or Sentry, in military affairs, a private soldier placed in some post to watch the approach of the enemy, to prevent surprises, to stop such as would pass without orders or discovering who they are. They are placed before the arms of all guards, at the tents and doors of general officers, colonels of regiments, &c.

SENTINEL Perdu, a soldier posted near an enemy, or in some very dangerous post where he is in hazard of being lost.

All sentinels are to be vigilant on their posts; neither are they to sing, smoke tobacco, nor suffer any noise to be made near them. They are to have a watchful eye over the things committed to their charge. They are not to suffer any light to remain, or any fire to be made, made, near their posts in the night-time; neither is any sentry to be relieved or removed from his post but by the corporal of the guard. They are not to suffer any one to touch or handle their arms, or in the night-time to come within ten yards of their post.

No person is to strike or abuse a sentry on his post; but when he has committed a crime, he is to be relie- ved, and then punished according to the rules and ar- ticles of war.

A sentinel, on his post in the night, is to know no- body but by the counter-sign: when he challenges, and is answered Relief, he calls out, Stand, Relief! ad- vance, corporal! upon which the corporal halts his men, and advances alone within a yard of the sentry's fire- lock (first ordering his party to rest, on which the sen- try does the same), and gives him the counter-sign, taking care that no one hear it.