Part 62

Regiments on a lower establishment, allowed bat horses in proportion.

The bat horses of each regiment of cavalry of 10 troops of 75 each, will therefore be,

For the tents and poles of the regiment 20 For the troop officers 20 Field officers and staff 6 Entrenching tools 2 Surgeon’s chest 1

and in proportion for regiments on a lower establishment.

The infantry to carry tents at the rate of 16 men per new tent, and the cavalry 12 men per tent. The necessary outlying guards and detachments, and the readiness of hutting and other cover that a woody country affords, will make this a sufficient number. The troop and company bat horses can therefore easily carry the tents, poles, and pins. The blankets of the cavalry may be divided and carried under the men’s saddles. The blankets of the infantry must be divided and carried by the men, unless some other provision be made.

The picket ropes of the cavalry to be carried on the bat horses. Half the usual number of pickets must be considered as sufficient, and be carried by the men. The camp kettles will be carried by the men, if horses are not provided for that purpose.

A reduction and critical inspection of what every soldier should carry as his baggage should be made in time, and every thing superfluous destined to be lodged with the heavy baggage, which should remain in the last quarters of the regiment, till otherwise ordered to be disposed of. Three shirts, 2 pair of shoes 2 pair of pantaloons, 2 pair of socks, a fatigue frock and cap, combs, brushes, (and a horseman what is necessary for the care of his horse) is all a soldier ought to carry.

The heavy baggage of the army, including every thing not mentioned above, under a proper escort, should be ordered to some place of security. Each regiment of infantry will be allowed to send a serjeant and 6 men, and each regiment of cavalry 1 corporal and four dismounted men as a guard; such men must be the least fit for marching duties, but should be fully adequate to the service, and by no means convalescents recovering from long indisposition. Proper officers should be ordered to command the whole, and no part of this baggage will be allowed to join the army but by public orders. If at any time carriages not allowed in this regulation should be found in the army, they must be conducted to head quarters, and there destroyed or confiscated to the advantage of those who make the discovery.

Four battalion guns with two waggons will be attached to each regiment of infantry. Should it be necessary, two bat horses will be allowed for the artillery detachment.

Such artillery as remains in the park to be limited as to the number of guns, carriages, and according to the specification given to the commanding officer of the artillery.

The bat men allowed are two for each company and troop, also two for the surgeon and staff of each regiment.

Each battalion to give a non-commissioned officer and 8 men; each regiment of cavalry to give a non-commissioned officer and 6 men, as a guard to their bat horses.

The following number of men on the several after-mentioned duties of the regiment will never exceed

Infantry. Cavalry. _Non-com._ _Men._ _Non-com._ _Men._ Camp color-men 2 10 2 8 Bat horse guard 1 4 1 3 Bread carriage guard 1 4 1 2 Heavy baggage 1 6 1 4 Regimental carriages 1 4 1 3 Allowed bat men 0 22 0 18 --------- --------- 6 52 6 48 --------- ---------

Each regiment of infantry will receive 20 pick-axes, 20 spades, 20 shovels, 40 bill-hooks, 10 axes, amounting in weight to about 400lb. These tools to be carried in the cart allotted for that purpose, and that cart at all times, and in all situations, to march at the head of the regiment.

Each regiment of cavalry will receive 10 pick-axes, 10 spades, 10 shovels, 16 bill-hooks, and 10 axes. These tools will be carried on horseback, and on a horse with hampers allotted for that purpose, and will at all times march at the head of the regiment.

These tools are meant to be ready at all times for making the openings so necessary in an embarrassed country, consequently should be kept in the front of each regiment or column.

Spare appointments and arms of every kind must of course remain with the heavy baggage.

The battalion guns will always march at the head of the regiment, which ever flank leads. The ammunition waggons and carts will immediately follow the troops of the column.

The place of march of the artillery of the park and carriages will be specified in the order of march.

It is to be wished, that at all times each soldier be provided with 4 days bread in his haversack, and 4 days more carried in the regimental carriages. When this is delivered out, those carriages, under the guard of a serjeant and 4 men per battalion, and a corporal and 2 men per regiment of cavalry, will be sent to the bakery to be again loaded.

Each infantry soldier will always carry 20 rounds in his pouch, and 40 in his knapsack or magazine. Each horseman his cartouch box full.

The cavalry will always carry 2 days grain if it can be got, and hay according to circumstances.

_Order of March._

When a corps moves in one column, the following will in general be the order of march, if not otherwise ordered, and exclusive of the more particular van or rear guards.

_Advancing._

Advanced guard consisting of the picquets of the infantry and cavalry, and new grand guard, followed by the camp-color men.

Pioneers.

1 Reg. light dragoons.

Infantry.

Cavalry.

Regimental ammunition waggons and carts.

Bat horses in the order of their regiments, artillery of the park.

General officers’ carriages, bread carriages.

Cavalry forge cart and ammunition cart.

Sutlers’ carts.

Sick carriages.

Squadron of cavalry.

Old grand guard and small out-posts and detachments which will be ordered to join it, will form the rear guard.

_Retreating._

Advanced guard consisting of the new grand guard, guard for head quarters, one infantry picquet, camp color-men.

Pioneers.

Sick carriages.

Sutlers’ carriages.

Cavalry forge carts and ammunition cart.

Bread carriages.

General officers’ carriages.

Artillery of the park.

Bat horses in the order of their regiments.

Regimental ammunition waggons and carts.

Cavalry.

Infantry.

1 Squadron light dragoons.

Rear guard consisting of the infantry and cavalry picquets, old grand guard, out-posts of cavalry or infantry ordered to join.

Two or more pieces of cannon will always march with the advanced guard when retiring.

When the tents are ordered to be struck, the advanced guard and camp color-men will always assemble at the head of the regiment of infantry in advancing, or of the cavalry in retiring, which leads the columns, or of such regiment as will be specified when marching in more columns than one. The general officers will each send a proper person with the camp color-men, to take possession of quarters when they can be marked.

When the army marches in more than one column, the columns will generally be composed of both cavalry and infantry; the particulars of rear and advanced guards will be specified, the generals who command them will be named, and the particular corps in the manner they follow in each column. It is always the business of general officers leading columns, to take care that every part of that column falls properly into its place of march.

When the army marches from its left, every regiment marches from its left; and when the army marches from its right, every regiment marches from its right.

When the army retires, the carriages, except such artillery ones as are specified, will in general be ordered under a proper escort to precede the march of the army.

When the army is to march, the particular detail and disposition of march will not always be given out in public orders. Should the only notice given be, the army will march the ---- exactly at ---- o’clock; an hour before the time fixed for the march, the tents must be struck; the regiments will then form, and the baggage be loaded and ready in the rear of each.

Guides will be sent to the head of the regiments that lead columns and a sealed disposition of march, there to be opened by the general or oldest field officer present. In consequence of which, by him the advanced guard will be ordered to form; the regiments and carriages to close in to the leading regiments, according to the order of march, and when the whole are ready, the column, or columns, will move off in the manner then prescribed, and at the appointed hour.

In general a rendezvous will be appointed for the bat horses and carriages, that they may the more readily be directed into the line of march.--One subaltern per brigade will attend the bat horses; one subaltern per brigade will attend the carriages.

The aids-de-camp and majors of brigade will always regulate their watches by head quarters, at orderly time, that regularity of movement in the troops may be observed.

Commanding officers of battalions, squadrons, and brigades of artillery, will be responsible that they are formed, tents struck, and the baggage loaded in half an hour, from the time that the signal for the march was given them, and for this purpose it is necessary that they should exercise their men to it where they have opportunities.

The battalions are to march by subdivisions, and the cavalry by subdivisions, or ranks by three’s or two’s. If the narrowness of the route obliges them to diminish this front, they must be ordered to form up again as soon as the route permits.

Every officer must remain with his division, and never quit it on any account. No soldier to be permitted to leave his rank. No horses or carriages suffered to interrupt the march of the column. The distance between divisions never to exceed the front of divisions. Commanding officers of brigades will take care that the battalions and squadrons march at their proper ordered distance. When the formation in order of battle may be expected to the flank, the divisions will march at wheeling up distance; when the formation may be expected to the front, the divisions will march at half or quarter distance. Officers on command will remain with their brigades, and punctually observe the order of march, and the execution of every article prescribed.

If a carriage breaks, it must be drawn aside, the road cleared, and a proper escort left with it, that the march of the column be not interrupted. If it can be repaired in time, it will follow; if not, the loading must be divided among the nearest carriages, who are hereby ordered to give this reasonable assistance.

The troops at most may march three miles in an hour and a quarter.

The guides serve only to shew the way for the columns; pioneers ordered must make the necessary openings and repair the roads. But the generals must not trust to those precautions, they must gain the most exact knowlege of the route they are to march, and themselves reflect on the most proper means to avoid all difficulties that may embarrass the march.

It is always time well employed to halt the head of a column, and enlarge an opening or repair a bad step in the road, rather than to diminish the front and lengthen out the line of march.

No individual is ever to presume to march on a less front than what the leader of the column directs, and all doublings therefore must come from the head only; and the proper closeness of the march on all occasions, is a point of the highest consequence, and it is a most meritorious service in any officer to prevent all unnecessary doublings, or to correct them as soon as made, and on all occasions whatsoever, in an inclosed country, when in column, to march on the greatest, front the roads or openings will allow, although the regiments or divisions before them may be marching on a narrower front.

The carriages must be obliged to march two a breast when the roads will allow, and the bat horses to be as connected, and take up as little space as possible. In short, it should be the study and attention of every one to contract the line of march to its just length, for notwithstanding every possible exertion it will be much too extended.

Whenever the baggage is ordered to be sent away, all carriages whatever are comprehended, except such as are particularly specified.

The instant that a regiment comes to its ground, it must make openings of communication both to its front and flanks.

The line of carriages must at no time stop, whatever accident may happen to any individual one, but such carriage must instantly be drawn on one side, and repaired if possible, while the rest proceed. The officers commanding the several divisions of carriages will be answerable for the strict observance of this article, a failure of which might stop and endanger the whole army.

Whenever the regiments encamp, or take up any extended position in front, it will always be the business of commanding officers to find out, and to make the most convenient passages to the great routes by which the column is afterwards to march. And on many occasions, where there will not be time to open and occupy an extensive front, the army will encamp parallel to and along the great route, covered by an advanced corps on the flank next the enemy.

At all times when commanding officers see, that there are likely to be impediments from the nature of the ground to the movements or march of their regiments, they should always detach officers in advance to reconnoitre and point out the means and passages by which such obstacles are to be avoided, and at no time are such helps so necessary as when regiments are acting in line in broken ground, and when their movements are combined with those of others.

Whenever the army moves, the majors of brigade are made responsible, that all advanced and detached posts are called in at the proper times to their places in the column of march.

It must be observed that this is the old British system of march; the war of the French revolution has brought this part of the art of war to a degree of perfection, which would have rendered the insertion of this unnecessary if their system were published.

HOMME, _Fr._ a man.

HOMME _de mer_, _Fr._ a seaman.

HOMME _d’armes_, _Fr._ a military phrase among the French, signifying a gentleman or cavalier who belonged to one of the old companies, was armed cap-a-pied, and always fought on horseback. In ancient times every man of this description was accompanied by two horsemen independent of his servants. One of the mounted attendants was armed with a cross-bow, and the other with a common bow or battle-axe; so that one hundred _hommes d’armes_ composed a body of three hundred horse. It was a species of cavalry which existed from the reign of Louis XI. until the reign of Henry II. Charles VII. had begun to form the French nobility into regular corps of cavalry, dividing them into different troops. Out of these he established a body of fifteen hundred _hommes d’armes_ or armed bowmen, and he gave the troops or companies according to their sizes, to the princes and most experienced captains in his kingdom. For particulars we refer the curious to Le Gendre and Gaia, _Traité des armes_, L. 14, and to Fauchet, L. 2. C. 1. _de son Traité de la milice et des armes_.

_Etre_ HOMME _de Cheval_, _Fr._ a term in French equitation, signifying, that a man is completely master of his horse, or knows how to manage him thoroughly and according to prescribed rules and regulations. Thus _Il est suffisamment homme de cheval pour d’etre point embarrassé de celui qu’il monte en commandant sa troupe_--He is sufficiently master of his horse, or he is horseman enough, not to be in the least embarrassed by the one he rides in exercising his troop.

HONDEAAN or HUNDYVEAAN, an Indian term signifying commission on bills of exchange.

HONEY-_Combs_, in _cannon_, flaws in the metal, a fault in casting, which renders it extremely dangerous in firing. The British board of ordnance rejects all guns (on proof) having an honey-comb of ¹⁄₉th of an inch deep, as being unfit for service.

HONI _soit qui mal y pense_, _Fr._ evil be to him that evil thinks. The motto of the English order of the Garter.

HONNEUR, _Fr._ honor.

HONNEURS _Militaires_, _Fr._ military honors. It was directed by a general instruction in the French service, that whenever an officer saluted or paid a military honor to a general officer, he should make his troop or company invariably face towards the enemy. The same practice prevails in our service.

HONNEURS _funebres_. _Fr._ funeral honors. See BURIALS.

HONOR, in a _military sense_, is an expression, to which custom has given different meanings. Honor consists in the constant practice of virtue. Aristotle calls it the recompence of virtue; the testimony of the excellence of a man who distinguishes himself by virtue. An Italian writer calls it a state of inviolable dignity, above all calumny, and all suspicion. Honor gives many advantages: it procures us the consideration of the public; it advances our fortunes. The best recompence of a brave action is, undoubtedly, the satisfaction of having done it; but nevertheless the honor resulting to us from it is a real good, which should be dear to us.

HONOR, in a general acceptation may be properly called a consciousness of worth and virtue in the individual, and a lively desire to preserve the reputation of virtue. As a term it is variously used in military life, and frequently misunderstood by young and unexperienced officers in their first outset. As a quality of the mind, it cannot be too much encouraged or too much cultivated among military men of all ranks and descriptions. The possession of it is a guarantee for good conduct, a bond of fidelity, and a certain barrier against military corruption. Men are excited to deeds of valor and enterprize by a sense of honor, who would otherwise remain inactive, or only perform the mere drudgery of service. This species of honor, is in fact, the root of that _Esprit de corps_ which makes the whole body of an army tenacious of reputation, and solicitous to preserve it unsullied from the colonel down to the lowest drum boy.

This term may likewise be considered as esteem, reputation, the glory which is attached by mankind to talents and the virtues.

_Affair of_ HONOR. We have already given a general outline of this term under DUELLING. The propriety or impropriety, as well as the legality or illegality of which mode of terminating human differences is thus explained by the celebrated English lawyer John Selden. His words are under the head _Duel_; we shall quote them under that of _affair of honor_.

“A Duel may still be granted in some cases by the law of England, and only there. That the church allowed it anciently appears by this, in their public liturgies there were prayers appointed for the duellists to say, the judge used to bid them go to such a church and pray, &c. But whether this is lawful? If you make any war lawful, I make no doubt but to convince you of it. War is lawful, because God is the only judge between two, that is supreme. Now if a difference happen between two subjects, and it cannot be decided by human testimony, why may not they put it to God to judge between them, by the permission of the prince? Nay, what if we should bring it down for argument’s sake, to the sword men; one gives me the lie: it is a great disgrace to take it the law has made no provision to give remedy for the injury, (if you can suppose any thing an injury for which the law gives no remedy) why am not I in this case supreme, and may therefore right myself.

“A duke ought to fight with a gentleman; the reason is this: the gentleman will say to the duke, it is true you hold a higher place in the state than I; there is a great difference between you and me, but your dignity does not privilege you to do me an injury; as soon as ever you do me an injury, you make yourself my equal; and as you are my equal I challenge you; and in sense the duke is bound to answer him.”

In addition to what Selden has said upon duelling, we shall quote a passage from Dr. Robertson’s History of the reign of Charles the V. which will shew that this mode of determining private disputes is extremely ancient.

“It is evident” observes that author, “from Velleius Paterculus, lib. ii. c. 118, that all questions which were decided among the Romans by legal trial, were terminated among the Germans by arms. The same thing appears in the ancient laws and customs of the Swedes, quoted by Jo. O. Stiernhook de jure Sueonum et Gothorum vetusto, 4to Holmiæ 1682, lib. i. c. 7. It is probable, that when the various tribes which invaded the empire were converted to Christianity, their ancient custom of allowing judicial combats appeared so glaringly repugnant to the precepts of religion, that for some time, it was abolished, and by degrees, several circumstances which I have mentioned led them to resume it.