Part 213

To die upon the bed of HONOR, (mourir au lit d’honneur, Fr.) is a term particularly applied to military men, who die in battle fighting in their country’s cause.

A court of HONOR. Although a court of honor may be said, in some degree, to resemble a court of inquiry, nevertheless it cannot be strictly so; for a court of honor has not only the power of ascertaining the degree of guilt which may be attached to misconduct, but it can entail ignominy upon the guilty person; whereas a court of inquiry only investigates the matter and circumstances, and determines whether there be sufficient ground to try the accused before a general court martial; which is the last resort of military jurisdiction, and unites within itself all the qualities and powers of the other two courts.

A debt of HONOR, an obligation which among honorable men, especially officers, is more binding than those engagements or contracts that are guaranteed by law. The reason is manifest.

HONORS by Guards, as a compliment to general officers, &c. with the detail of officers and men they are entitled to in the English army:

The commander in chief, if a field-marshal or captain-general, has 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 2 serjeants, 2 drummers, 2 fifers, and 50 privates, with colors.

A general of horse and foot has 1 captain, 1 subaltern, 2 serjeants, 2 drummers, 2 fifers, and 50 privates.

A lieutenant-general of horse and foot has 1 lieutenant, 1 serjeant, 1 drummer, 1 fifer, and 30 privates.

A major-general of horse and foot has 1 ensign, 1 serjeant, 1 drummer, 1 fifer, and 20 privates.

A brigadier has 1 serjeant and 12 privates.

A quarter-master general has 1 serjeant and 12 privates.

Majors of brigade encamped together, have 1 serjeant and 2 privates.

A judge advocate has 1 serjeant and 7 privates.

A provost-marshal has 1 serjeant and 18 privates.

A provost-marshal, when he has prisoners, has 1 lieutenant, 2 serjeants, 1 drummer, 1 fifer, and 48 privates.

Military HONORS. A field-marshal in the British service is to be saluted with the colors and standards of all the forces, except the horse and foot guards, and excepting when any of the royal family shall be present; but in case a field-marshal is colonel of any regiment, or troop of horse or foot guards, he is to be saluted by the colors or standards of the regiment or troop he commands.

Generals of cavalry and infantry, upon all occasions, are to have the march beat to them, and to be saluted by all officers, those bearing the colors excepted.

Lieutenant-generals of cavalry and infantry are, upon all occasions, to be saluted by all officers. They are to have three ruffles given them, with presented arms.

Major-generals are to have two ruffles with presented arms.

Brigadier-generals are to have one ruffle with presented arms.

To colonels their own quarter-guards in camp turn out, and present their arms, once a day, after which they only turnout with ordered arms.

To majors their own guards turn out with ordered arms once a day; at other times they stand by their arms.

When a lieutenant-colonel or major commands a regiment, their own quarter-guards pay them the same compliment as is ordered for the colonel.

Honors to be paid by the cavalry.--A general of cavalry or infantry is to be received with swords drawn, kettle drums beating, trumpets sounding the march, and all the officers to salute, except the cornet bearing the standard.

A lieutenant-general is to be received with swords drawn, trumpets sounding twice the trumpet flourish, as in drawing swords, and all the officers to salute except the cornet bearing the standard; but the kettle drums are not to beat.

A major-general is to be received with swords drawn, one trumpet of each squadron sounding once the trumpet flourish, as in drawing swords; no officer to salute, nor kettle drum to beat

A brigadier-general is to be received with swords drawn; no trumpet to sound, nor any officer to salute, nor kettle drum to beat.

All officers in the command of forts or garrisons, have a right to the complimentary honors from the troops under their command, which are due to the rank one degree higher than the one they actually possess.

Manner of paying honors.--In the British service the king’s standard or color in the guards, is never carried by any guard except that which mounts on his majesty’s person.