Jaca, or Jacca. A fortified town of Spain, in the province of Aragon, situated at the foot of the Pyrenees, on the river Aragon. It is a town of great antiquity, and, from its position, has been the scene of many sanguinary contests. Its occupation was eagerly coveted by every invader of the Peninsula, from Cato and Julius CÆsar to the generals of Napoleon.

Jack. See Implements.

Jack (Fr. jacque). A coat of defensive armor, quilted and covered with leather, worn particularly by horsemen; a buff-jerkin; rarely, a coat of mail.

Jack, Hydraulic. See Hydraulic Jack.

Jack in the Box. A very handy engine, consisting of a large wooden male-screw turning in a female one, which forms the upper part of a strong wooden box, shaped like the frustum of a pyramid. It is used by means of levers passing through holes in it as a press in packing, and for other purposes.

Jack Wambasium. A sort of coat armor, formerly worn by horsemen, not of solid iron but of many plates fastened together, which some persons by tenure were bound to furnish upon any invasion.

Jack-boots. Cavalry boots, made of thick, firm leather, hardened in a peculiar manner. They were sometimes lined with plates of iron.

Jacket. A short, close garment, extending downward to the hips; a short military coat is so called. In the manufacture of ordnance a tube inclosing and reinforcing another tube is called a jacket.

Jack-man. One wearing a jack; a horse-soldier; a retainer.

Jack-screw. See Implements.

Jacob, St. A Swiss hamlet, about a mile south of Basle, on the Bienne road, and the scene of a great battle fought in 1444, between 1600 Swiss and a vastly more numerous French force, under the dauphin, afterwards Louis XI. The Swiss fought for ten hours, slew three times their number of the enemy, but were themselves cut off to 10 men. This battle is known as the “Swiss ThermopylÆ.”

Jacobins. One of those clubs which played so conspicuous a part in the first French revolution. In 1792 they took the name of “The Society of the Friends of Liberty and Equality.” Immediately after the fall of the king, the Jacobins began that struggle against the Girondists which ended in the destruction of the latter. After the fall of Robespierre during the Convention they rapidly lost influence, and were at last suppressed.

Jacobites. This name was given to those who, at the English revolution in 1688, adhered to the cause of the dethroned James II. In Ireland the adherents of the Stuarts rose in rebellion, but were vanquished by force of arms. In Scotland attempts were made in 1715 and 1745 by the descendants and adherents of James II. to expel the house of Hanover. Both were unsuccessful, and involved the ruin of many noble families.

Jacob’s-staff. A mathematical instrument for taking heights and distances, used by military engineers.

Jacquerie, Insurrection of the. The name given to the war of the French peasantry, which broke out in 1358. The immediate occasion of it was the enormities perpetrated by Charles the Bad, king of Navarre, and his adherents; but it was really caused by long-continued oppression on the part of the nobles. Suddenly rising against their lords, the peasants laid hundreds of castles in ruins, murdered the nobles, and violated their wives and daughters, practicing every enormity, and acting, as they said, on the principle of doing as had been done to them. For some weeks they were successful; but the magnitude of the danger induced the nobles to make common cause against them, and on June 9 the peasants were defeated with great slaughter near Meaux by Captal de Buch and Count of Foix. This put an end to the insurrection.

Jade (Fr.). A very hard stone, of an olive color, from which the handles of swords and sabres are manufactured in Poland and Turkey.

Jaen. Formerly an independent Moorish kingdom; is now a province of Spain. It was conquered by the Moors on their entrance into Spain. Jaen maintained its independence as a Moorish state till 1234, when it fell into the hands of Ferdinand III., and was added to the kingdom of Castile.

Jaffa, Yafa, or Joppa. A town of Asiatic Turkey, in the province of Syria, on the Mediterranean. This place attained its greatest prosperity in the times of the Crusaders, when it became the principal landing-place of the warriors of Christendom. In 1799 it was stormed by the French under Bonaparte, and here was perpetrated his shameful massacre of Turkish prisoners. In 1832, Mohammed Ali made himself master of it; but the Turks, with the assistance of the British and Austrians, took it from him again in 1840.

Jaffna, or Jaffnapatam. The capital of the district of Jaffnapatam, in Ceylon. The town is fortified, and possesses a good citadel; but it was taken, after a short resistance, by the British troops in 1795.

Jaghire. An Indian term, signifying the assignment of the revenues of a district to a servant or dependant of government, who is hence called Jaghirdar. Jaghires are frequently given in India to persons as a reward and compensation for their military services.

Jaghire Asham. An Indian term, signifying land granted for the support of the troops.

Jahpoor. A town of Hindostan, in the presidency of Bengal, 15 miles from Agra. This place has been the scene of two decisive battles; the first fought in 1688, between Aurungzebe and his brother Darah Sheeoh; and the second, in 1707, between Alum and Azain Usbaum, all Indian princes.

Jalapa. A city of the Mexican confederation, 60 miles west-northwest of Vera Cruz. In 1847-48 the American troops occupied it.

Jalet (Fr.). See Galet.

Jalons (Fr.). Long poles with a wisp of straw at the top. They are fixed at different places and in different roads, to serve as signals of observation to advancing columns, when the country is inclosed, etc. They are likewise used as camp colors to mark out the ground on days of exercise.

Jamaica. One of the West India Islands, or Greater Antilles, which belongs to Great Britain, and forms the most considerable and valuable of its possessions in that quarter. It was discovered by Columbus in 1494, and colonized by the Spaniards in the early part of the 16th century. In 1655 it was taken by the English, when 3000 British soldiers who had served in the Parliamentary army settled there. In 1866 a revolt of a large portion of the negro population took place, which was promptly suppressed.

Jamb. To squeeze tight.

Jambeaux, or Jambes (Fr.). Greaves; armor for the legs, made of waxed leather or metal; much used in the Middle Ages.

James of the Sword, St. A military order in Spain, instituted in 1170 under the reign of Ferdinand II., king of Leon and Galicia. Its object was to put a stop to the incursions of the Moors; these knights obliging themselves by a vow to secure the roads. The highest dignity in that order is that of grand master, which has been united to the crown of Spain. The knights were obliged to give proof of their descent from families that had been noble for four generations on both sides; they were also required to make it appear that their ancestors were neither Jews, Saracens, nor heretics, nor had ever been called into question by the Inquisition.

James Island. One of the sea islands of Charleston Co., S. C., having Charleston harbor and Ashley River on the north. The battle of Secessionville (June 11, 1863) and several other spirited engagements occurred upon this island during the late civil war.

James Projectile. See Projectiles.

James Rifle. An American sporting rifle, which was popular many years ago.

James, St. A town of France, in the department of Manche. William the Conqueror built a strong fortress here, which remained in possession of the English till 1448.

Jamestown. A former village of James City Co., Va., on the north bank of the James River. The first English settlement in the United States was made at this place in 1608, but nothing now remains but a few ruins. The forces of Wayne and Lord Cornwallis had an engagement near here in 1781.

Jangar. A kind of ponton constructed of two boats with a platform laid across them, which is used by the natives in the East Indies to convey horses, cattle, etc., across rivers.

Janissar-Agasi. Commander-in-chief of the Janissaries.

Janissaries (Turk, ieni tcheri, “new soldiers”). An order of infantry in the Turkish army: originally prisoners trained to arms; were first organized by Orcan, about 1330, and remodeled by his son Amurath I., 1360; their numbers being increased by following sultans. In later days they degenerated from their strict discipline, and several times deposed the sultan. During an insurrection, June 14-15, 1826, when nearly 3000 of them were killed, the Ottoman army was reorganized, and a firman was issued on June 17 abolishing the Janissaries.

Januarius, Order of St. An order of knighthood founded by King Charles of Sicily (afterwards Charles III. of Spain) on July 6, 1738. It was abolished after the French invasion of 1806, and re-introduced in 1814. The badge is a gold octagonal white and red enameled cross, with gold lilies in the upper and side angles. The obverse represents St. Januarius in episcopal robes with an open book. The round middle of the reverse shows a golden open book, and two phials partly filled with blood. The knights are either Cavalieri di Giustizia, who must count four noble generations, or Cavalieri di Grazia.

Japan. An Asiatic empire, composed of Japan, or Niphon, and 3850 isles, with nearly 40,000,000 inhabitants. For military events in Japan, see separate articles in this book.

Jargeau. A town of France, in the department Loiret, 10 miles from Orleans. This place was taken, after a short siege, by the Earl of Salisbury, in 1428.

Jarnac. A town of France, situated on the Charente. The Protestants under Coligny and the Prince of CondÉ were defeated near Jarnac in 1659, when the latter was slain.

Jassy, or Yassy. The chief town of Moldavia, and the residence of the hospodar or prince of that country. Jassy has been frequently taken by the Russians, but it has always been restored at the conclusion of each war with Turkey. In 1822 it was burned by the Janissaries, from which disaster it has never recovered.

Jauts, or Jats. A people of Hindostan, who have at different times made some figure in its annals. The first historical mention of them occurs in the beginning of the 11th century, on the invasion of India by Mahmoud the Gaznevide, when they were completely defeated and driven into the mountainous districts of the interior of India. We find them afterwards, under the growing imbecility of Aurungzebe’s successors, continually extending their conquests. They suffered a reverse, however, at the hands of Ahmed Shah, the sovereign of Cabul, who invaded Northern India, and overran a great portion of their territory. The Jaut chief afterwards became an ally of Ahmed Shah, having treacherously betrayed his former allies, the Mahrattas, at the battle of Paniput, January 14, 1761. When the British power became predominant, the rajah of the Jauts, Rungeet Sing, sought security by concluding a treaty by which he agreed to assist England against all enemies, and by this means he retained the government of his territories. In 1808, however, on the defeat of Holkar by the British, he received into Bhurtpore the discomfited army. The city was besieged, and cost the British an immense number of lives; but at length, despairing of effectual resistance, the rajah agreed to compel Holkar to quit the place. For this breach of the terms of the treaty he was compelled by the English to pay a heavy fine. Disputes about the succession to the throne afterwards led to the interference of the British, and the hitherto impregnable fortress of Bhurtpore was taken by Lord Combermere, January 18, 1826, after a desperate resistance on the part of the Jauts.

Java. A large island in the Eastern Archipelago; is said to have been reached by the Portuguese in 1511, and by the Dutch in 1595. The latter, who now possess it, built Batavia, the capital, about 1619. The atrocious massacre of 20,000 of the unarmed natives by the Dutch, sparing neither women nor children, to possess their effects, took place in 1740. The island capitulated to the British, September 18, 1811; but it was restored to Holland in 1814.

Javelin (Lat. pilum). A short and light spear used for darting against an enemy. In the ancient Roman legions, the first and second lines were armed with them, and in those days they were considered excellent offensive weapons.

Je Maintiendrai (“I will maintain”). The motto of the house of Nassau. When William III. came to the throne of England, he continued this, but added “the liberties of England and the Protestant religion,” at the same time ordering that the old motto of the royal arms, “Dieu et mon droit” should be retained on the great seal, 1689.

Jean de Pied de Port, St. A town of France, in the department of the Lower Pyrenees, on the Nive. Near this place is the pass of Roncevaux, or Roncesvalles, where, in 778, the army of Charlemagne was defeated, and Rolland, the distinguished Paladin, mortally wounded.

Jelalabad. A town of Afghanistan; capital of a province of the same name, 75 miles southeast from Cabul (Cabool). It is memorable for the successful resistance made there in 1841-42 by Sir Robert Sale, with a handful of British troops against a large besieging force of Afghans. Its fortifications were destroyed by the British in 1842, when they evacuated the country.

Jeloudar. An East Indian term, signifying to belong to the train or equipage.

Jemadar. A native lieutenant in an Indian native infantry or cavalry regiment.

Jemappes. A village and commune of Belgium, in the province of Hainault, 2 miles west from Mons. In 1792, the French under Dumouriez gained a great victory over the Austrians near this place.

Jemaulabad. A town and fortress in the south of India, province of Canara, which was originally called Narasingha Augady. The first, which was built by Tippoo, stands on the summit of an immense rock, which may be deemed impregnable, as it is wholly inaccessible except by one narrow way. After the fall of Seringapatam, it sustained a siege of six weeks from the British, when being bombarded, it was taken, and the commander having poisoned himself, his principal officers were hanged. It was afterwards surprised and taken by a band of insurgents or plunderers, when it was reduced, after a blockade of three months, and all that did not escape were summarily executed.

Jena. A town of Germany, in the grand duchy Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, situated in a romantic valley at the confluence of the Leutra with the Saale. In this vicinity was fought the great battle of Jena, October 14, 1806, between the French and Prussian armies, in which the latter was totally defeated.

Jenizer-effendi. An appointment among the Turks, which in some degree resembles that of provost-marshal in European armies. The only functions which this officer is permitted to exercise are those of judge to the company. He sits on particular days for the purpose of hearing the complaints of the soldiers, and of settling their differences. If a case of peculiar difficulty should occur, he reports the case to the Aga, whose opinion and determination are final.

Jericho. Once one of the most flourishing cities of Palestine, situated a few miles northeast of Jerusalem. The Israelites captured and destroyed it on their first entry into Canaan. In the time of Herod it was rebuilt, but was destroyed in the reign of Vespasian, and again rebuilt under Hadrian. During the Crusades, it was repeatedly captured, and at last destroyed. At the present day its place is occupied by a miserable village called Richa.

Jersey. One of the Channel Islands, and the largest and most southerly of the group, situated about 15 miles west from the coast of France, and belonging to Great Britain. Various attempts have been made by the French to possess themselves of this island, but without success. The most remarkable was in 1781, when they were repulsed by the local militia.

Jerusalem. A celebrated city of Syria, the capital of the ancient JudÆa and the modern Palestine. This city was called Salem in 1913 B.C.; its king was slain by Joshua, 1451 B.C. It was taken by David, 1048 B.C., who dwelt in the fort, calling it the City of David. Jerusalem was taken by the Persians in 614; retaken by the emperor Heraclius, 628; by the Saracens, 637; and by the Crusaders, when 70,000 infidels were put to the sword; taken by Saladin, 1187; by the Turks, who drove away the Saracens, 1217 and 1239. It was held by the French under Bonaparte, February, 1799.

Jet (Fr.). A term signifying the motion of any body that is urged forward by main force; it likewise means the space which is gone over by any propelled body; and sometimes the instrument from which anything is thrown or shot; as, the cross-bow, etc. Jet des bombes is a phrase adopted instead of tir, which formerly expressed the course that a shell took when it was thrown out of a mortar by the power of gunpowder.

Jets. See Pyrotechny.

Jiddah, or Jeddah. A trading town of the Hedjaz, Arabia, about 60 miles west from Mecca. On June 15, 1858, the inhabitants rose against the Christians resident among them, and massacred a considerable number of them. In August of the same year the town was bombarded by the British, and satisfaction rendered.

Jingal, or Jingall. A small, portable piece of ordnance, to be fired from the ground or on a wall, resting on a long, slender butt-end, and two legs. This piece was used in India. See Gingals.

Joar. An East Indian term, signifying a general massacre of the women and children, which is sometimes performed by the Hindoos, when they find they cannot prevent the enemy from taking the town. When this dreadful and unnatural ceremony is to take place, a spot is selected which is filled with wood, straw, oil, etc. The victims are inclosed and the whole is set on fire.

John (St.) of Jerusalem, Knights of. See Saint John of Jerusalem, The Order of the Knights Hospitallers of.

Join. A technical word used in the British service, signifying to effect the junction of one military body with another. In a more limited sense, it means the accession of an individual, voluntary or otherwise, to a corps or army. If an officer, on being ordered to join, omits to do so willfully, he is liable to be tried by a general court-martial, or to be peremptorily suspended for being absent without leave.

Jooday Perraput. An East Indian term, signifying a slave taken in war.

Jour (Fr.). The tour of duty which is done in the course of a day and night. Etre de jour, to be officer of the day, or to command a body of troops at a siege or otherwise in the capacity of a general officer, etc.

Journal (Fr.). A public record or general orderly book, kept in the French service, and in which every transaction that occurred during a siege is entered by the governor of the town, for the inspection of a superior authority. The general officer who carried on the siege of a place likewise kept a document of the same kind, and minuted down everything that happened under his command. So that the journal which was kept in this manner was a circumstantial detail of what occurred, day after day, during the attack and defense of a town.

Journals of Defense. In the American service during war, the commander of a place, and the chiefs of engineers and of artillery, shall keep journals of defense, in which shall be entered, in order of date, without blank or interlineation, the orders given or received, the manner in which they are executed, their results, and every event and circumstance of importance in the progress of the defense. These journals shall be sent after the siege to the Department of War.

Journals of March. Commanding officers of troops marching through a country little known will keep journals of their marches according to a form laid down in Army Regulations. At the end of the march a copy of the journal will be retained at the station where the troops arrive, and the original will be forwarded to the headquarters of the department or corps d’armÉe. Thence, after a copy has been taken, it will be transmitted, through the headquarters of the army, to the adjutant-general, for the information of the War Department. The object of the journal is to furnish data for maps, and information which may serve for future operations. Every point of practical importance should therefore be noted.

JournÉe (Fr.). A term used among the French to express any particular engagement or battle; as, la journÉe de Marengo, the battle of Marengo. We frequently adopt the word in the same sense; thus, a hard-fought day signifies a hard-fought battle.

Joust, or Just. An exercise of arms and horsemanship, performed in the Middle Ages by knights and nobles. In the joust, the combatants engaged one another singly, each against his antagonist. The weapon most in use in the joust was the lance, but sometimes the battle-axe and sword were employed. To direct the lance anywhere but at the body of the antagonist was reckoned foul play. In the joust of peace, or joute de plaisance, a foot encounter preceded the mounted combat.

Joute (Fr.). A close fight between two individuals. It likewise means an engagement at sea.

Joves (Fr.). The two sides in the epaulement of a battery which form the embrasure are so called.

Joyeuse (Fr.). A name given to the sword of Charlemagne.

Judge-Advocate. An individual appointed to officiate as public prosecutor upon every general court-martial for the trial of officers and soldiers accused of a breach of the Articles of War, general regulations, or any conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. He is appointed by the officer authorized to assemble a general court-martial, and must be relieved by the same authority. His duties are various and important (see De Hart’s “Military Law,” BenÉt on “Courts-Martial,” and Scott’s “Analytical Digest of Military Law,” on duties, etc., of judge-advocate); he must be present at the court for which he is appointed, not only to record all its proceedings, but also in order to impart validity to its jurisdiction. He advises the court on points of law, of custom, and of form, and invites their attention to any deviation therefrom. If any question of law arises out of the proceedings, and he is called upon for his opinion, he is bound to give it. It is his duty to take care that the accused does not suffer from a want of knowledge of the law, or from a deficiency of experience or ability to solicit from witnesses, or develop by the testimony on the trial, a full statement of the facts of the case as hearing on the defense. If the court, or a member thereof, should deviate from the letter of the law, or assume a power at variance with it, the judge-advocate is bound to point out the error, which should become a part of the record. It is now admitted that the custom of appointing persons from civil life to officiate as judge-advocate is clearly objectionable. It creates a ministerial officer without legal responsibilities, and necessarily commits to his hands high interests of the government, and to some extent the rights and reputation of individuals, to be treated and observed without any stronger guaranty of fidelity than his own sense or impression of moral obligation. In the important duties of the judge-advocate as recorder, adviser, and prosecutor, the utmost deference to the dignity of the court should be apparent; a delicate courtesy and modest demeanor should be characteristic of his address, while his argument may be replete with all the vigor and energy which knowledge imparts and which truth demands.

Judge-Advocate-General. Of the British forces is stationed in London, and is regarded as a civil officer, and is paid from the civil department. The office is generally held by an experienced barrister, to whom all proceedings of courts-martial are referred for remarks as to legality and regularity. In the United States he is a staff-officer with the rank of brigadier-general, who receives, revises, and causes to be recorded the proceedings of all courts-martial, courts of inquiry, and military commissions, and has charge of the records of the bureau of military justice.

Judge-Advocates, Corps of. In the United States, consists of four general staff-officers with the rank of major, who are usually assigned to duty at the headquarters of geographical divisions and departments, and may be detailed as judge-advocates of military courts.

Judge-Martial, or Advocate-General. In former years was the supreme judge in martial law, as to the jurisdiction and powers of military courts in the British system.

Junior. One having a lower rank. When the grade is the same, the one having the more recent commission or warrant.

Junk-wads. Are used for proving cannon. Wad-molds for each caliber—consisting of two cast-iron cylinders of different diameters set in oak, or of two strong pieces, strapped with iron, and joined by a hinge—are employed in their manufacture. The junk, after having been picked, is compressed by being beaten in the smaller mold with a maul and cylindrical drift—the latter nearly of the size of the mold—until it assumes the requisite dimensions; it is then taken out by raising the upper part of the mold, and closely wrapped with rope-yarn passed over it in the direction of the axis of the cylinder, and fastened by a few turns around the middle of the wad. It is then placed in the large mold, and again beaten with the maul and drift until its diameter is increased to that of the mold; when it is taken out and its diameter verified by a wooden gauge corresponding to the large shot-gauge of the caliber.

Jupon, or Just-au-Corps. A surcoat. The name jupon is chiefly applied to the short tight form of that military garment in use in the 14th century. It was a sleeveless jacket or overcoat, composed of several thicknesses of material sewed through, and faced with silk or velvet, upon which were embroidered the arms of the wearer. It fitted closely to the body, and, descending below the hips, terminated in an enriched border of various patterns.

Jurisdiction. Legal authority; extent of power. All sutlers and retainers to the camp, and all persons whatsoever serving with the armies of the United States in the field, though not enlisted soldiers, are to be subject to orders, according to the rules and discipline of war. To decide exactly where the boundary-line runs between civil and military jurisdiction as to the civilians attached to an army is difficult; but it is quite evident that they are within military jurisdiction, as provided for in the Articles of War, when their treachery, defection, or insubordination might endanger or embarrass the army to which they belong in its operations against what is known in military phrase as “an enemy.” Probably the fact that troops are found in a region of country chiefly inhabited by Indians, and remote from the exercise of civil authority, may enter into the description of “an army in the field.” Persons who attach themselves to an army going upon an expedition against hostile Indians may be understood as agreeing that they will submit themselves for the time being to military control. All officers, conductors, gunners, matrosses, drivers, or other persons whatsoever receiving pay or hire in the service of the artillery or corps of engineers of the United States, shall be subject to be tried by courts-martial. The officers and soldiers of any troops, whether militia or others, being mustered and in pay of the United States, shall, at all times and in all places, when joined, or acting in conjunction with the regular forces of the United States, be governed by the Rules and Articles of War, and shall be subject to be tried by courts-martial in like manner with the officers and soldiers in the regular forces; save only that such courts-martial shall be composed entirely of militia officers. No officer, non-commissioned officer, soldier, or follower of the army shall be tried the second time for the same offense. No person shall be liable to be tried and punished by a general court-martial for any offense which shall appear to have been committed more than two years before the issuing of the order for such trial, unless the person by reason of having absented himself, or some other manifest impediment, shall not have been amenable to justice within that period. No garrison or regimental court-martial shall have the power to try capital cases, or commissioned officers; neither shall they inflict a fine exceeding one month’s pay, nor imprison, nor put to hard labor any non-commissioned officer or soldier, for a longer time than one month.

Just. See Joust.

Justice, Military. That species of justice which prevails in the army, and which is administered by military tribunals in accordance with the Articles of War. In Prussia justice is frequently obtained through what is known as the court of honor. See Court of Honor, Court-martial; also, Appendix, Articles of War, 29, 30, and 72 to 105.

Justice, Military, Bureau of. In the United States consists of one judge-advocate-general, with the rank, pay, etc., of brigadier-general. See Judge-Advocate-General.

Juterbogk. A small town of Prussia, in the province of Brandenburg. In the vicinity is the field of Dennewitz, where the Prussians defeated the French, September 6, 1813. See Dennewitz.

Jutland. The only considerable peninsula of Europe that points directly north, forms a portion of the kingdom of Denmark, and comprises the province of North Jutland. South Jutland was taken by the allies in 1813, and restored in 1814. In historical times, the Jutes took part in the expedition of the Saxons to England. As allies of the Saxons, they waged war with Charlemagne, and under the name of Normans (Northmen), frequently desolated the coasts of Germany and France.

Juzail. A heavy rifle used by the Afghans.