a general sense, signifies the defence or preservation of any thing; the act of observing what passes, in order to prevent surprize; or the care, precaution, and attention, we make use of, to prevent anything happening contrary to our intention or inclinations.
the military art, is a duty performed by a body of men, to secure an army or place from being surprised by an enemy.
Advanced Guard, is a party of either horse or foot, that marches before a more considerable body, to give notice of any approaching danger.
Artillery Guard, is a detachment from the army, to secure the artillery: their corps de garde is in the front, and their centres round the park. This is a forty eight hours guard: and upon a march, they go in the front and rear of the artillery, and must be sure to leave nothing behind; if a gun or waggon break down, the captain is to leave a part of his guard to assist the gunners and matroffes in getting it up again.
Corps de Garde, are soldiers entrusted with the guard of a post, under the command of one or more officers.
Forrage-Guard, a detachment sent out to secure the foragers, which are posted at all places, where either the enemy's party may come to disturb the foragers, or where they may be spread too near the enemy, so was to be in danger of being taken. They consist both of horse and foot, and must stay at their posts till the foragers all come off the ground.
Grand Guard, three or four squadrons of horse, commanded by a field officer, posted at about a mile and a half from the camp, on the right and left wings, towards the enemy, for the security of the camp.
Main Guard, that from whence all the other guards are detached.
Picquet-Guard, a good number of horse and foot always in readiness in case of an alarm: the horse are all the time saddled, and the riders booted. The foot draw up at the head of the battalion, at the beating of the tattoo; but afterwards return to their tents, where they hold themselves in readiness to march, upon any sudden alarm. This guard is to make resistance, in case of an attack, till the army can get ready.
Quarter-Guard, a small guard, commanded by a subaltern officer, posted by each battalion, about an hundred yards before the front of the regiment.
Rear-Guard, that part of the army which brings up the rear, which is generally the old grand guards of the camp. The rear-guard of a party is six or eight horse, that march about four or five hundred paces behind the party. The advanced-guard of a party on its going out, make the rear-guard on its return.
Standard-Guard, a small guard, under a corporal, out of each regiment of horse, and placed on foot, in the front of each regiment.
Van Guard, that part of the army which marches in the front.
Guard is more particularly understood of a soldier detached from a company or corps, to protect, detain, or secure any person, &c.
Guards, are also troops kept to guard the king's person, called also royal-guards, life-guards, gardes du corps, &c. These are distinguished into horse, foot, grenadiers, and yeomen.
The English horse-guards are distinguished by troops, and the foot-guards by regiments.
Yeomen of the Guards. See Yeoman.
The French Guards are divided into those within, and those without the palace: the first consists of the guards du corps, or body-guard, which consists of four companies of horse, the first of which companies was anciently Scotch, and still retains the name, though it now consists wholly of Frenchmen. The guards without, are the gens d'armes, light horse, musqueteers, and two other regiments, the one of which is French and the other Swiss. See Gendarmes.
fencing, is a posture proper to defend the body from an enemy's sword.