S. (continued 4)

These detachments should not continue out above six or eight hours, and consequently should never dismount. If there are any hussars in the quarters, they should be employed in these detachments preferably to any other troops, as they are better calculated to scour a country than heavy cavalry, or even dragoons; their horses being more in wind and less liable to be fatigued. It is, besides, the sort of war which is natural to hussars.

As soon as these detachments are returned, others should be sent out for the same purpose, as the quarters should never be uncovered in front. If these detachments hear any thing in the night, the commanding officer should send to discover what it is, and must afterwards convince himself of the truth of it: if it should be occasioned by troops, he will directly send an hussar to the commanding officer of one of the guards, if there are any in the front of the quarters; but if not, then to the commandant of the first quarter, who will apprise the general. He must conceal himself in some place, from whence, without being discovered, he will with greater ease be able to form a judgment of what is marching towards him; and when he shall be more confirmed that they are enemies, he will send a second hussar to give notice to the first post, who will inform the general; and will always continue to observe their motions by marching either on their flank, or before them. See Am. Mil. Lib.

To SURRENDER, (Rendre, Fr.) To give up a town, post, or other fortification, agreeably to articles, &c.

To Surrender, (Se rendre, Fr.) To lay down your arms, and give yourself up as a prisoner of war.

Surrender, (Reddition, Fr.) The act of giving up. As the surrender of a town or garrison.

Surrender of general Burgoyne, 17th October, 1777, at Saratoga.

Surrender of general Cornwallis 19th October, 1779, at Yorktown.

To SURROUND. In fortification, to invest. In tactics, to outflank and cut off the means of retreating.

Surrounded. Inclosed; invested. A town is said to be surrounded when its principal outlets are blocked up; and an army, when its flanks are turned, and its retreat cut off.

SURSOLID. The fourth multiplication or power of any number whatever taken as the root.

SURVEILLANCE, Fr. Inspection; superintendance; the act of watching. The substantive is new among the French, and comes from Surveiller, to watch.

SURVEY. A survey is an examination of any place or stores, &c. to ascertain their fitness for the purposes of war, &c.

SURVEYING. In military mathematics, the art or act of measuring lands; that is, of taking the dimensions of any tract of ground, laying down the same in a map or drawing, and finding the content or area thereof.

Surveying, called also geodæsia, is a very ancient art; it is even held to have been the first or primitive part of geometry, and that which gave occasion to, and laid the foundation of all the rest.

Surveying consists of three parts: the first is the taking of the necessary measures, and making the most necessary observations, on the ground itself: the second is, the laying down of these measures and observations on paper: and the third, the finding the area or quantity of ground there laid down. The first is what we properly call surveying; the second we call plotting, protracting, or mapping; and the third casting up.

The first, again, consists of two parts, viz. the making of observations for the angles, and the taking of measures for the distances. The former of these is performed by someone or other of the following instruments, viz. the theodolite, circumferenter, semi-circle, plain table, or compass. The latter is performed by means either of the chain, or perambulator.

The second branch of surveying is performed by means of the protractor, and plotting scale. The third, by reducing the several divisions, inclosures, &c. into triangles, squares, trapeziums, parallelograms, &c. but especially triangles; and finding the areas or contents or these several figures. See American Mil. Lib.

SURVEYOR of the Ordnance. See Ordnance.

SUSBANDE, Fr. The iron band or plate which covers the trunnion belonging to a piece of ordnance, or to a mortar, when either is fixed upon its carriage.

SUSPECT, Fr. A term adopted by the modern French to signify any person suspected of being an enemy, or indifferent to the cause of the revolution. Hence—Classe des suspects, Fr. The list of the suspected. Reputé suspect, Fr. Looked upon as a suspected person.

To SUSPEND, (Suspendre, Fr.) In a military sense to delay, to protract. Hence to suspend hostilities. It is likewise used to express the act of depriving an officer of rank and pay, in consequence of some offence. This sometimes happens by the sentence of a general court-martial, or by the summary order of the president through the secretary at war. In both cases it is usual for the commanding officer of the regiment to report him to the general of the district, by whom he is again reported to the commander in chief through the adjutant-general. He is then directed, by letter to the commanding officer of the regiment, to be suspended agreeably to the nature of the transgression. In a trifling case, he is only suspended from pay, and is respited accordingly upon the next muster roll for the government of the regimental agent. But when the offence is aggravated by palpable neglect, or obstinacy in not sending a satisfactory reason for his absence, (which can only be done by vouchers from the medical board, &c.) he is suspended from both rank and pay. So that to be suspended is either partially or generally to be deprived of the advantages of a military appointment.

To Suspend hostilities. To cease attacking one another.

SUSPENSION of Arms. A short truce that contending parties agree on, in order to bury their dead without danger or molestation; to wait for succours; or to receive instructions from a superior authority.

Suspension, as a military punishment, was probably intended to operate as pecuniary fining does in that of the common law; but (to use Mr. Sullivan’s words, in his treatise on martial law) it can neither be considered as deprivation or degradation. It does not divest an officer of his military character, though it puts him under a temporary incapacity to exercise the duties of his station: he still possesses his rank, though he does not reap any immediate advantage from it: It, in fact, may be looked upon and considered as borrowed from the ecclesiastical system of jurisdiction, which admitted suspension as a minor excommunication.

One stubborn difficulty, however, seems to present itself from suspension; and that is the article of pay and allowance. For if an officer shall have been suspended from the exercise of the authority annexed to his rank, and to have the pay of his allowance also suspended, he certainly seems warranted to plead such suspension in bar to the proceedings of a court-martial; there being always an implied contract between a soldier and his employer, that in consideration of certain pay and advantages granted by the one, the other shall submit to military discipline; and the obligation being mutual, when one fails in the performance of his part, he frees the other from the observance of his; therefore, when the pay and other advantages are suspended by the employer, the subjection to military discipline would seem also suspended. But this difficulty is easily removed, from the circumstances of the officer so suspended, still holding his commission; and from his submitting himself to the punishment which hath been inflicted on his transgression. The latitude of this principle hath even been seen to go farther, and under the sanction of such authority, that (since his majesty hath been graciously pleased to direct, in cases of doubt, members of a court-martial shall be guided by their consciences, the best of their understandings, and the custom of war in the like cases) it may be said to establish a precedent, which may with safety be appealed to. We here allude to the trial of lord George Sackville, who, at the time he was put upon the judgment of a general court-martial, had (so dear are the honor and reputation of a soldier) neither military employ nor commission under his majesty; and yet he was deemed entitled to an awful and solemn investigation of his conduct; application, indeed, having been previously made in his name, and he having declared himself willing to abide by the decision of the court. In a word, then, it may, without risking too much, be asserted, that an officer under suspension may be considered as strictly amenable to martial law for any trespass or transgression he shall commit. The same writer observes, in a preceding page, that suspension is a specific punishment, for a specific crime; but it is a punishment which does not free a man from his military obligations. On the contrary, he still is considered as in the service; he holds his commission, and at the expiration of the term of suspension, becomes a perfect man again. If therefore during the continuance of this chastisement, he should attempt to go over to the enemy, to desert, or hold treasonable correspondence, he certainly is, in such cases, to be dealt with according to martial law. Pages 86, 87, and 88, Thoughts on Martial Law.

The late Mr. Tytler, deputy judge advocate of North Britain, who has published an essay on military law, quotes the case of lord George Sackville, when he treats of officers under suspension, and agrees in every point with the author just referred to. Suspension, he observes, though it has the effect of depriving an officer for the time of his rank and pay, and putting a stop to the ordinary discharge of his military duties, does not void his commission, annihilate the military character, or dissolve that connection which exists between him and the sovereign, of whom he is a servant, He retains his commission, and is at all times liable to a call to duty, which would take off the suspension. See Essay on Military Law, pages 131, 132.

SUSTAIN. To sustain is to aid, succour, or support, any body of men in action, or defence.

SUTLER and Victualler maybe considered as synonimous terms as far as they relate to military matters; most especially when an army lies encamped, or rather takes the field. A sutler may be considered as one who follows the camp, and sells all sorts of provisions to the soldiers. There are also sutlers in garrison towns, who serve the soldiery, and are subject to military regulations.

Among the French, according to the present establishment of their army, a sutler is a soldier or inferior officer, who is authorised to follow head quarters, and to be constantly with the corps to which he is attached. He is permitted to sell the necessaries of life to the soldiers, and under certain restrictions, to deal in wines and spirituous liquors.

The sutlers are usually chosen from the regiments to which they belong, and are subordinate to the quarter-masters, after they have been appointed by the regimental committee or council of administration. They receive a licence enabling them to sell and buy, which licence must be approved of by the chief of the etat major, or staff of the division, in which the corps is stationed, or under which it acts.

The sutlers attending head-quarters are licensed by the quarter-master general. In order to distinguish them from adventitious travellers or pedlars, &c. it is wisely recommended by Paul Thiebault, author of a treatise upon the duties of an etat major, or staff in general, that they should have a particular number, which is to be engraved upon a tin plate, and constantly worn by them, as a mark of their being licensed by the quarter-master general.

When an army moves, the sutlers accompany the baggage. As many irregularities must naturally grow out of this necessary evil, the conduct of sutlers ought, at all times, to be narrowly watched, and severe penalties to be announced in general orders for every instance of unlawful depredation among the inhabitants, or of disorder in their booths. It is the duty of the piquet, at night, to be particularly watchful on this ground.

SUTURE. A manner of sewing or stitching, particularly of stitching wounds.

SWALLOW’S-tail. In fortification, an out-work, differing from a single tenaille, as its sides are not parallel, like those of a tenaille; but if prolonged, would meet and form an angle on the middle of the curtain; and its head or front composed of faces, forming a reentering angle. This work is extraordinarily well flanked, and defended by the works of the place, which discover all the length of its long sides, &c.

SWAMMIES, Ind. Pagan gods or idols.

SWAMP. See Marsh.

SWAY. The swing or sweep of a weapon. Likewise power, as military sway.

SWEEP-bar, of a waggon, is that which is fixed on the hind part of the fore guide, and passes under the hind pole, which slides upon it.

SWEEPING. A word which is peculiarly attached to one of the sections or clauses in the articles of war. Hence, Sweeping Clause.

Sweeping Clause or Section. This comprehensive clause states, that all crimes not capital, and all disorders and neglects, which officers and soldiers may be guilty of, to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, though not specified in any of the foregoing rules and articles, are to be taken cognizance of by a general or regimental court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offence, and to be punished at their discretion.

This wisely imagined clause serves as a check to the paltry tricks and subterfuges, which are sometimes resorted to by men who are not thoroughly soldiers. It frequently happens, even among officers, that the service is hurt and embarrassed by the ingenuity of evasive characters, who think they are safe, provided they do not glaringly transgress specific rules and regulations. Another advantage is likewise derived from this clause: It enables officers at a court-martial, in cases where the offence is manifestly felt but cannot be brought under any specific article, to do justice to the service by punishing the delinquent under an indisputable clause.

To SWINDLE, (Escroquer, Fr.) A cant word signifying to cheat; to impose upon the credulity of mankind, and thereby defraud the unwary, by false pretences, fictitious assumptions, &c. This criminal and unmanly practice oftentimes proves successful under the garb of a military dress and character, and sometimes under that of holy orders. The records of Bow-street are filled with pseudo-majors, captains, parsons, &c.

SWINDLER, (Escroc, Fr.) A sharper; a cheat. This word is evidently taken from the German Schwindler, which, we presume, comes from Schwindel, giddiness of thought; giddy pate. See J. J. Eschenburg’s English and German Dictionary, Part II. page 197. With us, however, it signifies a person who is more than thoughtless or giddy. We affix to the term the character of premeditated imposition; so that a swindler comes under the criminal code, and may be prosecuted accordingly. Swindlers almost always assume a military name. Perhaps the army might, in some degree, be rescued from these pretenders, were it ordered that no officer shall appear with any military badge unless he be regimentally dressed; and that when so dressed, he shall have the number of his regiment marked upon the button of his hat, &c.

SWING-tree of a waggon. The bar placed across the foreguide, to which the traces are fastened.

SWIVEL, (Pierrier, Fr.) A small piece of ordnance which turns on a pivot or swivel.

SWIVELS, (Tourniquets de fer, Fr.) commonly called Loop and Swivel, and Guard and Swivel. Two iron rings attached to a musquet, through which the sling passes.

SWORD. A weapon used either in cutting or thrusting. The usual weapon of fights hand to hand. It also signifies, figuratively, destruction by war; as fire and sword; à feu et à sang, Fr.

Broad Sword. The Spanish and Scots kind, sometimes called a Back Sword, as having but one edge: it is basket handled, and three feet two inches long.

Regulation SWORD. The sword which is worn by British officers may be properly called a long cut and thrust. It is a manifest imitation of the Austrian sword, and has been introduced this war. It is not however, so conveniently used by the British as it is by the Austrians. The latter have it girded round their waists, so that it hangs without any embarrassment to the wearer close to the left hip or thigh; whereas with the British it is suspended in an awkward diagonal manner from a cross belt over the loins, and is scarcely visible in front, except occasionally, when it is drawn, or gets between the officer’s legs, and sometimes trips him up when off duty. We could exemplify our ideas upon this subject by various known occurrences, such as the sword being suspended so much out of the grasp of the wearer, that his right hand has appeared to run after the hilt, which has as constantly evaded its reach by the left side bearing it off, in proportion as the right turned towards it; by officers being reduced to the necessity of applying to their serjeants, &c. to draw their swords, &c. but it is not our wish to turn any regulation into ridicule. It is, however, our duty, and the duty of all men who write for the public, to point out practical inconveniences, &c. Perhaps it may not be thought superfluous on this occasion to remark, that the sword ought not to be considered as a mere weapon of offence or defence in an officer’s hand; for unless that officer should be singly engaged, which scarcely ever happens upon service, the very notion of personal safety will take his mind off the superior duty of attending to his men. Officers, in fact, should always bear in mind, that they are cardinal points which direct others. Their whole attention should consequently be paid to their men, and not the slightest idea must interfere with respect to themselves. We are therefore convinced, with due deference to the superior judgment of others, that the swords of infantry officers, and of the staff in general, should be for service, sufficiently long to dress the leading files, &c. and extremely portable. Every officer ought to know the use of his sword, and there should be a fencing-master, or drill swordsman, for every company in the service, who should be armed with sabres or good cut and thrusts.

Position of the Sword at open Order. When an officer stands or marches in front of his company, &c. the position of the sword is diagonal across the chest, with the edge upward. At close order, or when the officer is on the flank of his company, &c. the hilt is close to the right thigh, and the blade in the hollow of the right shoulder, with the edge to the front. When mounted, he carries it diagonally across the bridle hand.

When troops or squadrons of cavalry advance:—In the walk, the sword is carried with the blade resting on the right arm; in the trot and gallop, the right hand must be steadied on the right thigh, the point of the sword rather inclining forward; and in the charge, the hand is lifted, and the sword is carried rather forward, and crossways in front of the head, with the edge outwards. See Am. Mil. Lib.

SWORDSMAN, (Homme d’épée, Fr.); This word was formerly used to signify a soldier, a fighting man. But at present it generally means a person versed in the art of fencing. Hence a good swordsman. The French use the terms Bretteur and Bretailleur. The former is more immediately applicable to a man who wears a sword and piques himself upon the exercise of it: the latter means a person who frequents fencing schools, and often exercises himself in that art.

SWORDED. Girt with a sword.

Sword-player. A gladiator; one who fences publicly.

Sword-belt. A belt made of leather, which hangs over the right shoulder of an officer, by which his sword is suspended on the left side.

Sword-bearer, (Porte épée, Fr.) One who wears a sword. It also signifies a public officer.

Sword-cutler, (Fourbisseur, Fr.) One who makes swords.

Sword-knot, (Nœud d’épée, Fr.) A ribband tied to the hilt of a sword. All officers should wear sword-knots of a peculiar color and make. They are made of blue silk and gold or silver.

SYCOPHANT. A dirty, mean, groveling creature that sometimes finds its way into the army, and gets to the ear of a superior officer, for the purpose of undermining the good opinion which honest valor and open manhood may have obtained.

SYEF, Ind. A long sword.

SYEF-ul Mulk, Ind. The sword of the kingdom.

SYMBOL. In a military sense, badge. Every regiment in the British service has its peculiar badge.

SYMBOLE, Fr. The French make use of this word in the same sense that they apply Enseigne. Symbole means with them, in a military sense, what badge does with us.

SYMMETRY, (Symmetrie, Fr.) A word derived from the Greek. True symmetry consists in a due proportion, or in the relation of equality in the height, length, and breadth of the parts, which are required to make a beautiful whole, or in an uniformity of the parts with respect to the whole.

SYRTES or sables mouvans, Fr. Quicksands.

SYSTEM, (Systeme, Fr.) A scheme which reduces many things to regular dependence or co-operation. This word is frequently applied to some particular mode of drilling and exercising men to fit them for manœuvres and evolutions. Hence the Prussian system, the Austrian system, the new or mathematical system, &c.

Military System. Specific rules and regulations for the government of an army in the field, or in quarters, &c.

SYSTEMS, (Systemes, Fr.) In fortification, a particular arrangement or disposition of the different parts which compose the circumference of a town or fortified place, according to the original idea or invention of an engineer. The systems best known under this head, and most followed, are those of Vauban, Cohorn, De Ville, Pagan, &c. See Fortification.