CAPTAIN, MILITARY, is perhaps the most general designation given to an officer of land forces; something equivalent to it being found in most European languages. As a word, it simply means a head or leader, and may be applied to a chief over any number of men. Captain-general is in some countries a very high command. In the time of queen Elizabeth, there was, among other high military officers, a capt.gen. of footmen. In the organization of the British army at the present day, there is one C. to every com pany of infantry, and every troop of cavalry. Formerly every battery of artillery had two captains—a first and a second, the latter being called capt.lieut. Now, the first in command has the title of maj., and the second that of rapt. The first in command of a battery of artillery, even when styled C.; was considered higher than a C. of infantry or cavalry, and was privileged to be mentioned by name in military dispatches like cols. and majs.
The duty of the C. is to see to the men of his company in everything that relates to discipline, exercises, billeting, pay, settlement of accounts, mess, kit, clothing, arms, ammunition, accouterments, stores, barracks, cooking, etc.; to receive orders concern ing these matters from the maj., and to enforce these orders among the men. He is responsible to the maj., and is assisted in his duties by the lieut. and sub-lieut. The number of captains on the peace establishment of the British army, in its several branches, are about 239 cavalry, 1236 infantry, 248 artillery, 115 for engineers, and 28 for colonial corps-1866 in all, in full commission. The former value of a C.'s com mission, and the circumstances of purchase connected with it, are noticed under COM MISSIONS, ARMY.