Compagnie en Second, Fr. This literally means second company, but according to the old French regulations it signifies a company which consists of half the number of men that other companies are composed of. This was however, applied to the cavalry only.
Capitaine en Second ou reformé en pied, or Lieutenant en Second, ditto, Fr. are officers whose companies have been reduced, but who do duty in others, and are destined to fill up the first vacancies. We have borrowed the expression and say, to be seconded. When an officer is seconded, he remains upon full pay, in the British service, his rank goes on, and he may purchase the next vacant step, without being obliged to memorial in the manner that a half-pay officer must. Should the latter have taken a difference, he will find much difficulty in getting upon full pay, and he can only avail himself of his standing in the army when the last object is accomplished. So that a seconded officer stands in a more favorable light. He is besides likely to be appointed to the vacant commission of the regiment in which he is seconded.
Prendre pour son Second, Fr. To take for a second.
Les SECONDS de côté et d’autre se sont tués, Fr. Both the seconds were killed; or the seconds on each side killed one another. It was very usual among the French for the seconds to make common cause with their principals, and to fight upon the decease of the former. The practice is reprobated and out of date.
To SECOND, (seconder, Fr.) To aid or assist, to support.
Second covert way, that beyond the second ditch. See [Fortification].
Second ditch, that made on the outside of the glacis, when the ground is low, and there is plenty of water. See [Fortification].
Second Flanc, Fr. See [Flank oblique] in [Fortification].
SECOURIR une place, Fr. To throw succours into a besieged town or place. It sometimes signifies to force an investing or attacking army to raise the siege.
SECRECY. In a military economy this quality is peculiarly requisite. It signifies fidelity to a secret; taciturnity inviolate; close silence. Officers, in particular, should be well aware of the importance of it, as the divulging of what has been confidentially entrusted to them, especially on expeditions, might render the whole project abortive. The slightest deviation from it is very justly considered as a breach of honor, as scandalous conduct, unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. In official matters the person so offending is liable to the severest punishment and penalty.