Matross

Matross

Matross was a soldier of artillery, who ranked next below a gunner.

The duty of a matross was to assist the gunners in loading, firing and sponging the guns. They were provided with firelocks, and marched with the store-wagons, acting as guards. In the American army a matross ranked as a private of artillery.

The word is probably derived from French matelot, or from German Matrose, a sailor.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 


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  • Matross — Ma*tross , n. [D. matroos, fr. F. matelot.] (Mil.) Formerly, in the British service, a gunner or a gunner s mate; one of the soldiers in a train of artillery, who assisted the gunners in loading, firing, and sponging the guns. [Obs.] [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • matross — noun In the British service, a gunner or a gunners mate; one of the soldiers in a train of artillery, who assisted the gunners in loading, firing, and sponging the guns …   Wiktionary

  • matross — ma·tross …   English syllables

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