Ban likewise signified during the ancient monarchy of France, a proclamation made by the sound of drums, trumpets, and tamborines, either at the head of a body of troops, or in quarters. Sometimes to prevent the men from quitting camp, at others to enforce the rigor of military discipline; sometimes for the purpose of receiving a new commanding officer, and at others to degrade a military character.
BANDER, Fr. to unite, to intrigue together for the purposes of insurrection.
BANDERET, in military history, implies the commander in chief of the troops of the canton of Berne, in Switzerland.
BANDES, Fr. bands, bodies of infantry.
Bandes Francoises. The French infantry was anciently so called. The term, however, become less general and was confined to the Prévôt des Bandes, or the Judge or Prevost marshal that tried the men belonging to the French guards.
BANDIERES, Fr. Une Armée rangée en front de bandieres, signifies an army in battle array. This disposition of the army is opposed to that in which it is cantoned and divided into several bodies.
BANDOLEER, in ancient military history, a large leathern belt worn over the right shoulder, and hanging under the left arm, to carry some kind of warlike weapon.
Bandoliers were likewise little wooden cases covered with leather, of which every musqueteer used to wear 12 hanging on a shoulder-belt; each of them contained the charge of powder for a musquet.
BANDROLS. -
BANNEROLS.
See Camp Colors.
BANDS, properly bodies of foot, though almost out of date.
Train-Bands. In England the militia of the City of London were generally so called. The third regiment of Foot or the Old Bulls were originally recruited from the Train bands, which circumstance gave that corps the exclusive privilege of marching through London with drums beating and colors flying. They lost their colors in America, which are now in the war-office at Washington.
Band of Music. The term band is applied to the body of musicians attached to any regiment or battalion, with wind instruments.
Band is also the denomination of a military order in Spain, instituted by Alphonsus XI. king of Castile, for the younger sons of the nobility, who, before their admission, must serve 10 years, at least, either in the army or during a war; and are bound to take up arms in defence of the Catholic faith, against the infidels.