T. (continued 2)

The person next in command to the Topgi-Bachi is called Dukigi-Bachi, or master of the Topgis, who are both cannonneers and founders. The latter are paid every month by a commissary of their own, whom they call Kiatib.

TOPGIS, sometimes written Topchis. A name generally used among the Turks to signify all persons employed in the casting of cannon, and who are afterwards appointed to the guns. It is here necessary to observe, that on account of the vast extent of the Ottoman empire, the Turks do not attach much heavy ordnance to their armies, especially when they carry on their operations from one frontier to another. This is owing to the scarcity of draught-horses, and to the natural obstacles of the country. So that they seldom carry into the field guns above eight or twelve-pounders.

But when it is their design to form any considerable siege, they load camels with all the materials requisite for casting cannon. A certain number of Topgis accompany them, and the instant the army takes up its quarters near to the spot where the attack is to be made, they set to work and cast pieces of ordnance of every species of calibre or bore.

The Turkish cannon is extremely beautiful and well cast. The ornamental parts consist of plants, fruits, &c. for it is expressly forbidden in the Koran to give the representation of any human figure upon fire-arms, particularly upon pieces of ordnance; the Turks being taught to believe that God would order the workman to give it life, or would condemn him to eternal punishment.

The Turks are very awkward in constructing platforms for their batteries, and are almost ignorant of the art of pointing their pieces. From a consciousness of their deficiency on this head, they encourage Christian artillerymen and engineers to come amongst them; but until the year 1798, they seldom viewed them but with a jealous eye, and always gave the preference to renegadoes. General Koehler, with a few British officers belonging to the train, joined their army in 1800 for the purpose of acting against Egypt.

TOPIKHANNAH, Ind. A house for keeping guns, an arsenal, armory.

TOPOGRAPHER. A person skilled in viewing, measuring, and describing ground.

Topographical Engineers. A body of military men which are now become essential in war.

Topographical Depot. The following short sketch of the only institution of this kind which is peculiar to France, will explain its nature and origin. Louvois minister of Louis XIV. in 1668 undertook to reform all the departments of government; and the war department among the rest. His death interrupted his design which was nevertheless afterwards pursued upon the peace of Utrecht in 1713: when all the military papers were classed, under different heads, and tables of contents to each prepared, amounting to 2700 volumes. These papers embraced all military subjects from 1631 to that time.

In 1696 a corps called “engineers of camps and armies” was instituted; who in 1726 were called “geographical engineers” employed with the staff in drawing plans, &c. But their drawings were used only in the camp, until 1744, when d’Argenson improved the corps and established them at Versailles. It was from this depot that Voltaire obtained all the materials which render his concise sketches of history more accurate and preferable to any other, who has not made use of his materials.

In the seven years war, the Hotel de la Guerre was erected at Versailles, it was completed in 1760. Berthier who was the intimate friend of marshal Saxe was appointed chief geographical engineer; and he collected a vast body of charts, drawings, and topographical sketches on the Rhine, Hesse, Westphalia, Hanover, &c.

But some idea of former insufficiency may be had from the following anecdote taken from memoirs of marshal Rochambeau (the same who served with Washington) published at Paris in 1809: the marshal was an officer under marshal Richelieu at the attack on Minorca during the seven years war, which he thus describes—“When the marshal left Versailles to proceed on the expedition, there could be found only one plan very old of Port Mahon, in the military depot, and this was merely a draft of Fort St. Philip. M. de Valliere, a minister of that day, who was much better adapted to be a man-midwife than a chief of the war depot, was consulted, and said that 24 pieces of heavy ordnance and 15 mortars would be sufficient to lay the place in ashes. At Toulon, Richelieu had some discourse with a captain of a merchant ship who had been prisoner at Port Mahon, who said the duke’s plan of St. Philip was no more like it than the Bastile. This intelligence induced the duke to take 14 pieces of artillery and 7 mortars more. But what was our astonishment when on the first sight of Fort St. Philip we discovered works bristled with arms and fortifications presenting 140 embrasures with their tompions out.”

There can be no greater ignorance than this in military affairs, excepting the ignorance of the British at Walcheren in 1809, who did not know that the channel which formerly made Cadsand an island, and separated it from the continent, had been filled up and become terra firma for 25 years preceding.

By an arret of 1769 the topographical board was again revived, but fell into neglect. St. Germain made them one corps with the engineers; but they were again separated in 1777. M. de Vault who had been the soul of the institution for 40 years, ever since 1750, died in 1790, he had digested all the materials of the wars down to the year 1763 in a military historical manner, they amounted to 125 volumes. It came under the care of his colleague M. Beaudoin, who died, and was succeeded by general Mathieu Dumas, until the revolution; when the war depot in 1791 was removed to Paris for safety and for use. Colon, Desdorides, Lacuer, and Carnot, were active in it; Carnot for his own advantage and convenience formed out of this a private topographical cabinet, to which may be attributed the developement of those grand combinations, which put fourteen armies in motion and maintained their co-operation in a manner which has astonished mankind, and laid the foundation for those congenial achievements which have since subverted all previous axioms in tactics and prostrated and encircled Europe.

But the want of topographers being so much felt in the early campaigns of the revolution no doubt stimulated Carnot to render it perfect. Accordingly the corps was new organized, three companies were formed, and each composed of 12 artists and a considerable number of pupils or assistants to each. These were employed on the topography of Bavaria, Suabia, &c. the materials collected in Italy, Piedmont, Spain, Naples, Egypt, and St. Domingo. The grand map of France by Cassini; the chart by Ferraris of the Netherlands, and Piedmont by Borgonio, were engraved under the inspection of this corps. During the war all topographical materials were collected with zeal. General Dupont (who has been since made prisoner in Spain) considerably improved and enriched it; Ernout who was lately commander of one of the French W. I. islands, was for a time at the head of this depot; its organization was completed in 1795. General Clarke, having been educated in this corps, was placed at the head of it in the year 1800. A library was established and 8000 volumes appropriate to the subject added by him. In 1801 it was enriched with all that the campaigns of Bonaparte procured.

But the most important of its works was a plan of France upon a combined projection of 4 points of view taken on the banks of the Rhine, 24 topographical engineers under Franchot the astronomer accomplished this. The organization was further improved on a project of general Clarke; general Andreossi afterwards succeeded, and under his care numerous charts were engraved and published.

The following is an abstract of the contents of the depot. 2700 volumes ancient archives; 8000 select additional volumes; 900 rolls of modern topographical plans; 131 volumes and 78 rolls modern narrative, each of which is composed of at least 50 individual memoirs; 4700 engraved maps; 7400 manuscript plans of battles, marches, encampments, &c.

It furnished to the army before 1804, engraved maps 7278; manuscript plans and drawings 207; 61 atlases, and upwards of 600 narrative memoirs.

In the early formation of this and other scientific establishments, in the talents which directed and the liberality that provided them, we see one of the real causes why France is superior in war to all other nations.

TOPOGRAPHY. In military history, a description or draught of some particular place, or small tract of land, as that of a fortification, city, manor or tenement, garden, house, castle, fort, or the like; such as engineers set out in their drawings, for the information of their prince or general. Hence a topographical chart—Carte Topographique.

TOPSYTURVY. Upsidedown, or, as our old authors more properly wrote it, (to use Mr. Tooke’s words in his Diversions of Purley,) Up so down; bottom upward. It corresponds with the French term, Sans dessus dessous; without top or bottom: i. e. a situation of confusion, in which you cannot discern the top from the bottom, or say which is the top and which the bottom. When a battalion is so awkwardly managed, either through the ignorance of the chief who gives the several words of command, or through the dullness of the officers and soldiers who are to execute them, that the grenadiers get where the light infantry should stand, and the rest of the companies out of their proper fronts and positions, such a battalion may be said to be topsyturvy. There is a sea-phrase in familiar use among the military, which means the same thing, viz. to capsize, renverser. Chavirer quelque chose, comme une embarcation, &c. To turn upside down, as to capsize a piece of ordnance. Hence, figuratively, to capsize a battalion, which means the same as to club a battalion. See To Club.

TOQUE, Fr. A velvet cap with the sides turned up, and flat at the top. The Cent Suisses, or the French king’s Swiss body guard, wore the toque during the French monarchy.

TOR. A tower or turret.

TORCHES, (Torches, Fr.) In military matters, are lights used at sieges, &c. They are generally made of thick ropes, &c.

TORCHIS, Fr. Mud-clay, with which cottager’s huts, &c. are made in most countries.

TORE, Fr. See Torus.

TORUS. In architecture, a large round moulding used in the bases of columns.

TORLAQUI. A sort of priest in Turkey.

TORNADO. A Portuguese word which is used on the southern coasts of Africa, to express furious whirlwinds that are often fatal to mariners and seamen. Dr. Johnson calls it generally, a hurricane; a whirlwind.

TORPEDO. A military machine for defence, invented by Mr. Robert Fulton, an American; there are various kinds adapted to positions and methods of defence or attack; the machine is a case of copper, oblong, and containing 100 lbs. or more of powder; to the end of the case is a kind of lock about the size of a parlor door brass lock, inside of which are clock works so formed as to be set to any number of seconds or minutes required, which being expired, the gunpowder in the case is exploded, and all above is torn to pieces by the explosion.

TORSE, Fr. This word means literally, twisted. In architecture it signifies a pillar, the body of which, or the part between the base and the capitals is surrounded with concave and convex circular lines.

TORTOISE. See Testudo.

TORTS, Fr. See Wrongs.

TORTUE, Fr. Literally means tortoise. It likewise signifies the testudo, or tortoise, a warlike machine which was used among the ancients.

TORTUE d’hommes, Fr. A particular formation which was formerly adopted by the besieged when they made a sortie.

TORTUE de Mer, Fr. A sort of vessel which has its deck raised in such a manner, that it resembles the roof of a house, beneath which soldiers and passengers may conveniently stand or sit with their baggage in bad weather.

TOSHA Khanna, Ind. Store-room, wardrobe.

TOSTE, Fr. A rowing bench in a boat. It is likewise called Toste de Chaloupe.

TOUCH-HOLE. The vent through which the fire is conveyed to the powder in the chamber of a gun.

TOUR, Fr. Turn. This word is likewise used by the English in military matters, as tour of duty.

TOUR à feu, Fr. A light house.

TOUR de bâton, Fr. By-profits. See Baton.

TOURNAMENT. From the old French word tournoi, which is derived From tourner, to turn. An exercise of mock battle formerly practised, wherein princes and gentlemen afforded specimens of their dexterity and courage in public places, by entering the lists and encountering all opposers. They were well mounted on horseback, clad in armor, and accoutred with lance and sword; first tilted at one another, and then drew their swords and fought hand to hand.

These exercises being designed to make the persons, who practised them, expert in the art of war, and also to entertain the court, the arms were in a great measure rendered so far innocuous that they could not kill the combatants. For this purpose the points of the lances and swords were broken off; but notwithstanding this precaution, frequent mischief occurred. In consequence of which the Pope prohibited all sorts of tournaments, under pain of excommunication.

Tournaments had their origin from the ancient gladiatory combats, and not from the usage of the northern people, as is commonly believed. In Cicero’s time they were called by the Greek name Anabatis; because their helmet in a great measure obstructed their seeing.

TOURNEE, Fr. A circuitous journey made for the purpose of inspection, &c.

Le Général fit une TOURNEE pour examiner les avant postes. The general went round to examine the outposts.

Tourne à gauche, Fr. A tool used by carpenters, masons, and other artizans, in turning screws, saws, &c.

TOURNER, Fr. To turn. In military matters it signifies to get upon the flank or in the rear of any object you propose to attack.

Tourner un ouvrage, Fr. In fortification, to turn a work. This is effected by cutting off its communication with the main body of the place, and taking possession of the gorge. Tourner le flanc, to turn the flank. Tourner l’aile droite ou l’aile gauche, to turn the right or left wing. Tourner un poste, une montagne, to get into the rear of a post, mountain, &c.

TOURNIQUET, Fr. A turnstile. It likewise signifies a swivel or iron ring.

Tourniquet, Fr. Among artificers, a species of firework composed of two fusees, which, when set fire to, produces the same effect as the Soleil Tournant.

Tourniquet, (Tourniquet, Fr.) In surgery, an instrument made of rollers, compresses, screws, &c. for compressing any wounded part so as to stop hæmorrhages.

The common Tourniquet is very simple, consisting only of a roller, which, with the help of a small stick, serves to stop the effusion of blood from large arteries, in amputation, by forcibly tying up the limb. The things required in this operation are, a roller of a thumb’s breadth, and of an ell in length; a small cylindrical stick, a conglomerated bandage, two fingers thick and four long; some compresses of a good length, and about three or four fingers breadth, to surround the legs and arms, and a square piece of strong paper or leather, about four fingers wide. By the British regulations published in 1799, for the better management of the sick in regimental hospitals, every surgeon and assistant surgeon is directed to have, among other surgical instruments, a certain number of tourniquets; and serjeants, &c. are to be taught the method of using it.

In May, 1798, two tourniquets were directed to be sent to each English regiment, the rest are to be made by the men of the regiment; and besides one to each person who will be taught the use of it, it is necessary to have four for every hundred men.

The non-commissioned officers, band, and drummers of every regiment, are to be taught the manner of applying it according to instructions sent down from the surgeon general’s department.

TOURNOIS, Fr. Tournament.

TOURS Mobiles, Fr. Moveable towers. These were made use of in remote ages; and although the invention of them has been attributed by some to the Greeks and by others to the Romans, it does not belong to either; for we read of moveable towers in Ezekiel. The curious may derive much information on this head from the Chevalier Folard in his translation of Polybius, page 536, tom. ii. See Moveable Towers.

TOURS bastionnees, Fr. See Tower bastions.

Tours isolees, Fr. Detached towers; such as are made in forts, or stand upon the coast to serve for lighthouses.

Tours terrieres, Fr. Large pieces of wood which are used in mechanical operations to convey or remove heavy burthens.

La TOURBE menue, Fr. The common people, the rabble.

TOURBILLON, Fr. Whirlwind, vortex. The French likewise call a water-spout by this name.

Tourbillon de feu, Fr. See Soleil Montant.

TOURELLE, Fr. A turret.

TOURILLON, Fr. A sort of pivot upon which several machines, such as draw-bridges, &c. are made to turn.

TOURILLONS. See Trunnions.

TOURMENTE, Fr. A violent storm.

TOURTEAU Goudronné, Fr. Old rope which is untwisted, steeped in pitch or tar, and afterwards left to dry. It is used in fosses and other places during a siege. The French make the Tourteau Goudronné in the following manner.—Take 12 pounds of tar or pitch, 6 ditto of tallow or grease, which put to 3 pints of linseed oil, and boil the whole together. You then take old matches, or twisted pieces of rope of any length you want, and let them soak in the boiling liquor. If you wish to prevent them from burning too fast, add six pounds of rosin and two of turpentine.

TOUT le monde haute, Fr. A French word of command at sea which corresponds with our sea phrase, Pipe! all hands up.

TOUT le monde bas, Fr. A French word of command at sea which corresponds with Pipe! all hands down.

Toute volee, Fr. Random shot.

Tirer a toute volee. To fire at random.

TOWER, (Tour, Fr.) Any high building raised above another, consisting of several stories, usually of a round form, though sometimes square or polygonal; a fortress, a citadel. Towers are built for fortresses, prisons, &c. as the tower of the Bastille, which was destroyed by the inhabitants of Paris in 1789.

The Tower of London, commonly called the Tower. A building with five small turrets at different angles above it, situated on the banks of the river Thames.

The Tower of London is not only a citadel to defend and command the city, river, &c. but it is also a royal palace, where the kings of England with their courts have sometimes lodged; a royal arsenal, wherein are stored arms and ammunition for 60,000 soldiers; a treasury for the jewels and ornaments of the crown; a mint for coining money; the archives wherein are preserved all the ancient records of the courts of Westminster, &c. and the chief prison for state delinquents. The officers belonging to the Tower of London consist of

per ann.

1 constable and chief governor at 1000 0 0

1 lieutenant governor, at 700 0 0

1 deputy lieutenant, at 365 0 0

1 major, at 182 10 0

1 chaplain, at 121 13 4

1 gentleman porter, at 84 0 8

1 gentleman gaoler, at 70 0 0

1 physician, at 182 10 0

1 surgeon, at 45 12 6

1 apothecary, 1 yeoman porter

Tower-bastions, in fortification, are small towers made in the form of bastions, by M. Vauban, in his second and third method; with rooms or cellars underneath to place men and guns in them.

Martello Tower. See Tours Mobiles

Moveable Towers, in ancient military history, were three stories high, built with large beams, each tower was placed on 4 wheels or trucks, and towards the town covered with boiled leather, to guard it from fire, and to resist the darts: on each story 100 archers were posted. They were pushed with the force of men to the city wall. From these the soldiers, placed in the different stages, made such vigorous discharges that none of the garrison dared to shew themselves on the rampart.

TOWN. Any walled collection of houses.

Town-Adjutant. An assistant to the town-major. See Adjutant.

Town-Major. An officer constantly employed about the governor or officer commanding a garrison, &c. He issues the orders to the troops, and reads the common orders to fresh troops when they arrive. He commands according to the rank he had in the army; but if he never had any other commission than that of town or fort-major, he is to command as youngest captain. See Major.

TRABAND. A trusty brave soldier in the Swiss infantry, whose particular duty was to guard the colors and the captain who led them. He was armed with a sword and a halbert, the blade of which was shaped like a pertuisan. He generally wore the colonel’s livery, and was excused all the duties of a centry. His pay was eight deniers more than the daily subsistence of the company.

TRABEA, Trabee, Fr. A white gown bordered with purple, and adorned with clavi or trabeæ of scarlet. See Kennett’s R. A. page 313.

TRACER, Fr. To trace.

TRACES. The harness by which beasts of draught are enabled to move bodies to which they are yoked.

TRAHISON, Fr. Treason.

Haute Trahison, Fr. High treason.

Tuer en Trahison, Fr. To kill in a treacherous manner.

TRAIL. In gunnery. The end of a travelling carriage, opposite to the wheels, and upon which the carriage slides when unlimbered or upon the battery. See Carriages.

To Trail, literally means to draw along the ground. In military matters it signifies, to carry the firelock in an oblique forward position, with the butt just above the ground. Hence Trail Arms, a word of command for that purpose.

TRAINE, Fr. A term known among French sailors and soldiers at sea, to signify a thin rope or rather packthread, to which they tie their linen; leaving it to float or be dragged through the waves until it is clean.

TRAIN, (Train, Fr.) In a military sense, all the necessary apparatus, implements of war, such as cannon, &c. that are required at a siege or in the field.

Train of Artillery, (Traine d’artillerie, Fr.) in a general sense, means the regiment of artillery; it also includes the great guns and other pieces of ordnance belonging to an army in the field. See Artillery.

Train, (Trainee, Fr.) In mining. A line of gunpowder laid to give fire to a quantity thereof, which has been lodged for the purpose of blowing up earth, works, buildings, &c.

Train, is also used to denote the attendants, of a prince or general, upon many occasions.

Train-bands, or trained bands, a name formerly given to the militia of England.

TRAINEAUX, Fr. Several pieces of wood made in the form of a large sledge upon which pieces of ordnance and stores, &c. are conveyed to the rampart, and brought from one place to another.

TRAINEURS, Fr. Men who on a march lag behind, and thereby occasion a loose and unconnected appearance in the line of march. It is the duty of the rear guard to pick up all stragglers, and to report them to head-quarters.

Traineur d’epee. A parasite; a man who has never done a day’s duty, but wears a sword and looks big.

TRAITS, Fr. Drag-ropes, &c. used in the artillery.

TRAJECTORY line, is the curved line formed by the shot after the explosion to the end of its career.

TRAJET. See Ferry.

TRAMONTANE, Fr. The north wind in the Mediterranean is so termed by the French. It is so called, because it blows beyond the hills that are near Rome and Florence.

TRANCHANT, Fr. Cutting.

Une epee à deux TRANCHANS, Fr. A two-edged sword.

TRANCHEE, Fr. See Trench.

Tranchee double, Fr. A double trench, one side of which serves as a traverse to the other; by which means they are mutually covered from a reverse or enfilade filing.

Tranchee a crochet, Fr. A bending trench, or one in the shape of a hook. This species of trench is found where the line turns, at the extremities of the places of arms, and at the ends of the cavaliers.

Tranchee directe, Fr. A trench which is carried, or run out in a strait forward direction, and which serves to shut up any spot from whence you might be enfiladed.

TRANSFERS. Soldiers taken out of one troop or company and placed in another are so called.

TRANSFIXED. An ancient term used to express the state of being desperately wounded by some pointed instrument, as being run through by a spear, javelin or bayonet; pierced through so that the weapon is fixed in another body.

TRANSOMS. In artillery. Pieces of wood which join the cheeks of gun-carriages; there is but one in a truck-carriage, placed under the trunnion-holes; and four in a wheel-carriage, the trail, the centre, the bed, and the breast transoms.

TRANSOM-plates, with hooks.—There is one on each side of the side-pieces, against each end of the transom, the bed-transom excepted, fastened by two transom-bolts.

Transom-bolt, with bars. They serve to tie the side-pieces to the transom.

TRANSPIRATION, Fr. This word is used by the French in hydraulics, to signify the oozing of water through the pores of the earth. It often happens, in digging a canal through sandy ground, that the transpirations or oozings, are so plentiful as not to leave water enough for the intended purposes of navigation. This occurred at New-Brisac, when a canal was dug in order to convey materials for its fortifications. The waters having been let in, the whole body was absorbed in the space of twenty-four hours. This evil or inconvenience can, however, be remedied; as may be seen in the fourth volume of Belidor’s Architecture Hydraulique.

TRANSPORT. A vessel in which soldiers are conveyed on the sea. See Embarkation.

Transport-Board. An English office established in 1794, which has the entire arrangement of the transport service, and of prisoners of war, in conjunction with the sick and hurt board. It consists of five commissioners, who are captains in the navy, and a secretary.

TRANSPORTER, Fr. To transfer, to remove, to change the situation of any thing.

Transporter les files et les rangs d’un bataillon dans les evolutions, Fr. To change files or ranks in military evolutions. To countermarch any given number of men so as to place the right where the left stood, and make the front rank take the ground that was occupied by rear, with a different aspect. See Countermarch.

When the countermarch is effected on the centre, or by a central conversion, the French distinguish, and use the phrase—Faire le moulinet; from the similarity of movement round a central point; moulinet signifying capstan, turn-stile, &c.

TRANSPOSER les files d’un bataillon dans les évolutions, Fr. To change the relative position of files in a battalion, that is, to countermarch the whole so as to make the natural front stand where the rear did, and to place those on the left that originally stood on the right.

TRAP. See Ambush, Stratagem, &c.

TRAPE, Fr. A falling door.

TRAPEZE, Fr. See Trapezium.

TRAPEZOID, (Trapezoide, Fr.) A figure in geometry which is formed by the circumvolution of a trapezium, in the same manner that a cylinder is by that of a parallelogram.

TRAPEZIUM. A quadrilateral or square figure whose four sides and angles are unequal, and no sides are parallel.

TRAPPINGS. See Housings.

TRATTES, Fr. The Several beams and long pieces of wood which support the body of a windmill.

TRAVADE, Fr. A whirlwind; violent squall accompanied by thunder and lightening.

TRAVAILLER, Fr. To work. In mechanics; to warp, to open, &c. The French say, Ce bois travaille; this wood warps—Ce mur travaille; this wall gives way, &c.

Travailler, a la journee, Fr. To work by the day—A la piece, by the piece:—à la tâche, by the measure:—En bloc et en tâche, by the great, by the lump.

Travailler à Toise, Fr. To work by the toise. Works in fortification are generally done by this measure.

Travailler par epaulees, Fr. To execute a work with intervals of labor.

Travailler les esprits des soldats. To work upon the minds of the soldiery. To excite them to insurrection.

Travailler un pays. To feel the pulse of a country by working upon the minds of the inhabitants; to excite them to support any particular cause.

TRAVAILLEURS, Fr. Literally, workmen. In military matters, pioneers and soldiers employed in fatigue duties.

Travailleurs, à la tranchee, Fr. A detachment, consisting of a given number of men from each battalion, which is employed in the trenches. The soldiers who are sent upon this duty have only spades and pick-axes, and the officers who command them wear their swords.

TRAVAISON, Fr. Entablature.

TRAVAUX Militaires, Fr. See Military Works.

Travaux avances, Fr. Advanced works or outworks. The same as pieces detachees, or dehors. See Dehors.

TRAVEE, Fr. A bay of joists. A scaffold.

TRAVELLING forge. See Forge.

TRAVERS, Fr. A rope which is used to fasten cannon on their carriages, &c. and which serves for various other purposes.

TRAVERSEE, Fr. Passage; short trip by sea.

TRAVERSE. In fortification, is a parapet made across the covert-way, opposite to the salient angles of the works, near the place of arms, to prevent being enfiladed. Traverses are 18 feet thick, and as high as the ridge of the glacis. There are also traverses made by caponiers; but then they are called tambours.

To Traverse, a gun, or mortar, is to bring it about to right or left with hand-spikes, till it is pointed exact to the object.

TRAVERSIER, Fr. A passage boat, &c. It likewise means a wind that blows into port; also a pontoon.

TRAVERSINES, Fr. Pieces of wood which are laid cross-ways in a dyke.

TRAVERSING-plates, in gun carriages, are two thin iron plates, nailed on the hind part of a truck carriage of guns, where the hand-spike is used to traverse the gun.

Traversing, in fencing, is the change of ground made by moving to right or left round the circle of defence.

TRAVONS, Fr. The large main beams in a wooden bridge, which support the joists, &c. They are likewise called sommiers.

TRAVESTISEMENT, Fr. Disguise. In the old French service, it was ordained, that no dragoon or foot soldier should change his uniform or regimentals whilst in garrison, nor within the boundaries of it. Every infraction of this order was punished with three months imprisonment.

TRAUMATIC. Vulnerary; useful to wounds; as Traumatic decoction.

TREACHERY. Perfidy; breach of faith.

TREASON. Disloyalty; treachery; perfidious dealing.

High Treason. An offence against the security of the commonwealth, or of the sovereignty. It is a capital crime, and subjects the offender not only to loss of life, but also to forfeiture of all he may possess.

TRECHETOR, -

TRECHEUR,

One who betrays a place, or body of men. An obsolete word.

TREFLE, Fr. Trefoil. A term used in mining, from the similarity of the figure to trefoil. The simple trefle has only two lodgments; the double trefle four; and the triple one six.

TREILLAGE, Fr. Any assemblage of wood which is laid cross-ways. Of which description are the palisadoes, &c. in gardens

TREILLIS, Fr. A general term for iron grating, &c. Such as is used for prisons.

Treillis, Fr. The method that is used in copying plans, &c. It consists of a certain arrangement of strait lines, which being measured at equal distances from one another, and crossed from right to left, represents a quantity of small equal squares. This arrangement or disposition of lines is used by painters, engravers, and engineers, in taking accurate copies of plans, &c. and is called by the French Treillis.

TREILLISER. To trellis. To furnish with a trellis.

TREMEAU, Fr. An ancient term in fortification. See Mortar.

TRENCHANT. Sharp or cutting.

TRENCHES, in a siege, are ditches made by the besiegers, that they may approach more securely to the place attacked; on which account they are also called lines of approach. The tail of the trench is the place where it was begun, and its head is the place where it ends.

Trenches are also made to guard an encampment.

The trenches are usually opened or begun in the night time, sometimes within musquet shot, and sometimes within half or whole cannon shot of the place; generally about 800 toises. They are carried on in winding lines, nearly parallel to the works, so as not to be in view of the enemy, nor exposed to the enemy’s shot.

The workmen employed in the trenches are always supported by a number of troops to defend them against the sallies of the besieged. The pioneers, and other workmen, sometimes work on their knees, and are usually covered with mantlets or saucissons; and the troops who support them lie flat on their faces, in order to avoid the enemy’s shot. On the angles or sides of the trench, there are lodgments, or epaulements, in form of traverses, the better to hinder the sallies of the garrison, and to favor the advancement of the trenches, and to sustain the workmen.

The platforms for the batteries are made behind the trenches; the first at a good distance, to be used only against the sallies of the garrison. As the approaches advance, the batteries are brought nearer, to ruin the defences of the place, and dismount the artillery of the besieged. The breach batteries are made when the trenches are advanced near the covert-way.

If there are two attacks, it will be necessary to have lines of communication, or boyaus, between the two, with places of arms at convenient distances. The trenches are 6 or 7 feet high with the parapet, which is 5 feet thick, with banquettes for the soldiers to mount upon.

The approaches at a siege are generally carried on upon the capitals of the works attacked; because the capitals produced are, of all other situations in the front of a work, the least exposed to the fire of either the cannon or musquetry; and are the least in the line of fire between the besieged and besieger’s batteries. But if, from particular circumstances, these or other advantages do not attend the approaches upon the capitals, they are by no means to be preferred to other positions.

The trenches of communication, or zig-zags, are 3 feet deep, 10 feet wide at bottom, and 13 feet at top, having a berm of one foot, beyond which the earth is thrown to form a parapet.

The parallels or places of arms of the trenches are 3 feet deep, 12 feet wide at bottom, and 17 or 18 feet wide at top, having a banquette of about 3 feet wide, with a slope of nearly as much. See Sap.

The first night of opening the trenches, the greatest exertions are made to take advantage of the enemy’s ignorance as to the side of attack; and they are generally carried on as far in advance as the first parallel, and even sometimes to the completion of that work. The workmen set out on this duty, each with a fascine of 6 feet, a pick axe, and a shovel; and the fascines being laid so as to lap one foot over each other, leave 5 feet of trench for each man to dig.

The usual method of directing the trenches or zig-zags is, by observing during the day some near object in a line with the salient parts of the work, and which may serve as a direction in the night; or if the night be not very dark, the angles of the works may be seen above the horizon; but as both these methods are subject to uncertainty, the following is proposed to answer every case:—Having laid down the plan of attack, the exact positions of the flanked angles of the works of the front attacked, and particularly of those most extended to the right and left; marked on the plan the point of commencement for the first portions of zig-zag, the point where it crosses the capital, 2nd the point to which it extends on the other side of the capital: this last point will be the commencement of the second branch: then mark off the point where this branch crosses the capital, and its extent on the other side; and this will give the commencement of the third branch; and so on for the others. Thus provided with a plan ready marked off, it will be very easy, even in the darkest night, to lay down the points where the zig-zags are to cross the capital, and the points to which they are to be produced beyond them. The first parallel is generally run about 600 yards from the place, and of such extent as to embrace the prolongation of the faces of all the works which fire upon the trenches; and each end has a return of about 30 or 40 yards.

The second parallel is constructed upon the same principles, and of the same extent as the first, at the distance of about 300 yards from the salient angles of the covert-way. This parallel is usually formed of gabions; each workman carrying a gabion, a fascine, a shovel, and a pick axe. After this the trenches are carried on by sap.

The half parallels are about 140 or 150 yards from the covert-way, and extend sufficiently on each side to embrace the prolongation of the branches of the covert-way.

The third parallel must not be nearer than the foot of the glacis, or it will mask the ricochet batteries. It is generally made rather wider than the other parallels.

Cavaliers of the trenches must not be nearer than 28 yards from the covert-way, or they will be liable to be annoyed by hand grenades.

Returns of a Trench, are the elbows and turnings, which form the lines of approach, and are made, as near as can be, parallel to the place, to prevent their being enfiladed.

To mount the Trenches, is to mount guard in the trenches, which is generally done in the night.

To relieve the Trenches, is to relieve the guard of the trenches.

To scour the Trenches, is to make a vigorous sally upon the guard of the trenches, force them to give way, and quit their ground, drive away the workmen, break down the parapet, fill up the trench, and spike their cannon.

Counter-Trenches, are trenches made against the besiegers; which consequently have their parapets turned against the enemy’s approaches, and are enfiladed from the several parts of the place, on purpose to render them useless to the enemy, if they should chance to become masters of them; but they should not be enfiladed, or commanded by any height in the enemy’s possession.

To open the Trenches, is to break ground for the purpose of carrying on approaches towards a besieged place.

TRENTE-six mois, Fr. Thirty-six months. A sea phrase. By this term was understood among the French, before the revolution, Un Engagé, a person who hired himself for that period to another, on condition that the latter defrayed his passage to the East Indies; after the expiration of which term the former was at liberty to settle in that country.

TREPAN, Fr. An instrument which is used to find out the quality of any ground into which beams or sticks are to be driven. Also an instrument used in surgery.

TREPIGNER, Fr.. To clatter. In horsemanship it is used to describe the action of a horse who beats the dust with his fore-feet in managing, without embracing the vault; who makes his motions and time short and near the ground, without being put upon his haunches. This defect is usually occasioned by a weakness in the shoulders.

TRESOR, Fr. The military chest.

TRESORIER, Fr. Paymaster. There were formerly on the French military establishment two classes of paymasters, viz. Trésoriers de l’ordinaire, et trésoriers de l’extraordinaire, paymasters or treasurers for the ordinary expences of the service, and ditto for the extraordinary. The latter were accountable to government for a just distribution of stores and provisions, and gave in their estimates and vouchers to the comptroller general’s office in Paris. These were formerly called Clercs du trésor ou payeurs, clerks attached to the military chest or paymasters. They were partly the same as our paymasters and commissaries-general on service.

During the monarchy in France there were several treasurers or paymasters-general in ordinary belonging to the army, who had their several departments, viz.

Tresoriers de la gendarmerie et des troupes de la maison du roi, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters attached to the gens d’armes and the king’s household.

Tresoriers de l’extraordinaire des guerres, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of the extraordinaries of the army.

Tresoriers des Maréchaussées de France, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of the marshalsey or armed police of France.

Tresoriers payeurs des troupes, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters-general of the forces.

Tresoriers des gratifications, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of compensations, gratuities, &c.

Tresoriers de la prévôté de l’Hotel, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of the provost-marshal’s department at the hotel or town hall in Paris.

Le TRESORIER général de l’artillerie, Fr. The treasurer or paymaster-general of the artillery.

Le TRESORIER général des fortifications, Fr. The treasurer or paymaster-general of fortifications.

All these treasurers or paymasters were subject to their several comptrollers of accounts, and their issues, &c. were audited accordingly. There were likewise provincial or subordinate paymasters of the extraordinaries of the army. They were appointed by the treasurers or paymasters-general, and resided in the different departments and general districts of the kingdom. These appointments fell, of course, at the revolution, and they have since been replaced by a more simple and economical consolidation. The artillery has still its separate treasurer or paymaster. The district paymasters, which have been established in Great Britain, &c. during the present war, seem manifestly to have taken their origin from the old French arrangement.

TREVET. Any thing that stands upon three legs. An iron instrument to set a pot or saucepan on over the fire. It is likewise used in field-ovens.

TREUIL, Fr. A roll, an axle-tree, &c.

TRIAIRES, Fr. See Triarii.

TRIAL. Test, examination, experiment. It is in the power of the president to dismiss an officer from the regular, militia, or volunteer service, without any species of investigation or trial. See Courts Martial, &c.

TRIANGLE, (Triangle, Fr.) The triangle may be considered as the most simple of all figures. It is composed of three lines and three angles, and is either plain or spherical.

A plain TRIANGLE is one that is contained under three right lines.

A spherical TRIANGLE is a triangle that is contained under three arches of a great circle or sphere.

A right-angled TRIANGLE is one which has one right angle.

An acute-angled TRIANGLE is one that has all its angles acute.

An obtuse-angled TRIANGLE is that which has one obtuse angle.

An oblique-angled TRIANGLE is a triangle that is not right angled.

An equilated TRIANGLE is one whose sides are all equal.

An isosceles TRIANGLE, -

An equilegged TRIANGLE,

A triangle that has only two legs or sides equal.

A scalenus TRIANGLE. One that has not two sides equal.

Similar TRIANGLES are such as have all their three angles respectively equal to one another.

Triangle. The psaltery of the Scriptures. A small triangular piece of metal, which is used in military bands, emitting a sharp reverberating sound in concord with the rest of the music.

Triangle likewise means a wooden instrument consisting of three poles which are fastened at top in such a manner, that they may spread at bottom in a triangular form, and by means of spikes affixed to each pole, remain firm in the earth. An iron bar, breast high, goes across one side of the triangle. The triangles are used in the British army for the purpose of inflicting the barbarous and unmilitary punishment of whipping; a usage which is rendered the more odious by a comparison of the valor and discipline of the French, who do not allow of any such punishments. To the shame of the United States, the practice is tolerated even by law at this moment!

Shake the TRIANGLE. A phrase in the British army, applied to the condition of a man who is whipped with corded lashes on the bare back till he falls into convulsions; when he is said to shake the triangle. Where such barbarity is the costume it is not surprising that they are always beaten in the field.

TRIANON, Fr. A generical French term signifying any pavilion that stands in a park, and is unconnected with the castle or main building. Of this description was the French queen’s petit trianon in the neighborhood of Versailles.

TRIARII. Soldiers so called among the Romans. According to Kennett, the Triarii were commonly veterans, or hardy old soldiers, of long experience and approved valor. They had their name from their position, being marshalled in the third place, as the main strength and hopes of their party. They were armed with a pike, a shield, a helmet, and a cuirass. They are sometimes called Pilatii, from their weapon the Pila. See Kennett’s Roman Ant. p. 190. They were likewise stiled Tiertiarii. A certain number of these veterans was always distributed in each cohort.

Polybius, in his 6th book, classes the Roman troops under four different heads; the first he calls Pilati or Velites, light-armed men, selected from the lower order of the people, and generally composed of the youngest men in the army. The second class, consisting of pikemen, Hastati, were more advanced in age, and had more experience. The third class, called Principes, were still older, and more warlike than the second.

The fourth class consisted of the oldest, most experienced, and bravest soldiers. These were always posted in the third rank, as a reserve, to support the others in case they gave way. Hence their appellation of triarii or tiertiarii; and hence the Roman proverb, Ad triarium ventum est, signifying thereby, that the last efforts were being made. The triarii were likewise named post signani, from being posted in the rear of the princeps who carried the standard in a legion.

TRIBUNE, (Tribun, Fr.) A title which was originally given to certain Roman magistrates, who were established for the specific purpose of maintaining the rights of the tribes or mass of the people, in opposition to the possible encroachments of the aristocracy or patricians, on which account they were stiled the tribunes of the people, les tribuns du peuple. The number, at first, was limited to two; but they were subsequently augmented to ten. There were likewise military tribunes, tribuns militaires. These held commands of considerable extent in the Roman armies.

TRIBUNATE, (Tribunat, Fr.) The office of tribune.

TRICKER, -

TRIGGER,

(Deténte, Fr.) The catch, which being pulled, disengages the cock of a gun-lock, that it may strike fire.

Hair Trigger, (détente à cheveux, Fr.) The hair trigger is generally used for rifles, when there is a great nicety required in shooting. The difference between a hair-trigger and a common trigger is this—the hair-trigger, when set, lets off the cock by the slightest touch, whereas the common trigger requires a considerable degree of force, and consequently is longer in its operation.

TRICOISSES, Fr. Pincers used by farriers.

TRICOT, Fr. A cudgel.

TRICOLORE, Fr. Three-colored. Hence the tricolor-cockade, which was adopted by the French at the commencement of their revolution. It consists of sky-blue, pink, and white and was emblematical of the three estates, nobility, clergy, and people. The armies still wear the tricolor, although the first order, or the nobility, was abolished 10th of August, 1792; however, Bonaparte has re-established a new nobility, and a new device on his standards, which is an eagle; conformable to his peculiar interests or policy.

TRIER, Fr. To pick and chuse. Hence, trier les plus beaux soldats, to pick out the finest soldiers. Triage is used as the substantive, signifying the act of picking and chusing.

TRIGON, a triangle. Hence,

TRIGONOMETRY, (Trigonométrie, Fr.) The art of measuring triangles, or of calculating the sides of any triangle sought. This is either plain or spherical.

TRILATERAL. Having three sides.

TRIMESTRE, Fr. A space of three months.

TRINGLE. In architecture, a name common to several little square members or ornaments, as reglets, listels, and platbands. It is more particularly used for a little member fixed exactly over every triglyph, under the platband of the architrave; from whence hang down the guttæ or pendent drops.

Tringle, Fr. A wooden rule.

TRINGLER, Fr. To draw a strait line upon wood by means of a stretched piece of packthread, or cord that is chalked.

TRINOME, Fr. A word used among the French, in algebra, to express any quantity which is produced by the addition of three numbers or quantities that are incommensurable.

TRINOMIAL, or Trinomial root, in mathematics, is a root consisting of three parts, connected together by the signs + or -, as x + y + z, or x - y - z.

TRINQUET, Fr. A word used in the Levant to signify the mizen or foremast of a ship.

TRINQUETTE, Fr. A sail used on board the ships in the Levant, which is of a triangular shape.

TRIOMPHE, Fr. See Triumph.

Arc de Triomphe, Fr. A triumphal arch.

TRIPASTE, Fr. A machine which consists of three pullies, and is used in raising of heavy weights.

TRIQUE, Fr. A large cudgel.

TRIQUE-BAL, Fr. A sling cart or machine which is used to convey pieces of ordnance from one quarter to another.

TRIREME, Fr. A galley with three benches for rowers.

TRISECTION, (Trisection, Fr.) The division of a thing into three. The term is chiefly used in geometry for the partition of an angle into three equal parts.

The trisection of an angle geometrically, is one of those great problems whose solution has been so much sought by mathematicians; being in this respect on a footing with the quadrature of the circle, and the duplicature of the cube angle.

TRIUMPH. A solemnity practised by the ancient Romans, to do honor to a victorious general.

There were two sorts of triumphs, the greater and the lesser, particularly called ovation; of these the triumph was by much the more splendid procession. None were capable of this honor but the dictator, consuls, and prætors; though there are examples to the contrary, as particularly in Pompey the Great, who had a triumph decreed him when he was only a Roman knight, and had not yet reached the senatorial age.

The triumph was the most pompous show among the ancients: authors usually attribute its invention to Bacchus, and tell us, that he first triumphed upon the conquest of the Indies; and yet this ceremony was only in use among the Romans. The Grecians had a custom which resembled the Roman triumph; for the conquerors used to make a procession through the middle of their city, crowned with garlands, repeating hymns and songs, and brandishing their spears: their captives were also led by them, and all their spoils exposed to public view. The order of a Roman triumph was chiefly thus: the senate having decreed the general a triumph, and appointed a day, they went out of the city gate and marched in order with him through the city. The cavalcade was led up by the musicians, who had crowns on their heads; and after them came several chariots with plans and maps of the cities and countries subdued, done in relievo: they were followed by the spoils taken from the enemy; their horses, arms, gold, silver, machines, tents, &c. After these came the kings, princes, or generals subdued, loaded with chains, and followed by mimics or buffoons, who exulted over their misfortunes. Next came the officers of the conquering troops, with crowns on their heads. Then appeared the triumphal chariot, in which was the conqueror, richly clad in a purple robe, embroidered with gold, setting forth his glorious atchievements. His buskins were beset with pearl, and he wore a crown, which at first was only laurel, but afterwards gold; one hand held a laurel branch, the other a truncheon. His children were sometimes at his feet, and sometimes on the chariot-horses. As the triumphal chariot passed along, the people strewed flowers before it. The music played in praise of the conqueror, amidst the loud acclamations of the people, crying, to triumph. The chariot was followed by the senate clad in white robes; and the senate by such citizens as had been set at liberty or ransomed. The procession was closed by the sacrifices, and their officers and utensils, with a white ox led along for the chief victim. In the mean time all the temples were open, and the altars were loaded with offerings and incense; games and combats were celebrated in the public places, and rejoicings appeared every where.

TRIUMVIRI, or Tresviri Capitales. Men employed among the ancient Romans to preserve the public peace, &c. For particulars, see Kennett’s Roman Antiquities, page 121. They likewise signify the three persons, Cæsar, Crassus, and Pompey, who seized on the government of the republic, and divided it among them. Hence,

TRIUMVIRATE (Triumvirat, Fr.) An absolute government administered by three persons with equal authority. There are two triumvirates particularly recorded in history: Pompey, Cæsar, and Crassus, who had all served the republic as generals of marked reputation, in the first instance; and Augustus, Mark Antony, and Lepidus, in the second.

TROCHLEA. One of the mechanical powers usually called a pulley.

TROCHOID, in mathematics. The same as cycloid.

TROCHOLIQUE, Fr. A name used among the French for that branch of mathematics which treats of circular movements.

TROMBE, Fr. A water-spout. It is likewise called Siphon or Syphon.

TROMPE, Fr. In architecture; an arch which grows wider towards the top.

Trompes, Fr. In artificial fireworks; a collection of pots à feu, or fire-pots so arranged, that upon the first being inflamed, a ready communication takes place with the rest, and the explosion is successively effected.

TROMPETTE, Fr. This word, which signifies trumpet, is applied by the French, not only to the instrument, but to the man who blows it; in the same manner that we say fifes and drums, for fifers and drummers; but we do not say trumpet for trumpeter. Trompette, when used in this sense, is of the masculine gender.

Trompette sonnante, Fr. With sound of trumpet, or trumpet sounding.

Trompette parlante, Fr. A speaking trumpet. This instrument is generally used at sea; and owes its invention to an Englishman.

Deloger sans TROMPETTE, Fr. To steal away, to take French leave.

TROMPILLON, Fr. The diminutive of trompe. A term used in architecture, which owes its origin to the resemblance that exists between the wide part of a trumpet, and the arch or vault so called.

TROOP, in cavalry. A certain number of men on horseback who form a component part of a squadron. It is the same, with respect to formation, as company in the infantry. When a troop dismounts and acts on foot, it is still called a troop.

Troop. A certain beat of the drum. See Drum.

To TROOP the colors. See Colors.

Troops. The same as copiæ in Latin. Any collective body of soldiers.

Heavy TROOPS. Soldiers armed and accoutred for the purpose of acting together, in line, &c.

Light TROOPS, (Troupes legères, Fr.) Hussars, light horse, mounted riflemen, light infantry are so called, in opposition to cavalry or heavy horse. Skirmishing is solely the business of light horse, who, according to count Turpin, should be constantly exposed as the forlorn hope of the army; or as troops whose duty it is to be continually watchful for its repose and security.

When the light horse compose an advanced camp, the men should keep their horses constantly saddled; it being only an indulgence to allow those off duty to have their horses unsaddled. It is very true, that a camp of cavalry cannot be managed after the same manner; but then cavalry is seldom so situated as to be attacked, or to attack every day, which is the real business of light horse. They should serve as vedets to the whole army, in order to prevent the enemy from approaching it; whereas cavalry should never be employed, but in the greatest operations; and on occasions which are to decide the fate of a campaign.

Light troops, according to the same writer, are employed to gain intelligence concerning the enemy, to learn whether he hath decamped, whether he hath built any bridges, and other things of the same nature, of which the general must necessarily be informed, and should have a day fixed for this return. There are other detachments, which should be sent out under intelligent officers, and which should never lose sight of the enemy, in order to send in daily intelligence, to attack small convoys and baggage, to pick up marauders, and harrass the advanced guards. There should not be any time fixed for the return of these detachments, neither should they be confined to particular places; they should, however, return to the camp at the expiration of eight or ten days at farthest. The inconvenience, arising from confining these detachments to a particular time, would perhaps be, that the very day appointed for their return, would be that on which they might have the fairest opportunity of learning intelligence of the enemy: consequently their being forced to return, would defeat the objects for which they were sent out. See page 122, vol. II. of Count Turpin’s Art of War. See Am. Mil. Lib.

Light TROOPS have been sometimes called irregulars, as they act in detached and loose bodies. The tirailleurs, Tyrolians, Yagers, sharp-shooters, and the Chasseurs a cheval et a pied, to which the French owe so much during the whole course of their stupendous revolution, were of this description. What was called advancing en masse, by the French, was nothing more than very large bodies of irregulars (or light troops), which covered the country, in the front of their armies, like an inundation. To their irregulars, and to their light artillery are the French indebted for most of the victories they have gained. The troops stiled in France chasseurs, are, more or less, to be met with in every service in Europe, except the British. The Austrians have many regiments of them; the Prussians have them attached, in a certain proportion, to each corps; but the French, seeing the good effect of these irregulars, have brought them more into the field than all the combined powers together.

The operations in the spring of 1794, were in an open country near Cambray; the French then felt the superiority of the enemy’s cavalry; and saw that the irregulars, with which the French army abounded, were useless, and would continue so, unless they could force the British to make war in an enclosed country; and this they effected by obliging them to return into Flanders, to protect their magazines, and cover their communication with them. That country is much inclosed; and there all the irregulars could act. From that hour the British constantly lost ground, holding only those points they thought proper to cover with works; and in the short space of a few weeks, it may be said in a few days, those armies which had been acting offensively, were actually obliged to act defensively. Was that army diminished by slaughter or sickness? No: but the French armies, it is said, were increased: true; and with what? Irregulars: requisition men or volunteers; first without discipline, but not without ardor to fight: and from the moment the British commenced their sad retreat from Tournay, till they arrived near Breda, nothing was to be seen but the French irregular troops, that is tirailleurs or riflemen.

TROOPER, (Cavalier, Fr.) A horse soldier. According to Dr. Johnson, a trooper fights only on horseback; a dragoon marches on horseback, but fights either as a horseman or footman. There is no such thing as a trooper in the British service. The Blues were the last corps that deserved that appellation; but they now act, like the rest of the cavalry, on foot.

TROPHEE, Fr. See Trophy.

Faire TROPHEE, Fr. To glory in.

TROPHY. Something taken from an enemy, and shewn or treasured up in proof of victory. Among the ancients, it consisted of a pile or heap of arms of a vanquished enemy, raised by the conqueror in the most eminent part of the field of battle.

The trophies were usually dedicated to some of the gods, especially to Jupiter. The name of the deity to whom they were inscribed, was generally mentioned, as was that also of the conqueror. The spoils were first hung upon the trunk of a tree; but instead of trees, succeeding ages erected pillars of stone or brass, to perpetuate the memory of their victories. To demolish a trophy was looked upon as a sacrilege, because they were all consecrated to some deity.

Trophy-money. Certain money annually raised in several countries towards providing artillery harness, and maintaining the militia.

TROPIQUE, Fr. Tropic. It is likewise used as an adjective, and signifies tropical.

Baptême du TROPIQUE, Fr. The ceremony which is performed when a person crosses the line for the first time.

TROSSERS, -

TROUSE,

TROWSERS,

kind of breeches reaching down to the ankles, worn by some regiments of infantry and light cavalry. See Pantaloon.

TROTTOIR, Fr. Footway. It more properly means a raised pavement on the sides of a street or bridge, for the convenience of foot passengers.

TROU, Fr. A hole.

Trou de mineur, Fr. A lodgement which is made for the safety and convenience of a miner, when he first begins his operation.

Trou de loup. A cone reversed. Diameter of the base 4 feet 6 inches: depth 6 feet; picket 6 feet long, and from 4 to 5 inches square; contain ³⁄₄ of a cubic fathom of earth, and are usually placed 2 in 3 fathoms.

TROUBLESOME, from the verb to trouble. Importunate, teazing, full of molestation. This word is frequently misapplied in military matters. Many officers who have the public service of their country at heart, are improperly called troublesome, because they will not add, by negligence or connivance, to the too frequent abuses which exist in the interior economy of military establishment.

TROUGH. A hollow wooden vessel to knead bread in. It is used among the utensils of field bakery.

TROUPES, Fr. Troops, forces.

Troupes legeres, Fr. Light troops.

TROUS-DE-LOUP, in field fortifications, are round holes, about 6 feet deep, and pointed at the bottom, with a stake placed in the middle. They are frequently dug round a redoubt, to obstruct the enemy’s approach. They are circular at the top, of about 4¹⁄₂ feet diameter.

TROUSSE, Fr. A quiver. It also signifies any bundle of things tied together, viz. Une trousse de foin, a bundle of hay. See Truss.

TROUSSEAU, Fr. A long piece of wood in the shape of a cane, that is, having one end smaller than the other, which is used in foundries to make cannon-moulds.

TROUSSEPAS, Fr. A sort of iron spade which is used in cutting turf.

TRUCE, (Treve, Fr.) A suspension of arms, or a cessation of hostilities, between two armies, in order to settle articles of peace, bury the dead, &c.

TRUCK. Wooden wheels for the carriage of cannon, &c.

Trucks of a ship-carriage, are wheels made of one piece of wood, from 12 to 19 inches diameter; and their thickness is always equal to the calibre of the gun.

The trucks of garrison-carriages are sometimes made of cast iron.

A truck-carriage goes upon four trucks of 24 inches diameter; has two flat side pieces of ten inches broad, and serves to carry guns, ammunition boxes, or any other weights, from the store houses to the water side, or to any small distance.

To TRUCKLE. This word is adopted from the trucklebed, which is a low mean bed that can be pushed under another. Hence,

To TRUCKLE TO. To submit to; to allow the superiority of another.

TRUEBORN. According to Dr. Johnson, having a right by birth to any title.

TRUELLE, Fr. A trowel.

TRULL. A vagrant strumpet; or one that has promiscuous dealings upon the road or elsewhere, with men of all descriptions. Hence, a soldier’s trull. In every well regulated camp and garrison the utmost precaution should be taken, to prevent these wretches from having the least intercourse with the soldiery. Notwithstanding the presumed, or reputed immorality of the French nation, the strictest regard was paid to the character and health of their armies. During the monarchy, prostitutes were publicly exposed upon a wooden horse. See Cheval de Bois.

TRUMEAU, Fr. In architecture, the space in a wall which is between two windows. It also signifies a pier-glass.

TRUMPET, or Trump. A wind instrument made of brass or silver, with a mouth piece to take out and put in at pleasure. Each troop of cavalry has one.

TRUMPETER. The soldier who sounds the trumpet.

TRUMPET Soundings. See Soundings.

TRUNCHEON. A club; a cudgel; also a staff of command. The truncheon was for several ages the sign of office; generals were presented with the truncheon as the sign of investiture with command; and all those officers who belonged to the suite of the general, and were not attached to regiments, carried a truncheon or staff, whence the name of officers of the staff. See Batoon.

To Truncheon. To beat with a truncheon. Dr. Johnson has quoted a passage out of Shakespeare, which is extremely apposite to those blustering imposing characters that sometimes annoy public places, and commit swindling acts of depredation under the assumed title of captain. Captain! thou abominable cheater! if captains were of my mind, they would truncheon you out of taking their names upon you before you earned them!

TRUNCHEONEER. One armed with a truncheon.

TRUNNIONS, in guns. Two cylindric pieces of metal in a gun, mortar, or howitzer, which project from pieces of ordnance, and by which they are supported upon their carriages. See Cannon.

Trunnion-plates, are two plates in travelling carriages, mortars, and howitzers, which cover the upper parts of the side-pieces, and go under the trunnions. The French have made improvements on this article; they have two pair of trunnion plates; one pair, in which the gun is placed for action; the gun is removed into the other for travelling; and are so denominated. See Am. Mil. Lib.

TRUSQUINS, Fr. Tools made use of by carpenters and joiners. They are called trusquins d’assemblage, and trusquins à longue pointe.

TRUSS. A bundle; as a bundle of hay or straw. Any thing thrust close together. Trusses of this description have been sometimes used in military affairs. The men carrying them in front for the purpose of deadening shot.

Truss of forage, is as much as a trooper can carry on his horse’s crupper. See Spun Hay.

To TRUST. To give credit to, on promise of payment. No soldier shall be liable to be arrested for a sum under 20l. and then an oath of the debt must be made before a magistrate.

TRUSTY. Honest; faithful; true; fit to be trusted. This word is used in the preamble of military commissions, &c. viz. To our trusty and well beloved.

TUBE, Fr. A pipe, a siphon. It is particularly applied to optical instruments.

Tubes of tin plates are the best for service. Tubes must pass through a guage of ²⁄₁₀ of an inch diameter. The composition is mealed powder, mixt up stiff with spirits of wine. They are made up in bundles of 100 each.

Length of tin tubes.

Length. Kind of Ordnance.

Heavy. Medium. Light. Howitzer. Land Mortars. Sea Mortars.

Inches. Pr. Pr. Pr. Inch. Inch. In.

12 ·2 — — — — — 13

8 ·8 24 24 — — — —

8 ·2 18 18 — — — —

7 ·75 12 12 — — 13 10

6 ·8 9 9 — — — —

6 ·5 6 — 24 8 10 —

5 ·9 3 6 12 5 ¹⁄₂ — —

5 ·0 — — — — 8 —

4 ·75 1 ¹⁄₂ 1 ¹⁄₂ 6 — — —

4 ·2 — — — 4 ²⁄₅ 5 ¹⁄₂ —

3 ·6 — — — — 4 ²⁄₅ —

If tin tubes get damaged by wet, the composition may be cleared out of them, and they may be fresh filled. If spirits of wine cannot be had, good rum or brandy will answer the purpose.

TUCDUMMA, Ind. An account which is closed, after it has been examined.

TUCK. A long narrow sword.

TUDESQUE, Fr. Teutonic; Germanic.

TUERIE, Fr. Slaughter; massacre.

TUF. A soft sandy stone which answers two purposes, either to build upon or to build with. It is likewise tufeau. The French say, figuratively, C’est un homme de tuf—He is a man of no depth or profound knowlege.

TUG, Fr. A Turkish term for tail; a sort of standard called so by the Turks. It consists of a horse’s tail which is fixed to a long pole or half pike, by means of a gold button. The origin of this standard is curious. It is said, that the Christians having given battle to the Turks, the latter were broken, and in the midst of their confusion lost their grand standard. The Turkish general, being extremely agitated at the untoward circumstances which happened, most especially by the loss of the great standard, cut off a horse’s tail with his sabre, fixed it to a half pike, and holding it in his hand, rode furiously towards the fugitives and exclaimed—Here is the great standard; let those who love me, follow into action! This produced the desired effect. The Turks rallied with redoubled courage, rushed into the thickest of the enemy, and not only gained the victory, but recovered their standard. Other writers assert, that six thousand Turks having been taken prisoners during a general engagement, contrived to escape from their guard or escort, and afterwards fought so gallantly, that they regained another battle; that in order to recognize one another, they cut off a horse’s tail which they carried as a standard; that when they joined the Ottoman army, they still made use of the tug or tail; that the Turks, in consequence of the victory which was obtained under this new standard, looked upon it as a happy omen; and that since that period they have always fought under it as their banner, and the signal of success.

Whatever may have been the origin, it is certain, that when the Grand Signor takes the field in person, seven of these tails are always carried before him; and when he is in camp, they are planted in front of his tent.

The Grand Visier is entitled to three of these tails.

The three principal bashaws of the empire, (viz. those of Bagdad, Grand Cairo, and Breda,) have the grand signor’s permission to use this mark of distinction, throughout the whole extent of their jurisdiction.

Those bashaws that are not visiers, have the privilege of having two tails.

The beys, who are subordinate to the bashaws, have only one.

In the bas-relievo which is under the tomb-stone of John Casimir, king of Poland, in the abbey church of St. Germain des Prés de Paris, that monarch is represented at the head of his cavalry, with a horse’s tail or tug for its standard.

TUGPINS, are the iron pins which pass through the fore end of the shafts of the army carts, to fasten the draught chains for the fore horses.

TUILE, Fr. A tile.

Tuile creuse, Fr. A gutter tile.

Tuile de petit moule, Fr. A tile measuring about ten inches in length, and six in breadth. About 300 cover a square toise.

Tuile de grand moule, Fr. A tile measuring about 13 inches in length, and about eight and a half in breadth. One thousand are sufficient to cover seven toises.

TUILEAU, Fr. Shard of a tile.

TUILERIE, Fr. Tile kiln.

TUILERIES, Fr. The gardens, belonging to the ci-devant royal palace in Paris, are so called, from the spot having originally been used for tile-kilns.

TUKKEKYAH, Ind. Carpenters.

TUKNAR JUMMA, Ind. Money brought more than once to account.

TULUBANA, Ind. A fee, taken by Peons when placed as guards over any person.

TULLUB, Ind. This word literally means a demand; but it also signifies wages, pay.

Tullub chitty, Ind. A summons for pay.

TULWAR, Ind. A sword.

TUMBRELS, (Tombereaux, Fr.) Covered carts, which carry ammunition for cannon, tools for the pioneers, miners, and artificers; and sometimes the money of the army.

TUMSOOK, Ind. A bond.

TUNKAW, Ind. An assignment.

TUNES, Fr. Small twigs which are inlaced, or twisted across, around several stakes planted in the earth, and which serve to keep the fascines together.

TUNIC, (Tunique, Fr.) A coat with short sleeves above the elbow; a tunic. It derives its name from the Latin word Tunica, a close coat, which was the common garment worn within doors by itself, and abroad under the gown. It was distinguished by different names among the Romans, corresponding with the several classes of the people that were clothed according to their rank in life. See Kennett’s Roman Antiquities, p. 311, &c.

This sort of clothing is still worn in the east, and was prevalent among the French after their return from the crusades to the Holy Land. They adopted it from the Saracens, and seemed ambitious of appearing in a garb which bore testimony to their feats of valor. These tunics, which were converted into a sort of uniform, obtained the name of Saladines among the French, in compliment to the emperor Saladin. Hence too the origin of Salade, which not only signified the armor that was worn beneath the tunic or saladine, but also the light helmet of that name.

TUNIQUE, Fr. Among the French signifies likewise a particular dress which was worn by the kings, under their robes of state at a coronation.

TUNTUNGI-Bashi. A Turkish term signifying master of the pipes, a situation under the pacha.

TUQUE, Fr. A tarpaulin.

TURBAN, -

TURBANT,

TURBAND,

(Turban, Fr.) A cover consisting of several folds of white muslin, &c. which was worn by the Turks and other oriental nations. The blacks belonging to the different bands that are attached to British regiments likewise wear turbans, ornamented with fictitious pearls and feathers. Those of the foot guards are particularly gorgeous. The French say familiarly Prendre le Turban, to turn Turk.

The great Turk bears over his arms a turban enriched with pearls and diamonds, under two coronets. The first, which is made of pyramidical points, is heightened up with large pearls, and the uppermost is surmounted with crescents.

Green Turban. A turban worn by the immediate descendants of Mahomed, and by the idiots or saints in Turkey.

White Turban. A turban generally worn by the inhabitants of the East.

Yellow Turban. A turban worn by the Polygars who are chiefs of mountainous or woodland districts in the East Indies. By the last accounts from India, this turban has been adopted by the revolted natives of that part of the globe, as a signal of national coincidence and national understanding. The Polygars are in possession of very extensive tracts of country, particularly among the woods and mountains, and are likely to be extremely troublesome to the British. For an interesting account of them see Orme’s History of the Carnatic, pages 386, 390, 396, 420, &c.

TURCIE, Fr. Mole; pier; dyke.

TURK, (Turc, Fr.) The following account of the Turks has been given by a modern French writer:—“The Turks are a nation that is naturally warlike, whose armies are commanded by experienced generals, and are composed of bold and executive soldiers. They owe their knowlege of war, and their experience in tactics to three national causes, two of which do credit to their intellects. In the first place, they become enured to arms, from being bred to the profession from their earliest infancy: in the second, they are promoted upon the sole ground of merit, and by an uninterrupted gradation of rank: and in the third, they possess all the opportunities of learning the military art that constant practice and habitual warfare can afford. They are naturally robust, and constitutionally courageous, full of activity, and not at all enervated by the debaucheries of Europe, or the effeminacy of the East. Their predilection for war and enterprise, grows out of the recollection of past victories, and is strengthened by the two most powerful incentives to human daring, viz. reward and punishment; the first of which is extremely attractive, because it is extremely great, and the other equally deterring, because it is rigorous in the extreme. Add to these the strong influence of a religion, which holds out everlasting happiness and seats near Mahomed in heaven, to all who die fighting for their country on the field of battle; and which further teaches them most implicitly to believe, that every Turk has written upon his forehead his fatal moment, with the kind of death he must submit to, and that nothing human can alter his destiny. When any thing is to be put into execution, the order they receive is absolute, free from every species of intervention or control, and emanating from one independent authority. The power which is entrusted to their generals (like that of the Romans to their dictators) is brief and comprehensive, viz.—“Promote the interests of your country or your sovereign.” See Essai sur la Science de la Guerre, tom. i. p. 207.

Such is the character of the Turks, as detailed by their old allies the French. How far it corresponds with reality, especially in regard to military knowlege, we must leave to future historians to determine; observing at the same time, that a few sparks of British valor and perseverance have contributed more to the preservation of the Ottoman empire, during the present war, than all the fantastic images, or well-devised hypocrisies of Mahomed could have done. Our brave countrymen, on their return from Egypt, will probably be enabled to give a more faithful and correct account of their characters as soldiers.

TURMA. A troop of cavalry among the ancient Romans. The horse required to every legion was three hundred, divided into ten turmæ or troops, thirty to a troop, every troop making three decuriæ, or squads. See Kennett, R. A. p. 192.

TURNCOAT. A renegade, a deserter; one who abandons his party.

TURNOVER. A piece of white linen which is worn by the soldiers belonging to the British cavalry over their stocks, about half an inch deep.

To TURN out. To bring forward, to exhibit; as, to turn out the guard; to turn out so many men for service.

To Turn in. To withdraw; to order under cover; as, to turn in the guard.

TURNPIKE, (Barriere, Fr.) An obstacle placed across a road to prevent travellers, waggons, &c. from passing without paying an established toll. British officers and soldiers regimentally dressed, and on duty, pass through turnpikes gratis.

Turnpike is also used in the military art, for a beam stuck full of spikes, to be placed in a gap, a breach, or at the entrance of a camp, to keep off the enemy. It may be considered as a sort of cheval de frize.

TURPENTINE. A very combustible resin, much used in the composition of fire-works. All resins are discriminated from gums, by being soluble in oil but not in water; gums the contrary.

TURRET. A small tower.

Moveable Turrets. See Towers.

TUSSULDAR, Ind. The East India company’s collector of the kistybundy.

TUYAU, Fr. Any pipe, &c. of lead, or gutter, or canal, made of burnt clay, &c. which serves to carry off the water from the roof of a house.

Tuyau de cheminee, Fr. The cylindrical conduit which receives and lets out the smoke at the top of a chimney.

Tuyaux de descente, Fr. The pipes which convey the water downwards.

TYMPAN, (Tympan, Fr.) In architecture, the area of a pediment, being that part which is on a level with the naked part of the frize. Or it is the space included between the three cornices of a triangular pediment, or the two cornices of a circular one.

Tympan of an arch, is the triangular space or table in the corners or sides of the arch, usually hollowed and enriched, sometimes with branches of laurel, olive-tree, or oak, or with trophies, &c. Sometimes with flying figures, as fame, victory, &c. or sitting figures, as the cardinal virtues.

TYMPANUM. A drum, a musical instrument which the ancients used, and which consisted of a thin piece of leather or skin, stretched upon a circle of wood or iron, and beat with the hand. Hence the origin of our drum.

Tympanum. In mechanics, a kind of wheel placed round an axis or cylindrical beam, on the top of which are two levers, or fixed staves, for the more easy turning the axis about, in order to raise a weight required. It is also used for any hollow wheel, wherein one or more persons or animals, such as horses, dogs, &c. walk to turn it. This wheel is found in cranes, calenders, &c.