DISTRIBUTION. In a military sense, generally applies to any division, or allotment, which is made for the purposes of warfare. Thus an army may be distributed about a country. In a more confined sense, it means the minute arrangements that are made for the interior œconomy of corps; as distribution of pay or subsistence, distribution of allowances, &c. DISTRICT, in a military sense, one of those parts into which a country is divided, for the conveniences of command, and to secure a ready co-operation between distant bodies of armed men. DITCH. See FORTIFICATION, MOAT. _To drain a_ DITCH, is to make the water run off into lower ground, by means of small trenches cut for this purpose. DIVERSION, in military history, is when an enemy is attacked in one place where he is weak and unprovided, in order to draw off his forces from making an irruption somewhere else; or where an enemy is strong, and by an able manœuvre he is obliged to detach part of his forces to resist any feint or menacing attempt of his opponent. To derive advantage from a diversion, taken in an extended acceptation of the term, it is necessary, that one state should have greater resources than another; for it would be absurd to attack the territories of another before you had secured your own. It is likewise requisite, that the country you attack by stratagem or diversion, should be easy of access, and the invasion you make must be prompt, vigorous and unexpected, directed against a weak and vulnerable quarter. A little good fortune is however essential to render a diversion perfectly successful, as all the ways and means by which it ought be made, cannot be reduced to rule. The most memorable instance of a diversion well executed, which we meet with in ancient history, was performed by Scipio in Africa, whilst Annibal carried the war into Italy. In 1659, a diversion no less remarkable, was practised by the imperial and allied armies against the Swedes. DIVISIONS _of a battalion_, are the several platoons into which a regiment or battalion is divided, either in marching or firing; each of which is commanded by an officer. DIVISIONS _of an army_, are the number of brigades and squadrons it contains. The advance, the main, and the rear guards are composed out of the several brigades, and march in front, in the centre, and in the rear of an army. Each army has its right wing, its centre, and its left wing. When armies march they advance in column, that is, they are divided into several squadrons and battalions of a given depth, successively formed upon one another. If an army be drawn out or displayed in order of battle it is usually divided into the first line, which constitutes the front, the second line, which makes the main body, and the third line or reserve. DODECAGON, in geometry, is a regular polygon, consisting of 12 equal sides and angles, capable of being regularly fortified with the same number of bastions.