Part 162

As the placing the vents in mortars, howitzers, and guns in the best manner, is so very delicate a point, and about which both authors and practitioners differ, we will advance what the result of experiments has demonstrated. The most common method is to place the vent about a quarter of an inch from the bottom of the chamber or bore; though we have seen many half an inch, and some an inch from the bottom. It has always been imagined, that if the vent was to come out in the middle of the charge, the powder would be inflamed in less time than in any other case, and consequently produce the greatest range; because, if a tube be filled with powder, and lighted in the centre, the powder will be burnt in half the time it would be, were it lighted at one end. This gave a grounded supposition, that the greater the quantity of powder which burnt before the shot or shell was sensibly moved from its place, the greater force it would receive. To determine this, the king of Prussia, in 1765, ordered that a light three pounder should be cast, with three shifting vents, one at the centre of the charge, one at the bottom, and the other at an equal distance from the bottom and centre one; so that when one was used, the others were effectually stopped. The gun weighed 2 cwt. 1 qr. 20 lb.; its length was 3 feet 3 inches, and the bottom of the bore quite flat. It was loaded each time with one fourth of the shot’s weight; and it was found, that when the lowest or bottom vent was used, the shot went farthest, and the ranges of the others diminished in proportion as they were distant from the bottom. The piece was elevated to 1 degree 30 minutes.

In 1766 the same monarch caused several experiments to be tried with three small mortars of equal size and dimensions, but of different forms in their chambers; each of which held seven ounces and a half of powder. From these experiments it appeared, that the concave chamber produced the greatest ranges, and that the bottom of the chamber is the best place for vents, having in that place the greatest effect.

The vents of English guns are all ²⁄₁₀ of an inch diameter. See remark 9 of the article VELOCITY.

VENT-_field_, is the part of a gun or howitz between the breech mouldings and the astragal.

VENT-_astragal_, that part of a gun or howitzer which determines the vent-field.

VENT, _Fr._ That vacancy which is occasioned by the difference between the calibre of a piece of ordnance, and the diameter of its ball. See WINDAGE.

VENT, _Fr._ Wind. The French use this word in various senses.

VENT _d’un boulet de canon_, _Fr._ The wind of a cannon ball.

_Coup de_ VENT, _Fr._ Heavy weather; a squall.

VENT _reglé_, _Fr._ A regular wind; such as the trade-wind.

_Avoir du_ VENT, _Fr._ In farriery; to be pursy.

VENTS _alizes_, _Fr._ Trade winds.

VENTAIL. That part of a helmet which is made to lift up.

VENTOUSES, _Fr._ Air-holes, ventilators.

VENTRE, _Fr._ Belly; womb. When a piece of ordnance is off its carriage, and lies on the ground, it is said, among the French, to be upon its belly--_etre sur le ventre_.

_Se coucher_ VENTRE _à terre_. To lie down flat on your face. _Le capitaine ordonna à ses soldats de se coucher ventre à terre._ The captain ordered his men to lie on their bellies. This frequently occurs in action, when any part of the line or detached body is so posted as to be within reach of the enemy’s cannon, and not sufficiently near to make use of its own musquetry.

_Demander pardon_ VENTRE _à terre_. To ask pardon in the most abject position.

VERANDA, _Ind._ The covering of houses, being extended beyond the main wall of building, by means of a slanting roof, forming external rooms or passages; a colonade; balcony; gallery.

VERBAL _orders_. Instructions given by word of mouth, which, when communicated through an official channel, are to be considered as equally binding with written ones.

VERBAL, _Fr._ Verbal; given by word of mouth.

_Procès_ VERBAL, _Fr._ A verbal deposition.

VERD, _Fr._ Green. This word is sometimes used in a figurative sense by the French, viz.

_Homme_ VERD _or_ VERT, _Fr._ A resolute man.

_Tête_ VERTE, _Fr._ A giddy thoughtless fellow.

VERD _pour les chevaux_, _Fr._ Green forage or grass. In the _ancien regime_ of France, the cavalry and dragoon horses, when quartered in a flat country, were allowed to be thirty days at grass; the particular period was left to the discretion of the commanding officers. The term was sometimes extended to forty days, without any deduction being made for the ten days; by means of which an emolument accrued to the captains of troops, not only from the horses which were actually sent to grass, but likewise for those that were returned as such.

VERDIGREASE, (_Verd-de-Gris_, _Fr._) A kind of rust of copper, which is of great use among painters. It is also taken medicinally.

VERGE, _Fr._ A yard; a measure; a switch, &c.

VERGE _Rhinlandique_, _Fr._ The Rhinland rod; a measure which is equal to two French toises, or to 12 French feet. It is often used by Dutch engineers, in the measuring of works in a fortification.

VERGE _d’or_, _Fr._ The same as _arbalete_, _arbalestrille_, or Jacob’s staff; in astronomy, a beam of light.

VERGES, _Fr._ Rods.

_Passer par les_ VERGES, _Fr._ A punishment which was formerly practised among the French. The same as running the gauntlet. See PUNITIONS CORPORELLES.

VERGES, _Fr._ Twigs or branches measuring from ten to twelve feet in length, which are used in making fascines.

VERNIS, _Fr._ Varnish.

VEROLE, _Fr._ Great pox, which see. Notwithstanding the prevalence of this disorder in France, and throughout Europe, it is reckoned so dreadful a visitation, that the French have a familiar proverb which says, _Si tu ne crains pas Dieu, au moins crains la verole_; if thou art not afraid of God, dread, at least, the pox. Vaccine should be introduced in all armies.

VERRE _pour prendre hauteur_, _Fr._ A thick colored glass, through which an observation is taken of the sun.

VERRE _pilé_, _Fr._ Broken pieces of glass, which are sometimes used in artificial fire-works.

VERRIN, _Fr._ A machine which is used to raise large weights; such as cannon, &c.

VERROU, _Fr._ A bolt.

VERSER, _Fr._ To spill, to shed.

VERSER _son sang pour la patrie_, _Fr._ To shed one’s blood for the country.

VERTICAL, (_vertical_, _Fr._) Perpendicular.

VERTICAL _point_, (_point vertical_, _Fr._) A term used in astronomy, to express an imaginary point in the heavens, which is supposed to fall perpendicularly upon our heads.

VESTIBULE, _Fr._ Porch; entry; hall.

VESTIBULE, (_vestibule_, _Fr._) In fortification, is that space or covered ground which is in front of guard houses, and is generally supported by pillars. In a more general sense, any large open space before the door or entrance of a house. Daviler derives the word from _vestes_ and _ambulo_, by reason people there begin to let their trains fall. It is properly the outer hall in which persons were accustomed to take off their outer garments or great coats.

VETERAN, (_veteran_, _Fr._) This word comes from the Latin _veteranus_, a soldier in the Roman militia, who was grown old in the service, or who had made a certain number of campaigns, and on that account was entitled to certain benefits and privileges.

Twenty years service were sufficient to entitle a man to the benefit of a veteran. These privileges consisted in being absolved from the military oath, in being excused all the duties and functions of a soldier, and in being allowed a certain salary or appointment.

A French soldier is entitled to the honorable name of veteran, after he has served twenty-four years, without any break in his service,

VETERANCE, _Fr._ The state, condition of an old soldier.

_Lettre de_ VETERANCE, _Fr._ The document or letter which enables an old soldier to claim the rights and privileges of a veteran.

VETERINAIRE, _Fr._ See VETERINARY.

_Ecole_ VETERINAIRE, _Fr._ Veterinary school.

VETERINARIAN, (_Veterinarius_, Lat.) One skilled in the diseases of cattle; a farrier, or horse doctor.

VETERINARY, Appertaining to the science of taking care of cattle.

VETERINARY _surgeon_. The surgeon appointed to take care of the horses in a cavalry or dragoon regiment is so called. He is subordinate and accountable to the veterinary college.

VETILLES, _Fr._ This word literally signifies trifles. In artificial fire-works they are small serpentine compositions, confined within a single roll of paper. They have generally three lines in diameter.

VEXATIOUS _and groundless_. Charges of accusation, and appeals for redress of wrongs are so called, when the persons who make them cannot substantiate their subject matter. Officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers are liable to be punished at the discretion of a general court martial for vexatious conduct. Charges are sometimes peremptorily dismissed, without permitting them to stand the investigation of a court martial, when they appear vexatious and frivolous.

UGHUN, or _Aughun_, _Ind._ A month which partly corresponds with November; it follows Katik.

VIANDE, _Fr._ Meat; animal food. In the old regime every French soldier was allowed half a pound of meat per day.

M. de Louvois, who was minister of war under the old government of France, formed a plan, recommending, that a quantity of dried meat, reduced to powder, should be distributed to troops on service. He took the idea from a custom which is prevalent in the East. He did not, however, live to fulfil his intentions, although he had already constructed copper ovens that were large enough to contain eight bullocks. Very excellent broth can be made of this powder; one ounce of which boiled in water, will supply a sufficient quantity for four men; and one pound of fresh meat gives one ounce of powder; so that, according to the inventor’s assertion, there is a saving of one pound. The portable soup-balls which are sold for sea use, are of the same nature.

VIBRATION. See PENDULUM.

VICE-ADMIRAL, (_vice-amiral_, _Fr._) A naval officer of the second rank; who takes rank with generals of horse. Louis XIV. who endeavored to establish a French navy in 1669, created two vice-admirals of the fleet, whom he called vice-admiral of the east, and vice-admiral of the west.

VICTOR. A conqueror; generally applied to the chief officer of a successful army.

VICTORY, (_victoire_, _Fr._) The overthrow or defeat of an enemy in war, combat, duel, or the like.

VICTUAILLES, _Fr._ The provisions which are embarked on board ships of war are so called by the French.

VICTUAILLEUR, _Fr._ Victualler.

VICTUALS. Food or sustenance allowed to the troops, under certain regulations, whether on shore or embarked in transports.

VICTUALLERS. See SUTLERS.

VIEUX _corps_, _Fr._ A term used among the French before the revolution, to distinguish certain old regiments. There were six of this description, viz. Picardy, Piedmont, Navarre, Champagne, Normandy, and the marine corps. The three first were formed in 1562, and that of Champagne in 1575. They were then called _Les vieilles bandes_; the ancient or old bands; and before that period, each was known by the name of its colonel.

_Les petits_ VIEUX _corps_, _Fr._ La Tour du Pin, Bourbonnois, Auvergne, Belsunce, Meilly, and the regiment du Roi, or the king’s own, were so called during the French monarchy. All the other regiments ranked according to the several dates of their creation, and the officers took precedence in consequence of it.

VIEW _of a place_. The view of a place is said to be taken when the general, accompanied by an engineer, reconnoitres it, that is, rides round the place, observing its situation, with the nature of the country about it; as hills, valleys, rivers, marshes, woods, hedges, &c.; thence to judge of the most convenient place for opening the trenches and carrying on the approaches; to find out proper places for encamping the army, and for the park of artillery.

_To_ VIEW. See _To_ RECONNOITRE. See _Am. Mil. Lib._

VIF, _Fr._ This word is frequently used among the French to signify the core, or inside of any thing--viz:

VIF _d’un arbre_, _Fr._ The inside of a tree.

VIF _d’une pierre_, _Fr._ The inside of a stone.

VIF _de l’eau_, _Fr._ High water.

VIGIER, _Fr._ To keep watch.

VIGIER _une flotte de vaisseaux marchands_, _Fr._ To convoy a fleet of merchantmen.

VIGIES, _Fr._ A term given to certain rocks under water near the Azores. Vigie likewise signifies a watch, or centinel on board a ship; but it is chiefly used among the Spaniards in South America.

VIGILANT, (_vigilant_, _Fr._) Watchful, attentive.

VIGOROUS, (_vigoreux_, _Fr._) Strong, brisk, active, resolute.

VIGOTE, _Fr._ A model by which the calibres of pieces of ordnance are ascertained, in order to pick out appropriate bullets. This model consists of a plate of sheet iron in which there are holes of different sizes, according to the several calibres of cannon.

VILBREQUIN, _Fr._ A wimble.

VILLE, _Fr._ See TOWN.

VIN, _Fr._ Wine.

VINCIBLE. Conquerable; in a state to be defeated.

VINDAS, _Fr._ See WINDLASS.

VINEGAR, (_Vinaigre_, _Fr._) Vinegar is frequently used in the artillery to cool pieces of ordnance. Two pints of vinegar to four of water is the usual mixture for this purpose.

VINTAINE, _Fr._ A small rope which masons use to prevent stones from hitting against a wall when they draw them up.

VIOLENCE. Force, attack, assault.

VIRAGO. A female warrior; a scold.

VIRER, _Fr._ To change, to turn round. This word is used figuratively by the French, viz. _Tourner et virer_; to beat about the bush; as _Tourner et virer quel-qu’un_, in an active sense, to pump another.

VIREVAU, _Fr._ A draw-beam, a capstan.

VIRE-VOLTE, _Fr._ A quick turning about. It is a term of the manege.

VIROLE, _Fr._ A ferrule; verrel.

VIS, _Fr._ Screw, vice, spindle-tree.

VISIER, VIZIER, VIZIR, (_Visir_, _Fr._) An officer or dignity in the Ottoman Empire; whereof there are two kinds, the first called by the Turks Vizir Azem, or grand Vizir, first created in 1370 by Amurath the First, in order to ease himself of the chief and weightier affairs of the government. The grand Vizir possesses great powers, especially with regard to military affairs. The orders he issues are so thoroughly discretional, that when he quits Constantinople to join the army, he does not even communicate his intentions to the sultan. This system entirely differs from that which is followed by European generals. When the latter take the field, they proceed upon plans that have been previously digested; and although they may occasionally change their dispositions, yet they never deviate from the essential and governing principles.

The grand Vizir, on the contrary, not only makes the arrangements according to his own judgment, but he even changes an operation that has been previously ordered by the sultan, if, on his arrival at the spot, he should think it expedient to employ the troops in a different way. This absolute power is not, however, without its risk; for if the grand Vizir should fail in his enterprize, it is more than probable that the sultan will cause him to be beheaded: a punishment which has long been familiar to the Turks, from the arbitrary manner in which it is practised, and the frequency of its occurrence.

When the Turks engage an enemy, the grand Vizir generally remains with the reserve, and seldom mingles with the main body, which is soon converted into a mob of desperate combatants. The war which had been carried into Egypt, bid fair to change the whole system of Turkish tactics.

VIZIER _Nawab of Oude_, the prime minister of the Mogul empire; he became sovereign of Oude and Lucknow; he was deposed by the British in 1795, and the sovereignty assumed by the British government.

VISIERE, _Fr._ The _sight_, which is fixed on the barrel of a musquet or firelock.

_To_ VISIT, (_Visiter_, _Fr._) To go to any place, as quarters, barracks, hospital, &c. for the purpose of noticing whether the orders or regulations which have been issued respecting it, are observed.

VISITE _des Postes_, _Fr._ The act of visiting posts, &c.

_Faire la_ VISITE, _Fr._ To visit, to inspect.

VISITEUR, _Fr._ The person who visits or goes the rounds.

VISITING _Officer_. He whose duty it is to visit the guards, barracks, messes, hospital, &c. See ORDERLY OFFICER.

VISOR, VIZARD, That part of the helmet which covered the face.

VITAL AIR, or azote and oxygene, now properly called _nitrogene gas_; the cause of the rapid ignition of gunpowder, is the expansion of the air or oxygene which it contains.

VITCHOURA, _Fr._ A furred coat.

VITESSE, _Fr._ Dispatch; promptitude of action.

VITONIERES, _Fr._ Limber holes.

VIVANDIERS, _Fr._ Victuallers, sutlers, &c.

VIVAT, _Fr._ A familiar exclamation, which is used not only by the French, but by the Dutch, Germans--it comes from the Latin, and signifies literally, May he live!

VIVE _le Roi!_ _Fr._ Long live the king!

VIVE _la Republique!_ _Fr._ Long live the republic!

_Qui vive?_ _Fr._ A military phrase which is used in challenging--Who comes there?

VIVRE, _vivres_, _Fr._ Food, provisions, subsistence. In the _Dictionnaire Militaire_, vol. iii. page 525, is an interesting account of the manner in which troops were subsisted during the first years of the French monarchy.

VIVRES _et leur distribution chez les Turcs_, _Fr._ The kind of provisions, &c. and the manner in which they are distributed among the Turks. The food or provisions for the Turkish soldiery form an immediate part of the military baggage.

The government supplies flour, bread, biscuit, rice, bulgur or peeled barley, butter, mutton, and beef, and grain for the horses, which is almost wholly barley.

The bread is generally moist, not having been leavened, and is almost always ready to mould. On which account the Armenians, who are the bakers, bake every day in ovens that have been constructed under ground for the use of the army. When there is not sufficient time to bake bread, biscuit is distributed among the men.

The ration of bread for each soldier consists of one hundred drams per day, or fifty drams of biscuit, sixty of beef or mutton, twenty-five of butter to bake the peeled barley in, and fifty of rice. The rice is given on Friday every week, on which day they likewise receive a ration of fifty drams of bulgur mixed with butter, as an extraordinary allowance, making a kind of water-gruel.

These provisions are distributed in two different quarters. The meat is given out at the government butchery, where a certain number of Armenians, Greeks, and Jews regularly attend. Each company sends a head cook, who goes with a cart and receives the allowance from a sort of quarter-master serjeant, who is in waiting with a regular return of what is wanted for each oda.

This person is stiled among the Turks _Meidan Chiaous_. He stands upon a spot of ground which is more elevated than the rest, and receives the allowance due to his district.

The distribution of bread, &c. is made within the precincts of the Tefterdar-Bascy, where the Vekil-karet attends as director or superintendant of stores and provisions, and by whose order they are delivered.

When the allowance is brought to the oda or company, the Vekil-karet, a sort of quarter-master, sees it regularly measured out, and if any portions be deficient, he takes note of the same, in order to have them replaced for the benefit of the company. The remainder is then given to the head cook, who divides it into two meals, one for eleven o’clock in the morning, and the other for seven in the evening.

These two meals consist of boiled or stewed meat, mixed with rice, and seasoned with pepper and salt; water-gruel being regularly made for each man on Friday.

There are six kitchen boys or quateri attached to each oda, by which they are paid a certain subsistence. On solemn occasions, and on festival days, the quateri are dressed in long gowns made of skins, with borders to them; they likewise wear a large knife with an encrusted silver handle, which hangs at their side. They serve up the victuals in two copper vessels, that are laid upon a table covered with a skin, round which seven or eight persons may be seated.

VIVRIERS, _Fr._ Clerks and other persons employed by the commissary-general, or contractor for stores and provisions.

Mons. Dupré D’Aulnay, in a work entitled _Traité des Subsistances Militaires_, has suggested the establishment of a regular corps of _Vivriers_ or persons whose sole duty should be to attend to the subsistence of an army, in the field as well as in garrison. His reasoning upon this subject is very acute, full of good sense, and seems calculated to produce that system of economy and wholesome distribution, that, to this day, are so manifestly wanted in all military arrangements.

VIZ, _Ind._ A small coin; it is also a weight equal to about three pounds; but differs much in value according to place.

VIZARUT, _Ind._ The office of Vizier.

VIZIER, _Ind._ Prime minister.

ULANS, _Fr._ This word is sometimes written Hulans. A certain description of militia among the modern Tartars was so called. They formerly did duty in Poland and Lithuania, and served as light cavalry.

It is not exactly known at what epoch the Tartars first came into Poland and Lithuania. Dlugossus, in his history of Poland, book XI. page 243, relates, that there were troops or companies of Tartars attached to the army which was under the command of Alexander Witholde, grand duke of Lithuania. Heidenstein, in his account of Poland, _Rer. Polonic._, page 152, makes mention of a corps of Tartars belonging to the army which Stephen Bathori, king of Poland, carried into the field when he fought the Russians. This corps, according to the same author, was headed by one _Ulan_, who said he was descended from the princes of Tartary.

Although the origin of the word Ulan, as far as it regards the modern militia so called, does not appear to be indisputably ascertained, it is nevertheless well proved, that besides the Tartar chief under Stephen Bathori, the person, who in the reign of Augustus the II. formed the first pulk, or regiment of that description, was not only called Ulan himself, but likewise gave the name to the whole body under his command. This chief is mentioned in the records of the military institution of Poland in 1717. He was then colonel or commandant of the first pulk, or king’s regiment, and there were three captains under him of the same name, viz:--Joseph Ulan, David Ulan, and Cimbey Ulan. In 1744, one of these was captain of a company of Ulans in Bohemia, and was afterwards colonel of a corps of the same description in Poland. He is likewise said to have been descended from the Tartar princes. It is, however, left undecided, whether _Ulan_ be the name of a particular family, or a term given to distinguish some post of honor; or again, whether it barely signify a certain class of turbulent haughty soldiers, such as the Streletz of Russia, or the Janizaries of Constantinople.

If there be any thing which can make us question the authenticity or probability of this account, it is the passage we find in the book already quoted--viz: Dlugossus, where he says liv. XIII. page 403, that in 1467 an ambassador from Tartary had arrived at Petrigkow to announce to king Casimir, that, after the death of Ecziger his son Nordowlad, had ascended the throne of Tartary with the unanimous consent and concurrence of all the princes and _Ulans_. Quitting the etymology of the word, and leaving the original name to the determination of wise and scientific men, we shall confine our present researches to the modern establishment of the Ulans; which, by the best accounts, we find to have happened in 1717.