Part 353

Received Rule.

4. If behind the centre or the left flank.--The right part of the battalion countermarches from the right by files successively by the rear; and the other part of the battalion, as is necessary, makes a progressive march by files from its right to the central point, and there begins to countermarch at that point, the leading and each other division, fronts into column, and moves on.

A different Method.

To avoid loss of time in countermarching the divisions on the left as they successively arrive at the point they march from. Countermarch those divisions first on the ground they severally stand on, then face to the left; and when it comes to their turn march in file, front, and following in column, as they progressively and successively arrive opposite the point where the right division entered the defile.

It must be observed that in all countermarches of divisions on the ground they severally stand on, when passing to the rear, the division which stands opposite the point from which they are to march, must countermarch at the same time with the other divisions. See Am. Mil. Lib.

PASSAGE of Lines. In narrow grounds, where there are redoubled lines, and in many other situations, it becomes necessary for one battalion to pass directly through another, in marching either to front or rear. This must particularly happen, when a first line, which has suffered in action, retires through, and makes place for a second line which has come forward to support it; or, the second line remaining posted, when the first falls back, and retires through it, and thus alternately, till a safe position is attained.

PASSAGE of the Traverse, an opening out in the parapet of the covert-way, close to the traverses, that there may be a ready communication with all parts of the covert-way.

PASSAGE, in the manege, an action wherein the horse raises a hind and fore leg together; then setting these two on the ground, he raises the other two: and thus alternately, never gaining above a foot of ground at a time.

PASSAGE, Fr.. to passage, a term used in the manege.

PASSAGER un cheval, Fr. to make a horse passage. It is likewise used as a neutral verb, viz. un cheval passage, a horse passages.

PASSANDEAU, Fr.. an ancient piece of ordnance, which carried an eight pound ball, and weighed three thousand five hundred pounds.

Chemin PASSANT, Fr.. a thoroughfare.

PASSAVANT, Fr.. a pass. This term is not used in a military sense, but relates chiefly to commercial matters.

PASSE, Fr.. See PASS.

PASSES-Balles, Fr. boards or machines made of iron or brass, used in disparting cannon, and fitted to every species of calibre.

PASSE-Mur, Fr. a piece of ordnance formerly so called, which carried a sixteen pound ball, and weighed four thousand two hundred pounds.

PASSE-par-tout, Fr. a large saw, the teeth of which are irregularly made, for the purpose of cutting forest trees asunder.

PASSE-par-tout, Fr. a master key.

PASSE-vogue, Fr. Any extraordinary effort that is made in rowing is so called.

PASSE-Parole, Fr. This expression is used among the French in an absolute sense, and signifies to give the parole, order, or countersign. When troops are on service, or upon duty, they have frequent occasion to adopt it, especially during the rounds. Avance passe-parole. Advance, and give the parole or countersign.

PASSE-Volant, Fr. any man that is not really in the service, and who stands to be mustered for the purpose of completing the supposed number of effectives in a regiment, or on board a ship of war. They are likewise called soldats prêtés, Borrowed soldiers. During the existence of the old French government, the strictest regulations were made to prevent the gross impositions that were sometimes practised by means of passe-volans or faggots.

PASSE-Volans likewise means those wooden pieces of ordnance which are made to resemble real artillery, and fill up the vacant places in a ship. They were first adopted by the French, in consequence of a regulation which was made by M. de Pontchartrain, when he became minister of the marine department. He gave orders, that no vessels, except such as carried 16 guns, should sail to and from America. In order to comply, at least in outward appearance, with this regulation, the merchants had recourse to pass-volans, or wooden substitutes, they are called by us quaker guns. More advantages than one are indeed derived from this invention, which has been adopted in every civilized country.

PASSE-chevaux, Fr. ferry for horses.

PASSER, Fr. to pass. This word has various significations both in French and English, but chiefly in the former language.

PASSER en revue, Fr. to muster.

PASSER à compte, Fr. to allow in reckoning.

PASSER au fil de l’épée, Fr. to put to the sword.

PASSER par les baguettes, Fr. to run the gauntlet.