=Elsass= (Fr. _Alsace_). One of the old German provinces, having the Rhine on the east and the Vosges Mountains on the west. It was ceded to France in 1648; but after the Franco-German war was annexed by Prussia, under treaty of May 10, 1871. =Elswick Compressor.= An arrangement for compressing friction plates used in the English navy to take up the recoil of gun-carriages upon their slides. The 7 friction plates arranged longitudinally under the carriage and attached to its lower part, have alternating between them 6 long flat bars attached at their ends to the slide by bolts passing through them, but allowing them a side motion. The plates and bars are tightly clamped by short rocking levers, the lower ends of which act on the outside plates. The levers are worked by collars on a threaded shaft, which catch their upper ends. The shaft is called the compressor shaft, and has a handle or crank on the outside of each cheek or bracket,--one is called the _adjusting lever_, the other the _compressor lever_. The first is used to give an initial compression to suit the charge, the other is operated by the recoil being forced down by a tripper on the slide. Two forms of the compressor are used,--one for the _single plate_, the other for the _double-plate carriage_. In the double-plate carriage the adjusting lever can be set to any degree of compression without causing any motion in the compressor shaft or lever. =Elswick Gun.= Armstrong gun (which see). =Elvas.= A strong frontier town of Portugal, in the province of Alemtejo, situated on a rocky hill, 10 miles northwest from Badajos. It is one of the most important strongholds in Europe. The arsenal and bomb-proof barracks are capable of containing 6000 or 7000 men. In 1808 it was taken and held for five months by the French. =Emaum Ghaur.= In Scinde, was a strong fortress in the Thur or Great Sandy Desert, separating that province from the rajpoot state of Jessulmere. It was captured by Sir Charles Napier in January, 1843. =Embark.= To put or cause to go on board a vessel or boat; as, to embark troops. To go on board of a ship, boat, or vessel; as, the troops embarked for Egypt. =Embarkation.= The act of putting or going on board of a vessel. =Embaterion.= A war-song of the Spartans, accompanied by flutes, which they sung marching in time, and rushing on the enemy. The origin of the embaterion is lost in antiquity. =Embattle.= To arrange in order of battle; to draw up in array, as troops for battle; also, to prepare or arm for battle. =Embattle.= To furnish with battlements. “_Embattled_” house. =Embattlement.= An indented parapet; battlement. =Embezzlement.= See APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF WAR, 60. =Emblazonry.= See BLAZONRY. =Emblee= (_Fr._). A prompt, sudden, and vigorous attack, which is made against the covert way and outworks of a fortified place. =Embody.= To form or collect into a body or united mass; as, to embody troops.