COLUMN, in the art of war, a long, deep file of troops or baggage. The advantages and disadvantages of columns are so numerous, that we shall only mention, that columns ought to be able to form near the enemy; and in such a position, as not to suffer much from the artillery; that their motions be quick, so as not to suffer much during the operation; and that the divisions, in short, which compose each column, be so arranged as to afford each other a mutual defence and assistance, in case they should be attacked. Such are the principles that should guide, in forming of columns judiciously, and of freeing them from that multiplicity of inconveniencies which make them liable to the most melancholy accidents. The chevalier Folard has written a treatise on the disposition of the column as the best order of battle; after his death the theory sunk into disregard; but the French revolution has revived and realized all the advantages, held forth by Folard. _Close_-COLUMN, a compact, solid column, with very little space between the divisions of which it is composed. _Open_-COLUMN, a column with intervals between the divisions equal to their respective fronts. COMBAT, a battle or duel. Anciently it was not uncommon for contending powers to adjust their disputes by single combat, when each party chose for itself a champion who contested the point in presence of both armies. COME-_in_, soldiers are said to come in, as volunteers, recruits, &c. when invited to join any particular standard. COME-_over_, when men desert from an enemy, and join the army that opposes them, they are said to come over. This term is opposed to _go over_. _To_ COME-_in to_, to join with, to bring help. “They marched to Wells, where the Lord Audley, with whom their leaders had before secret intelligence, _came in to_ them.” _English History._ _To_ COME-_up_, to overtake. To come up with an enemy, is a military phrase much in use. COMINGE, _Fr._ a shell of extreme magnitude, which takes its name from the person who originally invented it. COMMAND, generally called _the word of command_, is a term used by officers in exercise, or upon service. COMMAND, in military matters. All _commands_ fall to the eldest in the same circumstances, whether of horse, dragoons, artillery, foot, or marines. COMMANDE, a rope made use of in boats and pontoons. COMMANDS, _in fortification_, are: _A command in front_, when any eminence is directly facing the work which it commands. _A command in rear_, when any eminence is directly behind the work which it commands. _A command by enfilade_, when an eminence is situated in the prolongation of any line of a work, and a considerable part of it may be seen from thence. COMMANDANT, is that person who has the command of a garrison, fort, castle, regiment, company, &c. called also commander.