=America.= One of the great divisions of the earth’s surface, so called from Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine navigator, who visited South America in 1499. It is composed of two vast peninsulas called North and South America, extending in a continuous line 9000 miles, connected by the Isthmus of Panama or Darien, which is only 28 miles wide at its narrowest part. The physical features of this large continent are on a most gigantic scale, comprising the greatest lakes, rivers, valleys, etc., in the world; and its discovery, which may be said to have doubled the habitable globe, is an event so grand and interesting that nothing parallel to it can be expected to occur again in the history of mankind. Upon its discovery, in the latter half of the 15th century, colonists, settlers, warriors, statesmen, and adventurers of all nations began to flock to its shores, until after a lapse of nearly four centuries of wars, struggles, civilization, progress, and amalgamation of the more powerful races, and weakness and decay of the effete, it ranks in wealth and enlightenment as the first of the great divisions of the earth. Of the different races, governments, etc., occupying its area, it is not necessary here to speak; events of importance in their histories will be found under appropriate headings in this work. =Ames Gun.= The rifled guns made by Mr. Horatio Ames, of Falls Village, Conn., are made of wrought iron on the built-up principle. See ORDNANCE, CONSTRUCTION OF. =Amiens.= A city in Picardy (Northern France). It was taken by the Spaniards March 11, and retaken by the French September 25, 1587. The preliminary articles of the peace between Great Britain, Holland, France, and Spain were signed in London by Lord Hawkesbury and M. Otto, on the part of England and France, October 1, 1801, and the definitive treaty was subscribed at Amiens, March 27, 1802, by the Marquis of Cornwallis for England, Joseph Bonaparte for France, Azara for Spain, and Schimmelpennick for Holland. War was declared in 1803. =Amisus.= A city in the ancient kingdom of Pontus, fortified by Mithridates, and captured by Lucullus in 71 B.C. =Ammedera.= An ancient city in Africa, where the rebel Gildon was defeated by Stilicho in 398. =Ammunition.= Is a term which comprehends gunpowder, and all the various projectiles and pyrotechnical composition and stores used in the service. See ORDNANCE, AMMUNITION FOR. =Ammunition Bread.= That which is for the supply of armies and garrisons. =Ammunition-chest.= See ORDNANCE FOR CAISSON. =Ammunition Shoes.= Those made for soldiers and sailors in the British service are so called, and particularly for use by those frequenting the magazine, being soft and free from metal. =Ammunition, Stand of.= The projectile, cartridge, and sabot connected together. =Amnesty.= An act by which two belligerent powers at variance agree to bury past differences in oblivion; forgiveness of past offenses.