The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-28
ARMY TERMS GLOSSARY
Puzzling Military Expressions
Made Plain to Civilians.
AN EDUCATION IN A FEW WORDS

He Will He Able to Talk LesrnedIy OF
War when the Press Il Full OF Army
Matter.
ABATIS-An obstruction Of felled
trees In front of fort.
ACTION-Synopym for battle.
ADJUTANT-Regimental staff Of
dcer who assists the colonel in the de-
tails of duty.
ADVANCED GUARD-A detaoh-
ment sent to the front to veil the real
position or movements of an army.
AID-DE-CAMP-Ano officer acting as
the official organ Of general--his sub
stitute.
AMMUNITION-Shot, shell. gun
powder, cartridges. fuses, wads, gren-
AIDES.
Written agreement be-
tween hostiles fora cessation of active
warfare for certain period.
ARMY CORPS-The largest subdi-
vision of an army.
ARMY REGULATIONS-Rules es-
tablished by the president for the gov
ernment Of the national troops.
BASTION-An irregular defensive
line forming an angle outside the main
line OF fort.
BATTERY-1, company of artii-
lefy, 2, cannon IL position for firing;
8, an earthwork sheltering cannon in
action.
BATTLE-General actions IN which
whole armies engage. Synonyms are in
this order according to importance: Ao-
tion, engagement, affair, skirmish.
BEAT OF DRUM--A signal by drum
beat, by which soldiers are called into
line, ordered TO march, to retreat, to
retire, to rest, to arise, etc. Trumpets
and bugles may be used for the same
purpose.
RLOUSE--A uniform sack coat.
BOMB-Equivalent to bombshell and
shell.
BOMBPROOF--A structure of thick.
ness and strength to defy shells.
BREvET-An honorary commission
and title.
BRIDGE HEAD-A defense around a
bridge; maybe earthMorks for artillery
or artillery alone.
BRIGADE-A group Of battalions or
| regiments, nomlnally four.
BRIGADIER GENERAL-An officer
| in rank between a colonel and major
general; usual command is brigade.
CANNONEER - An artilleryman
who serves the guns in action; gunner.
CAPTAIN-Command of CON-
pany; rank between lieutenant and ma
jor.
CARBINE--A short barreled shoot.
ing iron carried by cavalrymen.
CHEvRON-Rank mark worn on the
upper sleeves Of noncommissioned off,
GERS.
COLOR GUARD--A detail consisting
of o sergeant and seven corporals to car
~ and protect the colors of q regiment
Tho members are selected for bravery.
Volunteer regiments have two color SER
geants, one each for the national and
state flags.
COMMISSARIAT-The subsistence
department. of an army.
CONTRABAND OF WAR-General.
~ articles pertaining to warfare, as
guns, ammunition and military and ma
val stores of all kinds. and sometimes
corn, hay and coal.
COUNTERSIGN - General watch
word of camp.
COVERED WAY-An open corridor
or passage masked from the enemy by
an embankment.
'CUTLASS-Heavy short sword used
In the navy.
DEBOUCHING--Mar out from
q confined space upon open ground.
DIVISION--Two or moro brigades.
DRESS PARADE-A daily parade
Of troops, with ceremony.
DRUMHEAD COURT MARTIAL
+ A court martial suddenly called to try
offenses which demand an immediate
example.
EMBRASURE-An opening in q
parapet for gun to fire through.
FIELD ARTILLERY-Cannon, both
heavy and light, having the quality Of
mobility for use in the field az distinct
from forts.
FIELD OFFICER-An officer be-
tween captain and general--major, lieu
tenant colonel and colonel.
FIELDWORKS-Defenses construct
cd Of earth or logs and earth for tenn
porary uses.
FLAG OF TRUCE--A white flag
carried by an officer sent to oommuni-
cate with the enemy.
FLYING ARMY-Applied TO cavalry
which Is always in motion. either with
or without artillery trained to swift
evolutions.
FLYING COLORS-Flags unfurled
and waving in the air.
FORCED MARCH-A very rapid
march.
GARRISON-A body of troops sta
toned to defend OF control town or to
defend fort or camp.
GRAND GUARDS - The main
guards in front Of an army or camp to
meet attack, distinct from camp guard.
GRENADE--A small shell thrown
| nv hand and DISCHARGED bv n time fuse