Part 36
=File.= A line of soldiers drawn up behind each other, in contradistinction to rank, which refers to men standing beside one another. The general term means two soldiers, consisting of the front and rear rank men. To _file_ is to advance to or from any given points by files; as, to file to the front, etc. To _file off_, or to _defile_, is to wheel off by files from moving in a spacious front, and march in length. _Flank file_, is the extreme file on the right or left of a squadron or troop, battalion or company, etc. _Indian files_, a line of men advancing or retreating from either of the flanks, from the centre or from any proportion of a line in succession to one another.
=File Firing.= Firing by files.
=File-leader.= Is the soldier placed in front of any file, or the man who is to cover all those who stand directly in the rear of him, and by whom they are to be guided in all their movements.
=Filibuster.= A lawless military adventurer, especially one in quest of plunder; a freebooter; a pirate; applied especially to the followers of Lopez in his expedition to Cuba in 1851.
=Filings.= Are movements to the front, rear, or flanks by files.
=Fillet.= A molding used on cannon of old pattern.
=Fillibeg=, or =Filibeg=. A little plaid; a kilt or dress reaching nearly to the knees, worn in the Highlands of Scotland, and by the soldiers of Highland regiments in the British service.
=Fillibuster.= See FILIBUSTER.
=Final Velocity.= In gunnery, is the technical term for the uniform velocity which a projectile would acquire in falling through an indefinite height in the air. A body falling in _vacuo_ is uniformly accelerated, its velocity being continually increased. In the atmosphere the case is different. Since the resistance of the air increases with some power of the velocity greater than the square, it follows that at some point in the descent the retardation becomes equal to the acceleration, and the body will move with uniform velocity. This is called “final velocity,” and is one of the most important elements in the theory of projectiles. Every projectile has its own “final velocity.” Other things being equal, that projectile is best which has the greatest “final velocity.” The “final velocity” of a given projectile will depend upon its weight on the one hand, and the extent of surface and the way it is presented to the air on the other. The extent and form of the surface directly opposed to the action of the air will largely determine the resistance. The best form, as determined by the experiments of Borda, is the _ogival_. The resistance, other things being the same, may be taken as proportional to the area of greatest cross-section. The weight in spherical projectiles is proportional to the cube of this dimension. It follows from these general principles that large projectiles are better than small, dense better than light, solid better than hollow, in regard to their final velocities; moreover, that oblong projectiles are better than spherical, ogival-headed oblong better than flat-headed, and long rifle projectiles better than short, in the same regard.
=Finding.= Before a court-martial deliberates upon the judgment, the judge-advocate reads over the whole proceedings of the court; he then collects the votes of each member, beginning with the youngest. The best mode of doing so is by slips of paper. The Articles of War require a majority in all cases, and in cases of sentence of death two-thirds. It is not necessary to find a _general_ verdict of guilt or acquittal upon the whole of every charge. The court may find the prisoner guilty of part of a charge, and acquit him of the remainder, and render sentence according to their finding. This is a _special_ verdict.
=Finland.= A Russian grand duchy; in the middle of the 12th century was conquered by the Swedes, who introduced Christianity. It was several times conquered by the Russians (1714, 1742, and 1808), and restored (1721 and 1743); but in 1809 they retained it by treaty.
=Fire.= In the art of war, a word of command to soldiers of all denominations to discharge their fire-arms, cannon, etc. It likewise expresses a general discharge against an enemy. To be “under fire” means to be exposed to the attack of an enemy by cannonade or fusilade. The fire in artillery may be either direct, ricochet, rolling, plunging, horizontal, or vertical, according to the nature of the projectile and the angle of elevation. A fire is said to be _direct_, when the projectile hits the object without striking any intermediate one; _ricochet_, when the projectile strikes the ground or water under a small angle of fall, penetrates obliquely to a certain distance, and is then reflected at an angle greater than the angle of fall. This action may recur frequently, depending, as it does, on the nature of the surface struck, the initial velocity, shape, size, and density of the projectile, and on the angle of fall. It is employed in siege-works to attain the face of a work in flank, or in reverse; and in the field, or on water, when the object is large, and the distance is not accurately known. The character of ricochet fire is determined by the angle of fall. It is _flattened_ when this angle does not exceed 4°, and _curvated_ when the angle is between 6° and 15°. Against troops the angle of fall should not exceed 3°. A particular kind of ricochet fire called _rolling_ is produced by placing the axis of the piece parallel, or nearly so, with the ground. It was formerly much used when the conditions were favorable in the field service, where it was very effective, as the projectile never passes at a greater distance above the ground than the muzzle of the piece. The projectile was solid round shot; rifled projectiles are unsuited to this kind of fire. When the object is situated below the piece, the fire is said to be _plunging_. This kind of fire is particularly effective against the decks of vessels. Under low angles of elevation the fire of guns and howitzers is said to be _horizontal_. The fire of mortars under high angles of elevation is called _vertical_.
=Fire-alarm.= An alarm given of a fire or conflagration. In military barracks or camp, it is sounded on drum or bugle, or the discharge of fire-arms by the guard.
=Fire, Angle of.= See POINTING.
=Fire-arms.= Every description of arms charged with powder and ball. See special headings.
=Fire-arrow.= A small iron dart, furnished with a match impregnated with powder and sulphur, used to fire the sails of ships.
=Fire-ball.= See PYROTECHNY.
=Fire-bavin.= A bundle of brushwood used in fire-ships.
=Fire-bucket.= A bucket to convey water for extinguishing fires. To each set of quarters in a garrison there are allotted a certain number of fire-buckets.
=Fire-cross.= An ancient token in Scotland for the nation to take up arms.
=Fire, Curved=, or =Curvated=. See FIRE.
=Fire, Direct.= See FIRE.
=Fire-eater.= One notoriously fond of being in action.
=Fire, Effects of.= See PROJECTILES, EFFECTS OF.
=Fire, Enfilade.= Fire in the direction of the length of a parapet or a line of troops.
=Fire-engine.= A hydraulic or forcing pump for throwing water to extinguish fires.
=Fire, Greek.= See GREEK FIRE.
=Fire-hoops.= A combustible invented by the Knights of Malta to throw among their besiegers, and afterwards used in boarding Turkish galleys.
=Fire, Line of.= See POINTING.
=Firelocks.= Were fire-arms formerly used by foot-soldiers; they were so called from their producing fire of themselves, by the action of the flint and steel. They were first made use of in 1690, but it is not ascertained when they were first invented. About the middle of the last century a firelock was called, by military writers, _asnapbaan_, which being a low Dutch word, seems to indicate its being a Dutch invention.
=Fire-master.= In the artillery, was a commissioned officer who gave the directions and proportions of all ingredients for each composition required in fireworks, whether for the service of war, or for rejoicings and recreation.
=Fire-master’s-mate.= In the artillery, a commissioned officer whose duty was to aid and assist the chief fire-master; and he was required to be skilled in every kind of laboratory works.
=Fire, Oblique.= That which strikes a parapet or a body of troops in a slanting direction.
=Fire-pan.= A pan for holding or conveying fire; especially, the receptacle for the priming in a gun.
=Fire, Plane of.= See POINTING.
=Fire, Plunging.= See FIRE.
=Fire-pot.= A small earthen pot, into which is put a charged grenade, and over that, powder enough to cover the grenade; the whole covered with a piece of parchment, and two pieces of quick-match across lighted; it breaks and fires the powder, as also the powder in the grenade, which has no fuze, that its operations may be quicker; it burns all that is near it. These are no longer used.
=Fire Rasant.= Is produced by firing the artillery and small-arms in a line parallel with those parts of the works you are defending.
=Fire, Reverse.= Is that which strikes the rear of a parapet or body of troops.
=Fire, Ricochet.= See FIRE.
=Fire, Slant.= Is when the shot strikes the interior slope of the parapet, forming with it a horizontal angle, not greater than 30°.
=Fire Stone.= A composition placed in a shell with the bursting charge, to set fire to ships, buildings, etc. It is made by stirring nitre, sulphur, antimony, and rosin in a mixture of melted tallow and turpentine. It is cast in molds made of rocket-paper. A priming of fuze composition is driven in a hole to insure its ignition.
=Fire-swab.= The bunch of rope-yarns sometimes secured to the tampion, saturated with water to cool the gun in action, and to swab up any grains of powder.
=Fire, Tables of.= In artillery, are tabulated statements for each piece, showing the range and time of flight for each elevation, charge of powder, and kind of projectile. Their purpose is to assist the artillerist in attaining his object without waste of time and ammunition, and also to regulate his aim when the effect of shot cannot be seen on account of the dust and smoke of the battle-field. The first few shots generally produce a great effect on the enemy, and it is very important that they should be directed with some knowledge of their results, which, in the field, can only be attained by experience, or from the data afforded by a table of fire. Tables of fire for different kinds of cannon may be found in the Ordnance and Artillery Manuals.
=Fire, Vertical.= See FIRE.
=Fire-workers.= In the British service, were formerly subordinate to the fire-master and his mate; had afterwards the rank of youngest lieutenants in the regiment of artillery, but now that rank is abolished, and they are all second lieutenants. They were supposed to be well skilled in every kind of laboratory-work, which knowledge is an essential qualification in every officer of that branch of the service.
=Fireworks.= Are various combustible preparations used in war. See PYROTECHNY.
=Firing.= The act of discharging fire-arms.
=First Sergeant.= The ranking non-commissioned officer in a company. He has immediate charge of all enlisted men of the company and company property; has command of it during formations, and calls the roll. He also makes all details, keeps the roster, etc. See ORDERLY SERGEANT.
=Fishguard.= A seaport town of South Wales, county of Pembroke. About 2¹⁄₂ miles south of this town a French force of 1400 men, under Gen. Tate, landed on February 22, 1797, and next day surrendered to a few militia and volunteers not half their number.
=Fishtail Wind.= A term in target practice with small-arms for a rear wind which is variable in direction.
=Fish Torpedoes.= See TORPEDOES.
=Fissure.= A narrow chasm where a small breach has been made, as in a fort, citadel, etc.
=Five Forks.= A name given to a locality in Dinwiddie Co., Va., the junction of the White Oak and Ford’s road with the one leading to Dinwiddie Court-house. An important battle was fought here April 1, 1865. The possession of this radiating centre was one of great strategic importance, inasmuch as by Ford’s road the Southside Railroad could be reached, and, indeed, the whole country which the intrenched Confederate lines were intended to cover. The attempt to gain possession of this position had been made (March 30-31) by Gen. Sheridan, with momentary success (March 31), during the absence of most of the Confederate force, engaged in fighting Warren on the White Oak road, but which now being recalled, regained possession, driving Sheridan back towards Dinwiddie Court-house. On the morning of April 1 Sheridan renewed the attempt, and after a day of very severe fighting compelled the surrender of nearly all the Confederate force, pursuing such as escaped till after dark. Over 5000 prisoners were captured with 5 guns. The Union loss was not above 1900 all told. The effect of this decisive battle was to determine Lee to abandon Petersburg, which he did undercover of night (April 2), but not before his entire outer line of works had been carried during the day. One week later Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox Court-house.
=Fix Bayonets.= A word of command in the manual exercise, whereby the bayonets are fixed on the rifles.
=Fixed Ammunition.= Consists of a projectile and its cartridge which are attached to the same block of wood called a _sabot_. See ORDNANCE, AMMUNITION FOR.
=Flag, Black.= A flag of a black color, displayed as a sign that no mercy will be shown to the vanquished, or that no quarter will be given.
=Flag, Garrison.= In the U. S. army the garrison flag is the national flag, and is 36 feet fly and 20 feet hoist. It is furnished only to very important posts, or those having large garrisons, and is hoisted only on gala days and great occasions.
=Flag of the Prophet= (_Sanjak-Sheriff_). Is the sacred banner of the Mohammedans. It was originally of a white color, and was composed of the turban of the Koreish, captured by Mohammed. A black flag was, however, soon substituted in its place, consisting of the curtain that hung before the door of Ayeshah, one of the prophet’s wives. This flag is regarded by the Mohammedans as their most sacred relic; it was brought into Europe by Amurath III. It was covered with forty wrappings of silk, deposited in a costly casket, and preserved in a chapel in the interior of the seraglio, where it is guarded by several emirs, with constant prayers. The banner unfolded at the commencement of a war, and likewise carefully preserved, is not the same, although it is believed by the people to be so.
=Flag of Truce.= A white flag carried by an officer sent to communicate with the enemy. The flag signifies his errand, but the enemy are not bound to receive him, though it would be a violation of the rules of war to injure the messenger, unless he persisted in his endeavor to communicate after due warning given. The term is often extended to the party which accompanies the flag, which consists generally of an officer, a trumpeter or bugler, who sounds to attract attention, and sometimes of an additional soldier who carries the flag.
=Flag, Post.= In the U. S. army, is the national flag, and is 20 feet fly and 10 feet hoist; it is furnished to all posts garrisoned by troops, and is hoisted only in pleasant weather.
=Flag, Red.= Is frequently used by revolutionists as an emblem of defiance. It is used in the U. S. service as a danger-signal at target practice, and on a man-of-war as a signal that the ship is receiving or discharging her powder.
=Flags.= See COLORS, STANDARDS, etc.
=Flags.= The national flag of the United States consists of 13 horizontal stripes, alternately red and white; the union to consist of 20 stars, white, in a blue field; one star to be added to the union on the admission of every new State; the addition to be made on the 4th day of July succeeding such admission. There are flags which are symbols of individual authority. Among such are royal standards, flag-officers’ flags, etc. An admiral’s flag is usually the flag of the country which such admiral serves, with the exception of the union. The flag of the admiral, vice-admiral, and rear-admirals of the United States is rectangular and consists of 13 alternate red and white stripes. The admiral hoists this at the main; the vice-admiral at the fore; the rear-admiral at the mizzen. Should there be two rear-admirals present, the junior hoists a flag at the mizzen similar to the one described, with the addition of two stars in the upper left-hand corner. The commodore’s flag differs from that of the admiral’s in form alone, it being a swallow-tail instead of a rectangular. Should the President go afloat, the American flag is carried in the bows of his barge or hoisted at the main of the vessel on board of which he may be. In foreign countries the royal standard is worn at ceremonies in honor of the sovereign or at which the sovereign may be present. The highest flag in the British navy is the anchor and cable, the next is the union, and the lowest the blue. Flags are said to be at half-mast when they are hoisted but half the height at which they are ordinarily worn, and in this position designate mourning. _To strike or lower the flag_, to pull it down upon the cap, in token of respect, submission, or, in an engagement, of surrender. _Dipping the flag_ is a salute to a fort or passing vessel by lowering it slightly and hoisting it again.
=Flag-staff.= The staff on which a flag is fixed.
=Flag, Storm.= In the U. S. army, is the national flag, and is 8 feet fly and 4 feet 2 inches hoist; it is furnished to all occupied military posts and national cemeteries, and will be hoisted in stormy or windy weather. It is also to be used as a recruiting flag.
=Flam.= A peculiar tap upon a drum. This word was formerly made use of in the British service, signifying a particular tap or beat upon the drum, according to which each battalion went through its firings or evolutions.
=Flambeau.= A kind of torch made of thick wicks, covered with wax, and used in the streets at night, at illuminations and in processions.
=Flanchière= (_Fr._). A part of horse armor which covered the flanks and croup as far as the houghs.
=Flanconade.= In fencing, a thrust in the side.
=Flanders.= The principal part of the ancient Belgium, which was conquered by Julius Cæsar, 51 B.C. It became part of the kingdom of France in 843, and was governed by counts subject to the king, from 862 till 1369. Flanders was subjected successively to Burgundy (1384), Austria (1477), and Spain (1555). In 1580 it declared its independence, but afterwards returned to its allegiance to the house of Austria. In 1792 the French invaded imperial Flanders, and occupied it till 1814. In 1814 a portion of Flanders was given to the king of the Netherlands. Since the revolution of 1831, it has belonged to Belgium.
=Flank.= A word of very extensive application in military matters. It literally means sides or ends of any fortification, or encampment, or body of troops. Thus a writer has described flanks as “certain proportions of offensive or defensive forces extended to the right and left of a main body.” In fortification the term means any part of the work defending another by a fire along the outside of its parapet.
=Flank Casemate Carriage.= Is a gun-carriage which is especially adapted to the mounting of the 24-pound iron howitzer in the flanks of casemate-batteries, for defending the ditch.
=Flank Company.= A certain number of men drawn up on the right or left of a battalion. Thus when there are grenadiers they compose the right, and the light infantry the left flank company. Grenadiers and light infantry are generally called flank companies, whether attached or not to their battalions; rifle corps are always flankers.
=Flank, Concave.= Is that which is made in the arc of a semicircle bending outwards.
=Flank, Covered.= The platform of the casemate, which lies hid in the bastion. These retired flanks were a great defense to the opposite bastion and passage of the ditch; because the besiegers could not see nor easily dismount their guns.
=Flank Defense Carriage.= See ORDNANCE, CARRIAGES FOR, SEA-COAST CARRIAGES.
=Flank, Directing.= In drill, that by which companies march,--_i.e._, that at which is placed the guide, who directs and regulates the march.
=Flank En Potence.= Is any part of the right or left wing formed at a projecting angle with the line. See POTENCE.
=Flank Files.= Are the two first men on the right and the two last men on the left of a battalion, company, etc. When a battalion is drawn up three deep, its flank files consist of three men, or, as the French call it, file and demi-file. When four deep, the flank files are termed double files; so that a column formed from any of these alignments will have all its relative flank files, be the depth of formation what it may.
=Flank, Inner.= That which is nearest the point on which a line rests, or which is farthest from the enemy. In drill, it is that nearest the point from which the line is dressed.
=Flank, Leading.= When the line breaks into column in order to attack an enemy, it is the flank which must always preserve the line of _appui_ in all movements in front. The first battalion, or company of every column which conducts, is called the head or leading flank of that column.
=Flank, Oblique.= Or second flank, in fortification; that part of the curtain from whence the face of the opposite bastion may be discovered, and is the distance between the lines _rasant_ and _fichant_, which are rejected by some engineers, as being liable to be ruined at the beginning of a siege, especially when made of sandy earth. This second flank defends very obliquely the opposite face, and is to be used only in a place attacked by an army without artillery.
=Flank of a Bastion.= In fortification, that part which joins the face to the curtain, comprehended between the angle of the curtain and that of the shoulder, and is the principal defense of a place. Its use is to defend the curtain, the flank, and the face of the opposite bastion, as well as the passage of the ditch; and to batter the salient angles of the counterscarp and glacis, from whence the besiegers generally ruin the flanks with their artillery.
=Flank, Outward.= Of a line or battalion, the extreme file on the right or left of a division, subdivision, or section, according to the given front, when the battalion is at close or open column, and which is the farthest wheeling point from line into column, or from column into line. It is likewise called the _reverse_ flank.
=Flank, Prolonged.= In fortification, is the extending of the flank from the angle of the epaule to the exterior side, when the angle of the flank is a right one.
=Flank, Second.= See FLANK, OBLIQUE.
=Flank, To.= In fortification, is to erect a battery which may play upon an enemy’s works on the right or left without being exposed to his line of fire. In evolutions, to take such a position in action as either to assist your own troops, or to annoy those of your enemy by attacking either of his flanks, without exposing yourself to all of his fire. To _outflank_, a manœuvre by which an army, battalion, troop, or company outstretches another, and gets upon both or either of his flanks. In an extensive acceptation of the term, when applied to locality, it means to possess any range or opposite parts, or territory, whence you might invade your neighbors.
=Flanker.= A fortification jutting out so as to command the side or flank of an enemy marching to the assault or attack. Riflemen and all light troops are also called flankers, from the fact of their acting on the flanks.
=Flanker, To= (Fr. _flanquer_). In fortification, to fortify the walls of a city with bulwarks or countermines.
=Flanking.= Is the same in fortification as defending.