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

Commandant. An officer who has the command of a garrison, fort, castle, regiment, company, etc.; called also commander.

Commander-in-Chief. The title given to the officer who has supreme command of the land or naval forces of a nation. The President is ex officio commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States.

Commands. In the military service there are two kinds, the [preparatory command], such as forward, which indicates the movement that is to be executed, and the [command of execution], such as MARCH, or HALT, or in the manual of arms, the part of the command which causes the execution. The tone of command is animated, distinct, and of a loudness proportioned to the number of men under instruction.

Each [preparatory command] is pronounced in an ascending tone of voice, but always in such a manner that the [command of execution] may be more energetic and elevated.

The command of execution is pronounced in a tone firm and brief. The trumpet ought to be used for giving commands whenever it can be done to advantage.

Commilitones. This word had with the Romans the same significance as the English words [comrade soldiers].

Commissariat. A name given to the organized system whereby armies are provided with food and daily necessaries. In the old Roman armies the duty of supplying troops was performed by the quæstors, who filled the place of the commissary officers of our own times. In the U. S. service this department is under charge of an officer of the rank of brigadier-general, called the commissary-general of subsistence.

Commissary. In general means any one to whom the power or authority of another is committed; used in military affairs in relation to officers who have charge of the subsistence of troops, musters, etc.

Commissary of Muster. See [Muster].

Commissary Sergeants. In the U. S. service, are sergeants who are selected from the line of the army, by the Secretary of War; they must be steady and reliable men, and their duties are to assist the commissary officer in receiving, storing, preserving, issuing, selling, and accounting for the subsistence supplies at their posts, according to the regulations for the subsistence departments.