ENSIGN

From Agepedia

ENSIGN (from the Latin insigne, standard). Ensign bearer, commonly called ensign, is the lowest commissioned officer in the English army, and that of the U. States. In the French army, under Napqleon, the oldest and most distinguished sergeants bore the colors. Napoleon ordered that those sergeants who could not write, and who had distinguished themselves, should be preferred, "because they could not be properly promoted farther, and yet deserved some distinction on account of their bravery." (See Las Cases* Memorial.')In naval language, ensign is a large standard or banner, hoisted on a long pole, erected over the poop, and called the ensignstaff. It is more commonly called flag. (q. v.)