Army

A large and organized body of soldiers, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, completely armed, and provided with the nece ary stores, etc., the whole being composed of companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, divisions, and corps, under proper officers, and the entire force being under the direction of one general, who is called the general-in-chief, and sometimes the generali imo . Armies are distinguished by different appellations; as, a covering army , a blockading army , an army of obstruction , an army of reserve , a flying army , etc. An army is said to cover a place when it is encamped or in cantonments for the protection of the different pa es which lead to a principal object of defense. An army is said to blockade a place when, being well provided with heavy ordnance and other warlike means, it is employed to invest a town for the direct and immediate purpose of reducing it by a ault or famine. An army of obstruction is so called because by its advanced positions and desultory movements it is constantly employed in watching the enemy. A flying army means a strong body of horse and foot, which is always in motion, both to cover its own garrisons and keep the enemy in continual alarm. For method of providing for armies, see Appropriations .