A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer. Thomas Wilhelm
was a candidate for the honor of knighthood, and thus stood to the knight in the relation of a novice or apprentice. When fully equipped each knight was attended by two esquires.
Essedarii. In Roman antiquity, gladiators who fought in a heavy kind of chariot called esseda or essedum. The esseda (which derived its name from the Celtic word ess, signifying a carriage) was a ponderous kind of chariot much used in war by the Gauls, the Belgæ, and the Britons. It differed from the currus in being open before instead of behind; and in this way the owner was enabled to run along the pole, from the extremity of which, or even from the top of the yoke, he discharged his missiles with surprising dexterity.
Essek, or Eszek. A town and fortress of the Austrian empire, in Sclavonia, on the Drave. It contains an arsenal, barracks, and other military buildings. There were several battles fought here between the Turks and Germans. It was finally taken from the Turks in 1687, since which time it has continued in the hands of the house of Austria.
Essling. A village of Lower Austria, on the left bank of the Danube, 6 miles east of Vienna. Between this village and that of Aspern the French were repulsed by the Austrians in a severe engagement in 1809. See Aspern.
Establish. A technical phrase to express the quartering of any considerable body of troops in a country. Thus it is common to say, the army took up a position in the neighborhood of——, and established the headquarters at——.
Establishment. The quota of officers and men in an army, regiment, troop, or company.
Establishment, Peace. Is the reduced condition of an army suited to a time of peace.
Establishment, War. Is the augmentation of regiments to a certain number, by which the whole army of a country is considerably increased, to meet war exigencies.
Estacade (Fr.). A dike constructed of piles in the sea, a river, or a morass, to check the approach of an enemy.
Estafette (Fr.). A military courier, sent express from one part of an army to another.
Esthonia, or Revel. A Russian province, said to have been conquered by the Teutonic knights in the 12th century; after various changes it was ceded to Sweden by the treaty of Oliva in 1660, and finally to Russia by the peace of Nystadt in 1721, having been conquered by Peter in 1710.
Estimates. Army estimates are the computation of expenses to be incurred in the support of an army for a given time.
Estimating Distances. See Pointing.
Estoc (Ital.). A small dagger worn at the girdle, called in Elizabethan times a tucke.
Estoile. See Etoiles.
Estradiots, or Stradiots. Grecian and Albanian horsemen, some of whom were employed in the Italian wars by Charles VIII.; their favorite weapon was the zagaye; besides this they had a broadsword, and club slung on the bow of the saddle, with sleeves and gauntlets of mail.
Estramacon (Fr.). A sort of two-edged sword formerly used. A blow with the edge of a sword.
Etat Major (Fr.). The staff of an army, including all officers above the rank of colonel; also, all adjutants, inspectors, quartermasters, commissaries, engineers, ordnance officers, paymasters, physicians, signal-officers, judge-advocates; also, the non-commissioned assistants of the above officers.
Etoiles (Fr.). Small redoubts which are constructed by means of angles rentrant and angles sortant, and have from 5 to 8 salient points. This species of fortification has fallen into disuse, and are superseded by square redoubts, which are sooner built and are applicable to the same purpose of defense.
Etoupille (Fr.). An inflammable match, composed of three threads of very fine cotton, which is well steeped in brandy mixed with the best priming gunpowder.
Etruria, or Tuscia (hence the modern name Tuscany). A province of Italy, whence the Romans, in a great measure, derived their laws, customs, and superstitions. The subjugation of this country forms an important part of early Roman history. A truce between the Romans and Etrurians for forty years was concluded in 351 B.C. The latter and their allies were defeated at the Vadimonian Lake, 310 B.C.; with the Boii their allies, 823 B.C., and totally lost their independence about 265 B.C.
Eubœa. The largest island in the Ægean Sea. Two of its cities, Chalcis and Eretria, were very important, till the former was subdued by Athens, 506 B.C., and the latter by the Persians, 490. After the Persian war Eubœa became wholly subject to Athens. It revolted in 445, but was soon subdued by Pericles. After the battle of Chæronea, 338, it became subject to Macedon. It was made independent by the Romans in 194, but was afterwards incorporated in the province of Achaia. It now forms part of the kingdom of Greece.
Eupatoria, or Koslov. A town of Russia, on the west coast of the Crimea. In September, 1854, the allied English and French armies landed near here, and the town soon after was occupied by a small detachment. The Turks subsequently occupied it, and in 1855 it was attacked by the Russians, who, however, were repulsed by the Turks, and the Anglo-French ships of war, lying in the neighboring roadstead.
Eureka Projectile. See Projectile.
Europe. The least extensive, but most civilized of the five great divisions of the globe. It is bounded by the sea in all directions, except the east, where it is separated from Asia by a boundary-line, formed by the river Kara, the Ural Mountains and River, and the Caspian Sea. For military and naval events which occurred in Europe, see separate articles.
Eurymedon (now Kapri-Su). A small river in Pamphylia, celebrated for the victory which Cimon gained over the Persians on its banks, 469 B.C.
Eustace, St. In Lower Canada; the rebels were defeated here, December 14, 1837, and compelled to surrender their arms. Their chiefs fled.
Eustatius, St. A West India island, which was settled by the Dutch in 1632; taken by the French in 1689; by the English in 1690; again by the British forces under Rodney and Vaughan, February 3, 1781. It was recovered by the French, November 26, same year. It was again captured by the British in 1801 and 1810, and restored to the Dutch in 1814.
Eutaw Springs. A small affluent of the Santee River, in South Carolina. On its banks was fought, September 8, 1781, the battle of this name. Gen. Greene, determining to dispossess the British of their remaining posts, with about 2000 men attacked their forces under Col. Stuart. The British were routed and fled; but finding in their flight some objects affording shelter, rallied and repulsed their assailants, and Gen. Greene finding it impossible to dislodge them, retreated to his camp with 500 prisoners. The British loss was about 1000; the American about 600.
Euxine Sea. See Black Sea.
Evacuate. To withdraw from a town or fortress, in consequence either of a treaty or a capitulation, or of superior orders.
Evagination. An unsheathing or drawing out of a sheath or scabbard.
Evesham. A borough and market town of England, in Worcestershire, on the Avon. Near this place a battle was fought between Prince Edward, son of Henry III., and Simon de Montfort, earl of Leicester, August 4, 1265.
Evidence. Is that which makes clear, demonstrates, or ascertains the truth of the very fact or point in issue. Hearsay evidence, the declaration of what one has heard from others. This species of