Part 91

MARCHANDS, _Fr._ Slop-sellers, petty-suttlers. Men of this description always flock round and follow an army on its march. As they generally deal in articles which are wanted by the officers and soldiers, it is the business of every general to see them properly treated, to ensure their safety, and to permit them, under certain regulations, to have access to the camp. They should, however, be warily watched in some instances, especially upon the eve of a retreat, or before any advanced operation takes place. Spies frequently disguise themselves as pedlars, and under the mask of selling trifling articles, pry into the state of a camp, put indirect questions to the soldiers, and tamper with those who may seem disposed to act in a traitorous manner. Yet as armies cannot do without such men, they must be sanctioned, and it is the particular duty of the provost-marshal, and of the waggon-master general, to watch and superintend their motions.

MARCHE _accélérée, ou pas accéléré_, _Fr._ The time in which troops march to the charge--we call it the accelerated pace, the English formerly called it _double quick time_.

MARCHE _ordinaire, ou pas ordinaire_, _Fr._ Ordinary time.

MARCHE _precipitée, ou pas precipité_, _Fr._ Quickest time.

MARCHE _cadencée, ou pas cadencé_, _Fr._ March or step according to time and measure. It is likewise called the cadenced step.

MARCHE _non-cadencée, ou pas non-cadencé_, _Fr._ This step is likewise called _pas de route_, and signifies that unconstrained movement which soldiers are permitted to adopt in marching over difficult ground, and in columns of route.

MARCHE _de Flanc_, _Fr._ Flank movement or march.

MARCHE _forcée_, _Fr._ a forced march.

_Battre, sonner la_ MARCHE, _Fr._ To put troops into motion by the beat of drum or sound of trumpet, &c.

_Gagner une_ MARCHE _sur l’ennemi_, _Fr._ To gain ground or time upon an enemy, which signifies to get in his front or upon his flanks, so as to harass or perplex him, or by any able manœuvre to get the start of him.

_Dérober sa_ MARCHE, _Fr._ to steal a march.

_Couvrir une_ MARCHE, _Fr._ to conceal a march.

MARCHES _d’armées, et ce que les soldats ont à faire quand la générale est battue_, _Fr._ column of route or general order of march which an army observes when it takes the field. See CAMP.

MARCHE, _Fr._ This word is likewise used among the French, to express the course or progress of a ship, or as we say, technically, the _way she makes_: hence _marche d’un vaisseau_.

MARCHER _par le flanc_, _Fr._ To march from any given flank.

MARCHER _en colonne avec distance entiere_, _Fr._ To march in open column at open distance.

MARCHER _en colonne à distance de section, ou en mass_, _Fr._ To march in column, quarter distance, or in mass.

MARCHER _en bataille ou en colonne d’attaque_, _Fr._ To advance in column for the purpose of attacking an enemy.

MARCHER _en bataille en ordre deployé_, _Fr._ To advance by the echellon march in deployed order.

MARCHER _en rétraite_, _Fr._ To retreat.

MARCHER _en bataille par le dernier rang_, _Fr._ To march in line rear rank in front.

MARCHER _au pas accêléré_, _Fr._ To march in quicker time.

MARCHER _le pas en arriére_, _Fr._ To take the back-step.

MARCHER _au pas ordinaire_, _Fr._ To march in ordinary time.

MARCHER _au pas précipité_, _Fr._ To march in quickest time, or charging time.

MARCHER _par le flank, droit, ou gauche_, Fr. To march by the right or left flank.

MARCHER _en colonne, la droit ou la gauche, en tête_, _Fr._ To march in column, the right or left in front.

MARCHER _en colonne, serrée_, _Fr._ To march in close column.

MARCHER _en colonne ouverte_, _Fr._ To march in open column.

MARCHER, _en terme d’évolutions_, _Fr._ To march in line, &c. which see.

MARCHES. The limits or bounds between England, Wales, and Scotland, have been so called.

MARCHING _regiments_. A term given to those corps who had not any permanent quarters, but were liable to be sent not only from one end of Great Britain to another, but to the most distant of her possessions abroad. Although the word _marching_ is insensibly confounded with those of _line_ and _regulars_, it was originally meant to convey something more than a mere liability to be ordered upon any service; for by marching the regular troops from one town to another, the inhabitants, who from time immemorial have been jealous of a standing army, lost their antipathy to _real_ soldiers, by the occasional absence of regular troops. At present, the English guards, militia, and fencibles, may be considered more or less as marching regiments.--The marines and volunteer corps have stationary quarters.

_St._ MARCOU. Two rocks upon the coast of Normandy, lying in a bite or bay between cape Barfleur and Point Percé, bearing south east from La Hogue nine miles, from the mouth of the river Isigny, north, eight miles, and distant from the body of the French shore about four miles. The surface of each island, which is 18 or 20 feet above the level of the sea at high water, comprises about an acre, and bear from each other W. by N. and E. by S. distant 200 yards. On the abandonment of an expedition to the islands of Chossé, in the year 1795, sir Sidney Smith, whose active and comprehensive mind, justly concluded that the contiguity of these posts to the continent, would materially facilitate communications with the royalists, took possession of them; and having drawn the Badger and Sandfly gun vessels on shore, gave to their respective commanders the direction of the spot upon which he was thus placed. These officers having constructed batteries, mounted in them the guns belonging to their vessels, and in the year 1796 block houses, with detachments of marines, invalids, and 12 artillery men, were ordered out by government.

The extreme annoyance of these rocks to the coasting trade of the enemy, at length determined them to employ a part of the division of the army destined for the conquest of England, in their recovery, and 15,000 troops being assembled at the Hogue, 9000 were embarked on the 6th of May, 1798, on board 52 gun-vessels; when so great was the solicitude to partake in this conceived certain prelude to their glory, that several of the fourth demi-brigade of the army of Italy, whose tour of duty did not entitle them to be thus employed, gave four and five crowns, each, to others to change with them. Perfectly acquainted with the situation of the islands, the French flotilla rowed towards them in the night of the 6th, and at the dawn of the morning of the 7th, the weather being perfectly calm, they were discovered in a body between the islands and the shore. They soon separated into three divisions, one of which, comprising the heavy gun brigs remained in that position, while the other two, consisting of large flat boats, carrying a long 18 pounder in the bow, and a 6 pounder in the stern, took positions to the north and to the south of the islands, with an intention to drop into the passage that separates them. An animated and well directed fire was commenced from the islands, and warmly returned by the enemy. The northern division having been driven by the ebb tide within a short distance of the east island, soon became disabled in their oars, and considerably increased its distance, while the attention of the two islands was principally directed to the southern division, which came with the tide, and with almost unexampled gallantry pushed to the attack; being however by the severity of the fire that was kept up, foiled in its intention of getting between the islands, when each island would be exposed to the fire of the other, it passed quickly to the westward of the west island, and pulling up on the northern side of that island, the defence of which was almost wholly dependent on the flanking fire of the east island, made another determined effort to land. This appears to have been the critical period of the day, and the discharge of grape shot from the islands was proportionate to the danger; the entire side of the commodore of this division’s vessel was battered in, and she sunk; the others of the division beaten and disabled, retreated to their companions, and being reduced to the number of 47, they all retreated to La Hogue, amidst the deriding taunts and huzzas of the English, 400 of whom, with about 50 pieces of cannon, most of which were of a small calibre, and placed in works constructed by themselves, by vanquishing the advanced guard of the army of England, with the loss of 1100 killed, drowned, and wounded, dissipated the terrors of a French invasion. The action lasted two hours and ten minutes, during which time there were upwards of 100 pieces of cannon firing on the islands; notwithstanding which the loss on our side was only one killed and two wounded. _English Mil. Dict._

MARDIKERS, _or Topasses_, a mixed breed of Dutch, Portuguese, Indians, and other nations, incorporated with the Dutch at Batavia, in the East Indies. Mardikers, in all probability, derive their name from some original adventurers, who left a place, called _Mardike_, about four miles from Dunkirk, and formerly subject to, or forming part of the seventeen United Provinces. When the Dutch took possession of that territory which is named Batavia, these adventurers were perhaps the leading party, and from their being called Mardikers, the natives in those quarters insensibly attached the term to all persons of European descent, or connection. All, in fact, who wear hats are distinguished among turban-nations by the appellation of Topasses, and Mardikers, and from that circumstance are confounded in the term, with respect to Batavia. _Eng. Dict._

There is a mistake in this--the word _tope_ signifies a _gun_, as well as a hat; those who carried guns instead of spears, were called _topasses_; the topasses of the Malabar coast, where in fact they were first embodied by the Portuguese, wore no hats, but turbans, and carried _matchlocks_ or _topes_; a house in which guns are kept is called _tope kannah_.

MARECHAL _de camp_, _Fr._ a military rank which existed during the French monarchy. The person invested with it was a general officer, and ranked next to a lieutenant-general. It was his duty to see the army properly disposed of in camp or quarters, to be present at all the movements that were made; to be the first to mount his charger, and the last to quit him. He commanded the left in all attacks. The appointment, under this distinction, was first created by Henry the fourth in 1598.

MARECHAL-_general des camps et armées du roi_, _Fr._ A post of high dignity and trust, which, during the French monarchy, was annexed to the rank of Maréchal de France. Military writers differ with respect to the privileges, &c. which belonged to this appointment; it is, however, generally acknowleged, that the general officer who held it, was entrusted with the whole management of a siege, being subordinate only to the constable, or to any other Maréchal de France, who was his senior in appointment.

MARECHAL-_géneral des logis de l’armée_, _Fr._ This appointment, which existed during the old French government, and has since been replaced by the chef de l’etat-major, corresponds with that of quarter-master general in the British service.

MARECHAL _de bataille_, _Fr._ a military rank, which once existed in France, but was suppressed before the revolution, or rather confined to the body guards. An officer, belonging to that corps, received it as an honorary title. Its original functions, &c. with respect to general service, sunk in the appointments of maréchal de camp, and major-général. It was first created by Louis the XIIIth.

MARECHAL-_general des logis de la cavalerie_, _Fr._ This appointment took place under Charles the IXth in 1594. He had the chief direction of every thing which related to the French cavalry.

MARECHAL _des logis dans la cavalerie_, _Fr._ The quarter-master of a troop of horse was so called in the French service. In the old system every infantry regiment had one _marechal des logis_; two were attached to each company of the gendarmes: each troop of light horse had likewise two; and every company of musqueteers had eight.

MARECHAL _des logis de l’artillerie_, _Fr._ An appointment which existed in France before the revolution, and which was in the gift of the grand master of the ordnance. This officer always accompanied the army on service, and was under the immediate orders of the commanding officer of the artillery.

MARECHAL _des logis pour les vivres_, _Fr._ a person belonging to the quarter-master general’s department, so called in the old French service.

_La_ MARECHALE, _Fr._ Marshal’s lady _i. e._ wife, was so called in France. We have already mentioned _la colonelle_, &c. This practice has indeed, of late, obtained in England, but not in the unlimited manner which prevailed among the French. We use it merely to distinguish two ladies of the same name and family, or neighborhood, viz. Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. colonel Johnson; meaning thereby that the latter is the wife or widow of colonel Johnson.

MARECHAUSSEES _de France_, _Fr._ A species of military police, which has long existed in France. During the French monarchy there were 31 companies of _Maréchaussées à cheval_, or mounted police-men. After twenty years service the individuals who belonged to this establishment were entitled to the privileges of invalid corps, being considered as a part of the gendarmerie.

These companies were first formed for the purpose of preserving public tranquillity, and were distributed in the different provinces of the kingdom. They consisted of provosts-generals, lieutenants, exempts, brigadiers, sub-brigadiers, and horsemen. This useful body of men was first formed under Philip the first, in 1060: they were afterwards suppressed, and again re-established in 1720, as constituting a part of the gendarmerie of France.

The uniform of the Maréchaussées, or mounted police men, consisted of royal blue cloth for the coat, with red cuffs and linings; the waistcoat of chamoy-color, lined with white serge; a cloak lined with red serge, the buttons of plated silver placed in rows of three each, with intervals between them; horseman’s sleeves, with six silver loops with tassels. The brigadiers and sub-brigadiers, had silver lace one inch broad upon their sleeves; their cloaks were made of blue cloth with red cuffs, and they wore silver laced hats. The private horsemen wore bandeleers.

There were other companies of Maréchaussées, who were particularly distinguished from the thirty-one we have mentioned. Such, for instance, as that of the constable, called the gendarmerie.

MARECHAUSSEES _de France, camps, et armées du roi_, _Fr._ That which was under the immediate direction of the provost-general of the isle of France, and that which belonged to the mint.

The first of these companies is said to have been formed under the first race of French kings: the second by Francis the first; and the third by Louis XIII. There were, besides, several small bodies of troops, composed of officers, and soldiers who had served, that remained stationary in the principal towns to assist the civil magistrates. Those in Paris consisted of three companies; the company belonging to the _lieutenant criminel de Robe-Courte_, or to that particular court of judicature which was superintended by the prevost de la Maréchaussée, and which Charles the IXth attached to the gendarmerie: the independent company of mounted police, called Guet à Cheval; and the company of the police or foot patrole, called Guet à Pied, which was again subdivided into two companies, in order that one might do the duty of the quays. These companies were under the immediate direction of the secretary of state for the interior department of Paris. The _guet de nuit_, or night patrole, seems to have been first established by Clotaire the second. The commanding officer of the patrole, or chevalier duguet, during the reign of St. Louis was called _milesgueti_.

MARENGO, a plain and village in Italy, about one league distant from Tortona, so called. These spots have been rendered memorable in military history by the obstinate and decisive engagement which took place on the 14th of June, 1800, between the Austrians, commanded by general field marshal Melas; and the republican French army, under the direction and personal guidance of Bonaparte, the first consul. According to a very recent publication, translated from the French of Joseph Petit, horse grenadier in the consular guard, the effective number of each army was nearly as follows: the French army, at the moment the battle commenced, was computed from forty to forty-five thousand men, of which three thousand were cavalry: there were besides, from twenty-five to thirty pieces of cannon, in which were included two companies of light artillery: the Austrian army, according to the accounts of the best informed persons, contained from fifty-five to sixty thousand men, including the reinforcements which had just arrived from Genoa. From 15 to 18,000 of these were cavalry. The cannon amounted to fourscore pieces and upwards, two hundred ammunition waggons, well provided, besides an immense train of army implements, stores, and equipage. The French were extremely deficient in the latter articles, having been obliged for want of caissons, to put their ammunition upon tumbrils drawn by oxen.

The loss on both sides was enormous; that of the French was rendered more serious to the republic, by the death of general Desaix, to whose intrepidity, at a most critical juncture, the success of the day, and even the personal safety of Bonaparte were unquestionably owing. This admirable young officer, (for even his enemies pay homage to his virtues and talents) was called by the French and Austrian soldiers, _guerrier sans peur et sans rèproche_: an irreproachable and undaunted warrior. Without entering into a minute detail of this memorable action, we shall so far trespass upon the limited arrangements of our work, as to extract a passage from another French publication, which has been written by citizen _Foudras_, and may be found in the English translation from which we have already quoted:--

“It has already been shewn with what obstinacy both armies fought, (see page 64 of Petit’s narrative) four times were the French driven back, four times did they return to the charge, and advance against the Austrians. At the very instant when the consul, surrounded by hostile shot, was reanimating his almost exhausted troops, general Desaix darted with impetuosity amidst the Austrian battalions, when he received his death wound from a musquet ball. He had only time to utter the following words to the son of the consul Lebrun, in whose arms he expired:--“Go and tell the first consul, that I die with regret in not having done enough to live in the memory of posterity!” See page 192, of Foudras’s Biographical Notice.

CHASSE-_Marée_, _Fr._ The term means literally a Ripier, or man who brings fish from the sea-coasts to sell in the inland parts; but it has frequently been used to signify the cart or carriage itself on which he sits. According to the French construction of it, it may serve for several purposes, particularly for the speedy conveyance of small bodies of troops. It consists of a four wheel carriage, of equal height with a common axle-tree, having a platform sufficiently elevated to suffer the fore wheels to pass under it when on the lock. In the centre of this platform is an upright back, with a seat on each side, resembling the seat of an Irish car; so that about six soldiers might sit on each side, back to back. On the platform, and attached to the axle-tree, nearly at each corner, are four stout stumps on knee-hinges, that allow them to turn down flat on the platform, or to be fixed upright when they serve, by a crutch which fits into a hole as a rest for rifles, or for a piece of horse light artillery; on the crutch being taken out it fits into the hole after the manner of a swivel on board ship.

MARGA SEERSHA, _Ind._ a month which partly agrees with October.

MARRIAGE. It is generally understood in the British service, that no soldier can marry without the previous knowlege and consent of his captain, or commanding officer. There is not, however, any specific regulation on this head. The regulations respecting the marriages of officers and soldiers in the old French service, were extremely rigid.

MARIN, _Fr._ Any thing appertaining to the sea. _Avoir le pied marin_, to have sea-legs, or to be able to stand the motion of a vessel in rough water, and to go through the different functions of navigation. _Marin_ is likewise used to distinguish a sea-faring man, (_homme de mer_) from _Marinier_, which literally means a sailor.

_La_ MARINE. The French navy is so called.

MARINE, implies, in general, the whole navy of a state or kingdom, comprehending all the dock yards, and the officers, artificers, seamen, soldiers, &c. employed therein, as well as the shipping employed by the merchants for military or commercial purposes; together with whatever relates to navigation, ship-building, sailors, and marines.

The history of the marine affairs of any one state is a very comprehensive subject; much more that of all nations. Not only the preservation of that share of commerce which the British possess, but its future advancement, and even the very being of Britain, as an independent nation, depend on the good condition and wise regulation of the affairs of the marine, than on the superiority of its naval power. The Delphic oracle being consulted by the Athenians, on the formidable armament and innumerable forces of Xerxes, returned for answer, “that they must seek their safety in wooden walls.” To which the British affirm, that whenever their nation in particular has recourse to her floating bulwarks for her security and defence, she will find wealth, strength, and glory, to be the happy and infallible consequence.

MARINES, or MARINE FORCES, a body of soldiers, raised for the sea-service, and trained to fight either in a naval engagement or in an action on shore. Officers of marines may sit on courts-martial with officers of the land forces. See British MUTINY ACT, Sect. 13.