Surmener

Fr. To founder. A term in the French manege, signifying to over-ride or over-work a horse. Hence, un chéval surmené. A jaded horse, or one spoiled by too much work. Les SURPENTES , Fr. The slings or straps used in the artillery. To SURPRISE , ( Surprendre , Fr. ) in war , to fall on an enemy unexpectedly, in marching through narrow and difficult pa es, when one part has pa ed, so as not easily to come to the succour of the other; as in the pa age of rivers, woods, enclosures, . A place is surprised by drains, casemates, or the i ues of rivers or canals; by the encumbering the bridge or gate, by waggons meeting and stopping each other; sending soldiers into the place, under pretence of being deserters, who, on entering, surprise the guard; being sustained by troops in ambush near the place, to whom they give entrance, and thereby seize it. Soldiers dre ed like peasants, merchants, Jews, priests, or women, are sometimes employed for this purpose. The enemy sometimes send in their soldiers, as if they were yours coming from the hospitals, . they also dre their soldiers in your regimentals, who, presenting themselves at your gate as such, are immediately admitted, seize the guard, and become masters of the place. Sometimes houses are set on fire, and whilst the garrison comes out to extinguish it, troops who lay in ambush march in, and surprise the place. Officers commanding guards at the principal gates are lured out under various pretences; matters being so contrived that a party seize the gate in coming in with them. Sometimes an alarm is given at one side of the garrison, whilst you enter secretly at the other, which at that time is too often neglected.