flankers

There was very little cover, and, to the horror of all, they saw and heard that the enemy had what the military would term flankers out, in shape of a couple of men at each end of their line; and while the main body kept along out in the open, the scouts at the right forced their way through the undergrowth and among the trees at the edge of the forest.

Fire Island Being the Adventures of Uncertain Naturalists in an Unknown Track George Manville Fenn 1870

A technique was early developed whereby two men known as flankers tackled from opposite sides.

THE AMERICAN WEST DEE BROWN 2007

At the angles were small projecting squares, of still stronger material and planting, technically called flankers, with oblique port-holes, so as that the sentinel within could rake the external front of the station, without being exposed to shot from without.

The First White Man of the West Flint, Timothy, 1780-1840 1856

The first shots had driven in his flankers and the guides, which completed the confusion.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

I first reconnoitered the ground, and then divided the regiment into companies and detachments, with proper supports and reserves, according to the cover and duties to be performed, which were principally to guard the roads against cavalry, the right and left wings against flankers, and to watch the movements of the enemy, and also groups of from one to one hundred, to pick off gunners and protect batteries.

Your History Moment: Hiram Berdan’s Sharpshooters in the Siege of Yorktown « Third Point of Singularity 2009

The rear was guarded by about a hundred provincials under Adam Stephen, while parties of flankers ranged on either side.6

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

He already had flankers out crashing through the understory on either side of his column.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

The rear was guarded by about a hundred provincials under Adam Stephen, while parties of flankers ranged on either side.6

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

He received a hearty welcome and learned that harassment of the column had been increasing, stragglers and deserters turning up dead and scalped despite the flankers, who had skirmished with a small party of Indians.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011

The first shots had driven in his flankers and the guides, which completed the confusion.

George Washington’s First War David A. Clary 2011