Marc

Fr. A weight equal to eight ounces. In France, it is usual for silversmiths and jewellers to take a marc at that standard, but when articles of greater bulk and gro er quality than those they deal in, are brought to the scale, the marc contains 16 ounces to the pound. All stores and ammunition were appreciated by this measure. A MARCH , ( une Marche , Fr. ) is the moving of a body of men from one place to another. Care must be taken, in marching troops, that they are not liable to be flanked or intercepted; for of all operations none is more difficult, because they must not only be directed to the objects they have in view, but according to the movements the enemy may have made. Of all the mechanical parts of war, none is more e ential than that of marching. It may be justly called the key which leads to all important motions and manœuvres of an army; for they depend entirely on this point. A man can be attacked in four different ways; in the front, on both flanks, and in the rear: but he can defend himself, and annoy the enemy, only when placed with his face towards him. Hence it follows, that the general object of marching, is reduced to three points only; to march forwards, and on both sides, because it is impo ible to do it for any time backwards, and by that means face the enemy wherever he presents himself. The different steps to be made use of are three: slow, quick, and accelerated. The first is used only at reviews, for parade, or in mounting guard. The second is proper in advancing, when at a considerable distance from the enemy, and when the ground is unequal, that the line may not be broken, and that a regular fire may be kept up without intermi ion. The third is chiefly nece ary, when you want to anticipate the enemy in occupying some post, in pa ing a defile, and, above all, in attacking an intrenchment, to avoid being a long while exposed to the fire of the artillery and small arms, . Columns may be opened and formed into lines, and vice vers a , lines into columns, by all these steps. In coming out of a defile, you may instantly form the line without presenting the flank to the enemy. The line may be formed, though ever so near to the enemy, with safety, because you face him, and can with ease and safety protect and cover the motion of the troops, while they are coming out of the defiles and forming. The same thing may be equally executed, when a column is to be formed, in order to advance or retreat; which is a point of infinite consequence, and should be established as an axiom. The order of march of the troops must be so disposed, that each should arrive at their rendezvous, if po ible, on the same day. The quarter-master-general, or his deputy, with an able engineer, should sufficiently reconnoitre the country, to obtain a perfect knowlege both of that and of the enemy, before he forms his routes. Before a march , the army generally receives several days bread. The quarter-masters, camp-color men, and pioneers, parade according to orders, and march immediately after, commanded by the quarter-master-general, or his deputy. They are to clear the roads, level the ways, make preparations for the march of the army, . The general , for instance, beats at 2, the a embly at 3, and the army to march in 30 minutes after. Upon beating the general , the village, and general officer’s guards, quarter and rear-guards, join their respective corps; and the army pack up their baggage. Upon beating the a embly , the tents are to be struck, and sent with the baggage to the place appointed, . The companies draw up in their several streets, and the rolls are called. At the time appointed, the drummers are to beat a march, and fifers play at the head of the line; upon which the companies march out from their several streets, form battalions as they advanced to the head of the line and then halt. The several battalions will be formed into columns by the adjutant-general, and the order of march, ., be given to the general officers who lead the columns. The cavalry generally march by regiments or squadrons. The heavy artillery always keep the great roads, in the centre of the columns, escorted by a strong party of infantry and cavalry.—The field-pieces move with the columns. Each soldier generally marches with 60 rounds of powder and ball, and three good flints; one of which is to be fixed in the cock of his firelock. The routes must be so formed, that no column may cro another on the march. See American Military Library .