Part 61

HASSEIN and HOUSSEIN, two brothers, and Mahomedan saints, whose feast is celebrated with great pomp and much enthusiasm in Asia. This festival is kept on the 14th of November, in commemoration of the murder of those two brothers. The Mahomedans of Hindostan observe it with a kind of religious madness, some acting and others bewailing the catastrophe of their saints with so much energy, that several die of the excesses they commit. They are likewise persuaded that whoever falls in battle against unbelievers, during any of the days of this ceremony, shall be instantly translated into the higher paradise, without stopping at any of the intermediate purgatories. On these occasions, to the enthusiasm of superstition is added the more certain efficacy of inebriation; for the troops eat plentifully of bang, a vegetable substance something like hemp which yields an intoxicating juice.

HAT. Hats are no longer used by the non commissioned officers or privates; in the European armies all the infantry wear caps of leather, &c.

HATCHET, used in the army, a small light sort of an axe, with a bazil edge on the left side, and a short handle, used by the men for cutting wood to make fascines, gabions, pickets, &c.

_To take up the_ HATCHET, among the Indians to declare war, to commence hostilities, &c.

HAUBERGEON, _Fr._ See HABERGEON.

HAUBERGIER, _Fr._ an individual who held a tenure by knight’s service, and was subject to the feudal system, which formerly existed in France, and by which he was obliged to accompany the lord of the manor in that capacity whenever the latter went to war. He was called _fief de haubert_, and had the privilege of carrying a halbert. All vassals in ancient times served their lords-paramount as squires, haubergiers, lance-men, bow-men, &c.

HAUBERJON, _Fr._ See HABERGEON.

HAUBERT. See HAUTBERT.

HAVERSACK, a kind of bag made of strong coarse linen, to carry bread and provisions on a march. It is only used in the field and in cantonments, each soldier having one.

HAVILDAR, or HAVILDAUR, a non-commissioned officer or serjeant among the East India sepoys. He ranks next to the Jemidar.

HAVOCK, carnage, slaughter.

HAVRESAC, _Fr._ See HAVERSACK.

HAUSSE-_col_, _Fr._ an ornamental plate similar to the gorget. It is worn by infantry officers only.

_Un_ HAUSSE-_cou_, _Fr._ a neck piece.

HAUT-LE-PIED, _Fr._ a term used to distinguish such persons as were formerly employed in the French armies without having any permanent appointment. _Commissaires hauts-le-pied_ were known in the artillery during the monarchy of France. They were usually under the quarter-master general.

_Le_ HAUT _Rhin_, _Fr._ the Upper Rhine.

_Le_ HAUTE _Saxe_, _Fr._ Upper Saxony.

HAUTBERT, _Fr._ a coat of mail, which covered the neck and arms, formerly worn by the _seigneurs de haubert_, or lords-paramount, in France, in lieu of the _hausse-col_, _brassarts_, and _cuissarts_.

HAUTBOY, (_hautbois_, _Fr._) a wind-instrument, now almost universally adopted by the European armies, and which forms a part of the regimental bands.

HAUTES-_payes_, _Fr._ were soldiers selected by the captains of companies to attend them personally, for which service they received something more than the common pay. _Haute-paye_ became afterwards a term to signify the subsistence which any body of men superior to, or distinguished from the private soldier were allowed to receive.

HAUTEUR, _Fr._ in geometry, signifies elevation.

HAUTEUR, _Fr._ in architecture, the extreme height of any building. Thus, _un bâtiment est arrivée à hauteur_ signifies that the last stones or bricks are laid ready for the roof to be covered in.

HAUTEUR _d’appui_, _Fr._ breast-height.

HAUTEUR _de marche_, _Fr._ The usual height which a man takes in stepping, being about six or seven inches above ground.

HAUTEUR _d’un escadron, ou d’un battaillon_, _Fr._ the depth of a squadron of horse, or battalion of foot. The word _hauteur_ in the French service is equivalent to depth in the English: as--an army consisting of many squadrons of horse and battalions of foot, one in front of the other and forming several columns, is said to stand that number of columns deep; the term being applicable in all services to the army collectively or separately considered from several columns to a mere rank and file.

HAUTS-_officers_, _Fr._ superior officers.

With respect to an army composed of several regiments, the following fall under the description of _hauts officiers_ according to the old French system: generals, lieutenant-generals, colonels, and lieutenant-colonels. The _hauts-officiers_, or superior officers in distinct corps, were majors, aid-majors, captains, lieutenants, sub-lieutenants, and ensigns.

HAYE, _Fr._ a military disposition in which soldiers stood aside one another on a straight line. _Se mettre en haie_, is to stand _rank entire_. _Faire un double haie_, to stand _two deep_. _Border la haie_, is a disposition to which infantry has recourse when attacked by cavalry. See BORDER LA HAYE.

HAZAREE, an East Indian term signifying a commander of armed men.

HEAD, in gunnery, the fore part of the cheeks of a gun or howitz carriage.

HEAD _of a work_, in fortification, is the front next to the enemy, and farthest from the place; as the front of a horn-work is the distance between the flanked angles of the demi-bastions: the head of a double tenaille is the salient angle in the centre, and the two other sides which form the re-entering angles. See FORT.

HEAD _of an army, or body of men_, is the front, whether drawn up in lines, or on a march.

HEAD _of a double tenaille_, the salient angle in the centre, and the two other sides which form the re-entering angle.

HEAD-_piece_, armor for the head; an helmet, such as the light dragoons wear.

HEAD-_of a camp_, the ground before which the army is drawn up.

HEAD-QUARTERS, the place where the officer commanding an army or independent body of troops takes up his residence.

HEADSTALL, that part of the bridle which goes over the horse’s head.

HEAUME, _Fr._ A word derived from the German, which formerly signified _casque_, or helmet. The _heaume_ has been sometimes called among the French _salade_, _armet_, and _celate_ from the Latin word which means engraved, on account of the different figures which were represented upon it. The _heaume_ covered the whole of the face, except the eyes, which were protected by small iron bars laid cross-ways.

The heaume was not only worn by the chevaliers or knights when they went to war, but also at tilts and tournaments. It serves as an ornament or helmet in coats of arms and armorial bearings. Various appellations have been given to this piece of armor, such as _habillement de tête_, covering for the head, casque, helmet; and under Francis I. it was distinguished by the name of _armet_. It does not resemble the _morion_, the _salade_, or headpiece, the _pot_, or _bourgignote_, burganet, which were worn only in the infantry. The _heaume_, as we have observed above, covered the face. There was an opening opposite to the eyes which was guarded by small iron bars, or latice-work, and was a kind of visier. The _heaume_, or helmet, is still preserved in heraldry, and is a distinguishing mark of nobility. In tournaments, the helmet was presented as a prize of honor to the most active champion, because it was the principal piece of defensive armor; but a sword was given to the assailants, as that was an offensive weapon.

HEBDOMADIER, _Fr._ The person whose week it is to be on duty.

HELEPOLIS, in the ancient art of war, a machine for battering down the walls of a place besieged. The invention of it is ascribed to Demetrius the Poliorcetes. Diodorus Siculus says, that each side of the helepolis was 450 cubits broad, and 90 in height; that it had 9 stages or floors, and was carried on four strong solid wheels, 8 cubits in diameter; that it was armed with huge battering rams, and had 2 roofs capable of supporting them; that in the lower stages there were different sorts of engines for casting stones; and in the middle, they had large catapulta’s for lancing arrows.

HELICOMETRY, an art which teaches how to draw or measure spiral lines upon a plane, and shew their respective properties.

HELIOID _parabola_, is a curve arising from the supposition of the axis of the Apollonian parabola, being bent into the periphery of a circle, and is then a line passing through the extremities of the ordinates, which converge toward the centre of the circle.

HELIOSCOPE, a prospect glass to view the sun. The glass is colored in order to weaken the radiance of light.

HELIX, a spiral line.

HELM, or HELMET, an ancient defensive armor worn both in war and tournaments. It covered both the head and face, only leaving an aperture in the front, secured by bars, which was called the visor. The Carians first invented the boss of shields and the crest of helmets. In remembrance of this, a small shield and a crest were always buried with them.

HELMET-CAP, HELMET-HAT, a cap, or hat, the crown of which is shaped like the dragoon helmet.

HELVE, or HAFT, the wooden handle of a hatchet, hammer, or pick-axe.

_To_ HEM _in_, to surround.

HEMERODROMES, _Fr._ a French term taken from the Greek, signifying sentries or guards, which were employed among the ancients to protect and watch over fortified towns and places. As soon as the gates were opened they went out, and continued to patrole round the skirts of the town during the whole of the day. Frequently, indeed they advanced considerably into the country, in order to discover whether any hostile body of men was approaching in order to surprize the garrison.

HENDECAGON, a figure that has 11 sides and as many angles, each capable of a regular bastion.

HINDOO, or HINDU, the name by which the natives of Hindustan distinguish themselves from the inhabitants of other countries.

HEPTAGON, a figure consisting of seven sides and as many angles. If the sides be all equal, it is called a _regular heptagon_.

HEPTAGONAL _numbers_, are a sort of polygonal numbers, wherein the difference of the terms of the corresponding arithmetical progression is = 5. One of the properties of these numbers is, that if they be multiplied by 40, and 9 be added to the product, the sum is a square number.

HEPTARCHY, a government which consisted of 7 kings or sovereign princes. Such was the government under which England was ruled by the Saxon kings.

HERALD, an officer at arms, whose duty is to declare war, to proclaim peace, or to be employed in martial messages. The heralds in England are judges and examiners of that ridiculous jargon called heraldry, or coats of arms; they marshal all solemnities at the coronations, and funerals of their princes, &c. The origin of heralds is extremely ancient. It is reported that the Greek herald, Stentor, possessed such a powerful voice that it exceeded the united clamor of fifty men.

There are three heralds called kings at arms in England, each bearing a name peculiar to himself, and six heralds. The first king at arms is that of Garter, created by Henry V., that of Clarencieux, created by Edward IV. and that of Norroy, so called from the exercise of his functions north of the river Trent.

The heralds extraordinary are those of Windsor and Chester, created by Edward III., those of Somerset by Henry VIII. and those of York and Lancaster, created by the children of Edward III. They are pageants and sinecures.

HERALDS _College_, a corporation in England which consists of kings at arms, heralds, and pursuivants, in which the nonsense of heraldry is recorded.

HERAUT, _Fr._ herald. During the old monarchy of France there were thirty heralds each distinguished by the name of some particular province. The first of these who was king at arms, bore the title of _Montjoy St. Denis_: he had the privilege of wearing a royal coronet over the fleur de luce. On solemn occasions the king and the heralds at arms appeared in their coats of arms made of violet colored crimson velvet, with three golden fleurs de luces before and behind, and as many on each sleeve where the name of the province stood, to which the herald belonged. They wore a black velvet cap ornamented with golden strings, and half boots, when they appeared on peaceable occasions, with whole boots on warlike or martial ones. In solemn funerals they had a long robe of black velvet. The only difference between the king at arms and the heralds with respect to dress, consisted in the richness of the embroidery, that of the former being more expensive. The coats of arms which were peculiar to the heralds were called _Plaques_, those of the kings at arms were distinguished by the name of _Tunics_. They carried a stick called _Caduceus_ (such as Mercury is represented to have borne in ancient mythology.) But this stick was not ornamented by a crown with fleurs de luce, it was only covered with crimson velvet, having a few fleurs de luce scattered here and there.

There was likewise a herald, whose particular functions were to carry the king’s orders. He was entitled to a coat of arms upon violet colored velvet, interspersed with fleurs de luce and gold embroidered flammes or pendants, together with the arms and collars both before and behind. He likewise wore the cross belonging to the order which was attached to a black silk cord borne cross-ways.

The author of the Dictionnaire Militaire derives the French term _Heraut_ from the German _Hérald_, which signifies a man at arms, _un Gendarme_. Verstegan derives it from the Saxon. Other French writers derive it from an old Gallic word _harou_, or _hara_, which was used as a challenge, a notification of fresh hostilities, a ban or general assembling of the people, a loud and public proclamation of battles fought and victories obtained; on which account heralds, according to Ducange, were formerly called _Clarigarvis_ as well as _Heraldus_.

HERCOTECTONIQUE, _Fr._ a term in fortification signifying that branch of Military architecture which specifically points out the best means of defence and the surest method of providing stores. This word is derived from the Greek.

HEREFARE, an old term from the Saxon, signifying the same as warfare.

HEREGELD, a term derived from the Saxon, signifying a tax which was formerly levied for maintaining an army.

HERESLITA, HERESILIA, a term derived from the Saxon, signifying a soldier who abandons his colors, or leaves the army without leave.

HERETEQ, HERETOQ, HERTZOG, a term derived from the Saxon, signifying the leader of an army, a Duke, the same as _dux_ in the Latin.

HERETUM, a court in which the guards or military retinue that usually attended the old British nobility and bishops were accustomed to parade or draw up.

HERISSON, _Fr._ a turnpike which is made of one stout beam that is fenced by a quantity of iron spikes, and which is fixed upon a pivot, in the manner that turnstiles are, so that it can turn in every direction.

HERISSON, (_foudroyant_, _Fr._) a sort of artificial firework which has several sharp points attached to it on the outside, and is filled with inflammable composition within. It is frequently used in breaches and retrenchments.

HERGATE, a term derived from the Saxon, signifying a tribute which was paid in ancient times to the lord of the soil, to enable him to carry on a war.

HERO. This name was given by the ancients to those men who became illustrious in war, and who were stiled Demi-Gods, from a general notion, that their actions entitled them to a place in heaven immediately after their decease.

The heroes of antiquity were divided into two classes, the one of mortal genealogy, the other of heavenly descent, being the offspring of some god or goddess who had connexion with the human species.

Modern authors make a distinction between a hero and a great man; the former appellation being given to one who distinguishes himself by feats of hardihood in military enterprize, and the latter to a person eminent for his virtues and extraordinary talents in civil life.

HEROINE, a term generally applied to women who have given exemplary proofs of courage and virtue.

HERRISON. See HERISSON.

HERSE, in fortification, a grated door formed by strong pieces of wood, jointed cross-ways like a lattice or harrow, and stuck full of iron spikes. It is usually hung by a rope and fastened to a molinett, which is cut in case of a surprise, or when the first gate is forced by surprise or with a petard, to the end that it may fall and stop the passage of a gate or other entrance of a fortress.

These herses are also often laid in the roads, with the points upwards instead of the chevaux-de-frize, to incommode the march of both horse and foot. Common harrows are sometimes made use of in cases of emergency, with their points upwards.

HERSILLON, a strong beam, whose sides are stuck full of spikes, which is thrown across the breach made by an enemy to render it impassable.

HESSIAN, a substitute, a deputy, one employed to do base or dirty work for another.

HESSIANS, troops belonging to the country of Hesse-Cassel in Germany. They have been frequently hired by Great Britain, particularly in the war of American independence, when they were sold at 40_l._ sterling a head; nine pounds of which was to be repaid if they returned alive. Hesse has been since made subject to France, forming part of the kingdom of Westphalia.

HETMAN, _Fr._ sometimes called Atteman, a word derived from the German, which signifies the _head-man_, the chief of a troop. The chief general or grand general in Poland is called _Hetman Wielki_, and the second general _Hetman Polny_.

The chief or general of the Cossacks is likewise invested with this title by the sovereigns of Russia.

HEURTEQUINS, _Fr._ two pieces of iron resembling a knocker, which are placed over the trunnions, or axis of a cannon.

HEXAEDRON, (_Hexaedre_, _Fr._) a solid geometrical figure, consisting of six equal sides.

HEXAGON, a figure of 6 sides and as many angles, capable of being fortified with 6 bastions. If the sides and angles be equal, it is called a regular hexagon. The side of a regular hexagon inscribed in a circle, is equal to the radius of that circle; hence a regular hexagon is inscribed in a circle, by setting the radius of 6 times upon the periphery: as 1 to 1.672, so is the square of the side of any regular hexagon to the area therefore, nearly.

_Tanned_ HIDES, are always carried along with an army, especially in the laboratory’s stores, to protect powder or shells from rain; they are also used in batteries and in laboratories.

HIERARCHY, church government.

HIEROGLYPHICKS, (_hieroglyphes_, _Fr._) certain mysterious characters of creatures or letters used among the Ægyptians, by which they explained to one another the principles of their religion and their maxims of philosophy, without divulging them to strangers. Arbitrary signs which represent things: the signs used in almanacs for the planets and other phenomena are hieroglyphicks.

HIGHLANDER, any person from a mountainous country.

HIGHLANDERS, the people of the north of Scotland, who wear a dress peculiar to themselves.

HILT, the handle of a sword.

HINGES, are two iron bands, with a joint, nailed to the doors or lockers of gun carriages to fasten them and move them backwards and forwards.

HINGUET, _Fr._ See GINGUET.

HIPPODROME, _Fr._ a French term derived from the Greek, signifying a spot where horses used to run, properly speaking a race-ground. The Hippodrome or course at Constantinople was much celebrated in ancient days. The spot still exists under that name.

HIRCARRAH, or HIRCARRA, an Indian term for a messenger, guide, footman, or spy.

HISTORY, a narration or description of the several transactions, or events of a state, king, or private person, in the order in which they happened.

_Military_ History, a narrative of military transactions, campaigns, battles, sieges, marches, &c. of an army: likewise a relation of the heroic actions of great generals, &c.

HIVERNER, _Fr._ a sea phrase among the French signifying to winter.

HOCHEBOS, _Fr._ certain soldiers among the ancients, who were so called from their brandishing the pike. This word has likewise been applied to the pike itself.

HOGSHEADS, filled with earth, sand, &c. are sometimes used in lieu of gabions, to cover men.

HOLD. See FASTNESSES.

_To_ HOLD _out_, to maintain any place, ground, &c. resolutely against an enemy.

HOLLOW _square_, the form in which a body of foot is drawn up, with a vacant space in the middle for the colors, drums, baggage, &c. See SQUARE.

HOLLOW _tower_, a rounding made of the remainder of two brisures, to join the curtain to the orillon, where the small shot are played, that they may not be so much exposed to the view of the enemy.

HOLLOW _way_, any pass or road, both sides of which are commanded by heights.

HOLSTERS, cases for a horseman’s pistols, affixed to the pommel of the saddle.

_Order of the_ HOLY-GHOST, formerly the principal military order in France, instituted by Henry III. in 1569. It consisted of 100 knights, who were to make proof of their nobility for three descents.

HOME-SERVICE consists in military operations and arrangements for the immediate defence of our own country, should it be threatened by invasion, or by domestic broils or insurrections.

As there is a great affinity between the following general regulations for home-service, and those that are generally prescribed for foreign, we have thought it right to class the whole, including carriages, baggage, &c. under one head.

The carriages allowed, if circumstances will permit, to be with each regiment of infantry, of 10 companies at 80 each, are

3 Bread waggons; each to carry 4 day’s bread for 400 men, or 2400lb.

2 Ammunition caissons.

2 Battalion guns.

1 Waggon spare.

1 Cart with entrenching tools.

2 Sutler’s carts.

1 Waggon for sick; or more as may be permitted.

The carriages allowed to be with each regiment of cavalry, of 10 troops of 76 each, are

3 Bread waggons; each to carry 4 day’s bread for 400 men, or 2400lb.

2 Ammunition caissons.

2 Sutler’s carts.

2 Forage carts.

2 Carriages for sick.

Regiments on lower establishments to be allowed carriages in proportion to their effective strength.

The carriages of the general officers allowed with or near the column of the army will be: for lieutenant-generals, 1 chaise and 2 carts--for major-generals, 1 chaise and 1 cart.

The carriages of head quarters will be exceedingly limited by the commander in chief.

All other private carriages whatever to be considered as belonging to the heavy baggage of the army, and ordered to a great distance in the rear, and if at any time found near the army, to be ordered to be destroyed by the baggage-master general.

All other baggage therefore, whether tents, blankets, or necessaries for the officers, to be carried on bat horses.

The number of horses which officers of each rank may have in common situations in the field, to be specified by regulation. But as it is impossible in any service that may occur, to calculate for the carriage or use of large tents, or other conveniences which officers are generally allowed when in the field; it is always recommended to each officer to make his arrangements for moving in the lightest manner possible.

The personal baggage of each officer must be contained in a small portmanteau. One small tent is all that the officers of each company or troop should calculate upon. To carry the above, blankets, provisions, 3 or 4 days grain and other useful necessary articles, 2 bat horses per troop or company will be sufficient.

The bat horses of each regiment of infantry of 10 companies, at 80 each, should therefore be,

For the tents and poles of the regiment 20 For the company officers 20 Field officers and staff 4 Surgeon’s chest 1