Lieutenant GENERAL, is the next in command after the general; and provided he should die or be killed, the order is, that the oldest lieutenant general shall take the command. This office is the first military dignity after that of general. One part of their function is, to assist the general with their counsel: they ought therefore, if possible, to possess the same qualities with the general himself; and the more, as they often command armies in chief.
The number of lieutenant generals has been multiplied of late in Europe, in proportion as the armies have become numerous. They serve either in the field, or in sieges, according to the dates of their commissions. In battle, the oldest commands the right wing of the army, the second the left wing, the third the centre,
General. the fourth the right wing of the second line, the fifth the left wing, the sixth the centre; and so on. In sieges, the lieutenant generals always command the right of the principal attack, and order what they judge proper for the advancement of the siege during the 24 hours they are in the trenches: except the attacks, which they are not to make without an order from the general in chief.