Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1917-07-06
Military Tern. You Should Know.

| With the United States on the eve
Of having troops in actual physical con-
tact in the European battle front, an
Interpretation of the military terms in
general use will be an aid to the gen.
eral reader. The following are among
those in constant use:
A corps is two or more divisions,
commanded by a major general.
-, A division is composed of two or
more brigades, also commanded by a
major general.
A brigade, commanded by brigadier
general, is composed of two or more
regiments and independent companies
or battalions.
A regiment of infantry consists of
twelve line companies and three ad-
ditional companies. 1t is commanded
by a colonel, with the following ad-
ditional officers. One lieutenant colo
mel, three majors. fifteen captains as
company commanders, three of them
also being members of the colonel's
staff as adjutant, quartermaster and
commissary; two lieutenants to each
company, one lieutenant acting on each
of the three majors staff.
A battalion is made up of four COM
panies and is commanded by major.
A company of infantry consists of
about $50 men, divided into two plat
oons; platoons are divided into squads.
A platoon is commanded by a lieuten-
ant-a commissioned officer; two or
more squads are commanded by SER
geant; squad is commanded by cor.
porsl and comprises seven men besides
the corporal.
A company of cavalry is called a
troop and battalion of cavalry is CALL
ed squadron.
A company of artillery is called a
battery. 1t is divided into sections and
there may be different numbers of guns
according to the kind of artillery.
Three batteries Of artillery make a
battalion.
The word company, troop" or
battery" should not be used before
the letter as Company B." 1t would
be the same as to say Street Jack
son." The letter comes first, just as
the ..numeral comes before the word
regiment: ''2d Regiment. Not Regi-
ment 3D.
Troops are either "federals" (regu-
lar) or national guard. Every male
citizen of the United States between
the age of Is and 45 is a member of
the militia. Never use the word when
referring to organized bodies of troops.
There are no such things as mill
tia officials" or army official Fin
military parlance' They are national
guard and army officers.
A skirmish engagement, brush, fight
or encounter is not battle.
A battle is an engagement for the
possession of certain point and is
general in its character. Large bodies
of:.troups are engaged-more than
brigade. Otherwise the fight is an en-.
gagement, skirmish or an encounter.
Never say Captain Jones ard his
soldiers of Company A." Say "a CON-
pany, commanded by Captain Jones"
did so and so.
Any irregular body Of troops less than
a company, or troops, is called detach-
ment, unless it is platoon or squad or
a section or artillery.
Never say, Lieutenant Jones and a
number of men" from such and such
an organization. Say "A detachment
from A Company, commanded by Lieut.
Jones'"
Ammunition is spoken of in terms of
rounds. Fifty rounds" means fifty
cartridges-fifty shots.
Never say muskets. There are not
any. Artillerymen carry pistols and
not revolvers.
A picket consists of several men
generally squad. One of picket Is
y sentinel or sentry. In front and on
the TANKS of all troops in camp are out
posts-pickets. All troops doing guard
duty, picket duty, outpost duty, ETC.
are commanded by 1.-The officers of the
day." so designated for period of
twenty four hours as are the troops on
guard duty.
Troops carry ''ponchos "-rubber
blankets. Not rain coats or rain capes
Mounted troops and drivers are equipped
with "Slickers
Fatigue duty refers to work to be
done about camp.
A camp is ''policed" when it is cleaned
up-rid of rubbish and the like.
A cavalrymsn is called trooper.