Part 151

Thirty trusses of straw per troop or company are allowed on first taking the field for thatching the women’s huts.

Regiments, _not having paillasses_, are allowed straw at the following rates:

On taking the field, two trusses of 36 pounds each to every five men, at the end of eight days to be refreshed by one truss, and at the end of eight days more to be refreshed again by the same quantity. At the end of twenty-four days the whole to be removed, and an entire new bedding to be given, and refreshed as before, viz. two trusses for every five men.

Four pounds of straw are to be added to the ration forage for the cavalry and artillery horses only.

Six pounds of straw are to be allowed to the general officers and staff, in addition to the prescribed ration of forage. See REGULATIONS.

STRAW. _For straw!_ is a word of command in the British service, to dismiss the soldiers when they have stacked their arms, so that they may be ready on the first signal given.

STREAKS, are the iron bands on the outside of the wheel to bind the fellies strongly together.

STREAK-_nails_, are those driven through the streaks into the fellies.

STREET. See ENCAMPMENT.

STREET-_firing_. See FIRING.

STRELITZ. A Russian word, whose plural number is _strelitzy_, derived from _strelai_, an arrow, in the same language. An ancient militia, which was formerly kept in pay among the Muscovites both in time of peace and in time of war, was so called. The men who composed it always served on foot, and were originally armed, as their name indicates, with bows and arrows. They afterwards received musquets or firelocks, and laid aside the bow and arrow. The rest of the Russian army, which was only called together in cases of emergency, retained the bows, arrows, and lances; with which each soldier armed himself according to his own particular whim or notion.

In the remote periods of the Russian empire, the strelitzy were the only regular body of troops that formed any part of the standing army of that country. It consisted of twenty or twenty-four thousand men, who enjoyed a multiplicity of privileges and immunities, and were quartered in one of the suburbs of Moscow, which is still called _Strelitzkaia Slaboda_. From the latitude allowed them, and the peculiar indulgencies which these soldiers enjoyed, they might be well compared to the Prætorian bands under the first Roman emperors, and, in some degree, to the Janizaries of Constantinople. They frequently mutinied like the latter, and interfered in the management of public affairs. Their last revolt, however, was fatal to them. It happened in 1698, during the absence of the Czar Peter the first, who on his return into Russia, broke the whole corps, erased its name from the list of military establishments, and put his troops upon the same footing that those of the rest of Europe were.

The established pay of a _strelitz_ was seven rubles, and twelve combs and bushels of grain every year.

Grain, even in these days, is given as a necessary ration to a Russian soldier, which he bakes or roasts upon thin plates of iron, and then reduces to meal, making therewith a sort of dough, called _Toloqueno_. Every man always carries a good portion of this subsistence about him, to which he adds a small cruet of vinegar. By soaking this meal in water mixed with a little vinegar, he contrives to make a sort of soup or broth, which the Russians, who are fond of acids, find extremely palatable; and by giving it the consistency of dough, it serves for bread and meat. When the Russian soldier can procure a few greens, such as cabbage, &c. to mix with his _toloqueno_, he makes a complete meal, which he calls _Chety_. A _tcharotcheka_, or small glass of brandy, makes up the measure of a full repast. It must be acknowleged, that where soldiers can be brought to satisfy the cravings of nature in this economical manner, great advantages must be derived, especially in long marches through an uncultivated or desert country. We cannot, however, recommend its adoption except in cases of urgent necessity, and on services where there might be a possibility of absolute want, from the destruction or poverty of a country into which an army marches. The fare itself is not calculated to add vigor and activity to the body, or to keep alive that promptitude and fire which are required in military operations.

STRENGTH. This word may be variously understood in military matters, viz.

STRENGTH. Fortification; fortress; stronghold. It likewise signifies armament; power; force. In all returns which are made of corps, _strength_ implies the number of men that are borne upon the establishment, in contradistinction to _effective force_, which means the number fit for service. Hence, the strength of a battalion, troop, or company, &c. The allowance for the repair of arms, &c. is issued according to the return which is made, not of the _effective force_, but of the established strength of a troop or company.

STRICT. Exact, severe, rigorous; the contrary to mild, indulgent. Hence, a strict officer. It is sometimes used in a bad sense, to signify a petulant, troublesome commander.

_To_ STRIKE. This word is variously used in military phraseology, viz.

_To_ STRIKE _at_. To attack; to endeavor to destroy, directly or indirectly.

_To_ STRIKE _off_. To erase; to blot out; as to strike off the list of the army. This can only be done by the order of the president of the United States.

_To_ STRIKE _a tent_. In castrametation, to loosen the cords of a tent which has been regularly pitched, and to have it ready, in a few minutes, to throw upon a bat-horse or baggage waggon.

_To_ STRIKE _terror into an enemy_. To cause alarm and apprehension in him; to make him dread the effects of superior skill and valor.

_To_ STRIKE _a blow_. To make some decisive effort.

_To_ STRIKE _the colors_. This is properly a naval term, but it may be applied to military matters on some occasions. Thus at the battle of Fontenoy, when the British had driven the French out of the field, Louis XV. who was upon an eminence in the neighborhood with his guards, &c. ordered the royal standard to be _struck_, from a full persuasion that the day was lost.

STRIPE. Dr. Johnson calls a stripe a lineary variation of color. Regimental sword knots are directed to be made of blue with silver or gold in stripes.

STRUCTURE, (_Structure_, _Fr._) The manner in which any thing is built. _Une édifice de belle structure._ An edifice which is built in a handsome manner.

_To_ STRUGGLE _with or against_. To make extraordinary exertion in direct contest with an enemy, or against superior forces.

STUC, _Fr._ Stucco, gypsum or plaster of Paris.

STUCCO. A sort of fine white mortar or composition, which is made of lime mixed with gypsum or lime. It is used for the outward covering of all sorts of works, and when it is perfectly dry, it has the appearance of the finest polished stone.

STUCATEURS, _Fr._ The men employed at stucco work.

SUB. A familiar abbreviation which is used in the British army to signify _subaltern_.

SUB-_brigadier_. An officer in the British horse-guards, who ranks as cornet.

SUB-_lieutenant_. An officer in the British regiments of artillery and fuzileers, where they have no ensigns; and is the same as second lieutenant.

SUBA, or _Soobah_, _Ind._ A province.

SUBADAR, _Ind._ The governor of a province. It likewise signifies a black officer, who ranks as captain in the English East India company’s troops; but ceases to have any command when an European officer is present.

SUBADARY, _Ind._ The appointment or office of a subadar.

SUBALTERNS, (_Officiers subalternes_, _Fr._) Subaltern officers. This word is used among the French, as with us, to signify all officers of a certain inferior degree, viz. _Les subalternes_, the subalterns. The term is commonly applied in a regiment to the officers below the rank of captain, in relation to that officer; but, strictly, every officer is subaltern to the grades above him, as the captain is subaltern to the major, and so upward.

SUBDIVISION. The half of a division. Thus if a company forms a division, divided it forms two subdivisions. In the British organization, two companies added together make a grand division; except the flank companies, which constitute grand divisions of themselves; but in actual service, according to the best modern principles, the division is not limited to any given number, but must depend on the strength of the force, and the skill and discretion of the officer.

DIVISION, in the French system, is also applied in the same manner as the term brigade in the English; the French _division_ consists of several regiments, three or more, up to seven or eight; the general of division is of the same rank as the major general in the British establishment.

SUBDUR, _Ind._ Chief.

SUBJECT, (_Sujet_, _Fr._) One who lives under the dominion of another. It is only used in the first instance, as no one can be the subject of a secondary power, although he is bound to obey his orders. Thus soldiers are obliged to submit to the orders of a general, but they are not his subjects. The French make the same distinction.

SUBORDINATION. A perfect submission to the orders of superiors; a perfect dependence, regulated by the rights and duties of every military man, from the soldier to the general. Subordination should shew the spirit of the chief in all the members; and this single idea, which is manifest to the dullest apprehension, suffices to shew its importance. Without _subordination_ it is impossible that a corps can support itself; that its motions can be directed, order established, or the service carried on. In effect, it is _subordination_ that gives a soul and harmony to the service: it adds strength to authority, and merit to obedience; and while it secures the efficacy of command, reflects honor upon its execution. It is _subordination_ which prevents every disorder, and procures every advantage to an army.

SUBSIDIARY _troops_. Troops of one nation assisting those of another for a given sum or subsidy.

_To_ SUBSIST. In a military sense, to give pay or allowance, &c. to soldiers; as a captain of the light company will subsist 20 men belonging to other companies, for so many days during the march. The French do not use the term in the same sense.

SUBSISTANCE _des piéces_, _Fr._ This term is used among the French to signify the pay or allowance which is given to the officer, bombardier, and men belonging to the train of artillery who serve the batteries.

SUBSISTENCE, (_Subsistance_, _Fr._) in a military sense of the word may be divided into two sorts, viz. That species of subsistence which is found in the adjacent country: such as forage, and frequently corn that is distributed in parcels; and that which is provided at a distance, and regularly supplied by means of a well-conducted commissariat. The latter consists chiefly of meat, bread, beer, &c. To these may be added wood or coals, and straw, which are always wanted in an army. Every general will take proper precautions to have his men well supplied with these first necessaries in life. Baron d’Espagnac has written at large upon this important subject. See _Elemens Militaires_, tom. i. page 162; and that writer’s _Suite de l’essai sur la science de la Guerre_, tom. i. page 246.

_Subsistence_ likewise means pay or allowance.

SUBSTITUTE _in the militia_. A person who voluntarily serves in the room of another.

SUBSTITUTION, _Fr._ An algebraical term used by the French, signifying to substitute in an equation any quantity in the room of another, which is equal to it, but which is differently expressed.

SUBTANGENT, in any curve, is the line which determines the intersection of the tangent in the axis prolonged.

SUBTENSE, (_Soutendante_, _Fr._) A geometrical term signifying the base of an angle, that is to say, a strait line opposite to an angle, which is supposed to be drawn from the two extremes of the section that measures it. Likewise the chord of an arch; that which is extended under any thing.

SUBURBS, (_Fauxbourgs_, _Fr._) Buildings without the walls of a city.

SUCCESSION _of rank_. Relative gradation according to the dates of commissions, or the regulations established.

SUCCOUR, in _war_. Assistance in men, stores, or ammunition.

SUD, _Fr._ This word is variously used by the French. It signifies in the sea language the south wind and the southern regions; and it signifies in an absolute sense, one of the four cardinal winds which blows from the south. Hence _Le Sud_, the south wind. _Sud est ou sud ouest_, south east or south west.

SUISSES, _Fr._ The Swiss soldiers who were in the pay of France previous to the 10th of August 1792, were generally so called. It was also a general term to signify stipendiary troops. Hence _point d’argent, point de suisses!_ which agrees with our cant phrase--No pay, no soldier.

SUITE, _or_ SERIES, _Fr._ This term signifies generally any regular collection and successive distribution of things.

_Officiers à la_ SUITE, _Fr._ Supernumerary officers attached to a regiment, &c. during the monarchy of France, who were not required to do duty with it.

SULPHUR, or _brimstone_, a volcanic mineral essential in making gunpowder and artificial fire-works.

SULTAN _or_ SULTAUN, _Ind._ King. The title which was assumed by Tippoo Saib, chief of the Mysore country. Hence called Tippoo Sultaun.

SULTAN _shirki_, _Ind._ King of the east.

SULTAUNUT, _Ind._ The decorations or appendages annexed to royalty.

SUMMONS. The act of demanding the surrender of a place, or body of men.

SUMNUTCHEER, _Ind._ A word, among others, which signifies Saturday.

SUMOODER, _Ind._ The sea or main ocean.

SUMPTER. See BAT-HORSE.

SUN, _Ind._ The year.

SUNAUT, _Ind._ Old rupees on which a discount is allowed. Hence _Sunaut Rupees_.

SUNEEBAR, _Ind._ Another word for Saturday.

SUNEECHUR, _Ind._ A word likewise meaning Saturday.

SUNNUD, _Ind._ A charter, grant, or patent, from any man in authority. When it was given by the mogul, it obtained the appellation of _Firmaun_.

SUNNUD _dewauny_, _Ind._ A grant or instrument in writing, which entitles a person to hold land in India.

SUNSET. See RETREAT BEATING.

SUNSET. The time at which the evening gun fires, and the retreat is beat in camp, or quarters, &c. When troops are embarked on board transports, the men parade at half an hour before sunset, quite clean as to their persons.

SUPERANNUATED, (_Suranné-ée_, _Fr._) In a military sense, rendered unfit for service through old age.

SUPERFICIES, (_Superficie_, _Fr._) Outline; exterior surface; extent without depth. The curved superficies are divided into two sorts, viz. the convex and concave.

SUPERINTENDANT, (_Surintendant_, _Fr._) A person appointed to take charge of any particular district or department. Hence, military superintendant.

SUPERIOR _officer_. Any officer of higher rank, or who has priority in the same rank, by the date of his commission, &c.

SUPERNUMERARY, (_Surnumeraire_, _Fr._) Beyond a fixed or stated number. In a strict military sense it means the officers and non-commissioned officers that are attached to a regiment or battalion for the purpose of supplying the places of such as fall in action, and for the better management of the rear ranks when the front is advancing or engaged.

Supernumerary officers and non-commissioned officers must always divide their ground equally in the rear of the division they belong to, and pay the strictest attention to the orders which are issued for its exercise or movement.

If an officer is killed or wounded in action, the first supernumerary officer of the division takes the command, and so on to the quarter-master and serjeants.

_To_ SUPERSEDE, (_Remplacer_, _Fr._) See TO RESPITE.

_To be_ SUPERSEDED, (_Etre remplacé_, _Fr._) Both these terms are used by the French in the same military sense that we employ them, viz. to be deprived of rank and pay for some offence, and to have others put in one’s stead.

SUPPLEANT, _Fr._ A substitute. Any person named to do the functions of another.

SUPPLEMENT. Addition; augmentation, in case of deficiency.

SUPPLEMENT _of an arch_. In geometry or trigonometry, the number of degrees which it wants of being an entire semicircle; as complement signifies what an arch wants of being a quadrant.

SUPPLEMENT _d’un angle_, _Fr._ Supplement of an angle. The number of degrees which are wanting in an angle to constitute or make up two angles.

SUPPLEMENT, _Fr._ A certain pecuniary allowance, over and above the ordinary pay or subsistence, which was given by the king to officers belonging to the old French service.

SUPPLEMENTAL, SUPPLEMENTARY, (_Supplementaire_, _Fr._) Additional; such as fills up what is wanting.

SUPPLY. Relief of want; making up of deficiencies. A fresh supply of troops, ammunition, &c.

_To_ SUPPLY. To makeup deficiencies. To aid; to assist; to relieve with something wanted. To fill any room made vacant. Thus, covering serjeants supply the places of officers when they step out of the ranks, or are killed in action.

_To_ SUPPORT. To aid, to assist; it likewise signifies to preserve untarnished, viz. To support the ancient character of the corps.

_Well_ SUPPORTED. Well aided, well assisted. It likewise signifies well kept up, as _a well supported fire from the batteries_; a well supported fire of musquetry.

SURAPAN, _Ind._ An honorary dress, which is given to an inferior by a superior.

SURAT _Haal_, _Ind._ A state or representation of the case.

SURCINGLE. A girth with which the saddle or any other burden is bound upon a horse.

SURFACE, in _fortification_, is that part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion: the double of this line with the curtain is equal to the exterior side.

SURGEON, (_Chirurgien_, _Fr._) A staff officer, who is chief of the medical department in each regiment or hospital, &c.

SURGEON-_general_. The first or senior surgeon of an army.

Particular instructions to the regimental surgeons of the line in the British service.

Each regimental surgeon of the line, when provided with a chest of medicines, is required half yearly to make a return to the inspector of regimental hospitals, (under cover to the secretary at war,) of the medicines used by him during the preceding six months, and what remain; and this return must be accompanied by an affidavit taken before a magistrate, that none of the medicines have, to his knowlege, been converted to private purposes, or applied to any use but that of the regiment, or some other military service; for which he must produce the special orders of the commanding officer, or of the inspector of regimental hospitals.

Should a regiment of the line be placed in an unhealthy situation; or, from any prevailing disease, should the surgeon’s stock of a particular medicine be exhausted before the next yearly supply becomes due, he is to apply to the inspector of regimental hospitals, (under cover to the secretary at war) for a fresh supply; the existence of such cause for the extraordinary consumption of the medicines to be certified by the commanding officer.

If a medical officer of the line desires to use a medicine not in the dispensatory, he must procure it at his own expence.

Whenever wine is necessary for the sick of a regiment of the line, a return of the consumption thereof is to be made weekly to the inspector of regimental hospitals.

The medical and hospital expences of regiments of the line, and of their respective detachments, are to be inserted in the public accounts of the respective corps.

Every regimental surgeon is to make a report to the inspector of regimental hospitals, of the situation, size, rent, &c. of the hospital he proposes to hire; and unless on very pressing emergencies, no engagement is to be entered into without the permission of that officer, to whom is to be transmitted half yearly, viz. June 24th and December 24th, an abstract of the regimental hospital contingent expences, approved by the commanding officer of the regiment, accompanied with regular vouchers signed and certified by the paymaster.

When a soldier is punished, it is the duty of the regimental surgeon to attend at the execution of the sentence, and to see that the life of the culprit is not endangered by excessive rigor. He is, in fact, paramount to the commanding officer on this occasion, and ought to interfere whenever his judgment dictates. If any commanding officer should be hardy enough to continue the chastisement in spite of the surgeon’s interposition, the responsibility will then rest with him.

_Assistant_ SURGEON. The person who acts immediately under the regimental surgeon. In the regulations for improving the situation of British regimental surgeons and mates, which took place in 1796, it is expressed, that surgeon’s mates in future are to be stiled assistant surgeons, and to be appointed by commission from the king, or by generals authorised by him. For further particulars respecting surgeons and assistant surgeons, see Military Finance, page 46.

_Veterinary_ SURGEON. See VETERINARY.

SURINTENDANT _des Fortifications_, _Fr._ A place of great trust and considerable importance during the old French government. It was his duty to submit plans of places that were to be fortified, or of others that wanted repairing, to give in estimates of the expences that would attend the works, and to state to the directors the degrees of skill and activity which he had discovered in the different engineers who acted under him. He likewise communicated with the king on every weighty branch of ordnance. His allowance was fifty thousand livres per annum, out of which he gave six thousand livres, or 1200 _dolls._ to a first clerk, who received the like sum from the king for under-clerks and stationary.

SURINTENDANT _général des poudres et salpêtres de France_, _Fr._ Superintendant general of powder and saltpetre magazines of France. An appointment in the old French artillery, which was created in 1634, and paid the Paulette.

SURMENER, _Fr._ To founder. A term in the French manege, signifying to over-ride or over-work a horse. Hence, _un chéval surmené_. A jaded horse, or one spoiled by too much work.

_Les_ SURPENTES, _Fr._ The slings or straps used in the artillery.

_To_ SURPRISE, (_Surprendre_, _Fr._) in _war_, to fall on an enemy unexpectedly, in marching through narrow and difficult passes, when one part has passed, so as not easily to come to the succour of the other; as in the passage of rivers, woods, enclosures, &c. A place is surprised by drains, casemates, or the issues of rivers or canals; by the encumbering the bridge or gate, by waggons meeting and stopping each other; sending soldiers into the place, under pretence of being deserters, who, on entering, _surprise_ the guard; being sustained by troops in ambush near the place, to whom they give entrance, and thereby seize it. Soldiers dressed like peasants, merchants, Jews, priests, or women, are sometimes employed for this purpose. The enemy sometimes send in their soldiers, as if they were yours coming from the hospitals, &c. they also dress their soldiers in your regimentals, who, presenting themselves at your gate as such, are immediately admitted, seize the guard, and become masters of the place. Sometimes houses are set on fire, and whilst the garrison comes out to extinguish it, troops who lay in ambush march in, and surprise the place. Officers commanding guards at the principal gates are lured out under various pretences; matters being so contrived that a party seize the gate in coming in with them. Sometimes an alarm is given at one side of the garrison, whilst you enter secretly at the other, which at that time is too often neglected.