Feint. In military or naval matters, a mock attack or assault, usually made to throw an enemy off his guard against some real design upon his position.
Feint. In fencing, a seeming aim at one part when another is intended to be struck.
Felloes. In artillery, the parts of the wheel which form its circumference. There are generally seven in each wheel.
Feltre (Fr.). A Roman cuirass made of strong woolen cloth.
Fence. Self-defense by the use of the sword; fencing; the art and practice of fencing or sword-play.
Fencer. One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of fencing with sword or foil.
Fence-roof. A covering of defense.
Fencible. Capable of being defended, or of making or affording defense.
Fencible. A soldier enlisted for the defense of the country, and not liable to be sent abroad.
Fencible Light Dragoons. A body of cavalry raised voluntarily in various counties of England and Scotland in 1794, to serve during the war in any part of Great Britain. This force was disbanded in 1800.
Fencibles. In England, regiments raised for a limited service, and for a definite period. The officers rank with the militia.
Fencing. The art of using skillfully a sword or foil in attack or defense; the art or practice of self-defense with the sword.
Fenian. A name formerly applied among the Celts to bodies of troops somewhat similar to our modern militia. They derived their name from Finn McCumhail, a famous Celtic chief. In modern times the name was assumed by an association formed for the liberation of Ireland, whose principal headquarters was in the United States, but ramifications of which extended through Great Britain, Ireland, and the colonies. In 1866 the Fenians attempted to invade Canada, and succeeded in crossing the frontier; but they were soon dispersed, and their leaders arrested by the U. S. authorities for violation of the neutrality laws. In 1867 there were several demonstrations made by them in England and Ireland, but their leaders were promptly arrested, and after some were executed, and others sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, the movement was crushed.
Fer (Fr.). Iron. Figuratively, this word is used for a sword or dagger; as, manier le fer, to wear the sword, to follow the profession of arms.
Fer à Cheval (Fr.). In fortification, a horseshoe, a small round or oval work, with a parapet, generally made in a ditch or in a marsh. It further means, according to the French acceptation of the term, a work constructed for the purpose of covering a gate, by having within it a guard-house, to prevent the town from being taken by surprise.
Ferdwit. In ancient military history, a term formerly used to denote a freedom from serving upon any military expedition; or, according to some, the being acquitted of manslaughter committed in the army.
Fere Champenoise, La. A town of France, in the department of the Marne, 20 miles from Epernay. In 1814 the French were defeated here by the allies.
Fere, La. A fortified town of France, in the department of the Aisne, on an island in the Oise. It has an arsenal and a school of artillery. This town was taken by the Spaniards in 1530; and by the allies in 1814.
Ferentarii. Among the Romans, were auxiliary troops lightly armed; their weapons being a sword, arrows, and a sling. We have also mention of another sort of Ferentarii, whose business was to carry arms after the army, and to be ready to supply the soldiers therewith in battle.
Ferozeshah. A village in Hindostan, situated a few miles from the left bank of the river Sutlej. Here the British, commanded by Sir Hugh Gough, attacked the intrenchments of the Sikhs, and carried their first line of works, December 21, 1845; but night coming on, the operations were suspended till daybreak next day, when their second line was stormed by Gen. Gilbert, and 74 guns captured. The Sikhs advanced to retake their guns, but were repulsed with great loss, and retreated toward the Sutlej, December 22; and recrossed that river unmolested, December 27. The loss of the British was reckoned at 2415.
Ferrara. A city of Italy, and the capital of one of the Æmilian provinces of the same name. It was subdued by the Lombards in the 8th century, and taken from them by Pepin, about 752, who gave it to Pope Stephen II. About 1208 it fell into the hands of the house of Este, and in 1598 Pope Clement VIII. obtained the sovereignty. The French under Masséna took Ferrara in 1796; but it was restored to the pope in 1814. An Austrian garrison held it from 1849; it retired in June, 1859, and the people rose and declared for annexation to Sardinia, which was accomplished in March, 1860.
Ferrara. A sword of excellent temper, made of steel from Ferrara, Italy. The kind most prized was manufactured by Andrea di Ferrara; hence such a sword was often called an Andrea-Ferrara.
Ferries, Rope. See Pontons.
Ferrol. A seaport town of Spain, province of Corunna, and an important naval station. This place was unsuccessfully attacked by the British in August, 1800. Marshal Soult captured Ferrol, January 27, 1809.
Ferry. A water conveyance made use of to cross a river, or branch of the sea.
Fetter. To put fetters upon; to shackle or confine the feet with a chain; to bind; to enchain. Deserters are sometimes fettered while undergoing punishment for the crime of desertion.
Feu-de-joie. A salute fired by musketry on occasions of public rejoicing, so that it should pass from man to man rapidly and steadily, down one rank and up the other, giving one long continuous sound.
Feu Rasant (Fr.). A grazing fire, or a discharge of musketry or cannon, so directed that the balls shall run parallel with the ground they fly over, within 3 or 4 feet of the surface.
Feud. A contention or quarrel; especially an inveterate strife between families, clans, or parties in a state; deadly hatred; contention satisfied only by bloodshed.
Feudal. Consisting of, or founded upon, feuds or fiefs; embracing tenures by military system; as, the feudal system.
Fez. A red cap without a brim, worn by Turkish soldiers and others.
Fez. A city of Morocco, Africa; it was founded by Edris, a descendant of Mohammed, about 787; was long capital of the kingdom of Fez. After long-continued struggles it was annexed to Morocco about 1550.
Fichant. In fortification, said of flanking fire which impinges on the face it defends; that is, of a line of defense where the angle of defense is less than a right angle.
Fidenæ. An ancient city of Latium, on the left bank of the Tiber, 5 miles from Rome. The proximity of the two cities brought them early into collision, and we find that Fidenæ was engaged in successive wars with the early Roman kings. After the expulsion of the Tarquins Fidenæ entered into a league with the Sabines and Latins to effect their restoration, but the attempt proved abortive, and, deserted by their allies, the Fidenates were compelled to surrender to the Roman arms. The city afterwards continued its struggles against Rome, but without success, and, though there is no record of its destruction, it had dwindled into an insignificant village before the close of the Roman republic.
Fidentia (now Bargo S. Domingo). A town in Cisalpine Gaul, on the Via Æmilia, between Parma and Placentia, memorable for the victory which Sulla’s generals gained over Carbo, 82 B.C.
Fief. An estate held of a superior on condition of military service; a fee; a feud.
Field.