Part 33

To the qualities above mentioned, must be added activity and vigilance; both which are absolutely necessary in all operations of war, but especially in the attack of such places as are in expectation of succours. The besieged must have no time allowed them for consideration; one hour lost at such a juncture often proves irreparable. It is by their activity and vigilance, that engineers often bring the besieged to capitulate, much sooner than they would have done, if those engineers had not pushed on the attack with firmness and resolution. Want of vigilance and activity often proceed from irresolution, and that from weakness of capacity.

As the office of an engineer requires great natural qualifications, much knowlege, study, and application, it is but reasonable that the pay should be proportioned to that merit which is to be the qualification of the person employed: he must be at an extraordinary expence in his education, and afterwards for books and instruments for his instruction and improvement, as well as for many other things; and that he may be at liberty to pursue his studies with application, he must not be put to shifts for necessaries. It should likewise be considered, that if an engineer do his duty, be his station what it will, his fatigue must be very great; and, to dedicate himself wholly to that duty, he should be divested of all other cares.

The word engineer is of modern date in England, and was first used about the year 1650, when one captain Thomas Rudd had the title of chief engineer. In 1600, the title given to engineers, was trench-master; and in 1622, sir William Pelham, and after him sir Francis Vere, acted as trench-masters in Flanders. In the year 1634, an engineer was called camp-master general, and sometimes engine-master, being always subordinate to the master of the ordnance.

At present the corps of _engineers_ in _England_, consists of 1 colonel in chief, 1 colonel en second, 1 chief engineer, 5 colonels, 6 lieutenant colonels, 18 captains, 15 captain lieutenants, and captains, 31 lieutenants, 16 second lieutenants.

The establishment of the corps of _invalid engineers_, comprises a colonel, lieutenant colonel, captain, captain lieutenant and captain, first lieutenant, and second lieutenant.

The corps of _engineers in Ireland_ consists of a director, colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain, captain lieutenant and captain, and 2 first lieutenants.

During the administration of general Washington, the necessity of some military institute, or school, was frequently recommended; and in the administration that followed, the same policy was pursued; particularly at the period of raising the additional army in 1798. In the year 1792, military subjects were very much pressed upon congress, as arising out of the state of the world, and the necessity of being prepared to ward against the dangers which might arise. In 1800, the subject of military defence was discussed, with increased zeal, and a very able and judicious report of the then secretary at war was laid before congress, in which it was proposed to establish a military academy to be divided into four general departments. 1. A fundamental school. 2. A school of artillerists and engineers. 3. A school of cavalry and infantry. 4. A naval school. The objects of this report fell to the ground. In 1802, (16 March) a law was passed, in which it was provided, Sect. 26. That the President of the United States is hereby authorised and empowered, when he shall deem it expedient, to organize and establish a corps of engineers, to consist of one engineer, with the pay, rank, and emoluments of a major; two assistant engineers, with the pay, rank, and emoluments of captains; two other assistant engineers, with the pay, rank, and emoluments of first lieutenants; two other assistant engineers, with the pay, rank, and emoluments of second lieutenants; and ten cadets, with the pay of sixteen dollars per month, and two rations per day: and the President of the United States is, in like manner authorised, when he shall deem it proper, to make such promotions in the said corps, with a view to particular merit, and without regard to rank, so as not to exceed one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, two majors, four captains, four first lieutenants, four second lieutenants, and so as that number of the whole corps shall, at no time, exceed twenty officers and cadets.

Sec. 27. _And be it further enacted_, That the said corps when so organized, shall be stationed at West Point in the state of New York, and shall constitute a military academy; and the engineers, assistant engineers, and cadets of the said corps, shall be subject at all times, to do duty in such places, and on such service, as the President of the United States shall direct.

Sec. 28. _And be it further enacted_, That the principal engineer, and in his absence the next in rank, shall have the superintendance of the said military academy, under the direction of the President of the United States; and the secretary of war is hereby authorised, at the public expence, under such regulations as shall be directed by the President of the United States, to procure the necessary books, implements and apparatus for the use and benefit of the said institution.

This school of engineers of the U. States has been since augmented; and it is proposed to place it at Washington city.

ENGINERY, the act of managing artillery; also engines of war.

ENGUARD. See GUARD.

ENLARGEMENT, the act of going or being allowed to go beyond prescribed limits: as the extending the boundaries of an arrest, when the officer is said to be enlarged, or under arrest at large.

ENNEAGON, in, _geometry_, or _fortification_, is a figure consisting of 9 angles, and as many sides, capable of being fortified with the same number of bastions.

ENNEGONE. See ENNEAGON.

ENRANK, to place in orderly or regular rows.

ENROLEMENT, _Fr._ enrollment. This term, according to the military acceptation of it in the French service, differs from the words engagement, enlistment, inasmuch as in some instances, the officer enrolls or enlists a soldier without his consent; whereas in others the soldier is enrolled, after having declared that he voluntarily enlisted.

ENROLLED, ENROLLMENT, See INLISTED.

ENSCONCE, to cover as with a fort.

ENSEIGNE, _Fr._ the colors, originally derived from the Latin word _Insignire_. The French designate all warlike symbols under the term _enseigne_; but they again distinguish that word by the appellations of _drapeaux_, colors, and _étendarts_, standards. _Drapeaux_ or colors are particularly characteristic of the infantry; _étendarts_ or standards belong to the cavalry. We make the same distinctions in our service. See COLORS.

ENSEIGNE _de vaisseau_, _Fr._ The lowest commissioned officer in the French navy.

ENSHIELD, to cover from the enemy.

ENSIFORM, having the shape of a sword.

ENSIGN, in the military art, a banner, under which the soldiers are ranged according to the different regiments they belong to. See COLORS.

ENSIGN, or _ensign-bearer_, is an officer who carries the colors being the lowest commissioned officer in a company of foot, subordinate to the captain and lieutenant. The word ensign is very ancient, being used both by the Greeks and Romans, and amongst both foot and horse. Ensigns belonging to the foot, were either the common ones of the whole legion, or the particular ones of the manipuli. The common ensign of the whole legion was an eagle of gold or silver, fixed on the top of a spear, holding a thunderbolt in his talons as ready to deliver it. That this was not peculiar to the Romans, is evident from the testimony of Xenophon, who informs us, that the royal ensign of Cyrus was a golden eagle spread over a shield, and fastened on a spear, and that the same was still used by the Persian kings. In the rustic age of Rome, the ensigns were nothing more than a wisp of hay carried on a pole, as the word _manipulus_ properly signifies. The ensign of the cavalry was a dragon; but there were some of cloth, somewhat like our colors, distended on a staff; on which the names of the emperors were generally depicted. The religious care the soldiers took of their ensigns, was extraordinary: they worshipped them, swore by them (as at present several European powers do) and incurred certain death if they lost them. The Turks and Tartars make use of horses tails for their ensigns, whose number distinguishes the rank of their commanders; for the Sultan has 7, and the Grand Vizier only 3, &c.

ENTERPRIZE, in military history, an undertaking attended with some hazard and danger.

ENTERPRISER, an officer who undertakes or engages in any important and hazardous design. This kind of service frequently happens to the light infantry, light horse, and hussars.

ENTIRE, or _rank_ ENTIRE, a line of men in one continued row on the side of each other. When behind each other, they are said to be in file. See INDIAN _files_.

ENTONNOIR, _Fr._ the cavity or hole which remains after the explosion of a mine. It likewise means the tin-case or port-feu which is used to convey the priming powder into the touch-hole of a cannon.

ENTREPOSTS, _Fr._ magazines and places appropriated in garrison towns for the reception of stores, &c. In a mercantile sense it means an intermediate public warehouse, where goods were deposited, and from whence they might be forwarded to different quarters within or beyond the immediate confines of a country.

ENTREPRENEUR, _Fr._ See CONTRACTOR.

ENVELOPE, in fortification, a work of earth, sometimes in form of a single parapet, and at others like a small rampart: it is raised sometimes in the ditch, and sometimes beyond it. Envelopes are sometimes _en zic-zac_, to inclose a weak ground, where that is practicable, with single lines, to save the great charge of horn works, crown works, and tenailles, or where room is wanting for such large works. These sort of works are to be seen at Besancon, Douay, Luxembourg, &c. Envelopes in a ditch are sometimes called sillons, contregardes, conserves, lunettes, &c. which words see.

_To_ ENVIRON, to surround in a hostile manner, to hem in, to besiege.

EPAULE, in fortification, denotes the shoulder of a bastion, or the place where its face and flank meet, and form the angle, called the angle of the shoulder. See FORTIFICATION.

EPAULEMENT, in fortification, is a kind of breast work to cover the troops in front, and sometimes in flank. In a siege, the besiegers generally raise an epaulement of 8 or 10 feet high, near the entrance of the approaches, to cover the cavalry, which is placed there to support the guard of the trenches. These works are sometimes made of filled gabions, or fascines and earth. This term is frequently used for any work thrown up to defend the flank or a post, or any other place. It is sometimes taken for a demi-bastion, and at other times for a square orillon to cover the cannon of a casemate. See FORTIFICATION.

EPAULETTES, are shoulder knots, worn by officers; those for the officers are made of gold or silver lace, with rich fringe and bullions, those of non-commissioned are of cotton or worsted. They are badges of distinction worn on one or both shoulders. When a serjeant or corporal is publicly reduced, the shoulder-knot is cut off by the drum major in the front or circle of the battalion.

Among the French, all the degrees of rank, from a cadet to a general officer, were so minutely marked out by the epaulette, that a common centinel might instantly know what officer approached his station, and could pay the prescribed honors without hesitation or mistake.

All officers above the rank of captain wear two in the United States army and militia; captains wear one on the right shoulder: lieutenants and ensigns on the left; serjeants and corporals wear as captains and lieutenants.

Epaulettes have been introduced into the British navy.

The following are the gradations of rank as distinguished by epaulettes.

Masters and commanders have one epaulette on the left shoulder.

Post captains under three years, one epaulette on the right shoulder.

And after having been post three years, two epaulettes.

Rear admirals have one star on the strap of the epaulette, vice admirals two stars, and admirals three stars.

EPEE, _Fr._ a sword.

EPERON, _Fr._ a spur.

EPICYCLOID, a curve formed by the revolution of the periphery of a circle along the convex or concave part of another circle.

EPIGNARE, _Fr._ a small piece of ordnance which does not exceed one pound in calibre.

EPREUVE, _Fr._ See PROOF.

EPROUVETTE, is a machine to prove the strength of gunpowder. There are different sorts of eprouvettes, according to the fancy of different nations who use them. Some raise a weight, and others throw a shot, to certain heights and distances.

EPTAGON. See HEPTAGON.

EQUANGULAR, having equal angles.

EQUATION, an expression of the same quantity in two dissimilar terms, but of equal value. See ALGEBRA.

EQUERRE, _Fr._ a sort of rule which is absolutely necessary to the miner in order to make his descent at right angles.

EQUERRY, the master of the horse. It likewise means any person who is appointed to attend horses.

EQUESTRIAN _statue_, the inanimate resemblance, in bronze, stone, or marble, of any person mounted on horseback.

EQUESTRIAN _order_, among the Romans, signified their knights or equites; as also their troopers or horsemen in the field; the first of which orders stood in contradistinction to the senators, as the last did to the foot; each of these distinctions was introduced into the state by state cunning.

EQUILIBRIUM, equality of weight or powder.

_To_ EQUIP, to furnish an individual, a corps, or an army, with every thing that is requisite for military service, such as arms, accoutrements, uniforms, &c. &c.

EQUIPAGE, in a military sense, is all kinds of furniture made use of by the army; such as

_Camp_-EQUIPAGE, _Field_-EQUIPAGE, are tents, kitchen furniture, saddle horses, baggage waggons, bat horses, &c.

EQUIPMENT, the act of getting completely equipped, or supplied with every requisite for military service.

EQUITES, an order of equestrian knights introduced among the Romans by Romulus.

ESCADRON, _Fr._ Squadron. This term is derived from the Italian _scara_ or _scadra_, corrupted from the Latin quadrum. Froissart was the first French writer that made use of the word _escadron_ to signify a troop of horse drawn out in order of battle. The term escadron is more ancient than _battalion_. See SQUADRON.

ESCALADE. See SCALADE.

ESCALADE _d’un soldat_ was used in the old French service to express the act of a soldier who got into a town, camp, or quarters, by scaling the ramparts, &c. When discovered in the act of so doing, the centinels had orders to fire at him; and if apprehended, he was tried and condemned to death.

ESCALE, _Fr._ a machine used to apply the petard.

ESCARMOUCHE, _Fr._ See SKIRMISH.

ESCARPE, is the outward slope or talus of the rampart.

ESCARPMENT. See DECLIVITY.

ESCORT, in the art of war. See CONVOY.

ESCORTS, _Fr._ See CONVOY.

ESCOUADE, _Fr._ in the old French service generally meant the third part of a company of foot or a detachment. Companies were divided in this manner for the purpose of more conveniently keeping the tour of duty among the men.

The word escouade is, however, more specifically applicable to the old distribution of a French artillery company, which was divided into three parts called escouades. The first, containing double the complement of the rest, was composed of 24 artillerists or bombardiers, including two serjeants, two corporals, two anspessades or lance corporals of the same profession, and twenty-four soldiers called _soldats apprentis_. The second escouade was composed of twelve miners or sappers, including one serjeant, one corporal, and one anspessade or lance corporal of the same profession, and twelve _soldats apprentis_.

The third escouade was composed of twelve workmen or artificers in wood or iron attached to the artillery, amongst whom were included one serjeant, one corporal and one anspessade or lance corporal of the same trade, together with twelve _soldats apprentis_. We have corrupted the terra and called it squad. See SQUAD.

ESCOUT. See SPY.

ESCUAGE, an ancient feudal tenure by which the tenant was bound to follow his lord to war or to defend his castle.

ESPADON, in old military books, a kind of two-handed sword, having two edges, of a great length and breadth; formerly used by the Spanish.

ESPION, _Fr._ a spy.

ESPLANADE, in fortification, the sloping of the parapet of the covert-way towards the field, and is therefore the same as the glacis of the counterscarp; but begins to be antiquated in that sense, and is now only taken for the empty space between the glacis of a citadel, and the first houses of the town.

ESPONTOON, _Fr._ A sort of half pike. On the 10th of May, 1690, it was ordered by the French government that every espontoon, or half pike, should be 8 feet in length. The colonels of corps as well as the captains of companies always used them in action. The officers of the British army have likewise been provided with this weapon: but it has been replaced by the strait sword in both countries; and is generally exploded.

ESPRINGAL, in the ancient art of war, a machine for throwing large darts, generally called muchettæ.

ESPRIT _de Corps_, _Fr._ this term is generally used among all military men in Europe. It may not improperly be defined a laudable spirit of ambition which produces a peculiar attachment to any particular corps, company or service. Officers without descending to mean and pitiful sensations of selfish envy, under the influence of a true _Esprit de corps_ rise into an emulous thirst after military glory. The good are excited to peculiar feats of valor by the sentiments it engenders, and the bad are deterred from ever hazarding a disgraceful action by a secret consciousness of the duties it prescribes.

ESQUADE. See SQUAD.

ESQUIRE. See ARMIGER.

S’ESQUIVER, _Fr._ to steal away.

ESSES, in the train of artillery, are fixed to draught chains and made in the form of an S, one end of which is fastened to the chain, and the other hooks to the horses harness, or to a staple: they serve likewise to lengthen and piece chains together.

ESSUYER _le feu_, _Fr._ to remain exposed to the fire of cannon or musquetry.

ESTABLAGE, _Fr._ the harness which is between the two shafts of a cart, and serves to support them.

_To_ ESTABLISH, To fix, to settle. It is likewise a technical phrase, to express the quartering of any considerable body of troops in a country. Thus it is common to say: The army took up a position in the neighborhood of ---- and established its head quarters at ----.

ESTABLISHMENT, in a military sense, implies the quota of officers and men in an army, regiment, troop, or company.

_Peace_-ESTABLISHMENT, is the reduction of corps to a certain number, by which the aggregate force of a country is diminished, and its expenditure lessened.

_War_-ESTABLISHMENT, is the augmentation of regiments to a certain number, by which the whole army of a country is considerably increased.

ESTAFFE, contribution money.

ESTIMATE, army estimates are the computation of expences to be incurred in the support of an army for a given time.

ESTOFETTE, a military courier, sent express from one part of an army to another.

ESTOILE. See ETOILE.

ESTRADE, _Fr._ a road or way. This word is derived from the Italian _strada_, which signifies road, street, or way. Some writers take its etymology from _Estradicts_, a class of men on horseback, who were employed in scouring the roads, and in procuring intelligence respecting the movements of an army. See BATTEUR D’ESTRADE.

ETAIM or ETAIN, _Fr._ Tin, A white metal of a consistency less hard than silver, but firmer than lead. It is used in the casting of cannon. The best quality is found in Cornwall.

ETANCONS, _Fr._ Stays, supporters. Large pieces of wood which are fixed vertically in the cavities of mines, for the purpose of sustaining the weight of earth that is laid upon the galleries.

ETAPE, _Fr._ subsistence, or a soldier’s daily allowance. See SUBSISTENCE.

ETAPIERS, _Fr._ were military purveyors, who accompanied the French armies or were stationed in particular places to supply the troops on their march.

ETAT-_Major_, _Fr._ Staff. Etat major in the French service, is a more comprehensive term than staff appears to be in our acceptation of the word. As we have in some degree adopted the term, it cannot be superfluous to give a short account of its origin, &c. Among the French, according to the Author of the _Recueil Alphabetique de tous les termes propres à l’art de la guerre_, état-major signifies a specific number of officers who are distinguished from others belonging to the same corps. It did not follow that every regiment was to have its staff, as the king had the power of appointing or suppressing staff officers at pleasure.

The _état-major général de l’infanterie_, or the general staff of the infantry, was created under Francis I. in 1525. That of the light cavalry under Charles IX. in 1565. That of the dragoons under Louis XIV. in 1669.

The _état-major_ of an infantry regiment, was composed of the colonel, the major, the aid-major, quarter-master, the chaplain, the provost-marshal, the surgeon, and the attendant commissary, who was called _le commissaire à la conduite_. To these were added the lieutenant of the provostship, the person who kept the regimental register, or the greffier, the drum-major, six archers, and the executioner. By this establishment it is presupposed, that a provostship, was allowed in the regiment, which was not a general regulation, but depended upon the king’s pleasure.

The _état-major_, or staff of an old French regiment of _cavalry_, according to the _Ordonnance_, or military regulation which was issued on the 4th of November in 1651, consisted of the _mestre de camp_, or colonel of the horse, the major and the aid-major. It is therein particularly stated, that the état-major of a cavalry regiment shall not have a provostship, a chaplain, a surgeon, nor any other subordinate officer under that denomination.

Every fortified town or place had likewise its appropriate état-major, consisting of a certain number of officers who were subject to specific and distinct regulations.

By an order dated the 1st of August, 1733, the officers belonging to the état major of a garrison town, or citadel, were strictly forbidden to absent themselves more than four days from their places of residence, without especial leave from the king, nor for four days, unless they obtained permission from the governor or commandant of the town or citadel. See _Amer. Mil. Lib._ Art. STAFF.

ETENDART. _Fr._ Standard. This word derives its name from the circumstance of its application, being constantly stretched out, _étendu_ or displayed. This etymology does not appear to hold good with our translation of the word.

ETERCILLON, _ou arcboutant_, _Fr._ Buttress. A piece of wood which is placed transverse, or horizontally in the galleries of a mine, in order to sustain the earth on both sides; but most especially to keep the chamber well closed, and to support the corners of the gallery.

ETIQUETTE, a French term, primarily denoting a ticket, or title affixed to a bag, or bundle of papers, expressing its contents. It is also used, when applied to the Spanish and some other courts to signify a particular account of what is to be done daily in the king’s household. It likewise denotes those forms that regulate the decorum of conduct towards persons of various ranks and stations. In the Austrian service, military etiquette is punctiliously attended to; and in the old French service the utmost deference was paid to a superior officer by an inferior, at all times, and on all occasions.