returns which are submitted to the general officer commanding. He has, besides, to attend to the usual duties of the guards, prisoners, courts-martial, &c. As regards drill, commanding officers of batteries carry out or work their own drills independently, and recruits are trained at Woolwich, or at the centres of sub-divisions of districts. The adjutant is responsible to the commanding officer for the state of exactness with which the regimental books are kept, and for the correctness of the duty rosters. He is to give his attention to everything appertaining to the discipline of his brigade, bringing to the notice of the commanding officer any irregularity or deviation from the established rules and regulations. In fact, nothing should escape his attention and observation. rank of the officers appointed to some of the grades of the department. The Queen's Regulations lay down that the deputy assistant adjutant-general should not be under the rank of captain in the army without he is specially recommended. Assistant Adjutant-General—A field officer and a subordinate member of the adjutant-general's department. An officer of this rank is attached to each division of the army. His duties include the submission of reports on discipline, military duties, training, and efficiency, to the general officer commanding the division. Through his department the bulk of the correspondence on arms, accoutrements, ammunition, &c., passes before being sent on to the control department. Special reports on articles issued experimentally, suggestions or complaints as to regulation articles, and any differences which may arise between commanding officers and the control, all go through his office. In time of war the assistant adjutantgeneral of each division carries out, under instructions from the general of his division, the orders issued by the chief of the staff. Assistant Adjutant-General, Deputy -A subordinate officer of the adjutantgeneral's department who performs similar duties to those of an assistant adjutant-general. In the field, a deputy assistant adjutant-general is attached to each division. Adjutant-General-One of the chief staff officers of the army, through whom all orders are promulgated, and to whom all reports are sent for the information of the commander-in-chief. The duties of the adjutant-general relate to the discipline, military training, and general efficiency of the army. In peace time, all correspondence regarding leave of absence, discharges, recruiting, and a variety of other subjects (vide the 'Soldier's Pocket Book') passes through his office. On a campaign, in subordination to the chief of the staff (should there be such an officer with the force), he regulates the daily duties of the force, and during a siege details the working parties on the requisition of the commanding engineer. He keeps an exact state of each division and brigade, with a roll of the general and field officer's; he distributes the orders of the day to the several assistant adjutants-general of divisions, and in-tration, and has under him certain imforms them of every detail which may concern the general of the division and those under his command. Communications are made to him on the field by officers sent with or for orders in the absence of a chief of the staff. To his department at the Horse Guards are attached a deputy, assistant, and deputy assistant adjutant-general, to assist him in carrying out the duties of his office. The two first-named officers must be field officers. This rule in India, however, is sometimes departed from in the Administration, Military-Relates to the system observed in all governments for the guidance of military affairs in each country. The Secretary of War directs the whole of the military adminis portant officials who are charged with superintending the discipline of the army and the national reserves, supplies, payment of the forces, the military manufactures and armament of the country. In his office (War Office) there is a section representing each civil department serving with the army, and charged with the duty of directing and supplying those departments with all things required to maintain their efficiency. Advanced Guard-A detachment or specially organised body of troops com posed of the three arms, which always precedes the march of the main body of an army for the purpose of facilitating the march and guarding against surprise. Another object of an advanced guard is to procure information when an army is marching upon an enemy. This latter circumstance is remarked on in the Royal Institution prize essay of 1874, by Lieutenant S. C. Pratt, R.A., in the following terms: "An advanced guard has two opposite functions to perform-one, to be the eyes and feelers of an army; the other, to arrest and contain the enemy. In order to perform the first, the troops should be of the lightest description, and chiefly cavalry. To attain the second, the main constituent should be a powerful infantry and artillery. The endeavour to reconcile these conflicting functions is, without doubt, the reason of the great differences in the constitution of advanced guards as laid down by authorities on tactics. "The present tendency is to restrict them, more or less, to the latter duty; fulfilling the former by the employment of independent bodies of cavalry, one or more days' march ahead of the army." The former mode was the custom of the first Napoleon, and the custom of the Prussians in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, and this is undoubtedly the proper method of "feeling one's way" in a hostile country. The duty of the advanced guard should be, while not allowing itself to be entangled with a superior force, it must not, as Colonel Hamley shows in his 'Operations of War,' "allow the march to be delayed by demonstrations made by insignificant bodies. The commander, therefore, has need of prudence and resolution; he must, according to circumstances, dispute the ground, fall back towards the army, or promptly attack." The strength of the advanced guard, or the proportion to the main body, is laid down by some of the chief continental powers to be from to of the main body. Sir G. Wolseley, the author of the 'Soldier's Pocket Book,' approves of fromto of the whole force. It may therefore be assumed, as stated by Lieutenant Pratt, that will be the proportion. The order of march of an advanced guard Colonel Hamley explains as follows:-"A small party of horse precedes the main body of the advanced guard to obtain and bring the earliest intelligence. Of the main body, a portion of the infantry march first; for neither artillery nor cavalry should enter any defile which has not been first explored, and its flanks secured by infantry. "The artillery may, in general, properly be placed next the leading battalion, or part of a battalion, of the advanced guard." The cavalry would cover the flanks of the column. The maximum distance of an advanced guard from the main column of a large army should not exceed five miles, without some overpowering advantage is to be gained, such as seizing on some point or position, the possession of which would be worth the risk. In the Soldier's Pocket Book,' it is laid down as a rule "that the ordinary distance of an advanced guard from the head of the main body should be about equal to the depth of the column." Advanced Posts-Positions taken up by a force in advance of the main body of an army, and in such a situation that they shall be within easy communication of it, and of one another; but the distance depends greatly on the nature of the country. The object of advanced posts is to prevent a sudden rush of the enemy upon the main body, and to give it time to turn out: this being afforded, the advanced posts fall back on their supports, and join the main body. The term advanced posts is also applied to picquets and such fortified posts or villages in advance of the main line of battle. Advanced Works-In fortification, are those constructed beyond the glacis, but within musketry fire of the main works. Advancement-In a military sense, signifies honour, promotion from a lower to a higher grade, or preferment, in an army, regiment, or company. Adze, Indian, or Bassoolah-A small adze, which, in place of being circular like the European adze, is formed at a direct angle of about 45 or 50 degrees; its handle is very short, and it is used a with great precision by the nearly exclusive motion of the elbow-joint. Aeen-(Terminalia glabra)—A tree which grows in the Madras Presidency at Coimbatore. It is very hard, heavy, and durable under water. It is said to be found in all the teak forests of India and Burmah. A cubic foot of unseasoned wood weighs from seventy to seventythree pounds. It is used in the Bombay Gun-carriage Agency for shafts, handspikes, and yokes. Affair In a military sense, means any minor action or engagement. Major Knollys, in his 'Handy Dictionary of Military Terms,' describes an "affair" as "more important than a skirmish, and less so than a battle." Affidavit-In military law, implies an oath in writing, sworn before a person duly authorised to administer it. Affirmation-A solemn declaration made before a court of justice or courtmartial by those who, from different views of religion, are considered incompetent, or are unwilling, to give evidence on oath, as ruled in our several courts. Formerly, no evidence could be given except upon oath; but the privilege of making a solemn affirmation, instead of swearing on the Bible, has been extended to Quakers, Moravians, and Separatists in all cases; and to persons alleging conscientious motives in civil proceedings. Before native courts-martial in India, evidence is given on solemn affirmation. Agent-A person employed to transact business for another, and in whose place he acts. The decision of the agent, on matters appertaining to the business he is entrusted with, is looked on as binding. In India the name "agent is given to certain high officers of the state, to whom are committed by the Viceroy political powers in dealing with native states. Agent, Army-A kind of military banker, authorized by the government to manage the monetary affairs of a regiment. When purchase was the system in the army, the sale and purchase of officers' commissions were transacted by them. It is ordered in the Queen's Regulations that officers on leave should furnish their address to the regimental agent, in order that they may be readily communicated with. Aide-de-camp- An officer attached to the personal staff of a general officer in the field, or in garrison. He receives and carries all orders given to him by the general on the field of battle. He must be particular in delivering them in the most distinct manner, so that there should be no miscarriage in the instructions entrusted to him. This is a post of great importance during a campaign, and only officers of intelligence and smartness should be appointed. It is stated by Marshal de Puysegur that the loss of a battle was occasioned by the incapacity of an aide-de-camp. During the Crimean War, by the misconception of a message sent by Lord Raglan to Lord Lucan, the Earl of Cardigan had to carry out a military movement which resulted in a very severe loss of cavalry. In quarters an aide-de-camp assists the general in official correspondence, in introducing military officers, and in dispensing the courtesies of the general's house. Before an officer can be appointed an aide-de-camp he must have served two years with his regiment, and have passed the prescribed examination as laid down in the Queen's Regulations. If in India, he must have passed the examination directed in the army regulations of that country, which necessitates passing in certain native languages. The number of aides-de-camp allotted to general officers in the field is as follows: Four, to the officer commandingin-chief; Two, to divisional generals; One, to brigadier. Extra aides receive forage, but no pay. Aides-de-camp are attached to the sovereign, and to governors of provinces; in the former case, the appointment carries with it the rank of colonel in the army. The position of Queen's aide-de-camp, besides conferring rank, carries pay with it to a limited number. Aiguillette (French aiguille, a needle) -An ornament of gold or silver cord worn formerly on the right shoulder by general officers; it is now chiefly confined to the dress of officers of the Life Guards and Horse Guards. Aiguillettes appear to have been introduced in the early part of the sixteenth century, and were generally worn by the troopers, as well as the officers, at that time. They were subsequently superseded towards the end of that century by epaulettes, though worn up to a much later date by general officers. Aim, To-In drill or action, to bring the musket or piece of ordnance to the proper line of direction with the object intended to be struck. To enable the proper elevation to be given, sights are attached to all small-arms and ordnance. with reference to projectiles, is of the highest importance in the science of Ballistics. The resistance increases in a high ratio with the velocity. Without this resistance a musket ball would, at an angle of 25°, be thrown seventeen times further than with it. Hutton's experiments led him to believe that the resistance of the air increased a little more rapidly than the square of the velocity. The French experiments have led to an expression involving the square and the cube of the velocity. It is of the following form for spherical projectiles: p = 0.0005213 πRv2 δ (1 + 1426-4) 534-3 may be taken as unity. δ 534.5 For elongated projectiles, the co-efficient 0.0005213 A is replaced by 0.0003475; but in some instances the former co-efficient has been found to be the most correct even for elongated projectiles. Air Gun-A pneumatic machine for propelling bullets, which, by its peculiar formation, admits of the air being compressed or condensed within it, in a strong metal ball, furnished with a small hole and a valve opening inwards. This ball in which p represents the resistance of is screwed to a barrel containing a bullet; the air in pounds weight;, the ratio of the circumference to the diameter; upon turning a cock and opening a communication between the condensed air R, the diameter of the projectiles in feet; and the bullet, the latter will be pro-, the velocity in feet per second; and jected forward with a greater or less, the density of the air at the time of velocity, according to the state of the observation. For ordinary purposes condensation and the weight of the bullet. Air Pump-A machine constructed for exhausting the air from a closed vessel, which is called a receiver. It consists of a glass-receiver, and a pipe connecting it with two barrels by means of two valves, which open upwards. In these barrels are two air-tight pistons, also furnished with valves opening upwards, which are worked up and down by means of a rack and wheel. The principle of the air pump is as follows:The pistons work up and down alternately, one ascending as the other descends. The piston rising from the bottom of the cylinder causes a partial vacuum, and the elastic force of the air in the receiver pressing on the valve, opens it and fills the cylinder. On the descent of the piston, the valve in the pipe leading to the receiver closes by the pressure of air on it, and the valve in the piston opens from the same cause, until all the air in the cylinder is expelled. A succession of strokes in this way rarifies the air in the receiver, until the elastic force of all that remains is insufficient to open the valves, when the action of the pump ceases. Air, Resistance of More especially The resistance of the air gives rise to a ballistic co-efficient C, peculiar to each projectile. This is calculated from the formulæ : C = 1 Р = RD g A ៖ 2g AT R2 in which g, A, T, R, are the same as before; P, weight of projectile in pounds; D, the density of the projectile, and A, its appropriate value, according as the projectile is spherical or elongated. The co-efficient C is one of the data required in finding the multipliers B (a point), D, &c., used in the formulæ for the trajectory in the air. Colonel Majefsky, of the Russian artillery, has proposed a formula involving the square and the fourth power of the velocity, which is said to give results even closer to practice than the French formula above detailed. The following short table, calculated to an army or camp that the enemy is by the formulæ, will give an idea of the amount of the resistance of the air. On examining the above, it appears that the resistance decreases very rapidly with the velocity. In effect, at a velocity of 800 feet, the resistance is less than one-fifth of that corresponding to the double velocity of 1600 feet. Comparatively to the 24-pr. round shot, the resistance to the 12-pr., one-half its weight, is only about twothirds of the former; that to the musket bullet, weighing of the same round shot, is but the 68th part. The 10-in. common shell, weighing nearly four times as much, meets with a resistance which is only three times that of the 24-pr., despite the inferiority of its density. At a velocity of 1600 feet per second, the resistance opposed to the 24-pr. shot is 479 lbs., or twenty times its own weight; at a much smaller velocity of 600 feet per second, the resistance to projectiles is still in proportion to their weight; thus, nearly double for the 24-pr., more than double for the 12-pr., nearly ten times for the musket bullet, and nearly half as great again for the 10-in. shell. suspected of intending a sudden surprise, or that the surprise has actually been made. There is an alarm post in camp or garrison arrangements, to which the troops are directed to hasten on any sudden alarm being given." Alarm Gun-Formerly, three guns were placed in front of a camp, 100 paces from the artillery posts, ready to be fired, as an alarm to the troops, in case of a sudden attack by the enemy. Alarm Post-A place told off on the arrival of a force into a new quarter, camp, or bivouac, where the men are to repair in case of any sudden alarm by day or night. The parade is generally looked upon as the alarm post; officers and men should proceed there ready armed, on the alarm being sounded, should no other place be appointed. When an army is in the field, there are two alarm signals: 1. For general concentration, on which everybody acts according to instructions. 2. Partial, when regiments re-assemble at their own rendezvous. The second alarm signal should be frequently practised, for it is very important to know how long it takes to get the men together at any hour. It is ordered in the Queen's Regulations that although a regiment or a division may remain for only a single night in a quarter, yet an alarm post, or place of assembly, is invariably to be established in each regiment, and the troops are to be made acquainted with its position, and officers commanding regiments, with that of the brigade to which they belong. Alarms, False-Stratagems of war frequently made use of to harass an enemy by keeping him perpetually under arms. A vigilant officer will occasionally make a false alarm to try if his guard is the alert. A fearful or negligent sentinel will create alarm by false reports. Aketon, or Hacqueton - A quilted leathern jacket worn under the armour of knights in the thirteenth and four-on teenth centuries. Alarm-The following meaning of this term is given in Chambers's Encyclopædia': "In military matters the word alarm has a more defined meaning than mere terror or fright. An alarm, among soldiers in an army, is not so much a danger as a warning against danger. An alarm, signified by the firing of a gun or the beating of a drum, denotes Alcohol-A term of Arabic origin, implying the pure spirit obtained by distillation from all liquids which have suffered the vinous fermentation. Alcohol is transparent, colourless, and inflammable. It unites easily with resins, camphor, antimony, and volatile oils. It is known as spirits of wine." Its 66 |