ART. Military art may be divided into two principal branches. The first branch relates to the order and arrangement which must be observed in the management of an army, when it is to fight, to march, or to be encamped. This branch is called _tactics_, and derives its appellation from _tactic_, which signifies _order_. The same appellation belongs to the other branch of military art, and includes the composition and the application of warlike machines. ARTICLES OF WAR, are known rules and regulations for the better government of an army. The articles of war of the United States underwent an alteration in 1806, and are of date 10th April of that year; they consist of 103 articles; all that relates to the army not comprehended therein, are published in general orders or in established regulations, issued from time to time from the War Department, or by the commanding officer of the army, copies of which are delivered to the officers of the army. In England they may be altered and enlarged at the pleasure of their king. And in certain cases extend to civilians--as when by proclamation any place shall be put under martial law; or when people follow a camp or army for the sale of merchandize, or serve in any civil capacity. It is ordained, that the articles of war shall be read in the circle of each regiment or company mustered once every month, or oftener if the commanding officer thinks proper. A recruit or soldier is not liable to be tried by a military tribunal, unless it can be proved that the articles of war have been duly read to him. ARTIFICE, among the French, is understood as comprehending every thing which enters the composition of fire works; as the sulphur, salt-petre, charcoal, &c. See FIRE WORKS. ARTIFICER _or_ ARTIFICIER, he who makes fire works, or works in the artillery laboratory, who prepares the fuses, bombs, grenades, &c. It is also applied to the military smiths, collar-makers, &c. and to a particular corps in an army. ARTILLERY, in a general sense, signifies all sorts of great guns or cannon, mortars, howitzers, petards, and the like; together with all the apparatus and stores thereto belonging, which are not only taken into the field, but likewise to sieges, and made use of both to attack and defend fortified places. See ORDNANCE. ARTILLERY, in a particular sense, signifies the science of artillery or gunnery, which art includes a knowledge of surveying, levelling, geometry, trigonometry, conic sections, laws of motion, mechanics, fortification, and projectiles.