Matross

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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, a sailor.

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.