Part 149

Each troop, it is observed, ought to be divided into two squads when under forty. Into three or four when above, according to the number, with an equal proportion of non-commissioned officers in each; and when the eldest is on duty, the charge of the squad falls on the next in the squad, and so on. First the stables must be divided as equally as possible into these divisions, and the men must belong to the same squad that their horses do: so that the foot and horse billets, and those for the married men’s rooms of a squad, go together. The squads must be as distinct and separate as possible; in short as much so as two troops are, never crossing each other. The stables must likewise be squadded entire; that is, no one stable should be allotted to two separate squads; for which reason, the proportion of numbers in each squad cannot always be exactly equal. The squad is entirely in charge of its own serjeant, or, in his absence, of the corporal who commands it, with relation to every quarter and stable duty, parades on foot and horseback. The quarter-master, in the cavalry, has, of course, the general inspection of the whole.

When a corporal has charge of a squad, he must not look after his own horse at such times as interfere with his squad duty: he can generally manage to do it at the morning stable, and in the evening he can get him done before the regular hour. On a march, or after a field day, he cannot do it so conveniently, and of course orders another man to do it. When a detachment of an absent troop is in a quarter, it must be attached to a particular troop, whichever may be judged most convenient. It must be considered as a separate and distinct squad, quartered by itself, (as far as it can be, consistent with the proper quartering of its recruits) and under the command of its own non-commissioned officer, unless the troop to which it belongs cannot spare a non-commissioned officer with it; in which case it must be given in charge to a non-commissioned officer of the troop to which it is attached.

The same rules for squadding hold good on a march, and in all situations whatever; and the list of quarters must be made out accordingly.

The non-commissioned officers must always be kept to the same squad, as nearly as they can be. The policy of this instruction is obvious, as they will thereby be made acquainted with the character of every man in the squad.

Recruits should always be quartered and squadded with old soldiers who are known to be steady and well behaved; and those men that are at all irregular in their conduct, must be separated and distributed in squads which are composed of good old soldiers.

_Awkward_ SQUAD. The awkward squad consists not only of recruits at drill, but of formed soldiers that are ordered to exercise with them, in consequence of some irregularity under arms.

SQUADRON. A body of cavalry, composed of two troops. The number is not fixed, but is generally from 100 to 250 men.

SQUARE, (_Carré_, _Fr._) A figure with right angles, and equal sides.

_The_ SQUARE. A particular formation into which troops are thrown on critical occasions; particularly to resist the charge of cavalry.

_Solid_ SQUARE, is a body of foot, where both ranks and files are equal. It was formerly held in great esteem; but when the prince of Nassau introduced the hollow square, this was soon neglected.

_Hollow_ SQUARE, is a body of foot drawn up, with an empty space in the centre, for the colors, drums, and baggage, facing every way to resist the charge of the horse.

_Oblong_ SQUARE. A square which is not at right angles, but represents the figure of an oblong, whose sides are unequal. Thus, as eight companies of equal numbers would form a perfect square, ten make an oblong.

_Perfect_ SQUARE. A square whose sides are equal and at right angles.

The perfect square, in the formation of troops, seems best calculated for military movements and arrangements. Battalions, for instance, which are composed of eight companies, with one hundred rank and file in each, are equal to every species of disposition. It is upon this principle, we presume, that the French have distributed their infantry. British regiments, on the contrary, consist of eight companies, one of which is grenadiers and the other of light infantry, and are so composed that no square of this kind can be formed. This is manifestly a defect in their system. It is, indeed, remedied by the grenadier and light infantry companies being occasionally detached, or cast into separate battalions; so that the remaining companies, by being told off, may be brought to eight equal parts. Tacticians will perhaps agree with us, that it would be better to have every regiment composed of ten companies, flanked by a subdivision of grenadiers, the whole being so equalized as to produce four equal sides. In this case, the light companies should be formed into separate bodies of chasseurs or riflemen, after the manner of the French.

Shakspeare uses the word square to signify squadrons; but it is now obsolete.

SQUARE _root_. In geometry, the square root of any number is that which multiplied by itself, produces the square; thus 4 is the square root of 16.

SQUARE _number_. In arithmetic, is when another number, called its root, can be found, which multiplied by itself produces the square; thus 16 is the square number of 4, and 9 the square of 3.

SQUELETTE, _Fr._ literally means a skeleton. It is used by the French, as by us, to signify the remnant, or incomplete state of a regiment, viz. _La squelette d’un regiment_; The skeleton of a regiment.

SQUELETTE, _Fr._ likewise means the skeleton state of a ship, or a ship upon the stocks, and which has only her ribs and first timbers laid in. So that _squelette_ among the French will apply either to the first organization or arrangement of parts belonging to a work or establishment, before it is completed, or to the remnant of such a work or establishment, after it has been completed. In the first sense of the word _cadre_, frame, outline, &c. bears the construction of _squelette_ among the French, as, _cadre d’un corps_. When the British expedition to Quiberon was planned, there were several cadres of this description. They consisted of French noblemen and gentlemen who were to organize the Chouans, and receive appointments according to their several ranks, &c. &c.

SQUIRE. An attendant on a warrior was formerly so called. See ARMIGER.

STABLE _horse_, _Ind._ That part of the late Tippoo Sultaun’s cavalry, which was best armed, accoutred, and most regularly disciplined.

STADIUM, (_Stadion_, _Fr._) An ancient Greek long measure, containing 125 geometrical paces, or 625 Roman feet, corresponding to our furlong. This word is formed from the Greek term, which signifies station. It is said that Hercules after running that distance at one breath, stood still. The Greeks measured all their distances by stadia. The Romans had, likewise, their stadia, derived from the Greek, by which they measured distances. The stadium of Rome contained 620 geometrical paces. Eight stadia make one Italian mile.

STADION, among the Greeks signified also a space of enclosed or open ground, containing that measure, where the public races were run.

STAFF, in military affairs, consists of a quarter-master general, adjutant-general, majors of brigade, aids-de-camp, &c. The general staff properly exists only in time of war. See QUARTER-MASTER GENERAL, &c.

_Regimental_ STAFF, are, the adjutant, quarter-master, chaplain, and surgeon, &c.

STAFF _of command_. See BATTOON.

_The_ STAFF, on British home service, consists in general of

One general commanding a district.

One lieutenant-general.

One major-general.

One adjutant general.

One quarter-master general.

One deputy adjutant, and quarter-master general.

One engineer.

One assistant adjutant, and quarter-master general.

The regulated number of aids-de-camp and brigade majors:

One commissary general.

Deputy commissaries general, assistant commissaries general, according to circumstances.

One inspector general of hospitals.

Physicians, surgeon and apothecary, mates.

The British staff in India consists of a general staff, station staff, cantonment, and garrison staff; and an hospital staff. The staff in Great Britain is comprehended under general staff, garrison staff, district staff, and staff belonging to the cavalry depot at Maidstone, and the general infantry one in the Isle of Wight. There is likewise an hospital staff. For an account of staffs in general see _Am. Mil. Lib._

The _staff_ of the French has been the main spring of their tactics, and no army can be effective without a good staff.

STAFF, the same as _baton_; from whence those officers in the suite of generals, and not attached to regiments, are called _the staff_, a baton being formerly the insignia of office; which is now supplied by other devices, as facings, feathers, and so forth.

_Hammer_ STALL. A piece of leather, which is made to cover the upper part of the lock belonging to a musquet. It is useful in wet weather.

STAMP _duties_. Imposts laid upon paper in England, that is used for legal or commercial purposes. Proceedings of courts-martial, whether copies or originals, are not chargeable with stamp-duties; nor are the receipts given by officers for their respective pay or allowances.

STAND. The act of opposing; thus troops that do not yield or give way are said to make _a stand_.

_To_ STAND _the enemy’s fire_; to remain with steady firmness in orderly array, without being discomposed by the shot, &c. of an opposing enemy.

_To_ STAND. To have an erect position. Every recruit should be taught to hold his body in such a manner, that he feels himself firm and steady upon whatever ground he may be placed for the purposes of exercise or parade. See POSITION WITHOUT ARMS.

_To_ STAND _well under arms_. To be so perfectly master of the firelock as not to be embarrassed, or to be rendered unsteady by its weight, but to be able to preserve a correct relative position of the body through all the changes of the manual and platoon, &c. and during the prescribed movements in parade and field exercises. See POSITION WITH ARMS.

_To_ STAND _at ease_. To be allowed a certain indulgence with regard to bodily position, with or without arms. See EASE. It is likewise a word of command, as _Stand at--Ease_.

STAND _fast_. This term is frequently used as a caution to some particular part of a line or column. In the first of the nineteen manœuvres, for instance, the grenadiers are directed to _stand fast_, while the remaining companies march from their alignement to form close column behind them. When a battalion, drawn up in line, is to move forward in front of its original position from the right, left, or centre, the named division, subdivision, or section, _stands fast_, and the remaining ones, which have been wheeled backward into column, march towards the inward flank of the standing division, subdivision, or section. On the first of the moving bodies arriving at the inward pivot of the standing one, the latter receives the word march, and the former wheels into the ground. The rest successively do the same. By this method the leading division is spared the trouble of wheeling back and returning again to its original ground.

STANDARD, that which is the test or criterion of other things.

STANDARD. A measure by which men enlisted into the British service have the regulated height ascertained.

According to the British regulations and orders published in 1799, the standard for men raised for the heavy cavalry shall be five feet seven inches, and for the light cavalry and infantry five feet five inches; but no recruits are to be taken, even of those sizes, who exceed 35 years of age, or who are not stout and well made. Lads between 16 and 18 years of age, who are well limbed, and likely to grow, may be taken as low as five feet six inches for the heavy cavalry, and as low as five feet four inches for the light cavalry and infantry. In those regiments which are specially authorised to enlist boys, healthy lads, under 16 years of age, who are likely to grow, may be taken as low as five feet one inch. It will be recollected, that this standard is for men inlisted during a war; when regiments are put upon the peace establishment a higher standard is resorted to. Thus by a letter dated 28th January, 1802, it is directed, that the standard for the infantry of the line shall be five feet seven inches; that no man shall be inlisted who is above 25 years of age; but growing lads from 17 to 19 years of age, shall be taken as low as five feet five inches.

STANDARD, in _war_, a sort of banner or flag, borne as a signal for the joining together of the several troops belonging to the same body.

The standard is usually a piece of silk 1¹⁄₂ feet square, on which is embroidered arms, device, or cypher, of the country. It is fixed on a lance eight or nine feet long, and carried in the centre of the first rank of a squadron of horse, by the coronet.

STANDARDS _belonging to the cavalry_. Standards are posted in the following manner:

The first with the right squadron.

The second with the left; and the third with the centre.

In advancing to the front on foot, the advanced standards and their serjeants must not slacken their pace, or deviate from right to left, as the lieutenant-colonel or leading officer may happen to do, but if he be in their way, they must call to him, because they alone regulate the march.

The standards must always be brought to the parade by a troop, viz. by that which has its private parade nearest to head-quarters. They must be accompanied by as many trumpeters as can conveniently assemble with that troop. Swords must be drawn, and the march sounded. The cornets parade, of course, with that troop to receive the standards. The standards are received by the regiment or squadron at open ranks, with swords drawn, officers saluting, and the march sounding by the remaining trumpets. They must march off from head-quarters, and be lodged with the same form.

STANDARD _bearer_, he who carries the standard; a cornet, ensign, &c.

STANDARD-_Hill_, a hill in England so called because William the conqueror set up his standard on it, before he joined battle with Harold.

STANDING. Settled, established, not temporary.

STANDING _army_. An army which is quartered upon a country, and is liable to every species of duty, without any limitation being fixed to its service. The life and foot guards form a part of the standing army of Great Britain. The militia, but not the volunteers, may be partially considered as such: the adjutant, non-commissioned officers, and drummers being in constant pay, and a third of the quota of men, together with all the officers, being called out once a year to be exercised for 28 days.

STANDING. Rank; condition. It likewise signifies length of time. As, such an officer is of very old standing in the army.

STAPLES, are loops of iron, or bars pointed and bent so as to be driven in at both ends.

STAR-_chamber_. A chamber in Westminster so called from its roof being painted with gilt stars. It has been rendered proverbially odious to the English nation, on account of the encroachments which were made upon the constitution of the country during the reign of Charles the first.

STAR-_fort_, in _fortification_. See FORT and FORTIFICATION.

STATE. Condition of any thing; as a weekly state of a regiment, &c.

STATE _of a detachment_. The difference between the state of a corps or detachment, and a mere return of the same, consists in this, that the former comprehends the specific casualties, &c. that have occurred; whereas the latter gives an abstract account of the officers and men in a more general and comprehensive manner. The word _state_ is likewise used to express the condition of every thing belonging to the equipment of a regiment; as, state of arms, accoutrements, &c.

STATICS, (_Statique_, _Fr._) A branch of mathematics, which considers weight or gravity, and the motion of bodies arising therefrom. Those who define mechanics to be the science of motion make statics a member thereof, viz. That part which considers the motions of bodies arising from gravity. Others again say, that statics should be the doctrine or theory of motion, and mechanics the application thereof to machines.

STATION, in geometry, a place pitched upon to make an observation, take an angle, or the like.

STATION. See POST.

STATIQUE, _Fr._ See STATICS.

STATISTICS. According to the author of a late work, statistics are that comprehensive part of municipal philosophy, which states and defines the situation, strength, and resources of a nation. They constitute a kind of political abstract, by which the statesman may be enabled to calculate his finances, as well as guide the economy of his government; and they are equally useful in ascertaining the military resources of a country.

STAVES, round and flat, used in ammunition and other waggons or carts, are round and flat sticks between the sommers and side-pieces, also in common and scaling ladders.

STAYS, in truck carriages, are the irons which are fixed one end under the fore axle-tree, and the other to the side-pieces, in the form of an S.

STEED. A horse either for state or war.

STEEL, particularly applied, it means _weapon_ or _armor_.

STEGANOGRAPHY, the art of secret writing, or of writing in cyphers, known only to persons corresponding, and much used in war.

STENOGRAPHY, (_Sténographie_, _Fr._) See STEREOGRAPHY.

STEP, (_Pas_, _Fr._) Progression by one removal of the foot. It likewise signifies pace.

_To_ STEP. To move forward or backward, by a single change of the place of the foot.

_To_ STEP _out_. To lengthen your pace.

_To_ STEP _short_, is to diminish or slacken your pace. On the word, _step short_, the foot advancing will finish its pace, and afterwards each man will step as far as the ball of his toe, and no further, until the word _forward_ be given, when the usual pace of 24 inches is to be taken. This step is useful when a momentary retardment of either a battalion in line, or of a division in column, shall be required. See _Am. Mil. Lib._

_To_ STEP _out_, is to lengthen the step to 30 inches, by leaning forward a little, but without altering the cadence. It is also called the _charging step_, or _accelerated pace_. This step is necessary when a temporary exertion in line and to the front, is required; and is applied both to ordinary and quick time.

These phrases are frequently used in military movements, when it is found necessary to gain ground in front, or to give the rear of a column &c. time to acquire its proper distance. The officer who leads a head division should be particularly attentive, when he is ordered to step out or step short, especially in the different wheelings, not to lose the precise moment when either may be thought expedient; and in marching in open column, every successive officer should watch the seasonable moment, after a wheel, of preserving his relative distance.

_To_ STEP _off_, in a military sense, to take a prescribed pace from a halted position, in ordinary or quick time, in conformity to some given word of command or signal.

STEPPING _off to music_. In stepping off to music, or to the tap of the drum, it will be recollected, that the word of command is the signal to lift up the left foot, and that it comes down, or is planted, the instant the tap is given, or the music completes its first _bar_, so that the time must be invariably marked with the left foot, and not by the right, as has been practised by the British guards and the artillery, until a recent regulation.

_Balancing_ STEP. A step so called from the body being balanced upon one leg, in order to render it firm and steady in military movements, &c. Men at the drill should be frequently exercised in this step. The manner in which it is executed is as follows:

At the word _march_, the left foot is advanced firmly, but without a jirk, the body is kept perfectly erect, the knee straight, the toe pointed out, the shoulders square to the front, and the whole weight of the body bearing on the right foot. Great care must be taken that the foot is thrown straight forwards, and that the shoulders do not go with it. When the men have remained in this position just long enough to make them perfectly steady, the word _right_, must be given. Upon which the left foot is planted firm, the body quite steady, and whole weight rests _à plomb_ upon the left foot; the right foot is of course advanced as the left foot was before, and so on, the feet being thrown forward, alternately, at the words _Right_, _Left_. The drill serjeant or corporal must see, that the toe of each man comes rather first to the ground, that he rests on the flat of the foot that is planted, and by no means on the heel, that both knees are straight, and that his arms are kept close to his side without constraint.

When a recruit has been rendered tolerably steady in this step, he must be made to stand on one leg, and move the other to front and rear gently; he must then bring that leg to the ground, and do the same with the other. He must be frequently practised in this until he becomes quite steady on his legs, and has acquired a free motion from his hips without working his body.

_Lock_ STEP. See LOCK.

_The side or closing_ STEP. A step which is taken in order to gain ground to the right or left, without altering the front of the battalion, or of closing it to its centre, whenever a chasm occurs in the line after it has wheeled from column, &c. This step is performed from the halt, in ordinary time, by the following words of command:--

_Mark time._

_Side step to the right_--March.

_Side step to the left_--March.

_Back_ STEP, (_Pas en arriére_, _Fr._) A step taken to the rear from any position without any change of aspect. The back step is performed in the ordinary time and six inches pace, from the halt, on a given word of command. It will be generally recollected, that a few paces only of the back step can be necessary at a time.

STEP _Back_, _March_, (_En arriére_, _Marche_, _Fr._) A word of command which is given when one or more men are ordered to take the back step according to regulation.