Part 84
MANIEMENT _des armes_, _Fr._ manual exercise. Although it might be thought superfluous to enter into a minute explanation of the manual as practised by the French, it will not be deemed entirely useless to the military man, to make him master of the different terms. With this view, we shall likewise give the words of command used in the platoon exercise &c. The French manual differed from the English in many points; essentially so in the commencement of it, as, (extreme bad weather excepted) the soldiers in the former service, regularly appeared upon parade with fixed bayonets; so that the first word of command was,
_Presentez vos armes._--Present arms.
_Portez vos armes._--Shoulder arms.
_Reposez sur vos armes._--Order arms.
_Posez vos armes à terre._--Ground arms.
_Relevez vos armes._--Take up arms.
_Portez vos armes._--Shoulder arms.
_L’arme au bras._--Support arms.
_Portez vos armes._--Carry arms.
_Presentez la baïonnette._--Charge bayonet.
_Portez vos armes._--Shoulder arms.
The other words of command which do not belong to the manual, but are occasionally practised, consist of
_Baïonnette au canon._--Fix bayonet.
_Tirez la baguette._--Draw ramrod.
_Baguette dans le canon._--Spring ramrod.
_L’arme à volonté._--Slope arms.
_L’arme au bras gauche._--Secure arms.
_Armes au faisceau._--Pile arms.
_Repos._--Rest.
_Portez les armes comme sergent._--Advance arms.
_Remettez la baguette._--Return ramrod.
_Remettez la baïonnette._--Return or unfix bayonet.
_Ouvrez le bassinet._--Open pan.
_Fermez le bassinet._--Shut pan.
_Port arms_ is not practised among the Trench. When a guard is dismissed, instead of _porting arms_, the soldier receives the following word of command, _haut les armes!_ which is somewhat similar to _recover arms_.
MANIEMENT _des armes_, _Fr._ The platoon exercise is so called in the French service, and is distinguished from their manual by the additional caution of _charge en douze tems_, or prime and load in twelve motions.
_Chargez vos armes._--Prime and load.
_Ouvrez le bassinet._--Open pan.
_Prenez le cartouche._--Handle cartridge.
_Déchirez la cartouche._--Bite cartridge.
_Amorcez._--Prime.
_Fermez le bassinet._--Shut pan.
_L’arme à gauche._--Cast over.
_Cartouche dans le canon._--Load.
_Tirez la baguette._--Draw ramrod.
_Bourez._--Ram down cartridge.
_Remettez la baguette._--Return ramrod.
_Portez vos armes._--Shoulder arms.
FIRING AFTER THE MANUAL.
_Apprétez vos armes._--Make ready.
_Joue._--Aim.
_Feu._--Fire.
_Chargez._--Prime and load.
_Le chien au repos._--Half-cock firelock.
_Portez vos armes._--Carry arms.
_Presentez vos armes._--Present arms.
_Portez vos armes._--Shoulder arms.
_Reposez sur vos armes._--Order arms.
_Repos._--Rest.
INSPECTION D’ARMES.--INSPECTION OF ARMS.
_Baïonnette au canon._--Fix bayonet.
_Baguette dans le canon._--Spring ramrod.
In the British service the ramrod is rammed down the barrel without any further word of command.
_Vos armes à terre._--Ground arms.
_Relevez vos armes._--Take up arms.
_Portez vos armes._--Shoulder arms.
_L’arme au bras._--Support arms.
_L’arme à volonté._--Slope arms.
_L’arme au bras._--Support arms.
_Portez vos armes._--Carry arms.
_L’arme sous le bras gauche._--Secure arms.
_Rortez vos armes._--Shoulder arms.
_Croisez la baïonnette._--Charge bayonet.
_Croiser la baïonnette_ likewise signifies to cross bayonet in such a manner as to form a sort of cheval de frise to resist the attack of cavalry from either flank. This has been adopted since the French revolution, and consists in placing the shoulder of the bayonet of the second man behind the shoulder of the first man’s bayonet; and so of every succeeding two from right to left.
_Portez vos armes._--Carry arms.
_Charge précipitée._--Prime and load quick; in four motions.
_Chargez vos armes._--Load.
_Deux._--Two.
_Trois._--Three.
_Quatre._--Four.
_Charge à volonté._--Independent or running fire.
_Chargez vos armes._--Prime and load.
PLATOON FIRING.
_Peloton._--Platoon.
_Armes._--Ready.
_Joue._--Aim.
_Feu._--Fire.
_Charges._--Prime and load.
_Roulement._--Roll.
_Fin de roulement._--Cease to roll.
_Feu à volonté._--Independent firing.
_Peloton._--Platoon.
_Armes._--Ready.
_Commencez le feu._--Commence firing.
_Roulement._--Roll.
It is here necessary to explain to the English reader, that the words of command _Roulement_ and _Fin de Roulement_ are only used in the drill, or when there is not any drum to beat the prescribed roll.
MANIER, _Fr._ to handle. This word is generally used among the French, in a military sense, whenever they speak of portable fire-arms, &c. Hence _maniement des armes_.
MANIER _les armes_, _Fr._ To handle the fire-lock, or handle arms.
MANIER _la hallebarde_, _Fr._ To handle, or salute with the halbert.
MANIER _le sponton_, _Fr._ To handle, or salute with the spontoon.
MANIER _l’épée_, _Fr._ To be a swordsman.
MANIER _le drapeau_, _Fr._ To furl or unfurl the colors.
MANIER _l’épée à deux mains_, _Fr._ To be able to use your sword with either hand.
MANIFESTO (_manifeste_, _Fr._) A public declaration which is made by a prince or state, containing motives and reasons for entering into a war. The formality of a _manifesto_ has been considerably reduced in modern times. Among the ancients, on the contrary, it was particularly attended to. Potter, in his Grecian Antiquities, observes, that invasions without notice were looked upon rather as robberies than lawful wars, as designed rather to despoil and make a prey of persons innocent and unprovided, than to repair any losses, or damages sustained, which for ought the invaders knew, might have been satisfied for in an easier way. It is therefore no wonder, as Polybius (lib. iv.) relates of the Ætolians, that they were held as common outlaws and robbers in Greece, it being their manner to strike without warning, and to make war without any previous and public declaration, whenever they had an opportunity of enriching themselves, with the spoil and booty of their neighbors. Yet there want not instances of wars begun without previous notice, even by nations of better repute for justice and humanity: but this was only done upon provocations so great and exasperating, that no recompence was thought sufficient to atone for them: whence it came to pass, that such wars were of all others the most bloody and pernicious, and fought with excess of rage and fury; the contesting parties being resolved to extirpate each other, if possible, out of the world.
Before the Grecians engaged themselves in war, it was usual to publish a declaration of the injuries they had received, and to demand satisfaction by ambassadors; for however prepared, or excellently skilled, they were in the affairs of war, yet peace, if to be procured upon honorable terms, was thought more eligible: which custom was observed, even in the most early ages, as appears from the story of Tydeus, whom Polynices sent to compose matters with his brother Eteocles king of Thebes, before he proceeded to invest that city, as we are informed by Statius, (Thebaid. lib. ii. v. 368.) and several others. See Potter, page 64 and 65.
The Romans, on the other hand, used abundance of superstition in entering upon any hostility, or closing in any league or confederacy; the public ministers who performed the ceremonial part of both these were the Feciales, or heralds. The ceremonies were of this nature. When any neighboring state had given sufficient reason for the senate to suspect a design of breaking with them; or had offered any violence or injustice to the citizens of Rome, which was enough to give them the repute of enemies; one of the Feciales, chosen out of the college upon this occasion, and habited in the vest belonging to his order, together with his other ensigns, and habiliments, set forward for the enemy’s country. As soon as he reached the confines, he pronounced a formal declaration of the cause of his arrival, calling all the Gods to witness, and imprecating the divine vengeance on himself, and his country if his reasons were not just. When he came to the chief city of the enemy, he again repeated the same declaration, with some addition, and withal desired satisfaction. If they delivered into his power the authors of the injury, or gave hostages for security, he returned satisfied to Rome: if otherwise they desired time to consider; he went away for ten days, and then came again to hear their resolution, and this he did, in some cases, three times: but, if nothing was done towards an accommodation in about thirty days, he declared that the Romans would endeavor to assert their right by their arms. After this the herald was obliged to return, and to make a true report of his embassy before the senate, assuring them of the legality of the war, which they were now consulting to undertake; and was then again dispatched to perform the last part of the ceremony, which was to throw a spear into (or towards the enemy’s country) in token of defiance, and, as a summons to war, pronouncing at the same time a set form of words to the like purpose. Kennett’s Roman Antiquities, book iv. page 229.
The British have within the last century totally changed the usages of war; and appear to court the opprobrium bestowed by history upon the Carthaginians for their perfidiousness and cruelty; and upon the Ætolians for their treachery and rapacity; by making war first, and issuing their manifesto afterwards; as in the attack on Copenhagen in 1806.
MANIGLIONS, the two handles on the back of a piece of ordnance. See CANNON.
MANIPLE. See MANIPULUS.
MANIPULARIS (_manipulaire_,) _Fr._ from MANIPLE, a handful or bottle of straw. The chief officer in a part of the Roman infantry called manipulus, was so called. This officer was likewise ordinary, _ordinaire_, _Fr._
MANIPULA, _Fr._. See MANIPULUS.
MANIPULE _Pyrotechnique_, _Fr._ a certain quantity of iron or brass petards, which may be thrown by the hand upon an enemy. These petards and the method of making them, are particularly described by Casini in his work on artillery. See PETARDS.
MANIPULUS (_manipule_, _Fr._) A small body of infantry originally so called among the Romans, during the reign of Romulus. Their ensign was a hand on the end of a staff.
It consisted of one hundred men, and in the days of the consuls and first Cæsars, of two hundred. Three manipuli constituted a Roman cohort. Each manipulus was commanded by two officers called centurions, one of whom acted as lieutenant to the other. A centurion among the Romans, may be considered in the same light, as we view a captain of a company in modern service. Every manipulus made two centuries or _Ordines_. This, however, cannot be said to have been the uniform establishment or formation of the manipulus; for according to Varro and Vegetius, it was the smallest body of men employed in the Roman armies, and composed the tenth part of a century. Spartian in his life of Sexennius Niger, says, it consisted only of ten soldiers. We have already observed, that it takes its name from manipulus, which signifies a handful of straw; the latter having been fixed to a long pole to serve as a rallying signal, before the eagles were adopted. This circumstance has given rise to the modern expression, a handful of men, _une poignée de gens_. Vegetius, on the other hand says, it comes from _manus_, which signified a small body or handful of men collected together, and following the same standard; and Modestus as well as Varro, state it to have been so called, because, when they went into action, they took one another by the hand, or fought all together. A French writer conceives, that manipulus may be considered as one of those parts of a modern battalion, which are distributed in different rooms, &c. and which is called _une chambrée_, or a company that messes together.
MANIPULUS, so called from its standard or flag, which was made of cloth, and hung suspended on a staff with a hand. The manipulus was distinguished in this manner from the chief standard of each legion, which was an eagle of massive metal.
MANOEUVRE, (_Manoeuvre_, _Fr._) Manœuvres of war consist chiefly in habituating the soldier to a variety of evolutions, to accustom him to different movements, and to render his mind familiar with the nature of every principle of offensive or defensive operation. The regular manœuvres of the British army have been reduced to nineteen, though these are not competent to every exigency of service the skilful officer will know how to manœuvre as the ground he is upon requires.
The word manœuvre is frequently used in the French artillery to express the method with which a piece of ordnance or mortar is raised and placed upon its carriage by several hands, assisted by the crab or any other machine. In a general acceptation of the term, _manœuvre_ means that mechanical process by which any weight is lifted.
_To_ MANŒUVRE, is to manage any body or armed force in such a manner as to derive sudden and unexpected advantages before the enemy, from a superior talent in military movements. It consists in distributing equal motion to every part of a body of troops, to enable the whole to form, or change their position, in the most expeditious and best method, to answer the purposes required of a battalion, brigade, or line of cavalry, infantry, or artillery.
The use of all manœuvres and of all discipline is the same, to habituate men to the word of command, to perform what is commanded, and in the shortest time, in the best manner. The idea therefore of reducing _manœuvres_ to 18 or 19, or any given number, manifests a misconception of the military art, that is truly surprizing; for it must be perceived by a practical man, that the principles of all manœuvres are few and simple; although manœuvres are as susceptible of infinite variety and of real use, as arithmetical numbers. The ability of the officer is shewn in the choice of manœuvre, and its adaptation to the ground manœuvred upon, the end proposed to be obtained by the manœuvre, the position of the enemy, and the exactness and celerity with which it is performed. The great perfection of manœuvre is when troops at a single word of command perform movements of different kinds at the same instant, but all to accomplish the same object; that is to accomplish together the end proposed by the commander. Soldiers should be so exercised as to be competent to move in any manner or direction on the instant; a fixt number of manœuvres is calculated to defeat this end. The Austrians have attempted to follow the French, and practise their methods of manœuvre, which are not so much for parade as for practice. In the United States, the prejudice against, or the ignorance of manœuvre is excessive.
It has always been lamented, that men have been brought on service without being acquainted with the uses of the different manœuvres they have been practising; and having no ideas of any thing but the uniformity of the parade, instantly fall into disorder and confusion when they lose the step, or see a deviation from the straight lines they have been accustomed to at exercise. It is a pity to see so much attention confined to show, and so little given to instruct the troops in what may be of use to them on real service.
Manœuvre when executed in the presence of the enemy, must be protected by some light troops, riflemen or horse artillery.
_Grand_ MANŒUVRE _de Guerre_, _Fr._ This expression is peculiarly French, and may be said to signify the dispositions of war upon a large scale. According to marshal Saxe these dispositions consist chiefly in drawing troops up in such a manner, that the cavalry and infantry may support each other; but he objects to that arrangement by which companies or platoons of infantry are intermixed with squadrons of horse; for, as he justly observes, if the latter should be beaten, the foot soldiers must unavoidably be thrown into confusion by the enemy’s cavalry, and be cut to pieces. For further particulars on this important article, see Saxe’s _Reveries_, where he treats of _La Grande Manœuvre de Guerre_, and the supplement to them by baron d’Espagnac, page 69.
_Warlike_ MANOEUVRES, (_Manoeuvres de Guerre_, _Fr._) Warlike manoeuvres, or the different exercises, &c. by which men are taught the military profession: these exercises, from the earliest periods of history, have been infinitely diversified. Vegetius, an ancient writer, remarks, that the Romans, in order to enure their raw troops to the fatigues of war, had specific regulations drawn up, by which every recruit was regularly practised in martial exercises. These regulations were originally formed during the existence of their republic, and were afterwards confirmed by the emperors Augustus and Adrian.
It was particularly ordained, that the cavalry as well as the infantry should be _walked out_ (_être mené à la promenade_) three times every month. The foot were obliged to go ten miles beyond the lines of their encampment. On these occasions they were originally drawn up. But their movements both in going and returning were frequently altered; being sometimes obliged to march at a moderate rate, and at others to increase their pace and run. The same regulation held good with respect to the cavalry, which was armed and divided into certain proportions, called turmæ. The troops on horseback went the same distance, and practised different evolutions on the road. Sometimes advancing to attack, and at others suddenly wheeling round, to return to the charge with greater impetuosity. These exercises were not, however, confined to open roads, or a level country: both horse and foot were frequently ordered to make their way through intricate passes, over cragged hills, &c. and to accustom themselves to every possible obstacle that might occur in military movements.
This species of _manoeuvre_ or practising exercise, has at last obtained in modern times. It was till lately thought sufficient to teach a raw recruit the use of the firelock, and to make him master of a certain number of movements, by the knowlege of which he was held fit to make a part of a well disciplined corps. How to march against and attack an enemy, or to meet his attack with skill and steadiness; these principally constituted the system of modern manoeuvres, and are better understood by the name of evolutions. In the British service there is a specific number of manoeuvres or evolutions to which every regiment must conform, and with the particular practice of which every officer and soldier must be made intimately acquainted. See _Am. Mil. Library_.
MANOEUVRER, _Fr._ To manoeuvre. This verb in the French language may be applied two ways; as, _manoeuvrer les voiles_, to manage the sails and tackle of a vessel.
MANOEUVRER _des Troupes_, to make soldiers go through their different manoeuvres. _Ces troupes ont bien manoeuvré_, those soldiers have ably manoeuvred.
_Bien ou mal_ MANOEUVRER, _Fr._ signifies to manoeuvre well or ill; as, _un tel gênéral ou officier a bien manoeuvré à tel passage, à tel endroit_, such a general manoeuvred well at such a passage or quarter: _mais un tel à mal manoeuvré à la defense ou à l’attaque de tel poste_, but such an officer manoeuvred extremely ill in his defence or attack of such a post. The word manoeuvre is originally derived from the Latin _Manûs Opus_.
MANOEUVRIER, _Fr._ any officer who is perfectly acquainted with the art of manoeuvring.
MANOEUVRIER, _Fr._ A sea phrase, which is frequently used among the French, to signify that an officer not only understands all the different words of command, but can thoroughly manoeuvre his ship. It is common to say, _il est un des meilleurs manoeuvriers qui soient sur mer_, he is one of the ablest sea officers in the service.
MANTEAU, _Fr._ This word, which literally signifies a cloak, is frequently used among the French to express the covering that hussars or light infantry troops carry for the double purpose of shielding their bodies from the inclemencies of the weather in outposts, &c. and for spreading over their heads, by means of poles, when they occasionally halt, and take a position.
MANTELETS, in a military sense, are either single or double, composed of great planks of wood, of about 5 feet high, and 3 inches thick. The single ones are sometimes covered with tin, made musquet-proof, which the pioneers generally roll before them, being fixed upon wheels, to cover them from the enemy’s fire, in opening the trenches, or carrying on the sap, &c. The double ones form an angle, and stand square, making two fronts, which cover both the front and flank of the sappers, &c. when at work: these have double planks with earth rammed in between them: they are 5 feet high and 3 in breadth, sometimes covered with plates of iron; they may with propriety be called a moving parapet, having a shaft to guide them by.
MANTONET, _Fr._ A small piece of wood or iron, which is notched, for the purpose of hanging any thing upon it. The pegs in soldier’s rooms are sometimes so called.
MANUAL.--In a general acceptation of the word, means any thing done by the hand.
MANUAL _Exercise_, in the British service, is the exercise of the musquet, independent of powder and ball, and consists in seven motions of the firelock; 5 of which are essentially different from each other, viz. _order arms_, _fix bayonets_, _shoulder arms_, _present arms_, _shoulder arms_, _charge bayonets_, and _shoulder arms_.
I. _Order Arms._ (3 _motions_.) Bring the firelock to the trail in two motions as usual, seizing it at the first at the lower loop, just at the swell, at the 2d, bring it down to the right side, the butt within an inch of the ground: at the 3d, drop the butt on the ground, placing the muzzle against the hollow of the right shoulder, and the hand flat upon the sling; the thumb behind the barrel.
II. _Fix Bayonets._--At the word, _fix_, grip the firelock; as soon as the word of command is fully out, push the firelock a little forward, at the same time drawing out the bayonet with the left hand, and fixing it with the utmost celerity. The instant this is done, return as quick as possible, to the _order_, as above described, and stand perfectly steady.
III. _Shoulder Arms._--As soon as the word _shoulder_ is given, grip the firelock with the right hand, as in fixing bayonets, and, at the last word, _arms_, the firelock must be thrown, with the right hand, in one motion, and with as little appearance of effort as possible, into its proper position on the left shoulder; the hand crosses the body in so doing, but must instantly be withdrawn.
IV. _Present Arms._ (3 _motions_.)--1st. Seize the firelock with the right hand, under the guard, turning the lock to the front, but without moving it from the shoulder.
2d. Bring it to the _poize_, seizing it with the left hand, the fingers easily round the stock, the wrist upon the guard, and the point of the left thumb of equal height with the eyes.
3d. Bring down the firelock with a quick motion, as low as the right hand will admit without constraint, drawing back the right foot at the same instant, so that the hollow of it may touch the left heel. The firelock in this position is to be totally supported in the left hand; the body to rest intirely on the left foot; both knees to be straight; the firelock in front of the left eye, and the butt in front of the left thigh.
V. _Shoulder Arms._ (2 _motions_.)--1st. By a turn of the right wrist, bring the firelock to its proper position on the shoulder, as described above, the left hand grasping the butt.
2d. Quit the right hand, bring it briskly down to its place by the side.