The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-07-24

A Popular Explanation OF War Terms
and hraSes.


and Phrases.
A "DivisiOn" consists of force amounting
to several thousand men, and is composed OF
two or more brigades, as brigade is formed
by several Regiments" which regiments con-
sists of a certain number CT companies. A
proportion of artillery is usually attached to
each division, with one or more batteries, so
that division can act as a small army, COM
pete in ITSELF 1t is Lieutant- Generals
command, and each brigade is under Major
General.
The "Staff " consists of the Generals and
AideS-de-camp, BrigadeMajOrs, Assistant
Adjutant, and Quarter Master-Generals
When civilians read that divisions, brigade,
or regiment, moved in "close column "open
colun D." or column at quarter distance the
term, perhaps, conveys no definite idea to the
u1nitlated But if they understand that a
CLOSE Colum' of q regiment is formed by the
companies of which it is composed being
drawn up i'm rear or close behind each other,
so that a solid square can be formed in few
seconds, or line formed on any named COM
pany by the remaining companies deploying on
the company indicated, which company stands
fast during the movement of the Others, the
meaning is at once obvious.
Column at Quarter Distance" has an
open space between the divisions and compa-
MES Of which it is composed of One-fOurth of
the ground occupied by each, so that by closing
the first and second to the front, and moving
up the two rear companies, while the remain
der wheel outward by sections, square, four
deep, is formed.
An open Column is when the companies
of q regiment are placed behind each other
with intervening spaces, sufficient to allow
each company to wheel on its flank or pivot,
and thus form into line, &c.
An "Echelon Movement" is term applied
to an oblique line of march, which movement
is accomplished by wheeling the companies
given number of PAGES, before marching, ac-
cording to the degree of obliquity required
"Guns"-a term generally applied to field
artillery, which mostly consists of six, nine, and
twelve Founders, with a few howitzers, which
latter are something between q mortar and a
gun-half brother to the former, and cousin
german to the latter. The howitzer can throw
spherical case shot, small shells, &c
Shells" are hollow cast iron globes, filled
with gun powder, &C. in which q fuse is insert
ed, so that when it burns down to the powder
an explosion takes place, and the shell bursts,
scattering the shattered fragments in every d.
rectiOn.
"Guns of Position are larger than field
guns and are mostly used in places where an
enemy occupies defensive position. Being
more cumbersome than field guns, they cannot
be moved with the same celebrity as the smaller
cannon, and are therefore not so generally
used.
"Siege Guns" are of heavier metal and larger
calibre than either field guns or guns of posi-
ton, and consequently throw larger prOjecties.
A Field Gun" generally consists of six guns
with ammunition wagons, and the requisite num-
Der of horses to draw them, and the proper
number of officers and men to work them.
"a Wing" of a regiment implies one-half:
thus every regiment has right ahd left wing.
The same term may be applied also to an ar
my.
"Outlyig Picquet," or Picket, is small
BODY of men commanded by On officer. Its
place is in front of all army to prevent surprise.
Picquets are constantly on the alert and sleep
not This duty generally commences at sunset,
and terminates at full daylight.
"Inlying Picquet" is q similar force which
remains in the camp, readily accoutred to tIrn
out on the slightest alarm.
"A Covering Party generally consists of an
officer and forty or fifty men, who take up a
position in one of the principal trenches, and
protect the workmen employed therein from
molestati0n.
Trenches" are long narrow excavations,
some feet in depth, the earth from which is
thrown up towards the enemy, so rs to afford
shelter to the troops who guard them during
the night against surprise, &c. Duty in the
trenches is always unpleasant, and in cold
weather particularly SO, as the men have to re-
main quiet, or they would bring heavy IRE
on them, and thus increase the danger which
in trench duty they are more or lie, s exposed.
Although trench and picquet dutis are the
f~l xho lo< If Asnv
vet. in the British army, the officers and men
80 employed, even for months, seldom Obtain
credit or promotion for their services. But
the French act very differently to their troops,
when engaged in such dangerous and fatiguing
duties, for we generally hear that General Can
robert has promoted and rewarded with the
Legion of Honor, many brave men for their
gallant conduct in the trenches.
"Gabions are baskets of cylindrical form
filed with earth, and which are placed oppo-
site the enemy's batteries, as protection to
the men when they first break ground, and
commence to entrench themselves.
The term Fortress" is applied to fortified
Mace on an extensive scale, that of Fort to
a smaller fertilization.
"A Basti0n" has two or more faces of such
q form that, when several of them are joined
together complete pentagon is the result
II il called the system of reciprocal defense"
as one projecting bastion in the pentagon de-
fend, another A ditch, either wet or CRY,
adds to the difficulty of approach.
"Lunettes" are small works usually raised
in front of sally-ports, &c, and wne1 nilea
with men, are capable OF Offering cons'oerA"'s
resistance. u-
A "Redau' is a triangular work, generally
constructed in front Of more EXTENDED lorun-
cation. which it partially protects, and renders