Part 190

There are apertures made on every side, through which the centinel can observe every thing that passes in the ditch. A path about 2 or 3 feet broad is cut through the parapet and the banquette, up to the entrance of the guerite. Wooden guerites are generally used where the rampart is lined with turf only.

The spots best adapted for guerites, are at the flanked angles of bastions, and at the angles of epaulements. Sometimes indeed, they are placed in the centre of the curtains. They must jut out at the point of the angle, and the ground floor should be upon a line with the cordon, which is a sort of fillet or trace that marks the separation of the rampart from the parapet. They must likewise project far enough to afford the centinel who is within, a full view of the faces, the flanks and the curtains, and, if possible, a thorough command of all the ditches.

Gagner la GUERITE, Fr. A familiar phrase to express the escape of a person.

Enfiler la GUERITE, Fr. To avoid the pursuit of another.

GUERRE, Fr. War; which see.

The word guerre is indeed so frequently used among the French, that we shall not be thought too minute in specifying some general terms under that head. The principal ones are,

GUERRE civile, Fr. See CIVIL WAR.

Homme de GUERRE, Fr. a military man.

Nom de GUERRE, Fr. a war name; a borrowed name; it was formerly common to assume a nom de guerre on entering the French army.

Petite GUERRE, Fr. a harrassing species of warfare. A contest for plunder.

Place de GUERRE, Fr. a fortified town or place.

Faire la GUERRE à l’œil, in a figurative sense, signifies to watch stedfastly, and without taking off the eye from a particular object.

A la guerre comme á la GUERRE. A familiar expression among the French, which implies, that things must be taken as they come.

On ne fait la GUERRE que pour faire enfin la paix. War, after all, must end in peace.

La guerre nourrit la GUERRE, figuratively means, that an army always subsists at the expence of the country in which it lies.

GUERRE de Secours, Fr. war of alliance or confederacy. This term is more especially applicable to that species of contest in which neighboring princes or countries embark to defend those with whom they are in alliance, against the aggression or exorbitant demands of a conqueror.

If such a contest or war be entered into upon the faith of settled treaties, the parties are bound not only to supply the stipulated number of soldiers, but even to augment their quota, if necessity should require, and sometimes to march in person against the common enemy.

If the object be to prevent any adjacent country from falling into the hands of a conqueror, who might afterwards molest the contracting party, the latter should observe many precautions before he withdraws from the contest; the principal one is to demand the possession of some strong places upon the frontiers, to prevent the inhabitants of the country that is attacked from making a separate peace.

The general selected to command an auxiliary army must be endued with wisdom and foresight. He must be wise and intelligent in order to preserve discipline and good order among his troops: and have foresight to provide for the wants of his army in a strange country, and to see that the men are not sent more into action than they ought, and that nothing is done contrary to the interest of his country.

GUERRE de montagne, Fr. a war which is chiefly carried on in a mountainous part of the country. This species of warfare is extremely hazardous, as it cannot be pursued without a thorough knowlege of the country, and by means of able stratagems. Marshal Saxe, in his Reveries, lays it down as a rule, that no army or detachment must venture into passes or narrow ways, without having first secured the eminences round them; and if the enemy should defend the gorges or outlets, false attacks must be resorted to, in order to divert his attention from a real one which is made against a weak quarter. It frequently happens that bye-ways are found out, which have escaped the enemy’s observation, and through which detached bodies may penetrate for the purpose of turning his flanks. In a guerre de montagne, or mountain-contest, it is essentially necessary, that the advancing body should keep up a regular and safe communication with its rear, as well to secure a retreat if necessary, as to have a free intercourse with its convoys. See AM. MIL. LIB.

GUERRE de chicane, Fr. See WAR of chicane or stratagem.

GUERRE Sainte, Fr. a romantic expedition which was made by the Christians, against the Infidels in Palestine, for the purpose of re-conquering the Holy Land, from whence it was called holy war, or guerre sainte. See CRUSADE.

Foudre de GUERRE, a figurative expression among the French, to mark the character of a man who has distinguished himself in battle, and is acknowleged to possess a superior degree of valor.

Flambeau de la GUERRE, Fr. the torch of war. Any person who causes war to be carried on with violence and animosity is so called.

Aller à la petite GUERRE, Fr. to go out in detached parties for the direct purpose of plundering an enemy’s country.

Faire bonne GUERRE, Fr. to carry on hostilities with as much humanity as the laws of war will permit.

Faire bonne GUERRE, à quelqu’un, Fr. to treat with a man decently, but vigorously, on matters that require explanation and final arrangement.

GUERRE et pitié ne s’accordent pas ensemble, Fr. a French proverb, signifying war and commiseration seldom go hand in hand.