=Antwerp= (Fr. _Anvers_). The principal port of Belgium; is mentioned in history in 517; it was pillaged and burnt by the Spaniards and the inhabitants massacred, November 4, 1576. This event has been termed the “Spanish Fury.” After Marlborough’s victory at Ramillies, Antwerp surrendered at once, June 6, 1706; the Barrier treaty concluded here, November 16, 1715; taken by Marshal Saxe, May 9, 1746; occupied by the French, 1792-94 and 1814. The Belgian troops, having entered Antwerp, were opposed by the Dutch garrison, who, after a dreadful conflict, being driven into their citadel, cannonaded the town with hot shot and shells, October 27, 1830; the citadel was bombarded by the French, December 4; surrendered by Gen. Chasse, December 23, 1832. The exchange burnt, archives, etc., destroyed, August 2, 1858; fortification completed, 1865. =Anvil.= An archaism for the handle or hilt of a sword. Also, a little narrow flag at the end of a lance. =Anvil.= The resisting cone, plate, or bar against which the fulminate in a metallic cartridge is exploded. See PRIMER. =Aosta.= A town in Piedmont, which was captured by the Romans in 24 B.C. =Aous=, or =Aeas= (now the _Voyussa_). A river in Epirus, Greece, which flows into the Adriatic Sea; on the banks of this river Philip of Macedon was twice defeated by the Romans. =Apaches.= A warlike tribe of savage Indians who infest New Mexico and Arizona. Until within a few years they were hostile, making frequent raids into the neighboring Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua, and robbing and murdering the settlers. They are now peaceable, and settled on reservations (with the exception of a few renegades); but being entirely uncivilized, their peaceful condition is uncertain. See INDIANS AND THEIR AGENCIES. =Aparejo.= A kind of pack-saddle used in the American military service. See PACK-SADDLES. =Apex.= The tip, point, or summit of anything. The Romans so named the crest of a helmet, or the part whereon the horse-hair plume was attached. =Aphracti.= In the ancient military art, open vessels, without decks or hatches, furnished only at head and stern with cross-planks, whereon the men stood to fight. =Apobates.= A name given by the ancients to warriors who fought mounted on chariots; they were also called _Anabates_, or _Paraebates_; they were generally leaders who fought in this manner; their armor and arms consisted of helmet, breast-armor, lance, javelin, sword, and shield. These warriors occasionally alighted from the chariots to attack their adversaries on foot. =Apology.= In a military sense, when made and accepted, debars the officer who accepts from bringing forward the matter as a substantive accusation. See APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF WAR, 25. =Apomaque.= This word, with the Grecians, signified those soldiers who were disqualified for military service from physical disability or other causes.