{{Short description|Army rank}} A '''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 United States Army, a matross ranked as a private of artillery.
The word is probably derived from French ''matelot'', a sailor.<ref>''Britannica'' 1911</ref> The OED states that the word is borrowed from the Dutch ''matroos'' ('a sailor of the lowest rank'), and is cognate with similar terms in German, Danish and Swedish.<ref>[https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/115072?redirectedFrom=matross#eid Matross] at Oxford English Dictionary</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{EB1911|wstitle=Matross|volume=17|page=890}}
Category:Military ranks Category:Artillery speciality
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