A military dictionary : $b or, Explanation of the several systems of discipline of different kinds of troops, infantry, artillery, and cavalry: the principles of fortification, and all the modern improvements in the science of tactics: comprising the pocket gunner, or little bombardier, the military regulations of the United States: the weights, measures, and monies of all nations: the technical terms and phrases of the art of war in the French language: particularly adapted to the use of the Duane, William
History
A military dictionary : $b or, Explanation of the several systems of discipline of different kinds of troops, infantry, artillery, and cavalry: the principles of fortification, and all the modern improvements in the science of tactics: comprising the pocket gunner, or little bombardier, the military regulations of the United States: the weights, measures, and monies of all nations: the technical terms and phrases of the art of war in the French language: particularly adapted to the use of the
Duane, William
English language -- Terms and phrases; Military art and science -- Dictionaries
_Hussars_, generally Hungarian horse; their uniform is a large furred
cap, adorned with a cock’s feather; those of the officers, either
with an eagle’s or a heron’s; a very short waistcoat, with a pair of
breeches and stockings in one; short light boots, generally of red or
yellow leather; with a curious doublet, having five rows of buttons,
which hang loosely on the left shoulder. Their arms are a long crooked
sabre, light carbines, and pistols. Before they begin an attack, they
lay themselves so flat on the necks of their horses, that it is hardly
possible to discover their force; but being come within pistol-shot of
the enemy, they raise themselves with surprising quickness, and fall
on with such vivacity, that it is very difficult for the troops to
preserve their order. When a retreat is necessary, their horses have
so much fire, and are so indefatigable, their equipage so light, and
themselves such excellent horsemen, that no other cavalry can pretend
to follow them; they leap over ditches, and swim over rivers, with
a surprising facility. Most of the German powers have troops under
this name, as also France; into which country they were originally
introduced under Louis the XIII. and were called Hungarian cavalry.
This description of cavalry was accordingly more ancient in the French
service, than that of hussars.
CAVEATING, in fencing, implies a motion whereby a person in an instant
brings his sword, which was presented to one side of his adversary, to
the opposite side.
CAVIN, in military affairs, implies a natural hollow, sufficiently
capacious to lodge a body of troops, and facilitate their approach to a
place. If it be within musket-shot, it is a place of arms ready made,
and serves for opening the trenches, free from the enemy’s shot.
CAUTION, an explanation given previous to the word of command, by
which the soldiers are called to attention, that they may execute the
movement to be directed with unanimity and correctness.
CAZEMATTE. See CASEMATE.
CAZEMATE, CASEMATE, in fortification, is a certain retired place in
the flank of a bastion, for the defence of the ditch, and face of the
opposite bastion; not used at present. It also implies a well, having
several subterranean branches, which are extended when they suspect the
enemy is forming a mine, till they hear the miners at work.
CAZERNES, _Fr._ See CASERNES.
CEINTURE _militaire_, _Fr._ a broad leather belt which was worn round
the waist, and was ornamented with gold or silver plates.
CELERES, the life-guards which attended Romulus, in the infancy of
Rome, were so called. They were laid aside by Numa Pompilius. Celeres
are properly distinguished from other troops, by being lightly armed
and acting always on foot. The Celeres cannot be considered under the
same head as Velites.
CEMENT. See CÆMENT.
CENOTAPH, in military history, implies the empty tomb of a hero, or
a monument erected to the honor of a person, without the body of the
deceased being interred in or near it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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