Part 125

=Signaling.= Is of remote origin. A rude code of signals addressed to the eye is common among the savage races of the present day, and doubtless existed from the earliest times among the historical races. The Indians of the great plains of North America avail themselves for night-signals of fires lighted on elevated points, and of dense clouds of smoke made by suddenly heaping green brush upon a fire for day-signals. Gen. Marcy, in his “Army Life on the Border,” shows that similar signals can be used in this region with great advantage by troops engaged in Indian campaigning. Messages exchanged in this way must be preconcerted. This method of signaling dates from a remote antiquity. Alphabetical signaling--a system in which a written language is conveyed by means of its elements--is first described by Polybius, about 260 B.C., and seems to have been devised, or at least greatly improved by him. He formed a code by arranging the letters of the Greek alphabet in several columns. A given letter was represented by a number of lanterns or torches or other signals, which gave the number of the column, and a second set of signals giving the number of the letter in the column. Capt. John Smith, of Virginia fame, is said to have used the system of Polybius during the siege of Vienna. Alphabetical signaling thus early adopted remained without improvement, and too cumbersome for general application till recent times. _Message signaling_ by torches, flags, and rockets has been generally used, especially at sea, where it has a wide application both in war and commerce. The signals usually represented numbers, which were referred to printed codes. The invention of the magnetic telegraph led to the Morse alphabet, which crystallized the hitherto vague idea of representing letters by the combination and arrangement of a few simple elements. In the _general service code_ of the United States, there are used two elements. These can readily be represented by sounds, motions, numbers, colors, etc. The ordinary method of signaling is by waving a flag by day and a torch at night. See also TELEGRAPH, FIELD.

=Sikh Wars.= Two brief but desperate contests waged between the British power in India and the Sikhs in 1845-46, 1848-49, which resulted in the destruction of the latter as an independent nation. The first had its origin in the dissensions which convulsed the Sikh country after the death of Runjeet Singh, and which necessitated the exercise of wary regard on the part of the Calcutta authorities. At length an army of Sikhs, flushed with their triumph over all lawful authority in their own country, crossed the Sutlej, and extended their ravages over British territory; but their advanced guard was met by Sir Henry Hardinge, the governor-general, at the head of four regiments of infantry and one of dragoons, and routed at Mudki with heavy loss. Three days after, the main body, which had in the mean time crossed the river and intrenched itself at Feroze-Shah, was attacked by a larger force of British under Gough and Hardinge, and after a bloody conflict, which lasted two days, also routed. Still undismayed by these reverses, they again intrenched themselves at Sobraon; but a fresh body which had just crossed the Sutlej at Aliwal 19,000 strong with 68 pieces of cannon, was wholly routed and driven across the river by Sir Harry Smith, at the head of 7000 men, with 32 guns; and their main body was soon after similarly dispersed at Sobraon (which see). The British then crossed the river, took Lahore, and restored the authority of the young Maharajah from whom they took the territory between the Beas and the Sutlej; the treaty confirming this settlement being made at Lahore, March 9, 1846. But the internal disturbances in the kingdom of Lahore soon became as active as before, and induced the Maharajah’s prime minister to put the country under the Company’s protection; and a residency with a guard of regular troops was then established in the capital. On April 20, 1848, two British officers were murdered by a Sikh chief, the dewan of Moolraj of Multan; and as it was found to be but a premonitory symptom of a general outbreak, a small force of British under Lieut. Edwardes, aided by a body of Sikhs, under the rajah of Bhawalpur, gallantly attacked the army of Moolraj, which, after a desperate conflict of nine hours, they defeated on June 18, and, both sides in the mean time having received reinforcements, again on July 1; Multan was then laid siege to, but the defection of 5000 auxiliary Sikhs under Shere Singh (the son of the Sirdar Chuttur Singh, the governor of Hazara, who had been for some time in revolt, and had driven the British from his district), compelled the British to retreat. For some time, the British authorities in the Punjab were hampered by a want of military force, and though the Maharajah and much of his army still opposed the Sikh rebels, little reliance could be placed upon most of it. Shere Singh now succeeded in raising his army to 40,000, but was defeated by Lord Gough at Ramnuggur (November 22). The inconsiderate haste of Gough at Chillianwalla, January 13, nearly lost him that great battle, which was saved only by the extreme valor of his soldiers; but amends for this fault were made at Gujerat, where the power of Shere Singh and his allies was completely broken. Meanwhile, the fortress of Multan had, after a protracted bombardment, been captured, and the Company, seeing no other mode of protecting their territories from annoyance by these warlike fanatics, annexed the Punjab, March 29, 1849, and thus terminated the existence of the Sikhs as an independent nation.

=Sikhs.= The term Sikh, a corruption of the Sanscrit _s’ishya_, signifying “disciple,” is applied to a community of which the Punjab, in Northern India, constitutes, substantially, the confines. Less commonly, even among themselves, the members of this community are also known as Sinhs (vulgarly Singhs), that is, “Lions,” a title given them by Govind, the last and most influential of their hierarchs. Every name of a Sikh male now terminates with the word Sinh. Originally a body of mere religionists, the Sikhs, from the energy which they developed under repression, and the inducements which they offered as proselytizers, grew by degrees, in strength and numbers, and ended in a formidable nationality. Their originator, Nanak, was born in 1469, in the vicinity of Lahore, and died in 1539, not far from the place of his nativity.

=Silence.= To cause to cease firing by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.

=Silesia.= A province of the kingdom of Prussia, included in the limits of the new German empire, lies south of the provinces of Brandenburg and Posen. Formerly a province of Poland; was invaded by John of Bohemia in 1325; ceded to him, 1355. In 1740, Frederick II. of Prussia, taking advantage of the helpless condition of Maria Theresa of Austria, laid claims to certain portions of Silesia; and without declaring war, marched into and took possession of the province, maintaining his hold despite the utmost efforts of Austria in 1740-1742, and 1744-1745, called the _first_ and _second_ Silesian wars. After the _third_ Silesian war, better known as the _Seven Years’ War_ (which see), it was finally ceded (1763) to Prussia. It was overrun by the French in 1807.

=Silistria.= A strongly fortified town of Bulgaria, in Turkey in Europe, on the right bank of the Danube. Here in 971, the Byzantine emperor, John Zimisces, routed the Russians under Sviatoslav. It was taken by the Russians, June 30, 1829, and held some years by them as a pledge for the payment of a large sum of money by the Porte, but was eventually returned. In 1854 it was again besieged by the Russians (30,000 strong), under Prince Paskewitsch, and many assaults were made. The Russian general was compelled to return in consequence of a dangerous contusion. On June 2, Mussa Pasha, the brave and skillful commander of the garrison, was killed. On June 9, the Russians stormed two forts, which were retaken. A grand assault took place on June 13, under Prince Gortschakoff and Gen. Schilders, which was vigorously repelled. On the 15th, the garrison assumed the offensive, crossed the river, defeated the Russians, and destroyed the siege-works. The siege was thus raised, and the Russians commenced their retreat as Omar Pasha was drawing near. The garrison was ably assisted by two British officers, Capt. Butler and Lieut. Nasmyth, the former of whom, after being wounded, died of exhaustion. They were highly praised by Omar Pasha and Lord Hardinge, and Lieut. Nasmyth made a major.

=Sill.= In fortification, the inner edge of an embrasure.

=Silladar Horse.= Indian irregular cavalry, raised and maintained on the principle of every man furnishing and maintaining his own horse, arms, equipments, etc., in return for his pay.

=Sillon.= In fortification, a work raised in the middle of a ditch, to defend it when it is too wide. It has no particular form, and is sometimes made with little bastions, half-moons, and redans, which are lower than the works of the place, but higher than the covert way. It is more frequently called an _envelope_.

=Silures.= A powerful people in Britain, inhabiting South Wales, who long offered a formidable resistance to the Romans, and were the only people in the island who at a later time maintained their independence against the Saxons.

=Silver Stick.= Is the title given to a field-officer of the Life Guards, when on duty at the palace. The _silver stick_ is in waiting for a week, during which period all reports are made through him to the _gold stick_ (which see), and orders from the _gold stick_ pass through to the brigade. In the absence of the _gold stick_ on levees, and drawing-room days, he goes to the royal closet for the parole.

=Simancas.= A town of Spain, province of Valladolid. Near it Ramirez II. of Leon and Fernando of Castile gained a victory over Abderahman, the Moorish king of Cordova, August 6, 938. The archives of Castile are kept in the fortress of this place, and many valuable documents and records were burnt by the French troops quartered in the town in 1809.

=Simonoseki.= A town of Japan, at the southwestern extremity of the island of Nipon, and at the entrance of the island sea Suonada. In 1863 three vessels belonging to the American, Dutch, and French governments were fired into from batteries on the shore of Simonoseki Strait; this assault was subsequently returned by French and American war-vessels. In 1864 a combined fleet of Great Britain, France, Holland, and the U. S. men-of-war bombarded and destroyed Simonoseki. The Japanese government had to pay an indemnity of $3,000,000.

=Simulation.= The vice of counterfeiting illness or defect, for the purpose of being invalided.

=Sinalunga.= A town of Central Italy, in the province of Sienna. Here Garibaldi was arrested in 1867, whilst attempting to cross into the Papal territory to take command of the volunteers who intended to march upon Rome.

=Sinde=, or =Scinde=. (Called also _Sindh_, or _Sindia_, and _Sinday_, from _sindhoo_, or _sindhu_, “a collection of waters.”) An extensive territory of British India, included in the presidency of Bombay, comprising the lower course and delta of the Indus. It was traversed by the Greeks under Alexander, about 326 B.C.; conquered by the Persian Mohammedans in the 8th century; tributary to the Ghaznevide dynasty in the 11th century; conquered by Nadir Shah, 1739; reverted to the empire of Delhi after his death, 1747. After various changes of rulers, Sinde was conquered by the English. Sir Charles James Napier, the British envoy, at the head of a considerable military force, marched against the enemy, totally routed them at Meeanee (February 17, 1843), and by defeating the ameers of Mirpur, at Dubba, near Hyderabad (March 24), completed the subjugation of Sinde. For two years afterwards, Napier was actively employed in reducing the marauding tribes of the west, who pillaged the province; and so successful was the “Sheitanka bhai” (Devil’s Brother), as the robber tribes named him, that they were completely rooted out of their fastnesses, and most of them transported to distant regions.

=Sine Die= (“without day”). When the court or other body rise at the end of a session or term they adjourn _sine die_. In law this does not preclude further proceedings by the same court.

=Single Combat.= A contest in which no more than two are engaged.

=Single-stick.= A cudgel used in fencing or fighting. Also, a game at cudgels, in which he who first brings blood from his adversary’s head is pronounced victor.

=Sinister.= In heraldry, the left-hand side of a shield. As shields are supposed to be carried in front of the person, the sinister side is that which covers the bearer’s left side, and therefore, lies to the spectator’s right. See POINTS OF THE ESCUTCHEON.

=Sinopé= (Turk. _Sinub_). A town of Asiatic Turkey, province of Anatolia, on the southern side of a little promontory running eastward into the Black Sea, 80 miles northwest of Samsun. Ancient Sinopé was the most important of all the Greek colonies on the shores of the Euxine. Having been destroyed in the invasion of Asia by the Cimmerians, it was restored by a new colony from Miletus, 632 B.C. It remained an independent state till it was taken by Pharnaces I., king of Pontus. After an obstinate resistance to the Romans under Lucullus, it was taken and plundered, and proclaimed a free city. The bay of Sinopé, which affords the finest anchorage for ships along the whole northern coast of Asiatic Turkey, was the scene of a bloody naval engagement, or rather massacre, November 30, 1853, when a Turkish squadron of 13 ships was suddenly attacked and destroyed (except one vessel which conveyed the tidings to Constantinople) by a Russian fleet of 6 sail of the line, 2 sailing-vessels, and 3 steamers; 4000 lives were lost by fire or drowning, and Osman Pasha, the Turkish admiral, died at Sebastopol of his wounds. In consequence of this event, the Anglo-French fleet entered the Black Sea, January 3, 1854.

=Sinople.= In heraldry, the same as _Vert_ (which see).

=Sinuessa.= An ancient town of Italy, on the shore of the Mediterranean, near the confines of Latium and Campania. It was colonized by the Romans in 296 B.C. It suffered much during the invasion of Hannibal, who, in 217, carried his devastations up to the very gates.

=Sioux Indians.= See DAKOTA INDIANS.

=Sir.= The title of a knight or baronet, which, for distinction’s sake, is always prefixed to the knight’s or baronet’s Christian name, either in speaking or in writing to him.

=Siraceni=, =Siraci=, or =Siraces=. A powerful people of Sarmatia Asiatica, dwelt in the district of Siracene, east of Palus Mæotis, as far as the river Rha (now Volga). The Romans were engaged in a war with them in 50.

=Sirmium= (now _Mitroviz_). An important city in Pannonia Inferior, was situated on the left bank of the Savus. It was founded by the Taurisci, and under the Romans became the capital of Pannonia, and the headquarters of all their operations in their wars against the Dacians and the neighboring barbarians. It contained a large manufactory of arms, a spacious forum, an imperial palace, etc. It was the residence of the admiral of the first Flavian fleet on the Danube, and the birthplace of the emperor Probus.

=Siscia.= An important town in Pannonia Superior, situated upon an island formed by the rivers Savus Colapis and Odra. It was a strongly-fortified place, and was conquered by Tiberius in the reign of Augustus, from which time it became the most important town in all Pannonia.

=Sissopoli=, or =Sizeboli=. A town of Turkey in Europe, 80 miles northeast from Adrianople. It was taken by the Russians in 1829.

=Sistova=, or =Schistab=, called also =Shtab=. A town of Turkey in Europe, in Bulgaria, on the right bank of the Danube, 24 miles east-southeast from Nicopolis. A treaty of peace (“peace of Sistova”) was signed here between Austria and Turkey in 1791.

=Sit.= In a military sense, to take a stationary position; as, _to sit before a fortification_, to lie encamped for the purpose of besieging it.

=Sitka.= Called by the Russians New Archangel, is the most important settlement in Alaska. It is situated on the west side of Baranoff Island, in lat. 57° 3′. The population is mainly composed of Indians and Russian half-breeds. A census taken in 1875 made the total number, excluding Indians, 502. For many years Sitka was the headquarters of the Russian American Company. Upon the transfer of the Territory, in 1867, to the United States, Sitka became the headquarters of the military department of Alaska. It remained an army post till 1877, when the garrison was withdrawn. The inhabitants are at present protected from the Indians by a naval vessel.

=Sixain.= In the Middle Ages, was an order of battle, wherein six battalions being ranged in one line, the second and fifth were made to advance, to form the vanguard; the first and sixth to retire, to form the rear-guard; the third and fourth remaining on the spot, to form the corps or body of the battle.

=Six-shooter.= A pistol with six barrels, or capable of firing six shots in quick succession; especially a six-barreled or six-chambered revolver.

=Size, To.= In a military sense, to take the height of men for the purpose of placing them in military array, and of rendering their relative statures more effective.

=Skalitz.= A small town of Austria, in the northwest of Hungary, near the borders of Moravia, on the left bank of the March. It was stormed by the Prussian general Steinmetz, June 28, 1866; whereby the junction of the divisions of the Prussians was greatly facilitated.

=Skean=, =Skeen=, or =Skeine=. A Celtic word which signifies a knife. It was a weapon in the shape of a small sword or knife, which was worn by the Irish in ancient times.

=Skedaddle.= To betake one’s self to flight; to run away with precipitation, as if in a panic; to withdraw, as an army, or part of an army, from the presence of an enemy, especially in a hasty or secret manner.

=Skeleton.= A word applied to regiments that have become reduced in their number of men.

=Sketch, Military.= The delineation of a small portion of ground for military purposes. The scale is generally larger than that of a map.

=Skid.= In military language, is any timber which is used as a base to keep one object from resting on another. Thus, a row of cannon in store will be kept from the ground by skids. The term is also applied to the drag which is put on the wheels of carriages in going up hills, to prevent rolling backwards.

=Skierniwice.= A town of Russia, situated on the Bzura, 38 miles southwest from Warsaw. The French were defeated here, in 1809, by the Russians.

=Skinners.= A name assumed by a predatory band in the Revolutionary war, who, professing allegiance to the American cause, but influenced by a desire to plunder, roamed over the “neutral ground” lying between the hostile armies, robbing those who refused to take the oath of fidelity.

=Skipton.= A town of England in the West Riding of Yorkshire, 38 miles west of York. The old castle of Skipton was founded in the time of William the Conqueror; it was a place of great strength in the 17th century, and held out for three years against the Parliamentary forces. In 1649 it was dismantled, but subsequently rebuilt by the Countess of Pembroke.

=Skirmish.= A slight fight in war; a light combat between detachments from armies which are yet at a considerable distance from each other, or between detached and small parties.

=Skirmish.= To fight slightly or in small parties; to engage in a skirmish; to act as skirmishers.

=Skirmisher.= One who skirmishes; one of such troops as are sent forward in advance, or move deployed in loose order on the flanks of a marching column, to discover and intercept hostile forces.

=Skiver.= A dirk to stab with.

=Skottefer.= Formerly a name applied to an archer.

=Sky-rocket.= See PYROTECHNY.

=Slash.= A cut; a wound; also, a cut in cloth. It was formerly used to express the pieces of tape or worsted lace which were placed upon the arms of non-commissioned officers, in order to distinguish them from privates.

=Slash.= To strike violently and at random with an edged instrument; to lay about one indiscriminately with blows.

=Slashed.= Cut in stripes or lines. Hence, slashed sleeves and pockets, which are peculiar to the British cavalry, when the officers or men wear long coats.

=Slaughter.= The extensive and unnecessary destruction of human life; carnage. Also, to visit with great destruction of life; to kill; to slay in battle.

=Slavonia=, or =Sclavonia= (called by the native _Slavonska_). A territory or province of the Austrian empire, formerly incorporated with Hungary, but now forming part of the kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia. The country anciently formed part of the province of Pannonia. During the barbarian migrations, the land was overrun, now by one and now by another tribe, and at length remained in the possession of the Avars. These, however, were conquered about the end of the 8th century by Charlemagne, who settled in their place a tribe of Slavonians from Dalmatia. When, in the 10th century, the Hungarians conquered Pannonia, they also made themselves masters of the whole of Slavonia, except Syrmia, which still remained subject to the Eastern emperors. It was, however, the object of contention, and the scene of bloody conflicts between the Greeks and the Hungarians, until, after various vicissitudes, it was finally ceded to the latter in 1165. From 1526, when it was conquered by the Turks, Slavonia remained in their possession till it was restored to Hungary by the peace of Carlowitz in 1699. In 1734 its size was diminished by the formation of the Military Frontier, and in 1848 it was separated from Hungary.

=Slavonians=, or =Slaves= (native name _Slowene_, or _Slowane_). The general name of a group of nations belonging to the Aryan family, whose settlements extend from the Elbe to Kamtschatka, and from the Frozen Sea to Ragusa on the Adriatic, the whole of Eastern Europe being almost exclusively occupied by them. The original names of the Slavic tribes seem to have been Winds, or Wends (_Venedi_), and Serbs. The latter of these names is spoken of by Procopius as the ancient name common to the whole Slavic stock. The Slavonians proper are a handsome, tall, and slender race.

=Sleepers.= Small joists of timber, which form the foundation for the platform of a battery, and upon which the boards for the flooring are laid. Also, the undermost timbers of a gun or mortar.

=Sleets.= The parts of a mortar extending from the chamber to the trunnions, to strengthen that part.

=Sleeves, Gunner’s.= See IMPLEMENTS.

=Sliding-rings.= See ORDNANCE, CARRIAGES FOR, NOMENCLATURE OF ARTILLERY CARRIAGE.