COLORS, MILITARY, are certain kinds of flags carried with the army. Standards. banners, pennons, guidons, ensigns, colors—all are military flags, each originally having a distinct meaning, now to some extent departed from. The ensigns were the original of those which are now called C., and which especially to infantry regiments The C. are square flags, larger than the standards carried by the cavalry. In former times, there was one for each company: but now there are generally two for a battalion, constituting "a pair of C.;" one of which is called the royal or first, and the other the regimental or second. Both are about 6+ ft. by 6, made of silk, with cords and tassels of crimson and gold, and fixed to a staff about 10 ft. long. The royal color or flag is nearly alike for all the regiments; with a blue ground, an imperial crown, the number of the regiment, and the union cross of St. George. St. Andrew, and St. Patrick. The regimental C. depends for its tint on the facings of the uniform of the regiment; in its center is inscribed the number or designation of the regiment, with its crest and motto, if any; and around are the names of the victories and campaigns in which the corps has served. A subaltern officer carries the colors, and certain non-commissioned officers are set apart as a guard. The C. symbolize the good name and fame of the regiment, and are on that account protected in action with sedulous care; a victor always counts among his achievements the number of C. captured from• the enemy. When a regi
meat obtains new C., they are usually solemnly presented by Some lady of distinction.
The presentation is made with much military pomp, and the chaplain of the regiment reads a prayer prepared for the occasion. A member of the heralds' college is "inspec tor of regimental colors," the post being at present held by garter-king-at-arms.
Besides the " pair of C.," there are small camp C., of the same tint as the facings of the regiment, to designate the part of the camp the corps occupies. Rifle regiments do not carry colors.
in the army, is a non-commissioned officer of higher rank and better pay than the ordinary sergeants. There is one to each company of infantry; and the office is specially given to meritorious soldiers. The color-sergeant wears an honor ary badge over the chevrons (q.v.), and receives 2s. 5d. per day. He fulfills the ordinary regimental and company duties of sergeant; but in addition to these, he attends the colors in the field, or in the front of a camp, or near headquarters in a garrison. A color-sergeant may be degraded to the rank of sergeant for misbehavior, but only by the decision of a court-martial.