A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer. Thomas Wilhelm
second is called the acceleration, and is a measure of the force. (See Force of Gravity.) The velocity acquired at the end of a certain time will be found by multiplying the force of gravity by the number of seconds. The laws of falling bodies are given by the following equations:
v = gt
v = √ 2gh
h = v22g
In which v is the velocity acquired, h the height fallen through, g the force of gravity, and t the time in seconds. These laws are approximately true for dense or heavy bodies falling for a few seconds in the atmosphere. For longer periods, v is less than that due to h under the above laws. For full discussion, see Final Velocity.
Falling Branch. That part of the trajectory of a projectile in which it approaches the earth.
Fall Out, To. To quit the rank or file in which you were first posted. Dirty soldiers on a parade are frequently ordered to fall out, and remain in the rear of their companies. The phrase is applicable in a variety of other instances.
Fall Upon, To. To attack abruptly.
Falots (Fr.). Small lanterns fixed upon the end of a stick or pole. Small lamps likewise used, attached in the same manner, for the purpose of carrying them readily about to light a camp, or besieged towns, as occasion may require.
False Alarm. An alarm or apprehension which is either designedly or unintentionally created by noise, report, or signals, without being dangerous.
False Attack. An approach which is made as a feint for the purpose of diverting an enemy from the real object of attack.
False Fires. Lights or fires employed for the purpose of deceiving an enemy. When an army is about to retire from a position during the night false fires are lighted in different parts of the encampment to impose upon the enemy’s vigilance.
False Lights. In debarkations under cover of the night, may likewise be used as signals of deception, when it is found expedient to attract the attention of the invaded country towards one part of the coast or territory, whilst a real attack is meditated against another.
False Muster. An incorrect statement of the number of effective soldiers and horses. See Appendix, Articles of War, 14.
False Return. A willful report of the actual state of a brigade, regiment, troop, or company, by which the commander-in-chief of the war department is deceived as to the effective force of such regiment or company. See Appendix, Articles of War, 8.
Famagosta, or Famagusta. A seaport town of the island of Cyprus, on the east coast, built on the ruins of the ancient Arsinoe. In 1571 Famagosta was taken by the Turks, and the town was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake in 1735.
Fanfare. The French name of a short and lively military air or call, executed on brass instruments.
Fang, To. To pour water into a pump in order to fetch it, when otherwise the boxes do not hold the water left on them.
Fanion (Fr.). A small flag which was sometimes carried at the head of the baggage of a brigade. It was made of serge, and resembled in color the uniform livery of the brigadier, or of the commandant of any particular corps.
Fantassin (Fr.). A foot-soldier. This term is derived from the Italian fante, a boy, the light troops in the 14th and 15th centuries being formed of boys who followed the armies and were formed into corps with light arms, hence the origin of the word infantry.
Fantee, or Fanti. A maritime country of Guinea, inhabited by a tribe of the same name, who are now under English protection.
Farcy. A horse disease of the absorbents, affecting the skin and its blood-vessels; is of the nature of mange, and allied to glanders.
Farrier. In a general acceptation of the term, any person who shoes horses, or professes to cure their diseases. In a practical military sense, a man appointed to do the duty of farriery in a troop of cavalry. Troop farriers should be under the immediate superintendence and control of a veterinary surgeon. There is one farrier allowed to each troop of cavalry in the U. S. army.
Farrier-Major. A person who was formerly appointed by the colonel of a dragoon regiment to superintend the farriers of troops. He has since been superseded or replaced by a veterinary surgeon.
Fasces. Bundles of rods usually made of birch, but sometimes of elm, with an axe projecting from the middle of them, which were carried before the chief magistrates of ancient Rome, as symbols of their power over life and limb. They were borne by the lictors, at first before the kings; in the time of the republic, before consuls and prætors; and afterwards before the emperors.
Fascine. A long cylindrical fagot of brushwood, used to revet the interior of batteries and embrasures, and for many other purposes of military engineering.
Fascines, Covering. See Covering-fascines.
Fastness. A fast place; a stronghold; a fortress or fort; a place fortified; a castle, etc.
Fatigue. The cause of weariness; labor; toil; as, the fatigues of war.
Fatigue. The labors of military men, distinct from the use of arms.
Fatigue Call. A particular military call, sounded on the bugle or drum, by which soldiers are called upon to perform fatigue duties.
Fatigue Dress. The working dress of soldiers.
Fatigue Party. A party of soldiers on fatigue.
Faulcon. A small cannon.
Faulx (Fr.). An instrument nearly resembling a scythe. It was often used to defend a breach, or to prevent an enemy from scaling the walls of a fortified place. This weapon was first resorted to with some success, when Louis XIV. besieged Mons. On the surrender of that town, large quantities of faulx, or scythes, were found in the garrison.
Fausse Braye. In fortification, was a parapet constructed at a lower elevation than the main parapet, and between the foot of the parapet and the edge of the ditch. It was used only in permanent fortification, and has long been obsolete.
Fayetteville. A small town, capital of Washington Co., Ark. On April 18, 1863, this place, which was garrisoned by two regiments of Federal troops under Col. Harrison, was attacked by the Confederate general Cabell, with about 2000 men; and after six hours’ severe fighting the Confederates were repulsed.
Fayetteville. A town of Cumberland Co., N. C., on the left bank of the Cape Fear River. On April 22, 1861, the arsenal at this place surrendered to the Confederates, and about 35,000 stand of arms, besides some cannon and a considerable quantity of ammunition, fell into their hands. The town was taken by Gen. Sherman in March, 1865.
Fecial. Pertaining to heralds, and the denunciation of war to an enemy; as, fecial war.
Federal States. Are those united by treaty as one state, without giving up self-government—as in Switzerland or the United States of North America. The Federals were the people of the Northern of the United States of America during the great conflict in 1861–65; their opponents were styled the Confederates.
Fehrbellin.