Smyrna times., 1855-08-15
Explanation of war Terms.

several regiments, which Regiments " con-
slsts OF certain number of companies. A pro-
portion OF artillery is usually attached to each
division, with one or more batteries, so that
division can act as small army, complete in it.
sell. 1t IS Major-General's command, and
each brigade is under Brigadier- General.
The Etat consists of the Generals and their
Aldes-de-camp, Brigade Majors, Assistant Ad-
Jnlant, and Quartermaster-Ge General
When civilians read that division brigade
or regiment moved in close column" "open
column, or column at quarter distance" the
term, perhaps, conveys no definite idea to the
unlnitlaied. But if they understand that a
A." Close Column - of a regiment is formed bv
the companies of which it is composed being
drawn up IN rear or close behind each other.
so that solid square can be formed in few
! seconds, or line formed Oh any named com
pany by the remaining companies, deployinr
on the company indicated, which company
stands fast during the movement of the others,
the meaning is at vnce obvious.
A Column at Quarter Distance has an omen
space between the divisions and companies 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 remainder wheel out
ward by sections, square, four deep, is form
cd
An Open COlUmn, is when the companies of
a 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 Echct0n Movement is a term applied to
an obllque line Of march, which movement is
accomplished by wheeling the companies a
given number OF pacts before marching, accor-
dung to the degree of ObliQuity required.
6"nS' a term generally applied to field ar
tilIery, which mostly consists of SIX nine, and
twelve Founders. with "a few howitzers, which
latter are something between a mortar and a
gun-half brother to the former and cousin GER
man to the latter The howitzer can throw
spherical case shot, small Shells &c.
Sheds are hollow cast iron globes filled with
gunpowdcr, &c, in which fuse is inserted. so
that when it burns down to the powder an ex-
ploson takes place, and the shell bursts, scat
terIng the shattered fragments in every direc-
ton.
Guns Of Position are larger than field guns.
and are mostly used in Places where an ene-
my occupies defensive position. Being more
cumbersome than field guns, thew 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 lar
ger cahbre than either field guns or runs of
position, and consequently throw large proiec-
tiles. :" Field Battery" generally consists
OF SIX guns, with ammunition wagons, and the
requisite number of horses to draw them. and
the proper number Of officers and men to work
them.
Wing of regiment implies e-half: thus
every regiment has right and LETT wing
/ The same term may be applied also to army.
Ouuyh9 Plcqnct, or Picket, isa small BODY
OF men, commanded by an officer. Its place is
In 'front.' OF an army, to prevent surprise Pic.
quets are constantly on the alert, and sleep
not. This duty generally commences at sun
set, and terminates after full daylight.
htying PicqKet is a similar force, which re-
mains IN camp, ready accouterted TO turn out
on the slightest alarm. .
a Corertn9 Party generally consists of an
offlcer and forty or fifty men, who take up
posltlon IN front OF the principal trenches, and
protect the workmen employed therein from
molestatiOn.
trenches are long narrow excavations, some
feet IN depth, the earth from which is thrown
up towards the enemy, SO as 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 mar.
t'cularly so, aud the men have to remain quiet.
or they would bring heavy fire on them, and
thus increase the danger to which, in trench
duty, they are more or less exposed
Although trench and picquet duties are the
most arduous that fall to the lot of soldier. vet
yet, In the British army, the officers and so en-
pioyed, even for months, seldom obtain credit
/ or promotion for their service, But the French
act very differently to their troops when enga-
ged IN such dangerous and 1atiguing duties
Tor we generally hear that General Canrobert
has promoted and rewarded with the LEGION
OF Honor many brave men for their gallant con-
duct in the trenches.
Ga6tons are baskets of cylindrical form fill
ed with earth, and which are placed oppositc
the enemy's batteries, as protection to the
men when they hrst break ground, and COM
mence to entrench themselves. -.... ..
The term Fortress is applied to a fortified
place on an extensive scale, that OF Fort to
llsmaller fortiicaton.-
BeSiiOn has two or more faces of sucb
form that when several of them are ioined to-
gether, a complete pentagon is the result II
is called the system of reciprocal defence"
as one protecting bastion in the pentaoou de.
tends another. A ditch either wet or dry ad,ls
to the difficulty of approach.
LunetteS are small works usually raised in
front OF sally-ports, &C., and when filled with
men are capable of Offering considerable resis-
! tence. .se.. zEEs-ot ~ = ssas E 7'--'- =
! Redan is triangular generally con-
siructed IN front ofa more extensive fortifca-
tlon, which It partially protects, aud renders
/ an attack on it more difficult.
EntbrdSareS are openings in work through
which the guns are pointed - "4 'a.i .i'-' -
i4 Loopholes care small apertures in a. work
through which muskets may be, fired. a. .9j4a Al
RedouJt is a general name for nearly every
kind of work in field fortifcations; redoubfs
tare'sonletm times Ttriangulars with fanks some.
times in theslom ofla,star calledgaa Star Forl
Redopbts vo for the, defence OF, positions are in
general intended TO- TO contain oqly about so men
with but three gdhsi but works, in the form nf
an irregular pOlygoh are sometimes const ~,
ed to cantaini from1l0Q0 to 1900 men : "A fsdn
dItwenty to twenty-five pieces of artilIew. if in.
tended for shs protection of any place. S''r =