Part 55

=Inescutcheon.= In heraldry, a small escutcheon borne within a shield.

=Inexperienced.= Not having experience; unskilled; as, an inexperienced general.

=Inexpugnable.= Incapable of being subdued by force; impregnable.

=Infamous Behavior.= In the British service a term peculiarly applicable to military life when it is affected by dishonorable conduct; on conviction of which, an officer is ordered to be cashiered. Infamy may be attached to an officer or soldier in a variety of ways; and some countries are more tenacious than others on this head. Among European nations it has always been deemed infamous and disgraceful to abandon the field of action or to desert the colors. In Germany a mark of infamy was attached to the character of every man who was found guilty of misbehavior before the enemy. Among the Romans it was considered as infamous and disgraceful to be taken prisoner, and a Roman soldier was impressed with the idea that he must either conquer or die on the field. There are various occasions in which the conduct of an officer may render him unworthy of the situation he fills, such as cheating at play, taking unfair advantages of youth, imposing upon the credulity or confidence of a tradesman, habitual drunkenness, flagrant breaches of hospitality, etc.

=Infantry= (Lat. _infans_, “child,” or “servant,” applied to servants who went on foot, and _infanterie_, to foot-soldiers generally). Is that portion of a military establishment using small-arms and equipped for marching and fighting on foot, in contradistinction to artillery and cavalry. It is the oldest of the “three arms” into which armies are conventionally divided; was the favorite of the Greeks, the Gauls, the Germans, and the Franks, and was that mainly with which Rome conquered the world. Under Grecian and Roman civilization it attained pre-eminence as the _arm of battle_, but fell into contempt and comparative desuetude early in the Middle Ages, and did not emerge from that obscurity till the decline of the feudal system. It was first revived by the Swiss, who, armed with the pike, withstood the most famous chivalry of Europe. Afterwards the Spanish infantry, armed with the musket, and led by Alva and the Duke of Parma, Cortez and Pizarro, became the terror of two continents. The other states of Europe were not slow in learning the lesson. Infantry steadily increased in power and importance from the first years of the 14th century, and is now recognized as constituting the principal strength of military organizations. This importance results from the fact that it can be used everywhere, “in mountains or on plains, in woody or open countries, in cities or in fields, on rivers or at sea, in the redoubt or in the attack on the breach.” It is the self-sustaining arm in the field of battle, and is, moreover, less expensive, man for man, than its auxiliaries.

=Infantry Exercise.= The use of the rifle, and manœuvres for regiments of infantry, according to the regulations issued by the War Department.

=Infantry, Heavy-armed.= Among the ancients were such as wore a complete suit of armor, and engaged with broad shields and long spears. They were the flower and strength of the Grecian armies, and had the highest rank of military honor.

=Infantry, Light.= Came into use after the year 1656. They had no camp equipage to carry, and their arms and accoutrements were much lighter than the common infantry, or battalion men; they were used as skirmishers, etc.

=Infantry, Light-armed.= Among the ancients, were designed for skirmishes, and for fighting at a distance. Their weapons were arrows, darts, or slings.

=Infantry Tactics.= See TACTICS.

=Inferior.= In a military sense means simply junior in rank, having a lower rank.

=Infest.= To trouble greatly; to disturb; to annoy; to harass; as, the sea is infested with pirates; parties of the enemy infest the coast.

=Infile.= To arrange in a file or rank; to place in order. This term is obsolete.

=Inflammation.= When grains of powder are united to form a charge, and fire is communicated to one of them, the heated and expansive gases evolved insinuate themselves into the interstices of the charge, envelop the grains, and ignite them, one after the other. This propagation of ignition is called _inflammation_, and its velocity the _velocity of inflammation_. It is much greater than that of combustion, and it should not be confounded with it. The _velocity of inflammation_ of powder compressed by pounding is about .64 inch, while that of mealed powder in the same condition is only .45 inch. Inflammation, in the study of gunpowder, is the spread of the flame from one grain to another--as opposed to ignition; the setting on fire of a certain point of the charge.

=Informant.= In case a civil person is the complainant, he becomes the principal witness before a court-martial, and after giving his evidence may remain in court, in order that the judge-advocate may refer to him.

=Informers.= In the British service, were soldiers who gave information of false musters, or of pay illegally detained; and were, for said services, entitled to their discharge.

=Ingauni.= A Ligurian tribe who formerly inhabited the sea-coast and adjoining mountains at the foot of the Maritime Alps, on the west side of the Gulf of Genoa. They are mentioned as being engaged in hostilities with a neighboring tribe, the Epanterii, on the occasion of the landing of Mago, the brother of Hannibal, B.C. 205. They were several times engaged in wars with the Romans, but were finally defeated by the pro-consul, Æmilius Paullus, in a decisive engagement (losing 15,000 killed and 2500 prisoners), which resulted in their ultimate submission to the Roman sway.

=Inglorious.= Shameful; disgraceful; ignominious; as, he charged his troops with inglorious flight.

=Inimical.= Hostile.

=Initial Velocity.= In England the term _muzzle velocity_ is frequently used. In gunnery, the initial velocity of a projectile is the velocity at the muzzle of the piece, and is determined by the use of the ballistic pendulum, the gun pendulum, the electro-ballistic machines, the Schultz chronoscope, or the Le Boulengé chronograph; the two last being now generally used in the U. S. service. The various plans in use differ only in the manner of recording and keeping the time of flight. The initial velocity of a shot may be ascertained by firing the gun, the axis being horizontal, at a target and measuring the _distance_ of the point struck below the point where the axis of the gun produced would pierce the target. _This_ is the vertical distance fallen through by the ball in the time of passage from the muzzle to the target, and the time in which it falls through this distance is given by the formula

(2_s_) _t_ = √(----) ( _g_)

in which _t_ represents the time, _s_ the vertical space fallen through, and _g_ the force of gravity. The distance to the target divided by this _time_ gives the initial velocity approximately. Practically, this method is only applicable to large breech-loading cannon, which have neither windage nor vibration in the barrel to affect the angle of departure of the projectile. Smooth-bores or muzzle-loading rifles are subject to the first cause of error; the first-named guns in a great degree, and small-arms to vibrations not yet fully investigated, which cause a sensible difference between the axis of the piece as pointed and the line of fire. The causes that affect initial velocity are the weight of the charge, the size and position of the vent, the windage, the length of the bore, the form of the chamber, the diameter and density of the projectile, the windage of the cartridge; the form, size, density, and dryness of the grains of powder; and the barometric, thermometric, and hygrometric states of the atmosphere. See VELOCITY.

=Injuries to Cannon.= Brass cannon are little subject to external injury caused by service, except from the bending of the trunnions sometimes, after long service or heavy charges. Internal injuries are caused by the action of the elastic fluids developed in the combustion of the powder, or by the action of the shot in passing out of the bore. These effects generally increase with the caliber of the piece. The principal injury of the first kind is the cutting away of the metal of the upper surface of the bore over the seat of the shot. The injuries of the second kind are, the _lodgment of the shot_,--a compression of the metal on the lower side of the bore, at the seat of the shot, which is caused by the pressure of the gas in escaping over the top of the shot. There is a corresponding _burr_ in front of the lodgment, and the motion therefore given to the shot causes it to strike alternately on the top and bottom of the bore, producing other _enlargements_, generally _three_ in number, the first on the upper side a little in advance of the trunnions, the second on the lower side about the astragal, the third in the upper part of the muzzle. It is chiefly from this cause that brass guns become unserviceable. _Scratches_, caused by the fragments of a broken shot, or the roughness of an imperfect one. A piece is said to be _honeycombed_ when the surface of the bore is full of small holes and cavities. This is due to the melting and volatilization of a portion of tin in the alloy, tin being much more fusible than copper. Iron cannon are subject to the above defects in a less degree than brass, except the corrosion of the metal, by which the vent is rendered unserviceable from enlargement. The one cause of injury to iron cannon is the rusting of the metal, producing a roughness and enlargement of the bore and an increase of any cavities or honeycombs which may exist in the metal.

Iron cannon, however, are subject to a peculiar erosion by the gases, which Prof. Horsford explains by supposing that under the enormous tension and heat the sulphur in the gases unites with the iron, producing a friable sulphide of iron, which is successively formed and swept off by the gases. Wrought-iron guns are peculiarly subject to this erosion, cast-iron and steel less so. The amount of erosion is dependent upon the velocity with which the gases pass over the surface of the bore. In rifled wrought-iron guns having windage this action is fully illustrated, and the gun is soon disabled. The strong preference in many countries for steel as a bore lining is thus explained. By the use of expanding projectiles this action is largely prevented, the sabot acting as a gas-check. This system of projectiles is rapidly gaining favor for this and other reasons.

=Inkerman.= A small Tartar village in the Crimea, situated near the eastern extremity of the harbor of Sebastopol. It was once a celebrated city, and has numerous caverns cut in the rock, supposed to be the work of the monks in the Middle Ages. Near this place, November 5, 1854, was fought a battle between the allied English and French forces on the one side, and the Russians on the other, the former amounting to 25,000 or 30,000, the latter about 60,000. The Russians began the attack at dawn of day upon the intrenched lines of the English; but after a fierce and sanguinary contest of many hours, inflicting great loss on both sides, the Russians were finally driven from the field.

=Inlist.= See ENLISTMENT.

=Inlying Picket.= A body of infantry or cavalry in campaign, detailed to march, if called upon, and held ready for that purpose in camp or quarters.

=Inner.= One of the circular rings on the Creedmoor target; a shot striking in this space counts three.

=Inniskilliners=, or =Enniskilliners=. In the British service, the officers and soldiers of the 6th Dragoons and the 27th Foot are so called, from the two regiments having been originally raised at Enniskillen (or Inniskillen), a town of Ulster, where the inhabitants distinguished themselves in favor of King William against James II.

=Innuit.= A name given by some ethnologists to the Indian races inhabiting the northwestern coast of North America. They differ in many respects from the Indians of the interior and farther south. The Aleuts and Esquimos are not included in the term.

=Inofficial.= Not official; not proceeding from the proper officer; not clothed with the usual forms of authority, or not done in an official character; not required by or appropriate to the duties of any office; as, inofficial intelligence.

=Inquiry, Board of.= A term used in contradistinction to a court-martial, to signify the meeting of a certain number of officers (who are not sworn) for the purpose of ascertaining facts that may afterwards become a matter of investigation on oath. There are also courts of inquiry; such courts in the armies of Europe, it would seem, derived their origin from the prerogative of the sovereign, and became part of the military judicature by custom and not by express law. From this fact it has been considered that the exercise of this authority, instead of being regarded as an assumption of power, is a favor to the accused, and it is thus stated by Capt. Simmons in his work on courts-martial. For the army of the United States, courts of inquiry have been specially authorized by legal enactment. (See APPENDIX, ARTICLES OF WAR, 115 to 121.) The origin and purposes of such courts would naturally lead to the conclusion that they are of the essence of high command; and therefore the right to convoke them, under all the legal restrictions, is properly confined to the President of the United States, a general commanding an army, or a colonel commanding a department; and in the cases of enlisted men, the commanding officer of the regiment. See COURT OF INQUIRY.

=Inroad.= The entrance of an enemy into a country with purposes of hostility; a sudden or desultory incursion or invasion; attack; encroachment.

=Inroll.= See ENROLL.

=Insconced.= In the military art, when any part of an army has fortified itself with a sconce, or small work, in order to defend some pass, etc., it is said to be insconced. See ENSCONCE.

=Inscribe.= To mark with letters, characters, or words, as, to inscribe the name of the battle on their colors.

=Insecure.= Not effectually guarded or protected; unsafe; exposed to danger or loss.

=Inspect.= To view and examine officially; as, troops, arms, etc.

=Inspection.= A strict examination; a close survey. It is of various kinds, and embraces general, regimental, and troop or company duties. A general inspection is made from time to time by inspectors-general designated by the commanding generals of military divisions or departments. Every regiment on this occasion is minutely looked into, and a faithful account is delivered by each commanding officer of the actual state of his regiment. The interior economy of the corps is not only investigated, but the discipline of the men is likewise examined.

=Inspection of Cannon, Instruments for.= These are used to verify the dimensions of cannon, and to detect the presence and measure the size of cavities in the metal. The _star-gauge_ is an instrument for measuring the diameter of the bore at any point. The _cylinder-staff_ is used to measure the length of the bore. It is supported by a rest of a T-form at the muzzle, and the extremity inserted in the gun is armed with a _measuring-point_ and a _guide-plate_. The _cylinder-gauge_ is a cylinder of cast iron, turned to the exact or true diameter of the bore. When used it is attached to the end of the cylinder-staff. The _searcher_ consists of four flat springs turned up at the end, and attached to a socket which is screwed on to the end of the cylinder-staff. It is used to feel for cavities in the surface of the bore. The _trunnion-gauge_ verifies the diameters of the trunnions and rimbases. The _trunnion-square_ is used to verify the position of the trunnions with regard to the bore. The _trunnion-rule_ measures the distance of the trunnions from the rear of the base-ring. _Calipers_, for measuring exterior diameters. A _standard-rule_, for verifying other instruments. The _vent-gauges_ are two pointed pieces of steel wire, 0.005 inch greater and less than the true diameter of the vent, to verify its size. The _vent-searcher_ is a hooked wire, used to detect cavities in the vent. A _rammer-head_, shaped to the form of the bottom of the bore, and furnished with a staff, is used to ascertain the interior position of the vent. A _wooden rule_, to measure exterior lengths. A _mirror_, a _wax taper_, _beeswax_; _rammer_, _sponge_, and _priming-wire_. _Figure_ and _letter-stamps_, to affix the required marks. The objects of inspecting cannon are to verify their dimensions, particularly those which affect the accuracy of the fire, and the relation of the piece to its carriage, and to detect any defects of metal and workmanship that would be likely to impair their strength and endurance.

=Inspection of Projectiles.= The principal points to be observed in inspecting shot and shells are, to see that they are of proper size in all their parts; that they are made of suitable metal; and that they have no defects, concealed or otherwise, which will endanger their use or impair the accuracy of their fire.

_Inspection of Shot._--The instruments are one _large_ and one _small_ gauge, and one _cylinder-gauge_; the cylinder-gauge has the same diameter as the large gauge; it is made of cast iron, and is 5 calibers long. There are also, one _hammer_ with a conical point, six _steel punches_, and one _searcher_ made of wire. The shot should be inspected before they become rusty; after being well cleaned each shot is placed on a table and examined by the eye, to see that its surface is smooth and that the metal is sound and free from seams, flaws, and blisters. If cavities or small holes appear on the surface, strike the point of the hammer or punch into them, and ascertain their depth with the searcher; if the depth of the cavity exceeds 0.2 inch, the shot is rejected; and also if it appears that an attempt has been made to conceal such defects by filling them up with nails, cement, etc. The shot must pass in every direction through the large gauge, and not at all through the small one; the founder should endeavor to bring the shot up as near as possible to the _large gauge_, or to the true diameter. After having been thus examined the shot are passed through the _cylinder-gauge_, which is placed in an inclined position, and turned from time to time to prevent its being worn into furrows; _shot_ which _slide_ or _stick_ in the cylinder are rejected. Shot are proved by dropping them from a height of 20 feet on a block of iron, or rolling them down an inclined plane of that height against another shot at the bottom of the plane. The average weight of the shot is deduced from that of three parcels of 20 to 50 each, taken indiscriminately from the pile; some of those which appear to be the smallest should also be weighed, and they are rejected if they fall short of the weight expressed by their caliber more than _one-thirty-second_ part. They almost invariably exceed that weight.

_Inspection of Grape- and Canister-shot._--The dimensions are verified by means of a large and small gauge attached to the same handle. The surface of the shot should be smooth and free from seams.

_Inspection of Hollow Projectiles._--The inspecting instruments are a _large_ and _small gauge_ for each caliber, and a _cylinder-gauge_ for shells of 8 inches and under. _Calipers_ for measuring the thickness of shells at the sides. _Calipers_ to measure the thickness at the bottom. _Gauges_ to verify the dimensions of the fuze-hole and the thickness of the metal at the fuze-hole. A _pair of hand-bellows_; a _wooden plug_ to fit the fuze-hole, and bored through to fit the nozzle of the bellows. A _hammer_, a _searcher_, a _cold chisel_, _steel punches_.

_Inspection._--The surface of the shell and its exterior dimensions are examined as in the case of shot. The shell is next struck with the hammer, to judge by the sound whether it is free from cracks; the position and dimensions of the ears are verified; the thickness of the metal is then measured at several points on the great circle perpendicular to the axis of the fuze-hole. The diameter of the fuze-hole, which should be accurately reamed, is then verified, and the soundness of the metal about the inside of the hole is ascertained by inserting the finger. The shell is now placed on a trivet, in a tub containing water deep enough to cover it nearly to the fuze-hole; the bellows and plug are inserted into the fuze-hole, and the air forced into the shell; if there be any holes in the shell, the air will rise in bubbles through the water. This test gives another indication of the soundness of the metal, as the parts containing cavities will dry more slowly than other parts. The mean weight of shells is ascertained in the same manner as that of shot. Shot and shells rejected in the inspection are marked with an X made with a cold chisel,--on shot near the gate, and on shells near the fuze-hole.

=Inspector-General.= A staff-officer of an army, whose duties are those of inspection, and embrace everything relative to organization, recruiting, discharge, administration, accountability for money and property, instruction, police, and discipline. In the French army, a certain number of general officers are annually designated to make inspections.

=Inspector-General of the Cavalry.= In the British service, a general officer whose particular duty is to inspect all cavalry regiments, to report the state of the horses, and to receive specific accounts from the different corps of their actual state. He communicates directly and confidentially with the commander-in-chief. Inspector-general of the recruiting service is an officer of rank, through whom the field-officers of districts, and colonels of regiments (when they personally manage the recruiting service of their own corps), transmit their several returns to the adjutant-general’s office.

=Inspector-General’s Department.= In the United States, the law provides for one inspector-general, with the rank of brigadier-general; two inspectors-general, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel; and two with the rank of major. Also, that the Secretary of War may, in addition, detail officers of the line, not to exceed four, to act as inspectors-general.

=Installation.= The act of investing any one with a military order.

=Instruction.= The education or training of soldiers in military duties. In the U. S. service the colonel has general charge of the instruction of his regiment.

=Instructions.= Military directions or orders.

=Instruments, Military Musical.= The instruments which are peculiar to the cavalry of most nations are the trumpet and bugle. In France, dragoon regiments in general formerly adopted the drum in common with the infantry; they now use the trumpet for garrison, and the bugle for field service. A certain number of fifers are likewise allowed in foot regiments. In the U. S. army, the drum, fife, and bugle are used by foot, and the trumpet by mounted troops. There is allowed a band of musicians to each regiment, which usually serve at regimental headquarters, and is partly maintained by the regimental fund. (See FUND.) There is also a band employed at the West Point Military Academy, which is maintained by the government. In the U. S. navy there is a band allowed to each commander-in-chief of a fleet, which is also maintained by the general government.