Part 142

FLOATING-batteries, vessels used as batteries, to cover troops in landing on an enemy’s coast.

FLOGGING, a barbarous punishment in general use among the British foot soldiers. It is inflicted with a whip having several lashes, and is calculated to degrade and render the man totally unfit for a soldier. It is not practised in any other army in Europe.

FLOOD-GATE, in fortified towns, is composed of 2 or 4 gates, so that the besieged by opening the gates may inundate the environs so as to keep the enemy out of gun shot.

FLOOR. See PLATFORM.

To FLOURISH, in a general musical acceptation of the term, is to play some prelude or preparatory air without any settled rule.

A FLOURISH, any vibration of sound that issues from a musical instrument.

The trumpet FLOURISH in drawing swords, is used regimentally by corps of cavalry on their own ground, and is the sounding used in receiving a general officer.

FLOWER de Luce, FLEUR de Lis, The arms of France under the old monarchy. They consisted in three flowers de lis or, or gold, in a field azure, or blue. These arms were superceded by the three colored flag, when the bastile was taken and destroyed by the inhabitants of Paris.

FLUSHED, a term frequently applied when men have been successful, as, flushed with victory, &c.

FLUTE, a wind instrument which is sometimes used in military bands; but never on service.

FLUX, an extraordinary evacuation of the body, to which soldiers are frequently subject on service. Towards the fall of the year this disorder is particularly prevalent, especially in camps. It is of a contagious nature, and the greatest care should be taken to prevent the healthy men in a regiment from frequenting the privies to which those infected by this cruel disorder are permitted to resort. A centry should always be posted in the vicinity of every hospital for that specific purpose.

FLYING{army. See ARMY. {bridge. See BRIDGE.

FLYING Artillery. See HORSE ARTILLERY.

FLYING-Camp. See CAMP.

FOCUS, in mining. See MINE.

FODDER. See FORAGE.

FOE. See ENEMY.

FOIL, in fencing, a long piece of steel of an elastic temper, mounted somewhat like a sword, which is used to learn to fence with; it is without a point, or any sharpness, having a button at the extremity, covered with leather.

To FOIL, to defeat.

FOLLOWERS of a camp, Officers, servants, sutlers, &c. All followers of a camp are subject to the articles of war equally with the soldiery.

FOND, ground, properly means the surface of the earth which lies above the water.

FONDEMENS, Fr. foundation.

FONDERIE, Fr. forge, ou Fourneaux. See FOUNDERY.

FONDS destinés pour le payement des troupes. Fr. Monies issued for the service of the army.

FONTE des pieces d’artillerie. The metal used in the casting of cannon which consists of three sorts well mixed together, viz. copper, tin, and brass.

FOOT, in a military sense, signifies all those bodies of men that serve on foot. See Infantry.

FOOT is also a long measure, consisting of 12 inches. Geometricians divide the foot into 10 digits, and the digits into 10 lines; but we after the manner of the English divide the foot into 12 inches, and an inch into 12 lines, and a line into 12 points. The French call the 12th part of a foot, a line.

A square FOOT, is the same measure, both in length and breadth, containing 12 × 12 = 144 square or superficial inches.