Part 343

OUTLINE, the line by which any figure is defined.

OUTPART, at a distance from the main body. See OUT-POSTS.

OUT-posts, a body of men posted beyond the grand guard, called out-posts, as being without the rounds or limits of the camp. See POSTS.

OUTSIDE, in fencing, that part which is to the right of the line of defence.

OUTSIDE Guard, a guard used with the broad sword and sabre, to defend the outside of the position. See BROADSWORD.

OUTWALL. See REVETEMENT.

OUTWARD FACE, a word of command for troops to face to the right and left from their centre.

To OUTWING, to extend the flanks of an army or line in action, so as to gain an advantageous position against the right or left wing of an enemy. This manœuvre or evolution is effected by the movement on an oblique line. See MOVEMENTS.

OUT-works, in Fortification, are works of several kinds, which cover the body of the place, as ravelins, half-moons, tenailles, horn-works, crown-works, counter-guards, envelopes, swallow-tails, lunettes, covert-ways, &c.

These out-works, not only cover the place, but likewise keep an enemy at a distance, and hinder his gaining any advantage of hollow or rising grounds; as such cavities and eminences may serve for lodgments to the besiegers, facilitate the carrying on approaches, and enable them to raise their batteries against the town. When outworks are placed one before another, you will find a ravelin before the curtain, a horn-work before the ravelin, and a small ravelin before the curtain of the horn-work; those works which are nearest to the body of the place must be the highest, though lower than the body of the place, that they may gradually command those without them, and oblige the enemy to dislodge, if in possession of them.

OUVERTURE des portes, Fr. The opening of the gates in a fortified town or place, according to specific military rules. The method in all regular governments is too well known to require any particular explanation.

OUVERTURE et fermeture des portes chez les Turcs, Fr. There are certain laws and regulations among the Turks, by which the janizaries are entrusted with the keys belonging to the gates of every fortified town or place in which they do garrison duty. The gates are always opened at day-break by two or four janizaries. There is a capigy or porter stationed at each gate. Whenever he opens the gate he repeats, in an audible tone of voice, certain words in the praise of God and the sultan, after which he returns the key or keys to the janizaries, who carry them to the governor or commandant or the place. The closing of the gates is done with the same solemnity.

OUVERTURE de la tranchée, Fr. the opening of the trench or trenches.

OUVRAGES, Fr. Works. See FORTIFICATION.

OUVRAGE à corne, Fr. Hornwork. See FORTIFICATION.

OUVRAGE à couronne, Fr. Crowned work. See FORTIFICATION.

OUVRAGES detachés, pieces detachées, Fr. See DEHORS.

OUVRIR, Fr. To open.

OUVRIR les rangs, Fr. To take open order.

En arriére, OUVREZ vos rangs, Fr. Rear ranks take open order.

S’aligner à rangs OUVERTS, Fr. To aligne or dress in line at open order.

A jour OUVRANT. At break of day.

A portes OUVRANTES. At the opening of the gates.

OUVRIERS, Fr. All sorts of artificers and workmen employed in fortification, &c. are so called.

OXFORD Blues. See HORSE GUARDS.

OXYCRAT, Fr. A certain portion of vinegar to five or six times its quantity of water. This mixture is frequently used on service, and in hot weather, to allay the burning heat of any inflamed part. It is likewise employed to cool cannon, during an engagement, in very hot firing.

OXYGENE. The chemical base of vital air with which nitre is found to abound, and to which gunpowder owes its rapid and perfect combustion.

King’s or queen’s Own, a term which has been attached to some British regiments since the revolution in 1688. Thus the 4th, which landed with William III. was called the 4th, or King’s Own.