The Administration of Justice at the Fortress of Louisbourg, 1713-1758 ~ Glossary

Glossary: A List of Terms with Explanations or Translations

A List of Key Terms with Explanations or Translations

Cachot

Dungeon

Caporal de Garde

Corporal of the guard having charge of prisoners' detention

Casser la Tête

Death by firing squad

Cheval de bois

Instrument of punishment having four legs and a pointed seat which a guilty soldier was made to sit for a period of time to make amends for his offense

Conclusion

Decision reached by a conseil de Guerre as to guilt or innonence of an accused soldier

Confrontation

Face to face meeting between an accused and witnesses against him

Conseil de Guerre

Court martial or its tribuanl

Écroue

Register kept of prison inmates

En Dernier Ressort

Without appeal

Instruction

Preliminary hearing conducted to determine if there is sufficient evidence for a Conseil de Guerre

Interrogatoire

Questioning of witnesses during a Conseil de Guerre

Jugement

Sentencing of an accussed at a Conseil de Guerre

Juges ordinaires

Civil judges

Letter de Grâce

Official pardon

Passer par les armes

Death by firing squad

Passrr par les baguettes

Punishment inflicted by having the accused run the gauntlet between two rows of comarades who would strike him with sticks or the straps from their muskets. Though baguette means ramrod, these do not appear to have been used

Plainte

Complaint initiated against one accused of crime or infraction of the regulations

Plumatif

Minutes or record of proceedings

Procureur

Prosecutor

Récolement

The reading of witnesses' testimony back to them during a Conseil de Guerre. Testimony could be amended following this reading but at no future time

Sans Remission

Without possibility of commutation

Sellette

A wooden penitence stool on which an accused was made to kneel when questioned for the final time. Kneeling naturally increased discomfort, thus encouraging a willingness to answer.