Part 96
=Pass of Arms.= In ancient chivalry, a bridge, road, etc., which the knights undertook to defend, and which was not to be passed without fighting the person who kept it. He who was disposed to dispute the pass touched one of the armories of the other knight who held the pass, that were hung on pales, columns, etc., erected for the purpose; and this was a challenge which the other was obliged to accept. The vanquished gave the conqueror such prize as was agreed on.
=Pass, To.= Is to march in review by open order of columns, for the purpose of saluting.
=Passable.= Capable of being passed, traveled, traversed, or the like; as, the roads are not passable for troops.
=Passade=, or =Passado=. In fencing, a push or thrust; also, a sudden movement to the front.
=Passage.= A pass or encounter; as, a passage at arms.
=Passage of Ditches.= In siege operations the passage of a dry ditch consists in the _descent_ (which is by a blindage, if the ditch is not too deep, or a blindage and gallery for deep ditches) and a full sap, which leads from the outlet of the _descent_ to the bottom of the breach. The passage of a wet ditch is more difficult, and specially perilous if the besieged can produce sudden freshets by flood-gates or other contrivance. The method usually followed is to build a dike or bridge of fascines and hurdles across the ditch. The abutment for this bridge is formed by excavating a grand gallery behind the counterscarp and throwing the earth taken from it into the ditch through the outlet of the _descent_. The dike is carried forward from this abutment by sappers, who work on a raft carrying a musket-proof mask on the side of the enemy. A gabionade parapet on the exposed side of the dike serves to protect the men in bringing forward the fascines, hurdles, etc., to extend the dike.
=Passage of Rivers.= The passage is effected by surprise or by main force, and detachments are thrown by one means or the other upon the enemy’s bank of the river before proceeding to the construction of bridges. The passage by force ought always to be favored by diversions upon other points. Infantry cross bridges without keeping step. Cavalry dismount in crossing, leading their horses. Wagons heavily loaded pass at a gallop.
=Passages.= Are openings cut in the parapet of the covered way, close to the traverses, in order to continue the communication through all parts of the covered way. See TRAVERSES.
=Passandeau= (_Fr._). An ancient 8-pounder gun, which was 15 feet long, and weighed about 3500 pounds.
=Passant.= A heraldic term, used to express the attitude of an animal in a walking position, with his head straight before him.
=Passarowitz.= A well-built town of European Turkey, in the province of Servia, 5 miles south of the Danube, and 15 miles east of Semendria. The town is chiefly noteworthy for the treaty which was signed here by Prince Eugène and the grand viziers, July 21, 1718. By this treaty, which put an end to the war undertaken by the Turks against Venice in 1714 for the conquest of the Morea, a truce of twenty-five years was established, and the Banat of Temesvars, the western portion of Wallachia and Servia, the town and territory of Belgrade, and a part of Bosnia, were secured to the house of Austria.
=Passau.= A picturesque, fortified, frontier town of Bavaria, at the confluence of the Inn and the Ilz with the Danube, 90 miles east-northeast from Munich. Fort Oberhaus, on the left bank of the Danube, stands on steep wooded cliffs, at an elevation of upwards of 400 feet, and commands the passage of both the Inn and Danube, besides which the town is further defended by the castle of Niederhause, and by ten detached forts. The treaty whereby religious freedom was established, was ratified here between the emperor Charles V. and the Protestant princes of Germany, July 31, 1552.
=Pass-box.= See IMPLEMENTS.
=Passegardes.= In ancient armor, were ridges on the shoulder-pieces to turn the blow of a lance.
=Passe-Mur.= An ancient 16-pounder gun, 18 feet long, weighing 4200 pounds.
=Passes-Balles= (_Fr._). Boards or machines made of iron or brass, used in disparting cannon, and fitted to every species of caliber.
=Passion Cross.= A cross of the form on which our Saviour suffered, with a long stem and a short traverse near the top. It is of occasional occurrence as a heraldic charge, though less frequent than many other varieties of cross. A passion cross, when elevated on three steps or degrees (which have been said by heralds to represent the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity), is called a Cross Calvary.
=Passive Operations.= Are operations the object of which is solely to repel an attack of the enemy and thus prevent his advance.
=Pass-parole.= An order passed from front to rear of an army by word of mouth.
=Passport.= A document given by the competent officer of a state, which permits the person therein named to pass or travel from place to place by land or water. Also a license granted in time of war for the removal of persons and effects from a hostile country; a safe-conduct.
=Pataremo.= A sort of small swivel artillery, having a movable chamber.
=Patavium= (now _Padova_, or _Padua_). An ancient town of the Veneti in the north of Italy, on the Medoacus Minor, and on the road from Mutina to Altinum. In 302 B.C. it was powerful enough to drive back the Spartan king Cleomenes with great loss when he attempted to plunder the surrounding country. It was plundered by Attila; and in consequence of a revolt of its citizens, it was subsequently destroyed by Agilolf, king of the Longobards, and razed to the ground.
=Patay.= A town of France, department of Loiret, 14 miles northwest of Orleans, where John of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, was present, when the Earl of Richemont signally defeated the English, June 18, 1429. Talbot was taken prisoner, and the valiant Fastolfe was forced to fly. In consequence, Charles VII. of France entered Rheims in triumph, and was crowned July 17, following year, Joan of Arc assisting in the ceremony in full armor, and holding the sword of state.
=Patched-up Peace, The.= In French history, the name given to a treaty of peace between the Duke of Orleans and John of Burgundy, in 1409.
=Paté= (_Fr._). In fortification, a sort of horseshoe, that is, a platform or terre-plein, irregularly built, yet generally constructed in an oval form. It is surrounded by a parapet, without anything to flank it, and having no other defense than what is front or fore right. _Patés_ are usually erected in marshy grounds to cover the gate of a fortified town or place. Also an iron or earthen pot filled with powder and grenades for throwing against besiegers; some were used at Lille in 1708.
=Patereros.= Were small pieces of ordnance, now obsolete, worked on swivels; most commonly used on board of ships, where they were mounted on the gunwale, and discharged showers of old nails, etc., into hostile boats. The French called them Pierriers, from loading them with stones.
=Patience.= The power or faculty of suffering; endurance; the power of expecting long, without rage or discontent; the power of supporting faults or injuries, without revenge; long suffering. In military life, patience is an essential requisite. Without patience half the toils of war would be insupportable; with patience there are scarcely any hardships but what coolness, courage, and ability may overcome. It is one of the greatest virtues, indeed, in an officer or soldier patiently to support, not only the rigor of discipline, but the keen and vexatious circumstances of disappointment.
=Patna=, or =Pattana=. A town of British India, capital of a district of the same name, in the presidency of Bengal, on the right bank of the Ganges, 10 miles east of Dinapore, and 377 miles northwest of Calcutta. Factories were established here at an early period by the British. In 1763 disputes began to arise between Meer Cossim, the nawaub of Bengal and Behar, and the servants of the East India Company, about the transit dues levied on native traders, from which the English claimed exemption. The nawaub for some time refused to accede to these demands; but finally he abolished all the imposts, both on British and native goods, a step which was not desired by the Company, and which must have greatly diminished his revenues. In revenge for this injury, he proceeded in various ways to annoy the British; and at length went so far as to seize some of their boats on the Ganges. On this Mr. Ellis, the chief of the factory at Patna, made an attack on the city and took possession of it, although Meer Cossim soon afterwards recovered it, and forced the British to take refuge in the factory. For four months hostilities continued between the two parties, in the course of which the nawaub was several times defeated, until he became so exasperated at the loss of the city of Monghyr, that he ordered the murder in cold blood of 200 prisoners. On November 6, in the same year, Patna was taken by the British; and in May, 1764, Meer Cossim’s troops were totally defeated under the walls. Since that time the place has remained undisturbed in the hands of the British.
=Patomemeter.= An instrument for measuring the force of currents.
=Patonce, Cross.= In heraldry (Lat. _patens_, “expanding”), a cross with its terminations expanding like early vegetation or an opening blossom.
=Patoo-patoo.= A formidable weapon with sharp edges, used by the Polynesian Islanders and New Zealanders as a sort of battle-axe to cleave the skulls of their enemies.
=Patræ= (now _Patras_). One of the twelve cities of Achaia, was situated west of Rhium, near the opening of the Corinthian Gulf. The town was chiefly of importance as the place from which the Peloponnesians directed their attacks against the opposite coast of Ætolia. Patræ was one of the four towns which took the leading part in founding the second Achæan League. Patræ assisted the Ætolians against the Gauls in 279 B.C.
=Patriarchal Cross.= A cross which, like the patriarchal crosier, has its upright part crossed by two horizontal bars, the upper shorter than the lower. A cross patriarchal fimbriated or was a badge of the Knights Templar.
=Patrick, St., Order of.= A national order of knighthood for Ireland, established by George III. on February 5, 1783, and enlarged in 1833. As originally constituted, it consisted of the sovereign, the grand master (who was always the lord-lieutenant of Ireland for the time being), and 15 knights. By the statutes of 1833 the number of knights was increased to 22. The collar of the order (of gold) is composed of roses alternating with harps, tied together with a knot of gold, the roses being enameled alternately white within red, and red within white, and in the centre is an imperial crown surmounting a harp of gold, from which the badge is suspended. The _badge_ or _jewel_ is of gold, and oval; surrounding it is a wreath of shamrock proper on a gold field; within this is a band of sky-blue enamel charged with the motto of the order, _Quis Separabit_ MDCCLXXXIII. in gold letters; and within this hand a saltire gules (the cross of St. Patrick) surmounted by a shamrock or trefoil slipped vert, having on each of its leaves an imperial crown or. The field of the cross is either argent or pierced, and left open. A sky-blue _ribbon_, worn over the right shoulder, sustains the badge when the collar is not worn. The _star_, worn on the left side, differs from the badge only in being circular in place of oval, and in substituting for the exterior wreath of shamrocks eight rays of silver, four rays of which are larger than the other four. The _mantle_ is of rich sky-blue tabinet, lined with white silk, and fastened by a cordon of blue silk and gold with tassels. On the right shoulder is the _hood_, of the same materials as the _mantle_. The order is indicated by the initials K.P.
=Patriot.= A sincere and unbiased friend to his country; an advocate for general civilization, uniting in his conduct through life, moral rectitude with political integrity. Such a character is seldom found in any country; but the specious appearance of it is to be seen everywhere, most especially in Europe. It is difficult to say how far the term can be used in a military sense, although it is not uncommon to read of a citizen soldier, and a _patriot_ soldier. Individually considered the term may be just, but it is hardly to be understood collectively.
=Patrol.= To go the rounds in a camp or garrison; to march about and observe what passes as a guard. To pass round as a sentinel; as, to patrol the city.
=Patrolling.= Performing the duties of a patrol.
=Patrols.= A patrol is a detachment which is employed to obtain information respecting the enemy’s movements and position, and relating to the nature of the country over which the army has to move, and to keep open the communications between the different portions of a command. Patrols are generally composed entirely of cavalry, although they are sometimes composed of infantry and cavalry; and in very much broken and obstructed ground, it might be necessary that they contain only infantry.
=Patte= (_Fr._). A term used in mining; when a well or excavation is made in loose or crumbling earth, and it becomes necessary to frame it in, the rafters must be laid horizontally to support the boards in proportion as the workmen gain depth. The ends of the rafters that are first laid run 10 or 12 inches beyond the border of the well, for the purpose of sustaining the platform. These supports are called _oreilles_; consequently, that every frame may be supported the second is attached or made firm to the first by means of the ends of boards which are nailed together. In this manner the third is joined to the second, and the fourth to the third. These ends are called _pattes_, or handles.
=Pattée, Cross=, or =Cross Formeé= (Lat. _patulus_, “spreading”). In heraldry, a cross with its arms expanding towards the ends, and flat at their outer edges.
=Patte d’Oie= (_Fr._). A term used in mining to describe three small branches which are run out at the extremity of a gallery. They are so called from their resemblance to the foot of a goose.
=Pattern Regiment.= A phrase of distinction which is applied to a corps of officers and soldiers who are remarkable for their observance of good order and discipline.
=Paulus Hook.= A point on the Jersey shore which ran into the Hudson River near where the Pavonia ferries now are. The first settlement was made here in 1633. A British fort erected at this point was taken on the morning of August 19, 1779, by the Americans under Maj. Harry Lee, who made a descent on it by way of the Point of Rocks, and captured 179 prisoners, a number of guns, and a quantity of stores.
=Pavade.= Formerly a short dagger was so called in Scotland.
=Pavecheur=, or =Pavesier=. An ancient militia who carried the (_pavois_) shield.
=Pavia= (anc. _Ticinum_). A city of Northern Italy, capital of the province of the same name, on the left bank of the Ticino, 20 miles south of Milan, and 3 miles above the confluence of the Ticino and the Po. Pavia was founded by the Ligurii; it was sacked by Brennus and by Hannibal; burned by the Huns; conquered by the Romans, and became a place of considerable importance at the end of the Roman empire. Then it came into the possession of the Goths and Lombards, and the kings of the latter made it the capital of the kingdom of Italy. It became independent in the 12th century, then, weakened by civil wars, it was conquered by Matthew Visconti in 1345. Since that period, its history is merged in that of the conquerors of Lombardy. Here, in 1525, the French were defeated by the Imperialists, and their king taken prisoner; but in 1527, and again in the following year it was taken and laid waste by the French. It was stormed and pillaged by Napoleon in 1796, and came into the possession of Austria by the peace of 1814. Since 1859 it has been included within the reorganized kingdom of Italy.
=Pavilion.= A tent raised on posts; a flag, colors, ensign, or banner; in heraldry, a covering in form of a tent, investing the armories of kings.
=Pavilion, To.= To furnish or cover with tents; to shelter with a tent.
=Pavise= (written also _Pavais_, _Pavese_, and _Pavesse_). A large shield covering the whole body, having an inward curve, managed by a pavisor, who with it screened an archer.
=Pavisor.= In military antiquity, a soldier who managed a pavise.
=Pavon.= An ancient military flag shaped like a right-angled triangle.
=Pawnees.= A warlike tribe of Indians who formerly resided in Nebraska, but are now located in Indian Territory. Their numbers have been greatly reduced, owing to their wars with the Sioux, with whom they maintained a hereditary warfare. They now number about 2000 souls, and are divided in four bands.
=Pay.= Is the stipend or salary allowed for each individual serving in the army.
=Pay Bills.= In the British service, accounts regularly tendered by captains of troops or companies of the money required by them for the effectives of such troop or company.
=Pay, Colonial.= In the British service is a certain allowance which is made to troops serving in the colonies.
=Pay Department.= Is that department of a government which takes charge of all matters relating to the pay of the army. In the U. S. army the pay department consists of 1 paymaster-general, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of a brigadier-general; 2 assistant paymaster-generals, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of colonels of cavalry; 2 deputy paymaster-generals, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of lieutenant-colonels of cavalry; and 50 paymasters, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of majors of cavalry.
=Pay, Half-.= Sec HALF-PAY.
=Pay, Full.= See FULL PAY.
=Pay, Staff.= Is the pay and allowances which are made to officers serving on the staff of an army, or in any particular division or department.
=Paymaster-General.= In the U. S. army, is the chief officer of the pay department, with the rank of brigadier-general. Under the direction of the Secretary of War, the paymaster-general assigns paymasters to districts; he receives from the treasurer all the moneys which are intrusted to him for the purpose of paying the pay, the arrears of pay, etc., appertaining to the army. He is also charged with all necessary instructions to his subordinates in reference to the supply and distribution of funds for the payment of the army, and all other things appertaining to the financial duties of his department and the accountability of its officers. In these and all other matters having relation specially to the internal administration of the pay department, the correspondence and orders is direct between the paymaster-general and his subordinates, and between the department and district chiefs and their subordinates.
=Paymasters.= Are officers appointed in the army for the purpose of keeping its pay accounts, and the disbursing of moneys in payment of troops. In the U. S. service it is the duty of paymasters to pay all the regular and other troops; and to insure punctuality and responsibility, correct reports shall be made to the paymaster-general once in two months, showing the disposition of the funds previously transmitted, with accurate estimates for the next payment of such regiment, garrison, or department, as may be assigned to each. In the British service a paymaster is attached to each regiment.
=Paymaster-Sergeant.= In the English army, a non-commissioned officer who assists the paymaster.
=Pay-roll.= A roll or list of persons entitled to payment, with the sums which are to be paid on them. In the U. S. army, commanders of companies are required to prepare at each regular muster, beside one muster-roll, three copies of the “muster- and pay-roll,” two for the paymaster, and one to be retained in the company files. When the paymaster’s rolls have been computed and returned to the company for examination and signature, the calculations thereon will be transcribed on the triplicate muster- and pay-roll, under the direction of or by the company commander, who is responsible for the correct performance of this duty.
=Pay-Sergeant.= In the British service, a sergeant who, on the responsibility of the captain of a troop, battery, or company, keeps the men’s accounts. He is generally, but not invariably, the color-sergeant in the infantry, or the troop or battery sergeant-major in the cavalry or artillery.
=Pea Ridge.= A range of hills in Benton Co., Ark., which gives its name to the battle fought here March 6-8, 1862, between the Union forces under Gen. Curtis and the Confederates under Van Dorn, in which the latter were defeated with loss of over 2500 killed, wounded, and captured.
=Peabody-Martini Rifle.= A breech-loading rifle invented by an American--Peabody--and improved by a Swiss. It is called _Martini-Henry_ in England, in which country it is the official arm. More than half a million of these rifles were manufactured for the Turkish government during the late Russo-Turkish war by the Providence Tool Company of Rhode Island. The gun has a great reputation on account of its long range.
=Peace.= Freedom from war, exemption from, or cessation of, hostilities. This condition of affairs is effected and maintained by treaties between independent powers.
=Peace Establishment.= The reduced number of effective men in the army during a period of peace.
=Peal.= A long sound, or a succession of long sounds, as of cannon, etc.
=Pean= (Old Fr. _pannes_, “furs”). One of the furs borne in heraldry, differing from ermine only in the tinctures,--the ground being sable and the spots of gold.
=Pea-rifle.= A rifle of small bore carrying a ball of the size of a pea.