A military dictionary

by William Duane

SUB-brigadier. An officer in the British horse-guards, who ranks as cornet.

Sub-lieutenant. An officer in the British regiments of artillery and fuzileers, where they have no ensigns; and is the same as second lieutenant.

SUBA, or Soobah, Ind. A province.

SUBADAR, Ind. The governor of a province. It likewise signifies a black officer, who ranks as captain in the English East India company’s troops; but ceases to have any command when an European officer is present.

SUBADARY, Ind. The appointment or office of a subadar.

SUBALTERNS, (Officiers subalternes, Fr.) Subaltern officers. This word is used among the French, as with us, to signify all officers of a certain inferior degree, viz. Les subalternes, the subalterns. The term is commonly applied in a regiment to the officers below the rank of captain, in relation to that officer; but, strictly, every officer is subaltern to the grades above him, as the captain is subaltern to the major, and so upward.

SUBDIVISION. The half of a division. Thus if a company forms a division, divided it forms two subdivisions. In the British organization, two companies added together make a grand division; except the flank companies, which constitute grand divisions of themselves; but in actual service, according to the best modern principles, the division is not limited to any given number, but must depend on the strength of the force, and the skill and discretion of the officer.

Division, in the French system, is also applied in the same manner as the term brigade in the English; the French division consists of several regiments, three or more, up to seven or eight; the general of division is of the same rank as the major general in the British establishment.

SUBDUR, Ind. Chief.

SUBJECT, (Sujet, Fr.) One who lives under the dominion of another. It is only used in the first instance, as no one can be the subject of a secondary power, although he is bound to obey his orders. Thus soldiers are obliged to submit to the orders of a general, but they are not his subjects. The French make the same distinction.