A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer by Thomas Wilhelm

(5 User reviews)   1178
By Ashley Johnson Posted on Jan 12, 2026
In Category - Botany
Wilhelm, Thomas Wilhelm, Thomas
English
Ever wondered what soldiers actually carried in the 1800s, or what a 'flying sap' was? This book isn't a dusty old manual—it's a time capsule. 'A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer' by Thomas Wilhelm is like having a direct line to a 19th-century officer's brain. It's packed with definitions for everything from weapons and tactics to fortifications and camp life. The real mystery it solves is how soldiers thought, fought, and survived. It’s surprisingly addictive to flip through, and you'll find yourself looking up random terms just to see what wild piece of history you'll uncover next. Perfect for anyone curious about the real nuts and bolts of military history.
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More Transcriber’s Notes can be found at the end of the text. A MILITARY DICTIONARY AND GAZETTEER. COMPRISING ANCIENT AND MODERN MILITARY TECHNICAL TERMS, HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF ALL NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS, AS WELL AS ANCIENT WARLIKE TRIBES; ALSO NOTICES OF BATTLES FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME, WITH A CONCISE EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN HERALDRY AND THE OFFICES THEREOF. THE WORK ALSO GIVES VALUABLE GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION. COMPILED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES OF ALL NATIONS. WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING THE ARTICLES OF WAR, ETC. BY THOMAS WILHELM, CAPTAIN EIGHTH INFANTRY. REVISED EDITION. PHILADELPHIA: L. R. HAMERSLY & CO. 1881. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by THOMAS WILHELM, U.S.A., In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. TO BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL AUGUST V. KAUTZ, COLONEL EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY, U.S.A., BY WHOSE SUGGESTIONS, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND AID THE WORK WAS UNDERTAKEN, PERSEVERED IN, AND COMPLETED, THIS COMPILATION IS, WITH RESPECT AND GRATITUDE, DEDICATED BY HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT, THE COMPILER. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. It is with no small degree of relief that the compiler of this work now turns from a self-imposed task, involving some years of the closest application, to write a brief preface, not as a necessity, but in justice to the work and the numerous friends who have taken the warmest interest in its progress and final completion. It is inevitable that in the vast amount of patient and persistent labor in a work of this kind, extending to 1386 pages, and containing 17,257 distinct articles, there should be a few errors, oversights, and inconsistencies, notwithstanding all the vigilance to the contrary. Condensation has been accomplished where it was possible to do so, and repetition avoided to a great extent by reference, where further information was contained in other articles of this book. The contributions to the Regimental Library, which afforded the opportunity for this compilation, of standard foreign works, were of infinite value, and many thanks are tendered for them. To G. & C. MERRIAM, Publishers, for the use of Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary; J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., Publishers, Philadelphia; D. VAN NOSTRAND, Publisher, New York; Maj. WILLIAM A. MARYE, Ordnance Department, U.S.A.; Maj. W. S. WORTH, Eighth Infantry, U.S.A.; Maj. D. T. WELLS, Eighth Infantry, U.S.A.; Lieut. F. A. WHITNEY, Adjutant Eighth Infantry, U.S.A.; Lieut. C. A. L. TOTTEN, Fourth Artillery, U.S.A.; Lieut. C. M. BAILY, Quartermaster Eighth Infantry, U.S.A.; and Lieut. G. P. SCRIVEN, Third Artillery, U.S.A., the compiler is indebted for courteous assistance in the preparation of this volume. OCTOBER, 1879. PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION. In submitting this volume to the public it is deemed proper to say that the design of the work is to bring together into one series, and in as compact a form as possible for ready reference, such information as the student of the science and art of war, persons interested in the local or reserve forces, libraries, as well as the editors of the daily press, should possess. In short, it is believed that the work will be useful to individuals of all ranks and conditions. The compiler has labored under some disadvantages in obtaining the necessary information for this volume, and much is due to the encouragement and assistance received from accomplished and eminent officers, through which he was enabled to undertake the revision of the first issue of this work with greater assurance; and among the officers referred to, Lieut. WILLIAM R. QUINAN, of the Fourth Artillery, U.S.A., deserves especially to be mentioned. It may not be out of place here to state that the compiler takes...

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Let's be clear: this isn't a novel with a plot. It's a reference book, but one with a very specific story to tell. A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer is Thomas Wilhelm's attempt to catalog the entire world of 19th-century warfare. He defines thousands of terms, from the common ('musket') to the obscure ('gabion'). The 'Gazetteer' section lists important battles and locations, giving you context. The story here is the story of an era's military knowledge, frozen in time on the page.

Why You Should Read It

I picked this up thinking it would be dry, but it's fascinating. You get a real sense of the daily reality of soldiering. Reading the precise definition of 'hardtack' or the step-by-step instructions for building a pontoon bridge makes history feel immediate. It strips away the romance and shows you the mechanics. Wilhelm’s voice comes through in small opinions and clarifications, making it feel like you're getting a briefing from a seasoned veteran, not a professor.

Final Verdict

This is a niche book, but a brilliant one for the right person. It's perfect for history buffs, writers working on historical fiction (it's a research goldmine), war gamers, or anyone with a casual interest in how things worked. Don't read it cover-to-cover. Keep it on your shelf, dip into it, and let it surprise you. It’s a conversation starter and a unique window into a vanished world.



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This digital edition is based on a public domain text. It serves as a testament to our shared literary heritage.

Joseph Martinez
5 months ago

As an avid reader, the material feels polished and professionally edited. Time very well spent.

Daniel Anderson
1 month ago

I needed a solid reference and the writing remains engaging even during complex sections. This has earned a permanent place in my collection.

Andrew Allen
5 months ago

Having explored similar works, the attention to historical detail adds a layer of realism that is rare. A true masterpiece of its kind.

Susan Wright
3 months ago

I stumbled upon this by accident and the storytelling feels authentci and emotionally grounded. This turned out to be a great decision.

Susan Anderson
4 months ago

For a digital edition, the balance between theory and practice is exceptionally well done.. An unexpectedly enjoyable experience.

4.5
4.5 out of 5 (5 User reviews )

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