Part 256

LIGHT TROOPS. By light troops are generally meant all horse and foot which are accoutred for detached service.

LIGNE, Fr. See LINE.

LIGNE d’Eau, Fr. a term used in aquatics. It is the hundredth and fortieth portion of an inch of water, and furnishes or supplies one hundred and four pints of water, Paris measure, in twenty four hours.

LIGNE de moindre résistance, Fr. is the line that being drawn from the centre of the fourneau or chamber of a mine, runs up in a perpendicular direction to the nearest outward surface.

LIGNES en forme de Crémaillère, Fr. Indented lines, or lines resembling the teeth of a saw, or stairs: they are connected with one another like crotchets; or united by small flanks comprising fourteen or fifteen toises each. M. de Clairac has given a particular account of their construction in his Ingenieur de Campagne. The effect, observes that writer, which is produced by the concentrated fire that may be poured from these lines, is perhaps unexampled. One advantage is certain, that of being able to increase your efforts of defence, in proportion as the enemy advances; since it must be evident, that constructed as the flanks are, and enchasing one another, the execution becomes multiplied in every quarter. It may moreover be stated among other advantages, that as the salient points are double in number, and are flanked within half a distance of musquet shot, without stretching far into the country, they must of course be less exposed to the enemy’s approaches. From the figure of these lines the troops are enabled to keep up an uninterrupted and regular direct fire; and it is the only construction from which an equal discharge of ordnance or musquetry may be served in every quarter at once.

LIMBER, in artillery, a two-wheel carriage with shafts to fasten the trail of travelling carriages by means of a pintle or iron pin, when travelling, and taken off on the battery, or when placed in the park of artillery; which is called unlimbering the guns.

LIME, in military architecture, is made of all kind of stones, that will calcine: that which is made of the hardest stone is the best, and the worst of all that which is made of chalk.

Lime will not be sufficiently burnt in less than 60 hours. The signs of well burnt lime are, that its weight is to that of the stone in a sesquialterate proportion; that it be white, light, and sonorous; that when slaked, it sticks to the sides of the vessel, sending forth a copious thick smoke, and requires a great deal of water to slake it.

In some countries, as the East Indies and the United States, they make good lime of shells of fish, which dries and hardens in a very short time; and when it is mixed with Dutch terras, is fit for all kind of aquatic works.

Lime should always be burnt with coals, and never with wood, the coals being strongly impregnated with sulphureous particles, which, mixed with the lime, make it more adhesive. See MORTAR.

LIMINARQUE, Fr. an office of distinction, which existed in the Roman empire. The persons invested with it were directed to watch the frontiers of the empire, and they commanded the troops that were employed upon that service.

LIMITARY, a guard or superintendant, placed at the confines or boundaries of any kingdom or state.

LIMITS, in a military sense, is that distance which a sentry is allowed on his post, namely 50 paces to the right, and as many to the left.

LINCH-pin, in artillery, that which passes through the ends of the arms of an axle-tree, to keep the wheels or trucks from slipping off in travelling.

LINCH-clout, in artillery, the flat iron under the end of the arms of an axle-tree, to strengthen them, and to diminish the friction of the wheels.

LINDEN TREE. The wood used in artificial fire-works, &c.

LINE, in geometry, signifies length, without any supposed breadth or depth. A straight or right line is the shortest way from one point to another. A curved or crooked line is that which deviates from the shortest way, and embraces a greater space between one point and another. A perpendicular line is a straight line, which falling upon another line does not incline either to one side or the other. Parallel lines are lines which are at equal distances from one another, in such a manner, that although they may be prolonged ad infinitum, they never can meet.

Euclid’s second book treats mostly of lines, and of the effects of their being divided, and again multiplied into one another.

Horizontal LINE is that which is spread upon the plane of the horizon; such, for instance, are those lines that may be supposed to form the level surface of a plain.

Inclined LINE, (ligne inclineé, Fr.) is that line which leans or is raised obliquely upon the plane of the horizon, and which might resemble the sloping or declivity of a hillock.

Oblique LINE, (ligne oblique, Fr.) a straight line which leans more to one side than another the instant it is brought into contact with any other line.

LINE tangent, (ligne tangente, Fr.) a straight line, which, without intersecting it meets a curve at one point, and does not enter, but barely touches it.

Vertical LINE, (ligne verticale, Fr.) a line which is raised perpendicularly above or below the horizon. Of this description are all lines that express height or depth.

The LINE. This term is frequently used to distinguish the regular army from other establishments of a military nature. All numbered or marching regiments are called the line. The marines, militia, and volunteers, do not come under the term. It is, however, a corruption of the word, since the true import of line in military matters, means that solid part of an army which is called the main body, and has a regular formation from right to left. Thus in the seven years war, when prince Ferdinand commanded the allied army, the British troops under the marquis of Granby did not belong to the line, because they were always detached and acted in front of the main body. Grenadiers and light infantry, when from their several corps, cannot be called the line, but the instant they are incorporated they become so. According to this explanation, and we think it a correct one, the word is very generally misapplied, as it cannot strictly be used to distinguish any particular establishment from another.

LINE, or line of battle, is the arrangement or disposition of an army for battle: its front being extended along a straight line as far as the ground will permit, in order that the several corps of cavalry and infantry which compose it, may not be cut off or flanked by the enemy.

The Ottoman troops are generally drawn up on a curve line, or half-moon, for the purpose of surrounding their enemies by superior numbers. European armies are usually drawn up in three lines; the first being named the van, (avant-garde, Fr.) the second, main body, (corps de bataille, Fr.) and the third, which was formerly the weakest, is called the reserve, or rear-guard. (Corps de réserve, ou arrière-garde, Fr.) Each of these lines is so drawn up, that the wings or extremities are always composed of some squadrons of horse, whose intervals are likewise supported by infantry platoons. The battalions are posted in the centre of each line; sometimes they are intermixed with squadrons of horse, when there is a considerable body of cavalry attached to the army. The space of ground, which in each line separates the different corps from one another, is always equal in extent to the front that is occupied by them. These intervals are left in order to facilitate their several movements, and to enable them to charge the enemy without being exposed to confusion and disorder. It must be observed, as a general rule, that the intervals or spaces which are between each battalion and squadron belonging to the second line should invariably correspond with the ground that is occupied by the battalions and squadrons, which constitute the first line; in order that the first line, on being forced to fall back, may find sufficient ground to rally upon, and not endanger the disposition of the second line, by precipitately crowding on it.

Each line is divided into right and left wings. Each wing is composed of one or more divisions. Each division is composed of one or more brigades. Each brigade is formed of two, three, or four, or more battalions.

Battalions are formed in line at a distance of twelve paces from each other, and this interval is occupied by two or more cannon, which are attached to each battalion. There is no increased distance betwixt brigades, unless particular circumstances attend it. In exercise, should there be no cannon betwixt the battalions, the interval may be reduced to six paces.