Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-05
Why is an Army?
what Is a Corps, a Division. q Bril-
rnde? How Do Omcers Rank
and what is Their Rank 1nsfg'
min?

With the United States on the eve
.of having troops, in actual physical
contact in the European battle front,
an Interpretation Of the military terms
in genera use will be an aid to tne
general reader. The following are
among those in constant use'
A corps or two or more divisions
commanded by a major general.
A division is composed Of two or
more brigades. also olnmanoeo ny
a major general.
A brigade. commanded by a briga-
der general, is composed OF two or
more regiments and Independent
companies or battalions.
A regiment Of infantry consists OF
twelve, line companies and three al.
ditional companies. 1t is commandeu
by a colonel, with the following addi-
tional officers: one lieutenant colonel
three majors, fifteen captains as COM
pany commanders, three of them also
being members Of h colonels stan
as adjutant, quartermaster and COM
missary; two l%ieutenants to each com.
pany. one lieutenant acting on eacn Oh
the three majors staff.
A battalion is made UP of four ON
panies and is commanded by a major.
A company of infantry consists OF
about 1870 men, divided into two pla-
toons; platoons are divided into
squads. A platoon is commanded by
lieutenant-a commissioned officer;
two or more squads are commanded
by a sergeant; a squad Is commanded
by a corporal and compriees seven
men besides the corporal.
A company Of cavalry is called a
troop and a battalion Of cavalry Is
o11nN q councilman
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 ar
tillery.
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
regiment: "2nd regiment" Not Regi-
ment End.
Troops are either "federals" (regu-
lar) or National Guard. Every male
citizen Of the United States between
the age Of Is and As is q member Of
the militia. Never use the word when
referring to organized bodies Of
troops.
There are no such things as militia
officials" or army officials" In mill
tary parlance. They are national
guard and army officers.
A skirmish. engagement, brush,
fight or encounter is not a battle.
A battle is an engagement for the
possession Of a certain point and is
general in its character. Large bodies
OF troops are engaged-more than a
brigade. Otherwise the fight is an
engagement. a skirmish or an en-
counter.
Never say Captain Jones and his
soldiers of Company A." Say "a COM
pany, commanded by Captain Jones'"
did so and 80.
Any irregular body Of troops less
than a company, or troops, is called a
detachment, unless it is a platoon or
squad or a section Of artillery. Never
say Lieutenant Jones and a number
of men," from such and such an or
ganization. Say: "a detachment
from A company, commanded by
Ammunition is spoken Of in terms
OF rounds. Fifty rounds mea
fifty cartridges-ffty shots.
Never say muskets. There are not
any. Artillerymen carry pistols and
not revolvers.
Troops generally move in columns.
(The usual column is four I men
abreast-two ranks comprising a
squad, with the corporal as the man
on the left in the rear rank.) They
go into the firing line in Extended
order"-sometimes referred to as a
skirmish line. Troops are sent into
battle or engagement as the firing
hne,- the support and the reserve. The
tactical unit in line Of battle or en-
gagement is the battalion.
A picket consists Of several men
generally a squad. One of a picket
is a sentinel or sentry. In front and
on the TANKS Of all troops in camp are
outposts-pickets. All troops doing
guard duty, picket duty, outpost duty,
ETC., are commanded by 1.-The officers
Of the day." so designated for a period
of t~wenty-four hours as are the troops
on guard duty.
Troops carry Observation-Disclosures
blankets. Not rain coats or rain
capes. Mounted troops and drivers
are equipped with "slickers."
A bayonet Is kept in a scabbard.