What is "council of war"

Council \Coun"cil\ (koun"s[i^]l), n. [F. concile, fr. L. concilium; con- + calare to call, akin to Gr. ??? to call, and E. hale, v., haul. Cf. Conciliate. This word is often confounded with counsel, with which it has no connection.]

1. An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice; as, a council of physicians for consultation in a critical case.

2. A body of man elected or appointed to constitute an advisory or a legislative assembly; as, a governor's council; a city council.

   An old lord of the council rated me the other day.
   --Shak.

3. Act of deliberating; deliberation; consultation.

   Satan . . . void of rest, His potentates to council called by night.
   --Milton.

   O great in action and in council wise.
   --Pope.

   Aulic council. See under Aulic.

   Cabinet council. See under Cabinet.

   City council, the legislative branch of a city government, usually consisting of a board of aldermen and common council, but sometimes otherwise constituted.

   Common council. See under Common.

   Council board, Council table, the table round which a council holds consultation; also, the council itself in deliberation.

   Council chamber, the room or apartment in which a council meets.

   Council fire, the ceremonial fire kept burning while the Indians hold their councils. [U.S.]
   --Bartlett.

   Council of war, an assembly of officers of high rank, called to consult with the commander in chief in regard to measures or importance or nesessity.

   Ecumenical council (Eccl.), an assembly of prelates or divines convened from the whole body of the church to regulate matters of doctrine or discipline.

   Executive council, a body of men elected as advisers of the chief magistrate, whether of a State or the nation. [U.S.]

   Legislative council, the upper house of a legislature, usually called the senate.

   Privy council. See under Privy. [Eng.]

   Syn: Assembly; meeting; congress; diet; parliament; convention; convocation; synod.

A council of war is a term in military science that describes a meeting held to decide on a course of action, usually in the midst of a battle. Under normal circumstances, decisions are made by a commanding officer, optionally communicated and coordinated by staff officers, and then implemented by subordinate officers. Councils of war are typically held when matters of great importance must be decided, consensus must be reached with subordinates, or when the commanding officer is unsure of his position. The classic council of war includes a discussion and then a vote, often taken without the senior commander present to influence or intimidate the subordinates. The tradition in such meetings is that the officers vote in reverse sequence of their seniority, with the junior officers voting first.

A variation on the traditional council of war is one in which the subordinates vote, but the results are considered merely advisory to the overall commander, who then makes a final decision. Such a meeting was held on July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, in which Major General George G. Meade, commanding the Union Army of the Potomac, convened his Corps commanders and staff to discuss whether they should withdraw from the battlefield or, if not, whether they should attack Robert E. Lee's Confederate army or await his attack. Historical evidence indicates that Meade had already determined to stay and await Lee's attack, which occurred on July 3, the disastrous attack known as Pickett's Charge. But Meade formed consensus in his staff and improved their confidence by encouraging a two-hour discussion and vote, which fortunately resulted in the outcome he was seeking.

In civilian usage, council of war can describe any important meeting, such as in business, that must reach a decision under the pressure of adverse conditions.

Category:Military terminology Category:Meetings