ARMY, a large body of soldiers, con sisting of horse and foot, completely arm ed, and provided with artillery, ammuni tion, provisions, &c. under the command of one general, having lieutenant-gene rals, major-generals, brigadiers and other officers under him. An army is composed of squadrons and battalions, and is usu ally divided into three corps, and formed into three lines ; the first line is called the van-guard, the second the main body, and the third the rear-guard, or body of reserve. The middle of each line is pos sessed by the foot, the cavalry form the right and left wing of each line ; and sometimes they place squadrons of horse in the intervals between the battalions. 'When the army is drawn tip in order of battle, the horse are placed at five feet distance from each other, and the foot at three. In each line the battalions are distant from each other one hundred and eighty feet, which nearly equal to the extent of their fron • and the same holds of the squadrons, w ich are about three hundred feet distant, the extent of their own front. These intervals are left for the squadrons and battalions of the se cond line to range themselves against the intervals of the first, that both may more readily march through those spaces to the enemy : the first line is usually three hundred feet distant from the se cond, and the second from the third, that there may be sufficient room to rally, when the squadrons and battalions are broken.
Our armies anciently were a sort of mi litia, composed chiefly of the vassals and tenants of the lords. When each com pany had served the number of days or months enjoined by their tenure, ow the customs of the fees they held, they re turned home. Armies are distinguished by the appellations of a covering army, designed to protect the different passes which lead to a principal object of de fence : a blockading army, which is pro vided with heavy ordnance and other warlike means, and is employed to invest a town, for the direct and immediate purpose of reducing it by assault or fa mine: an army of observation, so called, because, by its advanced positions and desultory movements, it is constantly em ployed in watching an army : an army of reserve, which is a general depot of effec tive service ;—in cases of emergency the whole or detached parts of an army of reserve are employed to recover a lost day, or to secure a victory : and a flying army, which is mostly a strong body of horse and foot, always in motion, both to cover its own garrison, and to keep the enemy in continual alarm.