Fagots

in the military history were men hired to muster by officers whose companies are not complete; by which means they cheated the public of the men’s pay, and deprive the country of its regular establishment. See False return. A British general in the East Indies made an immense fortune by bullock fagots. Artillery are all drawn by oxen in Asia, as well as all baggage; upon an inspection of bullocks, the inspector counted 12,000: it appeared there were only 4,000, they were drawn up in front of a wood, and as soon as the bullocks on the right were inspected; they were drawn off succe ively by the rear, and appeared again in ranks on the left; so that every bullock was three times inspected, and the round number returned.