COMPANY, in military affairs, a small body of foot, commanded by a captain, who has under him a lieutenant and ensign.
The number of sentinels or private soldiers in a company is from 50 to 100; and a battalion or regiment consists of 9, 10, or 11, such companies, one of which is always grenadiers, and posted on the right; next them stands the colonel's company, and on the left the light infantry company. Companies not incorporated into regiments are called irregulars, or independent companies.
Artillery COMPANY. See ARTILLERY.
COMPANY of Ships, a fleet of merchantmen, who make a charter-party among themselves; the principal conditions whereof usually are, that certain vessels shall be acknowledged admiral, vice-admiral, and rear-admiral; that such and such signals shall be observed; that those which bear no guns shall pay so much per cent. of their cargo; and in case they be attacked, that what damages are sustained shall be reimbursed by the company in general. In the Mediterranean such companies are called converses.