Part 286

The cavalry is often divided into two wings; it is likewise frequently formed in one body. Every man is ranged under his own standard. The squadrons are commanded by the alay-begs, who receive orders through the chiaous; and the other officers are near the bacha.

The baggage sometimes moves in the front, and sometimes in the rear of the janizaries. A particular body of cavalry, called topracly, are an exception to this arrangement: the men belonging to this corps are obliged to furnish themselves with all the necessaries of life, and consequently carry provisions, &c. with them in all their marches; which circumstance unavoidably creates much confusion.

The artillery is generally attached to the infantry; sometimes, however, it moves with the cavalry.

When the Turkish army marches through an enemy’s country, it is covered by an advanced and a rear guard. The advanced guard is composed of five or six thousand of the best mounted cavalry. This body is under the immediate orders of a commanding officer, called kialkagy-bacy, whose appointment lasts during the whole of the campaign. The advanced guard usually moves six, seven, or eight leagues in front of the main body; but it falls back in proportion as the enemy retires. When there are bodies of Tartars or auxiliary troops from any of the rebellious provinces with the army, they are detached in front of the advanced guard, for the purpose of harassing the enemy’s rear, pillaging the country, and committing those excesses which are not countenanced by regular troops.

The rear-guard generally consists of one thousand horse. It is the business of this body to escort the baggage safe into camp, and not leave it until the whole be securely lodged.

The Turks, in all their movements on real service, display uncommon activity; and their marches are generally so well managed, that an enemy runs the greatest hazard of being surprised.

Rogue’s MARCH. A tune which is played by trumpeters or fifers of a regiment (as the case may be) for the purpose of drumming out any person who has behaved disorderly, &c. in a camp or garrison. Thieves, strumpets, &c. are frequently disgraced in this manner; being marched down the front of a battalion, from right to left, and along the rear: after which they are conducted to the gate of the garrison or entrance of the camp, where they receive a kick on the posteriors from the youngest drummer, and are warned never to appear within the limits of either place, under pain of being severely punished.

MARCHANDS, Fr. Slop-sellers, petty-suttlers. Men of this description always flock round and follow an army on its march. As they generally deal in articles which are wanted by the officers and soldiers, it is the business of every general to see them properly treated, to ensure their safety, and to permit them, under certain regulations, to have access to the camp. They should, however, be warily watched in some instances, especially upon the eve of a retreat, or before any advanced operation takes place. Spies frequently disguise themselves as pedlars, and under the mask of selling trifling articles, pry into the state of a camp, put indirect questions to the soldiers, and tamper with those who may seem disposed to act in a traitorous manner. Yet as armies cannot do without such men, they must be sanctioned, and it is the particular duty of the provost-marshal, and of the waggon-master general, to watch and superintend their motions.

MARCHE accélérée, ou pas accéléré, Fr. The time in which troops march to the charge--we call it the accelerated pace, the English formerly called it double quick time.

MARCHE ordinaire, ou pas ordinaire, Fr. Ordinary time.

MARCHE precipitée, ou pas precipité, Fr. Quickest time.

MARCHE cadencée, ou pas cadencé, Fr. March or step according to time and measure. It is likewise called the cadenced step.

MARCHE non-cadencée, ou pas non-cadencé, Fr. This step is likewise called pas de route, and signifies that unconstrained movement which soldiers are permitted to adopt in marching over difficult ground, and in columns of route.

MARCHE de Flanc, Fr. Flank movement or march.

MARCHE forcée, Fr. a forced march.

Battre, sonner la MARCHE, Fr. To put troops into motion by the beat of drum or sound of trumpet, &c.

Gagner une MARCHE sur l’ennemi, Fr. To gain ground or time upon an enemy, which signifies to get in his front or upon his flanks, so as to harass or perplex him, or by any able manœuvre to get the start of him.

Dérober sa MARCHE, Fr. to steal a march.

Couvrir une MARCHE, Fr. to conceal a march.

MARCHES d’armées, et ce que les soldats ont à faire quand la générale est battue, Fr. column of route or general order of march which an army observes when it takes the field. See CAMP.

MARCHE, Fr. This word is likewise used among the French, to express the course or progress of a ship, or as we say, technically, the way she makes: hence marche d’un vaisseau.

MARCHER par le flanc, Fr. To march from any given flank.

MARCHER en colonne avec distance entiere, Fr. To march in open column at open distance.

MARCHER en colonne à distance de section, ou en mass, Fr. To march in column, quarter distance, or in mass.

MARCHER en bataille ou en colonne d’attaque, Fr. To advance in column for the purpose of attacking an enemy.

MARCHER en bataille en ordre deployé, Fr. To advance by the echellon march in deployed order.

MARCHER en rétraite, Fr. To retreat.

MARCHER en bataille par le dernier rang, Fr. To march in line rear rank in front.