MERIT. Desert, excellence, deserving honor or reward.
MERIT, Order of, a military distinction given to officers or soldiers, for some signal service: the badge of which is generally expressive of the service. Such was the medal, or order of merit, presented by the Austrian emperor to the officers of the 15th British light dragoons, for their bravery in the affair of Villers en Couché, in 1794.
MERKIN. A mop to clean cannon.
MERLIN. Handspike.
MERLON. See [Fortification].
MESS. It is usual and advantageous to discipline that the officers of a camp or garrison form one or more messes.
MESSENGERS of state in England, are officers under the direction of the secretaries of state, of whom there were 20 always in waiting, who were relieved monthly, and distributed in the following manner: four at court, five at each secretary’s office, two at the third office for North Britain, three at the council office, and one at the lord chamberlain’s office, who attended that office always in readiness to be sent with dispatches, either domestic or foreign; either to apprehend persons accused or suspected of high treason, or other offences against the state, being empowered by warrant from the secretaries; for the safe keeping of which, their houses are made a sort of confinement or prison; and for the maintenance of the prisoners they have a certain allowance from government. The number has been increased with the system of espionage since 1794.
Military Messengers. Confidential persons that are sent to and from head quarters, &c.
MESTRE de CAMP, Fr. The commanding officer of a regiment of cavalry was so called in the old French service. He was distinguished by this appellation on account of there being a colonel-general in the cavalry. The duty of a mestre de camp was principally confined to the following heads:—To see that the troops or companies were kept complete, that the arms were in good state and condition, the horses of a proper size, sound, and well trained. He had likewise the direction of the different guards, &c.
Mestre de Camp général, Fr. The next officer in rank, in the old French cavalry service, to the colonel-general. This appointment was created under Henry II. in 1552.