CAPTAIN, a military officer, whereof there are several kinds, according to their commands.
CAPTAIN of a Troop or Company, an inferior officer who commands a troop of horse, or a company of foot, under a colonel. The duty of this officer is to be careful to keep his company full of able-bodied soldiers; to visit their tents and lodgings, to see what is wanting; to pay them well; to cause them keep themselves neat and clean in their cloaths, and their arms bright. He has power in his own company of making sergeants, corporals, and lanspeshades.
In the horse and foot guards, the captains have the rank of colonels.