BRUSQUER _une attaque_, _Fr._ is to open the trenches in the nearest approaches to a place, completing the works from the front towards the rear. This undertaking is extremely hazardous, unless the object invested, or attacked, be ill-garrisoned, have a narrow front to besiege, the ditches be dry, &c. BRUSQUER _l’affaire_, _Fr._ to attack suddenly, and without attending to any regular rule of military manœuvre. BUCCANEERS, in military history, a name frequently applied to those famous adventurers, consisting of pirates, &c. from all the maritime nations of Europe, who formerly joined together, and made war upon the Spaniards in America. BUCKETS. Water-buckets are necessary appendages to field-pieces, to cool the gun when hotly engaged; otherwise it might fire itself, or run at the muzzle. BUCKLER, a piece of defensive armor used by the ancients. It was always worn on the left arm, and composed of wicker-work, of the lightest sort, but most commonly of hides, fortified with plates of brass or other metals. The shape of it varied considerably, being sometimes round, sometimes oval, and often nearly square. The shield of Achilles in the Illiad, as well as the book itself merits the attention of the military student. BUDGE-_Barrels_. See BARREL. BUFF-_Leather_, in military accoutrements, is a sort of leather prepared from the buffalo, which, dressed with oil, after the manner of shamoy, makes what is generally called buff-skin. Sword-belts were made of this leather. BUGLE-HORN, the old Saxon horn; it is now used by the light infantry, and particularly by riflemen. By its soundings, their manœuvres are directed, either in advancing, skirmishing, or retreating. It is also used by the horse artillery, and some regiments of light cavalry. BUILDING, in a general sense, a fabric erected by art, either for devotion, magnificence, conveniency, or defence. _Military_ BUILDINGS, are of various sorts, viz. powder-magazines, bridges, gates, barracks, hospitals, store-houses, guard-rooms, &c. _Regular_ BUILDING, is that whose plan is square, the opposite sides equal, and all the parts disposed with symmetry. _Irregular_ BUILDING, that whose plan is not contained within equal or parallel lines, either by the accident of situation, or the design of the builder, and whose parts are not relative to one another in the elevation. _Insulated_ BUILDING, that which is not contiguous to any other, but is encompassed with streets, open squares, &c. or any building which stands in a river, on a rock surrounded by the sea, marsh, &c. _Engaged_ BUILDING, one surrounded with other buildings, having no front to any street or public place, nor any communication without, but by a common passage. _Interred_ or _sunk_ BUILDING, one whose area is below the surface of the place where it stands, and of which the lowest courses of stone are concealed.