A NEW
MILITARY, HISTORICAL,
AND
EXPLANATORY
DICTIONARY:
INCLUDING THE
WARRIORS GAZETTEER of Places remarkable
for SIEGES or BATTLES.
BY THOMAS SIMES, ESQ;
PHILADELPHIA:
SOLD BY HUMPHREYS, BELL, AND AITKEN.
M, DCC, LXXVI. 



A
Military, Historical, and Explanatory
DICTIONARY.
A F
ABBATIS, a defence much
used, to defend a pass, entrance,
&c. consists of trees hewn down,
whose boughs are stripped of their
leaves, and pointed. The method
of planting these trees is to have
their trunks buried in the ground,
and the boughs fastened, by in-
terweaving them with each other.
A small ditch must be dug to-
wards the enemy, and the earth
thrown up properly against  the
lower part of the defence, which
will add to its strength, and render
it very difficult, nay, impassable,
if defended by British troops.
ADVANCE-FOSS, a moat or
ditch of water round the glacis
or esplanade of a place of arms,
to prevent surprize: being drain-
ed, serves for a trench to the
besiegers, therefore is not now
approved of.
AFFUT, the French name of
a gun carriage. Its distinction 
A G
from other carriages is, that it
belongs to a gun.
AGINCOURT, about six miles
north of Hesdin, remarkable only
for the glorious victory obtained
near it in 1415, by Henry V. of
England, over a French army
eight or ten times more numerous
than his. According to writers,
the king had not above ten
thousand men; the French were
near a hundred thousand; the
French historians confess, that
the English were not above fifteen
or twenty thousand at most, and
acknowledge  that  their own ar-
my was far superior in numbers.
The odds were very great on the
side of the French, and the English
gained immortal honour by the
action, of which the following is
a short account.
King Henry, having landed
near Harfleur, in the mouth of
the  Seine, about the middle of
A August, 

A G
August, laid siege to that town,
which was bravely defended,
and did not capitulate till the
latter end of September. The
season therefore being far ad-
vanced, and many of his men sick,
he did not think proper to enter
upon any farther action that
campaign, but determined to
march his army cross Picardy,
and take winter-quarters in the
neighbourhood of Calais. In his
march through Artois, he met
with the French army, who hav-
ing got between him and Calais,
he found himself under a necessity
of fighting. Accordingly the
King drew up his little army on
a very advantageous spot, where
each wing  was flanked with a
wood, so that the French could
not extend their front beyond
that of the English; who had
also planted sharp stakes before
them, to defend them against
the attack of the French cavalry.
This precaution contributed very
much to their victory; for the
squadrons of horse, which were
ordered to charge and break the
English archers, falling upon the
stakes, and being at the same time
overwhelmed with a shower of
arrows, immediately fled, broke
through the lines that were
drawn up in the rear, and put
them into confusion. Another
occasion of their defeat, as the
French  say was the heavy ar-
mour of their horsemen; it being
the custom of that time for the
cavalry to dismount and fight on
foot; and, except the  first two
thousand that charged the arch-
ers, all the French horse were
dismounted. Now the ground,
being at that time very wet and
soft, the English, who had no
A G            
armour on, and were much
lighter, had a great advantage
of the French gendarmes, when
they had discharged their ar-
rows, and came to attack them
with their clubs and axes. King
Henry, observing the enemies
confusion, ordered a body of
horse he had in reserve to wheel
about and attack them in the
rear, by whom they were totally
routed, several corps that were
entire quitting the field without
striking a blow. The loss on
the side of the English was in-
considerable, and no persons of
distinction killed, except the
Duke of York the King's uncle,
and the Earl of Suffolk; but
the French had ten thousand
men killed in the field of battle,
of whom eight thousand were
gentlemen, and fourteen thou-
sand made prisoners. Among
the slain were the Count of Ne-
vers and the Duke of Brabant,
two of the Duke of Burgundy's
brothers; the Duke of Allençon,
the Constable, the Count d'Al-
bret, and three other French
Princes: among the prisoners
were the Dukes of Orleans and
Bourbon, the Counts of Eu,
Vendosme, and Richmont, and
the Marshal de Boucicaut.
It is related of the Duke of
Allençon, that seeing all was
lost, he determined to die glo-
riously, and, with a troop of
young gentlemen who attended
him, broke through the English
archers and the horse that were
about King Henry, struck the
Duke of York off his horse at
one blow, and afterwards killed
him; and the King stooping
down to  assist his uncle, the
Duke of Allençon cleft the crown
that 

A L
that was wrought on his Majesty's
helmet in form of a crest; but
being himself killed that very
instant, the King's life was pre-
served, which otherwise would
have been greatly endangered.
After this battle his Majesty con-
tinued his march to Calais with-
out interruption.
AGNADELLA, a small place in
Italy, in the duchy of Milan, in
the territory of Crema, or the
Cremasco, rendered famous by
a memorable battle, fought at
this place August 16, 1705, be-
tween Prince Eugene of Savoy
and the Duke of Vendosme. The
battle goes by the name of Cas-
sano, but Agnadella was the hot-
test place of action. It lies upon
a canal, between the river Ad-
da and the Serio, five or six miles
south-east from Cassano, ten miles
north from Lodi, and twenty-
three miles east by north from
Milan. Longitude, 29. 43. lati-
tude, 44. 58.
AIRE, a strong fortress, of eight
bastions, and covered by fort
St. Francis, which has five more
bastions. It lies upon the river
Lys, twenty-five miles south of
Dunkirk, and about twenty-five
north-west of Arras.
ALARM, a sudden challenge
to arms, upon apprehension of
danger from an enemy, or of
fire. A sudden alarm is often
occasioned by the neglect of sen-
tries; and sometimes it has been
done to try the readiness of the
troops.
ALARM-POST, the place  ap-
pointed for the assembling a re-
giment, troop, or company.
ALGIERS, the capital of a
kingdom of the same name, and
a good sea-port, near the mouth
A L            
of the river Saffran on the Medi-
terranean, opposite to the island
of Majorca, in latitude 36. 49.
north; longitude 3. 27. east.
It stands on the side of a hill,
which rises gradually from  the
shore, three hundred miles west
of Tunis. It is defended by a
pier or mole five hundred paces
long, reaching from the conti-
nent to a small island, where
stand a castle and batteries of
large guns, which however have
not been able to defend the place
from bombardments by Christian
powers whose subjects they have
plundered and carried into slave-
ry; the people subsisting by the
prizes made of such ships as be-
long to Christians with whom
they are at war.
ALICANT, a town of Spain,
in the kingdom of Valencia,
having a good harbour on the
Mediterranean, defended by se-
veral bastions. Its castle stands
very high; is situated sixty miles
south of Valencia and about
the same distance north of Car-
thagena.
ALMANZA, a small town in
New Castile, about sixty miles
south-west of Valencia, subject
to Spain, and remarkable for a
battle fought there between the
Duke of Berwick and the Earl
of Galway, in April, 1707,
wherein the Allies were de-
feated.
ALMEIDA, a regular fortified
town of Portugal, in the pro-
vince of Beira, with a castle on
the river Coa. Latitude 40.
38. north; longitude 6. 14.
west.
ALTENBURGH-OWAR, a pretty
town of Hungary, in the county
of Weiselburgh, with a strong
castle-

A M
castle, stands on a small arm of
the Danube, and on the Leitha;
also surrounded with a deep and
broad moat filled with  water.
It stands twelve miles south of
Presburgh, in latitude 48. 15.
north; longitude 17. 20. east.
AMBRAS, or Amras, a strong
fort, in the Capital of Tyrol,
subject: to the Emperor, stands a
mile south-east from Insprug, in
long. 31. 50; lat. 47. 11.
AMBUSCADE, or ambush, is a
Jerking party in a wood or other
convenient place, to surprize an
enemy.
AMERSFORT, a small town of
the Low-countries. In this place
some seditious persons mutinied
against the garrison, in 1703,
but were soon after suppressed.
It stands fourteen miles almost
east of Utrecht.
AMMUNITION, under this title
is comprised, not only cannon,
mortars, cohorns, and all that
is necessary for them and the
service, as bullets, cartridges,
old iron, bombs, carcasses, gre-
nades, great and mall; but all
sorts of offensive and defensive
weapons; as wall-pieces, fire-
locks, bayonets, swords, fine and
coarse powder, petards, quick-
match, and every thing that may
add to the destruction of the ene-
my, or your own preservation.
Ammunition Bread, is carried
with an army; each loaf gene-
rally weighs six pounds.
Ammunition Cart, a two-wheel
carriage with shafts; the sides of
which, as well as the  fore and
hind parts, are inclosed with
boards instead of wicker-work.
Ammunition Waggon, a four-
wheel carriage with shafts, the
sides of it are railed in with
A M 
raves and staves, and lined with
wicker-work, serves to carry
bread, and all sorts of tools.
AMIENS, a city of France,
stands on the river Somme, is
defended by a good citadel, lies
in the road between Calais and
Paris, sixty-five miles south of
the former, and eighty north of
the latter.
ANCLAM, a very strong city
of Germany, stands on the ri-
ver Pene, twenty-four miles al-
most south of Gripswald, and
forty north-west of Stetin, in
longitude, 34. 28; and latitude,
53. 58.
ANCONA, the capital of the
Marquisate of that name, situ-
ated on the sea, and between
two mountains, on one of which
stands the citadel, on the other
the cathedral. It is a consi-
derable place, but not so po-
pulous and large as  the  com-
modiousness of its situation and
goodness of its harbour indi-
cate. The latter was consi-
derably enlarged by the Em-
peror Trajan, to whom for that
reason a triumphal arch of beau-
tiful marble, was erected on
the mole, then built for its de-
fence: the end of the mole is
still fortified, and mounts between
eight and twelve pieces of can-
non. The trade of this place is
inconsiderable, and chiefly car-
ried on by the Jews residing
here, the number of whom is said
to be about five thousand, these
live together in a particular
quarter of the city where they
have a synagogue. The Bishop
of Ancona is immediately sub-
ject to the Pope. It lies fifteen
miles north of Loretto, and one
hundred and twenty east of Rome,
latitude 

A N
latitude, 43. 20. north; and lon-
gitude 15 degrees east.
ANGERBURG, a well-built
town in the Kingdom of Prussia,
surrounded with palisades, and
has a strong castle, built in 1335,
on a lake of the same name, from
which rises the river Angerap.
Latitude, 54. 5. north; longi-
tude, 23. 10. east.
ANGLE, is explained in the
following definition.
1st, Angle of the centre, is that
made by three lines, drawn from
the center of the extremes of any
side of the polygon.
2d, Angle of the polygon, the
angle made by the meeting of
two sides of the polygon, and is
the same with the angle of the
gorge.
3d, Angle of the curtain, or of
the flank, is the angle formed
by the meeting of a flank and a
curtain.
4th, Angle of the shoulder; two
is formed by one face and one
flank.
5th, Flank-Angle, the meeting
of two faces.
6th, Angle of the tenail, or
flanking angle, is composed of
the lines of defence and the cur-
tain.
7th, Angle, forming the flank,
an angle composed of one flank
and one demi-gorge.
8th, Angle, forming the face,
the inward angle, composed of
one flank and one face.
9th, Angle of the moat, that
which is formed before the cen-
tre of the curtain, by the exte-
rior line of the foss or moat.
10th, Angle-saillant, or sally-
angle, or what advances with its
points towards the country; such
A N 
is the angle of the counterscarp,
before the point of a bastion.
11th, Angle-rentrant, or re-
entering angle, is what points
inwards to the body of the place;
such is the angle of the counter-
scarp before the center of the
curtain.
ANTESTATURE, a traverse or
retrenchment, hastily made of
gabions or palisades, to stop an
enemy that is gaining ground.
This is, to dispute ground, or lose
it inch by inch.
ANTWERP, Situated on the
east side of the river Scheld,
about twenty-five miles north-
east of Ghent, and as many
north from Brussels. This city is
built in the form of a crescent,
about seven miles in circum-
ference, and surrounded with a
fine wall of a vast thickness. It
is delightful walking round the
ramparts, which are planted
with trees, from whence, at every
turning, we have a succession
of agreeable objects. The cita-
del, built by the Duke of Alva,
to keep the city in awe, is one
of the strongest and most regular
in the world, being a pentagon
of five royal bastions, with only
one gate to go in and out, and
surrounded with  double ditches.
It stands by the Scheld, on the
south side of the city, which it
commands, as well as the river
and the neighbouring country.
Its circumference is about two
thousand five hundred paces,
having large repositories for am-
munition and provisions, and
conveniences for quartering three
or four thousand soldiers. In
the center of this citadel the
Duke of Alva caused that fa-
mous 

A P
mous statue to be erected, which
represented him trampling upon
the conquered states of the Ne-
therlands, with a Latin inscription
to this effect: To the honour of
Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo,
Duke of Alva, and Governor of
the Low countries, for having
appeased sedition, extirpated re-
bellion, re-established religion,
and secured the peace of these
provinces. This gave great un-
easiness to the inhabitants of
Antwerp, which increased to
such a degree, that the populace
assembling on a holiday, forced
their way into the citadel by sur-
prize, and broke the statue to
pieces.
APPROACHES, are the trenches,
places of arms, lodgements, sap,
gallery, and all works, whereby
the besiegers advance towards a
place besieged.
This is the most difficult part
of a siege; and where most lives
are lost. The ground is disputed
inch by inch, and neither gained
or maintained without the  loss
of men; it is of the utmost
importance to make your ap-
proaches with great caution, and
to secure them as much as pos-
sible, that you may not throw
away the lives of your soldiers.
The besieged neglect nothing to
hinder the approaches; the be-
siegers do every thing to carry
them on; and on this depends
the taking or defence of the
place.
The trenches being carried to
their glacis, you attack and make
yourself master of their covered
way, make a lodgement on the
counterscarp, and a breach by the
sap, or by mines with several
chambers, which blow up  their
A R 
intrenchments and fougades, or
small mines, if they have any.
You cover yourselves with bar-
rels, sacks, fascines, or gabions;
and, if these are wanting, you
sink a trench.
You open the counterscarp by
saps to make yourself master of
it; but, before you open it, you
must mine the flanks that defend
it. The best attack of the place
is the face of the bastion, when
by its regularity it permits a re-
gular approach and attacks ac-
cording to art: if the place
be irregular, you must not ob-
serve regular approaches, but
proceed according to the irre-
gularity of it; observing to hu-
mour the ground, which permits
you to attack it in such a manner
at one place as would be useless
or dangerous in another; so that
the engineer who directs the
attack ought exactly to know
the part he would attack, its
proportions, its force, and soli-
dity, in the most geometrical
manner.
APRON, a little sheet of lead,
which covers the touch-hole of a
gun.
ARDRES, a fortified town of
France, in the government of
Picardy and Artois, built in the
middle of a morass. Here Fran-
cis I, the French King, and
Henry VIII, King of England,
had an interview in 1520. It lies
ten miles south of Calais, in la-
titude, 50. 45. north; longitude,
2. 2. east.
ARMS, a place of arms in a
garrison, at a siege, are small re-
doubts bordered with a parapet,
containing a small body of men,
to make good the trenches a-
gainst the sallies of the besieged.
ARMY, 

A R
ARMY, a body of troops, con-
sisting of horse, foot, and dra-
goons, with artillery, provision,
baggage, &.c. and should be di-
vided into brigades, commanded
by an able experienced officer.
Flying-army, a small body sent
out to harass the enemy, inter-
cept convoys, prevent the ene-
my's incursions, cover its own ar-
my, or garrison, and keep the
enemy in continual motion.
Wings of an Army, the troops
encamped on the flanks; they
are chiefly horse and dragoons,
and are called the right wing
and left.
ARONA, a town and castle of
considerable strength, in the ter-
ritory of Anghiera, in the duchy
of Milan, in Italy, subject to the
King of Spain; rescued from
the hands of the usurper, by the
Imperialists, in October 1706. It
stands a mile on the west side of
a large lake, a mile and a half
south from Anghiera, eighteen
miles north from Vercelle, in
Piedmont, and thirty eight miles
west by north from Milan. Lon-
gitude, 28. 27. latitude, 45. 12.
ARRAS, one of the most an-
cient cities of the Low-countries,
being the Roman Atrebatum,
a large populous town, situated
on the river Scarpe, upon a hill:
it is divided into two parts, one
of which is called the town,
and is the largest; the other, the
city: they are both well forti-
fied, being surrounded with a
strong wall, with high ramparts,
two large ditches, and a citadel,
repaired by the celebrated Vau-
ban.
ARTILLERY, a magazine of
all sorts of arms and provi-
sions for an army: such as can-
A R 
non, mortars, bombs, balls, pe-
tards, grenades, small balls,
powder, match, hand tools,
planks, boards, ropes, coals,
tallow, pitch, rozin, sulphur,
saltpetre, quick match, all kinds
of fire works, pontoons, &c.
The attendants are conductors,
bombardiers, gunners, matrosses,
pioneers, pontoon-men, car-
penters, wheel-wrights, smiths,
coopers, tin-men, collar-mak-
ers, &c.
Artillery regiment, composed of
four battalions (and a Captain
of Cadets, of which the Master-
general is always Captain) each
of them commanded by a Colo-
nel, Lieutenant-colonel, and Ma-
jor; the Master-general of the
Ordnance is Commander in
chief; the Lieutenant-general,
Commander en second; and the
four Colonels are called Colonel-
commandants each of his battali-
on; each company contains Com-
missioned-officers, matrosses, gun-
ners, and bombardiers.
Artillery-equipage, a quantity of
guns, mortars, shot, and shells,
with all necessary stores made for
a campaign, or an expedition by
land or sea.
Artillery-park, a place appoint-
ed in the rear of both lines of
the army, for encamping the ar-
tillery. The guns are in one
line; the ammunition-waggons
make two or three lines; the
panton and tumboils make the
last lines; and all is surrounded
with a rope, which forms the
park; the gunners and matrosses
encamp on the flanks; bombar-
diers, panton-men, and artificers,
in the rear.
ATTACK, the manner and
disposition made by an army, or
a great 

B A
a great party, to drive an enemy
out of a fortified place, or any
strong situation.
Attacks. There are commonly
two, (each commanded by an
experienced Officer) and they
have communication one with
another, by lines or trenches,
running parallel to the polygon
of the place, that they may not
be enfiladed, and are called the
parallel, the boyau, or the lines of
communication.
False-attacks, are never carried
on with such alacrity as the real;
their design being to favour the
real by  amusing the enemy, and
obliging the garrison to a great-
er duty.
BABUS, a strong town and
castle of Norway, taken by
the Swedes in 1660. It stands
on the right of Trolet, twelve
miles north of Gottenburgh, and
one hundred and twenty miles
north of Copenhagen. Longi-
tude, 31. 40. latitude, 58. 14.
BACULE, a gate like a pitfall,
with a counterpoise before the
corps-de guard, advanced near
the gates, which is supported by
two great stakes.
BALL, bullet, or shot, is of
iron or lead, to be fired out of
pistol, firelock, carabine, or can-
non, and is of different sizes.
Red-hot balls, are heated in a
forge, standing near a gun. The
gun being loaded with powder,
and wadded with a green turf, is
spunged with a wet spunge, and
laid at a small elevation, that the
ball, which is taken out of the
forge with a long ladle, may slide
down, and be instantly discharg-
ed by the gunner.
Fire balls are made of a com-
B A 
position of meal-powder, sulphur,
saltpetre, pitch, and other com-
bustibles, for firing houses.
BANDELIERS, small cases of
wood, covered with leather, hold-
ing cartridges of powder for the
firelock.
BANQUETTE, a kind of step
made in  the rampart of a work
near the parapet, for the troops
to stand upon, in order to fire
over the parapet; it is generally
three feet high, as many broad,
and about four and a half lower
than the parapet.
BARBET: when the parapet of
a work is but three feet high, or
the breast-work of a battery is
only of such height, that the
guns may fire over it without
being obliged to  make embra-
sures, it is said the guns fire en
Barbet.
BARCELONA, a strong and spa-
cious city, one of the chief of
Spain. It was surrendered to the
French in 1697, after a smart
siege of fifty-six days, but restored
the same year by the treaty of
Ryswick. King Charles III. and
the Lord Peterborough took it in
September, 1703, after a siege
of three weeks, with a body of
men not more numerous than the
garrison by which it was defend-
ed. In April, 1706, it was in-
vested by the Duke of Anjou,
with a large train and numerous
army. The presence of the King
greatly animated the city, and
on the appearance of Sir John
Leake, with a seasonable rein-
forcement, the siege was raised.
It was taken, after a long siege,
by the French and Spaniards,
and in 1713, by M. de Berwick.
BARREAUX, a town and strong
fortress of Dauphiny, in France,
on 

B A
on the river Isere, near the en-
trance of the valley of Graisi-
vaudan, having Montmelion on
the north, and Grenoble on the
south. Latitude, 45. 5. north;
longitude, 5. 30. east.
BARRIER,
a gate made
of wooden
bars, about
five feet long,
perpendicu-
lar to the
horizon,
which is kept together by two
long bars going across, and an-
other crossing diagonally: they
are used to stop the cut that is
made through the esplanade be-
fore the gate of a town.
BASE, or basis, the foundation
of a work. The basis of a ram-
part joins to the ground on which
it stands; and the basis of a para-
pet is that part of it which joins
the top of a rampart.
Base of a gun, the same with
the breech of a gum, and is that
solid piece of metal behind the
chase, towards the caseable: the
great ring behind the touch hole
or vent, is called the base-ring;
and the mouldings behind are,
the base or breech-mouldings.
BASKETS. Small baskets are
used in sieges, on the parapet of
the trench, being filled with
earth; they are about one foot
and a half high, one foot and a
half diameter at top, and eight
or ten inches at bottom ; so that
when set together, there is a sort
of embrasures to fire through, left
at their bottom.
BASTIA, a city and strong
castle, the metropolis of the Isle
of Corsica, stands on the north
part of the isle by the sea, where
B A 
there is a good harbour, sixty-
four miles almost south of Leg-
horn, and one hundred and thir-
ty-four south-east of Genoa, is
remarkable for  the  defence it
made under General  Paoli,  a-
gainst the French General Mar-
bœuf. Long. 30. 28. lat. 41. 56.
BASTION, a part of the inner
inclosure of a fortification, making
an angle towards  the  field, and
consists of, two faces, two flanks,
and an opening towards  the
center of the  place  called the
gorge.
A bastion, is said to be full,
when the  level  ground within is
even with the rampart;  that is,
when the inside is quite  level,
the parapet being only more ele-
vated than the rest.
A bastion, is said to be empty,
when the level ground within is
much lower than the rampart, or
that part next  to the parapet,
where the troops are  placed to
defend the bastion.
Bastion detached,  is that which
separates or cuts off from the ba-
stion of the place,  and  differs
from a half-moon, whose rampart
and parapet are lower  and not
so thick  as  those of the  place,
because it has the same proporti-
on with the works of the place.
Bastion-double, is a bastion, and
sometimes in the nature of a ca-
valier.
Bastion-demi, composed of only
one face, one  flank,  and  one
demi-gorge.
BATAVIA, in six degrees south
latitude, on the north  of the Isle
of Java, is  both beautiful and
extensive,  almost  two miles in
diameter, surrounded with  strong 
walls and large fosses ;  has five
gates defended  by six forts and a
B castle; 

B A
castle; the river Jacatra, which
runs through the town, has fifty-
six bridges, and opens into a spa-
cious harbour.
BATTALION, a body of foot
composed of several companies,
armed with  firelock  and bay-
onet. In the late war, no par-
ticular number of companies
was ascertained to compose  a
battalion; but, since the last re-
duction, ten companies com-
pose a battalion; eight battalion,
one grenadiers, and one light
company.
Battalion disciplined, a term ex-
pressive of a battalion when ex-
pert at their arms, firings, and
manœuvres;  which   marches,
wheels,  and forms well, silent,
steady, and are solid under arms.
Angles of a battalion, are such
as are made by the last men,  at
the ends of the ranks and files.
BATTERY, a work made to
place guns or mortars on. It con-
sists of an epaulement or breast-
work, about eight feet high, and
eighteen or twenty thick. When
it is made for guns, openings or
embrasures are made in it, for
the guns to fire through. The
mass of earth betwixt embrasures,
is called the Merlin; the plat-
form of a battery is called a floor
of planks, and hath sleepers  to
keep the wheels of the guns from
sinking in the earth.
Cross-batteries, are such whose
shot meet at the same place, and
form an angle. The advantage
of such batteries is, that the one
beats down what the other shakes.
Battery-de enfilade, is what bat-
ters obliquely; battery-de-reverse
is what plays upon the enemies
back;  comrade-batteries are those
which play upon the same place.
B A 
To raise a battery is the business of
an engineer; to ruin a battery is
to blow it up, or nail the guns.
BATTLES, are of two kinds;
general and particular;  general,
where the whole army is engag-
ed; particular, where only a part
is in action; but, as they only
differ in numbers, the methods
are nearly alike. The cause of
general battles is either the hopes
of victory, the necessity you are
under to relieve a place be-
sieged, a want of provisions, an
ardour and courage  in troops
that cannot be easily restrained, a
considerable reinforcement which
the enemy may soon receive, and
which may make them superior,
or, lastly, some happy conjuncture
which the enemies motion may
give you; such as the passing of a
river, or their forces being weak-
ened or separated.
The occasions which oblige you
to avoid a battle, are, when there
is little to  be got, and much to
be lost by it; when you are weak-
er than  the enemy, or they are
too strongly posted; when  your
troops are divided, or any mis-
understanding prevails among the
Officers of high rank; when you
perceive fear or consternation a-
mong the soldiers, or suspect their
fidelity; or when you can destroy
the enemy by delays.
You oblige the enemy to come
to battle by laying siege to some
important place; by attacking
them on their march; by falling
suddenly upon them; by closing
them between two armies; by
drawing them into an ambus-
cade; by making a feint as if
you would retreat; by cutting
off their provisions; by driving
into your strong places all  the
cattle, 

B   A
cattle, forage, and grain of the
country; by burning and laying
waste all the country they drew
their forage, &c. from, and tak-
ing possession of all strong posts
and passes near them.
The most remarkable on En-
glish record are the
Battle of Ashdown, between Ca-
nute and Edmund, 1016.
-of Hastings, where King
Harold was slain, October 14,
1066.
-of Bovines, July 25, 1214.
-of Lincoln, May 19, 1217.
-of Lewes, May 14, 1264.
-of Evesham, Aug. 4, 1265.
-of Bannockburn, June 25,
1314.
-of Halldon-hill, near Ber-
wick, where 30,000 of the
Scotch were slain, and only 15
English, July 19, 1333.
-of Crecy, Aug. 26, 1346.
-of Durham, when David,
King of Scots, was taken pri-
soner, Oct. 17, 1346.
-of Poictiers, September 19,
1356,  when the King of
France and his son were taken
prisoners. 
-of Otterburn, between Hot-
spur and the  Earl of Douglas,
July 31, 1388.
-of Shrewsbury, July  12,
1403.
-of Agincourt, Oct. 25, 1415.
-of Beaugè, where the Duke
of Clarence was killed,  April
3, 1421.
-of Crevant, June, 1423.
-of Verneuil, Aug. 27, 1424.
-of Herrings, Feb. 12, 1429.
-of St. Alban's, May 22,
1455.
-of Bloreheath, Septem. 23,
1459.
-of Northampton, July 10,
1460. 
B A
-of Wakefield, Dec.24,1460.
-of Touton, March 29, 1461.
-of Hexham, May 15, 1464.
-of Banbury, July 26, 1460.
-of Stamford, March, 1470.
-of Barnet, April 14, 1471.
-of Tewksbury, May 4, ditto.
-of Bosworth, August 22,
1485.
-of Stoke, June 6, 1487.
-of Blackheath, June 22,
1497.
-of Floudon, Sept. 9, 1513,
when James IV. King of Scots,
was killed.
-of Solway, Nov. 24, 1542.
-of Pinkey, Sept. 10, 1547.
-of St. Quintin, Aug. 10,
1557.
-of Edgehill, Oct. 23, 1642.
-of Shatton, May 16, 1643.
-of Lansdown, July 5, ditto.
-of Round-away-down, July
13, ditto.
-of Newbury, Sep. 20, ditto.
-of Marstoon-moor, July 2,
1644.
-of Newbury, Oct. 27, ditto.
-of Naseby, June 1645.
-of Dunbar, Sept. 3, 1650.
-of Worcester, Sep. 3, 1651.
-of Bothwell-bridge, June
22, 1679.
-of the Boyne, July 1, 1690.
-of Aughrim, July 22, 1691.
-of Steinkirk, 1692.
-of Blenheim, Aug. 13, 1704.
-of Ramifies, Whitsunday,
1706.
-of Oudenard, June 30,
1708.
-of Wynendale, Septem. 28.
1708.
-of Malplaquet, Septem. 11,
1709.
-of Blaregnies, Septem. 14.
1709.
-of Dumblain, Novem. 12, 
1715.

B A
-of Dettingen, June 26,
1743.
-of Fontenoy, Ap. 30, 1744.
-of Preston pans, Sept. 21,
I745.
-of Falkirk, Jan. 17, 1746.
-of Culloden, Ap. 16, 1746.
-of Val or Laffeld, July 20,
1747.
-of Rosbach, Nov. 5, 1757.
-of Minden, Aug. 1, 1759.
-on the plains of Abraham,
Sept. 13, 1759.
-near Quebec, April 28,
1760.
-of Graebenstein, June 4,
1762.
BAYONNE, a strong city in
France, thirty-two miles south-
west of Dax,  ninety fix south-
west of Bourdeaux, one hundred
west of Aux, and three hundred
and seventy south-west of Paris.
Longitude 16. 18. latitude 43.
32.  See plan 2.
BED, or stool, of a mortar, a
solid piece of  oak, in form of a
paseltelipiped, bigger or less, ac-
cording to the form of the mor-
tar, hollowed a little  in the mid-
dle to receive the breech and half
the trunnions.  On the sides of
the bed, the cheeks or brackets,
are fixed by  four bolts of iron.
Bed of a Gun, a piece of a
plank, laid within the cheeks of
the carriage,  upon  the  middle
transum, for the breech of the
gun to rest on.
BEETLES, thick round pieces
of wood,  of a foot and  a half
long, and eight or ten inches
diameter,  having  a  handle  of
about four feet long: the use of
them are for bearing,  or rather
setting the earth of a parapet,
or about pallisades,  by lifting
it up a foot or two,  and letting
it fall with its own weight. 
B E
They are likewise called stam-
pers, and, by paviors, ram-
mers.
BELLISLE, is a small island on
the South coast of Brittany in
France, about six French miles
from the continent;  it is almost
entirely surrounded  with steep
rocks, and accessible only in
three places, one of which is
Palais, a fortified town, with a
citadel. The road here is good.
Latitude, 47. 20. north; longi-
tude, 3. 5. west.  It made a gal-
lant defence before it was taken
by the British troops, under the
command of Lieutenant General
Hodgson in 1761.
BERGEN-OP-ZOOM, situated
on an eminence, in the middle
of a morass, half a league from
the eastern branch of the Scheld,
with which it has a communi-
cation by a navigable canal;  and
is so strong by nature, as well
as art, that this, if any, place
may be deemed  impregnable.
By its advantageous  situation 
it not only secures the commu-
nication between Holland  and
Zealand, but opens the Dutch
a way into Brabant whenever
they please, and through which
they have formerly made excur-
sions into the heart of that
country.
Marshal Saxe, finding that the
Allies intended covering Ma-
estricht, sent a party of eight
thousand men to take post near
the mountain  of St. Peter on the
other side, while Count Low-
endahl advanced to Bergen-op-
zoom with a large detachment,
and a formidable train of artil-
lery.  He in his route possessed
himself of Sandvliet on the
Scheld, and blocked up fort Lillo,
and on, the 1st of July, 1747, ap-     

B E
peared before Bergen-op-zoom,
and on the 3d at night opened
his trenches.  On the 9th, fifty
cannon and twenty four mortars
played furiously on the town with
red-hot bullets and  bombs, so
that the principal church,  and a
great part of the city, were in
flames. The siege continued very
obstinate, the French making
their advances with the greatest
bravery, and the garrison by
frequent sallies often ruining
their works and dislodging them,
till the 5th of September;  when
a breach being made, the French
entered and possessed themselves
of the town.  All that the Prince
of Hesse Philipsdahl, who com-
manded the troops,  could  do,
was with much difficulty to co-
ver their retreat towards the
lines of Steenbergen.  General
Constrom, the Governor, was
greatly censured on having that
important fortress so shamefully
surprized;  for before  he knew
that the enemy were in  the
town, their colours were dis-
played in the market-place. The 
fate of this ever before uncon-
querable town was the more sur-
prizing, as the Governor had
an open communication with
the lines of Steenbergen,  from
whence he had always fresh sup-
plies, and seemed, till that time,
resolute in opposing the enemy,
and was, in all appearance,  in a
capacity of baffling their pro-
jects that campaign.  He imme-
diately retired with the troops
in that neighbourhood to Ouden-
bosch, where he took  the  com-
mand, while Count Lowendahl
detached part of his army to at-
tack the forts of Lillo, Frederick-
Henry, and Croix, which, by 
B E 
the second of October,  he pos-
sessed himself of, and made the
garrison prisoners of war.
BERM, a little space, or path,
of six or eight feet broad,  be-
tween the ditch and the para-
pet, made of turf,  to prevent
the earth from rolling into the
ditch, and serves likewise to
pass and repass from one to the
other.
BETHUNE, a strong town si-
tuate on the river Biette, eight
miles north-west of Lens, and the
capital of a county of the same
name in the Low-countries.  It
was taken from the Spaniards by
the French in 1645, and con-
firmed to them by the treaty of
the Pyrenees.  M. Vauban, the
famous French Engineer,  forti-
fied it with such works as were
thought equal in regularity to
Charleroy and Landau, two of
his master- pieces. The Allies
invested the place on the 15th
of July, 1710,  the two different
attacks being  commanded  by
the Saxon General Schulemberg, 
and the Baron de Fagel,  General
of the Dutch infantry.  M. du
Puy Vauban, nephew to the
above mentioned Engineer,  was
then Governor of  the  town,
which being strong by art and
nature, and well garrisoned,  a
brave defence was expected.  In
effect, the siege was long, and
the defence obstinate;  but the
attacks being vigorously  car-
ried on,  and the counterscarp
taked sword in hand,  the Go-
vernor beat a parley on the
28th of August, and desired
to capitulate.  On the 31st the
garrison marched out with all
the marks of honour,  to the
number of seventeen  hundred
men,           

B L
men, having lost near two thou-
sand during the siege.
BIOVAC, a night guard, per-
formed by the whole army, when
there is any danger from the
enemy.
BLAREGNIES, a town of Hai-
nault, in the Austrian Low coun-
tries, where the Allies,  under the
Duke of Marlborough and Prince
Eugene, obtained a victory over
the French commanded by  Ma-
reschals Villars and Bousslers, on
the 14th of September, 1709.
The French being encamped in
the woods of Start and Sansart,
cut down trees and threw up a
triple entrenchment, so that it
cost the  Confederates  several
thousand men before they could
drive them from thence. The
armies on each  side consisted of
one hundred and twenty thou-
sand men, of which at  least
twenty thousand were killed, and
at last the French made a regu-
lar retreat, though Villars was
wounded and disabled at the be-
ginning of the engagement called 
the battle of Malplaquet, Teniers
or Blaugies, from villages near
the field of action Blaregnies lies
seven miles south of Mons. Lati-
tude, 50, 30, north; longitude,
3, 55, east.
BLENHEIM, a village of Ger-
many,  on the west side of the
Danube. It lies three miles
north-east of Hockstet, and
twenty-five north-west of Augs-
berg. Latitude, 48, 40;  longi-
tude, 10, 25, east. At this place
the Duke of Marlborough obtain-
ed that great victory over the
Elector of Bavaria, and the Mar-
shals Tallard and Marsin on the
13th of August, 1704. 
B L 
The enemy's whole    
army consisted of 158 Squds. 85 Batt.
The Confederates 
army of 181 Squds. 66 Batt.
The enemy had ninety pieces
of cannon.
The Confederates fifty-two.
French Army's Disposition.
On their right the Danube,
and Blenheim village close on
the bank of it;  on their left
was a large thick wood, from
whence runs a small rivulet,
which empties itself in the Da-
nube at Blenheim;  this rivulet
made the ground along their
front in most places very marshy.
When Tallard found our Ge-
neral's resolution to attack them,
he threw into the village of Blen-
heim twenty-eight battalions,
and twelve squadrons of dragoons,
commanded by the Marquis de
Hauteville, who had orders, that
when he found  our army pass
the marshy ground,  to march
out and fall on our rear;  by
which Tallard proposed to have
us between two fires,  and then
he could not fail of what he pro-
posed; he also ordered two more
of his battalions,  with six of
those under  Marsin,  into the
village of Oberclaw, which lay to-
wards their centre;  these were
also to march out and join the
troops from Blenheim;  he also
placed some foot in the two mills
that stood on the rivulet between
Blenheim and Oberclaw.
The rest of his troops, he threw
upon the height of the plain,
near half a mile from the marshy
ground, to give our troops an
opportunity to pass over to him.
This               

B L
This was the disposition Tallard
made of his sixty squadrons and
forty battalions which he brought
from the Rhine. But the Elector
and Marsin made a quite dif-
ferent disposition of their troops:
they drew up close to the marshy
ground, and would not suffer a
man to come over to them. Thus
was their whole army formed
for receiving us, which consisted
of one hundred and fifty-eight
squadrons, and eighty-five batta-
lions, with ninety cannon and
many mortars.
The Duke observing the dis-
position Tallard had made, saw
immediately his design; where-
upon he ordered  General Chur-
chill, with nineteen battalions,
to attack the village of Blen-
heim; and Lieutenant General
Wood, with eight squadrons,
to support him in case of need,
Here all our British infantry
were engaged.  He also ordered
Prince Holstein-beck, with six
battalions,  to attack the village
of Oberclaw; and two battalions
to attack the  mills.
A little before one, the signal
was given, at which time Bri-
gadier Rowe at the head of
two British brigades, led on the
attack of Blenheim, but were re-
pulsed with considerable loss,
The Brigadier was killed, and
the brigades pursued by some
horse that were on the flank of
the village; but upon the coming
up of the rest of the cavalry, the
horse retreated, and the two bri-
gades being soon rallied, came
again to the charge; so that we
drove the enemy from the skirts
of the village into the body of it,
which they had fortified after the
best manner they could in so short
B L
a time; in which this great body
of troops were so crowded, that
they had not room to use their
arms. We made several attempts
to force in upon them,  but
could not; in which we lost
many Officers and soldiers,
whose lives might have been
saved, had General Churchill,
and some other of our warm
Generals, been advised to halt
where we were forced to do
at last, which was about one
hundred paces from them, where
we drew up in great order, rea-
dy to receive them when they
offered to come out upon us; by
which they were so hemmed in,
that they were of no further use
to their army this day. They
have been blamed for not forcing
themselves through us, and join-
ing Tallard in the held: but
those that were of that opinion
knew nothing of the matter ;
for, considering the  situation
they were in, it was impossible
for them to draw  up in  any
order.
But suppose they could, they
must be put in great disorder in
coming over the works; so that
before they could put themselves
into any order to attack us,
they would be mowed down by
our troops, which they found by
experience; for they made se-
veral attempts to come out upon
us, but we cut them down as fast
as they appeared.
Thus was this great body of
Tallard's army rendered incapa-
ble of doing him any service in
the field, where he very much
wanted them.
The Duke having thus secur-
red himself from any attack in
the rear, ordered Colonel Palmes,
with 

B L
with three English squadrons, to
pass over before him; who, not
meeting with the least opposi-
tion, drew up on the side at some
distance from the marshy ground,
to give room for our lines, to form
behind him.
The Duke followed Palmes;
the mills were attacked, but
those that were in them set them
on fire, and made off. Both
cavalry and infantry, which the
Duke kept with him in the field,
which were not above ten squa-
drons, and twelve battalions,
passed over as well as they could,
and formed as fast as possible.
Tallard all this while, as a man
infatuated, stood gazing, with-
out suffering either great or small
shot to be fired at them; only
when he saw Palmes advanced
towards him, he ordered five
squadrons to march down and
cut those three squadrons to
pieces, and so return. The
Officer that commanded the
French squadrons, so soon as he
got clear of the line, ordered the
squadrons on his right and left
to edge outward, and then to
wheel in upon the flanks of
Palmes; which Palmes perceiv-
ing, ordered Major Oldfield,
who commanded the squadron
on his right, and Major Creed,
who commanded that on his
left, to wheel outwards and
charge the squadrons coming
down upon them; and not
doubting their beating them,
ordered them, when they had
done that, to wheel in upon
the flanks of the others, and he
at the same time would charge
them in the front. Accordingly
every thing succeeded; so that
these three squadrons drove their
B L 
five back to their army. This
was the first action in the field,
which took up some time, and
gave the Duke an opportunity
to form his lines. And now
there was a fair plain, without
hedge or ditch, for the cavalry
on both sides to shew their bra-
very, there being but few of the
infantry to interpose, and they
drawn up separately from the
horse.
Tallard seeing five of his
squadrons beat by three, was
confounded, yet advanced with
all his cavalry to charge the
Duke, at which time he expected
the troops in the villages to have
marched out and fallen on his
rear; but the Duke having taken
effectual means to prevent them,
was now advancing with his squa-
drons to  meet him.
The Gendarmes (of which
Tallard's horse chiefly consisted)
began the battle, giving a most
furious charge, and broke
through part of our front line;
but the second line coming up,
made them retreat faster than they
came on; upon which our squa-
drons advanced, and charged in
their turn: and thus they
charged each other for some
time with various success, till at
length the French began to abate,
and charged but faintly; so that
they gave ground as our squa-
drons advanced, till they got on
the height where they were first
drawn up, and where their ten
battalions had stood while the
horse were engaged, but now
advanced, and interposed with
their fire; which put a stop to
our squadrons, till our foot and
Colonel Blood's, with nine field-
pieces, laden with small shot,
came 

B L
came up, which kept them em-
ployed. This gave a respite to
the squadrons on both sides to
put themselves into order, after
the hurry and confusion that
constantly attend such actions.
During which time Tallard sent
to Blenheim for those troops to
come out to join him; but they
were neither able to help him
nor themselves: he also sent to
Marsin; but he sent him word,
that he had too much work on
his own hands.
The Duke, after this breathing,
being freed from the fire of their
foot, and finding their horse had
no great stomach for renewing
the battle, but rather seemed in
a tottering condition, gave or-
ders to all his cavalry to make a
bold charge upon them; which
they did with such resolution,
that it decided the fate of the
day, for they were not able to
stand this charge; and our
squadrons breaking through their
very centre, put them to an en-
tire rout: thirty of their squa-
drons fled towards their bridge
on the Danube, between Blen-
heim and Hochstet; but by a
crowd rushing upon it, it broke,
and our squadrons pursuing with
great fury, very few escaped
being killed or drowned. Tal-
lard fled that way, but finding
the bridge broke, he returned
toward Hochstet, but was taken
before he got thither; the rest of
their horse fled towards Lavin-
gen, but were not pursued far;
thirteen battalions were cut to
pieces, not one of them escaping,
but such as threw themselves
among the slain.
No General ever behaved with
more serenity of temper and
B L 
presence of mind, than the
Duke on this occasion; he was
in all places where his presence
was requisite.
Now let us see what was doing
between Prince Eugene, the E-
lector, and Marsin.
Those two Generals stood at
the very brink of the marshy
ground; and all that Prince
Eugene could do, would not
force them to give an inch of
ground, till the Duke, having
dispatched Tallard, was draw-
ing some squadrons that way;
which the Elector and Marsin
perceiving, and finding Tallard
draw out of the field, they im-
mediately put themselves on the
retreat, by readily forming their
troops into three columns, and
marched off with great expe-
dition.
By this time the Duke was
drawing down to fall on them as
they marched off; but a body
of troops being observed in the
rear of them, and their cavalry
which formed a column to cover
the infantry, marching in great
order, he halted, believing those
in the rear to be a rear guard
they had formed to cover their
retreat; and Prince Eugene, by
this time, having got a good
body of his troops over, and
just ready to fall on their rear,
seeing the Duke's squadrons
marching down, took them to
be some of Tallard's coming to
join the Elector, which occasi-
oned him to halt, for the rest of
his troops to come over; upon
which our Generals sent their
Aids de Camps to know how
affairs stood with each other; in
the mean time the Elector and
Marsin got over the pass of Nord-
C lingen. 

B L
lingen. Night coming on, and
the troops very much fatigued,
our Generals pursued no farther.
The troops in Blenheim, seeing
their army drove out of the field,
surrendered at discretion; but
those in Oberclaw made a shift to
get off with Marsin.
The loss of the enemy was
computed at forty thousand, kill-
ed, drowned, and taken, with
fifty pieces of cannon, tents and
baggage, beside a great booty.
Our army had near six thousand
killed, and eight thousand wound-
ed: those under Prince Eugene
suffered most.
BLINDS, are properly all
things that cover the besiegers
from the enemy; such as wool-
packs, fascines, chandeliers, man-
telets, gabions, sand bags, and
earth baskets.
BLOCKADE, is the blocking
up of a place, by posting troops
at all the avenues, to keep sup-
plies of men or provisions from
getting into it; thereby pro-
posing to starve it out, without
making any regular attacks. This
is called forming a blockade. To
raise a blockade, is to force the
troops that keep the place block-
aded up from their posts. To
turn a siege into a blockade, is
plain.
BLUNDERBUSS, is a short
fire-arm, with a large bore, very
wide at the mouth, carrying se-
veral pistol-balls or slugs, proper
for the defence of a barrack,
stair case, or door. The shortest
sort of them are  called musque-
toons.
BODY, or main body of an ar-
my, are the troops encamped be-
twixt the two wings, and which
in general are infantry.
B O
BOIS-LE-DUC is situated at the
confluence of the rivers Aa and
Dommel, twenty miles east of
Breda, and forty-three north-east 
of Antwerp. Both art and nature
have contributed to the strength
of this town; it is regularly for-
tified after the modern way; and
standing in the middle of a 
marsh, it can only be approach-
ed by causeways for  a great part
of the year.
BOLTS, are of several sorts:
those that go betwixt the cheeks
of a gun-carriage, to strengthen
the transums, are called the tran-
sum bolts: the large nobs of iron
on the check of a carriage,
which keep the hand-pike from
sliding, when it is poising  up
the breech of the piece, are
called the price-bolts: the  two
short bolts that, when put one
in each, and of an English mor-
tar carriage, serve to traverse
her, are called traverse-bolts:
the bolts that go through the
cheeks of a mortar, and by the
help of coins keep her fixed at
the elevation given her, are
called bracket-bolts; and the four
bolts that fasten the  brackets, or
cheeks of a mortar, are called
bed-bolts.
BOMB, is a great shell of cast-
iron, with a large vent to receive
a fuse. This fuse is made of
wood hollow at both ends, and
filled with a composition of meal-
powder, sulphur, and salt-petre:
when a bomb is filled with pow-
der, the fuse is drove into the
vent, within an inch of the head,
and pitched over to preserve it;
when the bomb is put into the
mortar, the fuse is uncapped,
and salted with meal-powder,
which takes fire from the flash
of 

B O
of the powder in the chamber,
and burns all the while the bomb
is in the air: when the composi-
tion is spent, it fires the powder
in the bomb, with a greater vio-
lence. Bombs are from fifty to
five hundred pounds weight.
BOMBARDIERS, are the men
employed about mortars; they
drive the fuse, fix the shell, and
load and fire the mortar; they
work with the fire-workmen, and
are the third rank of a private
man in a company of artillery.
BOMBARDMENT, is when a
great number of shells are thrown
into a place, to ruin and destroy
the buildings.
BONNET, is a small work, con-
sisting of two faces, having only
one parapet, with two rows of
palisades, of about ten or twelve
feet distance: it is generally rais-
ed before the salient angle of
the counterscarp, and has a com-
munication with the covert-way,
by a trench cut through the gla-
cis, and is guarded on each side
by palisades. 
BONIFACIO, a city on the
south of Corsica, founded on a
rock, well-fortified, and sur-
rounded by the sea, with a
castle that commands the entry
of the port.
BOSTON, the capital of New
England in North America, si-
tuated on a peninsula at the bot-
tom of a fine bay, covered with
little islands and rocks, and de-
fended by a castle and platforms
of guns, which make the approach
of an enemy extremely difficult.
It lies in the middle of a crescent
about the harbour.
BOUCHAIN, a fortified town
of Hainalt in French Flanders,
seven miles north of Cambray, 
B O 
and divided by the Scheld into
two parts. It was taken by the
Allies in Queen Anne's wars, and
afterwards retaken by the French.
Latitude, 50. 30. north;  lon-
gitude, 3. 15. east. It was in-
vested on the side of the lower
town, by the Duke of  Marlbo-
rough, on the 7th of August;
and by the detachment made
from the same army on the 9th,
under the orders and command
of his excellency General Baron
de Fagel, on the side of the
upper town, the 11th, 12th,
13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th,
and 18th of the same  month,
1711; whereby the place was
not only surrounded, but the
siege of it was begun in sight of
the army of Marshal Villars, and
of the entrenched camp, upon
the height of Waurechain, com-
manded by Lieutenant General
Abergotti. It beat the surrender
on the 12th of September, at
two in the afternoon; the gar-
rison marched out the 14th,
prisoners of war, and was
conducted to Tournay, and the
sick and wounded sent to, Cam-
bray. 
BOUILLON, a fortified city of
a dukedom of the same name in
French Luxemburg, situated on a
rock near the river Semois, and
has a strong castle on the highest
peak, ten miles north-east of Se-
dan. Latitude, 45. 55. north;
longitude, 5. 7. east.
BOULOGNE, or BOLOGNE,
sometimes called BONONIA a
port-town on the English chan-
nel, and the capital of  the Bou-
lognois, a territory of Picardy
in France, near the mouth of the
little river Liane. The entrance
into the harbour is difficult, and
defended 

B L                          
lingen. Night coming on, and
the troops very much fatigued,
our Generals pursued no farther.
The troops in Blenheim, seeing
their army drove out of the field,
surrendered at discretion; but
those in Oberclaw made a shift to
get off with Marsin.
The loss of the enemy was
computed at forty thousand, kill-
ed, drowned, and taken, with
fifty pieces of cannon, tents and
baggage, beside a great booty.
Our army had near six thousand
killed, and eight thousand wound-
ed: those under Prince Eugene
suffered most.
BLINDS, are properly all
things that cover the besiegers
from the enemy; such as wool-
packs, fascines, chandeliers man-
telets, gabions, sand bags, and
earth baskets.
BLOCKADE, is the blocking
up of a place, by posting troops
at all the avenues, to keep sup-
plies of men or provisions from
getting into it; thereby pro-
posing to starve it out, without
making any regular attacks. This
is called forming a blockade. To
raise a blockade, is to force the
troops that keep the place block-
aded up from their posts. To
turn a siege into a blockade, is
plain. 
BLUNDERBUSS, is a short
fire-arm, with a large bore, very
wide at the mouth, carrying se-
veral pistol-balls or slugs, proper
for the defence of a barrack,
stair case, or door. The shortest
sort of them are called musque-
toons.
BODY, or main body of an ar-
my, are the troops encamped be-
twixt the two wings, and which
in general are infantry. 
B O
BOIS-LE-DUC is situated at the
confluence of the rivers Aa and
Dommel, twenty miles east of
Breda, and forty-three north-east;
of Antwerp. Both art and nature
have contributed to the strength
of this town; it is regularly for-
tified after the modern way; and
standing in the middle of a
marsh, it can only be approach-
ed by causeways for a great part
of the year.
BOLTS, are of several sorts:
those that go betwixt the cheeks
of a gun-carriage, to strengthen
the transoms, are called the tran-
som bolts: the large nobs of iron
on the cheek of a carriage,
which keep the hand-pike from
sliding, when it is poising up
the breech of the piece, are
called the price-bolts: the two
short bolts that, when put one
in each, and of an English mor-
tar carriage, serve to traverse
her, are called traverse-bolts:
the bolts that go through the
cheeks of a mortar, and by the
help of coins keep her fixed at
the elevation given her, are
called bracket-bolts, and the four
bolts that fasten the brackets, or
cheeks of a mortar, are called
bed-bolts. 
BOMB, is a great shell of cast-
iron, with a large vent to receive
a fuse. This fuse is made of
wood hollow at both ends, and
filled with a composition of meal-
powder, sulphur, and salt petre:
when a bomb is filled with pow-
der, the fuse is drove into the
vent, within an inch of the head,
and pitched over to preserve it;
when the bomb is put into the
mortar, the fuse is uncapped,
and salted with meal-powder,
which takes fire from the flash
of 

B O
of the powder in the chamber,
and burns all the while the bomb
is in the air: when the composi-
tion is spent, it fires the powder
in the bomb, with a greater vio-
lence. Bombs are from fifty to
five hundred pounds weight.
BOMBARDIERS, are the men
employed about mortars; they
drive the fuse, fix the shell, and
load and fire the mortar; they
work with the fire-workmen, and
are the third rank of a private
man in a company of artillery.
BOMBARDMENT, is when a
great number of shells are thrown
into a place, to ruin and destroy
the buildings.
BONNET, is a small work, con-
sisting of two faces, having only
one parapet, with two rows of
palisades, of about ten or twelve
feet distance: it is generally rais-
ed before the salliant angle of
the counterscarp, and has a com-
munication with the covert-way,
by a trench cut through the gla-
cis, and is guarded on each side
by palisades. 
BONIFACIO, a city on the
south of Corsica, founded on  a
rock, well fortified, and  sur-
rounded by the sea, with  a
castle that commands the entry
of the port.
BOSTON, the capital of New
England in North America, si-
tuated on a peninsula at the bot-
tom of a fine bay, covered with
little islands and rocks, and de-
fended by a castle and  platforms
of guns, which make the approach
of an enemy extremely difficult.
It lies in the middle of a crescent
about the harbour.
BOUCHAIN, a fortified town
of Hainalt in French Flanders,
seven miles north of Cambray, 
B O            
and divided by the Scheld into
two parts. It was taken by the
Allies in Queen Anne's wars, and
afterwards retaken by the French.
Latitude, 50. 30. north; lon-
gitude, 3. 15.  east. It was in-
vested on the side of the lower
town, by the Duke of  Marlbo-
rough, on the 7th of August;
and by the detachment made
from the same army on the 9th,
under the orders and command
of his excellency General Baron
de Fagel, on the side of the
upper town,  the 11th, 12th,
13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th,
and 18th of the same  month,
1711;  whereby the place was
not only surrounded, but the
siege of it was begun in sight of
the army of Marshal Villars, and
of the intrenched camp, upon
the height of Waurechain, com-
manded by Lieutenant General
Abergotti. It beat the surrender
on the 12th of September, at
two in the afternoon; the gar-
rison marched out the 14th,
prisoners of war, and was
conducted to Tournay, and the
sick and wounded sent to, Cam-
bray. 
BOUILLON, a fortified city of
a dukedom of the same name in
French Luxemburg, situated on a
rock near the river Semois, and
has a strong castle on the highest;
peak, ten miles north-east of Se-
dan. Latitude, 45. 55.  north;
longitude, 5. 7.  east.
BOULOGNE, or BOLOGNE,
sometimes called BONONIA,  a
port-town on the English chan-
nel, and the capital of the Bou-
lognois, a territory of Picardy
in France, near the mouth of the
little river Liane. The entrance
into the harbour is difficult, and
defended 

B O
defended by a small fort; ships
of war can come no farther than
the road of St. Jean. Henry
VIII of England took it, but it
was restored to France in consi-
deration of three hundred thou-
sand crowns. It lies sixteen
miles south-west of Calais, and
one hundred and thirty north of
Paris, in latitude, 50. 40. north;
longitude, 1. 30.  east. See
plan 4.
BOURDEAUX, the capital of
Bourdelois, Guienne, and Gas-
cony in France, the see of an
archbishop, and the seat of a
parliament. It lies on the Ga-
ronne, in the form of a crescent.
For the defence of the city and
harbour are three forts; and
during the reign of Lewis XIV. It
was fortified in the modern
taste by the famous Vauban.
Edward the Black Prince resided
some years in this city; and his
son, afterwards Richard II. King
of England  was born here. It
is situated ninety miles south of
Rochelle, and two hundred and
sixty south-west of Paris. Lati-
tude,  44. 50. north; longitude,
40 minutes west. See plan 5. 
BOYAU, or branch of a trench,
is a line or particular trench,
made parallel to the defence of
the place, to avoid its being
flanked or enfiladed. When
two attacks are made upon a
place, it forms a line of com-
munication betwixt them; and
the parapet of a boyau being
still turned towards the place be-
sieged, it serves also for a line
of contravallation, to hinder
sallies and defend the work-
men.
BREACH, an opening made
in a wall or rampart, by cannon 
B R
or mines, sufficiently wide for
troops to enter the works and
drive the besieged out of them.
You attack, at the same time,
at other places, to give a diver-
sion to the enemy, and lessen
their resistance at the real attack:
and, if you cannot enter the
place, you at least make a lodge-
ment on the breach. To ren-
der the attack more difficult,
the enemy sometimes plant the
breach with crow-feet or chevaux-
de frize.
BREAK-GROUND, the first
opening of trenches against a
place; which is done in the
night time, by the advantage of
some rising ground, hollow way,
or any thing that can cover the
men from the enemy's fire.
BREDA, situated in a flat coun-
try, on the banks of the river
Merck, about twenty-seven miles
north-east of Antwerp, and as
many to the southward of Rot-
terdam. It is a large city, re-
gularly fortified after the modern
way, and one of the strongest
fortresses on the Dutch frontiers,
in which the States generally keep
a numerous garrison. 
The Spaniards, having a cor-
respondence with some papists in
the town, surprized it in 1581,
but it was retaken by a stratagem
in 1590. It was besieged in
1624 by Spinola, the Spanish
Admiral and General, with
30,000 men, who took such
precautions, that Prince Maurice
could not possibly relieve it; so
that, after almost a year's siege,
during which the garrison defend-
ed themselves with the greatest
bravery and resolution, and rais-
ed such fortifications as made it
one of the strongest cities in the
world, 

B R
world, it was forced to surren-
der for want of provisions, but
obtained honourable conditions.
It was retaken, after an obstinate
defence, by Frederic Prince of
Orange, in 1637.
BREST, a small fortified town
of Lower Brittany in France,
with a capacious fine road and
harbour, the best and safest in
the whole kingdom, but of  dif-
ficult entrance, by reason of
hidden rocks. It is defended by
a strong castle and tower. Here
are naval stores of all kinds,
with a French academy: in this
place the French lay up one of
their largest squadrons of ships
of war. In 1694 the English
attempted to take the town, but
their design transpired, and the
avenues being defended by a
numerous train of artillery, and
a superior army to the invaders,
General Talmash, who com-
manded the English, was mor-
tally wounded in making the de-
scent, and the forces Were oblig-
ed to retire with loss. It lies
one hundred and fifty miles
north-west of Nantz, and three
hundred west of Paris. Latitude
48. 25. north; longitude 4. 30.
west. See plan 6. 
BRETON (CAPE) an island of
North America, in the Atlantic
ocean, separated from Acadia or
New Scotland by the narrow
streight of Canso. It is about
an hundred miles in length, and
fifty in breadth; situated between
45 and 48 degrees north latitude,
and between 61 and 62 west lon-
gitude. It has several harbours,
with an excellent fishery on the
coast, and commands the navi-
gation to French Canada by the
river of St. Laurence. The 
B R
English took it from the French
in 1745, but restored it to them
by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle
in 1748: and in 1758 it was re-
taken by the English forces under
General Amherst and Admiral
Boscawen.
BREVET-OFFICER, is one who,
having a superior commission from
his Majesty, than that in his own
corps, takes rank by it, when
joined or doing duty with other
corps, whether of horse, foot, or
dragoons.
BRIDGES, made use of in mi-
litary expeditions, are of various
kinds. Of late years, tin boats,
called pontoons, have been usually
carried in armies, for laying
bridges over rivers upon occa-
sion; which is done by joining
these boats side by side till they
reach across the river, and  lay-
ing planks over them for the
men to march upon. A flying
bridge, pont volant, is made of
two small ones, laid one over
the other in such manner that
the uppermost stretches and runs
out, by the help of certain cords, 
till the end of it joins the place
it is designed to be fixed on.
Both these put together are not
above four or five fathom long,
and therefore are only of use to
surprize outworks, or posts that
have but narrow moats. A draw-
bridge is made fast only at one
end, with hinges, so that the
other may be lifted up or let
down at pleasure. Bridges of
rushes are made of great bundles
of rushes tied together, and
planks fastened upon them, to
be laid over marshes or boggy
places.
Bridge (in Gunnery) is a term
given to two pieces of timber,
which 

B R
which go between the two mid-
dle transoms of a gun-carriage,
on which rests the bed.
Bridges of communication, are
made over the river; by which
two armies, or two forts, which
are separated by this river, have
free communication one with the
other.
Draw bridges, are made of
several forms, but the most
common are made with pliers,
twice the height of the gate,
and a foot diameter; the inner
square is traversed with a St.
Andrew's cross, which serves for
a counterpoise; and the chains
which hang from the other ex-
tremities of the pliers to lift up,
or let down the bridge, are of
iron or brass.
Floating, or flying bridges, are
made of two small bridges, laid
one upon the other, so that the
uppermost, by the help of ropes
and pullies, is forced forwards,
till the end is joined to the place
designed. 
BRIGADE. An army is divided
into brigades of horse, and bri-
gades of foot. A brigade of
horse is a body of four or six
squadrons: a brigade of foot
consists of four, five, or six bat-
talions: the eldest brigade has
the right of the first line; and
the second, the right of the second
line; the two next take the left
of the two lines, and the youngest
hath the center. The battalions
which compose a brigade observe
the same order.
Brigade of Infantry, consists in
general of four battalions; and
each brigade should take its
name from the eldest regiment
of that brigade. 
B R
Brigade-major, an Officer ap-
pointed to act to a particular
brigade. The most ingenious
and expert Captains should be
chosen for this post: they are to
wait at orderly time to receive
the parole, and deliver the orders
which they carry, first to their
proper General, and afterwards
to the Adjutants of regiments,
at the head of the brigade, where
they regulate together the guards,
parties, detachments, and con-
voys, and appoint them the hour
and place of rendezvous, at the
head of the brigade, where the
Brigade major takes and marches
them to the place of the general
rendezvous. He ought to know
the state and condition of the
brigade, and keep a roll of the
Colonels, Lieutenant - colonels,
Majors, and Adjutants. When
a detachment is to be made, the
General of the day gives his
orders to the Brigade-major, 
how many men and Officers each
brigade must furnish, and they
again to the Adjutants of the
regiments, how many each bat-
talion is to send, which the
Adjutants divide amongst the
companies. The complement each
regiment is to furnish, are taken
by the Adjutants, at the head of
each regiment, at the hour  ap-
pointed, who deliver them to the
Brigade-major, at the head of
the brigade.
BRIGADIER, a General Offi-
cer, who has the command
of a brigade. The eldest Colo-
nels are generally advanced to
this post. He visits all the out-
guards and post of the army,
and at night takes the orders
from the Major-general of the
day, 

B R
day, and delivers it to the Ma-
jors of brigades, who attend at
orderly time. They march at the
head of their brigades, and are al-
lowed a guard.
Brigadiers, and Sub-Brigadiers,
are posts in the horse guards.
BRINGERS-UP. The whole last
rank of a battalion, being the
last men of each file, are called
Bringers-up.
BRINN, a well-fortified city of
Moravia, at the confluence of
Schwarto and Switta, forty miles
north of Vienna, was unsuccess-
fully besieged by the Swedes in
1646, and invested by the Saxons
in 1742; but Prince Charles of
Lorrain marching down at the
head of his army, obliged them
to raise the siege, and evacuate
Moravia with the utmost preci-
pitation: they were greatly har-
rassed in their rear by the Austrian
hussars. General Philibert, who
was detached with 2000 Hussars,
and 1000 Croats, came up with
the Saxon regiment of Hosel near
Ossow; which, after a bloody and
obstinate skirmish, they  intirely
defeated; having killed 340, and
made prisoners 180, with an in-
considerable loss.
BROUAGE, a fortified town in
the territory of Brouageis, be-
longing to Aunis in France,
eighteen miles south of Rochelle.
Latitude, 45. 58. north; longi-
tude, 1. 5. west. See Plan 7.
BRUSSELS, a spacious, forti-
fied, and delightful city of the
Low Countries, the metropolis
of the Dukedom of Brabant, and
seat of the Governors of the
Austrian Netherlands. It was
abandoned by the French in May,
1706, and possessed by the Duke
of Marlborough; the Elector of
B U
Bavaria mads several furious as-
saults on it in November, 1708,
but on the Duke of Marlborough's
passing the Scheld, he was obliged
to a precipitate retreat. It is
sweetly situated on the river Sen-
nes, twenty four miles south of
Antwerp, thirty south-east of
Ghent, and one hundred and
ninety east of London.
BUDA (NEW) is a royal free
town, the capital of Lower Hun-
gary, and stands on a hill on the
south side of the Danube, being
surrounded with walls and ditch-
es, and strongly fortified; near
it lies a very considerable castle,
the best in Hungary. This fa-
mous city  was in the possession
of the Turks from 1629 to 1686,
when the Germans, under the
command of the Duke of Lorrain,
after a siege of ten  weeks, took
it by storm. At this siege were
many noble volunteers from  all
parts of Europe, who distinguished
themselves by their valour, par-
ticularly the Duke of Berwick
and Lord Cutts from England.
It is situated eighty-four miles
south-east of Presburgh, and one
hundred and thirty-six of Vienna.
Latitude, 47, 40. north; longi-
tude, 19. 20. east.
BUENOS-AYRES, one of the
most considerable Spanish ports
of the province of La Plata, on
the east coast of South America,
lying on the south shore of the
river Plata, fifty leagues within
its mouth, yet here it is seven
leagues in breadth. It is well
fortified, and defended by a con-
siderable number of guns. Hither
is brought great part of the trea-
sure and merchandize of Peru
and Chili by this and other ri-
vers, and exported to Old Spain.
Hither 

C A                          
Hither also the South Sea factors
used to bring their Negroes, when
the English had the benefit of
the Assiento contract, and were
bought up by the Spaniards,
and sent to their settlements in
Peru and Chili. Latitude, 36.
10. south; longitude, 60. 5.
west.
CADET, is a young gentle-
man, who, to attain some
knowledge in the art of war,
and who, in expectation of pre-
ferment, chuses at first to carry
arms as a private man.
CADIZ, a large city and sea-
port of Andalusia in Spain, on
the north-west extremity of a long
neck of land in an island, ex-
tending from south-east to north-
west; the west part of which is
Cadiz; and the south east the
island of Leon, opposite to port
St. Mary's, being joined to the
main land, from which it is se-
separated by a narrow channel of
the sea, by the bridge  Suaco,
both extremities of which are
defended by redoubts and other
works. This island from fort
St. Cathalonia to the isle St.
Pedro is five miles long, and,
from south-point near the latter,
to the north near Suaco bridge,
two miles broad. The neck of
land extending from this island
is at first very small, afterwards
it becomes broader, has several
windings and angles, and ter-
minates in two capes, the prin-
cipal of which, namely, that to
the west, is called St. Sebastiano.
The island on which Cadiz stands,
and the opposite shore, form a bay
twelve miles long, and about six
in breadth; but near the  middle
of the bay are two points of land,
C A
one on the continent, and the
other on the island, five hundred
fathoms asunder, on which are
the sorts Puntal and Matagorda,
commanding the passage; and
within the points is a large and
very good harbour, which no
enemy can enter till these sorts
are taken; for which reason the
English landed in 1702 on the
continent near St. Mary's, in or-
der to attack the Puntal, which
not being able to reduce, they
were obliged to re-imbark with-
out effecting any thing; but the
Earl of Essex landing on the
island in 1596, took and burnt
the town, having plundered it of
immense treasure, and destroyed
the galleons in the harbour.
Cadiz, which is of a pretty large
circuit, is surrounded with walls
and irregular bastions, and most-
ly inaccessible, by reason of a
steep coast, rocks, and sand banks.
It is situated forty miles north-
west of Gibraltar. Latitude, 36.
30; longitude, 6, 40.  west.
CAGLIARI, or CALARI, an-
ciently CALARIS, the capital of
the island of Sardinia, situated
on a large bay of the same name;
has a secure harbour, and, be-
sides other strong fortifications,
a castle. This place, with the
whole island, was reduced by
the English in 1708, and given
to the late Emperor Charles VI.
then nominal King of Spain,
and retaken by the Spaniards in
1717; but by a treaty two years
afterwards it was  ceded to the
Duke of Savoy, with part of the
Milanese, in lieu of Sicily; and
the house of Savoy still retains
this city and island, with the title
of Duke of Sardinia. Cagliari
is the seat of the Viceroy, an
university, 

C A
university, and the see of an
Archbishop. It lies one hundred
and eighty-six miles north-west of
Palermo in Sicily. Latitude,
39. 7. north; long. 9. 14. east.
CAISSON, is a chest of wood,
holding four or six bombs, some-
times filled only with powder,
and buried by the besiegers under
ground, to blow up a work which
the besiegers are like to be mas-
ters of. After the bonnet is blown
up by the mine, they lodge a
a caisson under its ruins; and the
enemy being advanced to make
a lodgment there, they fire the
caisson by the help of a success
or pudding, and blow up that
post a second time.
CALAIS, the capital of the
reconquered country in Picardy
in France, a fortified town and
harbour on the English channel.
Its figure is a quadrangle, the
two longer sides being towards
the sea and land. Besides its
regular works, it has a citadel
to the west, and the entrance
into the harbour is defended by
a fortress; but its greatest strength
arises from its situation among
the marshes, as on the approach
of an enemy it can be overflown.
For the conveniency of trade,
a canal runs from it to St. Omers,
Graveline, Dunkirk, Bergues, and
Ypres. Anciently the harbour was
a good one, but is now so choak-
ed up, that a ship of any burthen
cannot safely enter it. It lies
twenty two miles south-east of
Dover in England, and one hun-
dred and forty-three north of
Paris. Latitude,  51.  2.  north;
longitude,  2. 10. east. See plan 8.
CALIBER, is a term in gun-
nery, signifying  the diameter or
wideness of a piece of ordnance.
C A 
Caliber-compasses, are compasses
used by gunners, for taking the
diameters of the several pieces of
ordnance, or of bombs, bullets,
&c. Their legs are therefore
circular, on an arch of brass,
whereon is marked the inches
and half-inches, to shew how
far the points of the compasses
are opened asunder.
CAMBRAY, a large city, on
the river Scheld. It stands about
twenty miles almost east of Arras,
fifteen south-west of Valenci-
ennes, and twelve south-east of
Douay. It is regularly fortified,
and has a very strong citadel,
its walls being all faced with
free-stone; and as the neigh-
bouring country may be laid
under water, it is esteemed one
of the strongest places in the
Netherlands.
CAMP, is the spot of ground
occupied by an army, to pitch
their tents.
CAMPAIGN, is that indeter-
minate portion of time expend-
ed by an army between taking
the field, and returning to gar-
rison.
CAMPEACHY, stands open to
the sea; the houses are not high,
but the walls very strong, the
roofs flattish; when taken by the
Spaniards, was a large town.
There is a good dock, and a
strong citadel or fort, where a
Governor resides, with a garri-
son, which commands both the
town and harbour. The English,
under the command of Sir Chris-
topher Mims, in 1659, stormed
and took it with small arms;
and it was a second time taken
by the English and French Buc-
caniers, by surprize, in 1678.
The port is large, but shallow.
D CANDIA,

C A
CANDIA, probably the ancient
Mutium, the present capital of
an island of the same name in
the Mediterranean. It stands on
the north side of the island near
the sea, in a plain at the foot of
a mountain, and on the site of
the ancient city of Heraclea;
it is at present no more than the
shadow of its former greatness,
having been reduced by the siege
it underwent by the Turks from
1645 to 1669, when it was storm-
ed fifty-six times, and about two
hundred thousand Turks killed
under its walls. It is still in the
possession of the Turks. Lati-
tude, 35. 30. north; longitude,
35. 5. east.
CANNON. See Gun
CANTEEN, is a tin vessel used
by the soldiers to carry their
drink or water in.
CAPITAL, of a work, is an
imaginary line, which divides
that work into two  equal and
similar parts.
CAPITULATION, is the agree-
ment made by the besieged with
the besiegers, on what condition
the place is to surrender: the
chamade being beat, all hostili-
ties cease on both sides; if the
capitulation be agreed to and
signed, hostages on both sides are
delivered, for the exact perform-
ance of the articles.
CAPONIER, is a passage made
from one work to another of ten
or twelve feet wide, covered on
each side by a parapet, terminat-
ing in a slope or glacis: thus,
when the ditch is dry, the passage
from the curtain to the ravelin,
or that from the covert-way to
the arrows or detached redoubts,
are called caponiers.
They are often single parapets,
C A 
raised on the entrance of a ditch,
before the ravelin, for placing
small cannons, and men behind
them, to dispute the passage over
that ditch.
CAPTAIN of battle-axe guards,
generally obtains the rank of Co-
lonel: the two Lieutenants have
the rank of Captains.
Captain-Lieutenant, the Officer
who commands the Colonel's
troop or company.
CARABINE, is a fire-arm, short-
er than a firelock, hanging at the
belt of a light-horseman.
CARCASS, is an invention of
an oval form, made of ribs of
iron, afterwards filled with a com-
position of meal-powder, salt-pe-
tre, sulphur, glass, shavings of
horn, pitch, turpentine, tallow,
and lin-seed oil, and then coated
over with a pitched cloth; it is
primed with meal-powder and
quick-match, and fired out of a
mortar: the design of it is to set
houses on fire. Two small cords
are fixed to the sides for lifting it
into the mortar.
CARRIAGE, is a general term
for waggons, carts, litters, &c.
Carriage of a cannon, is a long,
narrow cart, invented for march-
ing of cannon; and for the more
convenient using them in action,
they are made of two planks of
wood, commonly half as long
again as the gun.
Carriage. See Ammunition Cart.
Block-carriage, is a cart made
on purpose for carrying of mor-
tars and their beds from one
place to another.
Truck-carriages, are two short
planks of wood, supported on two
axle-trees, having four trucks
or wheels of solid wood, about
a foot and a half, or two feet
diameter, 

C A
diameter, for carrying mortars or
guns upon a battery, where their
own carriages cannot go, and are
drawn by men.
CARTEL, an agreement be-
tween Princes, Generals, Govern-
ors, or Commanding Officers at
war, for exchange of prisoners.
CARTHAGENA-LA-NUEVA, or
New Carthagena, so called to
distinguish it from Carthagena in
Old Spain, lies south of Jamaica,
on the Spanish continent, to the
east of the great gulf of Darien;
in ten degrees, twenty-fix miles
north latitude; and seventy-five
degrees longitude west of Lon-
don. It was begun in 1532, and
about eight years after became
a wealthy, stately, and well in-
habited city: it has one of the
noblest basons or harbours in
the world, being some leagues in
circumference; and is land-lock-
ed on all sides; its entrance is de-
fended by the strong castle of
Bocca-chica, and three lesser
forts. Between this harbour and
the town are two necks of land,
on which are the strong fortress
Castillo Grande, and fort Man-
zanella, which defend the lesser
harbour that runs close to the 
town: there is likewise the fort
St. Lazare, which defends the
town on the land-side; and
though the sea beats on the town
walls, the surf runs so high, that
there is no coming at it, but
through these harbours. In
1583 it was plundered by Sir
Francis Drake; who having
burnt one half of it, the inha-
bitants ransomed the other for
one hundred and twenty thou-
sand ducats. Before it was per-
fectly repaired, a disgusted Spa-
niard again burnt it, and seized 
C A           
a great treasure. In 1697, M.
de Pointi, with a squadron of
French ships, took the city after
a formal siege; when the plunder
amounted to about eight milli-
ons of livres in silver, and one
in jewels. Having recovered its
trade and wealth, in so short a
time, it might well be accounted
one of the principal cities in
America. This place was un-
successfully attacked in 1741,
under the commands of General
Wentworth and Admiral Ver-
non. They injudiciously at-
tempted this enterprize in a sea-
son when the serena, or evening
and night air, is deadly to all
foreigners exposed to it. The
contagion in six days swept off
above five hundred men: and
out of the ten thousand troops,
they landed, there were only
sixteen hundred and fifty fit for
duty at re-imbarking.
CARTOUCH, a case of wood,
about three inches thick at bot-
tom, girt round with marlin,
holding about four hundred mus-
quet balls, besides six or eight
balls of iron, of a pound weight; 
it is fired out of a hobitz, a small
sort of mortar, and is very pro-
per for defending a pass.
A new sort is made, much
better than the former, of a
globular form, and filled with
ball of a pound weight; others
were then made for the guns,
being of ball of half or quarter
pound weight, according to the
nature of the gun, tied in form
of a bunch of grapes, on a tom-
pion of wood, and coated over:
these were made in the room of
the patridge-shot, and very
much exceed them, as some of
the French battalions experien-
ced 

C A
ced at the battle of Blenheim.
CARTRIDGE, is a case of
brown paper, holding the exact
charge of a fire-arm; those for
musquets, carabines, or pistols,
hold both the powder and ball
for the charge.
Cartridge-box, a case of wood
or turned tin, covered with lea-
ther, holding thirty rounds of
powder and ball, is wore upon a
belt and hangs a little higher than
the pocket-hole.
CASCABAL, is the knob of
metal behind the breech of a can-
non; the diameter of it is equal
to the diameter of the bore of
the piece. The neck of the casca-
bel is what joins it to the breech
of the moulding.
CASEMENT, is a bomb-proof
work made under the rampart,
like a cellar or cave, with loop-
holes to place guns in.
CASKS, or Barrels, are used
in the army, for carrying  meal
to be laid up in magazines, or
along with the army, for
bread. 
CASTRAMETATION. By it we
are literally to understand the art
of measuring or tracing out the
form of a camp on the ground;
yet it sometimes has a more  ex-
tensive signification, by including
all the views and designs of a
General: the one requires a ma-
thematician, the other an expe-
rienced Officer.
CAVALIER, is a work raised
generally within the body of the
place, ten or twelve feet higher
than its other works; their most
common situation is within the
bastion, and they are nearly
made in the same form; some-
times they are also placed in the
gorges, or on the middle of the 
C A
curtain; but then they are made
in the form of an horse-shoe, and
somewhat flatter.
The use of Cavaliers is to
command all the adjacent works
and country about it; they are
seldom or never made but when
there is an hill or rising ground,
which overlooks some of the
works.
CAUDEBEC, a small but po-
pulous city of Upper Normandy
in France, on the north side of
the Seine, sixteen miles west of
Rouen. In 1419 it was taken by
the English; in 1562 by the Hu-
guenots, and was re-taken by the
King's troops in 1592. Latitude,
49, 32, north; longitude, 45
minutes east.
CAVIN, is a natural hollow,
fit to lodge a body of troops: it
is of great use to the besiegers;
for by the help of such a place,
they can open trenches, make
places of arms, or keep guards of
horse, without great danger.
CAZERNS, or Barracks, are
lodgings built in garrisoned
towns.
CENTRE, is the middle point
of a circle. 
CESSATION of arms, is when
a Governor of a place besieged,
finding himself reduced to such
an extremity, that he must either
surrender, or sacrifice himself,
his garrison, and inhabitants, to
the mercy of the enemy, plants a
white flag on the breach, or beats
the chamade to capitulate; at
which both parties cease firing,
and all other acts of hostility, till
the proposals be either agreed to
or rejected.
CEUTA, a city of Fez in
Africa, on the south side of the
Streights of Gibraltar, almost op-
posite 

C H
posite to that place; it is a strong
fortress, in the possession of Spain,
but frequently attacked by  the
Moors, and situated one hundred
and fifty miles north of Fez.
Latitude, 35. 50. north longi-
tude, 6. 30. west.
CHAGRE, is situated on a steep
rock, at the mouth of the Rio
de Charge, eighteen leagues dis-
tant from Porto Bello. It is de-
fended by the Castillo de San
Lorenzo, which commands the
entrance of that river. On the
west side of the harbour is Fuerto
de la Punta. This fort is com-
manded by a Commandant; the
garrison is detached from Pana-
ma. In 1669, Captain Morgan
landed the Buccaneers a few miles
to the east, and besieged Castillo
de San Lorenzo, which was de-
fended with great resolution;
for, after the English had made
a breach, defended by the Go-
vernor with twenty-five men,
several of Spaniards threw
themselves from the top of the
hill into the sea, choosing rather
to die, than to ask quarter; the 
Governor, though retreating con-
tinued to defend himself, but
at last was killed; on which the
rest surrendered prisoners of war,
being only thirty left out of three
hundred and fourteen, and most
of them wounded; all the Of-
ficers being killed. The English
had upwards of one hundred men
killed, and seventy wounded.
Captain Morgan having been
refused a ransom by the Gover-
nor of Porto Bello for this castle,
took all the cannon, demolished
the walls, and burnt the build-
ings.
Admiral Vernon came before
this place on the 20th of March, 
C H
1740, and ordered Capt. Knowles
close in with the ketches, who
incessantly bombarding the castle
for two days, it surrendered on
the 22d to the Admiral; about
twenty-two brass cannon, with
part of the garrison, being em-
barked, on the 29th the mines
were sprung, which entirely de-
molished the lower bastion, blew
up some of the upper works, and
destroyed by fire the inner build-
ings of the castle of San Lorenzo.
CHAIN, a number of brass or
iron rings, linked one in ano-
ther. An engineer's chain, for
measuring of ground, is of a
certain number of links, of an
equal length. Chains of a gun
are of iron, and very strong,
fixed on the draft-hooks, and
going along the shafts of the
timber, to ease them; but they
are not used for small guns.
CHAMADE, a signal made by
beat of drum, for a conference
with the enemy, when any thing
is to be proposed; as a capitu-
lation, or a cessation of arms, 
to bring off the dead; or by the
besieged, when they have a mind
to deliver up a place upon ar-
ticles of capitulation; then
there is a suspension of arms,
and hostages delivered on both
sides.
CHAMBER, of a mortar, is
that part of the chase where the
powder lies, and is much nar-
rower than the rest of the cylin-
der; some are like a reversed
cone, or sugar loaf; others glo-
bical, with a neck for its com-
munication with the cylinder,
and are called bottled-chambers.
The powder-chamber, or bomb-
chamber, on a battery, is a place
sunk under ground, for holding
powder 

C H
powder or bombs, where they
may be out of danger, and pre-
served from the rain.
Chamber, is that place of a mine
where the powder is lodged.
CHANDALIER, is a wooden
frame, whereon are laid fascines
or faggots, to cover the workmen
while carrying on the approaches.
CHARGED CYLINDER, is that
part of the chase of a gun where
the powder and ball are con-
tained.
CHARLEMONT, situated on
the top of a hill, under which
runs the river Mease, twenty-
five miles south of Namur, and
about the same distance south-
east of Charleroy. It was forti-
fied in the year 1555 by the
Emperor Charles V. to whom it
was granted by the Bishop of
Liege; but the French got pos-
session of it in the year 1680.
CHARLEROY, a strong fortified
town of Namur in the Austrian
Low Countries, on the Sambre,
nineteen miles west of the city of
Namur. Latitude, 50. 30. north;
longitude, 4. 20. east.
CHARLES-FORT, in the county
of Cork, and province of Mun-
ster, stands at the entrance of
Kinsale harboar, is pretty strong
towards the sea, though not
so by land, as the works are
commanded by rising ground.
C H 
Latitude, 51. 21. north; longi-
tude, 8. 20. west.
CHATEAU DAUPHINE, a for-
tified castle in Piedmont in
Upper Italy, ceded by France
to Piedmont by the peace of
Utrecht, and taken by the Spa-
niards in 1744. Latitude, 44.
30. north; longitude, 6.  40.
east.
CHATHAM, a port-town of
Kent, on the east side of the
river Medway; one of the prin-
cipal stations for the British navy,
and has a royal yard, well pro-
vided with timber, and all other
stores necessary for building and
fitting out the largest fleet.
Though the mouth of the river
is well defended by Sheerness,
and with other forts and castles,
yet in the Dutch war in 1667,
through neglect, the enemy came
up the river and burnt some of
the first rates and other ships of
war then lying there. It lies
thirty miles from London. La-
titude, 51. 40. north; longitude,
3 minutes east.
CHEEKS, of a mortar, or
brackets, are made of strong
planks of wood, of near a se-
mi-circular form, bound with
thick plates of iron, and are
fixed to the bed, by four bolts,
called bed-bolts; they rise on
each side of the mortar, and
serve to keep her at what ele-
vation is given her, by the
help of strong  bolts of iron
which go through the cheeks,
both under and behind the mor-
tar, betwixt which are drove
coins of wood. These bolts are
called bracket - bolts; and the
bolts which are put one in each
end of the bed, are the traverse-
bolts; because, with hand-
spike

C H
spikes the mortar is by those tra-
versed to the right or left.
CHERBURG, a port-town of
Normandy in France on the
English Channel, opposite to
Hampshire, fifty miles north
west of Caen. Off this place the
confedérate fleet under Admiral
Russell obtained a signal victory
over that of the French, com-
manded by M. Tourville, in
1692, and afterwards burnt
twenty of their ships of war
near Cape la Hogue. In 1758
the English forces under Gene-
ral Blyth and Commodore now
Lord Howe, took it from the
French, destroyed the fine bason
and works erected at a vast ex-
pence, took twenty-two pieces
of brass cannon and mortars,
and destroyed one hundred and
seventy-three iron cannon, and
three mortars. Latitude, 49.
45. north; longitude, 1. 40.
west. See plan 9.
CHEVEAUX-DE-FRIZE, large
joints or beams, stuck full of
wooden pins, armed with iron,
to stop breaches, or to secure a
passage of a camp against the
enemy's cavalry.
CHEVRETTE, among the many
inventions for raising of guns or
mortars into their carriages, this
engine is the most useful; it is
made of two pieces of wood, of
about four feet long, standing
C I 
upright upon a third, which is
square; they are about a foot
asunder, and parallel, and are
pierced with holes exactly to one
another, having a bolt of iron,
which being put through these
holes, higher or lower at plea-
sure, serves with a hand-spike,
which takes its poise over this
bolt, to raise any thing by force.
CIRCLE, a plain figure; com-
prehended within a crooked line,
called the circumference, which
has all its parts equally distant
from a certain point, called the
centre.
Arch of a Circle, an unde-
termined part of the circumfer-
ence of a circle, being some-
times larger, and sometimes
smaller.
Line of circumvalation, is a
kind of fortification, consisting
of a parapet, or breast-work,
and a ditch before it, to cover
the besiegers against any attempt
of the enemy in the field.
CITADEL, is a kind of a fort
of four, five, or six  bastions,
raised on the most advantageous,
ground about the city, the bet-
ter to command it, by an open,
or esplanade, in order to hinder
the approach of an enemy; so
that the citadel defends the in-
habitants and can punish their
revolt. A citadel must not be
too large, because too spacious a
circumference is difficult to for-
tify or defend and should there-
fore be so contrived, as to  be
easily defended, and speedily
succoured, by having two of its
bastions within, and the rest
without. If the town be on a
river, let the citadel not only
command it, but likewise the
place and country about it,
without 

C L
without any fear of danger from
the enemy's works on an emi-
nence near it. Thus if the
enemy should seize the place,
they may again be beaten out
from the citadel.
CLOUTS, are thin plates of
iron, nailed on that part of the
axel-tree of a gun-carriage, that
comes through the nave, and is
secured by lins-pins.
COFFER, is a work sunk in
the bottom of a dry moat, about
six or seven feet wide, the length
of it being from one side of the
moat to the other, with a pa-
rapet of about two feet high,
full of loop-holes covered over-
head with joists, hurdles, and
earth; they serve to fire on the
besiegers, when they endeavour
to pass the moat, and differ
from the caponier, because they
are longer; for the eaponier
takes not the whole breadth of
the moat; it differs likewise
from the traverse and the gal-
lery, because that is  made by
the besieged, but this by the
besiegers. 
COLOCZA, a fortified town of
Hungary, proper on the Danube;
it is the see of an Archbishop,
but has undergone several vi-
cissitudes from the Turks and
Hungarians; it lies fifty miles
south-east of Buda, and is subject
to Austria. Latitude, 46. 56.
north; longitude, 19. 40. east.
COLUMN, of an army on a march,
is a long row of troops, follow-
ing one another. Sometimes
the army marches in four, six,
or eight columns, according to
the convenience of the ground it
occupies. All the parts should
be so ordered, that regula-
rity may be preserved by the 
C O
Officers, and no confusion ensue,
either by the form of the co-
lumns, the density of the body,
the difficulty of communicating
orders, or obstacles to prevent
the officers from having 2 con-
tinual eye on their men.
COMMANDING-GROUND, an
eminence, or rising-ground, over-
looking a post.
COMISSION, the authority
granted by a Prince, or his Ge-
neral, to Officers, by which he
invests them with commands
agreeable to  his pleasure and
their abilities.
COMPLEMENT, of the curtain,
that part of it which makes the
demi-gorge.
Complement of the line of defence,
the remainder of the line of de-
fence, after the angle of the line
is taken off.
COMPLIMENT, of the line of
an army turning out, is  due  to
his Majesty, the Queen, or any
of the Royal Family, (Lord-
lieutenant, if in Ireland) Cap-
tain-general, or Commander in
Chief (being a General Officer)
of the encampment. 
Compliment from Guards, is
due to his Majesty, the Queen,
or any of the Royal Family,
(Lord Lieutenant if in Ireland)
General officers, &c.
COMPTROLLER of the artillery,
is a post of great trust; he in-
spects the musters of the artillery,
makes the pay lift, takes the
accompts and the remains of
stores, and is accountable to the
Ordnance.
CONDE, stands about six miles
north east of Valenciennes and
Vall; and ten or twelve  west-
ward of Mons, at the conflux of
the rivers Schelde and Haine, in
a low 

C O
a low and marshy country. The
town is small, but exceedingly
well fortified, and strong by the
nature of its situation. This
town has often been taken and re-
taken by the French and Spa-
niards. The last time the French
took it was in 1676; and it was
confirmed to them by  the treaty
of Nimegnen. After the victory
gained over them at Ramillies,
they cast up lines; which was
from Mons along the Haipe to
Condé, and from thence along
the Scheld to Tourney.
CONDUCTORS, are assistants giv-
en to the Commissary of the
Stores, to receive or deliver out
stores, to the army, to attend at
the magazines by turns, when in
garrison, and to look after the
ammunition waggons in the field:
they bring their accounts e-
very night to the Commissary,
and are immediately under his
command.
CONE, a body made by turn-
ing of a right angled trian-
gle round a circle, the angular
point of the right angle being
fixed in the centre, which forms
a pyramid, whose basis is a
circle. 
COINS, are wedges of wood
under the breech of a gun, by
which the Gunner rises or falls
the muzzle of his piece or mor-
tar, till he points it exactly at
the object; each gun has three
coins.
CONTRAVALLATION, a trench,
with a parapet, made by the
besiegers, betwixt them and the
place besieged, to secure them
from the sallies of the garrison,
so that the troops which form
the siege, are encamped be-
tween the lines of circumval- 
C O
lation and contravallation: when
the enemy has no army in the
field, there is no occasion for
lines of circumvallation; and
when the garrison is weak, the
lines of contravallation are sel-
dom used.
CONTRIBUTION, an imposi-
tion or tax paid by frontier
countries, to excuse themselves
from being plundered by the
enemy.
CONVOY, is a supply of men,
money, ammunition, or provi-
sions, conveyed into a town, or
to an army. The body of men
that guard this supply, are like-
wise called the convoy.
COPENHAGEN, the capital of
Denmark, lies on the east shore
of the island of Zealand on a
fine bay of the Baltic, five miles
from the streight called the Sound
or Oresund, and not above six-
teen from the coast of Schoen in
Sweden. It is opposite to the
isle of Amack which forms the
harbour. It stands in a marshy
ground, but is fortified in the 
modern manner, and has a cita-
del; the harbour is defended by
forts and platforms, and the en-
trance to it so narrow as to ad-
mit only one ship. In certain
places of the town are canals for
large ships to come up to the
very houses. It appears how-
ever that their fortifications are
not a sufficient defence against a
bombardment by sea, nor from
the attacks of a land-army on
that side; for the Baltic has been
so firmly frozen over in some
years, that the Swedes have
brought their artillery over the
ice, and besieged Copenhagen;
and by its lying in a morass, it
is more easily approached on
E that 

C O
that side in winter than summer.
Latitude, 55. 40. north; longi-
tude, 12. 50. east.
CORDON, a round projection
made of stone, in a semicircular
form, whose diameter is about
eight inches, which ranges quite
round the wall, within four feet
from the upper part.
CORIDOR a French term for co-
vert-way.
CORNET, the youngest Officer
of a troop, is a very honourable
post; for one part of his duty is
to carry the standard in the day
of battle, though no greater dis-
honour can happen to a regiment,
than the loss of a standard.
CORNISH-RING, a small ring
near the muzzle of a gun.
CORPORAL, an inferior Officer
to a Serjeant, posts  and relieves
the sentries. While the guard
is relieving, he gives the orders
he received  to the Corporal of
the new guard, and, shews him
all the posts.  He carries a fire-
lock advanced.
COVERT-WAY, is a space of
ground, level with the Country,
about three or four fathoms wide,
covered by a parapet, which
goes quite round the place. The
greatest effort in sieges, is to
make a lodgement on the covert-
way, which the besiegers gene-
rally pallisade and undermine:
this parapet slopes insensibly to-
wards the campaign; and the
talus, or sloping, is called the
glacis, which the besiegers are
generally obliged to sap through
to make a lodgement. The pa-
rapet of the covert-way is about
six feet high, with a banquette,
and forms a salient angle before
the curtain, which serves for a
place of arms.
C O
COUNCIL of War, is when a
Commander in Chief of an army,
or Governor of a garrison, as-
sembles the principal Officers for
their advice, upon some affairs of
importance.
COUNTER-APPROACHES, are
works made by the besiegers,
when they come out, to hinder
the approach of the enemy, when
they design to attack them in
form.
COUNTER-BATTERIES, such
as are erected against each of the
adverse batteries: and they should
always be superior to those of the
enemy. Cavaliers and platforms
are sometimes erected to strength-
en them.
COUNTER-GUARD, is a work
placed before the bastions, to
cover the opposite flanks from
being seen from the covert-way;
they are likewise made before the
ravelins. When they are placed
before the bastions, they are esteem-
ed a very good defence.
COUNTER-MARCH, an army's
suddenly turning their march a
contrary way; to prevent the
enemy from getting between them
and their garrison, to disappoint
and amuse them. A battalion
is said to counter-march, when
the wings of a battalion inter-
change ground.
COUNTER-MINES, are used
when the besiegers have, not-
withstanding the opposition of the
besieged, passed the fosse, and
put the miner to the foot of the
rampart. They are of two sorts;
being either made when the ba-
stion is raised; or afterwards,
when it is attacked. Those
that are made when the bastion
is raised, are carried quite
round the faces of a bastion;
their 

C O
their height is from four to five
feet, and broad enough for a
man to pass easily: the others,
which are made in time of ne-
cessity, when the besiegers are
undermining a bastion, are pits
sunk deep in the ground, where
the miner is supposed to be,
from whence they run out
branches, in search of the ene-
my's mine, to frustrate the ef-
fect of it, by either taking away
the powder, or cutting off the
train.
COUNTERSCARP, is the out-
side of a ditch, opposite to the
parapet of the work, behind the
ditch. It is often said that the
besiegers have carried their
lodgements upon the counter-
scarp, when they are lodged on
the covert-way.
Counterscarps that are not walled,
should be as steep as possible, to
hinder a descent into the fosse,
and yet they must be so con-
trived as to admit of succours,
and afford a safe retreat to the
town. 
COUNTER-SIGN, is generally
given out with the parole, is
made use of in the same manner,
and frequently exchanged by the
guards and rounds.
COURT-MARTIAL, was insti-
tuted by the Legislature, not only
to check all arbitrary proceedings
that are contrary to good order
and military discipline; but also
to examine into the conduct of
Officers and soldiers; to pass sen-
tence upon those who shall be
found guilty of a breach of the
Articles of War; or, by their
judgment, to remove any bad
impression, or misrepresentation,
that may be made to the pre-
judice of an Officer. 
C O
Court-martial, general, is com-
posed of a President and twelve
Members, with a Judge-advo-
cate. The President is of the
rank of a Field-officer, with
twelve of the rank of Captain, if
they can conveniently be assem-
bled: if to try any under the
rank of a Field-officer, a Cap-
tain may sit as President (when
no Field-officer can be had) with
twelve Commissioned - officers,
who are all sworn: but in the
garrisons of Goree and Senegal,
or upon any detachments there-
from, they need only consist of
five; but the President should
not be under the degree of a
Field officer; though a Captain
may preside, when a Field officer
cannot attend.
Court-martial, regimental, is com-
posed of five Officers, the eldest
whereof is President; but when
that number cannot conveniently
assemble, three are sufficient.
Neither the members or witnesses
are sworn. 
Court-martial, garrison, is com-
posed of the same number of Of-
ficers, of horse, dragoons, foot,
or marines, as a Regimental
Court. The approving Officer
is the Governor, Lieutenant-go-
vernor, or the Officer command-
ing. Neither the members or
witnesses are sworn.
Court of Inquiry, is of a very
delicate nature: a number of
Officers are assembled together,
to enquire into an officer's supposed
misbehaviour; and I have known
them ordered to give their opi-
nions in writing, to the person
who ordered them to assemble,
that he may judge from their de-
termination, if there is a suffi-
cient matter to bring him to a
General 

C R
General Court-martial.
There is no article of war for
this kind of proceeding; and
though it has frequently been
complained of, because the mem-
bers are not sworn, and that its
opinion may influence a General
Court-martial by prejudging the
cause; yet reason has hitherto
been unsuccessful in its endea-
vours to abolish this inequitable
custom of the army.
CREMONA, a large city in the
dukedom of Milan, defended by
a strong castle, is five miles in
circuit, lies close to the Po,
over which is a bridge of boats,
covered by a fort. It stands on a
fine plain, on the river Po, by the
borders of Parma, fifteen miles
north-east of Piacenza; twenty-
five north-west of Parma; twenty-
eight south of Brescia; thirty-
eight almost west of Mantua;
and forty-five east of Milan.
Longitude, 30. 14; latitude,
44. 42.
CRESCENTINO, a city of Italy,
upon the borders of the princi-
pality of Piedmont, subject to
the Duke of Savoy, but taken by
the French in 1704. In Septem-
ber 1706, the  Confederates re-
took, it after the glorious victory 
obtained in raising the siege of
Turin. It stands two miles
north of Venice, near the north
side of the Po; twenty-two
miles north-east of Turin; and
eighteen north-west of Casal.
Longitude, 27. 53; latitude,
49. 9.
CRONSLOT, that is Crown-
castle, a castle with an harbour,
in the little isle of the same
name, at the mouth of the Neva
and gulf of Finland, fourteen
miles west of Petersburg; one of 
C R
the stations for Russian ships of
war, and has magazines of all
kinds of naval stores, with large
docks and yards. Latitude, 60.
20. north; longitude, 30. 15.
east.
CROWN-POINT, a fortifica-
tion of North America, built by
the French in 1732, one hun-
dred and twenty miles south of
the river St. Lawrence, on the
lake Champlain, where a bay
and small river form a point on
which it stands. It is said, that
the proper name of this place is
Scalp-point, from an Indian bat-
tle which happened here, when
many scalps were carried off.
It is a regular fortification, de-
fended on every side by redoubts,
particularly to the east, where it
is most likely to be approached.
From hence they supply their
parties sent upon the English
frontiers with necessaries: it
stands thirty-three leagues north
of Albany in  New-York, and
fifteen miles from Ticonderago. 
In his way to this fort, Governor
Johnson beat a party of French in
1755, and took their General
prisoner. An unsuccessful at-
tempt was made on Ticonde-
rago, by the provincial and re-
gular forces under General Aber-
crombie in July, 1758; but in
1759, it fell into the hands of the
English. West longitude, 72. 45;
latitude, 44.
CROWN-WORK, a kind of
work not unlike a crown, has
two fronts and two branches;
the fronts composed of two half
bastions, and generally serve to
enclose some buildings, which
cannot be brought within the
body of the place, to cover the
town-gates, or occupy a spot of
ground, 

C R
ground, which might be advan-
tageous to an enemy.
CROWS-FEET, an iron of four
points, about six inches long,
used against cavalry; for one
point will always be uppermost,
let it fall as it will.
CUIRASSIERS, cavalry, armed
with back, breast, and head-
pieces.
CULLODEN, situated about
three miles east of Inverness, re-
markable for the entire defeat of
the rebel army, which happened
on the 16th of April, 1746.
His Royal Highness William
Duke of Cumberland having
given the necessary orders for the
day, with great prudence and
penetration, decamped from
Nairn between four and five in
the morning; and having dis-
posed the army in three columns,
covered on the flanks by the
horse and dragoons, proceeded
towards the enemy. After eight
miles march, the van-guard,
under General Bland, perceived
them in motion to the left; on
which the Duke immediately
formed the army: being at too 
great a distance, and the rebels
not advancing, they again con-
tinued their march to the  di-
stance of a mile; when, after a
short halt, they proceeded, and
having passed the morass, had a
full view of the enemy in line of
battle, behind the huts and walls
of Culloden-House.
The young Pretender, on ob-
serving the order in which they
advanced, asked one of the French
Officers his opinion of the day;
who, after some pause, answered,
"that he believed it lost, for
he had narrowly observed the
Duke's army, and never saw 
C U
men drawn up with more con-
duct, nor advance in a more
cool and regular manner." The
dispositions made by his Royal
Highness would have done ho-
nour to the oldest and most ex-
perienced General, as may be
seen by what follows. If
any one battalion failed, there
were two ready to supply its
place; if any two pieces of can-
non were taken, there were
three to open upon them; which
admirable situation was suffici-
ent to support the army, on the
offensive, to the last extremity,
when headed by this soldier's
friend, whose affable deportment
reigned triumphant in the hearts
of those under him. All things
being in readiness to forward the
attack, his Royal Highness ad-
dressed himself to the Officers
and soldiers to the following
purport: "Gentlemen, and fel-
low soldiers, it is incumbent on me
to acquaint you, that you are in-
stantly to engage in defence of your 
King and Country, your religion,
liberties, properties, and all that
is dear to you: through the justness
of the cause, I make no doubt of
leading you to victory; be firm,
and your enemies will soon fly: if
any amongst you are diffident of
your courage or behaviour, which
I have no reason to suspect; or
any who, through conscience or in-
clination, cannot be zealous or
alert in performing their duty, my
desire is, that such would immedi-
ately retire; I assure them my free
pardon for so doing; as I had ra-
ther be at the head of one thousand
brave and resolute men, than ten
thousand, amongst  whom, some, by
cowardice or misbehaviour, might
disorder or dispirit the troops, and
bring 

C U
bring dishonour on the command."
This speech cemented the troops
in the most heroic resolution,
who unanimously exerted them-
selves with the greatest activity
in the attack, to which they im-
mediately advanced. Some time
was spent by both armies in
gaining the flank; but the
Duke's army still advancing they
got clear of a morass that lay on
their right. This gave his Royal
Highness an opportunity of ex-
tending his front; for which
end, Pultney's foot were ordered
from the rear to take post on the
right, and Kingstone's  horse,
with a squadron of Cobham's
dragoons, to cover that flank.
Lord Bury was ordered forward
to reconnoitre something that
appeared like a battery; on
which the Rebels began to fire
their cannon; but being ill-
pointed, they did little execu-
tion. The first discharge of the
artillery threw the enemy into a
visible confusion, they being load-
ed with grape-shot, and their 
ranks so close, that avenues were
fairly cut through them. The
Rebels, disliking this manner of
fighting, advanced; the M'Do-
nalds and M'Intoshes on the
right flank, who endeavoured
several times to break in, were
so warmly received by the Roy-
als and Pulteney's, that they
retired, closely pursued by the
horse. Their attack at the same
time on the left, though more
furious, was equally unsuccess-
ful; having outflanked Barrel's
foot, the Athol men, Camerons,
and Frazers, rushed in sword-in-
hand, with great resolution and
intrepidity, seeming to carry all
before them; but the King's 
C U
troops being ordered to reserve
their fire till they came close up,
did great execution; yet their
Commanders, acting with great
bravery, continued exhorting
and forcing them down; on
which the regiments of Barrel
and Dejean opened for them to
pass; they then closing, brought
them between the first and se-
cond line, where they so handled
them with their bayonets, that
their broad sword and target
proved of little service, few e-
scaping to their main body. In
the mean time, General Haw-
ley, with Mark Ker's dragoons
and the Highlanders, having ad-
vanced towards the enemy's right,
broke the park-wall that covered
them, and, surrounding their
flank, met General Bland with
Kingston's horse and Cobham's
dragoons in the centre, which
created a general dissolution and
carnage; the foot pressing hard,
brought them between several
fires, which soon routed and de-
stroyed their projects. The
young Pretender seeing his 
hopes blasted, with several of
the Chiefs, fled from the field
with great precipitation; and
having forded the Ness almost
to the neck, took up his  quar-
ters that night at the seat of
Lord  L-----------. The
King's troops continued the pur-
suit with great bravery; the
horse and dragoons made so
continued a slaughter in the
thickest of their ranks, that the
roads from the field to Inverness,
being three miles, were covered
with killed and wounded, few
of the rebels submitting to take
quarters; so that their loss, by
their best accounts, exceeded
two 

C U
two thousand five hundred in
battle and pursuit; four hundred
and fifty were made prisoners;
thirty pieces of cannon, two
thousand three hundred and
twenty firelocks, with their co-
lours, ammunition, and swords,
were taken; which determined
that ever-memorable victory,
with an inconsiderable loss to
the King's troops.
CULVERIN, a cannon, about
five inches and a quarter diame-
ter in the bore, and from nine
to twelve feet long, carrying a
ball of eighteen pound: a good
battering gun, but too heavy for
a field-piece.
CUMANA, built about four-
teen leagues to the south of Mar-
garita, on the continent, by the
Spaniards, in 1520 and called
at first Nueva Corduba, is de-
fended by a very strong castle,
and the town stands near the en-
trance of a great gulf, known
by the name of Golfo de Carri-
co, or Cumana.
CUNETTE, or Cuvette, a
deep trench, about three or
four fathom wide, sunk along
the center of a dry moat, to make
the passage more difficult to the
enemy; it is generally sunk deep
enough to find water to fill it,
and necessary to prevent the be-
siegers mining. 
CURTAIN, that part of the
rampart of a place, which is
between the flanks of two basti-
ons, and is the best defended of
any part of the rampart; where-
fore besiegers never make their
attacks in the curtains, but on
the faces of the bastions, because
of their being defended but by
one flank.
Curtains, the space between 
C Y
the two bastions, or that which
joins them. They serve to cover
the houses, and the inside of the
place. To be good, they should
be in a straight line: the others
are defective, as they hinder the
flanks from seeing and defending
each other. 
The curtains should therefore
be defended with two flanks;
but, if necessity admits only of one,
you must plant palisades before
it, and an advanced fosse;
let your line of defence go from
the flanking angle, or from some
part of the curtain, to the
point of the opposite bastion:
and let it not exceed two
hundred and forty yards, which
is the ordinary range of a
firelock.
There are simple and pro-
longed curtains: the latter are
best, as they lessen the number
of bastions, and enlarge the
place: supposing them to be
short enough for the defence of
the place, according to the rules
of fortification.
The simple curtain, has gene-
rally one hundred and forty, or
one hundred and sixty yards in
length; should never exceed one
hundred and seventy, nor be less
than eighty yards, to be within
the rule of defence.
The prolonged curtain, never
more than two hundred and sixty
or two hundred and seventy yards
in length. 
CYLINDER, or Chase of a Gun,
the bore or concavity of a piece,
whereof that part which receives
the powder and ball, is called
the Charged Cylinder; that which
remains empty, after the gun
is charged, is called the Vacant
Cylinder.
D A 

D A
DAMME, a small but strong
fortress, three miles north-
east of Bruges, submitted to the
Duke of Marlborough, in 1706,
after the battle of Ramillies.
DANTZIC, a fortified city, the
capital of little Pomerania in
Polish Prussia, situated on the
west shore of the Weichsel or
Vistula, having the little rivers
Radaune and Motlau running
through the town, and about a
mile from the Baltic, has a fine
harbour. This was formerly one
of the principal towns of the
Hanseatic union; and still main-
tains a garrison of its own, the
fortifications being considerable,
particularly towards the south
and west, where the city is sur-
rounded with hills. They coin
their own money, and are under
the protection of Poland. In
1702, the English, Dutch, and
Prussians, entered into an alli-
ance to  protect them against
Charles XII. of Sweden; as also
in 1706, when that Prince
threatened them with a visit,
upon his success against King
Augustus II. if they refused to 
acknowledge Stanislaus for their
King. But in 1734, having re-
ceived Stanislaus, they held out
a smart siege and bombardment
from the Russians and Saxons;
but after losing all hopes of
assistance from the French, whose
money had corrupted them, they
were obliged to surrender on the
9th of July, submit to Augustus
III. and purchase their peace
with several thousand pounds,
for letting Stanislaus make his
escape during the siege. It is
situated seventy-two miles south-
west of Konigsberg, and one
hundred and thirty-six north of 
D E
Warsaw. Latitude, 53. 38.
north; longitude, 18. 35. east.
DARDANELLES, one hundred
and twenty miles south-west of
Constantinople, are two famous
castles defending the gulf of
Lapanto and the narrow straight
called the Hellespont, which is
here two miles over, and the
key as it were to Constantinople;
the one on the side of Europe,
and the other on that of Asia;
the former was antiently called
Sestos, and the latter Abidos.
In 1656, the Venetians passed
through with their fleets be-
tween these sorts, and drove
that of the Turks on shore.
Here all vessels coming from the
Archipelago are examined. Not
far from hence, namely off Le-
panto, the Venetians gained a
considerable victory over the
Turkish fleet, in 1571.
DECAGONS, polygons, or for-
tifications of ten sides.
DECAMP, to break up from a
place where the army has been
encamped. 
DEFENCES, of a place, the
parts of a wall, or rampart,
which flank and defend the rest;
as the flanks, casements, para-
pets, and fausebrays. The face
of a bastion, though it has the
simplest defence of any part of
the fortification, yet it cannot
be formed till the opposite flank
be ruined. To be in a posture
of defence, is to be in a condi-
tion to resist or oppose an enemy.
DEFILE, a narrow pass, which
obliges an a
rmy to defile off:
it is one of the greatest obstacles
that can occur in the march of
an army, especially if it happen
between woods or marshes; as
it not only gives an enemy an ex-
traordinary 

D E
traordinary advantage, of either
attacking the front or rear,
when they cannot come to re-
lieve one another, because of
the straightness of the passage;
but it also much impedes the
march: a retreating army al-
ways puts a defile between them
and the enemy, to secure its re-
treat.
To defile, to reduce an army,
&c. to a small front; to march
through a narrow passage.
DEGREE, properly a term in
geometry, used in fortification,
to measure the angles, being the
three hundred and sixtieth part
of the circumference of a circle:
a degree is subdivided into sixty
equal parts, called minutes;
and each minute into sixty se-
conds.
DEMI-CANNON, a gun carry-
ing a ball of thirty-two pounds
weight; the diameter of its bore
is six inches and a half, and its
length from twelve to fourteen
feet. It is seldom used at sieges,
because of its extraordinary
charge.
DEMI-CIRCLE, the half of a
circle, cut by a line, passing
through the center, called the
diameter. 
DEMI-CULVERIN, a cannon
of about nine feet long; the dia-
meter of the bore is four inches
and a quarter, carrying a ball of
nine pounds weight. It is a very
good field-piece.
DEMI-GORGE, that part of the
polygon which remains after the
flank is raised, and goes from
the curtain to the angle of the
polygon: it is half of the vacant
entrance into a bastion.
DENDERMOND, a fortified
town of Flanders, in the Austrain 
D E
Low - Countries, situated in a
marshy ground, at the junction
of the Scheld with the Dender,
fourteen miles east of Ghent.
It was taken by the Allies in
1706, and is now subject to
the house of Austria. Latitude,
51. 16. east; longitude, 3. 56.
north.
DESCENT into a moat, a deep
trench, or sap, through the es-
planade, and under the covert-
way, covered over head with
planks and hurdles, and loaded
with earth against artificial fires,
to secure the descent; which, in
ditches that are wet, is made to
the brink of the water; but in
dry moats, the sap is carried to
the bottom of the moat, where
the traverses are made, to lodge
and cover the besiegers.
DESERTER, the Officer or
soldier who deserts from his Ma-
jesty's service.  A soldier, who,
after having  enlisted  into  one
corps, again enlists into another,
without having previously ob-
tained a discharge from the first, 
shall suffer death, or such other
punishment as a Court-martial
shall inflict. If the offence shall be
thought not deserving capital
punishment, the Court may ad-
judge the offender to serve in
any of the corps stationed in fo-
reign parts, either for life, or
a term of years, according to
the degree of the offence; but,
if afterwards convicted of re-
turning without leave, before the
expiration of such term, he shall
suffer death.
This clause extends to all the
forces in Great Britain, Ireland,
Minorca, Gibraltar, and his
Majesty's dominions beyond
sea.
F DE-

D E
DETACHMENT, a certain num-
ber of Officers, Non-commis-
sioned Officers, and soldiers,
drawn out from several regi-
ments or companies, equally to
be employed,  whether on an at-
tack, at a siege, or in parties to
scour the country, &c.
DETTINGEN, a village in the
territory of Hanau and Upper
Rhine, in Germany, stands on
an open plain, six miles west of
the city of Aschaffenburg, and
twelve east of Hanau, in lati-
tude, 50. 12. longitude, 7. 9.
east, and is remarkable for a
battle that was fought there, in
June, 1743, between the Allies,
headed by King George II. the
Duke of Cumberland, &c. and
the French, commanded by Mar-
shal Noailles, who intended to
surround the confederate Allies,
and reduce them, by cutting them
off from all the common passes,
to surrender or starve. This
scheme was soon surmounted by
the intrepidity of the Allies, ani-
mated by the presence of his Ma-
jesty and the Duke, who forced 
the French to repass the Maine
with the greatest precipitancy,
leaving thirty-one Officers of
note killed or wounded, thirty-
four taken prisoners, and about
four thousand men killed or
wounded; six standards were
taken, and several hundred men
drowned in repassing the Maine.
The Allies lost above two thou-
sand. The principal Officers
killed were. Lieutenant-general
Clayton, and Major - general
Murray, who died of his wounds.
The Duke was shot in the leg;
Duke Aremberg, the Earl of Al-
bemarle, General Huske, the
Colonels Ligonier and Peers, &c.
were wounded. Our Generals 
D O
behaved with the greatest con-
duct and intrepidity. The Duke
gave early proofs of a transcen-
dant bravery, and a generosity
inherent only in the truly great,
by ordering a French Officer,
whom he observed to behave
bravely, and weltering on the
field, to be taken care of before
himself.
DIAMETER of a circle, a right
line, which passes through the
centre and touches the circumfer-
ence in two points, dividing the
circle into two equal parts.
DIEPPE, a town of Upper
Normandy in France, strong, but
very irregularly fortified, has a
good harbour, and is generally a
station for privateers, but has not
water enough for large ships. It
lies on the English channel, op-
posite to Rye, and thirty-six
miles north of Rouen. In 1694,
it was almost entirely destroyed
by a bombardment of the En-
glish; and in the late Queen's
wars, roughly treated in the same
manner. Latitude, 49. 55. north;
longitude, 1. 9. east. See plan 10.
DODECAGON, a figure, bound-
ed by twelve sides, forming as
many angles, capable of being
fortified with the same number of
bastions.
DOLCIGNO, or DULCIGNO, a
town of Albina, in European
Turkey, forty-six miles south-east
of Ragusa, has a good harbour
on the Adriatic, and a strong
castle. Its inhabitants are famous
corsairs, and subject to the Turks,
who took the place in 1571. La-
titude, 42. 12. north; longitude,
19. 15. east.
DOMINGO, St. situated on the
south-side of the island of Hi-
spaniola, in North-America, on
the

D O
the north-east, is a fruitful coun-
try; its situation strong by na-
ture, improved by art, and the
approaches to it so difficult, that
the natives baffled a most formi-
dable force, sent to America by
the English, though commanded
by experienced Generals, in 1655.
This city was built by Colum-
bus. Latitude, 18. 25. longi-
tude, 69. 30. west.
DONJON, a place of retreat, to
capitulate with more advantage,
in case of necessity.
DOSSER, a kind of basket, in
form of a sugar-loaf reversed,
to be carried on the shoulders,
and is used to carry the overplus
earth from one part of a fortifi-
cation to another where it is
wanted. There are also small
carts and wheel-barrows for the
same use.
DOVER, by the Romans called
Portus Dubris, a sea-port and bo-
rough town of Kent, situated on
the east extremity of the county,
opposite to Calais in France. It
was formerly looked upon as
a strong fortress, and the key
of the kingdom. The castle
stands on a very high hill.
It lies fifteen miles south-east
of Canterbury, and seventy-one
of London.         
DRAIN, a trench made to draw
the water out of a moat, which
is afterwards filled with hurdles
and earth, or with fascines, or
bundles of rushes and planks, to
facilitate the passage over the
mud.
DRAUGHT-HOOKS, large hooks
of iron, fixed on the cheeks of a
cannon-carriage, two on each
side; one near the trunnion hole,
and the other at the train;
and are called the fore and bind
D R
draught hooks. Large guns have
draught hooks near the middle
transum, to which are fixed the
chains, and serve to ease the
shafts of the limbers on a march;
the fore and hind hooks are used
for drawing a gun backwards or
forwards by  men, with strong
ropes, called draught-ropes, fixed
to these hooks.
DRESDEN, the capital of the
electorate of Saxony, in Ger-
many, situated on the Elbe, is
one of the largest and strongest
cities in the empire, and the only
place which Charles XII. of
Sweden did not reduce, when he
laid the whole country of Saxony
under contribution, in 1706;
for Augustus II. Elector, and then
King of Poland, residing there,
determined to hold it out to the
last extremity; and hither Charles
XII. after exhausting Saxony
of its treasure, came to take his
leave of that King, who did
not think proper to detain his
person, but let him depart quietly
to his camp. It lies seventy miles
north west of Prague, and ninety
south of Berlin, in latitude, 51.
12. north; longitude, 13. 40.
east.
This place was taken from the
King of Prussia by the French,
who garrisoned it with four thou-
sand men, and cut off the  com-
munication between it and the
mouth of the river: but he
besieged it again when de-
fended by General Maguire. To
form an idea of this siege, ima-
gine the most determined attack
upon one side, and the ruin of
the finest buildings in the world
on the other, by an incessant
fire from three batteries of can-
non and  mortars, while each
Com- 

D R
Commander practiced every art
usual in such cases. The ap-
proach of Count Daun to its re-
lief redoubled the fury of the
Prussians, and at the same time
confirmed and increased the re-
solute intrepidity of the besieg-
ed; especially when Daun found
means, as he did, to throw into
it sixteen battalions. After such
a reinforcement, and while
three armies were in the neigh-
bourhood (for the army of the
empire, and that under Lacy,
had by this time returned) it
then would have been madness
for his Majesty to continue the
siege: he therefore raised it,
but without molestation from the
enemy.
DRUM, a martial instrument
used by the foot. To beat the
general, is a signal for the whole
army to make ready to march;
the assemblé is the next beat,
which is an order for the soldiers
to repair to their colours; and
the march is to command them
to move. To beat the reveille at
day-break, is to warn the sol-
diers to rise, and the sentries to
cease challenging; the troop is to
assemble them together for the
inspection of an Officer, and to
mount the guards; and retreat 
beating is at sun-set, when the
rolls are called, the men warned
for duty, and the orders of the
day read to them. Tatoo-beating is
generally at nine in summer, and
eight in winter; by which hour it
is expected, that the men are at
their quarters, to answer roll-call-
ing, and go to rest. Alarm is to call
the regiment under arms, to their
alarm-posts, on some sudden
danger, fire, or other occasion.
To beat a parly, or chamade, is to 
D U
desire a conference with the ene-
my: and to beat to arms, is to
advertise the corps to stand to
their arms. The Adjutant's call
is the first part of the tatoo. The
drummer's call, is a particular
beat, and called the drummer's
call. Two rolls and six flams, is
for one Serjeant and one Corpo-
ral of a company. Three rolls
and nine flams, is for all the Ser-
jeants and Corporals to attend
for orders, &c.
DUNCANNON, a fort situated
on the harbour of Waterford, in
the county of Wexford, and pro-
vince of Leinster, in Ireland.
All ships bound up that harbour
must sail within pistol-shot of the
place. It was taken by King
William's army in 1690. It
stands seven miles east of Water-
ford, and sixty south of Dublin.
From this place King James fled
into France. It is strong towards
the sea, but commanded by rising 
grounds towards the land. West
longitude, 6. 50. latitude, 52.
10.
DUNKIRK, a town of Flanders,
in the French Low Countries,
and a government of the same
name, situated on the river Coln,
which here falls into the German 
ocean. After having had seve-
ral masters, the French, in con-
junction with the English, took
it from the Spaniards in 1646,
and in 1638 it was given the
English in consideration of their
services against Spain; in 1662,
Charles II. of England, sold it
to France for five millions of
livres: after which its fortificati-
ons were considerably improved
and enlarged; also canals, fluices,
and dams, were added; so that
in succeeding wars, it became a
station 

E C
station for privateers, which did
a considerable damage to the
English, who, at the treaty of
Utrecht, in 1713, insisted on the
demolition of the harbour and
its fortifications, which cost
Louis XIV. immense sums.
The arsenal, magazines, and the
caserns, are well worthy inspec-
tion. It lies twenty-six miles east
of Calais, fifty-five of Dover, and
twenty-six south-west of Ostend.
Latitude, 51. 2. north; longi-
tude, 2. 27. east.
DUTY, the exercise of those
functions that belong to a soldier,
with this distinction; that mount-
ing guard, and the like, where
there is not an enemy to be di-
rectly engaged, is called duty;
but their marching to meet or
fight an enemy, or being sent on
party, or detachment, is termed
going upon service.
ECHARPE. To batter an
echarpe is to batter obliquely
or side-ways: the flanks of Count
Pagan's construction may be bat-
tered on an echarpe, because the
angles of the curtain, being too
obtuse, are too much discovered. 
EDINBURGH, the capital of
Scotland, a large and populous
city of Midlothian, is situated on
an eminence; it has, besides se-
veral other streets, one very re-
markable, called the High-street,
about a mile long, and pretty
broad, with handsome stone
houses; at the west end of it is
a strong castle on a rock, inac-
cessible but at one avenue open-
ing to that street, and at the
other is the Nether-bow, one of
the gates which leads to the Can-
nongate; three hundred and
twenty miles from London, in 
E F
latitude, 55. 58. north; longi-
tude, 3. west. During the re-
bellion, on the 29th of Septem-
ber, the communication between
the city and castle was cut off.
Till this time, the brave Go-
vernor, General Guest, forbore
firing on the rebels, being un-
willing to damage the town, or
involve the innocent in destruc-
tion with the guilty; but, as
hostilities were unavoidable, a
battery from the castle was open-
ed upon them, when several
houses were beat down, and a-
bout twenty men killed. One
Taylor, a resolute fellow, that
had a Captain's commission in
the rebel's service, engaged to
make himself master of the castle
with thirty men; but in the at-
tempt he was taken prisoner with
most of his party, which sate his
presumption justly merited. Ge-
neral Guest finding that, if the
blockade continued, the garri-
son would soon want provisions
as all communication was cut off,
on the 4th of October ordered  a
sally to be made under favour of
the half-moon battery; by which 
means they threw up a trench
between the town and castle;
and having posted a body of men
behind the parapet, cleared the
street; on the 5th he got in some
provisions, and that evening a
party of the rebels marched up
the hill to attack the entrench-
ment; but that, detachment cau-
tiously retreating into the garri-
son, exposed the enemy to a smart
cannonade, which obliged them
to retire with a considerable loss:
from that time a communication
was opened, and the garrison
plentifully supplied.
EFFERDING, a place of strength,
defended 

E G
defended by two castles, stands
nine miles west of Lintz.
EGRA, a strong town in Bo-
hemia, stands upon a river of
the same name, a few miles west
from Prague, near the borders
of Franconia and the Upper Pa-
latinate; to which last it for-
merly belonged. It is fortified
with a double wall, in some
parts with a treble one, and has
a strong castle. In March, 1742,
the allied army, consisting of
French, Prussians, and Saxons,
laid siege to this place; and on
the eighth of April, the garrison
surrendered the place by capitu-
lation; the substance of which
was, that the troops should march
out with the honours of war, four
pieces of cannon, two covered
waggons, be conducted to Passau,
and not serve against the Emperor
or his allies for a certain term.
The beginning of the year 1743,
the Austrians began to blockade
Egra, the only place then pos-
sessed by the French in Bohemia. 
They afterwards besieged it in
form, and the garrison made a
long and vigorous defence: but
at last they agreed to the terms
of capitulation insisted on by her
Hungarian Majesty; they sur-
rendered the  place to her army
on the twenty-seventh of Au-
gust; and on the thirty-first
the place was entirely evacua-
ted.
ELVAS, a well-fortified city of
Alentejo in Portugal, has a castle
on an eminence, reckoned one
of the strongest fortresses in the
kingdom, and another on the
Guadiana, whereon the city is
situated, near the borders of
Spanish Estremadura. It con-
tains about two thousand five 
E N
hundred inhabitants, is the see
of a Bishop, and has a very re-
markable aqueduct near a mile
long. In 1580 it was taken by
the Spaniards, who were defeated
by the Portuguese in 1659, near
this place; which lies about
seventeen miles west of Bajadox,
in latitude, 38. 39. north; lon-
gitude, 7. 28. west.
EMBRASURES, openings made
in the flanks of a fortification,
or in the breast-work of a bat-
tery, about two feet and a half
within, eight or nine without,
and three feet from the bottom,
for part of each gun to enter
and fire through.
EMBDEN, an imperial city of
Westphalia, in Germany, and
capital of a county of the same
name, stands in latitude. 53. 5.
north; longitude, 7. 26. east.
EMINENCE, a high or rising
ground, which overlooks and
commands the low places about
it. Such places within cannon-
shot of a fortification are a great
disadvantage; for if the be-
siegers become masters of them,
they can from thence fire into it. 
ENCAMP, pitching of tents,
when the army, after a march,
is come to a place where it is
designed to halt. The bells of
arms are in the front; Serjeants
tents immediately behind them;
and the soldiers following: the
Officers encamp in the rear, the
Subalterns in one line next the
company, fronting from it; the
Captains in another line, at some
distance, each behind his own
company, fronting the Subal-
terns; and the Field officer's be-
hind them: the Colonel's is in
the centre, the Lieutenant-colo-
nel's on his right, the Major's
on 

E N
on his left, the Surgeon's and
Chaplain's behind them, and the
sutler's behind all.
ENCEINTE, the wall or ram-
part which surrounds a place:
it is, properly, composed of bas-
tions and curtains, either faced
or lined with brick or stone;
but sometimes made only of
earth. When flanked by round
or square towers, it is called a
Roman wall.
ENFANS PERDUS, in English
called the Forlorn or Forlorn Hope,
a body of men appointed to give
the first onset in battle, to begin
the assault upon a place besieged,
or go upon any other desperate
service.
ENFILADE. A work is said to
be enfiladed, when a gun can be
fired into it, so that the shot
may go all along the inside of the
parapet.
ENGHEIN, a town of Hainalt
in the Austrian Low Countries,
twenty miles south-west of Brus-
sels. Near this place King Wil-
liam III. attacked Marshall Lux-
emburg in 1692, who lay forti-
fied in the village of Steinkirk, 
whence the battle has its name,
but was repulsed by the French
with considerable loss, and Ge-
neral Mackey killed on the spot,
who in 1689 dispersed the High-
landers under Viscount Dundee,
at the pass of Killicranky in
Athol in Scotland. Latitude,
50. 36. north; longitude, 3. 52.
east.
ENGINEER, an Officer of the
military branch, who, assisted by
geometry, delineates upon paper,
or marks upon the ground, all
sorts of forts, and other works
proper for offence or defence;
who understands the art of forti-
fication: can discover the defects 
E N
of a place, find proper remedies,
and knows how to make an at-
tack on a place, or defend it
when attacked.
Engineers are  necessary for
both these purposes, and should
not only be ingenious, but brave
in proportion to their know-
ledge; that employ requiring
both expert and bold men. As
a siege, when the Engineers have
observed and narrowly inspected
the place, they are to acquaint
the General which they judge
the weakest part, and where the
approaches may be made with
most ease. Their business is to
take all advantages of ground;
delineate the lines of circum-
vallation and contravallation;
mark out the trenches, places
of arms, batteries, and lodge-
ments; taking great care that
none of their works be flank-
ed, or discovered from the
place; to make a faithful re-
port to the General of what is
doing; demand a sufficient num-
ber of workmen and utensils,
and foresee whatever is ne-
cessary. 
An Engineer should be an
adept in arithmetic, to project
the plots of places, and calcu-
late the expences of the siege;
in geometry, to measure his
work and raise plans: in mili-
tary architecture to distinguish
himself in his profession; in civil
architecture, to know how to
conduct buildings, and works of
places; in mechanics, to make
sluices, march cannon, and use
all sorts of machines; in per-
spective, to express his works on
paper, in their just proportion;
for without design, he can nei-
ther mark charts or plans. These
sciences are called the genius, 

E N
in which consists the whole spirit
of war and fortification.
ENNEAGON, a nine-sided figure
or fortification.
EN-SECOND, an Officer,
whose troop or company is
broke, though he continues on
whole pay, and, upon a va-
cancy, is appointed to a troop or
company.
ENVELOPE, a work of earth,
made sometimes in the ditch of
a place, sometimes without the
ditch, sometimes in the form of
a simple parapet, and at other
times like a small rampart with
a parapet. Envelopes are often
made to enclose a weak ground;
when it is to be done with sim-
ple lines, to avoid the great
charge of horn-works, tenailles,
or the like; or when they have
not ground for such large works.
The castle of Namure has two
envelopes on the south-west side
of the donjon; one before the
other, composed of two demi-
bastions and a curtain, and
called the first and second envelopes.
When made without both these,
a large work, extending itself on
the top of a hill, with two demi-
bastions, is called the Terre-
Neuve, or Newland. 
The citadel of Besanson, situ-
ated on a high steep rock, has
three envelopes, one before an-
other, towards the campaign,
which serve as so  many covert-
ways before the moat.
The fort Nuerburg, in Hol-
land, is famous for its envelope,
which goes quite round the fort,
and is fraised and palisaded with
stakes, as thick as a man's body.
EPAULE, or shoulder of a
bastion, the place where the
face and flank meet, and form 
E S
the angle, called the angle of
the shoulder.
EPAULEMENT, a work raised
either of earth, gabions, or fas-
cines, loaded with earth to cover
side-ways. The epaulements of
the places of arms for the caval-
ry, at the entering of the trench-
es are generally of fascines mixed
with earth.
Epaulement, a kind of breast-
work, to cover the troops in
front, and sometimes in flank.
Epaulement, or square orillon, a
mass of earth.             
EPTAGON, or Heptagon, a fi-
gure of seven sides and seven
angles.
ESCALADE. To escalade a
place, is to approach it secretly,
and to place ladders against the
wall or rampart, for the  troops
to mount and  get into the place.
ESPLANADE, on open space,
between the citadel and  town, to
prevent an enemy from making
approaches under cover, after he
is master of the place. 
ESPONTOON, an offensive and
defensive weapon, used by the
Officers of battalion companies,
except in fusilier regiments,
where the Officers carry fuzees.
ESSECK, a town of Sclavonia
in Hungary, on the Drau,
which near it falls into the Da-
nube. It is pretty large, and
strong fortified; has a remark-
able wooden - bridge over the
former river and the marshes
here, five miles long, built by
the Emperor Solyman in 1566,
who employed twenty-thousand
men in the undertaking. This
difficult pass has been several
times taken and retaken, and
battles fought between Christi-
ans and Turks for the possession
of 

E X
of it. The bridge has also been
often burned; particularly in
1686, by the Hungarians,
though they could not take the
town: however, after the battle
of Mohatz, they drove the
Turks from it; so that this
place with all Hungary is now
subject to Austria. It lies se-
venty-five miles north-west of
Belgrade, in latitude, 46. 20.
north; longitude, 20. 22. east.
There is also a strong fortification
of the same name in the district
of Sclavonia in Hungary.
EVOLUTION, a movement
made by troops, when they are
obliged to change their form
and disposition, in order to
preserve one post, or occupy
another; to attack an enemy
with advantage, or strengthen
their defence against superior
numbers.
EXACTITUDE, the Ge-
neral's care of the parole,
countersign, rounds, paroles,
spies and parties; the preser-
vation of the ammunition and
provisions; to try the waters,
lest they should be bad or poi-
soned; and to prevent them
from being cut  away; to see 
that no fortified towns, garri-
sons, forts, or ports, are in the
front, rear, or flanks, to form
an ambuscade, or cut off the
convoys.
EXAGON, a figure bounded
by six sides, or polygons, mak-
ing as many angles capable of
bastions.
EXERCISE, the practice of all
those motions, actions, and ma-
nagement of arms, whereby a
soldier is taught the different
postures he is to be in under
arms, and the different motions 
F A
he is to make to resist an enemy;
which he must be perfect in, be-
fore he is fit for service.
EXILLES, a small town on
the confines of  Dauphiny and
Piedmont, in Italy, defended
by bulwarks, and a strong castle
on a mountain; situated in the
valley of Oulx, and on the north
shore of the Doria, fourteen
miles west of Susa. Taken from
the French by the Duke of
Savoy, in 1703; confirmed to
him by the treaty of Utrecht in
1713; and now subject to the
King of Sardinia. Latitude,
45. 12. north; longitude, 7. 10.
east.
EXTERIOR, file of a fortification,
the distance or imaginary line
drawn from one point of a basti-
on, to that of the next.
FACE, of a work, that part
where the rampart is made,
forming an angle, and pointing
outwards.
Faces, of the bastions, two sides,
which meet in an angle, project-
ing towards the field.
Face of a gun, the superficies of
the metal, at the extremity of the
muzzle of the piece. 
Face prolonged, that part of the
line of defence razant, betwixt
the angle of the shoulder and the
curtain, or the line of defence
razant, diminished by the length
of a face.
FACING, a particular turning
of the aspect, from one part to
another, whereby the front-pro-
per becomes front accidental;
and a front accidental may be
reduced to its proper front.
FANION, small flags, car-
ried  with the baggage of ar-
tillery.
G FARO, 

F E
FARO, a Sea port town of Al-
grave, in Portugal, tolerably
fortified, dividing it from Cabo
de Santa Marta, Or Baretta, si-
tuated in a bay, and defended
by a castle, lies twenty-four miles
east of Lagos, in latitude, 36.
48. north; longitude, 9. 12.
west.
FASCINE, a kind of faggot,
made of branches, tied in two
or more places, about six inches
diameter. They serve to keep
up the earth in trenches, and are
also used in batteries, instead of
stone or brick walls. When used
in raising batteries, they are ge-
nerally sixteen feet long, and
are then called saucissons.
FAUSS-BRAY, a low rampart,
going quite round the body of the
place, about three feet, at most,
above the level of the ground;
and its parapet about four or
five toises distance from that of
the body of the place.
FELLOWS, six pieces of wood,
each whereof forms a piece of an
arch of a circle, of sixty degrees,
and, joined both together by du-
ledges, make an entire circle;
which, with  the addition of a
nave and twelve spokes, make a
wheel. 
FENESTRELLE, a fortified
town of Piedmont, in Italy, si-
tuate on the Cluson; it was
taken by the Duke of Savoy in
1708, and is one of the strongest
frontiers against France belong-
ing to the King of Sardinia. La-
titude, 45. 10. north; longitude,
7. 26.
FERRARA, an old city of the
duchy of that name, in the
Pope's dominions, situated on
the Po, and defended by a cita- 
F I
del of five whole and as many
half bastions; it lies thirty miles
north east of Bologna, in lati-
tude, 44. 36. north; longitude,
12. 14. east.
FERROL, a town in  Gallicia,
seated in the Gulph of the
Groyne, north of the river Javia;
the harbour is the strongest in
Spain, and affords an entry but
of one ship at a time, having the
land high on both sides, and a
passage defended by several small
batteries. It lies twenty-four miles
north-east of the  Groyne, and
fifty-four north of Compostella.
Latitude, 43. 26. north; longi-
tude, 8. 46. west.
FIELD-OFFICERS, are Colonel,
Lieutenant-colonel, and Major.
FIELD-PIECES, small cannon:
each battalion has two.
FILE, the line of soldiers stand-
ing behind one another. Three
men make a file.
To file off, the same as to de-
file, or to file off from a large
front to march in length. An
army is said to file off from  the
right or from the left, when they
move from the right or left,
marching one after another,
and so reducing the lines of an
army. 
FINALE, the capital of the
marquisate of that name, in the
dominions of Genoa, in Italy;
it has a good harbour, and is de-
fended by four forts and a strong
castle. In 1745, the English
fleet threw several bombs into
the town with little damage; but
it was taken by the King of Sar-
dinia in 1746; it lies thirty-six
miles north-east of Eneglia. La-
titude, 44. 30. north; longitude,
9. 12. east.
FIRE- 

F L
FIRE-BALL, a composition of
meal-powder, sulphur, salt-petre,
pitch, &c. about the size of a
hand-grenade.
FIRE-MASTER, an Officer, who
gives the directions and propor-
tions of ingredients for each com-
position required in fire-works.
FIRE-WORKERS, the youngest
commissioned officers in a com-
pany of artillery.
FLANK, in general, that part
of a work which defends another
work, along the outside of its
parapet.
Flank, also the side of an army,
battalion, company, &c. from
the front to the rear.
To flank, to attack and fire up-
on the flank of an enemy.
Flank, direct or grassing, that
which is perpendicular to the
opposite face produced, and ob-
lique, or fishant, when it makes
an acute angle with that face.
Flank, concave, that made in
the area of a circle.
Flank of the bastion, that part
between the face and curtain.
The flank of one bastion serves to
defend the ditch before the cur-
tain, and face of the opposite
bastion. 
Flank, retired, that made be-
hind the line, which joins the ex-
tremity of the face and the cur-
tain towards the capital of the
bastion--M. Vauban makes his
five toises from that line; others,
more or less, occasionally.
Flank, second. When the face
of a bastion produced, does not
meet the curtain at its extremity,
but in some other point, this
flank is called the second flank.
Flanks of a battalion, are the
right and left of it.
Flanks of an army, the troops 
F O
encamped on the right and left
flanks of it.
FLYING-CAMP, a body of
light-horse, or foot, who are al-
ways in motion, either to cover
an army or garrison, and to keep
the enemy in continual alarm.
FORGE, an engine carried with
the artillery for the smiths; as
a travelling smith's forge; a
forge for hot balls, &c.
FORLORN-HOPE. See Enfans
Perdus.
FORMERS, are of several sorts,
but chiefly for making cannon
cartridges: they are round pieces
of wood, fitted to the diameter
of the bore of a gun, on which
the paper, parchment, or cotton,
which is to make the cartridge,
is to be rolled before it is sewed.
FONTARABIA, or FUENTA-
RABIA, a small genteel and well
fortified town of Guipuzcoa, in
Biscay, properly in Spain, with
a pretty good harbour and for-
tress, at the mouth of the Bidas-
soa, here very broad, and the
boundary between France and
Spain. It lies eighteen miles 
west of Bayonne. In 1638, it
held out a siege against the
French; in 1718, they took it,
but restored it the following
year. Latitude, 43. 27. north;
longitude, 1. 38. west.
FONTENOY, a town of Hainalt,
in the Austrian Low-countries,
on the borders of Flanders, three
miles south-east of Tourney, and
sixteen north-west of Mons. This
place is particularly remarkable
for a battle on the thirtieth of
April, 1744, between twenty
thousands of the British allies,
commanded by the Duke of
Cumberland, and one hundred
and twenty thousands French,
under 

F O
under the command of Marshall
Saxe.
At four in the morning, Prince
Waldeck, with the Dutch, on
the left wing, was ordered to at-
tack Fontenoy, and Brigadier
Ingoldsby to destroy a masked
battery, while Earl Ligonier at-
tacked the French, with the Bri-
tish and Hanoverian Infantry,
covered by the cavalry under Sir
James Campbell: but this brave
General was carried off by a can-
non ball, and his post left defec-
tive for some time, till the Duke
ordered up seven cannon at the
head of the foot-guards, that
soon silenced the enemy's guns.
The army, obliged to pass
by three narrow defiles, took
from four to nine to form in  or-
der of battle as they advanced.
Here the Duke's intrepid reso-
lution and presence of mind,
though exposed to a most terrible
incessant cannonade, posted him-
self at the head of the British
troops.
The brave Generals, Earls Li-
gonier, Albemarle, and Count
Zastraw, took possession of the
French trenches, and bore all
before them. But the timid
Dutch were repulsed, and re-
mained idle spectators, though
supported by two British batta-
lions. The Duke and British
troops were exposed, on his left
flank, to an incessant shower of
cannon; the battery to be at-
tacked by General Ingoldsby
poured on his right flank; and
about two hundred cannon, rend-
ing the very air, in his front. In
this situation, at the head of the
few remains of twenty thousand
to attack one hundred and twenty
thousand French, defended  by
F O 
two hundred and sixty cannon,
trenches, masked batteries, &c. to
avoid this infernal post or circle
of cannon, he retired from the
trenches to rally the troops. By
this movement, the ungenerous
Dutch, as expected, made a se-
cond attack, or rather feint, and
were easily repulsed. The Bri-
tish and Hanoverian troops
drove the French from the
trenches with  great slaughter;
and, in all probability, had ob-
tained a most glorious victory,
if the two flank attacks had
been carried on with the same
alacrity, conduct, and bravery;
as Earl Ligonier, with his troops,
had twice repulsed the French
from their works. To redress
the misconduct of the two wings,
the Duke, at the head of Ligo-
nier's (the fourth regiment)
horse, advanced, through the
severest fire, to the right flank;
which the French-Irish brigades
attacked before he could come
up, having poured down legions
on the right supported by their
whole army.            
Our most intrepid, ever-un-
daunted young Hero, after act-
ing the part of the most sage
experienced General, deserted
by his Allies, his own troops
greatly decreased, was reduced to
form a retreat about three at
noon: but such dispositions were
made, that, Noaille's regiment
being entirely broke, with the
loss of thirty-two Officers, in
making an attempt on our rear,
the French declined the pursuit.
The Allies marched in order
from the field, having posted the
Highland regiment, some bat-
talions of foot, and several squa-
drons of horse, to secure our
retreat, 

F O
retreat, which that night encamp-
ed under the cannon of Aeth.
The British and Hanoverians
were truly heroic, standing ten
hours and a half the most fu-
rious cannonading. Lieutenant-
general Sir James Campbell, and
Major- general Ponsonby, were
killed; the Earls of Albemarle,
and Ancram, Lord Cathcart,
Major-general Howard, Briga-
diers General Churchill and In-
goldsby, wounded; several Ha-
noverians, and even two Bri-
gadier Generals of the Dutch
spectators, with seven thousand
three hundred and seventy men,
killed, wounded and missing.
We had eighty-one cannon, three
pounders, and eight mortars,
half of them with the Dutch.
The French had above three
hundred (chiefly large) ord-
nance, well plied. They had
forty General Officers, and twen-
ty Colonels killed or wounded,
with six thousand men killed,
and as many wounded. 
The French had the advan-
tages of a well- chosen situation,
and a numerous artillery; to
this, add the scandalous beha-
viour of the Dutch, the enemy's
great superiority in numbers,
and posterity will be amazed at
the glorious push the English,
&c. made for victory.
A fine victory to boast of!
one hundred and twenty thou-
sand French, covered and de-
fended by all that art could add
to nature, trenches, woods, fixed
batteries, and redoubts, with
three hundred large ordnance,
&c. against twenty thousand En-
glish, and twelve cannon.
The English pierced beyond
Fontenoy and the redoubt.
Such was the resolution of our 
F O
young hero, and his brave Gene-
rals, with their handful of men, so
equipped and seconded, that the
brave Saxe, at the head of a
moving world, sent to the King
and Dauphin to fly, imagining
all lost, and frequently repeated
the same request.
The battle seemed irretriev-
ably lost: they even began to
send off the train; says Voltaire,
"They, the English, were mast-
ers of the field of battle."  Had
the timid Dutch in the least se-
conded, we had gained the most
glorious victory upon record.
Saxe sent orders to evacuate
Antone, and secure Cologne
bridge, to favour a retreat; nay,
sent a second and third time,
despairing of the victory. Vol-
taire said, "the French had no
title to or expectation of it, a
great part of the day:" he took
every means to obtain a true
state of that day's action: a day
of immortal honour to the Duke
and the British arms: who, from 
the perfidy of their dastardly al-
lies, were forced to yield the
laurels they had won with so
much glory and slaughter, where
every English soldier behaved
like a Cæsar.
Fort, a small fortification,
made in a pass near a river, or
at some distance from a fortified
town, to guard the pass, and
prevent an enemy's approach,
either by sea or by land, is of
different figures and size.
Field Fort,
with a Crown,
is so well de-
scribed in this
figure, as to
require no-
thing farther.

F O
FORTIFICATION, a name for
any work made to oppose an
enemy, is put into such a posture
of defence, that every one of its
parts defend, and is defended by
another.
Fortifications artificial, the
works raised by an engineer, to
strengthen the natural situation
of a place, by repairing and sup-
plying its defects.
Fortification natural, a place
strong by nature.
Fortification defensive, regards
the precaution and industry, by
which a weak party opposes a
stronger.
Fortification, regular, consists
in a place being regularly forti-
fied, and defended by bastions.
Fortification, irregular, is
when a town has such an irre-
gular situation, as renders it in-
capable of being regularly forti-
fied.
It is usual in fortification to
make a distinction between re-
gular and irregular places. The
first are those whose situation
will permit every part of the
work to be made according to 
the rules of art, and in just geo-
metrical proportions. The se-
cond, where the ground is so
irregular, and ill disposed, that
it will not admit of those geome-
trical proportions being given to
the different parts of the work.
Those irregular, which come the
nearest to the regular forti-
fications, are the best. Places
commanded by high grounds,
are less strong than those that
are not, and cannot make a
long defence against an enemy,
who has skill to make use of the
advantage.
That place which has most 
F O
ground inclosed with fewest bas-
tions is the best: thus the greatest;
bastions are the strongest.
In fortifications the body of
the place is to be considered, as
well as the out-works; upon
which you are to observe that
a place, though strong by its
out-works, is worth little, and
cannot hold out a long siege in
form, if the body of the place
is not likewise fortified, as well
as the ground will admit of:
let each part of the place be
sufficiently strong to resist the
force of the enemies cannon;
and every part of the wall seen
from top to bottom, at one or
more places of the town: this is
what is called flanking, and is
not to be out of musket shot;
for in case of an attack, it is of
great advantage to the sustainers,
to keep as good a fire on it as
possible.
Let your ramparts be so wide
as to afford you a good cannon-
proof parapet, a good  banquet,
and room sufficient for your ar-
tillery.
FORTRESS, a term for all
places that are fortified by nature
or art. 
FORT DU QUESNE, situated
on the river Ohio, two hundred
and fifty miles west by north of
Philadelphia. On account of
its situation, it bids fair to be
the most important place in all
North America. The English
troops, under the command  of
General Forbes, compelled the
French to abandon this import-
ant place in 1758. Latitude,
40. 28. north; longitude, 80.
west.
FORT-GEORGE, situate near
Inverness in Scotland, upon the
sea 

F O
sea side, is a place of considerable
strength, and remarkable for hav-
ing fine barracks.
FORT-LEWIS, an excellent
fortress of Alsace in Germany, on
an island in the Rhine, consisting
of a long and regular quadrangle,
with four bastions and the same
number of half-moons, was ce-
ded to France by the treaties of
Ryswick and Baden. Latitude.
48. 51. north; longitude, 8. 12.
east.
FORT–WILLIAM, situated
in the Highlands and county
of Lochaber, at the mouth of a
bay or lough, on the Caledo-
nian sea, twenty-eight miles
south-west of Loughness, forty
from Inverness, and one hun-
dred north-west of Edinburgh.
It was in vain besieged by the
Rebels in 1745. The village of
Maryburgh, which lies near it,
being previously destroyed by the
Governor, prevented the enemy
taking shelter in it.
FOSSE, or Ditch, should be at
least forty yards wide, and as deep
as possible. The deep fosses, when
moderately wide, are preferable
to those which are wide and
shallow; as they are not so lia-
ble to be filled up with the
ruins of your  breach, nor do
they give the enemy so easy an
escalade or mounting; and the
foot of the wall is not so rea-
dily discovered, which obliges
the enemy to raise their batteries
higher. 
For citadels and forts the fossé
should be very deep, but may
be narrower; and if there be
water in them, they will the
better prevent your being sur-
prized.
In great towns, the dry fosse
is best; you more easily defend
F R
yourself by making intrench-
ments, case-mates, coffers, and
mines; and may dispute it inch
by inch; your sallies may be
quicker made, and your succours
less impeded.
Though the wet fosses pre-
vent escalading and surprize,
and if they should be filled up,
it is only in one part, against
which you provide a proper de-
fence; yet they have great in-
conveniences: they are un-
wholesome, frozen in winter,
render your sallies difficult, your
succours doubtful, and your re-
treat dangerous; you cannot
make new defences when the
enemy is master of your coun-
terscarp. In a word, the fosses
full of water, are less advanta-
geous than those totally dry:
but the best are such as have
sluices, to keep them wet or dry
at pleasure.
The little fosses, or cuvetes,
which you make in the center of
the large one, should be twelve
or fifteen feet deep, and as many
broad.
FOUDAGE, foucade or foucasse, a
small mine under a post, which
is in danger of falling into the
enemy's hands, to blow it up.
FORNEAU, the place of a
mine, where the powder is lodged,
and only another name for the
chamber of a mine. 
FRAGA, anciently Flavea Galli-
ca, an old town of Arragon in
Spain, situated on the Cinca, has
a good garrison, and lies fifty-
eight miles east of Saragossa.
Latitude, 41. 21. north; longi-
tude, five minutes east.
FRAISE, a kind of stakes or
pallisades, placed horizontally on
the outward slope of a rampart
of turf, to prevent the work 

F R
being taken by surprize. When
an army retrenches, they fre-
quently fraise the parapets of
their retrenchments, in the parts
most exposed to an attack.
FRANCFORT UPON THE
MAINE, an imperial and sove-
reign city, on the borders of
Hesse and Franconia in Germa-
ny, situated on both sides the
river Maine; it is large, regu-
larly fortified, and commodiously
situated for trade. Lies twenty-
one miles east of Mentz, and
seventeen west of Hainalt. Lati-
tude, 50. 16. north; longitude.
7. 36. east.
FRAUENBERG, stands a few
miles to the north of Budweiss,
a place of some strength, and
remarkable for a battle, or rather
skirmish, near it on the 14th of
May, 1742, between the French
under the Marshalls Broglio and
Belleisle, and the Hungarian ar-
my commanded by Prince Lob-
kowitz. The Prince was then
employed in the siege of Frauen-
berg, which he left on hearing
the French were marching  to-
wards him, having first sent his
heavy cannon to Budweiss.
When the French were come
up, and entered the camp which
the Hungarians had  quitted, 
F R
the latter attacked them about
six in the evening, and were
every where successful till night
parted the two armies; but the
Prince being jealous that the
French designed to get between
him and Budweiss, to cut off
his retreat, marched towards
that place the same night to
prevent them. On this account
the French boasted of their hav-
ing obtain'd a complete victory,
and killed a great number of the
enemy, though the Hungarians
say they did not lose above two
hundred men.
An end was soon put to this
boasting, for Prince Charles
and Prince Lobkowitz having
joined their armies together,
and for several days vainly en-
deavoured to bring the French
to a battle: at last, upon the
twenty-seventh of May in the
evening, Prince Charles was in-
formed that Marshall Broglio
had detached a body of four or
five thousand men, most of
them horse and dragoons, under
the command of the Duke of
Boufflers, in order to seize Lom-
nitz and some other posts in the
neighbourhood of Budweiss. 
Upon this, his Highness, who
was then with the united armies
encamped at Weseli, decamped
that very evening, and advanc-
ed towards the enemy. Next
morning he marched with four
battalions and fifteen squadrons
of Cuirassiers and Hussars to at-
tack them, and found them
drawn up in order of battle, ad-
vantageously posted, having
their infantry and some field-
pieces in the centre. His High-
ness attacked them at the head
of the Cuirassiers with such
fury, 

F R
fury, that he soon put their in-
fantry and part of their cavalry
in disorder. At length the
French carabineers, sustained
by their dragoons, repulsed
Prince Charles's cavalry; but
these rallying and returning to
the charge, the shock was so
great, that not only the French
carabineers and dragoons, but
the whole corps was broke, and
fled with precipitation, leaving
behind them their cannon, am-
munition, and the greatest part
of their baggage. Several re-
giments of horse and Hussars,
with large bodies of Croats,
Waradins, &c. were immediately
sent to pursue them; and when
Marshall Broglio, who was en-
camped at Frauenburg, heard
of what had passed, he decamped
in such haste, that the military
chest with a great part of the
baggage were left in the camp,
and became a prey to the Hun-
garian army.
FREDERICA, a town of Geor-
gia in North America, on the
island of St. Simon, at the
mouth of Alatamaha, built and
fortified by General Oglethorpe. 
In 1742, the Spaniards having
invaded the island, took Fort St.
Simon; but upon marching to
besiege Frederica, were repulsed
by the said General, and oblig-
ed to quit the attempt. This
island is about thirteen miles in
length, and three or four in
breadth, twenty leagues north
of St. Augustine. The fort
taken by the Spaniards, and
again abandoned, is seven miles
from the town. Besides this, there
are several other small islands in
the mouth of the river, which
have been fortified by the Eng- 
G A
lish. Latitude, 31. 12. north;
longitude, 81. 42. west.
FRIBURG, a city of Suabia,
and the capital of Brisgau in
Germany, thirty miles south of
Strasburg, and the same north
of Brasil, subject to Austria,
taken by the French in 1677,
but restored by the peace of
RyswicK in 1697, also taken again
by them, but restored by the
peace of Baden in 1714. Lati-
tude, 48. 21. north; longitude,
7. 46. east.
FRONTIGNIAC, a fort of
Canada, in North America, on
the river St. Laurence, taken by
the English forces, under the
command of Colonel Bradstreet,
from the French, in 1758. La-
titude, 43. 18. north; longitude,
77. 18. west.
FUSE a piece of hollowed
wood, filled with meal-powder,
and drove into grenades, or shells
to fire them.
GABION,
a cylinder
basket, open at
both ends, a-
bout three feet
wide, and as
much in height.
They serve in 
sieges to carry
on the approach-
es under cover,
when they come pretty near the
fortification. 
Gabion, stuffed, made in the
same manner as the former, filled
with all sorts of branches and
small wood, five or six feet long.
They serve to roll before the
workmen in the trenches, to
cover them in front against mus-
quet shot.
H GAETA, 

G A
GAETA, a well-fortified city
of Lavora, in Naples, situate on
a mountain, surrounded by the
sea, except a narrow neck of
land which joins it to the  conti-
nent. It was the only town that
held out any time against the
Austrians in 1707, but taken
at last by storm, and its two
castles surrendered at discretion.
It also made a good defence in
1734, when the Spaniards re-
covered Naples from the Au-
strians. In one of these castles
is the unburied body of the fa-
mous Charles of Bourbon. La-
titude, 41. 32. north; longitude,
14. 36. east.
GALLERY, the passage made
under ground, leading to the
mines, from four and a  half to
five feet high, and about four
feet broad. The earth above it
is supported by wooden frames,
with boards over them.
Gallery of a mine, the same
as a branch of a mine, is a
passage under ground, of three
or four feet wide, under the
works, where a mine or coun-
ter-mine is carried on. Both
besieged and besiegers carry
branches under ground, in
search of each other's mines,
which often meet and destroy
both.
GAZONS, triangular sods, or
pieces of fresh earth, covered
with grass, about a foot long, 
and half a foot broad, to line
the parapet: if the earth be fat
and full of herbs, it is the bet-
ter; that being mixed, and beat
with the rest of the earth of the
rampart, they may easily settle
together, and incorporate in a
mass with the rest of the ram-
part.
G E 
The first bed of gazons is fixed
with pegs of wood: the second
bed binds the former, and so on
till the rampart is finished. If
no sods can be had with herb-
age on them, they generally sow
some between each layer to bind
them together.
GENERAL. Master-general of
the ordnance, an employment of
the greatest trust: he has the
management of all the ordnance,
and should know, and  provide,
whatever can be serviceable or
useful in the artillery; and fill
the vacancies with such only as
are equal to the trust.
General, also a beat of the
drum. See Drum.
GENEVA, a city of Savoy,
and the capital of the territory
of that name, situate near the
borders of France and Switzer-
land, on the Rhone, at the west
extremity of the Leman, or Ge-
neva lake, forty-eight miles north
of Chamberry, and sixty north-
west of Lyons, is well fortified,
and about two miles in circuit.
Latitude, 46. 31. north; longi-
tude, 6. 12. east. 
GENOA, the capital of the re-
public of that name, in Riviera
di Levante, in Italy, situate on
the sea. On the land side sur-
rounded with two walls, the
outermost of which reaches be-
yond the mountain, beginning
at the light-house on the shore,
and ending at the mouth of the
Bisagno; the whole circuit be-
ing about ten Italian miles; but
this serves only to keep off the
incursions of the banditti, it
having but here and there only
a few bastions. The number of
cannon mounted on all the out-
works is computed at five hun-
dred. 

G E
dred. The harbour is large and
deep, but lies exposed to the
south and west wind, though it
has a mole on the right and left
side of its entrance, for the se-
curity of their gullies and small
vessels. Their land forces are
generally about four or five thou-
sand, which may be increased to
twenty thousand.
The celebrated Andrew Doria,
one of the most eminent Admi-
rals and Generals of his time,
delivered his country from the
oppression of the French and
Spaniards, and settled their pre-
sent form of government in
1528. In 1713, the Emperor,
Charles VI. granted the Mar-
quisate of Final to the republic
of Genoa, for a large sum; and
in 1743, the Queen of Hun-
gary, by the treaty of Worms,
making over to the King of
Sardinia, all the right she had
to Final; upon his demanding it,
the republic entered into an al-
liance with France, Spain, and
Naples, and, in 1745, declared
war against Sardinia; but, being
hard pressed by Great Britain
and the Queen of Hungary, in
1746, the King of Sardinia 
took the whole Riviera de Po-
nente; the English fleet bom-
barded several places belonging
to the republic, and the Imperi-
alists made themselves masters of
the city of Genoa. But by the
treaty of Aix-la-chapelle, in
1748, its peace was restored.
Latitude, 44. 25. north; longi-
tude, 8. 41. east.
GEORGE, (ST.) the capital of
the English settlements on the
Coramandel coast, and hither
province of India in Asia, lying
four miles north of the city of 
G H
St. Thomas, is divided into the
White and Black town. The
fort, and the White town con-
tiguous to it, inhabited only by
English, are not above half a
mile in circuit, and surrounded
with a stone wall; the Outer or
Black town, called Madrates, has
been lately surrounded by a stone
wall and bastions cannon proof,
and is about a mile and a half in
circuit; the whole almost en-
compassed by a river and the
sea. Its garrison consists of be-
tween three and four hundred
men, besides blacks. Lat. 13. 15.
north; longitude, 80. 50. east.
GHENT, the capital city of
Flanders, in the Austrian Low-
countries, lying on four ri-
vers, is a large and well-forti-
fied city, but not easily defended,
on account of its vast circum-
ference, which is about twelve
English miles. This was the
winter-quarters of a great part
of the English forces. Taken
by the French, in 1678, but re-
stored by the treaty of Nime-
guen. On the death of Charles
II. King of Spain, they possessed
themselves of it, with the rest of
the towns in Flanders; but it 
surrendered to the Allies after
the battle of Ramillies in 1706.
In 1708, the French retook it by
surprize and treachery, and
threw an army into the place to
defend it; but the Confederates,
having taken the castle of Lisle,
invested Ghent in the latter end
of the same year, when the town
surrendered soon after the trench-
es were opened, though the
French had a garrison of twenty
thousand men. The French, on
the morning of the thirtieth of
June 1745, surprized and took
the 

G I
the town; and in five days after
the citadel surrendered. It lies
thirty-five miles north-west of
Brussels. Latitude, 51. 12. north;
longitude, 3. 36. east.
GIBRALTAR, a strong forti-
fied town and garrison, in An-
dalusia, Spain, lies on the
streight between the Atlantic
Ocean and  Mediterranean. On
account of its strength by na-
ture and art, esteemed the key,
of Spain; is situated on a rock,
in a  peninsula, and accessible
only on the land side, by a nar-
row passage between the rock
and the bay; across the widest
part, the Spaniards have forti-
fied lines, which they keep con-
stantly garrisoned. In 1704, a
confederate fleet of the English
and Dutch, commanded by Sir
George Rooke, after bombard-
ing the town two days, obliged
the Marquis de Salinas to sur-
render. The Spaniards at-
tempted to recover it the same
year, when it stood out a very
remarkable siege, under the
Prince of Hesse Darmstadt;
four or five hundred of the ene-
my creeping up the rock, which
covers the back of the town, 
were driven down headlong next
morning: neither siege nor ne-
gotiations availing the Spani-
ards, they ceded it to the En-
glish by the peace of Utrecht,
in 1713. They made ano-
ther attempt in 1727, but were
obliged to raise the siege, after
laying before it several months.
At this time they endeavoured
to blow up the rock, but it was
found impracticable, so that it
remains in the hands of the En-
glish, and is now so strong as to
render a siege only an amuse- 
G O
ment to the garrison. I appre-
hend it never can be taken but
by bribery or famine. It lies
forty miles south-west of Cadiz,
and eighty south of Seville. La-
titude, 36. 21. north; longitude,
6. 15. west.
GIN, or Crab, an engine for
mounting guns on their carri-
ages.
GLACIS, that part of a forti-
fication beyond the covert-way,
to which it serves as a parapet,
and terminates towards the field
in an easy slope.
GLATZ, thirty-six miles north-
east of Koningratz, a strong town,
with a good castle, situated on
the river Neiss. Laudohn took
one part of the place by storm,
and the other by capitulation, in
1760, though defended by two
thousand men, and one hundred
brass cannon; which, perhaps,
was not the greatest loss. The
important situation of the place,
and the great magazines it con-
tained, were irretrievable, and
Silesia thus opened to the Austri-
an penetrations.
GORGE, that part of a work
next the body of the place,
where there is no rampart or pa-
rapet.
Gorge of a bastion, the interval
between the extremity of one
flank and that of the next. 
GRENADE, an iron orbicular
case of about three inches dia-
meter, filled with powder, to be
thrown by the grenadiers amongst
the enemy in an attack.
GROUND. To give ground, to
retire, or quit a post, when at-
tacked by an enemy: to get or
gain ground, is to have the ad-
vantage of the enemy, and to
force them from a post.
GUADE- 

G U
GUADELOUPE, the largest of all
the Caribbee islands, situate
on the Atlantic ocean, eighty-
five miles north of Martinico,
being twenty-two leagues in
length and eleven in breadth.
The French, sensible of its im-
portance, fortified it with several
forts and redoubts, which resist-
ed the attack made on it by Ad-
miral Bembow in 1702, but
could not withstand the valour
of the British forces, under Ge-
neral Barrington and Commo-
dore Moore, in 1759, who after
severely cannonading Basseterre,
the metropolis of the island, for
nine hours, reduced it. Lati-
tue, 16. 36. north; longitude,
61. 22. west.
GUARD, duty or service,
which should be performed with
the utmost vigilance, to prevent
the efforts and surprizes of an
enemy.
Guards, denotes, in general,
the horse and foot guards.
Guards in the lines, are gene-
rally commanded by a Captain;
the main guard, by the eldest
subaltern that  mounts; the post-
guards and magazine-guards, by
Subalterns who draw lots for
their guards on the parade, the
youngest Subaltern excepted, who
always mounts guard under the
command of a Captain.
Guards ordinary, such as are
fixed during the campaign, and
relieved daily. The grand-
guards of the cavalry, the stand-
ard and quarter-guards, picquet-
guards of each regiment, guards
for the General-Officers, train
of artillery, bread-waggons,
Quarter-master General, Majors
of Brigade, Judge-advocate, and
Provost-marshal, are also called
guards ordinary.
G U
Advanced guard, the party of
either horse or foot, which
marches four or five hundred
yards before the body, to give
notice of any danger.
Advanced guard, a small body of
horse, under a Serjeant or Cor-
poral, posted before the  grand-
guard of the camp.
Rear-guard, that part of the
army which brings up the rear.
Grand-guard, composed of two,
three or four squadrons of ca-
valry, commanded by a Field-
officer, and ported before the
camp, on the right and left
wings, towards the enemy, for
its security.
Picquet-guard, a certain num-
ber of horse and foot, which are
to keep themselves in readiness,
in case of an alarm. The caval-
ry keep their horses saddled,
and themselves booted, that
they may mount in a minute.
The foot draw up at the head of
the battalion when the retreat
beats, but are returned to their
tents, where they hold them-
selves in readiness, upon the
shortest notice.
Forage-guard, a detachment
sent out to secure the foragers,
and posted at all  places, where
the enemy's party can come to
disturb the foragers, also cal-
led the covering party, consists
sometimes of horse, sometimes of
foot, and often of both.
Corps-de-garde, soldiers intrust-
ed with the guard of a post, un-
der the command of one  or more
Officers.
Artillery-guard, a detachment
from the army, to secure the ar-
tillery. Their corps-de-garde is
in the front, and their sentries
round the park. Upon a march
they 

G U
they go in the front and  rear of
the artillery.
GUASTALLA, a small fortified
town in a Dukedom of that
name in Italy, situate on the
river Crostoblo, twenty miles
south of the city of Mantua, and
famous for a battle between the
Imperialists and Spaniards, in
1734, when the former were de-
feated. It was ceded to Don
Philip, Duke of Parma, by the
treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in
1743. Latitude, 45. 12. north;
longitude, 11. 15. east.
GUER-
RITTE,
a fort or
small
tower of
stone or
wood, on 
the point
of a bas-
tion, or
on the angles of the shoulder, to
hold a sentry.
GUIDON, an Officer in the
troops of horse-guards, who
ranks as Major.
GUIDES. Captain of the Guides,
an Officer appointed for provid-
ing guides for the army, of
which he should have always a
sufficient number with him, who
know the country, to send out
as occasion requires; to guide 
the army on a march, conduct
convoys, parties, baggage, ar-
tillery, and detachment. To
furnish himself with these, he
should send a party of horse to
adjacent villages, castles, or forts,
there demand boors, bring them
to his quarters, and set a guard
over them, lest they escape before
the army comes to another
ground where he in like manner
G U
can obtain fresh guides. He
should understand several lan-
guages, especially that of the
country in which the army is.
GUN. The length is distin-
guished by three parts; the first;
reinforce, the second reinforce,
and the chace; the first rein-
force is two-sevenths, and the
second one-seventh and half a
diameter of the shot. The in-
side hollow, wherein the powder
and shot are lodged, the bore,
and the diameter of the bore, is
called the diameter of the caliber:
the part between the hind end
and the bore, the breech; and
the fore part of the bore, the
mouth. The cascable is the part
terminated by the hind part of
the breech, and the extremity of
the button. The trunnions are
the cylindrical parts of metal
which project on both sides of
the gun, and rest in the grooves,
made in the side-pieces of a car-
riage. The mouldings are those
behind the breech, and reckon-
oned to belong to the cascable,
the first and second reinforce
rings, ogees, astragals, and fil-
lets. Those of the first reinforce 
are a ring ogee joining to it,
and an astragal with fillets; the
part of the gun between the
ogee and astragal is called the
vent field, because the vent is
placed there; the ogee of the
second, a ring and ogee; and
those of the chace, a ring ogee;
the astragal with fillets, the
muzzle astragal; the swelling of
the muzzle, an ogee, or cimaise
and two fillets: the part between
the ogee and chace astragal, the
chace girdle; and the part from
the muzzle, astragal and the
mouth, the muzzle. Formerly
guns

G U
guns were distinguished by the
names of sakers, culverins,
cannon, demi cannon, &c. at
present their names are taken
from the weight of their shot;
as, for example, a twelve or
twenty-four pounder carries a
ball of twelve or twenty-four
pounds weight.
Guns are made of brass or
cast iron; the brass is a mix-
ture of copper and tin; some-
times yellow brass is added,
but it is reckoned to make
the metal brittle. The most
common proportion is, to an
hundred pounds of copper,
twelve pounds of tin: copper
requires a red heat to melt, and
tin melts in a common fire;
when a gun is much heated by
firing, the tin melts or softens so
much that the copper alone sup-
ports the force of explosion,
whereby they generally bend at
the muzzle, and the vent widens
so much as to render the gun
useless. If such a composition
of metal could be found that re-
quired an equal degree of heat
to melt, it would answer the in-
tent: but as no such thing has
been hitherto discovered, I look
upon good iron to make better
and more durable guns than
any other composition whatever, 
as experiments and practice
have shewn. All our brass bat-
tering guns made use of this last
war, were too soon rendered un-
serviceable.
The necessary tools for loading
and firing guns, are rammers,
sponges, ladles, worms, hand-
spikes, wedges, or screws. The
rammer is a cylinder of wood,
whose diameter and axis is equal
to that of the shot, and serves to
G U
ram home the wads put upon
the powder and shot; the sponge
is the same, only covered with
lamb-skin, and serves to clean
the gun when fired: the rammer
and sponge are fixed to the same
handle. The ladle serves to
load the gun with loose powder;
the worm to draw out the wads
when a gun  is to be unloaded;
the hand-spikes, to move and lay
the guns; and the coins, or
wedges, to lay under the breech
of the gun, to raise or depress
it. In field-pieces, a screw is
used instead of coins; by which
the gun is kept to the same ele-
vation. The tools necessary to
prove guns, besides those men-
tioned for loading, are, a prim-
ing-iron, a searcher with a re-
liever, and a searcher with one
point. The first searcher is an
iron, hollow at one end to re-
ceive a wooden handle; and
having on the other, from four
to eight flat springs of about six
inches long, pointed and turned
outwards at the ends. The re-
liever is an iron flat ring, with
a wooden handle at right an-
gles to it. When a gun is to be
searched after it has been fired, 
this searcher is introduced, and
turned every way from one end
to the other; and if there is any
hole, the point of one or the
other spring gets into it, and re-
mains till the reliever, passing
round the handle of the searcher,
presses the springs together and
relieves it; if any of the points
catch in the vent, the priming-
iron is introduced to relieve it.
When there is any hole or rough-
ness in the gun, the distance
from the mouth is marked on the
outside with chalk. The other
searcher

H A
searcher has also a wooden han-
dle and a point at the fore end
of about an inch long: at right
angles to the length about this
point is some wax mixed with
tallow, and when introduced
into the hole or cavity is pressed
in, and drawn forwards and
backwards; then the impression
upon the wax gives the depth,
and the length is known by the
motion of the searcher: if the
hole is a quarter of an inch deep,
and downwards, the gun is re-
jected.
A gun when pointed to hit
the mark, will carry the ball
about seven hundred yards, the
culverin about the same di-
stance: but the bastard less.
The ordinary force of a gun,
fired at two hundred yards from
the mark, drives the ball into
the solid earth about ten or
twelve feet; and into sand, or
loose earth, from twenty-two to
twenty-four feet.
HAGENAU, a small for-
tified town of Alsace, in
a territory of that name in
Germany, on the Motter, six-
teen miles north of Strasburgh.
It is defended by a wall and ditch
only, and was frequently taken
and retaken in the wars between
the Imperialists and French, in
the last century and beginning of
this. There is also a forest bearing
this name, five German miles
long, and four broad, belonging
partly to the French King and
partly to this town. Latitude,
48, 46. north; longitude, 7. 48.
east.
HAIR-CLOTHS, cover powder
in waggons, batteries, fixed
bombs, hand granades, &c.
H A
HALF-MOON, properly an
out work, composed of two
faces, making a salient angle,
whose gorge is turned like a
crescent, or forming an arch of
a circle. The ravelins built be-
fore the curtains are now called
Half-moons; the name of ravelin
being almost laid aside by the
soldier.
HANAU, the metropolis of a
county of that name, well forti-
fied, in the circle of the Upper
Rhine, situated on the rivers
Kintz and Main, eleven miles
east of Frankfort.
HAND-BARROW, is made of
light wood, and of great use in
fortification, for carrying earth
from one place to another; or
in a siege for carrying bombs
or cannon balls along the tren-
ches, &c.
HANOVER, a city of Lower
Saxony, the capital of the elec-
torate of that name, in Ger-
many, situated on the Leina,
and surrounded by a wall and
other works, of no considerable
strength. The Elector, like all
the German Princes and  States,
is absolute in his own territories,
and stiles himself Arch treasurer
of the Empire. He can raise
sixty-thousand men in his Ger-
man dominions, which, besides
Hanover, consists of Lunenburg
and Zell, Bremen, Verden, and
Lawenberg. Hanover lies forty
miles west of Brunswick, in
latitude, 52. 29. north; lon-
gitude, 51. east. The French
had possessed themselves of this
electorate and its capital, with
some of the neighbouring terri-
tories, in 1757, but the intrepi-
dity of the inhabitants, under
the command of the Prince of
Brunswick

H A
Brunswick, they were entirely
driven out, and the King of
Prussia defeated, broke, and
took most of their army priso-
ners, in the engagement at
Rosbach.
HAVANNAH. This place was
first built by Diego de Velas-
quez, who conquered the island
of Cuba, and formed a little
town here, in 1511, named ori-
ginally the Port of Carenas, but
afterwards, when the city by
its increase of wealth, grew con-
siderable, it was called San
Christopher of the Havannah.
In 1536 it was so inconsiderable,
that being taken by a French
pirate, he accepted of so small
a sum as seven hundred pieces
of eight for its ransom. Some
time after it was taken by the
English, and a second time by
the French; nor was it till the
reign of Philip II. of Spain,
that the importance of it was
known, or care taken to
strengthen it: what was then
done proved insufficient, and
most of the fortifications were in
very bad condition; but since
the accession of the house of
Bourbon to the throne of Spain,
many more works have been
erected. The city of Havannah
lies in latitude, 23. 12. north;
longitude, 82. 13. west, from
London; is situated in the most
fruitful part of the island, and
stands on the west side of the
harbour. The port is the best
in the West Indies, and so capa-
cious, that the largest fleet of
ships may ride in it commodi-
ously; there being generally six
fathom of water in the bay. At
the entrance of the channel,
which is narrow, and difficult
H A
of access to an enemy, being
well flanked by forts and plat-
forms of  guns, there are two
strong castles, which were sup-
posed to be capable of defend-
ing the place against any num-
ber of ships. The chief of these
is Ell Morro, which stands on
the east side of the channel, and
is a kind of triangle, fortified
with bastions, whereon are
mounted now upwards of one
hundred pieces of cannon. A
little to the south of this is a
battery, called the Twelve A-
postles, almost level with the
water of thirty six pounders.
On the other side of the chan-
nel stands a strong fort called the
Puntal, a regular square, with
bastions, mounted with cannon.
The Third is stilled the forts,
which is a small but strong
work on the  west side, towards
the end of the narrow channel,
with four bastions and a plat-
form, mounted with thirty-eight
heavy cannon.
The city is walled round, and
fortified with bastions on the
land side; beside which there
are two forts on the sea coast, to
prevent an enemy from landing;
one a league from the entrance
of the harbour, on the east side,
call the Cojimar; the other
on the west, called the Fort of
Chorera, of about twelve guns
each.
But, however secure this port
may appear to ships within, it
is of no great security to those
without, the entrance being too
narrow to give quick admittance
to a fleet. The galleons have
been often insulted, and some
taken in sight of this port,
without being able to get in, or 
I receive 

H A
receive any succour from its ca-
stles: as was the case of the
Flota, in its return from La
Vera Cruz, in 1629, mentioned
by Gage, &c. At Cape Saint An-
tonio, the most western point of
Cuba, they met with the famous
Dutchman, Pie de Pelo, as
much dreaded by them as Sir
Francis Drake, who waited there
for them; after he had given
them a broadside or two, the
Admiral Don Juan de Guzman
y Torres, called a Council of
War, wherein it was resolved to
fly from the enemy, as the surest
way to save the Kings trea-
sure, which amounted to some
millions, and to make directly
for the Bay of Matanzes, ima-
gining that the Dutch would
not venture in after them. The
misfortune however was, that
they could not get in far enough,
the bay being very much too
shallow for their heavy great
bellied galleons. This obliged
them to run their ships aground,
after which the rich endea-
voured to escape to land with
what wealth they could, in ca-
binets and bags: but the Dutch
coming suddenly upon them,
retarded their flight, by the
cannon from their ships; so
that except a few cabinets that
were secreted, the rest of the
treasure became the hollanders.
Two friars, who had fleeced
their sheep of thirty-thousand
ducats, were now fleeced them-
selves. Thus lightened of their
treasure, the fleet proceeded to
Spain, where the Admiral was
imprisoned, lost his senses for a
time and on recovery  was be-
headed.
The first attempt made upon
H A
this city, after the Spaniards
settled here, was in 1536, by a
French pirate, who took the
place, which then consisted only
of wooden houses thatched, and
made the Spaniards redeem is
from fire, by seven hundred
ducats, as before mentioned. It
happened, that three ships ar-
riving from New Spain, the day
after he set sail with the ran-
som, unloaded their goods with
expedition, and pursued the
pirate, but the Commanders
behaved so cowardly, that he
took them all three, though one
was an Admiral's ship; which
so encouraged the pirate, that
he returned to the Havannah,
and made the inhabitants pay
him seven hundred ducats more.
After this the Spaniards built
their houses of stone, and a fort
at the mouth of the harbour;
but the city being still open on
the land-side, some English
cruizers landed not far from the
town, and having entered it
before day-break, the Spaniards
fled into the woods, and left
the place to be plundered. Du-
ring the war between Henry II.
of France, and the emperor
Charles V. a French ship with
ninety men, after having plun-
dered Sant Jago, came there in
the night; but to their disap-
pointment found all the houses
empty, they having been so of-
ten plundered, that the Spa-
niards had removed their goods
to houses in the country. While
they were searching, two per-
sons came to them, pretending to
agree for ransom, but in reality
to observe their number. The
French demanding six thousand
ducats, the spies pretended their
effects 

H A
effects would not amount to the
sum, and therefore that they
would return to consult their
countrymen. A consultation
was accordingly held, when the
majority despising the enemy's
number, were for disputing it
by the sword; and marching
secretly with one hundred and
fifty men, they surprized the
enemy at midnight; but the
French, upon firing an alarm-
gun, immediately recovered
their arms, put them to flight,
and being enraged at this de-
sign of the Spaniards, set fire to
the town, after having daubed
the doors and windows, &c.
with pitch and tar, which
soon consumed it to ashes. A
Spaniard desiring that they
would spare the churches, e-
rected for the worship of God,
the French answered, that peo-
ple who had no faith, had no
occasion for churches. They
then pulled down the walls, and
entirely demolished the fort.
After this, the town was rebuilt,
and Philip II. appointed Juan de
Texeda his Camp-master, and
Baptista Antonelli, a celebrated
architect, to fortify the place,
and put it in a posture of the
strongest defence. Yet in 1762,
it was taken under the command
of the Earl of Albemarle, and
Sir George Pocock, the loss of
which gave such a blow to the
interest of Spain, as was incon-
ceivable even to themselves.
N. B. The Cavanas from Co-
jimar, are now well fortified by
strong forts.
HAVRE-DE-GRACE, a strong
sea port town, the capital of a
government of that name, in
France, situated at the mouth of
H E
the Seine, on the English chan-
nel, has an excellent harbour,
lying between the town, and a
small, but regular citadel. In
1562, it was surprized by the Hu-
guenots and delivered up to the
English, but recovered the fol-
lowing year. Lies forty-five
miles west of Rouen. Latitude,
49. 30. north; longitude, 17.
minutes east. See Plan II.
HEAD of a work, the front of
it next to the enemy.
Head of a double tenaille, the
salient angle in the middle, and
the two other sides which form
the re-entering angle.
Head-piece, armour for the
head, an helmet, such as the
light dragoons wear.
Head of a camp, the ground
before which the army is drawn
out.
HEIDELBERG, a city, with a
strong castle, betrayed to the
French in 1693, who burnt it,
stands twenty-two miles, on the
Nechar, south-east of Worms.
HELENA, (ST.) a small island,
subject to the East-India com-
pany of England, situate in the
Atlantic ocean, consists of one
steep and lofty rock, resembling
a castle in the sea, accessible only
in one place, defended by a plat-
form of forty guns, beyond
which is a fort where the Gover-
nor resides; and near it a pretty
little town. This island is
twenty-seven miles in circuit,
and the rock has only a foot of
vegetable.
HENDECAGON, a figure hav-
ing eleven sides, and as many
angles.
HEPTAGON, a figure, capable
of being fortified with several,
regular bastions.
HERISON, 

H I                           
HERISON, a barrier of one
strong beam, or plank of wood,
stuck full of iron spikes; support-
ed in the middle, and turning
upon a pivot or axis.
HERSE, or Port-cullice,
made of strong pieces of wood,
jointed cross-ways, like a lattice,
or harrow. Before it can be
broke open, the besieged have
time to rally. A herse is also an
engine, like a harrow, stuck with
iron spikes; and used in the place
of a chevaux-de-frize, to throw
in the ways where horse or foot
are to pass.
HEXAGON, a figure of six sides,
capable of being fortified with
six bastions.
HIDES, tanned, are always
carried along with an army, e-
specially in the fire-workers
stores, to protect powder or
bombs from rain; they are also
useful upon batteries, or in labo-
ratories.
HISPANIOLA, an island of A-
merica, in the Atlantic ocean,
lying between eighteen and
twenty degrees north latitude,
and between sixty-seven and se-
venty-four degrees west longi-
tude, about four hundred and
twenty-six miles in length, from
east to west, and one hundred
and twenty-four in breadth,
from north to south: it lies about
forty-six miles east of Cuba. It
is often called St. Domingo;
from its capital of that name. In
1586, Sir Francis Drake took St.
Domingo; but this and several
other places were quitted in the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, it being
judged impolitic to keep them.
Cromwell, however, thought
otherwise: for he sent his Ge-
nerals, Pen and Venables, with
H U
the greatest force the English
ever had in these seas, to possess
themselves of St. Domingo: of
which being disappointed, they
afterwards subdued Jamaica, in
1654.
HOBITS, small mortars, of
about six, seven, or eight inches
diameter, resembling a mortar
in every thing but their carriage,
which is made in the form of
that belonging to a gun, only
shorter: they march with the
guns, and are good for annoying
an enemy at a distance, with
small bombs, or in keeping a 
pass, being loaded with car-
touches.
HORIZONTAL, a superficies pa-
rallel with the horizon.
Horizontal Range, the level
range of a piece of ordnance,
being the line which it describes
parallel to the horizon.
Horizontal Superficies, the plain
field, which lies upon a level,
without sinking or raising.
HONEY COMBS, flaws and de-
fects in the charged cylinder of
a cannon: a fault in calling the
piece.
HORN-BEAM, a wood much
used for making the fuses of
shells.
HORN-WORK, is composed of
a front and two branches. The
front is made into two half bas-
tions and a curtain. This work
is of the nature of a crown-work,
only smaller, and serves for the
same purpose.
HOWITZ, a mortar, mounted
upon a field-carriage, like a gun.
The difference between a mortar
and howitz is, that the trunnions
are at the end of the first, but in
the middle of the last.
HULL, or Kingston upon Hull,
a large 

H U
a large and populous borough-
town of the east riding of York-
shire, with an harbour situate at
the mouth of the Humber; is
naturally strong, as the neigh-
bouring country can be over-
flowed; and has a garrison and
some old fortifications; lies thir-
ty-six miles from York, and one
hundred and sixty-nine from
London. Near this town the
river Hull discharges itself into
the Humber.
HURDLES, or clayes, made of
branches or twigs, closely inter-
woven, are about five or six feet
long, and three, or three and a
half broad. Their use is to
cover traverses, lodgements, ca-
pioneers, coffers, &c. and are
covered over with earth, to se-
cure them from the enemy's ar-
tificial fire - works, or stones
which might be thrown upon
them; they are also frequently
used to cover marshy ground, or
pass a fosse. 
HUSSARS, Hungarian light
horse, and such troopers as are
now common among other Eu-
ropean nations, lately introduced
in the English army under the
title of Light Dragoons.
H U
HUY, a town of strength,
with a castle, each fortified in
the modern way, stands twelve
miles north-east of Namur, upon
the river Maese. The French
inverted it in 1662, with eighteen
thousand men, but the garrison
made such a brave defence that
they were obliged to retire. In
1693, it was again besieged by
the Duke of Luxembourg and
Count Harcourt: after two days
attack, the garrison mutinied
against the Governor, and o-
bliged him to surrender it. In
1694, the Confederates besieged
it, when the French immediately
surrendered the town, on con-
dition that the garrison should
retire into the castle, and neither
fire upon the town nor the town
upon them; but, on some fresh
disputes arising between them,
the attacks were carried on  a-
gainst the castle with so much
fury, that the Governor in ten
days beat a parley, and capitu-
lated on honourable terms. The
French put a garrison into Huy;
but in August, 1703, the Duke
of Marlborough came before it,
and took both town and citadel
in nine days, making the gar-
rison of nine hundred men pri-
soners of war. The French be-
sieged it again, in May 1705,
and in two days the town sur-
rendered upon honourable con-
ditions. The castle held out a
week longer, but was then taken
by assault, and the garrison made
prisoners. On the ninth of July,
the same year, the Allies be-
sieged it, and, having taken Fort
Picard and the Red Fort by
storm, the garrison of the castle,
being six hundred men, surren-
dered prisoners at discretion. By
the 

J A
the treaty of Utrecht it was
agreed that it should be garri-
soned by the Dutch; but in
1718, the outworks were de-
molished, and it was given up to
the Elector of Cologne.
JACK, an engine much used
about guns or mortars, and
always carried with the artil-
lery, for raising the carriages,
&c.
JAMAICA, an island of Ame-
rica in the Atlantic ocean, si-
tuated between seventeen and
eighteen degrees, twenty-seven
minutes, north latitude; and be-
tween seventy-six and seventy-
nine west longitude. The island
is about one hundred and forty
miles in length, from east to
west, and sixty in breadth from
north to south. Columbus first
discovered this island in 1493,
and the Spaniards continued in
possession of it above one hun-
dred and fifty years, during
which time, they destroyed the
greatest part of the natives. The
English, under Pen and Vena-
bles, made themselves masters of
it in 1656, with very little op-
position, after they had failed
in the attempt on Hispaniola.
It is now well fortified.
JASSY, the capital of the
lower Moldau, in European
Turkey, a large strong town, si-
tuated on the river Pruth, one
hundred and twenty-eight miles
south-east of Homenec, was ta-
ken by the Russians in 1711
and 1739; and greatly damaged
by a fire in 1753. Latitude 47.
22. north; longitude, 28. 56.
east.
IGLAW, on the river Igla,
near the mountains which sepe-
I N
rate Moravia from Bohemia,
about forty miles west of Brin,
sixty south-west of Olmutz, and
much the same distance south-
east of Prague, is a large, well-
built strong town, and stands in
the chief road between Bohemia
and Hungary.
IMOLA, anciently Forum Cor-
nelli, a fine city of Romagna in
the ecclesiastical state in Italy,
surrounded with walls, towers,
and ditches; has also an old
strong castle, and lies nineteen
miles east of Bologna, in lati
tude, 44. 38. longitude,  12. 21.
east.
INDENTED-LINE, a line run-
ning out, and in, like the teeth
of a saw, forming several angles,
so that one side defends another.
They are used on the banks of
rivers, where they enter the town.
INDEPENDENT-TROOP or com-
pany, is a troop not incorpora-
ted into any regiment.
INGOLSTADT, a strong con-
siderable city, on the north of
the Danube; it surrendered to
the Emperor in 1704, and has
been taken and retaken several
times. Latitude, 46. 6. north;
longitude, 11. 45. east.
INVFSTING a place, the first
operation of a siege, is to sur-
round it with troops, so as to
prevent any thing entering into,
or being carried out of it.
INSULT, a work is said to be
insulted when it is attacked sud-
denly and openly.
INTERIOR side of a fortifica-
tion, is the imaginary line
drawn from the center of one
bastion to that of the next; or,
rather the curtain produced to
the centers of the bastions.
INTRENCHED, an army is said
to 

I S
to be intrenched, when they
have raised works before, to for-
tify a post against the enemy. A
post is intrenched, when it is
covered with a fosse and para-
pets.
JOHN, (ST.) an island in the
bay of St. Lawrence, in North
America, having Nova Scotia
on the south and west, and
Cape Breton on the east, taken
by the English from the French,
July 27, 1758.
JOINT-BOLTS, iron bolts
which fix one end of a cap square
to the carriage.
ISABELLA (FORT) a Fortress
in the Austrian Netherlands, on
the west side of the Scheld, and
opposite to Antwerp, rebuilt by
the French in 1701, contrary to
the peace of Munster: attempt-
ed in vain by General Cohorn,
in 1702.
ISLAND OF BRICHAT, (BRI-
TANY) in 1408, the Earl of
Kent attacked the town of that
name, in which the privateers
had taken shelter; he took it
by storm and put them all to the
sword; but in this action he re-
ceived a mortal wound.
ISLAND OF JERSEY, in the
English Channel, eighteen miles
west of Normandy in France,
and eighty-four miles south of
Portland in Dorsetshire, subject
to Great Britain, has a good
harbour and a castle to defend
it. It is well situated for
trade, and for annoying the
French with privateers in time of
war. It lies in latitude, 49. 7.
north; longitude, 2. 26. north-
wet.
In 1549-50, the French,
though there was no war, at-
tacked the island of Jersey and
K A
Guernsey, which they invaded
with a strong squadron of men
of war, and two thousand land
forces. The English court
having notice of this attempt,
and knowing those islands to be
but indifferently provided, sent
thither a small squadron, under
the command of Commodore
Winter, with eight hundred
men, as a reinforcement, on
board a few transports. At his
arrival, he found the ports
blocked up, and himself under
the necessity either of desisting
from his enterprize, or at-
tacking the French; he there-
fore, notwithstanding their su-
periority, like a brave man,
chose the latter; and executed
his design with such courage and
conduct, that having killed near
a thousand men, he obliged the
enemy to embark the rest on
board some light vessels, and
abandon their ships of force;
all of which he caused to be set
on fire.
KALISH, a large town sur-
rounded by morasses, and
fortified with walls and towers,
situated on the Posna, in a district
of the same name in Great Po-
land. It was taken by the
Swedes in 1655: and here in
1706 the Swedish troops were
defeated by the confederates,
under the command of King
Augustus II. and Mardefeld
their general was taken pri-
soner. It lies eighteen miles
west of Warsaw, in latitude, 52.
36. north; longitude, 17. 56.
east.
KAMINEC, the capital of Pa-
dolia in little Poland, defended
by a strong castle on a rock, under
which 

K E
which runs the river Semetricz;
was besieged in vain by the
Cassacs in 1651, but in 1672
the Turks made themselves
masters of the town, which was
restored by the peace of Car-
lowitz in 1699. It lies on the
borners of Moldavia, twenty-
four miles north of Choczin,
and one hundred and thirty
south-east of Limburg, in lati-
tude, 47. 51. north; longitude,
26. 42. east.
KARLSTEIN, near Beraun in
Bohemia, is a strong town, with
a good castle.
KEXHOLM, the capital of a
province of that name in Fin-
land, full of lakes, &c. yielded
by Russia to Sweden in 1646;
but reconquered by Peter I. is
situated on the lake Ladoga;
eighty-four miles north of Pe-
tersburgh.
KEYS, fore lock, serve to pass
through the lower ends of bolts
to fasten them.
Keys, with chains and sta-
ples, fixed on the side pieces
of a carriage or mortar-beds,
fasten the cap-squares, by passing
through the eyes of the eye-
bolts.
Keys, spring, serve for the
same purposes as the former;
but, instead of being a single
piece, they are of two, like two
springs laid one over another.
When they are put into the
eye bolts they are pinched toge-
ther at the ends; and when in,
open again, so as not to be sha-
ken out by the motion of the
carriages. They are also used
in travelling carriages.
KICF, or KIOW the capital
of the Russian Ukraine, in the
circle of that name, is for-
L A
tified, and lies on the Nieper,
and Frontiers of Poland, in lati-
tude. 51. 12. north; longitude,
30. 47. east.
KIOGE, or KOGE, a town of
Seeland in Denmark, situated
on the little river Koagen, in
the bay of Copenhagen, twelve
miles south of the city, was
much damaged by a fire in
1633. Gustavus Adolphus for-
tified it with walls and ditches,
in 1659; and in 1677 the Da-
nish Admiral, Niels Juel, de-
feated the Swedish fleet, in the
bay near this place. Latitude,
55. 46. north; longitude, 12.
31. east.
KLINKETS, a sort of small
gate, made through palisades for
sallies.
KRAINSLAW, a town in the
palatinate of Chelm, in Red or
Little Russia in Poland, where
the Archduke Maximillian was
prisoner in 1588, after being
defeated by Zamoyski at Byc-
zin, on the frontiers of Silesia,
and next year released on re-
nouncing his right to the crown
of Poland; lies one hundred
and fifteen miles south east of
Warsaw, in latitude, 51. 27.
north; longitude, 23. 17.
east.
LABORATORY, in gunne-
ry, signifies the place
where fire-workers and bombar-
diers prepare their stores. There
is sometimes a large tent carried
along with the artiliery to the
field for this use, with all forts
of tools and  materials, and is
called the laboratory tent.
LAGOS, a city of Algarve in
Portugal, irregularly fortified
on the south coast, on a bay na-
vigable 

L A
vigable for large ships: has a
harbour defended by forts: it
stands on the side of the Laco-
briege, thirty miles west of Fa-
ro. Latitude, 36. 51. north;
longitude, 9. 36. west.
LANDEN, a small town of
Brabant in the Austrian Low-
countries, situated on the Becke,
twenty-two miles south-east of
Louvain. Here Marshal Lux-
emburgh defeated the confede-
rate army, commanded by King
William III. when the Duke of
Ormond was taken prisoner by
the French, and the Duke of
Berwick by the Allies; twenty-
thousand men were said to be
killed on both sides in this bat-
tle, which was fought, July 10,
1693.
LANDRECY, a small forti-
fied town of Hainault in the
French Netherlands, on the
Sambre; taken by the French
in 1655, and besieged by Prince
Eugene in 1712, after separating
from the English forces; but
the French defeating part of his
army at Denain, and possessing
themselves of his magazines, he
was obliged to raise the siege.
It lies twenty miles south-east of
Valenciennes, and twenty-two
east of Cambray. Latitude, 50.
29. north; longitude, 3. 26. east.
LANDSCROON, a strong town
of Schonen, and South Goth-
land in Sweden, situated on the
Sound, with a safe harbour, and
well-fortified castle; it was ta-
ken by the Danes in 1678, and
lies twenty-six miles north-east
of Copenhagen. Latitude. 55.
56. north; longitude. 14. 36.
east.
LAON, a well built city of 
L E
Laonnois, in the isle of France,
is situated on a steep emi-
nence, surrounded by a large
plain, defended by an old castle;
and lies twenty - seven miles
north-west of Rheims. The
neighbouring country produces
excellent wine. Latitude, 49.
56. north; longitude, 3. 52.
east.
LANDAU, a well fortified
city of Germany, in the circle
and palatinate of the Rhine,
subject to France, since the
treaty of Munster, till taken in
1702, by the Germans. The
French retook it in 1703, and in
1704, it was retaken, after the
glorious battle of Blenheim.
Afterwards taken and retaken,
but left to the French by the
treaty of Baden, in 1714. It
stands on the Queich, sixteen
miles south-west of Spire.
LAWINGEN, a town of Sua-
bia in Germany, situated on the
Danube, where the Duke of Ba-
varia fortified his camp to de-
fend his country against the
British forces, and their allies,
under the Duke of Marlborough
in 1704. It lies twelve miles
south-west of Hockstet, and thir-
ty-five north-east of Ulm. Lati-
tude, 48. 41. north; longitude,
10. 40. east.
LEDESMA, a fortified town of
Leon in Spain, very old, and
formerly called Bletisa, on the
river Tormes. It lies eighteen
miles west of Salamanca, in La-
tude, 41. 15. longitude, 6. 35.
west.
LEFFINGEN, an inconsidera-
ble village in the neighbourhood
of Ostend, in the Netherlands,
where General Earle posted some
K troops 

L E
troops in the campaign of 1708,
to keep a communication open
to the besiegers of Lisle, with
the grand army of the confede-
rates, from whence the Duke of
Vendosme could not drive them,
without attacking them in form.
LEGHORN, a city in the ter-
ritory of Pisano, and great
Dukedom of Tuscany in Italy,
not remarkably large, but regu-
larly built, and in the modern
taste, is well-fortified; has two
small fortresses on the sea side,
and on that of the land a cita-
del. For the conveniency of
navigation, there is a light-
house lanthern, with thirty lamps
erected on a rock without the
harbour, and on the shore a
lazaretto, where suspected per-
sons, or goods, perform qua-
rantine. Leghorn lies forty-six
miles west of Florence, and one
hundred and fifty-four north-
west of Rome. Latitude, 43.
33. north; longitude, 10. 25.
east.
LENCICIA, or LENCZICZ, a
city of Great Poland, the capi-
tal of the palatinate of that
name, lying in a morass on
the Bsura, with a wall, ditch
and castle, in the year 1294,
was laid in ashes by the Lithu-
anians, and in 1656 underwent
the same fate from the Poles,
when the Swedes were in pos-
session of it; and all the inha-
bitants, especially Jews, were
put to the sword. It lies seventy-
four miles west of Warsaw. La-
titude, 52. 21. north; longitude,
18. 49. east.
LENS, formerly ELENE, a
small inconsiderable town of Ar-
tois in French Flanders, situated
L E
on the Souchet, formerly forti-
fied, and held out several sieges.
In its neighbourhoos the Spa-
niards were defeated by the
French in 1648: it lies nine miles
north of Arras. Lat. 50. 31.
north; long.  2. 36. east.
LEON, a city of Spain, the
capital of the province of  that
name, built by the Romans
in the reign of the Emperor
Galba, and called Legio Sep-
tima Germanica, whence its
present name. It lies between
the two springs of the Elsa, and
immediately subject to the Pope.
In the cathedral, famed for its
beauty, lies buried several saints,
thirty-seven Kings, and one
Emperor. It was the first con-
siderable city taken from the
Moors, who were defeated by
Pelago in 722, and fortified by
him; from which time it became
the royal residence of the first
Christian King of Spain, and
preserved that dignity till the
year 1029. It lies one hundred
and sixty miles north-west of Ma
drid, in latitude, 43. 10. north;
longitude, 6. 20. west.
LEOPOLNSTADT, a regular
fortification in Upper Hungary,
situated on  the  Wag, in a mo-
rass, built in 1663, by the Em-
peror Leopold, instead of the
dismantled Neuhausel, for the
defence of the country against
an invasion. Dexterously re-
lieved by Count Starenberg, in
March 1707, when ready to
fall into the hands of the Hun-
garian male-contents. Lies for-
ty-two miles north-east of Pres-
burg, and subject to Austria.
Latitude, 48. 46. north;  longi-
tude, 18. 41. east.
LEPANTO, 

L E
LEPANTO, anciently NAU-
DACTUS, a city of Livadia in
European Turkey, having an
harbour on the north side, and
a gulf of that name, formerly
called the Corinthian-Bay. On
the uppermost peak of the moun-
tain, on the declivity of which
the place is situated, stands a
small castle. It lies fourteen
miles call of the straight or en-
trance of Lepanto-Bay, and
twenty-six miles north of the op-
posite shore of the Morea. Near
this place, off the Cape of Le-
panto, the Venetians obtained a
signal victory at sea over the
Turks, in 1571. Many of the
inhabitants are Greek Christi-
ans, and the place is the see of a
Bishop, but subject to Turky.
Latitude, 38. 20. north; longi-
tude, 23. 15. east.
LERIDA, a well built and
fortified city of Catalonia in
Spain, situated on the river
Segre, has a good citadel. This
city declared for King Charles
III. on the reduction of Barce-
lona, in 1705; but the Duke
of Orleans took it by storm after
the unfortunate battle of Al-
manza, in 1707; the garrison,
consisting chiefly of British
troops, retired into the castle,
and surrendered on honourable
terms, on the twelfth of No-
vember following. It lies one
hundred and fourteen miles west
of Barcelona, in latitude, 41. 43.
north; longitude, three minutes
east.
LERINS, two islands called
St. Margarette, and St. Honorat,
situated on the coast of Pro-
vence in France, taken by
the Spaniard in 1625, and re-
L I
taken by the French in 1637.
The first was anciently called
Lero, and the other Lerin; the
former has three ports, and the
latter a strong castle, for its de-
fence. They lie six miles south
of Antibes.
LIEGE, a city in the bishop
ric of that name in Germany,
situated on the Maese, fourteen
miles south of Maestricht, and
twenty-eight miles north-east of
Namur, is about four miles in
circuit. The fortifications are
inconsiderable, being over-
looked and commanded  by hills;
but the citadel is strong, and ca-
pable of making a good defence.
In the beginning of the confe-
derate war in the reign of Queen
Anne, the then Bishop, who
was Elector of Cologne, put it
into the hands of the French,
from whom the Duke of  Marl-
borough took it in 1702; and
the French, inverting it in 1705,
were, by the same General,
obliged to raise the siege, upon
his expeditious return from the
Moselle. Latit. 50. 46. north;
longitude, 5. 28. east. 
LIERE, a town of Brabant,
in the Austrian Low Countries,
situated on the Nethe, eight
miles north of Mechlin or Ma-
lines, and fourteen south-east of
Antwerp, abandoned by the
French, May 26, 1706, three
days after their defeat at Ramil-
lies. Latitude, 51. 20. north;
longitude, 4. 35. east.
LILLO, stands three or four
miles south of Santvliet, near
the river Scheld, a little strong
fortress.
LIMA, the metropolis of the
whole Empire of Peru, situate
on 

L I
on the banks of a river bearing
its name, is seven miles  east of
the South Sea, and of the port-
town of Callao, surrounded with
a brick wall, flanked with thirty-
four bastions, but without plat-
forms or embrasures, the inten-
tion of it being to inclose the
city, and render it capable of
resisting any sudden attack from
the Indians. It has in its whole
circumference seven gates and
three posterns. On the side of
the river opposite to the city is a
suburb, called S. Lazaro, which
has within these few years greatly
increased. Latitude, 12. 2. south;
longitude, 75. 52. west.
LIMBER, a two-wheel carri-
age with shafts to fallen the trail
of travelling carriages, by means
of the pintle or iron pin, when
travelling, and taken off from the
battery, or in the park of artille-
ry, which is called unlimbering of
the guns.
LIMBURGH, situated on a steep
hill, near the river Verse, about
twenty miles south-east of Liege,
and fifteen to the southward of
Aix-la-Chapelle, is small, but
its situation renders it exceeding
strong, there being but one pas-
sage to it, and that almost inac-
cessible. This town, notwith-
standing the strength of its situ-
ation, has often changed its ma-
sters. The Dutch took it in
1633 from the Spanish Dukes
of Brabant; but some time after
it was retaken by the Spaniards.
In 1675 the French took it, and
in 1677 destroyed the castle;
but restored it to the Spaniards
by the treaty of Nimeguen. Af-
ter the death of King Charles
II. of Spain, the French seized
and kept it till 1703, when it
L I 
was besieged and taken by the
Confederates. The Hanoverian
General Bulau invested it on the
ninth of September, and the ar-
tillery and other necessaries com-
ing up on the twentieth, the be-
siegers soon made themselves
masters of the Lower Town, the
defendants retiring on the first
assault. On the twenty-fifth
and twenty-sixth, they battered
the place with success, the
cannon playing all day, and the
mortars all night; insomuch
that on the twenty-seventh they
were preparing for a general
storm, when the garrison, con-
sisting of one thousand four
hundred men, beat a parley, but
could obtain no other condi-
tions than to surrender pri-
soners of war. The Officers and
soldiers, however, were allowed
to keep what belonged to them,
and the Officers had twelve
waggons to carry off their bag-
gage.
LINE, the name of the works
made by an army from one town
or strong post to another, behind
which it is encamped, to guard
a part of the country.
Line of the base, a right line,
which joins the points of the
two nearest bastions.
Line capital, that which is drawn
from the angle of the gorge to
the angle of the bastion.
Line of circumvallation, the
work or retrenchment made
about an army besieging a place
to secure it against any insult
from without. It is made of a
parapet, with a ditch before it
at every hundred and twenty
toises, or thereabouts. The pa-
rapet projects outwards in an
angle; which projection is called
a redan, 

L I
a redan, and serves to flank or
defend the other parts.
Line of counter-approach, a
kind of trench made by the gar-
rison, when besieged, going from
the covert-way, in a right line,
so as that part of the enemy's ap-
proaches may be enfiladed from
thence.
Line of countervallation, the
work made by an army which
besieges a place between their
camp and the town, to cover it
against an enterprize of the gar-
rison; made much after the same
manner as the line of circum-
vallation, only in a contrary dis-
position.
Line of defence, the distance
between the salient angle of the
bastion and the opposite flank;
that is, the face produced to the
flank.
When lines are designed to
be attacked, always make a false
one with a small body of men, in
order to favour the true attacks,
and let them all begin at the
same moment, and, if possible,
in the night, that your enemy
may not see your disposition, or
know where the storm will fall.
For the above purpose, carry
plenty of fascines and hurdles
with you; let your cavalry, as
well as infantry, be loaded with
them, to fill up all advanced or
other fosses; and direct your
men, so soon as they have en-
tered the line, to open the bar-
riers, and level the line for the
cavalry to enter.
Reconnoitre well the enemies
lines, that you may know their
situation, and the approaches to
them, before you attack; March
briskly up to them, with the in-
fantry in two lines: keep your
L I
fire regular, and to each batta-
lion of the front line, appoint
four or five squadrons to carry
fascines and hurdles: seem to re-
solve to attack the intrenchments
in the part you least intend:
let fascines be cut, and other
glazing preparations made; and
whilst the enemy is intent on the
defence of that part, slip into their
lines where they least expect.
It generally happens, that an
army which attacks intrench-
ments or troops in the field with
vigour, and is well sustained,
reaps great advantages over those
who defend them. If you ap-
prehend the enemy will attack
your lines, keep out small parties,
especially in the night, to give
the earliest intelligence of their
movements, that you may be pre-
pared to receive them.
This was practised with great
success by the Duke of Marlbo-
rough, to the great saving of
lives, when he passed the Geet,
to the lines at Helishem, and af-
ter that at Arlieux.
LINSPINS, small pins of iron
which keep the wheel of a can-
non or waggon on the axle-tree;
when the end of the axle-tree is
put through the nave, the lins-
pin is put in to keep the wheel
from falling off.
LINSTOCK, a staff of wood
about three feet long, upon one
end of which is a piece of iron
that divides in two turnings from
each other, having each a place
to receive a match and a screw
to keep it fast; the other end
pointed and shod with iron to
stick in the ground.
LINTZ, the capital of Upper
Austria, is pleasantly situated on
the south side of the Danube,
over 

L I
over which there is a wooden
bridge, about a hundred miles
west of Vienna. It is not a large
city, but strong, neat, populous,
and wealthy, the inhabitants
carrying on a considerable trade,
especially in the linen manufac-
ture. Many of the Austrian no-
bility, as well as the regency of
the province, reside at Lintz,
particularly in the summer; the
Queen has a palace here, a
handsome and commodious struc-
ture, situated upon an eminence,
commanding the city. Hither
the Emperor Leopold retired
during the last siege of Vienna
by the Turks; but not thinking
himself safe, he afterwards re-
moved to Passau. As to the
buildings of Lintz, the houses
are generally of stone, the church-
es beautiful and magnificent,
and the monastery of the Capu-
chins an elegant and stately
edifice.
In 1741, the confederate army
of French and Bavarians not only
made themselves masters of Lintz
and all the upper Austria, but
advanced within ten leagues of
Vienna. Their success, how-
ever, was not long without in-
terruption; for in December,
the same year, Marshal Kheven-
huller, with a part of the Au-
strian army under his command,
drove the confederates from Ens
and Steyr; upon which all the
French and Bavarian troops in
that neighbourhood retired into
Lintz, where they were imme-
diately surrounded and blocked
up by the Austrians. They were
soon reduced to great straits for
want of provisions, and being
unsuccessful in all their sallies,
they surrendered on the twelfth
L I
of January, 1742, upon capi-
tulation; whereby all the troops
inclosed in the place, to the
number of six or seven thousand,
were obliged not to bear arms
for the space of a twelve month
against her Hungarian Majesty.
LISBON, a city of Estrema-
dura, the capital of Portugal,
and the royal residence, situated
on the north shore of the Tagus,
about ten miles from its mouth,
seventy-eight miles west of the
borders of Spain, three hundred
west of Madrid, and eight hun-
dred and fifty south west of Lon-
don, is commanded by a citadel,
or castle, and surrounded with a
wall.
LISLE, the capital of French
Flanders, stands on the river
Deule, about eleven miles west
of Tournay, and almost nine
south of Menin; is large, po-
pulous, and so strongly forti-
fied, that it cost the Allies more
men to take it than any other
town in Flanders, and was
very near baffling their united
forces. Its citadel is esteemed
a master-piece in fortification,
and not inferior to Antwerp.
This city was built in 1007,
and soon after walled round. It
suffered much in the thirteenth
century, being dismantled by
Philip Augustus of France in
1213, retaken the next year by
Count Ferrand, and almost
ruined in 1297, by Philip the
Fair. It had formerly Lords of
its own, who had the title of
Castelans, from the eleventh
century to 1234, when it came
to the family of Perone, after-
wards to Luxembourg, then to
Vendosme, next to Burgundy,
and from them to the House of
Austria, 

L I
Austria, who kept it till 1667,
when Lewis the Fourteenth took
it, built the citadel, enlarged
the city, as well as its fortifi-
cations, and made it extremely
strong. It was confirmed to the
French by the treaty of Aix-la-
chapelle, but taken by the Con-
federates in 1708, after a tedi-
ous and bloody siege.
The first parallel at this siege
was made between the twenty-
second and twenty-fourth of Au-
gust, inclusive; batteries were
erected from the twenty-fourth
to the twenty-seventh; a chapel
and houses cannonaded by two
batteries, and both attacked to-
gether in the night, between the
twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth
by grenadiers. Two guts were
made the same night after the
attack, with a battery of four
cannons at the end, to prevent
sallies of the enemy; and two
batteries for bombs, on the
twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh.
The second parallel was made on
the twenty-seventh and twenty-
eighth; batteries were erected
from the thirtieth to September
the first; and another battery
for bombs on the second; bat-
teries were made from the third
to the fifth, and lines from the
fourth to the seventh, with two
batteries for bombs. On the se-
venth began the assault at the
counterscarps, which lasted till
midnight, by two thousand gre-
nadiers; and, though the ene-
my was driven from thence, the
assailants became masters of most
of them. Lines were made from
the eighth to the twelfth, between
the horn-works, and against the
detached ravelin and the lu-
nettes, as also against the bat-
L I
teries; the besiegers advanced
their works from the thirteenth
to the fourteenth, made galleries
against the two lunettes from the
fifteenth to the twentieth and
the twenty-first, and attacked
them both on the twenty-first;
that on the right hand was car-
ried, and that on the left hand
abandoned, but attacked again
the same day, and a lodgement
effected in both. On the third
of October, at noon, the ravelin
was assaulted, and a lodgement
effected on it; the lines were
also advanced; to arrive be-
hind the ravelin, at the glacis,
to which they were conducted
between the fourth and ninth,
inclusive. From the tenth to
the eighteenth, all the works
were finished upon the glacis
behind the ravelin. On the
twentieth, at ten in the morn-
ing, the besiegers began to fire
from the said batteries, to
make new breaches, and to
widen the old. During this
fire, galleries were erected upon
the main ditches, and advanced.
On the twenty-second, the ene-
my seeing the two galleries fi-
nished, and that the two others
would likewise be so the next
night, and the breaches rendered
easy, began to capitulate, after
great breaches. The enemies
had intrenchments and mines,
a place by which the main ditch
was drained, and a half gal-
lery against the horn-work. Re-
doubt twice attacked. New work
made by the enemy immediately
before the siege; and the co-
vert-way towards the redoubt:
which, after the town was taken
on the twenty-second of Oc-
tober, began likewise to be at-
tacked 

L I
tacked, under the command of
his Serene Highness Prince Eu-
gene of Savoy, the twenty-
ninth of that month, and conti-
nued so to be, till the eighth of
December, 1708, when the ene-
my beat a surrender at eight in
the morning, and marched out
of it three days after, drums
beating, and colours flying. The
first parallel made during the
cessation of arms was between
the twenty fifth and twenty-
ninth of October; batteries of
cannon and of bombs were put
in condition from the twenty-
ninth to the thirty-first; and the
guts, with a battery of cannon
and one of bombs, between the
thirty first and third of Novem-
ber. The second parallel and
other small lines and batteries
were finished between the third
and tenth. The third parallel
upon the first counterscarp, with
the batteries and lodgements,
was made between the tenth
and sixteenth; and six bridges
thrown over the ditches between
the two counterscarps, between
the sixteenth and twentieth. The
fourth parallel upon the border
of the glacis of the second coun-
terscarp, was put in condition
between the twentieth and twen-
ty-seventh. The fifth parallel,
with all the batteries of cannon
and mortars, was made between
that time and the eighth of
December, or day of surren-
der; a canal to draw off the
waters between the two coun-
terscarps and the place where
the wall on the right hand
was pierced; rows of trees
were cut down; a new work
erected; inundation and cuts
made; the cavalier marked in
L I
the profile; cuts in the places
d'armes; and the batteries pro-
jected. Ceded to the French
in 1713, and stands in latitude,
50. 46. north; longitude, 3. 12.
east.
LIZILERE, Berm, Foreland, or
Relais, a space of ground left
at the foot of the rampart, on
the next side the country, de-
signed to receive the ruins of
the rampart, to prevent its fill-
ing up the fosse; it is sometimes
palisaded, and in Holland ge-
nerally planted with a quick-
set hedge. When this space is
covered with a parapet, it is
called a fauss-bray, or low-wall.
LOCHES, an inconsiderable
town of Tourain in France,
situate in the Judre, over which
is a bridge, and near it a castle
on a steep rock, formerly an im-
portant fortress, where Lewis
Sforza, Duke of Milan, was
kept prisoner above ten years.
In a large tower are two cases,
or remove able repositories, made
of very strong pieces of oak,
plated over with iron, in one of
which Cardinal Valve, Bishop
of Angers, was shut up by Lewis
XII. It lies twenty-nine miles
south-east of Tours, in latitude,
47. 26. north; longitude, 1. 21.
east.
LOCKING-PLATES, thin, flat
pieces of iron, nailed on the
sides of a field-carriage, where
the wheels touch it, in turning,
to prevent the wearing of the
wood in those places.
LOCK-SPIT, a small cut or
trench made with a spade, about
a foot wide, to mark out the
first lines of a work.
LODGEMENT, the work made
by the besiegers in some part of
a for- 

L O
a fortification to maintain it after
the besiegers are drove out.
LOOP HOLES, square or ob-
long-holes made in the wall to fire
through with muskets.
LOUVAIN, a city of Brabant,
in the Austrian Low-Countries,
situated on the Dyle, fourteen
miles south east of Mechlin, and
fifteen north-east of Brussels.
The walls are between six and
seven miles in circuit, but of
inconsiderable strength, being
generally obliged to submit to
that army which is master of the
field, without any formal siege.
The French abandoned it on the
20th of May, 1706, the day af-
ter the battle of Ramillies, and
the Duke of Marlborough took
possession of it May 25. It lies
fourteen miles south east of Mech-
lin. Latitude, 51. 12. north;
longitude, 4. 40. east.
LOVENDEGEN, a fortress of
Flanders, in the Austrian Low
Countries, situated on the canal,
between Ghent and Bruges, se-
ven miles west of the former.
Here Baron Spar, in 1705, for-
ced the French lines, though de-
fended by several forts, and ad-
vanced within a league of Bruges.
Latitude, 51. 31. north; longi-
tude, 3. 43. east.
LOWOSCHUTZ, in Bohemia,
is only remarkable as a place
where the King of Prussia at-
tacked Marshal Brown in his
camp, on the 1st of October,
1756, with twenty-five thousand
men; though his enemy amount-
ed to no less than 60000 Au-
strains. His Majesty began the
attack, and defeated their ca-
valry; while his infantry took
this town, and put the whole
Austrian army to flight. The
L U
battle began at seven in the morn-
ing, and ended at three in the
afternoon. The Austrains lost be-
tween six and seven thousand men
killed or wounded, and about
five hundred were taken prison-
ers, with five pieces of cannon,
and three pair of colours. The
Prussians had two thousand killed
or wounded.
LOZANCE, or rhombe, a figure
of four equal sides, whose angles
are too acute and too obtuse.
LUBLIN, a trading city and
capital of a palatinate of that
name in Little Poland; pretty
large, surrounded with a wall
and ditch, and defended by a
castle on a high rock, on the
banks of the little river Bystzna.
In 1240 the town was destroyed
by the Tartars, and afterwards
long in the possession of the
Russians; in 1447 and 1606 it
was greatly damaged by an ac-
cidental fire, and burnt down
by the Swedes in 1656. In 1703,
an extraordinary diet was held
here. It lies one hundred and
twenty-one miles north-east of
Cracow, in latitu. 51. 26. north;
longitude, 22. 36.  east.
LUCAR, ST. DE GUADIANA,
a town of Andalusia in Spain,
on the west side of the river
Guadiana, defended by three
towers, and on the other side by
a fort of two bastions. Latitude,
37. 32. north; longitude, 8, 18.
west.
LUCAR, ST. DE BARAMEDA,
a well built city of Andalusia,
in Spain, with a good harbour
at the mouth of the  Guadal-
quiver, defended by two batte-
ries. Before the place is an ex-
cellent road, where a whole
fleet may ride in safety. It lies
L 26 miles 

L U
26 miles north of Cadiz, and 44
south-west of Seville.
LUNETTE, a small work rais-
ed sometimes in the middle of
the fosse before the curtain, form-
ing an angle, its terreplein ris-
ing but a little above the sur-
face of the water, about twelve
feet broad, with a parapet of
eighteen feet. There is another
sort of lunette which is larger,
and raised to cover the faces of
the half-moon; and this also is
composed of two faces; a longer
and a shorter.
LUTZEN, a town of Upper
Saxony in Germany, ten miles
west of Leipsic. Here the Swedes
obtained a victory over the Ger-
mans in 1632, but lost their
King Gustavus Adolphus, who
was killed in the field of battle.
Latitude, 51. 31. north; longi-
tude, 12. 34. east.
LUXEMBURG, situated partly
on the declivity of a rocky hill,
and partly on a plain, through
which runs the river Else or Ol-
zet, is about twenty-four miles
south-west of Triers or Treves,
fifty-two south of Limburg, and
a hundred south-east of Brussels.
The town is strong by art and
nature.
This city was taken from the
House of Austria by the Duke
of Orleans in 1542, but retaken
two years after by the Emperor
Charles the Fifth. In 1684 it
was taken by the French, who
made great additions to its for-
tifications while in their posses-
sion; but was restored to the
Spaniards in 1697, by the treaty
of Ryswick. The French seiz'd
it again in 1701, after the death
of King Charles II. of Spain;
but by the treaty of Utrecht in
M A
1713, the town and fortress, to-
gether with the duchy, was
yielded to the States General in
favour of the House of Austria,
on condition that the Elector of
Bavaria should have the sove-
reignty and revenues thereof till
he was restored to his electorate,
and satisfied as to some other
pretensions; during which time
he was allowed to keep troops
in the duchy, not exceeding se-
ven thousand men; but the town
and fortress were to be garrisoned
by the troops of the States, at the
expence of the town and duchy.
Latitude, 49. 52. north; longi-
tude, 6. 10. east.
LUZZARA, a town of the Man-
tuan in Upper Italy, not far
from the influx of the Crostollo
into the Po, fourteen miles south
of Mantua, belonging to the
House of Austria. Here an obsti-
nate and bloody battle was fought
between the Germans, command-
ed by Prince Eugene, and the
French and Spaniards, under
Lewis Duke of Vendosme, on the
4th of August, 1702, in which
several thousand men were killed
on both sides, each claiming the
victory. Here also was fought
another battle, in 1734. Lati-
tude, 45. 10. north; longitude,
11. 16. east.
MACHIAN, an island in
the Moluccas, in Asia,
has three forts on inaccessible
rocks for maintaining their pos-
session. Lies under the equator,
and in 125. 10. east longitude.
MADRASS, or fort George, the
capital of the English settle-
ments on the Coromandel coast,
and hither Province of India in
Asia, stands four miles north of
the 

M A
the city of St. Thomas, in lati-
tude, 13. 15, north; and longi-
tude, 80. 50. east. It is a mile
and a half in circuit, and has
lately been surrounded by a stone
wall, and bastions cannon-proof,
the whole being almost encom-
passed by a river and the sea;
but while in a far more defence-
less state than at present, it was
defended by Sir William Dra-
per, in 1758, with such spirit
and courage, as obliged Count
Lally to raise the siege, after
laying two months before the
place.
MADRIERS, long planks of
broad wood used for supporting
the earth in mining, carrying on
a sap, making coffers, capo-
neers, galleries, and various
uses at a siege; also to cover
the mouth of petards after they
are loaded, and are fixed with
the petards to the gates or other
places designed to be forced open.
When the planks are not strong
enough, they are doubled with
plates of iron.
MAESTRICHT, a city on the
borders of the dutchy of Limburg,
and bishopricK of Leige, about
four miles in circumference;
and its fortifications, which are
in the modern way, may be
reckoned amongst the best in
Europe. It revolted from Spain
in 1570, but was besieged by
the Duke of Parma in 1579,
when, after a brave defence, the
garrison having repulsed the
Spaniards in two bloody attacks,
it was at last surprized in the
night. Retaken by the Prince
of Orange in 1632, after an ob-
stinate siege of two months; and
from that time continued in the
hands of the Dutch till 1673,
M A
when it was taken by the French
King in person, after thirteen
days open trenches.
The siege of Maestricht, in
1676, by William Prince of
Orange afterwards King of Eng-
land, is very memorable. The
garrison consisted of eight thou-
sand men under M. Calvo, an
experienced and daring Com-
mander (and the besiegers were
thirty thousand) who carried on
their attacks with such bravery
for three weeks, that it was sup-
posed the place would at last be
taken. During this siege the
English gave signal proofs of
their valour, and many of the
out - works were taken with
great slaughter on both sides:
but the besieged continually
supplying them with new re-
trenchments, and the Prince
finding his troops much dimi-
nished by sickness, and hearing
that M. Schomberg was ad-
vancing to the relief of the
town with a superior army,
whilst he waited in vain for the
reinforcements which the Ger-
mans had promised to send him,
obliged the Prince to raise the
siege, after fifty-two days open
trenches, and the loss of eight
thousand men. This city, how-
ever, did not long continue in
the hands of the French, being
restored to the States of Holland
by the treaty of Nimeguen in
1678. In 1703 the French had
formed a design against Mae-
stricht, but were prevented from
putting it in execution by Ge-
neral Averquerque, who com-
manded part of the confederate
army in the neighbourhood.
Marshal Saxe, in 1748, ordered
the troops to hold themselves in
readiness 

M A
readiness to take the field, and
immediately assembled his army
near Antwerp. The first step
he took was to send Marshal
Lowendahl towards Maestricht,
who in his route possessed him-
self of Limburg, while Marshal
Saxe proceeded on the other side
the Maes to Tongre, seizing
the Austrian magazines. On
the first of April they invested
the important city of Maestricht,
began their lines of circumval-
lation, soon broke ground be-
fore it in four different points;
by the 17th they carried on
their approaches almost to the
covert-way, and that night at-
tacked and carried it with the
loss of nine hundred grenadiers;
at which time the Baron d'Ayl-
va, the Governor, made a sally,
in which he killed above one
thousand men, and nailed up
fourteen pieces of cannon. Thus
they continued at bay with each
other till the cessation of arms
concluded on the 19th of April,
O. S. was notified; when, pur-
suant to the articles therein, his
Royal Highness the Duke of
Cumberland, who was prepar-
ing the Allies to relieve the town,
sent an Officer to the Governor
to deliver it up to the French;
on which a capitulation was a-
greed to, and the garrison
marched out with all the honours
of war.
MAGAZINE, or arsenal, where
all stores are kept, guns found-
ed, and carpenters, wheel- wrights,
smiths, turners, and other han-
dicrafts, constantly employed in
making all things for the artillery.
MAJORCA, situated on a bay
between two capes, on the south-
west of the island, fortified after
M A
the modern manner, and large.
Latitude, 39. 36. north; longi-
tude, 2. 36. east.
MAIN-BODY of the army, the
body of troops that marches be-
tween the advance and rear guard.
In a camp, that part of the army
encamped between the right and
left wing.
MAIN-GUARD, or grand-
guard, a body of horse posted
before a camp for the security of
an army. In garrison, it is a
guard generally mounted by
the eldest Subaltern-officer upon
the parade the morning of
mounting.
MALACCA, the most south
part of the further Peninsula of
India in Asia; its walls and for-
tifications are founded on a rock,
and carried up to a considerable
height; the lower part is washed
by the tide, and on the land-
side is a wide canal, or large
ditch, cut from the sea to the
river, whereby it is made an
island. In 1604 the Dutch took
it from the Portuguese. Lati-
tude, 2. 12. north; longitude,
102. 2. east.
MALAGA, an ancient fortified
city of Granada in Spain, on the
Mediterranean, at the foot of a
steep mountain, with a large
harbour, and defended by two
castles, one on the top, and the
other at the foot of the  moun-
tain. Off the Cape Malaga,
near this city, the English, with
their Allies, the Dutch, under
the command of Sir George
Rooke, obtained a signal victory
over the French fleet, com-
manded by the Count de Thou-
louse, in August 1704. Latitude,
36. 51. north; longitude, 4. 56.
west. 
MALO, 

M A
MALO, (ST.) a small but po-
pulous town of Britany in
France, on a rocky island in the
English channel, joined to the
main land by a cause-way, at
the beginning of which is a
strong castle. The harbour is
large, and one of the best on the
coast, but of difficult entrance,
being surrounded with several
rocks, and at tide of ebb almost
left dry; so that it will not ad-
mit large vessels. On the neigh-
bouring rocks are ten different
forts. They fitted out many
privateers, who made several
prizes in the war with England,
during the reign of King Wil-
liam, which brought a bombard-
ment upon the town, but it did
little damage. In 1758, a body
of British troops, under the
Duke of Marlborough, and a
squadron commanded by Com-
modore, now Lord Howe, hav-
ing landed at Cancalle-bay,
between the 6th and 7th of June,
burnt all the shipping in St. Ma-
lo's Harbour, to the number of
one hundred, great and small;
after which, finding the town
impracticable, they re-imbarked,
and returned to Spithead. Lat.
48. 36. north; long. 2. 15. west.
See plan 12.
MALPLAQUET, a village of
Hainault, in the neighbourhood
of Bavay, Mons, and Mau-
beuge, near which a memora-
ble and bloody battle was fought,
on the 11th of September, 1709,
between the  Allies commanded
by the Duke of Marlborough
and Prince Eugene on one side,
and the French under the com-
mand of the Marshal Villars and
Boufflers on the other; each
army consisting of above a hun-
M A
dred thousand men. The left
wing of the French, commanded
by Marshal Villars, was posted
near Blangies, having before
them the woods of Blangies and
Sart. Their center was before
Erquennes and Tanniers; and
the right wing, under Marshal
Bousslers, had in flank the wood
of Jansart. The open ground
between the two woods was
about three thousand yards,
across which was thrown up a
triple entrenchment, and before
that entrenchment was a village
covered strongly by ditches and
hedges. The woods on both
wings were felled and entrenched,
and a hundred pieces of cannon
planted in the avenues.
The French having made this
disposition, the whole army of
the Allies moved towards them
in the morning, General Schu-
lemberg, with the British and
other troops from Tournay, was
drawn up to the right of the
wood of Sart; the infantry of
Prince Eugene's army along the
great road which passes through
that wood; and General Lot-
tum, with part of the foot of
the right wing, to the left of
the same wood. The rest of the
infantry of that wing, consisting
chiefly of Hanoverians, had in
front the lines in the opening
between that wood and the vil-
lage; and the infantry of the
States, commanded by the
Prince of Nassau, some batta-
lions excepted, had in front the
lines between the village and
the wood of Jansart. The horse
of the whole army were posted
behind the foot, to support and
second them where the ground
would permit.
The 

M A
The signal being given by the
discharge of fifty pieces of can-
non, the whole confederate
army moved together, and be-
gan the attack with incredible
bravery, and with such success
at the wood of Sart, that after
an hour's resistance, the enemy
were driven out of the wood,
and out of their entrenchments.
On the left, between the village
and the wood of Jansart, the
Dutch having three entrench-
ments before them, forced the
two first; but, in the attack of
the third, were repulsed by the
great fire of the enemy, and
lost a great number of men.
They rallied again, and the
right wing having made them-
selves masters of the wood of
Sart, and coming to flank the
entrenchments between the two
woods, gave the horse an oppor-
tunity of breaking in upon them;
and though the first squadrons
that entered were repulsed, yet
all broke through at last, and
advanced into the plain to charge
the cavalry of the enemy. The
left wing of the Confederates
also drove the French from their
entrenchments in the wood of
Jansart.
The English foot in the right
wing, with those of Prince Eu-
gene, having marched through
the wood of Sart with much
difficulty, forcing the enemy to
retire as they advanced, began
to form themselves upon the
plain. This being done, the
Duke of Marlborough ordered a
halt, and rode to observe what
had passed on the left, where
the troops of the States had at-
tacked the French between the
two woods: the Duke seeing
M A
how much the Dutch had suf-
fered, ordered Lieutenant-ge-
neral Withers to march with
the body under his immediate
direction to sustain them. Upon
farther deliberation, and notice
that the Lieutenant-general had
been attacked, and was actually
engaged with the enemy, and
all things going well on the
right, the Duke thought fit ra-
ther to press on the advantages
there, than to hazard a new
motion towards the left in the
heat of the action. Soon after,
the enemy's left began to retire,
towards Attiche, and draw off
their cannon from the plain
of Bleron. Their foot also be-
gan to break in the centre; upon
which the Duke of Marlborough
commanded the Earl of Orkney
to attack them in their en-
trenchments on the plain before
Bleron, with orders, if he suc-
ceeded there, to post himself in
those entrenchments, and cover
the horse as they should file off
through the woods into the
plain, to charge the enemy's
cavalry. This was executed
with great resolution and suc-
cess; and though the first squa-
drons, as before observed, were
repulsed, yet before the horse
of the Allies were marched into
the plain, and while they were
forming in order of battle, the
French horse retired by the way
of Bavay; and the right of their
foot, which were entrenched on
the plain of Bleron, also marched
off with precipitation. The
whole army retreated by differ-
ent ways, leaving the field and
sixteen pieces of Cannon to the
Confederates,
Prince Eugene was slightly
wounded 

M A
wounded in the head. Lieute-
nant-general Count Oxenstiern,
and the Prussian General Tettau,
were killed, Lieutenant-general
Spar, Brigadier May, and M.
Demys, Adjutant of the Prince
of Nassau, wounded, and the
Prince had two horses killed un-
der him. On the side of the
French, Marshal Villars was
shot in the knee, the Duke de
Guiche in the leg, M. Alber-
gotti in the thigh; and at least
twenty-five other Officers of di-
stinction killed, and twenty
wounded. Indeed, Officers and
soldiers shewed in this bloody
battle as much resolution and
intrepidity as were ever seen:
being very obstinate from half
past eight in the morning, till
three in the afternoon. The
French were so advantageously
posted, that when the battle was
over, the Allies wondered how
they had surmounted such diffi-
culties. About twenty thousand
were left dead on the field; nor
must it be wondered at if half of
these were lost by the conque-
rors. Those troops that were
in open plain gave way; those
that were strongly posted main-
tained their ground for a long
time, and made the Allies horse
suffer considerably.
Though the French fought so
well at Malplaquet, that it was
said they retrieved their nation's
honour, yet, an intercepted
letter, from one of their officers,
speaking of Eugene and Marl-
borough, says, What can with-
stand the rapid force of these
two famous heroes! If an army
of one hundred thousand of the
best troops, posted between two
woods, trebly intrenched, and
M A
performing their duty as well as
brave men could do, were not
able to stop them one day, will
you not own with me that they
surpass all the heroes of former
ages?
MALTA, stands on a hill, in
the centre of an island, and con-
sists of three towns separated by
channels, forming so many pe-
ninsulas of solid rock: the har-
bours are deep and good; the
situation naturally strong; and
no efforts of art are wanting to
render the fortifications impreg-
nable. Latitude, 35. 54. north;
longitude, 14. 34. east.         
MALVASIA, or Napodi de Mal-
vesia, antiently Epidaurus, a city
of the Morea in European Tur-
ky, on the Gulf de Neapoli, in
the Archipelago, is the strongest
fortress in all the Morea; it has
a good harbour, lies thirty-four
miles east of Lacedemon, and
seventy-five south west of Athens,
in latitude, 36. 40. north; lon-
gitude, 23. 40. east.
MANILLA, or Luconia, the
principal of the Philippine Islands
in Asia, is subject to the King
of Spain, 410 miles long, and
in some places 217 broad, but
in others not above 97. Admi-
ral Cornish, with a small squa-
dron, Sir William Draper, and
the Honourable Colonel Mon-
son, at the head of 2300 men, thro'
an unremitting heavy, dreadful,
periodical monsoon deluge of
rain, and the most terrible
tempestuous surfs at sea, between
the 24th of September, and the
6th of October, 1762, reduced
a strong fort and 10800 men,
spurred with the jesuitical fury
of an ever-erring religion, to a
capitulation in ten days, and to
surrender 

M A
surrender prisoners at discretion;
to give up the town and fort
of Cavite, with all the islands
and forts dependent on Manilla;
and for the preservation of the
town, to pay 4000000 of Dol-
lars. The Archbishop, their
Governor, the Marquis de
Villa Medina, and other Officers,
were favoured on their parole,
and their Indian soldiers were
dismissed in safety. Our loss
was 36 killed, and 105 wounded:
the Spaniards had about 1000
killed and wounded.
MANOEUVRE, of troops, con-
sists solely in distributing equal
motion to every part, to enable
the whole to form, or change
their position, in the most expe-
ditious and best method, to an-
swer the purposes required of a
battalion, brigade, or line of
cavalry or infantry,
MANTELETS, either single or
double, are great planks of wood,
of about five feet high and three
inches thick; which, by being
pushed forward on small trucks,
serve at a siege to cover the men
from the hand granades and fire-
works of the  place. Single man-
telets are made by joining two or
three such planks together with
bars of iron, to cover those that
carry them. Double mantelets are
made by putting earth between
two such rows of planks, and
are used in making approaches
and batteries near the place, as
the others are in making lodge-
ments on the counterscarp. They
are covered with letten, and
made small at bottom and top,
that they may more easily be
joined together, to cover the
soldiers from fire in front, or in
flank.
M A
MANTUA, stands in the middle
of a lake, twenty-four Italian
miles in circuit and two in
breadth, formed by the river
Mincio. One of the two prin-
cipal bridges which lead to this
city is defended by two citadels:
the other, by bulwarks at each
end. The river divides the
town into two parts, but these
are joined by six bridges. Here
is a good citadel, fortified more
by nature than art. The city is
five miles in circuit. The an-
tient ducal palace is neither
modern nor regular, but large
and spacious; its famous gal-
lery and cabinet of curiosities
were entirely plundered in 1630,
by the Imperialists, when they
took the city by storm. It lies
seventy-five  miles west of Milan,
and eight four miles south west
of Venice. Latitude, 45. 31.
north; longitude, 11. 20. east.
MARCHES. Secret marches,
are made with a design to re-
connoitre an enemy, surprize
their camp, secure a post, or
seize a place. It is in this service
that a Commander has occasion
for his utmost sagacity and pe-
netration, to prevent his being
discovered or betrayed; and to
ensure success, it is necessary
that the person who conducts
the march has certain informa-
tion concerning the different
roads, situation of the enemy's
posts, and the nature of the
country through which he is to
march.
MARDIKE, a village of French
Flanders, having a harbour on
the sea, four miles west of Dun-
kirk; famous for a fort on the
sea, about a mile from Dun-
kirk, often besieged and taken,
but

M A
but at last dismantled. La Blanc,
after the peace of Utrecht, by order
of Lewis XIV. made a famous ca-
nal here, which, with Mardike,
the French began to fortify; but
were obliged to desist upon re-
monstrances made by the British
Court Latitude, 51. 12. north;
longitude, 2. 26. east.
MARSALQUIVER, a town of
Algiers, situate on the Barbary
coast, in Africa, with an har-
bour on a bay lying opposite to
Oran, and taken with that city,
by the Spaniards, in 1732. La-
titude, 36. 28. north; longitude,
ten minutes west.
MARSEILLES, the second city
of Province, in France, is large,
rich, well fortified, and said to
have been built five hundred
years before Christ. It stands at
the foot of a high rocky moun-
tain, on a fine bay of the Me-
diterranean, which forms a se-
cure, capacious, oblong har-
bour, where the royal galleys
are stationed, but is not suffici-
ently deep to admit large men
of war. Its arsenal is richly
provided with all sorts of stores
for the royal galleys; and the
armoury, which is reckoned the
finest in the kingdom, has arms
for forty thousand men. It lies
twenty-seven miles south-west of
Toulon, and three hundred and
fifty-six south-east of Paris, in
Latitude, 43. 18. north; longi-
tude, 5. 27. east. See Plan 13.
MARSTRAND, a very old
staple town of Bohus-lehn, in
Gothland, in Sweden, with an
excellent harbour, to which is
an entrance on the south and
north side, and defended by the
impregnable citadel of Carlstein.
So reduced, partly by war and
M A
partly by fire, that in 1745 there
remained but 20 poor burghers.
MARTIGUES, a small town of
Provence, in France, standing
on an island at the mouth of a salt
lake, near the sea, built out of
the ruins of the old city of Genes,
was formerly very strong; in
1591 taken by Duke Charles
Emanuel of Savoy, after a long
siege. Latitude, 43. 36. north;
longitude, 5. 15. east.
MARTINICO, the principal of
all the French Caribbee islands,
and the seat of the Governor-
general, is about fifty-eight miles
in length, but hardly twenty in
breadth. The inland parts of
the island are mountainous, from
which issue numerous small
streams. On the coast are seve-
ral commodious and secure har-
bours.
It was taken under the com-
mands of General Monckton and
Sir George Rodney, February 14,
1762. Latitude, 14. 33. north;
longitude, 60. 54. west.
MARTINS, ST. a small for-
tress on the isle of Ree, and coast
of France, twelve miles west of
Rochelle. Lat. 45. 20. north;
lon. 23. 8. west. See Plan 14.
MASULIPATAN, a city of
Golconda and the Hither India,
in Asia, with a harbour on the
west side of the bay of Bengal,
two hundred and twelve miles
north of Fort St. George. Here
are several English and Dutch
factories, from whence the most;
beautiful callicoes are exported.
This place was stormed and taken
by Colonel Forde, in 1739. La-
titude, 16. 21. north; longitude,
81. 12. east.
MAULEON, a town of Gas-
cony, in the valley of Soule, in
M France, 

M A
France, with a castle on the Gave,
eighteen miles south call of Ba-
yonne. Latitude, 43. 26. north;
longitude, 1. 51. west.
MAXIMS, in fortification, are
general rules established by en-
gineers, founded on reason and
experience, which being exactly
observed, a place fortified accord-
ing as they direct, will be in a
good posture of defence. The
chief are such as follow.
1. There should be no part in
the fortification of a place, but
what is discovered and flanked
by the besieged: it there be any
part of a place which is not well
flanked, the enemy, being thus
under cover, will more readily
attack in that place, and carry it.
2. A fortress should command
all the country round it, that
the besiegers may neither cover
themselves, find places to favour
their approaches and attacks,
or overlook the works of the
place, to batter them with more
advantage.
3. The works farthest distant
from the center of the place
must be still lowest, and com-
manded by those that are nearer;
so that they may be defended
by the higher works and those
nearer the place; that the ene-
my, by being exposed, may be
obliged to quit them, even after
possession; for the  enemy, by
being masters of such works,
cannot overlook the works of the
place.
4. The flanked angle, or point
of the bastion, should be at least
seventy degrees, that it may bet-
ter resist the force of an enemy's
battery, if they should form  a
design to beat it down and lodge
there.
M A
5. The acute flanked angle
near to a right angle is prefer-
able to all other: it is certain,
if the flanked angle be a right
angle, it has all the strength
that can be given it, having so-
lidity enough to withstand the
enemy's batteries; but an angle
near the right makes the tenaille
of the place more compact, by
the angle of the shoulder short-
ening and battering the defence,
and by not exposing the face so
much to the enemy. Thus an
obtuse angle is very deficient.
6. The shortest faces are best;
because the enemy attacks them
with a front in proportion to their
length.
7. The flank must have some
part under cover: viz. it must
be covered by an orillon, other-
wise the defence is soon ruined,
and the lodgement no sooner
made on the counterscarp, but the
place is obliged to capitulate; as
has often been seen.
8. There must be an accord
between these maxims to render
the fortification perfect. If the
gorge be too large, the face suf-
fers; the more the flank is co-
vered the less it is subject to be
ruined, but then the  defence is
more oblique. In making a se-
cond flank, the flanked angle is
made too weak; and by disco-
vering the face, the defence is
more easy, though more exposed
to the enemy's batteries. There
are advantages and disadvantages
in all, and the secret consists in
judging whether conforming with
one maxim be more advan-
geous than disagreeing with an-
other.
MEADIA, a fortress, sconce, or
citadel of Walachia, in Euro-
pean

M E
pean Turkey, on the river Czerna,
near which a battle was fought
between the Imperialists and
Turks, in 1738.
MEASURE-ANGLE, a brass in-
strument to measure angles, either
salliant or rentrant, for exactly
ascertaining the number of de-
grees and minutes, to delineate
them on paper.
MECHLIN, a large city on the
Dyle and Demer, twelve miles
north west of Louvain, fourteen
miles north-east of Brussels, and
sixteen south-east of Antwerp.
It is large, and fortified all round,
but of inconsiderable strength.
Latitude, 51. 20. north; lon-
gitude, 4. 31. east.
MELINDA, a town of Zan-
guebar, in Africa, with a good
harbour defended by a citadel
on the Indian ocean, seventy-
four miles north of Mombaze,
the capital of a province bearing
its name, and of all the Portu-
guese settlements on the coast.
Latitude, 3. 12. south; longi-
tude, 30. 10. east.
MEMEL, a populous town of
Prussia, in Poland, with a harbour
on the Baltic, that has a good
and deep entrance, fortified with
three whole and two half bas-
tions, and other modern works.
It formerly belonged to the Han-
seatic union. The citadel con-
sists of four bastions, chiefly re-
gular, with the necessary rave-
lines and half-moons. This place
surrendered to the Russians, on
the fifth of July, 1757, lies sixty-
eight miles north of Koningsberg.
Latitude, 56. 12. north; longi-
tude, 21. 36. eat.
MENIN, a small town of Flan-
ders, in the Low-countries, con-
sisting of one street, but re-
M E
markable for the strength of its
fortifications, which are reck-
oned a master-piece: but it was
taken by the Allies on the
twenty-second of August, 1706,
after eighteen days open trench-
es, the garrison being allowed to
march out with the usual marks
of honour. The storming of the
counterscarp, which was taken
on the eighteenth, proved a very
bloody action, it being computed
that the French had not less
than a thousand men killed and
wounded in that attack: yet
some say that the place was ill
defended, and that the French
Commandant, when he surren-
dered it to the Duke of Marl-
borough, having demanded leave
to march out of the breach,
was answered, "That it was not
advisable for him to do it unless
he had ladders;" upon which he
chose, with his garrison, to
march out at the gate. During
the whole siege, the French lost
about thirteen hundred men, and
the Confederates about five hun-
dred and seventeen, who found
in the place fifty-five brass can-
non, ten of iron, six mortars, a
great quantity of powder and
ball, and all sorts of ammuni-
tion. The French made them-
selves masters of it at the open-
ing of the campaign, 1744. It
stands five or six miles south-west
of Courtray, nine almost north of
Lisle, and about ten south-east
of Vipres.
MENTZ, a large and popu-
lous city, in an electorate of
that name, in Germany; its
public buildings magnificent
but the private ones mean, and
its fortifications of no consider-
able strength. It was besieged 
by 

M E
by the Imperialists in July, 1689,
under the command of Prince
Charles of Lorrain, and the
Electors of Bavaria and Saxony,
who joined their forces with the
others. This place was the
year before, when the Elector of
the same name received a French
garrison into the town, so in-
considerable in its fortifications,
that though a great number of
men were employed during the
winter, to put them in a state of
defence, they could scarce bring
the out-works to perfection. Its
chiefest strength at that time
consisted in a garrison of ten
thousand men, who resolved to
hold out till the last extremity.
It was vigorously attacked;
and there has not been a place
defended with more bravery.
In forty-eight days after opening
the trenches, the besiegers had
only made one lodgement upon
the outmost point of the counter-
scarp. The besieged made fre-
quent sallies at noon, with their
colours flying and drums beat-
ing, sometimes three or four
times in a day. They marched
out sometimes with a body of
two or three thousand men, in
order of battle, engaged the
enemy, cut in pieces those that
guarded the trenches, nailed up
their cannons, filled up their
works, and once drove the ene-
mies back at such a distance
from the place, that their main
horse-guard took post at the head
of their trenches. The confe-
derates having often felt the ef-
fects of the intrepidity of the
besieged, resolved to attack and
carry the counterscarp, what-
ever might be the event. With
this resolution, all their batte-
M E
ries played furiously by break of
day, and thus continued till signal
was given for the assault. In a
few moments the ground was
covered with dead carcasses,
cannon, &c. their swords espe-
cially made such havock among
the enemy, as is rather to be con-
ceived than expressed. The as-
sault lasted five hours, when the
besieged being overpowered by
numbers, who without inter-
mission, seconded their men with
fresh troops, were forced to yield,
and leave them masters of the
counterscarp, with the loss of
four thousand men on the Con-
federate side. The besieged
having, besides this, lost, dur-
ing the assault, all their ammu-
nition, by a bomb which blew
up their magazine, the next day
essayed to regain the counter-
scarp with their swords in hand;
but the Marquis d'Uxelles, their
Governor, unwilling to sacrifice
so many brave fellows in the at-
tempt, beat a parley, and the
Allies granting him honourable
conditions, the garrison marched
out with colours flying, and six
pieces of cannon. It lies twenty-
four miles west of Francfort.
Latitude, 49. 16. north; longi-
tude, 8. 16. east.
MERLAN, that part of the pa-
rapet which is terminated by two
embrasures of a battery, so that
its height and thickness is the
same with that of the parapet. It
serves to cover those on the bat-
tery from the enemy, and is
better when made of earth well
beat and close, than of stone, be-
cause these fly about, and wound
those it should defend.
MESSINA, antiently Zancle,
afterwards Messana, a large and
well 

M E
well built city of Val di De-
mona in Sicily, with an harbour
on the streight or faro of Mes-
sina; besides an irregular fortifi-
cation, has a citadel of five large
and regular bastions, with seve-
ral forts on the neighbouring e-
minences. The harbour is of an
oval form and large, being well
secured, the city lying between
it and the mountains, though
this last is not strong. It lies 115
miles west of Reggio, in Cala-
bria. Latitude, 38. 41. north;
longitude, 15. 39. east.
METZ, the capital of a go-
vernment of that name, in Ger-
many, between the Moselle and
Seille, which unite here, is a large
well fortified place, lies twenty-
eight miles north of Nancy, and
is subject to France. Lat. 49. 32.
north; long. 5. 49. east.
MEZIERES, a small fortified
town of Upper Champagne, si-
tuate on an island formed by the
Meuse, over which it has two
bridges, was taken by the Em-
peror Charles V. in 1521, and
lies twelve miles north-west of
Sedan. Latitude, 49. 46. north;
longitude, 4. 38. east.
MILAN, the capital of the
Milanese, situated on the rivers
Olana and Lomborg, is ten Ita-
lian miles in circuit, including
several gardens, and surrounded
only with a wall and rampart.
At some distance is a citadel
consisting of six bastions well
fortified. The city was built in
the year of Rome 39; since that
æra it has been forty times be-
sieged, twenty times taken, and
four times almost entirely de-
stroyed, but has always reco-
vered itself, stands 116 miles
north east of Turin, and 248
M I
north-west of Rome. Lat. 45. 31.
north; long. 9. 42. east.
MILLAND, the capital of the
territory of  Rouvergne in Gui-
enne, in France, situate on the
Tarn, sixty-four miles north-west
of Montpelier, was formerly for-
tified by the Reformed, but dis-
mantled by Lewis XIII. in 1629.
In 1744 the maintenance of two
troops of dragoons quartered on
the protestant inhabitants, cost
them 30000 livres for three
months, by which the town was
totally ruined. Lat. 44. 12.
north; long. 2. 51. east.
MINDEN, a city of Westpha-
lia, and a capital of a dutchy of
that name, in Germany, thirty-
eight miles west of Hanover, is
subject to the  King of Prussia.
On the 31st of July, 1757, it
was taken by the French. March
8, 1758, it surrendered to the
Hanoverians, when 3516 men
were also made prisoners. July
9, 1759, the French re-took it
by assault, when 1500 men of
the Allies were made prisoners,
with many pieces of artillery and
large magazines; but, on the 2d
of August, 1759. it again sur-
rendered to the Allies at discre-
tion, with 1533 men prisoners,
and considerable magazines. Lat.
52. 31. north; long. 8. 38. east.
Near this place, the allied army,
commanded by Prince Ferdi-
nand of Brunswick, obtained a
glorious victory over the French
army, commanded by  Marshal
de Contades, on the 1st of Au-
gust, 1759.
Contades was encamped be-
fore Minden, and Prince Fer-
dinand's camp extended from
Thornhusen to Hille. The
Prince, on the 31st of July, re-
solved 

M I
solved to attack the French early
the next morning, and Contades
prepared to do the same by
the Allies. The French were
110000 men, including 12000
Saxons: the Allies 80000.
The French cavalry was placed
in the center, consisting of sixty
squadrons: their infantry on
the wings. On the contrary,
the cavalry of the Allies was on
the wings, and the infantry in
the center. The French began
the attack about five in
the morning, and about eight
the British infantry routed the
French cavalry. The cavalry
of the Allies did not come up in
time to compleat the victory,
which gave the French cavalry
time to rally and return to the
charge, supported by the Saxon
infantry, and a very brisk can-
nonade, which took the infan-
try of the Allies obliquely in
front, and directly in flank;
and the Duke de Broglio
brought up the right to support
the center: but the British in-
fantry performed wonders, and
the French were totally routed
about noon. The Allies lost
about 2000, killed and wounded,
of which 1200 were English.
The French lost 6000 killed
and wounded: 154 Officers,
and 79 Non commissioned Offi-
cers were taken, besides 1533,
left sick in Minden; eighty
pieces of cannon, ten pair of
colours and seven standards. The
same day the hereditary Prince
of Brunswick, defeated a body
of 10000 French, under the
Duke de Brisac, at Creveldt,
which obliged Contades to quit
his camp, and evacuate Min-
den. By this signal victory,
M I
Prince Ferdinand preserved Ha-
nover a second time from the
French, who were obliged to
abandon all Westphalia, and re-
tire two hundred miles back to
the Rhine. Cassel, Zeigen-
hayn, Weller, and Marpurgh,
were retaken from the French,
who also surrendered Munster on
the 30th of November.
MINE, a lodgement made
under ground to place powder
in, which is set on fire to blow
up the works above it. The
difference between mines and
counter mines is, that the first
are made by the besiegers, and
the latter by the besieged.
Two ounces of powder will
blow up two cubic feet of earth:
and consequently two hundred,
viz. twelve pounds and a half,
will raise two hundred feet of
earth, which is near two hun-
dred yards cube.
The Miner should observe,
that his powder exerts its force
against the weakest part: there-
fore, no hollows should be near
the chamber of his mine, but at
least one and a half of solidity
more than is above the mine he
would blow up.
N. B. Powder has the same
force on walls, &c. as it has on
earth: viz. it raises with equal
quantities the measure of wall
or earth. The art of mining
requires the skill of an able En-
gineer, to know the height,
breadth, depth, thickness, and
slopes, by a plumb-line; what
is parallel to the horizon, and
what is not. He should also
take the exact levels of all earths,
and have a perfect knowledge
of rocks, earths, sands, and the
strength of all sorts of powders. 
To 

M I
To counter-mine, or blow up
the enemy's mines, you petard
them, bury their powder, fau-
sages, and sometimes the Miners,
or drive them out by smoak of
sulphur, or other suffocation, if
they are above you.
MINORCA, one of the Bale-
arean islands, situated in the
Mediterranean, about twenty-
four miles east of Majorca; is
thirty two miles in length, and
fourteen in breadth, covered
with barren hills, only valuable
for its secure and capacious har-
bour of Port-Mahon. The only
towns of any consequence are
Citadella, at the west extremity
of the island; and Port-Mahon,
at the east. In 1708 the English
took it from Spain, and it was
confirmed to them by the peace
of Utrecht in 1713, which they
kept possession of till 1756, when
the French, with thirteen thou-
sand troops under Marshal Ri-
chelieu, invaded the island, and
in about two months made them-
selves masters of St. Philips's ca-
stle &c. Longitude, 4, 6. east;
latitude, 39. 50.
MINSK, or MINSKI, a city
of Russian Lithuania, in Poland,
the capital of a territory of that
name on the Swislocz, was ta-
ken by the Russians in 1656, and
is seventy-two miles south-east of
Wilna. Lat. 54. 41. north;
long. 27. 41. east.
MIRANDA DE DOURO, a city
of Tralos Montes, in Portugal,
being a frontier against Spain,
near Leon, and situated in a
mountainous rugged country,
on the Douro, besides its for-
tifications is defended by a castle
and fort, and lies twenty-six
miles south of Braganza, in lati-
M O
tude, 41. 31. north; longitude,
6. 39. west.
On the 9th of May, 1762,
while the Commander of the
Spanish forces was preparing
to besiege it, a powder maga-
zine blew up, and killed eight
hundred men: they surrendered
it  up, and themselves prisoners
of war. Lat. 45. 10. north; lon-
11. 31. east.
MIRANDOLA, a fortified city
in a Dukedom of that name, in
Modena, in Italy, eighteen
miles north of Modena city;
was besieged in 1702, by the
Imperialists, and taken by the
French in 1705, but restored in
1707.
MOAT, ditch or fosse, a depth
or trench round the rampart of
a place to defend it and prevent
surprizes. The brink of the
moat next the rampart is called
the scarp; and that opposite, on
the other side, the counter-scarp,
which forms a re-entering an-
gle before the center of the cur-
tain. A dry moat round a
place that is large and has a
strong garrison, is preferable to
one full of water, because the
passage may be disputed inch by
inch; and the besiegers, when
lodged in the moat, are conti-
nually exposed to the bombs,
granades, and other fire-works,
which are thrown incessantly
over the ramparts on their
works. In the middle of a dry
moat is sometimes made another
small moat called the cunette.
Which is generally dug so deep
as to obtain a spring for filling
it. The deepest and broadest
fosses are esteemed the best; but
a deep fosse is preferable to a
broad one. The ordinary breadth 
is 

M O
is about twenty fathoms; the
depth, sixteen feet.
To drain a moat or fosse full
of water, is, to dig a trench
deeper than the level of the
water to let it out. When it is
drained, there are hurdles
thrown upon the mud and slime,
and covered with earth, or bun-
dles of rushes, to make a firm
passage.
MOBILE, Movile, or Fort
Conde, a strong fort on a river of
the same name, near the gulf
of Mexico, one hundred and
forty miles north-east of New
Orleans. Longitude, 83. west;
latitude, 31: under the govern-
ment of Louisiana.
MODENA (CITY of) the ca-
pital of a dukedom of that name,
in Upper Italy, is fortified, has
a strong citadel, and lies twenty-
four miles north-west of Bolog-
na, and thirty-eight south of
Mantua. Latitude, 45. 3. north;
longitude, 11. 36. east.
MODON, a city of the Morea,
in European Turkey, has a
good harbour, defended by a
castle, and lies eighteen miles
west of Coran, of the Morea.
Latitude, 36. 42. north; longi-
tude, 21. 27. east.
MOGULSTAN, an inconsider-
able town of Hungary Proper,
situated on the  Danube; but
famous for the unfortunate de-
feat of Lewis II. by the Turkish
Emperor Solyman, in 1526,
and also for a signal victory ob-
tained here over the Turks in
1687; lies eighteen miles north-
west of Esseck, and belongs to
the House of Austria, Latitude,
46. 21. north; longitude, 20. 15.
east.       
MOINEAU, a French term for
M O
a little flat bastion, raised upon
a re-entering angle, before a
curtain, which is too long, be-
tween two other bastions. Com-
monly joined the curtain,
but sometimes separated by a
fosse, and then called a detach-
ed bastion. They are not rai-
sed so high as the works of the
place, because they would then
be exposed to the fire of the be-
sieged. Lest the enemy should
lodge themselves, their parapet,
as well as the parapet of all out-
works, should be cannon-proof,
viz. eighteen feet thick.
MONACA, the capital of a prin-
cipality of that name, in the ter-
ritory of Genoa, in Upper Italy,
a small fortified city, has a good
harbour, lies in latitude, 43. 56.
north; longitude, 7. 21. east.
MOLWITZ, a town of Grot-
ska in Silesia, and the kingdom
of Bohemia, stands thirty-eight
miles south of Breslaw, in the
neighbourhood of Neis. Lat.
50. 31. north; lon. 16. 51. east.
It is remarkable for an en-
gagement that happened near it
between the Austrians and Prus-
sians, on the 30th of March,
1741; when the latter, having
received intelligence that Count
Neuperg had orders to hazard
a battle, that he might cover the
fortress of Neis and Brieg, they
marched directly towards him,
and made the necessary disposi-
tions for engaging. The battle
was bloody, the Austrians hav-
ing drove back and put into
disorder the left wing of the
Prussians, commanded by Lieu-
tenant-general Count Schul-
emberg, who was killed on the
first onset; but the confusion
was soon redressed by some re-
giments 

M O
giments of infantry, and by the
grenadiers, intermixed with the
Prussian horse. The attack on
the right wing proved as warm
as that on the left: five squa-
drons of Schulemberg's dragoons,
being almost cut to pieces; but
the Prussians soon gained ad-
vantages in their turn, and af-
ter an engagement of four hours,
obliged the Austrians to retreat,
who marched off in pretty good
order, and encamped under the
cannon of Neiss. General Schu-
lemburg, Colonel Burk, Lieu-
tenant-colonel Fitzgerald, the
Margrave Frederick of Branden-
burg, &c. were killed. The
Veldt Marshal Schwerin, the
Lieutenant - generals  Marcwits
and Kleist; General Margrave,
Charles of Brandenburg; the
Colonels, Prince William, the
Margrave's brother, &c. wound-
ed, and between two and three
thousand killed. The Austrians
lost 4000, killed, wounded, and
taken; among which were the
Generals Romer and Galdi, and
the Count de la Nais killed:
Generals Brown, Kaihl, Len-
tulus, &c. wounded.
MONJUICH, or Montjoy, a
castle standing a mile west of
Barcelona, taken by the English
in 1705. 
MONSANTO, a fortified fron-
tier of Spanish Estremadura, in-
vested by the Confederates under
the Marquis de los Minas, in
1704, who on that occasion
gained a considerable victory over
the Spaniards, lies eighteen miles
west of Valverde.
MONS, or Bergen, a large,
strong, and rich city of the
Austrian Low-countries, and the
capital of Hainault, situated
M O
on a hill, near the junction of
the Haine and Trouille. The
country round it may be so over-
flowed, as to render an ene-
my's approaches very difficult.
The French took it in 1691,
but ceded it to Spain by the
treaty of Ryswick, in 1697.
The Duke of Marlborough hav-
ing, in its neighbourhood, gain-
ed the memorable victory of
Malplaquet over the French,
in 1709, it was followed by the
reduction of this city, and all
the province of Hainault, which
was confirmed to the  House of
Austria, by the peace of Utrecht,
in 1713, and made part of the
barrier. The French, under
Count Saxe, took this city, but
restored it by the treaty of Aix-
la-Chapelle in  1748, after de-
molishing its fortifications. It
lies twenty-four miles south east
of Tournay, and thirty south-west
of Brussels, in lat. 50. 30. north;
lon.  3. 36. east.
MONTAUBAN, a well built
city of Lower Quercy, in Gui-
enne, in France, twenty miles
north of Thoulouse. In 1562,
the inhabitants embraced the re-
formed religion, and fortified the
town, so that Lewis XIII. be-
sieged it without success in 1621,
and did not take it till 1629,
when it was dismantled. Lat. 44.
10. north; lon. 1.4.  east.
MONTMEDY, a town of  consi-
derable strength, situated on a
hill near the river Chiers, about
thirty miles west of Luxemburg,
and twenty south of Boreillou,
taken by the French in 1657.
MONT-PAG-NOTE, or post of the
invulnerable, an eminence chosen
out of cannon-shot of the place
besieged.
N MON- 

M O
MONTREAL, a town of Ca-
nada, in North America, situ-
ated in an island of the same
name, formed by the river St.
Lawrence, is 170 miles south-
west of Quebec. It surrendered
to Sir Jeffery Amherst, on the
8th of September, 1760, and was
ceded to the English in 1763.
Latitude, 45. 18. north; longi-
tude, 74. 15. east.
MONTREUIL, a fortified town
of Picardy in France, situated
on the river Canche, four miles
from the sea, and thirty-two
south of Calais. Lat. 50. 27.
north; lon. 1. 50. east.
MORELLA, a small town of
Valencia in Spain, situated on
the frontiers of Arragon, among
high mountains, and encom-
passed with steep rocks. Almost
destroyed by Philip V. in 1705,
and is now in a very declining
condition.
MORLAIX, properly Montre-
lais, a small trading town of
Lower Bretagne in France, situ-
ated on a river which has water
for ships to come up with the
tide, stands on the English chan-
nel, and has a harbour defended
by the castle of Toureau, on an
opposite island, 26 miles north-
east of Brest. Lat. 48. 41. north;
lon. 3. 58.  west.
MOROCCO, the capital of a
kingdom of that name, in Africa,
is fortified; but the works,
as well as the city, are at pre-
sent in a declining condition, the
seat of the  empire having been
removed from  thence to Fez,
216 miles south-west of it. Lati-
tude, 31. 56. north; longitude,
9, 12. west.
MORTARS, are made of brass
or iron, and are used both in
M O
the land and sea service for
throwing shells and carcasses;
but those for land are shortest
and lightest, and their chambers
hold the least powder. They
are distinguished by the diame-
ter of their bores; as, a thir-
teen, ten, or eight inch mortar;
the royal and coehorn. The
royal carries a shell whose dia-
meter is  5. 5. inches; the coe-
horn, 4. 6.
MOSAMBIQUE, the capital
of a province of that name in
Africa, situated on an island,
has a good harbour, defended
by a citadel, and the fortifica-
tions of the town, which is regu-
larly fortified. Lat. 15. south;
lon. 41. 10. east.
MOTION, of an Army, the
several marches, and counter-
marches it makes, or the chang-
ing of its post for an advanta-
geous encampment, either with
a design to engage the enemy, or
shun fighting.
Motion, of a bomb or ball, the
progress it makes in the air,
after it is delivered, is of three
sorts: the violent motion, or first
explosion, when the powder has
worked its effect upon the ball,
so far as the bomb or ball may
be supposed to go in a right
line; the mixed motion denotes
when the weight of the ball be-
gins to overcome the force which
was given by the powder; and
the natural motion, when the ball
or bomb is falling.
MOULDINGS, of a gun or mor-
tar, are all the eminent parts;
as squares or rounds, which
serve generally for ornaments;
such as the breech moulding. The
rings of a gun are likewise
mouldings.
MOUNT,          

M O
MOUNT GUARD to go upon
duty: to mount a breach, is to
run up to attack; to mount the
trenches, to go upon guard in
the trenches.
MOUNT (ST. MICHAEL) a
little town, abbey, and fortress
in the territory of Avranche in
Normandy in France, situated
on a rock called Tumba in the
English channel. The town lies
lower than the abbey, and is
fortified. Not far from hence is
the rock Tumbella, on which
formerly stood a castle. It lies
eighteen miles east of St. Malo,
in latitude 48. 37. north; lon-
gitude, 1. 40. west.
MUNDE, FORT, at the en-
trance of the river Persante, was
taken November 15, 1761, by
General Romanzow, by which
all communication by water was
cut off, between Stetin and Col-
berg.
MUNDEN, longitude, 9. 32.
east; latitude, 51. 25. a town
of Brunswick, in Germany,
which has often been evacuated
since 1758, and in August
1762, the French abandoned it.
MUNICH, the capital of Ba-
varia in Germany, a large and
elegant city, situated on the
Iser, is surrounded with a wall
and fortifications, but of so little
strength, that it has always sur-
rendered to those who were
masters of the field, and been fre-
quently plundered, particularly
by the Austrians, in 1742. It
lies 64 miles south-west of Ra-
tisborn, and 205 west of Vienna.
Latitude, 48. 22. north; lon-
gitude, 11. 41. east.
MUNSTER, a city of the ca-
pital of a bishoprick of that
name in Germany, situated on
M U
the Aa, in the most fruitful
plain of the country. The city
is well built of free-stone. Here
the famous treaty was concluded
in 1648, which  put an end to
the civil commotions of Ger-
many on account of religion,
after a thirty years war, in
which Gustavus Adolphus, King
of Sweden, made so great a
figure; the claims were settled of
the German, and several other
Princes and States of Europe,
with regard to the limits of
their territories; particularly
the Spaniards acknowledged the
Dutch to be a free independent
state at this treaty, which from
the city was sometimes called the
peace of Munster; sometimes the
treaty of Westphalia, from the
province in which it was con-
cluded; and at other times, the
religious peace, from the dissen-
tions on this score between the
Germans being settled in it. It
lies 38 miles south-west of the
city of Osnabrug, and 68 north
of Cologne. Latitude, 52. 18.
north; longitude, 7. 14. east.
MUEICA, the capital of a
province of that name in Spain,
situated on the Segura, is large
and populous, has strait streets,
a castle on an eminence without
the city, and lies 26 miles north
of Carthagena, in lat. 38. 12.
north; lon. 1. 14. west.
MUSQUET, the most commo-
dious and useful fire-arm used
by an army: they carry a ball
of twenty-nine to two pounds of
lead.
MUTINY, "Any Officer or
soldier who shall presume to use
traitorous or disrespectful words
against the sacred person of his
Majesty, or any of the Royal
Family 

N A
Family, is guilty of mutiny.
"Any Officer or soldier who
shall behave himself with con-
tempt or disrespect towards the
General, or other Commander
in Chief of Our forces, or shall
speak words tending to their
hurt or dishonour, is guilty of
mutiny.
"Any Officer or soldier who
shall begin, excite, cause, or
join in, any mutiny or sedition,
in the troop, company, or regi-
ment, to which he belongs, or
in any other troop, or company,
in our service, or on any party,
post, detachment, or guard, on
any pretence whatever, is guilty
of mutiny.
"Any Officer or soldier who,
being present at any mutiny, or
sedition, does not use his utmost
endeavours to suppress the same,
or coming to the knowledge of
any mutiny, or intended mu-
tiny, does not, without delay,
give information to his Com-
manding-officer, is guilty of
mutiny.
"Any Officer or soldier, who
shall strike his superior Officer
or draw, or offer to draw, or
shall lift up any weapon, or
offer any violence against him,
being in the execution of his
office, on any pretence whatso-
ever, or shall disobey any law-
ful command of his superior
Officer, is guilty of mutiny."
NAJARA a small town of
of Old Biscay, in Spain,
forty-eight miles south of Bilbao,
famous for a battle in 1639. Lat.
51. 22. north; lon. 56. east.
NAILING OF CANNON,
driving a large nail or iron
spike into the touch-hole of
N A
a piece of artillery, to render
it unserviceable. The remedy
is to drill a new touch-hole, for
if the spike be taken out, the
hole is left so large that the
piece cannot be fired.
NAMUR, city, is situated be-
tween two hills, at the conflux
of the Maese and the Sambre,
thirty-fix miles east of Mons,
twenty-eight south-west of
Liege, and thirty-two south-east
of Brussels. The chief part of
the town stands on the north
side of the Sambre; on the other
side stands the citadel, upon a
rocky mountain, being a mag-
nificent structure, and esteemed
the strongest fortress in Europe;
the rock on which it is situated
is not only very steep, but the
approaches to it are fortified
with the greatest art; and on
the top of the  rock are several
good springs of water.
In May, 1692, the French
King, with forty-five thousand
men, covered by the Duke of
Luxemburg with sixty thousand,
besieged and took Namur, King
William not being able to come
to its relief, on account of the
great rains which had rendered
the rivers impassable. The city
surrendered in eleven days on
good terms, after having sus-
tained three assaults; and the
castle, which held out near a
month longer, also obtained ho-
nourable conditions. The Go-
vernors of the town and citadel
were the Prince of Brabançon
and the Dutch General Coehorn;
which last made a brave defence,
and was dangerously wounded.
On the 3d of July, 1695,
King William invested this city,
at 

N A
at which time the French gar-
rison consisted of eight regi-
ments of dragoons, one of horse,
twenty battalions, a company of
volunteers, one of canoneers,
another of miners, and a bri-
gade of engineers. Since their
last conquest of it, they had
omitted nothing that art could
invent, to render it impregna-
ble by new fortifications and ad-
ditional outworks. It was fur-
nished with a hundred and
twenty pieces of cannon, eight
mortars, twelve thousand gre-
nadoes, bullets and bombs; a
hundred and thirty thousand
weight of powder, sixteen thou-
sand muskets, and great store of
other arms, a hundred thousand
crowns in specie, and six months
provisions. But notwithstanding
all this, together with the brave
defence of the garrison, the
Confederates carried on their
attacks so vigorously, that the
town capitulated on the 4th of
August.
During the siege of the cita-
del, Marshal Villeroy advanced
as if he would attempt to relieve
it; and passing by Brussels, he
threw near two thousand bombs
into that city, with a great
number of red-hot bullets;
whereby whole streets were laid
in ashes, there being about fif-
teen hundred houses ruined or
much damaged, besides several
publick edifices. This the
French pretended was done by
way of reprisal for the Confede-
rate fleets bombarding Dunkirk;
but their real intention was to
retard the siege of the castle of
Namur; which, after a most re-
solute defence, made by Mar-
shal Bouffleurs, capitulated on
the first of September, in view
N A
of Marshal Villeroy's army. The
French King so much depended
on the strength of this place,
that he put up over the gates,
It may be surrendered, but cannot be
conquered.
After the death of Charles II.
of Spain, the French seized Na-
mur, with the rest of the Ne-
therlands. In 1704, the Dutch
army, under M. d'Auverquer-
que, bombarded it from the
26th to the 29th of July, and
destroyed great part of the city:
but the French kept possession
of it till the treaty of Utrecht,
when the country, town, and
castle, were yielded to the States
General, to serve as a barrier
against France: the Elector of
Bavaria was to enjoy the sove-
reignty and revenues, and the
town to contribute its quota to
the maintenance of the Dutch
troops and fortifications.
NANCY, the capital of Lor-
raine in Germany, near the
Meurte, is situated in a delight-
ful plain. It is divided into
the old and new town. In the
collegiate Church of St. George,
is the monument of Charles
the bold Duke of Burgundy,
who was killed before this
place in 1746. By the peace of
Ryswic, the out-works of the old
and new town, together with the
fortifications of the latter, were
demolished; but those of the
former suffered to remain. It
lies sixty-eight miles south of
Triers, sixty-eight north west of
Strasburg, and one hundred and
forty three east of Paris. Lati-
tude, 48. 41. north; longitude,
6. 5.  east.
NANT, a town of considera-
ble strength, on the river Mease,
about twelve miles from Namur,
and 

N A
and near six from Charlemont.
NAPLES, the capital of a
kingdom of that name: the
island lying before it forms a Se-
cure harbour, and ships of great
burthen may lie close to the
quays: to the east is a large
plain, terminated by Mount Ve-
suvius; to the west stands the
castle of St. Elmo, or S. Eramo,
on a hill, having bomb-proof
subterraneous vaults; there are
also four castles to defend the
town. Their militia is nume-
rous, the lands being held by
military tenures: but it is sel-
dom called out, and but little
depended on. The King gene-
rally maintains a body of fifteen
thousand regular troops in time
of peace, and can raise an equal
number in time of war. This
city has alternately been go-
verned by Spanish and German
Viceroys, till Don Carlos was,
in 1734, placed on the throne
by the united powers of France,
Spain, and Sardinia: while the
British fleet under Sir Charles
Wager, conveyed him safely
thither. As this Prince obtain-
ed the crown by force, he must
maintain his possession by the
same means, unless, by a wise
and prudent administration, he
should gain the affections of the
people. In the arsenal, are said
to be continually lodged arms
for fifty thousand men. It lies
one hundred and forty-six miles
south-east of Rome, in latitude,
41. 51. north; longitude, 14. 45.
east.
NAPOLI DI ROMANIA, a town
and fortress on a peninsula of
the Morea in European Turky,
extending into the bay called
Golso de Napoli, has a good
N A
harbour, is one of the strongest
towns in the Morea, and lies 64
miles south-west of Setines, or
Athens. Latitude, 37. 36. north;
longitude, 23. 31. east.
NARBONNE, a large fortified
city of Languedoc in France,
Situated in a deep valley between
mountains, on a canal running
through it, which joins the river
Ande, and the great royal canal,
with the lake Robin, and also
with the Mediterranean Sea. In
the time of the Romans, it was
the capital of this part of France,
and called Gallia Narbonensis.
It lies 64 miles west of Mont-
pelier. Latitude, 43. 22. north;
longitude, 2. 51. east.
NARENZA, formerly Naro, or
Narbona, a town of Venetian
Dalmatia in European Turky,
having an harbour on a bay of
the Adriatic; was in ancient
times a considerable city, the
capital of Dalmatia, and one of
its best fortresses. In succeeding
ages, the Sclavonians settled here
and, by their piracies, rendered
the coast unsafe for navigation,
till the Venetians took it in,
987. It had its own Governors,
till it fell under the Turkish
yoke in 1749; and lies 28 miles
north of Ragusa, in latitude,
42. 56. north; longitude, 18.
26. east.
NARVA, a port town of Livo-
nia, on the frontiers of Inger-
manland, on the rapid river of
that name, issuing from the Pei-
pus lake, and falling into the
gulf of Finland, two miles be-
low the town, is  well fortified,
and has a strong garrison; was
besieged by the Russians in
1700, but relieved by Charles
XII. King of Sweden, who
gained 

N E                          
gained a signal victory over them
with 20,000 men, though the
Russians were 100,000. But the
Czar Peter the Great, after-
wards took Narva by storm, and
transplanted the inhabitants to
Astracan; and the Russians have
been in possession of Narva, and
all Livonia, ever since, making
it one of the stations of their
fleet. Latitude, 59. 21. north;
longitude, 27. 41. east.
NASEBY, a village near Roth-
well in Northamptonshire, ten
miles north of Northampton, fa-
mous for a victory gained by the
Parliament's forces over the
Royalists, June 14, 1645. West
longitude, 50 minutes; latitude,
52. 20.
NAXICA, lies south-east of Mi-
cone, and east of Paros, 100 miles
in circuit. On the south side of
the island is a town defended by
a castle. At about a gun-shot
distance is a fine marble tower,
on a rock. Lat. 36. 41. north;
lon. 26. 10. east.
NEGAPATAN, a town of the
Hither India, with an harbour,
on the Coromandel coast, twenty
miles south of Trincumbar or
Frankebar, where is a Dutch
fort with a factory. Lat. 11. 12.
north; lon. 79. 12. east.
NEGROPONT, or Egripos city,
the capital of the island, bearing
its name, in the Archipelago,
or Egæan sea, lying on  the  Eu-
ripus, and probably on the site
of its ancient capital Chalcis,
and on the west side of the island,
thirty-four miles north of Se-
tines or Athens, and seventy
north of Corinth. The walls of
the town where the Turks re-
side, are two miles in circuit;
but the suburbs where the Chri-
N E
stians dwell, are much larger.
The Turkish Admiral, who is
Beglerbeg or Governor of this
island, and the neighbouring
parts of Greece,s has his eat
here; and this port is commonly
a station of Turkish galleys. It
is also the see of a Greek metro-
politan. This is by much the
largest of all the islands in the
Archipelago, and with the others
subject to Turky. Lat. 38. 36.
north; lon. 24. 36. east.
NEIDENBURG, a fine town in
the county of that name, and
Ortelsburg circle, in Regal Prus-
sia, with a mountain and castle,
situated in a very delightful
country.
NEISS, a town of Silesia, in
the kingdom of Bohemia, on the
river bearing its name, forty-six
miles south of Breslaw. On the
5th and 6th of November, 1758,
General Harsh raised the siege of
this place, with precipitation, on
the approach of the King of
Prussia, abandoning a large quan-
tity of ammunition. Lat. 50. 31.
north; lon. 16. 10. east.
NELSON, FORT, a settlement
on the west side of Hudson's Bay,
in Canada, North America, at
the mouth of a river of that name,
and on a bay of the sea, lies 250
miles south-east of Churchill
Fort, and 600 north-west of
Rupert Fort. Lat. 57. 12.
north; lon. 01. 12. west.
NERAC, a town of Gascony,
capital of the duchy of Albret,
in France, twelve miles west of
Agen. It surrendered to Lewis
XIII. in 1621. Latitude, 44. 12.
north; lon. 14 minutes east.
NERO, or Fort Nassau, a for-
tress at the west extremity of
one of the Banda islands, called
by 

N E
by that name, in the India
ocean, in Asia, sixty-four miles
south of the island of Ceram,
and 131 south-east of Amboyna,
is one of those forts by which
the Dutch command the navi-
gation of the neighbouring seas,
and defend their usurped possessi-
on of the spice islands. Lat. 128.
south; lon. 4. east.
NEUENBURG, a small town of
Little Pomerania, in Polish
Prussia, having the Weichsel on
one side, and morasses on the
other.
NEUMARK, is situated in the
neighbourhood of Borne, Lu-
thep, and Lissa, a village of Si-
lesia, sixteen miles from Breslaw,
and famous for a battle between
the Austrians and Prussians, on
the 5th of December, 1757.
The King of Prussia having de-
termined to make himself master
of Silesia, he resolved, at the
head of 38,000, to attack
80,000 Austrians, commanded
by Prince Charles of Lorrain.
The battle began at two in the
afternoon, and continued till
night, when the Prussians car-
ried the village of Luthep, which
decided the victory in their fa-
vour. The Austrians sustained
a loss of no less than 6000 kill-
ed, and about 20,000 taken
prisoners; 3000 baggage and
ammunition-waggons, 180 can-
non, and 43 pair of colours;
the Prussians had only 2000
killed and wounded. The con-
sequence of this victory was the
retaking of Breslaw by his Prus-
sian Majesty, where he made
fourteen Generals and 14,000
men prisoners.
NEW ORLEANS, stands on
the bank of the Mississippi, in 29
N E
deg. 59 min. north latitude. On
account of its vicinity to Mobile,
vessels of a thousand tons may
ride with their sides close to the
banks at low water; has a good
magazine and  barracks. On the
east the Mississippi is Fort la Ba-
lise, which defends the entrance
and channel.
NEWPORT, the capital of the
colony of Rhode Island, in New
England, situated seventy-two
miles South of Boston Lat. 41.
14. north; Lon. 74. 8. west.
Newport, a town of Flan-
ders, in the Austrian Low Coun-
tries, having a harbour eight
miles north-east of Fumes, and
ten south-west of Ostend. The
French besieged this place in
1488, with 18000 men, and as-
saulted it three times, but were
as often bravely repulsed. The
Dutch, under Prince Maurice,
intended to invest it in 1600;
but the Archduke Albert com-
ing up with them, a bloody
battle ensued, and Maurice ob-
tained a most glorious victory;
for which he was very much in-
debted to the English, under the
conduct of Sir Francis Vere.
The Archduke, who was wound-
ed, and narrowly escaped being
taken, had 6000 men killed, 600
made prisoners, and lost 30 co-
lours. Prince Maurice, however,
notwithstanding this success, re-
turned to Holland without at-
tempting anything farther. La-
tiiude, 51. 15. north; longitude,
2. 45. east.
NEWSTAT, a town of Hunga-
ry, situate sixty-five miles east of
Tockay, subject to the Empress
Queen. Latitude, 47. 30. lon-
gitude, 22. 32. east.
On the 21st of September,
1759, 

N I
1759, General Wunch, with
the Prussians, gained a consider-
able advantage near this place,
over the army of the Empire,
commanded by Prince de Deux-
Ponts, whilst General Reben-
tisch, with five battalions and
fifteen squadrons of the right
wing, was engaged with the  Au-
strians, under General Haddick,
near Stroischen: the Prussians
were twice repulsed by the Au-
strians; the infantry stood with
great firmness; but General
Fink, having reason to think
that Prince de Deux Ponts in-
tended to renew the engage-
ment the next morning, ordered
General Robentisch to retire at
retreat-beating to the first line.
The Prussians took one piece of
cannon and lost five, when the
cavalry were a second time re-
pulsed.
General Fink remained in
camp at Corbitz, on the twenty-
fourth, when the army of the
empire were retiring to Kessel-
dorf. The loss of the Prussians
in both actions were about 1000
men; that of the Austrians and
Imperialists, in killed, wound-
ed, and prisoners, upwards of
4000.
NIAGARA, a sort in a province
of that name, in America, lies
at the influx into the lake of
Ontario. This important place
was taken by Sir William John-
son, on the twenty-fifth of July,
1759, when the garrison of 617
men and Officers, surrendered
with the honours of war.
NICE, the capital of the pro-
vince of that name, in Pied-
mont, in Italy, situate at the
mouth of the Var, well fortified,
has a good harbour on the Me-
N I
diterranean, at the mouth of the
river Paulon: but the only one
capable of admitting small ves-
sels, though endeavours have
been for some years used for im-
proving it. It has also been de-
clared a free port. It was taken
by the French in 1691, and re-
stored to Savoy in 1696. It lies
twelve miles north of Antibes,
thirty eight south of Coni, is
south of Turin, and subject to
the King of Sardinia. Lat. 43.
51. north; lon. 7. 21. east.
NICOPOLIS, a large city of a
province of that name, in Bul-
garia, in European Turky, si-
tuate on the Danube, defended
by a castle, and is famous for the
first unfortunate battle, fought
here in 1396, between the Chri-
stians and the Turks. It lies nine-
ty-six miles north-west of Adri-
anople. Latitude,  42. 46. north;
longitude, 24. 56. east.
NIMEGUEN, a city of Guel-
derland, in the United Pro-
vinces, situated on the river
Waal. Here the famous treaty
between the Dutch and their Al-
lies with France, in 1679, was
concluded, and thence called
the treaty of Nimeguen. It lies
twelve miles south of Arnheim,
and fifty-four south-east of Am-
sterdam. Lat. 51. 53. north;
Ion. 5. 46. east.
NISMES, or Nimes, a large,
elegant, and ancient city of Lan-
guedoc, in France, situate in a
very pleasant country, has a ci-
tadel consisting of four bastions.
It lies thirty miles north-east of
Montpelier. Latitude, 43. 42.
north; longitude, 4. 28. east.
NISSA, a city of Servia, in
European Turky, situated on
the river Moraw, surrounded
O with 

N O
with a wall and rampart. It lies
128 miles south-east of Belgrade.
Latitude, 43, 10. north; longi-
tude, 22. 25. east.
NOLI, a small city of the
Genoese, has a good harbour,
defended by a strong castle,
thirty-seven miles south-west of
Genoa. Latitude, 44. 24. north;
longitude, 8. 56. east.
NOTTEBURG, a strong for-
tress, and sea-port of Ingria, in
Russia, on an island formed by
the river Nieva, near the western
bank of the Ladoga, lies twenty-
six miles to the east of that ca-
pital. Latitude, 60. 15. north;
longitude, 31. 46. east.
NOVI, a town in the Riviera
di Ponente, belonging to Genoa,
in Upper Italy, has a very strong
city on the confines of the Mi-
lanese, twenty-seven miles north-
west of Genoa. Lat. 45. 16.
north; lon. 9. 20. east.
NOVIGRAD, a small town and
castle of Venetian Dalmatia, si-
tuate at the mouth of a bay of
that name. In 1646, the Vene-
tians lost the place, but recover-
ed it the following year. It lies
38 miles north-east of Zara. La-
titude, 44. 27. north; longitude,
17. 33. east.
NOVOGOROD, the capital of
the duchy of that name in Russia,
a very old, large and famous
trading town, situated on the
river Wolchow, where it issues
from the Ilmen lake; it is forti-
fied with deep, ditches and old
walls. Latitude, 58. 10. north;
longitude, 34. 15. east.
NURENBURG, an imperial
free city of Franconia, and ca-
pital of a territory of that name
in Germany, 43 miles south of
Bamberg, and 52 north-west
O C
of Ratisborn, is seven miles in
circuit, defended by a wall, castle
and other works. Lat. 49. 41.
north; lon. 11. 22. east.
NYBORG, a fortified town on
the east end of Tunen in Den-
mark on the great Belt, twelve
miles east of Odensee. Lat. 55.
27. north; lon. 10. 15. east.
NYSLOT, a town of conquered
Carelia in Sweden, the only one
of Savolaxia, upon the lake
Saima, having a castle on a rock
in the river, and well fortifi-
ed; subject to the Russians. It
lies fifty-eight miles north of Wi-
brog. Latitude, 62. 10. north;
longitude, 29. 15. east.
OBLIQUE - DEFENCE, that
which is under too great
an angle, as is generally the de-
fence of the second flank, which
can never be so good as a de-
fence in front, nor approved of
by engineers.
OBSLOW, a considerable
mountain castle in the Aggers-
herred, a district in the diocese
of Aggerhuus in Norway, situ-
ated on the west side of the bay,
under which lies the town of
Christiana, thirty miles north-
west of Frederickshad, and sub-
ject to the King of Denmark.
Latitude, 59. 25. north; lon-
gitude, 10. 30. east.
OCTAGON, an eight sided fi-
gure of a fortification.
OCZACOW, anciently Ordessus,
a strong fortress of Oczacow
Tartary, having a harbour near
the mouth of the Dnieper. It
lies on the side of an hill, on
which is a strong castle, 123
miles north east of the northern
branch of the Danube, and 151
west of Precop. Latitude, 46.
12. north;

O L
12. north; longitude, 35. 17.
east.
ODENSEE, the capital of a dis-
trict of that name, and of Funen
in Denmark, the largest Danish
island in the Baltick. Here, in
1538, a diet was held, in which
the reformation of the whole
kingdom was settled. It lies se-
venty-five miles west of Copen-
hagen. Lat. 55. 25. north;
lon. 10. 30.  east.
OFFA'S DYKE, an intrench-
ment thrown up by Offa, King
of Mercia, to defend the En-
glish Saxons from the incursions
of the ancient Britons, who had
retired into Wales, extends nine-
ty miles from the mouth of the
Wye to that of the Dee.
Officers, are of three classes.
Those having commissions from
the King, are Commissioned Of-
ficers. Such as have no commis-
sion, only warrants from their
Colonels, Warrant Officers: and
those who have no commissions
or warrants, Non-commissioned Of-
ficers; such as Serjeant-majors,
Quarter-master-serjeants, Serje-
ants, Corporals, Drum-majors,
and Fife-majors, who can  be re-
duced by the Colonel of a corps,
without a Court-martial; but
that is seldom done.
OHM, river, at the foot of the
mountain of Amoenburgh, stands
a strong redoubt and a mill,
which the French attacked and
took September 20, 1762.
OLDENBURG, the capital of
the county of that  name, in
Westphalia, situate on the Honta,
fortified with walls and ditches,
twenty-six miles west of Bremen.
Latitude, 53. 32. north; longi-
tude, 7. 20. east.
OLDENDORP, a small strong
O L
town of Holstein and Lower Sax-
ony, in Germany, situate on the
river Brockaw, near the  Baltic,
twenty-five miles north east of
Ploen, subject to the Duke of
Holstein Gothorp. Lat. 54. 34.
north; lon. 10. 43.  east.
OLERON, anciently Uliarus,
an island of France, in the Bay
of Biscay, on the coast of Aunis
and Saintogne, has on its east
side a very strong castle. Lati-
tude, 46. 10. north; longitude,
26. west.
OLERON, a small but well
fortified city of Bearn, in France,
and in a district of that name, on
the river Gave d'Oleron, lies
twenty-eight miles south of Dax.
Latitude, 43. 20. north; longi-
tude, 49 minutes west.
OLIVENZA, one of the best
fortresses of Alentejo, in Portu-
gal, situate on a fine plain, with
nine bastions, eight ravelins, a
castle, and other works, contain-
ing about 5300 souls, was taken
by the Spaniards in 1657. It lies
on the east side of the river Guadi-
ana, ten miles south of Elvas. Lat.
14. 38. north; lon. 7. 38. east.
OLMUTZ, the metropolis of
Moravia, situate on the river
Morau, 100 miles south-east of
Prague, ninety south of Breslaw,
and eighty north of Vienna, a
strong city; its fortifications are
none of the meanest. On the
15th of December, 1741, it was
surrendered to the Prussians by
capitulation, but soon fell into
the hands of its former masters.
On July 1, 1758, the Generals
Laudshu and Ziskowitz having
in two attacks, on the 28th and
29th of June, defeated and de-
stroyed the greatest part of a
large convoy coming from Trop-
pau, 

O P
pau, and made General Puth-
hammer, with several hundred
men, prisoners, in the defiles of
Domstadt, the King of Prussia
found himself, after near five
weeks open trenches, obliged to
raise the siege of Olmutz, which
he effected with little loss. It
stands 32 miles south-west of
Troppau, and 76 north of Vi-
enna. Latitude, 49. 38. north;
longitude, 16. 51. east.
OMERS, ST. a town on the
river Aa, one of the best for-
tresses in French Flanders, the
second city of Artois, lies partly
on a hill, and partly in a mo-
rass, is well fortified in the mo-
dern manner, and has a commu-
nication with the sea, by means
of a navigable canal, cut from the
Aa to Gravelines. It lies nine-
teen miles south-east of Calais,
and twenty-three south of Dun-
kirk. Lat. 50. 51. north; lon.
2. 24. east. See Plan 15.
ONDECAGON, an eleven sided
fortification.
ONEGLIA, a well built and
fortified sea port town, in a
principality of that name, in the
middle of the Genoese domini-
ons in Italy, subject to the King
of Sardinia. It lies forty-seven
miles south-east of Coni, and
seventy-four south-west of Genoa.
Latitude, 44. 10. north; longi-
tude, 20. 27. east.
ONOTH, or Onod, a town and
castle of Hungary, situated on
the river Sajo, fifty-six miles
north-east of Buda, and subject
to the House of Austria. Lat.
48. 16. north; longitude, 20.
27. east.
OPENING FLANK, that part
of the flank covered by the oril-
lon.
O R
OPENING OF TRENCHES, the
first breaking of ground by the
besiegers, in order to carry on
their approaches.
OPPELEN, a town of Silesia,
in Bohemia, fortified with very
thick walls and strong gates, situ-
ate on the north bank of the O-
der, over which is a bridge,
thirty four miles south-east of
Breslaw. Latit. 50. 45. north;
longitude, 17.  26. east.
ORAN, a city and port town
of Barbary, in a province of that
name, in Algiers, in Africa, is
situate near the sea, opposite
Carthagena, in Spain, partly on
a plain, and partly on the de-
clivity of a craggy hill, about a
mile and a half in  circuit, and
well  fortified, but commanded
by the adjacent hills and emi-
nences. Oran having become a
nest of pirates, who infested the
coast of Spain, Cardinal Xime-
nes resolved to take it from the
Moors, and after a short siege
made himself master of it in
1509; the Spaniards kept it till
1703, when it fell into the hands
of the Infidels after a long siege,
but they lost it in 1732. Latit.
36. 41. north; lon. 5 min. east.
ORANGE, a very old city, and
the capital of a principality of
that name, on the east banks of
the Rhone; formerly governed
by its own sovereigns, among
whom was William III. King of
England, whose heir, Frederic
William, ceded it to the House
of Bourbon by the treaty of U-
trecht, in 1713. Maurice of
Nassau, Prince of Orange, strong-
ly fortified its castle, which stood
on an eminence, in 1622; Lewis
XIV. demolished the works in
1660, and the castle, in 1673.
It 

O R
It lies eighteen miles north of
Avignon, seventy-four south-west
of Grenoble. Latitude, 44. 21.
north; longitude, 4. 51. east.
ORDERS, all that is lawfully
commanded by superior Officers.
ORDNANCE, a term given to
whatever concerns the artillery.
The Commander in Chief is call-
ed Master-general of the Ord-
nance, instead of artillery; the
second in command is Lieute-
nant general of the Ordnance.
Ordnance, Board of, consists of
four Officers; the Surveyor ge-
neral, Clerk of the Ordnance,
Store keeper, and Clerk of the
Deliveries; over which presides
the Master, or, in his absence,
the Lieutenant-general. This
board regulates every thing rela-
tive to the artillery.
OREBRO, an old inland town
of Niricia, in Sweden Proper,
well known in history; situate
on the lake Heilmar, has a
castle entirely surrounded with
water, and a harbour to go by
water to Stockholm, by means
of the river and canal of Arboga,
reaching to the Maler sea, lies
sixty-eight miles west of Stock-
holm. Latitude, 59. 25. north;
longitude, 14. 6. east.
OREGRUND, a port town of
Upland, in Sweden Proper,
thrice destroyed and burnt by
the Russians, now pretty well
rebuilt, lies on the Bothnic gulf,
fifty eight miles north of Stock-
holm. Latitude, 60. 27. north;
longitude, 18. 18.
ORGNES, thick long pieces
of wood, pointed and shod with
iron, clear one of another, hang-
ing perpendicularly each by a
particular rope or cord, over
the gate of a strong place to be
O R
dropped in case of emergency.
ORIGUELA, a city of Valen-
cia, in Spain, surrounded with
mountains, defended by a good
castle, fourteen miles north-east
of Murica. Latitude, 38. 22.
north; longitude, 56 min. west.
ORILLON, part of a bastion
near the shoulder, serves to cover
the retired flank from being seen
obliquely.
Orillon, a mass of earth, faced
with stone, built on the shoulder
of a casement bastion, to cover
the cannon of the retired flank,
and prevent its being dismount-
ed by the enemy's cannon; some
are round, some square; but
those which resemble the square
orillon are best, as they can be
made at less expence, and con-
tain more men to fire directly
on the face of the opposite bas-
tion, than the round can do.
Orillon, is also the shoulder and
epaulment.
ORISTAGNI, a fortified city,
having an harbour on a bay of
the Mediterranean, on the west
side of the island of Sardinia in
Upper Italy, lies forty-seven miles
north-west of Cagliari, and is
subject to the King of Sardinia.
Latitude, 39. 27. north; longi-
tude, 8. 36. east.
ORNE, lies upon the banks
of a river of that name, in
Lower 

O S
Lower Normandy, guarded by
two batteries.
Five hundred marines from
Admiral Young's squadron made
a descent upon it, in order to de-
stroy thirteen vessels: they suc-
ceeded in nailing up the cannon
of the batteries, but were oblig-
ed to reimbark, without destroy-
ing or taking the vessels, July
11, 1762.
ORSA, a town of Lithuania in
Poland, having a castle on the
Nieper, twenty-six miles from
Mohilo, and seventy west of
Miscislaw. Latitude, 55. 27.
north; longitude, 30. 46. east.
ORSOWA, Old and New. The
former is a middling town of
Walachia, in European Turky;
the latter a fortress on the Da-
nube, almost opposite to Bel-
grade, sixty-three miles south-
west of Temeswar; subject to
the Turks. Latitude, 45. 36.
north; longitude, 22, 10. east.
ORSOY, a small but strong
town of the duchy of Cleve in
Westphalia in Germany, twenty-
four miles south of Cleve. La-
titude, 51. 36. north; longi-
tude, 6. 5. east.
ORTHOGRAPHY, or profile,
the representation of a work,
shewing its breadth, thickness,
heighth and depth, as it would 
appear cut perpendicularly on
the horizontal line, from the
uppermost to the lowest of its
parts; as ichnography supposes
an edifice or work cut horizon-
tally, so orthography supposes
it cut vertically, and never shews
the length or any of its parts as
a plan does: a plan shews no-
thing of the height or depth of
a work.
OSNABRUCK. M. de Schlief-
O S
fen, under the orders of Gene-
ral Dreves, made himself ma-
ster of it, July 28, 1759, where
the Volunteers de Clermont lost
some men and two pieces of can-
non.
OSNABRUG, anciently an im-
perial city, and one of the
Hans towns, in the bishoprick of
that name, in Westphalia, in
Germany. It is well built, and
encompassed with walls and
ditches, but commanded by a
mountain within cannon-shot.
This bishoprick, the territories of
which are forty miles long, and
thirty broad, is held alternately
by a protestant and papist, the
former of which is always of the
house of Hanover. Here was
concluded the treaty betwixt the
Emperor and the King of Swe-
den, in 1648; wherein all the
affairs of the protestants were
previously settled, and was a
considerable branch of the fa-
mous treaty of Westphalia. As
the exercise of both religions is
equally free in this diocese, pro-
testants are not molested when
there is a Roman catholic Bi-
shop. It lies seventy-eight
miles west of Hanover. Lati-
tude, 52. 42. north; longitude,
7. 38. east.
OSTEND, a well fortified town,
on the coast of Flanders, in a
moorish soil, has a good har-
bour, famous for a siege begun
in 1601, under the Arch-duke
Albert, continued unsuccessful
till reinforced by the Spanish
General Spinola, who under-
took the siege, and obliged it
to surrender, according to cal-
culation, after three years, three
months, three weeks, three days,
and three hours, the besieged
having 

O V
having no room left to form re-
trenchments. It cost 100,000
men on both sides. Taken by the
French in 1745, restored to the
House of Austria 1748, and on
the 19th or 20th of July, 1757,
admitted a French garrison, un-
der the command of Lieutenant-
general de la Motte. It lies four-
teen miles west of Bruges. Lat.
51. 14. north; long. 2. 59. east.
OSWEGO, an English fort
and trading house with the In-
dians in North America, situa-
ted on the east side of the lake
Ontario, 225 miles west of Al-
bany, and in the government of
New York. A small garrison
is always kept here. It was
taken and demolished by the
French, on the 14th of August,
1756; but soon after recovered,
and was built much stronger
than before in the year 1759.
Latitude, 43. 10. north; lon-
gitude, 76. 27. west.
OSWESTRY, a very ancient
town of Shropshire, surrounded
with a wall and ditch, and de-
fended by a castle; it lies fifteen
miles from Shrewsbury, and 157
from London.
OTRANTO, anciently Hydrun-
ham, a city of a province of that
name, in the kingdom of Na-
ples in Italy, situated at the
mouth of the  Adriatic, on the
east coast of the peninsula; a
commodious port, till destroyed
by the Venetians; still surround-
ed with walls, bulwarks, and
defended by a castle. In I480,
it was taken by the Sultan, Ma-
homet II. who ordered the Arch-
bishop that came to meet him,
at the head of his clergy, to be
sawed asunder; and the latter
massacred at the foot of the al-
O V
tar. It is forty-three miles east of
Tarento, and 200 of the city of
Naples. Latitude, 40. 22. north;
longitude, 19. 31. east.
OVAL, a plain figure bounded
by its own circumference, within
which no point can be taken,
and from which all right lines
drawn to the circumference, can
be equal.
OUDENARD, fourteen miles
south of Ghent, eighteen north
of Tourney, a large and well for-
tified town, divided by the river
Scheld, in two parts, and al-
most surrounded by meadows,
in 1706 surrendered to the Con-
federates. The French invested
it in 1708, which gave occasion
to the famous battle of Oude-
nard, between the allied army,
under the Duke of Marlborough
and Prince Eugene, and that of
the French by the Dukes of
Burgundy and Vendosme, where-
in the former obtained a glo-
rious victory. The French hav-
ing quitted Oudenard; and pas-
sed the Scheld, suffered the Al-
lies to pass it with little oppo-
sition, who had made a long
quick march to attack them.
About three at noon the action
began, when Generals Cadogan
and Sabine, with twelve batta-
lions, attacked the village of
Hearne, where the French had
seven battalions, three of which
were taken prisoners, and a
great part of the other four.
General Rantzau with eight
squadrons fell upon the French
horse, between the villages of
Rotz and Mullen, and entirely
defeated them, driving them into
inclosures and the highway that
led into the march of their own
army. Here the Elector of Ha-
nover, 

O V
nover, afterwards King of Great
Britain, gave early proofs of his
valour, charging the enemy at
the head of a squadron of dra-
goons, had a horse shot under
him, and Colonel Luscky killed
while fighting near him with the
utmost bravery. Several volun-
teers, among whom was Gene
ral Schulemburg, distinguished
themselves upon this occasion,
charging in the van of the  horse
with great spirit, and animating
the private men by their exam-
ple. Here the French regiment
of La  Bertosche, and several
others, were entirely broke; Co-
lonel La Bertosche, being dan-
gerously wounded, was taken
prisoner; as were many others,
with twelve standards and ket-
tle-drums.
During this the French at-
tacked the battalions of Major-
general Collier and Brigadier
Geumchon with great fury, who
maintained their post with sur-
prizing bravery for a long time,
till the Duke of Argyle came to
their support with twenty batta-
lions. These no sooner posted,
than the French falling furiously
upon them, drove some Prussian
battalions from their post, which
they recovered sword in hand,
notwithstanding the inequality
of numbers. At length, Count
Lottum coming up with the rest
of the foot, they formed in two
lines before the horse, and at-
tacked in good order the inclo-
sures and villages in their front,
where the French were posted;
about seven the fire grew uni-
versal. At first the French give
way in most places; but being
sustained with fresh troops, they
maintained the action a consi-
O V
derable time with great obsti-
nacy. The Prince of Frize, who
commanded the Dutch infantry,
and Count d'Oxerstiern, attacked
the French household troops un-
der the hedges of a large field;
at the same time  M. d'Auver-
querque and Count Tilly bore
down upon them with the Da-
nish horse, and forced them back
into the inclosures in disorder;
when it grew dark, many bat-
talions and squadrons slung
themselves out desperately, some
being cut to pieces as they at-
tempted to make their way,
others driven back, some passed
through unperceived, and some
capitulated with their whole re-
giments. Had there been two
hours more light, the whole
body of French foot, and their
right wing of horse, which was
near surrounded, had probably
been cut off; but growing dark,
and the fire directed various ways
at once, it was impossible to know
friends from foes; orders were
therefore given to cease firing
till morning, and rather let the
enemy escape than run the ha-
zard of killing each other. Dur-
ing the night, a great part of
the French army retired to
Ghent; early in the morning,
the Lieutenant-generals Bulau
and Lumley, with forty squa-
drons and a considerable body
of foot, were ordered to attack
their rear-guard; when a smart
action ensued, in which many
were killed and wounded on
both sides, till at length the
French were worsted, having
one regiment entirely ruined
and many taken prisoners. The
Allies pushed them within two
leagues of Ghent; but their foot
being 

O V                         
being much fatigued, it was
judged improper to pursue them
farther.
In this famous battle, the
French had above 4000 men
killed upon the spot, 5000
wounded, and about 7000 pri-
soners. Among the slain were
the Marquis de Ximenes, Ma-
jor-general Count de Dreux,
Chevalier de Luxemburg, and
Prince d'Egmont. Their wound-
ed were carried to Ghent and
Bruges, where the Chevalier de
Longueville, and fifteen other Of-
ficers, died of their wounds. On
the side of the Allies, near 2000
slain, and about the same num-
ber wounded; Major-general
Berensdorf, the Danish General
Rantzau, the Dutch Lieutenant-
colonel Hop, Captain Dean of
the English guards, and Sir
John Matthews, among the for-
mer; among the latter, Lieute-
nant-general Watsmore, Major-
generals Meredith and Lauden,
Colonels Groves and Pennyfea-
ther. Latitude, 50. 58. north;
longitude, 3. 41. east.
OVERSLAGH, a term original-
ly derived from the Dutch, to
skip over.
For instance, suppose four
battalions, each consisting of
eight Captains, are doing duty
together, and that a Captain's
guard is daily mounted: if, in
the buffs, the second Captain is
doing duty of Deputy adjutant-
general; and the fourth and se-
venth Captain in the King's are
acting, one as Aid-de-camp, the
other as Brigade-major, the com-
mon duty of these three Cap-
tains must be overslaghed; that
is, equally divided among the
other Captains.
O V                            
This table explains the term
overslagh.
Heads of each Column.
Regiments. N°. of Captains. 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
Royal, 8 1 5 8 12 15 19 23 26
Queen's Royal, 8 2 6 9 13 16 20 24 27
Old buffs, 8 3 _ 10 14 17 21 25 28
King's own, 8 4 7 11 _ 18 22 _ 29
Total 32
N. B. The three blanks shew
where the overslaghs take ef-
fect.
OVERYSCHE, a small town of
Brabant, in the Austrian Low
Countries, situated on the river
Ysche, where the Duke of Ba-
varia and Marshal Villeroy lay
encamped, when the Duke of
Marlborough and the Allies at-
tacked them in 1705. It lies ten
miles north east of Brussels, and
12 south-west of Louvain. Lat-
itude, 40. 57. north; longitude,
4. 35. east.
OVIEDO, antiently Brigetum,
the capital of Austria, in Spain,
situated betwixt the rivers Ove
and Deva, is well fortified.
Here the Gothick Prince Pe-
layo fixed his residence. It lies
fifty miles north of Leon, in
P latitude, 

P A
latitude, 43. 39. north; longi-
tude, 6. 42. west.
OUT-POSTS, a body of men
posted beyond the grand guard,
called out-posts, being without
the rounds or limits of the
camp.
OUT-WORKS, advanced works,
detached; and exterior works;
works of several kinds, which
cover the body of the place: as,
ravelines, half-moons, tenailles,
horn-works, crown-works, coun-
ter-guards, envellopes, swallows,
tails, lunettes, &c.
These out-works, not only
cover the place, but likewise
keep an enemy at distance, and
hinder his gaining any advan-
tage of hollo v or rising grounds,
that may be near the counter-
scarp of the place; as such ca-
vities and eminences may serve
for lodgements to the besiegers,
facilitate the carrying on ap-
proaches, and  raising their  bat-
teries against the town. When
out-works are placed one before
another, you will find a raveline
before the curtain, a horn-work
before the raveline, and a small
raveline before the curtain of
the horn work; then, the near-
est to the body of the place must
be the highest, though lower
than the works of the place, that
they may gradually command
those without them, and oblige
the enemy to dislodge, if in pos-
session of them.
PADANG, a town on the
west coast of the island of
Sumatra, in the Indian sea, in
Asia, with an harbour belong-
ing to the Dutch, who have a
fort and settlement there. La-
P A
titude, 1. 10. south; longitude,
99. 5. east.
PADERBORN, a large and for-
tified city, in the bishopric of
that name, in Germany, the ca-
pital of that district, and a hans-
town, lies forty miles north-
west of Cassel, in latitude, 51.
47. north; longitude, 8. 25.
east.
In March, 1758, it was evacu-
ated by the French. June 8,
1759, the French entered it,
and magazines fell into their
hands. August 9, 1759, the Al-
lies made 400 prisoners and
took another magazine. July
18, 1760, the Allies evacuated
it, and the French took posses-
sion. June 28, 1761, Marshal
Broglio took possession of it:
Lieutenant - general Sporcken
lost a few men in the retreat
from it.
PADIS, or Badis, a fortress of
Livonia, twenty five miles west
of Revel, and subject to Russia,
Latitude, 50. 15. north; longi-
tude. 23. 10.
PADUA, a city, the capi-
tal of II Paduana, in Italy,
situate on a fine plain, on the
river Brenta, surrounded with
walls, ramparts, and other works
is about seven miles in com-
pass, and twenty-four miles west
of Venice. Latitude, 45. 36.
north; longitude, 12. 29. east.
PAITA, a small Spanish sea-
port of Quito, in Peru, in South
America, situate in a small bay,
under a high hill, defended by
a little fort, which with only
muskets will prevent any boat
from landing. On the top of
the hill is another, which com-
mands the town and the lowerfort.
It has frequently been plundered
by 

P A
by the Buccaneers, and was burnt
by Lord Anson, in 1741, the Go-
vernor refusing to ransom it. Lat.
5. 5. south; lon. 80. 5. west.
PALAMOS, a small well fortifi-
ed town, on the coast of Catalo-
nia, seventy miles north-east of
Barcelona, has a good harbour.
It was taken by the French, in
1694, but restored to Spain by
the treaty of Ryswick, 1697.
PALANCA, a town of Hungary
Proper, fortified by the Turks,
but now subject to the House of
Austria, thirty-four miles north
of Buda. Lat. 48. 20. north;
lon. 21. 1. east.
PALERMO, the capital of Sici-
ly, on the north coast of that
island, has a commodious harbour
on a bays of the  Mediterranean,
the entrance defended by two
strong citadels, fortified with a
wall and other works of inconsi-
derable strength, 154 miles west
of Messina. Lat. 38. 28. north;
lon. 13. 10. east.
PALISADES, stakes made of
strong split wood, about nine
feet long, three feet deep in the
ground, in rows about six inches
asunder, placed in the covert-
way, at three feet from, and pa-
rallel to the parapet or side of
the glacis, to secure it from sur-
prize.
PALMA, or Palamoda, for
Palma Nova, a populous town
and strong frontier of Friuli,
situated on the canal of Roia.
The fortifications consist of nine
regular bastions, with strong
ramparts and a deep ditch, to
cover this state from the insult
of the Turks, as well as Au-
strians, it being situated in that
pass through which the Hunns
and other northern barbarians
P A
poured their hosts into Italy; it
lies twenty miles north of Aqui-
lea. Latitude, 46. 15. north;
lon. 13. 35. east.        
PALOTA, a town of Lower
Hungary, near the Bakoni Fo-
rest; it is surrounded with a
broad ditch and high wall, being
a frontier against the Turks. It
lies forty-six miles south-west of
Buda, and is subject to the House
of Austria. Lat. 47. 34. north;
lon. 18. 16. east.
PAMPELUNA, anciently Pom-
pejopolis, or Pompelo, as having
been built by Pompey, a pretty
large city, and the capital of Na-
varre, in Spain, situated in the
Pyrænean mountains, and de-
fended by two castles, one of
which is built upon a rock. It
lies thirty-four miles south of St.
Sebastian, in lat. 43. 12. north;
lon. 1. 26. west.
PANAMA, a city of New Spain,
on the South Sea, and capital of
a government of that name, ran-
sacked and burnt by Sir Henry
Morgan, in 1670, but since re-
built and fortified.
PARA, a captainship, or go-
vernment of Brasil, bounded on
the west by a large bay formed
by the  Atlantic, at the mouth
of the river of Amazons; on the
east by the captainship of Ma-
ranhoa, from which it is divided
by the river Maracu; on the
south, by the unconquered na-
tions of the Pacaos and Para-
naybas; and on the north, by
the Atlantic ocean. It has its
river Para, which runs through
it, and falls into the bay above-
mentioned. At the mouth of the
river is a fortress of a square
form, situated on a high rock,
commanding all the adjacent
country; 

P A
country; the side towards the
river is fortified only with a
number of gabions and large
cannon; but the other side is
defended by a stone wall, about
two fathoms in height, and a
dry ditch; on the south of this
fort to the bottom of the bay is
another small fortification, called
Commota, intended to keep the
savage nations in awe, and pro-
tect the Portuguese plantations.
PARAIBA, the capital of a
country of that name, in South
America, about three leagues
from the ocean, on the river of
that name, surrounded with ram-
parts; the mouth of the river
guarded by three forts. Lat. 6.
53. north; lon. 55. 20. west.
PARALLELS, at a siege, the
trenches or lines made parallel
to the defence of the place be-
sieged: they are also called lines
of communication and boyau's.
Parallels, or places of arms,
deep trenches, fifteen or eighteen
feet wide, joining the several at-
tacks together, serve to place
the guard of the trenches in
readiness to support the workmen
when attacked. There are usu-
ally three in an attack: the first
about 300 toises from the covert-
way; the second and the third
nearer on the glacis.
PARAPET, an elevation of
earth, designed for covering the
soldiers from the enemy's can-
non, or small shot; its thick-
ness is from eighteen to twenty
feet; its heighth six on the in-
side, and four or five on the side
next the country; it is raised on
the rampart, and has a slope, call-
ed the superior talus, or glacis of
the parapets, on which the soldiers
lay their musquets to fire over.
P A
This pent, or slope, renders
it easy for the musqueteers to
fire into the ditch, or, at least,
on the counterscarp. To raze
the glacis of the parapet, by fir-
ing, is called firing-in-barbe.
The exterior talus of the para-
pet is the slope facing the coun-
try. The heighth of the para-
pet being six feet on the inside,
has a banquet or two for the
soldiers who defend it to mount
upon, for better discovering the
country, the fosse and coun-
terscarp, to fire as they find oc-
casion.
Parapet of the covert-way, or
coredor, what covers that way
from the sight of the enemy;
which renders it the most dan-
gerous place for the besiegers,
because of the neighbourhood of
the faces, flanks, and curtains
of the place: the same with
glacis, which signifies that whole
mass of earth which serves to co-
ver the coredor, and slopes to-
wards the country.
PARK, of artillery, the place
appointed for the encampment
of an artillery, generally the rear
of both lines; at a siege, the
park of artillery is a post fortified
out of cannon-shot of the place
besieged, where are kept all the
arms and utensils necessary for a
siege; as bombs, petards, car-
casses, hand grenades, powder,
ball, &c. with all sorts of in-
struments and utensils for erecting
or destroying any sort of fortifi-
cation. Great precaution too
should be used about the park of
artillery, for fear of fire.
Park, of provisions, the place
where the sutlers pitch their
tents, and sell provisions to the
soldiers, in the rear of each
corps. 

P A
corps. But I think the place
where the bread-waggons are
drawn up, and where the sol-
diers receive their ammunition-
bread, being the store of the
army, is most properly the park
of provisions.
PARLEY. See Chamade.
PARMA, the capital of a duchy
of that name in Upper Italy,
divided by the river Parma into
two parts. Its fortifications are
inconsiderable, but has a good
citadel to the east, with which
the ducal palace is joined by a
bridge. In 1734, the French
and Sardinian army, having in-
trenched themselves, were at-
tacked by the imperial General,
Count Mercy, who lost his life
in the attempt, upon which his
troops were obliged to retire.
It lies sixty miles north-east of
Genoa, forty-five north-west of
Bologna, and sixty-five south-
east of Milan. Lat. 44. 45. lon.
11. east.
PARNAU, a city of Livonia,
in Sweden, on the river of that
name, close by the Baltic, is
fortified, but owes its strength
chiefly to its castle, though of
timber. It was several times
taken and retaken in the last
century, became subject to the
Swedes in 1617, and surrender-
ed to the Muscovites in 1710.
It lies eighty miles north of Ri-
ga. Lat. 58. 20. north; lon. 24.
16. east.
PAROS, an island of the Ar-
chipelago, the smallest of the
Cyclades, lying almost in the
center, between the Morea and
Asia Minor. The town and
castle Parichia, in all appear-
ance, stands on the site of the
ancient city of Paros, several
P A
valuable remains of marble being
used in its walls and houses, and
in the neighbourhood we see
many ancient monuments. The
Panagia or Madonia, without
the town, is the largest and most
beautiful church of the Archipe-
lago. On the island are several
considerable villages, Greek
churches and chapels. In the
harbour of St. Mary, a whole
fleet may lie at anchor with se-
curity; but the Turkish galleys
commonly anchor in the port of
Drio, or Treon, on the west
side of the island. Latitude,
36. 34.  north; longitude, 25.
32. east.
PARTENAY, a town of Poictou
in France, on the river Tone,
nine leagues west of Poictiers, and
has a considerable trade in cattle
and corn. Lat. 45. 45. north;
lon. 20 minutes west.
PARIZAN, a person dexte-
rous in commanding a party;
who knowing the country well,
is employed in getting intelli-
gence, or surprizing the enemy's
convoy, &c.
PARTY, a small number of
men, horse or foot, sent into
an enemy's country, to pillage,
take prisoners, and oblige the
country to come under contri-
bution. Parties are often sent
out to view the ways and roads,
get intelligence, seek forage,
or amuse the enemy upon a
march. Also frequently sent
upon the flanks of an army, or
regiment, to discover the enemy
if near, and prevent surprize or
ambuscade.
PASSAGE, a town of Guipu-
scoa in the province of Biscay in
Spain, having an excellent har-
bour with a narrow entrance,
defended 

P A
defended by mountain against
all winds, and is very spacious;
it lies a little east of St. Sebas-
tian, and sixty of Bilboa; is a
station of Spanish ships of war,
several of which the French
burnt in the last war between
the two nations; they also seiz-
ed upon it in the year 1710.
Latitude, 43. 20. north; longi-
tude, 4. 53. west.
PASSAU, an imperial city,
seated on both sides the Danube,
into which the rivers Inn and
Iltz have their course; strongly
situated, defended by rocks and
rivers, having both a citadel
and castle. Taken by the Duke
of Bavaria, 1704, but soon lost.
It is thirty miles from the bor-
ders of Austria, and 134 west of
Vienna.
PATAN, a city of the Mogul
in the East Indies, in Asia, ha-
ving a fortress and a mosque,
reckoned the most sumptuous of
all the East, its roof being sup-
ported by 150 pillars, most of
them marble; it has a conside-
rable manufacture of silk stuffs,
and coarse callicoes, and lies
between Mangerol and Diu,
200 miles north of Hugely in
Bengal. Latitude, 27. 30.
north; longitude, 80 east.
PATANA, a city of Malacca
in the East Indies, in Asia, with
an harbour two miles from it,
fortified with wooden palisadoes,
as tall as a ship's mast.
PATEE, a small work resem-
bling a horse shoe, viz. an ele-
vation of earth, of an irregular
form; generally oval, with a
parapet. It is frequently raised
in marshy grounds, to cover the
gate of a place, and has only a
foreright defence, but nothing to
flank it.
P E
PATRAS, a city and port of
the Morea, in European Turky,
having a castle on a mountain,
near a bay of the Mediterranean,
twenty-four miles south of Le-
panto, and 60 west of Corinth.
Latitude, 38. 5. north; longi-
tude, 31. 26. east.
PAVIA, a large, but old and
thinly inhabited city of the Pa-
vesan, in the duchy of Milan,
in Italy, on the river Ticino,
inconsiderably fortified; it has
indeed an old fashioned citadel
and castle, but no appearance
now of its having been the an-
cient seat of the kingdom of
Lombardy. It lies four miles
north of the Po, and sixteen
south of Milan, and belongs to
the King of Sardinia. Lati-
tude, 45. 18. north; longitude,
9. 44. east.
PEACE. See War.
PEARL, a fortress of Dutch
Brabant in the Netherlands, on
the Scheld, by which the Dutch
command the navigation of that
river, four miles north-west of
Antwerp. Lat. 51. 20. north;
longitude, 4. 16. east.
PEINE, a small town of Lower
Saxony, in the bishopric of Hil-
desheim, in Germany, on the
river Fuse; famous for the bat-
tle fought near it in 1553, in
which Maurice, Elector of Sax-
ony, was defeated and killed by
Albert, Marquis of Branden-
burg. It lies eighteen miles west
of Brunswick. Latitude,  52. 41.
north; longitude, 10. 20. east.
PEKING, the capital of the
empire of China in Asia situ-
ated in a province of the same
name, which holds the first rank
in the kingdom; lies about
sixty miles south of the Chinese
wall,

P E
wall, which separates China
from Tartary; the walls are
about forty feet high, and flank-
ed with square towers, about
twenty fathoms asunder: it is
twenty miles in compass, con-
sisting of two large cities; name-
ly, the Tartarian and the Chi-
nese, besides suburbs. The gates
are nine in number, and of
marble; of an extraordinary
height, inclosing a large court,
with four stout walls, over which
are stately castles, both on the
city and country side. The
Emperor's palace, with the gar-
dens, is in the middle of the
Tartar city, and is two miles
long, fronting the south, as all
publick buildings in this coun-
try do: it is surrounded with two
stout walls, the outward of a
prodigious height and thickness.
It stands on a fine, spacious, but
sandy plain, near the foot of
the mountains, and has a nu-
merous garrison to defend it,
as well in time of peace as war,
besides the strong guard kept
about the imperial palace. Lat.
40, 15. north; long. 111. 10. east.
PENDENNIS, a castle in the
county of Cornwall, defending
the harbour of Falmouth, and
lying over against that of St.
Maw's.
PENEMUNPER, a fortress of
Pomerania, in Upper Saxony,
in Germany, situated on the isle
of Usedom, at the mouth of the
river Pene, subject to the King
of Prussia. Latitude, 54. 26.
north; longitude, 24. 16. east.
PENICHE, a fortified town of
Estremadura, in Portugal, on a
peninsula surrounded with rocks,
separated from the mainland by
a canal, filled with water at
P E
high tide. It has a citadel and a
fort for its defence; forty-four
miles north of Lisbon. Lat. 39.
26. north; lon. 9. 28. west.
PENNAMUNDE, FORT, on
the isle of Usedom. On the
13th of May, 1758, it was garri-
soned by the Swedes, it con-
sisting of eight Officers, and 180
men, who surrendered prison-
ers of war; and on the 27th of
the same year, the Swedes made
themselves masters of it, when
the garrison became prisoners of
war; and on the 10th of April,
1759, it surrendered to General
Manteuffel, and 200 were made
prisoners, with twenty-four
pieces of cannon, and four mor-
tars. Latitude. 54. 26. north;
longitude, 14. 16. east.
PENSACOLA, in Florida, has
a large harbour, well secured
from winds, four fathom wa-
ter at its entrance, deepening
gradually to seven or eight. On
the west side of the harbour
stands a town, lately much im-
proved, defended by a stock-
aded fort.
PENTAGON, a figure bounded
by five sides, or polygons,
which form so many angles, ca-
pable of being fortified with an
equal number of bastions.
PERGA, a town of Epirus,
in European Turky; has a good
harbour, situate on a rock,
opposite the east extremity of
Porfu; it is fortified, belongs to
the Venetians, and stands twenty-
six miles south of Batoints. Lat.
39. 26. north; lon. 21. 5. east.
PERONNE, a small but very
strong town of Santerre, in Pi-
cardy, in France, situated on
the river Somme, between mo-
rasses. It is very ancient, and
had 

P E
had formerly a palace, where
the Kings of the Merovidgian
race resided; it lies twenty-
three miles north-east from Ami-
ens. Latitude, 50. 5. north;
longitude, 3. 15. east.
PEROUSA, a small fortress in
a valley of the same name, in
Piedmont in Upper Italy, on
the river Cheson, and in one of
the valleys of the Vandois, or
Waldenses, so called from one
Peter Vaud, or Valdo, a mer-
chant of Lyons in France, who,
in the year 1160, exposing the
errors and superstitions of the
Romish Church, and having
made a great many proselytes in
that kingdom, was banished
with his disciples, who took
shelter in these valleys. It lies
twelve miles south west of Tu-
rin, and was taken by the
French in 1651, but restored to
Savoy in 1696, by the peace of
Turin. Latitude, 44. 48. north;
longitude. 7. 19. east.
PERPIGNAN, the present ca-
pital of Roussillon in France,
situated on the river Tet, a lit-
tle west of the Mediterranean:
surrounded with high and thick
walls and bastions, has a con-
siderable citadel, besides the su-
burbs, defended by a small
castle; 34 miles south of Nar-
bonne, and 115 north of Bar-
celona. Latitude, 43. 5. north;
longitude, 2. 36. east.
PERTH. The Rebel's chief
place of arms and rendezvous in
1715, under the Earl of Marr.
There they retired after the de-
feat at Dunblain, till the King's
forces commanded by the Duke
of Argyle, marched against them,
when they fled with the Pre-
tender. In 1745 it was possess-
P E
ed alternately by the Rebels and
the King's forces; it lies thirty
miles north of Edinburgh. La-
titude, 56. 25. north; longi-
tude, 3. 16. west.
PERUGIA, a very old city in
Italy, famous in history for the
cruel massacre of its inhabitants,
by Augustus, when he blocked
up L. Anthony, the Triumvir's
brother. Between this city and
Cortona lies the lake Thrasime-
nus, famous for the overthrow
of the Consul Flaminius by Han-
nibal: it lies seventy-two miles
north of Rome. Lat. 43. 5.
north; lon. 13. 20. east.
PEST, a royal free town of
Lower Hungary, in a plain on
the Danube, over which is a
bridge of boats opposite to Bu-
da; it is surrounded by a wall
and ditch. Near it is the field
Rakos, where the States of Hun-
gary usually meet on horseback
to chuse their king. It lies
eighty miles south east of Pres-
burg. Latitude, 47. 39. north,
longitude, 19. 22. east.
PETARD, a brass pot fixed
upon a strong square plank,
which has an iron hook to fix
it against a gate or palisades.
This pot is filled with powder;
which, when fixed, breaks every
thing about it; and thereby makes
an opening to enter the place.
PETARDIER, he who loads,
fixes, and fires the petard.
PETERSBURG, 

P E
PETERSBURG, the capital of
Russia, and the residence of the
Empress, is about sixteen English
miles in circuit. The river is
divided into two principal branch-
es called the large and small Neva,
with which the little rivers Fon-
tanka and Mocka unite; and
these form the different islands
on which Petersburg is built.
The citadel is a long and irre-
gular hexagon with six pa-
rallel bastions; one of which
opposite to Carelia has two oril-
lons or blinds; and that op-
posite to the river none; but
each of the other four has one:
all was first built with earth and
turf, but is since lined with
strong walls. On the flanks are
two rows of arched casemates,
one above another, bomb-proof.
One of the curtains is a royal
dispensary, the finest in Europe.
In autumn a south-west wind
usually occasions inundations,
which do considerable damage.
Latitude, 50. 59. north; longi-
tude, 36. 6. east.
PETERWARADEIN, a strong
frontier town of Sclavonia, sup-
posed to be the ancient Acumi-
nium, situated on the Danube.
In its neighbourhood, a memo-
rable victory was obtained by
Prince Eugene over the Turks,
in 1716. It belongs to the House
of Austria. Latitude, 45. 24.
north; longitude, 20. 15. east.
PETER-WARDEIN, a large
town of the Russians, in Lower
Hungary, surrounded with a
rampart; it lies on the Danube,
opposite to Sclavonia Peterwa-
radein.
PETRINA, a fortified town of
the Bannat of Croatia in Hun-
garian Illyricum, between the
P H
rivers Culp and Petrina; subject
to Austria. It lies forty miles
east of Carlstadt. Latitude, 46.
5. north; longitude, 17. 5. east.
PFIRT, or FORET, the capital
of Sungow in Germany, defend-
ed by a strong castle; it lies ten
miles west of Basil. Lat. 47. 35.
north; lon. 7. 26. east.
PHARSA, a town of Thessaly
in European Turky, famous for
a battle fought in its plains,
between Pompey and Cæsar, and
called the battle of Pharsalia;
wherein the former was entirely
defeated. It stands on the banks
of the river Enipeus; and lies ten
miles south of Larissa. Lat. 39.
north; lon. 23. east.
PHILIP FORT, a fortress of
Dutch Brabant, on the side of
the Scheld, commanding the
navigation of that river, lies five
miles north-west of Antwerp.
PHILIPPEVILLE, a small well
fortified town of Hainault, in
the French Netherlands. Its
works were much increased by
Lewis XIV. It lies twenty-two
miles south-west of Namur. La-
titude, 50. 12. north; longitude,
4. 25. east.
PHILIPPI, a city of Macedo-
nia, on the borders of Romania
in European Turky; in its
neighbouring fields Brutus and
Cassius were defeated by Mark
Antony and Octavius, after-
wards styled the emperor Au-
gustus; by which victory, Rome
entirely lost her liberty. It has a
castle on a mountain, and several
fortresses communicating with it
encompassed with walls, which
extend into the plain. It lies
fifteen miles north of the gulf of
Contessa. Latitude, 41. 10.
north; longitude, 25. east.
Q PHILIPS-

P I
PHILIPSBURGH, a city of the
Palatinate in Germany, on the
east of the Rhine, lies in a mo-
rass, strongly fortified; and has
been often taken and retaken by
the French and Imperialists, hav-
ing sustained seven memorable
sieges in the space of 100 years.
The last time it was taken by
the French in 1734, after a long
siege, in which the famous Duke
of Berwick, natural son of James
II. King of England, was killed
by a cannon-ball, when viewing
the trenches: restored to the
Germans in 1735. It lies sixteen
miles south-west of Heidelburgh.
Latitude, 49. 8. north; longi-
tude, 8. 16. east.
PHOCEA, now Foggia, an an-
cient city of Asia Minor, on the
borders of Æolis and Ionia. A
neat place with a good harbour
and castle.
PIACENZA, a large city of
the dukedom bearing its name
in Upper Italy. Its fortifica-
tions are inconsiderable, but it
has a good citadel. It lies thirty
miles north west of the city of
Parma. Latitude,  45. north;
longitude, 10. 25. east.
PICIGHITONE, a small town
of the Milanese in Italy, having
a castle on the river Adda. Here
King Francis was brought after
being taken prisoner at the bat-
tle of Pavia. It lies thirty-five
miles south east of Milan. Lati-
tude, 45. 10. longitude, 10.
12. east.
PICKET, a small pointed staff,
shod with iron, which serves to
mark out the angles and prin-
cipal part of a fortification when
the engineer is tracing a plan
upon the ground with a line.
There are also, small pointed
P I
stakes, which serve to drive
through sascines or gazons, to
keep them fast, when the earth is
bad, or the work raised in haste.
Pickets, stakes which troopers
drive before their tents, at about
two yards distance. From one
to another of these pickets is
stretched a rope, called the pick-
et-rope, to which they tie their
horses; and are also for several
other uses. Those for pinning the
fascines of a battery, are from
three to five feet long; their
heads two or  three inches in
diameter.
PIECE of Ordnance, includes all
sorts of great guns and mortars.
Battering-pieces, are large guns
used at sieges for making the
breaches; such as the twenty-
four pounder and culverin; the
one carrying a twenty-four, and
the other an eighteen pound
ball. Field-pieces are twelve
pounders; and demi-culverins,
six pounders; sakers, minions,
and three pounders; which
march with the army, and al-
ways encamp behind the second
line, except in battle, when
they are brought into the front.
A soldier's firelock is also called
his piece.
PILAW, a considerable port-
town of Ducal Prussia, in Poland,
at the mouth of the Fresche haf;
it has a regular citadel of five
angles, being the key of Prussia
on the sea-side; it lies fifty miles
west of Koningsburg, and is subject
to the King of Prussia. Latitude,
54. 45. north; longitude, 20.
5. east.
PILE, or pyramid of bombs or
balls, so termed from the form
they use to store them up in ma-
gazines.
PILSEN, 

P L
PILSEN, a large, well forti-
fied city, at the conflux of two
small rivers, in one of the most
fertile parts of Bohemia, forty-
two miles north-west of Piseck,
and the same distance west of
Prague.
PIRNA, a small town of Mis-
ma, in Upper Saxony, on the
Elbe, over which is a fine stone
bridge, defended by a strong
castle. It lies four miles south-
east of Dresden.
PISA, a large city, belong-
ing to Tuscany, in Italy, finely
situated on the Arno, but so
poorly inhabited, that the grass
grows in several parts of its
streets: it was once a flourishing
republick, till subdued by the
Florentines in 1406. It is sur-
rounded with  ditches and old
walls, and defended by a mo-
dern citadel, and ancient castle,
and a considerable fort. In this
city is the famous leaning tow-
er. It lies five miles east of the
sea, twelve north of Leghorn,
and thirty-eight west of Flo-
rence. Lat. 49. 38. north; lon-
gitude, 11. 16. east.
PLACARD, or Placart, a term
used abroad for a proclamation,
edict, &c. set up in all public
places, by government authority,
whereby their subjects are ordered
to do,  or forbear, something ex-
pressed therein.
PLACE, in Fortification, signifies
a fortified town.
Place of Arms, in a town, a
space left near its centre, where
a guard is generally posted. In
towns regularly fortified, the
place of arms should be in the
centre, and resemble the figure
of a polygon.
P L
Place of Arms of an Attack, or
of a Trench, a fosse, with a pa-
rapet, or an epaulement, to co-
ver a body of horse or foot where
they may be ready to withstand
the sallies of the besieged. The
places most convenient, are such
as can easily succour each other,
and out of view of the defences
of the place besieged; as hol-
lows or hollow ways, especially
if they cross one another; their
depth serves as a parapet to co-
ver the infantry: If they have
not a sufficient depth, that de-
fect may be supplied with ga-
bions, sand-bags, or whatever
can hinder the besiegers from
seeing into it. When a fosse is
cut round it, it is called a re-
doubt. In carrying on the
trenches, redoubts must be rais-
ed at convenient distances, to
lodge the infantry, which guard
the trenches.
Place of Arms of a Camp, are
the bell tents, at the head of
each company, where they lodge
their arms.
Place of Arms of the Covertway,
is a part of it, opposite to the
re-entering angle of the counter-
scarp, projecting outwards in an
angle.
PLASSEY, near Cutwah, and
Cossimbuzar, in India, within
the Ganges, is remarkable for
the following battle,
On the 23d of June, 1757,
Lord Clive, with 1000 Euro-
peans, 2000 sea-poys, and 60
seamen, with eight pieces of
cannon, attacked, near this place,
the army of the Suba, or Na-
bob of Bengal, which consisted
of 15000 cavalry, and  25000
infantry, with 40 pieces of ar-
tillery 

P L
tillery, directed by Frenchmen.
A grove covered on all sides by
banks, sheltered the English
from the cannonade, and upon
the falling of a shower of rain,
the enemy drew their artillery
within their camp; Lord Clive
availed himself of this error;
and from a well-placed detach-
ment, prevented their artillery
appearing any more, and then
stormed the eminences near their
camp, in which some persons of
distinction fell; which so dispi-
rited the Nabob's forces, that
their right wing and center fled,
abandoning their camp and ar-
tillery: their loss was upwards
of 500  men; but their shameful
precipitate flight, and the num-
ber of cannon taken, answered
all the purposes of a bloody
victory. The loss of the English
are too inconsiderable to men-
tion.
PLAN, a term in geometry,
a superficies, whose parts are all
equally disposed between its ex-
tremities, so that one part is
neither higher nor lower than
another. A horizontal plan, is
parallel to the horizon; a ver-
tical plan, perpendicular to the
horizon.
Plan, ground-plot, or ichno-
graphy, in fortification, is the
representation of the first or fun-
damental tract of a work, shew-
ing the length of its lines, quan-
tity of its angles, breadth of the
ditches, thickness of the ram-
parts and parapets, the distance
of one part form another; so
that a  plan represents a work,
such as would appear if it were
cut equal with the level of the
horizon, or cut off at the foun-
dation; it marks neither the
P L
heights nor the depths of the
several parts of the works;
which is properly profile, and
expresses only the heighths,
breadths, and depths, without
taking notice of the lengths.
As architects, before they lay
the foundation of their edifice,
make their design upon paper,
to discover any errors in their
plans; so an engineer, before
tracing his work on the ground,
should make plans of his designs
upon paper, that he may do no-
thing without mature delibera- 
tion.
Plans are very useful for Ge-
nerals or Governors, in either
attacking or defending a place,
in chusing a camp, determining
attacks, conducing the ap-
proaches, or examining the
strength and weakness of a
place; especially such plans as
represent a place, with the
country about it, and shew the
rivers, fountains, marshes, ditch-
es vallies, mountains, woods,
houses, churches, and other par-
ticulars contiguous thereto.
PLANKS, or madriers, pieces
of oak, very thick and broad.
PLASENDAL, a fortress of
Flanders, in the Austrian Low-
countries, three miles south-east
of Ostend.
PLATES, prise plates, two
plates of iron on the cheeks of
a gun-carriage, from the cope-
square to the centre, through
which the prise bolts go, and
on which the hand-spikes rest,
when it poises up the breech of
the piece. Breast-plates, the two
plates on the face of the car-
riage, on the other cheek. Train-
plates, the two plates on the
cheeks at the train of the car-
riage. 

P O
riage. Dulidge-plates, the six
plates on the wheel of a gun-
carriage, where the fellows are
joined together, to strengthen the
dulidges.
PLATFORM, a floor of strong
planks, laid upon joints, on a
battery, to place the guns or
mortars upon, to prevent the
wheels or mortar-beds from sink-
ing in the ground.
PLATOON, a few files of sol-
diers formed into a small body.
PLIMOUTH, anciently Tama-
ræostium, a sea-port town of
Devonshire, with an excellent
harbour at the mouth of the ri-
ver Plim, strongly fortified. Here
is a royal dock, for building and
fitting out ships. It lies 42 miles
from Exeter, and 215 from Lon-
don. Lat. 50. 26. north; lon.
4, 27. west.
PLOCKSTOW, or Ploczk, a
town of Great Poland, situated
on the high bank of the Vistula,
from which it has a pleasant
prospect; it has a good trade,
a castle for its defence, and lies
fifty miles north west of Warsaw,
in latitude, 53. 10. north;
longitude, 20. 15. east.
POICTIERS, or Poitiers, an-
ciently Lemnum, the capital of
all Poictu, in France, situated
on the river Clam, and one of
the largest places in the king-
dom, but thinly inhabited, and
great part of it waste, having
been ruined by the civil wars.
In the neighbourhood of this
city, Edward the Black Prince
obtained a signal victory over
the French, in the year 1356,
and took John their King and
Philip his son prisoners. It lies
seventy miles north east of Ro-
chelle. Latitude, 46. 48. north;
longitude, 14. min. east.
P O
POINT BLANK, the position
of a Gun when laid level.
Point blank range, that di-
stance which the shot goes upon
a level plain.
POLYGON, a figure of many
angles, regular or irregular, ex-
terior or interior.
Regular Polygon, that whose
angles and sides are equal. It
has an angle of the centre and
of polygons. The centre of a
regular polygon is the centre of a
circle, which circumscribes the
polygon; that is, whose circum-
ference passes through all the
angles of the figure.
An irregular polygon hath sides
whose angles are unequal.
Exterior Polygon, that whose
lines touch the points of the
flanked angles, when a place is
fortified inwards.
An interior Polygon, that out-
ward fortification which makes
the angles of the gorge; so that
the whole bastion is without the
polygon.
POLOCK, a fortified town of
the palatinate of that name, in
Lithuanian Russia, in Poland,
situated on the river Dwina. It
is the bulwark of Lithuania a-
gainst the Russians, and lies 130
miles west of Smolensko. Lat.
56. 39. north; lon. 31. east.
PONDICHERRY, a strong town,
about four leagues in circum-
ference, situate on the Coro-
mandel coast, was taken by the
Dutch from Batavia, in 1690,
but restored by the treaty of Rys-
wick. In 1748, Admiral Bos-
cawen besieged it, but was o-
bliged by the periodical rains to
abandon it.
In 1761, Major-general Sir Eyre
Coote, and Admiral Cornish,
invested 

P O
invested it; the first by land,
the other by sea. It was sur-
rounded by adjacent fortresses,
and yet easily reduced, as the
neighbouring country was in
the hands of the English. The
approaching rainy season, and
Lally's known intrepidity, ren-
dered a regular siege unadvise-
able; therefore a blockade was
resolved upon, supported by
batteries, which continually
harassed the garrison, and were
daily, though insensibly, draw-
ing near the place: but being
incommoded by the heavy rains,
these operations continued a-
bout seven months, the batteries
often ruined, and as frequently
repaired. The English had the
pleasure to reflect, that, amidst
all their hardships and labours,
the purpose of the blockade was
still advancing; and that the
French within the place, were
reduced to live on dogs, cats,
&c. and that even such loathsome
food, must, if the blockade conti-
nued, fail them in a few days.
The batteries being advanced
within 450 yards of the rampart,
and the garrison having only
three days of those miserable pro-
visions to subsist upon; at last
a signal was made for a cessa-
tion of arms; and the Principals
of the Jesuits, with two Civili-
ans, without any apparent
authority from the Gover-
nor, were sent out to treat
with the English: this depu-
tation having no legal com-
mission, the English knew not
how to act; but understanding
they would meet with no oppo-
sition from the Governor, they
took possession of the place,
with all its treasure. It lies sixty
miles south of Fort St. George.
P O 
Latitude, 12. 26. north; lon-
gitude, 80. 14. east.
PONT DE L'ARCHE, a town of
Normandy, in France, having a
stone bridge over the Seine, and
a strong castle, ten miles south
of Rouen. Lat. 49. 20. lon. 1.
15. east.
PONT DE SE, Cæsar's pons
Ligeris, a small town of Anjou,
in France, situate on the Loire,
over which is a bridge, partly of
stone and partly of timber, a
thousand paces in length; and
near it is a strong castle. It lies
eight miles south of Angers.
Latitude, 47. 24. north; lon-
gitude, 36 min. west.
PONT KEMY, a considerable
town of Picardy, in France, si-
tuated on the river Somme,
over which it has a bridge lead-
ing to a castle, built on an
island. It lies six miles from
Abbeville.
PONTOONS, form a floating
bridge of great boats, with
boards laid over them, and rails
on the sides for passing an army
&c. over a river.
PORTALAGRE, anciently Por-
tus Alacer, a city of Alentejo,
fortified with walls and towers
in the old  manner, and lies
eighty four miles east of Lisbon,
in latitude, 39. 26. north; lon-
gitude, 8. 10. west.
PORT CULLICE, a strong gate,
or door, suspended over the
common gates of fortified places.
PORT-FIRE, a composition of
meal-powder, sulphur, and salt-
petre, drove into a case of pa-
per, but not very hard, about
nine or ten inches long; and
when put into a linstock, it is
used to fire guns or mortars in-
stead of a match.
PORT-

P O
PORTLAND, anciently an
island, now a peninsula of Dor-
setshire, opposite Weymouth;
has a good road for ships, de-
fended by Portland and Sandford
castles, it lies twelve miles south
of Dorchester. Lat. 50. 30.
north; lon 2. 18. west.
PORT L'ORIENT, a sea-port
town and fortress of Britany, si-
tuate at the mouth of the river
Scorf, opposite to Port Louis.
It is the chief station of the
French East-India ships, and
hence called the east port, or
Port l'Orient; and was unsuc-
cessfully attacked under the
command of General Sinclair.
It lies twenty-six miles north-
west of Vannes. Latitude, 47.
45. north; lon. 3. 18. east.
PORT LOUIS, a town of Bri-
tany, defended by a citadel and
other works, a station for a part
of the navy. Lat. 47. 46. north;
lon. 3. 8. west.  See plan. 16.
Port Louis, a fortress on the
south-west coast of Hispaniola,
belonging to France, taken and
destroyed by Admiral Knowles,
in 17 7, but since repaired.
PORTO-BELLO, a town, well
fortified with forts, lying on the
north side of the isthmus of Da-
rien, joins the two vast conti-
nents of North and South Ame-
rica. It lies at the bottom of a
bay, about a mile deep, and
half a  mile broad at the entry.
There is a good harbour. It
was taken by Admiral Vernon,
with six ships only, in November,
1739.
PORTO DI VENERE, a little
town of Genoa, in Italy, de-
fended by a castle, on the west
side of the entrance of the gulf
of Spezia; it lies forty-five
P O
miles south east of Genoa Lat.
44. 7. north; lon. 10. 36. east.
PORTO LONGONE, a fortress
and port town at the east end of
the Isle of Elba, in the Tuscan
sea, subject to the King of Na-
ples. Lat. 42. 36. north; lon.
21. 22. east.
PORTO PORT A PORT, a city
of Entre Douro e Minho, of
Douro, in Portugal, situate at the
mouth of the Douro, defended
by a castle, the town surrounded
with walls and towers, thirty
miles south of Braga. Lat. 40.
53 north; lon 8. 35. west.
PORTO RICO, the capital of
the island of that name, situated
on its north side, and in a small
island, joined to the continent
by a causey, which runs across
the harbour. The town is a
mile and a half in circuit, and
almost impregnable by sea. It
is pleasantly situated on an emi-
nence, commanding the ocean
on one side, and the main island
on the other. This city being
the center of the contraband
trade, usually carried on by the
English and French with the
King of Spain's subjects, is bet-
ter inhabited than most of the
cities belonging to the crown in
America.
PORT ROYAL, the south-east
part of Jamaica, upon a neck of
land, running out ten or twelve
miles west into the sea, defended
by Fort Charles, and a line of
near 100 cannon and a garrison;
having the ocean on the south,
and a bay on the north, three
leagues in breadth, and a suffi-
cient depth of water for vessels
of 700 tons to lie close to the
shore. It was destroyed by an
earthquake in 1692; by fire in
1702;

P O
1702; and lastly by an inunda-
tion of the sea in 1722; upon
which the inhabitants removed
to Kingston, on the opposite side
of the harbour; but the conve-
nient situation induced many to
settle here again; it being better
fortified against inundations.
Lat. 17. 30. north; lon. 77, 5.
west.
PORTO VECCHIO, a small
town in the island of Corsica, in
the Mediterranean, having a
good harbour. In 1553, taken
by the French; in 1736, by the
male-content Corsicans, who
improved its fortifications and
harbour. It lies forty-miles north
of Sardinia, according to M. de
Chasell, in lat. 41. 39. north;
lon.9. 30. east.
PORTSMOUTH, a borough-
town of Hampshire, at the
mouth of one of the largest and
most secure harbours in England;
the entrance as broad as the
Thames at Westminster, well
defended by forts and castles;
the town strongly fortified in
the modern way, and constantly
kept neat and in good order.
Here great part of the royal na-
vy is built and laid up; here
are docks, yards, and maga-
zines filled with immense quan-
tities of naval and military stores.
It lies twenty-miles south of Win-
chester, and seventy-two south-
west of London. Lat. 50. 48.
north; lon. 1.6. west.
PORTUGAL. Under this arti-
cle, as the Spanish operati-
ons were confined to no parti-
cular place, I shall introduce the
following, as what is the most
remarkable during their invasi-
on of this kingdom. On the
25th of August, 1762, they made
P O
themselves masters of Miranda,
Braganza, Torre de Mon-
corvo, and Chaves. They de-
molished what fortifications the
two former cities had, and left
strong garrisons in the latter.
They divided their forces which
were in the province of Tras-
osmentes into three parts: the
principal body was encamped
near Miranda; the second, of
3000 men, at Torre di Mon-
corvo; the third, of the same
number, near Chaves. Another
corps of 80,000 men entered the
Portugueze frontier, near Al-
meida: this corps suffered much
by desertion, and its detached
parties were often repulsed by
the militia. The summer months
are not favourable to military
operations; and the Spaniards
could do little more than chas-
tise the peasants of small vil-
lages, whose natural aversion
overcame the oath of obedience,
which they had taken, and who
did every thing in their power
to cut off the convoys of pro-
visions designed for their camp:
these, and the Portugueze com-
panies called auxiliaries, were
easily defeated. At last, the Spa-
niards formed the siege of Al-
meida; and on the 25th of Au-
gust it surrendered, after a siege
of nine days, and before a prac-
ticable breach had been made:
1500 regulars and 2000 peasants
were permitted to retire with
the honours of war, on condi-
tion of not serving for six months
against the King of Spain, or
his Allies: eighty-three brass
cannons, eleven iron, nine brass
mortars for bombs, thirty-one
brass mortars, and one iron
for granades, 700 quintals of
powder, 

P R
powder, and a quantity of other
ammunition and provisions, were
found in the place. August
27, 1762, Colonel Burgoyne
ordered a part of his light regi-
ment to push into the town of
Valenca d'Alcantra sword in
hand. The guards in the square
were all killed, or made prison-
ers before they could use their
arms; after the body of the
English was come up and form-
ed in the square, some despe-
rate parties attempted an at-
tack, but all of them were killed
or taken.
One Major-general, with his
Aid-de-camp; one Colonel, with
his Adjutant; two Captains, se-
venteen subalterns, and fifty-
nine men, were made prisoners;
the rest of the regiment of Saville
were destroyed.
POST, any sort of ground
where a body of men can fortify
themselves, or be in a condition
of resisting an enemy.
Advance Post, a spot of ground
seized by a party to cover them-
selves and secure the posts be-
hind them.
POSTERN, now called sally
port, a small door in the flank
of a bastion, or other part of a
garrison, to march in and out
unperceived by an enemy, either
to relieve the works, or make
sallies.
POWDER, a composition of
sulphur, salt-petre, and  char-
coal. The sulphur and charcoal
take fire, and the salt-petre
makes the report.
Powder-magazine, a bomb proof
arched building to contain pow-
der in fortified places.
PRAGUE, the capital of Bo-
hemia and ancient seat of its
P R
Kings, situate on the river Mol-
dau, which divides it into two
parts; it is one of the largest:
cities in Europe, being twelve
miles in circuit. It is divided
into the old, new, and little
city, and surrounded with a
wall, bastions, and other works,
rendering it as strong as its pro-
digious extent will admit of;
but it is commanded by several
of the neighbouring hills. It
has been often taken and plun-
dered, and undergone great ca-
lamities. On the 6th of May,
1757, between the Prussian army,
commanded by the King and
Marshal Schwerin, and the Au-
strian army, commanded by
Marshal Brown. The Prussian
army consisted of 80,000 men,
with which he attacked and de-
feated the whole combined Au-
strian force, amounting to
100,000 men, commanded by
Marshal Brown. This memor-
able battle was fought near
Prague. The Austrians were
posted in a camp almost inacces-
sible: the Prussians had morasses
to pass, precipices to climb,
and batteries to face: but the
presence of the King animated
his troops, who attacked the Au-
strian camp: and after a long
and obstinate engagement, and
many signal examples of valour,
obtained a most glorious and de-
cisive victory. The Austrians
abandoned the field of battle,
leaving behind them 240 can-
non, all their baggage and
tents: they had 20,000 men
killed and wounded, and 10,000
taken prisoners; the Prussians
lost only 4000 men, but Mar-
shal Schwerin fell among the
slain. The left wing of the Au-
R strian 

P R                        
strian army fled into Prague,
where Marshal Brown died of
his wounds, and the rest of the
Austrians retired towards Mo-
ravia. His Prussian Majesty im-
mediately invested and besieged
Prague, which was soon relieved
by Marshal Daun.
Bombardment on the night,
between the 29th and 30th of
May, 1757, by the Prussian ar-
my, commanded by the King
and Marshal Keith.
After obtaining the victory of
the 6th, the routed Austrians,
to the number of 40,000, took
protection within the walls of
the capital, which was invested
on the 11th and 12th at mid-
night. The Prussian army, by
the signal of a sky-rocket thrown
up for that purpose, by the
King's battery, began to fire
upon the town, from one bat-
tery on this side of the Moldau,
and from three on the other side.
These batteries continued firing
incessantly till the 8th of June,
when the whole New Town was
reduced to one great heap of
smoking rubbish, and only a
few houses were left standing
in the Jews Quarter. Marshal
Daun brought an army from
Arabia to the relief of Prague,
which occasioned his Prussian
Majesty to quit his camp on the
13th, and to put himself at the
head of the army, commanded
by the Prince of Bevern, with
which he attacked Marshal Daun
in his strong lines, at Collin, on
the 18th, when the Austrians
were victorious. Marshal Keith
had turned the siege of Prague
into a blockade, and was re-
joined by the King, on the 19th,
who raised the blockade the next
P R
day. In 1744, his Prussian Ma-
jesty took Prague in a few days.
He invested it on the 2d of Sep-
tember, bombarded it on the
13th, and it was surrendered to
him on the 18th. The garrison
then consisted of 12,000 men.
PRAYE, a town on the island
of Tercera, one of the Azores
in the Atlantic ocean, situate in
a plain on a large bay, sur-
rounded with walls and four
bastions. There is also a town
of the same name in the island
of Graciosa, another of the A-
zores, lying on a bay of the At-
lantic ocean, and defended by a
fortress.
PREMISLAW, or Prezemysi, a
well built populous town of Red
Russia, in Poland, situated on
the river San, defended by
strong walls, and a castle on a
rock, lies 112 miles south-east
of Cracow. Lat. 49. 5. north;
lon. 22. 8. south-east.
PRESBURGH, a strong city and
castle, the capital of Upper Hun-
gary, situated on the north of the
Danube, forty-six miles east of
Vienna. Lat. 48. 26. north;
lon. 17. 36. east.
PROFILE. Engineers repre-
sent the heighths, depths, and
thickness of a work, with fosses,
&c. by profile, or orthography;
which supposes the work to
be cut through perpendicularly
from top to bottom.
PROPONTIS, or the sea of
Marmora, a part of the Medi-
terranean, dividing Europe from
Asia; it has the Hellespont, or
canal of the Dardanelles, to the
south-west, whereby it communi-
cates with the Archipelago, and
the ancient Bosphorus of Thrace,
or Streight of Constantinople,
to 

P U
to the north east communicating
with the Black or Euxine Sea.
It has two castles. That on the
Asia side is on a cape, where for-
merly stood a temple of Jupiter.
The castle of Europe is on an
opposite cape, and had anciently
a temple of Serapis.
PROVIDENCE, one of the Ba-
hama, or Lucaya islands, in the
American ocean, well planted
and fortified by the English. It
lies on the east side of the gulf
of Florida, and 206 miles from
the continent of that name.
Near this island are several others
planted by the English, but not
fortified; so that upon the ap-
proach of an enemy, the planters
are obliged to withdraw to Pro-
vidence, which lies in lat. 25.
16. north; lon. 78. 5. west.
PROVOST-MARSHAL, of an
army, is an Officer appointed to
secure deserters and all other
criminals; he is often to go
round the army, hinder the sol-
diers from pillaging, indite of-
fenders, execute the sentence
pronounced, and regulate the
weights and measures of the ar-
my, &c.
PUNISHMENT, in general,
signifies the execution of a sen-
tence pronounced by a Court-
martial upon any delinquent;
but, in particular, means that
one often used of inflicting a cer-
tain number of lashes upon a
Non-commissioned Officer, or
private man.
PUERTO CAVELLO, a fortified
town on the coast of Caracas,
twenty leagues from La Guaira,
was but little known before
the year 1743, when Admiral
Knowles, after the repulse at
La Guaira, haying refitted the
P U
squadron under his command,
came on the 15th of April before
it, when it was supplied with a
garrison of 1500 seamen and sol-
diers, 4000 Indians, blacks, &c.  
which the Governor of the Cara-
cas had sent for the defence of
the town. The Admiral having
landed 1200 men, under the com-
mand of Major Lucas, they were
attacked in the night from the fa-
scine battery, near Punta Brava,
and being put into disorder, they
retreated and re-imbarked. On
the 24th, the Admiral made a
general attack upon the castle
and fascine batteries, which last-
ed ten hours. Some of the ships
having spent their ammunition,
and most of them being so
shattered in their masts and rig-
ging, as scarce able to set a sail,
the Admiral made a signal to cut,
and failed for the keys of Bur-
burata, to repair the damage they
had sustained.
PUERTO DE LA GUAIRA, is
about sixty-two leagues from Cu-
mana, and fifteen from Cape
Blanco to the west. The town
is situated at the foot of a high
hill, and is open to the land-
side, but has two forts and bat-
teries toward the sea. It was
taken in the last century by Cap-
tain Wright and his privateers,
and attacked in 1743, when
Don Matteo Gaul, defended
it against a squadron of ships,
commanded by Adm. Knowles,
who bombarded the town, made
some breaches in the fortifica-
tions, demolished their churches,
and blew up a magazine: there
being only one landing-place,
they did not attempt to disem-
bark; and most of the ships
being so much damaged as to be
entirely 

Q U
entirely disabled from continuing
the attack, they retired to Curasso
to refit.
PURMEREN, a town of North
Holland, in the United Nether-
lands, well fortified with a ram-
part and ditch. It lies at one
end of the Purmer, and about
fourteen miles north of Amster-
dam.
QUADRANT, or quarter of
a circle, is an instrument
of brass or wood used by gun-
ners in pointing their guns to an
object, and by bombardiers in
elevating their mortars.
QUADRAT. To quadrat a
piece is to see it duly placed in
its carriage, and that the wheels
be of an equal height.
QUARTER, signifies the spar-
ing of men's lives and giving
good treatment to a vanquished
enemy.
Quarter, at a siege, the en-
campment upon one of the most
principal passages round a place
besieged, to prevent relief and
convoys.
When it is commanded by a
General, it is called the head
quarters of the army; when the
camp is marked out about a
place besieged, then the quarters
are said to be disposed: and when
great detachments are made
from a quarter for convoys, &c.
such a quarter is said to be weak-
ened.
Quarter of an assembly, the place
where the troops meet to march
from in a body, and the same as
a place of rendezvous.
Head quarters, the place where
the General of an army has his
quarters. The quarters of Ge-
nerals of horse are, if possible,
Q U
in villages behind the right and
left wings; and the Generals of
foot are often in the same vil-
lage.
Quarter intrenched, a place for-
tified with a ditch and parapet
to secure a body of troops.
Winter quarters, sometimes means
the space of time included be-
tween leaving the camp and taking
the field; but more properly the
places where troops are lodged
during the winter.
QUARTER-MASTER of caval-
ry, except in the Blues, is a War-
rant-officer, appointed by the
Colonel. He takes up ground
for the troop, divides it among
them, and is constantly employed
among the horse.
QUEBEC, the capital of Cana-
da, in North America, lies at the
confluence of the river St. Lau-
rence, has a castle on the brow
of a hill, about forty fathoms
above the  town, but irregularly
built and fortified, having only
two bastions, without a ditch
towards the city. It has also
another fort on Cape Diamond,
a solid rock, 400 fathoms high,
with only some few works, and
redoubts commanding both it
and the town; but the place
owes its strength more to nature
than art. It lies 300 miles north-
west of Boston, in New England.
Latitude, 47. 35. north; longi-
tude, 74. 10. west.
In 1759, the British army and
navy came before it, when the
Commanders made excellent dis-
positions for reducing it, but
were baffled by the caution
of General Montcalm, the
strength of the place, and the
insurmountable difficulty of
the troops landing to attack 
it: 

Q U
it: so well was nature assisted
by art, that even the undaunt-
ed Wolfe despaired of success,
after being checked and re-
pulsed by the enemy. How-
ever, by a train of stratagems,
a landing was at last effected,
but under greater disadvantages
than any other upon record, by
being obliged to drag their ar-
tillery up a steep and dangerous
ascent; but having, by inces-
sant labour, gained the top of
the hill, September 13, they
immediately formed.
Montcalm was now compelled
to risque a battle on the plains
of Abraham, in which the En-
glish were victorious, but lost
their brave Wolfe, who died on
the field, and General Monck-
ton was dangerously wounded.
The honour of compleating the
victory fell on Lord Townsend,
who drove the enemy from every
part, with the loss of only 500
men. though that of the French
exceeded 1500. Five days af-
ter this, September 18. the city
surrendered to the British troops.
Though Wolfe has immortalized
his name, whilst the glorious
conquest of Canada illustrates
English annals, yet all must al-
low, glorious as this victory was,
and important in its conse-
quences, that it was too dearly
purchased by his  death. Of-
ficers may be formed by atten-
tion and experience; but the
loss of so great a General, Chris-
tian, and soldier, is irretriev-
able. He was an honour to
his King, a friend to his coun-
try, and an ornament to soci-
ety and his profession.  Mont-
calm was killed on the spot,
and the  next General in com-
Q U
mand so dangerously wounded,
that he died in a few days.
After this victory, General
Murray was appointed Gover-
nor of Quebec, and the garri-
son supplied with such stores and
provisions as could be spared out
of the fleet; which leaving Que-
bec, and the enemy knowing
no ships of war were left to as-
sist the garrison in case of dan-
ger, and sensible that they were;
greatly reduced in numbers, by
sickness, &c. and the fortifica-
tions in a bad state of defence;
with this striking appearance of
success, Monsieur de Levi was
encouraged to attempt its reco-
very; and therefore determined
upon a regular siege, in the
spring of 1760, before the place
could receive succour from the
English fleet.
Monsieur de Levi, having as-
sembled an army of 13000,
took the field on the 17th of A-
pril, being well provided for a
siege. He sent his provisions,
ammunition, and heavy bag-
gage, down the river St. Law-
rence, under the protection of
six frigates, from twenty-six to
forty-four guns, by which he
entirely mastered the river; and
after ten days march, his army
appeared on the heights near
Quebec.
General Murray had now only
two things to determine on; to
stand a siege within the ruined
works of Quebec, or to march
out and give battle to the ene-
my; he, therefore, with equal
spirit and resolution to a variety
of unpleasing circumstances,
which surrounded him, chose
the latter; and marched out at
the head of 3000 brave men,
with 

Q U
with about twenty-field-pieces,
resolved to attack the enemy,
leaving a sufficient number to
keep the inhabitants in awe,
and the gates open. This dar-
ing scheme struck the enemy
with surprize: their troops were
posted beneath some woody emi-
nences; but before they could
be in regular order of battle,
their van, which was also posted
upon eminences, was so furi-
ously attacked, as to be driven
in the utmost disorder, with
great loss, upon the main body,
which was drawn up in the val-
ley below, formed in columns,
and received the troops with so
hot a fire, that they were stag-
gered in the pursuit; and no-
thing but the intrepidity of the
General, and that of those un-
der him, could have preserved
them and their garrison, the
enemy being above four times
their number. Farther resistance
would have been imprudent, as
they had lost some hundreds of
men, and the French upwards
of 2000. General Murray, af-
ter retiring into his garrison,
was judged irretrievably undone,
no ships being near to assist him;
yet his courage was unshaken;
his ardour redoubled by his dif-
ficulties, and, by diligence and
penetration, compensated for the
weakness of his fortifications
and troops.
The French opened trenches
that same night against the place;
but it was the 11th of May be-
fore they could bring two bat-
teries to bear; and their fire
even then was ill plied: this
gave the garrison time to pre-
pare for its defence, and up-
wards of 100 pieces of cannon
Q U
were mounted on the ramparts.
On the 9th of  May, two days
before the batteries were open-
ed, a vessel arrived in the basin,
with an account that Lord Col-
ville, with a small squadron, had
entered the river St. Lawrence,
and would sail in a few days to
their relief. On the 15th, a ship
of the line, and two frigates ar-
rived; which frigates were im-
mediately sent against the French
squadron, that lay above the
town, and in a very few hours
either took or destroyed them;
upon which Levi raised the siege
with the greatest precipitation,
abandoned all their immense
stores, their standing camp, bag-
gage, &c. thirty four battering
cannon, four brass twelve pound-
ers, ten field-pieces, six mor-
tars four petards, &c. Many
prisoners were taken in the pur-
suit.
QUESNOY, a small town of
French Hainault, in the Nether-
lands, irregularly built, but
well fortified. It was taken by
the confederate army, in 1711;
but the French retook it the
next year, after the battle of De-
nain. It lies seven miles south-
east of Valenciennes. Lat. 50.
29. north; lon. 3.  36. east.
QUICK-MATCH, is best made
by putting cotton strands, drawn
out to proper lengths, into a
kettle just covered with white
wine vinegar, wherein a quantity
of saltpetre and mealed powder
has been boiled till well mixed:
others put only saltpetre into wa-
ter, take it out hot, and lay it
in a trough with some mealed
powder, moistened with spirits
of wine, and thoroughly wrought
into the cotton, by rolling it
backwards 

R A
backwards and forwards with
the hands. But, when either is
done, they are taken out sepa-
rately, drawn through mealed
powder, and dried upon a line.
QUILLEBEUP, a small city,
the capital of Roumois, in Nor-
mandy, in France, on the Seine;
its walls and fortifications have
been demolished, but it is still
defended by a little fort. It lies
twenty-four miles below Rouen,
and twenty-one above Havre de
Grace.
QUINTIN, ST. anciently Au-
gusta Veromandorum, a forti-
fied city of Picardy, in France,
situated on the Somme. The
Church of St. Quintin is one of
the finest of the kingdom. It
lies thirty-five miles east of A-
miens, in latitude, 49. 55.
north; longitude, 3. 18.east.
QUITO, the capital of the
province of that name, in Peru,
is well fortified, and provided
with every necessary for a good
defence. It lies 112 miles east
of the Pacific ocean, 146 north
of Guayaquil, and 722 in the
direction from  Lima. Lat. 13.
13. south; lon. 78. 10. west.
RAAB, a royal free city in
Lower Hungary, having
an old but strong fortress at the
confluence of the Danube, Raab
and Rabnitz, by the waters of
which it is surrounded. It is
defended by seven bastions, and
provided with a strong garrison.
Raab lies opposite to the isle of
Schut, fifty-seven miles west of
Buda. Latitude, 48. 10. north;
longitude, 18. 18. east.
RABAT, an ancient city of
Mauritania Tingitana, and the
R A
Oppidum of Ptolomey; it is a
large strong place, and esteemed
the key of Barbary, being situa-
ted on a rock at the mouth of
the Gueron, and defended by a
stout castle. The tower of the
principal mosque is the highest
in all Africa, and from its bat-
tlements a ship may be seen
twenty leagues off.
RABINETT, a small eminence
between a falconette and a
base.
RACAUX, near Liege in Ger-
many, on the 12th of October,
1747, was an attack of posts
only, tho' there was a great
plain.
The enemy made several fu-
rious attacks on Prince Waldeck,
but were gallantly repulsed by
his prudence, and the valour of
his troops.
Lord Ligonier, having done
all a great General could do,
posted some English battalions
behind the villages who formed
a hollow square, secured their
ground and the retreat of the
army, half of which could not
come to engage.
They retired to Maestricht; and
the rear guard were brought up by
the Imperialists in good order.
RACKELSBURG, a strong town
of Stiria, in the circle of Au-
stria, in Germany situated on
the Drave, twenty-three miles
south-east of Gratz. Lat. 47.
8. north; lon. 16. 16. east.
RADOM a town in the pala-
tinate of Sandomir in Little Po-
land, encompassed with a wall,
and other fortifications, stands
in a fine plain on a rivulet
that falls into the Weissel, se-
venty-four miles south of War-
saw. 

R A                         
saw. Latitude, 51. 41. north;
longitude, 21. 9. east.
RAGUSA, the ancient Epidau-
rus, a town of Dalmatia, situa-
ted on a peninsula of the gulf of
Venice. The old city was built
long before the birth of Christ,
and became afterwards a Ro-
man Colony; but in the third
century destroyed by the Scy-
thians. The new town, stand-
ing on the same spot, is not
very large, but well built.
Both the town and the harbour,
called Santa Croce, are defended
by a fort, and secured by the
small rocky island Chiroma,
about half a mile distant in the
sea on one side, and by the
head land of the peninsula on
the other; the last is fortified,
and, were the first fortified also,
it would be impregnable. It is
twenty-seven miles north-west
of Cataro, and sixty-eight south-
east of Spalato. Lat. 42. 48.
north; lon. 18. 40. east.
RAIN, a well built and forti-
fied town of Bavaria in Ger-
many, one of the keys of this
electorate, and situated on the
Lech, twenty-miles west of In-
golstadt. Latitude, 48. 51.
north; longitude, 11. 12. east.
REMEKINS, a fortress of the
United Netherlands, on the
south coast of the island of Wal-
chevin, in the province of Zee-
land. It was one of the cauti-
onary towns given to Queen
Elizabeth, for the repayment of
the charges she had been at, for
the defence of this republick in
its infancy. It lies four miles
east of Flushing, in lat. 51. 34.
north; lon. 4. 24.  east.
RAMILLIES, a small village of
Brabant, in the Austrian Low-
R A
countries, lies twelve miles
north of Namur, and twenty-
two south-east of Brussels. La-
titude, 50. 51. north; longi-
tude, 4. 48. east. It is famous for
the battle fought by the army of
the Allies, commanded by his
Grace the Duke of Marlborough,
and his Excellency M. d'Over-
quirque, against that of the two
crowns, commanded by his E-
lectoral Highness the Duke of
Bavaria, and Marshal Villeroy,
the 23d of May, 1706.
The troops destined to com-
pose the army of the Allies,
being joined at the Camp of
Borchloon, the 20th of May,
halted the 21st: on the 22d the
army marched from Borchloon
in four columns, and posted it-
self the same day, with the right
towards the Mill of Quorem,
extending with the left towards
Blehen: from this camp was
discovered the army of the two
crowns, which was encamped
with the left at Over-Espen, and
the right towards the wood of
Chapiavaux; Heylissem in their
front, and Tirlemont in their
rear.
It was resolved the same day
to march the next morning to-
wards the plain of Meerdorp, or
Mierdau, to view the posture of
the enemies, and determine what
would be the most proper means
of attacking them according to
the movement they should make.
To this end, an advanced
guard of 600 horse, and all the
Quarter masters of the army,
was sent forward on the 23d at
break of day.
The same morning, about
four, the army marched in eight
columns towards the aforesaid
plain 

R A                          
plain: the advanced guard and
the Quarter-masters arrived a-
bout eight, at the height of
Meerdorp, or Mierdau, from
whence the army of the enemy
was seen in motion: a little af-
ter, it was perceived that the
enemy was marching through
the plain of Mount St. Andrew,
in four columns, of which infor-
mation was given to the Duke
of Marlborough and M. d'Ou-
verquirque, who immediately
repaired to the said height; and
by the time these Generals were
arrived there, the head of the
enemy's army already appeared
at the tomb of Ottomont, upon
the cause-way, near the Me-
haigne; whereupon the Duke
of Marlborough and M. d'Ou-
verquirque made the army ad-
vance with all expedition.
The enemy, as fast as they
advanced, ranged in order of
battle, with their right towards
the tomb of Ottomont, upon
the Mehaigne, extending with
their left to Autr' Eglise, having
Tranquiers in front of their
right, into which they had
thrown several battalions of in-
fantry, and fourteen squadrons
of dragoons, who had dis-
mounted their horses to support
them.
They had placed many of
their infantry, and a consider-
able part of their artillery, in
the village of Ramillies, which
fronted the right of their main
body, as well as into the village
of Offuz, which fronted the left
of their infantry, and into the
village of Autr' Eglise, quite on
their left. The front between
the village of Ramillies and
Autr' Eglise, was covered by a
R A
small stream of water, which
rendered the meadows in some
places marshy, and also by se-
veral roads covered with hedges,
which difficulties prevented our
cavalry of the right wing from
coming to action.
As fast as the army of the Al-
lies arrived, it was ranged in or-
der of battle, with the left to-
wards Bonnef and the right to-
wards Folz, and every thing was
disposed in order to attack.
To this end, four battalions
were detached to attack the vil-
lage of Franquenies, and twelve
battalions to attack the village
of Ramillies, which were to be
supported by the whole infantry.
Our artillery began to can-
nonade the enemy at one; at
about two, the attack began
with the post of Franquenies,
where our infantry had the good
fortune to drive the enemy from
the hedges, where they were ad-
vantageously posted, and at the
same time all the cavalry of our
left wing advanced to attack
that of the enemy's right; soon
after, all was in action: whilst
the cavalry were engaged, the
village of Ramillies was likewise
attacked, and forced after a vi-
gorous resistance.
The battle lasted about two
hours, and was pretty obstinate;
but so soon as our cavalry had
gained ground enough to attack
the enemy in flank, they began
to give way; at the same time,
all their infantry were put in
disorder; so that the whole re-
treated in great confusion. The
cavalry of their left wing form-
ed a little upon the high ground,
between Offuz and Mount St.
Andrew, to favour their retreat:
S but 

R A
but after the infantry and ca-
valry of our right wing had filed
off between the bottom of the
village of Ramillies and Offuz,
the whole army marched in se-
veral columns to attack the ene-
my anew; but they gave way
before we could come up with
them, and retired in great con-
fusion, some towards the defile
of the abbey de la Ramêe and
towards Dongelberg, others to-
wards Judogne, and others a-
gain towards Hougarde.
They were pursued all night
so closely, that they were oblig-
ed to abandon all their artillery
and baggage, part of which was
found at Judogne and at Hou-
garde, with their chests of am-
munition.
In this action many Officers
were taken, among whom were
several Generals, and about
6000 horse and foot, with a
great quantity of cannon, en-
signs, and standards, and some
pairs of kettle-drums. The num-
ber killed was about 8000.
The army of the enemy con-
sisted of 76 battalions and 142
squadrons, including the King's
houshold troops (la Maison du
Roi) and the army of the Allies
was 74 battalions and 123 squa-
drons.
Considering the importance
of the victory, the loss of the
Allies was very small, not above
1100 being killed, and 2600
wounded.
RAMPART, an elevation of
earth raised along the faces of
any work of ten or fifteen feet
high, to cover the inner part of
that work against the fire of an
enemy.
RANDERS, an ancient city of
R A
Jutland, in Denmark, situated
on the river Gude, within twelve
miles lower falls into the Baltick.
Its strong castle of Dronning-
borg is well known in history,
and the first mention we find
made of the town itself was in
1247, when the enemy burnt it.
RANGE, the distance from the
battery to the point where the
shot or shell touches the ground.
Range, point blank, that when
the piece lies in a horizontal
direction, and upon a level
plane.
Range, random, when the piece
is elevated at an angle of eleva-
tion of forty-five degrees upon a
level plane.
RASTADT, or Raistadt, a
town of Baden, in Suabia. Here
the preliminaries were settled
for the peace concluded at Ba-
den, between the Emperor and
the King of France, in 1714.
It lies on the Rhine, twenty-
one miles south west of Philips-
burg, and subject to the Mar-
grave of Baden. Lat. 48. 42.
north; lon. 8. 8. east.
RASTENBURG, a fine city in
the kingdom of Prussia, on the
Guber. It is surrounded with a
wall and, since 1629, also with a
rampart.
RATISBON, the capital of Ba-
varia, and the only free impe-
rial city and sovereign state in
the electorate, is large and po-
pulous, fortified with a double
wall, ditches, and ramparts. It is
too large to be defended without
an army, and therefore obliged
to submit to the power which is
master of the field. It lies sixty-
five miles north-east of Munick.
Lat. 49. 10. north; lon. 12.
10. east.
RATOLFZEL, 

R A          
RATOLFZEL, a strong fortified
town of Suabia, near the west
extremity of the lake of Con-
stance, and that part of it called
Cellersee. It is defended by the
impregnable castle of Hohen
Dwiel, on an inaccessible hill,
in the middle of a plain, the
rock of which is flint, so that a
few men may hold it out against
an army. It lies twelve miles
north west of the city of Con-
stance, and belongs to Austria.
RATZEBURG, now a very
strong city of Lawenburg, in
Lower Saxony, surrounded by a
lake of that name. The Duke
of Lawenburg seized and forti-
fied it in 1689, and the King of
Denmark took it in 1693; but
it was dismantled, and restored
in 1700 to the Duke, who re-
fortified it. This town has been
frequently pillaged, particularly
in 1552, by Francis Duke of
Saxe Lawenburg, for the canons
refusing to elect his son Magnus
their bishop. It lies nine miles
south of Lubec. Lat. 54. 10.
north; lon. 11. 3. east.
RAVELINS, works raised on
the counterscarp before the cur-
tain of a place, and serve to co-
ver the gate and bridges of a
town, consist of two faces, form-
ing a salliant angle, and are de-
fended by the faces of the neigh-
bouring bastions. The half
moons which cover the points
of the bastions have their de-
fence from the ravelines, and are
most in use of all out-works.
They should be lower than the
works of the place, that they
may be under the fire of the be-
sieged. Their parapets, as those
of all other out-works, should
be cannon proof.
R E
RAVENSBERG, a town and
strong fort, on a hill, near the
river Hessel, in a country of the
same name, in Westphalia, in
Germany, subject to the King
of Prussia. It lies twenty-eight
miles south-west of Minden, and
thirty north-east of Munster.
Lat. 52. 20. north; lon. 8. 5.
east.
RAUN, upon the river Miza,
a town of some strength, remark-
able for a bloody skirmish be-
tween the Prussians and Austrians,
in August, 1744. The King of
Prussia intending to get possession
of Beraun, sent thither six bat-
talions, with eight pieces of
cannon, and eight hundred hus-
sars: but General Festititz  be-
ing there, with a great party of
his corps, and M.  Lucchesi with
a thousand horse, they not only
repulsed the Prussians, but at-
tacked them in their turn, and,
after a warm dispute, obliged
them to retire with considerable
loss.
REAR, signifies, in general, the
hindmost part of an army, bat-
talion, or  regiment; also the
ground behind either.
RECKENHAUSEN, a strong
town of Cologne, in Germany,
in the middle territory of that
name. The Abbess of its nun-
nery has power of punishing of-
fenders with death, and she alone
is obliged to the vow of chas-
tity.
RECOIL, or reserve of a gun,
its running back when fired, is
occasioned by the struggling of
the powder in the chamber; and
its seeking every way to fly out.
Guns whose vents are a little
forward in the chace, recoil
most. To lessen the recoil of a
gun 

R E
gun, the platforms are generally
made sloping towards the embra-
sures of the battery.
REDANS, or indented works,
are lines or faces forming sal-
liant and re-entering angles
flanking one another, and ge-
nerally used on the side of a river
which runs through a garrisoned
town.
REDOUBT, a square work of
stone, raised without the glacis
of a place, about musquet-shot
from the town, having loop-
holes for the musqueteers to fire
through, and surrounded by a
fosse; sometimes they are of
earth, having only a defence
in front surrounded with a para-
pet and fosse. Both the one and
the other serve for detached
guards to interrupt the enemy's
works; and are sometimes made
on the angles of the trenches,
for covering the workmen a-
gainst the sallies of the garrison.
The length of their sides may be
from ten to twenty fathom; their
parapet, having two or three
banquets, must be nine or ten
feet thick, and their fosse the
same both in breadth and depth.
They contain a body of men for
the guard of the trenches, and
are likewise called places of
arms.
Redoubt, a small work made in
a ravelin.
Redoubt, also a square work,
without any bastions, placed at
some distance from a fortification,
to guard a pass, or prevent an
enemy from approaching that
way.
Redoubt, castle, or donjon, a
place more particularly intrench-
ed, and separated from the rest
by a fosse. There is generally
R E
in each of them a high tower,
from whence the country round
the place may be discovered.
REGGIO, a well built town in
the principality of that name, in
the Modenese in Italy, having a
strong citadel where the Gover-
nor resides, and walls on which
a cannon-ball can make little
impression. It lies fifteen miles
north-west of the city of Modena.
Latitude, 44. 45. north; longi-
tude, 11 minutes east.
REGULAR ATTACKS, are such
as are made in form; that is, by
regular approaches.
REICHENBERG, in Bohemia,
9.5 miles west of Prague, 205
north west of Vienna; lati-
tude, 50. 2. north; longitude,
12. 25. east; is only remark-
able as the place where the
Prussian army defeated the
Austrians on the 21st of April,
1757. The Austrian army,
commanded by Count Ko-
nigseck, was posted near Rei-
chenberg, and was attacked
by the Prussians, under the
command of the Prince of
Brunswick Bevern. The Prus-
sians were 20,000: and the Au-
strians 28,000: the action began
at half an hour after six in the
morning, when the Prussian lines
were formed, and attacked the
Austrian cavalry, which was
ranged in three lines of thirty
squadrons, and their two wings
sustained by the infantry, which
was posted among felled trees
and intrenchments. The Au-
strians had a village on their
right, and a wood on their left,
where they were intrenched.
The Prussian dragoons and gre-
nadiers cleared the intrench-
ment and wood, and entirely
routed 

R E
routed the Austrian cavalry: at
the same time, the redoubts that
covered Reichenberg were taken
by General Lestewitz; and the
Austrians were entirely defeated.
The Prussians had 7 Officers and
100 men killed; 14 Officers
and 15O men wounded. The
Austrians had 1000 men killed
and wounded; 20 of their Of-
ficers and 400 men taken pri-
soners. The action ended at
eleven.
REINFORCEMENT. to an ar-
my, is an addition of fresh troops
to strengthen an army, to en-
able them to go on an enter-
prize.
REINFORCED-RING of a gun,
is that next the trunnions, be-
tween them and the vent; but
the reinforced part of a gun, is
from the base-ring to the rein-
forced-ring, which is much
stronger at that place than any
other part of the piece, from the
great force of the powder.
RELIEVE. To relieve the
guard, is to put fresh men upon
the guard; and, to relieve the
trenches, is to relieve the guard
of the trenches.
RELIEVER, an iron ring fixed
to a handle by means of a sock-
et, so as to be at right angles to
it: it serves to disengage the
searcher of a gun, when one of
its points are retained in a hole
and cannot be got out other-
wise.
RENDEZVOUS, the place ap-
pointed by the General, where
all the troops which compose
the army are to meet at the time
appointed.
RESERVE, a body of troops
sometimes drawn out of the ar-
my, and encamped by them-
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selves in a line behind the
lines.
RESERVE-GUARD, the same
as a picquet-guard, except that
the one mounts at troop beat-
ing, and the other at retreat-
beating.
RETHEL, an ancient town,
and capital of Retelois, in
Champagne, in France, situated
on the river Aisne. Here Cæsar
built a castle; and it is also famous
for a victory obtained by the
French, under Marshal du Ples-
sis Prailin, over the Spaniards,
in 1650. It lies sixteen miles
north of Rheims. Lat. 49. 29.
north; lon. 4. 25. east.
RETIRADE, a trench with a
parapet; but retirade, or coup-
ture, is commonly taken for a
retrenchment, formed by the two
faces of the re-entering angle in
a body of a place, after the first
defence is ruined, and the be-
sieged obliged to abandon the
head of the work without quit-
ting it entirely; therefore, while
some are making head against
the enemy, others should be busy
in making the retirade; which
is only a simple barricade, or
retrenchment, thrown up in
haste, with a sort of fosse before
it.
The retirade should be raised
as high as possible, and some
fourneaus, or fougades, made
under it, to blow up the enemy's
lodgements.
RETREAT. An army or body
of men are said to retreat when
they turn their backs upon the
enemy, or are retiring from the
ground they occupied.
A retreat is esteemed, by ex-
perienced Officers, the master-
piece of a General. He should 
therefore 

R E
therefore be well acquainted
with the situation of the country
through which he intends to
make it, and careful that nothing
is omitted to make it safe and
honourable.
Retreat. See Drum.
RETRENCHMENT, any work
raised to cover a post, and fortify
it against an enemy; viz. fa-
cines loaded with earth, ga-
bions, barrels of earth sand-
bags, and all things that can
cover the men, or impede the
enemy: more particularly ap-
plicable to a fosse, bordered
with a parapet; and the post
fortified thus, is called post re-
trenched, or strong post. Re-
trenchments are either general or
particular.
Retrenchments general, new for-
tifications, made in a place be-
sieged for to cover themselves
when the enemy are masters of a
lodgement on the fortification,
that they may be in a condition
of disputing the ground inch by
inch, and putting a stop to the
enemy's progress, in expectation
of relief: as, if the besiegers at-
tack a tenaille of the place,
which they judge the weakest,
either by its being ill flanked,
or commanded by some neigh-
bouring ground, then the be-
sieged make a great retrench-
ment, inclosing all that part
which they judge in most dan-
ger. These should be fortified
with bastions and demi-bastions,
surrounded by a good fosse,
countermined, and higher than
the works of the place, that
they may command the old
works, and put the besiegers to
infinite trouble in covering
themselves.
R E
Retrenchments particular, such
as are made in the bastions,
when the enemy are masters of
the breach. They can never be
made but in full  bastions; for
in empty or hollow bastions,
retirades only can be formed.
These particular retrenchments
are sometimes made at first,
which certainly is best. Count
Pagan always made a double
parapet in all his bastions; and
a retrenchment made before
hand, requires no more men
for its defence, than if it were
not made, because they never
defend it till the principal work
is lost: the parapet of such re-
trenchments should be five or six
feet thick, and five feet high,
with a large and deep fosse,
from whence should run out
small fougades; and also be
countermined.
RETURNS OF A TRENCH, the
turnings and windings which
form the lines of the trench, and
are as near as they can be made
parallel to the place attacked,
to shun being enfiladed. These
returns, when followed, make
a long way from the end of the
trench to the head, which going
the straight way is very short,
but then the men are exposed;
yet, upon a sally, the courage-
ous never consider the danger;
but getting over the trench with
such as will follow them, take
the shortest way to repulse the
enemy, and cut off their retreat,
if possible.
REVEL, a small city of Lan-
guedoc, in France, fortified by
the reformed, in the religious
war, but dismantled in 1639.
It lies six miles from St. Papoul.
Revel, a port town and city
of 

R H
of Esthonia, a subdivision of
Livonia, at the south entrance
of the gulf of Finland; it is not
large, but a rich trading place,
and surrounded with high walls,
deep ditches, and strong bastions;
and is further defended by a
castle, with several towers stand-
ing on a rock. It has a fine
harbour, where part of the
Russian fleet is commonly laid
up. The houses are well built,
and mostly of bricks. It lies 100
miles west of Narva, and 140
north of Riga. Latitude, 59.
10. north; longitude, 24. 10.
east.
REVERSE, signifies on the
back, or behind; so we say,
Reverse view, a reverse cam-
manding ground, a reverse bat-
tery, &c.
REVETEMENT, a strong wall,
built on the outside of the
rampart and parapet, to support
the earth, and prevent its rolling
into the ditch.
REUX, a small but fortified
city of Hainault in the Austrian
Low countries, situated in a very
fruitful soil, one mile north-east
of Mons.
RHENEN, a town of Utrecht,
in the United Provinces of Hol-
land, surrounded with walls and
bastions, seven miles east of
Wych-le-Overstede.
RHINEFIELD, a town of the
Upper Rhine in Germany, and
capital of the county of the same
name, having a strong castle on
a very high rock, commanding
the Rhine. It lies sixteen miles
north-west of Mentz; and is
subject to the Landgrave of
Hesse-Rhinefield. Latitude, 50.
20. north; longitude, 7. 28.
east.
R I
RHINFELDEN, a small but
strong city of Suabia, on the
south side of the Rhine. In 1633
it was taken by the Swedes, un-
der the Duke of Saxe-Weymar;
it suffered much from the French
in 1678; but was restored, by
the treaty of Munster, to the
House of Austria. Lies ten miles
east of Basil. Latitude 47. 36.
north; longitude, 7. 10. east.
RHODES, the capital of the
Island of that name; about three
miles in circuit, surrounded with
a treble wall, and the same num-
ber of moats; the fortifications
are now in a good condition,
but it has a convenient and safe
harbour. Latitude, 36. 24 north;
longitude, 20. east.
RHOMB, a four-sided figure,
whose sides are equal, but the
angles unequal.
RHOMBOIDE, a four sided fi-
gure, whose angles and opposite
sides are equal, but all its four
sides are not equal.
RICHELIEU, a town of Poictou,
in France, regularly built by
Cardinal Richelieu, having a
considerable castle on the little
rivers Amable and Vide. Lies
twenty - seven miles north of
Poictiers. Latitude, 47. 5. north;
longitude, 28 minutes east.
RICOCHET. When guns are
loaded with small charges, and
elevated from ten to twelve de-
grees, so as to fire over the pa-
rapet, and the shot rolls along
the opposite rampart, it is called
ricochet firing; and the batte-
ries, ricochet batteries.
RIDEAU, a rising ground, or
eminence, commanding a plain,
sometimes near parallel to the
works of a place. It is a great
disadvantage to have rideaus
near 

R O
near a fortification, especially
when they fire from far, and
terminate on the counterscarp;
they not only command the
place, but also facilitate the
enemy's approaches.
RIGA, a small but populous
port-town in the division of
Letten, and the capital of all
Livonia, situated at the mouth
of the Dwina, in a bay of the
Baltick; it is surrounded with a
wall, the houses are mostly of
stone, has a strong citadel, and
two arsenals, well provided with
stores. It was taken in 1710, by
the victorious arms of Peter the
Great, and has ever since been
subject to Russia. Latitude, 57.
5. north; longitude, 24. 10. east.
RIO-DE-LA HACHA, is the
capital of a province of the same
name, and lies about 40 leagues
east of Santa Martha. The town
has been several times taken by
the Buccaneers, but is now
fortified.
RIPATRANSONE, a small but
fortified city of Ancona, and the
Pope's dominions in Italy; it lies
on the confines of Naples, six
miles west of the Adriatic. La-
titude, 42, 50. north; longitude,
15. 19. east.
RIPEN, an old town in New
Jutland in Denmark, on a bay
of the German Ocean, with a
strong castle. It lies sixty three
miles south of Wiburg. La-
titude, 55, 36. north; longitude,
9. 10. east.
ROCELLA, a fortress of the
further Calabria in the kingdom
of Naples, in Italy, near the
Ionian sea, and commanding the
Cape of the same name. Lati-
tude, 38. 26. north; longitude,
17. 10. east.
R O
ROCHE, a fortified town of
Luxemburg in the Austrian Ne-
therlands, surrounded with bul-
warks, wet ditches, and a castle
on a rock, commanding the
town.
ROCHELDE, a considerable port
and trading city of Aunis in
France, situated in the Bay of
Biscay, two leagues from the
Isle of Rhé. The inhabitants
embraced the reformed religion
in the sixteenth century, fortified
the city, and held out a long
siege against Lewis XIII. who at
last obliged them to surrender,
October 8, 1628, on which the
place, except two towers de-
fending the  port, was demo-
lished. Lewis XIV. raised new
fortifications. It lies 70 miles
south west of Poictiers. Latitude,
46. 16. north; longitude, 1. 10.
west. See Plan 18.
ROCHFORT, a city of Aunis
in France, regularly built from
a village by Lewis XIV. about a
league and a half from the mouth
of the Charante. It has a very
commodious harbour, is one of
the stations for the royal navy,
and has an excellent arsenal well
furnished with naval stores. Lies
23 miles south of Rochelle.
Latitude, 46. 5. north; longi-
tude, 1. 10. west. See plan 17.
ROCROY, a fortified town of
Remois in France, on the borders
of Hamalt. Near it the Prince
of Conde gained a compleat
victory over the Spaniards, May
12, 1643. It lies 34 miles south
of Namur. Latitude, 50. 10.
north; longitude, 4. 26. east.
ROLL, to roll in duty, when
Officers of the same rank take
their turns upon duty; as Cap-
tains with Captains, Subalterns
with 

R O 
with Subalterns, and command
according to the seniority of their
commissions.
ROSBACH, a small town of
Saxony, famous for a victory
obtained November 5, 1757,
between the Prussian army,
commanded by the King, and
the combined army of Impe-
rialists and French, commanded
by the Prince of Saxhilburg-
hausen, and the Prince of
Soubise.
His Prussian Majesty marched
against the combined army, the
27th of October, and the two
armies met, near the village of
Rosbach, on the 5th of Novem-
ber. The combined army consist-
ed of 60,000; but the Prussians
had only 25,000. The Prussians
gained the rising grounds, and
began the attack at half past two
in the afternoon. The Prussian
cavalry soon intirely routed that
of the enemy; whose infantry
were then attacked, and defeated
by that of the Prussians. The
battle continued an hour and a
half; the combined army fled,
on all sides, before five. The
fugitives were favoured by the
night, which gave them an op-
portunity of retiring towards
Freyburg, and afterwards over
the Unstrut to Erfert, where they
were pursued till the 9th. The
combined army had 3000 killed
on the field, and upwards of
6000 taken prisoners; among
whom were eight French Ge-
nerals, and 250 Officers of
different ranks: they also lost
sixty-three cannon, fifteen stand-
ards, seven pair of colours, and
300 baggage-waggons. The
Prussians had only 100 men
R O
killed, and 300 wounded. Pos-
terity will scarce credit the ac-
count of his victory.
N. B. Just before the battle
the King made the following
speech to his army. "My dear
friends, you know the hour is
come in which all that is, and
that should be dear to us, de-
pends upon the swords which are
now drawn for battle; time
permits me to say but little; nor
is there occasion to say much:
you know that there is no labour,
hunger, cold, watching, or dan-
ger, that I have not hitherto
shared; you now see me ready to
lay down my life with you, and
for you; all I ask, is the same
pledge of fidelity and affection
as I give. Let me add, not as
an incitement to your courage,
but as a testimony of my gra-
titude, that, from this hour,
until you go into quarters, your
pay shall be double. Acquit
yourselves like  men, and put your
confidence in God."
ROSES, a fortified town of
Catalonia in Spain, having a
very good harbour on a bay
of the Mediterranean, lies sixty-
four miles north-east of Barce-
lona. Latitude, 42. 30. north;
longitude 2. 43. east.
ROUEN, anciently Rothomagus,
a city of France and the capital
of Normandy, situated on the
north bank of the Seine, with a
bridge of boats over it, rising
and falling with the tide. Is
inclosed by an ancient wall
flanked with bastions, has a castle
begun by Henry V. of England,
and finished by his son Henry
VI. and lies forty-six miles south-
east, of Havre de Grace, and
T sixty- 

S A
sixty-seven north-west of Paris,
in latitude, 49. 36. north; lon-
gitude, 1. 10. east.            .
ROVIGO, a pretty spacious but
not well peopled city in the
Venetian territories in Italy,
situated in the Adigetto, and
fortified in the ancient manner
with a castle; it lies twenty-two
miles south of Padua. Latitude,
45. 10. north; longitude, 12.
28. east.
ROUTE, an order to direct
troops to march the road they
are to take, and an authority to
the magistrate to provide quarters
for the troops.
RYSWICK, a fine village of
Holland, in the United Ne-
therlands, lying between the
Hague and Delft, with a grand
palace of the Prince of Orange.
Here the treaty of peace, called
the treaty of Ryswick, was con-
cluded, between the Confederates
and France, in 1697.
SABIONETTA, a strong
town of the Mantuan in Italy,
having a good castle, ten miles
south of Mantua.  Lat. 45. 10.
north; lon. 11. 5. east.
SAFE-GUARD, a protection
granted by a Prince, or his Ge-
neral, for some of the enemy's
lands, &c. to preserve them from
being insulted or plundered.
To force a safe guard, if upon
service, by the articles of war, is
death.
ST. GUILLIAN, six miles west-
ward of Mons, upon the river
Maine, is a fortified town of little
consequence. A day or two be-
fore the battle of Malplaquet,
General Dedem, with a detach-
ment from the blockade of Mons,
took it sword in hand, and
S A
made the garrison prisoners of
war.
ST. OMER. See Omer, St.
SAKER, a piece of ordnance,
carrying a ball of five pounds
and a quarter weight. The dia-
meter of the bore is three inches
and nine sixteenths; the length
of the gun about eight or nine
feet.
SALANKAMEN, a town of
Sclavonia, near the Danube, me-
morable for a victory obtained
in its neighbourhood over the
Turks, by Prince Lewis of Baden,
in 1691; and also  another by
Prince Eugene, in 1716. It lies
twenty-three miles north-west
of Belgrade. Latitude, 45.
22. north; longitude, 21. 10.
east.
SALERNO, the capital of the
hither Principate, in the king-
dom of Naples in Italy, on a
bay of the Tuscan sea, having
a pretty good harbour, but neg-
lected. It is fortified, and lies
twenty-eight miles south of Na-
ples, in latitude 40. 46. north;
longitude, 15. 26. east.
SALIANT-ANGLE, that whose
points turn from the centre of
the place.
SALINS, a pretty considerable
city of the Franche Comté in
France, situated on the little
river Furieuse. It has three forts
in its neighbourhood, and lies
twenty-two miles south of Be-
sançon. Latitude, 47. 5. north;
longitude, 6. 5. east.
SALLY, when a part of the
garrison goes out privately, and
falls suddenly on the besiegers
in their trenches, endeavouring
to drive them out, and destroy
their works. If the garrison is
weak, sallies are seldom made;
though 

S A
though they fatigue an enemy,
obstruct their works, &c. Pru-
dence is the best guide: they
should be always bold, daring,
secret, and at various times;
equally concerted for the attack
as the defence.
SALTSBURG, the capital of an
archbishoprick of that name in
Bavaria in Germany, situated on
the river Saltz. It is well forti-
fied, and  near it are some rich
mines of silver, copper, and iron.
Lies seventy-one miles east of
Munich. Lat. 47. 45. north;
lon. 13. 5. east.
SALUZZO, anciently Augusta
Vagiennorum, a city of Piedmont
in Italy, situated on a mountain.
In 1690 it was taken by the
French, who demolished its walls;
it lies seventeen miles south of
Turin, and is subject to the king
of Sardinia. Lat. 44. 56. north;
longitude, 7.5. east.
SAND-BAGS, bags containing
about a cubical foot of earth:
they are used for raising parapets
in haste, or to repair what is
beaten down; they are of use
when the ground is rocky, and
affords no earth to carry on ap-
proaches, as they can be easily
brought from a-far, and removed
at will.  The smaller sand-bags
contain about half a cubical foot
of earth, and serve to be placed
upon the superior talus of the
parapet, to cover those that are
behind, who fire through the
embrasures or intervals left  be-
twixt them.
S A
SANDOMIR, a city, and the
capital of a palatinate of the
same name, in Little Poland,
situated on the Vistula. The
Swedes blew up this castle in
1656; and here, in 1659, was a
dreadful battle between the Tar-
tars and Russians. It lies eighty-
four miles south-east of Cracow.
Latitude, 49. 26. north; longi-
tude, 20. 10. east.
SAN FERNANDO, is situated
near the entrance of the Golfo
Dolce, in fifteen degrees 18 mi-
nutes north latitude, and has
lately been fortified by the Spa-
niards, with an intent to curb
the Mosquito-men, logwood-cut-
ters, and bay-men. It is a very
good harbour, with safe anchor-
age from the north and east
winds, in eight fathom water.
SAN JUAN DE PUERTO RICO.
The harbour is so spacious, that
the largest ships may lay with
great safety. On the west side of
this city is the Castillo del  Mor-
ro, a strong citadel, which com-
mands and defends it; while the
mouth of the harbour is protect-
ed by the El Convelo, a large
and well fortified castle. In 1595
Sir Francis Drake burnt all the
ships in the harbour; but finding
it impossible to keep the place,
without abandoning his other
designs, he declined it. A few
years after, the Earl of Cumber-
land reduced the island; but
losing 4 or 500 men in a month,
by a contagious disease, he was
glad to depart. In 1615, the
Dutch sent a strong fleet against
it with little success; they only
took and plundered the city, but
were unable to reduce the castle
with its forts.
SANTAREM, a city of Portu-
guese 

S A
guese Estremadura, is situate on
the Tagus, defended by a citadel,
fortified in the modern manner,
and lies fifty six miles north-east
of Lisbon. Lat. 39. 18. north;
lon. 8. 45. west.
SANT AUGUSTINE, on the
eastern coast of the peninsula of
Florida, is seventy leagues from
the Gulph of Florida, and forty-
seven from the town and river
of Savana, built along the shore,
at the bottom of a hill, mounted
with cannon. The castle, called
St. John's, is built of soft stone,
has four bastions, a curtain sixty
yards long, a parapet about nine
feet thick, and a rampart twenty
feet high, casemated, arched,
and bomb-proof.
Sir Francis Drake attacked
this fort in 1586, when the Spa-
niards fled and left him fourteen
brass guns, mounted on a plat-
form of trees and earth, also a
chest of about 2000 pounds, &c.
The town consisted of timber
houses; the fort of wood, and
the walls of trunks of trees
placed close together. In 1665,
it was again attacked and plun-
dered by Captain Davis, at the
head of the Buccaneers; at
which time the fort is said to
have been an octagon, with a
sound tower at each angle. The
next attack was in 1702, by the
English and Indians of Caro-
lina, under Colonel Moor their
Governor; he destroyed the vil-
lages and farms, and besieged
this town three months; but on
approach of some Spanish ships
to its relief, he raised the siege,
and marched to Charles Town,
leaving the ship and stores he
brought with him, to the enemy.
The last siege of this place was
S A
by General Oglethorpe, in 1740,
with four men of war and trans-
ports from Charles Town with
troops. Having rendezvoused
near the mouth of Saint John's
river, and being joined by the
Cherokee Indians, on the 9th
of May, he marched twenty
miles to Fort Diego, which he
took, and made the garrison
prisoners of war: the Spaniards
also abandoned Fort Moosa, or
Negro Fort, to the General, who
afterwards encamped his army
on Sant Anastasia island, having
left a small part of his forces on
the continent to garrison Fort
Negro, and alarm the Spaniards.
June 15, the Spaniards made a
sally from the castle of Sant Au-
gustine, attacked and defeated
the garrison at Fort Negro, kill-
ed Colonel Palmer, and took
many prisoners. After this, the
Spaniards received a supply of
provisions, &c. from Cuba, con-
veyed up the Matanzas, and
landed to the south of the town,
where the General had no bat-
tery, to annoy, or force to inter-
cept them. The besiegers bom-
barded both castle and town;
but their artillery was planted
too distant to effect any material
execution, occasioned by the ri-
ver, morasses, and other obstruc-
tions; and the near approach
of bad weather obliging the men
of war to return to sea, the siege
was raised the 4th of July; it
appearing that 200 seamen, 400
soldiers, and 300 Indians, was
too weak to subdue 1000 Spa-
niards, secured by a castle. Seven
leagues below Fort Sant Au-
gustine are two forts; the one on
the north, the other on the
south side of a large lake. Ogle-
thorpe 

S A
thorpe destroyed the last, and
took possession of the first, which
is called Mauchicolis, surround-
ed with strong palisades, eight
feet high, with a parapet and
loop-holes about breast high.
SAP, a trench, or an approach
made under cover, of ten or
twelve feet broad, when the be-
siegers come near the place, and
their fire grows so dangerous, as
not to be approached uncovered.
SARAGOSSA, a large city, the
capital of Arragon, in Spain,
surrounded with old walls, and
other antique fortifications, at
the confluence of the rivers E-
bro, Galeyo, and Guerva, which
run in a serpentine manner
through the neighbourhood. It
lies 156 miles west of Barcelona,
and 180 north east of Madrid.
This city submitted to Charles
III. in 1706; but after the un-
fortunate battle of Almanza, in
1707, was obliged to surrender
to his rival Philip. The for-
mer of these Princes obtaining a
victory over the latter in 1710,
entered this city in triumph the
same evening; but a body of
English forces being soon after
surprized, and made prisoners at
Brihuega, King Charles was a-
gain obliged to quit Saragossa,
and retire to Catalonia; on which
occasion Philip again entered it.
Latitude, 41. 32. north; longi-
tude, 1. 18. west.
SARLOUIS, a fortress of Lor-
rain, situate on the Sare, ten
miles north - west of Sarbruck.
Latitude, 49. 28. north; longi-
tude, 6. 4. east.
SARZANA, a fortress belong-
ing to the Genoese territory, on
the confines of Italy and Tus-
cany, has a castle on a moun-
S A
tain, and lies twelve miles north
of Massa. Lat. 44. 10. north;
lon. 10. 38. east.
SASH, a mark of distinction,
generally made of crimson silk,
and worn about an Officer's
waist. The first intention of
them were, if an Officer receiv-
ed so desperate a wound, as to
render him incapable of remain-
ing at his post, he might be put
into his sash, and carried off by
the assistance of two men; but
they are now used to distinguish
the Officer upon duty.
SAUCISSE, a long train of
powder, sewed up in a roll of
pitched cloth, about two inches
diameter; its use is to fire mines
or caissons; the length of it
must reach from the mine to the
place where the engineer is to
fire it, to spring the mine.
SAUCISSON, a long pipe, or
bag, of cloth or leather, about
an inch and a half diameter, fill-
ed with powder, leading from
the chamber of a mine to the
entrance of the gallery. It serves
to give fire to the mine.
Saucisson, also a fascine, lon-
ger than the common, serves to
raise batteries, and repair
breaches.
SAVONA, a pretty strong city,
has a large harbour and castle
next the sea, unsuccessfully at-
tacked by the French and Ge-
noese, in 1748. It lies twenty-
five miles south-west of the city
of Genoa. Lat. 44. 31. north;
lon. 9. 10. east.
SCALADE, or escalade, a fu-
rious attack, upon a wall or
rampart, carried on with various
sorts of ladders, to insult by
open force.
SCALE, a right line divided
into 

SC
into equal parts, representing
miles, fathoms, paces, inches,
&c. used in making plans upon
paper, giving each line its true
length. &c.
SCARP. The slope of the
lower part of the wall should be
as salient as possible at bottom,
without taking too much from
the breadth of the fosse: this
renders the escalading more dif-
ficult, and the wall on battering
will not so readily fall down as
one more erect.
SCHANTZ STERNEY, a for-
tress of Carelia, in Russian Fin-
land, is situated on the Nieva, a
little east of St. Petersburg, in
latitude, 60. 15. north; lon-
gitude, 31. 20. east.
SCHELLA, a town and fort of
Upper Hungary, situated on the
Waag, twenty-five miles north-
east of Presburg. Lat. 48. 32.
north; lon. 18. 15. east.
SCHELLENBERG, a fortified
mountain which serves instead
of a castle, stands on the Da-
nube, about a quarter of a league
on the east side of Donawert, in
Bavaria. It is famous for the
defeat of the French and Bava-
rians, in 1704, when the Con-
federates, commanded by the
Duke of Marlborough, forced
the trenches, and next day made
themselves masters of Donawert.
It lies twenty-two miles west of
Ingolstadt. Lat. 48. 51. north;
lon. 11. 10. east.
SCHEMNITZ, the largest of all
the mine towns in Upper Hun-
gary, built upon a rocky hill,
defended with three castles. It
lies forty-one miles north-east of
Presburg. Lat. 48. 46. north;
lon. 19. 10. east.
SCHENKEN SCHANTZ, a strong
S C
fort of Gelderland, in the United
Netherlands, fourteen miles
east of Nimeguen, is subject to
Prussia. Latitude, 51. 54. north;
lon. 6. 16. east.
SCHENOGRAHY, profile, or
view, the natural representation
of a place, as it appears when
viewed from without: which
shews its situation, the form of
its walls, number and figure of
its steeples, and tops of its pub-
lick and private buildings.
SCHLESTADT, a town of Al-
face and the Upper Rhine, in
Germany, now belonging to
France, the fortifications whereof
have been very much increased
since it has been in the posses-
sion of that Crown. It lies nine
miles south of Strasburg, in lat.
48. 24. north: lon. 7. 36. east.
SCHOONHOVEN, a town of
Holland in the United Pro-
vinces, situated on the north
bank of the river Leech. It is
so well fortified, that the French
were repulsed before it in 1672,
with considerable loss. It lies.
fourteen miles east of Amster-
dam, in lat. 52. 10. north; lon.
4. 47. east.
SCHWEIDNITZ, the capital
of a duchy of that name in Sile-
sia and Kingdom of Bohemia, on
the River Weistritz. It is strongly
fortified in the modern manner,
and lies twenty-six miles south
of Breslaw, in lat. 50. 47.
north; lon. 16. 25. east.
This place was formally in-
vested by his Prussian Majesty in
1758. The siege began on the
2d of April, and a brisk fire
was constantly sustained from
seven different batteries: but
the garrison, under Count Thi-
erhelm, made a brave resistance
till 

S C
till the 16th, when he was
obliged to surrender it. The
King employed in this siege
5000 foot, two companies of min-
ers, and 22 engineers. The
prisoners taken in the town were
173 Officers and 1739 men. The
besiegers had 5 Officers and 93
men killed, 24 Officers and 233
men wounded.
On the 1st of October, 1761,
the Austrians under M. de Lau-
dohn, became masters of it by a
coup de main, when General
Zastrow, the Governor, and
3771 men, were made prisoners
of war, and a magazine of pow-
der blew up in the attack, which
did equal damage to both, and
181 pieces of cannon were found
in the place. The loss of the
Austrians was 279 killed, and
1150 wounded and missing; of
the Russians engaged in this as-
sault, 51 were killed and 45
wounded.
August 8, 1762, eight bat-
talions and 1000 Croats sallied
out upon the Russians when be-
fore it, routed the battalion of
Falkinhagen, made the Colonel
and some Officers prisoners, and
killed and wounded 100 men.
But on the 9th of October, 1762,
it capitulated with the King of
Prussia, when the trenches had
been opened before it for two
months. General Guasco and
his garrison surrendered them-
selves prisoners of war. On
the 8th of October, a grenade
from the besiegers fell upon
a magazine of powder, which
did great damage to one of the
forts, besides blowing up 205
Officers and men. A mine took
full effect in the night between
the 8th and 9th, carried away
S C
a part of the rampart, made a
breach in the covert-way, and
filled up the ditch with rub-
bish. The garrison marched out
of the fortress with military ho-
nours, laid down their arms, and
were made prisoners of war.
They had 32 Officers and 1249
soldiers killed, 33 Officers and
2223 soldiers wounded; the
number of prisoners of every
denomination, including sick and
wounded, amounted to 238 Offi-
cers and 8784 men; in all 10302.
The artillery and stores in the
place were considerable. The
Prussians lost 25 Officers, 1084
Subalterns and private men, kill-
ed, or dead of their wounds,
besides 61 Officers and 1845 Sub-
alterns or private men, wound-
ed; in all 86 Officers and 2929
soldiers. M. de Griboval acted
as engineer to the garrison; M.
le Fevre to the besiegers.
SCHWEINFURT, an imperial
and fortified city of Franconia,
in Germany, on the river Maine,
thirty five miles north of Wurz-
burg. Latitude, 50. 15. north;
lon. 10. 15. east.
SCOUR, To scour a line, is to
flank it, so as to see directly
along it, that a musquet-ball
entering at one end may fire to
the other, leaving no place of
security.
SCUTARI, by the Turks called
Iscodar, one of the most consider-
able cities, and the capital of
Albania, in European Turky,
situated on the river Boyana, is
well fortified, defended by a
strong citadel, and lies twenty-
seven miles east of the Adriatick.
Latitude, 42. 36. north; lon.
20. 4. east.
SEAFORD, a small borough of
Sussex, 

S E
Sussex, having an harbour on
the English Channel, defended
by a fort, lies seven miles from
Lewes, and fifty-four from Lon-
don.
SEBASTIAN, ST. a famous
port of Guipuscoa, a territory
of Biscay, in Spain, situated at
the mouth of the river Branco,
is inclosed with a triple wall,
has a strong castle, and lies
twenty five miles south-west of
Bayonne, Latitude, 43. 37.
north; lon. 1. 56. west.
SEBENICO, a well fortified
city of Venetian Dalmatia, si-
tuated on the Adriatick, has a
spacious port defended by the
Island of St. Nicholas. It lies
forty two miles north of Spa-
latto. Latitude, 43. 46. north;
longitude, 17. 26. east.
SECOND COVERT WAY, that
beyond the second ditch.
Second Ditch, that made on the
out-side of the glacis, when the
ground is low and water plenty.
SEDAN, a very strong town of
Champagne, in France, situated
on the Maes, and reckoned one
of the keys of the kingdom, lies
thirty-eight miles west of Lux-
emburg, in latitude, 49. 34.
north; longitude, 4. 50. east.
SEGEDIN, a city of Upper
Hungary, situated on the west
side of the river Theiss, belongs
to the house of Austria. It has
undergone several sieges with
various success, and lies twenty
miles north-east of Esseek. La-
titude, 46. 21. north; longi-
tude, 21. 5. east.
SEGORBE, a city of Valencia,
in Spain, on the banks of the
Morviedro, defended by a strong
wall and castle, lies thirty miles
north-west of Valencia, in la-
S E
titude, 39. 56. north; longi-
tude, 56 minutes west.
SEGOVIA, a city of Old Ca-
stle, in Spain, situated on the
river Frio, over which is a noble
aqueduct, built by Trajan. The
principal mint of Spain is fixed
in this city, which is encom-
passed with strong walls, adorn-
ed with lofty towers, and lies
thirty-five miles north of Ma-
drid, in lat. 41. 10. north;
lon. 4. 36. west.
SELENGINSK, a town of Si-
beria, in Asiatic Russia, on the
river Selenga, defended by a
fortress of five brass and as many
iron cannon lies on the road
from Tobolski to China, 215
miles south of the lake of Bai-
kul. Latitude, 50. 10. north;
longitude, 95. 16.  east.
SELINGENSTADT, a small
town of Mentz, in Germany,
situated on the west bank of the
Maine, eight miles south east of
Hanau, and fourteen east of
Frankfort. Here the French ar-
my, under Marshal de Noailles,
passed the Maine to attack the
Confederates, June 16, 1743,
but were obliged to repass it af-
ter the battle of Dettingen. Lat.
50. 10. north; lon. 8. 49. east.
SEMUR, a town of Burgundy,
in France, has a strong citadel,
and lies 134 miles west of Dijon,
in latitude, 47. 24. north; lon-
gitude, 4. 15. east.
SENEGAMBIA, or Gambia, a
large river, between the tropics,
in Africa, surrounding James
Island, where the company have
a settlement, defended by a gar-
rison and fortress (under the
command of a lieutenant-go-
vernor) called James Fort.
SENLIS, 

S H
SENLIS, a city of the isle of
France, surrounded with walls
and a dry deep ditch, has ba-
stions and half moons.
SENTRY, a private soldier
placed in some post to prevent
surprize from an enemy. If
placed in a very advanced and
dangerous post, he is called, from
the French, Sentinel perdu.
SESTOS, a strong castle of
Romania, in Turky, on the Eu-
ropean side of the streight of the
Hellespont, twenty-four miles
south-west of Gallipoli. Lat. 40.
10. north; lon. 27. 36. east.
SEVILLE, a very ancient city
of Andalusia, in Spain, situated
in a fertile country, on the river
Guadalquivir, over which it has
a stout bridge of seventeen boats,
which joins the city to a large
suburb on the other side. The
compass of the city, including
this suburb, is supposed to be
near fourteen miles, but the
wall is only eight. It is very
strong, and adorned with 15
gates and 166 towers. Near the
water side is a stately tower,
called the Golden Tower, com-
manding the whole river, city,
and suburbs. It stands fifty miles
north east of the port-town of St.
Lucar, seventy north-east of Ca-
diz, and upwards of 200 south-
west of Madrid. Lat. 37. 15.
north; lon. 6. 10. west.
SHELLS, hollow iron balls to
throw out of mortars or howit-
zers, with a hole about an inch
diameter, to load them with
powder and receive the fuze.
The bottom, or part opposite
the fuze, is made heavier than
the rest, that the fuze may fall
uppermost; but in small eleva-
tions that is not always the case;
S H
for when it falls first, it sets fire
to the powder in the shell. How-
ever, whether it breaks or not,
it is proper to make the shell
every where of the same thick-
ness, as it would then burst into
a greater number of pieces than
it does at present.
SHERBRO, a fort belonging to
the English, at the mouth of a
river of that name, on the coast
of Guinea, in Africa, 100 miles
south east of Sierra Leone. Lat.
6. 5. north; lon. 11. 10. west.
SHEERNESS, a regular forti-
fication, on the north-west ex-
tremity of the isle of Sheppey,
in Kent, having a line of heavy
cannon, to defend the mouth of
the Medway, is thirty-five miles
from London. Lon. 50 min.
east; lat. 52. 25. north.
SHOT, all sorts of ball, either
for cannon, musquets, carabines,
or pistols.
Chain-shot, two whole or half
bullets joined together, either
by a bar or chain of iron, which
allows them some liberty asun-
der, so that they cut and destroy
whatever they happen to strike
in their course.
Grape-shot, a certain number of
small shots, of iron or lead, quilt-
ed together with canvas and ropes
about a pin of iron or wood,
fixed upon a bottom in the same
manner, the whole together
weighing nearly as much as the
shot of that caliber.
SHOULDER, of a bastion, that
part where the face and flank
meet.
SIDES of horn-works, tenailles,
crown-works, &c. those parts of
the ramparts which reach from
the border of the fosse to the
head of the works. Those in
U horn- 

S I
horn-works and tenailles are pa-
rallel. Sometimes these sides
are no longer than the reach of
a musquet-shot, and are then
defended by the faces of the
place; but when they are lon-
ger, they have either flanks
in the long sides, which are then
said to have shoulders; they are
indented; or made with redans,
traverses, or cross intrenchments
in the ditch.
SIEGE. To besiege a place, is
to surround it with an army,
and approach it, by passages
made in the ground, so as to be
covered against the fire of the
place.
When an army can approach
so near the place as the covert-
way, without breaking ground,
under favour of some hollow
roads, rising grounds, or cavi-
ties, and there begin their work,
it is called accelerating the siege;
but when they can approach the
town so near as to take it, with-
out making any considerable
works, the siege is called an
attack.
To raise a Siege, to give over
the attack of a place, quit the
works thrown up against it, and
the posts taken about it. If
there be no reason to fear a sally
from the place, the siege may
be raised in the day-time. Ar-
tillery and ammunition must
have a strong rear-guard and
face the besiegers, lest they
should attempt to charge the
rear; if there be any fear of an
enemy in front, this order must
be altered discretionally, as safe-
ly, and the nature of the coun-
try, will allow.
To make, or form a siege, there
must be an army sufficient to
S I
furnish five or six reliefs for the
trenches; pioneers, guards, con-
voys, escorts, &c. an artillery,
magazines furnished with a suf-
ficient quantity of warlike stores,
provisions of all sorts, and an
infirmary with physicians, sur-
geons, &c.
To turn a siege into a blockade,
to give over the attack, and en-
deavour to take it by famine:
for which purpose, all the ave-
nues, gates and streams leading
into the place, are so well guard-
ed, that no succour can get to
its relief.
SIEGEN, or Sigen, the capital
of a county of that name, in the
landgraviate of Hesse, in Ger-
many, defended by a strong wall,
with regular fortifications, is sub-
ject to its own Prince. It lies
thirty miles north of the city of
Nassau, in lat. 50. 46. north;
lon. 7. 54. east.
SIENNA, a very ancient city
of the Sienese, in the great
duchy of Tuscany, in Italy,
now subject to the Emperor of
Germany. It was formerly a
powerful republic, but after
long and frequent struggles, it
was forced in 1555 to submit to
Florence. It is about five miles
in circuit; its walls, towers,
and castle, were formerly very
strong, but are now decayed, so
that there are no fortifications of
consequence, except a citadel.
It lies thirty-fix miles south of
Florence, in lat. 43. 28. north;
lon. 12. 38. east.
SIERRA LEONE, a regular fort
at the mouth of a river of that
name, on the coast of Guinea, or
Negroland, in Africa, belong-
ing to England. Lat. 2. 46.
north; lon. 14. 15. west.
SIGETH, 

S I
SIGETH, a fortified town of
Lower Hungary, situated on the
frontiers of Poland, and taken by
the Malcontents in 1703. It
lies seventy-three miles south-west
of Buda, and is now subject to
the House of Austria. Lat. 46.
35. north; lon. 18. 38. east.
SIGISTAN, the capital of a
province of the same name in
Persia, in Asia, situated on the
river Senarond, a branch of the
Hendmend, which falls into the
lake Zaré, 231 miles south-west
of Candahor. Latitude, 31. 10.
north; longitude, 62. 15. east.
SILISTRIA, or Dorestero, a
pretty large and strong town of
Bulgaria in European Turky,
defended by a good citadel. It
is the capital of a sangiack, and
lies ninety miles east of Nissa, in
latitude, 42. 48. north: longi-
tude 27. east.
SILLON, or envelope, a work
raised in the middle of a fosse, to
defend it when too wide. It has
no particular form, but is pro-
miscuously made, with little
bastions, half-moons, or redans,
which are lower than the works
of the place, but higher than the
covert-way.
SINTSHIFM, a small city in
the Palatinate of the Rhine in
Germany, where Marshal Tu-
renne obtained a signal victory
over the Imperialists, under the
Duke of Lorrain, in 1674. It
lies eighteen miles south of
Heidelberg, in latitude, 49. 16.
north; longitude, 8. 44. east.
SION, a city and sovereign state
of Valais in Switzerland, is neat,
well-built, defended by two
castles, and lies twenty-three miles
south-east of the Lake of Geneva,
in latitude, 40. 21. north; lon-
gitude, 7. 26. east.
S M
SIRIK, or Sirques, a town of
Metz in Lorrain, situated near
the Moselle. It is defended by a
castle, and lies twelve miles south-
east of the city of Luxemburg,
in latitude 49. 41. north; longi-
tude, 6. 15. east.
SIRADIA, the capital of a pa-
latinate of that name in Great
Poland, is situated on the Warta,
and defended by a strong wall
and castle. It lies twenty-two
miles south-east of Kalisch, in
latitude 52. 10. north; longi-
tude, 18. 15. east.
SIXAIN, an ancient order of
battle for six battalions, which,
supposing them all in a line, is
formed thus: the second and
fifth battalions advance, and
make the van; the first and sixth,
fall to the rear, leaving the
third and fourth to form the bo-
dy. Each battalion should have
one squadron on its right, and
another on its left.
SLONIM, a town of Lithuania
in Poland, built of wood; but
has a castle, and other regular
fortifications on the Szura. It
lies sixty miles south-east of
Grodno, in latitude, 53. 10.
north; longitude, 25. 15. east.
SLUYS, a pretty large town of
Dutch Brabant, in the  Nether-
lands, and one of the five sea-
ports of Flanders; situated on a
small arm of the sea, which parts
it from the island of Cadsand.
It is very strong, and even thought
impregnable, because of its
sluices. It lies ten miles north-
east of Bruges, in latitude, 51.
24. north; lon. 3. 21  east.
SMOLENSKO, the capital of a
province of  the same name in
Russia, situated on the Neiper,
near the confines of Lithuania.
It is a large city, fortified with 

S O
good walls, and defended with
a strong castle. It lies 200 miles
west of Moscow, in lat. 56. 10.
north; lon. 33. 16. east.
SMYRNA, the capital of Ionia
in Asia Minor; one of the finest
ports in the Levant, at the bot-
tom of a bay of the Archipelago,
in Asiatic Turky. The en-
trance of the haven is defended
by forts and a castle, and lies
100 miles north of the island of
Rhodes, and 200 south-west of
Constantinople, in lat. 38. 27.
north; lon. 26. east.
SNEEK, an ancient, neat, and
well fortified town of Friesland,
in the United Provinces. It is
situated on a lake of that name,
twelve miles south of Lecuwar-
den, in lat. 53. 15. north; lon.
5. 37. east.
SOLMS, the capital of a county
of the same name in the Wet-
teraw, and landgravate of Hesse,
subject to its own count, and de-
fended by a castle. It lies thirty-
five miles north of Francfort, in
latitude, 50. 41. north; longi-
tude, 27. 12. east.
SOLOTHURN, the capital of a
canton of that name in Switzer-
land, situated on the river Aar.
This city is regularly fortified
with bastions, half-moons, and
ravelines, and encompassed with
a deep ditch. Lies fifteen miles
north of the city of Berne. La-
titude, 47. north; longitude, 7.
15. east.
SOLSONA, a thinly inhabited
city of Catalonia in Spain, on
the river Cardona. It is well
walled, has two castles, and lies
about sixty miles north west of
Barcelona.
SONDRIO, a pretty well for-
tified town of the Grisons, and
capital of the middle Torzero,
S Q
in Switzerland. It is situated on
the right side of the Adda, and
lies eighteen miles north-east of
Como, in lat. 36. 15. north;
longitude, 9. 56. east.
SOPALA, the capital city of the
King of that name in Monomo-
tapa, in Africa, situated on the
river Sofala. Here the Portu-
guese have a strong fort, are
masters of the town, and claim
the sovereignty of the country.
Lat. 20. 5. lon. 35. 10. east.
SOUND, a passage or straight,
lying between the island of Zee-
land, in Denmark, and the
continent of Schonen in Sweden,
through which vessels pass from
the ocean into the Baltic. On
the Denmark side, stands the
town of Elsineur, and the strong
fortress of Cronenburg, near
which is a tolerable good road;
on the side of Sweden stands the
town of Helsingburg, with only
one old tower remaining of a
demolished castle.
SPALATTO, a pretty large and
well fortified city of Dalmatia,
having a very capacious and safe
harbour on the Adriatick, lies
sixty-five miles north-west of Ra-
gusa, in latitude 43. 22. north;
longitude 17. 52. east.
SPOLETTO, the capital of a
duchy of Ombria in the ecclesia-
stical state in Italy, near the Tes-
sino, having near it a strong old
castle, and several grand ruins,
lies fifty-two miles north-east of
Rome. Lat. 42. 46. north;
longitude, 13. 38. east.
SQUADRON, a body of cavalry
composed of three troops.
SQUARF, HOLLOW, a body of
infantry drawn up with a space
in the center, (for the Colonel,
Lieutenant-colonel, Major, Ad-
jutant, colours, pioneers, gre-

S T
nadiers, light-company, music,
drummers and fifers) to oppose
either cavalry or infantry, formed
with close and open files. See
Plan I.
Square, oblong, a figure of four
faces; the front and rear of a
smaller extent than the flanks;
and the angles generally covered
by the grenadiers and light-
company. When that is not
their situation, the former form
the front face, and the latter the
rear; see Plan I; where the bag-
gage is supposed to be guarded
by this, because the country can-
not admit of a larger front.
STAGNO, or Stagno Grande, a
small, but well fortified city,
with a little, but commodious
harbour, lies fifteen miles north
of the city of Ragusa.
STAIN, or Stein, a small town
of Austria in Germany, defended
by an ancient castle on the north
side of the Danube, over which
is a wooden bridge. It lies
opposite to Mautern, and sixteen
miles north of Vienna. Lat. 48.
41. north; lon. 15. 30. east.
STAR-FORT, a work with
several faces, generally composed
of from five to eight points, with
saliant and re entering angles
flanking one another; each side
containing from twelve to twenty-
five fathoms.
STAVANGER, the capital of
a district of that name, on a
peninsula in the province of
Berghen in Norway. The har-
bour is not only large, but safe,
and the town is defended by a
strong fortress. Lat. 59. 36.
north; lon. 6. 36. east.
STAVEREN, an ancient town
of West Friefland, in Holland,
on the Zuyder-sea, has a bad
entrance to the harbour, but is
S T
fortified with a good ditch and
rampart, sixteen miles south of
Enchuysen. Lat. 53. 5. north;
lon.  6. 36. east.
STEENKIRK, a village of
Hainault, in the Austrian Ne-
therlands, famous for a battle,
on the third of August, 1692,
between the army of the Allies,
commanded by King William
and Maximilian of Bavaria, who
attacked the French, under Ma-
reschal Luxemburg, in their for-
tified camp. It lies twelve miles
north of Mons, and sixteen south-
west of Brussels.
STEENWYCK, a small but
strong place in Overyssel, in the
United Netherlands, situated on
the Aa, near the borders of
Friesland, eighteen miles north
of Zwoll. Latitude, 52. 54.
north; longitude,  6. 15. east.
STENAY, formerly the capital
of Bar, situated on the east side
of the river Mease, was ceded to
France in 1641, and its citadel
and walls demolished by Lewis
XIV. but the fortifications have
been since rebuilt. It lies four-
teen miles west of Montmedy, in
latitude,  49. 46. north; longi-
tude, 5. 5. east.
STENDAL, the metropolis of
the old March of Brandenburg,
in Upper Saxony in Germany.
It is a neat well built city and
strongly fortified, on the river
Ucht; is subject to the King of
Prussia, and ties thirty-six miles
north of Magdeburg. Lat. 52.
47. north; lon. 12. 12. east.
STERLING, the capital of a
county of that name in Scotland,
and a royal burgh, on the decli-
vity of a steep rock, at the foot
of which runs the river Forth,
has a strong castle, inclosed by
a wall,

S T
a wall, except towards the north,
where it is bounded by the Forth,
which, is crossed by a bridge of
hewn stone. This castle com-
mands the passes between the
north and south of Scotland. The
rebels, in 1716, endeavoured to
possess themselves of this castle,
but were prevented by the late
John Duke of Argyle; and in
1545, it held out against all
their efforts under Lord Blake-
ney. It lies thirty miles north-
west of Edinburgh. West, lon-
gitude, 3. 50. latitude, 56. 52.
STETIN, the metropolis of
Swedish Pomerania, in Upper
Saxony, in Germany, having a
fine castle on the west side of the
Oder. Though it lies forty
miles from the sea, yet ships of
good burden come up to the
walls, the river being navigable
a great way above the town, by
smaller vessels. It is so strongly
fortified as to be one of the most
formidable places in Europe;
has a good trade, and is now
very populous. It lies sixty-six
miles north of Berlin. Lat. 53.
36. north; lon. 14. 56. east.
STEVENSWART, a strong for-
tress of Gelderland, situated on
an island of the Maes, has
seven bastions, and a bridge of
boats, the head of which is for-
tified with a half-moon. It lies
twenty-three miles north-east of
Maestricht; and is subject to the
Dutch. Latitude, 51. 20. north;
longitude, 5. 49. east.
STOCKHOLM, the capital of the
kingdom of Sweden. The har-
bour is capable of receiving 1000
fail of ships, and has a quay
near an English mile in length.
The only inconveniency is its
being ten miles from the sea;
S U
the entrance is defended by two      
forts. This city lies 300 miles     
north east of Copenhagen, 416    
west of Petersburg, and 921    
north-east of London. Lat. 59.     
20. north; lon. 19. 30. east.
STOLHOFFEN, a little town
of Baden-baden, near a morass
in Swabia in Germany, on the      
east side of the Rhine, famous
for the lines thrown up here in
the two last wars, for the defence      
of the Empire against France. It
lies fifteen miles north east of
Strasburg, in latitude, 40. 38.     
north; longitude, 8. 18. east.
STRALSUND, a free imperial
city in Upper Saxony in Ger-
many, it is strongly fortified,
has a good haven, and lies sixty-
five miles east of Wismar. Lat.
54. 26. north; lon. 13. 22 east.
STRAUBING, a well fortified
town of Bavaria in Germany,
situated on the south side of the
Danube, over which it has a
bridge, twenty miles south-east
of Ratisbon. Latitude, 48. 50.
north; longitude, 12. 41. east.
STURGATT, the capital of
the Duke of Wirtemberg in
Swabia is a pretty large city,
but most of the houses are of
wood. The Duke's palace is a
noble free-stone fabric well for-
tified. It lies forty-two miles
east of Baden, and forty five
north-west of Ulm. Lat. 48.
46. north; lon. 8. 54. east.
SUB BRIGADIER, an Officer
in the horse-guards, who ranks
as Cornet.
SUB-LIEUTENANT, an Officer
in the fuzileers, where they
have no Ensigns, is the youngest
Lieutenant in the company, and
carries the colours.
SUCCOUR, the effort made to
relieve 

S U
relieve a place: that is, raise
the siege, and force the enemy
from it.
SUCCOURS, a General who
marches to the relief of a place
besieged should send notice to
the Governors, by letters or
otherwise: this renews the cou-
rage of the garrison. He should
be expeditious to prevent the
enemy's fortifying their camp,
or carrying on their approaches.
A place besieged may be re-
trieved by cutting off the ene-
my's provision, seizing some of
their posts, or attacking some of
their places, to oblige them by a
diversion to raise the siege, or
by throwing provisions into the
place of powder, victuals, men,
&c.
These refreshments are sent
into the town by surprize, by
attacking some of their posts, or
the enemy in their camp.
To introduce a relief by sur-
prize, you march in the night,
through by - ways, and those
least fortified and guarded; if
you are discovered, push on
immediately, and force your
way: those within make a sortie
at the same time, according as
you have agreed with them; giv-
ing false alarms at other places,
to keep them in suspense: re-
connoiter well the relief before
they are admitted.
When you would relieve a
place besieged with open force,
as you draw nearer the town, you
fire some cannon to acquaint the
garrison of your approach.
A knowledge of the places
least fortified and most neglected
gives you an easy opportunity of
throwing in your succours: the
best informed General has the
S U
greatest advantage over his ene-
my.
When you march to the re-
lief of a place, let it be spread
abroad that you have a nume-
rous army: to make this appear
probable, your army on their
march should extend itself, by
enlarging their intervals. The
enemy is intimidated, conster-
nation spreads through their
camp, and they often raise the
siege precipitately.
SUNDERBURG, a town on the
south part of the island of Alsen,
in the Baltick, belonging to
Denmark; it is a very strong
place, and lies 104 miles west of
Copenhagen. Latitude, 55. 24.
north; lon. 10. 4. east.
SURAT, a city and port of the
East Indies, in Asia, the capital
of Cambaya, situated on the
banks of the river Tabtu, is de-
fended by a slight wall, with
some antique forts, lies ten miles
east of the Indian sea, 160
north of Bombay, and as many
south of the city of Cambaya;
Latitude, 21. 12, north; longi-
tude, 72. 27. east.
SURFACE, or superficies, an ex-
tent, having length and breadth,
but no thickness: it is therefore
evident, that the extremities of
a surface are lines.
Surface, as a term in fortifi-
cation, is that part of the side
which is terminated by the flank
prolonged or extended, and the
angle of the nearest bastion:
the double of this line with the
curtain, is equal to the exterior
side.
SURINAM, the chief settle-
ment of the Dutch, in Guiana, 
in South America. The French
and English were successively in
possession 

S U
possession of this place; the for-
mer quitting it as unwholesome,
and the latter making no great
account of it, surrendered it
readily to the Dutch, who took
possession of it in 1674. The
colony is now become very pow-
erful, has several forts, and ex-
tended itself thirty leagues a-
bove the river Surinam. It lies
in latitude, 6. 34. north; lon-
gitude, 56. 22. west.
SURPRIZES. To fall on an
enemy by surprize, when they
march through narrow difficult
passes, when one part has passed
so as not easily to come to the
succour of the other: as in the
passage of rivers, woods, or en-
closures, in which lay an am-
buscade, posting also a body of
cavalry near the place they come
out at; when part of the enemy
are come out, charge them in
front, rear, and flank.
A place is surprized by drains,
case-mates, or the issues of rivers,
or canals; by encumbering the
bridge or gate, by waggons
meeting and stopping each other;
sending soldiers into the place,
under pretence of being de-
serters, who on entering surprize
the guard, being sustained by
troops in ambush near the place,
to whom they give entrance,
and seize it; soldiers sometimes
dressed like peasants, merchants,
Jews, priests, or women. The
enemy sometimes send in their
soldiers as if they were yours
coming from the hospital, &c.
they also dress their soldiers in
your regimentals, and present-
ing themselves at your gate as
such, are immediately admitted,
seize the guard and become ma-
sters of the place; sometimes
S W
houses are set on fire, and whilst
the garrison comes out to extin-
guish it, troops who lay in am-
bush march in and surprize the
place. Officers commanding
guards at the principal gates are
lured out under various pre-
tenses, so contrived as to seize
the gate in going in with them.
Sometimes an alarm is given at
one side of the garrison, whilst
you enter secretly at the other,
at that time too often neglected.
SUSA, the capital of the mar-
quisate of that name, in Pied-
mont, in Italy, a small place,
well fortified, and reckoned one
of the keys of that country. It
lies on the Doria, surrounded
with high mountains, eighteen
miles north-west of Turin. Lat.
45. 5. north; lon. 7. 10. east.
SUTTLER, one who follows
the army and provides provisions
for the troops.
SWALLOWS-TAIL, an out-
work, differing from a single te-
naille, as its sides are not paral-
lel, like those of a tenaille;
but, if prolonged, would meet
and form an angle on the middle
of the curtain; and its head or
front composed of two faces,
forming a re-entering angle.
This work is extraordinarily
well flanked, and  defended  by
the works of the place, which
discover all the length of its
long sides; they seldom sufficient-
ly cover the flanks of the oppo-
site bastions.
SWOLL, or Zwoll, a strong
and regular city of Overyssel, in
the United Provinces, with
double ditches, filled by the Aa,
lies seventeen miles north of
Deventer, in latitude, 52. 37.
north; lon. 6. 5. east.
SYNBORG, 

T A
SYRACUSE, a famous ancient
city and port of the Val di No-
to, in a fine bay of the Mediter-
ranean on the east coast of the
island of Sicily, and the capital
of a once flourishing state, is still
considerable on account of its
harbour and strength of its walls.
At the entry into the port, is a
strong, but irregular castle, in
which is the celebrated fountain
of Arethusa. It lies sixty-five
miles south of Messina, in lat.
37. 32. north; lon. 15. 10.
east.
TABARCA, a little island
lying opposite to a small
town of that name, which di-
vides the maritime coasts of Tu-
nis and Algiers, in Africa. It
is about two miles from the
land, and is now in possession
of the noble family of the La-
mellini of Genoa, who have here
a Governor and a garrison of
200 men to protect the coral
fishery. Latitude, 36. 36. north;
lon. 8. 10. east.
TABOR, a small town of Bo-
hemia, having a castle fortified
with a double wall, flanked with
towers and bastions. It lies be-
tween Budweis and Prague, and
is 45 miles south of the latter.
Latitude, 49. 31. north; longi-
tude, 14. 36. east.
TACTICKS. The art of dis-
ciplining armies, and ranging
them into forms proper for fight-
ing and manœuvring.
TAFALA, a city of Navarre,
in Spain, is pleasantly situated
on the banks of the Vidazo, and
has an old castle, with a royal
palace, twenty two miles south
of Pampelona. Lat. 42. 47.
north; lon. 1. 38. west.
T A
TAFILET, a town of Biledul-
gerid, in Africa, near the river
Tafilet, is fortified with walls and
a good castle. It lies 200 miles
south-east of Morocco. Lat. 29.
56. north; lon. 4. 54. west.
TAILLEBOURG, a small town
of Lower Saintonge, in France,
stands on the Charente, is de-
fended by a castle and  lies 32
miles south-east of Rochelle, in
latitude, 45. 54. north; longi-
tude, 38. minutes west.
TALAUD, or slope, is made to
the works of a fortification, both
on the outside and inside, to pre-
vent the earth from rolling
down.
TALUS, or epaulement, the
slope given to the rampart, or
wall, that it may stand the faster;
which is more or less sloped, ac-
cording as the earth is looser or
more binding. All ramparts
should have a slope or talus on
each side; that is, they should
be broader at the basis than at
the top. There are three sorts
of this epaulement, which are
distinguished by the terms exte-
rior, interior, and superior talus.
Exterior Talus, is an outside
slope of a work towards the
country, and should be as small
as possible, that the enemy may
not find it easy to be mounted
either by escalade or otherwise.
But if the earth be not good,
the talus must be large, that it
may keep it up the better: then
it is necessary to support the
earth with a slight wall, which
the French call chemise; or a
strong one, if needful, they call
a revetement, which signifies
cloathing, or fencing it, to make
the earth last, and save the ex-
pence of making too large a ta-
X lus. 

T A
lus. This wall should have a
small Talus of a fifth or sixth
part of its height; and, for a
reinforcement, it is generally
supported on the inside by coun-
terforts, or a fort of buttresses.
Interior Talus, the inside slope
of a work next the town, which
is much larger than that of the
outside, and has, at the angles
of the gorge, and sometimes in
the middle of the curtain, ramps,
or sloping roads, to mount upon
the terre-plain of the rampart.
The interior talus of the parapet
should be very small, that the
men may with more ease fire
over it.
Superior Talus of the parapet,
a slope on the top of the parapet,
that allows of the Soldiers de-
fending the covert - way with
small shot, which they could not
do were it level.
TANGIER, the capital of
Mauritania Tingitana, a port
of Morocco, in the kingdom of
Fez, in Africa, taken by Al-
phonso of Portugal, in 1471,
who fortified it with walls and
other works: in 1662, it was
given to Charles II. of England,
upon his marriage with Catha-
rine, Infanta of Spain; but he
growing weary of the charges of
defending it against the at-
tempts of the Moors, caused it
to be blown up and destroyed in
1684, but it is now repeopled by
the Moors. It lies at the en-
trance of the Streights of Gi-
braltar. Latitude, 35-49. north;
longitude. 7. 5. west.
TAPTOO. See Drum.
TARASCON, a very old town
of Provence, situate on the
Rhone, is large and well  peo-
pled; defended by a strong old
T A
castle, and lies seven miles north
of Aries. Lat. 43. 10. north;
lon. 47. 26. east.
TARBE, or Tarbes, a city of
Bigorre, in the government of
Gascony, is situated on the A-
dour, defended by a castle, and
lies 58 miles south-east of Bay-
onne. Latitude, 43. 21. north;
longitude, 5 minutes west.
TARGAROD, a considerable
fortified town of Moldavia, in
European Turky, at the con-
fluence of the Moldaw and Se-
reth, 55 miles south of Sochowa.
Latitude, 46. 52. north; longi-
tude. 26. 36. east.
TARPAULINS, are pitched
cloths, to throw over stores in
open boats, upon batteries, or
in magazines.
TASIO, or Thasus, an island
of the Archipelago, about 40
miles in compass, lying near
the coast of Romania, in Euro-
pean Turky; its capital is of
the same name, has a good har-
bour and several castles. Lat. 40.
37. north; lon. 27. 12. east.
TAVASTUS, the capital of
Tavestland, in the southern part
of Finland, in Sweden, on a ri-
ver, which a little below it falls
into the Wana Lake. It is
strong from its situation, and
lies 86 miles north-east of Abo.
Latitude, 61. 24 north; longi-
tude, 23. 56. east.
TAVIR, a city of Algarve, in
Portugal, on the small river Gi-
laon, over which it has a stately
bridge. It is walled, and lies
25 miles east of Faro, in lati-
tude, 37. 10. north; longitude,
8. 28. west.
TEFLIS, a small city of Car-
thuel, a kingdom of Georgia, in
Asiatic Turky, situate on the
Kur, 

T E
Kur, and defended by a large
castle or fortress. It lies 300
miles north of Tauris. Lat. 43.
10. north; lon. 47. 26.  east.
TEGAPATAN, a town of the
Hither India, in Asia, with an
harbour near Cape Comorin, 80
miles south of Cochin. The
Dutch have a factory and small
fort here. Latitude, 8. 5. north;
lon. 76. 7. east.
TELICHERRY, a sea-port
town of the East-Indies, on a bay
of the Malabar coast. Here the
English have a factory and fort.
It lies 28 miles north of Calicut.
Latitude, 12. 10. north; longi-
tude, 75. 11. east.
TEMESWAER, a large and
strong city in the bannat of that
name, in Sclavonia, 58 miles
north-east of Belgrade. Lat. 45.
26. north; lon. 22. 12. east.
TENAILLES, low works made
in the ditch before the curtains,
whereof there are three sorts.
The first are the faces of the bas-
tions produced till they meet
much lower: the second have
faces, flanks, and a curtain: but
the third  have only faces and
flanks.
TENAILLONS, works made on
each side of the ravelin, much
like the lunettes. They differ,
in that one of the faces of a te-
naillon, is in the direction of the
face of the ravelin; whereas
that of the lunette is perpendicu-
lar to it.
TENT, a pavilion of strong
ticking, to keep Officers under
cover night and day.
TERRE-PLAIN of a rampart,
the horizontal superficies of it
between the interior talus and
banquette, used as a common
passage by the defendants. Trees
T H
on the terre-plain of a rampart
serve to bind it, but in a siege
are inconvenient: for the noise
made by wind amongst the
leaves hinders the besieged from
hearing workmen in their ap-
proaches.
TERTIATE a piece, is to ex- 
amine it, whether it has the due
thickness of metal in every
part, and whether it be true
bored.
TESCHEN, a city of Bohemia,
in the dukedom of Silesia, 27
miles south-east of Troppau, is
subject to the House of  Austria.
The garrison, consisting of 200
men and Officers, surrendered
to the Prussian General, Warner,
on the 2d of June, 1762; but it
was ceded in 1765 by the Em-
press Queen, with the Emperor's
consent, to Prince Albert of Sax-
ony, since called Duke of Saxa-
Teschen. Longitude, 18. east;
latitude, 49. 50.
TETUAN, a walled town of
Habat, in the empire of Mo-
rocco, on the Cus, just within
the Streights of Gibraltar, is
about 3 miles from the sea, and
62 south-east of Tangier. Lat.
35. 26. north; lon. 4. 50. west.
TEXEL, a small island of Hol-
land, in the United Provinces,
at the mouth of the Zuyder-sea,
divided from the continent by a
narrow channel, through which
most ships pass to Amsterdam,
has a strong castle and good gar-
rison. Latitude, 53. 10. north;
longitude, 5. 57. east.
THERMOPYLE, a narrow pass
from Achaia to Thessaly, in Eu-
ropean Turky, celebrated for
the glorious stand Leonidas, the
Lacedemonian King, made here
with 400 men against  Xerxes's
formidable

T I
formidable army, till the former
were all cut in pieces.
THIONVILLE, is twelve miles
south of Luxemburg, on the
Moselle, a well-built town, and
strongly fortified.
THURSO, a market town on
the west side of Caithness, in
Scotland, on the Caledonian
ocean, has a secure road for
ships of any burden, defended
by Holborn Head. It lies 15
miles south-west of Dungsby-
head. Latitude, 59. north; lon-
gitude, 3. 14. west.
TICONDEROGA, a strong fort,
situate on the narrow passage
between Lake George and Cham-
plain, in North America. It
has all the advantages that na-
ture and art can give it, being
defended on three sides by water,
which is surrounded by rocks,
and on the half of the fourth side
by a swamp, and where that
fails by an entrenchment and
breast-work. This fort was
built by the French in 1756,
and is distant from Crown Point
about 15 miles. In 1758, the
British troops, under General
Abercrombie, attempted to take
it, but were repulsed with a loss;
and in 1759, the French aban-
doned their lines and set fire to
the fort, on the approach of Sir
Jeffery Amherst.
TINIAN, one of the Landrones
or Mariana islands, in the Indian
ocean. Here Commodore An-
son supplied himself with provi-
sions, in his cruise towards the
Philippines. It lies a little
north of the island of Guam,
where the Spaniards have a fort
and small garrison. Lat. 15. 10.
north; lon. 100. 50. east.
TOBOLSKI, the capital of Si-
T O
beria, in Asiatic Russia, situated
at the confluence of the Tobo
and Irtisk, is well fortified, and
has a good garrison. The Rus-
sian state  prisoners are usually
banished to this place, which
lies 812 miles east of Moscow,
and 1015 in the same direction
from Petersburg. Lat. 57. 30.
north; lon. 67. 13. east.
TOCKAY, a very strong town
and citadel of Upper Hungary,
in an island formed by the con-
fluence of the Theiss and  Bod-
rock; often taken by the Turks
and Imperialists. It lies 74 miles
north-east of Buda. Lat. 48. 16.
north; lon. 21. 14. east.
TOISE, a measure of six feet
used by French engineers in all
their fortifications. A square
toise is 36 square feet; and a
cubical toise is 200 and 16 cubi-
cal feet.
TOLEDO, the capital of New
Castile, and was anciently the
royal seat of the Goths and
Moors. It stands on a steep
craggy rock, encompassed by
the Tagus, over which are two
noble bridges. The land side is
fortified by a strong wall and
150 stately towers, formerly
reckoned a place of strength;
but in the late wars has always
submitted to those who were
masters of the field. Lat. 59. 46.
north; lon. 4. 20.  west.
TORNA, a well fortified town
of Upper Hungary, near the
Save, sixty miles north-east of
Buda. Latitude, 48. 41. north;
longitude, 20. 9. east.
TORRES, a populous walled
town of Portuguese Estremadura,
on the Almonds, is about three
miles from the Tagus, and sixty
north-east from Lisbon.
TOUL,

T O
TOUL, a fortified city of
Lorrain, on the Moselle, twelve
miles west of Nancy, is subject to
France. Latitude, 48. 45. north;
longitude, 5. 42  east.
TOULON, a strong and noted
port of France, in the Lower
Provence, has a great naval ma-
gazine, and a fine harbour for
shipping. It was unsuccessfully
attacked by the Confederates in
1707, both by sea and land,
which greatly damaged the ship-
ping. It is 400 miles south of
Paris. See Plan 19.
TOURNEY, a strong and
beautiful city, divided into two
parts by that river, over which
are several bridges. It lies thirty
miles south of Ghent, thirty
north of Cambray, eleven east
of Lisle, and thirteen south-east
of Menin. Henry the VIIIth
besieged and took it in 1513,
and built a citadel; but it was
delivered to the French again,
upon a treaty of marriage  be-
tween the Dauphin and the
Princess Mary. The Spaniards
took it in 1581; but the French
surprized it again in 1667.
Whilst it was in their hands, its
fortifications were brought to as
great perfection as any in the
Netherlands. M. Vauban built
a citadel there, which he called
his master-piece. All the works
belonging to this citadel are
undermined; and in that con-
sists its chiefest strength, as the
Allies found, by dear - bought
experience, when they besieged
it in 1709. After they had,
with the utmost hazard and
difficulty, made themselves ma-
sters of the strongest works that
ever were contrived, the French
T R
set fire to the mines, and fre-
quently blew up hundreds, if not
thousands of the besiegers at a
blast; but such was the bravery
of the Confederate troops, and
the conduct and resolution of
their Generals, that all diffi-
culties were surmounted; the
town was taken on the twenty-
eighth of July, and the citadel
on the third of September; the
garrison of the latter being
obliged to surrender prisoners of
war.
TOURNON, a small, but an-
cient city of Vivarais, and
government of Languedoc in
France, situated on the Rhone,
and built on the declivity of a
hill, on the top of which is a
castle, fifty-six miles south of
Lyons. Latitude, 44. 56. north;
longitude, 4. 46. east.
TOWER BASTIONS, small tow-
ers made in the form of bastions,
with rooms and cellars under-
neath to place men and guns in.
TOWN, or FORT, ADJUTANT,
is an assistant to the Fort, or
Town Major.
Town, or Fort Major of a
Garrison, is an officer constantly
employed about the Governor or
Officer commanding, issues their
orders to the troops in Garrison,
and reads its common orders to
fresh troops when they arrive.
He commands according to the
rank he had in the army; if he
never had any other commission
than that of Town or Fort Major,
he is to command as youngest
Captain.
TRAERSBACH, an import-
ant town of Spanheim, in the
palatinate of the Rhine, in Ger-
many, is situated on the Mo-
selle,

T R
selle, 20 miles north-east of
Triers, and subject to the Elec-
tor Palatine. Lat. 50. 10. north;
lon. 6. 46, east.
TRAIL, the end of the tra-
velling carriage opposite to the
wheels, and upon which the car-
riage slides, when unlimbered, or
upon the battery.
TRANI, a handsome well built
city of Bari, in the kingdom of
Naples, having a harbour on
the Adriatick, and a noble
castle, lies 20 miles west of Ba-
ri, in latitude, 41. 21. north;
longitude, 18. 16. east.
TRANSUM, a piece of wood,
which goes across between the
cheeks of a gun-carriage, or a
gin, to keep them fixed toge-
ther. Each transum in a car-
riage is strengthened by a bolt
of iron.
TRAPANO, a city in the Val
de Mazaro, in the island of Si-
cily, on the peninsula facing the
west, is defended by a castle to
the south; its haven is large but
exposed to south winds, and was
one of the last places taken by
the Romans from the Cartha-
ginians. It lies 36 miles south-
west of Palermo. Lat. 38. 10.
north; lon. 12. 10. east.
TRAPEZOND, or Trebizond, a
walled city, having an harbour
on the eastern part of Amasia, in
Asiatic Turky, and on the south
coast of the Euxine sea; but ill
built and worse peopled. It was
the metropolis of an empire of
the same name, founded by A-
lexis Commenus, a Frenchman,
in 1209, which continued in the
same family till the year 1460;
when David, the last of that
house, was subdued and put to
death by Mahomet II. since
T R
which time it has continued in
the possession of the Turks. Its
castle, which stands on a rock,
is much neglected. Lat. 42. 26.
north;  lon. 42. 20. east.
TRAVERSE, a parapet made
across the covert way, opposite to
the salient angles of the works,
and near the places of arms, to
prevent enfilades. They are
eighteen feet thick, and as high
as the ridge of the glacis. There
are also traverses made in the
caponiers, but then they are
called tambour traverses; and
are likewise made within other
works, when there are any hills
or rising grounds, from which
may be seen the inside of these
works.
To traverse a gun or mortar,
is to bring her about with hand-
spikes, to the right or left, till
she is pointed exactly at the ob-
ject.
TRAW, a small strong town
of Dalmatia, built on an island
of the Adriatic. It lies 15 miles
east of Spalatto. Latitude, 43.
16. north; longitude, 17. 36.
TREMOINS, a French term
for pieces of earth left standing,
as marks in the fosses or places
they are emptying, to know ex-
actly how many cubical fa-
thoms, or feet of earth, has
been carried away, and thereby
pay their workmen, who are
sure to leave some of the highest
spots of ground for tremoins
that they may have more depth
to measure. But the engineers are
generally careful to mark out
indifferent places, some high,
some low, to measure as exact
as they can.
TRENCH, or lines of approach
and attack, a way hollowed in the
earth

T R
earth, in form of a fosse, having
a parapet towards the place be-
sieged, when the earth can be
removed; or else it is an ele-
vation of fascines, gabions, wool-
packs, and such other things
for covering the men as cannot
fly into pieces or splinters. This
is to be done when the ground is
rocky; but when the earth is
good, the trench is carried on
with less trouble, and the engi-
neers demand only a provision
of spades, shovels, and pick-
axes, to make it two fathoms
wide. The greatest fault a
trench can have, is to be enfi-
laded: to prevent which, they
are ordinarily carried on with
turnings and elbows. As the
trenches are never carried on
but in the night-time, therefore
the ground should be viewed and
observed very nicely in the day.
On the angles or sides of the
trench, there should be lodge-
ments, or epaulements, in form
of traverses, the better to hinder
the sallies of the garrison, to fa-
vour the advancement of the
the trenches, and to sustain the
workmen. These lodgements
are small trenches, fronting the
places besieged, and joining the
trench at one end.
The platforms for the batte-
ries are made behind the trench-
es; the first at a good distance,
to be used only against sallies of
the garrison. As the approaches
advance, the batteries are brought
nearer, to ruin the defences of
the place, and dismount the ar-
tillery of the besieged. The bat-
teries for the breaches are made
when the trenches are advanced
near the covert-way.
If two attacks, there must be
T R
lines of communication, or boy-
aus, between the two, with
places of arms, at convenient
distances. The trenches should
be six or seven feet high, with
the parapet, which should be
five foot thick, and have ban-
quets for the soldiers to mount
upon.
Returns of a Trench, are the
elbows and turnings, which form
the lines of the approach, and
made as near as can be parallel
to the defence of the place, to
prevent their being enfiladed.
To mount the trenches, is to
mount guard in the trenches; to
relieve the trenches, is to relieve
the guards of the trenches; to
dismount the trenches, is to come
off the guard from the trenches;
to cleanse or scour the trenches, is
to make a vigorous sally upon
the guard of the trenches, force
them to give way, and quit their
ground, drive away the work-
men, break down the parapet,
fill up the trench, and nail their
cannon.
Counter-trenches, are trenches
made against the besiegers, which
consequently have their parapet
turned against the enemy's  ap-
proaches, and are enfiladed from
several parts of the place, on
purpose to render them useless
to the enemy, if they should
chance to become masters of
them; but they should not to be
enfiladed, or commanded by any
height in the enemy's posses-
sion.
To open trenches, is the first
breaking of ground by the be-
siegers, to carry on their ap-
proaches towards a place. The
difference between opening and
carrying on the trenches, is,
that 

T R
that the first is only the begin-
ning of the trench; which is al-
ways turned towards the be-
siegers. It is begun by a small
fosse, which the pioneers make
in the night on their knees, ge-
nerally a musquet-shot from the
place, or half a cannon-shot,
and sometimes without the reach
of cannon - ball, especially if
there be no hollow or rising
grounds to favour them, or if the
garrison be strong, and their ar-
tillery well served. This small
fosse is afterwards enlarged by
the next pioneers which come
behind them, who dig it deeper
by degrees, till it be about four
yards broad, and four or five feet
deep, especially if they be near
the place; to the end, the earth
which is taken out of it, may be
thrown before them, to form
a parapet, and cover them from
the fire of the besieged. The
place where the trenches are o-
pened, is called the end of the
trench.
TRENT, the capital of the
archbishopric of that name, in
Austria, on the river Adige, en-
compassed with steep unpassable
hills except from Tirol to the
north, and Verona to the south.
The city is about a mile in cir-
cuit, surrounded with a single
wall, and defended by an old
castle. It lies 74 miles south of
Inspruc. Latitude, 46, 10.
north; longitude, 11. 5. east.
TREPTOW, a town of Pome-
rania, in Upper Saxony, in Ger-
many, having a strong castle
on the Tollen lake, near the
Baltic, is subject to the King of
Prussia, and lies 43 miles north-
east of Stetin. Lat. 54. 10.
north; lon. 15. 33. east. On
T R
the 24th of October, 1761, the
Russians, detached by General
Romanzow from Colberg, made
themselves masters of it, and ob-
liged General Knoblock, with
three battalions and a corps of
cavalry amounting to 4000 men,
to surrender prisoners of war.
The Prussians also lost six Colo-
nels and ten cannon.
TRESREVERE, a fortified
town between Montreal and
Quebec, stands about 200 miles
from Crown Point, on the north
side of the river St. Lawrence.
Opposite to this place was a vil-
lage in which 300 armed In-
dians had taken up their resi-
dence: these General Amherst
was desirous to cut off, and
therefore issued the following
order to that famous partizan
Major Rogers; who accomplish-
ed his purpose by means so very
different to common practice, that
I cannot avoid paying a compli-
ment to his abilities for carrying
on a war against this barbarous
people; of which art we were
totally ignorant when General
Braddock, at the beginning of
our late dispute with the French,
lead on his troops to unthought
of destruction.
Orders from Sir Jeffrey Amherst
to Major Rogers
"You are this night to set
out with the detachment as or-
dered yesterday (viz. of two
hundred men) and proceed to
Missisquey Bay, from whence
you will march and attack the
enemy's settlements on the
south-side of the river St. Law-
rence, in such a manner as you
shall judge most effectual to dis-
grace the enemy, and for the
success 

T R
success and honour of his Ma-
jesty's arms.
"Remember the barbarities
that have been committed by
the enemy's Indian scoundrels,
on every occasion where they
had an opportunity of shewing
their infamous cruelties on the
King's subjects; which they
have done without mercy; take
your revenge; but do not forget
that though those villains have
dastardly and promiscuously mur-
dered the women and children
of all ages, it is my orders that
no women or children be killed
or hurt.
"When you have executed
your intended service, you will
return with your detachment to
camp, or to join me wherever
the army may be.
"Yours, &c.    -
"JEFF. AMHERST.
"Camp at Crown-Point,
September 13, 1759."
Pursuant to the above orders,
the Major set out with 200 men,
in battoes, down Lake Cham-
plain. The fifth day after his
departure, when encamped on
the eastern banks of lake Cham-
plain, a keg of gunpowder ac-
cidentally took fire, which
wounded Captain Williams of
the Royal Regiment, and seve-
ral of the men, who were sent
back to Crown Point with some
men to row them, which re-
duced the party to 142, Officers
included.
The Major proceeded on his
journey, and landed on the 10th
at Missisquey Bay. Here he con-
cealed his boats with provisions
sufficient to carry him back to
T R
Crown - Point, and left two
trusty rangers to lie concealed
near the boat, with orders to
stay till the return of his party,
unless the enemy should dis-
cover the boats; in which case
they were to pursue the track of
the party with all possible speed,
to give the Major the earliest
intelligence. The second even-
ing after this, the two rangers
overtook the party, and inform-
ed the Major that 400 French
and Indians had discovered and
taken possession of the boats,
which they sent away with 50
men; and that the remainder
were pursuing on the track of
the party; but this intelligence
was privately given him, so that
none knew of what passed; and
as the Major thought it neces-
sary to keep this affair secret,
he immediately ordered Lieute-
nant M'Mullen, with eight men
and these two rangers, to pro-
ceed to Crown Point, to inform
the General of what happened,
that he might send provisions
to Cohoas, on Connecticut ri-
ver, by which the Major pro-
posed to return; so that the two
rangers had not an opportunity
to inform the party that they
were pursued, it being believed
that they were sent not to Crown
Point, but to reconnoitre some
place for an attack.
The Major resolved to out-
march his pursuers, and cut off
the Indian town of St. Francois,
before they should overtake him;
and accordingly continued his
march for several days, till, on
the 4th of October, at eight
o'clock in the evening, he came
within sight of the town, and
about two hours after he took
Y two 

T R
two Indians, whom he had with
him, who could speak the lan-
guage of the inhabitants of St.
Francois, and also dressed him-
self in the Indian manner, and
went to reconnoiter the town.
He found the inhabitants in a
high frolick, or dance; and at two
o'clock in the morning he re-
turned to his detachment, which
he marched in about an hour to
the distance only of 500 yards
from the town.
About four o'clock the Indians
broke up their dance, and re-
tired to rest; but at break of
day, when they were asleep, the
Major surprized them by a vigo-
rous attack in several parts of
the town; and this was so well
performed in every part, that the
enemy had not time to recover
themselves, or make any consi-
derable resistance. Out of 300
of the enemy, 200 were killed
on the spot, and 20 taken pri-
soners: the Major also retook
five Englishmen who were pri-
soners in the town; secured
what provisions was there, imme-
diately set it on fire, and thus re-
duced it to ashes. At seven
o'clock in the morning the af-
fair was completely over, when
the Major assembling his men,
he found that one was killed,
and six slightly wounded. After
refreshing the party for an hour,
the Major began his march
homeward, leaving the dead to
be buried by his pursuers; but
was harassed on his march, and
several times attacked in the
rear, till, being favoured by the
dusk of the evening, he formed
an ambuscade upon his own
track and attacked the enemy
when they least expected it: af-
T R
ter this he was suffered to con-
tinue his march without further
annoyance from the enemy, and
arrived safe at No. 4, with the
loss of only a few men.
TREVIGIO, or Treviso, the
capital of the Marca Trevigiano,
in the Venetian dominions, on
the Sile, is reckoned impreg-
nable, and lies 15 miles north-
west of Venice, in lat. 45. 45.
north; Ion. 12. 46. east.
TRIANGLE, a figure between
three sides, either rectilineal or
spherical. A rectilineal or plain
triangle, is a figure consisting of
three straight sides: a spherical
triangle is a figure formed by
three arches of three great cir-
cles, cutting one another at the
surface of a sphere.
A rectilineal triangle, consider-
ed according to the sides, may
be either equilateral, isosceles,
or scalene; and, considered ac-
cording to its angles, may be
either rectangle or oxigon.
Equilateral triangle, has three
sides equal. It is evident the
three angles must be equal, each
being sixty degrees triangle, and
isosceles is what hath two sides
equal; so that all equilateral tri-
angles are isosceles; though all
isosceles triangles are not equi-
lateral.
Triangle scalene, has three un-
equal sides.
Triangle rect-angle, has one
right angle.
Triangle ambligon, is what has
one obtuse angle; and triangle
oxigon, has angles all acute.
TRIESTE, the capital of Is-
tria, in Carniola, and circle of
Austria, in Germany, a small
but strong place, with a large
harbour on the Adriatic, defend-
ed

T R
ed by two castles. It lies 58 miles
north-east of Venice. Lat. 46.
10. north; lon. 14. 12. east.
TRIPOLI, a city of Phœnicia,
a province of Syria, in Aha,
commodiously situated at the
foot of Mount Libanus, from
whence a small river runs
through the city. It lies about
a mile and a half from the Le-
vant, and has a commodious
harbour defended by 6 square
castles or towers built along the
shore, and 90 miles south of
Scanderoon. Lat. 34. 53. north;
lon. 56. 7. east.
TRINCUMBAR, or Tranquebar,
a fortress and colony belonging
to the Danes, in the East-In-
dies, on the coast of Coroman-
del. The town is about 2 miles
in circumference, and lies 84
miles south of Fort St. George.
Lat. 11. 50. north; lon. 80. 58.
east.
TRINO, the capital of a ter-
ritory of that name, in Mont-
serrat, in Italy, a small but
strong town, about a mile north
of the Po, and 36 miles north-
east of Turin, is subject to the
King of Sardinia. Lat. 45. 16.
north; lon. 8. 13. east.
TRIPOLI, the metropolis of
the republic of that name, in
Africa, on the Mediterranean,
is not very large, but populous,
and surrounded with good walls
and other works. It lies 300
miles south-east of Tunis, in lat.
32. 54. north; longitude 13. 13.
east.
TROOP. See Drum.
TROOPER, a private man in a
troop of horse.
TROPPAW, a city of Upper
Silesia, in Germany, the capi-
tal of a duchy of that name, 70
T R
miles south of Breslaw. The
Prussian General Werner, with
a corps of cavalry, took posses-
sion of it in 1757; but in 1758
the Marquis de Ville dislodged
the Prussians. In 1759, Ge-
neral Fouquet took it, and made
230 Officers and men prisoners
of war. In 1762, the Prince of
Bevern and General Werner a-
bandoned it.                  
TROY, the capital of Troas
and Mysia, in Asia, near the E-
gean Sea, is rendered famous for
a ten years siege it sustained from
the Greeks. It lies 20 miles
south of the Hellespont and 100
north of Smyrna. Lat. 39. 36.
north; lon. 26. 36. east.
TROYES, a city of Champagne,
in France, is a large fortified
place, and lies 70 miles south-
east of Paris. Lat. 48. 21. north;
lon. 45. 16. east.
TRUCKS, small wheels of one
piece of wood, about a foot and
a half, or two feet diameter, for
truck carriages, and sometimes
garrison guns.
TRUMPET, made of brass or
silver, with a mouth-piece to
take out and put in at pleasure.
Each troop of cavalry has one.
The first sound of the trum-
pet before a march, is when the
drum beats a general, at which
the troopers boot, saddle, and
get ready: when the assemble is
beginning to beat, the trumpets
sound to horse; on which the
troopers mount, and at the third
sound march.
The trumpets likewise found
a charge in day of battle, and
the retreat at night, &c.
TRUNNIONS of a gun, are the
two pieces of metal projecting
from the sides of a piece by
which

T U
which it swings in its car-
riage.
Trunnion-ring, that ornament,
or jutting out, a little before the
trunnions.
TUNIS, the capital of the
kingdom of that name in Barbary,
on a plain, is about a league in
circumference, walled, fortified,
and defended by a stout castle,
near a large lake, three miles
south of the ruins of old Car-
thage, and 300 east of Algiers.
Latitude, 36. 26. north; longi-
tude, 10. 15. east.
TURIN, the capital city of
Piedmont, at the junction of the
Po with the Doria, is finely for-
tified with five bastions, and o-
ther strong works. In 1706 it
held out a very hard siege of ten
weeks, when it was relieved by
the army of the Allies, com-
manded by the late Duke of Sa-
voy and Prince Eugene, who at-
tacked the French before the
place and gained a complete vic-
tory, having taken the enemies
cannon, with all their ammuni-
tion and baggage. In this action
the Duke of Orleans and Marshal
Marfin were wounded, the latter
mortally; and the same evening
the Duke entered his capital,
which was reduced to a heap of
ruins. It lies 100 miles south-
west of Milan, and the same
north-west of Genoa. Lat. 44.
56. north; lon. 7. 16. east.
TUY, a pleasant walled city
of Galicia, in Spain, near the
mouth of a river of that name,
is 14 miles east of Vigo, in lati-
tude, 42. 16. north; longitude,
9. 10. west.
VAL, three miles west of
Maestricht, in the bishopric
V A
of Liege, in Westphalia, is fa-
mous for a sharp battle fought
near it, between the Allies,
commanded by the Duke of
Cumberland, and the French,
under Marshal Count Saxe. On
the 20th of June, 1744, our
troops marched at day-break;
about four the French were ob-
served in motion in large co-
lumns to the right, with their
flanks covered by the Hussars; on
which a disposition was made to
gain the hills of Herderen.
Cannonading and forming were
the work of this day.
The Allies continued under
arms that night. 21. The Duke
observing the French disposi-
tions, made some alterations in
his; about eight returned from
viewing the line, and reconnoi-
tring the enemy, to the grand
commandery; when Earl Ligo-
nier sent Colonel Forbes to ac-
quaint him, that by their moti-
ons they seemed determined to
attack the left wing; on which
his Royal Highness repaired  thi-
ther, and ordered M. Bathiani
and Prince Waldeck to their
posts. The French infantry ad-
vanced in column of ten  batta-
lions in front, and as many
deep, and bent their whole
force towards Val, where they
were severely handled by the
allied batteries raking them as
they advanced; but the French
gaining ground, brought their
batteries to play on the village,
and instantly attacked the troops
posted there with their first bri-
gades, who were soon repulsed
with great loss; renewed the
attack three times with fresh di-
visions, who were all forced to
give way; but fresh divisions still
advancing,

V A
advancing, those in Val were, in
their turn, forced to retire, but
soon rallied, as quickly to regain
the village, and beat off the ene-
my with great slaughter; yet
still fresh numbers crowding upon
them, and the battalions order-
ed by the Duke to sustain them
not all arriving, they were o-
bliged to evacuate the village,
and form on the plain.
About twelve, affairs went so
well, that His Royal Highness
ordered the wing to advance on
the enemy, whole infantry gave
way so fast, that they were obli-
ged to post cavalry to keep them
up. This attack was so well
conducted, that M. Bathiani
gained Elch village in the front
of Herderen. But the miscon-
duct of five Dutch squadrons,
ordered to cover the infantry as
the French advanced from Val,
gave a sensible check to the whole
affair; they being ordered to
wheel to the right, to make a
front against the enemy, turned
to the right about, and broke
and disordered five battalions
that were advancing to reinforce
the line; which confused that
part of the army, and gave the
French an opportunity of divid-
ing them, so that they had two
flanks to attack; that which the
Duke headed were severely
handled, and he near surround-
ed, as he remained with the
greatest inflexibility animating
the troops to renew the charge:
which Earl Ligonier observing,
advanced, with great celerity,
at the head of the British caval-
ry, to his relief, and charged the
enemy so furiously, that he bore
down all before him, and pur-
V A
sued them with such success,
that he routed a party of infan-
try posted to attack him. But
fresh squadrons crouding on, his
horse was killed in the second
charge, and he made prisoner,
with several of his command.
The army thus divided, and all
efforts to repulse the enemy fruit-
less, a retreat to Maestricht was
ordered with such conduct, that
the enemy did not attempt a
pursuit.
The Generals, and their corps
that were engaged, did won-
ders; many French brigades
were almost cut to pieces; they
lost 7 standards, 8 pair of co-
lours, and 10000 killed, wound-
ed, and prisoners: the Allies
lost 4 standards, one pair of co-
lours, and 16 field pieces. The
prisoners were soon exchanged;
and joined the army.
Thus ended an action that did
honour to their Generals and
their Royal Commander, tho' a
defeat. No attacks, were ever
better concerted than those of
the French; or with greater
conduct and intrepidity sustain-
ed, than they were by the Allies,
till the cowardice of the five
Dutch squadrons disconcerted all
their measures.
VALENCIA, a city of Spain,
and the capital of a province of
that name on the river Turio.
Its form is almost round, and
has a stout wall with several
towers. In 1705, after Cata-
lonia had submitted to Charles
of Austria, this city opened her
gates to the Earl of Peterbo-
rough, and the English forces;
but after the defeat of Almanza,
1707, the Duke of Orleans, at
the

V A
the head of the Spanish forces
recovered it. It lies 180 miles
south-east of Madrid. Lat. 29.
20. north; lon. 35. minutes
west.
VALENCIENNES, a strong,
large well built city of Hainault,
in the French Netherlands, on
the Scheld, is defended by a ci-
tadel, with sluices that can lay
the adjacent country under wa-
ter, and lies 15 miles south of
Tournay, in lat. 50. 25. north;
lon. 3. 24. east. On the 17th
of March, 1674, the French
King took it by storm, after a
siege of 8 Days, when he only
designed to have taken a horn
work. He saved the town from
plunder, but made the inhabi-
tants pay forty-thousand crowns,
which he laid out upon the ci-
tadel. This was the first town
in these parts that denied obe-
dience to the Prince of Parma,
and refused to admit a garrison.
VAN, a large and populous
city of Turcomania, in Turky
in Asia, on the north extremity
of the lake bearing its name,
and on the confines of Persia,
has a mountain castle with a nu-
merous garrison of Turks, and
lies 100 miles north-west of
Tauris. Lat. 38. 30. north;
lon. 44. 30. east.
VAN, the front of an army, &c.
Van-guard, that part of the
army which marches in the
front.
VAUDREVANGE, a town of
Lorrain, on the Sare, near
which, since it has come into
the hands of the French, they
have built the strong fort of St.
Louis, 50 miles north-east of
Nancy. Lat. 49. 28. north;
lon. 6. 36. east.
V E
VBEDA, a well fortified city
of Andalusia, in Spain, on a
hill, with a strong castle, 45
miles north-east of Grenada.
Lat. 38. 40. north; lon. 3. 6.
west.
UBES, ST. corruptly for Se-
tubal, a considerable sea-port of
Estremadura in Portugal, on a
capacious bay of the ocean, and
21 miles south of Lisbon, is a
walled strong town, but suffered
much by the late earthquake in
the capital. Lat. 38; 36. north;
lon. 9. 30. east.
VEDETTE, a sentry on
horseback with his horse's head
towards the place whence any
danger is to be seared, and his
carabine advanced, with the
but-end against his right thigh.
When the army lies encamped;
there are vedettes posted at all
the avenues, and on all the
rising grounds, to watch for its
security.
UDINO, an ancient city, and
the capital of Friuli, in the Ve-
netian territories in Italy, is sur-
rounded with a stout wall, 25
miles north of Aquileia. Lat.
46. 30. north: lon. 13. 20. east.
VENLO, a strong town of
Dutch Guelderland, in the uni-
ted provinces, having a rampart
and ditch, three miles in compass,
besides other works, is situate on
the Maes, 10 miles south of
Guelder. Lat. 51. 35. north;
lon. 6. 26. east.
VENT, of all fire arms, is a
small hole at the end, or near
it, of the bore or chamber, to
prime the pieces with powder,
to set fire to the charge.
Vent-field, that part of a gun
or howitz between the breech
moulding and the astragal: and
vent-

V E
vent-astragal, is that which deter-
mines the vent-field.
VERA CRUZ, the grand port
of New Spain in the province of
Tlascala, or Los Angelos in
Mexico, having a safe harbour
protected by a fort, on a rock
of a neighbouring island called
St. John d'Ulva in the gulf of
Mexico. Vera Cruz having
been taken and plundered seve-
ral times by the Buccaneers, the
Spaniards have built forts and
placed sentries along the coast.
Their ordinary garrison consists
of 60 horse and 2 companies of
foot. At the old town, 15 or
16 miles further west, Cortez
landed on Good-friday, 1518,
and bring determined to conquer
Mexico, or die, sunk the ships
that transported his handful of
men thither. It lies 215 miles
south-east of Mexico, in lat. 18
41. north; lon. 102. 15. west.
VERCELLI, a city of Pied-
mont in Italy, situated at the
confluence of the Sesia and
Cerva, defended by 14 regular
bastions, a citadel and castle,
42 miles north east of Turin,
is subject to the King of Sardinia.
Lat. 45. 21. north; lon. 8. 26.
east.
VERDUN, a strong city of
Lorrain in Germany, on the
Meuse, 28 miles north-west of
Nancy, is subject to France.
Lat. 49. 21. north; lon. 5. 24.
east.
VERONA, a fortified city, and
capital of the Veronese in the
Venetian territories in Italy,
on the river Edge, lies 24
miles north of Mantua. Lat.
45. 26. north; lon. 11. 20. east.
VERRUA, a strong fortress of
Asti, in Piedmont, built on a
V I
high rock on the Po, 24 miles
north east of Turin, held out
a siege of six months against all
the efforts the French could
make in 1705; but expecting
no relief, the Governor was at
length compelled to surrender.
This and the rest of the towns
of Piedmont were recovered by
the Allies, and restored to their
old master the Duke of Savoy.
in 1706. Lat. 45. 10. north;
lon. 8. 15. east.
VIANA DE FEZ DE LIMA, as
standing on the mouth of the
Lima, a considerable sea port of
Entre Douro e Minho, in Por-
tugal; it is walled, and de-
fended with a castle, and lies
36 miles north of Oporto. Lat.
41. 46. north; lon. 9. 10. west.
VIDIN, an important fortress
of Servia, in European Turky,
on the Danube, is 126 miles
south east of Belgrade. Lat. 43.
46. north; lon. 24. 15. east.
VIENNA, the capital of the
great duchy of Austria, one of
the strongest cities in Christen-
dom, was walled round in 1192,
with the ransom-money paid by
Richard I. King of England,
who was seized by the Duke of
Austria in his return from the
Holy Land. It was unsuccess-
fully besieged by Soliman the
Magnificent, in 1583; and in
1683 was reduced to great extre-
mity by the Turks, but memo-
rably relieved by John Sobieski,
King of Poland, who gained a
signal victory, and raised the
siege.
VIEW, of a place, to besiege
it, is said to be taken when the
General, accompanied by the
engineers, reconnoiters it; that
is, rides round the place, observ-
ing

V I
ing the situation of it, with the
nature of the country about it;
as hills, valleys, rivers, marshes,
woods, hedges, &c. thereby to
judge of the most convenient
place for opening the trenches,
and carrying on the approaches;
to find out proper places for en-
camping the army, for the lines
of circumvallation and counter-
vallation, and for the park of
artillery.
To view, or reconnoiter an ene-
my, is to get as near their camp
as possible, to see the nature of
the ground, and the avenue to
it; to find out the strength and
weakness of their encampment,
where they may be best attack-
ed; or whether it may be pro-
per to hazard bringing them to
action.
To view, or reconnoiter, is
likewise when the Quarter-
master-general, with a strong
party of horse, goes to view the
ways for the march of the army,
or find the most convenient
place for an encampment: to
wit, where there is water and
forage; where the army may not
be too much exposed to the in-
sults of the enemy, but covered
by rivers, marshes, woods, or
strong grounds, where they can-
not easily be forced.
Parties of light horse are ge-
nerally sent to view the enemy's
march, to know if it tends to
guess at their designs, and to re-
gulate the motions of the army
accordingly.
VILLENA, a town of New
Castile in Spain, 40 miles north
of Murcia. This place the Con-
federates were besieging in
1707, when, upon receiving ad-
vice that the French and Spa-
V I
niards had advanced to Alman-
za, the Earl of Galway raised
the siege, and fought the unfor-
tunate battle of Almanza, in
which he was entirely defeated,
with the loss of most of the En-
glish, who were either killed on
the spot, or taken prisoners.
Lat. 38. 49. north; lon. 4. 15.
west.
VISIAPOUR, a well fortified
city, and the capital of the
Kingdom of Dican, in the Hi-
ther India, in Asia, 136 miles
north of Goa, is subject to the
Great Mogul. Lat. 16. 51.
north; lon. 75. 54. east. 
VITRI, a town of Cham-
pagne, and the capital of Perth
in France, on the Marne, which
here begins to be navigable, is
well built, surrounded with ram-
parts and ditches, and lies forty-
six miles south-east of Rheims,
in lat. 48. 51. north; long. 4.
56. east.
VIGEVANO, a city of the Vi-
gevanese, in the dukedom of
Milan in Italy; it has a strong
castle on a rock, 16 miles south-
west of Milan. Lat. 45. 15.
north; lon. 9. 10. east.
VIGO, a sea-port, and walled
town of Galicia, in Spain, in
Bayonne bay, at the mouth of
a spacious harbour. Here, in
October 12, 1702, Sir George
Rooke, with the confederate
fleet of English and Dutch at-
tacked a French squadron under
Monsieur Chateau Renard, con-
voying 13 Spanish galleons,
whilst the Duke of Ormond
drove the Spaniards from the
castles on shore that defended
the harbour; Admiral Hopson
at the same time breaking the
boom across the mouth of the
harbour.

V I
The Confederates took 9  galle-
ons, and 5 large men of war,
having destroyed 4 other gal-
leons, with 14 men of war. It
lies 50 miles south of Compo-
stella, and 70 south-east of Cape
Finisterre. Lat. 42. 16. north;
lon. 9. 14. west.
VILLA FRANCA, a well for-
tified town, with a good harbour
on the Nise, was taken by the
French in 1691, and restored in
1696; but again taken by the
French in 1704; is situated on
the Mediterranean, 13 miles east
of Nise.
VILLA VELHA, a Moorish
castle, near the Tagus. In Oc-
tober, 1762, the Spaniards made
themselves masters of it, though
supported for some time by Co-
lonel Burgoyne across the ri-
ver. The garrison consisted of
about 300 Officers and men who
surrendered prisoners of war.
VILLA VICIOSA, a town of
New Castile, 47 miles north-
east of Madrid. Here Mares-
chal Starhemberg, the 10th of
December, 1710, defeated the
French and Spaniards, the day
after they had taken a great bo-
dy of English, commanded by
General Stanhope, who surren-
dered prisoners of war, for want
of ammunition, in the town of
Brihuega. Lat. 40. 56. north;
lon. 3. 27. west.
VILVORDE, a small but strong
town of Brabant, in the Au-
strian Low-countries, situated on
the Seine, 7 miles south of Brus-
sels. Lat. 51. 10. north; lon.
4. 26. east.
VISET, a small but fortified
city of Liege, in the Austrian
Low-countries, situated on the
east bank of the Maese, 7 miles
U L
north of Liege. Lat. 50. 56.
north; lon. 5. 47. east.
VISIAPOUR, a well fortified
city, and the capital of the
kingdom of Decan, in the Hi-
ther India, 136 miles north east
of Goa, is subject to the Great
Mogul. Lat. 16. 51. north;
lon. 75. 54. east.
ULM, an imperial city, and
sovereign state of Swabia, on
the west side of the Danube.
In 1702 it was basely surprized
by the Elector of Bavaria; but
after the battle of Hocstet sur-
rendered to the Imperialists: it
is a large city, with regular for-
tifications and deep ditches; but
not able to sustain a long siege;
it lies 36 miles west of Augs-
burg, in lat. 48. 30. north; lon.
10. 5. east.
ULOVIESTEIN, the post of, at
the source of the Horn, was
taken by the Prince of Holstein,
in April, 1759; and in August,
1762, General d'Affry made
himself master of the castle of
Ulriestein, when the garrison of
110 men and Officers, surrender
at discretion.
VOLONA, a city of Albania,
in European Turky, at the
mouth of the gulf of Venice, hav-
ing a capacious harbour, called
the bay of Valona, and defended
by a castle; it lies 55 miles
south of Durazzo. Lat. 42. 19.
north; lon. 20. 8. east.
VOLUNTEERS, persons who,
of their own acord, either for
the service of their Prince, or
out of the esteem they have for
their General, serve in the army,
without being inlisted, to gain
honour and preferment, by ex-
posing themselves in the service.
UPSAL, a very ancient city of
Z Uplandia

W A                         
Uplandia in Sweden, on the ri-
ver Sal, is defended by a large
strong castle, and lies 40 miles
north of Stockholm. Lat. 60.
12. north; lon. 17. 56. east.
UTICA, a city of Africa, fa-
mous for the death of Cato. It
is now called Byserta, and is a
considerable town of Tunis, with
an harbour on a fine bay of the
Mediterranean, defended by two
towers. It lies 30 miles north-
west of the ruins of Old Car-
thage, in lat. 37. 10. north;
lon. 9. 36. east.
UTRECHT, an ancient place,
and the capital of a Province of
that name in the United Low-
countries, on the Rhine, is a
fair, large, and populous city;
the treaty of union between the
confederate provinces was signed
there in 1579, and the famous
peace between the Allies and
France concluded in 1713, about
the close of Queen Anne's reign.
Lat. 52. 10. north; lon. 5. 7.
east.
WAD, is stopper of hay,
straw, or wadding, forced
into a gun upon the powder, to
keep it close in the chamber;
when it is home at the powder,
the gunner generally gives it
three thumps with the rammer-
head.
Wad-hook of worms; is a small
iron turned serpent-ways, like
a screw, and put upon the end
of a long staff, to draw out the
wad of a gun, when she is to be
unloaded.
Wad mill, a hollow piece of
wood to make the wads of a pro-
per form.
WAGGON-MASTER-GENERAL,
has the ordering and march-
W A
ing of all the baggage of the
army. On a day of march, he
meets the baggage at the place
appointed, and marshals it ac-
cording to the rank of the bri-
gade, or regiment, each wag-
gon belongs to; and marches it
according to the route given
him; which is sometimes in one
column, at others in two; some-
times after the artillery, and at
other times the baggage of each
column follows that it belongs
to.
WALDECK, a small city, and
the capital of a principality of
that name, in Germany, subject
to its own Prince, has a good
castle, and lies 18 miles south-
west of Hesse-Cassel. Lat. 51. 20.
north; lon. 8. 46. east.
WALDSHUT, a small but strong
town of Suabia, in Germany,
situate on the north side of the
Rhine, near the conflux of the
Schult. It is subject to Austria,
and lies 42 miles, west of Con-
stance. Lat. 47. 38. north; lon.
8. 15. east.                 
WAR, is that important event
for which all military education
is designed to prepare the soldi-
er. It is for this that, in peace,
he receives the indulgence of a
subsistence from society; and by
this that he is gratefully bound
to secure the repose of that soci-
ety from the outrage of barba-
rians, and to guard its posses-
sions from the devastations of
banditti. But as I hope that
every thing needful has already
been said about the means for
attaining this desirable end, and
as it would be equally needless
as impossible, to shew how often
this art of the soldier has accom-
plished the design of its insti-
tution;

W A
tution; I shall only make use of
the word, to distinguish those
Wars which are remarkable on
our annals, for obtaining the
blessings of peace to this kingdom
since the
War with Scotland, 1068.
Peace with ditto, 1091.
-- with France, 1113.
War with ditto, 1116.
Peace with ditto, 1118.
-- with Scotland, 1139.
War with France, 1161.
Peace with ditto, 1186.
War again, with France, with
success, 1194.
Peace with ditto, 1195.
War with France, 1201.
-- civil, renewed, 1215.
-- civil, ended, 1216.
-- with France, 1224.
-- ended, 1243.
-- civil, 1262.
-- ended, 1267.
-- with France, 1294.
-- with Scotland, 1296.
Peace with France, 1299.
-- with Scotland, March 30,
1323.
War again with Scotland, 1327.
-- ended, 1328.
-- again with Scotland, 1333.
-- with France, 1339.
Peace with France, May 8, 1360.
War with France, 1368.
-- civil, 1400.
-- with Scotland, 1400.
Peace with France, May 31,
1420.
War with France, 1422.
-- civil, between York and
Lancaster, 1452.
Peace with France, Oct. 1471.
War, civil, 1486.
-- with France, Oct. 6, 1492.
Peace with ditto, Nov. 3. fol-
lowing.
-- with Scotland, 1502.
W A
War with France, Feb. 4, 1512.
-- with Scotland, 1513.
Peace with France, August 7,
1514.
War with ditto, 1522.
-- with Scotland, 1522.
Peace with France, 1527.
-- with Scotland. 1542.
War with Scotland, directly
after.
Peace with France and Scotland,
June 7, 1546.
War with Scotland, 1547.
-- with France, 1549.
Peace with both, March 6, 1550.
War, civil, 1553.
-- with France, June 7, 1557.
-- with Scotland, 1557.
Peace with France, April 2,
l559.  
-- with Scotland, 1560.
War with France, 1562.
Peace with ditto, 1564.
War with Scotland, 1570.
-- with Spain, 1588.
Peace, with Spain, August 18,
1604.
War with Spain, 1624.
-- with France, 1627.
Peace with Spain and France,
April 14, 1629.
War, civil, 1642.
-- with the Dutch, 1651.
Peace with ditto, April 5, 1654.
War with Spain, 1655.
Peace with Spain, September 10,
1660.
War with France, Jan. 26, 1666.
-- with Denmark, Oct. 19,
following.
Peace with the French, Danes,
and Dutch, Aug. 24, 1667.
-- with Spain, February 13,
1668.
War with the Algerines, Sept.
6, 1669.
Peace with ditto, November 19,
1671.
War

W A
War with the Dutch, March,
1672.
Peace with the Dutch, Feb. 28,
l674.
War with France, May 7,
1689.
Peace, General, Sept. 20, 1697.
War with France, May 4, 1702.
Peace of Utrecht, Mar. 13, 1713.
War with Spain, Dec. 1718.
Peace With ditto, 1721.
War with Spain, 1739.
-- with France, March 31,
1744.
Peace with France, &c. 1748.
War with France, 1756.
-- with Spain, Jan. 4, 1762.
Peace with France and Spain,
Feb. 10, 1763.
WARADIN, GREAT, a town
of Upper Hungary, on an island
of the river Kews is subject to
the House of Austria, and lies
98 miles east of Buda. Lat. 47.
21. north; lon. 21. 46. east.
WARDHUYS, a small town
on an island near the continent,
in Norway, near the north-east
point of that kingdom, has an
harbour, is the residence of the
Governor, and lies 118 miles
south-east of the north cape. La-
titude, 71.10. north; longitude,
28. 5. east.
WARSAW, the capital of that
province, and of the kingdom of
Poland, is a large city, defend-
ed by a double wall and ditch;
lies 38 miles south of Dantzic,
and 148 north of Cracow. Lat.
52. 21. north; longitude, 21.
30. east.
WEAPONS, all sorts of war-
like instruments, except fire-arms.
WELL, is a depth sunk in the
ground by the miner, from
whence he runs out branches or
galleries, in search of the enemy's
W I
mine, to prevent its effects, or
make one for himself.
WESEL, or Nether Wesel, a well
fortified town in the dukedom of
Cleve and circuit of Westphalia,
in Germany, situated on the east
side of the Rhine near the mouth
of the Lippe, 12 miles south-east
of the city of Cleves. Lat. 51.
28. north; lon. 6. 12. east.
WERLE, a fortified town, sub-
ject to the Elector of Cologne, in
Westphalia in Germany, situated
between the Roer and Lippe, is
32 miles south of the city of
Munster. Lat. 51. 27. north;
lon. 7. 26. east.
WIBURN, the capital of Ca-
relia in Russian Finland, having
a convenient harbour on the Fin-
nick gulf. It is well fortified,
but was taken by the Czar Peter,
and afterwards ceded to him. It
lies 68 miles north-west of Pe-
tersburg. Latit. 61. 5. north;
long. 29. 10. east.
WIGHT, a large and fertile
island in the county of South-
ampton and diocese of Winche-
ster, is separated from the
continent of Britain by a small
channel. It is of an oval form
from east to west, 20 miles in
length, and 12 broad, contain-
ing near 27000 souls. The
forts and castles are garrisoned.
But its principal strength consists
in the royal navy being stationed
at Portsmouth and Spithead,
the channel between the island
and Portsmouth. Its chief town
is Newport.
WILLIAM HENRY, FORT,
stands at the north end of the
lake George, in America, at
about 60 miles north of Albany,
and 40 south of Ticonderoga.
From this fort Major Rogers set
out, 

W I
out, on the 20th of May, 1755,
to reconnoitre the enemy's ad-
vanced guard at Ticonderoga,
the north end of the lake. The
next day he viewed them, and
found their numbers to be about
300, after which he went and
reconnoitred the encampment at
Ticonderoga, and found they
had about 1000 men encamped
without the fort; he likewise
discovered there were about 200
men employed in carrying provi-
sions from the fort to their ad-
vanced guard, which they did
in batteaux, to the place called
the Saw Mills, or the fall of
lake George into lake Champ-
lain; from whence they trans-
ported it by land to the advan-
ced guard, where they landed
the provision. Here the ground
rose gradually for about 200
yards, and then ran on a level
to their advanced guard. Both
sides of the road were closely
covered with the wood. On
the 22d in the morning, about
six, the Major fixed an am-
buscade upon the top of a rising
ground, at near 200 yards di-
stance from their boats; and
within a quarter of an hour 42
men came along the road from
the advanced guard, and passing
the Major, descended the hill;
but just as the foremost reached
their boats, he attacked them in
their rear, and killed 9 at the
first fire; which so intimidated
the rest, that they flung down
their arms, some taking to their
boats, and others swimming the
river; the Major however con-
tinued his fire, took their Com-
manding-officer prisoner, destroy-
ed the whole party, and return-
ed that same evening to Fort
W I
William Henry, without one of
his men having received any hurt,
although the enemy were near
four times his number.
WlLMANSTRAND, a strong
frontier fortress of Swedish Fin-
land, near Wyburg, is famous for
the following battle. Count Lacy
being dispatched to Carelia, the
most eastern province of Finland,
at the head of an army of about
30000 men, he there received
advice, that the Swedish rendez-
vous was at the fortress of Wil-
manstrand; and on the 20th of
August, 1741, he advanced from
Wyburg to attack that post. The
Swedes were in a most advanta-
geous situation, being covered
by the fortress and an emi-
nence on which their artillery
was planted, while both flanks
were secured by lakes, so that
there was no accession but in the
front, commanded by General
Wrangel. But Lacy, regardless
of their situation, made forced
marches to attack them; and
after a smart engagement of six
hours, the Swedes were totally
routed, leaving their cannon,
and about 4000 men killed,
wounded and taken prisoners.
Among the latter were General
Wrangel, Count Wasoburg, and
several Officers of distinction.
The Russians immediately en-
tered the fortress sword in hand,
and got immense booty; the
Swedes were defeated; and this
fortress, with all its riches, be-
came a prey to their enemy, whose
loss was inconsiderable: only
Major-general Uxbull being kill-
ed, Lieutenant-general Steffeln,
and Major-general Abbrecht,
wounded; and near 1960 infe-
rior Officers and private men.
WIL- 

W I
WILMERDONCK, near Eech-
eren, in the Austrian Low-
countries, about 6 miles north of
Antwerp, and 7 east of Lillo, is
only remarkable for a battle be-
tween the French and Dutch,
in 1703, when fortune declared
for the latter. Lat. 51. 42.
north; lon. 4. 18. east.
WINDAGE of a gun, is the
difference between the diameter
of the bore and the diameter of
the ball; for the balls being
rough, if they were not some-
what less than the bore, they
might jam in the piece; so the
windage of a demi-culverin is a
quarter of an inch.
WINDSOR, anciently a fa-
mous fortification in Berkshire,
where is still on an eminence a
celebrated castle, in which are
installed the Knights of the Gar-
ter. It is twenty miles west of
London.
WINGS, in fortification, are the
large sides of horn-works, crown-
works, tenailles, and the like
out-works; that is to say, the
ramparts and parapets, with
which they are bounded on the
right and left, from their gorge
to the front.
WINLACE, a roller of wood,
square at each end, through
which is either holes for hand-
spikes, or staves across, to turn
it round. By a cord being fast-
ened to this at one end, any
thing very heavy, secured at the
other end, may be easily raised
up to it.
WINSCHOTEN, a strong for-
tress of Groningen, in the Uni-
ted Provinces, 6 miles south-west
of the bay of Dallert. Near
this place was fought the first
battle by the Dutch, under
W O
Count Lewis of Nassau, against
the Spaniards, in 1568; in
which the latter were defeated,
and their General Aremberg kil-
led. Lat. 53. 20. north; lon.
6. 56. east.
WINTER - QUARTERS,
places where troops are quar-
tered during the winter; and,
likewise, the time compre-
hended, between the end of one
campaign and the beginning of
another.
WITTENBERG, or Wirtemberg
the capital of the duchy of Sax-
ony Proper, in Germany, on
the east side of the Elbe; it is
well fortified by art and nature,
and lies 54 miles north of Dres-
den. Lat. 51 . 56. north; lon.
13. 10. east.              
WORCUM, a well fortified
town of Holland, situated on the
Waal, 24 miles east of Rotter-
dam. Lat. 51. 50. north; lon.
4. 46. east.
WORD, in an army, or gar-
rison, is a token, or mark of
distinction, by an ignorance of
which, spies or treacherous per-
sons are immediately known.
It serves likewise to prevent
surprizes, and is given out by
the General to the Lieutenant-
general or Major-General of
the day, who gives it to the Ad-
jutant-general, he to the Majors
of brigades, they to the Adju-
tants, who give it first to their
own Field-officers, and after-
wards to the Non-commissioned
Officers, who write it in their
orderly books, and then carry
it to their own Officers. In
a garrison it is given by the Go-
vernor to the Town or Fort-
major; in their Absence, to the
Town or Fort-adjutant, who
sends

W Y
sends it to the several guards
sealed up, and also gives it to the
Adjutant at orderly time.
WORKS generally denote
all the fortifications about the
body of a place; as by out-
works are meant those without
the first inclosure. This word is
also used to signify the ap-
proaches of the besiegers, and
the several lines, trenches, &c.
made round a place, an army,
&c. for its security.
WOLFEMBUTTLE, a city of
Brunswick and Lower Saxony, in
Germany, situated on the river
Ocker, the ancient residence of
the Duke of Brunswic-Wolfem-
buttle, is strong by art and na-
ture, and lies 12 miles south of
Brunswic. Lat. 52. 26. north;
lon. 10. 41. east.
WORMS, an imperial city,
and the capital of the bishopric
of that name, in the Palatine,
situated on the West side of
the Rhine, was a fine place be-
fore destroyed in 1689, by the
French, but has since been re-
built, and is mentioned in  the
course of some remarkable bat-
tles. It lies 27 miles south of
Mentz. Lat. 44. 36. north; lon.
8. 10. east.
WYNENDALE, a town of
Flanders, in the Austrian Low-
countries, between Bruges and
Offend, in lat. 51. 10. north;
lon. 3. 15. east; is rendered me-
morable by the following gal-
lant action, on the 28th of Sep-
tember, 1708, between a body
of the allied troops, commanded
by Major-general Webb, and
the French army, commanded
by Count de la Motte.
After the detachments sent to
cover the waggons of ammuni-
W Y
tion for the siege of Lisle, had
joined at Tourot, September
27th, Generals Webb and Cado-
gan received intelligence that
Major Savary, of the regiment
of Guethims, had possessed him-
self of the post of Oudenbroughe;
whereupon 600 grenadiers, com-
manded by colonel Preston,
with a battalion of Orkney,
commanded by colonel Hamil-
ton, and that of Fune, com-
manded by Colonel Voogt, under
the orders of Brigadior Lands-
berg, were sent to reinforce that
post.
On the 28th, at eight in the
morning, the cavalry was sent
to Hooglede, to wait there for
the convoy, excepting an hun-
dred and fifty horse, commanded
by Count de Lottum, who had
been sent the preceeding night to
Oudenbroughe, to carry an or-
der to the two battalions, and
600 grenadiers, to escort the
convoy as far as Kokelaere, and
then to rejoin the infantry at
Tourot. At noon, Count de
Lottum returned to Tourot, and
reported, that having advanced
towards Ichtegem, he had found
an advanced guard of the ene-
my's; that he pushed on as far
as the heath, where he disco-
vered 16 squadrons, who mount-
ed their horses with great pre-
cipitation, upon the alarm
given by the advanced-guard;
so that he had thought proper
to return with all speed, to
bring information thereof. Up-
on this news, all the infantry, to
the number of twenty-two bat-
talions, and Count de Lottum,
with 150 horse, who composed
the advanced guard, with the
Quarter masters, and the rest of
the 

W Y
the grenadiers, who had not
been commanded to endeavour
to take Ichtegem, were ordered
to march towards Wynendaele.
When the advanced-guard arri-
ved there, the enemies were dis-
covered at the entrance of the
heath; whereupon the Quarter-
master and the rest of the gre-
nadiers were drawn up in order
of battle. Major-general Webb,
and Count Nassau Loudenburg,
at the head of 150 horse, ad-
vanced to reconnoiter the ene-
my, giving orders at the same
time to the regiment to advance
with all speed upon the plain,
and to form: the 150 horse un-
der Count de Lottum, were left
at the entrance of the heath, to
amuse the enemy; and to em-
barrass them still more, the
Quarter-masters and grenadiers
were posted among the bushes,
which skirted the ground where
the enemy were to pass. As
fast as our regiments passed the
defile, they were ranged in or-
der of battle by General Webb
and Count Nassau, to occupy
an opening between Wynendale-
wood and the bushes on the
other side, which form a kind of
little wood. Scarcely had six of
our battalions passed, when the
enemy began to cannonade with
ten pieces of cannon, and nine
other pieces of three bores each,
the 140 horse which had been
left at this advanced post, who,
notwithstanding the great fire of
the enemy, did not stir. This
produced the effect the General
expected therefrom; which was,
to give him time to put the in-
fantry in order of battle, to oc-
cupy the opening and form
there two lines, the left wing
W Y
extended far behind the bushes
above-mentioned, to hinder the
enemy from passing that way,
and to cover the flank. Upon
the flank of the right in Wynen-
dale wood, was placed the re-
giment of Heuklum; and upon
the flank of the left, the regi-
ment of Erf, Prince of Prussia,
with orders to conceal them-
selves, and not to fire till they
could take the enemy in flank.
Small parties of dragoons ad-
vanced 40 paces to the right
and to the left with similar or-
ders; the Quarter-masters occu-
pied on the left, which passes
through the  bushes before men-
tioned. The enemy, after ha-
ving cannonaded us during three
hours, advanced towards us in
order of battle in the plain,
with four lines of infantry, and
as many of cavalry; whereupon
Count de Lottum was ordered
to retreat, and post himself
300 paces behind the infantry;
which he did in good order.
The enemy to the number of
40 battalions, and 48 squadrons,
continued to march strait up to
us.
The General observing that
the enemy filed off from their
right, into the bushes; sent
thither Count Nassau, to recon-
noitre their motions; upon
which, orders to march were gi-
ven to the regiment of Grumb-
kow, commanded by Colonel
Beschefer. Brigadier Eltz arri-
ved at the right with the regi-
ments of the rear-guard, which
he posted in the wood of Wy-
nendale. Half a quarter of an
hour before the battle, the two
battalions, and the 600 grena-
diers detached with Brigadier
Lansberg, 

T R
Lansberg having joined us, form-
ed a third line, having met
by chance near Kokclaere some
soldiers wives in great lamen-
tation; upon which the Colo-
nels Preston, Hamilton, and
Vooght, had advised Brigadier
Lansberg to advance to his assist-
ance. A moment after, the
enemy began to attack, and ad-
vanced to within 15 paces of
the battalion posted at the flank
of the right, who had kept
themselves hid according to the
General's order, and did not
fire till the  enemy's flank was
just over against them; but they
did it then with such success, that
the enemys left wing fell in
great disorder upon the right,
which received from the regi-
ment of Grumbkow, posted at
the flank of the left, and at
about the same distance, so warm
a salute as threw them quite
into disorder. They returned
however to the charge, and
pushed hard two of our batta-
lions; but the regiment of Al-
bemarle Swiss, commanded by
M. Hirtzet, advanced upon their
cavalry, who strove to penetrate
and engage with them, and by
his vigorous resistance, gave the
General and Count Nassau time
to bring up the regiments of
Berndorf and Lindebom, in the
place of those that had been
pushed; which was done in a
moment. In the mean time the
enemy supported by so many
lines, made a second effort to
penetrate; but none of our bat-
talions stirred, except to advance
some steps;  but the General
prevented their pursuing, not
to lose the advantage of the
two flanks. This penetration                         
T R
had the desired success; for
the two regiments and the
grenadiers making there a con-
tinual fire, obliged the two
wings of the enemy to fall back
upon their centre, and retreat
in great confusion: though their
Officers did every thing in their
power to make them advance,
they could not succeed: our
soldiers fired by platoons, in
the same order as if they had
been performing at a review.
M. Cadogan, who arrived a
moment after the engagement
had begun, offered to charge the
enemy in their confusion at the
head of two squadrons he then
had; having already sent orders
for four squadrons to come and
join us, which could not arrive
till a little before seven o'clock;
but it was not judged proper to
expose so small a number to
charge an enemy so superior,
with all their cavalry advanced
to favour their retreat.
The battle was severe, and
lasted near two hours. We had
912 Officers and soldiers killed
or wounded. The enemy's loss,
according to the report of the
prisoners, confirmed by the de-
serters, was between 3 and 4000;
but they retired in such confu-
sion, that they left their cannon
in the wood, and did not re-
turn to look for it, till the next
day at eleven, after having
heard that our Generals had
continued their march at two in
the morning, to conduct the
convoy which was going to
Rousselaer, after having caused
all our wounded, and several of
the enemy's, to be carried off.
The advantage we gained is so
much the more surprizing, as
A a we 

Y O
we had only between 6 and 7000
men, on account of the detach-
ments which had been made,
while that of the enemy amount-
ed to no less than 23000. See
plan 20.
XATIVA, a walled town of
Valencia in Spain, situa-
ted on a river of that name,
and defended by a strong castle,
lies 28 miles south of the city of
Valencia. Lat. 39. 10. north;
lon. 52 minutes west.
YORK, New, the capital
of the province of that
name in North America, is situ-
ated on an island in the mouth of
Hudson's river, about 40 miles
in length, and three in breadth.
It is well built on an eminence,
surrounded with a wall and
other works. Here is also a
spacious harbour, with commo-
dious quays and warehouses;
great numbers of ships and ves-
sels being employed in its trade
and fishery. Lat. 41. 5. north;
lon. 74. 15. west.
YOUNGER regiment or officer,
That regiment is youngest which
was last raised; and that Of-
ficer youngest whose commission
bears the latest date, of the
same rank, though he be aged,
or has long served in other capa-
cities.
YPRES, a city of the Austrian
Low countries, one of the bar-
rier towns, and esteemed im-
pregnable; but was shamefully de-
livered up by the Dutch garri-
son in 1744, almost as soon as
the French came before it, toge-
ther with the whole chatelary.
Lat. 50. 57. north; lon. 2. 51. east.
ZANT, an island of the Me-
diterranean, 10 miles
Z O
south of the Morea, and near
the south side of Chephalonia,
from which it is divided by a
channel of about 12 miles in
breadth. The capital is well
fortified and defended by a castle.
This island is greatly exposed to
the attempts of the Turks, since
the Morea was taken from the
Venetians in 1715.
ZARA, the capital of the city
of Dalmatia, almost surrounded
with the Adriatic sea, and join-
ed to the continent by a bridge,
is one of the best fortified places
belonging to the Venetians;
and it lies 58 miles north-west
of Spalatto. Lat. 44. 10. north;
lon. 17. 21. east.
ZELL, the capital of a duke-
dom of that name, and Lu-
nenberg, in Lower Saxony in
Germany, is extremely well
fortified, but not regularly; lies
32 miles north of Hanover, and
37 south of Lunenberg. It was
the residence of the late Duke of
Zell and Lunenberg; which
dukedom, on the death of the last
of that house, devolved on his
nephew the Elector of Hanover,
George I. who also had married
the heiress of that Duke, and
mother to George II. Lat. 52.
56. north; lon. 10. 11. east.
ZIGZAG, is a line making se-
veral angles in approaching or
erecting a work, to prevent the
men being fired on in a straight
line, or enfiladed.
ZIRICKSEE, a strong sea-
port town on the south side of the
island of Schowen, and province
of Zealand in the United Nether-
lands, is 18 miles north-east of
Middleburg. Lat. 51. 52. north;
lon. 3. 56. east.
ZITTAW, a well fortified city
of Upper Lusatia, in the circle 

Z O
of Upper Saxony in Germany,
is situate on the Neisse, 58 miles
east of Dresden. Lat. 51. 10.
north; lon. 14. 58. east.
ZNAIN, Stands upon the ri-
ver Teya, upon the borders of
Austria. The town is fortified,
and defended by a strong castle;
but a neighbouring mountain
overlooking it, renders it weak.
It is 40 miles north-west of Vi-
enna. Lat. 47. 47. north;
lon. 16. 12. east.
ZOLLERN, or HOHENZOL-
LERN, a city in the principality
of the same name, in Suabia in
Germany, having a castle on the
river Zollern, lies 30 miles
south of Stutgard. Lat. 48. 21.
north; lon. 8. 50. east.
ZOLNOCK, a well fortified
town of Upper Hungary, situ-
ated at the confluence of the Za-
guya and Theiss. In 1552, it
was shamefully surrendered by
the soldiers to the Turks, who,
Z U
at the Governor's request, cut
the garrison to pieces. It lies
52 miles east of Buda, lat. 47.
30. north; lon. 20. 15. east.
ZORNDORFF, a village of
New Marche, in Brandenburg, is
situated on the Oder; where a
bloody battle was fought be-
tween the King of Prussia, and
Generals Fermor and Brown,
in 1758, when the latter was
defeated.
ZURICK, the capital of a
canton of that name, in Swit-
zerland; is well fortified, has
wide ditches, and lies 40 miles
south-west of Constance. Lat.
47. 54. north; lon. 8. 32. east.
ZUTPHEN, the capital of the
county of the same name, in
Guelderland, situated on the
east band of the Yssel. It is
rich, populous, well fortified,
and lies 10 miles south of De-
venter. Lat. 52. 20. north;
lon. 6. 10. east. 

In the PRESS, and SPEEDILY will be PUBLISHED.
A NEW
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