Council of War

Council of War is a conference of military or naval officers, to consider a plan of campaign, determine the order of battle, or give their opinions on some matter in which the commander wishes to fortify his judgment by an appeal to that of others. The senior officers and heads of departments meet him in the consultation whenever he thinks it desirable; and their opinions are placed upon record. Thus the commandant of a fortress generally solicits the opinion of a council of war before surrendering to besiegers. The British military code leaves its assembly to his discretion, but the French make a special provision for a council of defence. In the navy, a council of war consists usually of flag-officers only; but officers of lower rank occasionally assist.