BARBET-_Battery_, in gunnery, is when the breast-work of a battery is only so high, that the guns may fire over it without being obliged to make embrasures: in such cases, it is said the guns fire _en barbette_. See BATTERY. BARDEES _d’eau_, _Fr._ a measure used in the making of saltpetre, containing three half-hogsheads of water, which are poured into tubs for the purpose of refining it. Four half-hogsheads are sometimes thrown in. BARILLER, _Fr._ an officer employed among the gallies, whose chief duty was to superintend the distribution of bread and water. BARRACKS, or BARACKS, are places erected for both officers and men to lodge in; they are built different ways, according to their different situations. When there is sufficient room to make a large square, surrounded with buildings, they are very convenient, because the soldiers are easily contained in their quarters; and the rooms being contiguous, orders are executed with privacy and expedition; and the soldiers have no connection but with those who instruct them in their duty. BARRACK-_Allowance_, a specific allowance of bread, beer, wood, coals, &c. to the regiments stationed in barracks. See RATION. BARRACK-_Guard_, when a regiment is in barracks, the principal guard is the barrack-guard; the officer being responsible for the regularity of the men in barracks, and for all prisoners duly committed to his charge while on that duty. BARRACK-_Master General_, a staff officer at the head of the barrack department; he has a number of barrack-masters and deputies under him, who are stationed at the different barracks; he has an office and clerks for the dispatch of business; to this office all reports, &c. respecting the barrack department are made. This is a British sinecure office. BARRACK-_Office_: the office at which all business relating to the Barrack department is transacted. BARRELS, in military affairs, are of various kinds. _Fire_-BARRELS are of different sorts: some are mounted on wheels, filled with composition and intermixed with loaded grenades, and the outside full of sharp spikes: some are placed under ground, which have the effect of small mines: others are used to roll down a breach, to prevent the enemy’s entrance.--Composition, corned powder 30lb. Swedish pitch 12, saltpetre 6, and tallow 3. Not used now. _Thundering_-BARRELS are for the same purpose, filled with various kinds of combustibles, intermixed with small shells, grenades, and other fire-works. Not used now. _Powder_-BARRELS are about 16 inches diameter, and 30 or 32 inches long, holding 100 pounds of powder. BARRELS _for powder_--Their dimensions.