The Collaborative International Dictionary
Corporal \Cor"po*ral\ (k[^o]r"p[-o]*ral), n. [Corrupted fr. F. caporal, It. caporale, fr. capo head, chief, L. caput. See Chief, and cf. Caporal.] (Mil.) A noncommissioned officer, next below a sergeant. In the United States army he is the lowest noncommissioned officer in a company of infantry. He places and relieves sentinels.
Corporal's guard, a detachment such as would be in charge of a corporal for guard duty, etc.; hence, derisively, a very small number of persons.
Lance corporal, an assistant corporal on private's pay.
--Farrow.
Ship's corporal (Naut.), a petty officer who assists the master at arms in his various duties.
Wiktionary
n. A detachment such as would be in charge of a corporal for guard duty, etc.; hence, derisively, a very small number of people.
Usage examples of "corporal's guard".
A corporal's guard was drawn up to receive him, and in advance of this stood Major Mallard and two others who were unknown to the Deputy-Governor: one slight and elegant, the other big and brawny.
Somehow, the regimental commander still stood, but only a forlorn corporal's guard stood with him.