Part 439

SALUER de la mousqueterie, Fr. To fire a volley, or discharge of musquetry only.

SALUER du canon, Fr. To salute by the discharge of ordnance.

SALUER de la voix, Fr. To huzza. To cry out, as vive le roi! God save the king! vive la république! long live the republic! This manner of saluting generally appertains to the mob of a country, which lavishes its applause upon every man that happens to be in power. It has, however, been customary, both in Rome, Greece, France, and other countries, for whole battalions of soldiers to salute à vive voix; in which case they generally take off their hats, and give three huzzas.

SALUER du pavillon, Fr. To salute with the colors.

SALUER à boulet, Fr. To salute with ball.

SALUT, Fr. The salute.

SALUT du sponton, Fr. The spontoon salute.

SALUT de l’épée, Fr. The sword salute.

SALUT de mer, Fr. The deference and respect which are shewn at sea by ships of inferior force to those of superior rate. This is done by lowering the flag. The British flag claims to be paramount to all others, and requires to be saluted by foreign ships at sea. This salute has been made the subject of clauses in treaties.

SALUTE, a discharge of artillery, or small arms, or both, in honor of some person; the men presenting their arms. The colors salute chief magistrates, and generals commanding in chief; which is done by lowering the point within one inch of the ground. In the field, when a regiment is to be reviewed by a general, the drums beat a march as he passes along the line, and the officers salute one after another, pointing their swords downwards. The ensigns salute together, by lowering their colors. When the word of command to shoulder, is given, the officers recover their swords, and the ensigns raise the colors.

SAMBUCUS, (Sambuque, Fr.) An ancient musical instrument of the wind kind, resembling a flute. It probably derives its name from Sambucus, the Elder tree; being made of that wood.

SAMBUCUS was also the name of an ancient engine of war used by Marcellus in besieging Syracuse. Plutarch relates that two ships were required to carry it. A minute description of this engine may be seen in Polybius.

SAMPODAR, Ind. A treasurer or cashkeeper.

SAND, in military architecture. The best sand for good mortar, is that whose grain is not too small, and must be clear of the earthy particles. Sand found in rivers is esteemed the best, as having a coarse grain, and being free from earth and mud. See MORTAR.

SAND bags. See BAGS.

SAND BAGS are made about 27 inches long, and 15 diameter; 250 of these are required for each fathom of battery, or about 1680 for two guns or mortars. See TONNAGE.

SANGIAC. A situation or appointment of dignity in Turkey. The Sangiacs are governors of towns or cantons, and take rank immediately after the Beglerbeys, who are viceroys in that country, and give the name of Beglerbat or Beglerbey to a militia which they support at their own expence.

SANS-Culotte, Fr. A revolutionary term which was first given by the French to the national guards; it was an unfortunate effusion of contempt expressed by the queen as the militia passed along; it soon became known, and was calculated to increase popular antipathy against her. It means, literally, a man without breeches.

SAP, (Sappe, Fr.) in sieges, is a trench, or an approach made under cover, ten or twelve feet broad, when the besiegers come near the place, and the fire from the garrison grows so dangerous, that they are not able to approach uncovered.

There are several sorts of saps: the single, which has only a single parapet; the double, having one on each side; and the flying, made with gabions, &c. In all saps, traverses are left to cover the men.

The sap generally commences about the second parallel, and sometimes sooner; and if the fire of the besieged is much slackened, may proceed both day and night. The sappers are usually divided into brigades of 8, and sub-divided into divisions of 4 each; being the greatest number that can work at the sap at the same time. The leading sapper excavates 18 inches deep, and as much wide; the second, third, and fourth deepen the trench, each in succession 6 inches, and widen it as much; so that the four make a trench of 3 feet wide and three feet deep; after which the common workmen follow, and increase it in breadth and depth equal to the other trenches. The sap may proceed at the rate of 80 fathoms in 14 hours. As this work is very hard, the half brigades relieve each other every hour, and each sapper in his turn takes the lead. The whole brigade is relieved at the end of 6 hours. It is always customary in this dangerous work, to give the pay of those that are killed to the survivors. Sappers are generally armed with a helmet and breast plate. See TRENCHES, PARALLELS.

SAPPERS, (Sappeurs, Fr.) are soldiers belonging to the artificers or engineers, whose business it is to work at the saps, and for which they have an extraordinary pay. A brigade of sappers generally consists of eight men, divided equally into two parties. Whilst one of these parties is advancing the sap, the other is furnishing the gabions, fascines, and other necessary implements; they relieve each other alternately.

SARISSA, the Pike.

SAROT, Fr. A sort of frock which was worn by the drivers of mules, and other persons employed in the French armies.

SARRAZINE, Fr. See HERSE.

SARDAR, Ind. A chief, a leader.

SARAT. The breaking up or ending of the rains, is so called in India.

SASCE, Ind. The moon.