WIN manner that a battalion is faced about.Marshal Puysegur remarks, that the French adopted this movement from the Germans, in the year 1670. He is of opinion, that previous to this epoch, squadrons were faced to the rear by means of a double caracol, describing a half-circle, the extent of whose front was equal to half of its diameter; on which account, the general order of battle in those days had considerable intervals, and great loss of time and space of course. WIG. A Saxon termination of the names of men, signifying war. WIGWAM. by the Indians. A hut used in America WILBE, Ind. Guardian; protector. WILDFIRE. A composition of firework, so called from its ready ignition and rapid combustion. WINCH, (Manivelle, Fr.) The handle or lever by which a jack, windlass, &c. is turned. WINDAGE of a gun, mortar, or bowitzer. The difference between the diameter of the bore, and the diameter of the shot or shell. In England the diameter of the shot is supposed to be divided into 20 equal parts, and the diameter of the bore into 21 of those parts. The French divide the shot into 26, and the bore into 27 The Prussians divide the shot into 24, and the bore into 25. The Dutch nearly the same as the English. The general windage of shells in England is of an inch, let them be large or small, which is contrary to all reason. It is evident, that the less windage a shot or shell has, the farther and truer it will go; and having Jess room to bounce from side to side, the gun will not be spoiled so soon. It is true that some artillery officers say, that the windage of a gun should be equal to the thickness of the ladle; because, when it has been loaded for a while, the shot will not come out, without being foosened thereby, in order to unload it-and when this cannot be done, it must be fired away, and so lost : but the most ad. vantageous windage should be in dividing the shot into 24 equal parts, and the bore into 25, on account of the convenient scale it affords, not only to construct_guns thereby, but also their carriages. Hence, agreeable to this plan, the windage of nine-pounder will be 166 of an inch, consequently a sufficient thickness for a ladle; and those of a higher calibre become stili thicker in proportion: but suppose this thickness is not enough, the loss of a shot is a mere trifle, in respect to the advantage gained thereby. a WINDAGE. The usual windage of English guns is 1-20 of the calibre. It appears by experiments, that, or nearly of the force of the powder is lost by this windage. See VELOCITY. Windage of Mortars and Howitzers. From the 13 to 5 inch the windage is 15 of an inch, and that of the 4 25 is of an inch: 2 WIND-GUN. See AIR-GUN. ler of wood, square at each end, through WINDLASS, (Vindas, Fr.) Is a rolwhich are either cross holes for handspikes or staves across to turn it round: by this means it draws a cord, one end of which is fastened to some weight which it raises up. about Dutch mortars, to help to elevate They are used in gins, and them. The French say Vindas ou Cabestan borizontal, the latter being a sea term. WINDSAILS, (Manches à vent, Fr.) Large pieces of canvas, which are used in ships at sea for the purposes of ventilation, &c. During voyages in hot climates, the most beneficial effects are derived from the use of windsails. The have them made immediately as troops are master of the vessel should be desired to embarked, if not already provided, and they should be constantly hung up.These sails throw a stream of cold air between decks, and it is not an unusual practice among the men, at least among bottom of them, by which this salutary the unexperienced soldiers, to tie up the purpose is defeated. The serjeant of the watch must be responsible that this irregularity is never committed. As St. Domingo is to the windward of Ja- inaica. in battle, are the right and left parts WINGS of an army. When drawn up counting from the centre; when a battalion is drawn up, the divisions on the right and left of the centre are called the wings. The word wing is sometimes used to denote the large sides of hornworks, crown-works, tenailles, and other || out-works, &c. WINTER-Quarters. See QUARTERS. WITHERBAND. A piece of iron laid under a saddle, about three inches above the withers of the horse, to keep tight the two pieces of wood. WITNESSES. In fortification. See TEMOINS. WITNESSES. In a military judicial sense, persons summoned by the judgeadvocate, or any of his deputies, to attend at a general court-martial, there to speak to facts which they know of their own knowlege, and to which they can bona fide swear, from having been present at the transaction, &c. See Macomb on Court-Martials. According to the articles of war, witnesses attending courts-martial are to be privileged from arrests, and not attending are liable to be attached. work, because they resist cannon-shot.See SIEGE. WORD (Mor, Fr.) A single part of speech, consisting of one or more syllables, for the purpose of expressing ideas. In a military sense, it signifies signal, to ken, order; as watch-word, &c. The WORD, 2 Is a peculiar word that Watch WORD, serves for a token and mark of distinction, given out in the orders of the day in times of peace, but m war every evening in the field, by the general who commands, and in garrison by the governor, or other officer commanding in chief, to prevent surprise, and hinder an enemy, or any treacherous person, to pass backwards and forwards. This watchword is generally called the parole, and to which is added the countersign. The first is known to all officers and non-commis sioned officers, the latter only to the cen tinels. The officers that go the rounds, or patroles, exchange the word with the officers on duty; nor must the centinels let any one pass who has not got the countersign. WOHKEELE, Ind. An ambassador. WOLF-Holes. In the defence of pla- WORDS of command, (Mots de commandeces, are round holes, generally about two ment, Fr.) Certain terms which have or three feet in diameter at the top, one at been adopted for the exercise and movebottom, and two and an haif deep, dug inment of military bodies, according to the the front of any work. Sometimes a sharp-pointed stake or two are fixed at the bottom, and covered with very thin planks, and green sods; consequently the enemy, on advancing, fall in, and are put into con-gade, battalion, or division, and of those fusion. WOOD. Artillery carriages are generally made of elm, ash, and oak. The bed and house of a sea mortar are made of oak, and the bolster of elm. The bottoms of land mortar beds are of oak, and the upper parts of elm. Carriages-Ship.-The cheeks, transoms, and trucks of elm; the axle trees of live oak. trucks, iron. nature of each particular service. Words of command are classed under two principal heads, and consist of those which are given by the chief or commander of a bri. which are uttered by the subordinate leaders of troops or companies, &c. Cautionary WORDS, (Commandement d'advertissement, Fr.) Certain leading instruc tions which are given to designate any particular manoeuvre. The cautionary words precede the words of command, "and are issued by thechiefs of corps. WORKMEN. Are persons that attend the ammunition, boatsmen, carpenGarrison.-The whole of oak;ters, smiths, millets, bakers, waggoners, miners, pioneers, &c. When soldiers are employed upon fa. tigue, or working parties, the drums and fites, &c, should invariably play to time and measure. According to marshal Saxe, they should be relieved at the expi ration of two hours and an half; by which means the individuals are less harrassed, and all the troops share alike. With regard to accompanying them in their la Field.-Heavy 24 and 12 Pr. the cheeks and transoms of elm; the axle trees of ash or hickory. In the wheel the nave and fellies are of elm; the spokes of ash; limber shafts, bars, and axle trees are of ash. Light guns, from 3 to 12 prs. the cheeks and transoms are of elm: the ammunition boxes are of sycamore. In the wheels, the nave is of elm, the spokes of oak, and the fellies of ash. In the lim-bor with music, the policy of it is war ber the shafts and bars of ash. WOOD Matches. See PORTFIRE. WOODEN-Bottems. In laboratory works, are cylindrical pieces of wood, of different lengths and diameters, agreeable to the size of the gun. They are hollow ed at one end to receive the shot, and the fannel cartridge is fastened to the other end: the whole forming one cartridge, which is put into the piece at one motion. Iron bottoms are to be preferred. WOOL-Packs, Bags of wool. They are frequently ranged in form of a breast ranted by antiquity. The Lacædemonians, with a detachment of only three thousand men, under the command of Lysander, destroyed the famous Pyræus of Athens in less than six hours. During the whole of the operation, the flutes were piecing, to enliven and encourage the troops. This custom existed in France to a late period among the galley-slaves at Marseilles; who, whilst they were em ployed in removing enormous loads of rubbish, &c. were constantly accompanied by musical instruments and drums. Marsh. Saxe's Reveries, pages 157 and 358. WORKS. This term is generally understood to comprehend the fortifications about the body of a place; as by outworks are meant those without the first inclosure. The word is also used to signify the approaches of the besiegers, and the several lines, trenches, &c, made round a place, an army, or the like, for its security. To WORM a Gun, (Décharger uncangn avec la tire-bourre, Fr.) To take out the charge of a firearm by means of a worm, Worm of a GUN, (Tire bourre, Fr.) An instrument vermiculated or turned round, that serves to extract any thing into which it insinuates its f by means of a spiral direction. It is much the same as wadhook, with this difference, that the one is more proper for small-arms, and the other for ordnance To WORST. To defeat, to overthrow. rout. WORTHY. A man particularly distinguished, more especially for his valor, as the worthies of antiquity. WREATH of victory. The garland or chaple, of triumph. See TRIUMPH. WRESTLER. One who contends in wrestling. WRESTLING. A contest for ascendancy of bodily strength; as when two wrestlers attempt to throw each other down. It was in great vogue among the Olympic games. X XEBEC, (Chebec, Fr.) A sort of armed vessel, with lateen sails, which is used in the Mediterranean. XENOPHON. A Greek general who has rendered his name immortal by a wellconducted retreat; and is equally celebrated for good military maxims, which are still extant in his Cyropædia. XERIFF. A prince, or chief ruler in Barbary is so called. XERXES. A king of Persia, son of Darius, and grandson of Cyrus. This monarch has been rendered notorious in history, by the extravagance of his preparations to invade Greece, and his ultimate failure; which latter may be attributed to the undisciplined state of his army, and to the presumption of his general Mardonius. He entered the Hellespont with so numerous a fleet, that it covered its surface between the two lands. The number he embarked exceeded 1,000,000 men, who were entirely defeated by 40,000 well-disciplined troops from Greece. XYSTARCHA. In antiquity, the master and director of the Xystus. In the Greek Gymnasium, the Xystarcha was the second officer, and the Gymnasiarcha the first; the former was his lieutenant, and presided over the two Xysti, as well as over every species of exercise that was practised therein. XYSTER. An instrument used by surgeons to scrape and shave bones with. XYSTUS. Among the ancients, a long portico, open or covered at the top, where the athletæ practised wrestling and running the gladiators who exercised therein, were called Xystici. WRONG. An injury; a designed or known detriment; not right, not justice. WRONGS. We have already observed under the article Rights, that although they are not specifically mentioned or described in the mutiny bill, they nevertheless exist in military life. Every of ficer and soldier possesses rights, and when Among the Romans, the xystus was either is wronged he is authorized to seek only an alley, or double row of trees, for redress. In the articles of war, it is ex-meeting like an arbor, and forming a shade pressly laid down, that if any officer shall think himself to be wronged by his colonel, or the commanding officer, of the regiment, and shall upon due application made to him, be refused to be redressed, he may complain to the general commanding, in order to obtain justice; who is required to examine into such complaint; and either by himself or by the secretary at war, to make his report. It will be observed, that officers may be peremptorily dismissed the service without trial or investigation. If any inferior officer, non-commissioned officer, or soldier shall think himself wronged by his captain, or other officer commanding the troop or company to which he belongs, he is to complain thereof to the commanding officer of the station or regiment. Sandals. WUHAH, Ind. to walk under; so that, in this sense, it might be considered as an open walking place, where the Romans entertained one another. Y YACHT, (Yacht, Fr.) This word is taken from the Dutch. It is a small ship with one deck, carrying four, eight, or twelve guns, and thirty or forty men. Yachts, in general, are from 30 to 160 tons; contrived and adorned both within side and without, for carrying state passengers. They answer the purposes of business as well as pleasure, being remarkable good sailers. YAD DASHT, Ind. A memorandum. YEOMAN. The French use this word when they allude to the yeomen of the guards. In a general acceptation of the word among us, yeoman signifies a free man, who has land of his own. YEOMAN of the guard. One belonging to a sort of foot guards, who attend at the British king's palace. The yeomen were uniformly required to be six feet high. They are in number 100 on constant duty, and 70 off duty. The one half wear arquebuses, and the other pertuisans. Their attendance is confined to the king's person, both at home and abroad. They are clad after the manner of king Henry VIII, and are commonly known by the name of the beefeaters. The yeomen of the guards were ancient- YEOMANRY. The collective body of yeomen. In this class may be consi dered men of small landed property, independent farmers, &c. YESAWUL, Ind. A state messenger; a servant of parade, who carries a gold or silver staff; an aid-de-camp. YETESAB, Ind. An officer who regulates the weights. YOG, Ind. Junction, or union. YIELD. See SURRENDER. YOUNGER regiment, is that which was last raised. See SENIORITY. YOUNGER officer, is he whose commission is of the latest date; and according to these rules, regiments and officers are posted and commanded. See SENIORITY. YOUNGSTERS. A familiar term to signify the junior officers of a troop or company. The word youngster is likewise used in the navy. The French say mousse in naval phraseology. form of a long dart, which the Moors make use of in battle, and which they cast with extreme dexterity. ZAIMS. Principal leaders or chiefs; after whom a mounted militia which they support and pay is called among the Turks, ZAYM, Ind. A feudal chief, or mili. tary tenant. ZEAL. More than common ardor for the good of the service. ZEBANBUNDY, Ind. A deposition. ZEINAUB, Ind. A term of distinction used to persons of rank or eminence. ZEMEEN, Ind. Ground. ZEMEENDAR, Ind. A person who holds a tract of land in his own right. ZEMEENDARY, Ind. The lands of zemeendar. ZENITH, Zenith, Fr. The point or vertex in the heavens directly over one's head. If we conceive a line drawn through the observer and the centre of the earth, which must necessarily be perpendicular to the horizon, it will reach to a point among the fixed stars called the zenith. The zenith is directly opposite to the Nadir; one above our heads, and the other below our feet. ZERAKET, Ind. Agriculture. ZERB, Ind. A blow; a stroke: ZERB SHALLAAK, Ind. A blow given with a stick. ZIG-ZAG, Fr. A term used in me. chanics. The working beams or balances which give motion to the several pumps to throw the water up from the river to the hill at Marly, near Paris, form a sort of ziz-zag. ZIG-ZAGS, in fortification, are trenches or paths with several windings, so cut, that the besieged are prevented from enfi. lading the besieger in his approaches. ZIMRA, Ind. A certificate. ZINDIGEE, Ind. Grain, cattle, lands, plantations. ZIYAMUT, Ind. A fief bestowed for military services. ZULLUM, Ind. Violence; oppres sion. ZUROOREAT, Ind. Necessaries. 4. THE END. |