameters in former times; they have been much improved.

Grenades whose calibre is equal to that of a 33 pounder, contain about 6 French inches or more diameter, 8 lines in thickness, and 16 pounds in weight.

Grenades whose calibre is equal to that of a 24 pounder, contain 5 French inches 5 lines diameter, six lines in thickness, and 12 pounds in weight.

Grenades whose calibre is equal to that of a 16 pounder, contain 4 French inches 9 lines diameter, 5 lines in thickness and 8 pounds in weight.

Those that weigh 6 pounds, have 3 French inches 5 lines diameter, and are 5 lines thick.

Those that weigh 5 pounds, have 3 French inches 2¹⁄₄ lines diameter, and are 5 lines thick.

Those that weigh 3 pounds, have 2 French inches 8 lines diameter, and are 4¹⁄₂ lines thick.

Those that weigh 2 pounds, have 2 French inches 4 lines diameter, and are 4 lines thick.

Those that weigh 1 pound, have 1 French inch ten lines diameter, and are 3 lines thick.

Those that weigh three quarters of a pound, have 1 French inch 8 lines diameter, and are 3 lines thick.

Those that weigh half a pound, have 1 French inch 8 lines diameter, and are 3 lines thick.

Those that weigh a quarter of a pound, have 1 French inch 6 lines diameter, and are 2¹⁄₂ lines thick.

These proportions were formerly attended to in the old French service, with occasional deviations from the strict measurement of the lines; as it was supposed to be of little consequence whether the grenades fitted the mortars exactly. It was, indeed, generally thought advisable to adapt their sizes, so that they might be thrown out without the least resistance or compression.

Grenades were directed to be thicker at the breech than elsewhere, in proportion to their several diameters.

Durtubie, in his Manuel de l’Artilleur, gives the following succinct account of grenades. That writer observes, “that besides bombs or shells, and howitzers, hollow vessels made of iron in globular shapes, which are called grenades, are frequently used; gunpowder is poured in through the cavity or vent, called in French lumiere, into which a fuse loaded with a composition of combustible materials is introduced.”

There are two sorts of grenades. Those distinguished by the name of grenades de rampart, are rolled from the top of the parapet into the ditch; they are equal in calibre to that of a 33 and a 16 pounder; and they weigh 16, 11, and 8 ounces.

The other species is called grenades à main. These are thrown into the covert way, and the trenches, &c. Their calibre is that of a 4 pounder, and they weigh 2 pounds. The ordinary thickness of grenades is four lines throughout.

It will occur to our military readers, that by this account a considerable alteration has taken place in the casting of grenades, as the intermediate differences have been consolidated; hand-grenades, instead of being thicker at the breach, are uniformly of the same consistency. It cannot, however, be thought superfluous to preserve an account of the original dimensions.

GRENADES—Hand grenades may be thrown to the distance of 13 fathoms. For their dimensions see the word Shell.

Grenades Turques. Fr. Turkish grenades. A sort of grenade which is made by the Turks. Their grenades are extremely defective, and do little execution.

GRENADIER, -

GRANADIER,

a foot soldier armed with firelock, bayonet, and in some services with a hanger; grenadiers carry, besides their arms, a cartridge box that will hold 36 rounds. They are always the tallest and stoutest men, consequently the first upon all attacks. Every battalion of foot in the British army has generally a company of grenadiers belonging to it, which takes the right of the battalion. Grenadiers were first instituted in France in 1667, by having 4 or 5 to each company; but in the year 1670, they were formed into companies, and in 1685, were first known in the British service.

Horse Grenadiers, called by the French grenadiers volans, or flying grenadiers, are such as are mounted on horseback, but fight both on foot and horseback. They were first established in France by Lewis XIV. in 1676, and formed into squadrons.

Grenadiers auxiliaries, Fr. Auxiliary grenadiers. During a siege, and when a place was closely invested, a certain number of grenadiers were chosen out of the battalions belonging to the trenches, for the purpose of making head against the besieged, whenever they might risk a sally, or insult the works. It was the peculiar duty of these men to stand forward on every occasion, to set fire to the gabions attached to the batteries, and to crush every attempt which might be made by the garrison to annoy the men that were posted in the trenches, &c.

It was customary among the French to increase the number of those grenadiers, who went first into danger and did the duty of the trenches. These were called grenadiers postiches, or extra grenadiers.

Grenadieres, ou Gibernes, the bags or haversacks which hold the grenades. They were worn like powder-flasks.

GRENIER, Fr. (mettre en grenier.) To stow any thing loosely.

GRENOIR. Fr. (Une espece de crible.) A sort of sieve through which gunpowder was passed, and formed into grains of different sizes.

GREVE, Fr. Any flat space of ground on the bank of a river, or near the sea. A place in Paris is so called, where during the old government of France, all criminals were executed. Greve is also used to signify the gallows.

Greve, Fr. armor, or covers for the legs. They were anciently worn by the French; and generally consisted of a piece of steel or stiff leather, which protected the front part of the leg.

GRIFFE, Fr. means literally a claw, but in a military sense, as accepted by the French, it signifies an iron instrument which is made like a hook, and is used by miners to pick out the small stones that are incorporated with cement, &c.

GRIGNON, Fr. broken biscuit.

GRISONS, a people formerly in alliance with the British but since annexed to Swisserland. They inhabit the mountainous parts of the Alps in Italy, and supported a well organised army, called the army of the Grisons, under general Macdonald during the war.

GROS, Fr. A body of soldiers; a detachment. The French frequently say—Un gros de cavalerie, a body of cavalry; un gros d’infanterie, a body of infantry.

GROUND. The field or place of action.

Ground-work, in military architecture. See Foundation.

Ground arms, an old word of command on which the soldiers laid down their arms upon the ground.

This word of command has been exploded since the introduction of the new exercise. Soldiers are now ordered to pile or stack arms.

To take Ground. A battalion or company is said to take ground when it extends in any given direction. This term is likewise used in duelling, as—They took their ground at eight or ten paces from one another.

GRUE, Fr. A crane. It is frequently used in the embarkation and debarkation of cannon, &c.

GUARANTEE. Any person or power who undertakes for the performance of any stipulations agreed on between two other powers or parties.

GUARD, in the military art, is a duty performed by a body of men to secure an army or place from being surprised by an enemy. In garrison the guards are relieved every day; hence it comes that every soldier mounts guard once every three or four days in time of peace, and much oftener in time of war. See Honors.

Guards, also imply the troops kept to guard generals and other public officers, and sometimes consist of both horse and foot.

Horse-grenadier Guards. The first troop was raised in the year 1693 in England; the second in 1702. Each troop had a colonel, lieutenant colonel, 1 guidon or major, three exempts and captains, 3 lieutenants, 1 adjutant, 3 cornets, and 60 private men, they have been abolished.

British life Guards. In consequence of the reduction of the horse grenadier guards, two regiments have been raised for the specific purpose of guarding the metropolis, and of royal escorts. They are generally called the first and second life-guards. Each regiment consists of six troops of 53 men and 1 kettle drum.

Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. This regiment which is commonly called the Oxford Blues, from having originally been raised by the earl of Oxford, consists of nine troops.

Yeomen of the Guards, a kind of foot guards to the British king’s person, and are generally called by a nick-name—the beefeaters. They were first raised by Henry VII. in the year 1485, consisting of 250 men of the first rank, under gentry, and of a larger stature than ordinary, each being required to be 6 feet high. At present there are but 100 on constant duty, and 70 more not on duty; and when any one of the 100 dies, his place is supplied out of the 70. They go dressed after the manner of Henry VIII.’s time. Their pay is 2 shillings and 6 pence per day.

Foot Guards, are regiments of foot appointed for the guard of the British king and his palace, and for general service. There are three regiments of them, called the 1st, 2d, and 3d regiment of foot-guards. They were raised in the year 1660. The first regiment is at present commanded by 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant colonel, 3 majors, 27 captains, 1 captain-lieutenant, 62 lieutenants, 24 ensigns, and 3 adjutants, and consists of 3 battalions. The second regiment, or Coldstream, has 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant colonel, 2 majors, 16 captains, 1 captain lieutenant, 42 lieutenants, 14 ensigns, and 2 adjutants, and consists of two battalions. The third regiment is the same as the second. The first regiment of French guards was raised in the reign of Charles IX. in the year 1563.

Imperial Guards, the name of a body of select troops organised by the French emperor, which greatly distinguished themselves at the battle of Austerlitz.

Trench Guard only mounts in the time of a siege, and consists sometimes of 3, 4, or 6 battalions, according to the importance of the siege. This guard must oppose the besieged when they sally out, protect the workmen, &c.

Provost Guard, is always an officer’s guard that attends the provost in his rounds, to prevent desertion, marauding, rioting, &c. See Provost.

Guard-magazine. See Store-Keeper.

Advanced Guard, is a party of either horse or foot, or both, that marches before a more considerable body, to give notice of any approaching danger. These guards are either made stronger or weaker, according to the situation or danger that may be apprehended from the enemy, or the country you are to march through.

Van Guard. See Advanced Guard.

Artillery Guard, is a detachment from the army to secure the artillery when in the field. Their corps de garde is in the front of the artillery park, and their sentries distributed round it. This is generally a 48-hours guard; and upon a march this guard marches in the front and rear of the artillery, and must be sure to leave nothing behind. If a gun or waggon breaks down, the officer that commands the guard is to leave a sufficient number of men to assist the gunners and aids in getting it up again.

Artillery quarter-Guard, is frequently a non-commissioned officer’s guard from the regiment of artillery, whose corps de garde is always in the front of their encampment.

Artillery rear-Guard, consists in a corporal and 6 men, posted in the rear of the park.

Corps de Guard, are soldiers entrusted with the guard of a post, under the command of one or more officers. This word also signifies the place where the guard mounts.

Counter Guard. See Fortification.

Grand Guard. A guard composed of three or four squadrons of horse, commanded by a field officer, posted about a mile, or a mile and a half from the camp, on the right and left wings, towards the enemy, for the better security of the camp.

Forage Guard, a detachment sent out to secure the foragers, who are posted at all places, where either the enemy’s party may come to disturb the foragers, or where they may be spread too near the enemy, so as to be in danger of being taken. This guard consists both of horse and foot, who must remain on their posts till the foragers are all come off the ground.

Main Guard, is that from whence all other guards are detached. Those who are for mounting guard assemble at their respective private parades, and march from thence to the general parade in good order, where, after the whole guard is drawn up, the small guards are detached to their respective posts: then the subalterns cast lots for their guards, who are all under the command of the captain of the main guard. This guard mounts in garrison at different hours, according to the pleasure of the governor.

Picquet Guard, a good number of horse and foot, always in readiness in case of an alarm: the horses are generally saddled all the time, and the riders booted.

The foot draw up at the head of the battalion, frequently at the beating of the tat-too; but afterwards return to their tents, where they hold themselves in readiness to march upon any sudden alarm. This guard is to make resistance, in case of an attack, until the army can get ready.

Baggage Guard, is always an officer’s guard, who has the care of the baggage on a march. The waggons should be numbered by companies, and follow one another regularly; vigilance and attention in the passage of hollow-ways, woods, and thickets, must be strictly observed by this guard.

Ordinary Guards, such as are fixed during the campaign, or in garrison towns, and which are relieved daily.

Extraordinary Guards, or detachments, such as are only commanded on particular occasions; either for the further security of the camp, to cover the foragers, or for convoys, escorts, or expeditions.

Soldiers are sometimes ordered to take extraordinary guards, as a punishment for slight misconduct.

Quarter Guard, is a small guard commanded by a subaltern officer, posted in the front of each battalion, at 200 feet or more before the front of the regiment.

Rear Guard, that part of the army which brings up the rear on a march, generally composed of all the old grand-guards of the camp.

The rear guard of a party is frequently 8 or 10 horse, about 500 paces behind the party. Hence the advanced guard going out upon a party forms the rear guard in a retreat.

Rear Guard, is also a corporal’s guard placed in the rear of a regiment, to keep good order in that part of the camp.

Standard Guard, a small guard under a corporal, which is taken out of each regiment of horse, and mounts on foot in front of each regiment, at the distance of 20 feet from the streets, opposite to the main street.

To be upon Guard. See Mounting Guard.

To relieve Guard. See Relieve.

Turn out the Guard. A phrase used when it is necessary for the guard to form for the purpose of receiving a general or commanding officer; on the approach of an armed party; on the beat of drum or sound of trumpet, or any alarm.

Port Guard. A guard detached from the main guard. All officers on port or detached guards are to send a report, night and morning, to the captain of the main guard, and at all other times, when any thing extraordinary occurs. Those who command at the ports are to draw up the bridges, or shut the barriers, on the approach of any body of armed men, of which they are to give notice to the officer of the main guard, and not to suffer any of them to come into the garrison, without leave from the governor or commander.

Out Guards. Under this head may not improperly be considered outposts, advanced picquets, and detachments. The duties of outposts are so various as usually to require detailed instructions according to circumstances. The following directions are generally applicable, and must be strictly attended to should there be any occasion for it to act upon home-service. The duty of outposts, &c. is chiefly confined to light troops, who are occasionally assisted and relieved by the line. They are always, in that case, under the immediate direction of some general. But when circumstances render it necessary, that this duty should be done from the line, the outposts fall under the command of the officers of the day, unless some particular officer be put in orders for that specific command.

All outguards march off without trumpets sounding, or drums beating. They pay no compliments of any kind; neither do their sentries take any complimentary notice of officers passing near their posts. No guards are to presume to stop any persons coming to camp with provisions (unless they be particularly ordered so to do,) and are on no account to exact or receive any thing for their free passage.

Any officer, trumpeter, or other person, who comes from an enemy’s camp, is to be secured by the first guard he arrives at, till the commander in chief’s, or the general’s pleasure is known. When a deserter comes in from the enemy, the officer commanding a post, or guard, at which he arrives, is immediately to send him under a proper escort, (without permitting him to be delayed or examined, or any questions asked him) to the officer commanding the outposts, who, after inquiring whether he brings any intelligence immediately relating to his own post, will forward him to head-quarters.

The sentries on the outposts are always to be doubled. No officers, soldiers, or followers of the camp, are on any account to be suffered to pass the outposts, without they are on duty, or present a regular pass from head-quarters.

The men on advanced picquets are to carry their provisions with them, ready cooked, when circumstances will permit. The cavalry to carry sufficient forage for the time they are to be out.

It is the duty of officers on all guards to inspect every relief of sentries, both when they go on, and come off their posts; to call the rolls frequently, and by every means in their power to keep the men under their command in the most perfect state of vigilance and preparation.

Officers commanding outposts are to send guides, or orderly men, to the major of brigade of the day, or to the brigade-major of their own brigades, as circumstances require, in order to conduct the new guards, and to carry such orders as may be necessary.

When the army is on a march, the officers must apprize the brigade-majors of the situation of their posts, as soon as they arrive at them. All detachments of brigades, which are ordered to march immediately, are to be taken from the picquets, and replaced directly from the line.

Whenever detachments exceed 200 men, or upwards, a surgeon or surgeon’s mate is to be sent from the corps of the officer who commands. On particular duties, the attendance of a surgeon or mate may be requisite with smaller detachments. Detachments of cavalry, of 50 or upwards, will be attended by a farrier.

As soon as an officer commanding an outpost, or advanced picquet, (whether of cavalry or infantry) arrives on his ground, he must endeavor to make himself master of his situation, by carefully examining, not only the space he actually occupies, but the heights within musquet-shot; the roads and paths leading to or near his post, ascertaining their breadth and practicability for cavalry and cannon. He should examine the hollow ways that cover the approach of an enemy; and, in short, consider all the points from which he is most likely to be attacked, either by cavalry or infantry. He will, by these means, be enabled to take measures to prevent the possibility of being surprized; and should he be attacked during the night, from the previous knowlege he has obtained of the ground, he will at once form a just estimate of the nature of the attack, and make his arrangements for defence with promptitude and decision. In order to convey the same alacrity to his men, and to prepare the most inexperienced for sudden and unexpected attacks, an officer upon an outpost will do well to put them upon the alert, by skilfully occasioning false alarms. But these must not be often repeated, nor when practised be made known to his men as having proceeded from himself; since supineness and inactivity might by degrees be the consequence of such a discovery.

An intelligent officer upon an outpost, even unprovided with entrenching tools, will materially strengthen his post, when the unobserver would remain inactive.

A tree felled with judgment; brushwood cut to a certain distance; pointed stakes, about breast high, placed on the points most assailable by an enemy, may be attended with the greatest advantages, and can be effected with the common hatchets, which the men carry to cut fire-wood. In short, every impediment which an officer, acting on the defensive, can throw in an enemy’s way, ought to be scrupulously attended to. Independently, therefore, of the means which he adopts for the immediate protection of his posts, he must look beyond that point; and as nothing checks the ardour of troops more than an unexpected obstacle, within an hundred yards, more or less, of the place attacked, he must, on his arrival at the outpost, throw up some temporary impediment at that distance. See Am. Mil. Library.

Mounting Guards. It is indispensibly necessary, that every officer should know how to mount and come off guard.

All guards parade with ordered arms, and unfixed bayonets, without any intervals between them, the ranks open. The officer brings the guard to a shoulder; and the officers with their swords drawn, and non-commissioned officers commanding guards, are formed about forty paces in front of the centre, in two ranks, facing the line, where they are to receive the old parole and such orders as may be given them.

The major or commanding officer gives the word of command.

“Officers and non-commissioned officers—Take post in front of your respective guards!—Outward face—March!”

As soon as they have taken post, fronting their respective guards, the word of command will be given—

“Officers and non-commissioned officers—to your guards—March!—Front!—Halt!”

“Officers and non-commissioned officers, inspect your guards!”

The several officers and non-commissioned officers then inspect their guard as quick as possible. When there is a captain’s guard, each officer is to take a rank, the serjeants accompanying them.

As soon as the inspection is over, the adjutant goes down the line and receives the report of each guard; the officers return to their posts; and the major, or commanding officer, commands—“Fix bayonets!—Shoulder!”

When the colours are brought on the parade, the drum is beat; and the drummer’s call on the right.

The captain will face inwards, and the lieutenant and ensign will face to the right, and march, quick time, to the head of the grenadiers. The captain goes to the head of the right of his remaining men. The field officer then orders the grenadiers to close their ranks, and to march off in quick time, the lieutenant being three paces advanced in front of his men, and the ensign one. The colours are received as usual. And the color party on their arrival on the left flank of the guards, will file at the slow time, through the ranks: the lieutenant, and the colors, in front of the front rank. The guards are to march off at the slow time, and by divisions, taking care, that when they open their ranks, the front rank of each keeps its exact distance from the front rank preceding it. When there are more officers than one belonging to the same guard, the second in rank is to take post, and to march past the commanding officer on the parade, at the head of the last division, instead of being in the rear of it. When there is an officer, senior to the field officer of the day, on the parade, the guards are to march by and salute him: the field officer of the day, in that case, marching at their head.

Guard-rooms. The following articles should properly come under the heads of furniture and utensils.

Cavalry and infantry Guard-rooms are allowed a water bucket, candlestick, tin can for drink, and drinking cups; they are also allowed fire irons, and coal tray.

The rooms of the quarter-masters and serjeants of cavalry, and the serjeant-major and quarter-master serjeant of infantry, to be furnished with the necessary bedding and utensils in the same manner as is allowed to the soldiers’ rooms.

Guard, in fencing, implies a posture proper to defend the body from the sword of the antagonist.

The word guard is seldom applied among small swordsmen to any position but those of carte and tierce, the other motions of defence are stiled parades. See Fencing.

Guards of the broad sword. The positions of defence adopted with that weapon are generally termed guards, and may be comprised under the inside guard, half-circle guard, hanging guard, half-hanging guard, medium guard, outside guard, St. George’s guard, and spadroon guard. See Broad-sword.

Prepare to Guard, in the cavalry sword exercise, is performed by bringing the extremity of the sword-hilt up to the pit of the stomach, with the back of the hand outwards; the blade of the sword to be carried perpendicularly, with the flat in front of the left eye. From this position the guard is taken by darting the sword hand smartly forward towards the left ear of the antagonist.

Guard, in the cavalry sword exercise, is used to denote one particular position, which consists in homing the sabre nearly horizontal across the face, the point rather higher than the hilt, the sword-hand directed towards the left ear of the antagonist. Although this be peculiarly denominated guard, yet it is not to be considered as a position calculated to meet every sort of attack, or an eligible position to charge an enemy; but as the central point from which the requisite change for attack or defence may be effected. The other position of defence in the cavalry exercise are stiled Protects.

GUASTADOURS, Fr. Turkish pioneers. Armenians and Greeks are generally employed in the Turkish armies, to do the fatigue-work that is necessary for the formation of a camp, or for conducting a siege.

GUDDA, an Indian term for a fool, a small fort erected upon a hill or eminence; it means literally an ass, metaphorically a fool.

GUDGE, an Indian measure 24 inches long.

GUERITE, Fr. Centry box, small turret. In fortified towns there are several small turrets of this denomination, which are sometimes made of wood and sometimes built with stone. They are generally fixed on the acute points of bastions and centinels are posted within them, for the purpose of watching the ditch, and of preventing any surprize in that quarter.

Those used upon the continent of Europe, particularly in France, contain from 3 to 4 French feet diameter within, and are 7 or 8 feet high. Their general shape or figure is round, pentagonal, hexagonal, &c.

There are apertures made on every side, through which the centinel can observe every thing that passes in the ditch. A path about 2 or 3 feet broad is cut through the parapet and the banquette, up to the entrance of the guerite. Wooden guerites are generally used where the rampart is lined with turf only.

The spots best adapted for guerites, are at the flanked angles of bastions, and at the angles of epaulements. Sometimes indeed, they are placed in the centre of the curtains. They must jut out at the point of the angle, and the ground floor should be upon a line with the cordon, which is a sort of fillet or trace that marks the separation of the rampart from the parapet. They must likewise project far enough to afford the centinel who is within, a full view of the faces, the flanks and the curtains, and, if possible, a thorough command of all the ditches.

Gagner la Guerite, Fr. A familiar phrase to express the escape of a person.

Enfiler la Guerite, Fr. To avoid the pursuit of another.

GUERRE, Fr. War; which see.

The word guerre is indeed so frequently used among the French, that we shall not be thought too minute in specifying some general terms under that head. The principal ones are,

Guerre civile, Fr. See Civil War.

Homme de Guerre, Fr. a military man.

Nom de Guerre, Fr. a war name; a borrowed name; it was formerly common to assume a nom de guerre on entering the French army.

Petite Guerre, Fr. a harrassing species of warfare. A contest for plunder.

Place de Guerre, Fr. a fortified town or place.

Faire la Guerre à l’œil, in a figurative sense, signifies to watch stedfastly, and without taking off the eye from a particular object.

A la guerre comme á la Guerre. A familiar expression among the French, which implies, that things must be taken as they come.

On ne fait la Guerre que pour faire enfin la paix. War, after all, must end in peace.

La guerre nourrit la Guerre, figuratively means, that an army always subsists at the expence of the country in which it lies.

GUERRE de Secours, Fr. war of alliance or confederacy. This term is more especially applicable to that species of contest in which neighboring princes or countries embark to defend those with whom they are in alliance, against the aggression or exorbitant demands of a conqueror.

If such a contest or war be entered into upon the faith of settled treaties, the parties are bound not only to supply the stipulated number of soldiers, but even to augment their quota, if necessity should require, and sometimes to march in person against the common enemy.

If the object be to prevent any adjacent country from falling into the hands of a conqueror, who might afterwards molest the contracting party, the latter should observe many precautions before he withdraws from the contest; the principal one is to demand the possession of some strong places upon the frontiers, to prevent the inhabitants of the country that is attacked from making a separate peace.

The general selected to command an auxiliary army must be endued with wisdom and foresight. He must be wise and intelligent in order to preserve discipline and good order among his troops: and have foresight to provide for the wants of his army in a strange country, and to see that the men are not sent more into action than they ought, and that nothing is done contrary to the interest of his country.

Guerre de montagne, Fr. a war which is chiefly carried on in a mountainous part of the country. This species of warfare is extremely hazardous, as it cannot be pursued without a thorough knowlege of the country, and by means of able stratagems. Marshal Saxe, in his Reveries, lays it down as a rule, that no army or detachment must venture into passes or narrow ways, without having first secured the eminences round them; and if the enemy should defend the gorges or outlets, false attacks must be resorted to, in order to divert his attention from a real one which is made against a weak quarter. It frequently happens that bye-ways are found out, which have escaped the enemy’s observation, and through which detached bodies may penetrate for the purpose of turning his flanks. In a guerre de montagne, or mountain-contest, it is essentially necessary, that the advancing body should keep up a regular and safe communication with its rear, as well to secure a retreat if necessary, as to have a free intercourse with its convoys. See Am. Mil. Lib.

Guerre de chicane, Fr. See War of chicane or stratagem.

Guerre Sainte, Fr. a romantic expedition which was made by the Christians, against the Infidels in Palestine, for the purpose of re-conquering the Holy Land, from whence it was called holy war, or guerre sainte. See Crusade.

Foudre de Guerre, a figurative expression among the French, to mark the character of a man who has distinguished himself in battle, and is acknowleged to possess a superior degree of valor.

Flambeau de la Guerre, Fr. the torch of war. Any person who causes war to be carried on with violence and animosity is so called.

Aller à la petite Guerre, Fr. to go out in detached parties for the direct purpose of plundering an enemy’s country.

Faire bonne Guerre, Fr. to carry on hostilities with as much humanity as the laws of war will permit.

Faire bonne Guerre, à quelqu’un, Fr. to treat with a man decently, but vigorously, on matters that require explanation and final arrangement.

Guerre et pitié ne s’accordent pas ensemble, Fr. a French proverb, signifying war and commiseration seldom go hand in hand.

Guerre juste, Fr. a just and necessary war, that is a war of defence, such as the war of resistance against the British, from 1775 to 1783; the war of the French against the first coalition, in 1792.

Guerre injuste, Fr. an unjust war.

Longue Guerre, Fr. a long war.

Guerre étrangère, Fr. a foreign war.

Guerre d’outre mer, Fr. a war beyond the seas.

Gens de Guerre. See Gens.

Le metier de la Guerre, Fr. the profession of arms. Hence it is figuratively said, les Francois sont au fait du métier de la guerre de terre, et les Anglois sont au fait du métier de la guerre de mer. Frenchmen are at the top of the profession of arms on land, and Englishmen are unrivalled at sea.

Les lois de la Guerre, Fr. The laws of war.

Le droit de la Guerre, Fr. the rights of war.

Ruse de Guerre, Fr. a warlike stratagem.

En temps de Guerre, Fr. in time of war.

Munitions de la Guerre et de bouche, Fr. warlike stores, and provisions.

Préparatifs de Guerre, Fr. warlike preparations.

Place de Guerre, Fr. a fortified place.

Machine de Guerre, Fr. a warlike instrument or machine.

Conseil de Guerre, Fr. a council of war. It likewise means a court martial.

Vaisseau de Guerre, Fr. A ship of war.

Vaisseau armé en Guerre, Fr. an armed vessel.

C’est un grand homme de Guerre, Fr. he is a warlike character.

Les malheurs de la Guerre, Fr. the misfortunes of war.

Avoir Guerre, Fr. to commence hostilities.

Avoir la Guerre. Fr. to be in a state of warfare.

Les fruits de la Guerre, Fr. the fruits, or consequences of war.

Entreprendre la Guerre, Fr. to enter into a war.

Déclarer la Guerre, Fr. to declare war.

Soutenir la Guerre, Fr. to maintain the war.

Entretenir la Guerre, Fr. to support the war.

Ces deux princes sont en Guerre, Fr. these two potentates are at war.

Etre en Guerre ouverte, Fr. to be at open war.

Se faire la Guerre, Fr. to make war with one another.

Aller à la Guerre, Fr. to go to war.

Allumer la Guerre dans un ètat, Fr. to light up a war, or excite troubles in any state or country.

Porter la Guerre dans le cœur d’un pays, Fr. to carry war into the heart of a country.

Guerre entre les puissances egales, Fr. war between two powers which are nearly equal in point of strength, and do not act with auxiliary troops.

Qui terre a Guerre a, Fr. a French proverb, signifying, every man who has landed property is exposed to feuds and litigation.

GUERRIER, Fr. Warrior.

Un grand Guerrier, Fr. a great warrior.

Les plus fameux Guerriers, the most celebrated warriors.

It is also used as a substantive in the feminine gender, when speaking of an amazon; as, la vaillante guerriere.

Guerrier, Fr. as an adjective is variously used, viz. warlike, any thing appertaining to war.

Actions Guerrieres, Fr. warlike actions.

Travaux Guerriers, Fr. works of a military or warlike nature.

Exploits Guerriers, Fr. warlike exploits.

Courage Guerrier, Fr. a warlike disposition.

Humeur Guerriere, Fr. a warlike spirit or temper.

Nation Guerriere, Fr. a warlike nation.

Il a l’air Guerrier, Fr. he has a warlike look or appearance.

Il a la mine Guerriere, Fr. he has a warlike aspect.

GUERROYER, Fr. to make war.

GUERROYEUR, Fr. a warrior.

GUET, Fr. This term was particularly attached to those persons belonging to the French body-guards, that did duty during the night.

Guet de la mer, Fr. the watch which the inhabitants belonging to parishes, towns, or fortified places, situated on the sea coast, were bound to keep for its security. On occasions of this sort, the signal of alarm was made during the day by smoke, and during the night by lighted combustibles.

GUET, Fr. in a military sense, signifies rounds, or those duties of a soldier, or patroling party, which are prescribed for the security of a town, &c. and to prevent surprises.

Faire le Guet au haut du belfroi, Fr. to be put upon duty, or stand watch at the top of a church belfry.

Asseoir le Guet, Fr. to set the watch.

Poser le Guet, to post the watch.

Etre au Guet, Fr. to be upon the watch.

Guet à pied, Fr. foot patrole.

Guet à cheval, Fr. horse patrole.

Ce sont les bourgeois qui font le Guet, Fr. the inhabitants of the place go the rounds.

Cri au Guet, Fr. the hue and cry.

Le Guet vient de passer, the patrole has just passed.

Avoir l’œil au Guet, Fr. to be minutely watchful and observing.

Avoir l’oreille au Guet, Fr. to be listening for the direct purpose of acquiring information.

Maison de Guet, Fr. round-house.

Mot du Guet, Fr. watch-word.

Donner le mot de Guet, to give the watch-word.

Se donner le mot de Guet, Fr. to understand one another. In familiar intercourse it means likewise to play booty together.

Guet apens, Fr. Ambush; any premeditated design to injure another in a clandestine manner. The French frequently use this expression; as

Ce n’est point un rencontre ni un duel, c’est un Guet apens, Fr. it is neither an accidental meeting, nor a duel, it is a downright plot to murder him.

Droit du Guet et garde, Fr. a right which was formerly enjoyed in feudal France, by some lords of the manor, and by which they were authorised to call upon their vassals to watch and patrole for the security of their castles, and to silence the frogs.

GUETRE. See Gaiter.

Tirer vos Guetres, Fr. Go about your business: a familiar phrase which is used among the french, when a person is discarded, or turned away in a summary manner.

Il y a laissé ses Guetres, Fr. a figurative expression among French soldiers, signifying that a person died in such a place.

GUETRER, Fr. to put on gaiters.

GUETTE, Fr. a name given by the French carpenters to a stake that is fixed sideways and which serves for various purposes.

GUETTER, Fr. a familiar phrase, signifying to watch the motions of any body, for the purpose of circumvention or surprize.

Guetter likewise means to watch for a fit opportunity to get access to any person.

Il y a des sergens qui le Guettent, Fr. he is closely watched by some serjeants.

Le soldat Guettoit sou colonel pour lui presenter un placet, Fr. the soldier watched his colonel, in order to lay his petition before him.

GUEUSE, Fr. a rough piece of iron, which has been melted, and has not gone through any further process or purification.

GUICHET, Fr. a small door or outlet, which is made in the gates of fortified towns. It is generally four feet high, and two broad; so that a man must stoop to get through. In 1669, the high town of the city of Albuquerque, in Spain, escaped being surprized by means of one of these outlets. In garrison towns, the guichet is left open for the space of one quarter of an hour after the retreat, in order to give the inhabitants time to enter.

Guichet d’une porte d’écluse, an opening which is made in the gate of a sluice, and which closes by means of a flood-gate. It serves to let in water when wanted.

GUIDES, (guides, Fr.) are generally the country people in the neighborhood where an army encamps: they are to give you intelligence concerning the country, the roads by which you are to march, and the route by which the enemy may approach you. Guides should be faithful, because, in giving you false intelligence, or guiding you wrong, they may greatly endanger the army. Several guides are requisite, as every corps that marches by night should have one at least. There is sometimes a captain, or chief of the guides, who should be a man of intelligence, active, and attentive to the diligence and fidelity of his people. He should always have a sufficient number with him, and who are well acquainted with the country.

In time of war, particularly in the seat of it, the guides invariably accompany head-quarters, and a certain number is allotted not only to general officers, but to all detachments made from the main body, either for the purpose of combating the advanced posts of an enemy, of protecting escorts, or securing convoys. Guides, in an army, may be justly called its principal outsets. They are to a body of men what the eyes are to the human frame. They cannot, however, be too jealously watched.

Guides, the name given to the non-commissioned officers who take positions to mark the pivots, marches, formations, and alignements in modern discipline; it is expressed in French by the word jaloneur, from jalon a post. See Jalon.

Guides of manœuvre, the name given to those which the French call jaloneur, and the British markers. The use of guides, is perhaps one of the best conceived and ingenious methods which could be devised to perfect the art of manœuvring troops; and one of its happiest advantages is its fitness for raw or undisciplined troops, which by the aid of guides of manœuvre, may be brought to comprehend and execute every species of movement in company, platoons, divisions, or battalions, in one third of the time formerly required; and in a manner much more perfect than was formerly considered as the utmost excellence. See Am. Mil. Lib.

GUIDES, corps of, under the new French dynasty have a new organization of which we hear only by some decisive effects.

Corps des Guides, Fr. The corps of guides. This body was originally formed in France in the year 1756, and consisted of one captain, one 1st lieutenant, one 2d lieutenant, two serjeants, two corporals, one anspessade, and twenty privates, called fusiliers-guides.—Twelve out of the twenty-five (which was the effective number) were mounted. These consisted of one Serjeant, one corporal, and ten fusiliers. Their particular duty was to carry orders that required dispatch; and on this account they were always attached to head-quarters. The twelve fusiliers were mounted on small active horses, about four French feet, five or six inches high. They were supplied with a saddle, blue saddle-cloth trimmed with white, holster-caps the same; and they were armed with a fusil and cut-and-thrust bayonet, a pistol, sabre, with a cartouch-box, containing 20 rounds. They wore half-boots, or bottines.—Each man carried, moreover, one field utensil out of the twelve belonging to the company. These utensils consisted of four hatchets, four shovels, and four pick-axes. The thirteen fusilier guides on foot were armed with a fusil six inches shorter than the regular musquet, with a blade-bayonet and a cartouch-box, holding twenty rounds of ball cartridges. Their uniform was a blue coat, waistcoat, and breeches, with flat white metal buttons. The hat was bordered with common white lace for the soldiers, and of a superior quality for the serjeants; which latter had three silver brandenburgs hanging from each shoulder. The corporals had three made of white worsted, and the anspessade two ditto. The daily pay of the captain was 4 livres, or 6s. 8d., the 1st lieutenant 1 livre, 7 sols and 6 deniers, equal to 2s. 4d., the 2d lieutenant 1 livre, or 10d., each serjeant 13 sols, or 6¹⁄₂d., each corporal 10 sols, or 6d., each anspessade 8 sols, 6 deniers, or 4¹⁄₂d. and each private 6 sols, 6 deniers, or 3¹⁄₂d.

GUIDON, Fr. See Sight.

Guidon, in ancient military history, the name of a sort of standard broad at one extreme and almost pointed at the other, and slit or divided into two.