B A T
BAT
BATTALION (fiyd.) — M. de Folard decries die modern me- thod of ranging battalions fo Shallow, which renders them weak, and unable to fupport each other ; fo that they are eafily penetrated or broken : an eflcntial fault in the modern tactics. The real ftrength of a corps, according to this author* coniifts in its thicknefs, or the depth of its files* and their connection and clofenefs. This depth renders the flanks almoft as ftrong as the front. He adds, that it may be laid down as a maxim, that every battalion ranged deep, and with a fmall front, will beat another ftronger than itfelf, ranged according to the ufual method. Folard, Polyb. T. r. p. 7. RichcL Diet. T. 1. p. 186. a. But this opinion of P'olard has not been adopted in modern practice; and his theory has been vigorously attacked by two French officers in the fervice of the States General. They
' admit the fuperior ftrength of his column to that of a modern battalion, if the action were to be decided with pikes and fwords ; but where fire-arms muff, be ufed, Mr. Foliard's column is fo very ill difpofed for this purpofe, that it mult infallibly be de- stroyed.
Battalions, when they engage, are drawn up three deep only, and not fix deep, as is faid in the Cyclopedia.
Square Battalion is that, where the number of men in file is equal to the number of men in rank.
Mr, Folard fhews at large, in his book de la Colonne, the weaknefs of the fquare battalion. Both the full and the hollow fquare, according to him, are equally bad. Michel* loc. cit.
Doubling a Battalion is a motion of the foldiers,whereby two ranks, or two files, are put into one. Ozan. Diet. Math. p. boK-.
BATTERY (Cycl.) is fometimes ufed in Speaking of the fabric of metalline utenfils.
In this fenfe, battery works include pots, faucepans, kettles, and the like veffcls, which, tho* caft at firft, are to be after- wards hammered or beaten into form. Compl. Engl, Trad. T. 2. p. 64.
Some make battery for the kitchin, batterie de culfine, compre- hend all utenfils for the fervice of the kitchin, whether of iron, braSs, copper, or other matters. Others take the term in a nar rower fenfe, and reitrain it to utenfils of brafs or copper. Savor-, Diet. Comm. T. 1. p. 306.
A fociety for the mineral and battery work of England was in- corporated by queen Elizabeth, to whom fhe granted all mines, minerals, and fubterraneous treafures, except copperas and alium, in all parts of England not mentioned in the patent of the fociety of the mines royal. \ his fociety has a governor, court of aififtants, and other officers, who are the fame as thofe for the mines royal, with whom they are now aflbciated. Vid. Pettus, Fodin. Regal. P. 1. c. 17. p. 21, feq.
BATTIFOLIUM, or Battifollum, a kind of tower or de- fence, frequently mentioned by Latin hiftorians of the middle age. It feems to have been of wood, and to have been erected on fudden and haily occafions. Aquin. Lex. Milit. T, 1: p. 120. a.
BATTLE (Cycl.)— The word Is alfo written battel, battel!, and battail \ It is formed from the French battaillc, of the Latin verb battucre, to fence, or exercife with arms : whence batu- alia, and batalia, which properly denoted the action or exer- cife of thofe who learned to fence, and who were hence alfo denominated batuatores b .— [ 3 Skin. Etym. in voc. b Cafe- tteuv. Orig. p. 2 1 • b. Menag. Orig. Franc, p. 84. a. Fabric. Thef. p. 342.
Battle is alfo called by divers other names, as fight, and com- bat ; by the Latins prtelium, pugna, and campus ; by the Ita- lians giornala, and the French journee, q. d. day or day's work. Vid. Du Caugc, Gloff. Lat. T. 1. p. 728. Some diftinguifh a battle from a combat, as the former Is pre- meditated, and done with preparation ; the latter is frequently occafional, or unforefeen. Aubert. ap. Ricbcl. Diet. T. 1 . p. 185. c.
Battle differs from attack, as the Roman pugna differs from Prcslium, i. e. as a whole from a part, there being frequently many attacks or pralia in one pugna or battle. Aauin. Lex Milit. T. 2. p. 182. b. in voc. Preeltum. Battle differs from fkinnifh both in extent and duration; a battle, properly fo called, lading feveral hours, fometimes days. Bonfinius fpeaks of a battle between the Turks and Hungarians, under the command of Amurath and Corvinus, which lafted three days. The battle between the Goths under king Rode- ric, and the Moors under count Julian, is faid to have lafted eight days ; but it appears that feven of them were rather fpent in fkirmifhing. Marian. deReb. Hifp. 1. 6. c. 23.
Drawing up an army for Battle is called embattelling s the rules and method for which arc furnifhed by the fcience called by the antients taclics.
Order of Battle, the difpofitlon of the fquadrons and batta- lions of an army in one or more lines;, according to the con- ditions of the ground. Ozan. Diet. Math. p. 604.
Field ^Battle, the ground on which the two armies en- cragC.
The Greeks notified the places of their battles and victories by adding the word n««j whence Nicomedia, Nicopolis, Theila- lonica, &c. Theantient Britons did the like, by adding the word Mais; whence Maiffeveth, Malmaifbury, &c. The Englifh by the word field. Syr-PL. Vol. I.
The Romans had their particular days, called pr^lidres dies* wherein alone it was lawful to join battle ; and others wherein! it was unlawful, called die's atrl. .
The Athenians* by the antient laws of their country, were not to draw out their forces for battle till after the Seventh day of the month. And Lucian relates of the Lacedemonians; that, by the laws of Lycurgus, they were not to fight before full-moon. Among the Germans, it was reputed an impiety to fight in the wane of the moon ; and Csefar tell us^ that Ari- oviftus was beaten by him, b.ecaufe, contrary to the laws of his country, he had fought when the moon was in her wane. The German foldiers were intimidated with the apprchenfion, and afforded Csefar an eafy victory ; acie commifi irnpeditos re- ligione hojles vicit. De bell. Gallic. 1. 2.
It is well known that Jerusalem was taken by Pornpey In an attack on the fabbath-day, when, by the Jewifh fuperftitious notions, they were not allowed to fight, or even defend themfelves. Dion. I.7.
The Romans did not carry their fuperftition fo far; their atrl dies were only obferved in refpect .of attacking : no day was too holy for them to defend themfelves in. Maereb. Saturn. I. 1. c. 16. Aquin. Lex. Milit. T. 2. p. 182, feq. Among the antients, we find frequent inftances of battles in the night : it was by the moon-light that Pornpey beat Mithri- dates, and Scipio, Afdrubal and Syphax. Flor. I. 3. Appian. de Bell. Punic, Aquin. Lex. Milit. T. 2. p. 213, feq.
Battle array denotes the order in which an army is drawn up at a review, or for engagement ; more frequently called tine of battle. Guill. Gent. Diet. P. 2.
Pitched or fet Battle, that wherein both armies have room and time to range themfelves in good order.
The firft pitched battle, of which we have any diftinct account, is that between Croefus and Cyrus, defcribed by Xenophon % concerning which we have a diiTertation exprefs by M. Fre- rct b , wherein feveral points of the antient tactics are well ex- plained.— [ * Cyropad, 1. 6 & 7. b Mem. Acad. Infcrip.
T. 9, p. 20Q.]
In the modern war, we find few pitched or fet battles: the chief view of the great commanders of late days is rather to harafs or ftarvc the enemy by frequent alarms, cutting off his provifions, carrying off his baggage, feizing his pofts, &c. than to join iifue with him, and put the whole on the event of - one day; a Battle generally deciding jhe fate of a campaign, fometimes of a whole war. Hence it is a rule,' never to ven- ture a general battle, unlcfs either you fight to advantage, or be forced to it. Macchicro. Art. de la Gucr. L 4. c. 5. p 21 4. Joining or gi v ing battle mould always be by defio-n : a general mould never fuffer himfelf to be forced to fight. All the mea- fures, movements, encampments, he makes, are to lead to the execution of his great defign, which is to fight to advan- tage, till, by fome mistake of the enemyj he at length find the favourable opportunity. Tis in this that a fuperior genius will at length prevail over an inferior : in the courfe of a cam- paign, he will take a number of advantages over him, which, together, are equivalent to a battle, the event of which is ever doubtful. Feugulres, Mem. de la Guer. §. 58, p. ^44, feq. The antients never joined battle without much ceremony and preparation ; as taking auguries, offering facrlfices, harsnguinp* the foldiers, giving the word, or a tefj'era, &c. . The Signals of battle were founding the clcjficum, or general charge, and difplaying a peculiar flag, called by Plutarch a purple robe c : To which may be ad ied, finging paeans, raifing military Shouts,' and the like ■'. — [ c Vid. Pott. Archasol. 1. 3. c. 9. Kenn. Rom; Ant. p. 209. Aquin. Lex. Milit. T. 2, p. 211. invoc.pugna. Crufo, Milit. Lift. P. 4. c. 9. p. 50. d Veget. 1. 3. c. 71.] Pcafons for giving a battle are, Superiority in the number or quality of forces; neceSfity of putting a Speedy -end to the warj different views or interefts of the commanders of the enemies army; their negligence in encamping or marching; neceflity of relieving a place befieged ; the difpofition of an armyywhich muft be ruined, unlefs prevented by the fuccefs of a battle; the certainty of fuccours coming to the enemy, which will render him fuperior ; fome preceding advantage, which, tho' not de- cifive, has given the enemy a confiderable check. For avoid- ing it are, having lefs to hope for from a victory, than to fear from a defeat; expecting further fuccours, or the junction of a feparate corps; finding the enemy advantageoufly pofted, or a profpect of diifipating his army by temporizing and avoiding battle. Means for execution are, to form the order of battle fultable to the quantity and quality of the forces whereof the army is compofed, and the ground wherein it is expected to' find the enemy; distributing the pofts to the general officers j : giving copies of the order of battle to all thofe who have com- mand in it; distributing a fufficicnt number of charges to the men, and having frefli munition and arms ready behind thofe who have a long fire to fuftain ; letting the army have time to reft and rcfrefh themfelves before the battle ; being fufficiently provided with medicines and furgeons ; being absolutely free from the incumbrance of the heavy baggage ; infpiring the army with the defire of fighting, hopes of victory, and po- mifes of plunder; and not neglecting the advantages of wind and fun. The Stratagem of the Arabs deferves mention. They ufed to turn loofe a number of camels loaden with fond and duft-bags full of holes to the windward of the enemy, who 4 L by
