Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-10-18
Mnitarv Definitions.

Our newspapers hare Of fasc tcen flied
with military phrases, and These, like all tech
meal terms, are ,unintelligible to many
Civilians who wish to leain something of the
military profession before harrying on to
Richmond, will find many Of their miscon.
ceptions removed by reference to tie military
dictionary of Col. H. L. Scott, a book on
Which the following observations are based
Martial Lao is one of those vague terms
e used by few. But as wherever our armies
20 martial law must at least be partially en-
g. forced, It's powers and limitations, should be
known to ALL In time Of war the military
4 commander must have certain extraordinary
powers, which in time of peace would Justly
: be called tyranical. These powers are limt-
ed by the Constitution of the United States,
50 that the effect of martial law is not to sub
: set citizens to trial by courts martial, but
!. merely to deprive the writ Of habeas corpus Of
its force. In Baltimore, for instance, Banks
a has the right simply to impFison Oh otherwise
detain citizens considered dangerous, but no
further punishment can be inflicted upon
suspected person until he is found guilty by
the ordinary civil courts. Martial law has
further powers, beyond the United States or
in the enemy's country. The municipal laws
have nc, authority, and, in the absence of
q, laws made by Congress, the commander COM
=, H,ands, prohibits and Furnishes as his will
dictates. Martial law is, therefore, as Gen.
Z Scott declared in Mexico, an unwritten code
prescribed by Congress in the rules and arti-
cles of war, and which unwritten code all
armies, in hostile countries are forced to adopt.
not only for their own safety, but for the pre-
lection of the unofending inhabitants and
their property" ...-.-.
Military Lao, so frequently confused with
martial, in popular paflance, Is totally differ
ent. 1t is comprised of all those laws passed
by Congress for the creation, government,
regulation, and support of arms. aa.-aaH
-- Strategy and Tactics are two unfortunate
7 words used probably as synonyms. The
distinction is obvious, and should be gcner-
ally known. Strategy is the art of concerning
plan of campaign-a system of operations
determined by the objects of war, the char
artcr of the enemy, the nature of the country.
{ and the means of attack or defense Tactics
is the art of handling troops, it provides for
army organization; fixes the proportion Of
infantry cavalry, artillery governs the meth
: ed Of attack and defense, and examines the
nature Of weapons. The close connection of
the two arts makes it too easy to confuse
their natures, and true discrimination is the
more necessary. In report of the battle of
Carthage it is said that "the officers of the
rebel troops showed great ability in their
isianpuyres and much stragetc skill" It is
plain that the writer should have said tactical
skill
A5atis are rows of felled trees deprived of
their smaller branches, the remainder inter
laced and employed for the defense of re-
doubts, issolated posts, or for blocking up
roads &, .,r
An 1djutant General is the principal Or
t gan of the commander of an army in pub.
fishing orders. He has the charge of the
army correspondence, etc; and among his
active duties are the establishment of camps.
inspection, control of prisoners, and making
Tcconnosances.
7 An'butdnces are flying hospitals for the
conveyance of the wounded with the march
uF the army.
,Bdrte'tc.-Guns are said to be in barbettc
when they are so elevated that instead of fir
ing through embrazures they can be fired
over the crest of the parapet. The result is
wider range.
EMbrdsure.--An embrazurc is an opening
In tho. parapet through which the cannon in
fort Is fred
Base Of Operations-A secure line of from
tier or fortresscs from which advances are
made, and upon which troops may retreat.
BrecGt.-ln the United States army breyet
means a commission to hold rank in the army
at large, as distinguished from rank in pai
ticular regiment or corps.
q Brigdde.-Two regiments of cavalry or in
fantry constitute brigade
Cddet.-A cadet is warrant officer and
ranks below commissioned, exercising au-
thority by warrant only.
Catibre-Calibrc Of bullets is determined
10y the number required to weigh a pound
OF guns, by the weight of shot used; of CO.
lumbiads, mortars and howitzers, by their
diameter.
Cartet.-An agreement for exchange of
prisoners.
d Casemdte.-A vaulted chamber with EN-
brazures for guns, and used in war as quar-
tiers for the garrison.
90 Leftdding consists in raising the parapets
OF a fortress so as to conceal its interior ffom
the view of an enemy on an elevated position,
= Deployment.-All tactical maneuvres in
tended to pass from close column to the order
of battle, are deployments.
Dtcas'on.-A division generally consists of
two brigades, commanded by major general.
-En.Htdtede.-To sweep the whole length of
the face of any work or line of troops by the
fire of battery.
. Escalade.-A place is taken by escalade
when LADDERS are usY fol- the purpose of seal
ing the walls. ...r ..-.'- -. .... .
Erplanaie.-Empty space for exercising
troops within Notifications.
Fascines. cylindrical fagots of brush
wood, used for strengthening earthworks or
to make firm footing on marShy ground.
Ftdnk.-The right side of body of men
or place. Thus, when it is said that the en-
envy by flank march, outflankcd our right
wing, it is meant that the enemy, by march
ing parallel to our line of battle, put himself
IN position upon our extreme right
Ib1Hginy is often confused with mauradine
but it is the systematic collection of supplies
by authority.
H"ccrsaek.-A bag in which to carry pro-
visions
Mlyiag Pir6ef.-A body of men, during a
held ready to march whenever
called for.
Judgement. In a siege, lodgment signifies
the occupation of positson and the forma.
lion Of an entrenchment to defend it against
recapture.
sPichet. Literally, sharp stakes. Generally,
,sp1 To Snnrify- |