_Officers of_ ARTILLERY. The commander of the army is commander in chief of the artillery; the colonels of artillery act under his orders; they are entrusted with one of the most laborious employments, both in war and peace, requiring the greatest ability, application, and experience. The officers in general should be good mathematicians, and engineers, should know all the powers of artillery, the attack and defence of fortified places; in a word, every thing which appertains to that very important corps. ARTILLEUR, _Fr._ an officer belonging to the French service. ARTILLIER, _Fr._ a man who works on pieces of ordnance as a founder; or one who serves them in action. ARX, in the ancient military art, a fort, castle, &c. for the defence of a place. ARZEGAGES, _Fr._ batons or canes with iron at both ends. They were carried by the Estradiots or Albanian cavaliers who served in France under Charles VIII. and Louis XII. ASAPPES, or AZAPES, auxiliary troops which are raised among the Christians subject to the Turkish empire. These troops are generally placed in the front to receive the first shock of the enemy. ASCENT. See GUNNERY. ASPECT, is the view or profile of land or coast, and contains the figure or representation of the borders of any particular part of the sea. These figures and representations may be found in all the charts or directories for the sea coast. The Italians call them _demonstratione_. By means of this knowlege you may ascertain whether the land round the shore be high; if the coast itself be steep or sloping; bent in the form of an arc, or extended in strait lines; round at the top, or rising to a point. Every thing, in a word, is brought in a correct state before the eye, as far as regards harbors, swamps, bogs, gulphs, adjacent churches, trees, windmills, &c. See RECONNOITRING in _Amer. Mil. Lib._ _A menacing_ ASPECT. An army is said to hold a menacing aspect, when by advanced movements or positions it gives the opposing enemy cause to apprehend an attack. _A military_ ASPECT. A country is said to have a military aspect, when its general situation presents appropriate obstacles or facilities for an army acting on the offensive or defensive. _An imposing_ ASPECT. An army is said to have an imposing aspect, when it appears stronger than it really is. This appearance is often assumed for the purpose of deceiving an enemy, and may not improperly be considered as a principal _ruse de guerre_, or feint in war. ASPIC, _Fr._ a piece of ordnance which carries a 12 pound shot. The piece itself weighs 42-50 pounds. ASSAILLIR, _Fr._ to attack; to assail. This old French term applies equally to bodies of men and to individuals.