SENIORITY, in military matters, is the difference of number in two regiments, whereby the one is said to be so much senior to the other. All regiments take place according to seniority.
SENTENCE. Decision; determination, final judgment. There is an appeal allowed from the sentence of a regimental court-martial to the opinion of a general one.
| SENTINEL, | - | |
| SENTRY, |
is a private soldier, placed in some post, to watch the approach of the enemy, to prevent surprises, to stop such as would pass without order, or discovering who they are. Sentries are placed before the arms of all guards, at the tents and doors of general officers, colonels of regiments, &c.
All sentries are to be vigilant on their posts; they are not, on any account to sing, smoke tobacco, nor suffer any noise to be made near them. They are to have a watchful eye over the things committed to their charge. They are not to suffer any light to remain, or any fire to be made near their posts in the night-time; neither is any sentry to be relieved, or removed from his post, but by the corporal of the guard. They are not to suffer any one to touch or handle their arms, or in the night-time to come within 10 yards of their post.
No person is to strike or abuse a sentry on his post; but when he has committed a crime, he is to be relieved, and then punished according to the rules and articles of war.
A sentinel, on his post in the night, is not to know any body, but by the countersign: when he challenges, and is answered, relief, he calls out stand, relief! advance, corporal! upon which the corporal halts his men, and advances alone within a yard of the sentry’s fire-lock (first ordering his party to port arms, on which the sentry does the same) and gives him the same countersign, taking care that no one hears it. See [Rounds].
SENTINELLE, Fr. Sentinel; sentry. This word is likewise used to express the duty done by a sentinel. Faire sentinelle. To stand sentry.
Sentinelle perdue, Fr. A sentry posted in a very advanced situation, so as to be in continual danger of surprise from the enemy.
SEPTANGULAR, having seven angles.