Patrol

any party or round of soldiers, to the number of five or six, with a serjeant to command them. These men are detached from the main guard, picquet, or quarter-guard, according to circumstances, to walk round the streets of a garrison town, . for the purpose of taking up disorderly persons, or such as cannot give an account of themselves. It is their duty to see, that the soldiers and inhabitants of the place repair to their quarters and dwelling-houses, (in conformity to specific directions which are given out to that effect) and that alehouses and sutlers’ booths are shut up at a seasonable hour. They are likewise to take up every person they meet without a light, and that cannot give the watchword or countersign when he is challenged. All such persons must be conducted to the guard-house, and a report made of them to the commandant or governor of the place, by the town-major.