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without n\uch difficulty, and a consi-derable degree of danger. The Cheva-lier Folard has proposed a much safer,and a much easier way, by means ofgrappling hooks tied to long ropes,which might be thrown into the ford.Yet even in this case, observes thatwriter, the object could not be accom-plished if the river were broad, unlessthe persons employed in the under-taking be under the cover of so heavya discharge of ordnance and musketry,that the enemy would not be able tointerrupt them, even from an intrenchedposition on the opposite bank.
With respect to caltrops, the removalof them, when properly distributed atthe bottom of a ford, must be attendedwith great difficulty ; for they must ren-der the passage absolutely impractica-ble, unless they were to sink very deepinto the mud and sand, and thus becomeuseless. The men that first enter are,in this case, the only persons incom-moded; the rest may follow withoutmuch hazard.
It sometimes happens, that the bot-tom of a stream, or rivulet, is firm andgravelly; when this occurs, the greatestprecautions must be taken to escapethe effects of caltrops. For this pur-pose, a good stock of hurdles must beprovided. The soldiers will hand themto one another, force them into thewater, and then cover them with stones.
When one or two fords in a river areso situated, that several battalions can-not cross them upon one front, it isthen highly prudent to throw a bridgeover, either above or below the ford;for a swell may intervene, and renderit otherwise impassable; add to which,you have the advantage of getting agreater number of troops over at once.
In order to effect a passage for hisarmy over the river Segre, Csesar gavedirections that ditches, thirty feet broad,should be dug in such parts of thebanks as might with ease receive thewater out of the stream, and render itfordable. Having accomplished this ob-ject, he found no difficulty in reachingPetreius, who, being in the daily fearof wanting provisions and forage for hismen, was on the eve of quitting hisposition and marching forward.
The passage of the Granicus by Alex ander the Great is likewise mentionedin history, as an instance of bold enter-
prize. But however celebrated tiiat actmay be in ancient records, we shall notbe thought partial to the moderns whenwe state, that the passage of the riverHolowitz, by Charles XII. of Sweden,was equally bold and well managed.
RIVERAINS, Fr. persons who in-habit the banks of rivers. By a regula-tion, which was in force during theFrench monarchy, all persons so situ-ated, were obliged to leave a space 18feet broad at least, between their housesor huts, and the bank, for the conveni-ence of navigation. A set of men, calledBaliseurs, were paid to see this regula-tion strictly complied with.
RIVET , a fastening pin clenched atboth ends, so as to hold an intermediatesubstance with more firmness.
Rivet , in farriery, is that extremity of the nail that rests, or leans upon thehorn when you shoe a horse.
RIVETTING-/?/fl/es, in gun-car-riages, small square thin plates of iron,through which the ends of the boltspass, and are rivetted upon them.
RIVIERE, Fr. This word is usedby the French , in one particular in-stance, to signify coast or shore—As laRiviere de Genes; the coast of Genoa.
RI X-dollar, (risdale , Fr.) a dollarworth 4s. 6d.
RIZAMEDAR, Ind. an officer com-manding a small body of horse.
RO, Ind. in Indian music meansquick.
ROAD , (cheminyTr.) For the mannerin which roads should be reconnoitredfor military purposes, see Reconnoi-tring ; also page 231 of the LittleBombardier.
Military Road , a road calculated forthe passage of troops, and the conve-nience of artillery, &c. Of this descrip-tion is the road directed to be cut, byAct of Parliament, from Sussex intoKent. These roads are made of a cer-tain breadth, and through a countrysusceptible of defence.
ROAN. A roan horse is one of abay sorrel, or black colour, with greyor white spots, interspersed very thick.When this party-coloured coat is ac-companied with a black head, and blackextremities, he is called a roan, with ablackmoor's head ; and if the same mix-ture be predominant upon a deep sor-rel, it is called claret roan.
ROARER, a horse that makes a