Part 140

ROUND _Robbin_. The term is a corruption of _ruban rond_, which signifies a round riband. It was usual among French officers, when they signed a remonstrance, to write their names in a circular form, so that it was impossible to ascertain who signed first. Hence to sign a _round robbin_ against any person, is for any specific number of men to sign, one and all, a remonstrance against him. This usage has been perverted to the most seditious purposes of insubordination; and of itself should cause the immediate dismission of every officer concerned.

ROUND _Parade_. See PARADES.

ROURA, _Ind._ A term used to express lord, sir, master, worship.

ROUSE. One of the bugle horn soundings for duty. It is derived from the German word which signifies _to turn out_.

ROUT. Confusion of an army or body of men defeated or dispersed.

_To_ ROUT, _to put to the_ ROUT. To defeat, to throw into confusion, &c.

ROUTE, (_Route_, _Fr._) in _military matters_, an order to direct troops to march, the road they are to take, and an authority to the magistrates to provide quarters for them.

_Pas de_ ROUTE, _Fr._ Stepping at ease, or marching with the least possible restraint.

_Marche_ ROUTE, _Fr._ Route of march. The French use this term in contradistinction to _marche manœuvre_; march in manœuvring.

ROUTIER, _Fr._ A ruttier. The French say figuratively _c’est un vieux routier_; he is an old stager.

ROUTINE, _Fr._ This word has been adopted by us in the same sense that it is familiarly used by the French. It signifies capacity, or the faculty of arranging; a certain method in business, civil or military, which is as much acquired by habit and practice as by regular study and rule. We say familiarly the routine of business.

ROUVERIN, _Fr._ Brittle iron, such as easily breaks when it is committed to the forge.

ROWANNA, _Ind._ A passport or certificate from the collector of the customs; or any other passport.

ROWEL. The pointed part of a horseman’s spur, which is made in a circular form, with rays or points like a star.

ROXANA, _Ind._ An Indian term expressive of great magnificence, resplendence.

ROY, _Ind._ A Hindoo name for an officer of the finances.

ROYAL _parapet_, in _fortification_, a bank about three toises broad, and six feet high, placed upon the brink of the rampart, towards the enemy: its use is to cover those who defend the rampart.

ROYAL _academy_. See ACADEMY.

ROYAL _Military College_. See SCHOOL.

ROYALS, in _artillery_, are a kind of small mortars, which carry a shell whose diameter is 5.5 inches. They are mounted on beds the same as other mortars.

ROZEENDAR, _Ind._ A person holding a yearly pension.

ROZENADAR, _Ind._ One who receives an allowance daily.

ROZENAMA, _Ind._ A day-book.

RUBBY, _Ind._ A division of the year, containing the months of _Chaite_ or 3d month, from the 11th of March to the 10th of April. _Bysac_ or 4th month, from the 11th of April to the 11th of May. _Jeet_ or 5th month. _Assaf_ or 6th month, from the 12th of June to the 13th of July. _Savan_ or 7th month, in some manner, agrees with July and August. _Baudhoon_, or the same as _Jeet_, from the 11th of May to the 12th of June. The other half of the year is called _Kureef_.

RUDIMENTS. The first principles, the elements of any particular science. Hence--

RUDIMENTS _of War_. The first principles or elements of war; as marching, facing, wheeling; the drill, manual, and platoon exercises, manœuvres, &c. &c.

RUE, _Fr._ Street.

RUFFLE. A term used among the drummers to signify a sort of vibrating sound, which is made upon a drum, and is less loud than the roll.

_To beat a_ RUFFLE. To make a low vibrating noise upon the drum. It is generally practised in paying a military compliment to a general officer, and at military funerals.

In the British army a lieutenant-general is entitled to three ruffles.

A major-general to two ruffles.

A brigadier-general to one ruffle.

RUG, (_couverture velue_, _Fr._) A coarse nappy coverlet used for mean beds. Each set of bedding which is provided for regimental hospitals has one rug.

RUILLER, _Fr._ To establish marks for the purpose of rendering surfaces and places correct.

RUINE, _Fr._ Literally signifies ruin. It is used by the French in a warlike sense.

_Battre en_ RUINE, _Fr._ To defeat an enemy in such a manner as to destroy all means of taking the field again.

RUINES, _Fr._ Ruins.

RULE, in a general sense, government, sway, empire. In a more confined one, canon, precept, direction. Hence rules and regulations for the government of the army.

_To_ RULE. To govern, to command.

RULE, RULER, an instrument by which lines are drawn.

RULES _and Articles_. Under this term may be considered the military code or laws of the United States, and the regulations issued by the War Office.

RULES _and Regulations_. See REGULATIONS.

RUMB _de vent_, _Fr._ Point of the compass.

RUMB _or Rum_, _Fr._ The hold of a ship.

RUMOR, a desultory, loose report of what may, or may not be.

_To spread false_ RUMORS, to circulate things without the foundation of reality. Reports, &c. are sometimes circulated by means of spies, deserters, &c. for the purpose of covering some particular design, or intended operation. Rumors of this kind should be cautiously listened to by the commanding officer of the army through which they are spread. It sometimes happens that individuals, through wantonness, or from some other motive, create alarms among their own people, by anticipating some looked for or dreaded event. This offence is not only punishable by the civil law, but, being contrary to good order and discipline, is rigidly so in every army. A singular circumstance of this kind occurred at Colchester, England, in 1797. During the alarm which universally prevailed at that time, especially along the coast of Essex, a serjeant belonging to a militia regiment, unwittingly, for it is not supposed he did it wilfully, said in the hearing of some soldiers, that the _French would dine at Ipswich on the Sunday following_! This expression soon spread among the inhabitants of the place, and a formal complaint was made to the general of the district. The offender having originally belonged to the line, and bearing the best of characters, was so far considered, as not to be tried by a general court-martial; but, for the sake of example, he was ordered to be escorted to the church nearest to the coast, and on a Sunday to appear in the porch, and there ask pardon of the inhabitants for the alarm he had created.

_To_ RUN _the gantlope_, (that is the _gauntlet_) to undergo a punishment which has been allotted for considerable offences in some foreign countries. When a soldier is sentenced to run the gantlope, the regiment is drawn out in two ranks facing each other: each soldier, having a switch in each hand, lashes the criminal as he runs along naked from the waist upwards. While he runs, the drums beat at each end of the ranks. Sometimes he runs 3, 5, or 7 times, according to the nature of the offence. The major is on horseback, and takes care that each soldier strikes the culprit.

RUNNING-_fire_. See FIRE.

RUPEE, a silver coin which varies in its value according to the part of India in which it is current. _Rupees_ struck by the English, are generally worth half a dollar.

RUPTURE, a disease which disqualifies a man from being admitted as a soldier; but as some men are capable of producing and reducing a rupture with great ease, they should not be discharged in slight cases, as by the use of a truss they may be enabled to do duty for a long time.

RUPTURE. This word also signifies the commencement of hostilities between any two or more powers.

RUSE, _Fr._ Cunning, trick, ingenuity. It is applied to military matters, and signifies stratagem.

RUSER, _Fr._ To make use of stratagems: _Il est permis de Ruser à la guerre_; it is lawful to make use of stratagems in war.

RUSES _de guerre_, _Fr._ Stratagems of war. See STRATAGEMS.

RUSSOOT, _Ind._ A tribe of Hindoos, whose particular duty is the care of horses.

RUSSUMDAR, _Ind._ A person deriving a particular perquisite.

RUSTRE, _Fr._ A lance so called, which was formerly used in tournaments.

RUTTIER. A direction of the road or course at sea.

RYET _or Ryot_, _Ind._ The general name given in India to cultivators of the ground.

RYET _or Ryot Lands_, _Ind._ Lands farmed out and cultivated by a tenant.

S.

SABLE, _Fr._ Sand.

SABLONIERE _ou_ SABLIERE. Any spot from which sand is drawn. It likewise means a sand-pit.

SABORD, _Fr._ a port-hole.

SABRE, (_Sabre_, _Fr._) a kind of sword, or scimetar, with a very broad and heavy blade, thick at the back, and of a shape falcated, or curved, but sharp at the point. It is generally worn by heavy cavalry and dragoons. The grenadiers, belonging to the whole of the French infantry, are likewise armed with sabres. The blade is not so long as that of a small sword, but it is nearly twice as broad. French hussars wear the curved sabres somewhat longer than those of the grenadiers. The broad straight sword is best adapted for infantry of every kind.

SABRE-_Tasche_. From the German _sabel_, sabre, and _tasche_, pocket. An appointment or part of accoutrement of hussars, which consists of a pocket which is suspended from the sword-belt on the left side, by three slings to correspond with the belt. It is usually of an oblong shape, scolloped at the bottom, with a device in the centre, and a broad lace round the edge. The color of it always corresponds with that of the uniform.

SABRER, _Fr._ To cut to pieces.

SAC _d’une ville_, _Fr._ The storming and plunder of a town.

_Mettre une ville à_ SAC, _Fr._ To give a town up to the plunder of the soldiers.

SAC, _Fr._ a bag

SAC _à poudre_, _Fr._ A bag of gunpowder. These bags are frequently used in war, for the purpose of intimidating an enemy, and of setting fire to places. They are of different sizes and dimensions; some to be thrown by the hand, and others out of a mortar. A French work, intituled _le Bombardier Francois_, gives a full account of both.

SAC _à terre_, _Fr._ Sand-bags, or bags filled with earth.

SAC _à amorce_, _Fr._ A small leathern bag which is used for the purpose of carrying gunpowder to the different batteries to prime the pieces.

SAC _à laine_, _Fr._ A bag made of or stuffed with wool and other soft materials. It is larger than a sand-bag. Every army should be provided with a certain quantity of these bags, in order to supply the want of soil on critical occasions.

_Un havre_ SAC. A knapsack. See HAVRESACK.

_Cul de_ SAC, _Fr._ A street or passage that has no outlet.

SACCADE, _Fr._ In the manege, a violent check or jirk, which the horseman gives his horse by drawing both the reins very suddenly. This is practised when the horse bears too heavy on the hand; but it ought to be done with great caution, as the frequency of it must eventually spoil the horse’s mouth.

SACHET, _Fr._ A pouch. It likewise signifies a bag in the diminutive sense. A satchel.

SACHETS _de mitrailles_, _Fr._ Small bags filled with grape-shot, which are afterwards fired from cannon, or thrown out of mortars.

SACHETS _de balles de plomb_, _Fr._ Bags of bullets.

SACKS. See BAGS.

SACKERS. They who sack a town.

SACRE _ou Sacret_, _Fr._ A name formerly given to pieces of ordnance that carried balls of 4 to 5lb. weight. Each piece weighed from two thousand five hundred to two thousand eight hundred pounds. The same as Saker.

SADDLE. The seat which is put upon a horse for the accommodation of the rider.

SAFE-_guard_, in _military affairs_, a protection granted by a general, for some of the enemy’s lands, houses, persons, &c. to preserve them from being insulted or plundered. See GUARD.

SAFYNAMA, _Ind._ A certificate or writing, specifying any matter of dispute, which it is found necessary to have settled or cleared up.

SAGITTAL, belonging to an arrow.

SAGITTARIUS, _or_ SAGITTARY. See ARCHER, BOWMAN.

SAGO, _Ind._ A tree of the palm species. A flour is made from this tree, which formed into bread and fresh baked, eats like hot rolls; when it grows stale it becomes hard, and requires to be soaked in water before it can be used. Three of the trees are found sufficient to give sustenance for one man during a whole year; and an acre properly planted, will supply food for one hundred for that period.

SAGUM. A woollen garment, which was formerly worn by the Roman soldiers when they took the field. It is said that the Gauls adopted the use of it.

SAH, _Ind._ A banker.

SAHEB, _Ind._ (pronounced _Saib_.) Master, sir.

SAHOOKER, _Ind._ A merchant.

SAIGNEE _du fossé_, _Fr._ The act of drawing off the water which is in the ditch or fosse of a town or fortified place. When this has been executed, clays or hurdles covered with earth, or bridges made with reeds, must be thrown upon the mud, to establish a firm footing.

SAIGNEE _de saucisson_, _Fr._ The act of cutting off a part of a linen saucisson, which is filled with gunpowder, for the purpose of introducing the moine or cylindrical tube, in order to set fire to a mine.

SAIGNER _une piéce_, _Fr._ An expression used in artillery when a piece of ordnance, which is mounted on a carriage, has its breech carried away by the violence of the explosion. This sometimes happens when the discharge is made directly downwards, or from top to bottom.

SAIGNER _une Riviére_, _Fr._ To turn the current of a river, by partially drawing off some of its water.

SAILLANT, _Fr._ Salient. See SALIENT ANGLE. This word, as well as _Saillie_, signifies generally any part of a building that does not run up perpendicularly from its base, but projects or slopes out.

_St._ GEORGE’s _Guard_, a guard of the broadsword or sabre, used in warding off blows directed against the head. See BROADSWORD.

_La_ SAINTE _barbe_, _Fr._ The gunner’s room.

SAKER, an old word for _cannon_. It carried a shot of five pounds and a quarter weight: the diameter of the bore was three inches and ⁹⁄₁₆ths; the length eight or nine feet. See CANNON.

SALADE, _Fr._ This word literally means sallad. It likewise signifies a head piece. The French use it frequently in a figurative sense, viz.

_Donner une_ SALADE _à quelqu’un_, _Fr._ To give any one a good dressing.

_Régiment de_ SALADE, _Fr._ A term of ridicule which the French frequently applied to small new-raised corps; such as independent companies which were levied for rank only.

SALE. State of being venal; price.

SALE _of Commissions_. The sale and purchase of commissions is of general usage in the British service. Commissions in the British army are sold for various purposes; sometimes to indemnify individuals for their original purchase; sometimes, as was shewn in 1809, as the fund for paying princely prostitutes.

SALIENT _angle_, in _fortification_, that whose points turn from the centre of the place. See FORTIFICATION.

SALLE _d’armes_, _Fr._ A fencing school.

SALLE _d’armes dans un magazin_, _Fr._ An armory or particular room where fire-arms, &c. are regularly disposed. Of this description is the armory in the Tower.

SALLESEE, _Ind._ Arbitration.

SALLIS, _Ind._ An arbitrator.

SALLY. See SIEGE.

SALLY-_ports_, or _postern-gates_, as they are sometimes called, are those underground passages, which lead from the inner to the outward works; such as from the higher flank to the lower, to the tenailles, or the communication from the middle of the curtain to the ravelin. When they are constructed for the passage of men only, they are made with steps at the entrance and outlet. They are about six feet wide, and 8¹⁄₂ feet high. There is also a gutter or sewer made under the _sally-ports_ that are in the middle of the curtains, in order that the water which runs down the streets may pass into the ditch; but this can only be done when they are wet ditches. When _sally-ports_ serve to carry guns through them for the out-works, instead of making them with steps, they must have a gradual slope, and be eight feet wide.

SALA-MA-NAZEER, _Ind._ The salutation of victory.

SALOOTER, _Ind._ A farrier.

SALOOTEREE, _Ind._ The business of a farrier.

SALTING-_boxes_, in _artillery_, are boxes of about four inches high, and 2¹⁄₂ in diameter, for holding mealed powder, to sprinkle the fuzes of shells, that they may take fire from the blast of the powder in the chamber; but it has been found that the fuze takes fire as well without this operation, so that these _boxes_ are now laid aside.

SALTPETRE, _Fr._ See NITRE.

SALTPETRE, or nitre, the principal ingredient for making gunpowder; it is found in great plenty in some of the East-India provinces, and in some parts of Europe. The necessities of the French revolution, when attacked by all Europe, forced the French to have recourse to their chemists, to supply nitre which could not be obtained from abroad; they scraped the walls and floors of their cellars and vaults, and out of the washed earth extracted nitre; they also extracted nitre from vegetable substances, such as the horse chesnut. In some natural caves discovered in _Kentucky_, vast quantities, sufficient for every demand of war and commerce can be procured. See GUNPOWDER, NITRE, &c.

SALPETRIERE, _Fr._ A particular spot in an arsenal where there are pits, &c. for the purpose of making saltpetre.

SALPETRIERS, _Fr._ Men employed in making saltpetre.

SALVE, _Fr._ A salute, a volley. It generally means a discharge of heavy ordnance and other firearms in concert.

SALUER _de la mousqueterie_, _Fr._ To fire a volley, or discharge of musquetry only.

SALUER _du canon_, _Fr._ To salute by the discharge of ordnance.

SALUER _de la voix_, _Fr._ To huzza. To cry out, as _vive le roi!_ God save the king! _vive la république!_ long live the republic! This manner of saluting generally appertains to the mob of a country, which lavishes its applause upon every man that happens to be in power. It has, however, been customary, both in Rome, Greece, France, and other countries, for whole battalions of soldiers to salute _à vive voix_; in which case they generally take off their hats, and give three huzzas.

SALUER _du pavillon_, _Fr._ To salute with the colors.

SALUER _à boulet_, _Fr._ To salute with ball.

SALUT, _Fr._ The salute.

SALUT _du sponton_, _Fr._ The spontoon salute.

SALUT _de l’épée_, _Fr._ The sword salute.

SALUT _de mer_, _Fr._ The deference and respect which are shewn at sea by ships of inferior force to those of superior rate. This is done by lowering the flag. The British flag claims to be paramount to all others, and requires to be saluted by foreign ships at sea. This salute has been made the subject of clauses in treaties.

SALUTE, a discharge of artillery, or small arms, or both, in honor of some person; the men presenting their arms. The colors salute chief magistrates, and generals commanding in chief; which is done by lowering the point within one inch of the ground. In the field, when a regiment is to be reviewed by a general, the drums beat a march as he passes along the line, and the officers salute one after another, pointing their swords downwards. The ensigns salute together, by lowering their colors. When the word of command _to shoulder_, is given, the officers recover their swords, and the ensigns raise the colors.

SAMBUCUS, (_Sambuque_, _Fr._) An ancient musical instrument of the wind kind, resembling a flute. It probably derives its name from Sambucus, the Elder tree; being made of that wood.

SAMBUCUS was also the name of an ancient engine of war used by Marcellus in besieging Syracuse. Plutarch relates that two ships were required to carry it. A minute description of this engine may be seen in Polybius.

SAMPODAR, _Ind._ A treasurer or cashkeeper.

SAND, _in military architecture_. The best sand for good mortar, is that whose grain is not too small, and must be clear of the earthy particles. Sand found in rivers is esteemed the best, as having a coarse grain, and being free from earth and mud. See MORTAR.

SAND _bags_. See BAGS.

SAND BAGS are made about 27 inches long, and 15 diameter; 250 of these are required for each fathom of battery, or about 1680 for two guns or mortars. See TONNAGE.

SANGIAC. A situation or appointment of dignity in Turkey. The Sangiacs are governors of towns or cantons, and take rank immediately after the _Beglerbeys_, who are viceroys in that country, and give the name of _Beglerbat_ or _Beglerbey_ to a militia which they support at their own expence.

SANS-_Culotte_, _Fr._ A revolutionary term which was first given by the French to the national guards; it was an unfortunate effusion of contempt expressed by the queen as the militia passed along; it soon became known, and was calculated to increase popular antipathy against her. It means, literally, a man without breeches.

SAP, (_Sappe_, _Fr._) in _sieges_, is a trench, or an approach made under cover, ten or twelve feet broad, when the besiegers come near the place, and the fire from the garrison grows so dangerous, that they are not able to approach uncovered.

There are several sorts of _saps_: the single, which has only a single parapet; the double, having one on each side; and the flying, made with gabions, &c. In all _saps_, traverses are left to cover the men.

The sap generally commences about the second parallel, and sometimes sooner; and if the fire of the besieged is much slackened, may proceed both day and night. The sappers are usually divided into brigades of 8, and sub-divided into divisions of 4 each; being the greatest number that can work at the sap at the same time. The leading sapper excavates 18 inches deep, and as much wide; the second, third, and fourth deepen the trench, each in succession 6 inches, and widen it as much; so that the four make a trench of 3 feet wide and three feet deep; after which the common workmen follow, and increase it in breadth and depth equal to the other trenches. The sap may proceed at the rate of 80 fathoms in 14 hours. As this work is very hard, the half brigades relieve each other every hour, and each sapper in his turn takes the lead. The whole brigade is relieved at the end of 6 hours. It is always customary in this dangerous work, to give the pay of those that are killed to the survivors. Sappers are generally armed with a helmet and breast plate. See TRENCHES, PARALLELS.

SAPPERS, (_Sappeurs_, _Fr._) are soldiers belonging to the artificers or engineers, whose business it is to work at the saps, and for which they have an extraordinary pay. A brigade of _sappers_ generally consists of eight men, divided equally into two parties. Whilst one of these parties is advancing the sap, the other is furnishing the gabions, fascines, and other necessary implements; they relieve each other alternately.

SARISSA, the Pike.

SAROT, _Fr._ A sort of frock which was worn by the drivers of mules, and other persons employed in the French armies.

SARRAZINE, _Fr._ See HERSE.

SARDAR, _Ind._ A chief, a leader.

SARAT. The breaking up or ending of the rains, is so called in India.

SASCE, _Ind._ The moon.